July 2017

A note from the Rector…

As soon as Wendy said it, I knew it was true. We were discussing our church’s purpose

(see Vestry Report) and Wendy said she believed the purpose of our church community is

“giving and serving.”

I’ve been thinking about those words and her statement ever since. The day after the

Vestry meeting was the board meetings for Episcopal Gardens/Honamon House and Episcopal Commons. GN

Management has done a great job in making sure the facilities continue to provide excellent and affordable housing for

people in Perry and Juniata Counties who are elderly or disabled.

Currently, all of the board members are members of our church community. It was our church community, under the

direction of Father Warne, who built these complexes over 20 years ago. The Program and Mission Committee recently

met to plan activities for the people who live at the Gardens and Commons. Giving and serving….

And the same week, Susan Rice, her friend John and the Rolands, with donations from many of you, provided a family

with beds and linens and a vacuum cleaner and a kitchen table and chairs. They also helped the mother get her things from

a storage unit to her home, so she’s not paying the monthly storage fee. Giving and serving…

The same week, Episcopal Church Women agreed to give $100 to the Children and Adolescent Service System Program

in Perry County to assist with activities on Fridays at the Ministerium’s Read and Feed summer program. A number of

members have volunteered to help with this program. The ECW was also making plans to serve breakfasts, lunches and

snacks to the participants in the St. Barnabas Summer program at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Harrisburg.

Vestry voted to give Kyle Weller Scholarships to Madison Murphy and Grace Klauer and a GTO early donation to the

Newport Library for their Bike 4 Books event in September. A bag of Equal Exchange products was given as a door prize

for the Perry County Rotary Club Golf Outing, which supports the Rotary’s youth programs. The backyard garden was

watered, so we’ll have fresh produce to give away.

And all of this activity occurred in just three days! In just three days, we gave immense joy and changed circumstances to

so many.

Vestry will continue to refine our purpose; however, “giving and serving” will definitely be key words.

Thank you for all you do!

Love, Rebecca+

NATIVITY NEWS The newsletter of the

Episcopal Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen

Newport and Thompsontown, PA

159 South Second Street, Newport PA 17074

Phone: 717-567-6514 E-mail: chnatss@pa.net

Parish Website: www.nativityandststephen.diocpa.org

Report from Vestry

Giving Thanks

We opened with the Litany of Thanksgiving on page 837 in the Book of Common Prayer. Then Kay offered a

personal story about how she became connected to the church.

Our Purpose

We are beginning to read the book, Following the Way of Jesus written by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and

others. We started with Chapter 9 by Bishop Robert Wright from Atlanta, titled “On Leadership for the

Movement.” The Chapter talks about the importance of knowing a church’s purpose (as well as your own

purpose).

Being clear on our purpose provides focus to know what to do in line with meeting that purpose. It provides

energy and innovation. Having a clear and shared purpose also provides the strength to get through the grief that

inevitably occurs with any kind of change. Change involves decisions about what to keep and what to cancel or

stop doing. It involves letting go and there is always grief in letting go or not doing some things that are

familiar. It is important to grieve and knowing we are aligning with our purpose helps us through that grieving

process.

The questions at the end of the chapter asked us to think about times we were part of a group that had a clear

sense of purpose. Vestry members mentioned the PETF group that eventually led to the formation of Linda

House and about the discernment process. Members also spoke about recent discussions regarding how the

church has changed over time, while some things have remained the same, such as having fewer young people

return who grew up in this church and also still having terrific coffee hours.

A member said that our church’s purpose is giving and service.

Our Financial Resources

The May financial statements show income for the year of $105,718 and operating expenses of $95,270 for net

ordinary income of $10,447. The Mortgage balance as of June 5 is $119,911.

Vestry approved the hiring of Adam Britcher to help in moving the Ullery Trust oversight from The First

National Bank of Mifflin to one managed through The Episcopal Church Foundation. Right now, the bank fees

are more than the earnings we receive from the Trust. Moving the Trust to one managed through The Episcopal

Church Foundation allows for lower fees and hopefully higher earnings.

Our music accompaniment – the organ

Sue Beamer and Bill and Wendy Day visited St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in York to see and play a pipe

organ built by SDG organs. The organ is much larger than one we would need and gave us an idea of the kind

of workmanship done by the company, as well as the options available for a pipe organ.

The group also participated in a demonstration of a digital organ built by Susquehanna organs and held at St.

Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Mechanicsburg. This is a much larger church and space than ours;

however, again, this opportunity allowed them to see the kind of work done by the company and the various

options of a digital organ from the Allen Organ Company.

At the suggestion of Susquehanna Organ, the group asked to hear a smaller digital organ of the size that would

fit into our church. They are hoping to have others from the parish also come to hear the digital organ.

Sue, Wendy and Bill will continue to explore these two proposals, as well as talk to others, including Andrea

and Maud, about their recommendations.

The Finance Committee will also meet to explore ways to finance this project once a decision is made about

which way we’d like to proceed.

Please get any thoughts you have to Sue, Wendy or Bill.

Our outreach efforts

Congratulations to our Kyle Weller Scholarship Recipients!

Vestry accepted the recommendation of the Program and Mission Committee to award Kyle Weller

scholarships to Madison Murphy, beginning her sophomore year at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and

Grace Klauer, beginning her freshman year at Tulane University. We are excited to support their educational

endeavors.

Vestry gave the Program and Mission Committee discretion to change the timing of awarding GTO funds for

organizations supported in the previous year. Often organizations have special fundraisers with opportunities to

have the church’s name in printed materials or on t-shirts. We miss those opportunities when we give donations

only in the fall. For instance, the church annually gives GTO funds to Newport Library. This year, we will give

$250 now to support the Bike 4 Books Tour in the fall. Our name will be on the t-shirts given to participants. In

the fall, we will make the rest of our usual donation to the library through the GTO process.

Mutual Ministry Review

Rebecca is working with the Diocese to arrange a Mutual Ministry Review, which allows us to examine our

ministry together. She is waiting to hear from Canon Dan Morrow who is now the Diocesan resource person for

these reviews.

Opportunities to Serve on regional discernment committees

The Bishop has asked us for names of two members who are interested in serving on a regional discernment

committee for people exploring ordained or lay ministry. Training would be provided and then if a discernment

committee was needed, it would be formed and meet weekly or bi-weekly for about 4 months. If you are

interested in serving, please let Rebecca know.

Parlor People and Godly Play will resume in the fall.

We are starting our

prayer list over again at

the beginning of July.

If you have a name you’d like

for the list, let Michele know at

717-567-6514 or

chnatss@pa.net.

Transport Wheel Chair

now available for people

who need assistance. The chair is located outside the

restroom in the parish house.

Thank you, Darlene Amsler!

During 2017, we will be

celebrating baptism on

November 5 and

December 3. Let Rebecca know if you or

someone you know would like to

be baptized on any of these days.

Baking needs and chocolate items available through Equal Exchange.

See the cart in the parish hall. We are now a wholesaler for Equal Exchange, a company that supports small farmers who use sustainable

practices for chocolate, cocoa, coffee, tea, nuts, olive oil and other baking items. A price list and basket are

available to pay for the items you choose to buy. Also, be sure to write down what you’ve purchased to help us

maintain our inventory. A catalogue is also available.

If there’s an item you’d like us to order, please see Jane Hoover.

To The Church of the Nativity and

St. Stephen!

We’ve added a “Give Online” button to

our website. You can use your credit card

to make a onetime or recurring monthly

donation to the church. On the second

screen before final confirmation, you can

give special instructions if you’d like to

split your donation between the program

fund, building fund, flowers or another

area of the church. Check it out!

Tony & Ann Roland would like to thank

everyone who has been baking brownies and

given clothing for people in need. They are still serving meals in soup kitchens and Vacation

Bible Schools in Carlisle and the recipients are so appreciative

of everything that Nativity has done for them.

So here's a big pat on the back to all of you and thanks!

Gently Worn used and new shoes collection. Lillian Hoover is collecting gently worn, used and new

shoes for the class of 2022 as a fundraiser while helping

those in need. The shoes that are collected will be donated

to those living in other countries.

So as you are cleaning out your closets please think of her.

They will be collecting shoes until November 30.

A box is located in the undercroft.

All are invited to the Veteran’s

Mural and Historical Marker

Dedication on July 8, 1pm. Ceremony will take place off Penn Avenue,

Newport at Kauffman’s Garage.

Back to School Need- Join Hands Ministry is looking for one or a

couple of organizations, churches,

businesses, civic groups to sponsor hair cuts

for their back to school program in August.

If you're interested please call or email

Michael at 717-582-

7844/info@joinhands.help.

Also, if you know of a hair stylist or barber

that is willing to partner with Join Hands in

this endeavor, please ask them to contact us

here at Join Hands Ministry too.

Items of the Month – Clothing: socks, hats, gloves, scarves, and toddler/baby

clothing

Toiletries: Adult Diapers, Combs, Hair brushes, Hair care

products, Conditioner, Deodorant, Diapers and

Wipes - sizes 1 to 6, Feminine hygiene products, Lotion,

Mouthwash, Paper Towels, Shampoo, Shaving Cream,

Soap/shower gel, Tissues, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Toilet

Paper, Band-aids and Cough Drops

Other Items: Quilts, Blankets, Towels, Wash Cloths

Diocesan Leadership Day, Saturday, August 12, 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM,

St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 301 St. Thomas Rd., Lancaster, PA 17601-4832 Treasurers, wardens, all vestry members and Stewardship leaders and all volunteer and salaried Parish

Administrators, this conference is for you. Keynote and workshops; Financial development within the life of

congregations and expectations for monitoring endowment depreciation through the rhythm of spending and

investment. Year round stewardship practices, including Planned Giving Leadership Development. 101 basics for

vestries and committees—this is for vestry leadership and folks new to vestries as well as best practices for Parish

Administrators. Please let Michele know if you would like to attend.

Opportunities to serve the Diocese. Nominations due by July 31. The Diocese seeks to fill the following vacancies:

Standing Committee-Elect 2 Clergy and 2 Lay persons

Council of Trustees-Elect 1 Clergy and 1 Lay person

Disciplinary Board-Elect 2 Clergy and 2 Lay persons

Please submit all nominations to Hank Morrow: deaconhank@gmail.com, or to call with questions:

(717) 648-5125. A nominations form is available from Rebecca or on the web at http://bit.ly/2r6HDjr.

Golfers needed for Bishop’s

Open Golf Tournament,

Monday, September 18th, 10AM,

Overlook Golf Course, 2040 Lititz Pike,

Lancaster, PA.

Registration required by August 5.

Shotgun Start, 4-Person Scramble.

Join us for a day of golf, fun, food and fellowship to

benefit at-risk children and youth in our Diocese. This

golf tournament is open to everyone; all are welcome.

To register, go to http://bit.ly/2r6UYYQ.

Go to http://bit.ly/2sjZC5B for a brochure.

Dinner only at Bishop’s Open Golf

Tournament, Monday, September 18,

3:00pm, Overlook Golf Course,

2040 Lititz Pike, Lancaster. Cost for dinner only is $25.00.

Go to http://bit.ly/2r6UYYQ to register.

Sponsorship Opportunities for Bishop’s

Golf Tournament due by July 31. Sponsorships range from $75 to $1,000. See the

brochure http://bit.ly/2sjZC5B for more information.

ECW Retreat,

September 15th – 17th

“Sacred Ceremonies of Everyday

Life: Exploring the Divine through

Food, Song, Poetry,

Nature and Meditation”,

Claggett Retreat Center,

3035 Buckeystown Pike,

Adamstown, MD 21710. Presented by Reverend Rowena Gibbons, St.

James Episcopal Church, Mansfield PA.

Brochures are available here:

http://bit.ly/2r0kX08.

Online registration is available here until

September 1: http://bit.ly/2raunVW

July Episcopal Commons

1 Ben Michelson 14 Doris Hadley

6 Jane Benner

7 Emily Gainor

Kimberly Nye Honaman House

9 Miles Jezewski 5 Stephanie Matt

11 Mary Larkin 20 Tracy Knouse

Gail Frohnert

15 MaryJeanne Emerson

17 Elizabeth Place

Jodi Hoover

20 Julia Rohm

21 Kevin Hortens

Barbara Hary

23 Sean Day

Andrea Jezewski

27 Amanda Shull Dungan

Jill Brownfield

Todd Saner

28 Madison Murphy

29 Jake Roman

30 Bill Rohm

Kenny Weaver

31 Karen Kern

Counters: July 2 – Kay and Miguel

July 9 – Bill D. and Shannon

July 16 – Gail and Becky

July 23 – Shannon and Kay

July 30 – Miguel and Bill R.

Date Greeters Lector Prayers Acolyte Euch. Min. Coffee Hour

July 2 (A.G. 1) Days Joanne P. Becky C. Amsler Amsler Pat S./Gail S.

St. Stephen

July 9 (A.G. 2) Shull/Mitchell Tootser D. Jane H. Sophia J. Saner Shannon B./Ann R.

July 16 (A.G. 3) Chappelkas Susan R. Julie J. Rohm Rohm Darlene A./Mary P.

July 23 (A.G.4) ? Jane H. Jill B. Ethan J. Davis Edna B./Andrea J.

July 2017

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2 Worship - 9:30am

St. Stephen’s

3 Michele off

4 Michele off

5 Men’s and Women’s

Breakfast, 9am,

Espresso Yourself Café

6

7

8

9 Worship - 9:30am

10

11 Taize’ Tuesday, 5pm

12 Men’s and Women’s

Breakfast, 9am,

Espresso Yourself Café Vestry Meeting, 6:30pm

13

14

15

16 Worship - 9:30am

17 Michele off

18 Taize’ Tuesday, 5pm

19 Men’s and Women’s

Breakfast, 9am,

Espresso Yourself Café

20

21

22

23 Worship - 9:30am

24

25 Taize’ Tuesday, 5pm

26 Men’s and Women’s

Breakfast, 9am,

Espresso Yourself Café

27

28

29

30 Worship - 9:30am

Special Offering

31

Special Offering:

July 30 – Building Fund

Rebecca on vacation July 31 through August 11.

.