THE STAR FEBRUARY 2014

The Church of the Nativity

1201 Cross Street * PO Box 2356 * Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30707

(706) 866-9773 * NativityFtO@gmail.com

Nativity.dioet.com

Epiphany: a Three-Part Construction Beginning with the astrologers from the East who follow the star over the baby Jesus and the Holy Family, we begin the Season of Light—the Season in which God's self-disclosure is made to all humanity, not just to the Chosen people, or to the religious folk, or the pious, or the righteous, but to ALL people, Jew and Gentile, saints and sinners, religious and irreligious. The seminal episode is followed by the self-disclosure of Jesus as the Anointed One at his baptism in the second Sunday of Epiphany. Again, God is made manifest in Jesus, the God-Man. So the first act in the drama of Epiphany is the dynamic of disclosure, of showing forth the nature of God in Christ Jesus. The act of revealing makes up Epiphany, Part I. Act two contains an equally important dynamic: the response of acceptance. God never coerces belief. The Lord always leaves room for us to accept—or deny! Two people could hear the stories of the Magi and the Baptism of Jesus and one could say "Oh, those are nice fairy tales," or another, through the eyes of faith, could say, "those events show God's unique action in history" to enlighten the world. Revelation needs receptivity, or it does no good. Without acceptance, the act of revealing goes unnoticed, unappreciated, and un-acted upon. Act Three is not only receiving what is revealed, but acting upon it. That is why this third Sunday in Epiphany we have the Gospel stories of Jesus calling the disciples—and their response. These fisherfolk leave their nets and climb to their feet when Jesus says, "Follow me." Only in the willingness to act, to step out in faith, does revelation meet the road and have an impact on the world. What this means is that we are "Godbearers," entrusted buy our Lord Jesus to be the "salt and light" to a world enslaved by sin and death. But we must act for Christ's self-disclosure to happen in the here and now. As St. Augustine said, "Without God, we cannot; without us, God will not." Our part in the equation of salvation is essential. Let us therefore enter wholeheartedly into this drams of Epiphany in a way that makes a difference to us, to Nativity, and to the world our Lord came to save. Grace and peace, be with you always in Christ Jesus, as we live the Gospel together.

The Rev. King Oehmig

Discerning Nativity's Present Mission

Friday, January 24, Nativity's vestry and discernment committee, along with our Priest-in-Charge, Father King, met to begin the exciting conversation about the direction of our way forward together. The gathering was facilitated by long-time Chattanoogan Rick Govan, Deputy for Ministry and Congregational Development for the Diocese of East Tennessee. The evening's business was understood to be important for the parish, but the mood was joyful, as all present were buoyed by the belief that our ordained leadership and our parish members are a match made in heaven.

After a tasty bowl of Margy Oehmig's homemade chili and a salad, the group set to work. Govan explained that over time (perhaps many years) the life cycle of every parish goes from energetic startup and growth to stability/predictability, and eventually to decline (see diagram below…) The healthy parish anticipates the decline phase, at this key point recognizes that the world has changed, and redefines itself, leading to a new growth phase, rather than decline. That's exactly where Nativity finds itself.

When Nativity's search committee recognized that the parish wanted Father King to be our ordained leader, and Bishop George Young approved the call, the search committee transitioned into a discernment committee. Under the Holy Spirit's guidance, we have our priest, but we still need to look within ourselves and discern our clear mission.

So now the discernment committee will talk with every group it can identify within the parish to find out what directions the group would like to see Nativity pursue going forward. And the committee also wants to hear what's on the hearts of each individual parish member. Soon, each parish member will have an opportunity to respond to an anonymous questionnaire with that open-ended purpose. And each member will be encouraged to speak up at a town hall type session on a Sunday (or Sundays) to be announced soon.

We can only discern Nativity's true mission if all of us put in our values, so please freely speak to any vestry or discernment committee member. Shannon Beesley, Dale Cureton, Linda Graydon, Dustin Hales, Barbara Johnson, Charles Mahan, Gary McGhee, Lisa McNeese, and April Phillips comprise the committee.

-Charles Mahan

Gayle Thibaudeau is the new Project Linus Coordinator for Hamilton County, TN and northwest GA. If you would like to donate new handmade blankets for children of all ages, they would be very much appreciated. She has a brochure for additional information or anyone can contact her personally. They are currently supplying blankets for children who suffer any type of trauma to Ft. Oglethorpe Fire Department, Angel Ambulance Service and American Red Cross as well as several other services in our immediate area. Please come to Needlers on Tuesday nights at 6:00 to get a hand or give a hand! Or visit www.projectlinus.com for patterns and ideas.

The Congregational Life Cycle

February Outreach: February 9, 2014 – Intergenerational Event – Join us at 9:30 in the parish hall to decorate Valentines for nursing home residents. February 15, 2014 – Food Pantry Saturday March 2, 2014 – Intergenerational Event – Come and decorate the 2014 Lenten mite boxes

From the Nurse’s Desk…

Hypothermia is dangerously low body temperature – below 95°F (35°C). People most likely to experience hypothermia include:

Very old or very young

Chronically ill, especially with heart or circulation problems

Malnourished and/or over tired

Those under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Hypothermia occurs when more heat is lost than the body can generate. It is usually caused by extended exposure to the cold. Common causes include:

Being outside without enough protective clothing I winter.

Wearing wet clothing in windy or cold weather

Heavy exertion, not drinking enough fluids, or not eating enough in cold weather. As people develop hypothermia, their abilities to think and move are often lost slowly. In fact, they may be unaware that they need emergency treatment. Someone with hypothermia is also likely to have frostbite.

Symptoms of hypothermia include:

Drowsiness

Weakness and loss of coordination

Pale and cold skin

Confusion

Uncontrolled shivering (although at extremely low body temperatures, shivering may stop)

Slowed breathing or heart rate. Lethargy, cardiac arrest, shock, and coma can set in without prompt treatment. HYPOTHERMIA CAN BE FATAL.

What to do:

If any symptoms of hypothermia are present, especially confusion or changes in mental status, immediately call 911.

If the person is unconscious, check airway, breathing and circulation. If necessary, begin CPR.

Take the person inside to room temperature and cover him or her with warm blankets. If going indoors is not possible, get the person out of the wind and use a blanket to provide insulation from the cold ground. Cover the person’s head and neck to help retain body heat.

Once inside, remove any wet or constricting clothing and replace them with dry clothing.

Warm the person. If necessary, use your own body heat to aid the warming process. Apply warm compresses to the neck, chest wall, and groin. If the person is alert and can easily swallow, give warm, nonalcoholic fluids to aid warming.

Stay with the person until medical help arrives. DO NOT:

Assume that someone found motionless in the cold is already dead.

Use direct heat (such as hot water bottles, a heating pad, or a heat lamp) to warm the person.

Give the person alcohol.

CALL 911 ANYTIME YOU SUSPECT SOMEONE HAS HYPOTHERMIA. GIVE FIRST AID WHILE AWAITING EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE. Linda DeGutes, Parish Nurse

The 2014 Church of the Nativity

Vestry and their areas of

responsibility are as follows…

Hollis Holland – Senior Warden

Tim Beesley* – Junior Warden

Gayle Thibaudeau* – Outreach

Leah Couch – Sunday Hospitality

Fran Hartis – Sunday Hospitality

Sure Pfeffer – Parish Fellowship

Lisa McNeese – Parish Fellowship & Vestry Clerk

Michael Hales – Welcome Ministry

Dustin Hales* - Nursery, Children &

Intergenerational Sunday Events; Acolyte Master

(* New Members)

A huge to those Vestry

members whose terms expired

in 2013!

Myra Cureton, Meredith Hales, and Nannette Brass.

to Sofia Kathryn Maddox, Dylan Elias

Maddox, Henry King Oehmig III, and

Benjamin Gregory Gachassin on the

occasion of their Baptism!

Christian Education for February… February 2, 2014 We celebrate the fulfillment of scripture through the birth of our Lord Jesus. February 9, 2014 Intergenerational - Making Valentines February 16, 2014 Jesus guides us into relationship with God and our neighbor. February 23, 2014 Unselfish love shows that we are God’s children.

February 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

8:30AM HE Rite I 9:30AM Christian Ed 10:30AM HE Rite II

12:15PM Choir 8:00PM AA & AlAnon SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY

6:00PM Outreach Committee Meeting

6:00PM Needlers

Noon Holy Eucharist and Healing Service 6:00PM Cursillo Reunion

7:00PM Bible Study

8:00PM AA & AlAnon Diocesan Convention

Diocesan Convention

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

8:30AM HE Rite I 9:30AM Intergenerational Event – Making Valentines 10:30AM HE Rite II

12:15PM Choir 8:00PM AA & AlAnon

6:30PM Ladies’ Night Out at O’Charley’s, Fort O (Meet at church at 6:00 to carpool)

6:00PM Needlers

Noon Holy Eucharist and Healing Service 6:00PM Cursillo Reunion

7:00PM Bible Study

8:00PM AA & AlAnon

Valentine Delivery

9:30AM Food Pantry Set-Up 10:00AM Nativity Food Pantry

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

8:30AM HE Rite I 9:30AM Christian Ed 10:30AM HE Rite II

12:15PM Choir 8:00PM AA & AlAnon

5:30PM Vestry Meeting

6:00PM Needlers

Noon Holy Eucharist and Healing Service 6:00PM Cursillo Reunion

7:00PM Bible Study

8:00PM AA & AlAnon

23 24 25 26 27 28

8:30AM HE Rite I 9:30AM Christian Ed 10:30AM HE Rite II 8:00PM AA & AlAnon Community Kitchen Thrift Store Collection Day

6:00PM Needlers King will be out of town 02/23 – 03/03

8:00PM AA & AlAnon

Send your news for December to KellyHalfacre@gmail.com or

McChooChoo@epbfi.com by February 23rd!

YOUR PRAYERS ARE ASKED FOR: Phil Schaeffer, Jill Bennett, Terry, Paul, Chase, Tammy, Fran, Martha Jo, Johanna, Helen, Ruby, Byron, Erin, Taylor, Carol Fitzsimmons, Rose Dilling. PRAYERS FOR CONTINUED HEALING FOR: Pat Chambers, Jerry Maddox, Marian, Meredith, Myra, Linda, DeEtt Bowman, Dorothy, Jerry Dean, Ardeth Lester. PRAYERS FOR THOSE SERVING IN THE MILITARY: Mike, Hubert,

Blake, Steve, Greg, Michael, Leo, Casey, Dion, Rob, Jonathan, Steven,

Josh, Todd

5th Chris Wilson 8th Jason Nicklous 9th Carol Schaeffer 11th Patience Okoronkwo & Janelle Holland 12th Elizabeth Goss & Jennifer Cameron 15th Pat Hamil 19th Dosha Blanchard 20th Leah Couch 21st Lacey Graydon & Allen Frame 26th Dan Rineer

27th Woody Mader & Sharon Carr