March 26, 2026

On Sunday evening, the following proposal for a new Pastoral Care Ministry was approved at our bi-monthly business meeting. I will soon start working to put this Ministry into action, but before I do, I want to share this proposal in its entirety so that everyone has access to it. Please understand, this Ministry will not replace me or the pastoral care work I do. The idea behind this ministry is twofold: to do what we can to keep people from falling through the cracks and to put into practice our belief that every member is a minister. 

Please read the outline of the ministry, and if this sounds like something you’d be interested in taking part in, come talk to me. Or if you have questions or concerns, come talk to me. This proposal, though approved, isn’t perfect, and if you have thoughts about how it might be improved, I would love to hear them. 

 Northminster Church

Pastoral Care Ministry Proposal

Ministry Qualifications:

1. Church membership
2. Calling to serve - personally or pastorally recognized
3. Cannot serve at the same time as spouse/partner or family member
4. Must be willing to undergo any background checks deemed necessary by the Coordinating Council

Here is a further breakdown of the roles of Ministry Members at Northminster Church:

1. Pastoral Care Ministry Support Team
2. This would consist of 4 members: Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Senior Pastor (ex officio)
3. The Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary will be elected at an organizational meeting of the newly elected Ministry Group to be held in August of each year.
4. This group would oversee the work of the Ministry and provide guidance and support for members. This group would coordinate any necessary training of Ministry members. 
5. The Chair would meet with the Pastor weekly to maintain communication about congregational needs. 

1. Hospital and Seniors (2 members)
2. These members would coordinate with the Senior Pastor to contact and visit members/friends who are in the hospital and/or rehab. 
3. These members would be available as needed to sit with family members during times of waiting in medical situations.
4. These members would visit, call, and “keep up with” Northminster members/friends who are homebound or living in senior care facilities. 
5. These members would coordinate transportation for homebound members/friends who are interested in attending worship and/or other church events.

1. Bereavement Ministry Team (3-4 members)
2. This team would assist in caring for those members/friends who’ve had a death in the family. 
3. After being contacted by the Senior Pastor or Church Office, these Members would contact the bereaved and make plans (if at all possible) to attend the visitation/funeral/memorial service of their loved one. 
4. These Members would stay in contact with the family during the season of grief, either in-person or by phone, following up monthly for 1 year or more if needed. 
5. The fourth member of this group is a floater to help as needed, particularly in situations of burn-out of other Members or when there is an excess need within the congregation. 

1. Member of the Month
2. This Member would be “on call” for the congregation’s needs at times when the Senior Pastor is unavailable due to illness, professional travel, personal vacation time, maternity leave, etc., taking the sorts of calls that would normally go to the Senior Pastor. 
3. This Member would coordinate with the Chair of the CC and the Church Office and be responsible for keeping the Senior Pastor apprised of the situation when/if this is possible and necessary. 
4. A monthly rotation would be set up for all Members to fill this role, and Members would be responsible for finding their replacement when not in church.

Logistical Details:

1. This Ministry will exist under the umbrella of the Coordinating Council 
2. Nominating Members and Terms
3. For the first “class” of Members, the Senior Pastor will work with the Officers of the Coordinating Council to make nominations.
4. After the Ministry is established, the Coordinating Council Officers, Pastors, and Members rotating off the ministry will work together to make nominations.
5. Member terms will be 3 years, staggered 
6. The exception to this rule will be the first Members' “class” who will be given the option to remain on the Commission for two terms
7. The Ministry calendar will begin on August 1 of every year 
8. Nominations for new Members will be conducted by the Nominating Committee Officers and Senior Pastor in May to be approved by the Coordinating Council in June
9. Slate will be presented to the congregation for approval at July Business Meeting 
10. Members will be required to be out of the Ministry for two years before rotating back on

1. Ministry Handbook
2. There will be an official Pastoral Care Ministry Handbook with guidelines and policies
3. Jillian is working to find a pre-existing Handbook/Policy Manual that can be tailored to Northminster.

1. Orientation and Training will be required
2. For all Members, training for things such as making hospital visits and basic pastoral care will be required.
3. Continuing Education will be made available as often as possible and/or when requested by Members.

SUNDAY WORSHIP

March 29 at 10:45am

PALM SUNDAY

Rev. Jillian Hankamer Preaching

The Good News Is...Inspiring Us to Act

Mark 11:1-11

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to see the Order of Worship

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to stream last week's service

OUR WORSHIP IN SONG



The Opening Hymn: All Glory, Laud, and Honor Brought to France by Charlemagne, Theodulph became bishop of Orleans but was later imprisioned by Charlemagne's successor. According to legend, he was relased when the king, Louis the Pious, heard him sing this hymn from prison.



The Middle Hymn: Ride On King Jesus! a traditional spiritual.

The Communion Anthem:  Call to Remembrance by Richard Farrant



The Closing Hymn: "Hosannaa, Loud Hosanna" Jeanette Threlfall of Englanc, who was disabled by two accidents, wrote hymns that inspired hope and courage in others. This text was published in her collection, Sunshine and Shadow.

One cannot find anything more religious and more joyful in sacred celebrations than a whole congregation expressing its faith and devotion in song. Therefore the active participation of the whole people, which is shown in singing, is to be carefully promoted. - Constitutions on the Sacred Liturgy

"Let every instrument be tuned to praise! Let all rejoice who have a voice to raise! And may God give us faith to sing always: Alleluia!"

Let our aim be to strengthen our congregational worship through song! - Debi

OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS

Sandy Harrington 26th

Pat Hayes 27th

Thomas Abadie 28th

Jo Ann Alley 29th

Amy Sumner 30th

Bobbye Legan 1st

Paul Brannon 2nd

CHILDREN AND YOUTH

EASTER EGG HUNT AND PICNIC THIS SUNDAY

If you plan to attend please provide a side or dessert!

CHURCH LIFE

PLEASE SEE THE HOLY WEEK LUNCH SIGN UP SHEET IN THE HALL TO NOTE YOUR PLANS TO ATTEND. A GENERAL COUNT IS NEEDED SO HOSPITALITY WILL KNOW HOW MUCH FOOD TO PROVIDE!

PUB THEOLOGY

Pub Theology meets on the third Thursday of each month. Next meeting is April 16 at 7pm

On Sunday, April 12 from 2pm - 4pm a special and exciting event will be held at Northminster. Our Education/Arts Commission is collaborating with PEO Ch V to bring the beautiful works of artist, Don Cincone, to us in a Spring Talent Showcase. The event will also celebrate Cincone's 90th birthday and a fantastic program of art and music will be presented. Opening the program will be the West Monroe High School Jr. ROTC posting the colors. Appearing will be Don Cincone, artist, Alexa Jones, Ryan Kersh, and Morgan Meyer Huth, soloists, the Northminster Choir with D.H. Clark on organ and Elizabeth Rennick on oboe, John David Cleveland will bring two very special selections and the Martin Luther King Jr. Choir will close out the program.

COMING UP

This Sunday

9:00 am - Choir Rehearsal

10:00 am - Sunday School

10:45 am - Preludes

11:00 am - Worship Service

Noon Family Easter Egg Hunt and Picnic

HOLY WEEK

Monday - Friday at noon: Holy Week Lunch Devotionals

Thursday at 5 pm: Wine and Water in the Columbarium Gardens

Thursday at 6pm: Maundy Thursday Service of Remembrance

Friday at 6pm: Good Friday Tenebrae Service of Shadows

Sunday, April 5: EASTER SUNDAY

Wednesdays

5:30 pm: Craft and Chat

6:30 pm: Choir rehearsal

The Missions Commission made a trip to the Ouachita Parish Animal Shelter last Saturday to volunteer and learn more about what this important and critical organization does. From the picture above, it looks likes the volunteers and the animals had a great time!

10TH ANNUAL EMPTY BOWLS EVENT

Over the past 9 years, the Empty Bowls event has raised funds to provide over 1.5 million meals to local children, families and seniors who were facing hunger. What an incredible impact made possible by artists, restaurants, musicians, sponsors, community members and YOU! Thank you for being a part of this amazing effort.

Tickets are now available, including a limited number of VIP tickets that provide early entry at 10:30. We're also offering a pre-sale for t-shirts as an add-on option with your ticket purchase. If you or your business is interested in sponsoring this event, please reach out to me for details.

This year, we will be back at the Monroe Civic Center Arena, with plenty of space for the best food, art and music in town. All guests will enjoy a tasting of delicious food & beverages from local restaurants, live music, kid’s activities, photo booth and more. 

We hope you will join us on Saturday, May 30th, 2025 from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM (or 10:30 if you get a VIP ticket!), at the Monroe Civic Center Arena. Make sure to order your tickets before they sell out!

GET TICKETS

Click Here if you can’t attend but would like to make a donation.