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The roads to Zion mourn,
for no one comes to the festivals;
all her gates are desolate,
her priests groan;
her young girls grieve,
and her lot is bitter. Lamentations 1:4
Have you ever truly lamented? Lamentations are the "passionate expressions of grief or sorrow." The book of Lamentations was written after the destruction of the City of Jerusalem by Babylon in 586 BCE. Imagine the lively city where people streamed to observe the sacred festivals. Now it is deserted and utterly destroyed and the very roads mourn.
I am drawn to the poetry of Lamentations, as it expresses the depths of sorrow and grief. Recently I have been reading some pieces of mothers whose children have died as teens. In a way you might think is odd, these pieces are beautiful. The mothers know how to lament and fully describe their grief over this unbearable loss. And the mothers know they must keep going, somehow, and mostly with the help of God and through the support of other people.
The roads to Zion mourn. We mourn. We mourn even as we continue to rise each day and do the things we need to do.
Blessings as you finish your week.
Love, Rebecca+
Announcements
G.I.F.T.: Growing in Faith Together
Godly Play will be October 13, 20 & 27.
Today, a discussion on Biblical Archaeology led by Bill Rohm at Parlor People.
Next week, sharing our views on guns.
At Church of the Nativity
Today we take an additional offering for Caring for Nativity’s Neighbors Heating and Health.
Donations are sent to Join Hands, so people in our community have support for their needs.
Today we take an additional Flower Offering.
Prayerfully consider what you will pledge to contribute to the ministry of The Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen for 2020.
All pledges should be turned in by October 27.
Upcoming Meetings
Each Sunday, 5pm, Perry County PRIDE
Wednesday, October 9, 6pm, Vestry
Thursday, October 24, 2 – 4pm, Clergy Council
Taize’ Tuesdays, 4:45pm.
Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service.
Join Us For Breakfast!
Wednesdays at 9am. Women will meet at Bittng’s this week; Men meet at Espresso Yourself.
We will be celebrating baptism on November 3, December 8 and January 12.
Let Rebecca know if you or someone you know would like to be baptized on any of these days.
We are starting our prayer list over again.
If you have a name you’d like for the list, let Michele know at 717-567-6514 or chnatss@pa.net.
From the Diocese
Donations for the Beacon Clinic Needed
This year at diocesan convention, we are collecting donations for The Beacon Clinic for Health and Hope in Harrisburg. The Beacon Clinic provides health education and the promotion of health and health care to adults 18 years and older. For more information, visit http://beaconclinicpa.org/
Please bring items to Nativity by October 17.
Anti-bacterial wipes, Hand sanitizer, Copy Paper, Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, Tissues, Kitchen size trash bags, White out tape, Scotch tape for dispensers, Medium size binder clips, Post it notes, Black ball point pens, Cases of spring water, Mechanical Pencils.
Make a $1 gift to our bishop Audrey
Audrey has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel to Sri Lanka with the Presiding Bishop. The expenses for the trip are covered except for $3,000. We are asking for a $1 donation; no one can contribute more than $1. Also, please add a message to the card and wish her well in her travels. Cards and a check will be presented to Bishop Audrey at convention.
The Stevenson School for Ministry Learning Weekend, “How to Pray about the broken places of our world”, Friday, October 25 & Saturday, October 26, Saint Cyril Spiritual Center, Danville, PA.
Keynote speaker is The Rev. Allison St. Louis. Register at bit.ly/SSFMOCT. $175 for full weekend or $75 for one day. Contact the Very Rev. Robyn Szoke at 717-236-5959x1112 or rszoke@diocesecpa.org for more info.
The Episcopal Church Women’s 115th Annual Gathering, Saturday, November 2, St. John’s Episcopal Church,
1A N. Hanover Street, Carlisle.
“Dream a New Dream” at this dream building session to imagine a more relevant and contemporary organization for the women of the diocese. There is no fee, but pre-registration is needed. Email srw2052@gmail.com for more information or register at http://www.cvent.com/d/vyqbby.
Community Events and Opportunities for Service
Community Dinner every Thursday, 5:30pm, Family Life Center, Newport. Sponsored by Newport Assemblies of God.
Need help making decisions about caring for yourself or a loved one as you or they age? Family Group Decisionmaking is available to you!
You will be asked to gather a group of family and friends together to come up with a plan for how best to care for yourself or for a loved one. The sessions are free and conducted by Mary Grace Shearer, MSW, Executive Director of The Episcopal Home. To learn more or to schedule a session, please contact Mary Grace at 717-532-4612 or talk to Rebecca.
Hospice of Central PA is looking for volunteers. |
HCP Volunteers contribute in a number of ways including: Patient and Family Support Volunteers, Veteran-to-Veteran Volunteer, 11th Hour Volunteers, Carolyn’s House Volunteers, and Administrative Volunteers. Call the volunteer department at 717-732-1000 or 866-779-7374 or email volunteers@hospiceofcentralpa.org
Would you like to participate in a study of the local dialects of English in Central PA?
To participate, you must be at least 18 years old and a native of Central PA. Participation involves a time commitment of at least 1 hour for an interview and language experiment. A researcher will meet you at the Penn State campus, your home, or a convenient location nearby. To learn more about this study, contact Frances Blanchette, 814-863-7392 or fkb1@psu.edu
How To Be An Anti-Racist, Sunday, October 6, 5pm, Midtown Scholar Bookstore, 1302 North Third Street, Harrisburg
Discussion with authors Ibram X, Kendi and Imani Perry. See https://www.hbgbookfest.com for a complete schedule which includes a number of authors of color.
The Historical Society of Perry County’s 96th Anniversary Dinner, Saturday, November 2, 6pm, Newport Fire Hall, 301 Mulberry Street
Presentation of the annual Silas Wright and Heritage Awards, Perry County History Trivia Face Off, Takeaway Sale and Live Auction by Representative Mark Keller. $30 for non-members, $25 for annual/life member. RSVP by October 22 HSofPC@gmail.com or 717-582-3588.
PCCA BOOS & BREWS, Saturday, Oct. 26, 6-10pm, River Bend Hop Farm & Brewery, 1800 Lower Bailey Road, Newport.
A Halloween Bash with Costume Contest, Music, Karaoke, Local Brews, Great Food and More! Order tickets at http://www.perrycountyarts.org/community-events/boosandbrews/
Pints for Polio, Thursday, October 17, 5-8pm, River Bend Hop Farm & Brewery, 1800 Lower Bailey Road, Newport
Help the Perry County Rotary eradicate polio worldwide. $5 donation and all donations matched 2:1 by the Gates Foundation. River Bend will also donate a percentage of the evening’s food and beverage sales. See Rebecca if you’d like tickets or call 717-839-1434.
Undoing Racism Training, Friday, October 11 – Sunday, October 13, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 301 St. Thomas Road, Lancaster.
The workshop utilizes a systemic approach that emphasizes learning from history, developing leadership, maintaining accountability to communities, creating networks, undoing internalized racial oppression and understanding the role of organizational gate keeping as a mechanism for perpetuating racism.
Friday, Oct. 11, 5:00 pm (dinner) w/ session 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm; Saturday, Oct. 12, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, lunch included; Sunday, Oct. 13, 9:30 am - 4:00 pm. lunch included. All other meals are on your own.
Registration Fee: $35 for the weekend w/double occupancy for lodging incuded. (Value: $500 per person) Lodging: Clarion Inn & Suites, 1492 Lititz Pike, Lancaster. Single occupancy has charge of $72.25. Day care & scholarships available upon request. Register at: http://www.cvent.com/events/undoing-racism-training-2019/event-summary-76a2c72eaaa142bcbf68a6215016dbf7.aspx
For more information, please contact: Kevin Barron at kevinwbarron@gmail.com or Marion Schwartz at kmarsch09@gmail.com
