First Unitarian ChurchThe News Beacon The Beacon JanuaryJanuary 2017 2017 1 First Unitarian Church of HOPE,, SSOCIAL JUSTICE AND LIBERAL RELIGIOUS VALUES Corner Charles & Franklin Streets

Celebrating two centuries January Services of First Unitarian Theme: Strangers No More BY MIKE CROSS-BARNET Services at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary “We have hung together these many years, and shall January 1 Rev. David Carl Olson maintain this free fellowship “This Holy Fire” for centuries to come.” We gather on the first day of the new year simply to be and to breathe. To be one community with each other. To --The Rev. Irving R. Murray breathe in the peace that sustains us our spirits in times of (1915-1992) change. To breathe out love to a world that needs it. And while we’re breathing, we will sing favorite songs, and First Unitarian Church of Bal- enact the ritual of the burning bowl. timore was founded in Febru- ary 1817, was dedicated in January 8 Rev. Susan M. S. Donham October 1818, and in May “Prayer: ‘The Language of the Heart’” 1819 hosted William Ellery MIKE CROSS-BARNET Unitarian minister A. Powell Davies wrote of prayer Channing’s famous Baltimore being “the language of the heart.” Reflections on the pur- sermon that gave energy and definition to the emerging poses and powers of prayer from a hospital chaplain and Unitarian faith. For well over a year, I have been lead- UU humanist minister. ing the planning for our church’s bicentennial celebra- tions. Our efforts are currently focused on a weekend January 15 Rev. Dale Lantz of special events from February 10th through the 12th. “Healing Wounds—Hurling Stones: Listening to my Friday the 10th, the actual anniversary of our founding, Open Heart” will feature a solemn gathering in tribute to church Almost 20 years ago my heart led me to join a Unitari- founder Henry Payson, followed by the joyous raising an Universalist congregation. My path has emerged from of our bicentennial banner in the front of our church, the United Methodist tradition and the practices of the where it will remain throughout the years of our cele- Buddhist tradition. I am still learning what it means to brations. On Saturday the 11th, the church’s Peace and open my heart in the community of this gathering of Justice Ministry will lead a day of service at our part- UUs. Some of the time opening my heart has been in- ner organization Dayspring Programs. More infor- spired by the songs that we sing and the prayers that we mation about these events will be coming soon. share. And some of the time, you all help me get in touch

The culmination of the weekend will be a pair of with deeper sources of pain inspired by fear and anxiety events on Sunday, February 12. We will begin at 2 and old wounds that I didn't even know I still carry. This p.m. with a celebratory service in the sanctuary, led by sermon includes themes which Rev. Lantz will be teach- UUA Presi- ing on Sundays in an Adult Religious Education class dent Peter beginning January 15 at 9:30 a.m. Morales and INSIDE joined by January 22 Michael Brown, .Div. “Prophetic Resistance” many friends FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH NEWS We live in an era of uncertainty and fear. Truth has and neighbors Page become negotiable. How do we adjust and thrive in the Coffee Cabinet 2 of First Uni- midst of radical changes? A sermon by a member of our C Milton Stewardship Nominations 3 tarian. This young adult community and religious education ministry, The Book Group 3 event is free a graduate of Meadville Lombard Theological School, Historical Perspectives 5 and open to and a recent organizer in Ohio for United Against Hate, a Treasurer’s Report 12 all. Following Religious Education, Pete’s Patter 14 the service, (Continued on page 2) (Continued on page 4)

First Unitarian Church News The Beacon January 2017 2 moral imagination, he wonders Coffee Cabinet how he might be connected

BY DAVID CARL OLSON to—rather than distinct from— MINISTER the person with whom he feels tension. Skinheads, homopho- “I feel awkward writing a book titled Cultivating bic preachers, privileged White Empathy because I know that I have been profoundly 1-percenters, polluters—all of flawed in my ability to be empathetic with others. I do these are people we can turn not see the title as a proclamation of my abilities, but into one-dimensional non- rather a grand challenge for me to live a more compas- persons. By such action, we are sionate life. I, therefore, dedicate this book to all the diminished. By cultivating em- people I have harmed so that they know that I am us- pathy, we may be able to grow ing the experiments detailed here to accept this chal- spiritually. REV. DAVID CARL OLSON lenge and to cultivate my character.” If I were to keep a list of Rev. Nathan C. Walker New Year’s Resolutions, growing spiritually would be at Dear congregation, dear community, the top of the list. It is the reason that I belong to a Unitari- an Universalist congregation—to grow my soul. I can ex- January is always a time when I have education- hibit the worth and dignity that is mine by birthright, but I related travel. I go to Chicago at the start of the month for can conceal it when I am brittle, judgemental, superior, Meadville Lombard Winter Convocation when the Ad- one-dimensional. Leading this precious community, living junct Faculty of Teaching Pastors meet for training and with you discernment. Toward the end of the month, I participate in I with our aspirations and personalities, these provide the Fraters of the Wayside Inn ministerial study group, an opportunities for me to grow. I seek a higher educational historic gathering of Universalist clergy in Massachusetts. degree—and especially one that unites strategic thinking, This January, I begin something new. renewal and a deeper practice—in my effort to make a With the gracious permission of our President Doreion contribution to our historic church and its future. It is part Colter, I will be released from routine work during the of my affirmation of our community as a place that is month of January to begin a low-residency Doctor of Min- transforming spirits, celebrating diversity, supporting each istry degree program. For the next three years, I will be in other and building a better Baltimore. Claremont, California for six days each January pursuing a Happy New Year, dear friends! Let’s first be kind to degree in Spiritual Renewal, Contemplative Practice and one another. And then let’s celebrate.

Strategic Leadership. With fond affection, Claremont School of Theology is an innovative Methodist- And even Love, heritage school that has long been a leader in Process Thought and host to the Center for Engaged Compassion. My core program this year will be “Discernment-Based Strategic Planning” and will include faculty who Rev. David Carl Olson, Lead Minister teach engaged compassion. When I shared with faculty members my excitement about our ministries with Dayspring Program, they January Services were especially excited. This kind of community (Continued from page 1) engagement represents the compassionate action that project of MoveOn.Org. Mr. Brown will analyze the history is at the center of their research. They consider how of exceptionalism through a religious lens, and talk about it is that communities of faith exhibit their compas- ways to resist fear and hopelessness in an era when religious sion for a hurting world by direct experience of “the texts provide a blueprint for the way to build Heaven on other.” Such work is accomplished as a good end in Earth. and of itself; but it is also a means by which the peo- ple of faith are spiritually renewed and their congre- January 29 Diana Davies, PhD gations are transformed. “Nuestra fe, nuestra tierra” (Our faith, our earth) Unitarian Universalist community minister Nate The struggle of the Standing Rock Sioux to protect the Walker is the executive director of the Religious Missouri River is not a new struggle. Indigenous people Freedom Center at the Newseum. His new volume throughout the world have had to fight to protect their sacred Cultivating Empathy: the worth and dignity of every land and waters. Our liberal faith calls us to join in this effort, person without exception encourages us all to be- but how? What are we to do? Today, our Intern Minister will come more compassionate in our engagement of share what she learned as a participant in the “Guardians of people we might demonize. He names a dozen per- the River” program in Nicaragua, sponsored by the UU Col- sons and situations where he felt some degree of lege of Social Justice. contempt for “the other.” Through the application of

First Unitarian Church News The Beacon January 2017 3 Nominations for the Clare Milton Stewardship Award

BY CATHERINE EVANS MEMBER, BOARD OF TRUSTEES The Board of Trustees is now taking nominations for fied leadership ability in others and mentored them the Clare Milton Stewardship Award, given annually to a in service; and member of the First Unitarian Church of Baltimore who Have been actively involved in the larger com- has demonstrated uncommon devotion to the stewardship munity – neighborhood/city/state or national level – of the Church and its resources over a period of 20 years in a manner consistent with UU philosophy and Prin- or more. ciples.

To be eligible for the award, the member must To nominate one or more people who meet the meet the following criteria: 20-plus year membership requirement, please email

your nomination to Clare Milton Stewardship Award Criteria for Clare Milton Stewardship Award Committee c/o Catherine Evans at cathe-

[email protected] by January 4, 2017 or mail to The individual must have been a member of First Clare Milton Stewardship Award, c/o Secretary, Unitarian Church for at least 20 years, and First Unitarian Church of Baltimore, 1 West Hamil- Have a consistent record of pledging and finan- ton Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, to be received no cial support of the church [Note: amount is not the later than January 4, 2017. Please include a short criteria, but evidence of supporting the church finan- description of why you believe the candidate merits cially as one is able should be present]; selection for the award, identifying achievements in Have held multiple/sustained leadership posi- the categories listed above. tions (e.g., Board service, committee chair, RE lead- er); Previous recipients of the award are Clare Mil- Has actively sought opportunity for service and ton, Bob & Esther (Teri) Smith, Lauralee & Richard volunteered for a variety of tasks (e.g., have volun- Humphrey, Christine Beard, Helen Szymkowiak, teered for even the small, unglamorous jobs without Dorothy Critcher, and Judith Mayer. The Board will being asked); consider nominations for the award at its January Have demonstrated responsibility and accounta- meeting. The winner of the award will be an- bility for his/her actions; nounced in conjunction with the Bicentennial Cele- Have supported the service of others, i.e., identi- bration in February, 2017.

come to and appreciate the discussion, or even know The Book Group much about the period. The N.Y. Times book review is at http:// BY MIKE FRANCH www.nytimes.com/2012/05/27/ books/review/bring-up-the-bodies The Book Group meets Thursday, -by-hilary-mantel.html. January 26, at 7:30 P.M. to discuss Hil- ary Mantel's Bring Up the Bodies, the The Book Group meets in a second volume of her trilogy of Tudor home in Mt. Washington. Contact England. Though set in the 16th centu- Mike Franch at ry, we can see people much like our- [email protected] for in- selves in the politics, intrigue, and hu- MIKE FRANCH formation. You don't need to be a man nature of the real and fictional regular Book Group member to characters represented here. On second thought, let's hope attend and participate in the lively we're not too much like some of these folks--but you nev- and friendly discussions. New er know! You don't have to have read the first volume to people are very much welcomed.

First Unitarian Church News The Beacon January 2017 4

Founding Anniversary For two hundred years, this congregation survived one (Continued from page 1) obstacle after another. It’s easy to imagine that our cur- we will gather at the nearby Engineers Club in the beauti- rent financial challenges are a recent phenomenon, or that ful mid-19th-century Garrett-Jacobs Mansion for a recep- our founders were insulated from such problems because tion. This part of the afternoon, featuring live music and many were prominent and affluent, the cream of Balti- light refreshments, is a ticketed fundraiser to support First more society. As Rebecca Funk makes clear in her book Unitarian’s efforts to preserve our history and heritage for “A Heritage to Hold in Fee,” a history of the church’s future generations. (Tickets are available in the church first 100 years, this was not the case. She writes, “During office or in the Parish Hall during coffee hour.) the first sixty years the First Independent Church [its

Unless you happen to be a historian of religion, you original name] was threatened many times with dissolu- might wonder why you should care about any of this. Af- tion because of inability to meet its obligations.” The ter all, 1817 was awfully long ago. Are the events and church, built on a larger and grander scale than originally people of that distant time truly relevant to our lives to- planned, was born in troubled times amid the depression day? of 1819, which hit real estate particularly hard. Another panic, in 1837, caused the church to fail to meet the obli- To be honest, at one time I probably would have won- gations on its loans. The troubles persisted for decades; in dered the same thing. I am neither a professional nor an 1866, a full fifty years after the founding, serious consid- amateur historian. I do not peruse the History Channel. eration was being given to selling the building. When I read, I prefer modern novels and newspaper arti- cles. In college I took only a single history class, and I did That was 150 years ago, and we are still here. Through all not distinguish myself. Sure, I’ve visited a Civil War bat- its many troubles – financial crises, secession, political tlefield here and there, and I recently spent an enjoyable divides – First Unitarian has always found a way to con- weekend with my wife in Colonial Williamsburg. But I’m tinue as a beacon of liberal religion and social justice. not what you’d call a history buff -- never have been. This fighting spirit, what Funk calls a “valiant determina- So then, why am I doing this? Why is the successful cele- tion to survive,” is surely one of the most inspiring parts bration of our bicentennials so important to me? The rea- of our story. son is simple. I do it because it needs to be done. I care about our history because I care about this place, a place In his introduction to Funk’s book in 1962, Irving R. where I find comfort, and peace, and inspiration, and Murray, who was then pastor of this church, wrote the community. My love for this church gives me great affec- statement I used to introduce this article: “We have hung tion for the people who had the idea to create such a won- together these many years, and shall maintain this free derful institution two centuries ago. fellowship for centuries to come.” Simple words, and yet amazingly bold. Do you share Reverend Murray’s confi- It doesn’t hurt that the history of First Unitarian happens dence? We will be here two hundred years from now? to be a truly uplifting story. Our founders were trying something new – a bold experiment, which no assurance I believe that these bicentennial events are as much about of success. Yet their confidence was such that in just six- what is yet to come as they are about what has already teen months, they had built one of the grandest and most happened. That is why our bicentennial logo points in beautiful buildings in North America. The church they both directions, forward and back. It’s also why – wheth- established, far from the home of Unitarianism in New er history is your “thing” or not – I hope you’ll take part England, is the oldest structure in the nation that has al- in the celebrations we have planned. Join us, not just to ways been a Unitarian Church. From our pulpit, Chan- pay tribute to our great past, but to dream and build an ning changed the course of religion in America with a even greater future together. robust defense of Unitarianism as an alternative to Chris- tian orthodoxy.

Shop Amazon and help the church To see the church calendar, click here: First Unitarian Church Calendar When you use this button to make a purchase from Amazon, a small percentage of your purchase price will go directly to First Unitarian Church of Baltimore.

First Unitarian Church News The Beacon January 2017 5

First Unitarian Historical Perspectives #83

WHO WERE THEY? PART I

The Founders CATHERINE EVANS

In Celebration of the Founding of the First Unitarian Church1 of Baltimore New England Comes to Baltimore, Part IV

SUBMITTED BY CATHERINE EVANS

New Englanders were a powerful presence in Baltimore in the early nineteenth century. In three Historical Perspec- tives articles that preceded this one, we have examined the tremendous impact they had on the development of Balti- more. In the September Beacon, we looked at the role played by two natives of Massachusetts—both Unitarians and members of the church—who made their fortunes in Baltimore and forever left their stamp on its commercial and bank- ing histories and its cultural and intellectual life—George Peabody and Enoch Pratt.2 In October, we learned about the impact of the New Englanders drawn by economic opportunity on Baltimore, and the new religion they brought, Unitari- anism.3 In December, the migration of a large number of New Englanders to Baltimore at the beginning of the nine- teenth century and the first Unitarian sermons here in October, 1816, by Rev. Dr. James Freeman were the focus.4 In this article, we will meet the group of individuals, most of them New Englanders living in Baltimore, who founded the First Independent Church of Baltimore.

As described in the official record of the Church, “Record of the Proceedings of The First Independent Church of Baltimore,” it began thus:

At a meeting of sundry persons convened at the House of Henry Payson, Esq. on the 10th day of Feb- ruary 1817, for the purpose of taking into consideration the expediency forming a Religious Society, and of building a new Church for the accommodation of Christians, who are Unitarians, and who cherish liberal sentiments on the subject of Religion. The object of the Meeting having been stated and discussed, it was unanimously Resolved, that it was expe- dient & desirable to form a society for the purpose, aforesaid: and a plan or Constitution of Government being pro- posed, as provided by an act of the General Assembly of Maryland, entitled “An act to incorporate certain persons in every Christian Church or Congregation in this state” - same was debated and adopted. At a meeting of the Trustees on the aforesaid 10th day of February 1817— Henry Payson was appointed Stated Chairman James Wm McCulloh – Treasurer (and) Tobias Watkins – Register.5 And at the meeting of the members associated as aforesaid, it was Resolved That contributors should be so- licited towards building a Church, and the money so collected should be credited to the contributors in the purchase of pews, until the parties choose to relinquish their subscriptions, as a donation to the Society. – It was also Resolved to purchase or hire a lot of ground, situated on Courtland Street, belonging to George Williams – And the Trustees were empowered to procure plans of a building, to be submitted to the contributors. -----

Who were these brave and visionary individuals who men were chosen to comprise the Board of Trustees. sought to found a church in Baltimore dedicated to free- These were Charles H. Appleton, William Child, Ezekiel dom, reason, and tolerance, believing that the way we live Freeman, James W. McCulloch, Henry Payson, Isaac is more important than the words and symbols we use to Phillips, John H. Poor6; Tobias Watkins, and Nathaniel describe our faith, the “liberal sentiment,” as it was de- Williams. They chose Henry Payson to be President, Na- scribed at the time? At that first meeting on February 10, thaniel Williams to be Register, and James W. McCulloh 1817, the constitution and by-laws were written, and nine (Continued on page 6)

First Unitarian Church News The Beacon January 2017 6

to be Treasurer. Also to merchant in the seafaring life. From 1789-1795, he was The Founders be included among the clerk in the Auditor's Office of the U.S. Treasury Depart- founders are “the eleven men—Henry Payson, Charles ment in New York and Philadelphia. In 1795, he sailed Appleton, William Child, Nathaniel Williams, Christo- from Baltimore for the West Indies, was captured by a pher Deshon, Nathaniel F. Williams, James W. McCul- French privateer, but was retaken by an English cruiser. loh, Amos A. Williams, Cumberland Williams, George Once again, in 1798, he was captured by a French vessel Williams and Isaac Phillips—who had advanced a total of and carried to Guadeloupe, escaped, but was recaptured more than $60,000 to the Building Fund.”7 The Building in April, 1799. In 1799-1800, he was in Saint Domingue Committee itself was composed of Isaac Phillips, Ezekiel (Santo Domingo) during the revolution. From 1800 until Freeman, and Charles H. Appleton; Isaac Phillips was November, 1806, he was engaged in mercantile pursuits, Treasurer of the Building Fund. Following are brief pro- mostly at sea and in foreign ports. In 1806, he moved to files of these fourteen men who were chosen the leaders Baltimore, residing at S. Eutaw near Lombard Street and among the founding families. remaining until his death. He married Rebecca Price in 1812 and they had four children: Sophia Price (1814); NINE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Alicia Davis (1815); Constant (1817); and Anne Bosley (1819). Sophia Price Freeman married John Le Messuri- Charles Henderson Appleton (1784-1831) was er Smith in the Church in 1829. originally from Boston. He and his brother, Nathaniel Walker Appleton (1783-1848) were commission mer- James William Todd McCulloh (1789–1861) was chants8 with offices on Lorman Row and Hanover Street. born in Philadelphia, the son of Maj. John McCullough They engaged in maritime commerce and had real estate and Ann Todd. He resided at North Charles and Church investments in Baltimore and elsewhere. They were also Street and worked for the George Williams Counting active in the Boston & Canton Manufacturing Company, House. He became the Cashier (Head) of the Maryland which made cotton and wool in Canton, Massachusetts. Branch of the Bank of the . In this capacity, Charles H. Appleton was one of a group of businessmen he was the center of the landmark Supreme Court case, who founded the Savings Bank of Baltimore in 1818 and McCulloch vs. Maryland, [17 U.S. 316 (1819)] settled in one of the leaders of the creation of public schools in Bal- his favor by Chief Justice . This decision timore City. He was married to Hannah Dawes Appleton established the prohibition of the state taxing federal (1787-1880), who was related to the William Dawes who functions and vice versa. The case mistakenly spelled his rode with Paul Revere. Their children included Horatio name “McCulloch.” Afterwards, McCulloh successfully Dawes (1808); Charles Dawes (1810); Margaret Dawes, defended himself against several charges of conspiracy (1811); Emily Dawes (1813); Nathaniel Dawes (1816); relating to the banking practices, which had caused the George Dawes (1818); Mary Dawes (1820); Thomas financial “Panic of 1819.” From 1842-1849, McCulloh Dawes (1822); Charlotte Dawes (1824); Henry Dawes served as the first Comptroller of the US Treasury. In (1826); and Edward Dawes (1827). 1818-1825, he built a home on a 511-acre parcel of the 5000-acre "Taylor's Forest" surveyed in 1678. The first William Child (1780-1862) was born in Sturbridge, construction was a stone farmhouse, overlooking the Massachusetts, to Abijah and Lois Davis Child. He was a Patapsco River valley. The property was sold to John merchant whose establishment at 78 South Street, 88 Lewis Buchanan in 1825. In 1827, Dr. Lennox Birckhead Bowley’s Wharf, offered a wide range of products. In purchased the property, naming his home "Hilton" for its 1814, he served in the defense of Ft. McHenry and was high elevation. It was reconstructed by Baltimore archi- honored for this in 1903 by the Society of the War of tect Edward L. Palmer, Jr. in 1917 and is now an early- 1812 in Maryland. In 1818, he was one of the founders 20th-century Georgian Revival–style mansion, located on of the First Savings Bank of Baltimore and served on its the grounds of the Community College of Baltimore first Board of Directors with Henry Payson, Charles H. County in Catonsville. McCulloh was married to Abigail Appleton, and Moses Sheppard. He was highly regarded Hall Sears and they were the parents of John Sears for his steadiness and devotion to his business and the (1819); Richard S.(1821); Isabell (1825); Annie L. Church. Child never married, but was very close to other (1829); James William (1827); Margaret C. (1833); Mary founding families of the Church. His grave is with those L. and Adelaide. of Amos Adams Williams, Susannah Williams, George Washington Burnap, Nancy Williams Burnap, and Eliza- Henry Payson (1762-1845) was from Massachusetts, beth Burnap in Green Mount Cemetery. most likely Roxbury, moving to Baltimore after the Rev- olutionary War. He came to Baltimore with Joseph Wil- Ezekiel Freeman (1762-1825) was born in liams9, the oldest of the Williams family, brought here by Charlestown, Massachusetts, son of Capt. Constant and Williams’ uncle, Cumberland Dugan.10 A prominent Lois Cobb Freeman, both originally from Truro in Barn- businessman, banker, politician and patriot, Payson was stable County. From an early age, Ezekiel Freeman was a (Continued on page 7)

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President of Union Bank, Tobias Watkins (1780-1855), born in Maryland, was The Founders served nine terms as a educated at St. John’s College, Annapolis, graduating in City Councilman, was Chairman of the Commission of 1798. He received his degree of Doctor of Medicine at the Susquehanna Canal, and was Judge of the Orphan’s the Edinburg Medical College in 1802. About 1803/4 he Court. He was also a member of the “Committee of Vigi- moved to Baltimore and established his medical practice. lance and Safety,” the purpose of which was the procur- In 1808, he published and edited the Baltimore “Medical ing of and providing for a more effective defense of the and Physicians’ Recorder.” From 1813 to 1818, he served city against British attack during the . Pay- as an Assistant Surgeon in the , and in son lobbied for federal money and supplied Fort McHen- 1824 to 1830 was Fourth Auditor in the United State ry with materials. The committee was credited to a great Treasury. With , Watkins founded and degree with the failure of the bombardment of Fort edited The Portico: A Repository of Science & Literature McHenry and North Point by the British Navy, and in (1816–1818), a monthly Baltimore literary journal, saving Baltimore from invasion and turning the tide to- formed to publish the members of a small Baltimore liter- ward a U.S. victory. He was one of the committee mem- ary society, the Delphian Club, of which Watkins was a bers who planned and erected the Battle Monument dedi- member. The Portico regularly offered reviews of con- cated to commemorate the Battle of North Point, de- temporary British and American works, humorous and signed by Maximilian Godefroy (First Unitarian archi- serious essays on wide-ranging subjects, and original po- tect), and symbol on the flag of the City of Baltimore. etry and fiction. The journal's promotion of American Plans for First Unitarian were forged with others in his literature through generous reviews of contemporary home and he was elected chairman at the initial organiza- American works and authors made it one of the most im- tional meeting and then president of the first Board of portant contributors to early American literary national- Trustees. First to sign the constitution of the Church, he ism. Watkins also published other historical, medical and recorded it with the County the following day. He was scientific books and articles. Upon the death of Dr. John very involved in all the early aspects of developing the Crawford (Maximilian Godefroy’s father-in-law), Tobias Church. In 1825, Henry Payson was elected one of the Watkins was elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Vice Presidents on the first Board of the American Uni- A. F. & A. M. [Ancient Free and Accepted Masons] of tarian Association at its organizational meeting in Boston. Maryland. Payson and his wife, Eunice, are buried at the Westmin- ster Burying Ground. Nathaniel Williams (1782-1864) was the youngest of the eight members of the Williams family who moved Captain Isaac Phillips11 (1782-1871?) was a Captain from Roxbury, Massachusetts, to Baltimore. He graduat- in the U. S. Navy of an armed vessel engaged in convoy- ed from Harvard in 1801 and began the study of law in a ing American merchants-men. He lost his commission in Boston law firm. In 1802, he moved to Maryland and 1799 when his ship was boarded by the British and his completed his law study in an Annapolis firm. For sixty seamen impressed, but was partially exonerated in 1829 years, he was an active attorney in Baltimore. In 1812, and given an appointment as a Navy agent. “On October he was elected a State Senator. Men of Mark in Mary- 6, 1814, he was placed in charge of preparing for the de- land describes his service in the War of 1812 as follows: fense of Baltimore by superintending the work of ‘free “…in 1814 [he] volunteered as a private in the brigade of people of color’ and ‘military companies of Exempts’, in General Stricker, who was an uncle of his first wife, and anticipating the activities of ‘the enemy’ in the Chesa- participated in the battle of North Point in September of peake Bay.”12 Isaac and Anne Phillips were the parents of that year, where he was severely wounded; and the Brit- Isaac; Catherine Caroline (baptized 1821); Sally Ann ish, believing him to be mortally wounded left him on the (baptized 1823); and Priscilla (baptized 1828). The Phil- field. A silver pencil case in his vest pocket deflected the lips family remained members of the Church throughout bullet and saved his life, so that he made a speedy recov- the 19th century and, through their descendants, the ery.”13 As Funk tells us in A Heritage to Hold in Fee, “In Mudge family, well into the 20th century. (Their daughter 1822, Mr. Williams served as Commissioner for Catherine Caroline married Abner B. Mudge in 1843. A ‘improving and laying out the city streets,’ probably one plaque on the west wall of the sanctuary is dedicated to of the first ‘city planning’ projects in this country…He their descendants, Margaret S. and Frank Mudge.) was also president for the Commission for planning Patapsco City (now Brooklyn).”14 In 1826, he was both John H. Poor6 was a highly-regarded merchant, re- appointed a trustee of the University of Maryland and the siding at 74 Franklin Street. He was married to Jane Tay- United States District Attorney, serving in this latter ca- lor and they had the following children: Abby (baptized pacity for sixteen years. In 1853, he was once again 1821 who married William E. Mayhew, 1856); Cornelia elected to the Maryland State Senate. “In the General (married to Brantz Mayer, 1848); Frances J.; John Henry Assembly he was very much Interested in passing a (baptized, 1821); and Virginia (born, 1827, baptized, law granting to women individual rights in their own 1841). (Continued on page 8)

First Unitarian Church News The Beacon January 2017 8

property, which shows Cumberland Dugan Williams (1781-1840) had a The Founders that even in that early business at 10 Bowley’s Wharf and resided on North Cal- day, Mr. Williams was a progressive man, with a strong vert Street with his wife, Elizabeth Pinckney, and their sense of justice.”15 Nathaniel Williams was married twice. three children: William Pinckney (1817); Edward Pinck- His first wife was Caroline Barney, daughter of Commo- ney (1819); and Isabelle Anne Pinckney (1825). dore Joshua and Annie Bedford Barney, with whom he George Williams (1778-1852) fought at the Battle had seven children: Joseph (1810); Ann (1812); Victoria of North Point during the War of 1812. He was a promi- (1815); Samuel (1817); Joshua (1819); Caroline (1822); nent merchant, involved in the Savage Mill and Savage and Sarah (1825). After Caroline’s death in 1825, about Manufacturing with all his Baltimore-based brothers and 1829, he married Maria Pickett Dalrymple with whom he in a tobacco inspection house with his brother, Amos. In had three children: Rebecca (1834); Dalrymple (1836); 1817, he was appointed by the President of the U. S. Sen- and Maria (1838). The family’s graves are in Green ate to be one of the directors of the Maryland Branch of Mount Cemetery. the Bank of the United States. He married Elizabeth Bordley Hawkins in 1815 with whom he had eleven chil- ELEVEN CONTRIBUTORS TO THE BUILDING FUND dren: Virginia (1816); George Hawkins (1818); Marie (1821); Benjamin Hawkins (1823); Sidney Elizabeth [Included in this group are Charles Appleton, Wil- (1825); Martha Weld (1828); Susan May (1830); John liam Child, James W. McCulloh, Henry Payson, Isaac Savage (1832); Elizabeth Frances (1833); Samuel (1836); Phillips, Nathaniel Williams who are profiled above un- and Francis Hawkins (1839). The Maryland Historical der Board of Trustees.] Society has portraits of George and Elizabeth by George Freeman and another of Elizabeth which is unattributed. Christopher Deshon (1750–1850) was a merchant George’s gravesite is in Green Mount Cemetery. born in Maryland. He served on the Committee of Supply during the War of 1812. From 1811-1812, Deshon built Nathaniel Felton Williams (1779- )17 was from a the structure which is now known as the Caton-Carroll different branch of the Williams family, son of William Mansion. The house was located on the corner of King and Martha Williams. He was a well-regarded commis- George and Stillhouse Streets — names which were later sion merchant and Collector of the Port of Baltimore. changed to Lombard and Front. During his ownership, This post was a federal office, which was in charge of the Mr. Deshon enlarged the structure and made many im- collection of import duties on foreign goods that entered provements to the house. In 1818, the property was sold the United States by ship at the Port of Baltimore. Na- to Richard Caton, the husband of Charles Carroll of Car- thaniel F. Williams was married to Elizabeth Redman ollton’s youngest daughter, Mary, for the sum of $20,000. Beck (1789-1826) with whom he had five children: Wil- Carroll spent the winters there with the couple until his liam Paul (1809); Emily Louise (1811); Henry Paul death. Christopher Deshon married Mary Eliza Leeds (1813); Martha Elizabeth (1815); and Charles Thompson with whom he had four children. (1816). His gravesite is in Green Mount Cemetery.

Williams Family16 – Amos Adams, Cumberland These fourteen men – members of the Board of Dugan and George. Six members of the Williams fami- Trustees and contributors to the Building Fund – con- ly—five brothers and a sister—were among the founders ceived of, founded and built the First Independent Church of First Unitarian and all were prominent in the early af- of Baltimore. Nine of them were natives of Massachu- fairs of the Church. Originally from Roxbury, Massachu- setts, two were natives of Maryland (but not Baltimore), setts, they included Amos Adams (the eldest), Susannah, one came from Pennsylvania, and one was most likely George, Benjamin, Cumberland and Nathaniel, the from Connecticut. For one of them, the origins have not youngest. The family dealt extensively in real estate in yet been determined. Most of them were merchants, or in the City and in other business ventures, such as a cotton the related field of the merchant marine. Many had mili- mill and tobacco. tary experience, especially during the War of 1812. A Amos Adams Williams (1776-1861). In addition few were college-educated professional people. Most of to the operation of Savage Mill, the Savage Manufactur- them were quite young—in their thirties—with young ing Company, and real estate, Amos and his brother children or about to start families. They all embraced the George had a license for a tobacco inspection building. community to which they had migrated, settled in, and Amos Adams Williams married his cousin, Nancy Wil- put down roots. Many engaged in public service through liams, in 1801. She died in 1804, leaving an infant state and local government. Many were among the daughter, Nancy. From this time, his sister, Susannah, founders of other civic institutions in Baltimore. And, managed his household on North Calvert Street and together, they founded a church, espousing a new faith, raised his daughter. Amos Adams, Susannah, and Nancy which was to remain an anchor and a beacon in the City are buried in Green Mount Cemetery. (Continued on page 9)

First Unitarian Church News The Beacon January 2017 9 The Founders for two hundred years. tached among them…old-fashioned inns, with their courtyards full of the long covered Cumberland wag- The War of 1812 had been a time of great stress, ons and mules by which goods were distributed in the with the country barely surviving, politically and militari- country; the pillory, whipping-post, and stocks, still ly. The pervasive fear was that the grand experiment that used and sheltered under the arch of the old Court- American democracy represented would come to an end. house on Calvert Street, where the Battle Monument Baltimoreans had had a front row seat at one of the deci- now stands; Jones Falls River, running through mead- sive defeats of the British at the Battle of North Point ows flecked with browsing cattle; and the hills, where (and the bombardment of Ft. McHenry) in 1814. The now for miles are warehouses and noble private resi- frightful risk had been on their doorsteps. With the suc- dences, then were sand-hills, creviced by winter-rains cessful conclusion of the War, confidence in the coun- into ravines and gullies, or covered with primitive try’s and the City’s shared future began to grow. The forests, — such were some of the colors of old Balti- biographical profile of one of our early members pub- more…In 1815 the Washington Monument was be- lished in Memorial Biographies of the New England His- gun, and the first meeting of merchants on the ex- toric Genealogical Society contains a description of Balti- change took place. In 1816 Baltimore land was bored more at this critical time of transition after the War of for coal, and four million dollars subscribed for the 1812. Bank of the United States, — all signs of new wealth …the time and new mercan- was shortly APPROXIMATE FUTURE LOCATION OF THE FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH tile energy.19 after our war of 1812 The posi- with Great tive economic Britain, indications when our notwithstand- commerce, ing, 1816 is relieved known as the from the “Year without stress of the a Summer,” most power- and as the ful navy of “Poverty the world, again spread Year,” during its sails for which severe new ven- summer cli- tures. It was mate abnor- a time of malities de- uncertainty stroyed crops and national in the Ameri- poverty, due can Northeast, to the ex- eastern Cana- WARNER AND HANNA’S PLAN OF THE CITY AND ENVIRONS OF BALTIMORE 1797 haustion da, and caused by the war, and yet an epoch of hope and re- Northern Europe.20 It has been called the “last great sub- newed activities. Baltimore itself, always a favorite sistence crisis in the Western world.”21 In May of 1816, port of commerce, was just emerging from a country frost killed most of the crops that had been planted, and, town to a city; but the substance and very sinews of in June, two large snow storms in Canada and the United its present commercial and social greatness were still States resulted in many human deaths. There was frost, to be created and fashioned by the enterprise and 18 ice and snow for extended periods in each of the summer brain of its great merchants and citizens. months, and since most summer-growing plants have cell The essay goes on to describe Baltimore at precisely walls which rupture even in a mild frost, almost all vege- the time that the Church was founded: tation was destroyed, leading to the deaths of livestock. …In 1816, [Baltimore] was a quaint place, and its The result was regional malnutrition, starvation, epidem- description would sound strangely to those who only 22 know its present grace and grandeur. Land was sold ic, and increased mortality. The extreme weather was by the acre, and not at a high price at that; tobacco caused by the eruption of Mt. Tambora in Indonesia on was just coming to be shipped from that port, instead April 9, 1815. For a fuller discussion of this weather phe- of from the plantations; St. Paul's Churchyard was nomenon and its effects, please see two earlier Historical full of gravestones, with its bell-tower standing de- (Continued on page 10)

First Unitarian Church News The Beacon January 2017 10

Perspectives articles that read “The First Independent Christ’s Church,” a title nev- The Founders addressed the topic: #72 er formally adopted but used informally with the consent (February, 2016), "The Founders: First Unitarian Inde- of the Trustees. This usage dropped when the congrega- pendent Church of Baltimore" and #12 (February, 2011), tion changed its name to “The First Unitarian Church of "The Year There Was No Summer (1816)." Baltimore” in 1912. Two decades later, when the Church merged with the “Second Universalist Society in the City What prompted the founders of our church after that of Baltimore” in 1935, the name became "The First Uni- cold, dark summer and fall of 1816 to reach toward Uni- tarian Church of Baltimore (Universalist and Unitarian),” tarianism and to conclude that they must found a church the one we still use. First Unitarian Church of Baltimore adhering to this faith? We may never know for sure. is the oldest “purpose-built” Unitarian Church in North What is certain is that, after a war and in a time of weath- America, meaning that it is the oldest Unitarian church er-related calamity, they reached toward reason and en- built by Unitarians for the purpose of being a Unitarian lightenment, toward a faith which would allow them to church. question and explore and look for truths beyond the readi- 2 ly apparent. See Catherine Evans, “No Longer Ordinary Money: Baltimore Unitarians and the Rise of American Philan- At the thropy— base of the Citizens of No dome, no Mean City,” longer visi- Historical Per- ble because spectives #79, of the barrel Beacon, Sep- tember, 2016. -vaulted ceiling, 3 there are See Catherine four trian- Evans, “The gular pen- City in the dentives, Middle: New each with a England Comes bas relief, to Baltimore,” representing Historical Per- the various spectives #80, emblems of Beacon, Octo- ber, 2016. peace, toler- ance, forti- 4 tude, and See Catherine union, and, Evans, “How uniting with Did This them, the Church Come allegory of to Be? New time wing- England Comes ing its way to Baltimore,” Historical Per- toward eter- MARYLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY, BALTIMORE FROM THE NORTHWEST, CA. 1800, spectives #82, nity. Peace. WATERCOLOR– ARTIST UNKNOWN Tolerance. SEE: THE FEBRUARY 1951 ISSUE OF MARYLAND HISTORY NOTES Beacon, De- Fortitude. cember, 2016.

Union. These are, indeed, a strong foundation. Chosen 5 by our founders, they are emblematic of the vision they The “Register” is the executive office we would now had for the Church and the history which has ensued from call “Secretary.” that founding. We do well to remember and honor the 6 On page 8 in A Heritage to Hold in Fee, Rebecca founders as we observe the bicentennial of our church. Funk identifies the individual on the first Board of Trus- tees as “John W. Poor.” Later, on p. 117, “John H. Poor” 1“The First Independent Church of Baltimore” was is identified as a signatory on the “Settlement of Mr. the original name of our church, remaining its corporate Sparks.” In the Vital Records of the First Independent name for ninety-five years. During Rev. Charles Weld’s Church: Baltimore, Maryland, 1818-1921 (edited by ministry (1873-98), the word “Christ’s” was inserted to (Continued on page 11)

First Unitarian Church News The Beacon January 2017 11

Mrs. Edwin C. Gib- 16The Williams family parents were Joseph Williams The Founders bons, Jr. and published (1738–1822) and Susannah May (1741–1782). The Wil- by Family Line Publications in 1987), there are numerous liams family was prominent in Massachusetts history, and entries for “John Henry Poor,” his wife and their children. their genealogy is well-established. They were descend- We have elected to identify the member of the Board of ants of Robert and Elizabeth (Statham) Williams, who Trustees as “John H. Poor,” consistent with our docu- came from England and settled in Roxbury, Massachu- ments. setts in 1637. The eleven children of Joseph and Susan-

7 nah May Williams were Joseph Williams (1764–1793); Rebecca Funk, A Heritage to Hold in Fee 1817- Susannah Williams (1766–1851); Benjamin Williams 1917: First Unitarian Church of Baltimore (Universalist (1767–1812); Samuel Williams (1769–1813); Mary and Unitarian, (Baltimore: Garamond Press, 1962), p. Williams (1771–1793); Lemuel Williams (1774–1797); 16. Amos Adams Williams (1776–1861); George Williams

8A commission merchant is someone who buys or (1778–1852); Martha Williams (1780–1847); Cumber- sells goods for others on a commission basis either in his land Dugan Williams (1781–1840); and Nathaniel Wil- own name or in the name of his principal, and is entrusted liams (1782–1864). Joseph and Samuel Williams also with the possession, management, control, and disposal of came to Baltimore, but died before the founding of the Church. the goods sold. 17 9Joseph Williams (1764–1793) was the oldest of the Funk’s history of the Church, A Heritage to Hold in eleven children of Joseph and Susannah May Williams. Fee, distinguishes between the two men—Nathaniel and He and seven of his siblings moved to Baltimore. Joseph Nathaniel F.—but does not clarify the relationship. It and Samuel (1769 – 1813) died before the First Independ- gives a profile of Nathaniel, but not of Nathaniel F. Both ent Church was founded. The other six siblings were all men were founders and their families continued to be founders of the Church. very involved in the Church. In historical and genealogi- cal scholarship outside the Church, however, there is a 10Born in Londonderry, Ireland, in 1747, Cumber- great deal of confusion between the two. Indeed, most land Dugan (1747-1836) came to the United States at the scholarship does not distinguish between them and writes age of 19. He lived first in Roxbury, Massachusetts, as if there were only one person, the biography of Na- where he met and married Abigail May, a half-sister of thaniel taking precedence, while the names Nathaniel and Susannah May, the Williams siblings’ mother. In about Nathaniel F. are used interchangeably. This is true of the 1769, he moved to the growing town of Baltimore. He Wikipedia article on “Nathaniel F. Williams” which con- apparently had financial resources when he came to this tains “Nathaniel’s” dates, genealogical line and biog- country and was able to capitalize on them in several raphy. Through cross-referencing with Church records, business ventures. In his sixty-seven years in Baltimore, we have been able to disambiguate the two. The men he built “Dugan’s Wharf,” which is now better known as were cousins from two different branches of the Williams Pier Four, where the Power Plant and the National Aquar- family from Massachusetts, both descended from Robert ium are located, though the nomenclature “Dugan’s and Elizabeth (Statham) Williams, who came from Eng- Wharf” is still used in real estate designations. He intro- land and settled in Roxbury, Massachusetts in 1637. duced the first rowhouses along the wharf in 1796. He 18 also built a famous rope-walk, was a successful flour “William E. Mayhew,” Memorial Biographies of merchant and held elective office in both the Baltimore the New England Historic Genealogical Society, v. 4. (The Society, 1885), pp. 42-43. City Council and the Maryland Legislature. James E. P. Boulden, The Presbyterians of Baltimore: Their Churches 19Ibid, pp. 44-46. and Historic Grave-Yards (Baltimore: W. J. Boyle & Son, 1875), p. 64. 20The extreme weather was caused by the eruption of

11 Mt. Tambora in Indonesia in 1815. For a fuller discus- It is believed that Captain Isaac Phillips was origi- sion of this weather phenomenon and its effects, please nally from New London, Connecticut. see two earlier Historical Perspectives articles that ad- 12 dressed the topic, #72, " " and #?, "The Year There Was Funk, p. 68. No Summer." 13 Men of Mark in Maryland (B. F. Johnson, Inc.: Bal- 21 timore, Washington and Richmond, 1912), pp. 100-101. John Dexter Post, The Last Great Subsistence Crisis in the Western World (Baltimore and London: The Johns 14Funk, p. 70. Hopkins University Press, 1977).

15Op cit, p. 101. 22Information from “Year Without a Summer” in Wikipedia.

First Unitarian Church News The Beacon January 2017 12

First Unitarian Church of Baltimore Income and Expense Statement (UNAUDITED) Summary - November 2016

Year Year to YTD Budget Annual Prior Year to Date Date Budget Difference Budget to Date INCOME CONTRIBUTION INCOME UNRESTRICTED Contributions-Identified $88,214.98 $83,333.35 $4,881.63 $200,000.00 $83,296.25 Contributions-Prior Yr Pl 2,300.00 0.00 2,300.00 0.00 325.00 Contributions-Loose Plate 2,145.09 2,291.65 (146.56) 5,500.00 2,126.50 Contributions-Change for Change 2,144.99 2,291.65 (146.66) 5,500.00 0.00 Contributions-Misc 24.00 1,875.00 (1,851.00) 4,500.00 0.00 Subtotal Contribution Income 94,829.06 89,791.65 5,037.41 215,500.00 85,747.75

FUNDRAISING FUNDRAISING INCOME Fundraising Revenues 183.00 2,083.35 (1,900.35) 5,000.00 370.00 Bookstore Income 635.00 1,208.35 (573.35) 2,900.00 1,379.65 Flower Income 447.00 312.50 134.50 750.00 120.00 Cultural Series Income 0.00 250.00 (250.00) 600.00 0.00 ImpromptUU Coffee House 91.46 1.00 90.46 1.00 0.00 Social Justice Fndraising 174.00 833.35 (659.35) 2,000.00 0.00 Kitchen Revenues 0.00 108.35 (108.35) 260.00 75.00 Coffee Hour Revenues 40.10 125.00 (84.90) 300.00 133.11 Recycling Income 246.60 156.25 90.35 375.00 155.94 Amazon Revenue 290.46 312.50 (22.04) 750.00 261.86 Subtotal Fundraising Income 2,107.62 5,390.65 (3,283.03) 12,936.00 2,495.56

FACILITY USE INCOME Rental Income 750.00 1,041.65 (291.65) 2,500.00 650.00 Wedding Income 1,200.00 500.00 700.00 1,200.00 0.00 Subtotal Facility Use Income 1,950.00 1,541.65 408.35 3,700.00 650.00

FUNDRAISING EXPENSE Fundraising Event Expense 0.00 (729.15) 729.15 (1,750.00) 0.00 Bookstore Expense (945.10) (416.65) (528.45) (1,000.00) (716.60) Flower Expense 0.00 (312.50) 312.50 (750.00) (100.00) Kitchen Expense 0.00 (125.00) 125.00 (300.00) 0.00 Coffee Hour Expense (150.02) (208.35) 58.33 (500.00) (87.50) Subtotal Fundraising Expense (1,095.12) (1,791.65) 696.53 (4,300.00) (904.10) Subtotal Fundraising 2,962.50 5,140.65 (2,178.15) 12,336.00 2,241.46

OTHER INCOME FUND CONTRIBUTION TO OPERAT- ING Endowment Income 17,697.90 17,697.90 0.00 42,475.00 19,592.05 Investment Acct Income 1,541.65 1,541.65 0.00 3,700.00 3,512.50 Investment Acct Other 416.65 416.65 0.00 1,000.00 1,378.00 Kinn Education 4,833.30 4,833.35 (0.05) 11,600.00 0.00 Kinn Homelessness 833.30 833.35 (0.05) 2,000.00 833.35 7 Principles 416.65 416.65 0.00 1,000.00 0.00 Perpetual Maint & Rep 1,125.00 1,125.00 0.00 2,700.00 0.00

First Unitarian Church News The Beacon January 2017 13

Year Year to YTD Budget Annual Prior Year to Date Date Budget Difference Budget to Date Bequests for Maint & Rep 0.00 8,333.35 (8,333.35) 20,000.00 0.00 Arch & Historical Review 416.65 416.65 0.00 1,000.00 0.00 Subtotal Fund Contribution To Oper 27,281.10 35,614.55 (8,333.45) 85,475.00 25,315.90

GRANTS & MISC INCOME Miscellaneous Income 1,838.00 0.00 1,838.00 0.00 1,016.00 Subtotal Grants & Misc Income 1,838.00 0.00 1,838.00 0.00 1,016.00 Subtotal Other Income 29,119.10 35,614.55 (6,495.45) 85,475.00 26,331.90

TOTAL INCOME 126,910.66 130,546.85 (3,636.19) 313,311.00 114,321.11 TOTAL EXPENSES 136,779.92 150,083.55 (13,303.63) 357,679.00 118,611.66 EXCESS INCOME\EXPENSES ($9,869.26) ($19,536.70) $9,667.44 ($44,368.00) ($4,290.55)

Year Year to YTD Budget Annual Prior Year to Date Date Budget Difference Budget to Date EXPENSES PASTORAL STAFF SENIOR PASTOR $45,165.34 $45,672.50 ($507.16) $109,614.00 $44,203.19 Subtotal Pastoral Staff $45,165.34 $45,672.50 ($507.16) $109,614.00 $44,203.19

ADMINISTRATION OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR 17,278.20 16,987.45 290.75 40,770.00 15,485.55 OFFICE EXPENSES 4,392.74 3,779.25 613.49 9,070.00 3,855.17 COMPUTER EXPENSES 2,219.35 885.45 1,333.90 2,125.00 402.35 LEASED EQUIPMENT 1,319.25 888.75 430.50 2,133.00 899.01 Subtotal Administration 25,209.54 22,540.90 2,668.64 54,098.00 20,642.08

DENOMINATIONAL 4,092.00 6,820.00 (2,728.00) 16,368.00 8,096.00

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION RELIGOUS ED DIRECTOR 11,944.83 12,180.00 (235.17) 29,232.00 7,461.02 RELIGOUS ED EXPENSES 960.10 1,500.00 (539.90) 3,600.00 0.00 Subtotal Religious Education 12,904.93 13,680.00 (775.07) 32,832.00 7,461.02

MUSIC MUSIC DIRECTOR 16,154.91 15,957.10 197.81 38,297.00 16,259.50 MUSIC EXPENSES 1,972.04 2,529.15 (557.11) 3,550.00 1,510.68 Subtotal Music 18,126.95 18,486.25 (359.30) 41,847.00 17,770.18

WORSHIP 537.01 466.70 70.31 1,120.00 110.50 BOARD & COMMITTEES 2,170.26 3,158.30 (988.04) 7,580.00 2,252.73 OUTREACH 2,214.89 4,773.05 (2,558.16) 11,454.00 718.75 FACILITIES 21,615.14 26,985.85 (5,370.71) 64,766.00 14,698.15 UTILITIES 4,743.86 7,500.00 (2,756.14) 18,000.00 2,659.06 TOTAL EXPENSES 136,779.92 150,083.55 (13,303.63) 357,679.00 118,611.66

First Unitarian Church News The Beacon January 2017 14 Religious Education

Pete's Patter

A lifelong sharing of love with others

BY PETER FONTNEAU INTERIM DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Love cannot remain by itself--it has no meaning. ways that we see doing this involve better communication Love has to be put into action and that action is ser- and clearer messaging. Some draft communications tem- vice. plates are making their way forward. You will soon see Whatever form we are, some changes in communication to families and to the able or disabled, entire congregation through weekly posts and messages. rich or poor, it is not how much we do, After a New Year's break, the new block of education but how much love we put into the doing; programs, In Our Hands and Toolbox of Faith, will begin a lifelong sharing of love with others. on January 15. In the children's programs, we want to -- Mother Teresa follow Mother Teresa's call. Love has to be put into ac- tion and that action is service. We As I have mentioned for will be working on curricula that the past few months, the Reli- have a strong, but somewhat theoret- gious Education for All Com- ical social action/social justice com- mittee has been 'thinking or- ponent. We will be providing tools ange' this fall. Thinking Or- and methods for applying ethics and ange is the product of Reggie discernment of important issues. Joiner and the reThink Group. Although our curricula support ac- What this means is briefly stat- tion, they have difficulty, in part ed by the concept: "imagine the because of time constraints, in tak- impact when church and family ing those actions. We hope to use collide." There are five orange the intercession weeks (February 26, essentials: integrate strategy, March 5, April 23 and 30) for pro- refine the message, reactivate jects which we plan in class. I hope the family, elevate community they'll be exciting. Would you like and leverage influence. The to help out? committee and I have been studying orange processes and PETER FONTNEAU I am surprised that it is December has determined, by use of an and there is considerable planning evaluation tool, that the first for next church year already ongo- area we want to work on is reactivating the family. Par- ing. Personnel and budget subjects require more lead ents actively participate in the spiritual formation of their time, so study and report work is ongoing now. It's a children; parents or elders of the congregation also partic- busy time and a hopeful time as the congregation moves ipate in the mentoring of the children of the congregation to embrace a revised mission and vision and make chang- as respected members of the church family. Some of the es to better its abilities to live out that mission.

First Unitarian Church News The Beacon January 2017 15 First Unitarian Church of Baltimore (Universalist and Unitarian)

Office Phone: 410-685-2330 Ministerial Intern: Fax: 410-685-4133 Schedule flexible; contact at (609) 672-7537 or Email: [email protected] [email protected]

Web: www.firstunitarian.net Interim Religious Education Director’s Office Hours: Church Office Hours: Tues. & Wed. 2 PM-6 PM usually (Please call 703-400- 9:30 AM - 3 PM Tues. - Fri. 3429

Minister’s Open Hours in the Study before coming or email at [email protected]) The Minister is released from routine business dur- ing the month of January 2017

Minister’s Travel Schedule Minister Baltimore, MD “Burning Bowl” worship ser- Rev. David Carl Olson vice, January 1 Ministers Emeriti Chicago, IL Meadville Lombard Theological Rev. Phyllis Hubbell, Rev. John Manwell School, January 5-6 Claremont, CA Claremont School of Theology, Affiliate Ministers January 9-13 Dr. Michael S. Franch, Rev. Harry Woosley, Baltimore, MD Metropolitan Community Jr., Rev. Susan Margarete Stine Donham Church, January 15 Sudbury, MA Fraters of the Wayside Inn, Endorsed Community Minister January 22-25 Rev. Dale Lantz

Annapolis, MD UU Legislative Ministry of Ministerial Intern Maryland, January 28 Diana Davies I am always “on call” for pastoral and other concerns. During January, I will be in touch with the ministry team Board of Trustees to facilitate pastoral care. Do not hesitate to contact me if D. Doreion Colter, President there is something you’d like to talk about or do. I am Evelyn Bradley, Vice President most accessible by text message at (410) 350-9339. Thank Sally Wall, Acting Secretary you! Clare Milton, Treasurer Paul Allen Mike Cross-Barnet Catherine Evans The Beacon Pat Montley Editing: Gwyn Degner Karla Peterson Layout: Janet Campbell, Diana Karr, Laura Smith Andrea de Urquiza Proofreaders: Betty Townsend and Clare Milton Nancy West Publication Schedule Deadlines: 1st or 2nd Thursday of each month (see church Church Staff calendar) James Houston, Music Director October Editors: Gwyn Degner, Diana Karr Peter Fontneau, Interim Director of Reli- November Issue Deadline: Thursday, October 6, 2016 gious Education November Editors: Gwyn Degner, Laura Smith Aubrey Reigh, Office Administrator Anthony W. Williams, Sexton To Submit Articles or Other Beacon Items:

 Please e-mail all submissions to [email protected]. To sign up for the Beacon or Happen-  Please use as little formatting as possible in articles, and in- ings or to unsubscribe to them, go to this clude the author’s name. We welcome photos to accompany web address: http://eepurl.com/eqadk. articles. To see the Beacon in color, visit First Uni- The editors reserve all editing rights. tarian Church of Baltimore, The Beacon.