Loading...Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in
heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of
your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through
Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Collect for Epiphany 4, Book of Common Prayer, p. 215
A story in the New York Times caught my attention today. It was the obituary for Concepcion Picciotto. Ms. Picciotto kept a vigil for peace in Lafayette Park across from the White House for more than thirty years! It was believed she was near 80.
Every single day through the terms of five presidents, Ms. Picciotto sat under a tarp on a sidewalk in the park with her signs speaking against war. "Read my lips, no new wars," was one of her signs.
It appears like her life was more like yours and mine for many years...married, adopted a child. Then the story veers a little and the question is raised about whether she was "sane" or not.
In the end, it really didn't matter all that much. Ms. Picciotto believed so strongly in peace...yearned and longed for it. Kept vigil every day for years for it. Like in our Collect this Sunday, she wanted to see peace in her time. And in some respects, she did see some things change regarding nuclear proliferation.
May Ms. Picciotto rest in peace and may light perpetual shine upon her, and may our prayers for peace be granted in our time.
Many blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
Renewal of Ministry, Saturday at 10am
I'm so excited for the service this Saturday. It is a service for us all to commit to our ministry as The Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen. I'm excited for you to hear our Bishop, Audrey Scanlan. For many of you, it will be your first opportunity to meet her and to hear her.
A big thanks to everyone for all of your hard work in making this a meaningful time in our life together. I know some of you are unable to attend in person, but will be with us in spirit and in prayer.
THANKS Newport Borough for clearing more snow today! The Borough workers have been working hard every day clearing more snow from the Borough streets. Our neighbors have been parking in our lot, until the Borough could get to our end of Second Street. That snow clearing happened today. See the amazing photos. Also thanks to Pro Lawn for plowing our lot and to Don for shoveling our walks and stairs, even coming again on Thursday when the snow removal blocked some pathways!
Additional parking is available at the Firehouse at 3rd and Mulberry Streets.
Parlor People, Sunday, 11am – noon. Undoing Racism! Join us for Parlor People this Sunday as we continue our series on how we can work to undo racism. Rebecca and Joanne Pinaire will lead the sessions in January. Dr. Daniel Welliver, Associate Professor of Sociology, Juniata College, will lead the last session on February 7.
Godly Play is this Sunday. February dates are the 14th and 28th.
Upcoming Meetings February 3, 10:30am, Stewardship Committee
Diocesan Committee on Social Justice and Equity Created! Are you involved with or interested in anti-racism work, prison ministry, criminal justice system issues, domestic violence ministries, human trafficking ministries, child abuse ministries, and other social justice ministries? Let Rebecca know so you can receive information about the work of this new Committee.
Environmental Stewardship Committee Formed! Kay Cramer is heading this new effort at the church. If you’re interesting in being on the committee, please contact her at 570-541-1175 or falconrider1@ymail.com.
Shrove Tuesday Dinner, February 9, 6:00pm. Pancakes, sausage and light dessert.
Ash Wednesday Service, February 10, 7pm. Eucharist with the imposition of ashes sponsored by The Newport Ministerium at The Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen. Rebecca will open this series of Wednesday services with a theme of “Fasting From and Taking On.” Her topic will be fasting from anger and hatred.
Wednesdays at Incarnation United Church of Christ, 47 N 4th St., Newport 5:30-6:15 is soup and bread supper. 6:15 program.
Feb. 17 - Presenter - Jan Custer "Judging Others"
Feb. 24 - Presenter – Trevor Lightner "Discouragement"
March 2 - Presenter - Tony Hill ""Complaining"
March 9 - Presenter - Gloria McPherson "Resentment and Bitterness"
March 16 - Presenter - Cheryl Dorman "Overspending"
Sign up for the Lenton Carbon Fast For more info and to sign up, visit: //www.macucc.org/carbonfast
Godspell, February 21, 2:00pm, Hershey Playhouse. If you’ve ordered a ticket through the church, please make check out to The Church of the Nativity with Godspell in the memo line or put your cash in an envelope with your name on it and Godspell. Please give to Rebecca.
Cost is $23 for adults and $20 for children.
The choir practices every Sunday at 8:30am prior to the service. The choir will also practice some Wednesdays at 10:30am.
Church Committees. If you served on a church committee during 2015, please let Michele or Rebecca know if you are still willing to serve on that committee. If you’d like to be included in the membership of a committee, please speak with Rebecca or a member of Vestry.
Men’s Breakfast - each Wed., 9am, Espresso Yourself Café.
Women’s Breakfast - Feb. 3rd and 24th, 9am, May’s
Join Hands items of the month are diapers. Sizes 4, 5 and 6.
Help People in Need when you buy your Groceries! See Gail Shull or Pat Szabo to purchase cards in various amounts to use at Giant, Mutzabaugh's, or Weis Stores. 5% of the cost of each card stays with the church and is used for outreach and mission projects.
Food Bank Donations are needed! For a list of the items needed by the Food Bank, go to their website at //www.perrycountyfoodbank.org/ and click on their wish list.
Honor or Remember a loved one or a special occasion with flowers on the altar! Flowers help make our worship space more beautiful and remind us of the blossoming life we have in Christ. Please consider sponsoring the flowers in memory of a loved one, or to celebrate your thanksgivings. Flowers are $35. A sign-up chart is in the Undercroft.
