We cleaned house this week. I mean the kind of “throw everything in the center of the room and start pitching stuff you’ve held onto forever” kind of cleaning that only happens once a year, at best, in my house. Usually I’m the reluctant cleaner in my household, but on Monday, I wouldn’t quit – “let’s

go through these books,” “let’s look under this bed,” “let’s go through this closet.” Crazed with the cleanliness bug, Kate was eyeing me with suspicion wondering when this fever would break. If she had seen my study at the church, she would have known

that the cleaning bug had already bitten me there earlier in the summer. (If you like clean spaces, come see it before the end of September).

On reflection, I can see my whirlwind probably has a lot to do with impending transitions. Vacation was ending and we’re on the cusp of a new year. Both of our children will be in full-day school this year. Kate, as you’ve heard, will be looking for new work this fall. My cleaning craze probably had a lot to do with battening down the hatches at home and at church before all these journeys begin; making life seaworthy before the ship heads out into unpredictable weather, into waters that ebb and flow.

The reflection brought to mind one of my favorite texts in all of the Bible, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you” (Isaiah 43) I’ve loved this text for a number of reasons. It’s honest – when you pass through waters and rivers, not if. I like it because it provides comfort and inspires courage at the same time. I’ve got to walk through waters and rivers and fires – something difficult will be required from me. But I can do those things because the Lord is with me. I like it because it roots current experience in a larger narrative than my own. If you know the wider narrative – how the Israelites walked through water from slavery to freedom – then you can see your own contemporary challenge in the light of that history of promise, struggle, wilderness, and redemption.

I like this text because it speaks to me, but also pulls me back into the larger narrative of God’s concern with the community, the place where I belong. As we approach a new year, this text reminds me that journeys are best when we approach them together, situating our personal narratives into the larger narrative that comforts, inspires, challenges, promises, and brings us hope. That narrative is there for us in community no matter what winds or waves come our way. I hope to see you on board when we pull up anchor on September 12!

Pastor’s reflections

TheTidings

sePtember 2010

Good news from

PasTor’s reflecTions ..1

a new hymnal for The PresbyTerian church ..2

winTley PhiPPs oPens Tiffany series season .3

new direcTor of handbells aPPoinTed .3

ringers needed for ocTober 24, 2010 ...3

ask The PasTor ...........4

new members welcomed ..................4

a lifelong love of helPing children imProve Their reading 5

readers needed aT euTaw-marshburn ..5

a new Time for sunday school .....5

sePTember adulT forum schedule ...................5

sePTember resPonsibiliTy schedule ...................6

news from The diversiTy commiTTee ..6

worshiP schedule reminder ...................6

sePTember birThdays ..7

in memoriam ..............7

sePTember 2010aT bmPa .....................8

in this issueby rev. andew fosTer connors

andrew@browndowntown.org

Approximately once every twenty years, the Presbyterian Church adopts a new hymnal for our denomination. My personal library contains my grandparents’ copies of the 1895 and 1911 hymnals, as

well as the 1933 (green) Hymnal which was in use during my childhood and which nurtured many of us in our faith journeys. With the Hymnal 1990 now in its 21st reprinting, we Presbyterians are

planning to create a new hymnal! Having been appointed two years ago by General Assembly, the New Hymnal Committee is already well along its assigned path, with a goal to present the new hymnal to General Assembly four years from now, in 2014. One of the first decisions of this committee was to change its name; it is now known as the “Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Song”.

Writing in Call to Worship, committee chairperson Mary Louise Bringle describes these volumes as family albums, with each denominational family displaying its unique history within its hymnal. “As denominational families, we each have our own particular memories to cherish and legacies to preserve.” She cites as an example that the Presbyterian Hymnal contains only 11 hymns by Charles Wesley while the Methodist Hymnal includes 40 of Wesley’s hymns. By contrast our Presbyterian heritage is the singing of Psalms, the only music authorized by John Calvin. Therefore our present hymnal contains 101 Psalm settings, many tracing their origin to Calvin’s music director Louis Bourgeois and to our Scottish forebears. Therefore we have many tunes such as Caithness, Dunfermline, and Dundee.

The Committee on Congregational Song has selected representative congregations throughout America to participate in analysis of our present hymnal and to review certain materials for the new publication. Brown Memorial Church was designated two years ago to participate in this study. From nationwide responses to the survey, one of the least used sections of the 1990 Hymnal is the portion devoted to the Psalms, our family heritage! Of those 101 items, 85 were reported as never having been used

in worship in the past year by at least three-fourths of those surveyed.

Why is a new hymnal necessary? “The church keeps changing, and new collections are called for every twenty to twenty-five years to reflect those changes,” writes Bringle. “With the possibility of continually supplementing a print volume with digital materials made available to subscribers on the Web, we have opportunities never before available to a ‘hymnal committee’ for staying attuned to the ever-expanding repertoire of resources for singing new songs together to God.”

Our Hymnal is also a “global family album.” The theological vision statement written to guide the work of the committee states that “when we sing together in worship, first and foremost we are singing to, of, and for the God who is Lord of all creation…. We do not sing hymns and songs because they were birthed in our culture; we sing them because they teach us something about the richness that is in God. Or as the old hymn puts it: There’s wideness in God’s mercy, like the wideness of the sea. Singing global songs is one way of setting sail.”

Andrew Donaldson, co-editor of the Canadian Book of Praise, insists that “we are not just singing for the person seated next to us, but also for the person not yet in the pews…when, God willing, we will be seated side by side with Mandarin Chinese and Japanese and Portuguese and Cherokee…when we are truly gathered from north and south and east and west, to feast at the table of the Lord.”

Tasked with an enormous responsibility, the Committee on Congregational Song is moving forward steadily on schedule. On June 1 of this year the committee closed submissions of new materials for consideration. We can anticipate that soon our congregation will receive samples of new hymnody for our experimentation and reaction to the committee. My good friend Karen Hastings Flegel, member of the committee, reports that she and her colleagues sense their involvement in a matter of infinite spiritual importance, not only for themselves but also for the whole church, both now and in the future. We await the opportunity to add the collective voice of our congregation to the formation of our new book.

PaGe 2 the tidinGs sePtember 2010

a new hymnal for the Presbyterian churchby John walker, minisTer of music

john@browndowntown.org

§

sePtember 2010 the tidinGs PaGe 3

During the months since we have been aware of Chrystie Adams’ impending move to South Dakota to engage in full-time mission activity, we have been conducting a search for a successor as Director of Handbells. I am delighted to report that this search process has resulted in the selection and appointment of Lydia Beasley as the new Director of Handbells. Lydia will assume this responsibility in September.

We already know Lydia as soprano soloist in the Chancel Choir, where in addition to her great musicianship’ she contributes her engaging personality. Before coming to Baltimore, Lydia was Minister of Music at Belmont Baptist Church in Charlottesville, Virginia, conducting both vocal and handbell choirs. She brings that experience and skill with her great enthusiasm to the life of our congregation at Brown Memorial Church.

I encourage you to welcome Lydia to her expanded musical role within our church life. If you are between the ages of 12 and 120, now would be the perfect time for you to speak with Lydia about playing handbells!

by John walker, minisTer of musicHi everyone! I am very excited for the opportunity to

conduct the handbell choir, and can’t wait to get started this fall. I know I have big shoes to fill! Playing in a handbell choir is a uniquely rewarding experience, since dedication and teamwork are just as important as, if not more than, individual musical abilities. So, no matter what your musical background or ability, there’s a spot for you in the handbell choir!

Right now we are looking for volunteers to ring together in the very special Brown Downtown 30th Anniversary Service on Sunday morning, October 24. Because our handbells share the historic relationship between the Park Avenue and Woodbrook churches, we will open that Anniversary Service with ringing of the handbells. Practice times are scheduled at 6:30 p.m. on five Wednesday evenings, September 22, 29, and October 6, 13, and 20, coordinated with the other activities of Wednesday Nights at Brown. We need YOU to help us in this way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of our church!

If you are able to be part of this five-week project, know of someone who might like to participate, or have any questions or suggestions about the group, please let me know by emailing me at leeleeput@gmail.com or calling my cell phone at 434-760-1709. Thank you! I’m looking forward to speaking with you and sharing together the joy of playing handbells!

– Lydia Beasley

Get ready for an incredible experience!! Baritone Wintley Phipps, renowned gospel singer, pastor, and education activist, will open this season’s Tiffany Series with a concert on Sunday, September 26 at 3 p.m. in the sanctuary.

In a 30-year career singing spirituals, Phipps has performed for the last five sitting American presidents. His celebrated rendition of “Amazing Grace” – which he sang at the Inaugural Prayer Breakfast for President Barack Obama, as well as at Carnegie Hall – has been viewed on YouTube almost five million times. (Go to YouTube and search: “Wintley Phipps and Amazing Grace”)

He will be introduced by Dr. Ben Carson, Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

A two-time Grammy Award nominee, Rev. Phipps has sung for former South African President Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Pope John Paul II, and the Billy Graham Crusades, as well as for the Rosa Parks Birthday Celebration.

Phipps will also speak briefly about the U.S. Dream Academy, the national after-school program he founded to provide mentoring and tutoring to children whose parents are incarcerated. Baltimore’s Dream Academy Learning Center at Collington Square Elementary School was one of the organization’s earliest centers.

It serves approximately 500 students in pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade.General admission is $15; students pay $5. Children 10 and under attend for free. Advance sale tickets (recommended)

are available after worship on Sundays, and in the church office during the week.

new director of handbells aPPointed

wintley PhiPPs, GosPel sinGerand dream academy founderoPens tiffany series season

Wintley Phipps

Ringers Needed for October 24, 2010

PaGe 4 the tidinGs sePtember 2010

ask the Pastor

Q: “Why do you always change the beginning of the Lord’s Prayer? It’s confusing because I never know what to say.”

A: You’re right! It is confusing. I agree with you that there is something powerful about a prayer that everyone knows by heart, and if we keep varying the opening address to God, it loses some of that power. When I use this prayer in pastoral

care situations, I almost always begin, “Our Father,” for exactly that reason.

The problem with always beginning the Lord’s Prayer, this way, particularly in public

worship, is that it can communicate to people that using masculine language for God is the “right” way to pray, and that God is male, or at least more male than female. I agree with feminist scholars who have concluded that in the Christian tradition, “Father” language for God has crossed the line into idolatry. Not only does the Bible use a variety of images and language to describe and address God, it is clear that God is beyond all our language and understanding – God is neither male nor female.

When Moses asks God to reveal God’s name to him in Exodus 3:14, God replies, “I am who I am” or “I will be who I will be” or “I am becoming what I am becoming.” The actual Hebrew letters for the name of God, YHWH, are all “unstable” letters in the Hebrew alphabet. That means that their presence in a word indicates that that word will probably not follow the predictable grammatical patterns when it changes tense, voice, number, etc. Letters will change, be dropped, or suddenly appear. To me, this is simply another way for God to communicate to us that God is alive and unpredictable. God does not follow our rules. God constantly eludes our grasp.

But refraining from all God-talk in an effort to avoid idolatry is not the answer. The most faithful alternative, in my opinion, is to use as many different Biblical images and descriptors of God as have meaning for us, and to vary them often. We should include “Father” language, but not use it exclusively. This is also the approach that our denomination has taken in the last four decades. The PCUSA brochure Well Chosen Words provides a good summary of both the rationale for using inclusive language for human beings (language that refers to both men and women) and the diverse language for God found in our scriptures, creeds, and early church theologians (www.pcusa.org/resource/well-chosen-words).

The Bible uses the following lesser known images and

names to describe God: Midwife, Mother, Mother bear, Woman, Baker, Eagle, Hen, Potter. Can you find these references in scripture? Even the early church “Fathers” sometimes used feminine language to describe God. St. Augustine wrote, “He who has promised us heavenly food has nourished us on milk, having recourse to a mother’s tenderness. For just as a mother, suckling her infant, transfers from her flesh the very same food which would be unsuited to a babe…so our Lord, in order to convert His wisdom into milk for our benefit, came to us clothed in flesh” (Second Discourse on the Psalms).

I don’t want anxiety about what name to use for God to be the primary emotion when we say the Lord’s Prayer, so we will try printing the entire text of the prayer in the bulletin with the language for God that we will use that week. But, from a purely theological standpoint, I’m not sure there’s anything wrong with a diversity of God-names ascending simultaneously from our congregation each Sunday during the Prayers of the People. In fact, that might be the most faithful way of all to speak God’s name.

* “Ask the Pastor” is a new feature of The Tidings. You may submit a liturgical or scriptural question to be answered by one of the Pastors to Ellen Carter Cooper at edccooper58@hotmail.com. The deadline for questions is the 15th of every month.

?

by rev. emily rose marTin

emily@browndowntown.org

new memberswelcomed

Earlier this summer we had several new families join the church, please join us in welcoming:

Jason and Michelle Setty and their son, Beau – Jason and Michelle were encouraged to attend by other members and have said that they feel what others have said that, “Our church is about “us” in a very “me” culture”.

Tom Stewart and Taylor McKinney – Tom is the son of a Presbyterian minister and Taylor comes from a Baptist background. Taylor is a teacher and has helped in the past with BUILD. Tom works for a Congressman on the Hill. Both of them are working on advanced degrees at night. Tom and Taylor have interests in working with the youth and Urban Witness.

Eric and Kim Echols – Both are from Waco, Texas and moved to Baltimore when Eric went to Peabody. Eric and Kim listened to a sermon or two online and were impressed by the music. They have been drawn in by a feeling of Brown Memorial being a “judgment free zone”.

sePtember 2010 the tidinGs PaGe 5

a lifelonG love of helPinG children imProve their readinG

When the Brown Memorial Tutoring Program starts back up this fall, one volunteer will need very little assistance.

After all, it will be June Carr’s 44th consecutive year as a Brown Memorial tutor – nearly half a century spent instilling a love of reading in Baltimore’s young people. Over the years, she has tutored close to 50 people (some years she tutored more than one child), some of whom are well into middle age.

The tutoring is focused on reading, but it is extremely valuable, she says, to develop a connection with a student.

“I think it’s important for children to know there are people who care what happens to them,” she says. “They don’t get the one-on-one attention in school. They need to realize there are people out there who are looking out for them.”

Mrs. Carr, who is 81 years old and lives in Bolton

Hill, has also devoted herself to building and organizing the Tutoring Program’s library, which lines one wall of the Sunday School’s meeting space. She has participated in several classes to prepare her to work with children with dyslexia.

As a girl growing up in the English city of Bristol, June loved to read, and fondly remembers feasting on Rudyard Kipling and books by Arthur Ransome.

“I couldn’t imagine,” she says, “someone not being able to pick up a book and read as a child.”

The Brown Memorial Tutoring Program salutes June Carr, volunteer extraordinaire!

The Brown Memorial Tutoring Program offers one-on-one tutoring to elementary school students once a week through the school year. Volunteers are needed and training and hands-on support is provided by the program’s two staff persons. For more information, contact Director Martha Socolar by calling the church office: 410-523-1542.

by Tom waldron

“ONCE UPON A TIME.................” – if these words thrill you, or, at least, make you smile, you might want to become a Brown Memorial reader at Eutaw Marshburn Elementary School!

We read to students in the kindergarten through fifth grade on a bi-weekly schedule. The commitment is for ONE HOUR (reading to two classrooms for 25 minutes each). This is an enrichment program, enabling readers to choose their own books – fairy tales, fables, brand new stories, old favorites, nature, legends, sports, or anything else. The children also enjoy poetry!

The children love having someone to read to them, the teachers like having the readers come and so, it is a most rewarding experience. Come and join us! For more information, please contact Karen Nelson at 410-466-6106 or KarenLBN@comcast.net.

by sandra fink

readers needed at eutaw-marshburn

a new time for sunday school

All Sunday School classes will begin at 9:45 a.m. and end at 10:45 a.m. This change will match the rehearsal schedule for the choir, as well as make it easier for families and worship leaders to make the transition from Sunday school to worship without shortchanging the educational program.

go Green wiTh your coPy of THE TIDINGS!Now that our new website is complete and we have a direct link to the most recent Tidings publication help us go GREEN by receiving your copy online. Receiving email notification of when the latest Tidings is available forreading will help us cut down on the environmental and financial costs of printing and mailing paper copies. If you would like to receive e-mail notification of when the latest Tidings is available, please send Sharon Holley an email at sharon@browndowntown.org. She will need your name and email address. Also, check our website directly for updates at www.browndowntown.org/index.php?s=newsletter to download the latest Tidings. Thanks for helping us to be better stewards of God’s magnificent creation.

take note

sePtember adult forum schedulesePt. 12 – BUILD updates us on their fall strategy

about shaping the election around issues that matter.

sePt. 19-oct. 31 – A video-discussion series called “Living the Questions,” facilitated by Rev. Proctor and other members of the congregation to address key questions of faith for Christians who consider themselves to be “progressive.”

PaGe 6 the tidinGs sePtember 2010

If you have a conflict with this schedule – please call others on the list to make a swap. Then inform the church office of these changes at 410-523-1542 or sharon@browndowntown.org.

acolytes

5th evan cunninGham & Jack mitchell

12th rachel & kenna emerick

19th trevor bishai & will coulson

26th t.b.a.

audio enGineer

5th don PeePles

12th adrienne williams 19th brantley davis

26th bud Graves

children’s church volunteer

5th michelle & Jim loGan

12th bill mcconnell

19th tom & micheline mcmanus

26th nicole mitchell

coffee hour hosts

5th t.b.a.12th t.b.a.19th t.b.a.26th melissa & allan riorda

communion PreParation

5th sandra fink

communion servers

5th andy imParato

andy Johnston

carol Graves

carol newill

Greeters

5th deb milcarek & court robinson

12th brad & nancy bradford

19th michelle & Jim loGan

26th melissa & allan riorda

liturGist

5th barbara cates

12th taylor branch

19th youth

26th elden schneider

offertory counters

darin crew & bud Graves

ushers

t.b.a.

sePtember resPonsibility schedule11 a.m. worshiP service

The Sunday worship service begins at 11 a.m.

starting September 12th

worshiP schedule reminder

news from the diversity committee

The Diversity Committee is very pleased to announce the long-awaited completion of the ramp to the rear porch of the Church House. This building is now accessible for the first

time, and people with physical disabilities will be able to attend the many events and gatherings held there. The committee is appreciative to the Session and the Trustees for supporting this endeavor. We are pleased with

the workmanship of George Brown’s Greenleaf Remodeling Company, both for the ramp design and construction and for their rebuilding of the back porch floor and columns. Once the ramp has had 3-6 months to become seasoned, it will be stained the same color as the back porch floor. This ramp is the latest in an ongoing initiative by the Committee and the Church to make the church fully accessible, as outward signs of God’s inclusive love.

In the fall, the committee will focus on the area of support for people with mental illness and their families. We will sponsor an Adult Forum series on mental illness in the workplace in November, and Co-Chair Page Campbell will deliver a sermon on mental illness/brain disorders on November 21. The desire to prepare and deliver the sermon was inspired by recent personal experience with serious mental illness in her family, which resulted in a great deal of consciousness-raising about the phenomenon, its effects on those who suffer from such illnesses, and those who care for them. It also raised the question of what we are called to do as members of Christ’s Church to support people struggling with such problems Along those lines, the committee also hopes to explore how this Church can be as welcoming and supportive as possible to those who deal with such issues, whether they’re already members of our congregation or may wish to join us.

sePtember 2010 the tidinGs PaGe 7

sePtember birthdays

Published monthly for members and friends of Brown Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church by the Membership Committee. Andrew Foster Connors, Pastor. Emily Rose Martin, Associate Pastor. 1316 Park Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21217. 410.523.1542.www.browndowntown.org. Send contributions bythe 15th of each month to Ellen Carter Cooper, editor(edccooper58@hotmail.com) or to Sharon Holley, church secrectary (sharon@browndowntown.org).

Good news from

TheTidings

09/02 Max Blinkoff09/02 Monica Rakowski09/02 Mary Randall09/03 Hilda Imhoff

09/04 James E. Cox09/04 Ang Robinson09/08 Elisabeth McMillan09/10 Azra Sara Bartell09/10 Jacqueline L. Cole09/10 Micheline Manus09/10 Anne Sledge09/11 Elizabeth Bernos09/13 Emma Fesperman09/14 John Burton09/14 Youngmi Song09/16 Nannette Mitchell09/16 Karen Nelson09/16 Linell Smith09/18 Nicole Mitchell09/20 Trevor Bishai09/22 Lynn Clippinger09/22 Dylan Aaron Smith09/24 Luke Clippinger09/24 Barbara Hull Francis09/24 Helen Logan09/25 Jack Burton09/25 Mia Goodwin Davis09/25 Sabine Goodwin Davis09/25 Grace Peng09/28 Keiffer Mitchell, Jr.

09/28 Donna Senft09/28 Jim Veatch09/29 Elizabeth Garcia-Bunuel09/29 Lisa Hoffberger

Note: If you wish to have your birthday listed in The Tidings, please contact Sharon Holley, church secretary, at 410-523-1542, or via e-mail at Sharon@browndowntown.org.

PhiliP i. heuisler, iiioctober 28, 1936 – July 30, 2010

Phil was the husband of, long-time member and Deacon, Anne Wilson Heuisler. He was a retired Baltimore businessman and longtime jazz aficionado. “He had a strong sense of priorities: wife, family, Catholic faith, friends, jazz and golf,” his brother said. “He ecumenically loved people.” Phil will be deeply missed by his wife, children and grandchildren and by all who knew him.

frederick c. PetrichaPril 10, 1926 – July 14, 2010

Fred was a retired faculty member at Peabody and a voice teacher who was instrumental in saving our choir in the early days of our separation from Brown Memorial Woodbrook by providing Peabody students. A memorial service will be held Sunday, September 5th at 3:00 p.m. at Brown Memorial Park Avenue.

In Memoriam

PaGe 8 the tidinGs sePtember 2010

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