NEWSLETTER
Thursday, June 9, 2022
|
|
A CUBA TRAVELOG
MAY 2022
DH and I had originally hoped to visit our partner church in Cuba in January of this year. However, because of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 it was necessary for us to postpone our visit until May. Nevertheless, we began preparing for the visit late last year including collecting numerous items needed and requested by our friends in Cuba. We continue to be “packhorses for Jesus”. But as always, the principal purpose of our visit was to continue to show our solidarity, love and friendship with our sisters and brothers at Iglesia Bautista Enmanuel in Ciego de Avila. As many of you know, our partnership dates to 1994, and a delegation from Northminster has attempted to visit at least once a year since then.
In our most recent previous visits, it had been possible for us to fly into Camaguey, which is only an hour and half drive from Ciego de Avila. However, because of restrictions imposed by the Trump administration (and not lifted by the Biden administration until within the past week) it was necessary that we fly into and out of Havana, spend the night there each way and travel six hours by car to and from Ciego de Avila. Fortunately, Eduardo Gonzalez, Enmanuel’s pastor and our dear friend since 1996, and his new wife Queen, met us at the Havana airport in Eduardo’s trusty Peugeot SUV (another story for some other time). They graciously hosted us in Havana at a nice apartment to which they have access, and for our several days in Ciego de Avila, at their lovely and comfortable new home.
Just prior to leaving Monroe we got an urgent request from Jason Smith, Northminster’s good friend in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Jason had just received a message from a pastor friend in Matanzas, Cuba that a young girl in his congregation was in desperate need of some cancer medicine that was not then available in Cuba. Fortunately, the medicine was available in Monroe and affordable. DH was able to obtain a year’s supply, and we carried that precious cargo in our hand luggage. Early on the morning after we arrived in Havana, the young girl’s family and the young girl traveled by car from Matanzas to Havana to receive the medicine from us. Needless to say, it was an emotional meeting for all of us.
Then six hours of beautiful Cuban countryside we have seen many times before and of course, the first persons to greet us upon our arrival in Ciego de Avila were the founding pastor and now pastor emeritus of our partner church and his wife, and also our dear friends, Noel Fernandez and Ormara Nolla. During the days we were in Ciego de Avila we spent many hours with them visiting (and eating!). Ormara prepared one meal for us in their home. Because she knows I love her rendition of the Cuban staple of black beans over white rice, that dish was on the menu. Noel “hates” black beans (who knows why?!), but he promised to eat a few in our honor, and he kept his promise.
An important reason for the visit for DH and me was to be able to celebrate in person with our Cuban friends the life of our beloved friend Jose Aurelio “Tury” Paz who died from COVID (even though fully vaccinated) last year. And celebrate we did! A serendipitous occasion to celebrate Tury’s life occurred shortly after we arrived when we were invited to a city-wide event at which local journalists unveiled a just published book of some of Tury’s more famous newspaper articles. It was a special time as speaker after speaker (including DH and me) spoke about Tury. In addition to being a founding and devoted member of Emanuel and a talented musician, Tury was also a gifted journalist of national renown. Of course, the book is in Spanish, but we hope through Google Translate we are able to translate some of the articles into English to share with you.
To celebrate Tury’s life Enmanuel also hosted an afternoon memorial service at which the very talented choir of the city sang, and an instrumental ensemble played. DH and I were also able to do an impromptu version of “Precious Lord, Take My Hand”. Finally, on Sunday after a wonderful worship service at Enmanuel, to further celebrate Tury’s life, DH and I hosted a lunch at a venue a few blocks from the church. It was a beautiful celebration as about 100 of us ate roast pork, congris (black beans and rice cooked together) and yucca. For dessert DH and I brought Tury’s favorite, Hershey’s chocolates, to share with his delighted fellow church members and friends. What a joyous occasion!
Oh, and Noel had insisted that pork had become too expensive and that we should eat only vegetables at this meal. But Eduardo, DH and I persevered, and the roast pork was definitely enjoyed by everyone. After the meal Noel said that because of the shortage of pork in the country (and many other food items), that was the first roast pork most of them had probably enjoyed in months. But Noel was right about the cost. DH and I had hosted a similar meal on our previous visit, and this one was more than double the cost. It was worth every Cuban peso! Another story for next week.
(To be continued next week!)
Craig Henry
Pictures below, top left: Little Cuban girl who needed the cancer meds. Right: family of Cuban girl.
Bottom left: Tury's book launch. Right: Tury's resting place,
|
|
Join us for Worship
Sunday, June 12, 2022
|
|
Dr. Deborah Chandler Preaches
"Eternal Spirit"
Click the photo to view our Sunday service
|
|
SUNDAY, June 12, 2022
The Prelude: The Prelude and Fugue in E flat by J. S. Bach is his paean to the Trinity. It is composed in three flats. The fugue has three distinct sections or submovements. The work was published as the opening (Prelude) and closing (Fugue) of Clavierübung (organ mass). Although there is no connection to either composition, the main theme of the fugue is strikingly similar to the hymntune ST. ANNE and therefore is commonly called the St. Anne Fugue. The tune was used by Dr. Cluck as a setting of his hymn The Trinity of Love which closes our service today.”
Opening Hymn: Praise with Joy the World’s Creator
The Iona Community works and worships in a 10c abbey on the remote Island of Iona, Scotland. Their output of hymns and songs includes this one written for the anniversary gathering of the World Student Christian Federation in Edinburgh In 1895. Set to the tune, LAUDA ANIMA (Praise My Soul), composed in 1869 by John Goss.
Pastoral Prayer Response: If We Just Talk of Thoughts and Prayers
At a time when we have said too many times ….”you are in our thoughts and prayers” Carolyn Winfrey Gillette has written what it will take to go beyond and take action. Not that talking, dreaming and singing are not wonderful, but we must “work for peace and justice…then will our prayers bring joy to God.” Set to the traditional English melody, O Waly Waly…we know as The Water is Wide.
Gospel Acclamation: This is Good News
We introduce the words from John reminding us to remember that this word still speaks to us today. Praise be to you, O Christ.!
Anthem: O Love, How Deep
The 13th century Latin text is set to music and for choir by Everett Titcomb in 1952. He wrote this anthem for the Senior Choir of First Methodist Church, Springfield, Illinois.
Communion Anthem: Draw us in the Spirit’s Tether
British hymnal editor Percy Dearmer originally wrote these stanzas under a pseudonym as part of a postcommunion hymn by George H. Brourne. The tune was adapted from an anthem by Harold Friedell and is named for Union Seminary in New York. The anthem was published for choir in 1957.
Closing Hymn: The Trinity of Love
The hymn was written by Rev. Dr. Darrell Cluck in 2012 for our Trinity Sunday service. He dedicated
the hymn to Rev. Dr. Welton Gaddy. Set to the tune ST. ANNE written in 1708 by William Croft.
Join me this Trinity Sunday as I have the honor of offering the sermon and Naomi Kilpatrick, Choral Scholar and ULM Choral music education major will direct the choir.
Blessings and Peace,
Debi
|
|
The Prayers of the People |
|
We pray alongside.....
The oppression and suffering of the innocents in war torn countries.
Those with unspoken prayer requests.
Hugh Chandler, father of Debi Chandler, advanced Alzheimer's.
Sister of Tim Jaquess (Sammye) recovering from brain surgery, now in rehab.
Judy Eddington, dealing with a serious medical condition.
Dibble Pate, recovering from hip surgery in the Guesthouse, Room 500 in West Monroe. Dibble is now accepting calls and visitors. Her landline number is 318-362-5903.
Tracy and Mary Sandow.
Our friends and sister church, Iglesia Bautista Enmanuel in Ciego de Avila, Cuba experiencing many economic hardships.
|
|
The Celebrations of the People |
|
We celebrate alongside.....
Richard Decker (9th), Steven Haedicke (9th), C.J. Keen (9th), Dan Sumner (11th), and JoJo Clark (12th) as they celebrate their birthdays.
|
|
June Mission Trunk Emphasis:
Ronald McDonald House
June’s Mission focus is the Ronald McDonald House, which we have been a long-time supporter of, and hope to see an abundance of generosity toward.
Needs: Liquid hand soap, dishwasher detergent, Air Freshener spray, Liquid Laundry detergent, Chlorine Bleach, Dryer Sheets, 40w/60w Light Bulbs, Mailing and Duct Tape, Velcro, Scotch Tap, Reams of Paper, Postage Stamps, Toilet Paper, Toilet Cleaners/brushes, Swiffer/Wet Mop pads, Disposable latex gloves, Aluminum foil/plastic wrap, SOS pads. Kitchen Needs: Paper Plates, Paper Towels, Napkins, Plastic Storage bags (all sizes). Personal Items: Brushes, Combs, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste (travel size), Deodorant (travel size), soap, shampoo, conditioner (small sizes). Room Needs: Blankets, Fitted Sheets (white), games, movies, books, art supplies, blank greeting cards, blank journals. Miscellaneous Items: gift cards for local grocery stores, gas stations, Walmart, Target.
|
|
Commissions: 2023 Budget Review
By now every member of each commission should have received by email the information needed to plan their 2023 budget. These items included (1) the most recent financial report for this year, (2) the end of year (2021) financial report from Connie, and (3) your worksheet for 2023. Your proposed budget is due in the church office by Sunday, July 31.
|
|
|
Northminster COVID Information
Northminster follows state and CDC guidelines and accordingly recommends that if you are at high risk for severe illness - talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to wear a mask and take other precautions; stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines; and get tested if you have symptoms. Immune compromised and unvaccinated individuals, and anyone experiencing cold or other illness symptoms continue to wear masks during our services.
|
|
|
Northminster Book Club June 28
June 28 at 6pm in the home of Camille Peterson the Northminster Book Club will meet for potluck and discussion on this month's book, "The Midnight Library" by Matt Haig. If you would like to join the Book Club, contact Debi at chandler@ulm.edu
|
|
|
Choral Concert Fundraiser at Northminster Church
June 12 at 5pm
ULM students Leslie Hobgood and James Wright (also a Northminster Choir Scholar) are involved in summer voice and performance studies. Leslie will be studying in Italy and James will join our other choral scholar Preston Anderson in a prestigious program in Iowa involving vocal performance and musical theater. This concert will help these students raise much needed funds for the continuance of their musical educations.
Individual voluntary contributions will be received during the concert to help these two young vocalist with upcoming expenses for these summer educational trips. Please come and enjoy the concert Sunday, or contact Debi Chandler if you wish to donate.
|
|
|
|
Given to the Glory of God
The floral offering Sunday was given to the Glory of God and arranged by Robert Crawford.
If you would like to give flowers in memory or in honor of someone, please contact the church office. Approximate cost is $100.
|
|
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
5:00 pm - ULM Choral Concert Fundraiser
YOUTH: Check our Instagram page for any upcoming summer activities!
Wednesdays
6:30 pm - Choir practice
|
|
Pulpit Supply Schedule
June
12 - Dr. Deborah Chandler
19 - Dr. Darrell Cluck
26 - Dr. Darrell Cluck
July
3 - Dr. Welton Gaddy
10 - Dr. Welton Gaddy
|
|
Of Interest in the Community |
|
|
|
Monroe Symphony League Book Fair
320 N. Fourth St., Monroe
Friday, June 10 from 9am to 5pm
Saturday, June 11 from 9am to 5pm
|
|
|
|
CA Studio in Collaboration with Strauss Theatre Center presents: Stoneface: The Rise and Fall and Rise of Buster Keaton
Performance Dates: July 14-16 2022
Directed by Cathy Airhart Webb. Justin Havard is the Piano Player (silent film accompanist) and Pat Hayes is doing costumes.
|
|
If you have found a space of community, or healing, or hope at Northminster and believe in the work we are doing, please consider supporting us financially so that we will be able to continue creating spaces like this in all the days to come.
To support Northminster financially, you can click here, or scan the QR code with the camera on your phone.
|
|
|
Northminster Church is located at:
2701 Lamy Lane
Monroe, LA 71201
318-388-3717
office@northmin.org
Temporary Church Office Hours:
Tues -Thurs 9am to 4 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
