The January 2011 issue of The Tidings, the newsletter of Brown Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian

1. The
Tidings
G ood news from
January 2011
in this i ssue Pastor’s r eflections
By r ev. a ndrew fosTer c onnors
PasTor’s r eflecTions ..1 andrew@browndowntown.org
T he candlelight service is over, the Christmas presents have been opened,
ask The PasTor ...........2 and some Christmas tree owners are almost ready to take down their trees.
Still, the Christmas season has just begun. That’s a strange thing to say
Musical e choes of
chrisTMas PasT ........... 3
when the big box stores have returned to regular store hours,
the sales have ended, and the malls have emptied. It’s a strange
January BirThdays .....3 thing to say when the lists have been checked off, and we look
toward a return to normalcy. It’s a strange thing to say when
a TrusTed careTaker. .4 the Pageant is over, the candles from Christmas Eve have been
extinguished, and the Christmas dinner won’t come around again for
chrisTian educaTion another year.
news. .........................4 Yet for those of us in the church, the birth of Jesus does not mark an
ending but a beginning. It marks the inauguration of God’s choice to come
January r esPonsiBiliTy and live beside us, to intrude upon our world and our lives with
schedule ..................... 5 surprising grace and challenging call: grace that is persistently
transforming our world, like that great moral arc of the universe that bends
January 2011
toward justice. The challenge for us all is to let the Christian season
aT BMPa .....................6
reawaken our perception, so that we might recognize the many ways that
God continues to break into our world.
It happens all the time if, as Jesus said, “We have eyes to see.” It
happened to me last week when Kate and I ran into a perfect stranger
whose name we recognized from the church’s prayer list. We made the
connection, and suddenly complete strangers became friends. It happened
to me when a diverse group of Baltimoreans gathered together in BUILD
to worship together and we could see a glimpse of the future together. It
happened to me when I heard about some choir members going to sing to
one of our homebound members, the youth group sharing themselves with
families transitioning out of homelessness, the Bible study taking a field
trip to a member who is no longer able to get to church.
God breaks into our world with surprising regularity if we are paying
attention. So let the several weeks of Christmas stay with you for awhile,
long enough to lift the veil that descends on people who become weary
with the chatter of the news. Let the season have its way with us so that we
might have our vision expanded wide enough to notice God in our midst.
Let Christmas last at least as long as the liturgical season prescribes, so
that the joy of life and love and community might be noticed and shared
by all.

2. a sk the Pastor
By r ev. e Mily rose P rocTor baptize both infants and adults speaks to two
emily@browndowntown.org inseparable truths about what it means to be a
Christian. As our Directory for Worship states, the
Q: “Can someone not believe that Jesus was the only son “baptism of children witnesses to the truth that
of God, or not believe in the immaculate conception and God’s love claims people before they are able to
still be a Christian? Can someone not believe that Jesus respond in faith;” while the “baptism of those who
was raised from the dead and still be a Christian?” enter the covenant upon their own profession of faith
witnesses to the truth that God’s gift of grace calls
A: It sounds like the heart of your question is this: for fulfillment in a response of faithfulness.” While
“Are there ‘essential tenets’ of the Christian faith, I don’t want to de-value the importance of wrestling
and if so, what are they?” This is a with scripture and theology, the life and words of
?
question that many Christians have Jesus lead me to believe that trusting in God’s love
wrestled with over the centuries, revealed to us in Christ and seeking to love God and
including Presbyterians. For example, one another in that same way is more important than
in 1910, the United Presbyterian Church assenting to particular doctrines.
of the USA (also known as “the Northern Church” I have to admit that I’m not sure what you mean by
after the Presbyterian Church split over the issue Christ not being the “only” Son of God. If you don’t
of slavery), adopted five essential doctrines of the think Christians are the only ones who are
Reformed faith for those seeking ordination. These promised eternal life, I’m right there with you. If you
included belief in the inerrancy of scripture, the see divine truth and light in the prophets and leaders
virgin birth, sacrificial atonement, bodily of other faiths, I am with you. If God revealed to all
resurrection, and Christ’s miracles. After years of of us tomorrow that the immaculate conception was
controversy, the church finally recanted, declaring in based on a mistranslation or an editorial, it would
1927 that “The General Assembly does not have the not shake my faith one bit. But the resurrection…. it
constitutional power to give binding definition to the is how I understand that Christ was revealed to be
church’s essential faith.” While we seek unity on the God incarnate to the first believers, and I see it as
essentials of the Christian faith, all attempts to list essential to God’s demonstration of love’s ultimate
or define those have so far been unsuccessful. triumph over violence and death. Do I understand it,
Of particular help to me is our belief that Christ logically? No way. But for me, it’s at the heart of my
alone is the head of the Church, meaning that faith. Now, does that mean that I will call
ultimately Christ alone has the authority to decide anyone who doubts the resurrection a heretic and
who is or is not a Christian or whether that is a non-Christian? No. My prayer is often that of the
category that even matters. The Presbyterian Book man in Mark 9:24: “I believe – help my unbelief!”
of Order doesn’t attempt to define what makes a Part of joining the community of faith is that
“Christian;” it limits itself to defining active sometimes, the community believes on your behalf –
membership in the church. If pressed for my and that’s okay. Faith, too, is a gift. Doubt, especially
definition, I would say a Christian is someone who when it is in the midst of faithful living in commu-
places her trust in the God revealed to us in Jesus nity, is its own kind of faithfulness.
Christ and desires to follow Christ in all that he * “Ask the Pastor” is a new feature of The
does as part of a community of faith. Baptism for the Tidings. You may submit a liturgical or scriptural
Church remains the visible sign of that trust and question to be answered by one of the Pastors to
desire and of one’s becoming part of the Body of Ellen Carter Cooper at edccooper58@hotmail.com.
Christ; it is also a way for us to know God’s grace The deadline for questions is the 15th of
and claim on our lives more deeply. The fact that we every month.
§
PaGe 2 t he t idinGs January 2011

3. musical e choes of christmas Past
By John walker, M inisTer of Music program on its archives, where it continues to be
john@browndowntown.org available to everyone with internet access. Listeners
More than any other season, the Christmas around the world may thereby continue to hear music
celebration is deeply connected with music in most from Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church.
countries throughout the world. Here at Brown Please invite your family and friends to go to
Memorial Church, our Chancel, Children www.sacredclassics.com and then to click on Archives,
and Handbell Choirs all participated in where they will be able to hear this program which was
leading the service of Lessons and recorded last May in our sanctuary. Many thanks to
Carols on Christmas Eve. Members of Jim Howes, producer of Sacred Classics and a frequent
these choirs spent many weeks of member of our choir!
rehearsal in preparation to offer this service for the Among many reasons for gratitude when I recall the
worshippers who attended that evening. Each choir past year, I am grateful for God’s gift of music.
member dedicated time and energy as their gift to God Frequently I ponder Friedrich Nietzsche’s statement that
and to the congregation. In this ongoing joyful act, “without music, life would be a mistake.” Through the
everyone experienced once again the reality that “it is gift of music we are able to sense a deeper truth beyond
more blessed to give than to receive.” What a simple perceived reality. When we participate together in
and direct route to happiness: the gift of being able making music, we forge a strong and unique common
to give! bond; and our sung prayer to God brings us closely into
On behalf of the entire congregation I express the beauty of God’s holiness. The noted author Kurt
gratitude to the countless persons who have offered Vonnegut once wrote: “If I should ever die, God forbid,
their gifts to worship throughout the past year: let this be my epitaph: THE ONLY PROOF HE
liturgists, members of the Worship Committee, NEEDED FOR THE EXISTANCE OF GOD WAS
dancers, singers, instrumentalists, greeters, ushers, MUSIC.” As we enter this new year, let us respond to
acolytes, communion stewards, banner makers and all Eric Routley’s poetic invitation, “New songs of
those I have failed to mention! I know that they all join celebration render to God who has great wonders
me in gratitude for the opportunity to share their gifts done….Trumpets and organs, set in motion such
to enhance the worship of the entire church family. sounds as make the heavens ring; all things that
Sacred Classics, which featured our choir and organ live in earth and ocean, sound forth the song, your
in a special broadcast last autumn, has now placed that praises bring.”
January Birthdays
01/01 Fred Lazarus 01/17 Elena Kirkpatrick
01/02 Pauline Piper 01/19 Elizabeth Wagner Cavallon
01/03 John Warmath 01/20 Michael Hughes
01/04 Emily Burton 01/21 Kristi Satterlee
01/05 Elden Schneider 01/22 Chrystie Adams
01/09 Yari Armand 01/22 Jane Swope
01/09 Rebecca Thomson 01/24 Charles McManus
01/10 Brad Bradford 01/25 Shayna Blinkoff
01/12 Elizabeth “Lizzie” Mills 01/26 Sean Artes
01/12 Meredith “Nellie” Mills 01/27 Rebecca Adams
01/13 Emily Bishai 01/28 Charles Joseph Reichelt, II
01/13 Richard Cook
01/13 Hadicha Murat-bekova Note: If you wish to have your birthday listed in
The Tidings, please contact Sharon Holley, church
01/14 Taylor Branch secretary, at 410-523-1542, or via e-mail at
01/16 Kathy Smith Sharon@browndowntown.org.
January 2011 t he t idinGs PaGe 3

4. a t rusted caretaker
By e llen carTer c ooPer Bill was hired by the Daily Record newspaper in Baltimore.
Do you know who is well acquainted with the slates on the Meanwhile, he was involved in another interest, “rehabbing” old
roofs of the church house and the church? Have you heard who houses. While “rehabbing” a house in South Baltimore, Bill met
is the “go-to guy” for problems with the church’s heating and air his future wife, Laura. After their marriage, they chose to live
conditioning? Have you wondered who negotiates the leases with where there are numerous old houses, Bolton Hill.
the church’s tenants? There has to be someone who takes the lead Once they were ensconced in the neighborhood, the
in such matters. For the past few years, that someone has been McConnell’s narrowed their church selection down to three
the chairperson of the Trustee Board, William (Bill) McConnell. churches. One of those churches was Brown Memorial. Bill said
Bill’s soft-spoken persistence developed early in life. He was that they felt so “at home” when they attended BMPA that they
born in Oak Ridge, Tennessee where his father was a physicist at never attended the other two churches. He was drawn to the
the nuclear center. The family moved several times during Bill’s church because of the theology and the commitment to the city.
early years. In fact, he attended five schools before second In typical Brown Memorial fashion, Bill was directed
grade because the family moved from Oak Ridge to Knoxville, immediately to an interest area. Roger Gench asked him to be
and then, when his father became an air traffic controller, the liaison to BUILD. Later on, he served as an Elder on
to Memphis. Session, for one term only because commuting from
From the ages of seven to eleven, Bill lived in Memphis, but at Washington, D.C. presented challenges for him. He then
the age of eleven, he had to make another adjustment. His father expressed an interest in becoming a trustee, and was selected to
elected to switch serve in that capacity.
job locations and As the chairperson of the Trustee Board, he applauds the
moved the family trustees for assuming the primary responsibility for
to Hawaii, where overseeing Brown Memorial’s physical plant. Bill views the
they resided for position as often being a “balancing act between whether to
Bill’s middle spend money on the building or on the church’s missions and
school years. His programs.” He credits the board members with:
father’s work took • overhauling the sanctuary’s furnace
Bill back to • roof repairs
Memphis • addressing accessibility issues
where this Bill still commutes from his job as Washington Bureau Chief
peripatetic young for The Deal, but he is taking a sabbatical from the Trustee
man enrolled Board (no longer the chairperson but is available if the trustees or
in high school. anyone else wants his advice on projects). He plans to take guitar
During this time, lessons with his son, Liam and to go on camping trips with the
another job family. This BMPA leader believes, “Leadership requires a
opportunity significant time commitment, but one should step back after a
presented itself for term to refresh, renew, and then come back to assist.”
the elder
McConnell to christian e ducation
move to St. Louis,
but Bill and his news
younger brother Vacation Bible School (VBS) is not just for kids! This year
Bill tearing out old carpet in his Bolton rebelled and we’re inviting everyone, young and old, to join us at a new date
Hill home in 2009. refused to go. and time to explore the topics of book, bath, table & time.* We
Bill’s rebellion will gather each Wednesday evening in July for
against living in another city did not extend to his field of study dinner at 5:30 p.m. followed by fellowship and
when he entered the University of Tennessee. He was inspired by learning from 6-7 p.m.
his father’s interest in public affairs and government to major in We’ll conclude the evening with songs around
journalism. After graduation he was hired for the summer by the the “campfire” from 7-7:30 p.m. More information and
New York Times Washington Bureau. This move enabled him to registration forms will be coming soon. Save the dates –
be closer to his mother’s relatives who lived in Arlington, July 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th – 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Virginia. When this job ended, Bill enrolled in American
University where he merged his interest in economics with his *Book, Bath, Table & Time is a book written by Fred P. Edie
old love, journalism. that explores the concept of Christian worship as an
Soon another move was in the works. It was a significant one. alternative model for Christian nurture.
PaGe 4 t he t idinGs January 2011

5. January r esPonsiBility s chedule
11 a. m. worshiP service
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 communion servers
2nd evan cunninGham & 2nd carol Graves
charlie mcmanus andy imParato
9th sam enGlish & andy Johnston
ruskin nohe-moren carol newill
16th Blythe Petit & ella may
23rd warner Brockman & Greeters
Peter lulJak 2nd t.B.d.
30th katie eGan & Julia lulJak 9th t.B.d.
16th t.B.d.
audio enGineer 23rd t.B.d.
2nd t.B.d. 30th t.B.d.
9th t.B.d.
16th t.B.d. liturGist
23rd t.B.d. 2nd Graham richardson
30th t.B.d. 9th karen nelson
16th susan schindler
children’s church volunteer 23rd BarBara christen
2nd ken mills & elena kirkPatrick 30th tom stewart
9th Grace PenG & mehran armand
16th elizaBeth & charles reichelt offertory acolytes
23rd linnea cheseldine & 2nd James cunninGham &
marya howell Jack mcmanus
30th Jim & Joanne eGan 9th elizaBeth cavallon &
JosePhine finney
coffee hour hosts 16th samuel todd & Jihar williams
2nd court & sally roBinson 23rd James cavallon & eva mcnaBney
9th t.B.d. 30th olivia lianG & emily reed
16th Jenny williams &
Jonathan Barnes offertory counters
23rd BarBara francis ken mills & andy ross
30th t.B.d.
communion PreParation ushers
2nd BarBara christen & charlie oBrecht, PeGGy oBrecht,
sandra fink Jenny williams & John warmath
The
Tidings
Published monthly for members and friends of Brown
Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church by the
Membership Committee. Andrew Foster Connors, Pastor.
Emily Rose Proctor, Associate Pastor. 1316 Park Avenue,
Baltimore, MD 21217. 410.523.1542.
G ood news from www.browndowntown.org. Send contributions by
the 15th of each month to Ellen Carter Cooper, editor
(edccooper58@hotmail.com) or to Sharon Holley,
church secretary (sharon@browndowntown.org).
January 2011 t he t idinGs PaGe 5

6. January 2011 at BmPa
January 2011
S unday M onday TueSday WedneSday ThurSday Friday S aTurday
26 d eceMber 27 28 29 30 31 1 January
No Education Hour or Church Office Closed Church Office Closed Church Office Closed Church Office Closed Church Office Closed 2011
Choir Warm-Up
Service of Worship 11 a.m. h appy n eW
year !
2 Education Hour
9:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m. 3 4 5 Midweek Bible Study
10:30 a.m-11:30 a.m.
6 7 8
Service of Worship 11 a.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal
7 p.m.-8:45 p.m.
9 Education Hour,
Choir Warm-Up 10 11 12 Midweek Bible Study
10:30 a.m-11:30 a.m. 13 14 15
9:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m.
Service of Worship 11 a.m. Session Meeting WN@B Chancel Choir Rehearsal Youth Night Out on the Town
6:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m-7:30 p.m. 7 p.m.-8:45 p.m.
Youth Mission Sunday
- Marion House 3 p.m.
Handbell Choir Rehearsal
12:15 p.m.-1:15 p.m.
16 Education Hour,
Choir Warm-Up 17 18 19 Midweek Bible Study 20 21 22
10:30 a.m-11:30 a.m.
9:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m.
WN@B Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Service of Worship 11 a.m. 7 p.m.-8:45 p.m.
5:30 p.m-7:30 p.m.
Handbell Choir Rehearsal
12:15 p.m.-1:15 p.m.
Midweek Bible Study
23 Education Hour,
Choir Warm-Up 24 25 26 10:30 a.m-11:30 a.m. 27 28 29
9:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal
WN@B High School Youth Ski Trip High School Youth Ski Trip
Service of Worship 11 a.m. 7 p.m.-8:45 p.m.
5:30 p.m-7:30 p.m.
t he t idinGs
Handbell Choir Rehearsal
12:15 p.m.-1:15 p.m.
Sunday School Bowling at
Stoneleigh Lanes
30 Education Hour,
Choir Warm-Up 31 1 February 2 Midweek Bible Study
10:30 a.m-11:30 a.m.
3 4 5
9:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Service of Worship 11 a.m. WN@B
5:30 p.m-7:30 p.m. 7 p.m.-8:45 p.m.
High School Youth Ski Trip
PaGe 6
Annual Congregational Meeting
12:15 p.m-1:30 p.m.