Interim's Insights
There are two wonderful stories about Groucho Marx and memberships. When he wanted to join a certain beach club in Santa Monica, California, he was told by a friend that as the club was known to be anti-Semitic he might as well not bother to apply. Marx said, “But my wife isn’t Jewish, so will they let my son go into the water up to his knees?” Well, there’s probably a baptism sermon on there somewhere. Later he was said to have written a telegram to the exclusive Friars Club in Hollywood to which he belonged: “Please accept my resignation. I don’t want to belong to any club that will accept me as a member.”
Membership is a strange thing. It can be exclusive and it can be accepting. One definition of a member is simply “an individual who is part of a group.” In the Episcopal Church a member is defined as any person who has been baptized by water in the name of the Holy Trinity whether in this church or any other Christian Church, and whose membership has been duly recorded in this Church. The portion of that definition which is often overlooked is the part about being “duly recorded in this Church.” Do you know if you are a member of the Episcopal Church and Calvary Church in particular and have been “duly recorded”? As the signs say, “The Episcopal Church Welcomes You.” We want you to be a part of our group and most of you are. However, it’s not a bad idea to be sure that you have in fact been baptized AND had that baptism (your “letter”) of membership, duly recorded at Calvary. For example, maybe you were baptized at a Presbyterian church in Memphis. Has the certification of that baptism been transferred to Calvary? If you attended another Episcopal Church before coming to Calvary, has that letter of transfer ever been sent here? If not all you need to do is contact that church and have them send us a letter to verify your baptism (and possible Confirmation). That letter would qualify as you being duly recorded here. Should, God forbid, you move from here you should have your “letter” moved with you. In fact there are numerous parishioners who haven’t had that done, and don’t worry, it is only a technicality but something you might want to correct. As the office fills out our annual parochial report to the national church we should be accurate in our membership count.
Of course the important point is that our membership is as open and accepting as possible. We’d love to have Groucho and his family too.
On a more personal note, I have said to the Vestry that I will be happy to continue as your Interim Rector at least through Easter and/or until a new rector is called. It continues to be an honor to serve Calvary and I look forward to 2010 with all its challenges and promise.
John M. HinesSenior Wardenwords
I am honored to have been elected to serve as Senior Warden this year. This is a pivotal year for Calvary. The following items provide a preview of events and happenings anticipated for 2010 at Calvary, not necessarily occurring in this order. We will (hopefully) welcome a new rector thanks to the sustained efforts of the Search Committee. We will celebrate our sesquicentennial with much help from the Sesquicentennial Celebration Committee. We will continue to address the condition and pressing needs of our physical plant and refurbish our parish hall and kitchen with the diligent oversight of the property Committee and input offered by the Strategic Planning and Decorating Committees. With efforts of staff and the greater Calvary community we will continue to offer food, clothing, and books to those who need them. I have every faith in our vestry and our Calvary community and know we will, as always, rise to the challenges and opportunities at hand. Congratulations to the new Vestry members - I welcome your presence and experience.
Molly Isaacs-McLeod
Junior Wardenwords
It’s an honor to have been selected by the vestry to serve as your Junior Warden for the coming year. And having been asked by Margaret less than an hour later to provide a “Junior Wardenwords” article for the Calvary Connection by today (January 18), I quickly turned for inspiration to the Second Lesson printed in the Sunday bulletin, as it is one of those passages of scripture which speaks to me deeply about the importance and uniqueness of every single individual in the whole body of Christ we know as the church:
“Now concerning spiritual gifts . . . there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.” -- I Corinthians 12
The Junior Warden is known as “the people’s warden” and as such is given a special charge to be knowledgeable about the congregation and to listen to its concerns with both head and heart. As your Junior Warden, I will seek to become more fully aware of the gifts each of you brings, of the kinds of services each of you feels called to, and of the activities that will encourage spiritual growth within you and further “Christ's work of reconciliation in the world”. We do indeed all serve the same Spirit, the same Lord and the same God, but in many different ways -- and for that I thank God.
Ruth RobinsOrdination of Mary Anne Mertz
On December 21, 2009, The Rt. Rev. Edwin F. Gulick, Jr., Bishop of Kentucky, commented that the ordination ceremony at which he was about to preside was a first for him. It was the first time he had presided at the ordination of a priest and a deacon in the same ceremony. Mary Ann Mertz was ordained priest and Suzanne Warner was ordained deacon at Christ Church Cathedral on St. Thomas’ Day, a traditional day for ordinations.
Mary Ann Mertz served as an intern at Calvary Episcopal Church in 2006 and 2007. After completing her training for the priesthood at General Seminary, she became the Lower School Chaplain of The Episcopal Academy in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1785, it was the first Episcopal School in the United States. Mary Ann works with 449 children, pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, leading worship; providing pastoral care for them, their families, and the faculty; and teaching religion to all of the children.
At the ordination service last December, The Rev. James R. Squire from The Episcopal Academy presented Mary Ann with a stole created for her by her colleagues and students. The side you see in the photo at left has stripes representing the Stripes Program at her school. On the other side are fingerprints of all her students.
Mary Ann’s ordination brought together her family and friends from Calvary and St. Matthews churches in Louisville, from her seminary, and from her new church home in Pennsylvania. Mary Ann’s new address is 500 E. Lancaster Avenue, Unit 127C, St. Davids, PA 19087
Linda Klein
Calvary Book Club
The Calvary Book Club, which meets the first Tuesday Evening of each month has an eclectic group of reads lined up for the rest of Winter and the first of Spring 2010.
On Tuesday, February 2, 2010, in honor of Ground Hog Day, we are reading a book focused on another species of God’s creation, the African Gray Parrot. We are reading Alex & Me: How a Scientist and a Parrot Discovered a Hidden World of Animal Intelligence - and Formed a Deep Bond in the Process, by Irene M. Pepperberg, copyright 2008, Published by HarperCollins Publishers, New York, NY 2009. Pepperberg used Alex in an experiment concerning teaching parrots to talk. As a scientist, she was supposed to keep her professional distance from her subject, but did she really? Could Alex just repeat sounds he had heard, or did he recognize objects, actions and concepts, that is, did he think? Every reader will have to reach their own conclusion. Verlyn Klingenborg wrote, in an article published in the New York Times Editorial Notebook section shortly after Alex’ death in September 2007, “. . . thinking about whether animals can think is like looking at the world through a two-way mirror.” We will meet at 7:00 pm that evening in either the Parish Hall or Parker Hall.
On Tuesday, March 2, 2010, to honor the Irish in the month which celebrates Ireland’s Patron Saint Patrick, we will be reading Irish author Colum McCann’s Let the Great World Spin, the 2009 National Book Award Recipient, the Amazon.com "Book of the Year" and the Oprah.com "Books You Can't Put Down" Summer Reading Selection. In his review Adam Dunn of the Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel wrote, “McCann has written more than a supremely woven tapestry of imagined lives; through their struggles, he clears a path for healing and redemption from the cataclysm of a later time.”
The paperback version of this book is currently available for $7.50 at Amazon.com
Sally Lambert
Sermon Forum
The Worship Committee discussed the following suggestion that originated in a proposal made during the Adult Forum at 10.
Coffee Hours serve the purpose of sustaining fellowship and providing an opportunity to make visitors welcome. Most of the conversations seem to concern church affairs and the continuation of friendships. The message offered in the sermon is only occasionally mentioned.
The suggestion, then, is for those who have an interest in discussing the sermon could meet in Parker Hall. The gathering might begin 15 or 20 minutes after we have had time for food! Participants would be invited to mention and discuss any thoughts that might have been sparked by the content of the sermon.
Comments pro and con about this idea are invited. These may be made at one of the future coffee hours, or by email to Callie or Carl Hausman at carlhausman@aol.com.
Carl Hausman
The 2010 Annual Meeting
“Twas the seventeenth of January and all through the church, the Calvaryites were stirring, even the church mouse. The clock on the wall marked 10 a.m., and Larry Frederiksen, initiating one of his last duties as Senior Warden, called :Order” to those gathered in the Parish Hall to attend the 2010 Annual Congregational Meeting. It was a good and happy crowd, and Fr. Hines opened the meeting with prayer.
Larry used his canonical warden authority to appoint a Parliamentarian – moi. I affirmed that a quorum was present and articulated the canonical rules for eligibility to vote in a Congregational Meeting. Soon LaNell Barnes was elected Secretary pro tempore; the reading of the minutes of the 2009 meeting were, pro forma, dispensed with; and the first business of the day, the election of the vestry class of 2012, took place. There being no nominations from the floor, the nine candidates were introduced to the congregants present and certified as eligible to serve on the vestry.
During the counting of the ballots, Larry proceeded in order with the annual reports printed in the large booklet. These reports dealt with the state of the various programs at Calvary. Questions regarding some reports were entertained and answers given.
During the Resolution period, I rose and moved that the congregants present express their thankfulness, gratitude, and appreciation for Father Hines and that such be recorded in the minutes. Those present rose as a group to second the motion with a round of applause. Athans Adoki moved that Larry Frederiksen be thanked for his invaluable service to the parish during the transition, and a standing ovation followed.
Overall, despite the chill and rain outside, there was the strong presence of God and a very pleasant and warm feeling within Calvary Church that day.
Just prior to adjournment, the tellers returned with the results of the election, and Morris Belknap presented them as follows: Will Cary, Jerry Lyndrup, Emma Melo, Mary Redden, Mark Richardson; Griffin Brown was elected as youth representative.
Vestry officers elected by the vestry after the 11:00 service are Molly Isaacs-McLeod, Senior Warden; Ruth Robins, Junior Warden; Mary Redden, Secretary; Jim Barnes, Treasurer. Let us pray in thanksgiving for all who agreed to run for vestry, pray for all the members of the 2010 vestry, and pray that they will allow at least a small portion of God’s great wisdom to enter into all their deliberations.
Jim Barnes
Vestry Ventures
January 26 Meeting Considerations
We are moving ahead with repairs to the plaster area that is roped off. Ruth Robins is coordinating that with Julius Schnurr & Sons. Schnurr will also be updating us on other areas that may need attention.
The Vestry reviewed a proposal from Gionatan Surrenti to conduct a 12 week "Shaping Careers through Community."
We also reviewed plans for the Annual Vestry Retreat at St Francis High School on February 5 and 6.
The Vestry approved a revised Letter of Agreement with Father Hines, since the old agreement expires Feb 1. The new agreement is open ended and can serve until a permanent rector is installed.
Meeting Highlights from January 17
*Officers were elected (see elsewhere).
*Hines Letter of Agreement presented.
*Moisture testing by Schnurr approved.
*James W. Chandler bequest reported.
*Loose offering designated for Haiti relief.
Meeting highlights from Nov. 24, Dec. 9, 29
*Third Street property options discussed.
*Publishing software surveyed, M. Belknap.
*Reminder given that vestry should take the Online Safeguarding God’s Children course.
*Outreach donations limited to HMCL.
*2009 program expenditures frozen.
*New rector’s compensation is to be in range of $75,000 - $84,000.
*Vestry received DVD sent to all candidates.
*Article I, Section 6 of By-Laws amended.
*Triangular window work is completed.
*Parish Hall renovation cannot begin until all grant money is in hand.
*Sesquicentennial celebrations will not begin until after renovations and installation of new rector.
Highlights of the last five vestry meetings compiled from notes by Morris Belknap and Mary Redden.
The Church Mouse Offers
SYMPATHY to Rucker Todd and family upon the death of his wife, Anne Pentecost Todd, on January 22. A memorial service was held on January 26 at Calvary; to Beverly Haverstock upon the recent death of her brother, Raymond Hester; and to Nancy Crawford upon the death of her mother, Sally Clark. May they rest in peace, and may light perpetual shine upon them.
Music Notes
Announcing the 24th Annual Lenten Recital and Lunch Series, 2010
Wednesdays at 12:05, Lunch 12:30
February 24: Prof. Michael Tunnell, Trumpet
and Corno da caccia; with Alex Redden,
Bass, and Margaret Dickinson, Organ
March 3: Margaret Dickinson, Organ
March 10: Julia Richardson, Harp
March 17: Glenna Metcalfe, Organ
March 24: Katherine Alberts, Oboe
Please be aware that Calvary may be under renovation and construction at various venues during Lent, requiring unique adaptations and much patience! The recitals and lunches are free, but an offering is gladly accepted to benefit the Calvary Music Program.
Centering Prayer
Sally Lambert will lead a Centering Prayer (silent prayer) Workshop from 9:30-3:00 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on February 6. Only cost is $10 for lunch. Please contact Sally at 552-5812 or shinamaste@insightbb.com if interested.
Cummunity/Christion Formation
Adult Forum: Calvary’s Adult Forum offers a variety of topics and methods for exploration and study. Having had some Coffee and Conversations about the lectionary readings and some excellent discussions led by the Rev. Richard Humke on things we have read, Fr. John Hines will begin February with engaging seminars on the Book of Common Prayer and on worship in New Zealand. That will be followed by the Intergenerational Lenten Event and then a series on the Psalms, led by Dr. Jonathan Smith. Come and enjoy and discover new meaning in your faith.
Feb. 7 - John Hines (prayer book)
Feb. 14 - John Hines (New Zealand)
Feb. 21 - Lenten Event
Feb. 28 - Jon Smith: Psalms
Mar. 7 - Jon Smith: Psalms
Mar. 14 - Jon Smith: Psalms
Mar. 21 - Jon Smith: Psalms
Mar. 28 - Palm Sunday (no Forum)
Apr. 4 Easter (no Forum)
Help Wanted for Chili: Calvary Youth Events for spring will include a Chili Supper & Contest--a fundraising event for Choices. We need volunteers to help and/or to donate pots of chili. Last year’s contest offered nine delicious chili dishes to choose from and the decision was not easy. The date is March 12.
Shrove Tuesday Pancakes? Provided we are able to cook, the annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper (or possibly an abbreviated version) will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 16, at 6:00 p.m. Join us to decorate masks, bury the alleluia banner, burn last year’s palm branches and crown the new king, queen, prince, and princess.
Class Actions! During February the Godly Play class will be hearing the Parables from the New Testament, that are central to Jesus’ teachings. The Intermediate class has been studying the Nicene Creed in depth, and will be focusing on the other Creeds throughout the spring. Next month we will feature the Junior High and Senior High classes.
Lenten Event: Everyone is invited to participate in the annual Lenten Event on Feb. 21 at 10:00 a.m. The focus will be the Paschal Candle – where did it come from? What does it symbolize? Why do we use it at certain times? Bring your family and friends to learn and also to make a Paschal Candle for you to use in your own home during Lent.
CF Chair: We welcome Laura Blackburn who now serves as the Christian Formation Chair. Laura currently is teaching in the Intermediate Class and brings a wealth of knowledge and devoted faith. We thank Emma Melo, who has served as Chair the past two years. If you are interested in lending your ideas and learning more about Christian Formation at Calvary, please see Laura or me and we will be happy to plan together.
Callie A. HausmanFounding a Community of Faith
Calvary History Phase Three: Building a Church (1)
Two thousand ten marks the Calvary Episcopal Church’s Sesquicentennial. The occasion invites reflection on past events, research on their sequence and detail, and appreciation for the vision and commitment of individuals from earlier generations of Calvarites. In previous issues of the Calvary Connection, a Phase One article recounted the period 1856-1860 as the “Founding of a Community of Faith,” while a Phase Two article covered the years 1860-1865 under the title “Establishing a Parish.” The information in both articles indicates that Calvary is indeed fortunate to have primary source documents that have been preserved and that permit glimpses into the earliest days of its story.
Phase III focuses on “Building a Church” 1865-1888, a period that has direct and tangible links with the present. Will Cary has mined the early vestry meeting minutes of the period to draw out the significant events and actions as well as the names of persons that led to the planning and building of the present Fourth Street structure. In interpreting the narrative of this period in the life of the church, Will has been able to discern three distinct segments: 1865; 1866-1872; and 1872-1888. Each time period posed specific challenges.
The challenge in the year 1865 for the fledging Calvary community was leadership; that is, securing the reliable and consistent capacity to build and bind a congregation capable of building a church home. Once again, as in the previous two phases of Calvary’s development, the vestry minutes chronicle the details of the lay leadership’s labors and the specific efforts of individuals to move forward. [Despite maintaining a careful record of the events of the time, it is interesting to note in passing that there is very little mention of the Civil War or of its imminent conclusion.]
In late 1864, the Calvary vestry reluctantly bid farewell to its respected rector, the Rev. E. Livingstone Wells, and engaged a temporary rector, the Rev. J.J. Talbott. Shortly thereafter, the vestry decided to replace him and resolved to call the Rev. H.H. Cole to serve on a full-time basis. That action was to have significant consequences for the remainder of 1865.
From April 3 through May 24, 1865, there was a series of continuous (non- adjourned) meetings. They were convened at the church and in members’ homes and stores and revolved around the status of the Rev. H.H. Cole as rector. Three important factors emerge from the vestry minutes’ record: that the Rev. Cole was serving in an acting rector capacity rather than under a full-time contract; that he did not have the confidence and support of a number of pew-subscribing members; and that the vestry members played a leadership role in negotiating a difficult passage in the life of the church.
Once the resignation of the Rev. H.H. Cole from the acting rector position was finalized on May 24, 1865, the vestry was able to refocus its attention and to proceed in other directions. The key members of the vestry during this period were: Louis Tripp, Joseph Bridgeford, C.C. Spencer, G.W. Walton, J.S. Hyatt, J.C. Buckles, A.A. Blanchard, and Wm. Junau.
At its July 8 meeting, the vestry resolved to tender an offer to the Rev. Dr. W.H. Platt of Petersburg, Virginia. From July through October negotiations between the two parties ensued. Finally, on October 2, 1865, the Rev. Dr. W.H. Platt formally accepted Calvary’s offer. With that acceptance, Calvary’s clerical leadership took a decisive turn and the vision of building a church began to come into view.
John Bugbee
Sesquicentennial Celebrations
Schedule for 2010
The Calvary Sesquicentennial Committee is focused on November 3, 2010. Officially, that will mark Calvary’s 150th anniversary.
Since Calvary is likely to call a new Rector soon and the renovation plans for the Parish Hall are proceeding, the committee has decided to alter its schedule for getting the Sesquicentennial events underway. Rather than starting at the outset of the year at the Annual Congregational Meeting, the thinking is that a revised schedule would include the new Rector’s participation, completion of the Parish Hall improvements, and its dedication. Accordingly, November 3 is the day to remember.
Commencing on that date, the committee will invite participation in a series of events in 2010 and 2011 that aim to commemorate Calvary’s founding. Among the planned activities are the following: worship services conducted according to the 1872 and 1928 editions of the Book of Common Prayer; lectures by Dr. John Hale and Dr. Tom Owen focusing on the church building and the community/neighborhood in the mid-nineteenth century; an historical timeline of Calvary’s development illustrated with displays of period memorabilia, gifts to the church and other artifacts; invitations to former rectors and members; and a future perspective with Calvary’s Youth Group.
In the meantime and leading up to the founding date, the Calvary Connection will continue its series featuring aspects of Calvary’s history based on Will Cary’s researches into primary documents, e.g., original vestry meeting minutes and correspondence (see Calvary History Phase Three, in this issue).
Members of the committee are Whitney Hardy, Jim Barnes, Sally Reisz, Noel Booker, Susan Baker, Mark Fleshman, Suzie Smith and John Bugbee.
JB