IMPORTANT WORDS ABOUT THIS WEEK'S SERVICE

I want to give you a heads-up that Sunday’s worship service will be a bit different as it marks the 2 year anniversary of the day Erich and I lost our daughter, Teigen. Last year the 29th also fell on a Sunday and I didn’t preach knowing I wouldn’t be capable of it. This year I will be preaching, but not in the usual way. Debi and D.H. will be joining me in the pulpit during the sermon time and we’re going to take a more or less tag-team approach. Our conversations in worship planning have centered around sharing honestly about our personal dark nights of the soul, times of grief, moments of doubt, etcetera, and how we’ve continued to do ministry work during those times. The goal isn’t to be depressing or morose but to present and honest picture of what it looks like to grieve, be sad, even doubt, and yet still be people of faith. 

The credit for this creative and incredibly supportive approach goes to Debi. I mentioned to her that I wasn’t sure how I’d get through this day and she suggested that I let people help me. I am incredibly grateful for her creative and thoughtful approach to what is the worst day of the year in my and Erich’s little world. The same gratitude extends to D.H. for his willingness to jump in with both feet as well. It is such a gift to have a team of other ministers to lean on!

I feel I must also admit and own that Sunday’s service is more than a little self-serving. Perhaps I shouldn’t bring my personal trauma and grief into our shared space. Please know that I have considered this. Actually, I consider it every week because worship isn’t about me and neither is the pulpit. But my hope is that by sharing my grief openly and having two of our other talented ministers join me in that effort we can present something that doesn’t often happen in church. The reality that ministers struggle with our faith, that we have questions, and that there are days we choose to be faithful because we really aren’t “feeling” it. 

Y’all know of course that ministers rarely “have it all together.” Thankfully that’s not an expectation at Northminster! But this is an opportunity for us to make clear in our worship that we make space for grief, we make space for sadness, we make space for doubt, we even make space for being angry with God for our laity and our leadership as all of these feelings are honest parts of being people of faith over a lifetime. 

If you’re in a place in which this service will not be helpful or might be too difficult please don’t feel pressured to attend. As I said the goal of the service isn’t to be depressing, but conversation and music around these sorts of topics before you’re ready can cut deep. If you’re in that space be tender with yourself and make the best choice for you. 

I am grateful to be part of a church that allows for this sort of worship experience and for colleagues that are willing to shore me up on my worst day. It is a gift as are all of you.

Jillian

REPORT FROM JANUARY BUSINESS MEETING

At Northminster’s bi-monthly business meeting this past Sunday night, Peggy Burns, the immediate past chair of the Coordinating Council, gave the annual State of the Church report. In summary, 2022 was a busy year as usual, the state of the church is excellent and the future looks bright. If you would like to read the report you can find it on our website or by clicking the button below.. Also printed copies of the report will be available on the table in the hallway outside the pastor’s office.

Our church treasurer Connie Smallwood also gave an excellent financial report for 2022. Again, thanks to everyone who contributed to make 2022 the most successful giving year in our history. If you missed the business meeting and would like a copy of the report please call or email the church office, and one will be mailed to you. Copies are also available on the table outside the pastor’s office.

Also at the business meeting, in a unanimous secret ballot vote, the congregation agreed with the recommendation of the Coordinating Council that we apply for membership in the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists (AWAB). That application will be made in the near future, and you will be kept informed concerning it. It was also agreed that the 2023 financial ministry plan be amended to include a $300 contribution to AWAB for the year.

It was a busy and very positive night. And the potluck supper preceding the meeting was sumptuous as usual!