In his late thirties, Jeff Chu left his job as a magazine writer and found himself at Princeton Theological Seminary’s “Farminary”—a twenty-one-acre working farm where students learn to cultivate the earth while examining life’s biggest questions. Now, he unpacks what he learned about creating “good soil,” both literally and figuratively, drawing lessons from the rhythms of growth, decay, and regeneration that define life on the land.

We’re excited to welcome The Rev. Canon Randy Callender, Canon for Mission in the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, for a special hour of reflection and teaching. Canon Callender will share about his diocesan role and how we, as the Church, are called to live into a community of love.

He will invite us to explore what mission could look like in our local context, whether through environmental justice, racial reconciliation, leading in divided times, or asking the core gospel question: “Who is my neighbor, and how do I love them with action?” This will be a time for honest conversation, discernment, and discovering how we can walk together in faith, love, and justice.

Born in Philadelphia to a close-knit Barbadian family, he has been deeply rooted in the Episcopal Church from a young age. Inspired by his experiences in diocesan events and organizations like the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE), he has been an active leader in youth and young adult ministries.

Throughout his ministry, Randy has been deeply involved in various committees and initiatives focused on youth, racial reconciliation, and bridge-building within and beyond the church.

Our program will provide the opportunity for questions and discussion. Light refreshments provided.

Help program First Sunday Forum

If you have ideas for speakers for our monthly program, please contact Laura Gillis at mgillis@yahoo.com, or David Williams at davidwilliams207@gmail.com.

Pitch Craft Collective presents Orchestrated Voices on Saturday, May 31 at 7 PM at Emmanuel Episcopal Church.

This innovative program features 16 professional vocalists performing a curated journey of choral music—from Purcell and Mahler (arr. Clytus Gottwald), to Stravinsky’s completion of a work by Gesualdo, music influenced by Japanese and Indonesian folk traditions, and the North American premiere of a piece by British composer Joanna Lee.

Artistic Director Sonya Knussen developed the program from the idea of the voice as an orchestral instrument, expanding in different directions to explore texture, color, and emotional resonance.

Admission is pay-what-you-can at the door. All are welcome.

On Sunday May 25, 2025, Vernon Littleton Corey Jr. passed away. Vernon was the devoted husband of Bonnie Joyce (née Gregg) Corey, beloved father of Vernon Littleton Corey III, David Dwyer Corey and the late Gregg Willyard Corey. He is also survived by 4 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. A funeral service will be held at Emmanuel this Saturday, with interment to follow at Druid Ridge Cemetery.

Visit the funeral home’s website

Anti-Racism Project, May-June  2025—Emmanuel Episcopal Church

Sunday, May 25, 2025 -- Thom Shipley

Thom Shipley will be returning to the Anti-Racism Project May 25.  Thom is hale and hearty, lives in Bolton Hill and is 91 years old.   In his book, “Racism Then and Now,”  he starts by describing his rural MD upbringing in which he was raised in part by a black daughter of former slaves who came to work on his grandmother’s family farm at age 15.  Her name is “Bessie” and she helps with Thom’s mother’s childbirth and, eventually as well, his own and his two brothers.  She was a dear and important member of the family.  She was “Our Bessie,” “My Bessie.” But it was very hard for him when the family was gathered at the table, Bessie was not allowed to eat with them.  This becomes a lifelong mystery and obsession as to how this could be.  All of this Thom brought to Anti-Racism last January.  Now he returns to talk about the other half of the equation: his lifelong thoughts and extensive experiences concerning what needs to be done to remedy the situation going forward.  Freddie Gray is not the answer.  Our urban and rural socioeconomic and racial woes can only be remedied by careful teaching, careful life-skills education—and then, employment, for all

Thom Shipley is President of the Shipleys of Maryland (Adam Shipley came from England to America in the 1600s and eventually spawned a large family organization).  Thom started his work life as an educator teaching music and information technology in Anne Arundel County public schools (his work included being head of the music department of his alma mater Glen Burnie High School, Vice Principal of Severna Park High School, and the first Coordinator of Information Systems for the Anne Arundel County School System).  Then Thom became first Chief Information Officer for the Maryland State Department of Education.  And then three days after retiring from all this, he was recruited as Executive Director of the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools, dealing with public funding for American Indian and military dependent students, which involved testifying before and consulting with the US Congress.  Finally, he worked for Kaiser Permanente as an information technology liaison for 32 medical facilities. As if all this wasn’t enough, Thom then became a serial entrepreneur, owning and operating numerous successful healthcare facilities in Maryland.

Emmanuel has scheduled its next event in partnership with Sharp Dressed Man, and we'd be blessed to recieve your help and donations! Sharp Dressed Man supports workforce re-entry, recovery, and Veterans programs throughout the Baltimore region. They provide a no charge shopping experience to their clients resulting in hand-selected garments that give their clients confidence, improve self esteem, and dignity. Their program contributes to a reduction in unemployment, housing insecurity, and recidivism.

Join Emmanuel's Anti-Racism Project for a field trip to Sankofa Children's Museum of African Cultures on April 27th! Sankofa offers art and artifacts, interactive displays and instruments, clothing and culture - there is something for everyone to connect with the vast physical and cultural diversity of the African continent - whether you are 1 or 100! If you would like to explore Sankofa, check out their website at https://www.sankofakids.org/ and then join us for a 2 hour tour where the adults can learn about the rich history of Africa and the kids can play educational games and traditional African instruments. We will meet up after the 10:30 service and there will be a bus leaving at 12:30PM. There is parking if you choose to drive instead.

Please sign up at the front desk in the Narthex and let us know everyone who will join us and whether you will need a seat on the bus. We hope to see you there!

In the next First Sunday Forum, architect Jack Carroll takes us on a fun exploration of Emmanuel's art and architecture. Learn the history of our building, from construction in 1854 to its recent accessibility renovation. Explore artistic treasures, from a radically progressive figure on the Christmas Tower to the fantastical carvings in the Peace Chapel.

We will be joined by Dr. Tom Culbertson, rector emeritus. Dr. Culbertson was rector at Emmanuel from 1985 until retiring in 2005. During his tenure, he was a champion of raising awareness of Emmanuel’s history and architectural preservation.

Architectural Mystery Challenge

Pick up a copy of the Emmanuel Architecture Quiz in the Narthex this Sunday and see how many hidden gems you can find in advance. We will discover the answers on the tour. Example challenges include:

· How many pelicans can you find and where are they?

· Find at least three slain dragons.

· Find the raven (Bonus: Which prophet is holding it?)

· Find the Green Man.

Jack Carroll is an Associate at Moseley Architects in Baltimore. He graduated from Virginia Tech's architecture school in 2012 and became a licensed architect in Maryland in 2017. Jack moved to Baltimore in 2012 and has been attending Emmanuel ever since, including a term on the vestry. Moseley Architects completed Emmanuel's accessibility project in 2023, winning the Baltimore Architecture Foundation's People's Choice Award in 2024.

Sankofa Children’s Museum of African Cultures was highly recommended by our own Anne Bocchini Pack.

Sankofa is a privately owned children’s museum in Baltimore. It was founded in 2016 in an effort to enrich and inspire Baltimore’s urban community’s cultural desert. Their permanent collection of African art complements changing exhibits on a variety of African countries, ethnic groups, and traditions.

Sankofa Children’s Museum of African Cultures also houses an administrative office and various public gathering areas that can be used for cultural and art related events. Their goal is to create an environment where visitors are not merely spectators, but active participants. This is a place where African culture can come to life.

Join us to welcome this vibrant organization and hear about their work in Baltimore!