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May
2003
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Baptism &
Confirmation—Part I The term illuminandi means “those who are being enlightened” in Latin (the Greek term is photizomenoi). In the Christian practice of the fourth century, God-fearing inquirers were kept “in the dark” about the doctrines and traditions of the church until they enrolled as illuminandi, usually at the time of Lent. During the forty days of Lent, they received instruction every day, fasted, and abstained from bathing. (Those who were married also abstained from intimacy with their spouses.) In some communities, renunciation of the devil in the form of exorcism was also performed on each of the illuminandi, at least once, sometimes every day, throughout Lent. Toward the end of Lent, the candidates were subjected to theological questioning, and, provided they gave satisfactory answers, they were allowed to bathe on Maundy Thursday in order to be ceremonially anointed and baptized on Easter. Candidates were baptized without clothing in the privacy of a baptistery (a separate room or house next to the church). After baptism, each new Christian received a white robe to wear throughout the following week and a candle or lantern to carry with them. Only upon baptism (or the following Sunday) did they receive or even see Communion. Before that time, they had to sit in a separate area and leave the service early. In some ways, our tradition seems very different from fourth century Christianity. We do not salt the tongues of infants as a form of exorcism; we no longer anoint the candidate’s head, chest, and back with holy oil (called chrism, most often a mixture of balsam and olive oils). We have long ago given up the original “confirmation” of baptism, which was once conferred only by the visit of the bishop, his laying on of hands, and/or his seal with anointing oil (and, in one era, the application of saliva). The use of white robes is still common, but functions to cover the baptismal candidate (either infant or adult) in a public, congregational service. In our church, the bread and cup of the Lord’s Supper are freely offered without test, although parents who allow their children to eat and drink are asked to talk with them about what Communion means. We no longer serve new Christians a drink of milk and honey to go with their first Communion as a kind of double-edged symbol of the promises of God and baby food for the life into which they have just been born. The question we asked ourselves at our Illuminandi Dinner, however, was not only how we are different, but what threads exist which connect our present practices with what the Christian Church has always done? In the next three newsletters, the ministers will
share highlights from “A Very Brief History of Baptism and
Confirmation” as well as reflections on the practices at Hyde
Park Union Church today. We are the unusual circumstance of a church
which embraces, without prejudice, infant and adult baptism, by
afflusion (pouring or sprinkling) and by immersion. Without the
perspective of a “brief history” we might appear to
be a confusion of practices. Yet, in many ways, we are a clear reflection
of a richness and diversity of practice which has existed since
the beginning. Jesus Was Serious: From March 9 to April 13, the Adult Education class conducted a study on Forgiveness. Because everyone that participated had a reasonable familiarity with the subject, each class was both lively and stimulating. We viewed forgiveness as it related to various perspectives: Christianity; Judaism; Islam; justice, reconciliation, and public policy. We concluded the study with a practical four-phase approach to incorporate forgiveness into our personal lives. To sum up the overall experience, the pastors thought it best to interview one of our participants as a way to provide a reflection for this month’s newsletter. One of our newest members, Kevin Leonard, gladly volunteered. GH: What was your overall impression of the Forgiveness
series? GH: Did the class contribute to your own understanding
of forgiveness? GH: Do you think you can incorporate the four phases
of forgiveness provided by Dr. Robert Enright? GH: Why do you think that forgiveness is so important? GH: What do you think about Adult Education overall? Thanks Kevin for your reflections. We hope to see you all for Adult Ed. GOERLITZ REUNITED In the years following the second world war our congregation befriended an East German Lutheran Church in Goerlitz. The church had become known to us through mutual connections with the Resistance to the Nazis. At the end of the war the town, through which the River Oder flows, was divided in half along the river—half of the town remaining in Germany and half becoming a part of Poland. We sent gifts of food, clothing, and fabric, and countless letters to church members during their impoverished reconstruction until the communist leadership discovered our aid and threatened the lives of church members there. During the reunification of Germany, Susan, Dennis, David and Sarah visited the church in Goerlitz, with David as their interpreter. Susan preached (auf Deutch) in the church and delivered copies of the correspondence (which had been discovered by Heidi Haverkamp as she cleaned a closet in our church building). Together with the pastor of that church, they walked across the gated bridge into Poland which had separated many extended families for years. This year we have learned that many informal efforts reuniting the two parts of Goerlitz (the Polish town is Zgorzelec, which, despite its spelling, sounds very similar) are resulting in formal measures to reunite the town, efforts led simultaneously by two locally-significant social institutions—the churches and taverns. Youth Mission Trip to Ensanada, Mexico Preparations for our Summer Youth Mission trip to Ensenada, Mexico continue to progress smoothly. At the last planning session, the participating youth delivered presentations on the history, culture, politics, and religion of Mexico, and Baja (where Ensenada is located) in particular. All enjoyed chips and salsa to whet our appetites for the journey to come. On May 9 & 10, Jamie Washam will attend a Cross-Cultural Orientation for trip leaders. This training will further prepare the mission team for what they ought to expect in Mexico July 12-19. We continue to solicit and covet your prayers as we prepare for our time of service. Youth Spring Retreat The youth are planning an overnight camping trip to the Warren Dunes in Michigan from May 16 – May 17. We will leave after school lets out on Friday and return Saturday evening. Many of our youth are unable to participate in the summer mission trip, and this provides an opportunity for all of our youth to spend time together in fellowship and reflection. Tim Smith and Jamie Washam will lead the youth on the retreat. HPUC Youth Reach Out On March 31, our youth planned to attend the taping of a local religious program, Different Drummers. They participated in an earlier Different Drummers program on the recent release of prisoners from death row. The March 31 program would have brought together youth from local Muslim and Christian communities to talk with one another. The week prior to the taping, the parents of the Muslim kids pulled out, citing abuses their children suffered at school, and their reticence to expose their children to further public harassment or hate crimes. The following is a letter our youth wrote to the young people they would have met with. Dear Friends, We regret not being able to meet you face to face
on March 31, 2003 at the Different Drummers taping. As Christians
and Muslims, we are all children of Abraham, coming from the same
source. In simple words, we are aware of the situations that are
occurring and want to show you our sympathy and love. The hate crimes
and the racial profiling currently taking place create a climate
that we certainly do not approve of. As people of faith, we are
worried about what is happening and feel that one should not have
to live in anxiety and constant apprehension for their safety and
well being. One of our missions is to leave you with courage and
strength to live your life in faith, both in your Muslim community,
and in your society, culture, and everyday life. The Youth of Hyde Park Union Church Calling All Artists! Talent abounds here at Hyde Park Union Church. Do you have a particular gift that you would like to share? We would be happy to publish your church related poem, drawing, story or photograph in the newsletter. People of all ages and abilities are encouraged to contribute. Our first offering comes from Amanda Faraone.
Amanda sketched this portrait (above) of Rev. Gabriel Hardaway during
the Palm Sunday service in April. Please join us during the Hyde Park Arts
Fest Discover one of Chicago’s finest collections of stained glass in a self-guided tour of fifteen 9’ windows by Louis Comfort Tiffany (Chicago), Franz X. Zettler (Munich), and John and Charles Connick (Boston), including images of Jonathan and David, Joshua and Moses, Gabriel, Amos, Hosea, Jesus and Paul, as well as the city’s largest rose window, depicting the twelve prophets and apostles. The windows were completed in three phases between 1906 and 1955, and are dedicated to the memory of University of Chicago presidents and theologians and the Church’s early pastors. Chaplaincy at Jackson Park Hospital Last month I became an uncle for the second time when my sister gave birth to the very cute and cuddly Chai Lael (Life belongs to God) White. It’s truly amazing to behold such a tiny little human being emerging into his own existence. His entire life is before him and the future is as bright as the promises of God. Others in our congregation have experienced my same delight, as the Lord has blessed our church with more than one baby in recent months. We thank God for these miraculous additions to our spiritual family. It saddens my heart that all do not experience our shared joy. At Jackson Park Hospital, approximately 400 babies are born every year. Yet, of this number, around 15 babies suffer from what is called fetal demise—they die while in the mother’s uterus or shortly after birth. Because Jackson Park does not have a full time spiritual care provider, when a fetal demise occurs, there isn’t a funeral service; no prayers are spoken; no scriptures are read; family and friends are not there for support. The baby is only taken to the morgue. No one but God knows what a mother is feeling when she holds her lifeless child for the first and the last time. Judy, the Nurse Manager of the OB has explained to me that even her nurses have difficulty taking the baby to the mother. Usually, the child is wrapped in a makeshift garment from cut up towels or baby blankets. Judy wishes she had an alternative garment. “They’re babies, not specimens.” When the mother (utilizing unimaginable strength and courage) lets her baby go, she is left with nothing but the thoughts of what could have been. Psalm 30:5 assures us that “weeping endures
for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Let us pray for
the mothers who experience this terrible loss. Let us pray, knowing
that God will dry their tears and fill the void in their lives.
Morning does come. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday Services with First Baptist Church This year, Hyde Park Union Church and First Baptist Church of Chicago joined forces for Holy Week. HPUC hosted the Maundy Thursday service of readings and music. People of all ages were in attendance to dine on a traditional Middle Eastern meal while making new friends from one another’s church. On Good Friday, the fellowship was extended as Rev. Jesse Brown, pastor of First Baptist, invited HPUC members and friends to attend a Seven Last Words of Christ service at First Baptist. This was an excellent opportunity to meet new people and to share in the spirit of the Easter season.
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