NEWSLETTER

Thursday, August 25, 2022

THE SHARING SHELF

There are two things you’re going to learn about me this week. The first from Sunday is that even as a “Professional Christian” I make mistakes in worship. I like to think this helped y’all get to lunch a bit earlier, but in reality Sunday morning was a clear example of just how imperfect your new pastor is. Thank you for laughing along!

The second is that I am a thief. My benediction is stolen from my seminary preaching professor. When we begin Children’s Messages in worship the prayer I’ll teach the kids is a repurposed Taize song (parents, you’ll get a lot more information before this happens!) And if someone uses a phrase I like I don’t hesitate to make it part of my vocabulary. For example, one of my fellow pastors in St. Louis talked about people needing to “promote to Jesus” for certain changes to happen in the church. I use that phrase often, including in one of my interviews with the Search Committee. Thankfully y’all still hired me!

This time I’m stealing an idea from Beth Mayfield and Book Club group about a book sharing shelf. Now, this in no way replaces our church library that Kyle Gregory setup. That resources is still available and I encourage you to use it! Rather, this is my selfish attempt to have you not only share books you’ve enjoyed, but also to force you to come into my office for a visit. I want to keep getting to know you and lots of you are readers so this Sharing Shelf is my blatant attempt to see your faces more often!

Here are few quick guidelines:

1. Please leave books you enjoyed or think someone else will enjoy. If you’re just looking to clean out a bookshelf, the church house isn’t the place for those books.

2.  If my door is open, you’re welcome to come in a peruse the Shelf. The rest of my books are available to you as well, but there will be a check out process for those. I gotta protect the babies!

3.  Kids’ books are welcome, though I can’t promise I won’t add them to my own library. I have a soft spot for children’s books. They often have the best theology.

4.  If you’re coming for a book, plan for me to ask how you are, how your week’s been, or to generally try and engage you in conversation. As I said, this whole venture is selfish on my part.

I can’t wait to see what y’all have been enjoying. Happy reading!

Jillian

Join us for Worship

Sunday, August 28, 2022

Rev. Jillian Hankamer preaches:

What's in a Name: I AM

Click the photo to view our Sunday service

SUNDAY, August 28, 2022

Opening Hymn: The God of Abraham Praise

The twelfth century scholar Moses Maimonides drew up the thirteen articles of the Hebrew creed, which were subsequently cast in metrical form (the Yigdal). This translation represents an ecumenical collaboration between Rabbi Landsberg and Unitarian

minister Mann. Set to the tune, LEONI, traditional Yigdal melody.

Adapted for congregational Singing by Meyer Lyon, 1770.

Middle Hymn: Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love

This African folk melody was presented to the Church at Chereponi, Northern Ghana, by Ghanaian musicologist, A.A. Mensah, when United Church Missionaries, Al and Sue Krass were serving there. Like Tom Colvin, a Scottish Missionary in neighboring Tamale, Al Krass was encouraging the making of hymns

to indigenous melodies. Tom Colvin wrote these words to this adapted form of the melody in dedication to the Church at Cherepomi. Arranged for congregational singing by Jane Marshall, 1982.

The Anthem:  Bring Many Names

The author states that aspects of the divine are revealed in our maleness, femaleness, youth, and age in a moving, growing matrix of life in God. The tune, WESTCHASE, was composed especially for this text by Carlton Young, 1989. D. H. Clark arranged this hymn for the Northminster choir in November 2003.

The Communion Anthem:  Holy Gifts

This communion motet was written by Sam Batt Owens and uses the text by Charles Chapman for use in 1982. It reminds us that the elements of the Lord’s Supper are sacraments of God’s love. It is a feast we share.

The Closing Hymn:  Oh For a World

Inspired by Charles Wesley’s phrase “O for a thousand tongues” and the familiar tune AZMON composed by Carl Glaser, , Miriam Therese Winter wrote this  hymn envisioning a new world order for the Presbyterian Women’s Triennial Conference  in 1982. It was later recrafted and recorded by the Medical Mission Sisters. It was adapted for congregational singin by Loweel Mason in Modern Psalmody, 1839.

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.

Duane Crews, nephew of Hannah Clark, serious illness

Tim Creech, brother of Charles Creech with MS

Rodney Thomas, recovering from heart surgery.

Jay Aro Family (Ann, Henry & Maxwell), after Jay's motorcycle accident. Jay's condition has improved enough for him to be moved to a rehab center in Houston. Jay had a successful first week and a half at TIRR. His trach came out he has eaten the entirety of every meal he has been served. The boys have been able to see Jay and find ways to connect with Daddy.  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

Paulette Cappel, recovering from knee surgery, and husband Mike Capel who will be her caretaker.



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

Hugh Chandler, father of Debi Chandler, advanced Alzheimer's.

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.

A Note from Carol Ann Tubbs



My family and I are so very thankful for Northminster. The loving concern and support after the death of my son, Christopher, brought us comfort and peace. For that, we are forever grateful.

Thank you so much. 

Carol Ann

Northminster Book Club

Our next book is My First Thirty Years by Gertrude Bertram. 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.

Save the Date!

Alliance Fall Gathering

NOVEMBER 10-12, 2022 in Montgomery, AL

Registration opens August 15!

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 

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.

Work is being done that is targeted at a youth facility in Monroe. The St. Charles Center for Faith + Action is assisting FFLIC (Families and Friends of Louisiana's Incarcertated Children) is interested in bringing words of encouragement and support to young people housed at several juvenile facilities, including the Swanson Center in Monroe.

You may have see that the Governor announced plans to send some incarcerated youth to Angola due to problems at the juvenile detention center in Bridge City. (See News Article here). Angola is an unacceptable place for children. NOT only will they fail to receive the rehab they need, including mental health services, education, and other treatment - but they will be placed at serious risk of harm if they are moved to an adult facility.

The Center joins with FFLIC in engaging many responses to this troubling announcement. While advocates are working to inform and impact the decision, so as to ensure our young people are in safe, rehabilitative, education-supported facilities, we are focusing on the young people inside.

We ask for people to write notes/cards of encouragment to the youth who are incarcerated. They are scared, worried , and feel alone.

We Celebrate alongside.....

Cathy Webb (26th), Scott Higginbotham (28th), Liam Fisher (29th), and Frank Wilcox (30th), as they celebrates their birthdays.

The floral offering was given to the

Glory of God

And in Honor of Teachers and Students Returning to School

.

Arrangement by Peggy Caskey

Due to budgetary constraints, altar flowers will only be provided if giving in memory or in honor of someone. Cost is approximately $100.

In Memoriam

In Memory of Christopher Tubbs,

A gift has been given to Northminster Church by:

Fred Heller

Robert James

CA Studio Improve Classes!

Improv classes for kids ages 6-12 will be held September 12, 26, 29m 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