WOMEN’S HISTORY AT NORTHMINSTER

PART IIl

(Third in a series of articles celebrating Women’s History Month)

Last week I mentioned the quote in the News-Star from Priscilla Asbury in Northminster’s very early days that “[a]t Northminster women will hold leadership roles in all aspects of church life”. Those words were prophetic! As I also mentioned the initial Coordinating Council (or as we called it then Coordinating Committee) was composed of Priscilla, Kay Southern, Harold Hughens and myself. Prior to electing this group, I remember half-jokingly saying that at least half of those elected should be men! That was because in Northminster’s formation and early years women were such important leaders, and they outnumbered the men. You will remember that many of Jesus’ early followers were women as were leaders in the early church. However, early on men shut them out. Not at Northminster.

At some point early on we decided there should be nine members of the Council, each serving a staggered three-year term. For those who don’t know, the Coordinating Council is Northminster’s administrative body, providing important leadership to the church. When we first wrote our by-laws, we wanted to make certain that the place of women on the Coordinating Council was protected. Thus, the by-laws required that an equal number of women and men serve on the Council. I really don’t think that was necessary, but we felt it important to codify this core value. Since it became cumbersome to have five women and four men one year and four men and five women the next, the by-laws were amended to provide simply that “[a]n effort shall be made to maintain gender equity on the Council.” And so, we have. In the by-law changes approved in the business meeting on Sunday night we now pledge to “maintain diversity reflective of the church membership”. We thus recognize the importance at Northminster of the entirety of our very diverse group of people!

I am writing these articles pretty much from memory without having done research (except glancing at Dr. Gaddy’s book Coming Home). So, I can’t vouch for the fact that I have perfect memory. In thinking back I’m pretty sure that in our now thirty-four-year history women have served as chair of the Coordinating Council on far more occasions than men. Those serving (in alphabetical order) have been Jo Ann Alley, Priscilla Asbury, Peggy Burns, Hannah Clark, Marilyn Decker, Donita Gilmore, Jamie Parker, Patti Pate, and Kay Southern, and some of these on multiple occasions. I hope I didn’t leave anyone out. And, of course, many other women have also served on the Council, led commissions, taught Sunday School, etc. I won’t try to name them all. You know who you are. Women have been important leaders at Northminster.

There are two other women I must mention and for fear of leaving out others. Connie Smallwood has been our church treasurer since day one. Did I mention that’s almost thirty-four years?! For all of this time Connie has had a very busy CPA practice, but she has consistently devoted much time and effort to paying our bills, keeping our financial records, reporting monthly concerning the church’s financial status, etc., etc. And all expertly. Untold hours each year! Thank you, Connie!

And Susan Curry. Early on Susan got the moniker of “Church Lady” at Northminster. That’s because from overseeing weddings to dealing with the cleaning crew to planning Spring and Fall workdays and so much more, pretty much every day Susan has been in the church building doing something. In the early days at Northminster she sang in the choir. But then years ago she felt “called” to dedicate herself to leading our children during Sunday School and worship. She’s been doing that ever since. “Called” is my word, but if you know Susan . . . well God must have been at work!

Whew! Speaking of Her, THANK GOD for all the women leaders at Northminster. Our important history would be greatly diminished without them. Next week “Women Preachers and Women Ministers”. Stay tuned for the final article in this series celebrating Women’s History Month at Northminster.

Craig Henry

Opening Hymn: Children of God

Of Puritan ancestry and Quaker parentage, the American poet and journalist John Greenleaf Whittier was a strong supporter of the abolition of slavery. This hymn is comprised of the final stanzas of “Worship,

a poem expressing his views on the life of faith. Set to the tune, WELWYN by Alfred Scott-Gatty, 1900.

Middle Hymn: Through All the World, a Hungry Christ

The text is taken from Gospel of Mark and Luke. Set to a tune by Shirley Erene Murray, 1992. The words take us with Christ through hunger, sickness, despair, and a beggar. We ask him to touch us, make us more like him.

Gospel Acclamation: Parable

We once again have a parable and introduce the reading and respond with the words “ Through parable Jesus reveals God’s truth”.

Anthem: If Not Us, Then Who?

Composer Sheldon Curry wrote this anthem in 1982 for the ordination of Deacons, Park Forrest Baptist Church, Dallas, TX. The text reminds us that we are the voice of Christ today. If not us….then who?

Communion Anthem:  Prayer of Teresa of Avila

Commissioned in 1999 by Saint Mark Presbyterian Church, Rockville, MD Upon the retirement of its founding Pastor, Rev. James Macdonell and in memory of Margaret Tholen. Kenneth Lowenberg wrote this anthem from a prayer written by St. Teresa of Avila, Spain (1515-1582).

Closing Hymn:  There’s a Spirit in the Air

The tune ORIENTIS PARTIBUS is a medieval French melody, harmonized by Richard Redhead, 1853. The hymn is written by Brian Wren in 1969.

We continue in this season of Lent…..share this worship with us. Pacem, Debi

We pray for...

Family of John Bennett Gray; Brandy Kimble-Keen (recovering from surgery); Conrad Rispoli; Bill Krutzer; Mary Dale Hughes (mother of Vickie Krutzer); Lowery & Barbara Thompson; Welton & Judy Gaddy; Susan Curry; Tracy & Mary Sandow (Tracy is in Avalon Place accepting visitors); Jackie Poettgen (grandmother of Erich Hankamer; Buddy Aulds, son in law of Kay Southern; Kade Stapleton (extendeamily of Hannah Clark); Duane Crews (nephew of Hannah Clark); Kay Southern, Judy Eddington, Jay Aro; Our friends and partner church, Iglesia Bautista Enmanuel, in Ciego de Avila, Cuba.

Spring Concert

The ULM Concert Choir and Chamber Singers present their Spring Concert on March 30 at 7:30pm at Parkview Baptist Church on Forsythe Ave. in Monroe. Dr. Deborah Chandler is conducting.

March Mission Trunk Emphasis

Renewal Center of NELA

Needs: Styrofoam trays (3-compartment to-go trays), knife-spoon-fork packages (all of which can be found at Sam’s Club). Plastic utensils, adult diapers, feminine hygiene products, Dixie cups, trash bags, toilet tissue, paper towels, Dawn dishwashing liquid, washing detergent, all cleaning supplies, shampoo, toothpaste/brushes, water in jugs or bottles, coffee. Large ticket items needed: Pressure washer, lawn equipment.

Request for Clothes Hangers

Clothes hangers are needed to help with our Immigrant Mission. Mara Loeb requests clothes hangers of any kind, wire or otherwise. There will be a dedicated box near the mission trunk for you to drop off your extra hangers! Thank you!