The Episcopal Church of the Nativity The Window Volume 26, Issue 1 January 2019 From the Curate During Advent we moved from darkness into the light through the power of the Word being made flesh in the birth of the Christ child. January 6, we celebrated Epiphany—the festival of light as this brilliant star guided the wise men to baby Jesus. This theme of light continues as we are children of the light. I mentioned in my sermon about how God has placed people in my path who were like “flashlights” for me when life seemed too dark to bear. Father Peter and I are working towards a curriculum that will be used to equip lead- ers/facilitators for small groups. Small groups are essential in the life of a church because it is through those life-giving relationships that we can be flashlights for each other during times of darkness. We can also shine brilliantly together like a big bunch of joy-filled flowers in full bloom! I’ve been away at the clergy retreat this week and one of the things Bishop Russell said was that Episcopalians don’t have enough confidence to share their story. This is not a criticism— it is merely stating a fact that together we can work to overcome. If we don’t face our fears and or name them, then we are really paralyzed to do anything about them. We stay stuck. Small groups and taking the Spiritual Practice of Evangelism classes are ways these fears can be smashed into a million pieces. These are safe places designed for each of you to go at your own pace and develop the skills and confidence with which to talk about your faith. Because we will all face times of darkness in our lives when we need a “flashlight friend” to shine some light for us as we walk through those times. This is the point of cultivating Christian commu- nity via the church. The church is THE Holy Hospital where we come to hear His Word, re- ceive the sacraments, receive hope and healing in ways that give us new life and eternal “bat- tery life” that keep our flashlights glowing despite any darkness around us. I invite each of you to take steps to conquer these fears by signing up for the Evangelism class as well as a small group once they launch; trusting that God is holding you always, and all really will—be well. Alice+ Jan. 6 - Epiphany Jan. 13 - Confirmation Jan. 20 - Baptism Altar Guild: Kathy Brown, Aggie Altar Guild: Tammi Holman, Libby Altar Guild: Didi Cody, Mary Alford, Burtick, Suzanne Hanaham, Traci Newton Harper, Cathy Orr, Carol Vaughn & Julana Harrison, Kathi King, Nancy Lucas, & Becky Taylor Scott Dianne Walters Barbara Wheelless & Honey Merritt Acolytes: TBA Acolytes: Brewer Dubose, Josh Hicks, Acolytes: George Zeron, Will O wen, Hugh Wheelless, Quinn Dubose and David Sarah Tanton & Hugh Wheelless Deal as verger. Breakfast Chefs: No Breakfast Breakfast Chefs: William Newtwon, Dan Breakfast Chefs: Jerry Wright, William Johnson & Doug Creel Nichols & Shawn Wittenborn Eucharistic Ministers: 7:30 a.m. – John Eucharistic Ministers: 7:30 a.m. – Eucharistic Ministers: 7:30 a.m. – Susan Welch: 10:30 a.m. – George Dennis & Angela Allgood: 10:30 a.m. – Dianne Henderson: 10:30 a.m. – Kaitlyn Brown & Dianne Walters Walters & Teri Wittenborn Hugh Wheelless Flowers: Nelda Northcutt & Suzanne Flowers: Kathie Buntin & Linda Fisher Flowers: Donna Balzaratti & Kendall Barrick Sirkis Greeters: Meredith & David Agan Greeters: Didi & Mike Cody Greeters: Rosilyn & Bryan Holladay Lectors: 1st – Stuart Ibberson; 2nd – Lectors: 1st –Scott Ciluffo; 2nd – Willie Lectors: 1st – Shawn Wittenborn; 2nd – Stephanie Gibson; POP – N/A Fisher; POP – Lisa Hicks Debbie Mainwaring; POP – Taylor Flowers Ushers: 7:30 a.m. – Al Matheny; 10:30 Ushers: 7:30 a.m. – Charles Allgood; Ushers: 7:30 a.m. – Wayne Strickland; a.m. – Merritt Holman & Kevin Patton 10:30 a.m. – Franklin Skinner & Brad 10:30 a.m. – Charlie Northcutt & Brooks Bullard Devane Refreshment Table: Sharon Nichols Refreshment Table: Kathleen Rane Refreshment Table: Nelda Northcutt Shepherds: 7:30 a.m. – Wayne Shepherds: 7:30 a.m. – Mike Cody; Shepherds: 7:30 a.m. – Bill Elliott; Strickland; 10:30 a.m. – Kevin Patton & 10:30 a.m. – Joe Chambers & Greg Rane 10:30 a.m. – Chris McMahan & Charlie William Nichols Northcutt Jan. 27 Morning Prayer Altar Guild: Libby Planz, Melissa Jan. 10: Gholson, Brenda Ortega, Lynda Salisbury & Liz Smyth Stuart Ibberson, Rite I Acolytes: Brewer Dubose, Quinn Dubose, Jan. 17: Mitchell Barbaree, Gavin Wittenborn & Carole Lea Johnson Elizabeth Welch, Rite II Breakfast Chefs: David Jackson, William Jan. 24: Holman & Kaz Espy Robert Sparks, Rite I Jan. 31: Eucharistic Ministers: 7:30 a.m. – Kathi King: 10:30 a.m. – Colliler Espy & Carole Stuart Ibberson, Rite II Lea Johnson Flowers: Karen Jackson & Rosilyn Compline Holladay Greeters: Franklin Skinner Jan. 9: Josh Hicks Lectors: 1st – Thomas Merritt; 2nd – Karen Jackson; POP – Lee Scott Jan. 16: Stuart Ibberson Ushers: 7:30 a.m. – Angela Allgood; 10:30 a.m. – John Strickland & Bill Mallis Refreshment Table: Sigrid Gayle Jan. 24: Suzanne McMahan Shepherds: 7:30 a.m. – Robert Sparks; 10:30 a.m. – Scott Ciluffo & Mike Owen Jan. 30: Lisa Hicks January 2019 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 9 a.m. ² Morning Prayer OFFICE CLOSED 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 7:30 a.m. ± Holy Eucharist Rite 6:45 a.m. ³ 0HQ¶V%UHDNIDVW 9 a.m. ² Morning Prayer I Noon ² Holy Eucharist 10: 30 a.m. ² Holy Eucharist 5:30 p.m. ² Children¶s Choir Rite II 6:20 p.m. ² Compline Noon Pot Luck Soup Lunch ² 7:30 p.m. ± Beer & Hymns EPIPHANY 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 7:30 a.m. ² Holy Eucharist Rite 6:45 a.m. ³ 0HQ¶V%UHDNIDVW 9 a.m. ² Morning Prayer I Noon ² Holy Eucharist 9:15 a.m. ± Sunday School 5:30 p.m. ² Children¶s Choir 10:30 a.m. ² Holy Eucharist 6:20 p.m. -- Compline Happening Staff Training Happening Staff Training Rite II (CONFIRMATION) 3-5 p.m. ² Pre-Convention Delegate Meeting 4-7 p.m. ² Dothan Rescue Mission 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 7:30 a.m. ² Holy Eucharist Rite 6:45 a.m. ³ 0HQ¶V%UHDNIDVW 9 a.m. ² Morning Prayer I Noon ² Holy Eucharist 9:15 a.m. ² Sunday School 5:30 p.m. ² Children¶s Choir 10:30 a.m. ² Holy Eucharist OFFICE CLOSED ² Martin 6:20 p.m. -- Compline Rite II Luther King Jr. Day 6 p.m. ² Cursillo Stations of the Happening Staff Training Cross 27 28 29 30 31 7:30 a.m. ² Holy Eucharist Rite 6:45 a.m. ³ 0HQ¶V%UHDNIDVW 9 a.m. ² Morning Prayer I Noon ² Holy Eucharist 9:15 a.m. ² Sunday School 5:30 p.m. ² Children¶s Choir 10:30 a.m. ² Holy Eucharist 6:20 p.m. -- Compline Rite II Please email items you would like included in the calendar section to [email protected]. Sean of the South by Sean Dietrich didn’t have a thing to wear. Dothan, Alabama—I am watch- I felt the way Alice did. What if ing an Episcopalian choir sing. The nobody showed up? What if they music is good enough to bring a tear didn’t like me? Or worse, what if I to a glass eye. One soprano has a made a complete knucklehead voice so robust it makes the stained McSpazatron out of myself? glass vibrate and the rafters shake. My wife and I drove to Dothan on The choir is singing in Latin. At a Wednesday afternoon. least I think it’s Latin. Father Peter met us at the church The Baptist churches of my child- doors. He gave me the dime tour of hood had choirs, but not like this. We the antique sanctuary. I wore my only did not sing in Latin. We sang in sportcoat—a black jacket with a polyester and khakis. bleach stain on the back. Episcopalians are interesting birds. the ministry later in life. He showed me to a quiet room The “Piskies” do everything differ- This is unlike the Evangelical min- where I could gather my thoughts. I ently than the Evangelicals who isters from my childhood. My friend was already having trouble breath- raised me. They even have different Anderson, for instance, received a ing. terminology. I have trouble remem- call into ministry around age three. “Nobody’s gonna come tonight,” I bering all the definitions. He became church treasurer by age told my wife. “Nobody wants to hear For example: a priest’s robe is a nine, associate pastor by age twelve, a knucklehead McSpazatron speak “cassock.” This comes from the an- and he finally got his own Freewill publicly.” cient word, “cass,” which is literally Baptist church three weeks before he “You’re not a knucklehead translated: the American lead female sprouted armpit hair. McSpazatron,” she said. “Well, not singer from the Mamas and the Pa- Alice delivers a very brief sermon. very often.” pas. It lasts ten minutes, tops. She talks The priest knocked on the door. “I Some other explanations: about first coming to this church. think they’re ready for you,” he said, Those in the congregation are not She speaks about how she was afraid handing me a microphone. “people,” but “laity.” of not being accepted, and being My hands were trembling. I almost The area where the the laity sit is worried she wouldn’t fit in. She is puked on his cassock and called the “nave.” honest, and it’s refreshing.