The Beaconfebruary 2016 the Beaconmay 2016 1 First Unitarian Church of Baltimore HOPE, SOCIAL JUSTICE and LIBERAL RELIGIOUS VALUES Corner Charles & Franklin Streets

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The BeaconFebruary 2016 The BeaconMay 2016 1 First Unitarian Church of Baltimore HOPE, SOCIAL JUSTICE AND LIBERAL RELIGIOUS VALUES Corner Charles & Franklin Streets

Engaging our Souls with May Services

SoulCollage® 2015/2016 Theme: A Whole People on a BY EVELYN BRADLEY Journey Together

Services at 11 A.M. in our Historic Sanctuary Arranged by Laura Laing supported by her SoulCol- laging wife Gina Foringer, and led by SoulCollage facili- May 1 Dr. Mike Franch, Alice Lium tator, Lynn Garman, a dozen of us delved into our subcon- and the Fest Committee scious selves and spent a day-and-a-half in the Parish Hall SpringFest : “Spring Hopes Eternal” in late March creating soul collages. We selected images Spring has clearly arrived, but we know it in our that called to us from tables full of pictures and arranged bones when we act into the question “Why do you them into 5x7 collages. After a lot of cutting, pasting, stay in Baltimore?” We welcome Spring in our tra- reflecting, and more cutting and pasting, we each had a ditional First Unitarian way with music, singing, and few cards made. We delved into interpreting the collages other thoughtful merriment. Prepared by the Spring we had created...looking at and thinking about the images Fest Committee, with participation by our congrega- we had brought together and drawing the lessons that each tion's singers, musicians, and folks in the pews. card had for its maker. I have spent zero time since high school making any- May 8 Diana K. Davies thing like this, and found it a moving, fulfilling, and fun Mother’s Day experience, not the least of which was sharing creativity Our ministerial intern takes a moment to look back- with others in the congregation. Some of us made a few ward on our first year together—and then forward to collages, others made a dozen…everyone works at their new opportunities for spiritual depth and more au- own pace, and I found I was tapping bits of my deeper self thentic relationships. that had not been touched in other ways. When we reflected on the joys of being together in community at the end May 15 Rev. Nancy McDonald Ladd of our time together, Lynn appropriately remarked, “This Regional Pulpit Exchange is church.” The Senior Minister of one of our largest Unitarian SoulCollage® was developed by a psychotherapist/ Universalist congregations, Nancy McDonald Ladd Doctor of Divinity and, according to its website, soulcol- of River Road Unitarian Universalist, will exchange lage.com, is “a process for accessing your intuition and pulpits with our Minister and bring to Baltimore creating an incredible deck of cards with deep personal some of the vibrancy and spirituality of her Bethes- meaning that will help you with life's questions and transi- da congregation. Rev. McDonald Ladd formerly tions.” served Bull Run UU Congregation in Manassas, VA, after receiving the Master of Divinity degree from Meadville Lombard Theological School.

INSIDE May 22 Rev. David Carl Olson “Happy Birthday, Buddha” FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH NEWS A celebration of the embodiment of enlightenment, Page the stories of Prince Siddharta’s birth and childhood, Coffee Cabinet 2 and even a story of the first contact between Unitari- Tour of Greenmount Cemetery 3 ans and Buddhists many years ago. Special Services in May 3 Peter’s Patter: Circle of Trees 4 From Our Ministerial Intern 5 May 29 Pete Fontneau May Book Group 5 Our Interim Director of Religious Education shares Membership Corner 6 his thoughts about his experience in our community Zoerheide Lecture 6 this year, and thoughts about how change happens in Historical Perspectives 7 complex systems. Treasurer’s Report 14

2 The Beacon February 2016

example, when we received a Chalice Lighters grant a few Coffee Cabinet years ago) and I am surely grateful for having access to that financial power. BY REV. DAVID CARL OLSON But our national Association has changed over the MINISTER years. All staff in the field are hired not by Districts and their Boards of Trustees, but by our UUA administration Dear congregation, dear community, at the national level, with accountability to the UUA “A people, one whole people, on a Board of Trustees. The staff that serves us has been reor- journey together” is a way that I have ganized into a set of large regional groupings. We’ve be- described our congregation during this come part of the Central East Region, and our program year. We’ve tried to think about both our continuity as a staff is the Central East Regional Group. We have a pri- gathered people and our discontinuity, our changes as we mary contact person—Rev. David Pyle, who has func- encounter a changed world. tioned as the District Executive of the Joseph Priestley We are not a people alone. We live our faith in cove- District—and we have access to a dozen specialists who nant with other people who practice liberal religion, in- work in the region to help in the extension of Unitarian cluding our sibling congregations in the Unitarian Univer- Universalism and its effectiveness. salist Association. Since the installation of our first minis- At the JPD District Meeting in April, I voted, along ter nearly 200 years ago, we’ve been in conversation with with all the other delegates, that we concur with the Board other congregation about our mission as a community of of the JPD to move forward with consolidating our district churches, and our future together. into the Central East Regional Group; that we sign an Our congregations are autonomous. No other congre- abiding memorandum of understanding with the UUA gation or “higher” body can direct our congregation. But Trustees regarding the use of the JPD endowment to sup- we are not isolated. We associate with one another, and port activities in the area that was once the JPD; and that we rely on each other for advice and counsel. we stay in covenant with each other through our clusters Some of our associations are quite formal. For exam- of congregations—for us, the Greater Baltimore cluster. In ple, the Unitarian Universalist Association requires mem- this way, we hope to maintain the spirit of connectional- ber congregations to “belong” to each other as a national ism and autonomy that has been our tradition since a syn- association. We are represented by delegates at General od was convened in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1648 to Assembly, our delegates elect the national leadership and better describe their religion in changing times. The more write and approve national resolutions. Our congregations things change, it seems, the more they stay the same. Still, participate in funding the Association’s work by making a a whole people on a journey together. contribution to the Annual Program Fund. Blessed on the way, with you, Some of our associations are informal. Because we Much love, feel led to, we unite with the congregations in Central Maryland in a celebration of the anniversary of the Balti- more Sermon. (This year, we do this on May 1 at 4:00 p.m.) Because we have the capacity and the desire, we work with other UUs to develop the gardens at Dayspring Programs. Because we can, we go to An- (Rev.) David Carl Olson [email protected] napolis and lobby, and we share A Dialogue on Race and Ethnicity in Baltimore and Columbia and Tow- First Unitarian Church of Baltimore (Universalist & Unitarian) son. cell/text: (410) 350-9339 (preferred) Our association has delivered services to our con- study: (410) 685-2330 gregation through different forms. Before the Univer- Minister’s Open Hours in the Study salists and Unitarians merged, they had different Saturdays from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. ways of governing themselves, and different ways of (also a time for preparation and rehearsal for Sunday worship) delivering services. Where Universalists had strong Mondays from 1:00 to 4:00 P.M. governance at the state level, Unitarians governed Wednesdays from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. (also a time to prepare with Worship Associates) from a strong central office. At merger, we shifted Minister’s Other Hours most governance function to the national level, but Tuesday is reserved for visitation. Please text or call me at (410) 350-9339 created districts throughout the country to share the if you would like to be visited. tasks and joys of building Unitarian Universalism. Thursday is a writing day at the library and in my home study. The Joseph Priestley District, of which we are a Minister’s Self-Care part, grew to be a powerful district with powerful con- My Sabbath is from Thursday at 5 P.M. to Saturday at 10 A.M. I am always “on call” for pastoral and other concerns. Do not hesitate to gregations. This meant that we could hire a larger staff contact me if there is something you’d like to talk about or do. It is always a than many other districts, and that we could raise more good idea to contact me in advance if you are coming to the church to see money than many other areas. This has blessed us (for me. I am most accessible by text message at (410) 350-9339. Thank you!

February 2016 The Beacon 3 2013. The tour lasts approximately 1 1/2 - 2 hours. Tour of First Unitarian Please contact Catherine at cathe- [email protected] if you plan to attend. This is im- Gravesites in Green portant, so that we know whom to contact, in case there is a need to reschedule due to inclement weather. It also Mount Cemetery helps to know how many handouts to prepare. However, BY CATHERINE EVANS last minute attendees are always welcome! Enter the main en- On May 7, 2016, at 11 trance of Green A.M., Catherine Evans will Mount Cemetery at lead a walking tour of the 1601 Greenmount 19th century Unitarians Avenue (opposite (ministers and laity) buried Oliver Street) and at Green Mount Cemetery, park along the including Enoch Pratt, roads inside. Rev. George Washington (There will be a Burnap and Rev. Charles number of cars al- Richmond Weld, among ready parked there, others. The tour includes but you’ll find some newly-identified parking if you fan sites. Other Baltimore out from the en- notables are also included trance.) We will on the tour. Back by pop- gather inside the ular demand, this tour was gate before we set first offered in the fall of out on the walk. Special Services in May

Special Service during Memorial Day Service

UU Unity Weekend The First Unitarian Church of Baltimore “Union Service” on May 1 at 4:00 p.m. (with Fes- (Universalist and Unitarian) will hold its fifth annu- tive Prelude at 3:30 p.m.) al Memorial Day Service at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, “Above the Harbor, Religious Freedom Rings” May 30, 2016, in the sanctuary. Guest speaker is Rev. Susan LaMar, Minister of Chan- The theme of the service is Remembering the ning Memorial Church, Unitarian Universalist, of El- Dead, Challenging the Living. This service grew licott City, Maryland. Rev. LaMar’s sermon is her re- out of the desire to reflect on the reality rather than flection on Mr. Channing’s thoughts about the capaci- the abstraction of military deaths, and to encourage ty of political democracy to encourage religious free- citizens to think and care deeply about the conse- dom. LaMar studies Channing’s relationship with Ro- quences of our wars and the duties of citizenship. man Catholic leaders, and hears in the Baltimore Ser- Affiliate minister Dr. Michael S. Franch will mon an invitation for people of many faith traditions officiate. The service consists of music, poetry, re- to celebrate the diversity of belief which our non- sponsive reading, and a brief sermon, but the most sectarian nation—democratic and pluralistic— important part is the reading aloud of the names, encouraged from its beginnings. LaMar pulls the Uni- and looking at the photographs, of the men and tarian/Trinitarian dialogue of 1805-1833 away from women from Maryland and Delaware who have Boston, and brings it to Baltimore, the center of the died in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2002. If you are nation. She sees a message from nearly 200 years ago interested in helping to plan this service, please not as a neighborhood controversy but as an invitation contact Mike at [email protected]. to a broad dialogue on the nature of freedom—not only political freedom, but spiritual freedom.

4 The Beacon February 2016 Religious Education Pete's Patter: Circle of Trees

BY PETE FONTNEAU INTERIM DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

We are experimenting with are welcome to volunteer their expertise or their energy! the Religious Education for All program. We Circle of Trees is a multigenerational program of wanted to offer an inten- eight workshops that nurture deep connection with trees, tionally multigenerational nature, and all of earth’s living creatures. The program program in the 9:30 Sun- uses trees as an entry point to understand and connect day Religious Education with life on earth. Across many cultures, trees are recog- hour. Circle of Trees gives nized as a symbol for life on earth—for example, the bib- us multigenerational op- lical Tree of Life. Even young children understand trees portunities for teachers, for as sustainers of life, fundamental engines of life on earth children and parents from as we know it. Trees create and purify the air we breathe. the church and from the They house and provide resources for myriad creatures, Dayspring community, and for observers from the neigh- including humans. They bring us peace, joy, and delight. borhood who might see that their lives matter. We wanted to connect on many levels with the com- For the remainder of the months of April and May, munity in East Baltimore that surrounds Dayspring. We and into the beginning of June, the families of First Uni- wanted to connect church members to another special tarian Church will gather for RE between 9:30 and 10:30 place in Baltimore, one that isn't quite as familiar as am at Day- Charles and Frank- spring Gardens lin. We wanted to 1112 N Brad- connect in new ways ford St., Balti- to what it means to more 21213. be and 'do church'. We will begin We wanted to find with an open- new ways to deepen ing circle ritual all these connec- at 9:30, fol- tions. lowed by other activities in the Through the Bicen- curriculum, a tennial Survey and story, and work the Mission/Vision in the gar- Task Force, we have dens. There been studying what will be time for it means to be a observation of church, what the changes in na- mission of the ture as the sea- church is, what son changes goals and dreams are and plants important to the grow. We will church, and how the leave to return to church at 10:30. You may come directly church wants to be seen by the community where we live, from home. Note that the official address of the Day- work and serve. We are working on how to make these spring building is: 1125 N Patterson Park Ave. The ad- goals and dreams a reality; we are working to build en- dress listed above is for the vacant lot on the alley one thusiasm for our dreams. block east. If you need transportation from church let us know. We will gather by 9:00 and Karla and Pete will fill What are your dreams and how will they be lived up cars to take people over. All ages are welcome. All out?

February 2016 The Beacon 5 From Our Ministerial Intern BY DIANA DAVIES

I spent the first two weeks in help heal a broken world. Our work in the world is defi- April in Chicago, taking inten- nitely not impersonal. In our worship, religious explora- sive classes at Meadville Lom- tion, activism for justice and peace, and pastoral caring, we bard Theological School. I par- directly touch minds, hearts and spirits. If we did all of ticularly enjoyed the class that these things in an impersonal way, we would cease to be a was taught by Meadville’s presi- church at all. Why, then, should we raise and allocate mon- dent, Rev. Lee Barker, on fund- ey and resources in an impersonal way, disconnected from raising. Rev. Barker shared a our hearts and spirits? number of insights and wonder- What if we did fundraising and budgeting in the same fully practical tips on running an way that we are developing our mission statement, with an annual campaign, promoting emphasis on action verbs, on the things that we do? What planned giving and bequests, if we could think of money as the food that allows us to do developing strategies for capital campaigns, and making these holy things: to worship; to care for one another; to stewardship a year-round process. build connections to the larger community; to work for What particularly piqued my interest, though, was a peace and justice; to communicate with one another; to suggestion that he made almost in passing: when fundrais- celebrate and honor the life milestones of our members and ing for the annual budget, think in terms of verbs instead of friends; to celebrate our heritage and pass on the tradition; nouns. What he meant by this is that we tend to lose sight to pursue and encourage spiritual growth; to nurture spirit- of the true purpose of the church when we think only of ually-grounded, healthy and empowered young people; to block budget items like equipment, maintenance, and sala- grow our community; and to build and maintain the physi- ries. The church’s mission isn’t just what it is, after all, but cal foundation for our ministries? How might thinking in what it does. This concept is related to another core tenant this way help to keep our focus on our mission, and ground in church fundraising and budgeting: remember that the our decision-making in love? budget is holy, in order to be wholly effective. The end of May is, officially, the end of my first year At first, this idea might seem almost ludicrous: a holy as the ministerial intern at First Unitarian. I can’t believe budget?! Many of us think of the annual stewardship and how quickly the time has flown by! I want to take this op- budgeting process as an unfortunate thing that must be portunity to thank all of you for your kindness and your done in order to pay the church’s bills. But it is – or can be warm welcome. I have learned so much this year, and I’m – so much more than this. The budget is, after all, the tan- looking forward to continuing to build my relationship gible reflection of our priorities and our goals as a people with this congregation next year, and moving on to the who are working to embody our seven principles, and to next stage of my formation as a minister. May Book Group: Lahiri’s The Lowland BY MIKE FRANCH

The Book Group is Thursday, May 26, 7:30-9:30 in Mt Washington (see be- low), to discuss Jhumpa Lahiri's 2014 novel, The Lowland. It's an engrossing family saga steeped in history: the story of two very different brothers bound by trage- dy; a fiercely brilliant woman haunted by her past, a country torn apart by revolution, and a love that endures long past death. Moving from the 1960s to the present, and from India to America and across many generations, this dazzling novel is Jhumpa Lahiri at the height of her considerable powers. The Lowlands was a National Book Award Finalist and shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, as well as a New Y ork Times Book Review Notable Book, and an NPR "Great Read." The Chicago Tribune, Slate, Christian Science Monitor, and many other publications listed it as a "great read." Plus, at least two members of the Book Group read it and loved it! 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 and friendly discussions. New people are very much welcomed.

6 The Beacon February 2016 Membership Corner: Meet Judy Alexander

I moved to the Baltimore area in 1968 and have been living in Ca- tonsville for the past eight years. I am retired from clinical trial research in ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and the University of Pennsylva- nia. My interests include birding, kayaking, and other outdoor activities. I also enjoy bead weaving, mosaics, and working with polymer clay. In addition to doing volunteer meal delivery for Meals on Wheels, I do gro- The Rev. Robert and Jean Zoerheide Lecture cery shopping for clients who are unable to get to the store. Barbara Svoboda introduced me to First Uni- tarian and one of my volunteer activities has been cooking and grocery shopping for Our Daily Bread on the fifth Saturday of the month. After two years of attending services, participating in various activities, and getting to know the members, it felt like the right time to join.

Mission

First Unitarian Church of Baltimore is the spiritual home of a diverse and mutually supportive community of people who strive to build on our deep historical roots as a congregation to be a beacon of hope, social justice and liberal religious values in Baltimore and in the world.

To see the church calendar, click here: First Unitarian Church Calendar

February 2016 The Beacon 7 Historical Perspectives #75

Commemorating William Ellery Channing’s Baltimore Sermon: “A Confession of Faith, A Manifesto of Principles, A Declaration of Independence” BY C ATHERINE EVANS

“Reverend Dr. William Ellery Channing, one of The 5th of May, 1819, was a memorable day in the Boston’s most eminent preachers, delivered the ordination theological history of this country. It might be called sermon for Mr. Jared Sparks in the First Independent the Pentecost of American Unitarianism. In setting Church of Baltimore1 on May 5, 1819. The title of the apart a minister [Jared Sparks] to teach a faith, which, famous sermon was ‘Unitarian Christianity’, with the text although the most ancient, appeared to the community from I Thessalonians, Chapter 5, Verse 21: ‘Prove all in which it was to be preached comparatively a new things; hold fast that which is good.’ The sermon lasted doctrine, Mr. Channing thought it incumbent on him one and a half hours and was planned by Channing, re- to make an open, plain and candid statement of the garded as the leader of the liberals, ‘to take the aggressive principles which this new edifice was raised to main- in behalf of Unitarian views as against those of ortho- tain and disseminate. Into better hands that task could doxy.’ Its thesis was that the Scriptures, when interpreted not have fallen. Circumstances made that discourse a by reason, teach the doctrines which are held by Unitari- confession of faith, a manifesto of principles, a decla- ans.”2 ration of independence, to a new association of the The greatness and importance of William Ellery followers of Christ. For its purpose it was perfect. So Channing’s sermon was recognized from the moment of clear are its statements, so simple its language, so its delivery. As it is described in the American Unitarian grand and comprehensive the truths it unfolds, such Association’s 1942 publication Introduction to Great Uni- earnestness, conviction and candour pervade it all, tarian Churchmen, the sermon that it leaves very little to be desired, and very little to be added. It made a profound impression. None who marks a memorable epoch in the history of religious heard it will ever forget that day. Its publication, thought in America, where it created a profounder which took place immediately after, was followed by impression at the time it was delivered and has had a still more important results. On the printed page it wider, deeper, and more long-continued influence appeared no less striking, original, powerful and con- than any other sermon ever preached. Besides its very vincing than it had done in delivery. It spread over the large immediate circulation (five editions within six country with wonderful rapidity. It was reprinted and weeks) it has passed through edition after edition for a circulated by thousands, and no pamphlet, with one hundred years; it has been reprinted in England, exception, and that a political publication6, ever at- France, Germany, Hungary, India and other countries; tracted in this country so wide and universal attention. it is still circulated in thousands of copies every year.3 Its author, before not widely, though favorably known, soon rose to the highest literary eminence, and In 1847, thirty years after the founding of the First has been since acknowledged as one of the greatest Independent Church, the interior was extensively renovat- masters of the English tongue, even in the jealous ed, including the building of a new gallery for the organ judgment of our mother land. His works are more read loft and acquiring a new organ.4 On January 23, 1848, in England than those of any other theologian. Almost Rev. George Washington Burnap5 preached a sermon in every year produces a new edition of them in this honor of the renovation. He reflected on the bold vision country, and this sermon, incorporated into his works, of First Independent Church of Baltimore’s founders, the has, on the whole, been more read than any one per- significance the Church would always have because of the haps, that has been delivered in modern times.7 importance of the Baltimore Sermon preached here in 1819, and the development of this Church and Unitarian- On October 29, 1893, the seventy-fifth anniversary of ism in the intervening 30 years since the Church’s found- the dedication of the Church, it was reconsecrated in an ing, the 29 years since the dedication of the Church build- elaborate service which celebrated the Church’s history ing, and the 28 years since the Baltimore Sermon. Burnap and its recent renovation.8 In the evening a sermon was observed preached by Rev. Grindall Reynolds of Concord, Massa-

8 The Beacon February 2016 chusetts, and Secretary of the American Unitarian Associ- have felt a similar view, and the new Unitarian Lay- ation9, on "Seventy-five Years of Unitarianism in Ameri- men's League13 has appeared. With heartiest satisfac- ca.” In it, he remarked on the importance of what by now tion the General Conference hails this new brother in had begun to be called “The Baltimore Sermon.” the faith and already anticipates a great accession of earnest co-operation and enthusiasm at the next ses- It (the Baltimore Sermon) more than any other one sion of the Conference, at Baltimore, beginning Octo- cause, produced what has so far proved to be the per- ber 14, which marks the one hundredth anniversary of manent separation into two parts of the Great Congre- the delivery of Channing's famous sermon that first gationalist body. That Dr. Channing did not desire defined Unitarian Christianity. the division is certain. What he believed to be most The desire of Unitarians to make a pilgrimage to wise and most likely to promote the sway of a pure Baltimore on this occasion has been nation-wide. The Christianity was that large tolerance, which could per- programme of the Conference has made recognition mit all to remain in the common of this anniversary in the Tuesday even- fold, and with absolute freedom ing service of worship and in the open- speak the truth as they found it writing session on Wednesday morning. ten in the Bible, in the universe and Rev. Henry Gow, one of our ablest on the tablets of the human heart. English preachers, of Hampstead, Lon- But whatever its author wished don, has accepted the invitation to come or thought to be wise, the Baltimore to this country to preach the sermon, Sermon was the last in a long chain and Rev. Roger S. Forbes of Philadel- of causes which created the Unitari- phia will conduct the service. an denomination. The antiquarian …At the close of the morning can point out in the last century, session there will be dedicated briefly a ministers who worshipped God af- bronze tablet to register in suitable form ter the manner men call heresy, and the meeting of the Conference in the celebrated men, not a few, like John Baltimore church to celebrate the Chan- Adams and Thomas Jefferson who ning sermon centennial.14 followed in their footsteps….As surely as the followers of Jesus Rev. Henry Gow15 of London, were first called Christians at Anti- England, the guest minister on the even- och, so they, that held to the strict ing of October 14, 1917, was regarded unity of God, the real nobility of as among the foremost parish ministers BUST OF WILLIAM ELLERY CHANNING human nature and the inward and BY EDWARD SHEFFIELD BARTHOLONEW, of the liberal faith in England. His ser- spiritual character of true salvation, GIVEN TO THE CHURCH BY ENOCH mon at Baltimore commemorated the were called Unitarians at Baltimore. PRATT. PHOTO BY CATHERINE EVANS. one hundredth anniversary of the fa- If, therefore, we have any structure mous Baltimore Sermon, which was which may properly be called a me- described at the time in an AUA article morial building, it is the very one in which we are as “the Magna Charta of the liberal faith.”16 now gathered.10 After the sermon, two special dedications were made. As they were described in the Order of Service, Just twenty-six years later, on October 14-17, the first was the “DEDICATION OF A MEMORIAL TABLET 1919, William Howard Taft11 was president of the Ameri- in honor of Rev. William Ellery Channing, D. D., who, in can Unitarian Association, when the General Conference 1819, preached the celebrated ‘Baltimore Sermon’ defin- of Unitarian and other Christian Churches held its 28th ing Unitarian Christianity” and second was the meeting at The First Unitarian Church of Baltimore, at “DEDICATION OF A MEMORIAL TABLET in honor of Rev. which time the 100th anniversary of William Ellery Chan- Jared Sparks, first minister of this church, at whose instal- ning's Baltimore Sermon was celebrated as part of the lation, in 1819, Dr. Channing’s sermon was preached.” centennial celebrations of The First Unitarian Church of The Channing tablet, a gift of the Unitarian Layman’s Baltimore.12 The events of the centennial celebration of League through the Unitarian General Conference, was First Unitarian and the concomitant commemoration of presented by Channing’s great-great-granddaughter, Mary Channing’s sermon were described in anticipation in the Channing Wister. This tablet is attached to the east wall Unitarian Register of September 25, 1919, as follows: of the sanctuary beneath the middle window and is inscribed as follows: After the Civil War, Unitarians felt the need of a new instrument for self-expression in making their 1819-1919. In this church, William Ellery Channing, gospel effective. The General Conference was the preaching from the text ‘Prove all things: hold fast answer. At the close of the German war Unitarians that which is good’ defined American Unitarianism

February 2016 The Beacon 9 Mrs. Raphael Walter19 initiated the idea of this program. After its acceptance by the Board of Trus- tees of the church, a committee was formed consist- ing of the following members: Mrs. Raphael Walter; Mrs. Harold Holmes Wrenn20; Miss Elizabeth Amery21; Mr. William Lehr22; Mr. Lucius White23, and Mr. Arthur Conrad24, Chairman. It was at the suggestion of Mr. Conrad that the sermon series was dedicated to the commemoration of William Ellery Channing. Also, to dignify the occasion and to em- phasize the honor of preaching from the same pulpit from which Channing delivered his famous sermon on Unitarian belief on May 5, 1819, Mr. Conrad pro- posed that each speaker be presented with a citation of appreciation at the coffee hour following the service at which he delivered the sermon. With the Committee’s approval this plan was carried out. Mr. PLAQUE IN COMMEMORATION OF JARED SPARK, 1919. PHOTO BY Conrad designed and hand-lettered the citations on CATHERINE EVANS. vellum. A portrait of Channing was drawn in the up- per left-hand corner of each and the citation read as and gave coherence and direction to the unfolding follows: movement. One hundred years later, followers of his assembled in the General Conference of Unitarian Presented to ______and other Christian Churches, rejoice to declare their By the First Unitarian Church of Baltimore gratitude and loyalty to him as a great Christian With deep appreciation prophet and teacher. On the occasion of his Preaching the ______The Sparks tablet was the gift of Professor Jared Sparks Moore of Cleveland, Ohio, grandson of Reverend Jared WILLIAM ELLERY CHANNING Sparks and is inscribed “In memory of Jared Sparks and COMMEMORATIVE SERMON his daughter Frances Sparks Moore, long a devoted wor- __DATE__ shiper here.” This plaque is on the southeast pillar of the church, facing the windows, opposite the Channing A quotation from Channing’s writing, chosen for its plaque. An Address of Acceptance of the plaques was appropriateness to the sermon subject, appeared be- given by Thomas C. Corner17, chairman of the Board of low the citation with Channing’s name and dates Trustees of the First Unitarian Church, Baltimore. (1780-1842) at the bottom. The citation was present- In the middle of the twentieth century, a yearly ed in a green leather folder, the type used for a single commemoration of the Baltimore Sermon was conceived 8x10 photograph. by the congregation of First Unitarian. A manuscript in In planning the program it was decided to have our archives describes the development of the “Channing one Channing Sermon always on the Sunday nearest Commemorative Sermons.” It reads as follows:

In the spring of 1957 there was a growing desire among some members of the church to establish a program of visit- ing ministers during the church year, which would lighten Dr. Argow’s18 schedule of preaching and afford the congregation the opportunity and stim- ulation of hearing the opinions of outstanding PLAQUE IN HONOR OF WILLIAM ELLERY CHANNING AND THE BALTIMORE SERMON, GIVEN TO THE speaks. CHURCH BY THE AMERICAN UNITARIAN ASSOCIATION, 1919. PHOTO BY URI NODELMAN.

10 The Beacon February 2016 the 5th of May, and one in February to honor the ernor Theodore R. McKeldin41, Judge Emory H. Niles42 founding of the church. Any sermons in addition to and Mr. Thomas J. S. Waxter43 participating. These bas these would be spaced through the church year. reliefs are now displayed inside the doors to the sanctu- The sermon program was initiated by Dr. Frederick ary. May Eliot25 on November 3, 1957. Subsequent Chan- On April 30, 1958, the Channing Commemorative ning speakers were Sermon Committee wrote an open letter to the congregation about the series. In describing it they wrote, “Our Donald Harrington26 January 19, 1958 church is known as the birthplace of American Unitarian- Dr. W. Waldemar W. Argow27 May 4, 1958 ism, because it was here, on May 5, 1819, that William Dr. Dana McLean Greeley28 December 7, 1958 Ellery Channing delivered his famous sermon, in which he Dr. Charles Price29 February 8, 1959 defined the principles of contemporary Unitarian be- Rev. Ross Allen Weston30 December 6, 1959 lief….The permanent establishment of the program of Rev. Waldemar Argow, Jr.31 February 7, 1960 Channing sermons, eventually under an endowment, will Rev. Walter Donald Kring32 May 8, 1960 mean an increasing recognition of our church as the birthplace of American Unitarianism, will help preserve the …The speakers were offered the expenses of their Channing spirit and promote the growth of liberal under- trip, but no honorarium. standing throughout the nation.”44 The following In the decades members of the since the Channing congregation con- Commemorative Ser- tributed substan- mon’s inception, tial amounts of many eminent theolo- money to the gians and ministers Channing Ser- have spoken from the mon Fund: Mrs. Channing pulpit as William Beury33, part of the series, in- Miss Elizabeth cluding the following Amery, Miss Es- small, but representa- ther Davis34, Mr. tive, sampling: and Mrs. Carl (1993) Mark Morri- Nitze35, Miss I. son-Reed, “The Life Jewell Simpson36, and Times of Egbert Miss Bettie O. Ethelred Brown”; Summers37, Dr. (1994) John Bueh- and Mrs. Wilson rens, “The Signs of Wing [June Wing] the Times, the De- 38, Mrs. Raphael mands of the Age”; Walter, Mr. Ar- REV. DR. W. WALDEMAR W. ARGOW, BRONZE BAS RELIEF. MRS. ELSIE B. ARGOW, (1999) Scott Alexan- BRONZE BAS RELIEF. PHOTOS BY CATHERINE EVANS. thur Conrad, Mrs. der, “A Systematic Elizabeth Wrenn. (UU) Salvational …The Channing Committee envisioned the establish- Theology”; (2000) Rebecca Parker, “Bread for the Jour- ment of a permanent program of Channing sermons, ney”; (2001) William Sinkford, “Spiritual Gifts and Spir- eventually under some plan of endowment. Also, it itual Challenges”; (2003) Rob Hardies, “Religion is for was hoped that the honor of speaking from the Chan- Lovers”; (2004) Meg Riley, “Without Apology: Telling ning pulpit might be offered to young Unitarian minis- the World We’re Here”; (2008) Laurel Hallman, “Spiritual ters during the church year or during a summer pro- Freedom”; (2009) Peter Morales, “A Religion for Our gram. Time”; and (2013) Galen Guengerich, “A Departure from It is known that the invitation to speak in the Chan- the Course Generally Followed.” Throughout the years, ning pulpit was received as an honor and a challenge the Channing Commemorative Sermons have celebrated by those men who accepted. All the sermons were the Baltimore Sermon, challenging us for our times as inspiring and provocative statements.39 Channing challenged the congregation in his, and have fulfilled the mission envisioned for the Sermons by the After the service on December 7, 1958, when Rev. Dr. founding Committee. Dana Greeley, the newly-elected President of the Ameri- ______can Unitarian Association40 gave the Channing Commem- 1“The First Independent Church of Baltimore” was the orative Sermon, a special ceremony took place in the original name of our church, remaining its corporate name Enoch Pratt Parish Hall. At that time, Dr. Greeley un- for ninety-five years. During Rev. Charles Weld’s minis- veiled bronze bas reliefs of Dr. and Mrs. Argow with Gov- try (1873-98), the word “Christ’s” was inserted to read

UU COMMUNITY NEWS February 2016 The Beacon 11 “The First Independent Christ’s Church,” a title never for- means of presenting a distinctly American political mally adopted but used informally with the consent of the identity. Wikipedia Trustees. This usage dropped when the congregation 8For more information on this service and the 1893 changed its name to “The First Unitarian Church of Balti- renovation of the Church, see “Rev. Charles Richmond more” in 1912. Two decades later, when the Church Weld, Part IV: A Time of Reconsecration” in “First Uni- merged with the “Second Universalist Society in the City tarian Historical Perspectives #48”, The Beacon, (First of Baltimore” in 1935, the name became "The First Uni- Unitarian Church of Baltimore, February, 2014), pp. 6-10. tarian Church of Baltimore (Universalist and Unitarian),” 9The American Unitarian Association (AUA) was the the one we still use. First Unitarian Church of Baltimore is governing body of the Unitarian Church, approximately the oldest “purpose-built” Unitarian Church in North equivalent to today’s UUA, the Unitarian Universalist As- America, meaning that it is the oldest Unitarian church sociation, formed after the merger of the Unitarians and built by Unitarians for the purpose of being a Unitarian Universalists in 1961. church. 10Funk, pp. 39-40. 2 Rebecca Funk, A Heritage to Hold in Fee 1817- 11U.S. Presidential incumbent William Howard Taft 1917: First Unitarian Church of Baltimore (Universalist was defeated by Woodrow Wilson in the election of No- and Unitarian) (Baltimore: Garamond Press, 1962), p. vember, 1912, whereupon Taft moved to New Haven, 38. Connecticut, to become Dean and Professor of Law at 3Introduction to Great Unitarian Churchmen Yale Law School. He also became active in American (American Unitarian Association, No. A, 15th print- Unitarian Association (AUA) governance. In 1915 he was ing 1942), p. 5. named president of the National Conference of Unitarian 4For more information on the 1847 renovation of the and Other Liberal Christian Churches. He chaired its bien- Church see “Establishing the Unitarian Church in Balti- nial conferences until 1925. In 1919 he helped reorganize more – George Washington Burnap, Part IV: Stewardship the National League of Unitarian Laymen into the Unitari- of the Church 1848,” in “First Unitarian Historical Per- an Laymen's League, serving on its Council, later called spectives #39,” The Beacon (First Unitarian Church of the Executive Committee, for five years. From “William Baltimore, May, 2013), pp. 4-10. Howard Taft” in the Dictionary of Unitarian and Univer- 5Rev. Burnap’s sermon on this occasion itself became sality Biography (on-line). Material copyrighted by the Unitarian Universalist Historical Society (UUHS). an important overview of the events and served as the first 12 chapter in his book The Position of Unitarianism Defined, The centennial celebrations of the First Unitarian published the same year. George Washington Burnap Church of Baltimore comprise three events: the founding (1802-1859) was the second minister (1827-1859) of First of the Church on February 10, 1817; the dedication of the Unitarian where he presided for thirty-two years. As an Church building on October 29, 1818; and the ordination of its first minister, the Rev. Jared Sparks on May 5, 1819. early Unitarian minister, he was called upon to defend his 13 unorthodox views, which he did ably in several series of Founded in 1919, the Unitarian Laymen's League expository lectures, later published in book form and cir- was for its first fifteen years the major fund-raising arm of culated widely. He became so much a part of the City that the AUA. In addition, it financed preaching missions and he was asked to serve in many important posts. He was recruited ministerial candidates. In May 1962, the Unitari- chosen by George Peabody to be the only clergyman on an Laymen's League and the National Association of Uni- the first Board of Trustees of the newly endowed Peabody versalist Men merged to form the Unitarian Universalist Institute. He was a founder of the Maryland Historical Laymen's League. Its stated objectives were to "stimulate Society. He married Nancy Williams Burnap, daughter of interest in religious and social problems, to encourage Church founder Amos Adams Williams. Their daughter, friendly relations among men of the Unitarian and Univer- Elizabeth Williams Burnap, was the Church’s first histori- salist faiths, and to aid in the advancement of liberal reli- an. gious ideas.” From the website of the Andover-Newtown 6 Theological Library. The reference is to Thomas Paine’s Common 14 Sense. Published anonymously on January 10, 1776, Unitarian Register, v. 98, September 25, 1919, American Unitarian Association, p. 19. at the beginning of the American Revolution, it be- 15 Henry Gow was educated at Owens College, Man- came an immediate success. Having sold almost chester, London University, and Harvard Divinity School. 100,000 copies in 1776, it had the largest sale and Pastor at the Herford at the Roslyn Hill Chapel, Hamp- circulation of any book published in American histo- stead, London, one of the strongest of the Unitarian ry, going through twenty-five editions in the first churches in England. During the seventeen years of his year alone. Common Sense presented the American great pastorate, he had grown in power and effectiveness, colonists with an argument for freedom from British and wielded an influence far beyond the boundaries of his rule at a time when the question of seeking independ- large parish. 16 ence was still undecided. Paine connected independ- Unitarian Register, v. 98, September 25, 1919, ence with common dissenting Protestant beliefs as a American Unitarian Association, p. 22.

12 The Beacon February 2016 17Thomas Cromwell Corner (1865–1938) was a noted she received a Master’s Degree. She was then appointed portrait artist, a founding member of the Baltimore Muse- supervisor of home economics teachers in Delaware for um of Art, and a member and Chairman of the Board of four years, before accepting a similar position in Mary- Trustees of the First Unitarian Church of Baltimore. He is land, serving for twenty-seven years until her retirement in most known for his portraits of prominent businessmen, 1954. but he also painted other notable members of society in- 22William Lehr has not been identified with certainty. cluding Sir William Osler, Dr. William H. Welch, Henry In the 1940 U. S. Census, a William and Charlotte Lehr Walters, Edward Cooper, the Mayor of New York, and lived at 111 Beechwood Avenue in Catonsville, with Wil- Reverend Edward G. Helfenstein, the Bishop of Maryland. liams’s birth being about 1875 in Germany. There is a Corner’s works are displayed in the Maryland and New grave of William Lehr (1874-1973) in Loudon Park Cem- York State Houses and are also held by The Baltimore etery. Museum of Art and the Enoch Pratt Free Library. Corner 23Lucius R. White, Jr. (1887-1970) attended Balti- served on the City-Wide Congress Committee on Found- more's City College and the Maryland Institute College of ing an Art Museum (1911-1914) as well as on the first Art before going to Philadelphia to study architecture at board of trustees of the Baltimore Museum of Art. Wik- the University of Pennsylvania. He set up an architectural ipedia practice in Baltimore. White served on the state's Board of 18Rev. Dr. Wendelin Waldemar Weiland Argow (1891 Examination and Registration of Architects from 1937, -1961) served as minister at First Unitarian from 1940 to chairing that board from 1953. He was a member of the 1960. He was active in all aspects of the ministry, making Baltimore Planning Commission from 1950 to 1955, and public speeches and pastoral visits, publishing widely, and of the Board of Architectural Review for the city of Balti- being extensively involved in civic organizations and ef- more and state of Maryland in the same period. White forts. In Baltimore he was a director of the ACLU and the joined the national AIA in 1930 and was named to the UN Association, and he was Vice-Chairman of Maryland's College of Fellows in 1952. He was a member of the Bal- Inter-Racial Commission. He also served the denomina- timore Chapter of the AIA, serving as its president in tion in many capacities, including as Vice-President of the 1945. American Architects and Buildings Unitarian Ministerial Union, as a member of the Board of 24Arthur Conrad was Chairman of First Unitarian’s Preachers at the Arlington Street Church in Boston, and as Channing Commemorative Sermon Committee. Arthur a member of several important committees of the Ameri- Emil Conrad (1907-1995) was born in Chicago, Illinois, to can Unitarian Association. For more information on Rev. Emil Carl Schmalz and Bertha Fink. He graduated from Argow, see Historical Perspectives #68 “Hamilton Room the Yale School of Fine Arts. He was a portrait artist Name Panels” in the October, 2015 issue of the Beacon. whose work is also attributed to “Arthur E. Schmalz- 19Mrs. Raphael Walter. In the records of the 1940 Conrad.” His famous portrait of John Calhoun is dis- U.S. Census, Raphael and Nancy B. Walter are noted as played in the U. S. Senate. At the time of his work on the living at 5601 Waycrest in the Poplar Hill section of North Channing Commemorative Sermons until his death, he Baltimore. Raphael (1888? - ?) was an attorney, as was lived in Baldwin, Maryland. his father, Moses R. Walter (1847-1916). His grandfather 25At the time of Dr. Frederick May Eliot’s inaugural was also called Raphael, the head of R. Walter & Sons, at Channing Sermon, “The True Greatness of Channing,” he one time a well-known wholesale wool firm in Baltimore. was the president of the American Unitarian Association. Mrs. Walter was also the head of the Music Committee at Frederick May Eliot (1889-1958), the longtime minister of the Church. Unity Church, St. Paul, Minnesota, and Chair of the Uni- 20Elizabeth Wrenn (1891-?) is identified in the 1940 tarian Commission on Appraisal, served as President of U.S. Census as living in Ward 11 of the City with her hus- the American Unitarian Association (AUA) for twenty band, Harold, and their three children, John, Mary and years, guiding the denomination through a period of Elizabeth. Harold Holmes Wrenn (1887-1967) was a growth and helping it to better communicate its liberal painter and an architect with the firm of Wrenn, Lewis, religious faith. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts to Westenhaver and Jencks. He designed a number of homes Christopher Rhodes Eliot and Mary Jackson May. His in the Guilford neighborhood of Baltimore and on Gibson family, on both sides, included many prominent Unitarian Island. He also designed his own home at 202 E. Northern leaders. His father was minister of the First Church, Dor- Parkway in 1929, the first home built in North Roland chester and the Bulfinch Place Church, Boston. His grand- Park. The Gilman School Art Prize is named in his honor father, William Greenleaf Eliot, Jr., served the Church of and the Baltimore Architecture Foundation has a collec- the Messiah (Unitarian), St. Louis, 1834-73, and helped to tion of his drawings. In addition to her service to First establish Washington University. His uncle, Thomas Unitarian, Elizabeth Wrenn was on the Board of Trustees Lamb Eliot, minister of the First Unitarian Society, Port- of the Baltimore Museum of Art. land, Oregon, 1867-93, was one of the founders of Reed 21Elizabeth Amery (1889-1976) was born in St. Croix College. His great-uncle, the Unitarian minister Samuel Falls, Wisconsin. After teaching in Wisconsin and Wash- May, Jr., was the General Agent of the Massachusetts Anti ington State, Amery went to Columbia University where -Slavery Society, 1847-65. His cousin was T. S. Eliot, the

February 2016 The Beacon 13 major twentieth century poet. For extensive background served on the Board of the Franklin Institute, the World on Dr. Eliot, see the Dictionary of Unitarian-Universalist Affairs Council of Philadelphia, and the American Associ- Biography on-line. ation for the United Nations. University of Pennsylvania 26At the time of Donald Harrington’s giving the Chan- Almanac obituary. ning Sermon, “Religion’s Role in the Pacification of the 30Rev. Ross Allen Weston was minister of the Unitari- World,” he was minister of the Community Church of an Church of Arlington, Virginia, at the time of his giving New York. Donald Szantho Harrington (1914-2005), born the Channing Sermon entitled, “Channing’s Universal in Newton, Massachusetts, was a politician and religious Church.” Ross Allen Weston (1919-1994) graduated from leader. He graduated from the University of Chicago in Syracuse University in 1942 and Union Theological Semi- 1939, and began preaching at the People's Liberal Church nary in 1945. He was ordained to the Methodist ministry on Chicago's South Side. The same year, he married fel- in 1945 and served that denomination from 1938 to 1945 low seminary student Vilma Szantho (d. 1982). He be- in Pennellville and Brooklyn, New York; Pt. Murray, New came a minister of the Community Church of the New Jersey; and Detroit, Michigan. He became associated with York Unitarian Universalist in New York City in 1944, the Unitarian church in 1946 and served parishes in retiring as senior minister in 1982. He was State Chair- Kennebunk, Maine, and Evanston, Illinois. man of the Liberal Party of New York. In the 1966 New 31Rev. Waldemar Argow, Jr., was the minister of York state election, Harrington ran for Lieutenant Gover- First Unitarian Church of Toledo, Ohio, at the time of his nor of New York on the Liberal ticket with Franklin D. giving the Channing Sermon entitled, “If Channing Were Roosevelt, Jr. They were defeated by the incumbent Re- Living Today.” Son of First Unitarian’s minister W. Wal- publicans Nelson Rockefeller and Malcolm Wilson, but demar W. Argow, Waldemar Argow, Jr. (1916–1996) was Harrington was elected a delegate to the New York State ordained as a minister in June, 1941, in Amherst, Massa- Constitutional Convention of 1967. In 1984, he married chusetts. He served Unitarian and Universalist congrega- his first wife's niece, Anika Szantho, who was ordained a tions in Massachusetts and Philadelphia with his longest Unitarian minister in 1990. They lived in Transylvania tenures in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Toledo, Ohio. where Harrington was active in economic development 32Rev. Walter Donald Kring was minister of All Souls and his wife served several village congregations. A past in New York City when he gave the Channing Sermon president of United World Federalists, Harrington wrote entitled “A New Declaration of Unitarian Christianity.” Religion in an Age of Science (1965). Walter Donald Kring (1916-1999) earned an AB at Occi- 27Rev. Dr. Argow’s Channing Sermon was entitled dental College in 1937, a Bachelor of Sacred Theology “The Significance of Channing for our Day.” from Harvard in 1940, a Doctor of Humane Letters from 28Dr. Dana McLean Greeley was president of the Occidental College in 1965, a Doctor of Laws from Emer- American Unitarian Association at the time of his giving son College in 1961 and a Doctor of Divinity from St. the Channing Sermon, entitled “The Good News of our Lawrence University in 1968. He was a Navy veteran of Liberal Faith.” Dana McLean Greeley (1908–1986) re- World War II, serving as a chaplain in the Pacific. After ceived a Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree from Har- WWII, he served as minister at First Unitarian Church, vard Divinity School in 1933 and was ordained by his Worcester, Massachusetts, 1946-1955, Unitarian Church home parish church in Lexington, Massachusetts. His first of All Souls, New York City, 1955-1978, The Eliot two settlements were the Unitarian churches in Lincoln, Church of South Natick, Massachusetts, 1982-1997. He Massachusetts and Concord, New Hampshire. In 1935, at was President of Beacon Press from1955 to 1959. His the age of 27, he was called to the prestigious Arlington books include Henry Whitney Bellows; Liberals Among Street Church in Boston where he served until 1958. After the Orthodox: Unitarian Beginnings in New York City, his presidency with the UUA, Rev. Greeley became Visit- 1819-1839; Religion is the Search for Meaning; and ing Professor of the Church and World Peace at the Mead- Across the Abyss to God: A Book of Personal Affirmation. ville Lombard Theological School in Chicago and Presi- 33Mrs. William Beury has not been identified with cer- dent of the International Association for Religious Free- tainty. The 1940 U. S. Census identifies William and dom. In 1970 he returned to parish ministry accepting a Minnie Beury (ages 46 and 44 respectively) as living in call from the First Parish in Concord, Massachusetts, Ward 27 of Baltimore City. where he served until his death in 1986. 34Miss Esther Davis has not been identified. Only 29Dr. Charles Price was the Blanchard Professor of married individuals with that name are listed in the 1940 Chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania and the First U.S. Census for Baltimore. Vice President of the National Executive Council of the 35Mr. and Mrs. Carl Nitze. Carl Ludwig (Louis) Nitze United World Federalists at the time of his Channing Ser- was confirmed and joined First Unitarian in 1897. He and mon, entitled “The Moral Challenge of Modern Arms.” his wife Mathilde Vietor Nitze (1887-1967) baptized their Charles Price (1913-2001) was on the faculty of Universi- son Carl Vietor Nitze (1925-2000) in the Church on Sep- ty of Illinois (1936-46) and Notre Dame University (1946- tember 27, 1925. Carl Vietor Nitze married Ann Abbott 48). For two years, he served in the U. S. Congress. In Nitze (1925-2009). It is not clear which of the two cou- 1954, he moved to the University of Pennsylvania. He ples is referenced here.

14 The Beacon February 2016 Treasurer’s Report BY CLARE MILTON The budget report for the year through the end of March includes $18,252 of necessary Major Maintenance and Re- pair expenses that were not budgeted as an Operating Fund Expense.

February 2016 The Beacon 15 36Iona Jewell Simpson (1882-1969) graduated (1916-2014). The Wings were members of First Unitarian from Western Maryland College in 1899 and did from the time of their moving to Baltimore in 1949, when graduate work in education at Columbia and Johns he joined the faculty of what is now the Johns Hopkins Hopkins Universities. She began her teaching career Bloomberg School of Public Health. A medical doctor in music in Westminster (1900-1908) and, from and Master of Public Health, Wilson M. Wing was also 1908-1911, at the Rosewood State Training School, Health Officer for the Eastern District of Baltimore in the City’s Department of Public Health. June Wing remained an institution for people with developmental disabili- very active in the Church, the League of Women Voters ties, in Owings Mills. In 1916, she was appointed and other civic and community organizations until her the first woman superintendent of the Carroll County death. June’s informative obituary appeared in The Sun elementary schools. She was Supervisor of Elemen- on October 18, 2014. tary Schools for the Maryland State Department of 39Arthur Conrad, Chairman of the Channing Sermon Education from 1920-1942. She published and Commemorative Committee, May 2, 1961. The manu- spoke widely on topics of education. Among her script in the archives of the First Unitarian Church of Bal- timore. books are Arithmetic Goals: Suggestions for Testing 40 and for Corrective Work (1922, 1925, 1930) and The Rev. Dr. Dana Greeley was the last president of the Supervision of Rural Schools (1932). She was one of American Unitarian Association and, upon its merger with the Universalist Church in America, was the found- the church’s historians, who worked on assembling ing president of the Unitarian Universalist Association. documents for the archives. For more information, 41Theodore Roosevelt McKeldin (1900–1974) was a see “A Heritage to Hold in Fee: The Historians of native of Baltimore, educated at Baltimore City College First Unitarian” in First Unitarian Historical Perspec- and University of Maryland College of Law. A Republi- tives in The Beacon, April, 2016, pp. 1, 6-11. can, he was the 38th Mayor of Baltimore from 1943-1947, 37Bettie Owings Summers (1923-2003), who lived on the 53rd Governor of Maryland from 1951-1959, and the Wilkens Avenue and was active in community affairs, 42nd Mayor of Baltimore from 1963-67. was the daughter of Linden and Mary Summers and the 42Emory H. Niles (1892-1976) was Chief Judge, Su- sister of the late Linden Summers, Jr., a prominent Uni- preme Bench of Baltimore County (1955-1963). His par- tarian Universalist in upstate New York. ents, Judge Alfred S. Niles and Mary Waters Niles, were 38Wilson M. Wing (?-1971) and June Stockfish Wing members of First Unitarian Church. He graduated from Polytechnic Institute, The Johns Hopkins University, and University of Maryland Expenses School of Law. He was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University. Judge Niles hired the first African-American law clerk, Christo- pher H. Foreman to work for a judge on the Supreme Bench of Baltimore City in May 1956. 43Thomas Jacob Shryock Waxter attended Princeton and Yale School of Law, return- ing to Baltimore to practice law. From 1929 -1935, he was Judge of the Baltimore Juve- nile Court. In 1929, he became the first president of Baltimore's Legal Aid Bureau, which was formed, at his urging, to help those unable to afford lawyers. In 1935, became the first head of the city Depart- ment of Welfare, which he also helped form, remaining until 1953, when he became Director, Maryland Department of Public Welfare. He served in this position until his death in 1962. The Waxter Senior Center is named in his honor. 44The letter from the “William Ellery Chan- ning Commemorative Sermon Committee on April 30, 1958 is a manuscript in the archives of the First Unitarian Church of Baltimore.

16 The Beacon February 2016

First Unitarian Church of Baltimore (Universalist and Unitarian)

Minister Rev. David Carl Olson

Ministers Emeriti Rev. Phyllis Hubbell, Rev. John Manwell

Affiliate Ministers Dr. Michael S. Franch, Rev. Harry Woosley, Jr., Rev. Susan Margarete Stine Donham

Endorsed Community Minister Rev. Dale Lantz

Ministerial Intern Diana Davies

Board of Trustees Doreion Colter, President Catherine Evans, Vice President Evelyn Bradley, Secretary Clare Milton, Treasurer Sharon Carter , Mike Cross-Barnett Laura Laing, Pat Montley Karla Peterson, Andrea de Uruiza Nancy West

Church Staff James Houston, Music Director Pete Fontneau, Interim Director of Religious Education Aubrey Reigh, Office Administrator

Church Office Hours: 10 AM - 3 PM Tues. - Fri.

(Please call before coming.) Phone: 410-685-2330 Fax: 410-685-4133 Email: [email protected]

Web: www.firstunitarian.net

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Layout: Janet Campbell, Diana Karr, Laura Smith  Please e-mail all submissions to Proofreaders: Betty Townsend and Clare Milton [email protected]. Publication Schedule  Please use as little formatting as possible in Deadlines: 1st or 2nd Thursday of each month (see church calen- articles, and include the author’s name. We dar) welcome photos to accompany articles. May Editors: Gwyn Degner, Laura Smith June Issue Deadline: Thursday, June 2, 2016 The editors reserve all editing rights. June Editors: Gwyn Degner, Janet Campbell

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