Christmas Giving Tree

Thanks to Barbara Naylor and Michelle Polley, and all the kids at Memorial for their help in decorating our Christmas Giving Tree this year!  With some input from our children, we have elected to support the children from ‘The Ark’ a daycare program devoted to Homeless Children here in Baltimore City.  If you took an ornament last week, please bring back your gifts by Dec 17th so we can deliver them on Monday the 18th. If you did NOT you still have time! this weekend or anytime during the week next week.  

There are many ways to get into the Christmas Spirit, but sharing with those most in need, particularly small children, perhaps is one of the best. 

Feldhof Farm, where Memorial gets its greens - December 16

The farm where Memorial Church traditionally goes for our Christmas greens is located at 2311 Neudecker Road in Westminster. The farm is Stacy Wells' childhood home, owned by her father Bill Fanning, and it’s been family-owned and operated since 1984. Memorial has been going out to the farm since 2003 the year Stacy and Bill Wells got married! The church trees and greens are donated in memory of Bill's mom, Dougie Wells.

Located in the rolling hills of Carroll County, mid-way between Westminster and Hampstead, Maryland, the farm has a variety of spruces, firs and pines from table top size to 20 feet tall.  And you get good exercise just looking at what’s available. In fact, when Leigh Wiehs went out to the farm in 2003, she got such great exercise that she gave birth to Grant right there in the field! Stacy was the midwife! Well, maybe a slight exaggeration --but still a great story.

 
There is a real joy in cutting one’s own tree, and at Feldhof you can also get a ‘live’ tree, that is to say: root ball and all! There are hand-made wreaths, greens and holly to make your own arrangements & swags. Wreaths are sized from 16 inches to 72 inches in diameter. They can be made with mixed greens, pines or firs. They can be special ordered with holly or nandina berries and various types of pine cones!

And hand made bows are also available to finish off your holiday wreaths or swags.
Other services include a ‘borrowing shed’ for hand saws to cut your tree, and there are tractors to bring your tree  to the parking area, as well as tree bailing equipment.

They only accept Cash  or Checks  for payment of goods or services and are open November 25 through December 17 on Saturdays and Sundays: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM

On weekdays they are open by appointment only. You can call 410-876-7680 to schedule a weekday visit to the farm, but we hope you will join us there on the 16th!

Please contact Monty Howard 410-243-2902 if you need to caravan from church (it’s easy to find) or we will see you there at about 10AM on Saturday the 16th.

The View From Bolton Street: Advent

Welcome to Advent

Welcome to a new year! This Sunday marks the first Sunday in Advent, the first week of a new liturgical year in the Church, and an opportunity to begin some new traditions, and to try out some old ones as well. 

So what happens when we start a new liturgical year? A few things: some big, some small. First of all the colors we use in the church will change, to blue for the season of Advent — a color more reflective of the more reverential and at times penitential tone of the season.  

We also shift our focus from the Gospel of Matthew to the Gospel of Mark, the shortest of the four Gospels and perhaps the Gospel that has generated the most academic interest in the last ten years — so get ready for some interesting takes on Jesus over the next year. 

We also, for a few weeks, will shift our liturgy a bit.  For the next few weeks we will use the prayers and liturgy for Rite I in the Book of Common Prayer.  These prayers, many of which are taken from the Book of Common Prayer in use in the 1800s, may sound a bit odd at first, but I encourage you to take some time to hear the prayers for the first time. Listen for what sounds different, what surprises you, and what, perhaps, makes you view the service a bit differently.  As the stage for ‘A Christmas Carol’ is set for 19th-century England, we can lean a little deeper into that by using some of the prayers and rhythms from that period as well.

BUT as is often repeated in the Gospel of Mark, “Be Not Afraid.” This is not a forever change,  but an opportunity to hear the same prayers, the same teachings, the same theology, in a new way.  

You will particularly note a return to the “traditional” Lord’s Prayer. One thing I hear MOST often from new members and visitors to Memorial is “I don’t understand the Lord’s Prayer. Why did you change it?” Perhaps it is an issue of hospitality to return for a few weeks to the traditional Lord’s Prayer as a way to offer some sense of comfort to those who are with us for the first time.  In fact, it will be interesting to see what happens in the new Prayer Book with this prayer. Will they keep the “new” version? Will they adopt the more accurate “Presbyterian version” of “debts and debtors”? Or will they only have one Lord’s Prayer as an act of unity with the rest of Christendom?

Advent is a season of “waiting,” and I am sure that some of you will be “waiting” for these changes to revert and some have been “waiting” for them for some time.  Whichever side you are on, know I am grateful for the “waiting.” I look forward to worshipping with you over the next few weeks as we prepare to welcome the birth of our Savior, and to make some room in our hearts and our homes for the risen Christ.

Advent Liturgy and Living: A Christmas Carol Past, Present and Future

Join us this Advent after Church for a three part series looking at the history, current context and the future of how we might view Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’.  We will be joined by Erin Johnson of Loyola University and Dr. Andrew Miller of Johns Hopkins for this fascinating three part series.  

Dec 3rd — Christmas Carol’s Past — How did Dickens and ‘A Christmas Carol’ give birth to many of our modern Christmas Traditions?

Dec 10th - Christmas Carol’s Present — ‘A Christmas Carol’ and ‘Stranger Things’ — how does this story continue to get reflected and re-told in today’s world?

Dec 17th - Christmas Carol’s future —  ‘A Christmas Carol’ in Baltimore — If you were to set a Christmas Carol in Baltimore in 2018 what role would the Mayor have? Under Armour? Memorial Church? 

Rounding out the year

Last Sunday we closed out the liturgical year with a festive Eucharist at St. Mark's Lutheran with strings, full choir, a chanted Eucharist and 'sufficient' incense for those in the congregation who prefer not to see the person in front of them.  

Memorial and St. Mark's have a recent tradition of joining together a few times a year to celebrate the bonds between the Lutheran and Episcopal Traditions and to add some signficance to feast days like Christ the King. 

This year, in addition we invited a guest preacher, the Rev. Rob Lee, who has recently gone from a church pastor to traveling preacher after he was asked to resign after taking a public stand supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and asking that confederate monuments be removed.  He told the truth, that often we are all 'goats' in Jesus' view, but as we come to the end of the year, it is a good time to prepare ourselves to become sheep once again - by speaking truth to power, standing up for the downtrodden, and not being afraid to speak up for the Gospel. 

The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Donnella II, pastor of St. Mark's, the Rev. Rob Lee, guest preacher; and the Rev. Grey Maggiano

Dec. 3 - What's next? "A Christmas Carol" is coming

The Memorial Players will present Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol on December 1, 2, 8, and 9 at 7:30 p.m., with matinee performances December 3 and 10 at 3:30 pm. Pre-show receptions, which bring the patron "sponsor" seating, will be held on Fridays and Saturdays, and Sunday, December 3. To get more information or to book a ticket go to www.memorialplayers.org. 

Legend has it that Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol at a time when the British were examining and exploring Christmas traditions from the past, such as carols, as well as new customs such as Christmas trees. He was inspired to write the story following a visit to the Field Lance Ragged School, one of London’s establishments for half-starved, illiterate street children. The treatment of the poor and the ability of a self-interested man redeeming himself by transforming into a more sympathetic character are key themes of the story.

Interestingly, back in the 1800s, there was discussion among academics whether A Christmas Carol was a fully secular story or a Christian allegory.  As Rina Steinhauer, one of the directors , points out, Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by three spirits, not three angels.  Rina says, “It’s more of an Advent story than a Christmas story. It’s more about preparing for something new as we watch Mr. Scrooge go through his own reckoning.” She also points out that the story is “not unique to Christians, but to the impulse of all humans.”

Rina emphasized the theme of transformation throughout, especially calling out the timing of when the play takes place (Christmas Eve/Christmas Day) to the timing of the winter solstice. The play, she says, brings on “themes of renewal.  When light triumphs over darkness, or the dawning of a new day.” 

I’m especially keen to watch Richard Peck’s performance as Ebenezer Scrooge.  I do not know him personally but hear he is a very kind and gentle man. In this production of A Christmas Carol, he will be portrayed as “more violent and uglier” than we’ve seen in other productions. This portrayal will underscore the degree of Scrooge’s personal transformation, and will show us all that it is never too late to change.

If you are unfamiliar with the Memorial Players, its productions are performed by people that may have had an acting bug or are looking for a welcoming and safe place to do theatre. This production will include approximately 30 actors, and the Victorian costumes are said to be a “major deal.”

—Richard Finger

Linden Park Holiday Party

Linden Park Apartments Holiday Party

UPDATE: We are still in need of people to attend the party and help with entertaining residents. If you are interested and haven't confirmed your attendance - please email Bruno at bvreich@verizon.net. 

On Sunday, December 10th, at 1:00 pm, Memorial parishioners will be celebrating our annual holiday party at Linden Park Apartments (formerly Memorial Apartments). This year will be more like last year than years past, in that we will be having a post-luncheon get-together with light refreshments, rather than a full meal with all the trimmings. Bruno Reich, Memorial’s Discernment of Vocation intern, is organizing things on Memorial’s end, and Ruth Royster, director of resident services at Linden Park, is coordinating there.

Over the years Memorial has hosted, both at home and at the apartments, a wide variety of holiday parties. In some years there have been two seatings to get everyone to the table; the youth group would do deliveries of full meals to residents who could not get down to the feast; the choir has sung carols with residents joining in. It is an important event to keep Memorial connected to the apartments founded by the church some 60 years ago, especially now since the renovation and evolution from Memorial Apartments to Linden Park Apartments.

Bruno’s vision is to create a festive atmosphere that provides an opportunity for our congregation and the residents at Linden Park to both celebrate the season and get to know one another better. We will need many hands to make this event festive for all, so we hope that everyone will contribute in some way. For those who cannot spare much time, food preparation is welcome. For those who would rather not cook, your presence at the party is more than welcome.

Ms. Royster believes that the party provides the residents with “an opportunity for congregation, particularly congregation with folks they don’t see every day.” Likewise, as “many of them don’t have family, or at least not family that live close enough to visit, this is their chance to get that ‘holiday spirit.’ It’s really special when they get to spend time with younger generations.”

If you would like to provide food for this event, please contact Paul Seaton (seaton.p@gmail.com) to find out what is still needed. If you plan to attend, particularly with your children, please contact Bruno (bvreich@verizon.net). We hope to see a good turnout to celebrate and serve.

Jamie Griffith

Pledge Cards

Pledge Cards for 2018

Dale Balfour, chair of the Stewardship committee, would like to remind everyone that our Pledge Cards were due on the 19th of November. It is critical that we get these commitments in as soon as possible so the Vestry and the Finance committee can make plans for 2018. Pledge Cards can be returned to the office, placed in the plate on Sunday morning, or you can simply email Paul Seaton with your name and pledge amount. Thanks to all for continuing to support Memorial in 2018!

Giving Thanks

One of my regular practices before a big Holiday is to make the rounds of our home or hospital bound parishioners and spread some cheer. It is a particularly sacred moment around Thanksgiving, when the reality of being 'away' is particularly real.

The same is true for those who have lost loved ones, or are far away from home for school, work, or because there isn't much 'home' to go to. 

I give thanks for these conversations and these relationships, and in particular give thanks that Memorial is a place where people find community, sanctuary and hope in difficult times. 

You may be, for reasons political, seasonal or personal, having a hard time being thankful this week. For many it has been a challenging year. So perhaps consider the moments of light that have shown through for you this year - a conversation with an old friend, an unexpectedly delicious meal, a prayer that really hit home, a sermon that for once wasn't terrible, and consider how Jesus has made himself real to you in those moments and many more - providing that flash of light when everything else seemed so dark.

Have a happy thanksgiving however you spend it, and remember you always have a space at Memorial's table, and there is always room for one more. 

in peace, Father Grey

Nov 26 - What's Next? The Rev Rob Lee on Confederate Monuments

Join us in November as we continue the conversation about “What’s Next’ for the Confederate monuments. Join us for as we hear from the Rev. Rob Lee — descendent of Robert E. Lee and vocal advocate for the removal of confederate monuments and working to end White Supremacy. 

5:00 pm on Sunday, November 26th in the Upper Parish Hall.

More on the Rev. Lee:

From the Washington Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/09/05/robert-e-lee-descendant-and-denouncer-quits-n-c-pastor-post-over-hurtful-reaction-to-vma-speech/?utm_term=.2d276be192dc

He was the great-great-great-great-nephew of Confederate Army General Robert E. Lee, and he felt it was his moral duty to speak out against his ancestor, “an idol of white supremacy, racism and hate.” He said as much when he took the microphone near the end of the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards, when he introduced himself by a familiar-sounding name: Robert Lee IV.

Lee’s speech at the VMAs on Aug. 27 followed the glitz and glam of red carpets and all-star performances by the likes of Lorde and Ed Sheeran. But his appearance quickly caught Internet fame as among the night’s most memorable. As he appeared before the cameras, Lee stood in stark contrast to the sleek, geometric set behind him, dressed simply in a black cleric’s shirt and collar. Soon he would introduce Susan Bro, whose daughter Heather Heyer had been killed 15 days before, after being mowed down by a car as she protested white supremacy in Charlottesville.

“My name is Robert Lee IV, I’m a descendant of Robert E. Lee, the Civil War general whose statue was at the center of violence in Charlottesville,” he said. “We have made my ancestor an idol of white supremacy, racism, and hate. As a pastor, it is my moral duty to speak out against racism, America’s original sin.

“Today, I call on all of us with privilege and power to answer God’s call to confront racism and white supremacy head-on.

“We can find inspiration in the Black Lives Matter movement, the women who marched in the Women’s March in January, and, especially, Heather Heyer, who died fighting for her beliefs.”

On Monday, Lee announced he would be leaving his church — Bethany United Church of Christ in Winston-Salem, N.C.  In his statement, published on the website of the Auburn Theological Seminary, Lee wrote that while he did have congregants who supported his freedom of speech, many resented the attention the church received after the VMAs.

“A faction of church members were concerned about my speech and that I lifted up Black Lives Matter movement, the Women’s March, and Heather Heyer as examples of racial justice work,” he wrote, adding that his “church’s reaction was deeply hurtful.” Lee wrote that he never sought the kind of attention that has followed him since the protests in Charlottesville last month, even while his visibility as a religious leader and staunch opponent of Confederate memorials garnered international recognition, a turn of events no doubt fueled by his namesake.