Thursday, June 12, 2025

It’s difficult to put a price on a safe space and an actively listening ear. I like to think Northminster is always such a space, as am I, but there are certainly conversations important enough for us to have routinely and with guests who might hear or see things we do not. That’s part of the reason I’m so excited to have Rev. Dr. Brian Henderson, Executive Director of Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists with us this weekend.

Not only will Brian be joining us in worship and preaching about Lazarus “coming out” of the tomb - a delightful reading of the text I can’t wait to hear - he’ll also be taking time to speak and, more importantly, listen. Listen to those of us who are members of the LGBTQIA+ community, listen to those of us who are allies, listen to those of us who are worried about equality and freedom, listen to those of us who worry that our country and the message of Christ are more and more at odds. 

There will be 2 opportunities to have these conversations with Brian. The first is Saturday night at DH and Craig’s home at 6 pm. The second will be the Sunday School class I lead on Sunday morning at 10 am. I can’t stress enough to you how important these conversations will be for AWAB, for Northminster, and hopefully for everyone who participates. Please make plans to be present. 

-Pastor Jillian

WHAT IS AWAB AND WHY IS

NORTHMINSTER A MEMBER?

Fifty years ago, a small group from the American Baptist Churches-USA had the audacity to speak for God's radical love and welcome for all. This group, named American Baptists Concerned, advocated for their own inclusion as well as the congregations who were on the path to being disfellowshipped from ABC-USA for their affirmation of the LGBTQ+ community.

Twenty years later, the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists (AWAB) was formed to create, advocate for, and support a community of churches, organizations, and individuals committed to not just welcome but affirmation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons in the full life and mission of Baptist churches. Today over 150 congregations from across the United States and Canada, including Northminster, have joined with AWAB in its quest for equity.

Northminster was formed thirty-six years ago and, from our beginning, has welcomed and affirmed everyone including the LGBTQ+ community. However, for most of those years we did not, except sometimes in sermons, “preach what we practiced”. That is, we didn’t publicly affirm our inclusion and welcome of everyone. About four years ago we decided to change that. The Coordinating Council presented to the congregation a welcoming and affirming statement that was unanimously adopted by the church. The statement appears below.

Following the adoption of the welcoming and affirming statement the Coordinating Council thought it appropriate that Northminster submit an application for membership in the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists. In this manner we would further show our welcome and affirmation of the LGBTQ+ community at Northminster and join with other like-minded churches and individuals. Furthermore, AWAB could help us in this regard. Again, the church voted to apply for membership in AWAB, and AWAB accepted our request.

With Brian Henderson’s joining us this weekend we will have an excellent opportunity to learn more about how AWAB can help us, and we can help AWAB. Brian’s visit also comes at a critical time for the LGBTQ+ community as we face significant headwinds from our own government and other groups and individuals. Just this week the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Dallas passed a resolution supporting a concerted effort to reverse the U. S. Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage as the decision approaches its 10-year anniversary. I am proud to say that the Alliance of Baptists with which Northminster has been affiliated since our beginning has supported same-sex marriage since I was president of the Alliance in the 1990’s.

Well, that’s a little history about our journey at Northminster. Please join us this weekend in meeting Brian, welcoming him to Northminster, and celebrating Northminster’s welcome and affirmation of everyone. And I do mean EVERYONE!

HAPPY PRIDE!

Craig Henry

Music for June 15 - Trinity Sunday

J. S. Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in E flat Major is a part of a collection known as Klavierubung, or “Organ Mass.” It consists of a group of chorale preludes whose texts are part of the Ordinary Mass, e.g. Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, etc. The Prelude and Fugue are used as bookends, i.e. the Prelude is the Prelude and the Fugue is the Postlude. Each section has three parts, and the piece is in E flat whose signature is three flats. Hence, it is Bach’s laud for The Trinity and is commonly used in churches on Trinity Sunday. The theme of the fugue bears a striking resemblance to the tune to which we sing “O God, Our Help in Ages Past,” or ST. ANNE. This is purely coincidental, as neither piece drew from the other. It is thus known as “The St. Anne Fugue.”

The hymn Holy, Holy, Holy is a favorite in most churches. The text is taken from the part of the mass known as “Sanctus.” The word is said three times, another nod to The Trinity.

The anthem St. Patrick’s Breastplate has a text based upon a traditional church prayer from the 5^th century, attributed to St. Patrick, who brought Christianity to Ireland. It offers assurance of protection from the dangers of the times through the power of the Trinity, serving as literal armor. The tune was composed by Charles Villiers Stanford who grew up and studied at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin. Part of the anthem uses a traditional Welch tune, familiar to many, SUO GÂN. This arrangement is by D. H. dating back to the early 2000’s.

The hymn Come Forth, Come Out set to the tune WINCHESTER NEW was written by D. H. after our guest preacher, Rev. Dr. Brian Henderson, chose as his text for the day the story of Lazarus’ raising from the dead by Jesus whose words “Lazarus, come forth!” are the basis for the sermon.

The anthem My Love Colors Outside the Lines was written by Gordon Light, a Canadian ordained priest who, along with his wife, also an Anglican priest, has served in ministries throughout Canada. It speaks of the gift of being able to see the beauty and power of thinking outside the box of conformity and how this opens the path to truly seeing and embracing one’s neighbor who might not fit societal molds.

The closing hymn The Love that Goes Unspoken beautifully speaks to the power that love has to survive and to thrive even in the face of societal oppression which often, in this world, especially today, can lead to unthinkable acts of violence and ostracization. The phrase, “Christ loves without distinction…and welcomes…those whom others scorn,” sets the example the church should follow if it truly wants to be Christlike. 

Joanna Clark (12th)

SAVE THE DATES!

Northminster's Vacation Bible School will be held Sunday, July 20 through Thursday, July 24.

Registration will be online and a link will be provided here soon. Also there is a sign-up sheet in the hall for volunteers.

SUNDAY YOUTH MEALS

(OR FUNDS) NEEDED!

The Northminster Youth Group meets each Sunday at 5pm and averages approximately 10 youth. Youth leaders try to stretch the budget to provide Sunday evening meals for them. There is a sign-up sheet in the hall for those willing to help provide actual meals such as sandwiches, pizza, tacos, burgers/hotdogs, chips, drinks, etc. Speak with JK Kimble or Beth Mayfield about what would be needed should you wish to provide an actual meal one Sunday evening.

Another great way to help with this, if you're not the "cooking kind", you may give financially. If giving cash, place in an envelope and mark it "Youth Meals" and if writing a check make payable to Northminster Church and memo line "Youth Meals". You may also use our Paypal account, Northminster Baptist Church and comment "Youth Meals".

AWAB Responds to Southern Baptist Convention's Resolution No. 5

The Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists (AWAB) stands in direct opposition to the Southern Baptist Convention’s recently passed Resolution No. 5, “On Restoring Moral Clarity through God’s Design for Gender, Marriage and the Family.” This dangerous resolution not only calls for the reversal of marriage equality but also doubles down on harmful theology that erases the lived realities of LGBTQ+ people.

As the only organization solely devoted to building the Welcoming and Affirming movement within Baptist life, AWAB reaffirms its call to be The National Voice for LGBTQ+ and Allied Baptists. And we are using that voice today to speak clearly: this resolution is regressive, unjust, and antithetical to the liberating love of God.

AWAB Executive Director, Rev. Brian Henderson, comments:

“It is hard to understand how anyone can read the Bible fully and completely and think human relations can be reduced to such a binary, heteronormative understanding. It is sad that the SBC is encouraging its membership to ignore the vast realities of science and human relations and is additionally perpetuating a belief system that is more interested in patriarchy rather than the expansive love of God which, according to Scripture, has no limits.”

Rev. Dr. Lauren Lisa Ng, Chair of AWAB’s Board of Directors, shares:

“As Baptists representing myriad denominations and traditions, we too have received a message from the Lord—that all are created in the image of God, that we are each one of us beautifully and wonderfully made, and that nothing can separate us from the love of God in whom binary constructs do not exist, for we are all one in Christ Jesus.

Furthermore, we advocate for both our religious and civil liberties, taking seriously the core Baptist principle of separation of church and state. Let us be unequivocally clear in the wake of the SBC’s latest attempts to marginalize and oppress in the name of Jesus: the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists is here to stand with our LGBTQ+ community and contend for the full inclusion of all people in Baptist life, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. Neither our work nor our joy will be abated, and we invite you to join us as we continue advancing the radical welcome and love of God in Christ Jesus, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Rev. Jordan Conely, Pastor of AWAB Member Crescent Hill Baptist Church, adds:

“The SBC is dressing control in Scripture and calling it conviction. They are not the final authority on the love of God. Jesus never turned love into a list of conditions. I’m grateful for the many Baptists who continue to embody a love that is without exception.”

AWAB remains rooted in justice, grounded in grace, and committed to growing a movement where no one is left behind. Encourage your church to make a public stand by joining at www.awab.org/membership or support our work at www.awab.org/support.

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The Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists has a membership of over 190 congregations, ministries, and education partners across the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and the continents of Africa and Europe.

 CALL TO ACTION: Take a Stand with AWAB

The SBC may be doubling down on exclusion, but we are #NotThatKindOfBaptist!

 Across the country, Baptist churches are choosing a different path. One of radical welcome. One of liberation. One of love. If you’re ready to stand boldly in that truth, we invite you to join us:

SHARE - our statement and use the hashtags #NotThatKindofBaptist and #AffirmingBaptist

PROCLAIM – your church’s support for the inclusion of LGBTQ+ people by joining the Association at awab.org/membership

DISCOVER – Affirming churches that will love you as you are, on our list of AWAB member congregations at awab.org/find-a-church

SUPPORT – the movement today by giving at awab.org/support

CELEBRATE - Pride – View our 2025 Pride Directory to find AWAB churches participating in Pride events around the country: awab.org/pride

NORTHMINSTER SOFTBALL SCHEDULE!

PUB THEOLOGY

Northminster's Pub Theology TAKES PLACE 7pm at the Fat Pelican on the 3rd Thursday of each Month

"Different Brews, Different Views. All are welcome!"

This Sunday

9:00 am - Choir Rehearsal

10:00 am - Sunday School

10:45 am - Preludes

11:00 am - Worship Service



Noon - After Church Fellowship

5:00 pm - Youth

Wednesdays

6:30 pm: Choir Practice

Upcoming Events

Saturday, June 14: Party at DH & Craig's

Sunday, June 15: Father's Day

Sunday, June 29: 5th Sunday Lunch

Sunday, June 29 - July 4: Youth Camp

Arrangement by Robert Crawford

Message Regarding OMV Text Message Scams

Over the past few weeks, there has been a noticeable increase in scam text messages falsely claiming to be from the Louisiana “DMV” or Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV). These messages often state that you owe traffic fines or penalties and urge you to take immediate action.

These scams are fraudulent. The scammers are directing individuals to fake websites designed to closely mimic the official Louisiana OMV site using similar names, designs, and logos to deceive users.

• Do not click on any links in suspicious text messages.
• Do not provide any personal or payment information.
• Be skeptical of urgent messages demanding immediate action or threatening legal consequences.

Important Reminder: The Louisiana OMV does not send text messages or emails threatening legal action for unpaid traffic tickets or fees.

Below is the official message from the Louisiana OMV, which has been shared with the public and state employees. It includes additional details and guidance.

Please share this important information with your coworkers, families, and friends.

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Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles Warns Residents of Another Text Message Scam

Baton Rouge – Louisiana State Police and the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) are alerting residents about another text message scam that has the potential to steal personal information and charge unnecessary fees. In the latest iteration of the scam, many Louisiana residents have received text messages claiming the recipient has an “outstanding traffic ticket” and must pay a fee or face repercussions. The OMV recommends that customers ignore and delete such messages.

The Louisiana OMV offers the following tips to help residents avoid scams:

• DO NOT click on links in an unsolicited message from an unverified source
• DO NOT respond or send your personal information via text
• Delete all suspicious texts and emails and report them to reportfraud.ftc.gov
• Exercise caution with all communications you receive from anonymous sources
• Confirm the message was generated from a legitimate source
• Keep an eye out for signs of scams (rewards, vague URLs, incorrect grammar)

The Louisiana OMV does not send text messages or emails threatening prosecution for traffic or fee violations. To process legitimate online services safely and securely, Louisiana residents can visit the official OMV website at www.expresslane.org