Episcopal Church of the Nativity Greenwood, Mississippi • January

Episcopal Church of the Nativity Parish Profile Greenwood, Mississippi • January 2021 2

CONTENTS

Who We Are 3

A Brief History of Nativity 4

Diocese of Mississippi 7

Community 8 400 Howard Street Greenwood, MS 38930 Our Facilities 10 Telephone: 662.453.7786 Fax: 662.453.1329 Rectory 11 Email: [email protected] Our Ministries 12

Neighboring Mission Stations 13

Godly Play 14

Day School 15

Stewardship 16

Financial Management 17

Permanent Endowment 18

Our Staff 19

Parish Assessment 20

Our New Rector 22

From the Search Committee 24

“worship, love, belong, grow and serve.” 3 Who We Are

The Episcopal Church of the Nativity, located in Greenwood, Mississippi, is a deeply committed parish with members bringing a wide variety of personal histories, interests and talents, all searching for a closer relationship to Jesus Christ and the people in our community. We cherish our long history and look forward to living out the principles of our Anglican heritage. Nativity is an active, eclectic parish represen- tative of our deep Delta roots. Our membership is a diverse group of backgrounds and professions. We are cradle Episcopalians and lifelong members of Nativity, yet many of us found Nativity on our spiritual journey. We are newlyweds, young families, empty-nesters, recent retirees, and octogenarians. We are physicians and medical professionals, educators and coaches, attorneys and judges, farmers, chefs, authors, realtors, bankers, business professionals of all types, civil servants, local leaders, and all in between. Our individual interests are as wide ranging as our backgrounds, and we count among us historians, hunters, birders, gardeners, flower arrangers, musicians, pilots, softball players, runners, walkers, motorcyclists, and fishermen. Our parishioners embrace the opportunities lay and community leadership present. Nativity maintains a leadership presence at the Diocesan level, with its members recently serving on the Executive and Standing Committees of the Diocese. Nativity is a part of the worldwide Anglican community, the Episcopal Church USA, and the Diocese of Mississippi. Above all else, Nativity is a place where all are welcome to worship, love, belong, grow, and serve.

Easter Sunrise Service Annual Christmas Pageant

“worship, love, belong, grow and serve.” 4 A Brief History of Nativity

In 1881, Greenwood was a small, un- Mrs. Alex Henderson, Mr. and Mrs. impressive collection of river wharves, Gideon Montjoy and Dr. and Mrs. J.H. saloons, general stores, and a handful Lucas spent the evening of May 24, of frame houses. The levee systems 1881, discussing that possibility with that would turn the Mississippi Del- Reverend Browne, and plans were laid ta into a cotton-growing powerhouse for a new congregation, to be known as had not yet been completed. There the Church of the Nativity. was little to attract new families will- The most pressing need for this new ing to brave scorching summers, mas- parish was a suitable church building, sive mosquitoes, and the network of and Greenwood had nothing to of- swamps and bayous stretching from fer. Littleton Upshur donated land a this Leflore County seat to the Carroll few blocks south of the Yazoo River County hills. on Main Street (the Without enough indi- current site of Fire viduals to support sep- Station #1), and Gid arate denominational Montjoy began de- buildings, Greenwood livering lumber from worshipers of the his property. The little 1880s met in a com- group’s groundbreak- mon center, designated ing was arranged in as Union Church and October of 1882, located where the ex- and by the following isting Ahavath Rayim March, the new church Synagogue stands on was complete. Thirteen East Market. Baptists, Methodists, Pres- communicants were on the rolls when byterians, and Episcopalians took turns the Church of the Nativity was ad- worshiping in Union Church, and each mitted into union with the Diocese of would eventually break away to start Mississippi in April 1883. their own building programs. In May Those thirteen souls had a building of 1881, four Episcopal families asked but struggled to find a full-time rector The Reverend William P. Browne of in this isolated corner of Mississippi. It Canton to travel north and meet with wasn’t until 1889 that the Reverend Ce- them to discuss a Greenwood parish. cil P. Wilson agreed to move to Green- Mr. and Mrs. Littleton Upshur, Mr. and wood, but his tenure was short-lived,

“worship, love, belong, grow and serve.” 5 lasting only one year. He was followed The existing rectory was sold for $1750 by the Reverend Jean B.C. Beaubieu to generate the initial funds, and J.E. and the Reverend George L. Neide. Barnes and Company of Greenville By 1895, the congregation had grown was hired to begin construction. The to include 50 members, Diocese of Mississippi and the small Main Street purchased the deed from church was increasingly Mr. Henderson and then crowded. Nativity’s Lay deeded it back to the par- Reader-in-Charge, Charles ish on June 21, 1902. As Wheat Hinton, arrived in was the custom in those 1899 and began campaign- days, the entire building ing for a new and larger was completed in a mat- building. While he was ter of months, and the away at General Seminary first service was held on in New York City, Dr. J.H. August 3, 1902, led by the Lucas spearheaded the Reverend C.W. Hinton drive for a new structure and the Reverend W.C. and an effort to maintain Whitaker of Jackson. The the active congregation, Greenwood newspaper which had dwindled to reported that “Everybody thirty-two by the turn of the 20th cen- enjoyed these services and are profuse tury. in complimenting the appearance of When Reverend Hinton returned the new church building and its splen- from New York, building plans picked did arrangement.” Oddly enough, the up speed. Parishioner J.S. McDonald cornerstone, still in place today by the owned the lot at the southwest corner bell tower, was not inserted until the of Church and Howard Street, a prime following day. piece of property in a town that was Two of the Gothic stained-glass now the fastest growing community in windows of the old Main Street church Mississippi. He had deeded the lot to were removed and installed in the new Nativity in 1896 with the stipulation Howard Street sanctuary. The Jewish that “a suitable brick church…not to congregation paid $550 for the Main cost less than $4000” be built on the Street property and worshiped there site. The land was lost to tax default in until their Market Street synagogue was 1898 and reclaimed by founding mem- completed in the 1920s. ber Alex Henderson for $69.99. In 1912, a two-story rectory was It would be 1902 before the ground completed behind the sanctuary, fac- was finally broken for the new church. ing Church Street during Greenwood’s

“worship, love, belong, grow and serve.” 6 boom years. It would serve the church nancial and enrollment stability, adding rectors until a North Greenwood rec- the Godly Play curriculum for children, tory was completed in 1956, leading to expanding the educational offerings in the old house’s demolition for a new Adult Forum, and encouraging greater educational and office wing. In 1926, involvement of the congregation in the original tower on the south side community outreach. During his ten- of the sanctuary was demolished. The ure, all debt incurred due to the physi- Rose Community Building was erected cal expansion initiated under Reverend in memory of Bessie Rose, wife of the Rowe was retired, and a Columbarium Reverend Lysander Rose. By then, Na- was added to Nativity’s courtyard. Also, tivity had grown to 300 communicants while at Nativity, the parish’s Perma- and was one of Greenwood’s largest nent Endowment was established. and most active churches. Rev. Gray was a co-founder of Leflore Throughout the century, Nativity County’s Mission Mississippi chapter was served by a series of outstanding and was involved in numerous venues rectors, including the Reverends Dr. to promote interracial cooperation and Lysander Rose, Randolph Claiborne, serve the entire Greenwood popula- Warren Botkin, Duncan Gray, Sr. (lat- tion. In February 2020, he accepted the er the Bishop of Mississippi), and the position of Chaplain of University of inimitable Reverend Jones Hamilton, the South and remained with Nativity who would lead Nativity for a full until May 2020. quarter-century. He was followed by the Reverends Michael Engle, Larry Maze (later Bishop of Arkansas), and Recent rector timelines: Craig Gates. Ella Breckinridge served 1917-1929 Lysander W. Rose as Interim Priest from 2005 until 2006, 1930-1934 Randolph R. Claiborne when the Reverend Matthew Rowe 1934-1938 Warren Botkin

was called. During his tenure, plans for 1939-1943 Duncan Gray, Sr. a large addition were completed and (became the Bishop of accomplished, adding a Great Hall, an Mississippi) office suite, a large kitchen, courtyard, 1943-1969 Jones Hamilton loggia, and extra rooms for adult and 1969-1987 Michael Engle youth education. 1988-1994 Larry Maze (became the Bishop of Arkansas) In 2013, Reverend Peter Gray accept- 1995-2005 Craig Gates ed the invitation to serve as Nativity’s 2005-2006 Ella Breckinridge (Interim) Priest-in-Charge and was named Rector 2006-2012 Matthew Rowe in 2015. Reverend Gray was instrumen- 2013-2020 Peter Gray tal in leading Nativity Day School to fi- 2020-Present Carrie Duncan (Interim)

“worship, love, belong, grow and serve.” 7 Diocese of Mississippi

Established in May of 1826, the Epis- copal Diocese of Mississippi has approximately 18,000 members and oversees a total of 86 parishes, missions, and mission stations. Within the diocese there are five chaplaincies, four affiliated schools, and its cathedral, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral, located in Jackson, Mississippi. The Rt. Rev. Brian R. Seage is the 10th Bishop of Mississippi. Bishop Seage is a native of Thousand Oaks, California. He holds an undergraduate degree from Pepperdine University and a master’s of divinity from the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest. He has been a priest since 1998. Also serving in the Diocese of Mississippi are 134 presbyters (70 Active Canonical, 49 Retired Canonical, 15 Licensed), and 34 deacons (19 Active Canonical, 12 Retired Canonical, 2 Transitional Deacons, 1 Licensed). Website for The Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi

In Mississippi, the Episcopal Church has had a long history of leadership in social-justice matters which have not only torn our state apart and but now give us opportunity for transformation and redemption. From issues of anti-racism to rebuilding just communities after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, our church has stepped out to be a living part of the body of Christ. SOURCE: DIOCESE OF MISSISSIPPI

“worship, love, belong, grow and serve.” 8 Community

Located at the eastern edge of the community events that draw visitors Mississippi Delta, Greenwood is a city from across the United States, including of approximately 14,000 residents. the Viking Half-Marathon; Bikes, Blues, Given its access to Highway 82 and and Bayous; the Greenwood Gravel Interstate 55, Jackson, Mississippi, and Grind; and the 300 Oaks Road Race. Memphis, Tennessee, are within easy Tourism is further promoted by the driving distance. Greenwood offers Greenwood Convention and Visitors small-town charm and amenities along Bureau, located in downtown Green- with award-winning restaurants, a va- wood. Greenwood is committed to pre- riety of locally owned stores, a vibrant serving its historic downtown through downtown, and an acclaimed upscale Main Street Greenwood, whose Direc- hotel and spa. The community’s eco- tor is a member of Nativity. nomic base is a blend of agricultural, Learn a little more about Greenwood: health care, educational, and industrial • City of Greenwood businesses. With three rivers and numerous parks, recreational opportuni- • Greenwood Chamber of ties abound. Commerce Greenwood is supported by the • Greenwood Convention and Greenwood-Leflore County Cham- Visitor’s Bureau ber of Commerce and sponsors many • Main Street Greenwood

“worship, love, belong, grow and serve.” 9

K-12 Education Collection, a designer of home fur- The public schools operate under a nishings. Industry related to agriculture consolidated city/county district and also thrives in the Greenwood-Leflore Pillow Academy, St. Francis Academy, County area. Learn more about Green- Leflore Legacy Charter School, Delta wood’s health care and employers: Streets Academy, and North New Sum- • Greenwood-Leflore Hospital mit School offer options for parents • Viking Range, LLC and students. • Lynx Grills • Greenwood Public Schools • Milwaukee Tool • Pillow Academy • John-Richard Collection • St. Francis of Assisi School • America’s Catch • Leflore Legacy Charter School • Heartland Catfish • Delta Streets Academy • North New Summit School Higher Education Mississippi Valley State University is located eight miles west of Greenwood in Itta Bena and Delta State Universi- ty, Mississippi State University and the University of Mississippi are all less than 90 minutes away. Access to these universities provides avenues for enjoy- Greenwood Leflore Hospital ing both sport and the arts.

Arts and Culture Major Employers Greenwood itself is committed to the Greenwood is served by Green- arts, being home to The Museum of wood-Leflore Hospital, a large com- the Mississippi Delta. ArtPlace, Mis- munity hospital staffed by many of sissippi is also located in Greenwood, Nativity’s parishioners, and which has providing education through the arts commendably served this community to all age groups, with a predominant during the difficult times presented focus on youth. Nativity’s members are recently. Greenwood’s largest employ- actively involved in both organizations: ers are GLH; Viking Range, a manufacturer of high-end kitchen products for • Museum of the Mississippi Delta the home, and its affiliate, Lynx Grills; • ArtPlace, Mississippi Milwaukee Tools, a manufacturer of high-quality tools; and John-Richard

“worship, love, belong, grow and serve.” 10 Our Facilities

The current Nativity sanctuary was built in 1902, approximately twenty years after the establishment of the congregation, in the heart of downtown Greenwood. The Gothic architecture, traditional wood pews, and series of stained glass windows create an awe-inspiring and welcoming space for worship. The sanctuary seats 230 people, including a choir. While the sanctuary is the location of services at Nativity, on any given Sunday, one can find many members visiting, eating breakfast, and enjoying fellowship in the parish hall. Constructed in 2009, the Great Hall can seat 250 people around circular tables and is outfitted with audio and projection equipment. Attached to the parish hall is a full-functioning kitchen furnished with Viking appliances. Adjacent to the parish hall is the Youth Ministry Center and Scout Hut, the home of a local Boy Scout troop. Nativity’s Columbarium and Memorial Garden were added to its courtyard in 2014, and were dedicated in 2015.

“worship, love, belong, grow and serve.” 11 Rectory

Our church is blessed to have a Rectory, a wonderful home for our priest and his or her family. It’s a charming brick home situated on the banks of the Tallahatchie Riv- er in Northeast Greenwood. Located on Robert E. Lee Drive, a winding tree-shaded street with friendly neighbors and lots of charm, the Rectory features an excellent floor plan for entertaining with a formal living room, formal dining room, gourmet kitchen with Viking appliances, charming family room with fireplace, study filled with bookcases, and huge fenced yard and patio area. It contains four spacious bedrooms and two and a half baths. The home was built in 1956 and has been updated several times under the church ownership. Each family that has called our Rectory home has enjoyed making it “their home.” North Greenwood is a fabulous neighborhood for children. On any given after- noon, you will see people walking, kids biking, and lots of activity in the neighborhood. Though the house is not located on the church grounds, it’s just minutes away and gives the Rector’s family privacy and a quiet refuge away from the everyday church activity. We are proud to have the Rectory as part of our church and hope that our next Rector will find it to be a welcoming home.

“worship, love, belong, grow and serve.” 12 Our Ministries

Nativity is home to many ministries that serve people not only within our church but throughout the community and beyond. • Acolytes • Altar Guild • Godly Play • EYC • Adult Forum • Lay Eucharistic Ministers • Mission Mississippi • Music, choir • Community Outreach • Potluck Luncheons • Pastoral Services • Serendipity • Youth Sunday School Average Sunday Attendance • Speaker’s Series • Stewardship • WeeYC • Worship • You Matter Hot Dog Ministry

Parish Mission Statement The Episcopal Church of the Nativity is a Christian community where all are welcome to worship, love, belong, grow and serve.

“worship, love, belong, grow and serve.” 13 Neighboring Mission Stations

Nativity is approximately eight miles east of Itta Bena, Mississippi, home to St. George’s Episcopal Church, a Mission Station of the Diocese of Mississippi. Nativity is approximately twenty miles west of Carrollton, Mississippi, home to Grace Epis- copal Church, a Mission of the Diocese of Mississippi. Nativity recognizes a need to reconnect and support ministry efforts in those church communities.

Outdoor Eucharist at St. George’s, Itta Bena Grace Episcopal Church in Carrollton

“worship, love, belong, grow and serve.” 14 Godly Play

The Godly Play approach helps chil- liturgical life of the church. The children to explore their faith through sto- dren then have a chance to choose their ry, to gain religious language and to en- work for the day – drawing, building, hance their spiritual experience though playing with the stories themselves. wonder and play. Based on Montessori Lindsay Powers leads a team of teach- principles and developed using a spiral ers that includes Kim Lawes, Kathy curriculum, the Godly Play method Whicker, Cindy Wilson, Katie Jones, serves children through early, middle Julia Harris, Lucy Jones, and Frances and late childhood and beyond. This Knight. approach to Christian formation invites Click here to watch kids from the children to wonder together in a safe, Episcopal Church of the Nativity help nurturing community. tell the Godly Play story “The Flood Each week, teachers present a sacred and the Ark” from memory. story, a parable, or a story about the

“worship, love, belong, grow and serve.” 15 Day School

Nativity Day School provides a safe, capably led the Day School through Christian environment to 40 children, challenges presented by its growth and, age ten weeks to three years, Monday more recently, by COVID-19. to Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. An eight-member board supports NDS was founded in 2011 as a mission NDS, six of which are appointed by to fulfill a significant need in the com- the Vestry, and on which sits the Rector munity. NDS has a 12 member staff of and Senior Warden. dedicated individuals who love God, Nativity Day School Webpage teaching, and children. Click here for a short video of the The Director of NDS is parishioner work of the Nativity Day School. Landi Mohamed, who has more than

“worship, love, belong, grow and serve.” 16 Stewardship

Stewardship at Nativity is characterized by a community of faithful members who generously support the ministry and mission of the church through both pledges and unpledged gifts to the operating account. Together with plate offerings, these pledges and unpledged gifts comprise all of the church’s operating funding, except for occa- sional and usually small items of miscellaneous income. The total number of contributors has slightly declined over the prior three years; however, total giving remained consistent in 2017 and 2018 and increased by approximately $19,000 in 2019. This year (2020) has proven to be challenging in many ways for the church. With the restrictions surrounding in-person worship and the various ministries mentioned above, the decline in plate and pledge revenue is expected. The current year operating income is totaled approximately $455,000, including Paycheck Protection Program funds of $36,000. The church anticipates adequate operating income to cover the operating expenses of the church. Although the gifts of dedicated parishioners have been sufficient to meet operating expenses of Nativity, the challenge of stewardship at the church is raising the pledge/gift level from a broader group of parishioners and increasing the membership base. Stewardship embraces the worship service and the various ministries of Nativity, and all should participate with their financial support.

Plate and Pledge Offerings

2017 2018 2019 2020 Number of Pledges 141 137 129 129 Total Plate & Pledge $458K $451K $470K $415K

Parish Statistics Active Baptisms Confirmations Weddings Burials Members & Receptions* 2019-2020 285 10 20 3 11

*Total number of Confirmations & Receptions are from 2018 and 2020.

“worship, love, belong, grow and serve.” 17 Financial Management

The church has a long history of disciplined management of the financial resources afforded by the parish’s generosity and God’s blessings. The church has maintained a balanced annual budget for the last four years. A stable income stream from annual pledging to make renewed investments in staffing, community outreach, and essential ministries. The financial condition of Nativity for the past four years is reflected in the following summarized statements of assets, liabilities, and fund balance and statements of income.

Balance Sheets Assets 2017 2018 2019 2020 Cash $185,676 $206,560 $226,607 $325,435 Investments $477,164 $504,404 $575,670 $578,121 Property $5,702,810 $5,702,810 $5,702,810 $5,702,810 Total Assets $6,365,651 $6,413,774 $6,505,087 $6,606,366 Liabilities $67,160 $48,476 $22,037 $11,880 Fund Balance $6,298,492 $6,365,298 $6,483,050 $6,594,486

Statements of Income Revenues 2017 2018 2019 2020 Pledge $443,997 $435,634 $456,852 $410,058 Plate Offerings $13,347 $15,659 $13,589 $4,872 Other Income $9,012 $9,983 $1,211 $39,920 Total Revenue $466,355 $461,276 $471,653 $454,850 Expenses Missions $57,499 $58,786 $66,881 $65,217 Rector and Staff $246,218 $277,465 $217,179 $185,813 Programs $25,537 $35,491 $35,040 $16,828 Building and Grounds $106,529 $107,869 $105,969 $84,605 Administrative $27,962 $30,785 $34,422 $32,986 Total Expenses $463,745 $460,395 $454,491 $385,449 Net Income (Loss) $2,610 $881 $17,162 $69,401

“worship, love, belong, grow and serve.” 18 Permanent Endowment

In 2017, the Nativity Permanent Endowment was established as a giving ministry that will preserve and protect our Church and allow contributions to grow in perpe- tuity. Legacy and endowment giving provides a critical permanent source of funding that minimizes the impact of short-term disruptions in annual giving. Through parishioners’ generosity, both living and deceased, the Church has accumulated a substantial financial reserve. Six component funds make up the Permanent Endowment of Na- tivity Church. Each of the funds has a distinct purpose that guides the vestry in making decisions about income use. The chart displayed includes the six funds’ names and their fair market value at the end of the calendar year since 2017. At the end of the third quarter for 2020, the total value was $646,000.

Permanent Endowment of the Nativity Church Annual Fair Market Value

Preserve & Clemments- Davis TEP Kerr Protect Flautt Communion Scholarship Fellowship & Formation 2017 $218,760 $89,286 $17,338 $123,701 $38,131 2018 $237,384 $82,376 $16,259 $114,523 $36,250 2019 $322,911 $94,434 $18,733 $129,121 $41,708 2020 $365,145 $95,001 $19,200 $124,340 $41,942

“worship, love, belong, grow and serve.” 19 Our Staff

Office Manager Cindy Wilson has served at Nativity since June 2020. She completed a Bachelor of Arts at The University Of Mississippi in 1995. She lived in Charleston, SC and worked in the Interior Design field for a few years before coming back home to the Delta and settling in Greenwood with husband, JL. Cindy and JL have three sons, James, Wells, and Hilliard and are long-standing members of the Nativity Parish.

Business Manager Jami Lloyd has worked at Nativity since May of 2019. She completed a Bachelor of Business Administration at Delta State Uni- versity in 2001 and a Master of Business Administration from Mississippi State University in 2006. Since 2002 she has worked at State Bank & Trust Company and there currently serves as Senior Vice President for Accounting.

Organist and Choirmaster A native of Durant, Mississippi, David Williamson studied Organ and Sacred Music at Delta State University and privately with the late Joe A. Morrow at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Memphis, where he was Joe’s last assistant. He enjoys cooking, gardening, and preservation, particularly of old pipe organs.

Verger Sexton Jim Barrett Mary Barr

Learn more: https://www.nativitygreenwood.org/staff

“worship, love, belong, grow and serve.” 20 Parish Assessment

Nativity’s Strengths Nativity is home to multi-generational The Episcopal Church of the Nativ- families. It is very common to see three ity has stood on the southwest corner generations of families sharing a pew of Howard and Church Streets for 110 on Sundays. The liturgical traditions of years, a substantial Episcopal presence this Church have shaped and guided amid Greenwood’s historic down- their long lives. town through decades of change and Nativity has also grown through progress. In the last ten years, Nativity young families and new members undertook a significant campaign for with no prior affiliation to our church. capital improvements, completed those Nativity possesses a generation of improvements, and retired all associ- active, involved young adults taking ated debt. During the previous three leadership positions and introducing years, Nativity established its perma- their children to this Parish’s traditions nent endowment, as discussed above, while creating new ones. and continues to grow the endowment Numerous avenues are available for to preserve and protect its facilities and service within the Church, including missions. As discussed above, Nativity educational programs, music, Altar has a strong history of Stewardship Guild, EYC, Outreach, and ECW. Pa- and effective management of finan- rishioners have historically served and cial resources. currently serve in leadership positions Within the last ten years, Nativity within the Diocese. Nativity’s strength established its day school in furtherance is in its members, whose leadership has of the Church’s missions. Through established robust systems to main- Parish leadership and support, Nativ- tain and grow its missions. Within our ity has effectively grown and regularly membership are community leaders in sustains NDS at near or maximum business, politics, education, agricul- capacity. NDS supports families and ture, and a wide variety of civic organi- the Greenwood community with qual- zations. ity, affordable child care in a Christian Nativity is a warm and welcoming environment. Within the last three environment where we challenge each years, Nativity established its Godly other to grow in our service to our Play program to grow and nourish our friends and neighbors. children.

“worship, love, belong, grow and serve.” 21 Nativity’s Challenges The issues of growth and reten- Nativity is a church with a strong tion have been greatly exacerbated tradition of cherishing our priests by the COVID-19 crisis, which has until they pass into retirement, take cruelly forced isolation among Nativi- on significant leadership positions, ty’s members and significantly reduced or move on to the Bishop’s chair. We worship opportunities. Despite Her- revere our spiritual leaders and still pass culean and creative efforts at virtual along tales of Duncan Gray, Sr., Jones worship and programming, and, when Hamilton, Michael Engle, Craig Gates, permitted, reduced attendance, there and Larry Maze. While we miss Peter, is no mistake: it is not the same, and we understand the significance of his Nativity is hurting. While leadership Chaplaincy at Sewanee. remains steadfast, hope remains strong, and the faithfulness of the Parish has The loss of its stalwarts due to age not waned, it is of great concern how and infirmity has reduced some of the Nativity is going to move forward to historical and institutional knowledge re-establish itself. of Nativity. The loss of this great generation is felt in all areas of society. Yet, Nativity currently has a relatively in recent years, the number of young strong financial position compared to families and children has grown. Spe- other parishes in our region. We must cifically,sustaining attendance and continue to grow the number of pledg- membership growth for Nativity is ing units to compensate for the loss always on our minds, as we are a Mis- of generous stewards whose financial sissippi Delta parish. With that comes contributions have sustained Nativity’s even more challenges because we are a growth. Likewise, Nativity must contin- region that does not enjoy the growth ue to grow its permanent endowment and prosperity that many other areas of for its continued success. While Nativi- our nation do. We recognize that our ty has fared considerably well financial- town and county have diminished in ly during the crisis, as discussed above, some ways over the past few decades. we must figure out a way to make The influx of new families is slow, but worship sustainable so that giving we also know that Greenwood remains will increase in relevance to its mem- one of the brighter communities in the bership. Delta. Those who grow up here, and We are a deeply bonded communi- choose to return after their education is ty of Christians who are committed complete, tend to stay with the Church to loving and serving our Lord, each in which they were raised. While Na- other, and our city. We look forward to tivity has attracted new members and welcoming a priest who shares those confirmed many of our youth, it is same priorities. challenging to envision outgrowing our current facility. “worship, love, belong, grow and serve.” 22 Our New Rector

Hopes and Expectations of a New Rector Nativity was fortunate to conduct three meetings with the Parish and members of the Search Committee in November 2020, at a time in between the loosening and re-tightening of attendance restrictions. Over three nights, the Parish communicated its hopes and expectations for the ideal candidates in its search. An overwhelmingly consistent theme arose from the three different groups of parishioners: the ideal can- didate will possess experience and energy. Nativity seeks experience and energy from a Priest demonstrated in the following aspects: • Experience living in a town with • Experience in areas other than the similar characteristics as Green- priesthood, and the perspective wood, and experience to know brought therefrom; that there are trade-offs that come • Experience in times of crisis and with living in an incredible com- for effective day-to-day pastoral munity with a good quality of care; life, but with certain limitations in • Experience and energy in parish terms of offerings; administration, a willingness to un- • Experience necessary to recognize derstand the management systems the nuances of our region, our Nativity has in place, and a willing- town, and its people, understand- ness to assist us constructively in ing and celebrating their unique- evaluating and re-evaluating those ness – both within and outside systems, as appropriate, for im- Nativity; provement; • Experience to recognize that • Experience and energy in facil- Nativity is a destination job, not itating programming for young a stepping stone on a pathway families, to enhance their spiritual elsewhere; growth and to keep Nativity at- • Experience in a parish with similar tractive to young families; characteristics as Nativity, in terms • Experience and energy in enhanc- of size, space, programming, de- ing our adult programming; mographics, and finances;

“worship, love, belong, grow and serve.” 23

• Experience and energy cultivating • Energy to embrace Greenwood, leadership within a parish, such and to lead us to greater involve- that new leaders can refresh Na- ment in community outreach; tivity and make it less reliant on its • Energy to reach into our minis- historical leadership; tries, and to assist us constructive- • Experience and energy to lead us ly in enhancing them; in our call to worship, out of the • Energy to assist us in looking back present situation, where we have into our institutions and traditions been brought to a standstill by the which have fallen by the wayside, current medical crisis; in order to revive them; and, • Energy to help us identify our • Energy to bring us constructive, strengths; invigorating ideas borne from experience.

“worship, love, belong, grow and serve.” 24 A Letter from the Search Committee

Dear Prospective Priests: One of my favorite things to say – usually when found somewhere I’m not necessar- ily supposed to be – is, “Everybody’s got to be somewhere.” While everybody’s got to be somewhere, we choose Greenwood; we choose Nativity. I choose Greenwood even though I was born and raised here, and know its warts; I returned here after living and working elsewhere. I choose Nativity despite the fact that I was not raised in its traditions, and have worshiped elsewhere. I choose Greenwood and Nativity because of who we are. Nativity, like our community as a whole, is a great mix of tradition and contempo- rary thinking; we have found the balance between our anchors and sails and thrive in between. We possess an outstanding quality of life, spiritually and socially, as a result. We hope that this profile informs you as to what makes Nativity and Greenwood so special. In recent years, we have been trending towards a growing, financially stable congregation within the Episcopal Church that had a pretty clear vision for our future. That vision has been blurred in the past year by a pandemic and attendant measures taken as a result which were not foreseeable. It has robbed us of some of our collective energies and enthusiasm, but it has not robbed us of hope. Our hope is not simply for a clear pathway forward, with the assistance of an experienced and energetic spiritual leader; our hope is to be able soon to do the work to clear the pathway together, alongside an experienced, energetic leader. We know that among you is the energetic, experienced leader Nativity seeks. Sincerely:

Harris F. Powers III Nativity Search Committee

“worship, love, belong, grow and serve.” 25 Contact Us

400 Howard Street Office Hours: Greenwood, MS 38930 Monday through Thursday Telephone: 662.453.7786 8:30AM – 2:30PM, Fax: 662.453.1329 and by appointment www.nativitygreenwood.org Email: [email protected]

Search Committee Vestry Kathy Whicker – Retired, Educator Dr. Perry Whites, Senior Warden Bob Provine – Retired, Provine Helicopter Dean Kidd, Junior Warden Service Allison Harris, Program Committee Chair Tish B. Goodman – Owner-Broker, Bowie Jay Williams, Finance Committee Chair Realty, Inc. Mary Gregory Porter Michael McCool – Owner, Provine Helicopter Service Annie Smith Sloane Porter Fair – DPT, Advanced Joshua Stuckey Rehabilitation, Inc. Ganes Clements Hayes Harris – Farm Manager, O.F. Bledsoe Ben Hargett Plantation Nancy Johnson Harris F. Powers III – Attorney, Upshaw Katherine Barbour Williams Biggers & Beckham, LLP Tish B. Goodman Dr. Perry Whites – Senior Warden Sloane P. Fair (Ex Officio) Dr. Jimmy Miller Dean Kidd – Junior Warden (Ex Officio) Catherine Kidd, Clerk of the Vestry Landi Mohamed – Nativity Day School (Non-Voting) Director (Ex Officio) Stribling W. Hargett, Treasurer (Non-Voting)

“worship, love, belong, grow and serve.”