By James Lamkin

Between Sympathy and Empathy is Gratitude

     On Monday of this week, my son called. "I have bad news," he said, "today, you are really old!"

     Thus began my 60th birthday.

     Actually, it started a few hours before he called, when I rose early enough to pray, write, and read. Also, remember.

     An annual ritual in my birthday routine always included a call from my mother, followed by one from Aunt Dorcas. I knew that this year, for the first time, there would be neither. Truly, each year brings us, "A time to be born and a time to die," said the writer of Ecclesiastes.

     There was something else different about this year. If the actual day itself was not big enough, the day before the day, was even larger. What made it so, was you...the folk of NDBC...and in particular a few folk (and you know who you are) who masterminded and made happen, the surprise.

     A theme for me during this past year has been how many things I'm wrong about. It is a reoccurring punch line among my fellow staff members. My ability to predict anything is declining.

     But there is a corollary. My ability to be surprised is increasing.

     Maybe it's early dementia.

     Or, maybe the long float trip down the river of life requires more, and provides more, buoyant grace as I go along.

     Folk in worship this past Sunday said my face said it all. Mike Gregg stood strangely near the chancel as I braced for the benediction. Seeing Mike, I knew that either I'd forgotten something really important, like genuflecting before a sacred urn; or Mike was going to rededicate his life. Again I was wrong. It was neither.

     When I said, "Go in peace," nobody did. Everyone stayed and had a piece of cake and a cup of lemonade. Folk relished (and bragged) about how the party had been kept a secret and I was clueless and how my face was filled with shock and awe and much blushing. All true.

     Some folk offered empathy: "Enjoy. I remember when I was your age." Others offered sympathy: "60? I am so sorry."

     A real delight was seeing Liz: Chaplain Lieutenant Colonel Liz Harris-Lamkin of the Georgia Air National Guard in full uniform, boots, and BDU's! Liz stepped away from her weekend of military duty at Dobbins Air Force Base to come to the party. That made the day especially special.

     Sunday afternoon she and I enjoyed a basket of your cards, some noting nuanced twists and turns with which our lives have been laced and graced over the years; also we talked about the differences between my 50th and 60th, and the difference in me regarding a decade of terrain change.

     Between playful sympathy and hand-on-my-shoulder empathy, my response can only be gratitude. Like I told my son who called to name the news that I was old, really old, "Well, yes I am," I said, "but I'm alive!"

     With gratitude to God and to NDBC, on most days, I feel more alive than ever. 

Dear Congregation,

     As you have seen, Zach Bay has accepted the pastoral position at First Baptist Church in Middlesboro, KY. We are proud of his accomplishments and wish him well on this part of his journey.

     The deacons and leadership of Northside Drive would like to invite you to a going away celebration for Zach at Steve and Letty Konenkamp's home this Saturday at 7 PM. We will have appetizers and good fellowship. You may contact the church office for information or directions.

     I look forward to seeing you on Saturday.

Mike Gregg

Thank You from Morning Star Children
and Family Services 

     "The youth and staff of Morningstar would like to thank Northside Drive Baptist Church of Atlanta for their generous donation. The donation contributed to a well needed replacement of a HVAC unit on a cottage and the purchase of a used vehicle that will go towards the transportation of residents to important appointments. We greatly appreciate the blessing you provided to the lives here."

     For more information on Morningstar, check out their web page at www.morningstarcfs.org.  

Energy, Intimacy, and Hymnody

   We're excited about the summer Church School opportunities for children at Northside Drive! Join us as we explore the Bible through crafts, music, and movies! We'll have special music sessions on July 28 and August 25 where your child will learn through songs and instruments. Topics for music include Choosing God, Hope in the Lord, and Friends Love at All Times. Come and participate in special activities for children and adults in Church School this summer.

     NDBC's own, Dr. Larry McSwain, has published another book! His latest is The Calling of Congregational Leadership. In it, Larry focuses on pastoral leaders, protestant seminarians, and laity within the church.

     His forty years of experience led him to teach a three-pronged approach to congregational leadership: being a good leader, the knowledge needed by the leader, and the managing of leadership in ministry.

     During this summer's "Future of Faith" Church School series, Larry has made an impact in his description of the changing terrain upon which today's leaders are called to work.  

"Sabbath Rest Silent Retreat, Four Hours of Rest with God"

Thursday, August 8, 2013, from Noon till 4 PM

"I saw water coming out from under the threshold  

of the temple toward the east."

~ Ezekiel 47:1

Register: Register at www.sabbath-rest.com  

or rshoaf@sabbath-rest.com.

The registration fee is $22.00. Scholarships are available  

for those who cannot afford the registration fee. 

Questions? Call Becky Shoaf at 404-358-7760.

Location: Ignatius House 

6700 Riverside Drive * Atlanta, GA 30328

(Twenty acres on the beautiful Chattahoochee River)

Experience: Table fellowship together (meal included in registration), a brief gathering, silence on your own with provided materials, time for rest and listening for God, and closing with group prayer.

Come away for time alone with God.

It will make all the difference in your life!

Atlanta Community Ministries

Seven Piedmont Center

Suite 7-420 Atlanta, GA 30305

www.atlantacommunityministries.org 

2013 Interfaith Partnership for Habitat for Humanity Build

Northside Drive Baptist Church Work Days

Sign-up will begin on Sunday, July 28,  

following the worship service.

Day 1 - August 24 (7 Volunteers)

build exterior and interior walls in warehouse; clear crawlspace;  

set floor joists and lay floor decking; sheath wall panels and install exterior walls; install interior walls; tie walls together, straighten and brace; install front porch deck, columns, and beams

Day 2 - September 7 - NDBC Lead Day (16 Volunteers)

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;  

set-up for siding and begin siding

Day 3 - September 14 (4 Volunteers)

shingle roof; insulate walls and ceiling;  

continue siding and begin chalking

Days 4 & 5 are not workdays for NDBC

Day 6 - October 5 (4 Volunteers)

touch up exterior painting; finish soffit and fascia;  

finish interior painting; install doorknobs and bathroom hardware;  

install porch and ramp railings

Day 7 - October 12 (6 Volunteers)

Dedication Day

 clean house interior; touch up interior painting;  

rake and clear lot; landscape

   Susan Dew and her husband Hartwell joined NDBC in 1977, straight out of graduate school. She grew up in Dillon, SC (home of Ben Bernanke and South of the Border) and now lives in Sandy Springs. She has a daughter Elizabeth and son in law Marc, who live in New York City, as well as a son Charles and his wife Lindsay and grandson Jones who live in Charleston, SC. Susan loves the spirit of love and inclusivity at NDBC and has a passion for its missions. In her spare time, she enjoys travel, gardening and being with friends.

Susan's Deacon Families are:

     Katie Adams w/William & Hunter Adams, Ray Bongers & Heather Bongers w/Ingrid Bongers, Gene & Linda Bridges, Lisa Bridges, Wade Davis, Jim Hermance& Gail Hermance w/Michael Hermance, Nathan Hermance, Mary Ann Hickman, William High, Mary Margaret High, Don & Syd Janney, Camden Janney, Taylor Janney, Brian Knight, Randy Korando, Jim & Mary Lester, Helen McIntyre, Virginia Schwatel, John & Caroline Sisk, Pam Wamberg, Kristi Wamberg

Needed:  Team members for Monday Flower Ministry

     You may not know that Sunday's large altar flower arrangements are re-purposed into beautiful bouquets for our own Northside Drivers who are unable to attend services, or who are celebrating special events such as a new baby or a milestone birthday. This is an important person-to-person ministry of care for which we need your help.

     Can you devote a Monday morning periodically (once a week, once a month, once in a while, once a year - your choice!) to come break down the altar arrangements into small arrangements (no talent required; vases provided) or deliver them? Men, women, families are all welcome---this is a wonderful way to show your love for each other.

     The calendar of available dates is wide open and we're waiting for your call to claim a Monday for your own.

     Call Nancy Davis at 404-252-9154 for more information or to sign up today.