"With Liberty and Justice for Y'all"

     Three weeks ago, I was invited by Northside Drive member, Fulgencio Ferrer, to attend the service where he was "naturalized" as a United State citizen. I was honored to do so. He was the third Northside Driver to be naturalized this year, the other two being Simon Goodhead and Cali Almeida.

     The adventure started at "0' dark-thirty," as Liz would say in military-speak. We needed to be in northeast Atlanta, off Lavista Road, through the security check-point, and into the building of the US Immigration Service by 8 AM on Friday morning.

     Unlike Lady Liberty's words, the folk in line with me were not "...your tired, your poor, your huddled masses." They were excited, proud, and all decked-out. I was under dressed with my sport coat and open collar. I should have worn a suit and tie.

     Fulgencio and Dalia have a Cuban heritage. Dalia became a citizen awhile back. Now, it was Fulgencio's turn. He was joyful and proud of having gone through the process of US citizenship. There were well over 100 in his "graduating class," from more than 60 countries; and some of them already had served sacrificially in the US armed forces. We applauded each nationality as each stood up.

     Patriotic songs were sung over the sound system as pictures of the melting pot of the American milieu flashed on the wall. Historic images of Ellis Island in New York Bay showed young and old finding a new home. I thought of Bruce Dick's grandfather who worked for the Immigration Service on Ellis Island. I thought of how many "tired and poor" eyes he looked day after day.

     With hands over hearts, a lump in our throats, and tears in our eyes, we recited with one voice...one American voice...the well-worn words, "I pledge allegiance...." Dalia said their now college-graduated daughter, Pricilla, had taught her the Pledge of Allegiance years ago when Pricilla was a preschooler. And she taught it just like she'd learned it, which always ended with the words: "Be seated."

     I brought Fulgencio a gift. It was my lucky stars and stripes bandanna I'd worn in a dozen of the Peachtree Road Races. I called it "lucky" because I felt lucky every July 4th not to be dead by the time I stumbled into Piedmont Park!

     The service ended and I left to go make a hospice visit. It's a holy beat I'm invited to walk, sometimes alongside joyful parties applauding life; other times it's the lonely path through the Valley of the Shadow of Death.

     But, let's us not grieve today. Let's celebrate! Lift a glass! To Fulgencio and Dalia, to Simon and to Cali...on this first Independence Day for you as bona fide, naturalized, US citizens, "Happy July 4th! May there always be liberty and justice for y'all!"

    We will not have Church School on July 5 (Independence Day weekend). However, the clergy will have coffee and conversation waiting for you in the Parlor (Room 207) at 9:30 AM.

"How We Got Our Bible"

May 31-August 30, 2015

9:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall 

   Jul 5...Holiday Weekend, No Church School, Coffee w/the Clergy 

 Jul 12...Translating the Bible and the History of the Church

                     Dr. Rob Nash

 Jul 19...Is That Really in the Bible:

             Private and Independent Translations

                     Dr. Michael Morgan

 Jul 26...Singing Our Lives through the Psalms

                     Dr. Michael Morgan

 Aug 2...Understanding Translations and Versions: Pre-1970

                     Dr. Nancy deClaissé-Walford

 Aug 9...Understanding Translations and Versions: 1970-2000

                     Dr. Nancy deClaissé-Walford

Aug 16...Understanding Translations and Versions: 2000-Present

                     Dr. Nancy deClaissé-Walford

Aug 23...Choosing and Using a Bible

                     Dr. Steve Sheeley

Aug 30...The Bible and the 21st Century Church

                     Dr. Rob Nash

God Stories

The Heart of the Bible

A Summer Sermon Series

June 7-September 6

    The Bible is a library of stories.  Even when it lists the Ten Commandments or Eight Beatitudes, each list fits within a story; and each story fits within God's Big Story of Love and Grace. Some of the Summer Sermons will include: David and Goliath, King David's Dance Fever, and How to Dust Off Your Shoes When You Get Rejected. 

     Like the rabbis say, "God created humans, because God loves stories."

Bylaws Under Review

    Our church bylaws provide for periodic review and recommendation to the Church-in-conference of any updates or needed changes to the bylaws. Church Moderator, Don Janney, has appointed a Bylaws Review Committee consisting of Jo Meeks, Chair; Barbara Schroeder; Tom Hicks; David Cook; George Taylor; and Dave Wooten. Please refer any suggestions or proposed updates to any committee member or email Jo Meeks at jolaniermeeks@gmail.com by July 15, 2015. For any questions, please contact Don or Jo.

July 15 @ 11:15 PM

Fellowship Hall

     Bring a salad to share and two books maximum to review. Choose from a biography or the classics. See you there! 

Parent, Child, Church Dedication

     Sunday, July 19, 2015, there will be a parent, child, church dedication for Christopher Andrews & Jordan Phillips Davis, and their parents, Preston & Dorsett Davis, during the 11 AM worship service.

Habitat for Humanity Build 2015 

October 10-November 21, 2015

    Mark your calendars for the 2015 Interfaith Partnership Habitat for Humanity Build. Our build will begin later than in previous years---October 10 with the dedication on November 21. (Think cooler weather.) October 10 will be NDBC lead day when we provide both workers and lunch. As last year, child care will be provided at the church on our lead day. Other specific work days have not been determined. Sign up will begin in late August. This year we will welcome First Baptist Decatur and Temple Emmanuel to the partnership. 

SUNDAY, July 5

  9:30 AM - No Church School, Coffee with the Clergy

11:00 AM - Morning Worship in the Chapel

WEDNESDAY, July 8

10:30 AM - Pastor's Bible Study