Thursday, March 20, 2025

NORTHMINSTER TO FEATURE DOCUMENTARY IN TWO PARTS

Northminster's Racial Justice Task Group will present a newly-released documentary by Robert P. Jones, author of White Too Long. The film is titled: Religion, Racism, and Reconciliation-A Documentary on Americas Original Sin. It will be presented in two hour-long segments. The first segment will be next Sunday, the 23^rd, at 5pm and the second will be the following Sunday at the same time.

This ground-breaking work explores ways in which our deeply rooted racism is intertwined with the history of American Religion and how our faith can and should be a meaningful force in our nation’s healing and reconciliation.  Following the documentary there will be some time for discussion.If anyone wants to read on this subject, Robert P Jones’ book White Too Long is an excellent resource. 

This from Robert P. Jones, the producer of the documentary:

This week, I’m thrilled to announce the release of a new documentary by Auteur Productions and PBS. It’s now streaming for free on Connecticut Public Television and airing on selected PBS stations nationwide. I was honored to be a part of this inspiring project and to be featured alongside such luminaries as William J. Barber II, Curtis DeYoung, Kelly Brown Douglas, Michael Emerson, Eddie Glaude Jr., Jim Bear Jacobs, Esau McCaulley, Eboo Patel, Jonah Pesner, Jim Wallis, and Barbara Williams-Skinner. I hope you’ll watch and share it with friends. If ever there were a time for this unflinching honest look at our past, which is the only path to a shared future, it is now.

DESCRIPTION: Religion, Racism & Reconciliation is a ground-breaking documentary that explores the ways in which racism is intertwined with American religion. It follows the stories of individuals and communities of faith who are engaged in addressing the issues of systemic racism, such as - voting rights, income inequality and mass incarceration. We hear from a broad range of academic and religious luminaries who provide historical and sociological perspectives on the contradiction of an American society that values individual freedom and equality while ignoring the realities of slavery, segregation and racism. The documentary shows that while religion plays a part in our racial division, it also is a meaningful force in our nation’s healing and reconciliation.

Opening Hymn: O Love, How Vast, How Flowing Free Recounting the life of Christ, this hymn comes from an anonymous fifteenth century Latin hymn of twenty-three stanzas. It has been described as a precursor of Christmas and Epiphany carols.

The Middle Hymn: Leaning on the Everlasting Arms by Elisha Hoffman, 1887.

The Anthem: And Can It Be? by Dan Forrest. Hymn tune PLEW. Text by D.H. Clark, based on a hymn by Charles Wesley and a 15th century Latin hymn.

The Communion Anthem: O Lamb of God by Sergei Rachmaninoff, Op 37, No. 6. Edited by D.H. Clark.

The Closing Hymn: Come, O Fount of Every Blessing Converted to Methodism at age twenty, Robert Robinson soon became a Calvinistic Methodist preacher and later gained great popularity. The melody associated with this text since 1813, is an American folk tune.

We Celebrate Birthdays with...

MOLLY HIGGINBOTHAM (25TH)

SANDY HARRINGTON (26TH)

PAT HAYES (27TH)

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".

PUB THEOLOGY TONIGHT AT 7PM

Northminster's Pub Theology is held every month on the 3rd Thursday at 7pm at the Fat Pelican.

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

AFTER CHURCH FELLOWSHIPS

Our after church fellowships have been well attended and have enabled us to get to know one another better. If you don't know, the refreshments are brought each week by volunteers via a sign-up sheet (we here at Northminster love our sign-up sheets!). This coming week, March 23 has been graciously covered by Vickie Krutzer but next Sunday (5th Sunday) and the first Sunday in April have yet to be spoken for. If this is an activity you have enjoyed and wish to see it continue, please think about signing up to provide refreshments. There will be no "After Church Fellowship" on Palm Sunday, April 13 or Easter Sunday, April 20 but we will pick right up where we left off on Sunday, April 27. Please see the sign-up sheet in the hall!

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 - Documentary Religion, Racism, and Reconciliation – A Documentary on Americas Original Sin (Part I)

Wednesdays



6:30 pm: Choir Practice

Upcoming Events

Friday, April 4 at 6:30 Murder Mystery Dinner hosted by the Youth

Palm Sunday, April 13 following worship: Children and Families Easter Egg Hunt and Picnic.

Sunday, April 20: Easter

Sunday, May 4: Churchwide Fish Fry



Saturday, May 31 10am-noon: Stagg Lecture

BAYOU MASTERWORKS CONCERT

On Sunday, April 13 at 4pm the Bayou Masterworks Choral will be in concert in the Northminster sanctuary. Dr. Deborah Chandler conducting.