Loading...Israel saw the great work that the Lord did against the Egyptians. So the people feared the Lord and believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses. Exodus 14:31
In dramatic fashion, God released the Israelites from their slavery and bondage. In the book, Stand Your Ground by Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas, the author talks about how this freedom is understood differently amongst different cultures. It was the first time I'd thought about it.
While some cultures focus on being the one group that is the "chosen" people of God; others focus on God's preference that all people be free. Dr. Douglas says:
"[The Exodus story] confirms that God's intention is for all people, including black people, to be free to live into the goodness of their very creation. It is only in freedom that people are able to reflect the very image of a God who is free from all human forms of bondage." p. 159
"...free to live into the goodness of their very creation." It is good that we have been created. We are so blessed to know each other and to be in relationship with each other. Oh, I know we may not always think that way about everyone, but truly, I think we take for granted the sacredness of our living in community with each other.
How are you living into the goodness of your very creation?
I give thanks for each of you and our life together.
Many blessings as you finish your week.
Love, Rebecca+
At Church of the Nativity
This Sunday we observe Latina/Latino Heritage Month. We'll have some special music and a sung version of The Lord's Prayer.
Godly Play will be held the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Sundays of each month. September dates are September 17 and 24.
Parlor People, Sunday, 11am – noon. This Sunday, Bill Rohm will lead a session on the book of Exodus. Next week, Peterson Toscano host of Citizens Climate Radio will be our speaker. See our G.I.F.T webpage for more info. //nativityandststephen.diocpa.org/godly-play.html
The choir practices Wednesday at 10:15am.
Next week, we welcome Peterson Toscano as our preacher.
Taize’ Tuesdays, 4pm. Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service.
Men’s & Women’s Breakfast, Wednesdays, 9am.
Men will meet at Espresso Yourself.
Women will meet at Bitting’s.
Upcoming Meetings
Tuesday, September 19, 6-8pm, Harrisburg Convocation Fall Assembly, St. John’s Carlisle
Tuesday, September 26, 7:00-8:30pm,
Anti-Racism Perry County
Wednesday, September 27, 10:15am, Yard Clean-up
Wednesday, September 27, 11:00am,
Environmental Stewardship Committee
Wednesday, September 27, 6:30pm,
Diocesan Eliminating Racism Task Group
Are you being called to serve the parish? The nominating committee of Miguel Gonzales, Lynne Mitchell and Gail Shull are looking for people who would like to serve on Vestry, Delegates to the 2018 Diocesan Convention and Delegates to the Harrisburg Convocation. If you are interested, please see one of them.
Notecards of Nativity for sale. $2 each or 5 for $8. The photo on the 4X5½“ cards is of the pews and was taken by Irene VanBuskirk. They are in the undercroft.
Let's read the Gospel According to Mark. As part of living into our baptismal covenant to "continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers," the confirmands are reading the Gospel According to Mark. I invite you to join us. Mark is thought to be the earliest of the Gospels, written around 66CE. It is thought to have relied upon the oral traditions about Jesus and even was told orally. Today, there are a number of people who continue this tradition. The Gospel is thought to have been a source for Matthew and Luke. The Gospel is mostly about Jesus' actions and disputes with Scribes and Pharisees. We hear Mark during Year B of our Revised Common Lectionary. Year B begins this year at Advent I - December 3.
If you’d like to be baptized, confirmed, or received into The Episcopal Church, please let Rebecca know by October 1. The Bishop will be visiting on December 3 and will conduct these rites for us. If you’ve been baptized and confirmed in another Christian denomination, you can be received into The Episcopal Church. Otherwise, you can be baptized or if you’ve been baptized, you can be confirmed. Rebecca will work with you on a convenient time to discuss these rites and provide information and background on The Episcopal Church. If you’ve been a member of an Episcopal Church and would like to transfer your membership, let Rebecca know. To be a member of Nativity, you need to have your baptism recorded in the parish register.
Thursday, September 21, 11-1pm, Honaman House, food demo by Maryann Smith. Please let Lynne or Wendy know if you are able to help with any items for lunch.
Join Hands Items of the Month – Clothing (especially infant and toddler, hats, gloves, scarves, socks), toiletries, household cleaning supplies, blankets, quilts, towels, wash clothes.
Vestry has approved the Giving to Others Funds. This year we're giving $22,000 to various agencies and programs in Juniata and Perry Counties. The complete list is here: /digital_faith/documents/3241929
From the Diocese
Parish Music and Liturgy Day, Saturday, October 21, 9am – 3pm, St. Luke’s, Lebanon. Keynote: Dr. David Hurd. Choir members, Eucharistic ministers, acolytes, readers, prayers and anyone interested in liturgy is invited to attend this day for all ages. Let Michele know if you will attend by email at chnatss@pa.net or calling 717-567-6514.
The Episcopal Home in Shippensburg is refurbishing their heavily-used activity room. Donations in any amount are being accepted for flooring and a new chair donation is $100. Send donations to: The Episcopal Home, 206 E Burd St, Shippensburg, PA 17257. Mark your donation for activity room.
Community Events and Opportunities for Service
Labyrinth Walk for Peace, Thurs., Sept. 21, 10am – 7pm, New Bloomfield United Methodist Church, 100 W. Main Street Join in this international Day of Peace event. Walk the labyrinth any time from 10am – 7pm.
Joining Hands for Jeri’s 7 th Auction, Sept. 23, 10:30am, Otterbein UMC, Duncannon. Lots of great items and certificates to local restaurants, attractions and stores. Check out our Facebook page, Team Joining Hands for Jeri, to see all the great items that will be up for bid!
7th Perry County Family Fun Fest and Wellness Day, Sat., September 23, 10am – 2pm, Newport Life Center
Many local Human Service Agencies with free and fun activities for all ages. Free healthy snacks provided. Other foods are available for purchase from The Tin Cup Food Truck. Free car seat inspections. Sponsored by the Perry County Family Center, 582-3656.
Prayer Shawl Ministry of Newport meets September 28, 10am. Bring your projects and also learn how to knit or crochet.
Volunteers needed to clean Linda House apartments. Apartments would be cleaned when residents leave in preparation for a new resident’s arrival. Work needs to be done between 8am and 4pm Mon. – Fri. Signing a confidentiality statement is required. Please see Rebecca if you are available.
PA Family Support Alliance’s Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse Training for Mandated Reporters, Monday, September 25, 6-9pm hosted by Join Hands Ministry – Training is provided free and is for adults who have contact with children through work, practice of profession or a volunteer position. You must pre-register online at: //www.pafsa.org/Calendar/view_645/detail/cid_645/846. A flyer with additional information is posted in the undercroft.
Central PA Youth Ministries Adult Fundraising Dinner, Sunday, October 1, 6pm, Newport Family Life Center.
Let Rebecca know if you’d like to attend this dinner to support this ministry in our area. Rebecca and Sue Beamer assist with Newport Release Time, which is one of the ministries sponsored. We support this program each year with Giving To Others (GTO) funds. A free will offering to support the program is taken at the end of the meal.
Crop Walk, Little Buffalo Main Entrance, Sunday, October 8, Registration- 12:30, Walk- 1pm. Join other churches and individuals in an effort to end hunger. 25% of funds raised stay in Perry County. For sponsorship envelopes and more information, call 582-6753 or visit crophungerwalk.org to learn more about the program.
On Thursday, October 19 from 5-7pm, we will host a Perry County Chamber Mixer. This is an opportunity to showcase our church community, as well as welcome business people in our community. Chamber members network with each other and also learn more about us. Adam Britcher and Miguel Gonzales will provide refreshments for the evening. We need others who will talk about the ministry of our church, give tours and greet people. If you are interested and available, please see Rebecca.
Christian Churches United 40th Anniversary Celebration, Tuesday, November 14, 5:30pm,
Best Western Premier Hotel. Join Christian Churches United in their celebration. Keynote speaker is Shane Claiborne, a founding partner of a faith community in Philadelphia that seeks to follow Jesus, rediscover the spirit of the early church, and incarnate the “Kingdom of God.” If you are interested in attending, please let Rebecca know. Tickets are $30.
From Episcopal Public Policy Network
Support the DREAM Act
Speak out to support the Dream Act (S.1615/H.R.3440), a bipartisan bill that would offer a pathway to citizenship for young people who were brought to this country as children. The Episcopal Church has official policy in support of protections for these immigrant youth known as Dreamers. The time is now to offer these promising youth long-term solutions and allow them to live fully into their communities.
Write your members of Congress and urge them to co-sponsor the Dream Act
You can find more information and a letter to sign on to here: //advocacy.episcopalchurch.org/app/write-a-letter?3&engagementId=384213
