The Sewanee Mountain
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
The Sewanee Mountain VOL. XXVII No. 6 Friday, February 11, 2011 Published as a public service for the Sewanee community since 1985. Accidental Fire Alexander to Step Down in 2012 Displaces Local as Chancellor and Bishop University Chancellor the Rt. Rev. J. Neil Alexander, bishop of the Episcopal Residents Diocese of Atlanta, has announced his plans to step aside next year after 11 A major fi re ravaged the Ken- years as bishop. As part of this change, he will step down as Sewanee’s chan- nerly Avenue home of longtime Se- cellor. In an interview this week, Alexander said, “It was a very hard decision wanee residents Tibby Tucker and to leave my current posts. I love the Diocese of Atlanta. We have outstanding Freddy Tucker last week, causing clergy, strong lay leadership, and our people have a heart for mission. I count it serious damage to the home and among the great blessings of my life to have served such a strong and vigorous displacing its residents. According diocese as its bishop. And, of course, I deeply love Sewanee.” to Todd Hindman, an investigator Alexander plans to continue his service as Sewanee’s chancellor through with the Franklin County Sheriff’s the annual meeting of 2012, at which time the University’s trustees will elect Department, the cause of the fi re a new honorary head. At that time he will have served half of the normal was accidental, and there was no six-year term. sign of arson or foul play. “There is Vice-Chancellor John M. McCardell offered high praise for Alexander’s lead- a lot of fi re and smoke damage to ership. “I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Bishop Alexander and deeply the house,” he said. respect him as a prelate, a scholar, and a committed servant of the University. “Sewanee is lucky to have such His decision at this time seems logical and, luckily for us, does not carry with a great fi re department,” Hindman it an imminent departure as chancellor,” McCardell said. “With his customary said. “They have a terrifi c response consideration, he has made a decision that will allow the University both to plan for an orderly succession and to continue to benefi t from his leadership time, and they really kept this fi re “Monday,” by Thomas Coates (oil on canvas, 40 x 48 inches) from the exhibition from getting out of hand.” for quite some time to come.” “The New English Art Club: Figurative Painting from Britain” that opens at the Alexander (pictured at right) said he David Combs, student fi re chief University Art Gallery on Saturday, Feb. 19. For complete story, see page 7. for the Sewanee Fire Department, has long been connected to Sewanee. “I said the call came in at 8:20 p.m., love the place, and I give Sewanee a great Wednesday, Feb. 2, from the home, deal of credit for shaping me in important and the fi re trucks arrived on the Orchestra Offers Eclectic Concert ways. I am honored to serve as the chan- scene four minutes later. Because it cellor, and I look forward to continuing was very cold that night, Sewanee with Act of Congress on Sunday that work for the next year-and-a-half police and EMTs were also called “Baroque, Beethoven, and Bluegrass” is the title of the upcoming concert while I’m still the bishop of Atlanta,” he to the scene to assist with moving by the Sewanee Symphony Orchestra. Offered with the group Act of Congress, said. “And even when I pass the mantle of the residents to a safe place. this eclectic and exciting event will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 20, in chancellor to another bishop, I will always “The house was fully involved Guerry Hall. be a strong and passionate advocate of when we arrived,” Combs said, Based in Birmingham, Act of Congress plays an acoustic blend of bluegrass, Sewanee.” “Flames were coming out of the rock and jazz in a style referred to as “newgrass.” Each of the four members comes Alexander will join the faculty of Can- front and the rear of the house. from a different musical background contributing to the band’s diverse sound. dler School of Theology at Emory Univer- We had the fire under control The fi rst half of the concert will be the Beethoven and baroque segments. sity in Atlanta in the fall of 2012. Before within 30 minutes of arriving on The program will include Beethoven’s “Fifth Symphony.” Orchestra member being elected as Bishop of Atlanta in 2001, the scene.” Susanna Metz said, “Even though everyone can hum the fi rst ten bars, and other Alexander taught at Sewanee’s School of Water from the fi re trucks and well-known conductors such as Bugs Bunny have introduced young people for Theology and was priest-in-charge of St. hoses covered the road as they decades to this incredible symphony, come hear how our new conductor Mr. Agnes’ Church in Cowan. He has also taught at General Theological Seminary, worked, Combs said, which later Joseph Lee interprets the Fifth with the orchestra.” Yale, Drew and Wilfrid Laurier universities. froze; police closed Kennerly Av- The baroque part of the concert will be Vivaldi’s “Concerto for Four Violins in “As much as I have loved being the bishop of Atlanta, I have often confessed enue overnight because of ice. B Minor.” This three-movement work for four solo violins, played by University that I missed the classroom,” he said. “In some ways a seminary classroom is The Community Action Com- students, plus orchestral ripieno of violins, violas, cello and basso continuo is my ‘natural habitat.’ I’ve missed the stimulation of trying to stay a day or two mittee has been assisting the pure Vivaldi. ahead of the students. I look forward to being back in the academy.” Tucker family since the night of The second half of the concert will feature Act of Congress, joined by the Alexander stressed that his decision has nothing to do with the larger is- the fi re. Director Kana Goldsmith orchestra in the music from its 2008 acclaimed CD, Declaration. In this portion sues in the Episcopal Church. said CAC is helping them find of the concert, there are pieces for everyone; fl avors of gospel, soft rock, classic “I believe the church is in great shape just now about the work of its mis- temporary housing and replace and mountain folk, all with lyrics from fun to thought-provoking. Act of Con- sion, making a difference in the lives of countless folks around the world. Our items lost in the blaze. gress will also be playing a benefi t for Statewide Organizing for Community ‘troubles’ are not unimportant, but much of the time they are a distraction “We are working with the Hos- eMpowerment (see story on page 4). from the real business of the gospel. But there’s nothing whatsoever political pitality Shop in Sewanee and the Sunday’s concert is free and open to the public. about this move. I’m proud to be an Episcopalian!” American Red Cross of Franklin County to make sure their needs Little League This Week’s are being met,” she said. Sign-Up Saturday CAC is an outreach ministry of Leaseholders to Meet on Thursday Lectures and Otey Parish that offers assistance The final chance to sign up for The annual meeting of the Se- Leaseholders Inc. is to promote the Sewanee Little League baseball will Meetings on to families in crisis in the greater wanee Leaseholders will be at 5:30 interests of the leaseholders who Sewanee community. It accepts be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12, at p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 17, at the hold leases with the University, to the Fowler Center. Cost is $30 for one Page 3 fi nancial contributions to support Sewanee Senior Center on Ball Park assist the University in arriving at its ministry, including its Fire Re- child, $35 for two and $40 maximum Road. a fair and just lease policy and to for three or more. Scholarships are lief Fund. For more information All commercial and residential provide an outlet for expression of about CAC, call 598-5927. available. leaseholders are invited to attend. concerns that disturb the amity of the There will also be a short practice Fog Festival Among the agenda items will be community. Among its activities, the for players ages 9–12, who will be Activities the election of officers and board Sewanee Leaseholders has sponsored assigned to teams soon. For more members. the Fourth of July festivities for more information contact Steve Green at on Page 6 The mission of the Sewanee than 20 years. 308-7899. INSIDE THE SEWANEE MOUNTAIN MESSENGER Letters to the editor, Republicans & Democrats, P.O. Box 296 Police & Fire reports, Serving where called.......................... 2 Sewanee, Tennessee 37375 Birth: Nunley; Woman’s Club, Lectures, Fire safety...................3 Deaths: Baker, Durham, Lee, Medley, Nunley-Sargent, Shackelford, Steele, Williams; CAC.......................................4 Church news, Soup Swap, Bible study, Alzheimer’s group........5 SUT, Gerard workshop, Fog Festival, Univ. Gallery...................6 Senior News, SES menus, School news.....................................7 Guitarist, singer and songwriter Jack Overtime, Home games, SES & SAS basketball, Pearson brings his talents to McCrory Hall for the Performing Arts at St. wrestling, track meet.......................................................8–9 Andrew’s-Sewanee School for a concert Nature Notes, Pets of the week, Stewardship award, at 7 p.m. tonight, Friday, Feb. 11. Weather...............................................................................10 This free concert is sponsored in part Classifi ed advertisements .......................................................11 with a grant from the Tennessee Arts From Bard to Verse, Community calendar, Church services...12 Commission.