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Pastoral Reflections
Pastoral Reflections
"Teach a Baptist Woman about Religious Liberty... and Look What Happens!"
By James Lamkin
This past Saturday, Chaplain Lt. Colonel Liz Harris-Lamkin retired from 22 years of military service. Chaplains and Wing colleagues gathered from around the state at Warner Robins Air Force Base to witness this ritual. And we were wowed!
General Bill Welch hosted the event. A United States flag was presented in solemn procession. The honor guard displayed the colors. Songs were sung. Prayers were prayed. Speeches were given. And...laughter and love reigned.
It was these last two attributes which made the retirement ceremony unique. Folks left saying, "I've been to a lot of these...and I've never laughed harder, or cried as much."
Think about how the U.S. military has changed since Liz has been in. For one thing, we are still fighting the longest war in U.S. history. We are doing so with reservists who are deployed, then go home, then deployed again, and again. Imagine trying to run a business or build a business or rear a family, like that?
Plus, in the late 90's the goal was to merge the military into a joint force. Liz was part of that "odd marriage and then divorce," as one described it at her retirement.
On 9/11/01, Liz and the 116th were on a medical training mission in Alpena, Michigan. They thought they may be deployed to New York City to tend to those injured in the Twin Towers attack. But, of course, there were no wounded; only casualties. I was leading a prayer service that afternoon when Liz finally made contact. The first words she heard over the phone were from the NDBC congregation, "Our Father, Who art in heaven...."
The ceremony participants told of Liz's deployment to Ecuador, Peru, and Panama. To Guam and to Germany. And for six months to the United Arab Emirates. During this last deployment, she logged in over 500 hours counseling airman, 600 hours doing pastoral visitation on the flight line and on duty, and hundreds of hours leading worship. Plus, she is the only woman ever...ever...to be the head chaplain for a state guard (Air and Army).
I am most proud that Liz has been a consistent champion for the practice of religious freedom and the first amendment. It is your fault. She learned it from Baptists. Believe it or not, that can be tough in Georgia! Liz is a Christian Chaplain; the cross on her lapel says so. But the shingle on her office is of a military chaplain whose job it is to make sure airmen of all faiths have what they need to practice their faith...though they may be a minority. Liz is your advocate even if you are a Muslim in middle Georgia.
Saturday's ceremony was not just about Liz. Somehow, everyone in the room seemed to celebrate his or her own story as each bootlegged off Liz's story. They had grown-up together.
In her speech, Liz gave a shout-out to NDBC. She thanked the congregation for support and encouragement; and I got some credit, too.
My tears came when the commander gave the order, "You are relieved." Relieved? After 22 years of putting her hand to the plough, after 22 years of saying, "Yes, I will go!" and after two decades of wearisome war...a proud and grateful nation saluted her service, said "Thank You." Only then, was she granted permission to stand down and be relieved....
And, from afar, I heard the distant words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Amen.
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Church Council
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
There was no scheduled meeting of the Church Council during the month of December. The next meeting will occur on Tuesday, January 17, 2017, at 7:00 PM in the Art & Soul classroom. (This meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, January 17 because Monday, January 16 is the MLK holiday.
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Northside Drive Book Club
Wednesday, January 18, 2016
Most Blessed of the Patriarchs
Author: Annette Gordon-Reed + P.S. Onuf
Facilitator: Pam Wamberg
Hostess: Robbye Taylor
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New Year's Lunch
for Young Adults
Sunday, January 22, 2017
After a busy holiday season visiting friends and family,
come relax with the 20.30 group at a local restaurant on January 22nd at 12:15. Gather in the Narthex after worship that morning so we can ride to a restaurant together. The restaurant is yet to be decided so if you have any suggestions, please let Jeffrey Dunkerley know jeffrey@northsidedrive.org. Hope to see you there!
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Church-in-Conference
Thursday, January 26, 2017
The first Church-in-conference meeting of 2017 will occur on Thursday, January 26, 2017, beginning at 6:45 PM in the Fellowship Hall. The agenda for this meeting will include Finance committee's presentation concerning any adjustments to the Church's Operating Budget for 2017 that was approved by the Church-in-conference in October. Please come for this presentation and other important matters affecting our church community.
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Our Annual Souper Bowl Sunday
Sunday, January 29, 2017
Volunteers are needed to either prepare a pot of soup or chili, or to bake cookies or brownies! If you are not fond of cooking we can always use help with set-up or clean-up. Whatever your talents are, join us that day for fellowship and fun. The donations we collect that day help support the Hunger Fund. To volunteer contact Mona Stines at
mona.stines@att.net
or 404-936-8812.
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Triple E
You are cordially invited to the annual
Valentine Luncheon
Honoring NDBC retired members
Tuesday, February 14, 2017,
12 o'clock noon, in the Fellowship Hall
Special Performance by Kurt Thomas
We are so lucky to enjoy his music from time to time i
n Worship. Now we have the opportunity to get to know Kurt even
better as he shares with us some of his favorite music as well as stories of his life and songs.
RSVP by February 9
to Barbara Atchley
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31st Annual Women's Retreat
April 21-23, 2017
Robbinsville, North Carolina
SPACE & TIME ARE LIMITED
Reservation deadline is Sunday, February 12, 2017
Make your reservation with a $100.00 deposit
(made out to Joyce Wilson)
& give it to Joyce Wilson or Virginia Gilbert
For more information:
Joyce Wilson (770) 773-3333
Virginia Gilbert (770) 333-8933
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BIG THANKS
to All Musicians
for Advent and Christmas!
I want to express my thanks to the Sanctuary Choir for their hard work and dedication in preparing the Rutter
Magnificat for Gaudete Sunday. Mary Lou and Joel did wonderful work with our Cherub Choir and Celestial Choir. It was good to hear them on December 11 and Christmas Eve. I also want to thank the Handbell Choir for a fine job on December 18.
The pre-service music presented by Joel Stouffer on December 10 and by Steve Sheeley on December 18 was a great addition to our worship experience.
It is a joy and a privilege to work with talented and dedicated musicians who volunteer their time and talent to bring quality music to our congregation on a weekly basis. I could not do it without you.
~ Dr. Keith H. Walker, Director of Music Ministries
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Christmas Eve Family Vespers
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A Word About Bad Weather
and Church Services
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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Church Week
SUNDAY, January 15
9:30 AM - Church School
10:25 AM - Children's Choir Rehearsal
11:00 AM - Morning Worship
MONDAY, January 16
MLK Jr. Day - Church Office closed
TUESDAY, January 17
10:00 AM - Staff Meeting
7:00 PM - Church Council
WEDNESDAY, January 18
10:30 AM - Pastor's Bible Study
1:00 PM - NDBC Book Club
THURSDAY, January 19
6:10 PM - Yoga in the Fellowship Hall
7:00 PM - Prayer Shawl Ministry
7:30 PM - Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
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LECTIONARY TEXT
Psalm 40:1-11
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
John 1:35-42
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MLK Holiday
The Church & Preschool
offices will be closed
Monday, January 16,
in observance of MLK Day.
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This Week's
TENDER LOVING
PRAYER
(TLP List)
The TLP is a Diaconate ministry. Each week's list contains the rotating names of three or four NDBC senior adults.
Louise Davis
Nancy F. Davis
Mary Dutton
If you would like
your name placed
on our rotating TLP list, please give the
church office a call.
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January
Birthdays
Chelsea Clarke - 1
Armand Kramedjian - 2
Barbara Schroeder - 2
Len Shelton - 2
Gary Clark - 3
Jon Bell - 4
Kennedy Molina - 5
Katherine Bryson - 6
William High - 7
Ruth Kramedjian - 7
Joyce Wilson - 7
Jerry Smith - 8
Don Janney - 9
Cynthia Tunon - 9
Pam Wamberg - 9
Charlton Roberts - 14
Sebastian Almeida-Hall - 15
Libby Martin - 15
Jeanne Hill - 16
Jane Jerden - 16
Anne Ledbetter - 16
Fabio Molina - 16
Lewis Bozard - 17
Donna McLarty - 17
Annie Molina - 19
Gail Hermance - 22
Harry Mathis - 22
Luke Fletcher - 22
Nancy Hall - 23
Levi Milligan - 24
Will Egan - 25
Stephanie Jones - 25
Jackson Singleton - 25
Michael Hermance - 26
Lanier Meeks Yi - 28
Karen Perry - 29
Riley Isakson - 31
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Namaste Y'all! Yoga is Back!
Thursday's from
in the Fellowship Hall.
The instructor is Shelia Cooper. Her children are in our weekday preschool. Free childcare will be provided in the nursery area of the building.
$10.00 per person
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ROMEOS
Retired Older Men
Eating Out
Every 3rd Tuesday of the month our "Retired Older Men" eat lunch together at Piccadilly Cafeteria from 12 PM-1 PM. It's a time to visit with friends, tell stories and eat good food (bring your lunch money)!
Piccadilly Cafeteria
1715 Howell Mill Rd.
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PASTORS
WEDNESDAY
MORNING BIBLE
STUDY
Wednesday @ 10:30 AM
Conference Room
We meet weekly from 10:30-11:30 AM, in the church's Conference Room. We study the texts selected in the Revised Common Lectionary for the next Sunday. Large print editions are available each week and for the upcoming Sunday. Discussion is deep and wide and lively. All are invited.
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PRAYER SHAWL
MINISTRY
led by Susan Harlan
Every 1st & 3rd Thursday at 7:00 PM
Come join us on the first and third Thursday of each month, at 7:00 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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