Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love
things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Collect, Proper 20, Book of Common Prayer, p. 234

Over the past few years, it has become abundantly clear that I am at the stage in life where things are passing away. There aren't too many people in my family who are in the generation before my generation. I'm surprised when I learn of someone's death, but then realize they're 60 or older. (Yes, I know that 60 is the new 40, but it's still 3 score.) 

My father used to say that "getting older is not for sissies." I keep telling myself that this time in life is one of "letting go."  I tell myself I need to accept these deaths, because truly there's nothing I can do to stop them. 

This week's Collect reminds me that being on earth is being "placed among things that are passing away." The Collect reminds me to focus on the things that endure...things heavenly. Yes, even though my loved ones are passing from this earth and I often miss them terribly, I still have them in my heart and I still have the memories of our time together and I still have the things they taught me. For many of them, I'm glad they have shed their broken bodies.  

They are Falling All Around Me - Holly Near is one of my favorite songs expressing these feelings. Here are the words:

They Are Falling All Around Me by Bernice Johnson Reagon 
SongTalk Publishing Co. (BMI) 

They are falling all around me 
They are falling all around me 
They are falling all around me 
The strongest leaves of my tree 

Every paper brings the news that 
Every paper brings the news that 
Every paper brings the news that 
The teachers of my sound are movin' on 

Death it comes and rests so heavy 
Death it comes and rests so heavy 
Death comes and rests so heavy 
Your face I'll never see no more 

But you're not really going to leave me 
You're not really going to leave me 
You're not really going to leave me 

It is your path I walk 
It is your song I sing 
It is your load I take on 
It is your air that I breathe 
It's the record you set 
That makes me go on 
It's your strength that helps me stand 
You're not really 
You're not really going to leave me 

And I have tried to sing my song right 
I have tried to sing my song right 

I will try to sing my song right 
Be sure to let me hear from you

Join in the conversation on Radical Welcome
Meets Sunday at 11am until noon
Jane Hoover reports:

Parlor People drew a large group eager to learn what radical welcome is and what it might mean for Nativity.  We are such a friendly and engaged family, who wouldn't feel welcome here, and why ever not?  The possibility of extending our welcome even more widely might seem unnecessary to some of us.  Others of us might wonder who this Other whom we might be called to welcome. 

In our first session, Rebecca offered us an opportunity to tell stories about how we think others perceive us, where and how we ourselves have felt especially welcome, and where and how we might have felt unwelcome.  We've just begun to touch the tip of the iceberg.  Next week we will explore the Biblical roots of radical welcome:  how scripture address The Other, the ones we might be called to welcome to our table.   Bill Rohm will be the leader.

 Our inspiration is drawn from a book by Stephanie Spellers called Radical Welcome: Embracing God, The Other and the Spirit of Transformation.  Copies a are available at the church or from Church Publishing.  Each session also provides handouts that summarize the topic of the day.  Please join us whenever you can.

Godly Play, a spiritual guidance for children program will meet Sunday, September 27, 9:30am. 

 

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 :)

Vestry Actions

Approved awarding Kyle Weller Scholarship to Adam Klauer
Approved Giving To Others donations - see list here
Approved painting lines on the parking lot

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 available online.

Bishop Scanlan's consecration occurred this past Saturday. You can find photos and a video here.

Read Bishop-Elect Scanlan's Bishop-Elect Scanlan's Blog to learn more about her journey to Central Pennsylania. 

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 in September 23 and October 14.

Work Day, Wednesday, September 23, 10:30am
Bring your gardening gloves and tools

We'll be working on the North side of the church, clearing out ivy and weeds.

September 26, 10:30am 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, 10:30am 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.

Blessing of the Animals, Saturday, October 3, 11:30am, Newport Square

Rebecca will bless the animals as part of the Canal Day festivities on Saturday, October. A short service will be held. Certificates of blessing will be given. Bring your pet OR a photo of your pet. If you're available to assist Rebecca, please let her know.

Canal Day is from 9am - 2pm.

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! 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. 

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/write-a-letter?4&engagementId=90393

Urge Your Members of Congress to Co-sponsor the International Violence Against Women Act

 In March, a number of Representatives and Senators reintroduced the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA), legislation which seeks to prevent violence against women and girls overseas. It's time to take action to let your members of Congress know you support this bill! 

SAMPLE LETTER

As your constituent and a person of faith who believes that all human beings have equal rights in the eyes of God, I strongly urge you to support the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA).

Around the world, 1 in 3 women experience physical, sexual, and psychological abuse in their lifetime. Women and girls in developing countries experience particularly high rates of gender-based violence. In addition to depriving women and girls of their human rights, gender-based violence impedes economic growth, destabilizes communities, and prevents women and girls from achieving better lives for themselves and their families.

I-VAWA will:

• Make permanent the Office of Global Women’s Issues in the State Department, as well as the position of Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, who is responsible for coordinating policies, programs, and funding related to gender integration and women’s empowerment across various U.S. government agencies and internationally.

• Enable the U.S. government to develop faster and more efficient responses to violence against women in humanitarian emergencies, conflict situations and development programs. Since this legislation is aimed at coordinating and integrating existing programs, it does not require additional funding.

• Increase legal and judicial protections to prevent and respond to all forms of gender-based violence, and increase health sector capacity to assess the impact of violence on one's health.

• Focus on reducing women and girls' vulnerability to violence by improving their economic status and educational opportunities. 

• Support public awareness programs to change attitudes concerning gender equality.

Women and girls have endured violence for too long. This is unacceptable. As a member of Congress, you have the power and opportunity to help alleviate this ill for millions of women and girls around the world. I strongly urge you to support the International Violence Against Women Act.

To learn more about The Episcopal Church Response to the World Refugee Crisis, go to Episcopal Migrant Ministries.

November Newsletter Deadline:  October 21