Christ Church, Alexandria, VA.
In this sanctuary, both of my children were baptized. One daughter was married here. We look forward to baptizing our grandson here, also.
My husband and I have been members since 1977, when we came from Cleveland, Ohio. A choir member at our old parish suggested Christ Church, having visited as a tourist. The Christ Church choir director just happened to have openings for both a baritone and alto soloist (paid soloists being the thing in many Episcopal churches). So we sang in the choir for many years, and my husband still does. In the beginning, all of the exotic southern culture involved in living in Alexandria felt like wearing new, slightly itchy clothing. We found ourselves living in a foreign country that spoke a version of English. Some people drawled, like in the movies! Others, being transplants like us, did not. As for food: Just as casseroles, I'm told, are the holy food of Methodism, ham biscuits were here. Church receptions always served these tiny, flaky biscuits filled with unbelievably salty southern ham (Not my thing, still isn't). In the early years, sherry was served. When some of the older people left church a bit sloshed, the rector put an end to the sherry.
Part of the exotic charm, for me, an Ohio girl, were the references to Robert E. Lee and George Washington. Washington slept here (during sermons, the joke goes). Lee was confirmed at the alter rail. But soon I was in for an education about point of view. Not everyone was enthralled by these two men being enshrined in the front of the church (see photo). Some thought (and still do) that memorial plaques right there next to the Ten Commandments detracted from worship of God in Christ. Most churches have their memorials in other places in the church. Others felt that memorials to the head of the Confederate Army in the front of the church were inappropriate. But since the Lee family were still members, any sort of redecorating was not considered. Virginia itself had Lee/Jackson Day and did not want to add Martin Luther King, Jr. to the mix (they did, evenutally). Controversies were always under the surface, if subterranean.
When the new push to reconsider those plaques in the front of the church emerged recently, I was alarmed. My sentimental brain pushed out the thought: What about all of that charm? The tourist bait? The "history"? So I went to a listening session, of which there were something like a hundred (it seemed). People took turns speaking to the issue, and respectful silence was mandated. No one was to even roll their eyes at another person's opinion, a good rule. I heard the great grand daughter of a Civil War general, who had been a colleague of Lee, explain her family history. I fully expected her to come down in favor of keeping the plaques. She astonished me, saying that neither Lee, nor Washington, being Christian men, would have wanted those plaques to be an obstacle to worship for anyone. She wanted them down. Whew. I knew I was in the presence of a group of people who knew how to prayerfully discern. The process was working. Creative solutions to the issue came up as people spoke, including moving the plaques to reside with our other historical artifacts in a display within another building. That sounded so utterly sensible, and forward thinking that I climbed on board.
I am angry that people who know absolutely nothing about our process, or our prayerful discernment (and possibly don't care, either, since the action supports their preconceived notions about today's controversies) are out there on social media ranting about our decision as if they knew us. They don't. What is more frightening is that those unrestrained, gloriously ignorant voices might incite more than talk. We had to have police presence at our service after the announcement of the change.
These folks have no idea of what they are talking about (Forgive them, Father...). I spend some time each day trying to educate at least our former members who assume the worst. People who, like I was, are sentimental about George and Robert, and the plaques. So I invite those of you who are in the know to open dialogue with at least the ones who should know better. It is actually very rewarding to see a change of attitude after a heart-felt discussion, even on Facebook. We love you. We understand, but here's the deal. Anything one can do to help, right?
Peace.
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