Rog Hiemstra’s Blog

One of the projects of the MMUUS History Committee, under the leadership of church archivist Roger Hiemstra, involves interviewing and recording long-time members and friends of May Memorial. This project was undertaken with the following purposes in mind: “to preserve oral histories and personal memories of the church; to obtain personal insights and perspectives on what has taken place in the life of the church; and to help in obtaining an overall picture of various church-related events, experiences and activities.”

As a first step, Roger purchased a small digital audio recorder with history committee funds, and we generated an extensive list of people to be interviewed, starting with more senior members of the congregation. The history committee also developed a set of questions covering several areas, such as early experiences with church/religious education, involvement with the Unitarian Universalist religion in general, and with May Memorial in particular, memorable events in the life of the church, and hopes for the future of MMUUS. Each interview is structured around these areas and questions. This will make it easier to excerpt information on certain topics from the interviews and, if desired, to put short audio clips on our website. (The use of digital technology makes this process more manageable and also allows us to save each interview on more than one computer hard drive and compact disk.)

One of the interview questions concerns what brought the individual to the Unitarian/Universalist church, and specifically to May Memorial. It is interesting to note that some of the reasons given by people who came to MMUUS 40 years ago are remarkably similar to those we hear today. For example, interviewees have talked about the desire to find a religious home where they could explore their own spirituality and discover their own religious path, as well as the desire to find a strong religious education program for their children.

Thus far we have recorded about a dozen interviews. This is a good start, but given the number of members and friends to be recorded, it is important to get more people involved. We hope that this column will raise awareness of the oral history project and interest some of you in participating. No special skills are required; all that is needed is an interest in listening to the stories and memories of some of our long-time members, a willingness to try something new, and a little free time. If you would like to learn more, please send an email to mailto:mledward@twcny.rr.com. The history committee would welcome your participation in this interesting and gratifying oral history project.

Mary Louise Edwards, History Committee Member

Written March 15, 2009

While exploring the files in the church archives, I came across some interesting Religious Education historical items. There were three religious education pamphlets – from 1916, 1963 and 1964.

The first was a “Prospectus for 1916 – 1917 of the May Memorial Sunday School”. There was a motto:“Be Faithful” and a good photo of the James Street church on the cover. The program description on the inside indicated four departments covering ages 4 through 17. Each department handled four school grades, with two grades taught in each of the two groups in the department. Each group taught two courses – one each year. Courses included God the Loving Father, Jesus’ Way of Love and Service, Old and New Testament stories, Paul of Tarsus, Work of the Apostles and more. The program also included an emphasis on service, with contributions to The Syracuse Boys Club and the Syracuse Women’s and Children’s Hospital. In addition, each class undertook some actual work of service. During 1916-17 they also maintained a scholarship at Tuskegee. The stated hope of the May Memorial Sunday School was to “train the spirit, the mind, the heart.”

Next came a pamphlet from the 1963 – 64 May Memorial Unitarian Church, School of Religion. The church was still at 472 James Street, with the Church School office at 466 James Street. Mr. Robert Burdick was chairman of the Religious Education Committee, and Mrs. (Mary) Burdick was a member of the committee. William Chaffee, MD is listed as the doctor for the school. Mrs. Lawrence was listed as the School Director, Bob Coye was a fifth grade teacher and Mrs. John Fuller was in charge of worship. There was a class for every grade from Nursery 3’s through tenth grade and a special class for 11^th and 12th graders. The Beacon Press book series was extensively used.

The following year was the first year in our new building at 3800 E. Genesee St. The 1964-65 May Memorial Unitarian Church School of Religion pamphlet included a nice drawing of the new church by Miss Joanne Ashley. In addition to describing the courses, it also shows a floor plan of the original Sunday School room assignments. Grade 9 and the class for grades 11-12 met on the upper level. The Beacon Press series was apparently only used through grade 5.

It is interesting to note the changes in Religious Education over the years. Some of the changes parallel changes in the attitudes and beliefs of the congregation. Other changes result from changes in curriculum and teaching philosophy and changes in youth perceptions. In spite of these continuing changes the statement about “our new building” in the 1964-65 pamphlet still holds true today: “Here young and old will gather as a family under one roof. The arrangement of space and the simplicity of adornment permit emphasis upon the process of becoming which is education. Here we establish anew, for ourselves and for our children, a church that shall be a house of friendship … of freedom … of truth seeking …of beauty … a cradle for our dreams and a workshop for our learning and doing together.”

George Adams, History Committee Member

Written February 15, 2009

As the May Memorial congregation began exploring a new building in the late 1950’s, there was a parallel conversation about a suitable organ for the new structure. The organ in the James Street Church was built in 1911 by the Hutchings Organ Company of Boston. By 1959 the instrument was stylistically dated, and in poor repair, although it has been rumored that the condition might have been exaggerated in the hopes for a new installation.

The Organ Committee, with Dr. Howland Auchincloss as chair, soon decided that rebuilding the old organ would not be the best choice, both artistically and financially. Instead, they found four builders for a new instrument, with the Holtkamp Organ Company of Cleveland, Ohio, at the top of the list. Walter Holtkamp, Sr., had built organs for Syracuse University with the concert instrument in Crouse College finished in 1950. This organ was built for Professor Arthur Poister, and is one of Holtkamp’s most impressive and most famous creations. May Memorial hired Dr. Poister as a consultant, and with the influence of then Director of Music Frank Macomber, a Syracuse University professor, it’s easy to see the influence the Crouse organ had on May Memorial’s choice.

One major setback was the death of Walter Holtkamp, Sr. in 1962, several hours after a phone conversation with the May Memorial committee. (No connection between his death and the Music Committee!) The firm became controlled by his son, Walter “Chick” Holtkamp, Jr. After checking the health of the company, and the expertise of Chick Holtkamp, May decided to stay

with their first choice. (Chick Holtkamp has since retired, and the company is being run by his son.)

Cost was also an issue but after a generous gift by the late Sarah Auchincloss, the church signed a contract for the larger of the two designs, for a total of $31,380.00. The organ has 27 ranks, or sets, of pipes, and was delivered in April, 1965. Current replacement cost is approximately $700,000.00, almost twice the original cost of the entire building. Chick Holtkamp worked closely with architect Dean Pietro Belluschi, especially in regard to the woods he used, and overall look. The organ does seem to grow out of the room in a unified way that is rarely seen in organ installations.

The people that have presided over the instrument as Music Director are only four. Frank Macomber came from the James Street Church. He was followed by Rob Kerner, cofounder

of the Kerner/Merchant Organ Company that still maintains the organ. Rob left to become

Curator of Organs for the Eastman School of Music. Dr Allison Evans Henry then served for five years, leaving for the First Presbyterian Church of Syracuse. I accepted the position in 1992, after being the musician for First Universalist on Waring Road in the 1980’s. A very quick 17 years it has been!

Our Holtkamp has been a source of great delight to me over my tenure. Come hear it once again in recital on Sunday, March 22 at 4:00 pm, as I celebrate my 50th birthday with a concert of some of my favorite works. Everyone is invited!

Glenn Kime, Music Director

Written January 15, 2009

Those who have read this column for awhile know that I feel the privilege is all mine in being able to pour over our archives. There is so much to learn, I gain so much inspiration from our past leaders, and my awe on what has already been accomplished by May Memorial people over the years continues to grow. This remains so true as I now go through the material of Rev. Dr. Nicholas C. Cardell, Jr., our 10^th minister (1974-1995).

Many readers know that Nick spent time in prison on two occasions. Once was as a Prisoner of War during WWII and 54 years later as a Prisoner of Conscience when he served time in a Federal Prison Camp, joined by active members Dan and Doris Sage, for their demonstrations against the School of the Americas. You can read more about the despicable background of the U.S.’s School of the Americas at http://history.mmuus.org/judasbyproxy.pdf in a sermon by Nick in the fall of 1997. Several months years later Dan, Doris, and Nick’s prison terms began. Go here to read some about his experiences: http://www.uuworld.org/1999/0799feat3.html. Such commitments based on conscience establish a role modeling atmosphere explaining so well why I am a Unitarian Universalist and why I so love this church. I encourage parents with young children to talk about this with them and read some of Nick’s words.

I recently discovered an undated sermon by Nick entitled From POW to POC. It was written sometime in 1999. You can see it at http://history.mmuus.org/From%20POW%20to%20POC.pdf It, too, is well worth reading. Nick talked about the feelings people have when they do something that is truly based on their conscience and knowing that they know how to distinguish right from wrong in terms of the way you deal with others: “There is a joyful exhilaration in risking something with others for the sake of some deep-down fundamental conviction that has to do, I think, with belonging and caring—with loving. It is a spiritual experience.” In essence, I believe Nick was describing how spirituality comes about in so many different ways.

Rog Hiemstra, Chair, History Committee

Written November 15, 2008

Many past May Memorial heroes have been mentioned in this newsletter, but many have been missed. This month and next month, that will be somewhat rectified. If you know of others who should be mentioned, please let me know. Many of the names contained in these two articles also have important historical connections to the Syracuse community.

• Right from our beginning in the 1830s, we were persecuted because of the beliefs by many that Unitarians were non-Christians or even heathens. This meant our forbearers had to be strong, courageous, and quiet heroes, such as our church initiators Stephen Abbott, Dr. Hiram Hoyt, Joel Owen, and Elisha Walter.
• Many know of the Jerry Rescue history in 1871, when Sam May helped break out of the Syracuse jail a former slave who was illegally placed there. However, there were many Unitarians also involved in various ways, including George Barnes, Oliver Burt, Dr. Lyman Clary, Captain Hiram Putnam, and Charles B. Sedgwick.
• Our church finances were finally put into the plus column in the late 1890s through the ability of Amos Padgham, long-time clerk and treasurer, and father of Elizabeth Padgham who became a well-know Unitarian minister and then a long time supporter of May Memorial after her retirement. About this same time Mary Redfield Bagg created a graded course of religious study for youth that was introduced at May Memorial and eventually adopted by many other Unitarian churches.
• In the 1920s, Dora Sedgwick Hazard and her sister Kitty Burlingame worked with Black community leaders to organize a youth recreation program at the AME Zion Church (this eventually because the Dunbar Society.
• A few years later in the early 1930′s when the unemployed men of the Syracuse had no place to go for recreation of any kind, reading and social rooms were provided for them at our church, with Mrs. Frederick R. Hazard taking the lead to supply them with refreshments, games, and reading material. Give a passing thanks and hearty congratulations to these wonderful people.

Rog Hiemstra, Chair, History Committee

Written October 15, 2008

Sadly, the Fall, 2008, issue of the UU World, announced the passing of Rev. Ric Masten, a true original, after a long and courageous battle with prostate cancer. You can find a chronicling of his battle with this terrible disease on the web simply by goggling his name. Ric was known as the “troubadour minister,” because he performed for years with music and poetry before many UU congregations across this country. Although he attended several colleges, he never received a degree as he struggled with dyslexia and a troublesome hearing impairment. He probably was the only fellowshipped UU minister who never graduated from college or a seminary, being ordained in 1971 at the UU church in Arlington, Virginia.

Ric had a long history with May Memorial, having appeared here several times in the 70s and 80s, usually with a 12 string guitar in tow, his wonderfully animated voice, and a large repertoire of poetry and song. His first appearance here may have been in 1971, at least that is the first mention of him in the archives. To see a photo of that visit, go to http://history.mmuus.org/ricmasten.pdf. To see a more recent photo during the period of his struggle with cancer go to http://history.mmuus.org/RicMasten2.jpg

I was fortunate to see him in the early 80s in what may have been his last visit to May Memorial. I remember being enthralled and he certainly seemed to captivate all of us in attendance. He talked openly about the problems he had faced in life, including the marital struggles he was undergoing. If memory serves me correctly, his wife, Billie Barbara Masten, poet, author, and actress, performed with him that evening. I seem to remember them talking together about the struggles of staying married with his and their hectic travel schedules when she went with him. They even split at one point, remarried, and then maintained a ritual of reaffirming their marriage with stated vows each year, an activity that Billie insisted upon until the end.

A winner of many honors, in his last award ceremony this past January he told the crowd in attendance, “All you have to do is catch a fatal disease and the awards just fall out of the trees like apples.” His ashes were spread on a steep dirt road leading to his California home as per his wishes so he could “leave behind a little winter traction for his neighbors.” His passing is very sad, but he left behind a legacy of quirky (he was even a quick-draw artist with a pistol) but beloved troubadouring.

Rog Hiemstra, Chair, History Committee

Written September 7, 2008

It was Tuesday evening, February 28, 1854, in downtown Syracuse. The day had warmed a bit, a little snow remained, but it had turned windy and cooler as 7 pm approached. City Hall was filled to capacity with an anticipatory crowd and hundreds more thronging the building unable to get in but straining to hear what they could. This began eleven such evening debates, ending on March 23, regarding what became the famous Lee-May theological debate regarding the doctrine of the Trinity. Lee and May were friends, but very different in their views of theology.

Rev. Lee, a local Wesleyan (Methodist) minister, believed and supported the notion of a Trinity, i.e., (a) God, (b) Jesus as a manifestation of God, and (c) the ever present Holy Spirit. This was a basis for his religious views and what he called “three persons in unity of the Godhead” (from page 4 of Discussion of the Trinity, Wesleyan Book Room, Syracuse, NY, 1854, available at SU’s Special Collections unit).  Rev. May, our minister, believed in a “God,” and notions of an historical Jesus as a “manifestation of God to men and that God’s Holy Spirit which was so fully manifested in Christ is ever present, the spirit of truth, purity, and mercy” (p. 6).

Subtle, perhaps, but very real differences. Rev. Lee spun out his convictions over the eleven debates fervently believing and defending notions that the bible provided all the evidence needed to support such views. Rev. May, on the other hand, providing support for his views, including many quotations from the bible, that would find much acceptance in our pew today other than views of an everlasting “God” which may differ from many of our own. He disavowed the notion that ministers must believe in the doctrine of Trinity to be legitimate ministers and was convinced that interpretations made by philosophers and religious leaders two and three centuries after the birth of Christ were both incorrect and leading to Trinitarian beliefs still held today.

Debates held in 1854 may have been less contentious than today’s political debates, for example, and we can guess that both Rev. Lee and Rev. May were polite, but passionate, in the defenses they made of their beliefs. At the conclusion of the debates, Sam said, “And here, Brother Lee, after all our disputing, is my right hand of fellowship if you are willing to receive it.” I envision them clasping right hands as Rev. Lee said “I take your hand, and fellowship you as a man and a philanthropist, but I have no fellowship with your theology.” Sam seems to then have had the last word as he concluded with, “Nor I with yours! I suppose that your theology is just as unlike to mine, as mine is to yours” (p. 160).

Those lucky enough to have heard these brilliant men describing their beliefs were no doubt awed, and some may even have changed their personal views one way or the other. Interestingly, the steadfast adherence to a literal translation of the bible today by many continues to lead to misunderstandings and even violent clashes.  Now we just need to find a way to have those who disagree with each other clasp hands in friendship and agree to disagree, but in loving ways.

Rog Hiemstra, Chair, History Committee

Written August 5, 2008

Even venturing down the road implied by the above title is a perilous one, especially for someone of the male gender. I no doubt will miss many deserving women, some of whom may be your own favorites. However, here are some of the terrific women who have been associated with May Memorial. You can google many of them to find more information.

I start with Harriet May Mills who was born in 1857 and named after Sam May. After graduation from Cornell in 1879, she was influenced by Susan B. Anthony and Lucy Stone and began active work in the campaign for woman’s suffrage. She later ran for Secretary of State in NY, the first woman to run for a state-wide office. Blanche Weaver Baxter, who was a niece of Matilda Joslyn Gage, had a 30 year career on Broadway and, upon her retirement, returned to Syracuse and worked tirelessly with youth in the arts, even founding the Syracuse Little Theater. Rev. Elizabeth Padgham, whom I have written about before, a successful Unitarian minister who grew up in our church and returned here after retirement to serve our church in many ways.

Dora G. Sedgwick, married to Frederick Hazard, was daughter of abolitionist Charles B. Sedgwick. Dora was an early proponent of family planning and helped develop programs for young Black people (which evolved into the Dunbar Center). The Hazard Branch of the OCPL contains a memorial plaque recalling her public service. The middle of the last century saw RE leaders like Elizabeth Manwell and Jo Gould who not only served this church but also had a national impact.

I can’t forget Verah Johnson, our church’s first woman president, so many leaders of our Woman’s Alliance throughout much of the past century, RE leaders Pat Hoertdoefer and Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Strong, both of whom spent the latter part of their terrific careers working for the UUA in Boston, and current RE Director, Jennifer Hamlin-Navias.

You can see I have left out so many, but I can beg off because of space constraints. However, I must end with our current church leader, Rev. Jean Wahlstrom. Check out her photo in the Memorial Room. Thank you Jean for adorning our Memory Wall and gracing our sacred Hall.

Rog Hiemstra, Chair, History Committee

Written July 12, 2008

At our annual meeting on June 1 we learned that a committee would be formed whose purpose will be fund raising. As we all know, history repeats itself, in that our church has had financial ups and downs throughout its existence and special efforts to raise funds dot our historical landscape. Here are a few of those efforts that this committee might find instructive where members as well as interested community members contributed through entrance fees, purchases, and donations:

• The Laymen’s League sponsored lectures by the famous minister John Haynes Holmes, a prominent Unitarian minister, pacifist, and anti-war activist.
• The Women’s Alliance presented a Pageant of Shawls with a program of ethnic dancing at the art museum.
• The Alliance coordinated programs for church and community children put on by the Clare Tree Children’s Theatre Troupe
• Church members, including children, put on plays, theatrical performances, and musicals.
• Garden parties were held at the homes of prominent church members.
• One of the money raising events was called the Department Store and in 1905 it brought in a record sum of $256.52.
• The women of the church put on an annual two-day May Faire that used the church and church grounds to raise funds through such activities as an antique sale, bazaar, business men’s lunch, carnival corner, flea market, food sale, game room, garden shop, gourmet shop, pancake lunch, pony rides, puppet show, salad bar, sidewalk art show, and even a stamp and coin booth. [If you would like to see a poster of one of these fund-raising events, see http://history.mmuus.org/mayfaireposter.pdf.]
• The society raised money with a series of roast beef dinners, cooked by John Fuller, that were open the public.
• The Christmas tree sale organized by forestry professor Gerry Lanier became a popular annual fund-raising event that involved a majority of members.

So think creatively when you are asked for ideas on how we best can raise funds in this coming year. There are many ways similar to those above that might be tried, but many wonderful possibilities exist in your minds and experiences.

Rog Hiemstra, Chair, History Committee

Written June 19, 2008

I have enjoyed a recent opportunity to look through several archival files new to me. I have learned much and will share some of it through this newsletter format. To begin with, I discovered what appears to be all the material related to a wonderful sermon given by Rev. Nick Cardell on October 12, 1997. Entitled Judas By Proxy, in it Nick talks about the School of Assassins (SOA) at Ft. Benning, Georgia, and the terrible toll visited on people in many Latin American countries by graduates of that school. He mentions both Father Roy Bourgeois, who organized the SOA Watch in 1990, an annual vigil outside the Ft. Benning gates, and Syracuse’s own Ed Kinane. Both Father Roy and Ed had been arrested and subsequently jailed for crossing those gates. The church was honored to award the Samuel J. May Citation for Community Action to Ed in 1997. In addition, Father Bourgeois was our Sam May Day speaker April 1, 2007. You can read Nick’s sermon at http://history.mmuus.org/judasbyproxy.pdf

His words were an almost eerie precursor to what followed. At some point during that service Nick said one way we could use our “response-ability” in closing the SOA was to join him, Dan Sage, Doris Sage, and Ann Tiffany at Ft. Benning on November 13-16, 1997. Many will know that subsequently they all crossed through those gates, were arrested, and eventually served several months in jail because of their convictions. Such courage so epitomizes what May Memorial membership means. For those who never saw it, I encourage you to read Nick’s Notes from Camp Allenwood at this web site: http://www.uuworld.org/1999/0799feat3.html

The second set of files pertains to Rev. Ron Clark who served this church as Associate Minister from 1968-1971. Ron is remembered fondly for the many innovative programs he brought to our Religious Education program. Ron went on to be a minister at two other Unitarian churches and worked several years with the UUA. Sadly, Rev. Clark died nearly two years ago at the age of 70. Here is a site that provides more information, some photos of Ron and his family, and a link to one of his sermons: http://history.mmuus.org/ronclark.html

I end on a personal note of gratitude to the many readers of this column during the past two plus years who have mentioned how much they appreciate it and learn about our church’s marvelous history. I truly enjoy writing these articles and have to come to appreciate even more this church I love. I feel so proud to be a member. Here is a reminder that you can read past newsletter articles in an online archival repository: http://history.mmuus.org/newsletterarchives.pdf

Rog Hiemstra, Chair, History Committee

Written June 1, 2008