January 2, 2019 | The Epiphany
Responding to Joseph's Story
Northminster Family,

A few people have asked good questions about my sermon from two weeks ago, the short story about Joseph, but I haven't been able to write a response until now because of the Christmas break. Some have asked if the story I told was true, or if I believed it was true. Questions like that reveal a great deal about our shared background and some of the ways we were brought up reading the Bible, and I appreciate their honesty. Let me respond by saying, contrary to what we were taught: there is far more to truth than historicity. It need not have happened to be deeply true.

I shared the following on Facebook several days ago, and hope it will be helpful here: In seminary, we learned about a rumor in the first century meant to discredit the budding Christian movement - that Jesus was not the product of a virgin birth, but the result of an affair between Mary and a Roman soldier named Tiberius Pantera (although, given the power dynamics at play, it'd be difficult to call this a mutually consensual "affair"). Even then, that story seemed even more powerful to me than a miraculous virgin birth. That Joseph would commit to stay with her, that such a difficult and painful situation could be redeemed to create someone so fully and beautifully human as Jesus... that seemed enough to honestly be able to call Jesus an incarnation of redemption - Love made flesh. What's more, taking the supernatural out of it, the story becomes more replicable - we can see ourselves in it more easily and allow it to play out more readily in our own lives. I was grateful for the opportunity to form the feeling into a short story and share it as the sermon on the Fourth Sunday of Advent.

Did it actually happen this way? Who knows? Does it really matter?

Was Jesus actually born of a virgin? Who knows? Does it really matter?

There are other questions we could ask of this story, questions that help us on our work towards Christlikeness. Questions like: Where do I see myself in this story? Where do I see God in this story? Where do I see this story playing out around me right now? What does this story inspire me to do or be?

In asking these questions, we can more fully develop eyes to see God in our experiences and open ourselves to become agents of God's love.

I would be very happy to continue the conversation in person for any who are interested, and I hope each of you are having a Happy New Year!

Peace,
Zach
Prayers of the People
An opportunity to celebrate and pray alongside siblings in our community.
We pray alongside...

John and Ingrid Gray as John undergoes treatment for lung cancer.

Claire Helton's brother Gary Stubblefield and his family, as he awaits results of a biopsy to confirm a diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome (treatable kidney disease).

We celebrate alongside...

H.T. Garner (2nd) and Beth Ingram (9th), as they celebrate their birthdays.

If you have concerns and celebrations you would like us to add to the newsletter, please call the church office or email office@northmin.org.
The Work of the People
How we are responding to the Spirit of Love
Immigration Info &
Visitation Training
Join us from 12:30-1:30pm on Sunday, Jan. 5 for lunch & an open info session with Sofia Casini from Freedom for Immigrants, a national advocacy group. From 1:30-3:00pm she will host a more in-depth training on visitation with immigrant detainees here in Monroe. Sign up in the hallway or by emailing the church office.
Northminster Book Club: Educated, by Tara Westover
The Northminster Book Club is currently reading Educated by Tara Westover for our February meeting.

Educated is the fantastic memoir of a woman growing up in a fundamentalist, survivalist Mormon family in the mountains. It touches on unhealthy family dynamics, religious trauma, the power of shame, the importance of education and perspective, and the path to healing in a way that I suspect many Northminster folks might recognize echoes of similar experiences.

Get your copy now so that you can join us for dinner and conversation in February. February's meeting will be held in the home of Mark Windham.
January Mission Trunk: Humane Society
The Humane Society Adoption Center of Monroe is dedicated to the welfare of all animals because of their intrinsic value and rights. Our primary purposes are the prevention of cruelty to animals, the relief of suffering among animals, the extension of humane education, and the provision of shelter-based services. Needs: Dog treats (no rawhides), puppy, kitten, dog, and cat food (canned or dry), all stock livestock food, hay and shelled corn, pine sol, lysol spray, dry shampoo, first aid supplies, old bath towels , sheets, blankets.

Properties: Adopt-A-Bed is a Go!
We hope you've noticed that all our landscaping and flower beds have been trimmed, cleaned out and stuffed with pine straw! Now is the time to adopt your bed! By having one person take responsibility of a bed and recruiting one or two helpers, we can keep our property looking great all year around. Please see the sign-up sheet and available beds up for adoption on the bulletin board in the hallway. For more information, contact Bill Kight or any other Properties Commission member.
Daughters of Eve Rehearsals Begin Jan 25
Rehearsals for Daughters of Eve will kick off on Saturday, Jan. 25 from 10am-3pm at the church. If you are interested in acting in this reader's theater production please let Claire or Zach know and plan to join us that day. Also, tentatively mark off Saturdays between Jan 25 and March 14 for rehearsal time. (Though we won't need everyone every time!) We will also rehearse on some Tuesday evenings as needed. The performance will be the weekend of March 14.

All writing contributors are to submit their final copy of their story to claire@northmin.org by Sunday, Jan. 12.

Here's to telling better stories together in 2020!
Holy Ideas
How might we respond to the Spirit of Love?
The following are currently on the Holy Ideas board in the hallway. If you'd like to support an idea and help it become reality, be sure to stop by and sign your name to it. If you have questions, email the sponsor of the idea.

If the idea gets the support it needs (3 signatures) by the expiration date, the supporters will meet with the appropriate commission to clarify and refine the idea into a specific, time-limited plan.

For more opportunities to get involved, check the hallway table and bulletin boards.

If you'd like information on getting involved in leadership commissions or Sunday School groups, you can click here .
To support Northminster financially, you can click here.
Around Town
How can we be present in our community?
CA Studios Presents Twelfth Night Celebration with Open Mic
Sunday, January 5 at 7pm at Lea's of Lecompte. A 12th Night Celebration with MC Tyler Wayne Smith and DH Clark on piano. Also featuring John Reynolds, Sarah Elizabeth Irwin, Jackson Culp, Sam Coleman, Anne Brown, The Livingston Six, Schylar Danford Berry, Peyton Ballew, Melinda Jambois, Tyler Brubaker, Rickey Pittman, Laura Elisabeth Ulrich and Toby Traylor. A donation is requested to get in the door. For more information contact Cathy Airhart Webb.
The Marjorie Stricklin Emerging Artist Competition
On Saturday, January 11 at 7pm the finals of the Marjorie Stricklin Emerging Artist Competition will be held in Biedenharn Recital Hall on the campus of ULM. Tickets are available at the door for $5.
In January of each year, talented youth and young adults in the tri-state area are invited to participate in the Marjorie Stricklin Emerging Artists Competition before accredited judges from Louisiana and adjacent states. The Competition is funded by the Monroe Symphony League and presented in collaboration with the University of Louisiana Monroe, with facilitator Dr. Mel Mobley. Finalists perform a concert the last evening for the community before the winners are announced. The overall winner is featured as a guest performer with the Monroe Symphony Orchestra during the following season.
CA Studio Presents:
Lifespan of a Fact
Dinnar Theatre is January 11, 13, 18, 20 and 25 at 7pm and tickets are $35 per person. January 12, 19, and 26 at 6pm. is Pie Theatre and tickets are $18 each. All shows at Lea's of Lecompte on Louisville Avenue. .Reservations can be made at castudiola.com or call 318-791-3048.

The Monroe Symphony Presents:
Justin Havard in Concert
ULM Voice and Piano faculty member and Northminster music associate, Justin Havard performs a solo event on the piano. A wide arrangement of styles, genres, and interactions with the audience will make the cold January night come alive! Be sure to grab extra tickets for your piano students and friends who enjoy live performances! This "MSO Presents" concert will be held Thursday, January 16 at 7pm at Northminster Church.
Over the Coming Week
Sunday 1/5
9am - Choir rehearsal
10am - Sunday School
10:45am - Musical Preludes
11am - Call to Worship

Wednesday 1/8
6:30pm - Choir rehearsal
Worship This Week
The text for this week is:
  • Matthew 2:1-23

Sunday's sermon will be preached by
Claire Helton.
Upcoming
January
5th-11th Renee out of the office
5th Lunch and Immigration Information 12:30pm
12th Stewardship meeting 12:15
12th Coordinating Council 2pm
19th Potluck and Business Meeting 6pm
20th MLK Day-Office Closed
25th Daughters of Eve
February
1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Daughters of Eve rehearsals
6th Northminster Book Club
26th Ash Wednesday Service
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