February 2 and 9, from 7:00-8:15 PM in the Fellowship Hall

     As we begin a new year, it is a good time to reflect and plan for some important decisions we often neglect. To this end, the Adult Education Committee invites you to Faithful Healthcare Choices Now, a guided discussion on personal healthcare decisions in the final season of life. This program is for people of ALL AGES. We never know when our personal "final season" may come; a catastrophic accident or diagnosis could change any of our lives tomorrow. It is both responsible and faithful to be prepared.

     This program will include two sessions, February 2 and 9, from 7:00-8:15 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Sheridan Ruiz and Liz Harris-Lamkin will lead our discussion. Sheridan, a Family Nurse Practitioner, is in the Palliative Care Program at Piedmont Hospital and has 18 years of nursing experience with her main focus on palliative and end of life care for over 10 years. Liz Harris-Lamkin is Chaplain at Piedmont Hospital and Lieutenant Colonel of the Joint Forces Headquarters and State Chaplain and brings with her perspective from 20 years of experience as a hospital and military chaplain.

     Session One will identify how our spiritual values and religious beliefs inform our health and healthcare choices, particularly in the final season of life--whether years, months, or days. Every person is encouraged to do advanced care planning in the event they are unable to speak for themselves. That includes developing an Advanced Directive and appointing a trusted agent to be your Healthcare Power of Attorney. There is no greater gift to your family and all those who love you than to make clear your wishes, so that they can be at peace about actions they may be called upon to take on your behalf.

     In Session Two, we will walk through the Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care form, addressing questions related to each section. Each person is encouraged to fill out his/her own advanced directive or review a current one for any needed updates. Individuals are encouraged to talk with their physicians about their choices and provide documentation for their patient charts. Most importantly, you will be strongly encouraged to have in-depth conversations with those closest to you who may not know how you feel about various care options.

     Exploring questions of personal meaning, the nature of Christian hope, ethics, and economics can help us choose wisely for our care when we consider the benefits, burdens and limitations of medical interventions and the current healthcare delivery system. Join us to walk through this process together; it will be a great gift to your family.

For childcare contact the church office at 404-237-8621.

Praying the Psalms* 

By Rev. James Lamkin 

Psalm 27

*(The congregation is invited to read A-Psalm-A-Day during 2011. Here is this today's prayer by James Lamkin based on a Psalm from the past week.)

     "O God as I write this prayer, I do so on Groundhog Day. I have the feeling that I have been here before; and I suspect that there is more winter on the way.

     So when I read in Psalm 27:14 that I am to 'wait on the Lord,' I am not amused. For one thing, I am an American; and as You know, we are not good at waiting! We want it all now! So Lord, not only 'hear our prayer' but answer our prayer...now!

     Here's another thing: we spend a lot of our time waiting. Waiting to grow-up, waiting to graduate from school, waiting to get the perfect job, waiting to find the perfect partner, waiting for the medication to kick-in, waiting for the weather to get warmer, waiting for the weather to get cooler, waiting to retire, waiting to be empty-nesters...waiting for one day to be happy.

     We spend a lot of time in Waiting Rooms.

     We turn to the Bible for relief, for assurance, for remedy, for answers, for healing...and low and behold, we are told to wait. I want a second opinion.

     However, the problem is, the word wait is in nearly every psalm. It's like the psalmists also had to struggle with waiting. And if most of the psalms were compiled or edited during the Babylonian Exile---then no wonder waiting is a predominant topic.

     God, I personally need Your help as wait with people who are waiting. Seems to me nearly everyone I talk to is having a tough time right now. concerns include: health, finances, housing, finances, parent care, finances, employment, finances, children's education, and finances. (And if I didn't mention it, finances!)

     Help me and us, O God, as we struggle to wait. We don't do it well...but together, maybe we can do it well enough.

     Between the wait-for-the-Lord inclusio of verse 14, before and aft, is also some advice: 1) be strong and 2) let your heart take courage.

     I am not good at either of those; but by Thy grace...by Thy grace Lord, help me be.

     Amen."

A-Psalm-A-Day Upcoming Schedule:

February 3 - Psalm 34

February 4 - Psalm 35

February 5 - Psalm 36

February 6 - Psalm 37

February 7 - Psalm 38

February 8 - Psalm 39

February 9 - Psalm 40

February 10 - Psalm 41

February 11 - Psalm 42

By James Lamkin

"Welcome Visitor!"

     Information on websites has a shorter shelf-life than milk! Updating is a constant process.

     Knowing that, I revise my "letter from the pastor" to website visitors from time to time. Here is the latest; I invite you to overhear.

     "There are many ways to tell the story of what God and God's people may be up to as Northside Drive Baptist Church (NDBC) lives into our calling as a congregation. Here is my approach. I call it 'The Three R's.'

     I love pastoring Northside Drive Baptist. Even on the bad days, I love living into the 'pastoral calling' that comes from God and this congregation. As I think about it, here is why I relish the place, people, and vocation so much:

     The first R: robust. Our congregation and our ministries are robust. Worship is full-bodied and intentional as we pay attention to God. I describe our worship service as formal but friendly...but the main focus is God. Whether we laugh or cry or grieve or praise...the meeting place is God. And the prayerful question that beckons us is, 'How might God be at work in my life---our lives---today?'

     Our inter-generational mission efforts rise out of who we are. We don't do missions to 'fix people.' Rather, as we build Habitat Houses or help with literacy or work in the poorest county in Georgia, we do so because our sense of Christian discipleship asks that of us. As we go, we grow.

     Plus, our Christian education weaves both the basics as well as new, angular expressions of the Christian spirituality. For example, we took the NPR program, This I Believe, and did our own spin on it. The depth and width of church members' personal faith moved me deeply. Robust.

     The second R: relationships. Whatever else spirituality is, it is relationships: to ourselves, to God, to God's world, and to other persons. Whatever we do---worship, missions, Bible study, caregiving---we do relationally.

     Some folk need church to be more seminar-like; others want more anonymity. However, these folk don't end-up staying in NDBC. After fourteen years as pastor, I've noticed that the folk who stay are those who want to be known and want to know others. Friendship is a primary mode of our spirituality.

     The third R is religion. Yes, I know religionhas become a bad word, synonymous with boring. Most prefer to say, 'I'm spiritual but not religious.' However, at NDBC we are redeeming the word. It means 'to connect together again.' And that is what we do. We connect. We connect missions with worship and friendship with faith and avant guarde topics with good ole' Bible study. We connect the 'stuff' of everyday life with faith in God. A faithful life is a full-bodied one.

     If you want to know about the church's vision or my beliefs or why I think we are the way we are...then ask me. Email me at james@northsidedrive.org. I especially like conversation about 'what really matters' over coffee."

Northside Drive Baptist Church

January 2011

Revision of May 20, 2009 Bylaws

The ByLaws Study Committee recommends to the Church-in-conference the following changes to the ByLaws of Northside Drive Baptist Church as amended May 20, 2009.  Copies of both the current and the proposed Bylaws are available from the church office in either email or print form for any member who requests such. Questions may be addressed to LeAnna Anantaraman, Syd Janney, Larry McSwain, Kristofer Schleicher, or Turner Warmack.

SECTION I-Editorial changes only.

SECTION II-Editorial changes only.

SECTION III-Title eliminates "Directors."

        1.  The responsibilities of each officer are described in greater detail, incorporating other sections of the Bylaws for clarity and focus.

        2. Editorial changes clarify the importance of the Church-in-conference as the source of authority for the transaction of corporate business in III.A. 9, 10, 11, 12.

        3.  Authority to authorize non-budgeted expenses in III.A.13 is shifted from the officers to the Finance Committee and Church Council.

       4.  Terms of officers are described in a new section III.B.

       5.  Decisions for indemnification are moved from the role of offices to the Church Council upon recommendation of Personnel and Finance Committees.

SECTION IV is renamed "Church Organizations" with major changes in simplifying descriptions of organizations.

       1.  The roles and responsibilities of Deacons remain unchanged.  Spouses may serve on the Diaconate concurrently.

       2.  The roles and responsibilities of the Personnel and Finance Committees are described more fully with language from throughout the current ByLaws incorporated in one place.

       3.  All current committees for which members volunteer are renamed "Ministry Teams" to reflect their functions as groups doing the primary work of the church.

       4.  The process of nominating members to committees is clarified to encourage selection of persons with best skills for needed roles as a factor along with the most nominations by members.

       5.  The functions of auxiliary organizations are clarified.

SECTION V is incorporated into Section IV of the new ByLaws.

SECTION VI, "PERSONNEL" is consolidated into SECTION V, "EMPLOYMENT OF PERSONNEL."

       1.  Responsibilities of the Personnel Committee have been moved to SECTION IV.

        2.  Policies described now in the "Personnel Manual" and the "Committee Policies and Procedures Handbook" are eliminated from the ByLaws.

        3.  The title of Pastor has been changed to Senior Pastor and Pulpit Search Committee to Senior Pastor Search Committee.

        4.  A three-fourth majority vote of the Church-in-conference has been added to the requirement for the call of all ministerial staff.

        5.  One member has been added to the Senior Pastor Search Committee to provide representation of both the Finance and Personnel Committees.

SECTION VII-CHURCH MEETINGS is changed to SECTION VI with no substantive changes.

SECTION VIII-MEMBERSHIP IN DENOMINATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS is changed to SECTION VII with no substantive changes.

SECTION IX-CHURCH FINANCES has been eliminated with the policies written there included in SECTION IV.B.4 under Finance Committee.

     Beth Laxton has been a member of Northside Drive since March 1988. Originally from Albemarle, North Carolina, Beth moved to Atlanta in January 1988 to complete an internship toward her graduate degree in Gerontology from the University of North Texas. She is also a graduate of Wake Forest University.

     Beth is the Chief Operating Officer/Administrator at The William Breman Jewish Home (skilled nursing home) and The Zaban Tower (assisted living and independent living apartments).

     Besides serving as a deacon, Beth also serves as chair of the Missions Committee and is a member of the Personnel Committee and Finance Committee.

     In her spare time, Beth enjoys biking, running, reading, Wake Forest sports and spending time on her screen porch. Beth also enjoys spending as much time as possible with her niece and nephew as well as with her sweet dog, Mildred.

     A highlight of her time at Northside Drive has been participating in mission trips to Americus, Guatemala and Taliaferro County. She likes the motto, "What happens on mission trips stays on mission trips."

 Her Deacon Families are:

Barbara Atchley

Tommy & Rowena Clyatt

Dan Dalke

Ruth Kramedjian

Jane Lamkin

Gene & Alice Ledbetter

Anne Ledbetter

Harry Mathis

Bob & Marilyn Nerem

Jennifer Sardone

Alan Smith

Turner & Joann Warmack

Helen White

Beginning January 30, the Roger Williams Church School class invites you to join us for a 9 week study of the history and causes of the Israel-Palestine Middle East conflict, and the reality on the ground there today. Our hope is to bring clarity and understanding to a topic that affects us all. Jim Barksdale, who travelled to the West Bank last year, will lead the series. Class discussion will begin promptly at 9:45 AM, in the Fellowship Hall. The itinerary is below, and we hope you can join us.

Jan. 30   Introduction & Current Viewpoints

Feb. 6    1880 - 1919: Zionism & WWI

Feb. 13  1919 - 1947: The British Mandate & Immigration

Feb. 20  1947 - 1949: Formation of Israel & Consequences

Feb. 27  1949 - Today: Israel's History & Wars

Mar. 6    Today: Refugees & Right of Return

Mar. 13  Today: Settlements, Walls, Checkpoints & Consequences

Mar. 20  Today: Non-violent vs. Violent Resistance in Palestine

Mar. 27  Today: Legal Rights

Successful Souper Bowl

     Wow! What a crowd filled the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, January 30! Souper Bowl 2011 was a huge success! Thanks to the cooks who prepared 26 crock pots full of flavorful soups and chilis and to the bakers who shared scrumptious desserts, 125 Northside Drivers and guests dined and fellowshipped and gave generously to feed others, as well. Also, thank you to Tommy Clyatt who donated our wonderful soup cups! We collected $1,862 that will help hungry people in the Atlanta area and around the world.

     Coach Mona Stines made sure all the plays ran smoothly for your Souper Bowl. And extra points go to her helpers on the sidelines who hustled to make the annual event a winning success. Way to go, team!

Your are Cordially Invited to the Annual Valentine Luncheon

Honoring

NDBC Retired Members

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

12 o'clock noon

Fellowship Hall

RSVP by February 2

Barbara Atchley

770-436-0709

atchley45@charter.net

Envelopes for Giving

If you need envelopes for your tithes and offerings:

1.  To receive a complete box of offering envelopes for calendar year 2011, simply call the church office at 404-237-8621 and request a box of envelopes with dates that you may pick up or be mailed to you.

2.  Generic NDBC offering envelopes are located in the pew rack behind the Welcome Cards.

3.  Extra envelopes are located on the Welcome Table in the Narthex.

25th Annual Women's Retreat

May 13-15, 2011

Blue Boar Inn - Robbinsville, North Carolina

SPACE & TIME ARE LIMITED. Reservation deadline is Sunday, February 13, 2011. Make your reservation with a $100 deposit (made out to Blue Boar Inn) & give it to Joyce Wilson - (770) 773-3333 or Virginia Gilbert - (770) 333-8933.

February 20, 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.

     *All concerts are offered without charge, but donations are appreciated.

Chruch Week

SUNDAY, February 6, 2011

  9:30 AM - Church School

  9:30 AM - Roger Williams Class: Israel-Palestine Middle East

10:25 AM - Cherub Children's Choir

11:00 AM - Morning Worship

  1:00 PM - Beginning Handbell Class

  3:00 PM - Diaconate Meeting

  4:00 PM - Northside Drive Ringers

  5:00 PM - Young Adults: Super Bowl Party

TUESDAY, February 8, 2011

12:00 AM - Preschool Liaison Meeting

12:00 PM - Triple E: Valentine Luncheon

  6:30 PM - Chat on the Chatt

WEDNESDAY, February 9, 2011

10:00 AM - Preschool Chapel

  1:00 PM - NDBC Book Club

  6:00 PM - Northside Yoga

  7:00 PM - Faithful Healthcare Choices Now

  7:30 PM - Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

THURSDAY, February 10, 2011

  7:00 PM - TNT

FRI-SUN, February 11-13, 2011

Youth Ski Retreat