October-November 1991
By Emily Masura
Most of our students are not
Episcopalian but find themselves
in a relationship with the
Episcopal church when they
arrive at Saint Mary’s. Some stu
dents are unfamiliar with the
issues surrounding the Episcopal
church, some of which are the
same issues that also surround
other main-line denominations
such as Presbyterian, the United
Church of Christ, and Methodist.
Two issues facing the church that
have caused some members to
ioave are the ordination of women
and the revision of the prayer
book. The Belles interviewed
Chaplain Watrous on her feelings
3nd opinions about the issues
that have influenced some mem-
t^ers to leave the church.
A belief of some Episcopal
Members is that women should
not be priests because Jesus and
the Apostles were men, and his
torically, church leaders have
“Oen men. Chaplain Watrous
tools that it is an issue that has to
deal with acceptable ways to
oxperience God. “A majority of
Poople support the ordination of
'I'^omen. There is a minority of
those who see a problem with the
?’’dination of women. The most
'niportant thing about being a
'Oithful follower of Jesus is not
Sender, because hearts don’t
ddve gender.”
, Cn the theories about mem-
dfirs leaving the Episcopal
fhurch. Chaplain Watrous feels it
^ not just one factor that is influ-
®hcing people to leave the
Church. “Any change at all has
^®en hard for Episcopal mem-
People always see change
Worldly and not religious: they
religion as unchanging.” In
®turn, she feels there are some
Jdople attracted to the Episcopal
hurch because of the changes.
example is the prayer book,
i^ome new members had never
down a prayer book in their pre-
'Ous church. They like having a
d’’9yer book with the service.”
I Membership diversity is also an
i^Pe. For years the Episcopal
durch was predominantly white
I'dgio-Saxon. Now the church is
I y'dg to encourage growth by
..dorporating many different eth-
d Qroups and diverse family
The Belles
Page3
Chaplain Watrous
Addresses Controversy
briefly
Boston Goes Up in Rames
Exactly one year, one month and
one day after the Great Chicago Fire of
Oct 8,1871 (supposedly started by Mrs.
O’Leary’s cow), Boston too was in
flames.
Starting in a dry goods warehouse
Nov. 9, 1872, and aided by windy
weather, the flames destroyed several
blocks of the business district Almost
800 buildings and their contents were
ravaged to the tune of $75 million. It
was reported that the fire’s red glare
could be seen up to a hundred miles
away.
They Still Go Pop!
Though native to North and South
America, popcorn was unknown in
Europe. The Indians presented it to the
early colonists as a gesture of good will.
Supposedly, Quadequina, an Iroquois,
brought a deerskin bag of popped com
to tlvs first Thanksgiving feast. Later,
the colonists popped com and served it
for breakfast witn sugar and cream.
Now, archaeologists say popcorn
was eaten in the Americas long before
the early 1600s. Excavations in New
Mexico have unearthed some popcorn
ears 5,000 years old. And some of the
1,000-year-old kernels unearthed can
still pop!
Thanksgiving Easier Now
In times long past, Americans labored
long and hard for the Thanksgiving
harvest. They nursed the com from the
ground, baked their own bread, picked
the berries, and hunted and shot that
bird.
Little wonder there were prayers of
Thanksgiving before the meal.
Today, however, one need only stop
at the supermarket and select the
choicest of the best food in the world.
A simple “thank you” and another
harvest for Thanksgiving is complete.
Structures. According to Chaplain
Watrous, “We want our church to
make everyone feel welcome. .
Finally, there is the issue of
human sexuality. At Genera
Convention it was affirmed that
marriage is the proper relation
ship for sexual activity. Chaplain
Watrous asks, “What about
unmarried people? Is cel^acy the
only Christian alternative? We re
really having to look at what we
think scripture,
social sciences tell us about
human relationships.
Special thanks to:
Dr. Quinn
Chaplain Watrous
Campus Changes for the Better
By Elizabeth Denning
cha summer there were many
l^^hge on the campus of Saint
Renovations began as
thft school was out. A lot of
thft was done because of
Of lu^Portance of the appearance
Ma?.® ^anipus for the anniversary
Wha ^ students were shocked
lifid entered their dorms to
tiftu '^®w decorating job or a
7 ^'replace!
these additions,
arirt furniture on both second
tiigi^uird floor was repainted, all
replaced in the bath-
oid « ’ carpet was laid in the
®hfioklng room, and in the
nean of Student’s office, the par-
lo? Milina was repaired and the
portraits and windows were insu-
lated for more protection.
The new student center was
nf the bioflest changes of the
^Imer ^students remember
"S’b“2^dirnrrors
SrrTdo^Mn
rtl1^covera‘5'’upmeSin|
that one penick were
°pmoved and grass was planted.
PoTadd«"onIl floodlights were
to he building to provide
® sSxtrity. New picnic tables
are also being constructed.
The Day Student House got
new carpet, and there was also
some new furniture added by the
GAD committee. The Fine Arts
Center added carpet and sound-
soak material was installed. The
wall in the chorale room was
removed to allow more students
to fit in comfortably.
West Rock was probably the
most completely updated build
ing. This entire dorm was reno
vated by a general contractor.
Furniture was repainted by the
SMC maintenance staff. All of the
walls were repainted, new carpet
was laid in the halls, and fake fire
places were added for decoration.
Closets were completely redone
and finished off with brass hard
ware.
As far as the grounds, new
flower beds were added at the
south end of the walk in the front
circle and at the awning rear of
Smedes by the New Student
Center. Gravel walks were
installed by the student center, in
front of Cruikshank, and from the
fire lane to sidewalks at the east
end of Smedes. New trash bins
have been placed around cam
pus, and new equipment has
been purchased for buildings and
grounds improvement. New signs
have also been added around
campus to assist new students
and visitors.