September 24, 2026

NORTHMINSTER ACCEPTED FOR ALLIANCE’S THRIVE PROJECT

We are happy to announce that Northminster has been accepted for the Churches that THRIVE for Racial Justice project of the Alliance of Baptists. This project is a partnership between the Alliance and Davidson College that equips congregations to engage the long, faithful work of becoming antiracist churches. Guided by leading sociologists of race and religion, THRIVE creates spaces where pastors and lay leaders can learn together, ask difficult questions, strengthen relationships, and develop practices that move racial justice from aspiration to lived congregational life.

Following the success of its first five-year cohort, THRIVE has been awarded a new five-year, $2 million grant through the Lilly Endowments’ Thriving Congregations initiative, allowing the program to expand its impact through new congregational cohorts, additional learning opportunities, and greater support for participating churches.

THRIVE is rooted in the belief that congregations flourish when they intentionally pursue the flourishing of all people. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all curriculum THRIVE invites each congregation to discern how racial justice is lived out within its own context while learning alongside churches across the Alliance.

Stay tuned for more news about Northminster’s participation in Churches that THRIVE for Racial Justice.

SUNDAY WORSHIP

September 27 at 10:45 am

Rev. Dr. Darrell Cluck preaching

Unwashed Saints

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

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to stream service

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to view Order of Worship

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to view last Sunday

NEXT SUNDAY OCTOBER 4

EDUARDO AND QUEEN TO VISIT NORTHMINSTER

We are happy to announce that Rev. Eduardo Gonzalez and his wife Queen will again be visiting with us on the week-end of October 2-4. On Sunday, October 4 in our worship service 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!

We also want to share with you the beautiful sermon Eduardo preached at the ordination of Keila Cuesta and Alma Betancourt this past week. You will remember that Alma and Keila’s pictures appeared in last week’s newsletter along with news of their ordinations. As mentioned they are both long-time members of Enmanuel and have been recently called by Enmanuel to assist Eduardo in pastoral duties. You can access the sermon at this link:

Sermon for the Ordination Ceremony of Pastors Keila Cuesta and Alma Betancourt

MUSIC MINISTRY

WELCOME NORTHMINSTER MUSIC ASOCIATE

DIANA THACHER

We welcome Dr. Diana Thacher as Northminster's new Music Associate - Pianist. Diana is an Assistant Professor of Piano at ULM where she teaches piano pedagogy, class piano, applied and collaborative piano. She graduated from LSU with a Doctorate of Musical Arts and a Master of Musical Arts from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Diana has been honored and awarded many times including being the 1st place prize winner of the Concerto Competition in 2019 at LSU, 1st at the International Syberian Piano Competition in Russia as well as 2nd at the International Chamber Music Competition there.

As a soloist, Diana has performed with many symphony orchestras world wide including the US, China, Russia, Germany, France, Canada, and Central Asia.

Diana believes education through music is central to her mission as a performer. She has held positions at Loyola University in New Orleans, Boise State University, and the San Francisco Opera.

Diana is a proud mother to a 13 year old daughter.

Northminster is increadibly blessed to add Diana to our staff! WELCOME!!

The Opening Hymn: I Sing the Mighty Power of God The tune Ellacombe was named for a place in Devonshire, England. It was first published in a collection of tunes used in the private chapel of the Duke of Wirtemburg, and was possibly sung with the text "Ave Maria, klärer"



The Anthem: Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God by Carl F. Mueller and taken from Psalm 51:10-13.

The Communion Anthem: Let Us Break Bread Together arranged by D. H. Clark.

The Hymn: Teach Me, O Lord, Your Holy Way William Matson, Englis poet and Congregational minister, wrote a poem of 321 four-line stanzas titled "The Inner Life." This hymn of obedience to Christ has been drawn from that extended poem.

The Closing Hymn: Amazing Grace John Newton's autobiographical hymn reflects his conversion from his earlier existence as a slave trader. While serving as curate in the English village of OOlney, Newton met William Cowper, and together they published Olney Hymns, which included this hymn.

BLESSINGS SAID IN A DIFFERENT WAY



• Blessed are those who have done all they know how to do. When they stop, God starts
• Blessed are those who doubt their importance to God. God will never give up on them.
• Blessed are those who resist the urge to prove themselves. They are the owners of true wealth.
• Blessed are those who understand that life is a process of growth and healing. They will grow, and their minds will be hearled.
• Bleessed are those who realize they are doing the best they can. They go within themsleves to find a better way.
• Blessed are those who hold no against-ness. They will be open to new ideas and insights.
• Blessed are those who keep working toward a better understanding of the tuth of who they are. They will ultimately find the truth. -Robert Benson

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

Jonathan Higginbotham 27th

Darby Miles 27th

Jessica Dumas 28th

Peggy Burns 29th

Darrell Cluck 30th

Kyle Gregory 30th

Rev. Carl Gregg Publishes a New Book

Rev. Carl Gregg, who has been the minister of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Frederick, Maryland since 2012, also served as Associate Pastor at Northminster from 2003 to 2010, has published a new book entitled Liberal Religion for Earthlings: How to Belong to a Living World. Many of you will recall Carl’s brilliance, intellectual curiosity, meticulously crafted and greatly foot-noted sermons, and understated but dynamic leadership. These elements are evident in this publication.

I have begun to read it and wanted to recommend it even before finishing. In the first chapters you can see where he is headed, telling us that we should be putting emphasis on living in the world created for us in such a way that that world is sustained and made a better place because of our having done so. From the book’s publicity summary: “Drawing on evolutionary biology, ecology, contemplative practice, and more than two decades of ministry, J. Carl Gregg asks what changes when we take our earthly belonging seriously—from who we are and how we live to what we owe those who come after us.”

With ubiquitous quotes and references to multiple scholars and their publications, all of whom, I am certain, Carl has read thoroughly, the reader has the feeling of having a college level course by a gifted and adored professor. Despite the eruditeness of the title and subject matter, Carl’s language is so conversational that understanding it and being engaged by it come easy.

The book is available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle versions.

D. H.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH

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

BUILDING DEDICATION LAST SUNDAY

As we dedicated the new addition last Sunday, the congregation sang along with Chels King to the "Northminster Song" that Chels wrote when we celebrated our 35th Anniversary. Please click the link below to watch the video.

VIDEO

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 September/October: Patti Pate (318-791-3215)

PUB THEOLOGY TONIGHT

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

Arrangements by Peggy Burns and Marilyn Decker

GIVING TO NORTHMINSTER