NORTHSIDE NOTES - September 16, 2009 |
 PASTROAL REFLECTIONS
By James Lamkin
"You and I and Church Growth"
I am paying more attention to pronouns these days. Pronouns pepper group meetings conversations with them and those and they and theirs, he and she, and of course, somebody and someone. As in, "They ought to-or at least somebody should-do something."
Another good pronoun is we, as in, "What we need is for them/they/her/him to change."
None of this is illegal in Georgia. Good thing, or I would be in jail!
However, I've noticed that the tenor of a meeting changes when the pronoun I shows-up. I, coupled with a strong verb like will, changes things. The hypothetical speech of ought and should is left behind. The dependency on the functioning of others outside the room no longer holds the conversation hostage. Freshness comes as a person says, "I will." I will call. I will visit. I will pray. I will give.
I've seen a person's self-definition change an entire meeting. "This I will do," rings like a tuning fork. Sometimes other "I's" join in. Suddenly, the meeting turns from stewing to doing.
I, like many others, fret over the need for church growth. In fact, I wrote a paper on it and gave it to the Church Council back in February: A Pastoral Perspective Regarding Numerical Growth and the Hope of Vitality for NDBC." I'll send you a copy if you want one. It's got my best thinking: what I believe, what I'm asking the church to do, and what I will do.
To my delight our Membership Development Committee, chaired by Leanna Anantaraman, has grabbed-up some of the ideas, mixed them with their own, and run with it. They bring energy and opportunity AND GUESTS, to the table.
I've asked each Church Council member to ask Leanna, "What can I do to help your committee?"
See where I'm headed? It is one thing to talk about, "what they or we at the church should do...." It is a whole different ballgame to say, "I will bring my neighbor to Sunday School next week."
Here's an idea: I, myself, love to "do coffee." After all, I am a Louisianian. I would be honored to take your neighbor and you to coffee for conversation. When is a good time?
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SEMINARY STUDENTS, PROFESSORS & DR. BILL LEONARD
Pastor James Lamkin is inviting all seminarians and professors to gather at his home on Saturday, September 19, from 6-9:30PM to meet and talk with Dr. Bill Leonard. There is a flyer in the Narthex with directions to James Lamkin's home. Snacks will be provided. Dress is casual attire. For more information call the church office at 404-237-8621 or email us at info@northsidedrive.org.
Join us on Sunday, September 20, as we welcome Bill J. Leonard, Dean of the School of Divinity and Professor of Church History at Wake Forest University, to NDBC Church School. Bill will be leading the class with 400 Years of Baptist History in 40 minutes at 9:30AM in the Chapel.
57th ANNIVERSARY and LUNCHEON
September 20, 2009
With special guest speaker, Bill J. Leomard
Northside Drive will celebrate its 57th Anniversary on September 20. Our guest speaker will be Dr. Bill J. Leonard, Baptist Historian and Dean of the Wake Forest Divinity School. Following the worship service lunch will be catered by Williamson Brothers in the Fellowship Hall. The cost is $10 per person with a family limit of $25. Lunch is free for guests. To make a reservation for the meal, you may use the Welcome card in the pew rack, call the church office, or email your reservation to info@northsidedrive.org, no later than Noon, Thursday, September 17. ---------------------------------------------
 Bill J. Leonard is Dean and Professor of Church History at the Wake Forest University Divinity School, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He holds the B.A. from Texas Wesleyan College (1968), the Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (1971), and the PhD from Boston University (1975). He served as pastor of First Community Church, Southboro, Massachusetts, 1971-1975.
Leonard served as Professor of Church History at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky, 1975-1992. From 1992 to 1996 he was Chair of the Department of Religion and Philosophy at Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama.
In 1996 he joined the faculty of Wake Forest University with joint appointments in the Divinity School and the Department of Religion. He is the founding dean of the Wake Forest University Divinity School which began in 1999.
Leonard is the author or editor of some 15 books including The Fragmentation of the Southern Baptist Convention; Appalachian Christianity: Profiles in Regional Pluralism; and Baptist Ways: A History.
His specialization in American and Southern studies makes him a frequent commentator on popular religion in the U.S., with frequent interviews in newspapers, magazines, radio and television.
His spouse, Dr. Candyce Crew Leonard, is professor of Humanities at Wake Forest University with a specialization in Spanish literature. They have one daughter, Stephanie. The Leonard's are members of First Baptist Church, Highland Avenue; the oldest African American Baptist congregation in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. |
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PRAYER MEETIN'
WEDNESDAYS
September 9-November 18, 2009
What ever happened to "prayer meetin's?" Our needs are so immense that two minutes of prayer at church every week seems rather trivial. At NDBC we would like to bring prayer to the forefront of our Wednesday night activities this Fall through study, sharing, silence and song. We think we can do this by getting back to basics and joining God and each other in prayer each Wednesday at 6:45PM.
Preceding the "Prayer Meetin" there will supper with Chick-fil-A and Jason's Deli alternating weeks, served at 6PM. The boxed meals are $5.00 per person, with a $25.00 family cap. To make a reservation for the boxed meal, you may use the Welcome card in the pew rack, call the church office, or email your reservation to
info@northsidedrive.org no later than Noon the Monday before the event. |
Do You Receive the Sunday E-mail Update from Syd Janney?
If you don't, you can!
Following most morning worship services, Syd Janney e-mails a wonderful summary of what she experienced in the doing and being of church. This is quite an undertaking; and quite a gift. Reviews are high! "Two thumbs up, way up!" said one deacon. I call it Syd's Synopsis! She prefers the Sunday Newsletter.
Here's what Syd says she's up to: "I do it as one way of distributing the special experience of worship---from the church family concerns, to church school, to the care with which the worship service is put together, to the essence of the pastor's sermons. It seems such a natural way to keep people in a close-knit church community together. Secondly, I send it because of people like Linda Clark who always are interested in what happened at church even if they can't attend each Sunday and Gerry Humphries, who relies upon the newsletter to hear her worship experience. Going the extra mile, Gerry personally mails a hard copy of the Sunday Newsletter every Monday morning to about thirty folk in our church who do not have email!"
Syd e-mails to about 175 each Sunday. I encourage you to receive a weekly copy of the Sunday Newsletter (either by e-mail or post). If you'd like to be added to the e-mail list, contact sydjanney@bellsouth.net. You can also notify the church office at renee@northsidedrive.org or 404-237-8621.
By James E. Lamkin, Pastor |
MISSION OPPORTUNITY
2009 Interfaith Partnership Habitat for Humanity Build
Volunteers are needed for building the 2009 Interfaith Partnership for Habitat for Humanity house. Both skilled and unskilled workers are welcomed. Please consider participating in this very important mission work.
This year's house will be built at 2205 Ajax Drive, NW, Atlanta, 30318. The house is located off Hollywood Road and will be owned by Michael Karmin. Michael has a daughter, Michelle (age 16).
Michael works at Piedmont Driving Club. Michelle is in high school and works with VOX Teen Magazine, a nonprofit youth development organization.
Michael is excited about being able to own a home for him and his daughter and to be a part of a growing community.
The work schedule for this year's build is:
Day 2 - September 19
Prep and install roof trusses
Install windows and trim packages
Install interior framing - wind bracing, deadwood, and attic stairs
Deck and felt roof
Install sub-fascia, barge rafters and drip edge
Build side porch and ramp
Install exterior trim and set-up for siding
Begin siding
Day 3 - September 26
Shingle roof
Insulate walls and ceiling
Continue siding and begin caulking
Day 5 - October 10
Continue exterior painting
Finish interior painting
Install baseboard, window sills and miscellaneous interior trim
Install kitchen cabinets and countertops
Begin soffit and fascia
The house will be dedicated on Sunday, October 25.
For more information or to sign up, please contact Beth Laxton at 404.351.2324 (work), 770.438.7963 (home) or laxton2125@charter.net. |
| A SEASON OF ORDINATION
The Ordination of Laura Wheeler to the Ministry..... Sunday, October 25, during the 11AM worship service. |
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NEW YOUNG ADULT SMALL GROUP
 Dream.Think.Be.Do. is a small group video study for twenty to thirty-somethings to help build a 21st Century faith. DTBD features the insights of over twenty-five theologians and teachers at the top of their game. Each of the twenty self-standing sessions contains a 20-minute DVD segment drawn from the critically acclaimed "Living the Questions" series-updated with connecting narrations, graphics, and music to engage a postmodern generation. The first volume Dream is 5 sessions long. Sundays at 7PM at the church in the Undercroft and Youth area, September October 4, November 1, November 29, and January 10. You may sign up by emailing Mike Gregg at mike@northsidedrive.org.
New Men's Church School Class
Dr. Larry McSwain will be teaching a new church school class for middle-aged to senior men who are not currently involved in a class on Sunday. The new class will begin on September 27 (NOT THE 20) and will continue for 6-8 weeks depending on interest. The class will meet in Room 116 for 15 minutes of conversation and 40 minutes of guided discussion from the Formations Bible Study. Come join this class and invite other men as we study and fellowship together on Sunday mornings at 9:30AM. |
NDBC STAINED GLASS WINDOWS OF NORTHSIDE DRIVE
There are still Stained Glass Window books available for purchase. A copy of the book is in the Narthex for previewing purposes. The cost is $30 per book. To purchase your copy contact the church office at 404-237-8621, info@northsidedrive.org or see Mike Gregg at church on Sundays. |
PASTOR'S WEDNESDAY MORNING
BIBLE STUDY
The Book of Daniel: From Lion's Den to THE END!
September 23-November 11
10:30-11:30AM in the Fellowship Hall |
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UNPLUG THE CHRISTMAS MACHINE WORKSHOP
 Join us for a weekly workshop focusing on bringing love and joy back into the chaotic Christmas season. The workshop will be on Thursday nights, October 1-22, from 6-8PM, with dinner from 6-6:30PM and small group discussion following. The text, Unplug the Christmas Machine: A Complete Guide to Putting Love and Joy Back into the Season will be provided at no cost to participants. Please register by either calling the church office: 404-237-8621 or by emailing Renee Gamache at info@northsidedrive.org. | |
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CHURCH CALENDAR
SUNDAY, September 20
57th Anniversary Sunday
9:30 AM - Church School with Dr. Bill Leonard
11:00 AM - Morning Worship with Dr. Bill Leonard
12:15 PM - Anniversary Luncheon
5:00 PM - Northside Drive Ringers
TUESDAY, September 22
1:00 PM - Staff Meeting
6:00 PM - Northside Yoga
WEDNESDAY, September 23
10:00 PM - Preschool Chapel
10:30 PM - Pastor's Bible Study
6:00 PM - Wednesday Supper
6:45 PM - Prayer Meetin'
7:30 PM - Sanctuary Choir Practice
FRI-SUN, September 25-27
Women's Spiritual Retreat |
| ATLANTA MAYORAL FORUM
Our congregational neighbors, Trinity Presbyterian Church, Ahavath Achim Synagogue, and St. Anne's Episcopal Church, have asked us to announce an upcoming forum which they are jointly sponsoring with the Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods. There will be an Atlanta Mayoral Forum at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3003 Howell Mill Road, on Tuesday, September 22 at 7:00 PM. Confirmed participants include Atlanta mayoral candidates Lisa Borders, Mary Norwood, Kasim Reed and Jesse Spikes. The event is free and open to the public, and local political commentators Bill Nigut, formerly with WSB-TV and current Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League, and Dick Williams, host of Fox 5's Georgia Gang, have agreed to moderate the Forum.
The sponsoring groups are extremely pleased that the top four mayoral candidates will appear to address residents' questions and concerns on such key issues as public safety, taxes, finance, parks, schools and transportation. The evening will encourage both the candidates and the audience to focus on issues that are specific to the Buckhead area as well as issues important to all Atlanta.
Questions are being submitted in advance by neighborhoods and the faith community. In addition, residents will be able to submit questions on the night of the event on provided index cards. Moderators Nigut and Williams will pose questions to the candidates throughout the evening, which is expected to last two hours.
Trinity Presbyterian Church Acting Senior Pastor David Burns said, "We are excited about the opportunity to host this important forum and to allow voters the chance to hear directly from the candidates. We are especially grateful that Trinity can play a role helping voters understand more about the candidates' positions on the important issues/future decisions that will face the next mayor of Atlanta."
For additional information, please contact Jennifer Moyers, communications chair for The Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods, 404-934-8330, Jennifer@buckheadco uncil.org or Bede Campbell, Trinity Presbyterian Church, 404.495.8428, bcampbell@trinityat lanta.org. | |
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CHURCH FAMILY CONCERNS
Marjorie Alberson
Cecil Turner
Helen Callaway
Mary Dutton
Bob Haywood |
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NORTHSIDE YOGA 
Northside Yoga meets on Tuesdays at 6 PM in the Fellowship Hall with registered Yoga Teacher, Amanda Gregg. Bring a mat, water, and the $10 fee.
To make a reservation for Tuesday's class, email
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The youth café, UNDERGROUNDS, will be open for a light breakfast at 9:30 AM each Sunday. Youth Church School will meet in the newly renovated youth space and begins at 9:45 AM.
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THE PAPERLESS PINNACLE
The Pinnacle is emailed as an attachment to the congregation and is available on the church website at www.northsidedrive.org.
If you would prefer not to receive the Pinnacle by U.S. mail, please call 404-237-8621 or email us at info@northsidedrive.org to let us know. |
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Wi-Fi is now available in the Educational building as well as the Fellowship Hall and Youth Area.
The network is: ndbcwireless.
The password is: northsidedrive. |
Call the church office and ask for Renee if you lost or found an item at the church. |
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Join the NDBC Facebook group
Follow NDBC on Twitter |
| SEPTEMBER
BIRTHDAYS
Beth Laxton - 1
Fisher Alberson - 2
Charles Dew - 3
Linda Clark - 4
Bill Goddard - 5
Amy Redd - 6
Jeff Harbin - 10
Liz Harris-Lamkin - 11
Tim Getsay - 12
Betty Kendrick - 12
Elizabeth Poole - 12
Jane Lamkin - 13
JB Gilbert - 14
Merrill Davis - 15
Will Ervin - 15
Megan Hendrix - 15
Susan Pearson - 15
Henry Collins - 18
Tom Hicks - 18
Karen Massey - 18
Hal Meeks - 18
Linda Rushing - 18
Cyndi Vander Ven - 19
Linda Bridges - 20
Rebecca Moore - 20
Kendall Konenkamp - 21
Bil Cadaret - 22
Mary Dutton - 25
Lew Dorrity - 26
Ann Morton - 27
Don DaLee - 30 | |
