Quick facts:

• Begins Sunday, January 8, at 6 PM (time may change, as suits the class members).
• Meets at the church. Each class lasts 2-3 hours
• Twelve-week course
• Follows the steps of The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
• Limited to 12 participants
• Cost is $250
• Led by artist Ellen Phillips; facilitated by Susan Harlan & Cindy Bell
• For all ages, whether you consider yourself creative or not! more below...

A twelve-week program that explores creativity, using The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, the class is designed to help you "get touch with your creative inner self, your God, your gifts, and your community."

 

What is the Class for?

The class will help its community members unlock their right-side brains. One of the course principles states, "#7: When we open ourselves to exploring our creativity, we open ourselves to God." Formatted after traditional 12-step programs, the experience has been taught in hospitals, prisons, churches, creative groups, and business settings around the world to get people to "recover a part of their brains they have lost the ability to access." The idea is that as God has given gifts to us, it is our responsibility to find them and use them. In finding our creative selves, we find an avenue to God.

 

"It is the creative potential itself in human beings

that is the image of God." ~ Mary Daly

 

Who Is It Designed For?

From CEOs who want new ways to problem-solve, to grandmothers who want to start cross-stitching again, the program is designed for anyone who is curious about what's keeping them from doing what they long to do. People who have benefitted from it include cancer survivors who want to expand their life, retirees who wonder "What's next?", students who feel like there is something beyond traditional education, the unchurched who still long for a connection with the holy, writers who are blocked, artists who seek inspiration, worshippers who want new ways to express themselves, people whose "inner child" is longing to play, and people who say, "I'm not an artist or creative, I'm just interested."

 

"Every blade of grass has its Angel that bends over it

and whispers," 'Grow, grow.'"

 

For this NSDBC Unblocked class in particular, its community will be made up of 12 people, old enough to read the book and respond, willing to try new things, and committed to twelve weeks of study. They do not need to consider themselves "artists" or "creative!"

 

"The experience will make you excited, depressed, angry, afraid, joyous, hopeful, and, ultimately, more free." (p. 7)

 

Who Is Offering the Class?

Facilitated by Cindy Bell and Susan Harlan, with leadership from Ellen Phillips. Ellen is a local sculptor, specializes in liturgical art, teaches courses at Columbia, and has offered many years of classes on The Artist's Way. A little more about her at: www.ellenphillipsart.com.  

 

How Does the Class Work?

     Members will read a chapter a week, and perform the activities suggested for that week, to the best of their abilities.

     Convening time is set right now at Sundays between 6-9 PM (but participants may decide to alter it, based on what's most convenient for the majority).

     Members would need to make a commitment to all twelve sessions. Of course, there are unforeseen emergencies or planned, unchangeable events that you may have to miss a class for, but otherwise you commit to making it each week (whether you've done your "homework" or not!).

     The first part each week will be discussion of that week's chapter and how members responded to it. The second half will be physically performing together a creative activity led by the facilitators and guest leaders.

     The cost of the class is $250, which includes most all materials for activities, as well as for Ellen and her travel. (That may seem like a lot for one course, but it's the least expensive Artist Way course in the Atlanta area!!) You'll also need to get a copy of The Artist's Way, but don't need all the workbooks or other collateral for sale out there. You can find it for as little as $4 at half.com or Amazon's used books. Complete title: The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron (1992).

 

Start date is Sunday, January 8. Ideally, the class roster would be locked down by December 18, and class members would have gotten The Artist's Way and read the first section before the first class.

 

* * * * *

 

From Cindy: I felt a call to lead a group like this, after having taken a similar class last year. But I have been waiting till I feel well enough to commit to it-not wanting to start something my body couldn't finish! Miraculously, Ellen Phillips became available to teach it this spring and Susan Harlan, who is familiar with the book, agreed to help and facilitate when I fall down. We were able to get a great rate for Ellen, since there will be times when she does not attend and Susan and I lead the group instead. I feel so fortunate that everything has fallen into place and happy that I get to do this. Like the book says, "As we open our creative channel to the Creator, many gentle but powerful changes are to be expected."

 

Worship in Bethlehem 

Saturday, December 17, at 10 AM, EST.

    What if you could join worshipers in Bethlehem without having to travel? You can! The National Cathedral in Washington DC joins with Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem for a moving prayer service on Saturday, December 17, at 10 AM, EST. This fifth annual worship is a joint simulcast available to others around the country and throughout the world through the internet. Visit the National Cathedral's website for more information on participating in this moving worship experience.

By Rev. Mike Gregg 

 Photo courtesy of Myrtie Cope               

 

CHRISTMAS EVE FAMILY VESPERS

Saturday, December 24, 2011, at 4 PM

     Do you need a Christmas Eve Service designed especially for your kids? If so, make plans to attend Northside Drive's Family Vespers Service at 4 PM on Christmas Eve. We sing kid friendly carols, have a costumed Christmas pageant, partake in family communion, and see the Pastor juggling while telling a Christmas story. Northside Drive Baptist Church has designed this unique service with the whole family in mind.

 

LESSONS, CAROLS, & COMMUNION

Saturday, December 24, 2011, at 10:30 PM

     As midnight approaches on Christmas Eve, the world is dark. One by one, candles begin to light up the darkness as Silent Night, Holy Night resounds in the air. The Christ child is coming and the people will soon break forth with the jubilant hymn, Joy to the World!   Join Northside Drive Baptist Church in a beautiful Christmas Eve service of Lessons, Carols, Communion and Candlelight. The Christmas story will be read from Scripture and the familiar carols will wrap us in the hopeful warmth of a Savior to be born.

Attention all new and young families!

     Our Church School class has a new twist. We will gather together each Sunday from 9:30-10:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall for donuts, coffee, and a time to relax, grow, and talk with each other. Instead of a set curriculum, we will fellowship with food and friends.

     We hope the children will all enjoy the nursery, preschool, and school age Church School classes together. If you have a baby not yet attending the nursery, feel free to bring your child to class.

     We hope to see you all Sunday morning at 9:30 AM. The donuts will be waiting for you!