Thursday, January 9, 2025

Our Women’s Retreat is on January 18th, and I hope those of you who haven’t signed up will! Keep reading for my best effort to convince you to come.

This gathering is for all on the feminine spectrum, no matter the age. Ann Aro has graciously agreed to host us at her home, which cultivates quiet and peace. I’ll be sending out a more detailed schedule next week, but the important thing to know is that we’ll spend the day with good food, some group activities such as star words (you’ll have to attend to find out what that means) pottery breaking, and epiphany reflections that I hope will be refreshing for the year to come. You’ll also have some time to be quiet and, most importantly, get to know each other better. 

If you have a portable craft, please bring it. I’ll have my sewing and hope someone will join me for a sew/knit/crochet/etc. and chat. If we have small people, they’ll have plenty of time to play and get the wiggles out if they aren’t interested in our activities. And there will be enough mamas, grandmas, and aunties around for any kid who needs something. 

Mostly this will be a women’s day. I hope you know the kind I mean. One filled with feminine energy, feminine laughter, feminine joy. I’m not much on gender roles and don’t hold to “men’s jobs” and “women’s jobs” or any of that kind of nonsense, but there is something deep in being in a feminine space. Something ancient of gathering feminine energy together. Something sacred about choosing to be together. 

Please join us on the 18th.  Jillian

Opening Hymn: Brightest and Best An Anglican priest, Reginald Heber became bishop of Calcutta (including all of India), where he died of exhaustion at age forty-three. His Hymns (1827) was the first modern English hymnal arranged according to the church year.

The Anthem: He Comes to Us by Jane Marshall. Text by Albert Schweitzer; from "The Quest of the Historical Jesus".

The Communion Anthem: Holy, Holy, Holy by Franz Schubert and arranged by D.H. Clark.

The Closing Hymn: Hark the Herald Angels Sing The original version of Charles Wesley's hymn has received various alterations throughout the years. This adaptation by George Elderkin utilizes a repeated ascription, "Jesus, the light of the world." and a refrain to create a rousing carol of praise.

We Celebrate Birthdays with...

BETH INGRAM (9TH)

CHASE HUTH (10)

LOWERY THOMPSON (11TH)

RENEE DECKER (12TH)

CHLOE CHAPEL (13TH)

LUNA GRASSI (14TH)

RALPH WEBB (15TH)

YOUTH

Please contact Jennifer Kimble-Keen (318-307-6716, jkimble8366@gmail.com) if you are willing to provide a light meal for the Youth. They meet every Sunday evening at 5pm to approximately 7:30pm. Thank you!

NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION AND INQUIRERS CLASS

We will hold a New Member Orientation and Inquirers Class on Sunday, February 2 following worship at 12:30pm. Lunch will be provided. Those of you who are "new" members, your presence is requested in order that you may learn more about what makes us Northminster Church. This class is also mandatory should you wish to serve on a commission or the coordinating council at some point in the future.

If you attend regularly, are thinking of becoming a member, or are just interested in Northminster, this class is open to everyone. There is a sign-up sheet on the hall table. We will need a count in order to have the lunch catered. 

Please think about joining us and spread the word to others you may think of. Thank you!!

COLLECTING FOR CUBA

January Trip

This Sunday is the last day to give a monetary donation

DH and I will be traveling to Cuba January 16-21 to visit our partner church and to show our solidarity with them during very tough times there. As you are aware the situation in Cuba currently is very dire. In Ciego de Avila where Enmanuel is located there are rolling black outs every day. Electricity, medicine, medical supplies, food, fuel, and other things are in short supply. We have again been asked to bring some items that are needed by our sisters and brothers there. Obviously since there are only two of us, we can’t take much, but we will take what we can. So, that’s where you come in! Until we leave, we will be collecting:

Women’s panties in all sizes

Men’s underpants in all sizes

Disposable razors

There is a basket beside the Mission Trunk to collect these items.

The Coordinating Council has also approved our solicitation of MONEY from the congregation. We are told that money is also very useful there! Whatever money is given we will take to add to the church’s annual budgeted gift to be given to Enmanuel. If you want to give money, please write a check to Northminster or go online to Northminster’s PayPal account. In the memo line please put “partner church”. Please DO NOT include the word “Cuba”.

Thanks for anything you can do to help support our sisters and brothers in Cuba. DH and I will also appreciate your prayers for us as we go.

Craig Henry

REGISTER HERE FOR THE ZOOM MEETING