Loading...So teach us to number our days *
that we may apply our hearts to wisdom. Psalm 90:12
This Sunday, we'll hear and say a portion of Psalm 90. Recently, I've been reminded of some of the lessons Iearned during the time I was a social worker in hospice care.
There was one patient I'd visit. Right next to the garage was a huge RV. The patient had planned to retire soon and then he and his wife were going to travel around the country in the RV. However, the patient was dying. They'd never get to live that dream.
I was talking to another patient and mentioning my summer plans. We started talking about a movie we'd both like to see. I said I'd go next week. Right then, I realized this patient probably was not going to be alive next week. She'd never get to see that movie.
Those experiences reminded me how ignorant I was about the days of my life...how I'd assume I had tomorrow or next week or next year. When we live in the fullness of the knowledge that we are dying, we don't take life for granted. We understand that each day is a precious gift. We apply our hearts to wisdom.
Many blessings as you finish your week.
Love, Rebecca+
Here's a song that reminds me to live each day....
Prayerfully Consider your giving intentions to The Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen during 2016 and return your pledge card and Time and Talent sheet by October 25. The Finance Committee and Vestry are working on our spending plan for 2016. You should have received information about our mission and activities. If you need a packet, please let Rebecca know.
Join in the conversation on Radical Welcome
Meets Sunday at 11am until noon
This Sunday Susan Rice leads a conversation on How Radical is Your Welcome.
Godly Play, a spiritual guidance for children program for children and youth ages 3 to 12 will meet October 18 and 25 rather than the 2nd and 4th Sundays. 
Recent research shows that children who "have positive active relationships to spirituality are 40 percent less likely to use and abuse substances, and have 60 percent less depression than other teenagers. There are also differences in the brain structure." Listen to the full story.
My Schedule Next week, I'll be available Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday. I'll be attending Diocesan Convention Friday and Saturday. My sabbath days will be Monday and Thursday. You can reach me at nativityrector@pa.net or 717-433-1556 (cell) or 717-204-7642 (home).
All Saints’ Sunday at St. Stephen, November 1. As part of our remembering all of the saints, during our communion time, we’ll be reading the names of loved ones who have died. If you’d like to have the name of a loved one read that day, please contact Michele by October 25, 717-567-6514 or chnatss@pa.net. The names will also be printed in the bulletin.
Schedule a time for me to come visit you! I'm enjoying visiting. If you haven't scheduled a visit, yet, plan to sign up this week! I'll come 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.
Upcoming Meetings
Wednesday, October 21, 6:30pm, Vestry
Help a neighbor get to Church! Recently a neighbor asked if someone could assist her in walking to and from the church each Sunday. If you can do this, please let Rebecca know.
Pictorial Directory - Marion Fluchere is putting together a pictorial directory for us. She will be asking to take photos of each family for the directory. A draft with contact information is available. Please review the information, make any corrections and initial the entry.
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. Upcoming breakfast dates are October 14 and 28.
Volunteer for United Way of the Capital Region's Money in Your Pocket Campaign providing free tax preparation to low- to moderate-income working families. No experience is necessary and many opportunities are available. Training is provided. Find more information on their website here.
Serve on Vestry! Be a Delegate to Diocesan Convention! The Nominating Committee, Sue Beamer, Becky Crup, and Tootser Davis, are seeking nominess to serve on Vestry and as Delegates to General Convention. If you are interested, please see one of them by Sunday, October 11.
College Boxes. Wendy Day is preparing a box of goodies and fun items to send to our college student. If you have something you can donate, give it to Wendy by October 11.
Diocesan Convention to discuss important topics regarding church mission, the environment, prison reform, addressing racism, the death penalty, and education October 16-17, Altoona, PA
Sue Beamer, Jill Brownfield and Rebecca will be representing The Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen at the upcoming Diocesan Convention to be held in Altoona. There will be elections for the Diocesan Council of Trustees, Disciplinary Committee and Standing Committee. The Diocesan Budget for 2016 will also be voted upon. There are eight resolutions that will be considered. Some have come from within our Diocese, while others are as a result of work to implement resolutions passed at the 2015 General Convention. Please take some time to read these resolutions and let us know what you think about them.
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)
Annual CROP Walk for Hunger at Little Buffalo Park, Main Entrance, October 18, 12:30pm This annual event raises money for hunger programs throughout the United States. Twenty-five per cent (25%) of the money raised stays int he local community and will support the Perry County Food Bank. Online donations and more information is available here.
Interested in singing in a choir at Nativity and St. Stephen? If you're interested in singing in a choir for the church, please let Sue Beamer or Rebecca know. We'll work to find a practice day and time that works for everyone. At a minimum, you'll lead the parish in the hymns and singing of the service, and hopefully some special music occasionally.
Bingo and Pizza Party, Sunday, November 1, Honaman House, 11am - 2pm.
Plan now for a fun lunch and afternoon of Bingo and pizza at Honaman House in Thompsontown. After our service that day (we'll be at St. Stephens), we'll have pizza by Ann and Tony Roland and play Bingo. Prizes of household cleaning items, toiletries or $10 gift cards from Dollar General or Wal-Mart. See Lynne Mitchell if you have items or need more information.
Helping Hands Ministry needs brownies AND some assistance on Saturday, November 7. See Ann Roland.
Boxes of brownie mix and zip lo bags are available in the undercroft. Bake the brownies and put them in the bag, without cutting them. Return them to the undercroft where Tony and Ann will pick them up for use during their feeding ministry.
They also need a couple of people to help out with feeding on Saturday, November 7.
United Thankoffering Boxes Available. Help people in need around the world! Ingathering is Sunday, November 8.
A Thankoffering box is available by the coffee pots in the kitchen if you'd like to make donations that way. 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 8. If possible, count the money in your box and write a check to the church in that amount.
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 - September - Personal Hygiene Items soap, shampoo, razors, shaving cream, washcloths, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, etc.
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 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, ot to celebrate your thanksgivings. 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.
Stitchers meet in Undercroft on October 22, 10am
Stitchers meet the 4th Thursday of every month at 10am with changes in November and December to knit and crochet prayer shawls and other items. The prayer shawls go to Perry Village and baby items go to families with Join Hands. See Edna Baker, Sue Beamer or Wendy Day if you'd like more information and don't worry about not knowing how to knit or crochet, because I bet this would be a great place to learn how!
Refugee Crisis
Barbara Holliman is exploring ways we can help with the current Refugee Crisis. The coordinating agency in our area is Catholic Charities. Let Rebecca or Barbara know if you're interested in this project.
