NEWSLETTER

Thursday, September 15, 2022

Happiness is a Good Book!

Pastors, at least the ones I know, have a tendency to prescribe books for every situation. Doctors have prescription pads, pastors have our libraries. I say this as a totally guilty party myself as I’m pretty sure there’s a book for every occasion, every mood, and a good number of the crises we face in simply being human. 

Of course, books don’t hold the answers to everything. Being a pastor is proof of that. Even the best seminary can’t fully prepare you for church work, and we all know there are some lousy books out there or ones that are consider classics for incomprehensible reasons (I’m looking at you St. Augustine’s Confessions.)

But few places make me happier than a bookstore. I love the smell of a book. I’ve started collecting old cookbooks. When I was little one of my favorite TV shows was “Reading Rainbow” and my millennial kid heart rejoiced a few years ago when I discovered LaVar Burton’s podcast, “LaVar Burton Reads.” It just him reading various pieces of short fiction and it’s wonderful. 

I respect people who don’t enjoy reading, but if I’m honest I don’t understand them. And no matter how much better for the environment it might be, I simply don’t retain information from an e-book the same way I do with a physical copy. If you borrow a book from me, it’ll likely be dog-eared, written in, underlined throughout, have a broken spine, and more or less look like it’s seen better days.   

All of this is to say I’d like to share a couple of books I’m reading and have read recently because I think they’re important. 

First, Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted A Faith and Fractured A Nation by Kristin Kobes Du Mez. I heard about this book before I committed to reading it and my goodness does it put some pieces together that I’d never considered. Don’t let the title fool you, this is not a light read and it will likely frustrate you. There is also a political element to this book based in the Evangelical marriage of faith and politics. The author does such a skillful job of weaving movements and people and agendas together to present a whole picture that’s breathtaking in its complexity and thoroughness.

Second, Stamped FromThe Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi. Whew, y’all this one is heavy. Dr. Kendi also wrote How to Be an Antiracist, so his name likely sounds familiar. I will admit that this book took me a while to read, probably because of my own white fragility, and I find myself re-reading sections often. The sheer amount of history Dr. Kendi has put into this book is remarkable, to say nothing of the work he does to pull apart the sticky strings of racist ideas and concepts we’re still living with today. This book is the best kind of investment. 

Finally, a lighter, happier read from my favorite new author. I discovered this book through a Facebook group for moms of LGBTQ+ kids, immediately got it from the library in PA, and read the book in two days. It’s called The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune and it’s weird and wonderful and just the loveliest love story I’ve read in a while. Klune is queer so LGBTQ+ characters are part of his stories, but he makes them the fabric of his work in a way that’s so natural and matter-of-fact, you don’t feel like a gay character is being shoe-horned in just because. 

I’m pretty picky about the fiction I read because so much of what I spend my time on is Jesus/faith/social justice related. I really want to escape when I pick up a novel and this book was exactly that. It also just made my heart happy and I’ve been recommending it all over the place. If you’re in need of a hug in book form make sure to get this one!

Happy reading y’all!

Jillian

LET’S CELEBRATE!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Please plan to be in worship on Sunday, September 25 as we celebrate officially installing Rev. Jillian Hankamer as our senior pastor. Rev. Kyle Childress, Jillian’s pastor growing up in Austin Heights Baptist Church in Nacogdoches, Texas, will be our guest preacher.

Following worship the Pastor Search Committee will be hosting a meal for everyone at the church catered by Catfish Charlie’s. We will be providing our own desserts and still need a few volunteers to provide their specialties. There will be a sign up sheet this coming Sunday for that!

Let’s all celebrate together Sunday, September 25 on this special occasion. We are so thankful Jillian and Erich are with us!

Join us for Worship

Sunday, September 18, 2022

Rev. Jillian Hankamer preaches:

God's "Go-To" Guy

Click the photo to view our Sunday service

Sunday, September 18, 2022

Opening Hymn: God of Abraham and Sarah

The healing power of praise and the history of God’s dealings with humankind are the themes of this hymn, written by a United Church of Christ minister, James Gertmenian, 1986, who is the grandson of Armenian immigrants. The tune, CONSTANTINE, is named for his father. 

Middle Hymn: Breathe on Me, Breath of God

Between parish assignments in London, Edwin Hatch taught classics at Trinity College, Quebec, and lectured at Oxford. This hymn appeared in a leaflet, “Between Doubt and Prayer” (1878). Other hymns were published posthumously in Towards Fields of Light, London (1890). Set to the tune TRENTHAM by

Robert Jackson, 1894.

The Anthem:  The Call

The anthem is a movement from the Five Mystical Songs by English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958), written between 1906 and 1911. The work sets four poems by 17^th century Welsh poet and Anglican Priest George Herbert. D H Clark arranged this beautiful music for the Northminster choir in 2008. 

The Communion Anthem: Just as I Am

The Closing Hymn: Come, We Who Love God's Name

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 recovering from surgery.

JoJo Clark, serious illness.

Duane Crews, nephew of Hannah Clark, serious illness. 



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-"love" 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.

POTLUCK 6 pm

&

BUSINESS MEETING 7 pm

Sunday, September 18 

Potluck and fellowship at 6pm this Sunday will be followed by an important Business Meeting as we review, finalize, and approve our 2023 Financial Ministry Plan. Please make plans to join us!

THE CHILDREN'S MESSAGE

On Sunday we were able to bring back a Children’s Message for the wonderful crowd of kids we’re routinely having in worship. With some exceptions this will be a regular part of our services moving forward so that our kids know there’s a time specifically for them during worship.

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!

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.

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 all 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.....

Elvis Stelly (16th), Holden Fisher (18th), Joyce Files (19th), Paulette Cappel (20th), Christina Tweet (21st), and Tracy Sandow (22nd) as they celebrates their birthdays.

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 Worship Service

5:00 pm - Youth (Keep up with us on Instagram for any upcoming events or schedule changes!)

6:00 pm - Potluck; 7:00 pm Business Meeting

Wednesdays



6:30 pm - Choir practice.

Upcoming Events

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.

Last Sunday's

Floral Offering

Given to the Glory of God

Arrangement by

Laura Duke and Ellen Prather.

A NIGHT WITH THE STARS

The stars are coming out this 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.

Monroe Symphony Orchestra Presents:

Tchaikovsky Spectacular

Join the MSO for their 51st Season opener featuring violinist Kiril Laskarov performing the virtuosic Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto. Mendelssohn's Overture to the Hebrides will open the concert and Beethoven's dance rhythm inspired Symphony No. 7 will end the program.

When:  Sunday, September 18 at 2pm 

Where: Brown Auditorium, ULM

Tickets: Adults $25, Students $5

CA Studio Improv Classes!

Improv classes for kids ages 6-12 will be held September 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