October 1, 2026

NEW ART EXHIBIT IN THE NARTHEX

The Fractured Saint

by Heather Gill



There’s something sacred about making room for art.

We believe that God is a creator, and that the creativity we see throughout creation—and in the remarkable things human beings make—is a gift worth celebrating. Art gives us a way to pay attention to the beauty, complexity, mystery, and even the less than beautiful parts of the world. It can help us notice something we might otherwise miss. It can invite us to wonder, to ask questions, to feel, and to see the familiar in a new way. Making room for art is a way of making room for the gifts God has given us and for the many ways those gifts help us encounter one another and the divine.

Northminster has a long history of doing just that. Over the years, we have hosted art shows, celebrated the creativity of young people, and opened our doors to artists and their work. This October, we are delighted to return to those roots with The Fractured Saint, an exhibition by local artist Heather Gill.

Heather describes herself this way:

Heather Gill is a practicing multi-disciplinary artist dedicated to living as her most authentic self. This West Monroe native is currently obsessed with collage, paper lamps, and fishing. She earned her Bachelors of Fine Arts with a Concentration in Ceramics from ULM in 2016. When she’s not in the studio or on the water, she’s likely trying to convince someone to explore their creativity and live their dreams. She’s thrilled to share a studio with Emily Caldwell and she also didn’t use AI to write this bio. Heather also happens to be mom to our own wonderful and talented Darby Miles.

Heather describes The Fractured Saint this way:

James Baldwin said, “The role of the artist is exactly the same as the role of the lover. If I love you, I have to make you conscious of the things you don’t see.” I believe an artist’s purpose is to help people see the world differently through their art. In this culture, it seems like we’ve been taught to value logic and disregard our feelings. I’ve made over 400 saints in this body of work so far. The process could be simplified as chopping off human heads, adding an animal head, and adding a halo. Every time I slice a head off, I am reminded to get out of my head, abandon my runaway thoughts, be present in the body, and feel my feelings. Every time I position a halo, I am reminded to allow illumination to shine into my reality and chase away the shadows. When most people think “saints”, they assume Catholicism. It is not my intention for this work to be taken as sacrilege or blasphemy, nor does this work favor or disapprove of any specific religion. The evangelicals would say “Everyone is born with a God-shaped hole.” How would other religions state this idea: Universally I think we can agree that there is something bigger than ourselves that desires connection. When you see these saints, I hope you can acknowledge your own capacity to hold the divine and see the divine in those around you, even if they don’t look like you, think like you, or believe like you.

The Fractured Saint will be on display through November 24. You are invited to come see Heather’s work and purchase pieces on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please help us spread the word. Tell a friend. Invite a neighbor. Share the announcement with someone who loves art—or someone who might simply be curious to see what is happening at Northminster. We’re grateful to Heather for sharing her work with us, and we’re glad to be making room for art at Northminster.

SUNDAY WORSHIP

October 4, 2026 at 10:45 am

Rev. Jillian Hankamer preaching

Matthew 21:33-46

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to stream service

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to view last Sunday

THIS SUNDAY OCTOBER 4

EDUARDO AND QUEEN TO VISIT NORTHMINSTER

We are happy to welcome Rev. Eduardo Gonzalez and his wife Queen to services with us on Sunday October 4 where Eduardo will bring greetings, appreciation, and news from our partner church in Cuba, Iglesia Bautista Enmanuel in Ciego de Avila where he is pastor. They are again in the United States for Eduardo to meet with the leadership of Joni & Friends in California and Global Volunteers in Florida. Eduardo is the facilitator of the work of both of those organizations in Cuba. Joni & Friends is a US headquartered faith based non-profit organization providing wheelchairs to those needing them all over the world. Global Volunteers is also a US based non-profit organization sending volunteer teams all over the world to work in places of need. Eduardo is definitely a busy, multifaceted person!

MUSIC MINISTRY

The Opening Hymn: Called as Partners in Christ's Service One of Jane Parker Huber's most widely sung texts, this hymn was originally written for a woman's breakfast at the 1981 Presbyterian General Assembly meeting to celebrate the partnership of women and men in service of the church.



The Anthem: Cantique de Jean Racine by Gabriel Fauré.

The Communion Anthem: Here, O My Lord, I See You Face to Face by Warren Swenson, text by Horatius Bonar 1808-1889.

The Hymn: Take My Life, God, Let It Be Frances Havergal wrote her hymn following a visit to Areley House in Worcestershire, Enland. Among the ten persons at the house were "some unconverted...some converted but not rejoicing." Before she left, "everyone had got a blessing."

The Closing Hymn: Draw Us in the Spirit's Tether British hymnal editor Percy Dearmer originally wrot these stanzas under a pseudonym as part of a postcommunion hymn by George H. Bourne. The tune was adapted from an anthem by Harold Friedell and is named for Union Theological Seminary in New York.

When natural music is sharpened and polished by art, then one begins to see with amazement the great and perfect widsdom of God in this wonderful work of music, where one voice takes a simple part and around it sings three, four, or five other voices, leaping, springing round about, marvelously gracing the simple part like a square dance in heaven with friendly bows, embaracings and hearty swinging of the partners. Those who do not find this an inexpressible miracle of the Lord are truly clods and not worthy to be considered human.

- Martin Luther (1483 - 1546)

If you'd like to keep in touch with Justin Havard, his address is:

2001 Woodside Crossing

Savannah, GA 31405

havardjr@gmail.com

727-798-7796

OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS

Tom Atteberry 3rd

Pearson Cross 4th

Patti Pate 5th

Ellory King 5th

YOUTH FOOD PANTRY NEEDS

We are having a time keeping the Youth Food Pantry filled. Folks are utilizing it and we need your help with items for the youth to stock the pantry with. We are in need of items that will keep in the heat and are sealed:

Any/all Canned Goods, (including meat, sauces, vegetables, etc..., Baby Food, pastas, mac and cheese, instant potatoes, rice, spapgetti sauce peanut butter crackers, snacks, protein/breakfast bars...just about anything you can think of that are considered "staples."

CHURCH LIFE

Pastoral Care Ministry Team

Just a reminder that our Pastoral Care Ministry Team is here to help care for one another throughout the week—not only when there is a crisis, but whenever someone needs a listening ear, a visit, a prayer, or a little extra support.

While I am out of town through Monday, please remember that the Team Member who is on call is the first point of contact for any pastoral care need or emergency. I encourage you to reach out to that person if something comes up. They are there to listen, help determine what is needed, and make sure the right person is contacted.



I will also be available by phone as much as possible while I am away, so please don't hesitate to contact me if you need to. But beginning with our On-Call Team Member helps ensure that someone is available to respond and that no one has to navigate a need alone.

On-Call Team Member for October: Patti Pate (318-791-3215)

NORTHMINSTER TO HELP SPONSOR RACE FOR RENEWAL

Race to Honor Kay Southern’s Memory

The Renewal Center of NELA will hold its 3^rd Annual Race for Renewal 5K Walk/Run on Saturday, November 7. The race will begin at Pavilion 1 in Forsythe Park in Monroe at 9:00 am. Preregistration begins at 7 am. All proceeds will go to support the daily operations of the Renewal Center. Those include a community day shelter providing meals, laundry, showers, hygiene items, Bible studies, case management, vital document assistance, and connections to local resources for individuals experiencing homelessness in our community.

This year’s race is dedicated in memory of Kay Southern, who left behind a legacy of loving our neighbors and caring for others. Kay was the founder of the Desiard Street Shelter, the predecessor of the Renewal Center, and its principal financial supporter during its existence. Kay was also a founding and dedicated member of Northminster Church. The Renewal Center is a beneficiary of mission funds from our financial ministry plan as well as the beneficiary of donated items from our Mission Trunk one month each year.

Northminster is helping to sponsor the race at the Gold level. That entitles us to three registrations without charge. Each registration also comes with a race T-shirt. If you are interested in participating in the race, please let Renee Decker in the church office know. First three who notify her are the winners!

Otherwise for registration here is the information:

+$35 Early Registration through October 15—includes T-shirt

+$40 Late Registration through November 4—T-shirt not included

+$40 Race Day Registration—T-shirt not included

Race day registration accepts cash, check, PayPal, Cash Appo, and Venmo.

You can register at this link. REGISTER

PUB THEOLOGY

Pub Theology is held on the third Thursday of each month at 7pm at Melvyns, 1128 Oliver Rd., Monroe.



LET''S VISIT CUBA IN 2027!

We need to begin planning for our 2027 visit to our partner church in Cuba, Iglesia Bautista Enmanuel in Ciego de Avila. We usually go in January but can be flexible depending on schedules of those interested in going. We need commitments at least two months in advance of our visit so that religious visas can be requested and obtained. If we go in January that means we need commitments by November. If you have any interest in going please let either D. H. Clark or Craig Henry know. They can give you information about the cost and answer any questions you may have. As you know our Cuban sisters and brothers are suffering through a very difficult time. Let’s try to put a good group together so that in person we can express to them our love and solidarity. They really appreciate these visits.

COMING UP

THE FLORAL OFFERING

The floral offering was given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Christina Tweet on the occasion of her birthday by John and Charlie Carr

Arrangement by Robert Crawford

OF INTEREST IN THE COMMUNITY

Thursday October 8 at 11:30 - 1:00 Brown Bag in Bastrop on the grounds of the historic Snyder Museum

GIVING TO NORTHMINSTER