The Episcopal Church of the Nativity The Window Volume 23, Issue 10 October 2016 From the Curate Recently a small group gathered in the Chancel pews here at Nativity and prayed a litany for peace and social justice. Our prayers included this petition, “We pray for peace in our commu- nities this day and commit to you all who work to uphold law and justice. We pray for an end to fear. Bless our streets and cities that people may go about their lives in safety and well-being.” The next morning, I pulled up a news site on my computer that had a picture of a protester and a national guardsman hugging with a caption that read “Third night of protests in Charlotte mostly peaceful.” As I read this headline, I thought of our small group praying and then gathering around the altar to celebrate Holy Eucharist. I thought about the witness of presence this group brought to the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ. I can still hear their voices saying, “Hear our prayer.” We had eight people in our small group that night, but I know that we were joining with others who were praying to God for peace. More important still, I know that the Holy Spirit was moving on our behalf because that is what is promised to us in Scripture. Our group stumbled through the sung parts of the Eucharist, especially The Lord’s Prayer as people gave up trying to read the music and tried to blend their voices. Our singing was halting and clumsy and we focused on each word with inten- tion. The beauty of that moment will stay with me for a long time. I know that God saw humility and heard the sincere petitions of his people in those moments. We were acknowledging God’s sovereignty and our need of His love and guidance. As Christians, we are to have faith that peace is possible. We are to uphold the law of love that Jesus wit- nessed to in word and deed. Jesus taught us that life can come from death and hope can overwhelm despair. We have seen this triumph of life over death in our Lord Jesus both in his resurrection and in the testimony of his ministry to those in need of transformation from a life of darkness to one of hope and light and prom- ise. Sometimes our efforts are clumsy, and we must continually seek God’s guidance in where to give our time and resources. There will be moments when we don’t get it right, but we must continually try. I am so thankful for the witness and work of our church. I am continually blessed in sharing the journey of growth in grace that I see so many of our members experiencing — including myself. Many are coming to better understand their vocations and gifts, and it is wonderful watching people grow in confidence as they gain mastery in new ministries that they were initially anxious about joining. Thanks be to God for the good work of Nativity and the privilege we have of joining with others in prayer for our country and in working in our community to spread the Good News and share God’s love. As the Apostle Paul would say, “I thank God for you every day!” Yours in Christ, Mother Linda Suzanne + October 2 October 9 October 16 Altar Guild: Libby Planz, Melissa Altar Guild: Tammi Holman, Libby Altar Guild: Didi Cody, Mary Alford, Gholson, Brenda Ortega, Lynda Salisbury Harper, Cathy Orr, Karen Pittman & Carol Julana Harrison, Kathi King, Aggie & Liz Smyth Vaughn Burtick & Barbara Wheelless Acolytes: Hugh Wheelless, Mary Blake Acolytes: Stuart Ibberson, Mitchell Acolytes: Mark Carter, Joey Boutwell, Zeron, George Zeron & Will Owen Barbaree, Preston Hall & Carole Lea Anthony Wittenborn, Gavin Wittenborn & Johnson Flowers Tallulah Randolph Breakfast Chefs: William Newton, Dan Breakfast Chefs: John Welch, Bill Mallis, Breakfast Chefs: David Jackson, William Johnson & Doug Creel Jeff Crittenden & Lee Scott Holman & Kaz Espy Eucharistic Ministers: 7:30 a.m. – Hank Eucharistic Ministers: 7:30 a.m. – Kathi Eucharistic Ministers: 7:30 a.m. – Debra Vaughn King Strickland 10:30 a.m. – David Deal & Hugh Wheel- 10:30 a.m. – George Dennis & Karen 10:30 a.m. – Harry Hall & Mark Carter less Jackson Flowers: Melinda Kellenberger & Becky Flowers: Gina Medley & Suzanne Barrck Flowers: Sam Flowers & Lara Taylor Scott Kosolopoff-Wright Greeters: Suzanne Barrick Greeters: Barbara & Richard Seaman Greeters: Debbie Somma Lectors: 1st – Mark Carter; 2nd – Lee Lectors: 1st – Barbara Wheelless; 2nd – Lectors: 1st – Mary Alford; 2nd – Scott; POP – David Deal Harry Hall; POP – Taylor Flowers Anthony Wittenborn; POP – Jeff Crittenden Ushers: 7:30 a.m. – Al Matheny Ushers: 7:30 a.m. – Wayne Strickland Ushers: 7:30 a.m. – Bill Elliott 10:30 a.m. – Doug Creel & Whit Huskey 10:30 a.m. – Cliff Joyner & Harry Hall 10:30 a.m. – John Strickland & Mike Cody Refreshment Table: Northcutt Refreshment Table: Crittenden Refreshment Table: Harper Vestry Lockup: Trista Howell Vestry Lockup: Suzanne McMahan Vestry Lockup: Tonye Frith October 23 October 30 Morning Prayer Oct. 6 – Mother Linda Suzanne, Altar Guild: Libby Planz, Melissa Altar Guild: Becky Taylor Scott, Kathy Rite II Gholson, Brenda Ortega, Lynda Salisbury Brown, Suzanne Hanahan & Traci Netwon & Liz Smyth Oct. 13 – Elizabeth Welch, Rite I Acolytes: Edde Somma, Sylvia Somma, Acolytes: Hugh Wheelless, Mary Blake Sam Middleton, Alex Middleton & Will Zeron, George Zeron & Will Owen Oct. 20 – Suzanne McMahan, Gholson Rite II Breakfast Chefs: Johnny Turner, Jerry Breakfast Chefs: Mike Cody, Christopher Oct. 27 – Stuart Ibberson, Rite I Wright, Bob Floyd & William Nichols Cody & Lee Van Carroll Eucharistic Ministers: 7:30 a.m. – Susan Eucharistic Ministers: 7:30 a.m. – John Henderson Welch 10:30 a.m. – Stuart Ibberson & Elizabeth 10:30 a.m. – Collier Espy & Hugh Compline Welch Wheelless Oct. 5 – Bill Elliott Flowers: Donna Balzaratti & Linda Fisher Flowers: Karen Jackson & Sharon Nichols Oct. 12 – Mother Linda Suzanne Greeters: Franklin Skinner Greeters: Didi & Mike Cody Oct. 19 – Lisa Hicks Lectors: 1st – Valerie Harris; 2nd – Willie Lectors: 1st – Lee Scott; 2nd – David Fisher; POP – Johnny Turner Deal; POP – Elizabeth Welch Oct. 26 – Suzanne McMahan Ushers: 7:30 a.m. – Wendell Switzer Ushers: 7:30 a.m. – Charles Allgood 10:30 a.m. – Mark Carter & John 10:30 a.m. – Kaz Espy & Jerry Wright Steensland Refreshment Table: Marsella Refreshment Table: Gholson Altar Linens Vestry Lockup: Stuart Ibberson Vestry Lockup: Charles Allgood September – Mary Alford ATTENTION ALL COMMITTEE CHAIRS: ANNUAL REPORTS AND 2017 REPORTS ANNUAL COMMITTEE CHAIRS: ALL ATTENTION BUDGET REQUESTS ARE THE DUE TO REQUESTS BUDGET OFFICE OCTOBER 28! BY October 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 7:30 a.m. ² Holy Eucharist 6:45 a.m. ² 0HQ¶V%UHDNIDVW 5:30-6:15 p.m. ² &KLOGUHQ¶V 9 a.m. ² Morning Prayer in Rite I 6:15 p.m. ² Midrash at the 10 a.m. ² Healing Service in Choir the Chapel 9 a.m. ² Daughters of Rectory the Chapel 6 p.m. -- :RPHQ¶V)LUVW the King meet in the Parlor 11 a.m. ² :RPHQ¶V%LEOH Wednesday 10:30 a.m. ² Holy Eucharist Study 6:20 p.m. ² Compline Rite II 6:30 p.m. ² Choir Practice 5 p.m. ± Blessing of the Animals 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 7:30 a.m. ² Holy Eucharist 6:45 a.m. ² 0HQ¶V%UHDNIDVW 6 p.m. ² Montly Manna 9 a.m. ² Morning Prayer in 7-10 a.m. ² 6W-RVHSK¶V Rite I 6:15 p.m. ± Midrash at the 10 a.m. ² Healing Service in Potluck the Chapel Guild 9 a.m. ² DOK Rectory the Chapel 5:30-6:15 p.m. ² &KLOGUHQ¶V 10:30 a.m. ² Holy Eucharist 11 a.m. ² :RPHQ¶V%LEOH Choir Rite II Study 6:30 p.m. ² Choir Practice 5:30 p.m. ± Dothan Rescue 7:30 p.m. ± Compline Mission 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 7:30 a.m. ² Holy Eucharist 6:45 a.m. ² 0HQ¶V%UHDNIDVW 5:30-6:15 p.m. ² &KLOGUHQ¶V 9 a.m. ² Morning Prayer in Rite I 6:15 p.m. ² Midrash in the 10 a.m. ² Healing Service in Choir the Chapel 9 a.m. ² Daughters of Parlor the Chapel 6 p.m. ² Vocational the King meet in the Parlor 11 a.m. ² :RPHQ¶V%LEOH Discernment meeting Thirst for Theology ± 7-9 10:30 a.m. ² Holy Eucharist Study 6:30 p.m. ² Choir Practice p.m.. at Oak & Olive Rite II 7:30 p.m. -- Compline 6 p.m. ² Vestry Meeting 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 7:30 a.m. ² Holy Eucharist 6:45 a.m. ² 0HQ¶V%UHDNIDVW 5:30-6:15 p.m. ² &KLOGUHQ¶V 9 a.m. ² Morning Prayer in Rite I 6:15 p.m. ² Midrash at the 10 a.m. ² Healing Service in Choir the Chapel 6-9 p.m. -- Oktoberfest 4 p.m. ² Trunk or Treat in the 9 a.m. ² Daughters of Rectory the Chapel 6:20 p.m. ² Compline Parking Lot the King meet in the Parlor 11 a.m. ² :RPHQ¶V%LEOH 6:30 p.m. ² Choir Practice 10:30 a.m. ² Holy Eucharist Study Rite II 30 31 Notes: 7:30 a.m. ² Holy Eucharist Unless otherwise noted, Sunday service s: Rite I 6:15 p.m. ² Midrash at the 7:30 a.m. ± Holy Communion Rite I 9 a.m. ² Daughters of Rectory 8:30 a.m. ± Breakfast the King meet in the Parlor 9:15 a.m. ± Sunday School in Parish Ha ll 10:30 a.m 9:15 a.m.