NORTHSIDE NOTES - January 23, 2013 |
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Pastoral Reflections
Seven Blind Men, an Elephant, and NDBC
I've heard that the first job of leadership is to define reality. That also may be the most difficult job. Reality always is a matter of perception. Ask a physicist.
Remember the story of the blind men that come upon an elephant? One takes the tail and says, "The elephant is like a rope: lean and long." Another grabs a leg, "The elephant is like a tree trunk, thick and stout." One touches its side and says that the elephant is like a wall.
The story's punch line is a paradox. No one "reality" is right. They are all right; and they are all wrong. Truth is larger than any one perspective; and perhaps maturity is measured in appreciation of that truth.
It's my daily job to ponder a question: What might God be up to with us right now? I have no ex cathedra answer; but the meditation builds muscle.
On the Camino I mused: "What if God's work among us right now is to celebrate the elephant?" By that, I mean not just toleration of alternative perspectives, but a humble affirmation of the people holding them.
The work of humble affirmation is hard work. It is easier to build a church around a homogenous group. These days, the choice is not so much praise band or pipe organ, Pentecostal or Anglican; oddly, these almost don't matter. What does matter is this: are the people authentic, do they share my lifestyle values, and do I experience God when I am with them? When it comes to coffee and church, specialty matters.
However, NDBC is more eclectic with our elephant in the living room. For instance, there may be seniors who delight in the memories of our Camelot years, while being loved by all NDBC members and ministers now.
Then, there are the 20/30 something's without kids who are busy, crazy busy. Some of these are seminarians who live nearer Stone Mountain or Little Five Points than Buckhead's OK Café.
Then, there are youngish parents who need more activities like they need a hole in the head, but want their kids to love God, learn the Bible, love one another, and pray...and sing like angels when they can bring them.
Then there's the 50/60/70 something's who are recovering Baptists from the south, but have a liturgical bent. Some even call themselves Christian progressives, but want to stay in a mainline church.
Plus, there are empty-nesters who are non-anxious about a small youth group, but want to invest time and money in missions and ministry.
Again, it is not just about toleration, it is about the appreciation of persons and the tending of relationships. It is the essence and impulse of the Gospel.
As I pastor these congregations within our congregation, I feel like the guy with the spinning plates on the Ed Sullivan Show (a reference which dates me severely). There's a lot going on. Gravity happens; but also grace. Plates break; but "some grow strong in the broken places," as Hemingway said.
I love our eclectic elephant; and though our living room can be a messy circus, it also is holy ground, with holy people, loved by a holy God whom we love as wholly as we possibly can. |
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Save the Date...January 27, 2013!
Souper Bowl Sunday
Join us in the Fellowship Hall after church for a wonderful selection of soups and chili!
We need you! To volunteer to cook a pot of chili or soup, bring brownies or cookies, or set up/clean up simply contact Mona Stines at mona.stines@att.net. To make sure you are on the team this year let me hear from you...more details to follow.
The Missions Ministry Team |
Genesis...The Rest of the Story
Led by Rev. Zachary Bay
Wednesdays, January 9-February 6, 2013
@ 6 PM in the Art & Soul Room
January 23: <No Bible Study>
Church-in-conference
January 30: The World Tilts On Its Axis
(Chs. 47-48)
February 6: The End of the Beginning
(Chs. 49-50) |
Mardi Gras Luncheon LAISSEZ LES BONS TEMPS ROULER! Mardi Gras, also known as Carnival and Fat Tuesday, is celebrated all over the world as Ash Wednesday approaches. Come help us celebrate the beginning of the Lenten season on February 10, the Sunday before Ash Wednesday, for a Mardi Gras Luncheon. There will be Cajun food on the menu and will cost $10 for individuals, with a $25 cap for families. To make a reservation for the meal call the church office @ 404-237-8621, email your reservation to info@northsidedrive.org, or on the web by Thursday, February 7. |
Triple E: Valentine Luncheon
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You are cordially invited
to the annual
Valentine Luncheon
Honoring NDBC retired members
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
12 o'clock noon
Fellowship Hall
RSVP by February 7
Barbara Atchley
770-436-0709 or
atchley45@charter.net |
Lenten Wednesday Concert Series
"Every Voice In Concert Ring..."
In the Chapel at 6:45 PM
February 13.........Ash Wednesday
February 20.........Greg Colson
February 27.........Kurt Thomas
March 6...............Rev. Susannah Davis
(UCC Minister)
March 13.............Jeff Harbin
in the Sanctuary
March 20.............NDBC Sanctuary Choir and Friends
*From "Of the Father's Love Begotten," #145 in The Worshipping Church Hymnal. |
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This Week's Tender Loving Prayer (TLP) List*
Helen White
Miriam Wright & Nelle Holbrook
Wilma Underwood
Jim Hermance
Angeline Wamberg
Dianne DaLee (and her dog, Simba)
*The TLP is a Diaconate ministry. Each week's list contains the names of three NDBC senior adults, plus two or three others who are facing a difficult time. If you would like your name placed on our rotating TLP list, please give the church office a call. |
How are things with the Youth?
 "How are things with the Youth?" It's a question that a youth pastor gets asked often by both church folk and other ministers. When I answer that question, I say that things are going well. The church has entrusted me to walk alongside these young people, overhear their lives, and help them to grow their selves and their spirituality. And I think we are doing just that. So, things are going well. I invite you, for just a few minutes, to overhear with me what's been happening with our young folks. Acolyting. You've seen the red robes and white belts. The cross, the Bible, and the light. The participation in Communion and the Gospel Among the People. What you may or may not have noticed was that the people under those robes are not always the same three. Each of our Youth has at some point served as an Acolyte this past year, and as they have done so, they have learned about and connected with the many elements of our liturgical worship service.
College Exam Boxes. Again this past year, we got together one Sunday afternoon in December and put together exam boxes for the Youth who have graduated to college. This was a time of remembering friends and writing them letters.
Moravian Lovefeast. The Lovefeast was a success! The Youth helped lead this intimate little Christmas service. About 35 showed up, and we sang Christmas hymns, lit candles, and had good conversation around coffee and buns. Afterwards we observed our annual Christmas tradition by sharing a meal and exchanging gifts at Scalini's.
Midwinter Lock-In. We have been trying to figure out this notion of calling that seems to be all over the Bible and our lives this academic year. We continued that discussion in earnest at the home of Steve and Letty Konenkamp just last weekend. And we played a lot of Wii. Ask me about the video of Kay Braswell boxing with Brian Knight. It's holy.
Annual Ski Retreat. In just a couple of weeks, we will load up into a van and trek to Sugar Mountain. I like this event because it's a weekend experiment in communal living. We cook and eat together, we study and learn together, and we have fun too. Pray for us as we retreat for a few days to learn about ourselves and God on February 8-10. |
A Word About Bad Weather and the Church
As a rule of thumb, we will not cancel worship services on Sunday morning except under the most extreme weather conditions. Members are urged to use their own good judgment as to whether they should attempt to make the trip. Should inclement winter weather cause the cancellation of a service, here is the plan:
1) The ministers and the moderator will make the decision.
2) The ministers and the moderator will notify the deacons.
3) The ministers will email all those on the church's email list, and place a notification on the church's voice mail (if electricity and phone service are available).
4) The deacons will call members who need to be notified, but do not have email. |
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Children's Choir and Cherub Choir
Announcements
The Children's Choir rehearses in the Chapel every Sunday from 10:25 AM to 10:55 AM. This choir is for ages 4 years old through 5th grade. This choir not only learns anthems for worship but they also learn elements of liturgical worship. The Children's Choir will be singing during Lent, Palm Sunday, Mother's Day and Pentecost.
The Cherub Choir rehearses in their Church School classroom from 9:50 AM to 10:10 AM. This choir is for ages 2 and 3. The Cherub Choir will be singing on Palm Sunday and Mother's Day.
If you know of any kids within these age groups that are interested in singing, please contact Nicole Harbin at nicoleharbin@yahoo.com or call 770-365-6423.
Children and Cherub Choir Special Upcoming Events:
Saturday Rehearsal, March 16
End of the Year Party, May 19 |
Sanctuary Flowers
Would you like to participate in beautifying our Sanctuary for 2013? Now is the time to sign up. The price is $100 or you can share the cost with someone. If you are interested please call Nancy F. Davis at 404-252-9154. |
Church Week
SUNDAY, January 27, 2013
9:30 AM - Church School
10:50 AM - Children's Choir Practice
11:00 AM - Morning Worship
12:15 PM - Souper Bowl Luncheon
5:00 PM - Northside Drive Ringers
6:30 PM - Handbell Ensemble
TUESDAY, January 29, 2013
10:00 AM - Staff Meeting
WEDNESDAY, January 30, 2013
10:30 AM - Pastor's Bible Study
6:00 PM - Genesis Bible Study
7:30 PM - Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
THURSDAY, January 31, 2013
7:00 PM - TNT |
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JANUARY
BIRTHDAYS
Chelsea Clarke - 1
Len Shelton - 2
Barbara Schroeder - 2
Dene Maltbie - 3
Jon Bell - 4
Katherine Bryson - 6
John Davis - 6
Bev Hall - 7
William High - 7
Joyce Wilson - 7
Ruth Kramedjian - 7
Don Janney - 9
Pam Wamberg - 9
Charlton Roberts - 14
Sebastian Almeida - 15
Jeanne Hill - 16
Jane Jerden - 16
Anne Ledbetter - 16
Fabio Molina - 16
Zach Bay - 17
Donna McLarty - 17
Vanita Morgan - 17
Annie Tucker - 19
Gene Bridges - 19
Gail Hermance - 22
Harry Mathis - 22
Luke Fletcher - 22
Nancy Hall - 23
Clara Harbin - 24
Will Egan - 25
Jackson Singleton - 25
Stephanie Jones - 25
Michael Hermance - 26
Lanier Meeks - 28
Betty Almeida - 29
Karen Perry - 29
Riley Isakson - 31 |
| ROMEOS
(Retired Older Men
Eating Out)
Every third Tuesday
of the month from
11:30 AM-1 PM.
A time to visit with friends, tell stories and
eat good food
(bring your lunch money)!
Piccadilly Cafeteria
Every 3rd Tuesday |
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"TNT"
Thursday Nights Together
People of all ages from NDBC meet
at 7 PM every
Thursday night for dinner.
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YOUNG ADULT: SMALL GROUP SUNDAYS
The young adult small group reads a book each month on various faith-related issues. We meet on the third Sunday of the month at 6:30 PM for discussion and then go off campus for dinner together. The small group meets in the Undercroft.
to sign up.
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UPDATE: Come join us on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7 PM, in Room #207, the Parlor, to knit or crochet a prayer shawl. If you are not sure how, no problem, there will be plenty of people to help you get started. This group is open to anyone who would like to join! For more information call Susan Harlan at 770-377-3869. |
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YOUTH LUNCH AFTER CHURCH
The NDBC Youth meet every 2nd Sunday after church to have lunch together. For more information contact Zach Bay at zach@northsidedrive.org.
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YOUTH
Encore! is a once a month youth event on either Sunday afternoon or Sunday evening. We focus this time on fellowship, discussion, and/or mission service.
Contact Zach Bay with questions. |
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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 will begin at 9:45 AM. |
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YOUNG ADULT
UNPLUGGED EVENTS
Young Adult Unplugged evenings. These are casual dinners at our homes where Mike will bring the main course and everyone else brings a side item. They are on Friday nights once a month at 7 PM.
If you are interested in attending an Unplugged event contact Zach Bay
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THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS BOOK
A copy of the book is in the Narthex for previewing and the cost is only $30. To get your copy, call us at 404-237-8621 or email the church. |
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NORTHSIDE NOTES
ARCHIVES
Did you miss an issue of our Northside Notes?
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THE PAPERLESS PINNACLE
The Pinnacle is emailed as a link 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. |
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. |
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