CHRONICLE Winter 2021 - making God's love visible in downtown Memphis - Calvary Episcopal Church
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CHRONICLE
making God's love visible in downtown Memphis
Winter 2021
PARISH OFFICES ARE CURRENTLY OPEN BY APPOINTMENT
SUNDAY WORSHIP
10 a.m. Holy Eucharist
5 p.m. Evensong first Sundays, Sept.-May
making God’s love visible E-mail clergy and staff with initial of first name followed by full last
in downtown Memphis name@calvarymemphis.org
Example: swalters@calvarymemphis.org
CLERGY
The Rt. Rev. Phoebe Roaf The Rev. Amber Carswell The Rev. Audrey Gonzalez
Bishop of the Diocese of West Associate Rector Assisting Priest FROM THE
Tennessee
EDITOR
The Rev. Paul McLain
The Rev. Scott Walters Associate Rector
Rector
When a fellow Episcopal communicator reminded me recently that
VESTRY we were headed into our second "Covid Lent," it caught me off-guard.
James Aldinger Laura Trott Will Hayley It seems like there should be something oddly reassuring about the
Sr. Warden Warden-At-Large Kathryn Elam Jasper
fact that we've "been there, done that." And we have come such a long
Anna Kathryn Word Lisa Buckner Nancy Manire
Jr. Warden way from those first live-streamed worship services in March of 2020.
David Cocke John Owen
Madge Deacon Elizabeth Crosby
But being reminded that this all began almost a year ago doesn't bring
Jerry Scruggs
Clerk
Zachary R. Ferguson much reassurance at all. Stresses over new technology have been
Ginny Strubing
Tony Graves
Bailey Bethell Fountain replaced by stresses over finding new ways to keep people connected
Treasurer Greta Cooper Young
in this technology-wearly world. This Chronicle is filled with stories of
STAFF how Calvary parishioners have stayed connected over the past year.
Robyn Banks Mary O'Brien Jess Steenberger Reading these stories reminds me that Calvary continues to be the
Director of Communications Parish Chef Minister to Children and
Families place where so many of us come (whether in-person or through our
Gary Thompson Ebet Peeples
computer screens) to be renewed and restored to continue doing the
Information Officer Director of Welcome & Christine Todd
Community Community Ministries work God calls us to do.
Kristin Lensch Coordinator
Organist-Choirmaster Helario Reyna
Facilities Manager Cindy Yeager
Gabbie Munn Bookkeeper
Director of Youth Ministries Steve Smith
Director of Finance &
Operations
Robyn M. Banks
102 N. SECOND STREET
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE 901-525-6602 CALVARYMEMPHIS.ORG Cover photo: Calvary in the snow. February 2021
38103 photo credit: Helario Reyna
22 Winter 2021 Chronicle | 3
BEING CALLED OUT
by the Rev. Scott Walters, Rector
A
re there still intercoms etymology. In that Gideon’s constantly being called out in found new ways to connect hardship of these times and and encouragement as well,
in grade school New Testament you took from new ways, with new people and support people when the toll they’ve taken on our remembering that as the
classrooms? Our a motel room back when sitting next to us on the waxed so many of the traditional minds, bodies, and souls is church of Jesus, assembly is
children haven’t been in schools still had intercoms, institutional tiles. “touches” were not possible. real. And there will be much not just something we do, it’s
that world in a while. And you’ll find the word church Barbara Etheridge gives us healing work to be done in our who we are. Because when
with all the modern modes more than a hundred times. What follows in this Chronicle a glimpse into the hardship lives and our world in the days even two or three of us get
of communication at our are stories about the Calvary COVID-19 presented to people to come that no vaccine can together in his name, Jesus
disposal—or rather, at whose The family tree of church, or assembly over the past year. for whom singing is a spiritual do on its own. But I can see says he’s part of the gathering
disposal we often find kirk, as the Scots say, reaches I almost typed reassembly, practice and the beautiful that healing work happening as well. And read the stories.
ourselves—if they’re not gone back to the Greek kuriakos, but for all our long and ways our choirs assembled already in the Calvary Whether they’re a few months
already, surely the days are which means “pertaining to storied tradition, Calvary has themselves against so many assembly. or a few millennia old, they
numbered for those crackly a lord.” But the Greek word never assembled twice in odds. Christian formation all seem to say that when
speakers with long pull chains behind all those churches precisely the same way with didn’t cease either. Mary Jane I hope the stories here remind Jesus joins the assembly, the
by which Ms. Munn (my 3rd- you read in your Bible is precisely the same people in Viar tells how learning and you of a dozen more and healing that’s most needed
grade homeroom teacher) not a form of kuriakos. It’s a precisely the same places. trust and fellowship could provide you with a little hope begins to happen.
could summon the office. Or, bad translation of ekklesia, And we’ve certainly never still happen when classes
better yet, through which our which means, “Hey, I see you assembled again in a world and small groups adjust to
principal, Mr. Osgood, could fidgeting over there. I need that’s remained unchanged. the times as best they can.
announce that it was time for everyone to stay seated on Maybe 2020 was just the year Mary Royer Hayes tells of the
a school-wide assembly in the their bottoms right now.” when we had to put years blossoming of Community
cafeteria. of practice being called out Breakfast and Clothes
There’s just another sentence of our lives and into new Closet into the miracle in the
We’d all file out of our or two of this dreadful word relationships and ways of Maggie Isabel alley that is
classrooms and sit lesson stuff. Anyway, ekklesia being more intensely to use. Basement Church. And Clay
crosslegged like a bunch means “to be called out.” Woemmel writes beautifully
of fidgety yogis. The room Christian people are “the In the pages to come, Ryan about the hardships as well
would buzz with our barely called-out ones.” So a better Jones will remind us how the as the unexpected graces
(at best) contained energy translation is assembly. need for human connection that sustained us after we
as we waited for the awards Truly. A word I hope can pull didn’t wane for families during were forced to reimagine
ceremony or fire safety your imagination out of the the pandemic, which is how how we worship together,
presentation or whatever it linguistic fog and back into picking up Wednesday dinners much of it going online.
was we’d been summoned for the school cafeteria where in the parking lot while Cora
to commence. we were assembled for May got her “Hit the Road” Hearing these stories of
something new after being passport stamped actually the Calvary assembly fills
I know you’ve been told a called out of class. brought Ryan, Sarah, and me with hope in a hard,
thousand times that a church their kids closer to Calvary in hard time. They even fill me
is not a building. It’s people. I love this image of the church important ways, even during with anticipation for new
But, since we’re already (we’ve just used the word for these days of social distance. expressions of old traditions
imagining ourselves in too long, so there it is) being Milton Winter writes about like Waffle Shop and the
school, indulge me in a little constantly assembled. We’re how our pastoral care teams Lenten Preaching Series. The
4 | Winter 2021 Chronicle 5
A TIRED FAMILY FINDS A
TIRELESS COMMUNITY
by Ryan Jones
E
veryone is tired of everything. We’re tired lessons, activities, and scripture on an also putting out amazing
of Zoom meetings. We’re tired of wearing amazingly consistent basis. white bean and sausage
masks. We’re tired of thinking about the cassoulet, impressive greens,
risks now associated with what used to be Every week leading up to Wednesday nights, baked fish, and some of the
normal, everyday life. all we heard from her was “I can’t wait to best vegetarian entrees I’ve
see Amber,” or “I’m going to tell Jess about ever had? It doesn’t seem
The last year has just worn us all down. all of the things,” and “Can we do my church possible that one person in
homework tonight?” She still asks us if we a church basement kitchen
But for my family and I, there were a few are going to get dinner and see everyone at can somehow be that vastly
bright spots along the way. church on Wednesday nights. Being able to talented to deliver such
actually see some church leadership and impeccably executed and
Calvary was one of them. others from the congregation, even if it was diverse range of dishes. The
only in the parking lot, cannot be overstated food alone was enough to
We’d only been members at Calvary for a here. In a time when our physical contact keep us coming back every
few years when the pandemic and its various with people was limited to our immediate week. Maybe someone should
lockdowns began. But the things that drew family and mad rushes to the grocery store, look into opening up a new
us to the church, and the things that kept us being able to briefly reconnect with the folks Calvary Restaurant? We’d be
there, still existed despite COVID-19. It just at Calvary on Wednesday nights was a much- there weekly.
took us a little while to find them. When we needed respite from the days of isolation.
did, it became clear that Calvary is more than Another item that seemed
just a physical place. It’s a community whose That sense of community that we loved likely to fall by the wayside
strengths and ideals carried over despite the about Calvary from the start was evident with the pandemic was my
lack of physically gathering together like we in this program, as it not only brought us wife Sarah’s involvement with the Calvary have the full experience of enjoying a loving,
were used to. together again but also brought us (and our book club. One of her favorite discoveries of open-minded, and interesting community at
daughter) closer to the church. With us it attending church here has been not only the Calvary, just as we have. All without the worry
One of the most remarkable silver linings of was the realization that the community we book club itself, but also the friendships she’s of COVID-19. But this year showed us that not
this last year at Calvary was the Wednesday discovered at Calvary was present no matter made because of it. At a time when we were only can the folks at Calvary adapt on the fly,
night “Hit the Road” program. Not only did the nontraditional circumstances. For Cora new to the church, it was Sarah that took the but that the community we love there doesn’t
it bring us (especially our four-year-old May it was getting the opportunity to meet surprising (for her) step of getting involved exist only inside the chapel or the building
daughter Cora May) closer to the church, but and engage with Jess, Amber, and Scott in with this group of women and getting to know itself.
it managed to keep us engaged, physically ways that she might not normally have been them firsthand. All of this could have come
able to see some Calvary members again, able to do, and in ways that she as a toddler to a halt when physical gatherings were put It’s the people that make all the difference.
and fed (both literally and spiritually). found fun and looked forward to! to a stop, but in another example of Calvary
community persevering amidst change, the
Have you ever tried to get a toddler excited Let’s not leave out the food either. book club shifted to online meetings and
about church or homework? Let me tell discussions and allowed Sarah and her
you, it’s not something that will build your If you missed out on the chance to get some friends to keep up with each other and the
confidence as a parent. But somehow Jess, of these dinners on Wednesday nights, it’s going-ons of their various lives.
Scott, Amber and all the others at Calvary truly a gastronomical tragedy. How is it that
managed to put together a program that got someone is talented enough to make some We, like everyone else at Calvary, can’t wait
Cora May talking excitedly about her weekly of the best meatloaf I’ve ever eaten, while to return to normal. We want our children to
6 | Winter 2021 Chronicle Winter 2021 Chronicle | 7
CARING FOR ONE
ANOTHER
by Milton Winter
I
n the year 2020, I both received and gave from Scott, Amber, Kristin, John Palmer, and or another. We consider it a privilege to reach large circle of people that my father had lived
pastoral care from Calvary Church. Twice many others in the Calvary Choir and the out with visits, phone calls, cards, and small among in the days before he met my mother
I was a patient in hospital for surgery— pastoral care team. The clock seems to “run gifts, just to say that we care and that “you and moved to my hometown, Cleveland, down
the second was an emergency, with great backwards” when one lies in a hospital bed. are remembered in our prayers.” in the Mississippi Delta. We shared many
pain until the surgery could be done. I was The pastoral care I received was heartening stories on our visits, laughing and recalling
attending a lovely Lenten Evensong at at a time when I did not feel in control of Two individuals stand out in my recollections interesting people we’d both known in days
Grace-St. Luke's in which our own Organist- events. It sustained me through some fearful of 2020. One person to whom I sent a card gone by. “Delta people” have a special bond. It
Choirmaster Kristin Lensch and other moments, and I am sure it speeded my wrote a beautiful letter of appreciation for is a complicated society, troubled in so many
members of Calvary Choir were participating. recovery. the ministry of Calvary’s pastoral care teams. ways, but those of us who are from there do
As I listened, something inside me did not She had heard from quite a few church love it.
feel quite right. I dismissed it as a bit of Having received pastoral care in 2020, it was members and said it made a great difference.
indigestion, and went home, savoring the also a privilege to extend it to others later Not only had there been cards and calls, but In Philippians, St. Paul says “Let each of
evening of beautiful music and prayer. But in the year as I began to feel better. The casseroles brought to her home, and with you look not to your own interests, but to
about midnight I was in real distress and the care team of which I’m part is an interesting that comfort food, she had felt the comfort the interests of others.” So, we care for one
nurse at Trezevant where I live dispatched and enjoyable group of Calvary folk. Paul and care of the Church and of God. I was also another. But this admonition comes in a
me to Methodist-University Hospital in an McClain and Len Grice are our leaders. We given the name of an elderly member residing pretty heavy context. It is in a passage that
ambulance. enjoy each other’s company. But we gather in a nursing home to visit. tells of Christ, who was in the form of God,
on Wednesday evenings for a larger purpose, emptied himself and took the form of a
On both of my hospital stays, the Rev. Paul to share the compassion of Christ and Sometimes it is hard to find something to servant and humbled himself even unto death
McClain was there at “dawn-thirty,” to pray extend the interest and encouragement of talk about when visiting someone for the first on a cross. That is quite an example and it
with me before surgery, even though I had the Church to those who are experiencing time. But in this case, within five minutes, I gives us all a call to serve each other in the
tried to assure him that Jesus would hear if “trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other felt as if this dear lady and I were old friends. ministries of our Church.
he offered a kind word from the comfort of his adversity.” That list, drawn from the Book of It turned out that her twin nieces were
home! I also had calls and communications Common Prayer, includes all of us at one time longtime friends of mine and that she knew a
8 | Winter 2021 Chronicle Winter 2021 Chronicle | 9
8
MAKING A
JOYFUL NOISE
by Barbara Etheridge
I
came to Calvary because two singers and an organist.
of the music. My mother My company asked me to
invited me to join the continue working for a few
community choir for a months, but sitting home all
performance of Handel’s day, I became very anxious
Messiah at Calvary in 1999. about the virus and worried
A few years later, I joined for my family, all of whom
the Calvary Choir. And in were still doing things outside
2017, I was received into the the house. I needed an outlet,
Episcopal Church. Through it and the virus would not allow
all, I sang. for in-person choral singing.
A Facebook group I am in
As we began 2020, I looked had a post from a church in
forward to the music we England for a virtual choir
would learn and the planning project with a piece we had
and supported each other. By May, we were in the parking lot until the sun no longer
we would do for our choir sung at Calvary not too long
working on our own virtual project. Over the cooperated. Kristin developed a plan for
pilgrimage to England in 2021. before our lockdown, so I took
summer, we decided to postpone our England us to sing in the Nave, still masked but
I already knew that my job the plunge, figured out how
pilgrimage to 2022. In early fall, we created a safely spaced. As the organ played and our
would be ending in March, so to record myself singing, and
small cookbook of some of our favorite recipes voices filled the room, my soul felt at home.
my husband Jeff and I were sent in a video. That church
while we’ve been at home. We even led sung Pandemic or not, the calendar moves forward.
planning a nice, long trip in then did another project with
Compline services. And although we could not yet sing as a large
April after Easter. My position another piece we had sung
group in person, we were able to record music
as director of finance meant at Calvary, so I decided to do
I continued to sing virtually, but I found for Calvary’s Lessons and Carols service. A
many long days preparing that one as well.
something missing—the joy of live singing with rise in virus cases sent us back to singing
financial statements and
other people. My job finally ended at the end from home and dashed our hopes for a large
budgets. Still, Wednesday Meanwhile, Calvary Choir
of August. I watched many Hallmark movies outdoor Christmas Eve service. But now cases
choir rehearsals and Sunday started having Zoom social
and home improvement shows to keep my are going back down, vaccinations are being
services were my outlets hours to stay in touch with
spirits up, but singing, even virtually, was still administered, and the choir is back together,
for stress relief and spiritual each other. Practicing over
the most fulfilling. rehearsing in the Nave in anticipation of our all
community. Zoom was just impossible
being back together for worship.
because of time delays,
At the end of September, Kristin received
In March, I found myself but we had some great
approval for the choir to gather in person. We Every Sunday morning, I tune to Calvary’s
working in my dining room. conversations. We shared our
sat in the parking lot, masked, 12 feet apart. Facebook page to worship, and once a month
Packing up my office would personal stories of being at
As we sang the first notes, my eyes filled with I watch our evensong service. I sing along
have to wait. But ‘Safer at home, working or not. Calvary
tears – finally, we were together and singing! with the staff singers on the hymns and the
Home” also applied to the Choir is blessed to have
We sang hymns and some familiar pieces. anthems if I know them. Don’t tell Kristin, but
choir, so March 15 was the doctors and teachers in our
Those 45 minutes were glorious, and my heart sometimes I even try to sing a different part!
last Sunday we had a “full” group, and they, of course,
was full. I came home exhausted – I had sung There is a joy in singing, and joining my voice
choir at church. The next week had their unique challenges.
out so much stress and anxiety. with others to “make a joyful noise”, even
had only four singers, and by We celebrated the good
virtually, is truly uplifting.
Holy Week, we were down to things, prayed for the sick,
The next few weeks, we continued to meet
10 | Winter 2021 Chronicle Winter 2021 Chronicle | 11
WORSHIP PREACHING SERIES
& THE WAFFLE SHOP
at Calvary
LENTEN PREACHING SERIES AND
10 a.m. Holy Eucharist on Sundays WAFFLE SHOP GO ON
Worshipers may attend in-person, wearing a mask and physically distanced, or may worship from home as
the service is live-streamed through Facebook and YouTube. In-person worshipers must sign up in advance C A LVA RY ’ S FIR ST NOONDAY LEN T EN SERV ICE took place in a downtown theater 98 years
at calvarymemphis.org/connect. ago. It would be another six years before the first plates of waffles, chicken hash, and fish pudding
brought the Waffle Shop into being. In the decades since, in peacetime and war, booms and
5 p.m. Evensong (first Sunday of the month) depressions, moon landings and struggles for civil rights and all the events that have shaped our
“Choral Evensong is a 45-min long peace-inducing church service in which the ‘song’ of voices sounding common life in Memphis, Lenten Preaching Series preachers have spoken truthfully, hopefully, and
together in harmony is heard at the ‘even’ point between the active day and restful night, allowing listeners prophetically to the world as it is, and to our lives as they are. They have nourished us when we’ve
time for restful contemplation.” (from choralevensong.org) Worshipers may attend in-person, wearing a
mask and physically distanced, or may worship from home as the service is live-streamed through Facebook been depleted, and challenged us to be God’s agents of healing, justice, and mercy in a world that
and YouTube. In-person worshipers must sign up in advance at calvarymemphis.org/connect. has always needed much more of all three. A global pandemic hasn’t lessened those needs. And
LPS will go on in 2021, adapting and speaking, as it always has, to the times. I hope you’ll join us.
6:30 a.m. Early Morning Prayers: Monday-Friday
Early morning prayer is offered live on Calvary’s Facebook page each day at 6:30 a.m. This prayer service is
The Rev. Scott Walters
modeled on Daily Devotions (p. 137 in the Book of Common Prayer) and lasts about 10-15 minutes. All early
risers (by preference or necessity!) are invited to come pray together. RECTOR
8 a.m. Morning Prayer: Monday-Friday
Daily Morning Prayer, Rite II, begins on p. 75 in the Book of Common Prayer. This clergy-led service, which
is live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube, typically lasts 25 minutes and includes a time of intercession
PREACHING SERIES & THE WAFFLE SHOP
where you can type your prayer requests.
8 p.m. Compline: Monday-Friday
The Calvary staff leads weekday Compline, a simple service of evening prayers which is live-streamed on
FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 26
W E D N E S D AY S FR I D AY S
Calvary’s Facebook page. It is above all a service of quietness and reflection before rest at the end of the day.
and
12 p.m. Wednesday Noonday Prayer
Noonday Prayer is offered in-person in the Calvary chancel on Wednesdays and features a reflection by one
of our priests. The church doors open at 11:45 and close at noon. It is not necessary to make a reservation.
Distancing protocols are the same as for Sunday morning worship.
12 | Winter 2021 Chronicle Winter 2021 Chronicle | 13
2021 Lenten Preaching Series
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26 Color of Compromise—a New York Times bestseller—and WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY,
The Rev. James Lawson How to Fight Racism, released in January 2021. His writing MARCH 10 & 12
The Rev. Dan Matthews
Retired United Methodist minister has also been featured in the Washington Post, CNN, and The LENT AFTER DARK
Retired Episcopal Priest,
and civil rights activist, Los Atlantic among others. Tisby is currently a Ph.D. candidate in March 10 at 6:30 p.m.
Asheville, NC
Angeles, CA History at the University of Mississippi studying race, religion,
The Rev. Dan Matthews is a and social movements in the twentieth century. Pádraig Ó Tuama
The Rev. James Lawson has spent
consistent favorite at Calvary’s Jemar Tisby came to the Christian faith through a door Poet and podcast host,
a lifetime studying and practicing
Lenten Preaching Series. His he never expected: a theologically conservative white Northern Ireland
nonviolent resistance to injustice.
preaching is inspired by powerful evangelical church. As a new Christian and a Black man,
As a draft resister who went to Pádraig Ó Tuama’s interests lie in
and meaningful stories like the Jemar studied the words and actions of Jesus. This led
prison and a missionary who also language, violence, and religion.
Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son. In light of these to the desire to understand the history of the Christian
studied the methods of Gandhi while in India, Lawson Having grown up in a place that has a long history of all three
stories, Matthews pushes us to recognize when genuine church and particularly the ways in which it has been
was well-positioned for an integral role in the American (Ireland, yes, but also Europe) he finds that language might
blessings come our way. He believes that these moments complicit in systemic racism. Jemar’s scholarly work
civil rights movement. Along with others, he helped to be the most redeeming of all three of these. In language,
of being “kissed by God” are more than being in the right provokes reflection and calls readers to actions that
plan nonviolent demonstrations for Nashville students there is the possibility of vulnerability, of surprise, of the
place at the right time. His spiritual discipline of holy love is promote justice in line with the way of Jesus. Keeping
protesting segregated lunch counters. A friend of Dr. Martin creative movement towards something as yet unseen. He is
modeled after his mother’s ability to love with abandon. scriptural texts close, Jemar’s work is reminiscent of
Luther King, Lawson was heavily involved with the Student inspired by any artist of words: from Krista Tippett to Lucille
Marcus Borg’s: provocative, compelling, transformative.
Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, the Southern Christian Clifton; from Patrick Kavanagh to Emily Dickinson; from Lorna
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24 Leadership Conference, and the Fellowship of Reconciliation. Goodison to Arundhati Roy. Ó Tuama loves words — words
LENT AFTER DARK While continuing his civil rights work, Lawson also served as FRIDAY, MARCH 5 that open up the mind, the heart, the life. For instance —
February 24 at 6:30 p.m. the pastor of the Holman United Methodist Church in Los poem: a created thing.
The Rev. Meredith Day Hearn
Angeles until his retirement in 1999.
Ms. Margaret Renkl Priest-in-Charge, The Indian Hill
Writer, Nashville, TN Church, Cincinnati, OH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3 A native Texan and Tennessee LENT AFTER DARK
Margaret Renkl is the author of
LENT AFTER DARK transplant, The Rev. Meredith Day March 17 at 6:30 p.m.
Late Migrations: A Natural History
March 3 at 6:30 p.m. Hearn is an Evangelical turned
of Love and Loss. She is also a Rabbi Rami Shapiro
contributing opinion writer for The Mr. Jemar Tisby Episcopal priest. Graduating from Rabbi, speaker, author,
New York Times, where her essays appear each Monday. MARCUS BORG ENDOWED
Yale Divinity School and the Yale Murfreesboro, TN
Growing up in Alabama, Renkl was a devoted reader, an SPEAKER
Institute of Sacred Music in 2015,
Meredith’s love of poetry, songwriting, and storytelling As a rabbi drawn to Hasidism and
explorer of riverbeds and red-dirt roads, and a fiercely loved Scholar, writer, podcaster, and Kabbalah, and a practitioner of
daughter. In her address at Calvary, Renkl ties the gospel of historian, Helena, AR
deeply informs her understanding of God in the world. Her
preaching seeks to investigate the sanctity of the ordinary, Perennial Wisdom found at the
Luke with our place and responsibility to the natural world. mystic heart of all religions, Rabbi Rami Shapiro’s message is
Dynamic, significant, and prophetic, highlighting life’s inevitable suffering alongside its propensity
“Consider the lilies, how they grow: they toil not, neither do
Jemar Tisby is a public historian with the ability to explore for great beauty. After serving at Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal in simple: Alles iz Gott: everything is a manifesting of God. He
they spin; yet I say unto you, Even Solomon in all his glory is inspired by anyone who dares to step outside the safety of
racial justice solutions and cultural conversations that Memphis, Meredith recently moved to Cincinnati where she
was not arrayed like one of these.” When Jesus offered this sacred opinion to experience and perhaps utter Truth beyond
compel listeners to action. He provides audiences with serves as priest-in-charge of The Indian Hill Church.
message of reassurance to his disciples, he wasn’t talking “ism” and ideology. Love is a reaction to images we hold of
richly-informed explorations, unflinching moral insight, and
about climate change. But for us these words can offer more others rather than to the others themselves. With this in mind,
clear paths forward. He has recently taken the position of
than comfort — they can also inspire engagement with
CEO of The Witness Incorporated, a nonprofit organization Shapiro prefers to meet others as they are rather than love
the imperiled natural world. Consider the lilies and make a them as he imagines them to be.
he founded, which is dedicated to Black uplift from a
commitment to save the world they need to survive. To save
Christian perspective. Tisby is the author of two books, The
the planet we need to survive.
14 | Winter 2021 Chronicle Winter 2021 Chronicle | 15
FRIDAY, MARCH 19 The Rev. Kirk Whalum believes that music is the language
that communicates across borders. Music can break and
The Rev. Judy Fentress-
enter into a person’s soul. The difference is a musician is
Williams
not there to take; he’s there to give, to leave something.
Professor of Old Testament,
Whalum’s saxophone style blends his Memphis roots with
Virginia Theological Seminary
Houston nightclubs and Parisian concert halls. When not on
The Rev. Dr. Fentress-Williams tour, he serves on the faculty of the Visible Music College in
lives at the intersection of the Memphis.
church and the academy. In
addition to her tenured teaching
FRIDAY, MARCH 26
THE WAFFLE SHOP
position at Virginia Theological Seminary, she serves as the FEBRUARY 19-MARCH 26, 2021
Senior Assistant to the Pastor for Teaching and Preaching Rabbi Micah Greenstein WEDNESDAYS: 11 A.M.-1 P.M. and 5:15-6:15 P.M.
at the Alfred Street Baptist Church. Dr. Fentress-Williams’ Senior Rabbi at Temple Israel, FRIDAYS: 11 A.M. – 1 P.M.
published work reflects her interest in a literary approach Memphis
that highlights the multiple voices in scripture. She recently The senior rabbi at Temple Orders must be placed 24 hours in advance at calvarymemphis.org/waffleshop.
published a commentary on the book of Ruth for the Israel, Micah Greenstein loves
Abingdon Old Testament Commentary Series and was a Torah no matter where it comes Waffle Shop has become the ultimate annual comfort food for many, so we are pleased to let
contributor and Old Testament Editor for the CEB Women’s from. "Torah" in a broad Jewish you know that it will be up and running again in 2021, a year in which we’ll take all the familiar
Bible. In May 2019, Dr. Fentress-Williams delivered a sense refers to the teachings and wisdom of Judaism, but comforts we can safely get. How it gets to you will change, in keeping with the times, but the
message of challenge and celebration at the ordination of he treasures insights on goodness, love, justice, shalom, and essence of Waffle Shop will remain very much alive. And our prayer is that it might be for
the bishop of West Tennessee, the Rt. Rev. Phoebe Roaf. compassion from every faith tradition and every reflection you a living source of connection not only with the memory of Lents gone by, but with fellow
of God's unity. What inspires Greenstein most about the Memphians today, and a small, enduring celebration of the nourishment we depend on one
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24 Jewish legacy he lives and teaches is that it is not simply a another, for now, more than ever.
LENT AFTER DARK tale of enduring persecution and surviving hate, but rather
a 4,000-year-old joyful embrace of faith, family, and the
March 24 at 6:30 p.m. FRIDAY, FEB. 19 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17
blessing that comes with being God's partner in healing a
The Rev. Kirk Whalum No Waffle Shop due to Spaghetti and Rye Bread Turnip Greens with Pork Belly
broken world.
Minister and grammy-winning weather Waffle with 2 Sausages and Cornbread
saxophonist, Memphis, TN Chocolate Bourbon Cake Waffle with 2 Sausages
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 24 Lemon Chess Pie
Calvary Salad Plate (Chicken FRIDAY, MARCH 5
Salad, Tomato Aspic, Shrimp Fish Pudding with Potatoes, FRIDAY, MARCH 19
LENT AF TER DAR K Mousse and Pear with Cottage
Cheese)
Slaw, and Cornbread
Waffle with 2 Sausages
Fish Pudding with Potatoes,
Slaw, and Cornbread
FEBRUARY 24, MARCH 3, 10, 17, 24 • WEDNESDAYS 6:30 – 7:30 P.M Waffle with Chicken Hash Chocolate Bourbon Cake Waffle with 2 sausages
Boston Cream Pie Lemon Chess Pie
In addition to the noontime experience, Calvary offers LENT AFTER DARK each Wednesday. This year, these WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10
moderated conversations will be live-streamed on Calvary's Facebook page, YouTube channel, and website. FRIDAY, FEB. 26 Seafood Gumbo and WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24
They will also be part of Calvary’s podcast series. You will have the opportunity to ask questions of our guests Fish Pudding with Potatoes, Cornbread Corned Beef and Cabbage
during this time. Slaw, and Cornbread Waffle with Chicken Hash with Cornbread
Waffle with Chicken Hash Les Carloss’s Cajun Velvet Pie Waffle with Chicken Hash
FEBRUARY 24 MARCH 10 MARCH 24 Boston Cream Pie Tennessee Bourbon Pie
Margaret Renkl Pádraig Ó Tuama The Rev. Kirk Whalum FRIDAY, MARCH 12
Writer, Nashville, TN Poet and podcast host, Northern Minister and grammy-winning
Fish Pudding with Potatoes, FRIDAY, MARCH 26
Ireland saxophonist, Memphis, TN
Slaw, and Cornbread Fish Pudding with Potatoes,
MARCH 3 Waffle with Chicken Hash Slaw, and Cornbread
Mr. Jemar Tisby MARCH 17 Les Carloss’s Cajun Velvet Pie Waffle with Chicken Hash
M ARCUS BORG ENDOWED Rabbi Rami Shapiro Tennessee Bourbon Pie
SPEAK ER Rabbi, speaker, author,
Scholar, writer, podcaster, and Murfreesboro, TN
historian, Helena, AR
16 | Winter 2021 Chronicle Winter 2021 Chronicle | 17
FORMATION
to lead us, first through Exodus, then through a My Zoom study group experience has been
book on midrash, Reading the Book by Burton one of trust and learning from each other,
Visotzky, and, currently, through Paul’s letter to despite not being physically together. It turns
the Galatians. I find myself looking forward to out that my fears were unfounded. Formation
IN A TIME OF seeing everyone each week, even though they
appear in a grid square, rather than in person.
Discussions are still thoughtful and not much
and life at Calvary go on!
Until that time when we can all be together
hindered by the online format. I know my again, let’s remember that the best part of
COVID faith is being nourished and challenged with
each lesson because the thoughts and words
shared by Amber and my Zoomates stay with
Calvary has always been that feeling of family.
These days, we don’t have to be in the building
together to feel that. Formation by Zoom is
me during the week. a great example. Together, we can do this,
by Mary Jane Viar Calvary!
L
ate in 2019, I was in search of something
new in the way of formation at Calvary. I
had recently completed (for the second
time!) the four-year course in Education for
Ministry (EfM), and I was anxious to keep my
brain working while lowering the intensity
required by EfM. The Thursday morning
women’s Bible/book study group seemed a
MAKING
WAFFLES
promising possibility. So, I asked Amber to sign
me up.
It was exactly one year ago that participants in
that group received word from Amber that we by Jane Slatery
were about to begin making our way through
Mary Jane Viar and the Most Rev. Michael Curry, presiding bishop of
the book, Consider the Women: A Provocative The Episcopal Church, at Bishop Phoebe Roaf's ordination I heard my mother say more than once,
Guide to Three Matriarchs of the Bible by “the more complicated the recipe, the
Debbie Blue. about my Thursday morning group?” I was better.” Jane McSpadden Genette Twist
certain that the things I loved at Calvary would has always loved to cook. Throughout
That study, beginning on January 30, 2020, never return. her adult life, Moma spent many hours
would be followed by a meet and greet with serving in our Lenten Waffle Shop. She
the author after she preached at Calvary And then, they did. served in the kitchen, at the cash register,
on Ash Wednesday to open the 2020 Lenten as a hostess and waitress. I imagine that
Preaching Series. For the next few weeks, In typical Calvary style, things seemed to in her early Waffle Shop days she served
our group of about 10-12 women read and keep moving, despite the challenges of alongside her mother-in-law and my
discussed the book while sitting around the the pandemic. Changes were made, folks grandmother, Lucy Orgill Genette, also a
table in the Emison Room. On Ash Wednesday, were flexible (even me), and life at Calvary lifelong and faithful Calvary parishioner.
we listened as Debbie Blue preached to a continued. New things arose, and old things
crowd in the nave, and then a large group of remained in a different form—Basement The last few years, my mother’s favorite
us met at Dana Sue and Ann Percer’s home, Church, Wednesday night dinners in the post has been making waffles. And as you
with the author, snacks, and wine. It’s one of parking lot, Advent Lessons and Carols online, can imagine, she always nailed it on the
the last “normal” experiences that I remember and even worship outside. head, lifting up that waffle iron cover at
at Calvary before everything changed. COVID the exact right moment. There is an art to
showed up. And, by March, our Bible/book study had it! This picture was taken in February 2020,
become a ZOOM event. Who even knew what one week before we had to shut down
When COVID first invaded life at Calvary, my that was a year ago? There were changes, Waffle Shop due to the pandemic. I will
reaction was slightly overboard, as usual. “Life of course. It became an evening class, and always treasure it and our time together
will never be the same! Waffle Shop and the it was no longer just for women. But now, making waffles at a place that has been
Lenten Preaching Series will be gone forever! surprisingly, much remains the same as in the so important to generations of Genettes
I’ll never see my Calvary family again! What pre-COVID time. Amber (the best!) is still there and now Slaterys.
18 | Winter 2021 Chronicle Winter 2021 Chronicle | 19BASEMENT CHURCH
by Mary Royer Hayes
I
have been volunteering on Sunday Eddie to hear how they are and how
mornings to serve our neighbors their week was.
experiencing homelessness for about
five years now, maybe more... After the pandemic started, I actually
got Covid in early March 2020 and was
Actually, I came with my children a few not able to volunteer for about a month.
times when they were younger and then During that time, I was delighted to
I started coming on a regular basis as hear that Greta Cooper Young, Christine,
they got older—cooking and serving Elizabeth Crosby, and Ardelle Walters
breakfast in the basement of our church had figured out how to continue to serve
and occasionally working in the clothes while hosting our neighbors outside.
closet, helping our neighbors find fresh
clean clothes to change into for the day Finally, after quarantining, I was
or the week. I learned that free washers delighted to get back to work to join our
and dryers were hard to come by for volunteers and neighbors. The work on
this population. Sunday mornings changed so much in
March 2020.
Greeting our neighbors, looking them
in their eyes, really seeing them, saying It takes a lot more people and more
“good morning” and serving them time and a lot more volunteers work Elizabeth Crosby and Mary Royer Hayes on a Sunday morning at Calvary.
breakfast is important. Then, getting throughout the week to sort and get
them a fresh pair of underwear, a shirt the clothes ready. We started sorting
in their size, clean socks, or fresh jeans in Christine’s dining room, but have
is a huge gift. It’s a level of respect they been able to expand into the Bethlehem
do not get on the streets, but we can Chapel and the old Archives Room. Now
offer here at Calvary. we have a lot more volunteers. Elizabeth
their prayers are often for a home, a support of guests at Calvary Episcopal
brought her sister, Annie Billions, Deb
job, and health. Not a week goes by Church.
I served our homeless neighbors for a McCanless who is studying to be a
that their prayers include thanks for
few years with a few of the long-time deacon, Liz Browne, Donna Pendergrass,
parishioners at Calvary. In the end, The service work at Calvary is a huge
regulars like Mary Nease, John Young, Ardelle brought her neighbor Lori
Basement Church has provided a silver part of my life and if for some reason
Richard Hendricks, Allen LaBarreare, Garner, Liz Browne brought her neighbor
lining during the pandemic; it is truly a I am not able to come, there is a huge
Christine and Carroll Todd, Teresa Elliott, Andrea Suels, Greta brought her wife,
gift that I have gotten to work side-by- piece missing in my week. I love our
Margaret Newton, Claudia Sichting, Nina Sublette, Bill Etnyre, and more.
side with this fine group of people. church, all the volunteers I work with,
Linda Crockett, Sam Morris, and Sandy Also, Michele Crump, Julie and Steve
and our neighbors. I am proud to be of
West. McClanahan, Jill Piper, Carol Ann
Scott, as well as everyone mentioned service. I love Calvary and what we all
Mallory, Jane Slatery, Margaret McLean,
above, serves our neighbors and do to make this happen. Please come
In addition to the volunteers, I have Marci Sweeney, Becky Dapper, and
shares God’s love in downtown join us once, twice, or any Sunday
become friends with several neighbors more come to organize during the week
Memphis through their lives and morning. You won’t be sorry you did.
who come every week and look to us at for those of us who work on Sunday
Calvary to help them get through their mornings. Scott Walters, our Rector,
week. I look for Rodney, James, and prays with our guests and volunteers—
20 | Winter 2021 Chronicle 21then eating that meal with the laptop nearby By this time,
as the service resumed. I wondered aloud if we had
the stripping of the altar would translate to a learned how
virtual context yet found it even more moving to better
than usual. Perhaps, I thought, it would still worship at
feel like Holy Week and Easter. And indeed, home, casting
with the kindling of the new fire at the Easter video to the
Vigil, I felt a sense of renewal. television
and sound to
As the year continued, I found that in the our speakers.
darkest moments, I returned time and again With a roaring
to the music and messages from Calvary fire in the
that gave me strength. One of the benefits fireplace and
of technology, I have learned, is that you can Christmas
engage in renewal anytime and from almost tree, candles,
anywhere. Miss daily Morning Prayer due to a and garlands
meeting at work? Watch the recording during all in place, it was Christmas once again.
a break and problem solved! Want to hear Although we were not together at the Shell or
Widor's Toccata traditionally played at Easter in the nave, God incarnate in human form was
in late August? It’s as easy as a YouTube very much among us.
playlist. Advent Carol in February? Sure, why
not, if it helps. And now, we approach another season of
WORSHIPING IN NEW AND Of all of the things one might miss about
Calvary, I have missed the people most of all.
When we returned to the nave with masks
Lent, back where we stated at the beginning
of the pandemic. I was heartened to learn that
the tradition of the Lenten Preaching Series
and the Waffle Shop will continue, albeit in a
DIFFERENT WAYS and physical distancing, it felt as if a wound
was beginning to heal. Being back in that
sacred space and seeing parishioners I had
different form.
I first visited Calvary during the 1998 Lenten
by Clay Woemmel not encountered in many months felt joyous, Preaching Series at the invitation of a fellow
familiar, and new at the same time. The way graduate student. I hope that we will extend
we do things has changed, but the essence of the same welcome that I received many
A
worship continues uninterrupted. Eucharist at years ago to all those that gather, whether
s I reflect on the past year, I recall how week later, we were all worshiping from home, the pocket park, All Saints Day at the Shell, the virtually or in person, for preaching or for food.
typical 2020 seemed as it began. Yes, Brooks and I watching from a laptop in my Blessing of the Animals—even Gracie (our dog) Although we will miss the fellowship of being
staff members at the University of makeshift home office. The empty church, the got in on the action. It was wonderful to see so together, we have the potential to reach many
Tennessee Health Science Center where I work isolation, and the pain of the pandemic gave many people again, even at a distance. who might not have been reached before. That
had been receiving email updates about the Lent a truly penitential tone that I have rarely is the beauty of learning to worship in new and
novel coronavirus since December 2019; yet, I experienced, despite the traditional solemnity I looked forward with eager anticipation to different ways.
was unprepared for the scope of what was to of the season. Yet, it felt like a season of Christmas. Advent is my favorite season of the
come. At Calvary, we participated in a special growth despite the sadness. Calvary inspired liturgical year, and the Christmas Eve service I pray that all of you, near and far, will continue
meeting about the virus and its imminent us to continue doing ministry by moving the my favorite worship experience. I felt crushed to be enriched by our worship as we move
arrival in Memphis. The UTHSC campus and Community Breakfast outside. We dug through when we learned that all in-person worship forward together.
the Waffle Shop, two venerable Memphis our closets in search of anything that we could was suspended. But, after reading Scott’s
institutions, closed the same day. Things, it donate to the clothes closet. comforting email to the parish, when the video
seemed, were not looking good. went live to reveal a fully decorated chancel
Old things, like Morning Prayer on Sunday, and the sounds of a musical prelude, my
By the following Sunday, I sat in the nave while were new again. And there were new things misgivings about a Christmas unlike any other
our first live-streamed worship took place. A too: Recipes for a Maundy Thursday meal and began to melt away.
22 | Winter 2021 Chronicle Winter 2021 Chronicle | 232020
VITAL STATISTICS
WORSHIP
685
WORSHIP SERVICES
OFFERED
6
10 MARRIAGES
331
AVERAGE SUNDAY
BURIALS ATTENDANCE
MEMBERSHIP
13 ALL BAPTIZED MEMBERS
BAPTIZED 793
9
CONFIRMATIONS &
RECEPTIONS
32 24
INCREASES DECREASES
24 | Winter 2021 Chronicle Winter 2021 Chronicle | 25Saints Departed
Seddon "Bud" Allen Aaron Krosnick, friend of Michelle Pellay Walker
John Ayer, friend of Kristin Lensch Ron Little, friend of Mark Mitchell
Gerry Barnes, cousin of Paul McLain Jerry Mahoney, brother of Sharon Mahoney Lee
Alison Barnwell, friend of Annie Billions John Clement Marshall, Jr.
Joel Baxley, father of Sarah Baxley and friend of Kell Jan Mazurek, mother of Hilary Chipley
Christie Joann McCanless, mother of Debbie McCanless
Jason Bell, friend of Chris Thomas Andy McDonald, son of Cathy and the Rev. Jim McDonald
Roberta Bush, friend of Judy Tucker Becky McLain, sister-in-law of Paul McLain
Nicklaus Carter, friend of Kendra Martin Shep Miers, friend of Amber Carswell & Missy Wilkinson
Ron Casey, friend of Ebet Peeples Martha Nash
Rick Censullo, husband of Charlotte Borst Bill Odom, friend of Nina Grice
Tom Chipley, uncle of Tom Chipley Jim Pace, friend of Ruthie & Paul McLain
Ann Cooper, Mother of Greta Cooper Young Thomas Anthony Pacello, Jr.
The Rev. Senter Crook Lucy Pace Parschauer, friend of Ruthie & Paul McLain
Minetry Apperson Crowley, friend of Nino Shipp Bill Platten, friend of Martin Jellinek
Paul Day, step-father of Ruthie McLain Louis Delmas Polatty
Robert Clark Day Jr., brother of Margaret Craddock James "Jim" Powers, brother of Ginny Webb
Kathleen Dempsey, friend of Kendra Martin Sue Pruett, mother of John Pruett
Ann Denton Marcie Richardson, friend of Sarah Squire
Noel Desch, friend of Bunny & Robert Oates Michael Riser, friend of Gabbie Munn
Brittain Ryan Wells, son of Brittain & Austin Wells, was baptized at Calvary's All Saints Day service at The Levitt Shell. Kathie Dougan, friend of Kendra Martin Constance Lynn Ross
David Edgerton Douglas, friend of Lee Anne Eason Francis Ozzie Shaefer
Betty DuPriest, great-aunt of Robyn Banks Bill Simmons, friend of Franklin Barton
Virginia "Jenny" Emison John Gilbert Stallings, Jr., brother-in-law of Tom Barzizza
Prayer List Christopher Esdaile, brother-in-law of Nancy Manire
George Friedl, friend of Stella Blocker
E. T. Tabyanan, friend of Cyd King
Thelma Tate
Saidee Gardner, mother of Hall Gardner Lonnie Taylor, friend of Ruthie McLain
Wedding Bells New Life Joyce Gingold
Marty Gorman, friend of Connie Marshall
John "Buddy" Thomason, father of Palmer Jones and Susy
Thomason
Caroline Sheil & Cameron Ellis, 10/17/20 Asher Todd Mroch, son of Robyn Randolph & Rick Mroch, Armond Grandi, uncle of Pat Robison Nancy Fraser Thompson, mother of Carey Thompson
Alex Rentrop & Kyle Guffy, 12/18/20 9/22/2020 Jenny Grehan, friend of Betsy Kelly Norma Todd, sister of Ginny Webb
Sabrina Starling & Ned French, 12/28/20 Wilson Bayne Slatery, son of Morgan & Wil Slatery, Virginia Griffee, friend of Rhoda Smith The Rev. Rita Tracy, friend of Ruthie & Paul McLain
10/6/2020 Micah Griffin, friend of Gabbie Munn Kandy Kieffer Wallace, friend of Lee Anne Eason
Julia Louise Welcher, daughter of Rachel & John Welcher, Robert Hamilton, friend of Vincent Astor Cheyanne Ward, cousin of Gabbie Munn
Great Expectations 10/20/2020
Winston Locke Waldrop, daughter of Locke & Reed
Rusty Hensley, brother-in-law of Wil Hunt Alec Watts , friend of Molly Polatty
Gail Williams Hitchcock, friend of Kendra Martin Jerry Whitt, friend of Bill Branch
Bailey & Collin Fountain Waldrop, 10/22/2020 Ann Cocke Hooser Shirley Carpenter Whittle, step-mother of Paige Whittle
Addison Eden Lee, daughter of Dani & Jonathan Lee, Tom Horton, friend of Kendra Martin Thomas Marshall Williams
10/28/2020 The Rt. Rev. William A. Jones, friend of Milton Winter John Barton Williams, friend of Betsy Kelly
Sullivan Cole Graves, son of Logan and Casey Graves, Kellie Kellett, friend of Ebet Peeples Bailey Williams, friend of Nina Grice
11/1/2020 Nancy Kelly, aunt of Paige Whittle Terry Williamson
Louise Elizabeth Wohrman, daughter of Liza & Jack The Rev. Bill Kolb Major Wilson
Wohrman, 11/12/2020 Andrew Kratzke, son of Nancy Mardis
Tululla Mae McGuinness, daughter of Carmen & Joe
McGuinness, 12/29/2020
Gaines Jackson Hammond, son of Olivia & Mike
Hammond, 1/6/2021
26 | Winter 2021 Chronicle Winter 2021 Chronicle | 27CHRONICLE
Chronicle (USPS 085-900) Copyright ©2021 by
Calvary Episcopal Church is published four times a
year by Calvary Episcopal Church, 102 N. 2nd Street,
Memphis, Tennessee 38103. Application to mail at
Calvary Episcopal Church Periodicals postage prices is pending at Memphis,
102 N. Second St. Tennessee. POSTMASTER: Send address changes
Memphis, TN 38103-2203 to Calvary Chronicle, 102 N. 2nd Street, Memphis,
901-525-6602 • Fax 901-525-5156 TN 38103.
www.calvarymemphis.org
Robyn M. Banks, editor
Calvary Episcopal Church • making God’s love visible in downtown Memphis
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