The Beacon 2015 1 First Unitarian Church of Baltimore HOPE, SOCIAL JUSTICE and LIBERAL RELIGIOUS VALUES Corner Charles & Franklin Streets

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First Unitarian Church NewThes Beacon December 2015December The Beacon 2015 1 First Unitarian Church of Baltimore HOPE, SOCIAL JUSTICE AND LIBERAL RELIGIOUS VALUES Corner Charles & Franklin Streets

December Fundraiser December 2015 Services to Benefit Our Church and Social A Whole People on a Journey Together Justice Projects

BY ROBERTA VAN METER Services start at 11:00 AM in the historic sanctuary.

The December fundraiser will be at December 6 Ten Thousand Villages in Fells Point WinterFest from December 1–10, 2015. When you (9:30 AM “Heart to Heart” discussion: Friendship) shop at this fair-trade store during this Roberta Van Meter period and mention First Unitarian December 13 Church at checkout, 15% of the sales will be donated “Fifty Shades of Blue” to our church. Our board has agreed to split the pro- Rev. David Carl Olson ceeds between the general fund and social justice pro- In the time of year when spirits are “up” in a flurry of activi- jects. A special in-store event—with refreshments— ty—and alcohol! and commercialism! and so much more!— will be held on Friday, December 4, 2015, from 4:00– how do we allow the “down” side of who we are? A morn- 8:00 PM. We will feature information about our church ing of inner reflection that honors the darkening of days and and some of our social justice projects during the spe- even the depression that visits many of us in the winter. cial event. (9:30 AM “Heart to Heart” discussion: Balance) This is a win-win situation for everyone: (1) you can shop fair trade for holiday gifts and treats, (2) in- December 20 formation about our church and social justice work will “Preparing the Heart, Receiving the Gift” be on view for shoppers in the store, AND (3) it is a Rev. David Carl Olson fundraiser for our church. See the flyer on page 14 that The gift of love that will carry our hearts and our community you can share with family and friends. Or, look for the for a lifetime, and thus grow our souls, rests on fundamental flyer link in Happenings. There will also be more in- agreements to live righteous lives. Not easy to do! But our formation during fellowship hour. minister will offer a thought or two. Store hours are: Monday–Thursday 10:00 AM–7:00 (9:30 AM “Heart to Heart” discussion: Sustainable Living) PM, Friday–Saturday 10:00 AM–8:00 PM, and Sunday, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM. We look forward to seeing you in December 27 the store during the fundraiser and especially at the Burning Bowl Ceremony special in-store event on December 4 from 4:00 PM– “Ring Out the False! Ring in the True!” 8:00 PM! Rev. David Carl Olson In a morning of singing favorite hymns of our congregation, we list those things in our lives that we’d like to leave be- INSIDE Page hind as 2015 turns into 2016. All the while, we carry with us those things that sustain us as a people of unity and toler- Winter Solstice 2 ance, fortitude and peace. Book Group 2 Bless the Babes 2 (9:30 AM “Heart to Heart” discussion: Endings) Coffee Cabinet 3 Pete’s Patter: Religious Education 4 Special Services in our Historic Sanctuary Become a Tutor 4 December 21—Winter Solstice Ritual, 7:00 PM Sharing Stories (Ministerial Intern) 5 PM Collecting for Our Homeless Neighbors 5 December 24—Christmas Eve Pageant, 6:00 October Income and Expense Report 6-7 December 24—Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 8:00 PM Change for Change Partner: Dayspring 7 History: The Church’s Burying Ground 8-13 Don’t miss the many new “RE for All” events. Check Ten Thousand Villages Flyer 14 out Happenings, the church website, and Laura Laing’s HumanLight Celebration (December 23) 15 Open House at the Minister’s Home (December 5) 15 blog for up-to-date information as last minute changes occur. 2 The Beacon December 2015 First Unitarian Church News

Winter Solstice Bless the Babes… BY PAT MONTLEY Celebration BY PAT MONTLEY

Celebrate Winter Solstice with a seasonal ritual in the sanctuary at 7:00 PM, Monday, December 21. Awaken to the Pat Montley return of the light. Join in the turning of the wheel of the year. Welcome the newborn babes. Give thanks for seasonal blessings. Taste the sweetness of life. Celebrate the sun. The ritual includes songs, poetry, drama, and symbolic extinguishing of Have you welcomed a baby into your family this the old year’s fire and year? Or know someone who has? Would you like your lighting of the new. An- little one to be blessed at the Winter Solstice ritual cient peoples around the (Monday, December 21 at 7 PM)? It’s a time for welcom- world marked this ing the returning sun, the new year, and all new life. event—in structures, sto- (This may sound dangerously close to “bedtime,” but we ries, and feasts. Join in the don’t mind if the babes are a bit sleepy or fussy, and we earth-honoring tradition! have found in previous years that—especially with the Children and infants are music—they tend to settle down.) The babes will be gift- warmly welcome. Reception in Pratt Hall follows. ed with lullabies and a special candle and welcomed and Needed are cookie bakers, decorators for church and blessed by our whole community. For more information parish hall, and set-up and clean-up crews for the recep- or to “register” your baby (so we know how many are tion that follows the ritual. To volunteer for any of these coming), please contact Pat Montley at or to sign up your infant (under one-year old) for the [email protected]. Blessing of the Babes, contact Pat Montley.

The Book Group BY MIKE FRANCH

The Book Group will meet Thursday, December 3, 7:30–9:30 PM, to discuss Megan Marshall’s Pulitzer-Prize winning biography, Margaret Fuller: A New American Life. Fuller was a pioneer feminist writer and leader. She influenced Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton and was a friend of Emerson and Thoreau’s first editor. Horace Greeley commissioned her to explore the slums of New York. She was a war corre- Mike Franch spondent and in many other dimensions, a brave woman. The book is available in various formats, including accessible formats, and from both the Enoch Pratt and Baltimore County librar- ies. Here’s the NY Times review: http://tinyurl.com/q4ehwgc The Book Group meets in a home in Mt. Washington. Contact Mike Franch at [email protected] for information. You don’t need to be a regular Book Group member to attend and participate in the lively discussions. New people are very much welcomed. Coming Attraction: On January 28, 2016, the Book Group will discuss Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall, a novel of the age of Henry VIII. It’s a big one, so start reading! (Note: in January, we return to our usual fourth Thursday meeting time.) First Unitarian Church News December 2015 The Beacon 3

That sense of spiritual depth is something I need Coffee Cabinet each day, but especially in the hubbub of the holiday season. In this time when people give each other gifts, BY REV. DAVID CARL OLSON you—the leaders and the learners of this church—have MINISTER given me a gift of great value. I am filled with gratitude Dear Congregation, and awe. Dear Community, Much love, I’m so proud of you. Last summer, as we were preparing to change our Sunday morning schedule to expand our Sunday School and hold David Carl Olson, Minister “Religious Education (RE) for The Kids Call Me “Rev” All” each and every week at 9:30 AM, I know that there were Rev. David Carl Olson more than a few anxious hearts Minister’s Open Hours in the Study in the congregation. “What will this mean for us?” some Mondays 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM asked. “Will people really stay for such a long morning?” Wednesdays 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM (also a time to prepare with I asked that we take a deep breath, that we know that worship associates) we have the capacity to do great things, and I asked that Saturdays 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM (also a time for preparation and rehearsal for Sunday worship) we understand that we are building something new. “Rome wasn’t built in a day” I was told as an anxious Minister’s Other Hours teenager trying something new in the church youth group Tuesday is reserved for visitation. Please text or call me at of my childhood. “Let’s take it easy on ourselves,” I said (410) 350-9339 if you would like to be visited last summer, “and let’s aim for something of quality. The Thursday is a writing day in the library and in my home quantity will come a little bit later.” study. I encouraged people to imagine that building a suc- cessful program of “RE for All” would include the regu- Minister’s Self-Care lar participation of five to ten families with their chil- My Sabbath is from Thursday at 5:00 PM to Saturday at dren, and an additional 20 adults as learners. (We’d also 10:00 AM. As pastoral duties sometimes call me out of the study, it is a good idea to call in advance. need to staff about three classrooms of children’s religious education, and I thought we should offer three con- I am always “on call” for pastoral and other concerns. Do trasting classes for adults.) not hesitate to contact me if there is something you’d like to Results of the first few months are in: SUCCESS! talk about or do. It is always a good idea to contact me in We have been able to create sufficient classes for our advance if you are coming to the church to see me. I am youngest learners—thank you, adult volunteers, and pa- most accessible by text message at (410) 350-9339. Thank tient parents! AND, we have had 30 to 50 adult learners you! participating in three classes: an anti-racism class, a spir- ituality circle, and a spirited conversation on our essen- tial values. Beyond the success in terms of numbers attending, Mission the movement at 11:00 AM from the faith formation envi- ronment of the classroom to the larger space of our sanc- First Unitarian Church of Baltimore is the spiritual tuary has likewise been a movement of a particular quali- home of a diverse and mutually supportive community ty. New numbers have joined our choir. A number of of people who strive to build on our deep historical people are meditating in the front corner of the sanctuary roots as a congregation to be a beacon of hope, social for 20 minutes before the opening prelude. And the rela- justice, and liberal religious values tionships established in smaller groups are making the in Baltimore and in the world. sanctuary a less lonely place for many of us. It feels, to me, that we are finding a focus to being with one another that is rich and rewarding.

View church calendar: http://tinyurl.com/k3ttjlf 4 The Beacon December 2015 First Unitarian Church News Religious Education Pete’s Patter Float, Observe, Ask Questions

BY PETE FONTNEAU Interim DRE Transition Team is helping set up INTERIM DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (DRE) a series of ‘cottage meetings’ with the neighborhood circles that started in October. There The traditional five tasks for an interim also will be three Sunday morning sessions in professional are: coming to terms with the November and December (November 15, De- past; discovering a new identity; helping lead- cember 6 and 13) to give those who find it dif- ership grow and change; rethinking, rediscov- ficult to attend a neighborhood circle session to ering and revitalizing denominational linkag- give their input on our education program es; and committing to new leadership and to a without another trip out. The format for these new future. Addressing these tasks requires Pete Fontneau discussions is answering a short list of ques- floating from one area of church life to anoth- tions posed in an “Appreciative Inquiry” for- er, observing, and asking questions and acting for Unitari- mat, followed by brief discussion; the plan is to conclude an Universalist values in a number of ways. Our staff the conversation in an hour. members are engaged in connecting to colleagues and the During the same time, I will schedule a series of one- larger association through the ministers’ association and on-one sessions with leaders—board members, committee the religious education cluster. We have connections to chairs, long-term members, etc.—as recommended by the social justice programs outside the congregation through interim team, to go somewhat more deeply into similar ADORE (A Dialogue on Race and Diversity), the legisla- questions. I will have met with some of the leadership in tive ministries, and Unitarian Universalists for Social Jus- other cottage meetings and will probably not be able to tice. I serve on the Joseph Priestley District Finance and meet with all the members of these groups in the next cou- Audit Committee. After the Breads of the World Service ple of months before I make a first analysis of data and and during December, First Unitarian will be observing make some recommendations. After initial recommenda- the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee’s Guest-at- tions, some period for experimentation, and another re- Your-Table fundraising program. All of these activities port, we’ll move toward the future. help the congregation to grow a deepening identity out- We don’t know exactly what that means yet. Floating side the home congregation, prepare for changes, recon- around, observing, and asking questions from an nect with our larger association, and open our vision to a ‘outsider’ point of view has room for surprises. Organiza- new future. tion and staff change suggestions or new ways to ‘do One thing that I will be doing during the fall and early church’ are possibilities. Being open to new possibilities winter is a series of meetings that are intended to discover seems to be an exciting aspect for a congregation ap- a new identity for our religious education program. The proaching its bicentennial.

Become a Tutor Meet with Pete! BY ROBERTA VAN METER

Do you want to make a difference in Our interim director of religious education, Pete Baltimore City? Do you believe that edu- Fontneau, needs your opinions and thoughts. What are cation can change lives? If you answered your dreams for our religious education program—for yes to one or both of these questions, kids and adults? Be sure to attend one of the following please consider tutoring 4th graders at the cottage meetings in the downstairs classroom William Paca Elementary School in East Baltimore. The commitment is 1 hour per Sunday, December 6, at 1:00 PM week after school at 3:00 PM on Tuesdays, Sunday December 13, at 1:00 PM Wednesdays, or Thursdays. For more information, contact Roberta Van Meter. First Unitarian Church News December 2015 The Beacon 5

something important to say, if only adults would really Sharing Stories listen to them? BY DIANA DAVIES, MINISTERIAL INTERN What I’m learning this semester is that, in order for a congregation to be truly intergenerational, it’s not enough A fellow seminarian and student at to have teens and children attending worship services and Meadville Lombard has a son who is programs. They need to be included in some way in the one of those kids who frequently says planning and development of those services and programs. things that are both hysterically funny What is it that will engage teens and children in such a and very wise. The other day, he ac- way that they actually want to come to church? It’s not cused her of speaking in her minister’s Diana Davies enough to just guess on their behalf, we need to ask them. voice, which he described as “when And then listen. That’s what I’m hoping to do for the wor- you pretend like you’re talking to the children, but you’re ship service on November 29, which will be developed really talking to the adults.” Whoa! What a great remind- with the active input of members of the youth group. Even er. Especially at this time of year, everything seems to be though that particular service will already be a thing of the for and about kids. Whether it’s “family friendly” events, past by the time you read this, I hope it won’t be the last school concerts, or multigenerational worship services and one designed in this way. The teens and children of First pageants, kids seem to be everywhere. But are the adults Unitarian have some amazing stories to tell. listening to them? Do we just see them as cute, or are we Another group of people who have an important story really hearing what they have to say? to tell, if only someone would just listen, This semester, I’m taking a course are those who are suffering or grieving. called “Collaboration in Intergenera- At this time of year, when everyone is tional Ministry.” I’m so happy to be expected to be merry and happy, and studying this topic at the very same even jolly (?!), it can be especially hard time as First Unitarian has taken the to be sad. It can be terribly lonely, since it bold step of becoming a “blended con- can feel like no one else wants to hear a gregation,” one that is consciously story of pain, disappointment, grief, or striving not to just have multiple gener- anger during the holidays. And yet, tell- ations existing near each other ing these stories can be incredibly heal- (multigenerational) but actively engag- ing. That’s why, in connection with the ing with each other (intergenera- “Blue Christmas” service (December 13), tional). Of course, this is easier said I’m helping to plan a program for those than done. Trying to design worship who are struggling with sadness at this services that appeal both to the people time of year. This special program will be over 65 (an ever-growing percentage in designed following the basic guidelines churches), as well as teens and chil- and structure of a chalice circle: we will dren, and all the people in between, is a Diana Davies at 14 getting ready to be read a relational covenant (regarding is- major challenge. One tool that we’ve sues like respectful listening and confi- learned can be effective in this way is in her Sunday School Christmas pageant. Now that’s a story! dentiality), and consider a few relevant storytelling. An honest story told with texts. Then, each participant will have an simplicity and sincerity can offer something to listeners of opportunity to tell her or his story, without interruptions all generations. Most of the time, though, when we hear a by questions or comments. If you’ve never participated in story in church it is told by an adult. What was the last a chalice circle before, but are intrigued by the idea, I es- time you heard a teen or a child telling his or her own sto- pecially encourage you to give it a try. ry? How many teens and children feel that they have

Our Homeless Neighbors BY ROBERTA VAN METER

Soon it will be really cold outside, so it is time to collect for our homeless neighbors. We are collecting new or gently used items for men and women. Bring your donations to the bin at the Social Action Clearinghouse (SAC) table. Hats, Scarves, Gloves, Mittens, Socks, Shoes (no heels), Shirts (long sleeve), Pants and Jeans, Thermal Un- derwear, Sweaters, Sweatshirts, Jackets and Coats, Blankets and sleeping bags. THANK YOU! For more info, contact Roberta Van Meter. 6 The Beacon December 2015 First Unitarian Church News Income and Expense Statement (UNAUDITED): Summary -October 2015 Year to Date YTD Budget YTD Budget Diff Annual Budget Prior YTD INCOME CONTRIBUTION INCOME UNRESTRICTED Contributions-Identified $69,506.24 $63,500.00 $6,006.24 $190,500.00 $64,185.64 Contributions-Prior Yr Pl 325.00 0.00 325.00 0.00 2,434.00 Contributions-Loose Plate 1,449.46 1,500.00 (50.54) 4,500.00 1,049.24 Contributions-Misc 0.00 50.00 (50.00) 150.00 0.00 Subtotal Contribution Income 71,280.70 65,050.00 6,230.70 195,150.00 67,668.88

FUNDRAISING FUNDRAISING INCOME Fundraising Revenues 370.00 1,666.68 (1,296.68) 5,000.00 1,252.85 Bookstore Income 1,334.49 666.68 667.81 2,000.00 134.42 Flower Income 100.00 0.00 100.00 0.00 80.00 Cultural Series Income 0.00 200.00 (200.00) 600.00 1,157.03 Kitchen Revenues 0.00 41.68 (41.68) 125.00 0.00 Coffee Hour Revenues 107.36 100.00 7.36 300.00 98.13 Recycling Income 155.94 216.68 (60.74) 650.00 255.15 Amazon Revenue 220.40 233.32 (12.92) 700.00 331.52 Subtotal Fundraising Income 2,288.19 3,125.04 (836.85) 9,375.00 3,309.10

FACILITY USE INCOME Rental Income 650.00 1,000.00 (350.00) 3,000.00 1,278.50 Wedding Income 0.00 333.32 (333.32) 1,000.00 1,200.00 Subtotal Facility Use Income 650.00 1,333.32 (683.32) 4,000.00 2,478.50

FUNDRAISING EXPENSE Fundraising Event Expense 0.00 (583.32) 583.32 (1,750.00) (1,505.00) Bookstore Expense (716.60) (20.00) (696.60) (60.00) 0.00 Flower Expense (100.00) (83.32) (16.68) (250.00) (95.00) Kitchen Expense 0.00 (100.00) 100.00 (300.00) 0.00 Coffee Hour Expense (87.50) (366.68) 279.18 (1,100.00) (301.25) Subtotal Fundraising Expense (904.10) (1,153.32) 249.22 (3,460.00) (1,901.25) Subtotal Fundraising 2,034.09 3,305.04 (1,270.95) 9,915.00 3,886.35

OTHER INCOME FUND CONTRIBUTION TO OPER Endowment Income 15,673.64 15,673.68 (0.04) 47,021.00 15,013.32 Investment Acct Income 2,810.00 2,810.00 0.00 8,430.00 2,736.68 Investment Acct Other 1,378.00 0.00 1,378.00 0.00 0.00 Kinn Education 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 3,500.00 Kinn Homelessness 666.68 666.68 0.00 2,000.00 666.68 7 Principles 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 500.00 Subtotal Fund Contribution To Oper 20,528.32 19,150.36 1,377.96 57,451.00 22,416.68

GRANTS & MISC INCOME Miscellaneous Income 1,016.00 0.00 1,016.00 0.00 0.00 Subtotal Other Income 21,544.32 19,150.36 2,393.96 57,451.00 22,416.68

TOTAL INCOME 94,859.11 87,505.40 7,353.71 262,516.00 93,971.91 TOTAL EXPENSES 97,953.03 100,380.72 (2,427.69) 312,142.19 111,003.97 EXCESS INCOME\EXPENSES ($3,093.92) ($12,875.32) $9,781.40 ($49,626.19) ($17,032.06)

First Unitarian Church News December 2015 The Beacon 7 October Expenses

Year Year to YTD Budget Annual Prior Year to Date Date Budget Difference Budget to Date EXPENSES PASTORAL STAFF SENIOR PASTOR $36,373.91 $35,592.32 $781.59 $106,777.00 $34,664.09 Subtotal Pastoral Staff 36,373.91 35,592.32 781.59 106,777.00 34,664.09

ADMINISTRATION OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR 12,599.33 11,342.92 1,256.41 34,028.84 11,603.20 OFFICE EXPENSES 2,939.20 2,928.00 11.20 8,784.00 3,301.62 COMPUTER EXPENSES 328.36 729.36 (401.00) 2,188.00 1,003.36 LEASED EQUIPMENT 710.75 833.36 (122.61) 2,500.00 3,126.59 Subtotal Administration 16,577.64 15,833.64 744.00 47,500.84 19,034.77

DENOMINATIONAL 8,096.00 5,426.68 2,669.32 16,280.00 6,467.00

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION RELIGOUS ED DIRECTOR 5,633.06 10,538.80 (4,905.74) 31,616.52 15,621.07 RELIGOUS ED EXPENSES 0.00 1,050.00 (1,050.00) 3,150.00 471.60 Subtotal Religious Education 5,633.06 11,588.80 (5,955.74) 34,766.52 16,092.67

MUSIC MUSIC DIRECTOR 13,315.87 12,025.00 1,290.87 36,074.83 13,039.70 MUSIC EXPENSES 1,510.68 2,183.32 (672.64) 3,550.00 1,717.75 Subtotal Music 14,826.55 14,208.32 618.23 39,624.83 14,757.45

WORSHIP 110.50 760.64 (650.14) 2,282.00 414.34 BOARD & COMMITTEES 1,967.73 1,575.00 392.73 4,725.00 945.36 OUTREACH 706.00 1,051.00 (345.00) 3,153.00 1,472.68 FACILITIES 11,315.12 12,177.64 (862.52) 36,533.00 14,677.25 UTILITIES 2,346.52 2,166.68 179.84 20,500.00 2,478.36 TOTAL EXPENSES 97,953.03 100,380.72 (2,427.69) 312,142.19 111,003.97

Help the Church When Change for Change Partner

You Shop On Amazon Our Change for Change partner for November and De- cember 2015 is Friends of Dayspring Garden. A vacant lot All you have to do is click here or you can access the in East Baltimore is now a link on the church website at www.firstunitarian.net thriving garden of lovely (scroll down to the bottom of the page and look for the flowers and healthy vege- Amazon.com logo). Any time you buy a product or gift tables. It is behind card from Amazon.com, First Unitarian gets a percent- our partner, Dayspring, a age of the price of your purchase—at no additional cost residence for women recovering from substance use issues to you. and their children. Many children, youth, and adult volunteers from our church have contributed to the garden and Thank you again for all of your support! participated in events at the garden with the residents and members of the surrounding community. More information is available during Fellowship Hour at the Social Action Clearinghouse (SAC) table. 8 The Beacon December 2015 First Unitarian Church News

First Unitarian Historical Perspectives #70

The Burying Ground of the First Independent Church of Baltimore1

BY CATHERINE EVANS

“In 1821, there “On May 29, 1871, it was decided to abandon the was a meeting of the cemetery, and lots were obtained in Baltimore Cemetery7 Pew Holders2 of the to place disinterred bodies. Amicable legal proceedings church for the purpose were instituted in the Circuit Court of Baltimore, under a of deciding whether to General Law of the State, intended to meet such cases. In use the vacant ground the course of these proceedings, the court appointed 2 around the church as a trustees, George William Brown8 and Arthur George burying ground.3 This Brown,9 for the purpose of making decent removal and Catherine Evans question was decided reinterment elsewhere of the bodies remaining in the in the negative, and a ground and then of offering the property for sale at pub- committee was appointed to procure a suitable burying lic auction. ground and report to the congregation. “On September 10, 1821, the committee reported to the Board of Trustees that they had purchased an acre and one half (more or less) as a burying ground, on Belle Air Road and Gay Street, opposite Broadway.4 This property cost $700. A committee was then appointed to enclose the burying ground, to lay it out in lots, and pro- pose a schedule for selling it. “On October 25, 1821, the plat of ground was exhib- ited to members of the church and purchases were made. On November 19, 1821, members of the church were invited to take lots in the new burying ground. It was further resolved that prices for the smaller lots (8x10 feet) would be raised from $15.00 to $20.00 and prices of the larger lots would be raised from $25.00 to $30.00. “On March 25, 1822, a committee was appointed to superintend the laying out and dividing of the lots to con- form to a plan previously adopted. [The] plat of the cemetery of March 1822 showed 278 lots. On April 22, 1822, the price of the lots was again established at the original rate and single graves were sold for $5.00. “On October 3, 1833, a communication was received from the Second Presbyterian Church5 proposing that the First Independent Church of Baltimore either cede 24 feet to the Second Presbyterian Church or pay one-half the expense of a wall. On motion, the [Register]6 was instructed to make a written reply, declining both re- quests and adding that the hedge was considered all sufficient. “As time passed, there were very few burials in this cemetery and many lots were not sold. The expense to the church for the upkeep and maintenance of the bury- Layout of the Baltimore Cemetery with First Independent Church Lots # 289 & 290, Area EE, indicated. ing ground was very high and it seemed to increase from year to year. (Continued on page 9) First Unitarian Church News December 2015 The Beacon 9

(Continued from page 8) sell my certificates at 50 cents on the dollar. “On May 1, 1872, it was reported that the bodies of It has long been my opinion that this mort- 32 adults and 13 children had been removed. On June 17, gage has been one of the great drawbacks to the 1872, the trustees offered the property for sale at public success of the church, and I have hoped to see it auction. It was purchased by the church, as a corporation, extinguished, and I hope other holders, who are for the sum of $10,500 cash. All requirements of the trus- as much or more interested than myself, will tees having been complied with, they executed a fee sim- see it in the same light. Please name a commit- ple deed of the property to the First Independent Church tee to at once ascertain the pleasure of the hold- of Baltimore on October 17, 1872, and at the same time ers that I may hear. the deed was duly deposited for record. Yours respectfully, “The question as to the liability of the trustees to re- Enoch Pratt move and reerect the family vault of Hon. James R. Partridge10 was unsettled at this time and was left to the mutual agreement to be reached by the representatives of both parties. All bodies removed, which were not taken in charge by friends or relatives, were reinterred in lots No. 289 and 290, Area EE, Baltimore Cemetery.11 The treasurer was authorized and instructed to return to holders of lots or to their legal representatives the sum originally received from them by the church for lots selected and used or held for use. The total cost of the property to the church was $3004.53. In addition to this, the church paid during the years 1855 to 1869 for various purposes connect- ed with the burial ground the sum of $198.26. “On November 15, 1875, the trustees were authorized to sell the old cemetery, provided the whole bonded debt of the church could be extinguished by doing so. “At a meeting of the Board of Trustees on January 10, 1876, the following letter from Mr. Location of Lots #289 & 290, Area EE, in the grassy area in the Enoch Pratt12 was read and ordered to be entered foreground (no markers) upon the record:

Baltimore, January 8, 1876 “It was voted that Mr. Wyeth20 and Mr. Tiffany21 be a To Trustees of First Independent Church of committee to confer with the certificate holders, named in Baltimore Mr. Pratt’s letter and report at their early convenience. Gentlemen: On January 18, 1876, the committee appointed sub- Provided the following holders, viz: mitted the following written report. The committee ap- Alonzo Lilly13 $1100 pointed to see Alonzo Lilly and others in reference to Mr. Wm. P. Cole14 600 Pratt’s note of the 8th reported: W. E. Mayhew15 100 Mr. Thomas Whitridge and Mr. George B. George Bartlett16 500 Cole have very kindly transferred their stock to Brown & Brune, Trustees17 500 the church. Messrs. Alonzo Lilly and Brown Geo. B. Cole18 150 and Brune Trustees and Mrs. W. E. Mayhew Thomas Whitridge19 700 have assented to sell their stock on the terms of the 4% debt of the church will sell me their proposed. Mr. W. P. Cole states to the commit- certificates at 66 2/3 cents on the dollar with tee in writing that if the success of the liquidat- interest from 1st July last, and the church will ing of the debt against the church in any man- convey to me in fee simple the old burying ner requires the giving up of his stock at 66 2/3 ground lot on North Gay Street, I will surrender cts. on the dollar, he gives his consent. Mrs. the whole mortgage debt of the church viz: Bartlett is sick in bed, and could not see the $23,625; or if any other person will do it, I will (Continued on page 10) 10 The Beacon December 2015 First Unitarian Church News

(Continued from page 9) able and willing to consummate the above ar- committee. Mr. Heald, her business agent could rangement, if it shall be assented to by the not act for her. He did not think there would be church: any difficulty. One of your committee under- Therefore, resolved that the said terms of stands informally from Rev. Mr. Weld, that he purchase are hereby accepted and agreed to; and has talked to Mrs. Bartlett on the subject, and the minister as president of the Board of Trus- that she intends either to sell her stock as pro- tees is hereby authorized and instructed, upon posed or will carry out an idea she has of trans- receiving from Mr. Pratt a deed of reconvey- ferring it to the church. ance of said church edifice and premises, duly executed by trustees, named in said deed of “This report was accepted by the Board of Trustees trust or their survivor, and requiring the full and approved. On motion of Mr. Pratt, the board then au- payment and complete extinguishment of said thorized the sale, at 66 2/3 percent, of the certificates of bonded debt secured thereby, to execute and debt that had been donated by Messrs. Whitridge and deliver to Mr. Pratt the deed in fee simple of Cole and requested the treasurer to make the necessary said burying ground, with all its rights and priv- arrangements to perfect this sale and that of any other ileges and appurtenances, as the same are de- stock which might hereafter be donated. scribed in the deed thereof to the church from “At a meeting of the Board of Trustees held on Feb- George William Brown and Arthur George ruary 29, 1876, the treasurer reported the gift to the Brown, Trustees, dated, October 17, 1872—to church of four percent stock as follows: From Mrs. be signed by the minister, with the corporate George Bartlett—$500, from Thomas Whitridge—$700, seal of the church thereto affixed. from George B. Cole—$150, total—$1350, which he had And it is further resolved that George H. sold to Mr. Pratt for $900, agreeable to vote passed at last Chandler23 be named in said deed as attorney in meeting. The register reported he had written notes of fact to acknowledge the same in the name and acknowledgement to said donors, expressing grateful ap- behalf of the church. preciation of the board of their liberality. The following resolution was introduced by Mr. “This resolution, after full discussion was unanimous- Janes22. ly adopted. Whereas by a communication in writing “It was also voted that Messrs. Tiffany and Chandler dated January 8, 1876, and recorded in the pro- should be a committee to convey to Mr. Pratt the grateful ceedings of the meeting of this board, held on sense of the board and of the whole church towards him the 10th of said month, Mr. Enoch Pratt offered for the efficient, practical, and benevolent manner in to purchase the old burying ground property on which he had met the question of reducing the debt and North Gay Street in Baltimore City, now owned expenses of the church. by the church, in consideration of the discharge “On May 19, 1876, Mr. Weld24 and Mr. Chandler and satisfaction by him of the entire bonded reported that they had performed the duties imposed upon debt of the church, now amounting to the sum them and that the deed of release of the church edifice of $23,625, as appears by the books of the treas- and lot had been tendered by Mr. Pratt and accepted and urer and secured by deed of trust of the church that the deed of the cemetery lot had been delivered to edifice and premises. And whereas he has be- Mr. Pratt and that the negotiation had been successfully come the owner of said entire debt and is now terminated.

Panoramic view from Baltimore Cemetery with entry gate on right and downtown Baltimore in the distance on the left

(Continued on page 11) First Unitarian Church News December 2015 The Beacon 11

(Continued from page 10) use, in 1935 at the time of the merger with the Second Univer- “Both the church and Mr. Pratt profited by this trans- salist Society. First Unitarian Church of Baltimore is the oldest action. The church for the first time was freed from debt “purpose-built” Unitarian Church in North America. This and Mr. Pratt obtained a valuable piece of property, means that it is the oldest Unitarian church built by Unitarians which he had laid out into building lots. The city of Balti- for the purpose of being a Unitarian church 2”Following the custom of Congregational churches of the more was growing in 1876, and these lots were sold by period, it was planned to pay for the building by the sale of Mr. Pratt for very high prices and so he made a fine profit pews, of which there were originally 135. A plot of pews was on a very clever business deal. made in December, 1818, and prices for pews set to range from And so the old burying ground of the First Independ- $50 for each of three in the gallery to $1100 for the most desir- ent Church of Baltimore, originally dedicated to the dead, able ones in the main auditorium, the proceeds to be applied to became an important and vital part of a great city dedicat- the Building Fund. All contributors to the Building Fund were ed to the living.”25 to be awarded pews in the amount of their respective contribu- The failure of the First Independent Church Burying tions. According to an opinion by George William Brown in Ground as an enterprise was due in good measure to a 1866, when it was proposed to sell the building, the pew hold- change in societal priorities for cemeteries. Just as the ers owned their pews but not the ground under them. Unless the church became so dilapidated that it must be torn down, it church was establishing its cemetery in 1821, a new no- could not be sold without the consent of all pew owners. All tion of “rural cemeteries” was evolving and winning fa- 26 owner-occupied pews or rented pews were subject to an annual vor. It was inspired by romantic ideas about nature, art, tax of 30 to 60 dollars each, to pay the salary of the minister and national identity, and the belief that for sanitary rea- and all other current expenses.” Rebecca Funk, A Heritage to sons, cemeteries should not be located in population cen- Hold in Fee 1817–1917: First Unitarian Church of Baltimore ters. The first of these was Père Lachaise Cemetery in (Universalist and Unitarian) (Baltimore: Garamond Press, Paris, opened in 1804. In the United States, “rural” ceme- 1962), p. 50–51. 3 teries were often in the outskirts of the city at elevated During the Colonial period in English colonies the dead locations offering a view. Mount Auburn Cemetery in were buried in churchyards located in close proximity to Cambridge, Massachusetts, was the first in the United churches. Churchyard burials remained a standard practice into the 20th century for European Americans and other cultures in States in 1831, followed by Laurel Hill Cemetery in Phil- the Judeo-Christian tradition. The exception to this were the adelphia in 1836, and Green Mount Cemetery in Balti- secular graveyards of Puritan New England. Puritans rejected more in 1838. Indeed, Green Mount became the preferred churchyard burials as they rebelled against other “papist” prac- cemetery for Unitarians. For example, when Rev. George tices, as heretical and idolatrous, instead setting aside land as Washington Burnap died in 1859, the congregation chose common community burial grounds. U.S. Department of the a gravesite at Green Mount and erected a monument to Interior, National Park Service, National Register Publica- his memory there, despite the fact that the church owned tions—National Register Bulletin: Guidelines for Evaluating its own burying ground at the time.27 and Registering Cemeteries and Burial Places. Discussion of the evolution of cemetery type will follow later in the article. The freeing of the church of its inherited debt lifted a 4 huge burden with which the church had been burdened North Gay Street intersects with Broadway a few blocks north of Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions Campus. (Now, since its beginnings, enabling the growth and expansion North Gay Street becomes Belair Road farther northeast when of its facilities and programs that followed. In the years it crosses North Avenue.) At the intersection of Gay and Broad- after the resolution of the debt, the chapel was built (what way, the current neighborhoods of Oliver (NW), Gay Street we now call the Enoch Pratt Parish Hall) and plans were (SW), Middle East (SE), and Broadway East (NE) come to- begun for the restoration of the church. As Rebecca Funk gether. It is also the area where Johns Hopkins University has writes in A Heritage to Hold in Fee 1817–1917: First had a major redevelopment project called East Baltimore De- Unitarian Church of Baltimore (Universalist and Unitari- velopment, Inc. (EBDI) for the past 12 years. 5 an), “During the first 60 years, the First Independent When Second Presbyterian first came into existence in Church was threatened many times with dissolution be- 1803, the new congregation promised its new pastor a new cause of inability to meet its obligations. It was enabled church building, which was erected at the corner of Baltimore and Lloyd Streets. In 1807 the church purchased land for a to survive only by the determination and sacrifice of its cemetery, which became the Glendy Burying Ground at the membership, and the sympathetic forbearance of Unitari- 28 corner of Broadway and Gay Streets. Since 1930, the church an friends in New England.” has been located at the intersection of Charles and St. Paul

Streets. Website of the Second Presbyterian Church. End Notes 6The position of register on the Board of Trustees was what we would now call the secretary of the board. 1“The First Independent Church of Baltimore” was the 7Baltimore Cemetery is a public, nonsectarian cemetery original name of our church. The name was changed to “First located on 100 acres at the eastern end of North Avenue. It was Unitarian Church (Universalist and Unitarian),” the one we still (Continued on page 12) 12 The Beacon December 2015 First Unitarian Church News

11 (Continued from page 11) The records on file at Baltimore Cemetery show that the incorporated by act of the Maryland State Legislature in 1849 reinterrment took place on May 13, 1872. They also identify and confirmed by city ordinance in 1852. It was a success from the following individuals: Chas. W. McLean, Christ. Deshen, the beginning. Not far from the older Green Mount Cemetery, it Sam. Hyde, Rufus Nurse, W. C. Harris, W. Munder, Mrs. was laid out as a more modest version of a park cemetery and Munder, and one box of unidentified remains. There are no considered a more affordable alternative. It was heavily utilized grave markers at the gravesites. by individuals of German extraction. The entry gates are mod- 12Enoch Pratt (1808–1896) was a major Baltimore mer- eled after the Norman Battle Abbey, a partially ruined abbey chant, banker, and philanthropist. He was a member of First complex in the small town of Battle in East Sussex, England, Unitarian for the 65 years of his life in Baltimore, serving for built at the location of the Battle of Hastings. Baltimore Ceme- decades on its Board of Trustees, variously as president and tery is set on high ground and has a beautiful view of down- treasurer. His life and work have been profiled in a number of town Baltimore. “Historical Perspectives” articles in the Beacon, including #7 8George William Brown (1821–1890) was a pew holder (9/10) “Enoch Pratt’s Legacy”; #19 (9/11) “Enoch Pratt Parish at First Independent Church. In 1838, he founded the law firm Hall”; #29 (7/12) “Pratt Hall Panels”; #31 (9/12) “The Civil of Brown & Brune with partner Frederick Brune. He married War and First Unitarian, Part II—Mr. Pratt and Rev. Ware” ; Clara Maria Brune (1817–1919), his partner’s sister in 1838. #43 (9/13) “Enoch Pratt: Practicing Generosity; Edward Shef- Brown was mayor of Baltimore from 1860–1861 and played an field Bartholomew”; #55 (9/14) “Enoch Pratt (September 8, important role in controlling the Pratt Street Riot, where the 1808–September 17, 1896): Modeling Philanthropy—Blessed first bloodshed of the Civil War occurred, on April 19, 1861. Are the Merciful”; and #67 (9/15) “Who Was Enoch Pratt?”. Immediately following the riot, Mayor Brown and Maryland 13Alonzo Lilly (1800–1890) was born in Ashfield, Massa- businessmen visited the White House to urge President Abra- chusetts. In young adulthood, he moved to Baltimore, where he ham Lincoln to reroute Union troops around Baltimore to An- married Mary Ann Entler (1804–1878). Among their five chil- napolis to avoid further confrontations that they felt would re- dren was a son, Alonzo, Jr. (1841–1941). For a number of sult from additional troops passing through the city. On May years, Alonzo Lilly was a merchant and a bank director. About 13, 1861, the Union army entered Baltimore, occupied the city, the year 1868, he returned to Massachusetts, settled in Newton, declared martial law, and arrested the mayor (who was pro- and became involved in business in Boston. Alonzo Lilly, Jr., Union), the city council, and the police commissioner and im- was a prominent Baltimore businessman, a partner in the retail prisoned them at Fort McHenry. After his term as mayor, pharmacy of Lilly, Rogers & Co., and, earlier, in the Nelaton Brown returned to the practice of law, becoming a University Remedy Co. In later years, Alonzo Lilly, Jr. moved to Denver of Maryland School of Law professor and second chief judge, for health reasons. The Lillys were members of First Unitarian. Supreme Bench of Baltimore City. He was founder and presi- It is likely that the father loaned the money to the church. After dent of the Bar Association of Baltimore City and the Library his departure, Alonzo, Jr., remained a leader in the church, Company of the Baltimore Bar, a member of the first Board of serving as board president at the time of the 75th anniversary Trustees of the Peabody Institute, one of the founders of the and reconsecration of the church. Maryland Historical Society, a regent of the University of Mar- 14William P. Cole is listed as a pew owner of the church in yland, a key trustee of Johns Hopkins University of Maryland 1865 and 1869. In 1876, Cole, Enoch Pratt, and Rev. Charles (helping to implement the terms of Johns Hopkins bequest, R. Weld were the three Baltimore delegates to the Meeting of which led to the founding of the University), and president of the National Conference of Unitarian and Other Christian the Atheneum Club. Churches held in Saratoga, New York. He and his wife, 9Arthur George Brown (1842–1925) was one of the sev- Emiline, were parents of Edwin Curtis, William Roswell, Mari- en children of George William and Clara Maria (Brune) Brown. on Billings, Francis Osborn, Florence Baker, Charles Pliny, He graduated from St. James College, Washington County, Hore Esther and Channing Burnap. Maryland, in 1862, and began reading law in the law office of 15William E. Mayhew (1784–1860) was a respected mer- his father and uncle, Brown & Brune. He became a judge of the chant in Baltimore and, at the time of his death, president of the Court of Arbitration of the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce, Peabody Institute and the Farmers and Planters Bank. His was a provost of the Baltimore University School of Law and daughter, Susan, married George Nathaniel Eaton in 1843. president of the State Board of Law Examiners for a number of Their daughter, Frances, married First Unitarian minister Rev. years. He was a trustee of the Peabody Institute, the College of Charles Richmond Weld. The Mayhews and the Eatons were St. James, and the Johns Hopkins University. prominent members of First Unitarian from the founding of the 10James R. Partridge (1823–1884) was born in Baltimore church well into the 20th century. and graduated from Harvard College (1841) and Harvard Law 16George Bartlett (1792–1874) was born in Boston, Mas- School (1843). He was a lawyer, politician, and diplomat. In sachusetts, and there entered the boot, shoe, and hat business. Maryland, he served as secretary of state, 1858–1861, during In 1812, he moved to Baltimore and established a business fo- which time he persuaded the governor to keep the state on the cused on the leather trade. He was a member of the First Uni- Union side and to encourage the distribution of arms to loyal tarian Church of Baltimore, one of the founders of the National men to use against secessionists when the Civil War broke out Fire Insurance Company and the First National Bank, a director in 1861. He served as Minister to Honduras, 1862–1863. Minis- in the Western Bank, and a director in the Baltimore and Ohio ter Resident to El Salvador, 1863–1866; Minister to Venezuela, Railroad, among other institutions. He was an active proponent 1869–1870; and Minister to Brazil, 1871–1877. (Continued on page 13) First Unitarian Church News December 2015 The Beacon 13

(Continued from page 12) Patuxent Manufacturing Company, producing cotton. He was of the improvement of the city, an advocate of the public school one of the original members of the board of the Peabody Insti- system and initiator of the project to erect a conservatory in tute. Druid Hill Park. In 1824, he married Vashti Robinson with 22Henry Janes was Enoch Pratt’s brother-in-law and busi- whom he had four children: Lucretia (1827), George W. (1834 ness partner. “In 1841, Mr. Henry Janes, who had married Mrs. who died in infancy), Rebecca (1839 who died in infancy), and Pratt’s sister, Caroline Jarvis Hyde, entered the business as jun- George Washington Burnap (1843). ior partner. After five years he became full partner and shared 17In 1838, George William Brown and Frederick W. the management and profits of the firm until his death in 1893.” Brune (1813–1878) founded a law firm called Brown & Brune, Richard H. Hart, Enoch Pratt: The Story of a Plain Man the progenitor to today’s firm of Niles, Barton & Wilmer. LLP. (Baltimore: The Enoch Pratt Free Library, 1935), p. 20. 18George Byron Cole was a member of First Unitarian. He 23George H. Chandler and his wife Elvira S. are listed in was married to Mary J. Williams. Their children were Edith, Vital Records of the First Independent Church [of] Baltimore, Natalie, Donald, and Ralph Neff. At the time of the opening of Maryland: 1818–1921 (see endnote #18 above) as being the the Enoch Pratt Free Library, he served as vice president of the parents of newborn Samuel Coffin in 1875, baptized in 1876. Board of Trustees under President Enoch Pratt. Chandler was an attorney with a local office. 19Thomas Whitridge (1802–1883) was born in Tiverton, 24Charles Richmond Weld was the sixth minister of First Rhode Island, the son of Dr. William and Mary Cushing Unitarian, serving from 1872–1898. For more information Whitridge. Thomas Whitridge’s older brother, John Whitridge, about his ministry, see the following articles in the Beacon MD, settled in Baltimore about 1820 and Thomas followed. In “Historical Perspectives” series: #45 (11/13) “Rev. Charles 1826, Thomas started in the shipping business with a ware- Richmond Weld, Part I: A Time of Construction and Defini- house on the waterfront. He owned a fleet of ships, many of tion”; #46 (12/13) “Rev. Charles Richmond Weld, Part II: A them Baltimore clippers, which conducted coffee trade with Time of Service and a Focus on Children and Education”; #47 Brazil. He also owned large warehouses, and, from 1836 until (1/14) “Rev. Charles Richmond Weld, Part III: A Time of Re- his death, was a director of The Farmers' & Planters’ Bank. building”; #48 (2/14) “Rev. Charles Richmond Weld, Part IV: Thomas Whitridge was pew owner at First Unitarian, serving in A Time of Reconsecration”; #49 (3/14) “Rev. Charles Rich- a variety of leadership capacities, including as a member of the mond Weld, Part V: “Raising the bottom of society through Conference of Unitarian and other Christian Churches of the working to destroy poverty, viciousness, and wrong…”; #50 Middle and Southern States. He was married to Henrietta Dall, (4/14) “Rev. Charles Richmond Weld, Part VI: “…an apostle of the sister of Charles Dall (1816–1886), the Baltimore-born Uni- beauty and applied Christianity….” tarian minister who was a missionary to India. Charles Dall was 25The text of this article comes from a manuscript in the married to Caroline Healey (1822–1912), an early feminist, archives of the Heritage Room at the church. There is no attrib- whose diary was excerpted and published by Beacon Press as ution of authorship. Much of the text is quoted verbatim from a Daughter of Boston: The Extraordinary Diary of a 19th Century volume of written records of the Board of Trustees. Woman. At his death, Thomas Whitridge left an estate of 26See U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Ser- $4,500,000; he left $100,000 to The American Unitarian Society. vice, National Register Publications—National Register Bulle- 20Two men named Wyeth are listed in Vital Records of the tin: Guidelines for Evaluating and Registering Cemeteries and First Independent Church [of] Baltimore, Maryland: 1818– Burial Places for an informative discussion of this history. 1921, edited by Mrs. Edwin C. Gibbons, Jr. (Silver Spring, 27George Washington Burnap was the second minister of Maryland: Family Line Publications, 1987) p. 49. They are First Unitarian. For information about his gravesite and that of Charles and Leonard. Caroline Archer and Leonard J. Wyeth some of the other First Unitarians buried in Green Mount, see were married in the church in 1821. Their daughter Elizabeth the Beacon “Historical Perspectives” #44 (10/13) “Searching Jarvis Wyeth was baptized in 1823. Charles Wyeth was married for Stones: The Green Mount Cemetery.” For other articles on in the church to Caroline K. Bartlett in 1859. From the text, it is Burnap in the Beacon “Historical Perspectives” series, see #36 impossible to discern which is referenced. (2/13)”George Washington Burnap, Part I Establishing a Uni- 20Osmond Capron Tiffany (1794–1851) moved to Balti- tarian Church in Baltimore:”; #37 (3/13) Unitarianism Moves to more in 1815 from Massachusetts. He became one of Balti- the Antebellum South: Establishing a Unitarian Church in Bal- more’s wealthiest merchants, who built the first cotton mill in timore: George Washington Burnap, Part II”; #38 (4/13) the South. Osmond C. and his wife, Ann Checkley Shaw were “George Washington Burnap, Part III: Establishing a Unitarian the parents of Osmond (1823), George Peabody (1829), Edward Church in Baltimore”; #39 (5/13) “Establishing a Unitarian (1830), Ann Checkley (1832) and Charlotte (1833). Osmond, Church in Baltimore: George Washington Burnap, Part IV— George Peabody, and Ann Checkley Tiffany are all listed as Stewardship of the Church, 1848”; and #41 (7/13) “George members of the church in adulthood. Vital Records of the First Washington Burnap, Part V: Reaching Out: Articulating the Independent Church [of] Baltimore, Maryland: 1818–1921 (see Faith and Mentoring”. endnote #18). Osmond Tiffany, Jr. (1823–1895) attended Har- 28Funk, p. 16. vard (1840–1842) but did not graduate. In 1844 he sailed to Canton, China. He married Ann Pinkney White in the church in 1847 and the couple had four children. He was a Baltimore Trying to remember something you saw in a previous merchant and author of a number of books, including one on version of the Beacon? The past 12 issues are available Canton. His brother, George P. Tiffany, was president of online on the church’s website: www.firstunitarian.net

14 The Beacon December 2015 First Unitarian Church News

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Church Office Hours: 10:00 AM–3:00 PM, Tuesday–Friday First Unitarian Church of Baltimore Minister’s Office Hours: 1:00 PM–4:00 PM, Monday; 4:00 PM–7:00 PM, (Universalist and Unitarian) Wednesday; 10:00 AM–1:00 PM, Saturday. Other times by appointment. (Please call 410-350-9339 before coming and to make an appointment.) Minister: Rev. David Carl Olson Phone: 410-685-2330 Ministers Emeriti: Phyllis Hubbell, John Manwell Fax: 410-685-4133 Affiliate Ministers E-mail: [email protected] Dr. Michael S. Franch, Rev. Harry Woosley, Jr., Web: www.firstunitarian.net Rev. Susan Margarete Stine Donham Endorsed Community Minister: Rev. Dale Lantz The Beacon Ministerial Intern: Diana Davies Editing / Layout: Janet Campbell, Gwyn Degner, Diana Karr, Laura Smith Proofreaders: Clare Milton and Betty Townsend Board of Trustees Publication Schedule D. Doreion Colter, President Deadlines: 1st or 2nd Thursday of each month (see church calendar) Catherine Evans, Vice President December Editors: Janet Campbell, Gwyn Degner Evelyn Bradley, Secretary January Issue Deadline: Thursday, December 3, 2015 Clare Milton, Treasurer January Editors: Gwyn Degner, Diana Karr Sharon Carter, Mike Cross-Barnett, Laura Laing, Pat Montley, Karla Peterson, Andrea de Urquiza, Nancy West To Submit Articles or Other Beacon Items: ______ E-mail all submissions to [email protected]. Marianne Freedman, Assistant Treasurer  Use as little formatting as possible in articles, and include the author’s name. We welcome photos to accompany articles. Church Staff James Houston, Music Director The editors reserve all editing rights. Peter Fontneau. Interim Director of RE Aubrey Reigh, Office Administrator