...but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. James 3:8-9

Our second reading this week reminds us about the words that come out of our mouths. Many of you probably remember the little saying, "sticks and stones can break my bones, but names can never hurt me." We've all come to learn that what comes out of our mouths can be extremely hurtful. 

I must confess that while I certainly have more restraint than I did as a child, I can still say hurtful things and on the one hand praise God and on the other curse those made in God's likeness. This is especially easy to do when I have no close relationship with the other person. For instance, other drivers on the road get my wrath. It's easy, because I have absolutely no relationship to them.

Our words can be loving and kind, building up and offering comfort. James reminds us that that's what God wants us to do with all of our fellow human beings. We must remember that the hurtful words and expressions are towards one who is created in God's image. 

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

Why am I videoing??? Recently I became aware of a new social media tool - Periscope. Learn more here. Periscope is connected to Twitter and allows you to live-stream a video from your phone or iPad. A friend sent me a link to a podcast about how churches are using this app and I'd like to try to do some things I learned from that podcast. One of the things that was stressed as of interest to people, was the "behind the scenes" things that occur in a church to make worship happen. I'd like to "periscope" the Altar Guild some Sunday, as well as those of us getting ready in our albs, etc. Of course live streaming the church service is also a possibility. If you'd prefer not to be in a video, please let me know. I'd love to hear any ideas you have in this regard and/or if you'd be willing to try it out with me :)

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). 

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.

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. 

Pictorial Director

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 will be available soon so you can update your information. 

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 in September 23 and October 14.

Special Men's Breakfast, Wednesday, September 16. 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:

Saturday, September 12, 10:00am - Finance Committee

Wednesday, September 16, 6:30pm - Vestry Meeting

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.  

Thanksgiving for our Elm tree out front...

Sadly, our elm tree must be taken down, which should occur in the near future. It's stood in that spot many years and with support from the parish, was able to remain healthy and alive until now. At our service on Septembere 13, we will acknowledge this magnificent creation of God and the shade, comfort and life it has provided over the years.

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)

Latino/Latina Heritage Month to be observed Sunday, September 27.

On Sunday, September 27, we'll observe Latino/Latina Heritage Month. This is a reminder that we are part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. We will say The Lord's Prayer in Spanish and sing some new hymns from Latino traditions.

You can start practicing now:

Padre nuestro, que estas in el cielo
santificado sea tu Nombre, 
venga tu reino, hágase tu voluntad, en la tierra como en el cielo. 
Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día. 
Perdona nuestras ofensas, como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden. 
No nos dejes caer en tentación y líbranos del mal. 
Porque tuyo es el reino, tuyo es el poder, y tuya es la gloria, ahora y por siempre. Amén. 

For some of the hymns and music, go to:
Alabare' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMLiTd6MWhk
Sent by the Lord am I: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqbAS6-25sY

To view The Book of Common Prayer in Spanish, go to: //archive.episcopalchurch.org/documents/HM_Libro_de_Oracion_Comun.pdf

I also have a copy.

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.

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.

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 - September - Personal Hygiene Items

 soap, shampoo, razors, shaving cream, washcloths, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, etc.

Their latest newsletter is Here

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. 

Advocacy Issue: Episcopal Public Policy Network: //advocacy.episcopalchurch.org/app/document/8820366

It's Time for Prison Reform

The Episcopal Church supports repealing mandatory federal sentencing guidelines and restoring discretion to federal trial judges (General Convention, 2003). With these policies in mind, the Smarter Sentencing Act is a step in the right direction.  The Smarter Sentencing Act (S. 502/H.R. 920) is a bipartisan bill that modestly reforms sentencing policy for low-level drug offenses through reducing mandatory minimum sentences and restoring some discretion to federal trial judges.

Sample Letter
As an Episcopalian and your constituent, I am deeply concerned by the growing prison industrial complex. The federal prison system is currently operating at nearly 140% of its capacity despite the fact that over 60% of its inmates are non-violent offenders. Prison overcrowding and massive operating costs are contributing to a system that is both untenable and dangerous.

 

The Smarter Sentencing Act (S. 502/H.R. 920) addresses this imbalance. The bipartisan bill modestly reforms sentencing policy for low-level drug offenses through reducing mandatory minimum sentences and allowing federal judges to grant individualized sentences for certain non-violent drug offenders. According to our General Convention, The Episcopal Church supports repealing mandatory federal sentencing guidelines entirely, as well as restoring discretion to federal trial judges.

October Newsletter Deadline:  September 16