Sabbatical, Day 30

Our flight to England was delayed. Actually, it was the flight to our connection in Newark that threw it out of whack. Instead of getting there late tonight, we'll arrive early tomorrow. Too bad, with such limited time, I was hoping to have a good night of sleep so that we'd be able to adjust and see a few more sights.

Yesterday, we worshiped with our good friends at Luther Place Memorial Church, Washington D.C. http://www.lutherplace.org. It is a beautiful church, 140 years old with a neat history. Here's some notes from the info brochure:

"The church itself was built as a true memorial to peace and reconciliation following the Civil War...Worshipers entered from Thomas Circle through the apex of the triangle so that, whether former Confederate or Unionist, each would face the entire congregation upon entering. Two of the original pews were dedicated to Generals Grant and Lee."

"The statue of Martin Luther was dedicated in 1884...on the 400th anniversary of the reformer's birth. The ceremony was attended by over 10,000. The statue was built in Germany, was sent free of charge by the German emperor, and is a replica of the one in Worms."

"[In the late 19th Century] the church advocated for African-American rights, operated a free infirmary for 30 years...and provided classroom space to the DC public schools."

"In 1904, a fire ravaged much of the nave and steeple. Architect Frank Jackson supervised the restoration, and Mary Elizabeth Tillinghast, an award-winning designer, was commissioned to create new windows...Twelve reformers were depicted...President Theodore Roosevelt spoke at the [restoration] ceremony, saying, 'The Lutheran Church is destined to become one of the two or three greatest churches, most distinctly American.'"

On it goes...They've continued to be a social activist congregation to this day.

Inside, the altar area is visually restored to a larger version of the original chapel. The large baptismal font (with slightly dirty water) was recently re-located in the rear of the nave as you enter, with enough room for many gather around it. The three sections of pews curve around and slope gently down to the free-standing altar area. As you face the altar, the lectern-pulpit stands just forward and right.

There is a low dividing wall on the opposite side of the altar behind which the organist hides. The choir sits facing the congregation between the organ console and the pipes which stretch up the liturgical east wall. The organ console and choir are on a slightly lower level, so--while we are seated--we see their heads just over the wall...kind of like a silent puppet-head show to watch during the sermon.

The foward stained glass windows include Harriet Tubman next to Dietrich Bonhoeffer
on the right and Martin Luther next to Martin Luther King, Jr. on the left. Other windows included additional reformers, or symbols of sown grain and fields for communion.

As we came in we received large worship bulletins, printed on 11x17 sheets. Add'l printed info was available on a long table along the back pew. Arrows pointed to the nursery, chapel and other areas. Before we started, two people--presumably ushers--stood in front staring at the congregation for awhile. I think they were counting the attendees. Finally, at 11AM, one of the choir members stood and read: "Today we celebrate two great figures of the early church, Peter and Paul,..." etc. She also briefly mentioned the commemorations of hymn translators Catherine Winkworth and John Mason Neale, as well as the Apostle Thomas. (Each had a printed paragraph at the beginning of the service bulletin.) The choir then sang a Latin prelude, "Tu es Petrus," or, "You are Peter."

Then, visitors were welcomed, given brief instructions on communion and encouraged to fill out visitors' card and to stay for refreshments. After "Confession and Forgiveness" we sang the Entrance Hymn, "Glories of Your Name Are Spoken" with the choir leading us from the front while the crucifer and acolytes processed with the rest of the worship leaders. On the third stanza, the organist had us sing acappella, and then changed ranks for a dramatic 4th stanza. (After that bold entry, it was a bit of a let-down when the assistant lay minister struggled to lead us through the kyrie.) The psalm was sung responsively by a soloist and congregation with an antiphon after the 2nd and 7th verses. Point being, for a small worshiping body and choir, I was very impressed with their ability to both sing and follow. It was a high liturgical style, and they were well-practiced.

Art in the reception area and chapel included large murals depicting biblical scenes cast with characters and events from Native North and South American history in one, and African-Americans in another.