The View from Bolton Street
Liturgy & Living: Advent, 2018
Liturgy and Living: Advent
As we prepare to welcome the Christ Child to Bethlehem - now is a good time to consider exactly where Bethlehem is today. As anyone who has visited this Holy City recently can tell you, the jarring reality of blast walls and border containment in one of Christianity’s Holy Cities is hard to balance in one’s mind.
For that reason, we will be doing a four part series this Advent Called ‘Christians Engaging Israel’. It is done in partnership with the Shalom Hartman Institute and will offer some intense discussion and reflection on what it means to talk about Israel, Palestine and the Holy Land in the 21st century as Christians, particularly as Christians who care about the downtrodden and oppressed.
As we consider the Holy Family as refugees who head to Egypt, so we should consider all refugees - here in the Americas and in the Middle East.
Please plan to join us following services at Noon in the Upper Parish Hall for videos conversation and discussion.
For a primer on the curriculum please click here. https://youtu.be/7Fcu6GkVeV8
The View from Bolton Street
As we prepare for Advent I thought it worthwhile to put together some thoughts on what Advent can mean for non-Christians or for those who are ‘Christian-Adjacent’ (those who celebrate ‘cultural’ Christmas but not the religious aspect of it). Because we Episcopalians in particular are snobby about Advent, it seemed like a good opportunity to explore whether there is value in this season of preparation before Christmas Day. So here goes — “Advent - It’s not just for Christians Anymore!”
Advent IS the season before Christmas - which for most Christian Adjacent folks means shopping, decorating, parties and Chocolate advent calendars (or Whiskey, Wine and Cheese if you roll that way). You might have an advent calendar at home counting down the 24 days before Christmas, or you might remember the German chocolate advent calendars your parents got you as a child. But Advent actually starts (for Christians at least in the modern era) the First Sunday of Advent which is four Sundays before Christmas. This year it starts this week December 2nd.
In the American context, Advent is a stressful time of year. Often work, finances, family and social obligations all pile up leading to something like a train wreck at the end of the Month/Year because everything seems to have to happen at once. You have to get all the gifts, pay all the bills, go to all the parties, make all the deserts, see all the people, and expend a lot of energy — much of which is fun! But it also piles up. In truth, this is a terrible way to prepare for any holiday because you’re gonna get to the end broke, tired, overweight, and stressed out.
Don’t do that.
Please note: I don’t say this with any kind of judgement. I have all of the same pressures and stresses and despite my best intentions will likely end up the same way at the end of the month. But a little moderation can help, and taking a more spiritual and wholistic approach to Advent can help us all.
Because Advent IS a season of opposites. It is a season of Preparation and Cleaning Up. Of building up and tearing down. Of celebration and of fearless reflection on what isn’t going quite right. In theological terms it is dealing with the ‘already’ and preparing for the ‘not yet.’
And YES it makes sense that Advent falls in winter - even though Jesus maybe probably wasn’t born Dec 25. But put aside your ‘Jesus isn’t real because Christmas is a stolen pagan holiday’ conspiracy theories for now, and consider why Advent falls in Winter.
Advent falls in winter because we have just finished the harvest. We need to look back and take stock at how we did, even as we make provisions for the winter ahead and prepare ourselves for the new birth of Spring.
And YOU need some time to do that too. Even if you live in a big city or you can’t grow a cactus in the desert.
Advent is a season to breathe. To reflect. So do it.
Right Now. Breathe.
(Breathe. Pause. Breathe Again)
Crazy right? How was this year? Hard? Scary? Painful? Joyful? Rich? Unbelievable? A lot has happened, whoever you are, and it is valuable to take stock in it from time to time.
Ask yourself: What did you do well this year? and give thanks for that. What did you not do well? And give thanks for the lessons learned, while also considering how you might do better in the future.
That person you blew up at because the President is a jerk - can you repair that relationship?
That neighbor who you’ve been angry at for something but never actually said a word to?
That person you are dying to be friends with but don’t know how to begin the conversation?
Advent is a good time for all of that.
Because Advent is a good time for fearless moral inventory. To practice an examined life. You are NOT all that. But God does want you to be better. And self examination is part of that. So in Advent we need to spend some time righting wrongs, making amends, healing old wounds — local and global.
Send some money to those kids on the border. Support a community center in your city. Send a check to the boys and girls club.
But we also have to get ready...
Now in the Christian world we are getting ready for salvation. For the light of Christ.
But that may not be for you. But you still need to get ready for the light! And not the hazy light of a too drunk Christmas party! But the light of opportunity. Of hope. Of blessing. And we have to be ready when that light comes into our lives. What would you change about your life if you knew that kind of once in a lifetime opportunity was on the horizon? How would you prepare?
You might reach out to family and friends. Strengthen your relationships.
You might throw a party + foster some new friendships.
You might spread some joy to unlikely or unexpected places.
You might DREAM about what the future could look like.
You might take some time alone this season to contemplate the changes and chances of this life — and dare to imagine what the universe has in store for you in the life you have left.
And you might also consider what has really brought you joy, really made life worth living, really inspired and excited you — and conspire to do more of that in the year to come.
Wishing you a blessed #Advent - whatever you believe #ItsNotJustForChristiansAnymore
Memorial Christmas Pageant 2018
Hello!
I hope this email fills you with excitement! This year Memorial Episcopal Church will be having a Christmas Pageant during the family service on Christmas Eve. We will be rehearsing on Sundays from 9:30 to a little after 10. The rehearsals are to get a feel of how many children would like to be involved and to give out speaking roles. There will also be costumes so coming to the first rehearsal will be crucial in making sure that everyone can receive their role. If you would love to participate and volunteer with your child that would be great. Please email me and let me know if you would be willing to stay and help.
This is an open invitation for the community. If you have children and they like to sing and be part of a community then they are welcome. We are also having a Children's Service December 16th and would love for as many kids as possible to be there.
Please feel free to email me with any questions.
Rehearsal Schedule
December 2nd 9:30-10:15
December 9th 9:30-10:15
December 16th 9:30-10:15
December 23rd 9:30-10:15
December 24th 5:00 Performance during Church Service
I hope to see Y'all this Sunday!
-Hannah :)
Linden Park Holiday Party
Linden Park Holiday Party
At 3 pm on Sunday, December 16, we'll be celebrating our annual Holiday Party over at Linden Park.
The last two years, we've done a light luncheon with mostly appetizers and desserts, but this year we are returning to more of a meal. Have a favorite holiday meal recipe? Do you make a mean turkey, or ham, or duck!? Are your mashed potatoes decadent? We need volunteers to donate any and all holiday treats for the party.
On the day of we will need volunteers to help transport and set up over at Linden Park, and to stay and party with the residents. Carols and stories will make up the bulk of the day’s entertainment, so if you like to sing, or tell a story, please sign up!
We have a Signup Genius page now going: click here to visit it and sign up to make a treat for the party.
If you are interested in volunteering, either making something, attending the party, or both, please contact Hannah Hutchens by December 9, which will allow us to plan out how to fill any gaps which might exist in the menu.
The Music Hall - November 2018
Advent stresses me out.
You’re laughing and thinking, yeah, me too: shopping, cleaning the house, decorating, and all of the other pre-celebration hassle. Advent stresses me out musically, but not because of the holiday concerts and extra services (on the contrary, special services are quite a delight.) The reason is this: the vast majority of “holiday repertoire” is actually “Christmas repertoire.” The choral canon is over-eager to skip the waiting and get right to the manger, the festivities, and the presents. It makes searching out enough quality music for the four Sundays of Advent a bit frustrating.
Advent has many layers. For me, waiting for the arrival of December 25th is a combination of patience, reflection, questioning, doubt, and more. It is a small number of composers that seem to know how to tackle the uncertainty and the pensiveness of the Advent season. Yet there is joy in the wait.
After months of searching, my Advent list of repertoire is nearly complete for this year, and I am looking forward to a broad set of offerings. The composers’ voices are German, English or American; medieval through contemporary; male and female; and even Christian and Jewish. I hope it will be an Advent representative of our diversity at Memorial.
The View from Bolton Street
Giving Thanks
Last night I, along with a good number of BUILD clergy, the Western District commander, the Mayor and a large group of community members gathered at the corner of Lanvale and McKean, the location where five year old Amy Hayes was shot in front of her grandmothers house walking back from the corner store. We gathered as a united community to grieve, lament and commit ourselves to finding a better way forward.
It was a sobering reminder of the vast disparities in this city we call home. Amy will likely recover physically, but the conditions that led to this incident remain unchanged on that corner and in neighborhood around the city. And Amy Hayes’ family and friends were not going to let any of us off the hook. The consistent refrains were: “where were you all last week?” “We haven’t seen this many police since Freddie Gray” and of course “we don’t need walks we need jobs, Mayor!”
And they weren’t wrong. In fact there was another murder around the corner earlier in the day that no one was spilling many tears or ink over. We arrived to pray but we left having been preached to, and perhaps having our own hearts turned by some unlikely voices.
So this Thanksgiving I am thankful to live on a safe street where my kids can walk to the park by themselves without me worrying about them being shot. And I am thankful that this city still has a strong moral core, and that people from all walks of life will still show up to say “no more.”
And I am also thankful to have a community here at Memorial and in the neighborhood around us that always rises to the challenge. And I have no doubt that we will be able to turn the abundance we enjoy into hope and opportunity for our broader community.
Family Movie Night - The Polar Express
At 7 pm on Friday, November 30, on the eve of December, and Advent, we will gather in cozy Farnham Hall to watch The Polar Express.
A super fun holiday film, starring the voices of Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari (those old Bosom Buddies) this story of a Lonely Boy who embarks on a train to the North Pole is sure to enchant all ages.
Fresh popped popcorn and beverages will be provided. We hope to see you there!
A call for Acolytes
Hello,
During this stewardship season, I am asking for you to consider the Memorial Acolyte program as a way to give of your time and talent. I have attached the Acolyte manual in order to give you an idea of what it means to be an Acolyte at Memorial. Some of you are already involved and have asked for training opportunities. Some have asked to become involved, and some I am inviting to consider for the first time. If you know of others that might be interested, please do forward this email. As a way to get us started, I have created a poll to find out when might be a good time for us to gather to begin the training.
Please provide your and/or your child's availability to begin or renew your commitment to learn more about the Acolyte Corps by going to this link no later than Tuesday, November 27. Acolyte Training Scheduling
Please click ALL times you are available and hold those times until you receive my update email on Wednesday. I will not conduct training on all dates but will select the top 2 or 3 based on your responses.
Questions? Please email me or find me in church! (I'll likely be one of the ones at the altar 😉)
Time is of the essence as we have had some of our Acolytes moving out of the program recently.
Fr. Grey and I appreciate your prayerful consideration!
In Christ,
Alice Peake
BUILD Action with Delegate Maggie McIntosh, December 4
We are having an action on Tuesday night Dec 4th 6pm (please arrive and be seated by 5)
at Academy for College and Career Exploration (ACCE) High School 1300 west 36th street.
Maggie McIntosh is confirmed. We are inviting the rest of the legislators that represent Baltimore City.
This is a power meeting and reception - with approximately 50 BUILD leaders.
Purpose of action is to have BUILD and the legislators publicly commit to Kirwan as our top legislative priority in 2019 and that we will fight together to win.
The core of the meeting is a teach-in where Maggie Mcintosh will teach us how she anticipates things rolling out - when will the report drop? When will legislation be introduced? Will funding and policy be in the same bill or separate? etc.
After she teaches, we will make our commitments to each other
Then we will have a reception - food/drink - where build leaders mix and mingle with legislators where they can introduce themselves, put a face with a name, and ask about other legislative priorities besides kirwan.
Please RSVP to elizabeth@buildiaf.org, rjburgin@gmail.com, jufrye@yahoo.com, rahcrew@gmail.com
Thank You!