News Regarding Rev. Eric Cain, NDBC Maddox Pastoral Resident

By Rev. James Lamkin

Dear Northside Drivers,

Eric Cain has served God faithfully in our church, first as Minister to Youth, and then as the Maddox Pastoral Resident. He has now heard a new calling and will be leaving us to serve as the Program Director of the LillyCenter for Vocational Reflection at Furman University.

We give thanks to God for the gift of Eric...and we prayerfully bless Eric and let him go as he moves into this new area of ministry.

Here is the letter he sent to the Personnel Committee on Monday, December 13, 2010: 

It has been a joy and blessing to serve Northside Drive Baptist Church these past three years and two months as both youth minister and resident. I could not think of many other congregations to better nurture a seminarian and young minister than here---with the loving people, wonderful staff and support resources, and the ongoing, active church vision. You all have taught me well these past years and for that I will be ever grateful.

With these things in mind, I have some news to share with you. I have been called to serve as Program Director of the LillyCenter for Vocational Reflection at Furman University in Greenville, SC. I have accepted this opportunity to serve my alma mater in helping lead the LilyCenter, a program that has meant so much to me and my spiritual growth over the past ten years. You can learn more about the LillyCenter, if you would like, by visiting the Center's website at http://furmanlilly.com/. My last day at Northside Drive will be Sunday, January 2, 2011.

Again, I have sincerely enjoyed my experience at Northside Drive and will always keep in heart and mind the smiling faces and many graces that you have extended to me over these years.

Grace & Peace,

Rev. Eric Cain

Pastoral Reflections

by James Lamkin

"Christmas, New Year's, and the New Normal"

I've never imagined myself as a "radio preacher," but now I "are" one! On Sunday morning, December 26^th, I'll be on the radio show, Day One.

Our own Walter Grant is a Day One board member. Walter suggested that I give all Northside Drivers permission to stay home on Sunday the 26^th---the day after Christmas Day---and listen to me on the radio.

I told Walter, "I've never noticed Northside Drivers needing my permission to stay home from church for any reason!" So...do as the Lord leads you.

The lectionary text for that day is the "flight to Egypt." It is the story of King Herod's jealous rage at the betrayal of the Wise Men. The result was the "slaughter of the holy innocents." (Yes, I know. What a great text to keep one full of that jolly Christmas cheer!)

My sermon angle was: as Herod discovered, this baby brought with him a New Normal. Nothing would be the same again---not for Mary or Joseph or Herod or God, for that matter. All babies bring change...and this One brought about a big one. This Baby brought God wonderfully and awfully close.

Journalists think the first time New Normal was used was after the Oklahoma City bombing. It described the difference in the survivors of the Muir Federal Building blast.  If life returned to normal, it would be a New Normal.

Reporters have called upon the phrase again to express the awkward search for normalcy we're all going through as we try to stabilize our economy and our lives. It is new but it doesn't feel normal yet.

However, one of the most consistent punch lines of the Bible is this: God meets God's people in every New Normal. Turns out that the Jesus-goes-to-Egypt-and-returns story, echoes the Moses-goes-to-Egypt-and-returned story. And the Gospel storyteller, Matthew, seems intent on getting a point across: "This Jesus is full of the light and love and life of God. Why, he is Moses Plus!"

Time and time again the Bible's characters find them themselves dislocated: in Egypt, in the wilderness, in Babylon, in times where normalcy is absent. Yet, with all the uncertainties that plagued them, God always was present with them. Always.

Here's another way to say it: the New Normal is not new to God. God has been here and there before.

As we wrap-up Christmas 2010, then welcome the New Year 2011, we know not what the future will bring. But this we know, God already is there waiting. The New Normal is not new to God. This is true for you and me and all of us...especially those out there in "radio land."

Deacon Spotlight 

Wade Davis, Jr.: Born near Columbia, South Carolina, educated at USC. After two years Army service, education continued for five years at Southwestern Seminary. Eight summer sessions at Westminster Choir College completed formal education, but still learning.

Served twenty-seven years in the Music Ministries Department of Georgia Baptist Missions and Ministries, after ten years as Minister Through Music at an Atlanta church.

Enjoys extensive reading from "Winnie-the-Pooh" to philosophy beyond comprehension. Is at total peace when near the sea, and when tending shrubbery, flowers and lawn. Travel, photography and kitchen experimenting are always innervating, as are writing and meditating to/with good to great music.

If you are having difficulty placing a face with the name, just think: "a dead ringer for Richard Greer."

Christmas Church School Breakfast

January 11, 2011 @ 11 AM in the Fellowship Hall

Tony Callaway is the Director of Development for the Alliance for Christian Media, which produces the weekly Day1 radio program and sponsors the day1.org website. The radio program is broadcast on more than 200 radio stations each week and is also available on the American Forces Radio Network. Tony's website receives more than 60,000 visits per month. Tony served as the Youth Minister of Northside Drive from 1970-1975 and is the son-in-law of Jack and Bobbie Baldwin.

NDBC Book Club

A book review of The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery and Alison Anderson will be Wednesday, January 12, at 1 PM in the Fellowship Hall.  Nancy Hall-Shelton will be the facilitator and Billie Davis the hostess. Bring your lunch; dessert and beverages will be furnished.

FFA/FCCLA of Georgia Retreat Center

January 14-17, 2011

$85 per person

Recreation, Learning, and Fellowship

Contact Zach Bay at zach@northsidedrive.org

January 23, 2011 @ 3 PM in the Chapel

Northside Drive Baptist celebrates the life of the human spirit, free-dom of thought, and the power of imagination through the arts. With these concerts we welcome the wider community to experience the beauty and joy of chamber music. Our chapel offers a graceful and spiritual space where performers and listeners may join in celebration of the genius and inspiration of great composers.

Mark your calendars now for NDBC's Souper Bowl Sunday on January 30 (one week early) in the Fellowship Hall after church. Everyone is welcome to come down and join us for a wonderful selection of soup/chili and make a donation to the Hunger Fund for 2011. These monies are used to help support the Atlanta Community Food Bank as well as send aid to hungry people around the world. Last year we raised over $1,500 at the fun event!

How do we do it? Well, your chef skills are needed! To volunteer to cook a pot of chili/soup or help clean/set up, contact Mona Stines at flyingMJS@bellsouth.net or 770-941-6478. If you'd rather bring 3 dozen brownies or cookies, contact Linda Clark at 404-237-2326. Call today and you'll be reminded closer to time! What a great gift to give this holiday season!

It's a fun time together and the monies raised go to help those really in need. Can we count on you to help?

Church Week