Loading...Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. P. 232, Book of Common Prayer
In Seminary I took training to be a facilitator for the Living Compass Faith and Wellness program. The programs are designed to help you look at four dimensions of your life -- mind, soul, heart, and strength -- and see where you might need to put some effort into changing your life.
The six-week small group program is based upon the latest information about how we as humans make changes in our lives. Sometimes we don't even realize we need to change something about ourselves. Then we become aware we might need to change and we start to explore the many ways and options for changing. Eventually, we may decide to take some action towards that change.
Our Collect for this Sunday is a prayer for that awareness. We ask not only to "think" what is right, but also to "do" what is right. We may know what is right before we are willing to take action in that direction. The Collect also affirms that we rely upon God and God's guidance. All of this work enables us to live according to God's Will.
The Collect makes it sound so easy, doesn't it? However, the evidence of our own lives shows us it can take some time. We need time to have the thinking enter our consciousness. We need some time to then respond to the action God is calling us to take. We need some time to respond to God's Will for our lives.
Many blessings as you finish your week! May you be enabled to live according to God's Will.
Love, Rebecca+
My Schedule
Next week, I'll be available Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. My sabbath days will be Monday and Friday. You can reach me at nativityrector@pa.net or 717-433-1556 (cell) or 717-204-7642 (home).
Parking Lot Paved!
The lot was paved this week and will be ready for parking on Sunday! See the photo above!
Meet 'N Greet with Bishop-Elect Scanlan
Sue Beamer, Jill Brownfield and Rebecca traveled to St. Andrew's in the Valley, Linglestown, for a picnic supper and meeting with Bishop-Elect Scanlan. The gathering also allowed us to meet Episcopalians from our convocation. We saw many friends. Bishop-Elect Scanlan went from table to table to sit with us awhile and hear about where we were from and what we are doing. It was a great gathering.
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.
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 on Sunday, August 23. We will bless them and pray for the students and teachers as they begin their school year.
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 Wednesday, August 12
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: 12, 26
Upcoming Meetings:
Worship Planning Group (Worship Committee and others), next Sunday, August 9, after the service.
Welcome Committee, Sunday, August 16, after the service.
Vestry, Wednesday, August 19, 6:30pm
Children, youth and their parents or other adult will meet 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
"Join 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!
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!
Brownies are needed to support Ann and Tony's feeding ministry.
Boxes of brownie mix are available in the Undercroft if you're willing to bake some brownies. Cut them into squares and put them in zip lock bags for Tony and Ann. 
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.
The Pennsylvania Council of Churches works with its diverse members to create an advocacy agenda, predominantly focused upon the Pennsylvania State Legislature. You can connect with them through Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pennsylvania-Council-of-Churches-Advocacy/133182573363816?sk=info&tab=overview or through their website at //pachurchesadvocacy.org/weblog/
The Episcopal Public Policy Network focuses on issues at the federal level. You can connect with them at //advocacy.episcopalchurch.org/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheEPPN or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/TheEPPN or on Instagram https://instagram.com/theeppn/?ref=badge
Next Newsletter Deadline: August 19
