On behalf of the Trustees, I would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding through the last year and a half of construction here at Northbrook UMC. With the refurbishment of Simmons Hall and the parking lot the Trustees have fulfilled our blessing from the merger with Christ Church. While the combined membership created new energy within the body of the church, the Trustees, with improved finances, went about tackling many of the larger needs of the facilities.
 
Below is a list of the projects completed:
 

• For the buildings of the Northbrook Campus (Bldgs. A, B, C and D), i.e. new roofs installed, installed new gutters, gutter guards and downspouts
• Painted and caulked all wooden windows (Bldgs. A & B)
• Corrected the moisture problem in Building B (Big Dig)
• Stopped water leak in Building B utility closet
• New Boiler for heat in the Sanctuary (Bldg. D)
• Two new Air-conditioning compressors for the Sanctuary (Bldg. D)
• Refurbished Parking Lot
• Refurbished Simmons Hall
• Repaired and painted Portico Ceiling

 
A special thanks to our Staff Liaison, Allen Whittaker, for his tireless effort in coordinating and minimizing the impact on the many activities and group meetings that utilize our facilities.
 
The Trustees will continue to endeavor through maintenance and projects to enhance our facilities to match the warmth and ministry of our church.
 
Faithfully yours,
Comer Train
Trustees Chair
 

As we approach Commitment Sunday, I pray that the Holy Spirit touches your heart to continue your steadfast financial commitment to Northbrook. Our heavenly Father is the epitome of commitment. Despite our rebellious attitudes and actions, He never gives up on us. As I look back over my life, God has always been so faithful to me—even when I didn’t know He cared. My three-score plus seven years journey has taken many twists and turns over the years, from me giving up on God to realizing He is the best thing in my life. Because of His faithfulness and my understanding, I walk out biblical teachings with my annual financial commitment to the church. By doing so, every need has always been met—good health, peace of mind, wisdom, and even some miraculous gifts of money--when I was in need caring for my mother.
 
Proverbs 21:20 states that the wise man stores up precious treasure and oil, while the foolish man squanders it.
 
This means the wise person uses resources prudently for both present needs and future security, whereas the foolish person consumes everything they have without foresight.

In addition to savings and investment plans, for now and the future, part of my financial plan includes storing precious treasure and oil by giving generously to the church. It has not failed me yet. As a leader, I must lead by example--it is very important to serve with my time and finances. So, giving to the church is a personal budget line item in my household with automatic debits. As we read, speak, and have faith in “The Word” see what the Lord will do. 
 
“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands!”    
Isaiah 55:11
 
… Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing. 11 I will rebuke the locust[b] for you, so that it will not destroy the produce of your soil; and your vine in the field shall not be barren, says the Lord of hosts. 12 Then all nations will count you happy, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.  
Malachi 3:10-12
 
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver…
​2 Corinthians 9:7
 
Your annual financial commitment and fulfillment support the mission and ministries of the church. There is no better way to show love for your church family and the community than by using your resources to meet their short-term and long-term goals. So, as we plan for 2026, remember…
 

• The wise man: 

Stores up "precious treasure and oil" in his dwelling. He understands the importance of saving for the future and for times of need.
 

• The foolish man: 

"Devours it up" or "gulps it down.” He consumes all his resources immediately without any thought for tomorrow.
 
Faithfully yours,
 
Phyllis J. Baskin
Office Manager

A couple of weeks ago, the Northbrook UMC Chancel Choir had the unique opportunity to perform at the Georgia Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association at Kennesaw State University. This invitation was rare, in that a local church choir was asked to appear before an audience of choral directors who work in universities, high schools, middle schools, elementary schools, and community choral groups.  
 
Reflecting on present day events and realizing that many of our churches are allowing their differences to drive a wedge between themselves and working together as a community. Therefore, I invited choir members from Roswell First Baptist Church and Roswell United Methodist Church to participate in the choral event. We dubbed ourselves, the Sacred Voices of Roswell with about 80 members in attendance.  
 
I chose to conduct Craig Courtney’s soul-stirring piece, I Am Not My Own. It is a powerful statement of faith proclaiming, “I am not my own, I am not my own. Not in body, not in soul, in life nor even death. I am not my own, I am not my own. I belong unto my faithful savior Jesus Christ. I belong to Him, I belong to Him, in life, in death, my only comfort, I belong to Him, I will live for Him…”
 
We, as children of God, belong to the One who sent His son to redeem humankind. It is through God’s love, strength, and grace that we are able to live from year to year, day to day, and moment by moment. Yet, we also depend on each other - our brothers and sisters in Christ. This combined choir represented the commonality of believers.
​
I have been blessed with opportunities to perform at Carnegie Hall and various cathedrals throughout Europe, but I’ve never been more proud than when I stood on stage with our church choir on that Saturday. Our group represented young and “older,” from all walks of life. It was an opportunity to show choral students that one’s love for music doesn’t have to end at graduation. It can extend into a person’s golden years each week at their place of worship. This is one of the many positive aspects of our choir at Northbrook - it reaches across generations and unites in voice to minister to people each Sunday.  
 
As we quickly approach Advent, I hope you will make plans to attend the upcoming musical events designed to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ Child; one born of humility and a love for all.  
 
With Joy,

Dr. Chad M. Hunt
Director of Worship & Music

My sweet Cora had a birthday last weekend.  I’ve spent much of this week thinking of teeny-tiny (9lb 6oz) baby Cora cuddles because squishy, baby cuddles are one of my love languages. They’re my version of manna from heaven. They’re so peaceful and uninhibited.  There’s something about a newborn that feels so very close to God.
 
Now, of course I have much larger 17- and 10-year-olds.  It’s considerably harder to get them on my shoulder and carry them around for a cuddle, but I still find peace, love, and a whisper of God when I watch them sleep. On my most exhausting and difficult days, you can almost always find me spending a few minutes watching my girls sleep. When they’re sleeping so peacefully, it’s impossible not to marvel over all God has planned for them, all the “becoming” they are doing as God’s children, all that is amazing and wonderful and in the image of God about my girls.  
 
It is this particular parenting activity that has made me totally reassess the meaning of one of my favorite scriptures, Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.”  I’ve always thought it to only be that we need to be still so our body, mind, and soul can have enough space to remember that God is God. And I DO still believe that. But watching my children sleep makes me think that maybe sometimes God wants us to be still so God can marvel at the miracles we are--so God can truly gaze at all the “becoming” we are doing and see all the parts of us that are in God’s image. 
 
On my most stressful days, when I am feeling blue or “less than,” I like the idea of God marveling over me when I sleep. I like to remember that any God that is “The Father” loves me as overwhelmingly as I love my girls. God loves us--every single one of us--in a breath-taking, awe-filled, can’t-take-my-eyes-off-of-your-amazingness kind of way.
 
Be still.
Leslie Bowers
Director of Creative Services

In June of 2025, I experienced a life changing week. I, along with other Northbrook Student youth members, Reverend McDaniel, our parents, and community members, journeyed to Western North Carolina on a mission trip to provide Hurricane Helene Relief.
 
Praying Pelican Missions helped to connect us with specific needs in the area. We stayed at the Mary B. Mullen Bible Camp in Lake Lure, NC. This camp is a wonderful place that has opened up its doors to mission groups looking to help rebuild Western, NC.  The Cumming First United Methodist Church youth group also stayed at the camp. We slept in the dorms and ate breakfast at camp. During the day the majority of people left camp to do mission work in the community, and each evening we all came back to camp to eat dinner together and then gathered in worship. Some of our work included: yard work and painting at the Bible Camp, food distribution, and demolition.
 
I worked mostly at Mullen Bible Camp painting their office building. It was hard work being out in the sun all day, but I loved it! I found a little frog friend in the process and named him “Mr. Gorgeous”! Another day I went to the Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry, (ABCCM) a food and clothing distribution center, in the Asheville, NC area. There we received a list, and we filled boxes according to what was on the list. We put the boxes on pallets and stacked them like Jenga. We worked hard and fast and due to our competitive nature, we were proud to learn that our church completed more boxes than the group that was there from the day before! Those food boxes were given to community members in need. The other people from Northbrook worked the week at a home in Old Fort, NC that had been flooded from the hurricane. They performed backbreaking work to help gut the home for it to be remodeled and mold free so the family could move back in.
 
At the end of each day both churches met in the pavilion at the camp for worship. We sang worship songs, discussed our work, and talked about how we saw God in our day. Hearing the stories of the devastation and people in need made me feel really grateful for everything I have.
 
We got one day off our mission work duties, so our Northbrook group went river tubing in Marion, NC. It was so much fun! We also stopped for some sweet treats from Pelican’s Snoballs!
 
Over the course of this week, I learned to be adaptable, creative, and come to love the Lord and his people even more!  I formed lifelong bonds with youth members, was grateful my mom was there for support, and loved how we all came together to help those in need. This mission trip was especially meaningful since I was born in North Carolina and most of my family lives in Western North Carolina!
 
I feel blessed to be a part of a church that gives back. God was there!

Blessings to all,
Macy Millon
Youth Ministry