WHO WE ARE - Memorial Episcopal Church

WHO WE ARE
Memorial Episcopal Church
Baltimore, MD
Table of Contents
Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Memorial’s History . . . . . . . . . 3
Our Core Vocations . . . . . . . . . 4
Our Leadership . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Our Parish Campus . . . . . . . . 22
Our Finances . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Our Diocese . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Our City and Neighborhood . 25
Final Comments . . . . . . . . . . 26
Welcome to Memorial Episcopal Church
We are excited that the Holy Spirit has led you to learn more about Memorial and the Memorial community.
In the following pages you will find information about our parish life and ministries to help you discern your
call to join us. We are grateful for your interest in Memorial Episcopal Church and we look forward to learning
more about you.
Blessings,
The Profile Committee
Marjorie Forster and Mary Goodwin, co-chairs;
Erin Kelly, Connie Lieder, Jesse Milan, Amy Rial,
John Webb, Bill Wells
O God, help us as we seek to discern how we can
best serve your will, and as we seek to identify a
good shepherd to guide us in the path you would
have us take; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Our prayer for transition
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MEMORIAL’S HISTORY
Memorial Episcopal Church began as a mission of Emmanuel Chapel in Mount Vernon, then Baltimore’s most
fashionable neighborhood. The Rev. Charles Ridgely Howard, Memorial’s first rector, presided as the founders
laid the cornerstone on July 3, 1860, before any houses stood on the block. Due to the Civil War and its tragic
consequences, the church was built without a steeple and so it remains today.
A more detailed history of Memorial can be
found on our website, including the long and
faithful service by many of our prior rectors.
Like most urban churches, Memorial has had
its share of challenges and changes. Looking
back, it seems certain that the Memorial
Episcopal Church of today would surprise
many of those first parishioners of the 1860s
and 1870s. They probably would not approve
of some of the changes. However, society in
general and our city in particular have
changed a great deal in the last 155 years.
Memorial has had to transform itself, and we
can be both thankful and proud that our
predecessors had the courage to adapt.
Memorial is today an urban church with diverse theological viewpoints, where openness and acceptance are the
norm, and diversity is encouraged. We describe ourselves as a diverse community, worshiping God and serving
people and we try to live up to that vision every day. We think that the founders would unhesitatingly
appreciate the strong sense of fellowship and the shared joy of our faith that are today the hallmarks of
Memorial Episcopal Church.
Easter Egg Hunt (2015)
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OUR CORE VOCATIONS
The Core Vocations have their origins in discernment that began during an August 2012 Vestry retreat (led by
The Rev. Dr. John Lewis) to identify the areas that are central to Memorial’s essence. They were presented to
the congregation in early 2013 and served as the basis of several subsequent parish dinner-and-discussion
meetings. The Core Vocations provide focus and guide us as we move forward as a worshiping community.
RADICALLY WELCOMING – Memorial
Episcopal Church is called to be a radically
welcoming Eucharistic community where
everyone is accepted unconditionally into one
family. We embrace the challenges of our
rapidly changing world as we listen for God’s
call to the Church and strive to follow Jesus’
way of expansive love for all.
LITURGICAL ENHANCEMENT – We
worship and praise God through the liturgical
rites of the Episcopal Church, which open us
to the joy and mystery of God’s transforming
love. Progressive preaching and beautiful
intergenerational choral music enhance our
worship.
THEOLOGICAL & HUMAN DIVERSITY –
Memorial Episcopal Church brings all
generations, races and orientations together,
in a community that reflects theological and
human diversity. Together we question and
explore and deepen our faith, supporting one
another on our journeys and ministering to
one another in times of joy, sorrow and need.
OUTREACH & SOCIAL JUSTICE – We
seek to empower the marginalized and bring
the peace of Christ to those in the midst of
transition and change. Through the Samaritan
Community and other urban outreach
ministries, we extend caring and sustenance to
our neighbors in Baltimore City and beyond.
ENGAGEMENT WITH THE ARTS – In our
active engagement with the arts, we celebrate
human creativity as a reflection of the
character and nature of God. Our Theater
Arts Ministry reflects Memorial’s intergenerational diversity and inclusiveness as
well as our commitment to high-quality
theater, music and art.
Photos (from top): Church “coffee hour”, MLK, Jr. Parade,
Poster for Our Town, Memorial’s Choir and Meet Me in St. Louis
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We are RADICALLY WELCOMING
Memorial strives to be radically welcoming by reaching out and ministering to people where they are and
welcoming them as they are. We practice an open communion and offer and/or participate in a variety of
ministries and social activities to build and strengthen our ties with one another and with our neighbors.
Another aspect of community is making our church more accessible. During our last major building renovation
(about 10 years ago), we added an elevator so our sanctuary and both parish halls are accessible without using
stairs. We have assistive listening devices available so those with hearing loss can better enjoy our services.
Memorial practices an open communion
Offering prayers for the people and for peace and justice
Palm Sunday (2014) with our nearby Catholic and Presbyterian Churches
Memorialites in Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade (2015) (above)
Memorialites in Baltimore’s Pride Festival (2014) (below)
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Photos from Memorial’s participation in HopeWell Run/Walk (2015) (left)
Above: HopeWell photos; photos of sidewalk “coffee hours” after 10:30 service during nice weather; bottom row are summer “church in the park” photos.
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Memorial is a member of the No Boundaries Coalition of Central West Baltimore which is a resident-led
initiative dedicated to deconstructing boundaries and reconstructing community. The No Boundaries Coalition
(http://www.noboundariescoalition.com/) brings Bolton Hill, Druid Heights, Madison Park, Reservoir Hill,
Upton and Sandtown together across race, class, and neighborhood lines to build a
more unified and empowered Central West Baltimore. As featured in the national
news in the spring of 2015, the Sandtown neighborhood was a principal location of
unrest and turmoil in Baltimore. Memorial offered prayer services for our city and its residents and The
Samaritan Community, a non-profit founded by and still housed at Memorial, continued its work to this poor
Baltimore neighborhood. The Rev. John Willard (pictured center in photo below), who was then Samaritan’s
associate program director and Memorial’s assisting priest, had long been involved in community outreach.
Left to right: The Rev. John Willard being honored at Memorial (May, 2015); No Boundaries Coalition’s Eighth Annual Boundary Block Party (May, 2015)
Notwithstanding the city-imposed curfew, Memorial decided that the “show must go on”. So, performance
plans were modified and The King and I show went on. Bishop Sutton (pictured below, bottom left) welcomed
all those attending the performance. And while attendance was down on Friday night, Memorial was honored
to offer this free artistic outlet to the community. Below are some photos from opening night’s performance.
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We practice LITURGICAL ENHANCEMENT
Weekly Worship Services
Faith @ 8 (Sunday 8 a.m.): This informal, diverse
Eucharist service meets in the parish hall and includes
scripture readings, a time for shared reflection on the
Scripture, thanksgivings and prayers, and hymns
accompanied by piano.
Holy Eucharist Rite II (Sunday 10:30 a.m.): This
service typically uses Rite II (sometimes other
liturgies, e.g., Enriching Our Worship) and is our
largest worship service. Music is led by the choir
and organ/piano, with congregational singing
(primarily from Hymnal 1982 plus others from Lift
Every Voice and Sing II). The vested altar party
includes clergy, torchbearers, verger, crucifer and
chalicists (and thurifer for holidays).
Faith @ 8 Participants (April, 2015)
Taizé (Sunday 7 p.m.) -- This is a lay-led intimate
meditative service, alternating chants from the Taizé
Community with prayers, scripture readings and a
period of centering silence. It meets in the Peace and
Justice Chapel of Memorial Episcopal Church.
Peace and Justice Eucharist (Tuesday 7 a.m.) -Focusing on peace and justice themes, this service
uses the Rite II Eucharist and includes extended times
for prayers and reflection. It meets in the Peace and
Justice Chapel of Memorial Episcopal Church and is
followed by a breakfast in the parish hall.
Community Evening Prayer (Thursday 6 p.m.) -This small service (led by clergy or lay) uses the Daily
Office Evening Prayer II service, with extended
prayers for the greater community. It meets in the
Peace and Justice Chapel of Memorial Episcopal
Church or in other neighborhood locations.
Above: Palm Sunday Service (2015); 10:30 service (May, 2015)
Taizé Service (May, 2015)
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Our Worship Music
Our worship experience is greatly enhanced by the talents of
our gifted Memorial Choir which is led by our organist and
music director, Mr. John Wilson. John earned his Bachelor of
Music and Master’s degrees under Marian Hahn at the
Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University.
Described by the Baltimore Sun as having “admirable
technical confidence and expressive sensitivity,” John was a
finalist of the Carnegie Hall American Protégé Competition
(2012) and is currently also the pianist for the Baltimore Lyric
Opera. Memorial is truly fortunate to have a musician with
John’s skills and creativity.
John can be contacted
at [email protected].
John Wilson, our Music Director and Organist
Memorial’s choir singing during 10:30 worship service (2015)
Our choir joined by parishioners singing Hallelujah Chorus (Easter, 2015)
Music ministry has a strong tradition at Memorial. We maintain a high level
of quality of music that aims to engage the congregation and the larger
Bolton Hill neighborhood. Composed mostly of volunteers, our choir
typically sings an introit, Psalm and anthem, with congregational singing on
hymns and service music and is accompanied by organ or piano. Hymns are
drawn primarily from Hymnal 1982 as well as from Lift Every Voice and Sing
II, Wonder, Love and Praise, and others. In addition to regular Sunday
worship, the choir also collaborates
with other parishes in both liturgical
and secular performances, such as the
recent concert in April (2015) with St.
Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Directed by Memorial’s choir director,
John Wilson, the combined choirs sang
Johannes Brahms’s much loved
“Liebeslieder Waltzes,” and Franz
Schubert’s sublime “Mass in G Major.”
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We believe in THEOLOGICAL & HUMAN DIVERSITY
Memorial has enjoyed long-standing adult programs that focus not only on the spiritual matters, but also on
social justice, environmental and community issues.
 Liturgy & Living meets on Sunday mornings. A list of recent topics is available on Memorial’s website
under the Education tab.
 Bible Study. Rector-led Bible Study meets on Tuesday morning at 10:30 a.m. in the Lower Farnham Hall
(our parish hall). Lay-led Bible Study meets on Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. in the Rectory. The Bible
Study groups are currently using the “Bible Workbench” curriculum.
 Book Club meets on Tuesday evenings from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in the Rectory, with many participants getting
together earlier for dinner at B, a Bolton Hill Bistro, at 6 p.m. for fellowship and light supper.
Other adult theological offerings include Education for Ministry (EFM) for those adults seeking in-depth study
and spiritual reflection and periodic weeknight programs, such as Wednesday night Tri-Church (Memorial
Episcopal, Brown Presbyterian and Corpus Christi Catholic) Lenten and Fall series. Also, periodic weekend
and one-day meditation retreats are scheduled throughout the year.
Tri-Church Lenten Series Poster (2015)
Liturgy & Living Poster (2015)
Kateri Pelton delivering her senior sermon (2015)
Youth: Our Youth Group meets on Sundays from noon to 1:30 in the Youth Group Room in the Rectory. One
of Memorial’s traditions is for graduating seniors to deliver their “senior sermon” in the spring prior to their
high school graduations.
Children: Memorial offers Sunday school for children (ages 4-12) for Godly Play through which children will
experience sacred stories and reflect on them through art. We will be using a Children’s Chapel model this fall.
Pastoral Care: Pastoral Care at Memorial is provided by both clergy and lay people through several programs
including pastoral counseling, hospital visits and Eucharist for those restricted to home. Two pastoral care
programs led by parishioners are the “Meals Appeals” and the “Pastoral Health Ministry”. The Meals Appeals
ministry provides meals to Memorial families experiencing hospitalization, illness or loss of family members.
The Pastoral Health Ministry promotes health -- in body, mind, and spirit -- of Memorial’s parish family. Its
first program initiative, “Partners in Care”, offers a parishioner “Nurse Partner” to congregation members
dealing with a serious medical condition.
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Rev. Stuart Lucas (former assistant rector) celebrating Erin’s and Mairi’s holy union in 2003
Human Diversity: Memorial prides
itself on being a diverse community.
While the majority of our members are
Caucasian, the community is also
represented by African Americans,
Hispanics, multiple ethnicity and
American Indians. Memorial’s history
is one of embracing everyone from all
walks of life regardless of race, color,
creed or sexual orientation. Memorial
has been a community who has
welcomed and supported the LGBT
community for decades and was among
the first churches to celebrate the
blessing of same-sex unions in 2003.
Memorial celebrated three same-sex marriages for long standing members of the Memorial family in the year
following Maryland voters’ ratification of same-sex marriage equality law in Maryland, and all services were
strongly supported by members of the Memorial community with standing room only services.
Above: Paul’s and John’s wedding celebrated during 10:30 service (2013), pictured here with their best men and officiated by Rev. Martha McGill (former rector).
Below: Rev. Martha McGill (former rector) officiating Nora’s and Mary’s wedding at Memorial (2012).
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We are committed to OUTREACH AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
Samaritan Community: Established by Memorial in the late 1960s, the Samaritan Community initially
focused on providing food. Over the ensuing years the services have been expanded to provide counseling,
clothing, and financial support for housing and utilities. The Samaritan Community also helps people access
the service of government agencies, hospitals, employers and schools through advocacy and referral. While the
Samaritan Community operates as a separate 501(c)(3) organization, Memorial and its members continue to
play important roles in supporting the Samaritan Community by serving on its Board of Directors, volunteering
with various Samaritan programs, making food donations, and supporting Samaritan’s fundraising events.
Top (left to right): Samaritan Community support group meeting; Samaritan Community’s volunteer gala held at Memorial (Feb. 2014).
Middle: Samaritan’s food bank housed at Memorial; Samaritan’s Women Together group; Breakfast Club support group meeting at Memorial (May, 2015).
Bottom: Sharon Krieger, Program Director for Samaritan Community; Memorial’s recognition of key volunteers for Samaritan Community (May, 2015).
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St. Luke’s Carey Street: St. Luke’s Carey Street is an inner city church with a mission to serve young people
through several activities designed to witness the love of God in Baltimore
City. Two ways in which Memorial supports St. Luke’s Youth Ministry is
by providing dinner for children enrolled in St. Luke’s After School Program
as well as volunteering as tutors. One special project organized by Memorial
was the creation of a wall mural designed by Marie Danielsson Yung and
painted by members of Memorial’s and St. Luke’s communities.
All God’s Children: To support this initiative of the Diocese of Maryland, each
summer Memorial provides scholarships and transportation to enable some
Baltimore youth (generally, 6-8 campers) from our nearby school or the parish to
attend summer camp at the Bishop Claggett Center.
Social Justice: Believing that we are all called to be “one people”, Memorial is focused on social justice for all
of God’s people. Within the last year, Memorial has participated in Baltimore’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade
(January, 2015), Baltimore’s Gay Pride Parade (June, 2014), Boundary Block Party (May, 2015) as well as
other community and church social justice events, including our work with Samaritan Community. Many
Memorialites also supported several same-sex weddings over the last few years by attending their wedding
ceremonies as well as by previously helping to support Maryland’s marriage equality ballot initiative.
Volunteering at Samaritan Community’s food bank (above)
Rev. John Willard with other Memorialites at Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade (2015) (above)
Nancy and Louise met at Memorial over 30 years ago and married here in 2013; pictured with Rev. Martha McGill (former rector) and Rev. Erv Brown (below).
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We are passionate about ENGAGEMENT WITH THE ARTS
Memorial Players. The Memorial Players are dedicated to bringing free, high-quality theater to the
community, accepting all comers, as audience members, performers and crew. It depends on and nourishes the
talents and energies of large numbers of people of all ages from the church, the local neighborhood, the city and
the region. Since 2012, the Memorial Players have also produced an annual fall drama.
Memorial Church’s spring musicals began in 2002, with Jesus Christ Superstar performed as an Easter passion
play. The joy, energy, and sense of community of that first production grew into an annual tradition, giving
birth to the Memorial Players community theater group and Memorial’s Theater Arts ministry. For a while,
each year’s production had a bigger cast and set than the year before. For 2007’s CATS!, we built a modular,
1000-square-foot stage, in use ever since, to protect the front of the church and let audiences see the shows.
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Prior Page: (left to right): Top: Annie, Annie, The King and I;
Second Row: Apple Tree, Meet Me in St. Louis;
Third Row: The Sound of Music, CATS!, Apple Tree;
Bottom Row: The King and I set design, The Sound of Music
stage building, Annie lighting, Godspell set building
This Page (left to right): Top Row: Oliver!, Arcadia;
Second Row: Annie;
Bottom Row: Apple Tree, Godspell
More information can be found at http://www.memorialplayers.org/.
Musicals:
Jesus Christ Superstar (2002)
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2003)
Brigadoon (2004)
Fiddler on the Roof (2005)
The Music Man (2006)
CATS! (2007)
Mame (2008)
The Sound of Music (2009)
Annie (2010)
Godspell (2011)
Oliver! (2012)
Meet Me in St. Louis (2013)
Apple Tree (2014)
The King and I (2015)
Dramas:
12 Angry Jurors (2012)
Our Town (2013)
Arcadia (2014)
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OUR LEADERSHIP
The Vestry is the governing body of Memorial Episcopal Church and is elected to represent the people of the
parish. Our Vestry is made up of twelve parish members plus the rector and the senior and junior wardens
(photos and bios follow on subsequent pages). Vestry members are elected at the annual parish meeting held at
the beginning of each year (typically, January) and serve three-year terms of office. The officers are elected by
the Vestry and serve one-year terms. Parishioners are welcomed and encouraged to share their thoughts and
ideas about God’s vision for our community and how to make that vision a reality at Memorial. The Vestry
strives to practice a collaborative and participatory leadership with Vestry members actively involved in many
of Memorial’s activities. Below are photos of some Vestry members in various Memorial services or events.
Top (left to right): Memorial’s Vestry held its annual retreat this year with St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church (Glenwood, MD), St. James’ Episcopal Church (Mount
Airy, MD) and Church of the Nativity (Baltimore, MD) at Bishop Claggett Center (February, 2015). Middle: Monty Howard updating congregation on kitchen
renovations (May, 2015); Bev Sanderson (back center) attending Memorial’s “church in the park” (Summer, 2014). Bottom: Jamie Griffith in Oliver!; David
Clewell and his family at a HopeWell event (April, 2015); Monty Howard and Wendy Shuford at Memorial’s booth at the Boundary Block Party (May, 2015).
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OUR CLERGY
The Rev. Kristin Krantz, Interim Rector.
Kristen is serving as
Memorial’s Interim Rector and leading us through our transition which will culminate in
calling our next Rector. Kristin hails from Indiana where she attended Indiana
University in Bloomington with a double major in History and Political Science while
also completing a Secondary Education Teaching Certification. She went on to teach
high school and middle school in Indiana and in Chicago prior to moving to Cambridge,
MA to attend Episcopal Divinity School. She graduated from EDS in 2006 with a
Masters in Divinity with a focus on pastoral theology. She was ordained to the
Priesthood later that year and served as Associate Rector at All Souls Parish in Berkeley,
CA from 2006 until July 2014. Kristin, her husband Bryan, and their two sons Zachary
(9) and Jasper (5 1/2) live in Ellicott City. Email: [email protected].
Rev. Krantz marching with other Memorialites in Baltimore’s 2015 MLK, Jr. Parade (January, 2015)
Rev. Krantz at Memorial (April, 2015)
Ervin and his wife Tish live in Baltimore.
He was ordained in 1965 and came to
Memorial in 2010. You can e-mail Erv
at [email protected].
The Rev. Ervin Brown,
Assisting Priest
Rev. Brown officiating with Rev. McGill (former rector)
two couples’ weddings at Memorial Episcopal Church.
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OUR OFFICERS
Lois Eldred, Senior Warden.
Lois Eldred has been a member of
Memorial Episcopal Church since 2006. She has previously served as a Vestry member
and is currently our senior warden. She also serves on the Samaritan Community Board
and organizes the Saturday morning food pantry. Lois is an enthusiastic supporter of
Memorial Players, where she caterwauled her way through CATS! (see photo below of
Lois in Oliver!). At the advice of her personal voice, dance and drama coaches, Lois
decided future support might best come from the audience. She does, however, sing in
the community choir. Lois is a physician assistant and on faculty in Infectious Diseases
at Johns Hopkins, where she is involved in community-based research studies of tuberculosis and HIV in South
Africa, Zambia and Brazil. Lois lives in Catonsville with her wonderful husband, Earl Huch, and their lovely
daughter, Melissa. They share their home with a menagerie of pets, including two dogs, a cat, and a rabbit.
Monty Howard, Junior Warden, Vestry Class of 2018.
Monty is a cradle Episcopalian from California who’s attended churches in CA, VA,
RI, MN, TX, DE and DC before coming to Baltimore in 1998. Monty and former
organist, Doug Forbes, had both been boy sopranos at Washington National Cathedral.
He joined the choir immediately and was a key performer in the first four Memorial
musicals. He has also been a graphic designer to the church when posters, invites or
flyers are required, and has been very involved in Festival on the Hill. He has also
been involved in volunteer coordination for Eutaw-Marshburn Elementary School and
is Secretary of the Board at Memorial Apartments. Monty has been an Architectural Graphic Designer for 35
years and has owned WMHGD LLC for the past 10 years. He and fellow parishioner Steve Howard (no
relation) have been partners for 10 years and moved to Bolton Hill from TV Hill in 2007.
Nora Adams, Registrar, Vestry Class of 2016.
Nora grew up
in Ohio and South Carolina. Raised Roman Catholic, she started attending services at
Memorial in the summer of 2005 after moving to Baltimore from Atlanta, GA. She
was received into the Episcopal Church in the spring of 2007. At Memorial, Nora
volunteers her time behind the scenes to support Memorial Players and is currently
serving as Registrar. She also attends Connect gatherings, a group of people who
gather for dinner and reflection once a month. In her professional life Nora works as
Director of Food Safety for Wilkins Rogers Mills, a regional flour mill. Nora lives in
Columbia with her partner of 15 years, Mary Goodwin. Two cats, Sangria and Riesling, round out the
family. Nora and Mary find Memorial
to be an uplifting spiritual home with a
diverse community of supportive and
gifted people!
Alice Brown, Treasurer
(not pictured).
Lois Eldred in chorus
of Oliver! (2012) (right)
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VESTRY CLASS OF 2016
Jamie Griffith.
Jamie came to Memorial Episcopal Church in 2008 as a
member of the cast of Mame, asked if he could join the choir, and has been a
Sunday fixture since. In 2011 he produced Godspell and joined the initial Theater
Arts Committee. Jamie has recently completed his MS in Organization
Development at John Hopkins University. As a facilitator he enjoys researching
group dynamics and spends a fair amount of time trying to determine how and why
people opt into or out of social, work, and hobby groups.
Kris Gustafson.
Kris is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. She was raised
Catholic and started attending Episcopal services regularly as an adult. She has
been a member of Memorial Episcopal Church since 2004. During her time at
Memorial, she has led Supper and Stuff, taught Sunday school and participates in
the book club. In her professional life she works at Becton Dickinson in
Cockeysville, Maryland as a Quality Assurance Engineer. She lives in Charles
Village (Baltimore) with her husband Mark, son Declan and two cats, Bean and
Dinah. She enjoys reading, knitting, sewing and running.
Wendy Shuford.
Wendy “Rambo” Shuford became an Episcopalian as a
teenager and became a member of Memorial in December of 1975. She has been a
youth advisor in three churches, including Memorial’s “Talk In”. Since she has been
at Memorial, she has been part of “Spiritual Companions”, a prayer shawl ministry
and in charge of “Meals Appeal”, and has done make up for musicals. One thing she
appreciates about Memorial is the “round robin” of giving rides to one another when
needed. Before coming to Baltimore in 1972, she worked in Botswana as a nurse.
She was at GBMC for 31 years and retired in 2005. She worked at the Bishop
Claggett Center as a nurse over many summers, served on the Claggett Committee,
and now serves on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for the Diocese. Outside of Memorial she is a
swimmer, hosts musicians in her living room, and volunteers (about 10 years) in the classroom at EutawMarshburn Elementary School. She is serving her first time on a Vestry and is honored to do so.
Rex Yung.
Rex was born in Hong Kong, and raised there and in Singapore, prior to
coming to the U.S. for his studies, high school in New Hampshire, college (Biology) in
Massachusetts and medical school in California. “New” to Baltimore since 2000 when he
joined the John Hopkins faculty, Rex and his family took some time to “church shop”
before finding our spiritual home and faith community at Memorial about a decade ago.
Rex’s wife, Marie, hails from Sweden and their Mongol-Viking brood -- Axel (born 1990),
Auguste (born 1994) and Anna (born 1996) -- have been or are members of the youth
group/acolytes. Rex has “helped out” at occasional events (e.g., Memorial Apartments’
Christmas dinners) and looks forward to greater involvement and service to the Memorial
community.
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VESTRY CLASS OF 2017
David Clewell.
David has been a lifelong member of the Memorial
Episcopal family. Over his twenty-plus years, he has participated in Godly Play,
Rite 13, and Youth Group; served as a member of the Rector’s Search Committee
(1999-2000) and Finance committee; and served in worship as an acolyte and a
reader. Outside of Memorial Episcopal, he works at T. Rowe Price and earned an
MBA from the R. H. Smith Business School at the University of Maryland. He
lives in Woodberry with wife, Janice, and their cat, Amelia.
Erin Penniston.
Erin and her husband, Tom, joined the Memorial
community when they moved to Bolton Hill in 2009. Since that time, their family
has grown to include Aliona and Jude. They love living in Bolton Hill where we
can walk to the places they learn, work, play and pray (and watch House of Cards
filming)! Erin remains drawn to Memorial’s diversity, theater arts, and outreach
ministries, and she hopes to see her children grow up engaging in this community.
As a lifelong Episcopalian, Erin considers this Vestry work an opportunity to
strengthen her spiritual growth, continue her call to service, and share Memorial’s
Episcopal ideology with her family.
Denise Weeks.
“And a child shall lead them.” Denise arrived at Memorial
Episcopal Church in 2002 via her then five year old daughter Paris who thought
Memorial had the best Sunday school ever. In a desire to know more, she joined the
new members/inquirers group and was confirmed as a member at the Cathedral of
the Incarnation in May 2006. She became a partner in the youth ministry, first
teaching Sunday school and then as a coordinator of the Sunday school program. In
the theatre outreach, she has performed in Memorial’s productions of CATS! and
Annie. Denise has helped out where needed at Festival on the Hill, Memorial
Apartments Christmas Dinner, and the Samaritan Community’s kitchen. She looks
forward to her service on the Vestry.
Nora Adams – See Officers page.
Above: Denise and her daughter, Paris, were in our
recent musical, The King and I. Left: David, his wife
and other Memorialites in lower parish hall.
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VESTRY CLASS OF 2018
Mary Jo Kenney.
Mary Jo grew up in Lockport, New York. She was
raised as a Roman Catholic. Mary Jo was introduced to Memorial by her good
friend, Judith Mosley (deceased), who encouraged her to attend the Tuesday
morning bible study. She was received into the Episcopal Church in 2008 and
completed the 4-year EFM course in 2014. She serves as a Lector and continues to
attend Tuesday’s bible study. Mary Jo is retired from the federal government. She
lives with her spouse, Gertrude Flax, in Marriottsville. Having found her spiritual
home at Memorial, Mary Jo looks forward to giving back to the community.
Amy Krulak.
Amy is a lifelong Episcopalian and a member of Memorial since
she and her then-fiancée Alastair Palmer joined the church in August of 1991. They
went on to marry and baptize their three children in this, their church home. Amy has
been on the board of the Samaritan Community since 1994, even doing a stint as
Board President. Amy keeps busy working full time for Baltimore City Public
Schools and is based at City Neighbors High School. Their daughter Zoë is now a
sophomore at Tulane University. Gordon is in 11th grade at Towson High School and
Henry is an 8th grader at Dumbarton Middle School. She is honored to support
Memorial through service on the Vestry and the opportunity to spend more time with
the people and community that she loves.
Monty Howard – See Officers page.
Bev Sanderson.
Bev visited Memorial to satisfy the cajoling of a friend and
decided to stay and figure out what all the excitement was about. Intrigued by this fresh
new language (she had spoken Presbyterian for 30 years), she was intrigued by the
diverse community and fearlessness to have differing opinions and speaking one’s mind
AND heart. It took two joining members classes to convert her, and in 2013 she
decided to make the commitment after reading the 39 Articles of Faith and reflecting on
them. Bev enjoys reading, gardening and laughing and talking with friends. Bev stays
at Memorial because, quite simply, it is a community that nurtures her faith journey.
She also supports the life of the church by serving on the Altar Guild which prepares the
altar and flowers for worship and other services at Memorial (see photos below).
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OUR PARISH CAMPUS
Memorial's buildings are well-loved and well-used. The church is over 150 years old and was built in stages as
funding became available; the tower remains proudly incomplete. As with any building of its age, much care is
required. More work remains, but many improvements have been made in the last three decades. In 1983 the
Restoration and Renaissance campaign opened the chancel around a free-standing altar, followed ten years later
with chairs to replace the front pews. The Rise Up Ye Saints capital campaign in 2008 added an elevator and
access ramp to the right of the chancel. In 2015, thanks to a generous insurance settlement, work began and the
entire sanctuary has now been plastered and painted (see photos on right-hand side).
Exterior of Memorial Episcopal Church (sanctuary connects to the parish halls)
Recent sanctuary plastering and painting work
Similarly, the adjoining parish hall was expanded in stages: the first story was built in 1865 and the second
story and link to the church added later. Following the 2008 renovations that added the elevator, it was
christened Farnham Hall. We are in the midst of a $14,000 renovation of the commercially-equipped kitchen
on the second floor of Farnham Hall. The church undercroft is used mostly by the Samaritan Community,
which has received several grants to renovate it. The nursery is located in the undercroft, right downstairs from
the back of the church. The Rectory next door housed many generations of rectors and their families until 2008,
after which the church offices moved there, along with Sunday school and youth group. The rectory yard is
gradually being transformed into an herb and vegetable garden.
Celebrating Sharon Krieger’s 25 years with Samaritan Community in Upper Parish Hall
Side view of Rectory (now used as offices)
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OUR FINANCES
At Memorial, we strive to be good stewards of our resources, including our parish campus and our financial
resources. The Memorial community and our Buildings and Grounds Committee works in many ways to attend
to our parish campus, including noticeable ways, such as the capital campaign and improvements described in
the preceding page, and some less noticeable ways, such as efforts to reduce our water and energy consumption.
By reducing our water and electric and gas consumption used in our buildings, this also reduces our utility bills
(which are about 3% of our annual budget). In 2013-14 programmable thermostats were installed for the six
heating zones in the Sanctuary, undercroft, parish halls and the Rectory so Memorial can better arrange the
heating schedule based on occupancy. A feedback system in the boiler room that shuts off the boiler whenever
there is no zone calling for heat was also installed. While the electricity comes from 100% wind power, and so
the carbon footprint is negligible, we have also installed LED lighting in the lantern downspots and the chancel
spotlights on the Transfiguration. Similarly, sustainability initiatives have been undertaken to reduce our water
consumption, including installing a smaller water meter and water-efficient toilets. Finally, communications
efforts are ongoing to underscore simple strategies, such as only using lights when needed.
LED lighting added in Sanctuary lanterns and chancel spotlights on Transfiguration
Low water use garden installed
Memorial’s average Sunday worship attendance is about 110 people and most active adult worshippers pledge
each year to ensure Memorial can pay our bills and support our ministries. Our annual budget over the last few
years has been approximately $350,000, and the majority of the funds come from pledges from our faithful
parishioners. Over the past decade, withdrawals from our Vestry Fund (an investment fund currently in the mid
six figures) have been used to supplement pledge income to cover capital and annual operating deficiencies.
Seeking to ensure that Memorial remains a vibrant
institution for the next 150+ years, the Memorial
community led by its Vestry has worked faithfully over
the last five years to restore Memorial to a more sound
financial footing. During this time Memorial fully paid
off the Middendorf loan (a loan that had been obtained to
pay for some 2008 capital improvements) from funds
raised during our Preserve and Build Capital Campaign
associated with Memorial’s celebration of our 150th year.
Memorial now operates with a small operating budget deficit as the Vestry has chosen to continue to invest in
our ministries as it strives to balance financial considerations with ministry needs.
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OUR DIOCESE
The Episcopal Diocese of Maryland is today a Christian community of 21,500 households in 108 congregations
covering 10 counties and Baltimore City. We trace our heritage, and the first Christian worship in Maryland, to
over 400 years ago when the English first explored the Chesapeake Bay region and Captain John Smith daily
assembled his crew for a psalm and devotions from the Book of Common Prayer. In 1650 the first permanent
Anglican ministry began with the Rev. William Wilkinson at St. George's in St. Mary's County. The clergy
were then agents of the crown and the proprietor, their ordination vows including fealty to the king. After the
Revolutionary War, Thomas John Claggett of Maryland in 1792 became the first bishop to be consecrated in
America. The Episcopal Diocese of Maryland continued to expand, and in 1868, Maryland’s Eastern Shore
parishes were set apart to become the Diocese of Easton and again later in 1895, when the District of Columbia
and Montgomery, Price George’s, St. Mary’s and Charles counties become the Diocese of Washington.
The Rev. Adrien Dawson addresses Bishop Eugene Taylor Sutton
during the Dec. 16 (2014) conversation on race and violence in America
Since April of 2008, the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland has been led by our current bishop, The Right Rev.
Eugene Taylor Sutton. The Cathedral Church of the Incarnation is the seat of the Bishop of Maryland and
shares a campus with the Diocesan offices. More information about our Diocese is available on the Diocesan
website: http://episcopalmaryland.org.
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Baltimore’s Inner Harbor
Our City and Neighborhood
Baltimore, nicknamed the Charm City, is a city of about 620,000 residents and is known for the Inner Harbor
(pictured above), our sports teams (the Orioles and the Ravens), Fort McHenry and the Star-Spangled Banner,
crab cakes and more. Our city has our share of homelessness, poverty and other problems familiar to most large
U.S. cities. It is also home to nationally recognized healthcare institutions, John Hopkins and University of
Maryland Medical Center, National Aquarium, museums, and to more than a dozen colleges and universities.
More information about Baltimore can be found at http://www.baltimorecity.gov and http://baltimore.org/.
Baltimore is a city of many distinctive neighborhoods. Our church
neighborhood, Bolton Hill, is a relatively affluent and diverse community
just north of downtown and part of “midtown”. On the National Register
of Historic Places, Bolton Hill is a community of town houses mostly
built just after the Civil War. Victorian, empire and federal town houses
fill its tree-lined streets. Urban renewal projects and institutional
expansion have resulted in newer buildings attractively integrated into
the designated Historic Preservation District. Three historic churches,
including Memorial, have long drawn members from the surrounding
areas. More information can be found at www.boltonhill.org/.
Bolton Hill has always been home to prominent lawyers,
physicians, professors, musicians and others such as the
Cone Sisters and F. Scott Fitzgerald. About 5,000 people
today live in Bolton Hill with a racial composition of
about 2/3 white and 1/3 black. About 30% of residents are
between ages 18-34. The Maryland Institute College of
Art (MICA), a top national art school, is a major factor in
the community and has been expanding. Many students
from MICA and other nearby schools like the University
of Baltimore live in Bolton Hill and help support the
vitality of the neighborhood. As part of the Baltimore
Cultural District, Bolton Hill is within walking distance of
the Lyric Opera House, Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and
Maryland Institute College of Art
has access to the subway and light rail systems.
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Thank you for your interest in “Who We Are.” We hope these snapshots of our parish life and ministries have
sparked your interest in learning more about Memorial and getting to know more about us.
We wish you blessings and Godspeed in your discernment.
Profile and Search Committees
May, 2015
Profile* and Search Committee Pictured Below (left to right): James Blue, Steve Howard,
Clarence Simmons, Alma Bell, Amy Rial*, Mary Goodwin*, Erin Kelly*, Louise Miller,
John Webb*, April Fehr, Bill Roberts, Connie Lieder*, Jesse Milan*, Marjorie Forster*
Not pictured: Ginny Hornbeck, Lucas Randrianarivelo, Bill Wells*, Jim Wharton
Memorial Episcopal
Church
1407 Bolton Street
Baltimore, MD 21217
(410) 669-0220
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