October 2017 A note from the Rector…

When I was a little girl, there were some nights I was so excited that I couldn’t get to sleep. One night was the night

before school started. Another was the night before we went on vacation. Then there was the night each summer before

we went to visit my mother’s parents outside of Syracuse, New York. I loved my grandparents and I saw them only a

couple of times each year. We only went to visit them in the summer. Besides the love showered on me by my

grandparents, the whole town (or so it seemed to me) was filled with aunts and uncles and cousins, all seemingly

delighted to see me.

In other words, there were times when I was impatient. Time moved so slowly. It seemed to take so long for the exciting

day to arrive.

Recently, I’ve been reminded of the importance of the spiritual practice of patience. This is because I have had the

opportunity (and probably very good fortune) to be immersed in our healthcare system.

I was with a friend who had double hip replacement surgery. The hospital had 30 operating rooms, so you can imagine

how busy a place it was. We also know how there are emergencies or surgeries that take longer than expected. Things

happen. We arrived at 9:30am on the day of surgery and it was 2:30pm before the surgery even started! That was a lot of

waiting. It was 7:30pm until he was in his room…a total of 10 hours. The surgery went well and as expected. A lot of

patience was required, too.

Another friend was with me, so we talked. She crocheted a beautiful shawl. We ate meals together. We prayed. We had a

list of people to call when the surgery was over. There was nothing more we could do. We had to accept the day as it

unfolded and however long it took.

Our Christian journey certainly requires patience. I recently heard someone say, “History doesn’t repeat itself; human

nature just doesn’t change.” The change that Jesus Christ came to make certainly spread through the ancient world

quickly, given the technology of the times. The life that Jesus modeled and taught us to live has wonderful, universal

appeal. Love God and love your neighbor. Generous forgiveness and radical welcome. Justice for all of those who are

oppressed.

Yet, “human nature doesn’t change that much,” so we see ourselves in the early disciples and followers of Jesus. We

make the same mistakes they did. Justice seems to take such a long time to occur. It seems like there is always a war

going on in the world and plenty of upheaval in our own communities.

We must engage in active patience. We do the work Jesus asks us to do. We learn from our mistakes and from

the mistakes of others. We keep working for justice and peace. And Jesus teaches us patience.

Love, Rebecca+

NATIVITY NEWS The newsletter of the

Episcopal Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen

Newport and Thompsontown, PA

159 South Second Street, Newport PA 17074

Phone: 717-567-6514 E-mail: chnatss@pa.net

Parish Website: www.nativityandststephen.diocpa.org

Hurricane Harvey – How you can help. Hurricane Harvey made landfall on Friday evening, August 25th, as the first Category 4 hurricane to hit the

United States since Hurricane Charley in 2004. Ahead of its landfall, many communities were ordered to

evacuate, as fears arose that the hurricane could leave some coastal areas uninhabitable. The storm, which

intensified over the Gulf of Mexico before hitting Texas and its surrounding states, brought with it heavy

rainfall, damaging winds, and a powerful storm surge. It has significantly impacted communities along the

Texas coastline, including Houston, as well as other areas along the Gulf with wind and flood damage. Charity

Navigator has compiled a list of highly-rated organizations responding in the aftermath of this storm and

providing assistance to the people and communities affected by it. Donors can designate their donations to the

cause on the organization's website. However, at this point in time it is not certain that all these organizations

will spend 100% of donations received on Hurricane Harvey relief.

If you're looking for a local charity to support in the wake of Hurricane Harvey please consider Houston SPCA,

Houston Humane Society, Houston Food Bank, Food Bank of Corpus Christi, or San Antonio Humane Society.

These highly-rated organizations are located in the most-affected areas and are providing support to individuals

and animals.

United Way of Greater Houston

Direct Relief - shipping medicine and medical supplies to Texas, and has made its entire medical inventory of

more than $100 million available for the Harvey relief effort.

Samaritan's Purse

International Relief Teams

Convoy of Hope

Habitat for Horses

American Red Cross - text HARVEY to 90999 to donate $10

All Hands Volunteers

Child Foundation

UJA-Federation of New York

Islamic Relief USA

GlobalGiving

ShelterBox USA

Save the Children - delivering baby supplies, including cribs and strollers, and setting up child-friendly spaces

in shelters

SBP

American Kidney Fund

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

Houston Food Bank

World Vision

MAP International

Matthew 25: Ministries - distributing personal care kits, cleaning products, first aid and safety kits, diapers,

paper products and tarps

MedShare

The Zakat Foundation of America

Star of Hope Mission

Americares - takes medicine and supplies to survivors

Episcopal Relief & Development

Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago

Heart to Heart International

Delivering Good

International Orthodox Christian Charities

Brother's Brother Foundation

Feeding America

DonorsChoose.org

The Texas Diaper Bank in San Antonio is asking for diapers and wipes, which

can be mailed to 5415 Bandera Road, Suite 504, SanAntonio, Tex., 78238

The United Way of Greater Houston flood relief fund will be used to help with immediate needs as well as

long-term services like minor home repair. Visit their website to donate or text UWFLOOD to 41444.

The L.G.B.T.Q. Disaster Relief Fund will be used to help people “rebuild their lives through counseling, case

management, direct assistance with shelf stable food, furniture, housing and more.” It is managed by The

Montrose Center, Houston’s longtime community center for the area’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender

population.

National Organizations

Catholic Charities provides food, clothing, shelter and support services to those from all religious backgrounds.

Donations to the Salvation Army can be made online, by calling 1-800-SALARMY (1-800-725-2769) or

texting STORM to 51555.

AABB, which coordinates a task force to manage blood collection efforts during disasters, put out a call on

Sunday for blood donations in the aftermath of Harvey. Most in demand: those with type O-positive blood.

Those interested in donating blood may contact the following organizations:

• AABB: 301-907-6977

• America’s Blood Centers

• American Red Cross: 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)

• Armed Services Blood Program: 703-681-5979

Online-only organizations

GoFundMe has created a page with all of its Harvey-related campaigns, including one started by the country

singer Chris Young, who donated $100,000, and another created by the president and chief executive of the

Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce.

Mexican earthquake Relief:

Direct Relief (https://www.directrelief.org/) - a U.S. based charity that focuses on medical assistance in disaster

zones. Direct Relief has received the highest 4 STAR rating by Charity Navigator. To Donate through "Direct

Relief": Go to: https://www.directrelief.org/

Choose "Donate Now".

Choose "Direct my donation to Mexico Earthquake"

GlobalGiving (https://www.globalgiving.org/) - a U.S. based charity that connects donors with community-

based projects that need support. GlobalGiving has also received the highest 4 STAR rating by Charity

Navigator. https://www.globalgiving.org/dy/v2/checkout/billing/

Brigada de Rescate Topos, or just Los Topos. This Mexican disaster relief group was founded after the deadly

1985 earthquake in Mexico direct deposit to: Santander 92000709294 CLABE 014180920007092942 or

Paypal: donativos@brigada-rescate-topos.org topos.mx

Episcopal Relief and Development ensures your donations reach people in need around the world.

Donations are accepted online or can be mailed. www.episcopalrelief.org or PO Box 7058 Merrifield VA

22116-7058.

Digital Organ Proposal Accepted

Vestry voted to accept the proposal of Susquehanna Organs for a Digital organ for the church. Vestry approved

up to $60,000 for this project, adding $4,500 for contingencies that may arise. We may need to do some

electrical work and we may want a different wood case than the standard walnut provided in the quote.

We still need to decide what will happen to the pipes. The decorative pipes will remain - they don't provide any

sound. If you know of someone, an artist maybe, who would like the organ pipes, please let Bill or Wendy Day

or Sue Beamer know. Otherwise, we will have the pipes removed and hauled away at the time of the installation

of the new organ.

Vestry voted to fund this project through the sale of the Orrstown Bank Stock, which netted $35,500. The

remaining $24,500 will come from donations and savings. If you'd like to donate, envelopes are available at the

back of the church. Mark “organ fund” in the memo line if you pay by check.

It will take 6-8 weeks for the organ to be built, once it is ordered, and then a week to install. This could all

happen by December.

Thanks to the committee who explored the options, Bill and Wendy Day, Sue Beamer and Andrea

Jezewski. Thanks to all of you for expressing your ideas and opinions. We will try to schedule a trip to the

Allen Organ Factory for those who are interested in learning more.

Chapter of Integrity forming in Diocese of Central Pennsylvania Recently I attended the first meeting of Integrity of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania. Integrity is an

organization that began in 1974. The organization works for full inclusion of people who are Lesbian, Gay,

Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) in all areas of The Episcopal Church. They also help local

parishes proclaim their full inclusion of all people regardless of gender identity.

Integrity of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania is seeking members.

The easiest way is to go online at http://www.integrityusa.org/membership and click on Donate Online near the

bottom of the page. This will take you to an online donation form.

1. It is important that you enter the name of our diocese as follows: The Episcopal Diocese of Central PA.

2. Include the city with the name of your parish.

3. It is also important to enter our chapter name as follows: Integrity of Central PA.

4. Select PayPal as your payment method.

5. It is important to select a designation of New Membership or Membership Renewal.

6. Fill in other optional information as desired. Then click on Donate Now.

7. When complete, your transaction will appear on your credit card or PayPal statement as "Network for Good."

You should receive a receipt form Integrity by email.

8. It is important for us to know from you that you have made your membership donation so that we can

identify you as a chapter member. You can do this by forwarding your email receipt from Integrity

to IntegrityCentralPA@gmail.com

The next meeting will be in November at St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

Vestry Report

Our Purpose

We began Vestry using the Daily devotions for Individuals and Families. We use the devotion for early

evening. (The Book of Common Prayer, page 139). In this chapter Presiding Bishop Curry stresses the guiding

principle of love. He says:

“That’s the Jesus Movement. We are a community of people whose lives are constantly being re-oriented

around Jesus, bearing witness to his way, not the world’s way. We are living his way of love, not our own.”

We discussed questions for the chapter. The first question asked about Presiding Bishop Curry’s assertion that

the opposite of love is not hate, but selfishness. The second question focused on the principles for nonviolent

civil rights activists and asked which we found most compelling. The principles as given to the activists in

Birmingham, Alabama were:

Remember the nonviolent movement seeks justice and reconciliation – not victory

Walk and talk in the manner of love; for God is love

Pray daily to be used by God that all men and women might be free

Observe with friend and foes the ordinary rules of courtesy

Perform regular services for others and the world

Refrain from violence of fist, tongue, and heart

Strive to be in good spiritual and bodily health

“The pledge began with these words: As you prepare to march, meditate on the life and teachings of Jesus.”

For our October meeting, we’ll discuss Chapter 3, People of the Dream. Miguel Gonzales will tell a story.

Our Financial Resources

The August financial statements show income for the year of $231,536 and operating expenses of $158,102 for

net ordinary income of $73,434.

The first draft of the 2018 budget was shared. It will be discussed at the October meeting. The budget shows

income of $257,900 and operating expenses of $277,675. In addition, we expect our mortgage expense to be

$18,000, creating a shortage of $37,000 for 2018.

There are a number of options for meeting this shortage, including increase in pledges and donations and in

people meeting their pledges.

Vestry has begun to make their pledges for 2018.

The Finance Committee recommended closing our Safety Deposit Box at the bank. There are currently no

negotiable instruments in the box. We can scan the documents, saving them electronically, as well as place them

in a locked, fireproof box for safe keeping.

Our Worship/Meeting Place

The electrical work and air conditioner repairs and replacements have been completed. The Property Committee

is working on the valve repair for the elevator.

The Property Committee is working with Jeff Boyer regarding trimming of trees and brush around the church.

Vestry also agreed to ask Mr. Boyer to take a 6-foot section of the elm tree “stump” and place it in the yard in

case we are able to carve it into something. Mr. Boyer is expected to come in a few weeks to do the work.

Vestry also agreed to give our old office computer to Greg Neibert for a donation, since a new computer was

recently bought for the office. Greg is interested in working on computers and building them. The hard drive

will be wiped clean before he receives the computer.

Our Care of the Environment

The Environmental Stewardship Committee reported that the garden continues to produce small amounts of

vegetables which, supplemented by members’ produce, have provided a good amount to the Perry County Food

Bank. Thanks to Jane Hoover for harvesting and transporting the produce to the Food Bank.

The Committee has been researching how we can convert from fossil fuel based electric to renewables. A

recommendation will be made after the September Committee meeting.

The Committee continues to offer Equal Exchange chocolate, coffee, tea and other products as a way to sustain

fairly traded products and small farmers. In addition, “eco tips” are appearing regularly in the bulletin and

newsletters focusing on actions we can take to lower our carbon footprint and ease our impact on the earth.

Our outreach efforts

Vestry approved The Program and Mission Committee recommendations to give $22,000 to various

organizations in Perry, Juniata Counties and the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania. A tithe of actual trust receipts

from 2016 would be $23,000. The Committee opted to have that additional $1,000 in reserve for needs that

could arise through the end of the year.

2017 GTO Organizations $200 Leukemia/Lymphoma Society

$200 Four Diamonds Fund

$200 Neal S. VanBuskirk Foundation

$200 Relay for Life - Perry County

$200 Sonshine Ministries

$250 Borough of Newport

$250 Perry County Council of the Arts

$300 Juniata County Library

$300 Gift of Love

$350 Perry County Animal Rescue

$500 Christian Churches United

$500 Central PA Youth Ministries

$500 Christian Education Release Program

$500 Citizens Fire Company, Newport

$500 Farmland Preservation

$500 Newport Senior Center

$500 Perry Housing Authority

$500 St. Barnabas-Rainbow Program

$500 Thompsontown Fire Company

$750 Kyle Weller Scholarship Fund

$800 YWCA of Harrisburg

$1,000 Beacon Clinic

$1,000 Bread of Life

$1,000 Hamilton Health Center

$1,000 Join Hands

$1,000 Juniata County Food Pantry

$1,000 Newport Library

$1000 Perry County Literacy Council

$1000 Perry Human Services

$1,000 Stevenson School for Ministry

$2,000 Perry County Food Bank

$2,500 Helping kids

Grow In Faith Together (G.I.F.T) Our faith formation webpage has been redone. We’ve labeled it G.I.F.T. for Grow In Faith Together.

Our overarching theme is Micah 6:8

He has told you, O mortal, what is good;

and what does the LORD require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God?

The webpage provides faith formation activities you can access any time. There are emails Bible Studies you can

sign up for. There are activities that can be done with the whole family. Some are centered around our upcoming

holidays of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you’re a Star Wars fan, there is a Bible Study for you,

too. Check it out and tell Bill Rohm or me what you think. If you try any of the activities, also let us know what

you liked and didn’t like. http://nativityandststephen.diocpa.org/worship.html

Nativity to Host Perry County Chamber

Mixer on October 19, 5-7pm On Thursday, October 19, we will host the Perry County

Chamber of Commerce Mixer. This is an opportunity to

showcase our parish and our facilities, as well as welcome

business people from all over the County. The mixers

provide a way for people to meet and network. Miguel

Gonzales and Adam Britcher will prepare the food and

drinks. Volunteers are needed to welcome people, show them

around our parish and talk about our worshipping

community. If you can help, please see Rebecca.

Keepin’ It Simple to provide

music for our October 29 service Keepin’ It Simple, an acoustic country and

Southern Gospel music band will provide

the music for our service on October 29.

They will begin playing at 9:15, prior to the

service. You can find out more about the

group on their website at:

http://www.keepinitsimplemusic.com/

Canal Day and Animal Blessing, October 7, 9am – 2pm We will have a table at Canal Days on Saturday, October 7, 9am -2pm in Newport Square. Rebecca will conduct

a Blessing of the Animals service at 11:30am on the square. Bring your pet, or a photo to receive the blessing.

Medallions and certificates will be handed out.

Commons Halloween craft and lunch October 12, 11-1pm

Please see Wendy or Lynne if you are able to help or donate something for lunch.

November 5 All Saints Day Service

at St. Stephen’s We will observe All Saints Day at our service on November

5, which will be held at St. Stephen’s. We will light candles

in remembrance of our loved ones. During the Prayers of the

People, you will be asked to speak the names of your loved

ones you’d like remembered, either silently or aloud.

Remembering our Veterans on

Sunday, November 12 At the beginning, we will remember and say a

prayer of thanks for the Veterans in our parish.

If you would like to be added to the list, please

let Michele know your branch of service and

when you served.

Help support our college students with items for their care packages. (Popcorn, candy, granola bars, individually wrapped crackers, cookies, etc.)

Darlene will mail boxes at the beginning of October.

Notecards of Nativity for sale.

$2 each or 5 for $8. The photo on the 4X5½“

cards is of the pews and was taken by Irene

VanBuskirk. They are in the undercroft.

Parish Music and Liturgy Day, Saturday, Oct. 21, 9am – 3pm, St. Luke’s, Lebanon. Keynote: Dr. David Hurd. Choir members, Eucharistic ministers, acolytes, readers, prayers and anyone interested

in liturgy is invited to attend this day for all ages.

Let Michele know if you will attend by email at chnatss@pa.net or calling 717-567-6514.

Diocesan Convention collecting Personal Care Items for Love, Inc. If you have items you can donate, please bring them to church by October 8. Items requested are: feminine

hygiene pads (regular and overnight); body wash; laundry detergent pods; dish soap; household cleaner; shaving

cream; disposable razors; men’s and women’s deodorant; baby wash.

Join Hands Ministry is collecting Christmas

gifts for Perry County Children. This program serves children from 0 to 14 and Join Hands

will provide suggested gift items and sizes. Gifts must be

turned in by December 12th by 1pm to the Join Hands

Ministry office at 25 East McClure Street, New Bloomfield,

Suite 6. Please see Susan Rice if you have a monetary

donation or would like to help with items on the list.

Donations of backpacks are being collected for refugee children in the Harrisburg area.

This is an on-going project as children arrive throughout the year.

If you have backpacks or monetary donations, please see Rebecca.

Gently Worn used and new shoes collection. Lillian Hoover is collecting gently worn, used and new shoes for the class of 2022 as a fundraiser while helping

those in need. The shoes that are collected will be donated to those living in other countries. So as you are

cleaning out your closets please think of her. They will be collecting shoes until November 30.

A box is located in the undercroft.

Volunteers Needed for Emergency Shelters in Harrisburg. Safe Harbor and Downtown Daily Bread are in need of overnight volunteers at their Winter Overnight Safe Haven.

These are drop-in shelters during the cold winter. Volunteers arrive at 7:30pm and work alongside a paid staff

person. They help provide snacks and socialization, then are able to sleep in volunteer quarters from 10pm-6am.

After waking and seeing the men off, volunteers can leave by 7am.

If you would like to help, please let Rebecca know.

Rotary Club of Perry County, Pints for Polio, Tuesday, October 24, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

River Bend Hop Farm & Brewery with Artisan Pizza,

1800 Lower Bailey Road, Newport. Proceeds to benefit Rotary International’s Polio Foundation. Tickets are $5.

Please see Rebecca if you’d like a ticket.

PA Interfaith Power and Light (PA-IPL) statewide

conference, Sunday, October 29, 1:30-5:30pm,

State College, PA. The theme is Gratitude, Lament and Renewal:

Walking Faithfully in a Time of Climate Disruption.

See the conference page for more information http://paipl.us/what-

do-we-do/annual-meeting/

To The Church of the

Nativity and St. Stephen! We’ve added a “Give Online” button

to our website. You can use your credit

card to make a onetime or recurring

monthly donation to the church. On the

second screen before final

confirmation, you can give special

instructions if you’d like to split your

donation between the program fund,

building fund, flowers or another area

of the church. Check it out!

Help people in need around the world!

A Thankoffering box is available by the coffee pots in the

kitchen if you'd like to make donations that way. United

Thankoffering is a project of the Episcopal Church Women of

The Episcopal Church. Boxes are available to collect your

offering, which is brought to church twice a year. A wonderful

spiritual practice is to put something in the box each time you

are thankful to God. If possible, count the money in your box

and write a check to the church in that amount. The Fall

Ingathering is Sunday, October 8.

Join Hands Items of the Month Clothing (especially infant and toddler,

hats, gloves, scarves, socks), toiletries,

household cleaning supplies, blankets,

quilts, towels, wash clothes.

Food Bank Donations are needed!

For a list of the items needed by the Food Bank, go to their website at http://www.perrycountyfoodbank.org/ and

click on their wish list. Canned vegetables, fruit, nut butters and protein are always needed.

Help People in Need when you buy your Groceries! See Gail Shull or Pat Szabo to purchase cards in various amounts to use at Giant, Mutzabaugh's, or Weis Stores. 5% of

the cost of each card stays with the church and is used for outreach and mission projects.

October Honaman House

2 Jeremy Orris 5 Dorothy Reich

Alivia Hoover 16 Barbara Brissey

4 Amy Murray 31 Joyce Hockenberry

Nikki Crup

6 Sue Beamer

7 James Dudley

Emma Dungan

8 John Schroeder

10 Justin Borrell, Sr.

13 Ed Chescattie

22 Bob Baker

Rebecca Myers

26 Fred Santiago

27 Joshua Rice

Service Participants

Counters:

October 1 – Miguel and Bill R. October 22 – Gail and Becky

October 8 – Tootser and Kay October 29 – Shannon and Miguel October 15 – Bill D. and Lynne

Date Greeters Lector Prayers Acolyte Euch. Min Coffee Hour

Oct. 1 (A.G. 1) Shull/? Joanne P. Julie J. Amsler Amsler Kay C./Wendy D.

Oct. 8 (A.G. 2) Rolands Tootser D. Jean T. Rohm Rohm Darlene A./Mary P.

G.P. and Confirmation Class

Oct. 15 (A.G. 3) Rice/Johnson Jane H. Shannon B. Day Day Lynne M./Jill H.

G.P.

Oct. 22 (A.G. 4)

MP (Sue Beamer), G.P. Davis/Burns Mary P. Dick P. Becky C./Julie J.

Oct. 29 (A.G. 4) Chappelkas Marion F. Gail S. Lillian H. Saner Shannon B./ Ann R.

Keepin' It Simple

October 2017

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Worship - 9:30am

Special Offering

Parlor People,

11am

“We disagree. Now

What?” led by

Professor John

Dernbach

2

3 Taize’ Tuesday,

4pm

4 Men’s Breakfast (Espresso Yourself)

Women’s Breakfast

(Bitting’s) - 9am

Choir Practice, 10:15am

5

6

7 Canal Day,

9am – 2pm

Blessing of the

Animals, 11:30am

8 Worship - 9:30am

Godly Play

Confirmation Class

11am - noon

Parlor People,

11am

Early Christian

Writings Part I led

by Bill Rohm

9

10 Taize’ Tuesday,

4pm

11 Men’s Breakfast (Espresso Yourself)

Women’s Breakfast

(Bitting’s) - 9am

Choir Practice, 10:15am

Vestry, 6:30pm

12 Commons

Halloween Craft

and Lunch,

11am – 1pm

13

14

15 Worship - 9:30am

Godly Play

Parlor People,

11am

Early Christian

Writings, Part II led

by Bill Rohm

16

17 Taize’ Tuesday,

4pm

18 Men’s Breakfast (Espresso Yourself)

Women’s Breakfast

(Bitting’s) - 9am

Choir Practice, 10:15am

19

20

21

22 Worship - 9:30am

Morning Prayer,

Sue Beamer

No Parlor People

23

24 Taize’ Tuesday,

4pm

25 Men’s Breakfast (Espresso Yourself)

Women’s Breakfast

(Bitting’s) - 9am

Choir Practice, 10:15am

26 Prayer Shawl

Ministry, 10am

27

28

29 Worship - 9:30am

Keepin’ It Simple

Special Offering

Parlor People,

11am

Law and Covenant

led by Adam

Britcher

Coffee Hour Guest

Emily O’Haren,

YWCA

30

31 Taize’ Tuesday,

4pm

Notes: Special Offerings:

October 1 – Caring for Nativity’s Neighbors Heating and

Health

October 29 – Building Fund and Flower Fund