Loading...My Schedule
Next week, I'll be available on Saturday and Sunday. I'll be on vacation Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. You can reach me at nativityrector@pa.net or 717-433-1556 (cell) or 717-204-7642 (home).
Blessing of the Backpacks and carry cases, August 23, at the service
All students and teachers are invited to bring their backpacks and carry cases with them to church this Sunday, August 23. We will bless them and pray for the students and teachers as they begin their school year.
August Vestry Actions:
1. Approved form for accepting gifts of stock.
2. Approved applying for credit cards for use by Treasurer, Rector, and Parish Administrator to aid in official business expenses. Cards come with 1 1/2% cash back to the parish.
3. Accepted bid from Jeff Boyer to remove the elm tree out front.
Schedule a time for me to come visit you!
I'd like to arrange a visit with you, either to your home or another location you suggest. This helps me to know you better and hopefully you will also know me a little better. Let me know your availability on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday days or evenings and I'll be in touch to arrange a time for us to get together. You can send an email to me at nativityrector@pa.net or leave a message at the church at 717-567-6514.
Help a neighbor get to Church!
Recently a neighbor asked if someone could assist her in walking to and from the church each Sunday, beginning September 13. If you can do this, please let Rebecca know.
Ordination and Consecration of The Rev. Canon Audrey Cady Scanlan, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015, 11:00am, The Forum, 500 Walnut St., Harrisburg
Plan now to participate in this special occasion in the life of our Diocese. For more information, click here.
Read Bishop-Elect Scanlan's Bishop-Elect Scanlan's Blog to learn more about her journey to Central Pennsylania.
Celebration Banquet Honoring the Ordination and Consecration of The Rev. Audrey Cady Scanlan, Friday, September 11, 5:30-8:30, Hilton Harrisburg, 1 Second St. RSVP by Tuesday, August 25
Come join the celebration honoring our Bishop-Elect on the eve of her consecration. Dinner ranges from $36 - $46 depending upon the entree you choose. You can find more information at: //diocesecpa.org/aboutus/consecration. The RSVP card is at: //diocesecentralpa.s3.amazonaws.com/pdf/banquetreplycard.pdf
Join Us For Breakfast!
Men's breakfast - Every Wednesday, 9am, Espresso Yourself Cafe.
Women's breakfast - 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, 9am, May's Railside Cafe. Breakfast dates in August 26 and September 9.
Special Men's Breakfast, Wednesday, September 2. The men will travel to The William E. Swigart, Jr. Automobile Museum in Huntingdon, PA. The museum is dedicated to the preservation and history of the American automobile and has some rare cars in its collection. If you're interested in this trip, please see Bill Rohm or Richard Price.
Upcoming Meetings:
Children, youth and their parents or other adult will meet this Sunday, August 23, after the service. We will discuss activities we'd like to plan for the year.
Spiritual Formation for Every Child, Saturday, August 29, 10am - 2pm, St. John's, Marietta
Presenter - Guy Legare, Vice President Behavioral Supports at Supportive Concepts for Families.
“Many Christian parents of children with special needs desire for their children to attend church school where they can receive excellent opportunities to deepen spirituality in an environment that supports the values the parents seek to instill at home. We welcome Guy Legare, as a facilitator for our deeper understanding of the ways to be present to others, in order to best serve all God’s Children.”
Robyn Szoke-Coolidge, Dean, Stevenson School for Ministry
Cost is $10, which includes breakfast items and lunch.
See more and register at: //www.diocesecpa.org/event/spiritual-formation-every-child
Giving To Others (GTO) deadline September 6
In addition to our usual grantees, the Program and Missions Committee is open to new organizations or individuals who may benefit from a grant through our Giving To Others program. If you would like to suggest an organization or individual, please see Lynne Mitchell, Wendy Day, or Pat Szabo by September 6. You'll need the name, address, and other contact information. If the organization has a brochure, that would also be helpful, as well as a suggested donation amount.
Parlor People to begin
September 13, 11:00am – Noon
7-session series on the book, Radical Welcome: Embracing God, the Other and the Spirit of Transformation by The Rev
. Stephanie Spellers
We invite all adults to Parlor People, beginning September 13, after the service. We will be discussing the book, Radical Welcome by Episcopal priest, The Rev. Stephanie Spellers. Different people will lead each of the 7 sessions. If you’d like to read a chapter and lead a session, please see Rebecca, Bill Rohm, Susan Rice, or Jane Hoover. Some copies of the book will also be available if you'd like one. Let Rebecca know.
Heroin/Prescription Drug Addiction: A Perry County Problem, September 15, 8:30am - 3:30pm and Evening Forum 7-8:30pm, Family Life Center, 27W. Shortcut Rd., Newport.
Perry Human Services and The RASE Project are sponsoring this 1-day training for free regarding an important issue in our County. The program will be followed by an evening session of young people in recovery giving a message of hope. See the bulletin board in the undercroft for registration forms or contact Wendy Miller at 717-582-8703 or wmiller@perryhumanservices.org with your name, phone, email, school/agency if applicable and address. You only need to register for the day program.
September 26 auction to benefit the American Cancer Society
"Joining Hands for Jeri" is a team that will walk in the American Cancer Society's "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" walk on October 17 in Harrisburg. The team walks in memory of Michele Neibert's (Parish Administrator) Aunt Jeri who died of breast cancer at the age of 41.
The team works to raise thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society, not only through the walk, but also through fundraisers and an auction on September 26 at the Shermanata Grange. Plan now to attend the auction!
Join others from the Parish for the "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" Walk, Saturday, October 17, City Island, 8:30am. Walk is 5k (3.1 miles)
United Thankoffering Boxes Available. Help people in need around the world!
United Thankoffering is a project of the Episcopal Church Women of The Episcopal Church. Boxes are available to collect your offering, which is brought to church twice a year.
A wonderful spiritual practice is to put something in the box each time you are thankful to God. On June 26, all of those donation boxes added up to $1.5 million dollars in grants!
Pick up your box today and get the benefits that gratitude and thankfulness bring to you, and do great works for others at the same time! The next ingathering is November 1.
For more information, click here.
Pick up a t-shirt Bag to collect your Food Bank Donations!
Members of the ECW made t-shirt bags to use for your food bank donations. A bag is at the back of the church. Take an empty bag and bring it back full of food donations! For a list of the items needed by the Food Bank, click here and then click on the wish list. Copies of the wish list are also available with the t-shirt bags.
And what a great use for t-shirts you're tired of wearing!
Join Hands Items of the Month - August - School Supplies
Children need their school supplies, which can be quite a drain on a family's resources. Donate the following supplies:
lined notebook paper - college or wide
2-pocket folders with and without prongs
Flashdrives
Other school supplies - glue sticks, pens
Follow Join Hands on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Join-Hands-Ministry/155578531190411
Honor or Remember a loved one or a special occasion with flowers on the altar!
Flowers are enjoyed by the worshipping congregation on a Sunday and make a lovely remembrance of a birthday or anniversary or a loved one. Flowers are $35. A sign-up chart is in the Undercroft.
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. Most recently, the money supported lunch for the 100 children attending the St. Barnabas program at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Harrisburg.
Taking Action!
Most of us have a difficult time seeing how our faith connects to our government. Lobbying conjures up something bad for many of us. However, our faith can undergird and guide us to work through our governments for justice and peace. It's another way we bring God's reign here and now.
Read the latest news from The Episcopal Public Policy Network here. The issue includes action items to support The Global Carbon Fund, and Second Chance Act for people who have been incarcerated and served their sentences. Contacting Rep. Marino is especially important for this effort. Links to the Papal Encyclical on the environment and on actions taken at The 78th General Convention are also available in this issue.
October Newsletter Deadline: September 16
