The Episcopal of the Nativity The Window Volume 21, Issue 7 July 2015

From the Rector: Three weeks of intense classes, two weddings, a funeral, a bap- tism. Three thousand more miles on the RAV4 from four round trips to Sewanee, old friendships renewed, new ones forged, and as I write this I am on a plane out of Atlanta bound for Salt Lake City and the Triennial General Convention of the Episcopal Church. June has been a month of transition and travel, of new begin- nings, of resurrection. But to be perfectly candid with you, I am dreading the prospect of 10 days worth of legislative sessions, committee meetings, reports, receptions and resolutions which lack the teeth to transform the church or the world. Why on earth, then, did I allow myself to stand for election to this body? Why would I subject myself to 10 days of budget for- mulating, liturgical revisions and all the hoopla that goes along with General Convention? There have been moments when I am not entirely certain. There have been moments when I thought this was a grave error in judgment. It has certainly put additional strain on the staff, on my family and on the parish as a whole. I stood for election because when the body gets together, we are made stronger by our com- mon bonds. I stood for election because of the opportunity for transformation through relation- ship, the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. The resolutions, the budget processes, the commit- tee reports and all the hoopla that goes along with General Convention are not the most important thing that we will do in Salt Lake City. We will stand together to worship a God who chose to come and be among us. And just as God chooses to be among us, he calls us to be with one an- other. Now, there will be news reports out of General Convention. There will be issues that may un- settle you. There will be pundits and projections and all manner of reasons for handwringing. What will draw the media attention will be controversy. But this is not the first time that contro- versy has embroiled this gathering. This is not the first time that General Convention has under- taken difficult issues, nor will it be the last. This is the 78th General Convention of the Episcopal Church and we have not been able to kill her yet. Because we cannot kill the church! Regardless of what we do as a body in our legislative sessions or committee meetings, we will lift our voices in praise and worship, hear the Word of God proclaimed, and we will celebrate the reminding us all of what is always primary for us as Christian people. While the world focuses on trouble, what should draw the attention of the people of the church is our unity in Christ. Nothing that happens in Salt Lake City is going to dramatically change the work we are doing with one another at Nativity. Nothing that you hear on the news or see on television should in- form you more about our common life of worship and our common work of ministry than Sunday mornings and the daily worship of the church. Whatever the world believes, whatever the world says about us, does not change who we are. We are the people of Christ. We are His disciples. We are the making His life and presence known in the world, and nothing that the world does will overcome that mission in this life, or in the world to come. Peter + From the Curate: My sermon on June 21 included the reminder that we, as Chris- tians, are called to speak “Peace” in life’s storms and to bring the comfort of Jesus Christ’s abiding love to those experiencing pain, grief or crisis. The following day the church campus was filled with songs and laughter as children gathered for Vacation School. These sounds of joy and lighthearted fun reminded me that we are to accompany one another through all of life’s experiences. The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans chapter 12 that we are to “rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” As some- one who tends to seek out people who need consoling, I find Paul’s words to be a wonderful reminder to not allow myself to become so narrowly focused that I forget that I am also called to share in others’ joy. Paul tells us that we should “Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering and persevere in prayer.” In each of these exhortations from Romans 12, Paul’s focus is first on joy! Our VBS theme this year was “123 The Holy .” I found talking about the mystery of the Trinity to be another wonderful reminder to keep our hearts and minds open to experiencing the fullness of shared life in community. Each day stories, songs and activities focused on one aspect of the person of God. We are made in God’s image — mind, body and spirit. Listening to the children learn about God’s desire for creation, I pondered how our intellects mirror, though imperfectly, this creative impulse and energy. When we are healthy we are seeking to grow and develop each day, broadening our understanding. In our flesh we are a reflection of Jesus, the Word made flesh who dwelt among us, sharing our nature and healing our wounds by reconciling us to God. Jesus bids us to use our hands to serve others. We have been given the gift of a consciousness that af- fords the ability to sympathize and empathize with others. Like the , we can be moved by God’s love through the impulse of our spirit as we walk with one another through life. We can, by God’s grace, be knit to one another in love. As I write this, members of the congregation are busily preparing for a memorial service. They are mov- ing tables and carrying items from the kitchen to the library and choir room. As they go they are walking on images written in sidewalk chalk leftover from yesterdays VBS fun. The Bridge club that meets in the par- ish hall will arrive close to the same time that others are gathering in another part of the campus for the sched- uled service. There are still props leftover from VBS on the tables in the parish hall, left there so those attend- ing services on Sunday can see them. Some might see dissonance in all this, the quick movement from joy to grief to joy; I see the life God calls us to live together as a community of faith. I see the family of God living life in all the fullness we are meant to experience, together as the one body. “So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members of one another.” Romans 12:5 Blessings, Mother Linda Suzanne The Church office will be closed Friday, July 3 and Friday July 17. July Lay Ministry Schedule

July 5 July 12 July 19 July 26 One Service Altar Guild Volunteer Sched- Didi Cody, Mary Libby Planz, Melissa Regina Taliaferro, Kathy ule Alford, Julana Gholson, Brenda Brown, Suzanne Harrison, Kathi Ortega, Lynda Hanahan, Traci Newton King & Christine Salisbury & Liz & Becky Taylor Scott Floyd Smyth Acolytes Hugh Wheelless, Amber Somma, Mary Grant Hall, Stuart Ibberson, Will Gholson, Eddie Somma & Preston Hall, Will Owen, Sarah Tanton & Sylvia Somma David Clark & Tallulah Mary Blake Evie Saliba Randolph & Zeron Anthony Wittenborn

Breakfast No Breakfast David Jackson, Mike Cody, Chris John Welch, Bill Chefs William Holman Cody, Lee Van Mallis, Jeff & Kaz Espy Carroll & Bob Crittenden & Lee Floyd Scott

Eucharistic 10 a.m. – David 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. – John 7:30 a.m. – Bill Ministers Deal & Dan Susan Henderson Welch Elliott Johnson 10:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Collier Espy & George Dennis & David Deal & Stuart Ibberson Harry Hall Elizabeth Welch

Flowers Kathie Buntin Gina Medley & Nelda Northcutt Sue Espy & Kathi Traci Newton & Linda Fisher King

Greeters Franklin Skinner Web & Melissa Mary Alford Mike & Didi Gholson Cody

Lectors 1st – Mary 1st – Stephanie 1st – David Deal; 1st – Lee Scott; Alford; 2nd – Gibson; 2nd – 2nd – Karen 2nd – Carol Valerie Harris; Johnny Turner; Jackson; POP – Rheingans; POP POP – Willie POP – Jeff Elizabeth Welch – Stephanie Fisher Crittenden Gibson

Ushers

Vestry Lockup Carol Vaughn Elizabeth WelchKathleen Rane Wendell Switzer ~ July 2015 ~ Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 Office Closed

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 10 a.m. ± Holy 10 a.m. ± Healing Eucharist Rite II (one Service service

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 7:30 a.m. - Holy 10 a.m. ± Healing Office Closed 6W-RVHSK¶V*XLOG Eucharist Rite I Service 7-10 a.m. 10:30 a.m. - Holy Eucharist Rite II

4 p.m. Outreach visit to the Dothan Rescue Mission

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 7:30 a.m. - Holy 10 a.m. ± Healing 2 p.m. Consecration of Eucharist Rite I Service Russell Kendrick as 10:30 a.m. - Holy Eucharist Rite II bishop.

26 27 28 29 30 31 7:30 a.m. - Holy 10 a.m. ± Healing Eucharist Rite I Service 10:30 a.m. - Holy Eucharist Rite II

Unless otherwise noted, Sunday services: Please email items you would like included in the calendar 7:30 a.m. – Holy Communion Rite I 8:30 a.m. – Breakfast section to [email protected]. 9:15 a.m. – Lectionary Class in the Library 10:30 a.m. – Holy Communion Rite II On June 14, Nativity celebrated the baptism of Calvin Lee Mainwaring. Calvin is the son of Darcy and Todd Mainwaring who both grew up at Nativity so this truly was a family affair.

Child of blessing, child of promise, baptized with the Spirit’s sign;

with this water God has sealed you; unto love and grace divine.

Child of joy, our dearest treasure, God’s you are, from God you came.

Back to God we humbly give you; live as one who bears Christ’s name. Ordination The Rev. David Green was ordained as the new priest in charge at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Marianna June 16. David Deal, Nativity’s own verger, acted as verger for the ordination. Also on hand for the service were Mother Linda Suzanne and Father John. As many of you know, Mother Linda Suzanne had officiated at St. Luke’s for several weeks prior to Father David’s ordination, and before that, Father John had been making the drive each Sunday. Father David is a recent graduate of the School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee.

David Deal, Bishop Duncan and the Rev. David Green following Father David’s ordination. Children have fun, learn at VBS June 22-24, Nativity hosted this ful noise with percussion instru- year’s Vacation Bible School. ments. Thirty-one children aged 3-years In art, the kids all worked on one through 4th grade took part, and this masterpiece together—a mural of the year’s theme was 1-2-3 Trinity. seven days of creation, which is The children were divided into hanging in the Parish Hall and will three groups based on age. be there all summer. “We had three groups this year,” “The mural also has a vine that the said Virginia Flowes. “The Earth kids made together woven through it Group was Pre-K through Kinder- to represent Jesus the True Vine,” garten and had 18 kids, the Wind said Virginia. “On the Last day, the Group was 1st and 2nd grades and kids made three-ingredient had 8, and the Fire group was 3rd playdough—salt, flour and water— and 4th grades and had 4 kids. as an interactive lesson about the “Because it was a three-day VBS, Trinity. the number three kept standing out to More than 30 volunteers—includ- me—so we did a Trinity themed pro- ing EYC volunteers and lots of par- gram,” said Virginia. ents—made this year’s VBS a suc- “Monday was all about God the cess. Father—and our story time focused “Margaret Slingluff was in charge on the seven days of creation. The of the music department; Chris message for Monday was that ‘God Drake was in charge of art; Suzanne made you.’ McMahan and Robyn George “On Tuesday we talked about God headed up games; and Sigrid Gayle, with the annual VBS cookout, com- the Son—and our story time focused Julia Johnson and Anne Zeron plete with an inflatable waterslide. on the life and teachings of worked on snacks,” said Virginia, “A huge thanks to all the volun- Jesus. The message for Tuesday was “and I was in charge of story time. teers who made VBS a success,” that ‘God knows you’ because Jesus VBS ended Wednesday evening said Virginia. lived and died as one of us. “And the last day was all about God the Holy Spirit—our story time focused on where we find the Holy Spirit around us. The message for Wednesday was that ‘God loves you,’” said Virginia. Each group went to story time, music, games, art and snack each day. “Each activity really embraced the theme for that particular day, all the way down to some really creative snacks,” said Virginia. Games were played outside—each day there was a game about the Trin- ity as a whole, and then a game about the particular theme for the day. In music, the kids sang and created joy-

Good News Shop The Good News Shop has closed for the summer and will re-open Aug. 7. “Kathleen [Rane] and I would like to thank everyone who donated items to the shop,” said Veronica Armstrong. “Everything we sell helps us help those less fortunate.” If you wish to make donations while the shop is closed you can leave your donations in the cabinet in the entryway of the Parish Hall, or you can call Veronica at 334-618-4739 to arrange a drop off time at the shop. Dothan Rescue Mission Nativity continues with our monthly outreach visits to the Dothan Rescue Mission. In June we served spare ribs, baked beans, cole slaw, bread, water melon, home made chocolate cake and lots of iced tea. After dinner we always hold a short worship service with prayer, Bible readings and worship songs. Additionally, we support the Mis- sion with a montly monetary dona- tion. “Last month, when I was dropping off our check, Brad Hardy, the direc- tor of the Mission came out to per- sonally thank us for what we are do- ing,” said Stuart Ibberson, Outreach chair. “The residents had told the staff how much they enjoy our vis- its.” “The residents let us know how much they really enjoy dinner and worship, and we always have re- dinner. make sure we have everything we quests for specific worship songs,” Anyone who wants to volunteer need and decide on music selec- said Stuart. can contact Stuart at tions,” said Stuart. “Then we car Outreach is always looking for vol- [email protected] or call 334- pool/caravan to the mission.” unteers to help with the visits; 718-3509. The next visit to the Dothan Res- whether food, drink, music, or just “We usually meet at the Parish cue Mission is set for Sunday, July showing up and helping to serve Hall at 4 p.m. to coordinate food, 12. Random notes .... Consecration July 25 is the Consecration of russell Kendrick as the fourth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast. The consecration will take place at 2 p.m. in the Mobile Expo Hall followed by a reception at Christ Church Cathedral. For more information, visit the diocesan website at www.diocgc.com. Cursillo The next Cursillo, #155, is Sept. 10-13 at Beckwith Camp and Retreat Center. Cursillo is a three-day weekend that introduces people to simple methods for nurturing and growing their relationships with Christ. It provides an experience of living in a Christian community centered in worship, prayer, study of scripture and interaction with other Christians. Its mission is to build up our parish churches by encouraging and empowering its mem- bers to prepare for doing the work of the church- the spreading of . For more information, including applications, visit http://www.diocgc.com/What%20we%20do/cursillo.html. BayLighhts at Beckwith The Diocesan Homecoming Weekend - BayLights at Beckwith -- is set for Sept. 25-27. Nativity is one of hte three Parish sponsors this year. For more information, visit www.beckwithal.com. Diocesan Youth Weekend Diocesan Youth Weekend is slated for July 24-25. Christ Church Cathedral, Mobile, to take part in the In preparation for the weekend, diocesan youth are consecration of the 4th Bishop of the Diocese of the currently collecting items for the Wilmer Hall Thrift Central Gulf Coast. The diocese is renting vans and Shop and July 24 the youth will joint with our new will have free transportation from three locations Bishop Russell Kendrick, in donating these items as along I-10 between Dothan and Mobile. All meals and part of a service project. lodgings are being provided by the Commission on Overnight, July 24, will be at Camp Beckwith and Youth & Young Adult Ministries. includes a campfire and youth program. For more information, contact Virginia Flowers at July 25, the youth will join with the entire diocese at [email protected].

Save The Date ... July 3: Office Closed Holy Eucharist Rite I July 5: One service, 10 a.m., Holy Sept. 13: Rally Sunday, single ser- Eucharist Rite II vice, 10 a.m., Holy Eucharist Rite II July 12: Outreach visit to the Sept. 13: Visit to the Dothan Res- Dothan Rescue Mission cue Mission July 25: Bishops Consecration Sept: 10-13: Cursillo Sept. 6: Single Service 10 a.m., Sept. 25-27: Baylights at Beckwith 2015 Summer Camp Located in Fairhope, Ala., Camp Beckwith is already planning for Summer Camp 2015. Summer camp sessions for youth offer faith-based adventure activities combined with Christian programs developed for spiritual formation. Beckwith provides opportunity for water activities on Weeks Bay; kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, sailing, and swimming among other activities. Sessions for 2015 are:

Session 6 Grades 8 & 9 July 5-10 Sailing Camp 5th grade and up July 5-10 Session 7 Grades 5 & 6 July 12-17 Session 8 Grades 3 & 4 July 19-23 Session 9 Grades 6 & 7 July 26-31 Session 10 Family Camp July 31-Aug. 2

For more information on Summer Camp and other activities at Camp Beckwith, visit www.beckwithal.com.

Maintenance Joseph’s Matters! Guild Have you seen a Nativty’s Saint Joseph’s Guild will light bulb that meet 7-10 a.m., Saturday, July 18 needs replac- ing? A leaky Please bring your tools. faucet? Do you know who to For more information, contact tell? There are John Mainwaring at two checklists, one on the Parish [email protected]. Hall bulletin board and one on the Sunday School Hallway bul- letin board. Just make a note of what the issue is, where it is and when you noticed it and we will get it taken care of. Nativity Prayer List O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your servants the help of your power, that their sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Parish Family: Bill Acosta Jr., Hazel Andress, Rick Balzaratti, Mike Cody, Rex Everage, Spencer and Joan Hall, Alice Harper, Kay Henry, Mace Holman, William Holman, Pat Johnson, Stacy Johnson, Lewis King, Joyce Long, Wes Myers, Ed Planz, Beryle Ponce, Stanley Reynolds, Ken Rice, Becky Taylor Scott, Jerry and Linda Scott, Sonya Sparks, Adalee Stockley, Zita Vaughn, Arthur and Joanna Word.

Family and Friends: Christine Adams, Thomas Alford, Bill and Mae Armstrong, John and Margaret Barker, Randy Bassanger, Charlie and Laura Bowen, Daniel Braughler, Mike Burt, Russell Carnley, Leslie Ebinger, Jerry Fincher, Donnie and Dorman Frith, Marion Hall, April Knowles, Mike Kosolapoff, Jean Pribbenow, Russell Price, Elizabeth Rane, Kermit Richardson, Thelma Strickland, the Warren Family, Ardis and Dianne Whitehead, Charlotte Williams and the villages of El Pedregal and Moreno.

Armed Forces: Hunter Brookshire, Matthew Crittenden, Bill Cody IV, Bill Elliott III, Drake Fleming, Dave Iannuzzi, Wyatt Jones, Camille Kent, Brian Mainwaring, Jeff Mainwaring, Todd Mainwaring, John Malone, Derek Manuel, Jasmine McClendon, Emori Moore, Beau Parks, Isaac Van Meter, Andrew Welch and Nathaniel Wood

Please note: Periodically, the office must update the prayer list. Unless notified, names remain on the prayer list for three months. As always, if you have someone you would like us to include in our prayers, please call the Church Office at 793- 7616. Thank You.

July Birthdays 2 Leslie Summerford 14 Didi Cody 29 Marilyn Latta Sydney Waid Bonnie McManus 29 Joyce Long Frances Bass 17 Mason Andrews Sonya Sparks 3 Tony Saliba 18 Ken Rice Mariah Algarin Jack Slingluff 19 Melissa Gholson 30 Cathy Orr 4 Kay Jones Gus Pacheco 31 Peggy Gay 6 Logan McNeal Dan Johnson Karen Jackson 7 Zach Sparks 22 Woods Culpepper 8 Christopher McMahan 25 Christine Floyd 11 John Coleman 27 Mace Holman 12 Caleb Alfano John Welch 13 Collier Espy 28 Lewis King The Episcopal Church of the Nativity NONPROFIT ORG 205 Holly Lane Dothan, Alabama 36301 US POSTAGE PAID DOTHAN AL RETURN SERVICE REQUSTED PERMIT NO 230

The Nativity Window NATIVITY STAFF The Reverend PeterEde Plovanich Wong— Rector—Rector - 850 Cell-723 1--8397334- 202-9275 is published monthly by TheDr. DebbieReverend Deas Peter—Organist Wong— andPriest Choir Associate Master Cell 1-850-723-8397 The Episcopal Church of the Nativity Dr.Virginia Debbie Flowers Deas— —Organist Children’s and Ministry Choir Master Coordinator 205 Holly Lane RhondaNancy Rogers Kidder —— Administrative Parish Administrator Assistant Dothan Alabama 36301 DebraJames SalterOwen——SextonReceptionist (334) 793-7616 David Deal—Verger FAX (334) 671-9440 James Salter—Sexton Nursery/Childcare Email: [email protected] Bobby Stokes, Marlo Miller & Tamara Neil—Nursery/Childcare Bobby Stokes, Marlo Miller, and Sandrienna Reed

2014 NATIVITY VESTRY

Kathleen Rane —Senior Warden ~ 714-1737 or [email protected] Valerie Harris— Treasurer ~ 793-3938 or [email protected] Mary Hall Plunkett — Clerk ~ 701-4352 or [email protected]

Charles Allgood ~ 803-0405 or [email protected] Kathie Buntin ~ 794-9561 or [email protected] Linda Fisher ~ 379-7555 or [email protected] Whit Huskey ~ [email protected] Please call the Church office when a family Jerry Marsella ~ 797-9376 or [email protected] member is admitted to the hospital, a new Gina Medley ~ 718-1476 or [email protected] baby arrives, you need to schedule a meet- Lane Miller ~ 714-6525 or [email protected] ing or event in the Church, or your address Richard Seaman ~ 678-427-6830 or [email protected] or phone number changes. Wendell Switzer ~ 258-5942 or [email protected] Becky Taylor Scott ~ [email protected] Johnny Turner ~ 699-1540 or [email protected] PARISH OFFICE HOURS Carol Vaughn ~ 794-6274 or [email protected] Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Elizabeth Welch ~ 797-4617 or [email protected] Friday: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. (Closed from noon-1 p.m. for lunch)