First Unitarian Church NewThes BeaconMarch 2016 The MarchBeacon 2016 1 First Unitarian Church of Baltimore HOPE,, SSOCIAL JUSTICE AND LIBERAL RELIGIOUS VALUES Corner Charles & Franklin Streets March Services March 20 “I Love a Parade—Hosannah!” 2015/2016 Theme: Rev. David Carl Olson A Whole People on a Journey Together The equinox comes and with it, the expectation that spring has fully arrived. The arrival of this mete- Services begin at 11:00 A.M. in our historic sanctuary orological moment in the life of the earth dances with notions of the Christian religion, of the arrival of Je- March 6 sus in Jerusalem to do a work only he could do. What “The Lone Wild Bird” are our “mission and vison” conversations leading us Revs. John Manwell and Phyllis Hubbell, Co-Ministers to take on as our unique task in this season of life? emeritus (“Soul-to-Soul” spiritual reflection circle at 9:30 We come together out of our longing for oneness A.M.—Trust) with all that is—ourselves, others, the universe itself, some would say with God. Can we imagine ourselves as March 27—Easter Sunday the “lone, wild bird” of our song, soaring high and far, “The Cosmic Christ and the Liberating Community” yet always at one with the spirit of love that joins all Rev. David Carl Olson life? The church then is where we grow ever more fully Our traditional and nontraditional telling of the into that spirit and stretch our vision of what it asks of us. Easter story and a chance for all of us to wear an Easter “bonnet” or boutonniére or carry a bouquet. (“Soul-to-Soul” spiritual reflection circle at 9:30 A.M. Spring has now unwrapped her flowers—come and —Compassion) bloom among us! (“Soul-to-Soul” spiritual reflection circle at 9:30 March 13 A.M.—Spiritual Experiences) “Mutuality Movement, Meditation for Millennials” Rev. David Carl Olson, with video by Rev. Jamil Scott SPECIAL SERVICE IN ENOCH PRATT PARISH HALL The Sophia Lyon Fahs Collaborative of Meadville March 6 at 5:30 P.M. Lombard Theological School named Rev. Jamil Scott a “Odyssey—a quiet time of candlelight, meditation fellow for innovation in contemplative practice and social and personal story” engagement. His study led to the creation of a meditation On the first Sunday of the month, a circle is training for millennial activists working for racial justice. formed in the Parish Hall for a quiet service of spirit- We will view a short video on his research and spend uality and story, with a member of the community time in mindful quiet. sharing his or her spiritual journey and a chance for others to respond. Following the circle, a simple meal (“Soul-to-Soul” spiritual reflection circle at 9:30 A.M. of soup and bread is shared. —Boundaries) The worship associates leadership meets immedi- ately after. Anyone interested in becoming part of the worship associates Team is welcome to attend and INSIDE stay for the meeting Page Coffee Cabinet ..................................... 2 March Book Group .............................. 2 SPECIAL SERVICE IN THE SANCTUARY CHANCEL Spiritual Practices ................................ 3 March 24 at 6:30 P.M. Membership Corner ............................. 3 Maundy Thursday Agape Meal Income and Expense Report ............. 4-5 By candlelight among friends, we sit under the Follow Your Inner Compass ................ 5 Tiffany mosaic of the Last Supper and eat Mediterra- History: The Williams Family ........... 11 nean foods, drink sparkling water and wine, and read Jubilee Anti-Racism Training ............ 12 the stories of Jesus with his disciples. A time to feed and be fed. Please call the office to reserve a place: 410-685- View the church calendar. 2330 Go to: http://tinyurl.com/ztn94zg 2 The Beacon March 2016 First Unitarian Church News moves, with a deep conviction that we are moving toward Coffee Cabinet a great ocean of peace and possibility. BY REV. DAVID CARL OLSON Or as buds, to the garden of delight which welcomes MINISTER flowers, cultivated and wild, and even the exuberant plants that some will call weeds. Spring is here, and hearts are Dear congregation, dear community, open—even a grumpy heart like my own. Blessed in the way, with you, “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful Much love, than the risk it took to blos- David Carl Olson som.” (attributed to Anaïs Nin) Ever since Punxsutawney Phil, the predictive Marmo- ta monax of our neighboring state to the north of the Ma- son-Dixon Line, didn’t see his shadow and was not fright- David Carl Olson, Minister ened by the flash of cameras on Groundhog Day—and The Kids Call Me “Rev” thus didn’t return to his den—I have been grumpy! This is not rational. The speculation that we will not have six weeks of winter, but a good and early spring, (Rev.) David Carl Olson ought to have brought me joy. But not this year! [email protected] I’m not sure what this means. Perhaps I think I need a First Unitarian Church of Baltimore (Universalist & Unitarian) few more weeks of home-bound cocooning, a few more cell/text: (410) 350-9339 (preferred) days of feeling an awful chill and pulling up the covers. study: (410) 685-2330 Perhaps a few more weeks, even, of demanding that I stay “tight in bud.” Minister’s Open Hours in the Study Saturdays from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. But the risk of remaining not-bloomed when the world (also a time for preparation and rehearsal for Sunday worship) is opening up every day carries the risk of becoming irrele- Wednesdays from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. vant. If the world is ready to hear the trump of spring, I (also a time to prepare with worship associates) need not pretend that I can wait in the blowing of one note Minister’s Other Hours that is mine in the grand symphony. Tuesday is reserved for visitation. Text or call me at (410) 350-9339 Being grumpy is allowed, of course. But it should not if you would like to be visited. Thursday is a writing day at the library and in my home study. prevent me from being attentive, too, to where the world is Minister’s Self-Care moving in its cycles. My “stuckness” should not distract My Sabbath is from Thursday at 5 P.M. to Saturday at 10 A.M. me from the grand opportunities that the world affords. As I am always “on call” for pastoral and other concerns. Do not we read recently from the Tao de Ching, “the Way’s pres- hesitate to contact me if there is something you’d like to talk about or ence in the world is like the relation of small river valleys do. It is always a good idea to contact me in advance if you are to the Yang-tse and the ocean.” The movement of spring coming to the church to see me. I am most accessible by text message at (410) 350-9339. Thank you! invites us forward, and the optimism of our liberal and liberating faith can encourage us to join the world as it March Book Group BY MIKE FRANCH The next meeting of the Book Group is Thursday, March 24, 7:30 PM–9:30 PM. Because of the snow storm, in the first month of 2016, the January book was bumped to February, so in March we will read the book previously announced for February, Candice Millard’s The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey. This true story of the early 20th century follows Theo- dore Roosevelt’s exploration of an unexplored tributary of the Amazon River. It nearly killed him, but it gives us a great read from the comfort of our favorite read- ing chairs, and promises a lively discussion. Mike Franch You can find out more about the book from the New York Times Review at http:// tinyurl.com/hdmsvcq (although you might have to create a free account first) and a National Public Radio story (with photos and an excerpt from the book) at http://tinyurl.com/97o2v. 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 at- tend and participate in the lively and friendly discussions. New people are very much welcomed. First Unitarian Church News March 2016 The Beacon 3 caring community. If you have any ideas, questions or Spiritual Practices concerns regarding spiritual practice, please don’t hesitate BY DIANA DAVIES, MINISTERIAL INTERN to contact me at [email protected]. I am so happy to be back in Balti- more after spending a full month in Membership Corner Chicago taking intensive classes at Meadville Lombard Theological Langley Bowers School. My classes at Meadville Lom- I grew up in Washington, DC, bard are always enlightening and in- where I started a career as a documen- spiring, and I inevitably come back full Diana Davies tary TV producer, before shifting gears of ideas (some better than others). But several years ago to become a dentist. I intensive classes are also, well, intensive, and if there’s am tumbling my way through my first one thing that my seminary experience is really teaching year of dental school at the University me, it is the importance of having a spiritual practice to of Maryland, which occupies most of stay healthy and grounded. my waking hours. I moved to Mt.