The Cupola

The Church of
the
Holy Comforter
The Cupola
130 West Seminary Ave.
Lutherville, MD 21093
Phone: 410-252-2711
The Church of the
Holy Comforter
On the Web:
holycomfortermd.org
Summer 2015
“ Go into the world and BE the Gospel!”Summer
Church of the Holy
Comforter-Lutherville
And so they did...Thirteen members
from CHC joined by three folks from
Maine journeyed to Appalachia. This
year the group built a back porch,
demolished and rebuilt a front porch,
and added a ramp on a lovely elderly
lady’s home.
Email:
[email protected]
Inside this issue:
“Gifts of Imperfection”
2
From the Director of
Music
3
Update: Food for
Thought
3
“Poverty & Food
Insecurity.......
4-5
Ministries in Action
6
Lots of post hole digging, board cutting, measuring and angling to meet
handicapped standards, demolition work, securing roof supports,
nailing, sawing and the like. Some used power tools for the first time!
Kudos to Susan and her team for their dedication and hard work.
Time for a well deserved break!
Children & Youth
Formation
7
Faith 5
8
Dates and Notes
9
Calendar
In Our Family
10
11
2015
Another important part of this mission is the fun,
laughter, fellowship and singing at the close of their
day. And, the memories and fulfillment they bring
back home of doing God’s work.
To top off their week, they even found a new home for this black lab
and a kitten!
Thanks to this very special group of people and wonderful ministry. Check out photos
and comments on our Facebook page and talk to those who joined the group for the first
time this year. Perhaps you would like to join them in the future.
“Proverbs 3:27, ESV Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to do it.“ May our light always shine to others in need.
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The Cupola
Beginning your Journey to a Wholehearted Life
by Herb Lodder
During the five weeks of this past Lent, a group from Holy Comforter and
Trinity treated themselves to an introduction of the work of Dr. Brené Brown in her
book, "The Gifts of Imperfection." Brené Brown wants us to lead a Wholehearted Life,
which she defines as engaging in our lives from a place of worthiness. Not from
striving to be perfect; rather, embracing being imperfect.
From the start, the Lenten program was only meant to be an introduction to Dr.
Brown's work. We never felt that we could put in the time
required to consider the significant changes required to
accept and incorporate the "Gifts of Imperfection.
Therefore, we are planning to set aside ten weeks this
Fall to take a more in depth look at each gift and see what it
takes to unwrap" it, thereby exposing us to Dr. Brown’s
thinking and its application in our "own lives. However, for
those who want to be engaged in the 10 week project but feel
they would be missing something if they did not attend the
Lenten Program, we will hold the 5 week Lenten program
again during the summer. We only need 4-6 people and have
one already. Please contact Herb or call the church office at
410-252-2711 if you'd like to be a part of this summer
group. They will meet on Tuesday evenings this
summer: June 23 and 30, July 7, 14, and 21 7:00 to 8:30 PM.
The Fall ten week program would start on Tuesday night, September 29 and will
continue to meet on Tuesday night's from 7:00 to 8:30 thereafter: October 6, 13, 20,
and 27, November 3, 10, 17, 24, and close on 1 December. Please let Herb know if you
are interested in the Fall group.
One of the greatest barriers to connection is the cultural importance we place on "going it alone." Somehow
we've come to equate success with not needing anyone. Many of us are willing to extend a helping hand, but
we're very reluctant to reach out for help when we need it ourselves. It's as if we've divided the world into
"those who offer help" and "those who need help." The truth is that we are both.”
― Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace
Who You Are.
Brené Brown, Ph.D., LMSW is a research professor at the University of Houston
Graduate College of Social Work. She has spent the past decade studying
vulnerability, courage, worthiness, and shame. Her 2010 TEDx Houston talk
on the power of vulnerability is one of the most watched talks on TED.com, with
over 15 million views.
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FROM THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
One of the most difficult things to know when one becomes part of a new church family is who can play
an instrument and is willing to do so!
During the summer when the choir enjoys a much-needed rest it would be wonderful to have volunteer musicians to
play or sing during the offertory. It can be a solo piece or with accompaniment. Simply let me know that you are
confident playing in front of people and we will do our best to schedule you.
This is also the time to start thinking about your willingness to share your time and talent as a member of
the Bell Choir or the Choir this fall. We always need new members in our efforts to build up the music
program. You may e-mail me at: [email protected] or speak to me on Sundays after the service if
you have any questions. And don’t hesitate to talk to current members of these two groups for a better
idea of how things work. You DO NOT have to commit for the whole year or even Fall or Spring. We
welcome people to come whenever they can because these are volunteer groups!
Please prayerfully consider this request. Thank you!
Tom Leeseberg-Lange
A Few Updates: Food for Thought
by Monica Tang
Reconfiguration of volunteers: in direct response to your feedback in our February meeting, Alison reconfigured
the volunteer schedule so that folks bring in fewer items more often.
Additional students: Again, in direct response to your feedback and our own plan for growth, we have adopted
another school (Pot Spring Elementary) and six more students. We now serve 13 students each week.
Program Growth: We have applied for a Diocesan grant for $10K to support advocacy, our own program growth,
and recruitment to bring other churches together with schools who would benefit from similar programs. Results in
June / July.
CHC as a resource to other churches: St. Thomas Episcopal and Back River United Methodist have asked for
assistance in setting up programs. We will connect them with BCPS and offer training.
Advocacy for the issue: CHC was mentioned / quoted in an article sent to the League of Women Voters about
this issue (see Page 4 & 5).
Summer Support for our students: Plans for summer are in the works and information will be shared once
finalized.
Padonia coming to speak at CHC: We are looking at dates to have our counselor, Kara Roberts, and principal
Melissa Didinato, come to speak to our congregation again. Our volunteers who drive drop off routinely hear how
much this program benefits the children and how desperately it is needed, but we would like everyone to hear about
the impact.
Community support: CHC continues to receive checks and food from unaffiliated members of the community
who wish to support Food for Thought.
Networking: CHC is part of a larger group in the community who is working toward the same goal. The group
includes ACTC, St. Paul’s School for Girls, Towson United Methodist, Timonium United Methodist, Back River
United Methodist, and activist Laurie Taylor Mitchell. We will soon hold another meeting of this group. All affiliated
with this group have been invited to use the name Food for Thought so that, as we bring this issue to state and local
legislators and stakeholders, we can present a united front and message about the effects of homelessness and hunger
on school-age children.
Food Storage: As we provide more assistance, the quantities of food to store have increased. Let’s brainstorm
about solutions to our storage issue, where and how. Thanks To ALL for continued support of this program!
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.“Poverty and
Food Insecurity Affect Thousands of School children in Baltimore County”
By Dr. Laurie Taylor-Mitchell, member LWV of Baltimore County
The dramatic increase in suburban poverty within counties around Baltimore City includes tens of thousands of children
attending Baltimore County Public Schools. According to data submitted by the school system to the Maryland State
Department of Education, over 53,000 children attending County schools live in poverty. This figure comes from the
number of children receiving Free and Reduced Meals (FARM) in County schools. This figure does not include pre-school
children, or children whose families have not applied for Free and Reduced Meals in schools, so the overall number of
children in poverty is certainly higher. In 2013, about 30% of the children in Baltimore County lived in poverty (Annie E.
Casey Foundation).
Although almost all County schools have seen significant increases in schoolchildren living in poverty, in four
Councilmanic Districts in Baltimore County, the First, the Fourth, the Sixth, and the Seventh Districts, the majority of
schools in those districts have over 50% of students in poverty. For example, in the Fourth District, 18 of 20 schools
have poverty levels of 50% or higher, and in the Seventh District, 26 of 31 schools have over 50% of children in poverty.
In all Councilmanic Districts, almost one third or more of the schools have a poverty level of at least 30%. My son’s high
school, Loch Raven High School, had 97 students receiving FARM in 2004; today it is 285 students, or 32% of the
population. These figures demonstrate the relatively lower but dramatically increasing rates of poverty in the Third
District; Pot Spring Elementary has 268 students receiving FARM, or 44% of its students, a poverty increase of 188%
over the last ten years.
Yet many low-income families in Baltimore County do not qualify for FARM. In order to qualify for free or reduced meals
in schools in 2014-2015, the annual income of a family of four must be below $44,123 (185% of the poverty level) to
qualify. The current poverty level for a family of four is $23,850. In Maryland, where living costs are high (and there are
no adjustments for cost of living in different states except for Hawaii and Alaska), the United Way of Central Maryland
has devised a different figure to evaluate poverty, i.e. the income required to be self-sufficient. In Baltimore County,
this figure for a family consisting of an adult, a preschooler and a school-aged child is 335% of the poverty level
($19,790), or $66,296. Thus the United Way works to assist residents whose income is near or below 300% of the
poverty level: “across all of Maryland’s counties the income needed to meet basic needs is far above the Federal
Poverty Level” (United Way of Central Maryland, 2013). And according to a recent article in the Jewish Times, 23% of
Baltimore County residents, or nearly 1 in 4, lived below 200% of the poverty level in 2012 (http://
jewishtimes.com/35642/the-changing-face-of-poverty/).
Although not all children in poverty are food-insecure, poverty and food insecurity are closely linked. According to
Feeding America and the Annie E. Casey Foundation, about 1 in 5 children in Maryland, or about 260,000, are food
insecure. In Baltimore County, over 31,000 children struggle with food insecurity, the second highest level in the state
and slightly more than Baltimore City.
Unmet need: there are various groups attempting to feed children in County schools, including the Maryland Food
Bank, which operates 24 food pantries in schools where the majority of students living in the areas served by the
schools live in poverty, but Baltimore County has 97 schools where the poverty level is 50% or higher. The Food Bank
provides food but cannot supply volunteers, who must also be certified in food handling; all staffing must come from
the schools themselves. The schools also need storage space for food. According to Maryland Hunger Solutions, in 2012
-2013 Baltimore County schools were serving breakfasts to 54.9% of low-income students, earning it a “C” grade – the
(continued on Page 5)
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(continued for Page 4)
state-wide goal of 70% participation has been achieved in several other counties.
http://www.mdhungersolutions.org/pdf/md_school_breakfast_report_card_dec_2014.pdf.
Other groups, such as the Assistance Center for Towson Churches, provide assistance but only serve the central
area of the County. Church food pantries and other groups providing food often have sporadic hours, and currently
there is no updated directory of assistance centers for providers. The last directory in Baltimore County was
updated in 2013 by a volunteer.
Homelessness in Baltimore County public schools: in 2013-2014, there were 3,136 homeless children attending
County schools, an increase of 682 over the previous year. Some of their situations include living in hotels or
doubling up with families or relatives. Because these students’ access to food over the weekends is uncertain, some
churches have begun backpack programs in connection with a school near their church; children take a backpack
from the school, with foods chosen by a nurse nutritionist on Fridays, and bring it back on Mondays. Long school
breaks and the summer remain problematic, although Maryland Hunger Solutions has some summer meal sites in
the County open for breakfast or lunch or snacks, and a Summer Club Program for breakfast and lunch (19 sites in
the County in 2014) is run by the Maryland Food Bank. In the 2013-2014 school year, Baltimore County had 5
Afterschool Agencies providing food in the At-Risk Afterschool Meal Program, but 90 County schools were eligible
for this program.
According to the Maryland Food Bank, food insecurity makes it more difficult for children to concentrate and learn,
and can lead to major stress and discipline problems. In a recent USA Today article on hungry schoolchildren,
“Schools becoming the last frontier for hungry kids” (http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/04/05/publicschool-dinners-pantries/70389176/), a counselor interviewed at one school always asks students having trouble in
school if they are hungry and if they’ve had anything to eat. Invariably, she says, "They say, 'Yes. I'm starving.'"
Thirty schools in Anne Arundel County are now serving dinners at schools to needy students, and served nearly
90,000 dinners last year. At the time of writing this article, I was unable to ascertain if Baltimore County Public
Schools serve dinners in schools with high poverty rates.
The League of Women Voters in Baltimore County is currently considering studying poverty and food insecurity in
children in the County next year. Other possible actions include requesting that the County Council establish a
commission to study the problem of poverty and food insecurity in children of the County; requesting additional
resources from the County to better fund current food programs assisting children, including ACTC and the
Maryland Food Bank, and updating the Emergency Resource Guide. The effects of feeding hungry children in
schools are in turn dramatically positive. According to Monica Butta, who helps run the backpack program (Food for
Thought) feeding some students at a local elementary school through the Church of the Holy Comforter
(Lutherville), “the school has reported that the supplemental food we provide has created a demonstrable
difference in the children we serve: the children are ‘glowing.’ We cannot dramatically change these families'
circumstances, but we can help the children be ready to learn...we can help to stabilize small parts of our
community that are vulnerable, to reach a new level of economic security.”
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For those who shared their time and talents
we celebrate and give thanks to:

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The clergy, staff and volunteers who helped during our Holy Week and Easter celebration.
For Andy, Tom, Nor, Pat and Chris+ who traveled to North Carolina to attend the Episcopal
Building Fund Conference.
For Andy and the vestry for their presentation at the Town Hall Meeting and all those who
attended.
For Tom, our organist, the soloists and choir for leading us in a beautiful ascension Evensong, and
for Fellowship providing the Ice Cream Social immediately following.
For all those who helped with the celebration of Pentecost.
For Charlie and the Finance Committee for moving us forward to an Online Giving
program...should be up and running soon!
For all those who participated in the Grace House Mission Trip.
For all those who volunteer their time and talents to our ministries.
Thanks to ALL for all you do!
On April 11, an intrepid
crew
from
H ol y
Comforter geared up
and headed to the
Towson YMCA. They
joined a team organized
by
Blue
Water
Baltimore to clean the
stream
bed
and
sur roun dings . Sta y
t u rn e d f or mor e
opportunities!
Let’s Get Engaged!
Fellowship and Outreach are challenging the congregation to engage with the
community. Please offer your help with planning, coordinating, publicity and
other logistics needed both before and on the day of CHC’s Community Fair,
September 26th.
This is a wonderful way to show our surrounding
communities who we are and what we do and help pave the way to new partnerships. Please
contact Carol Franz at activities,[email protected] or call the church office at 410-252-2711 as
soon as possible to offer assistance!
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Children and Youth Formation
Summer Youth and Children
Class Schedule
Last day of Sunday School and Youth programs will be
June 7th.
Recognition of children and youth leaders will be June
14th with an ice cream social following the 10 am
service.
Commissioning of all children
and youth as well as their teachers
will be September 13th.
Church picnic will follow the
10 o’clock service.
Nursery will be open regular hours (9:30 –11:30)
through the summer for children up through age 3.
If you are looking to get involved with our children or
youth, We are looking for you, your gifts , your time.
Talk to Jan Hamill+ or Steffy Sabino to find out how
you can best be part of the village of Holy Comforter.
Young Adult Mission Trip
Our young adults will be traveling to Appalachia to
work at Grace House with the Episcopal Appalachian
Ministries the week of July 26th. We wish them well.
Please keep them and their chaperone in your prayers.
F3 - Family, Fun & Faith
Looking for our VBS…
This summer we will welcome the
whole community for an
intergenerational event focusing on
Family, Fun, & Faith!
Saturday August 15th 10 am—2 pm
at Holy Comforter
Summer Camp at Claggett for grades 2-12 is a wonderful
way to spend a summer week. Scholarships are available; see Steffy or Jan+.
To find out more visit http://www.claggettcenter.org/camps.php
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FAITH5
FAITH5™ (Faith Acts In The Home) is a simple, easy-to-implement faith practice, perfect for
incorporating into your bedtime routine for five to fifteen minutes a night. When done over
time, the FAITH5™ carries the power to enrich communication, deepen understanding, aid
sleep, and promote mental, physical and spiritual health. For households of all generations and
ages! The five steps are:
SHARE your highs and lows
READ a Bible verse or story
TALK about how the Bible reading might relate to your highs and lows
PRAY for one another's highs and lows
BLESS one another
For Bible stories: perhaps you want to read through the Gospel of Mark, a few verses at a time.
Perhaps on Sundays you want to re-read the Gospel of the day. Perhaps you want to read through
the Psalms, one per day. Perhaps you want to follow the Daily Lectionary of the Episcopal Churchhttp://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/daily.php?year=B (you may read all the lessons, but
perhaps choosing one set to follow will simplify things.) If there are children in the household, I
urge you to use their own Bible for family time.
The Rev.Canon January E.Hamill
Join us on Sunday, June 14th, for the
End of Sunday School
Ice Cream Social.
Come make your own sundae,
and enjoy other treats.
All are welcome.
Meet us in the Parish Hall
after the 10 AM service.
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The Cupola
Dates and Notes
Parish Directories Since the printing of our pictorial directory, several folks have had changes
regarding their contact info. In addition, several new families and individuals have
and Updates
also joined our parish family. To those of you who are new, we are so glad you
have found your spiritual home here at CHC! We look forward to sharing with
you our various ministries, parish activities and programs and welcome and
encourage your participation and new ideas.
On June 14th after the 8 am service as well as during the Ice Cream Social
following the 10 am service, parish pictorial directories for new CHC members
will be available for pickup in the parish hall and updated directory inserts for
ALL members. If at any time your contact information changes, please contact
Beth in the office as soon as possible at 410-252-2711 or [email protected].
The option of Online Giving is coming to CHC soon!
Details will be shared within the coming weeks!
MEET!
GREET! EAT!
Would you like a fun evening
out? Would you like to make
new friends? Would you like to
get acquainted with other
members of Holy Comforter?
Join us for a
Gathered Together dinner
Saturday,June 13th,6 PM.
This will be a very informal and relaxed
evening with no more than 8 persons per
home. The host will provide the main course
and beverage; guests will bring a side,
appetizer or dessert. Let us know if you prefer
to host, or be a guest!
If you plan to attend and have not signed up,
please Contact Elizabeth Shire as soon as
possible!
Phone:410 -337-7548
Email:[email protected]
The Fellowship Commission
Be the Feet that support the Hands!
The Episcopal Service Corps
Invites YOU to join our team for the
15th Annual Baltimore Running Festival!
October 17, 2015
Each Team ESC-MD member needs to register for
the race at www.thebaltimoremarathon.com and
raise at least $150.
Run the 5k, half marathon, marathon, or join a relay
team.
Each team member receives a Team ESC-MD t-shirt
and team photo.
Not a runner? You can be an honorary team member
by donating $150 or by making a donation to a runner. You may sign up to be a part of Team ESC-MD
or donate at www.crowdrise.com/RunESCMD.
The Runner with the top donations will receive a
$100 Charm City Run Gift Card, 2nd a $50 gift card,
and 3rd a $25 gift card. And, the best part….You
are supporting the best team, The Gileads who
are God’s hands in Baltimore!
www.Gileadmaryland.blogspot.com
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Our website calendar is our Master Calendar
for all our church events, services and programs. Click on the link below for the June,
July, and August Calendars:
http://holycomfortermd.org/?page_id=87
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Volume 1, Issue 1
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In our family…….
*Best Wishes to Those with Birthdays in June
Martha Hervey
6/1
Megan Zupancic
6/8
Alan Kershaw
6/16
Will Peper
6/2
Jennifer Cooper
6/11
Woody Birckhead
6/17
Steffy Sabino
6/3
John O’Brien Jr.
6/11
Mathew Ridge
6/22
DeaSue Bell
6/5
Amy Ostendorf
6/11
Manda Sabino
6/23
Shirley Lindsey
6/6
John Simkins
6/12
Rita Ridgely
6/26
Julie Tschammer-Osten
6/6
Ricky Street
6/12
Blaine Hawley
6/27
Chelsea Manning
6/7
Belinda Fadely
6/13
Hannah Wampler
6/28
Andrew Socio
6/7
Bud Nixon, Jr.
6/15
Jake Hilferty
6/30
Frank Blazek, Jr.
6/8
Caitlin Cardwell
6/16
Richard Taylor
6/30
*And to Those with Wedding Anniversaries
Burt and Jane Meyer Jr.
Mike and Carol Ridge
Tom and Libby Seifert
Donald and Edee Stegner
Jason & Laura Wede
Betsy and Steve Hansen
6/3
6/6
6/9
6/10
6/10
6/11
Jim and Dana Brinkley
Mike and Nancy Peper
Allen and Gwen Spicer
Charlie and Ginnie Phipps
Doug and Claire Owens
6/12
6/13
6/13
6/18
6/28
*July
and August birthdays and anniversaries dates will be emailed over the summer along with the
Happenings. If you do not have email, perhaps you can find an Email Buddy....a family member or friend,
who is willing to receive parish emails for you and share the information with you.
Our Mission
We are dedicated to spreading the teachings and love of Christ, striving to connect with people from all
generations and walks of life through inspirational worship, impactful outreach, and joyful fellowship.
Our Vision
We seek to be a vibrant, inclusive faith family, aspiring to live by the teachings and example of Christ,
and passionately serving God in our community and the world at large.
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Church of the Holy Comforter
130 West Seminary Avenue
Lutherville, MD 21093
www.holyconfortermd.org
410-252-2711
Fax 410-252-7921
Sunday Services:
8:00 a.m. - HE Rite I in the Chapel
10:00 a.m. - HE Rite II in the Church
Staff:
The Rev. Christopher Tang, Rector
The Rev. Herbert Lodder, Senior Associate Rector
The Rev. Jan Hamill, Associate Rector
The Rev. William Dunning, Pastoral Care Associate
Tom Leeseberg-Lange, Director of Music
Beth Crosby, Administrative Associate
Eric Hunter, Sexton
The Cupola is published 6 times per year for the members and friends
of this Church of the Holy Comforter.
Nov/Dec (Advent/Christmas ) – distribution late November
Feb/Mar (Lent) – distribution 2 weeks before Lent
April/May (Easter) – distribution late March
June/July/early August (Summer ) – distribution late May
Late August/September/ Early October (Back to Church) –
distribution mid – late August
Mid October/early November (Stewardship Issue) distribution early October
Andy Fish, Senior Warden
Tom Simpson, Junior Warden
Charles Franz, Treasurer
Sam Davis, Assistant Treasurer
Sue Willis, Registrar
Members of the Vestry
Margot Allen
Andy Fish
Carol Franz
Denise Noll
Robin Foster Rouse
Nor Rysticken
Chris Sabino
Tom Simpson
Pat Streett
The Church of the Holy Comforter
130 West Seminary Avenue
Lutherville MD 21093
Summer 2015
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