NEWSLETTER

Thursday, September 8, 2022

The Children's Message

Starting on Sunday we’re resuming a special element of our worship service: a Children’s Message. I’ve been told this is something that used to be part of Northminster’s worship but as with so many things COVID took its toll on this time for our kids. That’s part of the reason I’m glad to bring this element back, and because it gives me a chance to get to know the kids better.

As you get to know me better you’ll discover that involving kids and youth in worship is one of my biggest soap-boxes. I’m sure this is because my home church and pastor allowed me to participate in worship leadership from a young age, modeling for me that I had the ability to lead in worship as an adult one day. Those experiences also taught me important lessons about public speaking and dealing with my once debilitating stage-fright. 

It also made me feel valuable and made me want to invest in the community. Even as a kid I knew that I was an important part of my church and there was room and opportunities for me to participate just like the adults. My hope is that our Northminster kids and youth will feel the same way if they don’t already, and a weekly Children’s Message is a good starting place.

Parents, this return to a Children’s Message comes with no pressure. If your kiddo is happier sitting with you or being in the back with our wonderful teachers and care workers that’s great! I will not be taking attendance. The kids will also have the opportunity to go to the back after the Children’s Message as usual. And you can define “child” at whatever age feels appropriate for you and your family.

Non-parents, keep in mind that the first few weeks of adding a Children’s Message back into our service might be a bit chaotic. My goal is for it to be organized chaos, but we all know enough about kids to be aware that might not be possible. We’re all going to have to get used to this part of our worship service again, but I know our kids and parents will have your full support. 

I’m excited for this revived element of our worship service. I’m excited to get to know our kids better. I’m excited for the giggles, the blank stares when I ask a question, the funny answers - all of the joy and poignancy kids bring. Will things always (or even most of the time) go to plan? Absolutely not. Will God work and move and be present in whatever does happen? Yes, and that’s why we have church. 

Jillian

Join us for Worship

Sunday, September 11, 2022

Rev. Jillian Hankamer preaches:



"Flood and Promise"

Click the photo to view our Sunday service

SUNDAY, September 11, 2022

Opening Hymn: Almighty God, Who from the Flood

A powerful hymn opens our service. The text if from the 6^th

or 7^th century and included in The English Hymnal, 1906. D.H Clark wrote the 4^th stanza we sing today. Set to the tune DEO GRACIAS found in “The Agincout Hymn” England, c. 1415.

Middle Hymn: God is Here! As We Your People Meet

 We frame the children’s message with this wonderful hymn. Though he retires in 1969, this distinguished British poet has continued to write hymns. In addition to administering several circuits and local congregations. Fred Pratt Green published plays, translations, and poems. Emory University in Atlanta awarded him an honorary doctorate. Set to the Tune ABBOT’S LEIGH by Cyril V. Taylor, 1941.

The Anthem:  All Things Bright and Beautiful

 John Rutter, a very prolific British composer, wrote this anthem in 1983 commissioned by Westminster Choir College for the late, great children’s conductor, Helen Kemp. The text was written by Mrs. C.F. Alexander,1823-95.

The Communion Anthem: Wade in the Water

Our choral scholar, Preston Anderson, tenor, sings this well known song arranged by Mark Hayes. 

The Closing Hymn: God of the Sparrow God of the Whale

After forty years in the ministry, Jaroslav Vajda wrote this text to provoke answers to how and why we serve God. By creating new poetic forms and adapting ageless ideas and expressions, Vajda speaks in the language of his time. Set to the tune ROEDER by Carl Schalk, 1983

We pray alongside.....

COVID SUFFERERS - several of our members have contracted COVID. PLEASE, if you are experiencing any signs or symptoms of cold, fever, coughing, sneezing, etc., stay home, do not come to church and do not go out in public!

The oppression and suffering of the innocents in war torn countries.

Kay Southern in hospital improving from a fall. (Please no visitors at this time)

Bill Krutzer having surgery in New York next week.

JoJo Clark, serious illness.

Duane Crews, nephew of Hannah Clark, serious illness. 



Families of Wes Bolton and Kenny Kirkland, on the passing of Kenny.

Rodney Thomas, now at home recovering from heart surgery.

Jay Aro Family (Ann, Henry & Maxwell), after Jay's motorcycle accident. If you would like to help this new young Northminster family, you can click the "Go Fund Me" link below. You may also access the link for the most current information on Jay.

Aro Family Fund

Sister-in-law of Debbie O'Neal, Pat, who is battling breast cancer.



Judy Eddington, dealing with a serious medical condition.

Tracy and Mary Sandow, dealing with serious medical issues.

Our friends and sister church, Iglesia Bautista Enmanuel in Ciego de Avila, Cuba experiencing many economic hardships.

Those with unspoken prayer requests.

CARPOOLING TO MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA IN NOVEMBER

Elsewhere in this newsletter you will find information about the Gathering of the Alliance of Baptists to be held in Montgomery, Alabama November 10 - 12. Several of us are intending to go and hope others will join us. It should be a truly wonderful event. The museums where the Gathering will be held are powerful and moving. We will plan to leave Monroe early on the morning of November 10 and return late in the afternoon of November 12. Space at the Gathering is limited so you should register now! If space is still available, the deadline for registering is October 21. If you are interested in car pooling please see Pastor Jillian, D. H. Clark or Craig Henry. Also perhaps some of us can share hotel rooms together.

CUBA IN JANUARY ANYONE?

We are thinking of trying to plan a visit to our partner church in Cuba in January of next year. The visit will be about a week long. If you have an interest in going please see D. H. Clark or Craig Henry for more information. January is a good time to visit there!

A REPORT ON BAPTISMS AT OUR

PARTNER CHURCH IN CUBA

[Below is a slightly edited email report from Rev. Noel Fernandez, the Pastor Emeritus at our partner church in Ciego de Avila, Cuba, Iglesia Bautista Enmanuel. On two or three occasions delegations from Northminster have been able to participate in these joyful events.]

We are very happy with what was done yesterday Sunday, August 28. At last, after more than two years wanting to carry out baptisms in ENMANUEL, we were able to do it yesterday. It was a beautiful morning that even the strong summer heat did not hit us because the morning was cloudy. There were 13 people who gave public testimony of their faith in the Lord. Unfortunately, we were left with 4 unable to do so due to the illness of three of them and the other due to having to travel urgently to Havana.

We witnessed that, just as on the occasion when a child gave Jesus his snack to feed a crowd, and the power of God in Jesus Christ, managed to get everyone present to share theirs as well, realizing the great message of the DIVISION of the food. That's how it happened to us. I was afraid that not everyone would be able to bring their snacks but that some of those who could do it would bring something to share with those who could not... well, my dear brothers and sisters, we all ate everything and in the end, many were left with part of what was brought to the activity.

After the baptisms a good group swam in the river, and it was not easy to encourage them to leave to return. Our pastor [Rev. Eduardo Gonzalez] was one of those who did not want to leave the river. The Liturgical Celebration prior to the baptisms was also uplifting and joyful. The pastor's message was very timely. 

DATE CHANGE! Stagg Lectures to be held October 22-23

Because of scheduling issues the Stagg Lectures in Prophetic Christianity have been postponed one week until October 22-23. Please SAVE THE DATES! We look forward to having Rev. Michael-Ray Mathews with us for this occasion.

Northminster Book Club

Our next book is My First Thirty Years by Gertrude Beasley. This book will be discussed over potluck on Thursday, September 29, at 6pm at the home of Debi Chandler.

If your are interested in the book club, contact Debi Chandler at chandler@ulm.edu.

"THRIVE "

Prophetic Imagination: Knowing the Biblical Story - Being in the Story

September 13, 2022

If you are a lay leader or clergyperson wondering how to make the work of antiracism an essential part of your church's identity and outreach, this series is for you!  

Starting in September the THRIVE project presents a series of learning opportunities focused on developing a congregational ministry for racial justice rooted in a holistic faith. 

The first in the series titled, "Knowing the Biblical Story—Being in the Story," features educator, author and Baptist clergywoman, Susan Shaw, and will provide resources and illustrations of teaching the history of BIPOC in America as it intersects with the biblical story.

Dr. Shaw, a consummate storyteller, will illustrate how, “stories that are communicated well invite learners into a transformative realm in which old ways of living may be opened up to new possibilities,” as she writes in her book, Storytelling in Religious Education. 

The new possibility imagined by the Prophetic Imagination Gatherings is a church committed to racial justice and healing. This new possibility requires “uncommon encounters, profound disruptions, sacred reimagining and prophetic action,” as noted by immediate past president of the Alliance of Baptists Michael-Ray Mathews in Trouble the Water, published in 2017.   

The first Prophetic Imagination Gathering will be followed four weeks later, Oct. 11, by a session with opportunities to engage hands on and in small groups to implement and integrate the learning from the previous session. 

Register now for the initial session, Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 7:00 p.m. EDT to stir your imagination and draw from your church’s tradition of biblical study to address whiteness and enact antiracism. 

Save the Date!

Alliance Fall Gathering

NOVEMBER 10-12, 2022 in Montgomery, AL

We'll be gathering at the The Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration created by the Equal Justice Initiative. EJI works with communities that have been marginalized by poverty and discouraged by unequal treatment. It is committed to changing the narrative about race in the U.S.

Check out the programming on our event page

September Mission Trunk Emphasis:

War Veterans Home

NEEDS: All toiletry items including men's body wash, body sprays, deodorant, shampoo, men's t-shirts, underewear of various sizes and types, socks, lotions, medicated powder. 

Writing to Incarcerated Youth in Monroe

Letters of encouragement to incarcerated youth is a worthy effort that might just make a difference in the life of a young person whose path is unclear. The cards/notes can just be simple notes of encouragement, no names or addresses.

Renee has contacted coordinator Caroline Durham and if you will drop cards and notes off at the church office in the next several weeks, she will mail the cards to Caroline who will get them distributed.

We Celebrate alongside.....

Eduardo Gonzales (9th), John Boone (13th), Heidi McKenzie (13th), Mike Conrad (13th), Tori Fisher (14th), and Parker Keen (14th), as they celebrates their birthdays.

Upcoming Events

This Sunday

  9:00 am - Choir Practice

10:00 am - Sunday School for Children (K-5),

                   Youth, and Adults

10:45 am - Preludes

11:00 am - Sunday Morning Liturgy

YOUTH: Check our Instagram page for any upcoming summer activities!

Wednesdays

6:30 pm - Choir practice.

Upcoming Dates

September 25: Installation Service for Rev. Jillian Hankamer in morning worship.

October 22-23: Stagg Lectures at Northminster. Rev. Michael-Ray Mathews lectures on Prophetic Christianity.

The floral offering was given to the

Glory of God

Arrangement by Marilyn Decker.

 A Night with the Stars

The stars are coming out on Friday, September 16, for an unforgettable evening of magical music, wine, and desserts at Kilbourne Hall (Grace Church), 7:00-9:00 pm. There is no admission charge for the program, but donations to help fund the Louisiana Opera will be accepted. 

Tickets are free of charge, and donations will be accepted. To reserve the limited number of tickets available, they are at Fiesta on Eighteenth, 1411 18^th St, in tables of eight people, or contact Dr. Clark, mclark@ulm.edu . 

Led by acclaimed Metropolitan Opera tenor Allan Glassman, who over a 30 year career has sung leading tenor AND baritone roles at the MET and many other international opera houses. He’s also a favorite throughout the US, and returns to Monroe, having sung with the LA Opera in the past productions of Pagliacci and Tosca.

Baritone Ron Ulen returns from Texas- to Monroe, having sung in many LA Opera productions, including Don Pasquale (The Godfather Edition), Pagliacci, The Barber of Seville, and La Boheme. Mr. Ulen has had a career primarily centered in Germany, where he sang leading baritone roles for 19 years, also singing throughout Europe- where he continues to perform each year.

We also welcome back soprano Betsy Uschkrat and tenor Tyler Smith from New Orleans, where they sing with the New Orleans Opera, the Shreveport Opera, and many other regional companies, including the Louisiana Opera, where they have sung many roles, including Carmen, Cavelleria Rusticana, La Boheme, The Dialogue of the Carmelites, The Magic Flute, and Susannah.

Also active with the Louisiana Opera, and critical to its success, has been Claire Vangelisti, soprano, and pianist Richard Seiler. Residents of Monroe and faculty members at the University of Louisiana, Claire has performed leading roles in LA Opera productions such as The Magic Flute, Susannah, The Barber of Seville, La Boheme, Dialogue of the Carmelites, and Adina in Don Pasquale. Richard Seiler has soloed with the Monroe Symphony and has assisted Arnold Rawls, Ron Ulen, and Allan Glassman in their recitals, as well as countless other guest vocalists and instrumentalists in their ULM recitals.

Mark Ross Clark, Director and Founder of the Louisiana Opera since 2010- is pleased that after the Pandemic the company is returning to present this fundraiser. It is an opportunity to build momentum toward producing more great musical and dramatic magic. “It says so much about my colleagues that they volunteered immediately when offered the opportunity to return to Monroe. They love to perform here as guests as they’re always valued and appreciated- and cannot wait to return.”

The Louisiana Opera is associated with the University of Louisiana, where it primarily rehearses and performs. Students often take part in the productions onstage or behind stage as stage managers or assisting with costumes. The students benefit from working with and observing professional arti

To request more information, contact Dr. Clark, (318) 348-1281.

CA Studio Improv Classes!

Improv classes for kids ages 6-12 will be held September 12, 26, 29 and October 3. Text CA Studio at 318-516-3939 to reserve your child a spot!!

Job and Career EXPO

A job and Career Expo will be hosted by Ouachita Works along with the Ouachita Workforce 81, and West Monroe, West Ouachita, and Monroe Chambers of Commerce. There will be food and many employers seeking individuals to hire. This event is free to the Public. Find a Job!, Get Hired! Discover Your Potential!

WHEN/TIME/WHERE:

Wednesday, September 21

10 AM to 7 PM

Monroe Civic Center

401 Lea Joyner Memorial Expy

Monroe, LA