THE STEEPLE Mission of the Church of the Nativity

God’s family at the historic Church of the Nativity is joyfully and energetically committed to sharing Christ’s love

The Church of the Nativity December 18, 2013

WORSHIP

TIMES

SUNDAY

(* Nursery available)

7:45 a.m. Rite I

Holy Eucharist

Bibb Chapel

8:45 a.m.* Rite II

Holy Eucharist

Children’s Chapel

11:00 a.m. * Rite II

Holy Eucharist

WEDNESDAY

12:00 noon

Holy Eucharist & Healing

(Bibb Chapel)

THURSDAY

6:00 p.m.

Holy Eucharist Rite II

Bibb Chapel

CHRISTMASTIDE SERVICES AT NATIVITY

Saturday, December 21

5:00 p.m. Advent Service of Nine Lessons and Carols

·The Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 22

7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I in Bibb Chapel

8:45 a.m.* Holy Eucharist, Rite II in the Church

10:00 a.m.* Church School for all ages

1100 a.m.* Holy Eucharist, Rite II in the Church

*nursery available

·Christmas Eve

4:00 p.m.* Children’s Christmas Pageant and Holy Eucharist

*nursery available for this service only

7:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Festal Holy Eucharist

10:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Festal Holy Eucharist

incense used at this service

· Christmas Day

10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II in Bibb Chapel

· First Sunday after Christmas Day, December 29

7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I in Bibb Chapel

10:00 a.m. Christmas Readings & Carols and Holy Eucharist in the

Church

January 2, Sunday on Thursday

6:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II in Bibb Chapel

Second Sunday after Christmas Day, January 5

7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I in Bibb Chapel

8:45 a.m.* Holy Eucharist, Rite II in the Church

10:00 a.m.* Church School for all ages

11:00 a.m.* Holy Eucharist, Rite II in the Church

*nursery available

HAP Sunday,

January 5

The pantry needs

Bath soap, dried beans and rice, cereal.

Thank you to John Buyse and the volunteers who

helped put the lights on the tree in the Nave for

Christmas.

Daniel Tipton Sean Buyse

Hunter Tipton Brad Hall

Jessy Tipton Daniel Suggs

William Blackerby

Christmas in the Holy Land

with Father Andy

Place: Ridley Hall

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Dec. 22nd - Church of the Holy

Sepulcher and Jerusalem

Children’s Corner

Dec 22 4-6 PM Pageant Practice for Main Characters,

Readers and Candle Lighters

Dec 24 3:15 PM go to Ridley Hall for costume and

instructions

4:00 PM Christmas Eve Pageant and Holy

Eucharist

Dec 25 Merry Christmas!

Jan 5 Sunday school and Children’s Chapel resume

Because January 2014 begins on the 1st Wednesday, the January Steeple will be published on the 2nd and 4th

Wednesdays. This will be for January only. In February, publication will resume on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays.

Evening with Sister Mary

Our annual Evening with Sister Mary, sponsored by Center-

ing Prayer, will be on January 14 at 5:30 PM in Ridley

Hall. Sr. Mary has met with the Nativity groups in January

for more than ten years. Her topic will be “Vatican II's

document Nostra Aetate: The Declaration on the Relation

of the Church to Non-Christian Religions"

She will share about four kinds of dialogue that the Asian

Bishops recommend: dialogue of life (encounter one an-

other as human beings), dialogue of action (joining with

others to take social action to solve society's ills), dialogue

of theological exchange, and dialogue of religious experi-

ence (share spiritual practices). She will give an overview

of the document and her own personal experiences with

these four kinds of dialogue.

The evening will begin at 5:30 with a period of Centering

Prayer followed by a light supper and presentation by Sr.

Mary, and is open to all at no charge. Supper will be pro-

vided by the Centering Prayer Groups. Anyone who

wishes may bring something to add to the table. Call

Brenda Chynoweth, 256-464-9457.

5th Annual Nativity Women’s Retreat – Feb. 21-22,

2014. Speaker: Karim Shamsi-Basha, author of the new

best-seller, “Paul and me”. One Night Only! Friday, Feb. 21-

Saturday Feb. 22, 2014 at St. Mary’s, Sewanee, Tennessee.

(Application forms can be found on the church bulletin boards.)

Cost: $145.00 per person –Checks to Church of Nativity. Reg-

istration Deadline: Friday, December 13, 2013. We are so

excited about this speaker so get your money in – it will fill

up fast! Questions? Contact: Lane Tutt, 256-533-2455 or

256-653-7200.

Nativity’s Medical Mission Team leaves February 2th

for work in our companion villages in Haiti. The team

requests these items for distribution:

Children’s Vitamins Pre-natal Vitamins

Infant Vitamin drops

(please no Gummy vitamins)

Toothbrushes (NO paste!)

Antifungal Creams

Reading glasses (new and or gently used)

with the power marked on the glasses

(please no prescription eyeglasses)

We will collect these on Sundays January 5th, 12th, 19th

and 26th.

Look for large clear plastic bins in Ridley Hall.

INTERCESSION REQUESTS

We pray for those who are ill or recovering: Emile Joffrion, Leigh Wahl, Elsie Olsen, Eileen Sullivan, Phyllis Lawson,

Nancy Colin Swenson, Louis Amis, Charles Mabie, Barbara Hunkapillar, Carla King, Tom Robinson, Harry Beazley,

Anna Post, Bess Wallace, William Stroud, Suzanne Johnson, Tom Wacaster, Pam Smith

We pray for those deployed/serving with the Military:

Bahrain: Jonathan Serwecki; South Korea: Tim Fuhrman; Afghanistan: Michael Knight

For the birth of a child: Benjamin Jasper Polstra, Nov. 27, son of Taylor & Theo Polstra, grandson of Laura & Mike

Innes

For a marriage: Jane McDonald & Alan Daniels, married at Nativity on November 27.

We pray for the departed: Richard Bibb, father of Margaret Bibb; Nancy Kelly, sister-in-law of Adalene Bledsoe

We give thanks for birthdays of our children:

12/18 Hunter Whitworth 12/21 Evan Ward 12/21 Molly Ward 12/22 Margaret Bryant

12/25 Charlie Vowell 12/25 John Laney 12/27 Allie Starnes 12/27 Evan Khodabandeh

12/28 Tess Lambert 12/28 Will Pinson 12/30 Nicholas Ocampo 1/2 Clover Farrell

1/5 Jordan Dunn 1/6 Michael Jones 1/7 Sarah Spragins 1/8 Harry Foster

Nativity Flower Guild — 25 years of faithful service!

UA Press publishes definitive history of the

Episcopal Church in Alabama

Bishops, Bourbons, and Big Mules by J. Barry Vaughn,

tells the story of how the Episcopal Church gained influ-

ence over Alabama's cultural, political, and economic

arenas despite being a denominational minority in the

state. The Author J. Barry Vaughn received a masters of

divinity from Yale University and a PhD in divinity from

the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. From 2000 to

2004 he served as rector of an Episcopal parish in Phila-

delphia, and in 2004 he returned to his native Alabama

to serve as the rector of St. Alban's Episcopal Church in

Birmingham. He is presently the rector of Christ Episco-

pal Church in Las Vegas, Nevada.

An update on Chester - On Thursday, December

12, with the assistance of a dedicated group of Na-

tivity parishioners, Chester moved into an apart-

ment! His new address is:

Chester Harris

2211 Country Club Ave. NW, Apt. 302

Huntsville, AL 35816.

He would love to receive cards and letters!

ICONS in TRANSFORMATION

EXHIBITION

Coming to Nativity February 22 – April

20, 2014

Nativity will host a stunning exhibition

with approximately 100 pieces of art by

the acclaimed abstract expressionist artist

Ludmila Pawlowska. The traveling exhibi-

tion, Icons in Transformation, has toured

cathedrals and museums in both Europe

and the United States. This remarkable

collection will be on display in our church

during Lent 2014. The public as well as

Episcopalians throughout our Diocese are

invited and encouraged to attend.

MUCH MORE INFORMATION COMING

AFTER CHRISTMAS!

Upcoming Baptism Date January 12, The

Baptism of Our Lord, 8:45 & 11:00 services.

Contact Connie in the church office to register.

ARE YOU CURIOUS ABOUT CUR-

SILLO?

HAVE PEOPLE ENCOURAGED YOU

TO ATTEND A CURSILLO WEEKEND?

HAVE YOU BEEN THINKING ABOUT

CURSILLO, BUT WANT MORE INFORMATION?

WE HAVE THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU!

WHAT: Cursillo informational dinner

WHEN: Sunday, January 12, 2014

TIME: 5:30 pm

WHERE: Don and Kay Wheeler’s home

506 Eustis Ave

BRING: Anyone who may be interested in

learning more about Cursillo

RSVP: David (drc3898@knology.net) or

Debbie (dtc3898@knology.net) Collette

2014 Pledges by Dollar Range

December 15, 2013 $1,000 or < 74 $1,001 -- $2,999.99 134

$3,000 -- $4,999.99 67

$5,000 -- $9,999.99 54 $10,000 - $14,999.99 13

$15,000 - $24,999.99 10 $25,000 - $39,999.99 2 $40,000 or > 0

Total Number of Pledges 354 Total Dollar Amount of Pledges

$1,208,873.00

Average Pledge $3,414.90

Centering Prayer Introductory Retreat

An Introduction to Centering Prayer retreat will be held

at the Benedictine Sisters Retreat Center in Cullman

January 17-19, 2014. This form of Christian prayer is

rooted in the ancient Christian contemplative tradition

and is intended to foster a deeper intimacy with Christ.

Private rooms and the ability to maintain silence are re-

quired.

The cost for the weekend is $210/person; lodging,

meals, and linens are included. For registration informa-

tion and other details, please contact the Benedictine

Sisters Retreat Center at (256) 734-8302 or by e-mail at

retreats@shmon.org.

Parish Financial Report Period Ending 11/30/2013

CURRENT MONTH BUDGET for PERIOD ACTUAL YTD BUDGET YTD

Pledges Received $ 131,555.44 $ 105,833.33 $ 1,162,635.36 $ 1,164,166.67

Plate $ 12,773.75 $ 6,666.67 $ 72,846.73 $ 73,333.33

Other Revenues $ 6,736.84 $ 8,733.33 $ 84,094.53 $ 96,066.67

TOTAL $ 151,066.03 $ 121,233.33 $ 1,319,576.62 $ 1,333,566.67

Diocesan, School of Theology, & Outreach $ 27,034.39 $ 23,841.64 $ 218,152.54 $ 262,258.34

Personnel $ 60,888.49 $ 65,201.73 $ 713,567.56 $ 717,846.29

Other Expenses $ 22,644.40 $ 32,137.71 $ 332,965.64 $ 353,514.29

TOTAL $ 110,567.28 $ 121,181.08 $ 1,264,685.74 $ 1,333,618.92

NET $ 40,498.75 $ 52.25 $ 54,890.88 $ (52.25)

Begins Sunday, January 5,

10:00 in the Parish Hall

Rector Andy Anderson, assisted by

the other clergy and lay members of

our parish, will be leading our Seekers’ Class. Classes are de-

signed to include church history, our prayer book and hym-

nal, our worship practices and etiquette, (like when to kneel

or bow or make the sign of the cross!) and our views about

scripture and the sacraments. Classes will also describe the

many varieties of ministry opportunities available in the par-

ish. This class for those seeking membership with The Church

of Nativity and for those who want to refresh or to learn

more about the Episcopal Church. The Rt. Rev’d Kee Sloan

the Bishop of Alabama, will be with us on Sunday, May 18,

2014, to celebrate Confirmation and to receive other new

members. These classes are particularly designed for:

This class is specifically geared toward:

People who have not been baptized

People baptized as infants who want to make a mature

public affirmation of their faith

People seeking out this church community for marriage

or for baptism of a child

People baptized in other traditions but who have not

shared in the Episcopal Church’s understanding of

Confirmation by a Bishop in the historic, apostolic

tradition

Newcomers to the Episcopal Church from other tradi-

tions

Former Roman Catholic, Evangelical Lutheran Church in

America, or Orthodox Christians who want to be

received into this Communion

Active members seeking to deepen and renew their com-

mitment

Nominal members seeking basic formation or lapsed

members willing to reconsider Christian Commitment

Christians seeking deeper faith understanding in a time of

crisis

You may pre-register by contacting careagh@nativity-hsv.org

or by calling her at 256-533-2455. Pre-registration is not

required, you can register in the class on January 5.

2014

SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL resumes January 5, 10:00 a.m. * for all ages.

YOUTH

9th—12th Graders meet 3rd fl Joffrion Hall in EYC loft

7th—8th Graders meet 2nd floor Ridley Hall

5th—6th Graders (CLUB 56) meet 2nd floor Ridley Hall

CHILDREN

Nursery (ages 12 weeks—4 years) 1st floor Joffrion Hall

Godly Play (ages 3 and 4) Angle Land (downstairs Ridley

Hall)

WoRM (ages kindergartners through 4th graders) Angel

Lane (downstairs Ridley Hall)

LOOKING FOR A WEEKDAY/EVENING STUDY

GROUP?

Men’s Wednesday Morning Bible Study

Wednesday 7:15 a.m. (Library)

The Good Book Women’s Bible Study

Wednesday 1:00 p.m. (Library)

Reflections Bible Study (nursery available)

Thursday 9:15 a.m. (Joffrion 2 East)

For information of any of Nativity’s Christian Education

programs please call 533-2455:

Lane Tutt, Adult Education

William Blackerby, Youth Christian Education

Barbara Bonner, Children’s Christian Education

ADULTS

Christianity Without Superstition by John McQuiston II

(Order books at Amazon or book store)

Leaders: Marilyn Evans and guest speakers

Place: Bibb Chapel

Dates: January 5th —February 9

th

Seekers Class

Leader: Father Andy, other Clergy, choirmaster and lay

leaders

Place: Ridley Hall

Bishop’s Celebration : May 18, 2014 – 10:00

Art and Literature

Lynne Berry, Walter Thames, Jeannie Robison

Bibb Chapel

February 16th—March 9

th

Holy Decisions- Difficult Questions as we Grow Older

Father Andy, Juliana Larson, Bob Serio , Connie Glass

Bibb Chapel

March 16th — April 6th

The Zimmerman Bible Study Class continues in the Library

Social Justice Class When Helping Hurts continues in the

Banister Room

Breakfast Club What’s So Amazing about Grace continues

upstairs Joffrion Hall 2

SPONSORS SOUGHT FOR EPISCOPAL FAITH SEEKERS’ CLASS IN 2014

Our Adult Episcopal Faith Seekers’ class is for people seeking to be Confirmed and Baptized Members of the Church

of the Nativity, people seeking to be received into our Episcopal Church, and for Confirmed Episcopalians seeking

to deepen and renew their faith and Baptismal Vows. This class gives participants opportunities to reflect upon the

traditions and practices of Christianity as the Episcopal Church has received them.

Each Seeker will be assigned a sponsor to walk the journey with them. Sponsors are already members of Nativity

who will encourage Seekers and be available for discussions about the faith we share as Episcopalians. Sponsors are

assigned individually by the Rector and the leadership team, matching similar demographics so that the Sponsor

may also help introduce Seekers to other members of the Nativity community. The Seekers’ Class begins on Janu-

ary 5, 2014, but Sponsors will not be assigned until February. For seven of the class sessions, Sponsors will attend

classes with Seekers and participate in small group discussions (from February 23-April 6).

Sponsors will be asked to be in regular contact with their Seeker “as a new church friend.” You will welcome and

introduce your Seeker to others and encourage them to attend parish functions. Of course, Sponsors pray for their

Seekers regularly.

Sponsors are asked to attend class with your Seeker from February 23 through April 6. Also, please be present on

Sunday, February 23 at the 8:45 a.m. service, and stand with your Seeker in a special service of Welcome. The

Bishop will celebrate the commitments our Seekers are making on Sunday, May 18, 2014.

If you would like to serve as a Sponsor, please e-mail Carol Ann Reagh at careagh@nativity-hsv.org or call her at

the parish offices, 256-533-2455.

WORSHIP SCHEDULE January 2014 , published 12/18/13

THURSDAY, January 2, HE

Service Celebrant Preacher

6:00 pm McCown Virginia Kobler

SUNDAY, January 5, Second Sunday after Christmas Day

Service Celebrant Preacher LEM Lector Intercessor

7:45 am Anderson Anderson Sue Johnson Sue Johnson Sue Johnson

8:45 am McCown Anderson Robert Dunn, Charlie Warren, Michal Turner Amy Creech Jim Douthit

11:00 am McCown Anderson Erin Elliott, Will Elliott, Don Lambert Debbie Collette, David Collette Deborah Baker

WEDNESDAY, January 8, HE

Service Celebrant Preacher LEM

12:00 noon Anderson Marilyn Lands

THURSDAY, January 9, HE

Service Celebrant Preacher

6:00 pm McCown Don Lambert

SUNDAY, January 12, First Sunday after the Epiphany: Baptism of Our Lord

Service Cele-

brant Preacher LEM Lector Intercessor

7:45 am McCown McCown Lea Ann Barnett Lea Ann Barnett Lea Ann Barnett

8:45 am Anderson McCown Warren Vann, Virginia Kobler, Mike Ward Allen Daniels Clay Sherrill

11:00 am Anderson McCown Ed Vaught, Hanns Billmayer, Barbara Buice Dianne Nettles, Walter Thames William Blackerby

WEDNESDAY, January 15, HE

Service Celebrant Preacher LEM

12:00 noon McCown Don Askins

THURSDAY, January 16, HE

Service Celebrant Preacher

6:00 pm Anderson Sally Ann Culver

SUNDAY, January 19, Second Sunday after the Epiphany

Service Celebrant Preacher LEM (Robison- out) Lector Intercessor

7:45 am Anderson Anderson John Hendricks John Hendricks John Hendricks

8:45 am McCown Anderson Lee Hicklen, Lane Mickle, Lewis Bates Ed Greene Virginia Kobler

11:00 am McCown Anderson Don Askins, Joan East, Peter Cobun Ed Vaughn, Elaine Hamner Jim Douthit

WEDNESDAY, January 22, HE

Service Celebrant Preacher LEM

12:00 noon Robison Cheryl Watts

THURSDAY, January 23, HE

Service Celebrant Preacher

6:00 pm Groff Don Askins

SUNDAY, January 26, Third Sunday after the Epiphany

Service Celebrant Preacher LEM (Anderson – out) Lector Intercessor

7:45 am TBD TBD Ken Barnett Ken Barnett Ken Barnett

8:45 am McCown TBD Cheryl Watts, Joan East, Don Lambert, Pat Sampson Lee Hicklen Lane Mickle

11:00 am McCown TBD Robin Cozby, Rich Goodwin, Marilyn Lands, Deborah Baker Mickey Ellis, Chris Jackson Ed Vaughn

WEDNESDAY, January 29, HE

Service Celebrant Preacher LEM

12:00 noon McCown Mary Hendricks

THURSDAY, January 30, HE

Service Celebrant Preacher

6:00 pm Anderson Virginia Kobler

USHERS

8:45 Russ McDonald, Lewie Bates, Lynn Bates, Steve Creech, Sparks Ford, Bill Giardini, Robert Rodgers

11:00 Gail Rogers, Ronnie Rogers, Madalyn Hicks, Janet Lyle, Robin Cozby, Chris Wesley

ALTAR GUILD

4 Emily Moody, Gail Brown, Laura Innes, Beth Pugh, Caffey Litkenhous, Judy Vann

11 Louise Reynolds, Jewell Reynolds, Flo Stockton, Alice Lanier, Mary Johnson

18 Rose Anne Shearer, Sara Little, Lea Ann Barnett, Sue Johnson, Judy Heacock

25 renee Elliott, Wand aCobb, Debbie Joyner, Nancy Colin, Elaine Calhoun

1 Connie Stephenson, Emily Moody, Gail Brown, Caffey Litkenhous, Linda Watts, Beth Pugh

CLERGY ON CALL SCHEDULE

Dec. 30 – Jan. 5 January 6 – 12 January 13 – 19 January 20 – 26 January 27 – February 2

Robison Anderson McCown Robison Anderson

Youth Notes! Christmas Fun

Above, the high school Sunday School class puzzles

out the solution to a team building game.

Christmas is almost here, and Nativity

youth have two fun ways to celebrate

together!

Friday, December 20th, 3:30-5:00 PM.

All EYCers (7th-12th grades) are invited

to come enjoy cookies, hot chocolate,

and some tree decorating fun as we

hang Chrismons on the massive tree in

the nave and celebrate the beginning

of the holiday break! We will meet in

the nave of the church.

Sunday, December 22nd, 5:00-7:00 :

All EYC Christmas Party at the Gunters

(1708 Mountainbrook Drive SE 35801). We

will meet at the church at 5:00 to

carol in the neighborhood before we

head to the Gunters for food and holi-

day fun. Bring two wrapped orna-

ments with you: one to swap, and one

for people at the hospital over the

holidays. Pickup will be at the Gunters

at 7:00 PM.

Diocesan Events Coming Up

Friday, February 28th through Sunday, March

2nd, 2014: Happening #64, Church of the

Ascension, Montgomery

The sign-up deadline for happeners is Feb-

ruary 14, 2014. Click here to apply!

The staff application deadline is Decem-

ber 20. Click here to apply!

Winter Weekend at Camp McDowell

January 17-20, 2014 for 7th and 8th Graders.

It is similar to Summer Camp, but in the win-

ter! Find out more and sign up by clicking

here

Church of the Nativity, Episcopal

208 Eustis Ave. SE Huntsville, AL 35801

256-533-2455 Fax: 256-533-2374

www.nativity-hsv.org

STEEPLE SCHEDULE

The Steeple is published each 1st and

3rd Wednesdays.

To submit events or articles,

you may bring them to the church

office or email:

cwatts@nativity-hsv.org

The deadline for the next issue is

Monday noon, January 6 .

CLERGY & STAFF

The Rev’d Dr. Andy Anderson

Rector

The Rev’d Rusty McCown

Associate

The Rev’d Mary Groff

Associate for Pastoral Care

The Rev’d Jeannie Robison

Deacon

Suzanne Purtee

Organist/Choirmaster

Lane Tutt

Adult Christian Formation

William Blackerby

Coordinator of Youth Ministry

Elizabeth Foster

Children’s Formation

Cassie Chenoweth

Assistant Children’s Formation

Audrey Clayton

Nursery Coordinator

John Buyse

Property Manager

Al Ford

Sexton

Sally Stockton

Kitchen Coordinator

Beverly Franklin

Bookkeeper/Business Mgr

Connie Gadomski

Worship & Ministry Assistant

Carol Ann Reagh

Assistant to the Rector

Cheryl Watts

Communications Assistant

Prentice White

Verger/Wedding Coordinator

WARDENS’ COUNCIL

Rusty Stephenson Sr Warden

Brad Hall Jr Warden

Stacy Moon Clerk

Robert Mullins Treasurer

Frederick Lanier Finance Chair

Don Wheeler Nativity Trust

AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY

A member of the clergy is

on call each week. If you need

assistance from a priest outside

office hours, the priest on call will

respond to your message.

The number to call In Case of an

Emergency Only is 256-533-7007.

All other calls should be directed to

church phone 256-533-2455 and

follow the prompts to leave a

message for a priest to respond.

2014 ALTAR FLOWER DEDICATION FORM

To dedicate Altar flowers for 2014, please complete this form and mail with

your check ($40 or $20 for shared dedications) made payable to Nativity

Flower Guild to: Andrea Vandervoort, 434 Locust Ave. Huntsville, AL 35801.

If you have questions, you may call Andrea at 539-2673.

PLEASE PRINT ALL INFORMATION, THANK YOU.

Date desired ________________________________

Your Name___________________________________________________

Phone # _____________________________________________

Would you share a dedication? ____ Do you wish to have your name listed in

the bulletin? ____

Please be specific - underline or circle your desired dedication below:

All dedications read “To the glory of God and...

in loving memory of...in thanksgiving for...

in celebration of...

Name for this altar flower

dedication:_________________________________________

The Steeple December 18, 2013