View
1
Download
0
Category
Preview:
Citation preview
THE STEEPLE Mission of the Church of the Nativity
God’s family at the historic Church of the Nativity is joyfully and energetically committed to sharing Christ’s love
The Church of the Nativity December 18, 2013
WORSHIP
TIMES
SUNDAY
(* Nursery available)
7:45 a.m. Rite I
Holy Eucharist
Bibb Chapel
8:45 a.m.* Rite II
Holy Eucharist
Children’s Chapel
11:00 a.m. * Rite II
Holy Eucharist
WEDNESDAY
12:00 noon
Holy Eucharist & Healing
(Bibb Chapel)
THURSDAY
6:00 p.m.
Holy Eucharist Rite II
Bibb Chapel
CHRISTMASTIDE SERVICES AT NATIVITY
Saturday, December 21
5:00 p.m. Advent Service of Nine Lessons and Carols
·The Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 22
7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I in Bibb Chapel
8:45 a.m.* Holy Eucharist, Rite II in the Church
10:00 a.m.* Church School for all ages
1100 a.m.* Holy Eucharist, Rite II in the Church
*nursery available
·Christmas Eve
4:00 p.m.* Children’s Christmas Pageant and Holy Eucharist
*nursery available for this service only
7:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Festal Holy Eucharist
10:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Festal Holy Eucharist
incense used at this service
· Christmas Day
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II in Bibb Chapel
· First Sunday after Christmas Day, December 29
7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I in Bibb Chapel
10:00 a.m. Christmas Readings & Carols and Holy Eucharist in the
Church
January 2, Sunday on Thursday
6:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II in Bibb Chapel
Second Sunday after Christmas Day, January 5
7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I in Bibb Chapel
8:45 a.m.* Holy Eucharist, Rite II in the Church
10:00 a.m.* Church School for all ages
11:00 a.m.* Holy Eucharist, Rite II in the Church
*nursery available
HAP Sunday,
January 5
The pantry needs
Bath soap, dried beans and rice, cereal.
Thank you to John Buyse and the volunteers who
helped put the lights on the tree in the Nave for
Christmas.
Daniel Tipton Sean Buyse
Hunter Tipton Brad Hall
Jessy Tipton Daniel Suggs
William Blackerby
Christmas in the Holy Land
with Father Andy
Place: Ridley Hall
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Dec. 22nd - Church of the Holy
Sepulcher and Jerusalem
Children’s Corner
Dec 22 4-6 PM Pageant Practice for Main Characters,
Readers and Candle Lighters
Dec 24 3:15 PM go to Ridley Hall for costume and
instructions
4:00 PM Christmas Eve Pageant and Holy
Eucharist
Dec 25 Merry Christmas!
Jan 5 Sunday school and Children’s Chapel resume
Because January 2014 begins on the 1st Wednesday, the January Steeple will be published on the 2nd and 4th
Wednesdays. This will be for January only. In February, publication will resume on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays.
Evening with Sister Mary
Our annual Evening with Sister Mary, sponsored by Center-
ing Prayer, will be on January 14 at 5:30 PM in Ridley
Hall. Sr. Mary has met with the Nativity groups in January
for more than ten years. Her topic will be “Vatican II's
document Nostra Aetate: The Declaration on the Relation
of the Church to Non-Christian Religions"
She will share about four kinds of dialogue that the Asian
Bishops recommend: dialogue of life (encounter one an-
other as human beings), dialogue of action (joining with
others to take social action to solve society's ills), dialogue
of theological exchange, and dialogue of religious experi-
ence (share spiritual practices). She will give an overview
of the document and her own personal experiences with
these four kinds of dialogue.
The evening will begin at 5:30 with a period of Centering
Prayer followed by a light supper and presentation by Sr.
Mary, and is open to all at no charge. Supper will be pro-
vided by the Centering Prayer Groups. Anyone who
wishes may bring something to add to the table. Call
Brenda Chynoweth, 256-464-9457.
5th Annual Nativity Women’s Retreat – Feb. 21-22,
2014. Speaker: Karim Shamsi-Basha, author of the new
best-seller, “Paul and me”. One Night Only! Friday, Feb. 21-
Saturday Feb. 22, 2014 at St. Mary’s, Sewanee, Tennessee.
(Application forms can be found on the church bulletin boards.)
Cost: $145.00 per person –Checks to Church of Nativity. Reg-
istration Deadline: Friday, December 13, 2013. We are so
excited about this speaker so get your money in – it will fill
up fast! Questions? Contact: Lane Tutt, 256-533-2455 or
256-653-7200.
Nativity’s Medical Mission Team leaves February 2th
for work in our companion villages in Haiti. The team
requests these items for distribution:
Children’s Vitamins Pre-natal Vitamins
Infant Vitamin drops
(please no Gummy vitamins)
Toothbrushes (NO paste!)
Antifungal Creams
Reading glasses (new and or gently used)
with the power marked on the glasses
(please no prescription eyeglasses)
We will collect these on Sundays January 5th, 12th, 19th
and 26th.
Look for large clear plastic bins in Ridley Hall.
INTERCESSION REQUESTS
We pray for those who are ill or recovering: Emile Joffrion, Leigh Wahl, Elsie Olsen, Eileen Sullivan, Phyllis Lawson,
Nancy Colin Swenson, Louis Amis, Charles Mabie, Barbara Hunkapillar, Carla King, Tom Robinson, Harry Beazley,
Anna Post, Bess Wallace, William Stroud, Suzanne Johnson, Tom Wacaster, Pam Smith
We pray for those deployed/serving with the Military:
Bahrain: Jonathan Serwecki; South Korea: Tim Fuhrman; Afghanistan: Michael Knight
For the birth of a child: Benjamin Jasper Polstra, Nov. 27, son of Taylor & Theo Polstra, grandson of Laura & Mike
Innes
For a marriage: Jane McDonald & Alan Daniels, married at Nativity on November 27.
We pray for the departed: Richard Bibb, father of Margaret Bibb; Nancy Kelly, sister-in-law of Adalene Bledsoe
We give thanks for birthdays of our children:
12/18 Hunter Whitworth 12/21 Evan Ward 12/21 Molly Ward 12/22 Margaret Bryant
12/25 Charlie Vowell 12/25 John Laney 12/27 Allie Starnes 12/27 Evan Khodabandeh
12/28 Tess Lambert 12/28 Will Pinson 12/30 Nicholas Ocampo 1/2 Clover Farrell
1/5 Jordan Dunn 1/6 Michael Jones 1/7 Sarah Spragins 1/8 Harry Foster
Nativity Flower Guild — 25 years of faithful service!
UA Press publishes definitive history of the
Episcopal Church in Alabama
Bishops, Bourbons, and Big Mules by J. Barry Vaughn,
tells the story of how the Episcopal Church gained influ-
ence over Alabama's cultural, political, and economic
arenas despite being a denominational minority in the
state. The Author J. Barry Vaughn received a masters of
divinity from Yale University and a PhD in divinity from
the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. From 2000 to
2004 he served as rector of an Episcopal parish in Phila-
delphia, and in 2004 he returned to his native Alabama
to serve as the rector of St. Alban's Episcopal Church in
Birmingham. He is presently the rector of Christ Episco-
pal Church in Las Vegas, Nevada.
An update on Chester - On Thursday, December
12, with the assistance of a dedicated group of Na-
tivity parishioners, Chester moved into an apart-
ment! His new address is:
Chester Harris
2211 Country Club Ave. NW, Apt. 302
Huntsville, AL 35816.
He would love to receive cards and letters!
ICONS in TRANSFORMATION
EXHIBITION
Coming to Nativity February 22 – April
20, 2014
Nativity will host a stunning exhibition
with approximately 100 pieces of art by
the acclaimed abstract expressionist artist
Ludmila Pawlowska. The traveling exhibi-
tion, Icons in Transformation, has toured
cathedrals and museums in both Europe
and the United States. This remarkable
collection will be on display in our church
during Lent 2014. The public as well as
Episcopalians throughout our Diocese are
invited and encouraged to attend.
MUCH MORE INFORMATION COMING
AFTER CHRISTMAS!
Upcoming Baptism Date January 12, The
Baptism of Our Lord, 8:45 & 11:00 services.
Contact Connie in the church office to register.
ARE YOU CURIOUS ABOUT CUR-
SILLO?
HAVE PEOPLE ENCOURAGED YOU
TO ATTEND A CURSILLO WEEKEND?
HAVE YOU BEEN THINKING ABOUT
CURSILLO, BUT WANT MORE INFORMATION?
WE HAVE THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU!
WHAT: Cursillo informational dinner
WHEN: Sunday, January 12, 2014
TIME: 5:30 pm
WHERE: Don and Kay Wheeler’s home
506 Eustis Ave
BRING: Anyone who may be interested in
learning more about Cursillo
RSVP: David (drc3898@knology.net) or
Debbie (dtc3898@knology.net) Collette
2014 Pledges by Dollar Range
December 15, 2013 $1,000 or < 74 $1,001 -- $2,999.99 134
$3,000 -- $4,999.99 67
$5,000 -- $9,999.99 54 $10,000 - $14,999.99 13
$15,000 - $24,999.99 10 $25,000 - $39,999.99 2 $40,000 or > 0
Total Number of Pledges 354 Total Dollar Amount of Pledges
$1,208,873.00
Average Pledge $3,414.90
Centering Prayer Introductory Retreat
An Introduction to Centering Prayer retreat will be held
at the Benedictine Sisters Retreat Center in Cullman
January 17-19, 2014. This form of Christian prayer is
rooted in the ancient Christian contemplative tradition
and is intended to foster a deeper intimacy with Christ.
Private rooms and the ability to maintain silence are re-
quired.
The cost for the weekend is $210/person; lodging,
meals, and linens are included. For registration informa-
tion and other details, please contact the Benedictine
Sisters Retreat Center at (256) 734-8302 or by e-mail at
retreats@shmon.org.
Parish Financial Report Period Ending 11/30/2013
CURRENT MONTH BUDGET for PERIOD ACTUAL YTD BUDGET YTD
Pledges Received $ 131,555.44 $ 105,833.33 $ 1,162,635.36 $ 1,164,166.67
Plate $ 12,773.75 $ 6,666.67 $ 72,846.73 $ 73,333.33
Other Revenues $ 6,736.84 $ 8,733.33 $ 84,094.53 $ 96,066.67
TOTAL $ 151,066.03 $ 121,233.33 $ 1,319,576.62 $ 1,333,566.67
Diocesan, School of Theology, & Outreach $ 27,034.39 $ 23,841.64 $ 218,152.54 $ 262,258.34
Personnel $ 60,888.49 $ 65,201.73 $ 713,567.56 $ 717,846.29
Other Expenses $ 22,644.40 $ 32,137.71 $ 332,965.64 $ 353,514.29
TOTAL $ 110,567.28 $ 121,181.08 $ 1,264,685.74 $ 1,333,618.92
NET $ 40,498.75 $ 52.25 $ 54,890.88 $ (52.25)
Begins Sunday, January 5,
10:00 in the Parish Hall
Rector Andy Anderson, assisted by
the other clergy and lay members of
our parish, will be leading our Seekers’ Class. Classes are de-
signed to include church history, our prayer book and hym-
nal, our worship practices and etiquette, (like when to kneel
or bow or make the sign of the cross!) and our views about
scripture and the sacraments. Classes will also describe the
many varieties of ministry opportunities available in the par-
ish. This class for those seeking membership with The Church
of Nativity and for those who want to refresh or to learn
more about the Episcopal Church. The Rt. Rev’d Kee Sloan
the Bishop of Alabama, will be with us on Sunday, May 18,
2014, to celebrate Confirmation and to receive other new
members. These classes are particularly designed for:
This class is specifically geared toward:
People who have not been baptized
People baptized as infants who want to make a mature
public affirmation of their faith
People seeking out this church community for marriage
or for baptism of a child
People baptized in other traditions but who have not
shared in the Episcopal Church’s understanding of
Confirmation by a Bishop in the historic, apostolic
tradition
Newcomers to the Episcopal Church from other tradi-
tions
Former Roman Catholic, Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America, or Orthodox Christians who want to be
received into this Communion
Active members seeking to deepen and renew their com-
mitment
Nominal members seeking basic formation or lapsed
members willing to reconsider Christian Commitment
Christians seeking deeper faith understanding in a time of
crisis
You may pre-register by contacting careagh@nativity-hsv.org
or by calling her at 256-533-2455. Pre-registration is not
required, you can register in the class on January 5.
2014
SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL resumes January 5, 10:00 a.m. * for all ages.
YOUTH
9th—12th Graders meet 3rd fl Joffrion Hall in EYC loft
7th—8th Graders meet 2nd floor Ridley Hall
5th—6th Graders (CLUB 56) meet 2nd floor Ridley Hall
CHILDREN
Nursery (ages 12 weeks—4 years) 1st floor Joffrion Hall
Godly Play (ages 3 and 4) Angle Land (downstairs Ridley
Hall)
WoRM (ages kindergartners through 4th graders) Angel
Lane (downstairs Ridley Hall)
LOOKING FOR A WEEKDAY/EVENING STUDY
GROUP?
Men’s Wednesday Morning Bible Study
Wednesday 7:15 a.m. (Library)
The Good Book Women’s Bible Study
Wednesday 1:00 p.m. (Library)
Reflections Bible Study (nursery available)
Thursday 9:15 a.m. (Joffrion 2 East)
For information of any of Nativity’s Christian Education
programs please call 533-2455:
Lane Tutt, Adult Education
William Blackerby, Youth Christian Education
Barbara Bonner, Children’s Christian Education
ADULTS
Christianity Without Superstition by John McQuiston II
(Order books at Amazon or book store)
Leaders: Marilyn Evans and guest speakers
Place: Bibb Chapel
Dates: January 5th —February 9
th
Seekers Class
Leader: Father Andy, other Clergy, choirmaster and lay
leaders
Place: Ridley Hall
Bishop’s Celebration : May 18, 2014 – 10:00
Art and Literature
Lynne Berry, Walter Thames, Jeannie Robison
Bibb Chapel
February 16th—March 9
th
Holy Decisions- Difficult Questions as we Grow Older
Father Andy, Juliana Larson, Bob Serio , Connie Glass
Bibb Chapel
March 16th — April 6th
The Zimmerman Bible Study Class continues in the Library
Social Justice Class When Helping Hurts continues in the
Banister Room
Breakfast Club What’s So Amazing about Grace continues
upstairs Joffrion Hall 2
SPONSORS SOUGHT FOR EPISCOPAL FAITH SEEKERS’ CLASS IN 2014
Our Adult Episcopal Faith Seekers’ class is for people seeking to be Confirmed and Baptized Members of the Church
of the Nativity, people seeking to be received into our Episcopal Church, and for Confirmed Episcopalians seeking
to deepen and renew their faith and Baptismal Vows. This class gives participants opportunities to reflect upon the
traditions and practices of Christianity as the Episcopal Church has received them.
Each Seeker will be assigned a sponsor to walk the journey with them. Sponsors are already members of Nativity
who will encourage Seekers and be available for discussions about the faith we share as Episcopalians. Sponsors are
assigned individually by the Rector and the leadership team, matching similar demographics so that the Sponsor
may also help introduce Seekers to other members of the Nativity community. The Seekers’ Class begins on Janu-
ary 5, 2014, but Sponsors will not be assigned until February. For seven of the class sessions, Sponsors will attend
classes with Seekers and participate in small group discussions (from February 23-April 6).
Sponsors will be asked to be in regular contact with their Seeker “as a new church friend.” You will welcome and
introduce your Seeker to others and encourage them to attend parish functions. Of course, Sponsors pray for their
Seekers regularly.
Sponsors are asked to attend class with your Seeker from February 23 through April 6. Also, please be present on
Sunday, February 23 at the 8:45 a.m. service, and stand with your Seeker in a special service of Welcome. The
Bishop will celebrate the commitments our Seekers are making on Sunday, May 18, 2014.
If you would like to serve as a Sponsor, please e-mail Carol Ann Reagh at careagh@nativity-hsv.org or call her at
the parish offices, 256-533-2455.
WORSHIP SCHEDULE January 2014 , published 12/18/13
THURSDAY, January 2, HE
Service Celebrant Preacher
6:00 pm McCown Virginia Kobler
SUNDAY, January 5, Second Sunday after Christmas Day
Service Celebrant Preacher LEM Lector Intercessor
7:45 am Anderson Anderson Sue Johnson Sue Johnson Sue Johnson
8:45 am McCown Anderson Robert Dunn, Charlie Warren, Michal Turner Amy Creech Jim Douthit
11:00 am McCown Anderson Erin Elliott, Will Elliott, Don Lambert Debbie Collette, David Collette Deborah Baker
WEDNESDAY, January 8, HE
Service Celebrant Preacher LEM
12:00 noon Anderson Marilyn Lands
THURSDAY, January 9, HE
Service Celebrant Preacher
6:00 pm McCown Don Lambert
SUNDAY, January 12, First Sunday after the Epiphany: Baptism of Our Lord
Service Cele-
brant Preacher LEM Lector Intercessor
7:45 am McCown McCown Lea Ann Barnett Lea Ann Barnett Lea Ann Barnett
8:45 am Anderson McCown Warren Vann, Virginia Kobler, Mike Ward Allen Daniels Clay Sherrill
11:00 am Anderson McCown Ed Vaught, Hanns Billmayer, Barbara Buice Dianne Nettles, Walter Thames William Blackerby
WEDNESDAY, January 15, HE
Service Celebrant Preacher LEM
12:00 noon McCown Don Askins
THURSDAY, January 16, HE
Service Celebrant Preacher
6:00 pm Anderson Sally Ann Culver
SUNDAY, January 19, Second Sunday after the Epiphany
Service Celebrant Preacher LEM (Robison- out) Lector Intercessor
7:45 am Anderson Anderson John Hendricks John Hendricks John Hendricks
8:45 am McCown Anderson Lee Hicklen, Lane Mickle, Lewis Bates Ed Greene Virginia Kobler
11:00 am McCown Anderson Don Askins, Joan East, Peter Cobun Ed Vaughn, Elaine Hamner Jim Douthit
WEDNESDAY, January 22, HE
Service Celebrant Preacher LEM
12:00 noon Robison Cheryl Watts
THURSDAY, January 23, HE
Service Celebrant Preacher
6:00 pm Groff Don Askins
SUNDAY, January 26, Third Sunday after the Epiphany
Service Celebrant Preacher LEM (Anderson – out) Lector Intercessor
7:45 am TBD TBD Ken Barnett Ken Barnett Ken Barnett
8:45 am McCown TBD Cheryl Watts, Joan East, Don Lambert, Pat Sampson Lee Hicklen Lane Mickle
11:00 am McCown TBD Robin Cozby, Rich Goodwin, Marilyn Lands, Deborah Baker Mickey Ellis, Chris Jackson Ed Vaughn
WEDNESDAY, January 29, HE
Service Celebrant Preacher LEM
12:00 noon McCown Mary Hendricks
THURSDAY, January 30, HE
Service Celebrant Preacher
6:00 pm Anderson Virginia Kobler
USHERS
8:45 Russ McDonald, Lewie Bates, Lynn Bates, Steve Creech, Sparks Ford, Bill Giardini, Robert Rodgers
11:00 Gail Rogers, Ronnie Rogers, Madalyn Hicks, Janet Lyle, Robin Cozby, Chris Wesley
ALTAR GUILD
4 Emily Moody, Gail Brown, Laura Innes, Beth Pugh, Caffey Litkenhous, Judy Vann
11 Louise Reynolds, Jewell Reynolds, Flo Stockton, Alice Lanier, Mary Johnson
18 Rose Anne Shearer, Sara Little, Lea Ann Barnett, Sue Johnson, Judy Heacock
25 renee Elliott, Wand aCobb, Debbie Joyner, Nancy Colin, Elaine Calhoun
1 Connie Stephenson, Emily Moody, Gail Brown, Caffey Litkenhous, Linda Watts, Beth Pugh
CLERGY ON CALL SCHEDULE
Dec. 30 – Jan. 5 January 6 – 12 January 13 – 19 January 20 – 26 January 27 – February 2
Robison Anderson McCown Robison Anderson
Youth Notes! Christmas Fun
Above, the high school Sunday School class puzzles
out the solution to a team building game.
Christmas is almost here, and Nativity
youth have two fun ways to celebrate
together!
Friday, December 20th, 3:30-5:00 PM.
All EYCers (7th-12th grades) are invited
to come enjoy cookies, hot chocolate,
and some tree decorating fun as we
hang Chrismons on the massive tree in
the nave and celebrate the beginning
of the holiday break! We will meet in
the nave of the church.
Sunday, December 22nd, 5:00-7:00 :
All EYC Christmas Party at the Gunters
(1708 Mountainbrook Drive SE 35801). We
will meet at the church at 5:00 to
carol in the neighborhood before we
head to the Gunters for food and holi-
day fun. Bring two wrapped orna-
ments with you: one to swap, and one
for people at the hospital over the
holidays. Pickup will be at the Gunters
at 7:00 PM.
Diocesan Events Coming Up
Friday, February 28th through Sunday, March
2nd, 2014: Happening #64, Church of the
Ascension, Montgomery
The sign-up deadline for happeners is Feb-
ruary 14, 2014. Click here to apply!
The staff application deadline is Decem-
ber 20. Click here to apply!
Winter Weekend at Camp McDowell
January 17-20, 2014 for 7th and 8th Graders.
It is similar to Summer Camp, but in the win-
ter! Find out more and sign up by clicking
here
Church of the Nativity, Episcopal
208 Eustis Ave. SE Huntsville, AL 35801
256-533-2455 Fax: 256-533-2374
www.nativity-hsv.org
STEEPLE SCHEDULE
The Steeple is published each 1st and
3rd Wednesdays.
To submit events or articles,
you may bring them to the church
office or email:
cwatts@nativity-hsv.org
The deadline for the next issue is
Monday noon, January 6 .
CLERGY & STAFF
The Rev’d Dr. Andy Anderson
Rector
The Rev’d Rusty McCown
Associate
The Rev’d Mary Groff
Associate for Pastoral Care
The Rev’d Jeannie Robison
Deacon
Suzanne Purtee
Organist/Choirmaster
Lane Tutt
Adult Christian Formation
William Blackerby
Coordinator of Youth Ministry
Elizabeth Foster
Children’s Formation
Cassie Chenoweth
Assistant Children’s Formation
Audrey Clayton
Nursery Coordinator
John Buyse
Property Manager
Al Ford
Sexton
Sally Stockton
Kitchen Coordinator
Beverly Franklin
Bookkeeper/Business Mgr
Connie Gadomski
Worship & Ministry Assistant
Carol Ann Reagh
Assistant to the Rector
Cheryl Watts
Communications Assistant
Prentice White
Verger/Wedding Coordinator
WARDENS’ COUNCIL
Rusty Stephenson Sr Warden
Brad Hall Jr Warden
Stacy Moon Clerk
Robert Mullins Treasurer
Frederick Lanier Finance Chair
Don Wheeler Nativity Trust
AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY
A member of the clergy is
on call each week. If you need
assistance from a priest outside
office hours, the priest on call will
respond to your message.
The number to call In Case of an
Emergency Only is 256-533-7007.
All other calls should be directed to
church phone 256-533-2455 and
follow the prompts to leave a
message for a priest to respond.
2014 ALTAR FLOWER DEDICATION FORM
To dedicate Altar flowers for 2014, please complete this form and mail with
your check ($40 or $20 for shared dedications) made payable to Nativity
Flower Guild to: Andrea Vandervoort, 434 Locust Ave. Huntsville, AL 35801.
If you have questions, you may call Andrea at 539-2673.
PLEASE PRINT ALL INFORMATION, THANK YOU.
Date desired ________________________________
Your Name___________________________________________________
Phone # _____________________________________________
Would you share a dedication? ____ Do you wish to have your name listed in
the bulletin? ____
Please be specific - underline or circle your desired dedication below:
All dedications read “To the glory of God and...
in loving memory of...in thanksgiving for...
in celebration of...
Name for this altar flower
dedication:_________________________________________
The Steeple December 18, 2013
Recommended