The December 2010 issue of The Tidings, the newsletter of Brown Memorial Park Ave. Presbyterian Church

1. The
Tidings
G ooD news from
D ecember 2010
in this i ssue Pastor’s r eflections
By r ev. e Mily rose P rocTor
PasTor’s r eflecTions ..1 emily@browndowntown.org
Privacy is a hotly debated topic these days. For example, Facebook was
r eflecTions during recently beset by controversy over its questionable protection of privacy, yet it
PasTor a ndrew’s TriP To has over 500 million users. Today’s youth frequently prefer it to e-mail. Many
The holy land............2 Facebook users have no qualms about sharing personal
information with hundreds of “friends,” or, more likely, friends of
Brown M eMorial’s friends or acquaintances. The same is true for users of Twitter and
P eoPle on The Move .... 3 You Tube. Some point out that, rightly used, these new
communication tools can better connect us with one another and with new
she is Building ideas. The “It Gets Better” Video Campaign is an inspiring example of how
B.u.i.l.d. ...................4 new technology, such as You Tube can be an amazing tool for ministry, and
without Twitter, I often wouldn’t have a clue as to where Rev. Foster Connors
(@pulpit) is. Others point out that such technologies can create a false sense of
The good news ........... 4
intimacy, threaten our privacy and security, consume too much of our time, and
diminish our ability to relate to others face-to-face. It was a college roommate’s
a dvenT and chrisTMas posting of intimate videos on You Tube that prompted one of the recent, tragic
acTiviTies aT BMPa .... 5 gay suicides.
The subject of privacy was raised at a recent Urban Witness Committee
deceMBer r esPonsiBiliTy meeting, when Deb Milcarek shared the recent efforts of the Baltimore
schedule ..................... 5 Interfaith Coalition (including Andrew and myself) to enlist gun shop owners
in efforts to reduce gun violence. One shop owner’s complaint is that by
d eceMBer BirThdays ..6 tracking the purchasers of the guns and tracing them to crimes, activists violate
the privacy rights of gun owners. Is privacy an inviolable right, even when
d eceMBer 2010 public safety is at stake? What about the intrusive new “full body scanners”
aT BMPa .....................7
making appearances at the airport? Is that taking it too far? Where do we draw
the line?
In preparing the Time, Talents, and Treasure Commitment brochures for this
year’s stewardship campaign, there was lively debate over whether or not to
give people the option of communicating something more than a dollar amount
with their pledge, such as “this represents an increase in my giving from last
year” or “this represents a significant sacrifice for me/our family.” The
committee ultimately decided that even having the option to make such a
statement would be too intrusive and might even offend people. Who would be
given access to such sensitive information?
In contrast, during our Wednesday Night@Brown stewardship series, a
minister member of the Presbytery, Rev. Scott Blythe, shared with us his
experience of the Iona Community’s practice of holding one another
accountable for how everyone spent his or her time and money. He explained
that small “family groups” of 8-10 met regularly to share and pray together, and
continued on page 3

2. r eflections D urinG Pastor a nDrew’s t riP to
the holy l anD
Note to our readers: Rev. Andrew of the Knesset. 8:21 a.m.: Visit to Augusta Victoria
Foster Connors recently toured the Hospital which treats Palestinian
Holy Land. Laura McConnell kept a Tuesday, November 16, 2010, 1:57 patients from Gaza and the
log of the posts on his Twitter a.m.: Lead article in Jerusalem Post West Bank.
account. Listed below are some of his reports that leaders in Netanyahu’s
“tweets” that he posted on his own party moving to block his freeze Saturday, November 20, 2010,
Twitter account to keep us abreast on settlements proposal. 12:07 p.m.: Celebrated the bat mitz-
of his experiences. All of the time is vah of a colleague who never had
Eastern Standard Time. Jerusalem Tuesday, November 16, 2010, 2:05 one as a child. In Jerusalem. Quite
time is 7 hours ahead of Baltimore. a.m.: Baltimoreans will be interested an experience!
to know that Jerusalem Post covers a
Saturday, November 13, 2010, 6:04 speaking appearance by David Simon Saturday, November 20, 2010, 1:38
p.m.: Just left Chizuk Amuno of “The Wire.” p.m.: On Ben Yehuda Street in
Congregation on a bus with Jerusalem, R.E.M. is playing and
Israel-bound pastors and rabbis. Tuesday, November 16, 2010, 3:37 the NC State/NC football game is
Headed to Newark airport for the a.m.: Just saw Church of the Holy on a big screen outside.
10 hour flight to Tel Aviv. Nativity commemorating the
birthplace of Jesus. Sunday, November 21, 2010, 3:20
Saturday, November 13, 2010, 9:35 a.m.: On our way to Ramallah to
p.m.: So our group was warned that Tuesday, November 16, 2010, 5:52 meet with Prime Minister Fayyad.
security at El Al airlines is the a.m.: Headed up hwy. 6 to Mount
tightest and that 1 of us would be Carmel where Elijah defeated the Sunday, November 21, 2010, 5:35
pulled away and questioned. Yep it prophets of Baal. a.m.: Fayyad’s approach: “Do the
was me! most you can as soon as you can
Tuesday, November 16, 2010, 12:31 wherever you can do it.”
Saturday, November 13, 2010, p.m.: Arab Christian who is Israeli
9:57 p.m.: Bummer. Missed my own citizen spoke about challenges of Sunday, November 21, 2010, 5:37
church’s choir on www.sacredclassics. living here a.m.: Fayyad: “Nonviolence is a
com. Hope to catch a podcast later. powerful thing.”
Wednesday, November 17, 2010, .
Sunday, November 14, 2010, 1:43 5:59 a.m.: Just left Capernaum. Sunday, November 21, 2010, 6:15
p.m.: At table with Rabbi Michael Saw house where Jesus lived and a.m.: No stop at security checkpoint.
Melchior, former govt. minister about synagogue where he taught. Could be sign of increasing
to discuss “moral dilemmas facing cooperation between Israeli and
Israel today.” Wednesday, November 17, 2010, Palestinian security forces.
12:24 p.m.: Met with an Arab Druze
Sunday, November 14, 2010, 2:43 Israeli today who is struggling for Sunday, November 21, 2010, 2:01
p.m.: Rabbi Melchior: you cannot equality within the state and believes p.m.: Back at airport in Tel Aviv.
build any society of democracy today it is possible. Get ready for El Al Airline security.
on hate or xenophobia. They will interview leader of our
Thursday, November 18, 2010, group and one random member
Monday, November 15, 2010, 1:31 12:45 p.m.: Stopped in Nazareth this to compare.
a.m.: On the Mount of Olives morning to visit Jesus’ hometown.
overlooking Jerusalem Big church over a cave where Mary Monday, November 22, 2010,
might have lived 5:13 a.m.: On the ground in Newark.
Monday, November 15, 2010, 6:01
a.m.: Toured the entire western wall. Thursday, November 18, 2010, Monday, November 22, 2010,
Saw one stone that weighs 600 tons. 12:50 p.m.: Just met with the 7:16 a.m. from Hamilton, N.J.:
architect of the “security fence.” “Israel has Moses but New Jersey
Monday, November 15, 2010, 9:17 has Bruce Springsteen” – today’s
a.m.: Headed to meet with members Friday, November 19, 2010, rabbinic quote.
PaGe 2 t he t iDinGs D ecember 2010

3. brown m emorial’s P eoPle on the move
William Bishai, M.D., professor of recently received the Baltimore City Health
medicine and co-director of the Center for Department’s annual Dr. Sebastian Russo Award,
Tuberculosis Research, has been named the presented to her by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
first permanent director of the
ZwaZulu-Natal Research Institute for Matthew McNabney, M.D., assistant
Tuberculosis and HIV at the University of professor of geriatric medicine and
Kwa-Zulu in Durban, South Africa. gerontology and medical director of
Hopkins ElderPlus, has been elected to a
John Burton, M.D., professor ofz three-year term on the board of directors
geriatrics and director of the Johns Hopkins of the National PACE (Program of
Geriatrics Education Center Consortium All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) Association.
is a co-recipient of a five-year award from
the federal Health Resource and Services Excerpts from the October edition of The Dome, the
Administration to support geriatrics monthly publication of the Johns Hopkins Medicine
education outreach to physicians, nurses, and other family.
health care professionals throughout Maryland.
Barbara Cook, M.D., medical director of
The Access Partnership (TAP), a
program that helps uninsured and
? “Ask the Pastor” is on hiatus this month. It
will return next month.
underinsured patients receive specialty
health care from Johns Hopkins Hospital,
Pastor’s r eflections
continued from page 1 are all intimately connected and interdependent. One
member cannot say to another, “I have no need of
in that context of real intimacy and trust, they you.” Likewise, when one member suffers, all
forfeited some of their privacy in exchange for the suffer with it; when one rejoices, all rejoice. In a
greater gift (in their estimation) of accountability. “body” committed to practicing forgiveness,
For many of them, making decisions about money compassion, reconciliation, discernment, and
privately had been a burden that often left them humility, there is little to fear from a process of
feeling some combination of guilt, anxiety, and mutual sharing and accountability.
shame. To their surprise, sharing their financial I have to admit that when Rev. Blythe gave his
situations, fears, and dilemmas with one another testimony, I found myself wishing that I was part of a
became a deeply rewarding and spiritual experience, “family group” that was willing to brave
as the community offered them, not condemnation accountability. I found myself wondering if there
or shame, but compassion and support for the hard were small groups that existed already in the Church,
choices they all had to make as followers of Christ. which might be willing to experiment with a deeper
Privacy issues are complex, and I face them often kind of sharing and accountability (the session? the
as a pastor, a preacher, and someone who cares deacons? the urban witness committee? the Kerygma
deeply about people infected and affected by HIV. Bible study?). Call me crazy, but maybe Paul was
There are some cases in which privacy or even on to something when he said, “you should become
secrecy is key to maintaining a person’s dignity or fools … For the wisdom of this world is foolishness
even survival. But I also wonder if privacy can with God” (1 Cor 3:18-19). If you’re feeling foolish
sometimes be a smokescreen that keeps us from too, let me know. You can find me on Facebook and
being the kind of community Christ calls us to be. Twitter (@EmroseProctor) or you can call or e-mail.
In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul lifts up for the Of course, there’s always the really old fashioned
Church the metaphor of a body, where the members way, in person…
D ecember 2010 t he t iDinGs PaGe 3

4. she is builDinG b.u.i.l.D.
By e llen carTer c ooPer
One wonders if Mary Mashburn knows what she
started when she conducted a “one-on-one” with
Elizabeth Reichelt in the basement of St. Matthew’s
Church in Baltimore. The technique, used so effectively
by Mary and Rob English, is designed to find out what
a person’s passion is and then to lead that individual to
act upon that consuming interest. After hearing a
stirring sermon by a white Catholic priest to a crowd of
B.U.I.L.D. members whose racial origins varied,
Elizabeth felt compelled to join this “community of
justice seekers.”
How did this happen? It did not occur overnight.
Elizabeth was born in Jacksonsville, Florida, but she Elizabeth Reichelt during a recent B.U.I.L.D. rally.
moved to Tallahassee at the age of 18 months. After
graduation from Florida State University, her first job Committee at Brown Downtown. She, too “walks the talk.”
took her to Atlanta, Georgia. Here, part of Elizabeth’s
quest for discovering her passion surfaced, but this time
it was in the form of Charles Reichelt. They married
t he G ooD news
and moved to Chicago. Joseph, their oldest child, was By e llen carTer c ooPer
born icago During this month (even before this month), one can be swept
In an effort to be closer to family members in Silver up by the commercial tide that engulfs us. Even before All
Spring, Maryland, the Reichelts moved to Baltimore in Saints Day arrives, television commercials and print
2004 where their second child, Alex, was born. advertising attempt to convince us that we must celebrate
Elizabeth’s passion for justice surfaced very strongly as Christmas by buying the latest cell phones or the latest applica-
they encountered Brown Memorial Church and its tions for our phones. These advertisements are relentless in the
members. She remembers very vividly attending the pursuit of our children’s minds, also. “Ask Mommy and Daddy
Christmas Pageant on Christmas Eve in 2004. for this season’s latest toy; all the kids will have it. Don’t be left
Afterward, the family traveled north to North and out.” “Husbands, show her how much you love her by buying
Greenmount Avenues. She was moved by the contrast of diamond earrings, necklaces, rings, and watches from ____.”
Brown Memorial and the Greenmount neighborhood. We forget that this last month of the year celebrates the birth
Bolstered by recommendations from one cousin of Jesus and his family-Mary and Joseph. Mary had no dia-
who highly recommended the church and another monds; Joseph had no toys to give to God’s son. God did give
cousin who highly touted Andrew Foster Connors, the us the greatest and most lasting gift of all, so perhaps, in the
Reichelts attended BMPA on a regular basis and be- midst of our celebrations and our lamentations, we may pause
came members. Their third child, Cecelia, who was to read about this sacred day.
born in 2006, Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: Whereas
completed the family. his mother was espoused to Joseph, before they came
Elizabeth’s association with Brown and the invitation together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
to attend a B.U.I.L.D. meeting enabled her to become Then Joseph, her husband, being a just man, and not
involved with the organization. Through B.U.I.L.D., willing to make her a public example, was minded to put
she has met “people who are passionate about Baltimore her away privily.
and the value of life.” The members and associates of But while he thought on these things, behold, an angel
the group “walk the talk,” Elizabeth believes. They are of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph,
role models. She remembers how impressed she was thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife:
with the residents of the Darley Park neighborhood who for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
just wanted to organize, originally, to have trash remov- And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his
al on a regular basis. name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
This busy wife and mother of three has found a (Matthew 1: 18-21)
perfect match, B.U.I.L.D. which feeds her passion for This is the good news! We won’t see an extra charge on our
justice and Brown Memorial which feeds her spiritual credit card bills in January. We will not be tired from all of the
needs. Both are “communities of justice seekers.” It is frantic preparations. All of us have received the same present:
no accident that Elizabeth serves on the Urban Witness the gift of salvation and the peace that accompanies it.
PaGe 4 t he t iDinGs D ecember 2010

5. a Dvent anD christmas activities at bmPa
At the beginning of the Advent Services, three lasagna. More information will be forthcoming from
children will be dancing the light to the the Pageant Committee.
altar at the beginning of the worship
service. Come early to be a part of this Lessons and Carols Service – Christmas Eve, 5:00 p.m.
new tradition. Come and participate in the Service of Lessons and
Carols, following the tradition of King’s College,
Christmas Pageant and Dinner – December 19, 2010 Cambridge. It will feature the reading of the Nativity story
All are invited to come to the Christmas Pageant at 4:30 interspersed with carols sung by the choir and
p.m. and for the semi-pot-luck lasagna dinner immediately congregation. This candlelight service begins with a boy
following around 5:30 p.m. Lasagna will be provided. soloist singing “Once in Royal David’s City” and
Please bring a salad, bread or a dessert to share. A free concludes with the full congregation singing
will offering will be collected to help cover the cost of the “Silent Night.”
D ecember r esPonsibility s cheDule
11 a. m. worshiP service
If you have a conflict with this schedule – please call others on communion servers
the list to make a swap. Then inform the church office of these 5th luke cliPPinGer
changes at 410-523-1542 or sharon@browndowntown.org. Gareth imParato
monica rakowski
acolytes henry taylor
5h no acolytes John warmath
12th no acolytes
19th no acolytes Greeters
26th no acolytes 5th anDy & Dianne ross
12th Joanne & Jim eGan
auDio enGineer 19th sue & Joe schinDler
5th Don P eePles 26th DaviD mock
12th aDrienne williams
19th buD Graves liturGist
26th brantley Davis 5th kathy GraninG
12th John tucker
chilDren’s church volunteer 19th anne bishai
5th Jim & theresa veatch 26th DaviD mock
12th linnea cheselDine &
nicole mitchell offertory acolytes
19th micheline & tom mcmanus 5th erin emerick & rachel emerick
26th no chilDren’s church 12th will coulson & James cunninGham
19th Graham bishai & nicholas imParato
coffee hour hosts 26th no acolytes
5th t.b.D.
12th t.b.D. offertory counters
19th t.b.D. Darin crew & buD Graves
26th t.b.D.
ushers
communion P reParation t.b.D.
5th t.b.D.
D ecember 2010 t he t iDinGs PaGe 5

6. D ecember birthDays
12/01 Lynda Burton 12/18 Nicki Artes
12/01 Nicholas Imparato 12/18 Stephanie Shapiro
12/03 Cheryl Finney 12/19 Richard Proctor
12/03 Tony Saudek 12/19 Jair Williams
12/04 Adam McNabney 12/21 Sam Kelly, III
12/05 Eloise Jennings Crew 12/22 Judith Armold
12/05 Alexandra Mihalski 12/22 Gillian Babb
12/05 Jenny Williams 12/22 Michelle Logan
12/07 J. Courtland Robinson 12/23 June Carr
12/07 Brough Schamp 12/24 Edward Richardson, Jr.
12/08 Nancyellen Brennan Deceased 11/04/2010
12/11 Cal Buikema 12/25 Ian Brown
12/11 Katie Rhodes 12/25 Robert Gorham
12/11 Sally Robinson 12/25 Matthew-Daniel Stremba
12/11 Samuel Todd 12/27 Juliette Goodwin
12/12 Rick Satterlee 12/29 Macy Branch
12/13 Audrey M. Brown 12/29 Rachel Cunningham
12/13 Stewart Finney 12/30 Teresa Blythe
12/13 Barbara Veldhuizen 12/30 Emily Stanton
12/16 Nate Hubler 12/30 Ruth Brennan Taylor
12/16 Henry Taylor
Note: If you wish to have your birthday listed in The
12/17 Harry Hinkle Tidings, please contact Sharon Holley, church secretary, at
410-523-1542, or via e-mail at Sharon@browndowntown.org.
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 Martin, 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 secrectary (sharon@browndowntown.org).
PaGe 6 t he t iDinGs D ecember 2010

7. D ecember 2010 at bmPa
PaGe 7
S unday M onday TueSday WedneSday ThurSday Friday S aTurday
t he t iDinGs
28 n oveMber 29 30 1 d eceMber 2 3 Bolton Hill Garden Club
Holiday Greens Delivery 4
Advent Wreath-Making Event Christian Educators Meeting Midweek Bible Study Chancel Choir Rehearsal 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
9:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Bolton Hill Garden Club Holiday 10:30 a.m-11:30 a.m. Bolton Hill Garden Club Annual
11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. 7 p.m.-8:45 p.m. Lamda Chi Alpha
Choir Warm-Up Wreath Making WN@B 5:30 p.m-7:30 p.m. Holiday Greens Sale
6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
9:30 a.m. Lamda Chi Alpha 9:30 p.m. 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Handbell Choir Rehersal
Service of Worship 11 a.m. 6:30 p.m-7:30 p.m.
Midweek Bible Study
5 Education Hour,
Choir Warm-Up 6 7 8 10:30 a.m-11:30 a.m. 9 10 11
9:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal Middle School Youth Group Under the Hill Gathering
WN@B
Service of Worship 11 a.m. 7 p.m.-8:45 p.m. 7 p.m.- 9 p.m.
5:30 p.m-7:30 p.m.
Youth Mission Sunday
Ordination Service for Handbell Choir Rehersal
Jennifer Cauldwell Williams 6:30 p.m-7:30 p.m.
4 p.m.
12 Education Hour,
Choir Warm-Up 13 14 15 Midweek Bible Study
10:30 a.m-11:30 a.m. 16 BUILD/Baltimore
Education Coalition 17 18
9:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Training
Session Meeting WN@B Youth Night Out on the Town
Service of Worship 11 a.m. 5:30 p.m-7:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
Handbell Choir Rehersal Chancel Choir Rehearsal
6:30 p.m-7:30 p.m. 7 p.m.-8:45 p.m.
19
Education Hour,
Choir Warm-Up 20 21 22 10:30 a.m-11:30Study
Midweek Bible 23 24 25
a.m.
9:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Church Office Closed Christmas Day
Service of Worship 11 a.m.
Christmas Pageant Rehearsal Candelight Service of Lessons
and Carols 5:00 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
Christmas Pageant 4:30 p.m.
26 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
3 4 5 Midweek Bible Study
6 7 8
D ecember 2010
9:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m. 10:30 a.m-11:30 a.m.
Service of Worship 11 a.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal
7 p.m.-8:45 p.m.