​We kicked off the summer hosting 22 elementary age children for camp in conjunction with the preschool camp and their theme, “The Desert.” During Sunday School we use the desert box to tell Bible stories that take place in the desert, so we decided to use “The Exodus” as our anchor Bible story. It began with the children hearing the Godly Play story reenacted in the desert box--a large box with a wooden bottom and lid and clear sides, filled with sand. All Old Testament stories told in this way begin with hearing about the danger and desolation of the desert, with a sun that burns, winds that sting and the scarcity of food and water. In this story God’s people and Moses (wooden cutouts) march through the desert to Egypt for a better life, only to find Pharaoh waiting for them.
 
On the first day of camp the children made kinetic sand for their own desert box with a decorated lid. Then each day they made components of the story to add to the box; the red sea that parted, and decorated pegs to represent God’s people, Moses and Pharoah. The children also volunteered for parts in our reenactment of the story, replete with costumes, to perform for their families on the last day.  Thanks to Leslie and Allen, the addition of the favored song “Pharoah, Pharoah, let my people go” with arm motions made for a fun grand finale to the camp.
 
Best of all, the children learned that when Moses was lost or in danger, he would “come close to God, and God came close to him” and then he knew what to do.  Bringing children to a relationship with God is the cornerstone of Godly Play and the most important part of our work with them.
 
Moses looked to God to quench his thirst, just as Jesus looks to us now to quench our thirst by service to others in need and sharing His life with them. After Mother Theresa taught children in the Loreto Entally convent in India, she then took them on her visits to the poor and infirmed. Those who were in the desert due to their health, deprivation and isolation. Mother Theresa taught children about Jesus by sharing His love and compassion with those who were hungry and thirsting for God. May it be so with us.

You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I trust for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.   _Psalm 63:1
 
Faithfully yours,
 
Christy Merritt
Children’s Ministry Director

A little over a year ago the Trustees embarked on a mission to refurbish Northbrook’s Church Campus with the proceeds allocated to us from the sale of the Christ Church property. A smaller Building Committee was then formed from the Trustees Committee to oversee the project.
 
I cannot overstate my appreciation for this Building Committee’s commitment, dedication and input as they met weekly and often twice a week to plan, approve and implement the various phases of the Church Campus Refurbishment.  The major accomplishments are as follows for the four Buildings:
 
·         Reroofed all the buildings
·         Pressure washed all the buildings
·         Re-caulked and repainted all wood surfaces on Building B and Simmons Hall
·         Replaced the gutters and downspouts while adding gutter guards
·         Performed the “Big Dig” on Building B to re-waterproof the northeast side
·         Replaced both 25-ton air-conditioning compressor units for the Sanctuary
·         Replaced the boiler for heating the Sanctuary
 
With the completion of these major items our future projects will now be planned and managed by the full Trustees Committee. This effort has not fixed everything but does make significant progress on the larger cost items.
 
Therefore, I would like to thank the following Building Committee members on behalf of the Trustees Committee and the congregation for their service: 1) RT Evans, 2) Bruce McFarland, 3) Bill Noethling, 40 Nan Richards and 5)  Allen Whittaker.

I would also add my thanks and appreciation to the Northbrook Staff and to the Congregation who had to endure a lot of “CAUTION” tape.
 
Faithfully yours,
 Comer Train
Trustees Chairperson

Have I ever told you about MY church camp? We have a place like Glisson in the Alabama/West Florida Conference of the Methodist Church. It’s called Blue Lake and is outside of Andalusia, AL. I went to camp there from the summer after 3rd grade until the summer after I graduated high school–one year of camp–camp and the rest were choir camp, and I’m pretty sure it’s where God lives. It’s where I learned a myriad of scriptures and worship songs. It’s where I made most of my closest childhood Christian friends. It’s the first place I had to have a “swim test” and the first place I had to be brave enough to swim even though I had seen gator eyes farther out in the lake. It’s where I learned the “Johnny Appleseed Blessing” and that gross mass-cooked sausage is improved immensely by dipping it in syrup. It’s where I learned to really let go and WORSHIP God. It’s where God went from a character in stories to a presence in my life.
 
Do you have a place like that? A place where you can ALWAYS find God? A place where maybe God actually lives for you? Do you remember the story in Mark where Jesus transforms in front of Peter, James and John and talks to Elijah and Moses who also appear? And Peter, not knowing how to respond to such a sight, suggests that they build dwellings for Jesus, Elijah, and Moses. He’s so moved and awed and dumbstruck by knowing he’s actually in the presence of God that he immediately suggests making it permanent.  
 
I think that’s why church camp is so important to so many people–it’s a physical place where they actually experienced God. It gives some permanence to something that can seem so fleeting in our day-to-day lives. It’s a place with so few worries, so much fun, and so much encouragement and help in feeling the presence of God. When our lives become busy and chaotic and we can barely find our way to church, much less to the feet of God, the idea of going somewhere simple where we’ve experienced God before seems magical.  
 
But the beauty of God? He doesn’t actually live at Blue Lake… or Glisson or the mountain where Jesus transfigured himself for Peter. God lives WITH US–IN US. We don’t have to go to some mountain top to experience God. We just have to let ourselves experience God where we are. We must make space for God’s presence in our lives. We must find quiet and calm and let ourselves let go. I HOPE you can do that at Northbrook. I hope you can make THIS a place as special as any camp or mountaintop. I hope you come soon and find the presence of God right here beside you.
 
And if you feel that presence of God here at Northbrook, I can’t encourage you enough to be one of the amazing souls that helps the children of our church, preschool, and community find God’s presence here. Volunteer at Vacation Bible School (or for that matter, in Godly Play or Joyful Noise children’s choir). Help us create places that are safe, worry-free, and filled with God’s presence for all who enter this campus.
 
For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.  Isaiah 54:10
 
 In love,

 Leslie Bowers
Director of Creative Services

One of the great hymns of the church, familiar to many, is “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.” Written by Helen Lemmel, the daughter of a Methodist preacher. This song challenges all people to change their focus and look into the face of the One who can heal all our pain, lift our discouraged hearts, and strengthen our weaknesses. “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.” If you find yourself entering realms unknown, don’t lose hope...Jesus has already been there, and He knows what lies ahead.
 
Speaking of what lies ahead...we continue to have new people interested in joining the music ministry! We are thrilled to have new faces join us weekly for rehearsals and worship services. We are continually grateful for the talent and dedication of our congregants that participate in our ensembles, here at Northbrook. Stay tuned, because there are some wonderful experiences that lie ahead!
 
It is almost summer, and many will be taking family vacations and weekend excursions. If you are in town on July 6, be sure to attend our combined service featuring an amazing Bluegrass group! Yes, you read that right... BLUEGRASS music is coming your way! I hope you will come to hear these folks as they sing and play hymns that will warm your heart, put a smile on your face, and make you want to pat your feet and clap your hands!
 
Other things that lie ahead...once summer is over and the school bells ring out, we will begin rehearsals for our 2025 Christmas presentation. Anyone interested in singing for our special Christmas services this year can contact me for more information. We would love to have you!
 
It has been said that music brings people together because it’s a universal language. I hope you will become part of that experience for our One Super Summer Sundays, beginning June 29th. We will have combined worship through the month of July and bring a variety of music that will give praise and honor to God.
 
With Joy,
 
​Dr. Chad Hunt
Director of Worship & Music