Open door November/December 2014
Letter
Table of Contents
from the
Editors
1
How does one Christian church negotiate the trickiest season of all: the Season of Christmas? So beautiful, yet so dangerous are the stories of Christmas, they have been stolen from the church, purged of danger and darkness, purified and returned red, and green, and shiny, to be placed on a shelf and sold to any who have money. Not so at Old South Church in Boston. Willie Sordillo mines the rich legacy of Blue Christmas services and the “alternative” narrative they embrace of sorrow, loneliness, and waiting. The inventors of American Jazz, people like Monk and Strayhorn, descendants of unholy suffering, bend sound to keep company with human sorrow. Old South’s Blue Christmas Jazz Worship steals Christmas back from culture in the service of keeping vigil with you, in your pain or loneliness. In the midst of a season of red and green, this church offers blue. Robert Higgins, a brand new dad (just waiting for the adoption to go through) invites our help in providing comfort and joy to a child in the care of the Department of Children and Families. As a birthday present to Baby Jesus, let’s be family to a child who needs one desperately. Now, that’s Christmas. Carol Blair tells the story of ten years of Christmas caroling with the elderly residents of the Robert Fortes House … and how the carolers receive more than they can possibly give. Meanwhile, Adrianna Repetto rehearses the long, storied journey of our highend Christmas Craft Fair (not your typical church fair), and Jim Hood tells the story of the 7th anniversary of Marc’s Tree and of the special man the tree honors. Defiantly, Jess Jackson, an unabashed devotee of cultural Christmas, finds a way to embrace both that version and the one in the New Testament. Hint: it starts in worship.
Willie Sordillo
Please Pay It Forward Robert Higgins
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EDITORIAL Amy Perry
A Shared Tradition Carol Blair
3
Crafty People Adriana Repetto
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The Pastor. The Writer. The Published Man. Excerpt by Quinn Caldwell
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Crazy for Christmas Jessica Jackson
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Scene around Old South
9
Experience Christmas
Many thanks to editor and publisher Amy Perry for searching out and presenting this compelling issue of Open Door.
Rev. Nancy Taylor
Ministry Spotlight
Featured
4
Marc’s Tree Jim Hood
EDITOR & PUBLISHER
Chris Breen CHAIR, COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE: David Albaugh, Brian Fluharty, Chris Breen, Jackie Geilfuss, Jim Hood, Amy Perry, Corey Spence, Nancy Taylor
Old South Church in Boston 645 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116 Ph. (617) 536-1970 OldSouth.org Facebook.com/OldSouthChurch | @OSCboston
CREDITS Front Cover, 3, 4
Eric George
4 Diane Gaucher; 5 Jim Hood; 2 Quinn Caldwell, by permission; 7 Jackie Geilfuss; 9 Katie Gerrish
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ministry spotlight BLUE CHRISTMAS
A Merry Christmas Willie Sordillo
Please Pay It Forward Robert Higgins
While both our cultural mythology and the world of commerce promote the Christmas season as a time of joy and cheer, it’s no secret that for many people the holidays are a painful, difficult terrain to navigate. In the Northeast, Christmas comes at a time when we experience bleak, cold, bare trees, grey skies, and brown where there had been a splendor of colors, reminding us that death is part of the natural cycle of life. Indeed, a 25-year analysis of statistics confirmed that death rates spike dramatically in the two-week period starting with Christmas, and are at their highest on Christmas Day itself. We’re told that we’re supposed to be merry – shopping, decorating, baking, and making plans to gather with family distant and close – while the reality for many is that we’re alone, without family, and feeling the loss of those we love who died at this time of year. Of this contradiction was born the idea of a Blue Christmas worship service. While it’s difficult to pin down its origins, churches, sensing the need to offer comfort rather than cheer, have been offering Blue Christmas services in increasing numbers, often on the winter solstice, the longest night of the year. At Old South Church, we’ve been offering a Blue Christmas service at Jazz Worship since our beginnings in 2005. Our intention is not to attempt to cheer up the downhearted with a promise of joy by the end of the service. Rather, we strive to offer the comfort given by acknowledging the pain. At best, we offer what church is best at offering: hope. We do this by sitting with each other in silence and in prayer, by singing together, by listening to music which allows us to go to that dark place within us, by offering words of validation, and by showing, more than saying, to those for whom the season is a travail, “You are not alone.” Why Blue Christmas at Jazz? Who better to know pain, loss, anguish and lack of being understood than the descendants of people violently separated from family and culture, transported far from home and held in servitude? Who knows better than Thelonious Monk what it feels like Round Midnight? Whose midwinter is more bleak than Billy Strayhorn’s in 1967, composing a last opus about his Blood Count as he lay in a hospital in the arms of his lover, Bill, while the media reported him in the arms of Lena, who was in Europe at the time? Who knows more of Strange Fruit hanging from the trees than Billie Holiday? Blue Christmas is in many ways a sister to Tenebrae. In both cases, we enter with the knowledge of new life promised. Yet in this moment, we remember and honor a deep loss, a painful death, a betrayal of our expectations. We live into this moment. We allow ourselves to experience this darkness, to feel its ache deep in our bones. We leave in silence. But we know that in our pain, we are not alone; we know that God walks out of the building with us, and we are part of a community. And finally, we know that as dark and long as this night is, this is not the end of the story. Join us this year for Blue Christmas Jazz on December 18th at 6 pm.
What are some of your favorite Christmas memories? Sure, when I was a kid that shiny new ten-speed bike used to stand out in my mind. But, nowadays, it’s the warm memory of having my family close; the joy and the laughter I experienced – even when my twin brother was being a jerk. I’m willing to bet many of us share similar fond memories, but it’s these same memories most of the 40,000 children in DCF care cannot empathize with. This Christmas season, Old South Church has partnered with the Department of Children and Families to provide gifts to children in our local community that are in DCF care. Not just any gift, but something they’ve wished for, something “... to show more personal. them they Something to show are not them they are not forgotten. Proving forgotten.” there is warmth and kindness in this world and they are deserving of every ounce of it. As I began the journey of adopting my son, I only had a vague idea from a far removed perspective of the troubles these children have experienced. Many find the holidays a terrifying and upsetting time of year. They associate the sights and sounds with longing for their own family. All of that may seem lost. We can’t give that back to them, but we can give them something to smile about. We are asking members to volunteer to be “matched” with a child or children from one of the local DCF offices. The Church has committed to 40 children. You will be given the child’s first name, age, suggestions for essential or clothing items, and the child’s toy wish list. We ask that you buy at least one essential item and at least one toy, wrap them, and bring them to church. We will then deliver the gifts to DCF as Christmas approaches. Foster care can be a lonely place, especially around the holidays. You can make it not feel so lonely. To participate, email ToyDrive@oldsouth.org.
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Carol Blair UPS interrupted my cleaning frenzy. The box from my youngest sister read: “OPEN NOW.” I pulled back the tissue and held up a soft red sweater complete with rocking horses, gingerbread smiles, and bright ornaments. “You gotta be kidding! This isn’t me. Back in the box.” (Talking to myself is healthy, right?) “Okay, Carol! Back to work.” I hurried downstairs to attack the clutter again. We have carolers coming tomorrow! Next morning, as Jim and I finished breakfast, my son Nathan called from Connecticut.
“Congratulations, mom. You’re a grandmother!”
“Glory be!” my grandmother used to say.
My impulse was to drive to Connecticut immediately, but we have carolers coming – today! Jim and I unpacked our Christmas collection and set to decorating the house. But wait – when I went to dress for caroling wouldn’t you know I went right for that box, wrapping my full heart in exuberance. That was ten years ago, and the first time we caroled at the Robert Fortes House, a 44-unit elderly housing building in Boston’s South End. My singing friends – from church, work, school, the Y, and the neighborhood – introduced themselves as they picked their way over the icy sidewalk. One balanced our electric piano; another carried the stand. It’s a short walk to the end of our block where Grisselle welcomed our parade into the atrium of the former shoe factory. While the men fussed with wingnuts to set up the piano legs, Beatrice greeted the elders gathered at small tables, handing one of our old carol booklets to each. We piled our coats in the corner behind the piano and made a motley semi-circle facing tired faces that hid millions of Christmas memories.
“Hi! I’m Carol. I live up the street.”
“And I’m Glenna.” (in the Santa cap)
“I’m Liz.” (with the Rudolph nose)
As if we’d rehearsed it, everyone jumped in. “Okay. Do you all have a little book?” I asked. “Let’s start with ‘Deck the Halls’ on page 14.” Carolyn set us off with a spritely introduction and everyone joined in the “fa-la-la.” The voices grew stronger with “O, Come All Ye Faithful”. By the time we got to “Silent Night,” several sang with books in laps and eyes far away. It’s a tender time, and we return every year. Now, Old South Church’s Erik Gustafson pumps merriment from that quirky old keyboard; and our friends at the Robert Fortes House have lots of requests. In my “I’m a grandmother” sweater, I still stumble through “Feliz Navidad” while the greyest Latino sings out every syllable in a way that makes me dance. The hour passes quickly. Just as soon as we arrive it feels like we’re singing our closing song, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” And as we sing we weave between the tables, shaking hands with residents. The atrium carries the music to those listening from their rooms above. Grisselle says we sing for more people than we know. And when we finish these men and women invite us to their tables and offer us cider, eggnog, and holiday cookies. The warmth we aim to bring to these residents is returned many times over in their smiles and with their hospitality. This year, we’ll be caroling at the Robert Fortes House on Sunday, December 13. Won’t you join us? If you are interested, email carol@jfocwb.com.
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Many churches ring in the season of giving with arts and crafts fairs, but what is it about Old South Church’s fair that makes it different? With its blend of seasoned artisans and occasional hobbyists, there are diverse items to entice even the most finicky shopper. But aside from the shopping experience, there is something warm, engaging, and heartening about our fair. Maybe it’s the wafting scent of mulled cider, or the delicious cookies, or the live music, or maybe it’s the intimacy of the Gordon Chapel, all a-twinkle with Christmas lights. Whatever the reason, those who attend – be they shoppers or vendors – experience a sense of welcome and respite from the typical holiday craze. Artist Gary Kaplan, whose wood-turning has delighted attendees for years, says “from the moment you leave the hustle and bustle of downtown Boston and enter the church, you find yourself in an atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie. You feel enveloped by the holiday spirit.”
CRAFTY PEOPLE
The Old South Church Christmas Craft Fair has been a fairly steady event for more than 20 years. With its roots in the former Religion & the Arts Committee, photographer and OSC member Sonya Abbott created a show combining professional artisans with gifted crafters from the church community. Later, members Elizabeth England and Elizabeth Tustian took up the scepter, purveying soups and breads in the Children’s Chapel while vendors’ tables lined the Chapel. For the last eight years or so, I have been the show organizer, with much support from Elizabeth Tustian, Senior Sexton Elias Perez, and Senior Church Administrator Helen McCrady. In my second creative life as a jewelry designer, I have had the privilege of meeting many talented artists, and those colleagues, along with an evergrowing core group of gifted artisans from Old South Church, comprise the heart and soul of the Christmas Craft Fair. I am always so thrilled with the way this show communally comes together, blending fine art with folksy crafts – and bringing together people from all walks of life and levels of creativity.
So what is it that makes the Old South Church Christmas Craft Fair different? The people! Participants are welcomed with great warmth and appreciation, and they in turn pass that on to the strangers who walk through our doors, perhaps seeing in this event their first glimpse of the face of a vibrant and thriving church community. “They often stop to browse the brochures, ask questions about the church, and check out the Sanctuary. I don’t think we track statistics of how many new members we get from events like this, but I know we get a lot more exposure to the public on the day of the craft fair than we might otherwise”, says Tustian. Vendors are asked to donate 10% of their sales for church ministries, but more than a fundraiser, the craft fair is an effective means of outreach into the neighborhood and beyond. This year’s fair, on Saturday, December 6, will feature perennial favorites The Gravestone Girls, whose gravestone art appeals to those with a taste for history as well as whimsy. Proprietress Brenda Sullivan understandably loves the Old South Church Christmas Craft Fair “for the ethereal atmosphere of the space.” Also on hand will be church member Jean Degnon and her line of botanical products, as well as long-time member Margaret Bush whose counted cross-stitch work has been a part of the fair since its inception. Alongside her will be newcomer and youngest participant Honner Billings with note-cards printed from her original art. And for the second year, the Children’s Chapel will be home to Ecclesia Ministries/Common Art, highlighting the depth of artistic talent in Boston’s unhoused community.
Adriana Repetto
Marc’s
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Jim Hood Each year, for the previous seven years, a small group of Old South Church members have joined in making the season a little brighter by erecting a 12-foot Christmas tree in the center garden plot along Boylston Street. In mid-October, just as the summer gardens are taken down and the tropical plants stored away for their long winter’s nap, a call is placed to Helen Glotzer, chief of horticulture at Allandale Farm—the last operating commercial farm in Suffolk County. Helen orders an especially tall tree for us: a 12-foot Balsam fir tree grown in Nova Scotia by CanAmerica. Our tree arrives on Allandale Farm’s first shipment of trees, usually the weekend following Thanksgiving. With notice from Helen Glotzer that our tree has arrived Senior Sexton Elias Perez and myself borrow Senior Minister Nancy Taylor’s Subaru for the trek from Copley Square to Jamaica Plain and back. Beginning several days before the tree’s arrival, Sextons Robert Blenman and Ozo Nwodo bring the lights—strings of vintage oversized multicolored C9 bulbs—up from the undercroft. The slow work of disentangling and testing the bulbs begins. On the evening before the tree’s arrival, the strings of lights are laid out in Gordon Chapel and given their final test. Old South Church’s Christmas tree has earned the nickname “Marc’s Tree” as it is erected in memory of Marc Gaucher, a beloved church member who contributed untold hours caring for our gardens. Marc’s wife, Diane Gaucher, helped establish the tradition by endowing a fund for the tree and its decorations. This relatively new addition to the church’s Christmas traditions compliments the beautiful balsam roping in the portico, giant wreaths on our open doors, and the evergreen festoons along the choir screen in the Sanctuary. While Old South Church fully embraces the spirit of Christmas today, during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Christmas was an uncelebrated, if not suspect, affair. Holiday reveling was seen as an untoward link to Saturnalia Bacchanalia. In fact, between 1659 and 1681, celebrating Christmas was illegal in the Commonwealth. But with the conclusion of the Revolution, attitudes moderated and the celebration of Christ’s birth along with some revels became the norm.
Tree
So, back to our tree—just as it arrives at the church, Elias and Robert hoist it into place. Then a large ladder is brought close to the tree, and beginning at the top, sets of lights are linked and strung. Elias steadies the ladder as I place the lights—trying to conceal cords behind branches. The lights are kept on while we string, this allows a quick run down the ladder and onto the sidewalk to see that we maintain even density of lights. Finally, we are done, and the tree goes dark awaiting our official lighting a couple days later. On the Friday night before our Christmas Craft Fair, we have the church’s tree lighting. Called Welcome Christmas, the lighting includes caroling led by Minister of Music Harry Huff, hot cider, cocoa, and gingerbread cookies. After a couple carols in the dark, a countdown begins. Just at zero, Elias, who is waiting inside the Gordon Chapel, receives a text from me and the lights magically go on! The tree now ablaze with colored light, passersby slow down, some join members for snacks and singing. Marc’s Tree is lit for another year, bringing Christmas spirit amid the cold; and light amidst the dark.
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the Pastor the Writer the Published Man All I Really Want, a book by Rev. Quinn Caldwell Sometimes the happiest and holiest time of the year is also the hardest for people to enjoy. These daily readings offer the skeptic and the over-committed the opportunity to make room— perhaps just enough room—for God to show up. With morning and evening reflections for each day from December through Christmastide, these brief writings address the challenges and realities of the season and include a simple action, ritual or meditation designed to gently steer the reader toward the deeper meaning that underlies the season. Smart, witty, snarky— and always hopeful—these readings by former Old South Church Associate Minister Quinn Caldwell might not help you get in the spirit, but they might just help you meet the Spirit.
excerpt
December 11: Morning
Now we see a reflection in a mirror; then we will see face-to-face. Now I know partially, but then I will know completely in the same way that I have been completely known. (1 Corinthians 13:12) Not long ago, a friend of mine was at the drugstore with her small son, printing out pictures of their recent trip to visit Santa Claus. A woman standing nearby in sensible shoes (my friend didn’t mention the shoe part, but I’m sure it has to be true; it always is with people like this) eyed the Santa photos and said, “So what are you going to do about the Big Lie? Do you have a therapist lined up for your son yet?” I don’t know a thing about Sensible Shoe Lady, but in my experience, the vast majority of people who make comments like this don’t just think Santa’s a bad idea; they think religion is a bad idea, too. Sure, there are a few loud “Santa = Satan” Christians out there, but that’s not who you run into most of the time. (Pro tip: if you do meet some, point out to them that if rearranging the letters in Santa means something important, then surely rearranging the letters in God will lead to sound theology as well). Here’s what Santa does: Teaches kids about dwelling in mystery. Shows them something about wonder. Encourages them to believe in things that are impossible and too beautiful not to be true. Hones their capacity for trusting in miracles. Sharpens their ability to trust, even through the fear that they might only get coal, that in the end, what they receive will be something good, something worth having. Yes, yes, Sensible Shoe Lady: all of these things can get out of hand later in life and cause all sorts of problems if you don’t balance them with hard thinking, intellectual rigor, and science. But all of these things are all also part and parcel of faith. And if the Santa in your house is careful, thoughtful, and discerning, the kids just might also learn this: you don’t get every single thing you want in this life, but with our God, you will eventually get the one thing you really want. If you don’t have kids in your house, then spend today thinking about a kid whom you know and love. Get her or him a little present—it doesn’t have to be big, just fun—send it from Santa, and never admit it was from you. God, help me help my kids believe in the most impossible wonder of all: how much you love the world, grumpy old Sensible Shoe Lady included. Amen.
CRAZY FOR
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CHRISTMAS Jessica Jackson
For some people, Christmas season starts after Halloween, and for the majority of people, it starts after Thanksgiving or as close to December 1st as possible. For my partner Jackie and I, Christmas season starts on July 5th. My year has three major holiday seasons: the weeks surrounding my birthday (January 4th, in case you were wondering), America season (Patriots’ Day through the 4th of July), and Christmas (July 5th through December 26th). Yes, you counted that right, almost 6 whole months of Christmas! I love Christmas for many of the reasons why people dislike it: the hustle and bustle, the commercialism, the snow (although I only like snow for the purposes of a white Christmas and that’s it!). However, as a Christian, it is really important for me to remember the true meaning of Christmas, the meaning that often gets forgotten in all that hustle and bustle and buried underneath mounds of gifts and snow. I’m referring, of course, to love. Love disguised as a baby born to a young couple in a land far away in a time long ago. An everlasting reminder of God’s unconditional love for us. It is important for me to balance these two distinct Christmas cultures. Here are four ways I do that:
MUSIC On hot August afternoons, I can often be seen driving with my sunglasses on, windows down, blaring Christmas music. I just love it! My multiple (yes, I said multiple) Christmas playlists contain all different kinds of Christmas songs including religious and secular. I have often been asked what my favorite Christmas song is and I end up giving a two-part answer. For a religious Christmas song, my favorite is Bing Crosby’s version of “O Come, All Ye Faithful.” For a secular song, my favorite is John Denver and the Muppets’ “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
ADVENT I will be honest with you. My first advent experience was opening a present every day leading up to Christmas. It wasn’t until I was older that I actually attended Advent services at my church. As a combination of both of these advent practices, Jackie and I buy an advent calendar (you know, the one where you open the little doors) that tells a different part of the Nativity story every day. MOVIES My all-time favorite Christmas movie? Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the original cartoon version). I can recite every word. Recently, I have added a new movie to our Christmas repertoire, The Nativity Story. It is a live-action retelling of the Nativity story that is fairly scripturally accurate. I’ve found that by also watching this, I can remind myself of the true “reason for the season.”
CHRISTMAS EVE TRADITIONS Every family has their own traditions for Christmas Eve. Growing up, we ate Chinese food, watched The Grinch, and received new PJs. Jackie and I now have our own traditions. Yes, we do give each other new Christmas PJs, but we also make it a priority to go to a Christmas Eve service at Old South Church. It is so much of a priority for us that we have both stopped going to our families’ Christmas Eve dinners to make sure we can make it to a service. That is how important it is for us. These are ways that I try to reconcile my faith with the overpowering and ever-present secular Christmas culture. I hope this has given you some ideas to help you embrace both aspects of the Christmas season, and inspired you to love Christmas. Maybe not as much as I do, but enough that you can truly enjoy this wonderful season.
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The Good Witch, Snow White, and Dorothy greet crowds before the Scared for Good Halloween organ concert, October 31st. (Brian Fluharty)
Custom cupcakes and cake help celebrate the Marathon Scarf Project during the Stewardship Lunch, September 28th. (Nancy Richardson)
SCENE around Old South Church
Minister of Music “Horrific� Harry Huff goes green as Maleficent Halloween night, October 31st. (Brian Fluharty)
Rain, Rain, Go Away.. Liz makes a wish during the All-Church Retreat, October 11th. (Colin Pape)
The rain breaks for Sunday morning worship during the All-Church Reteat on Cape Cod, October 12th. (Colin Pape)
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Old South Church is a vibrant and historic congregation of the United Church of Christ in the heart of Boston’s Back Bay. To check out our Adult or Children & Family Ministries, visit us online at OldSouth.org. Or better yet, walk through our open doors seven days a week.