The Episcopal Church of the Nativity

The Window March 28, 2014 Volume 21, Issue 63

Lenten Programs This year our Lenten program will focus on

"Ministry at the Margins”. We will hear from

some speakers who work in populations that are

sometimes overlooked by the mainstream culture

and hear their stories of engaging those persons.

Speakers will discuss college ministry, ministry to

motorcycle clubs, hospice, prison ministry, and

speakers from Thistle Farms and Magdalene House

in Nashville, which is a ministry to women seeking

to leave a life of prostitution. We will begin with

soup suppers at 6:00 p.m. with program to follow

in the Church at 6:30 p.m. Programs will conclude

with Compline at 7:15 each Wednesday. Both the

nursery for infants and toddlers and a children's

program will be available with the children joining

us for worship. Please make plans to join us as we

seek out new ways to minister in our communities.

Wednesday, April 2, we will be hosting speakers

from Thistle Farms in Nashville, TN. Thistle Farms

is a ministry that reaches out to women recovering

from a life of prostitution, trafficking, and addic-

tion. This powerful ministry was founded in 1997

by a graduate of Sewanee, The Reverend Becca

Stevens. Two of the program’s graduates will be

here with us to share their experience and discuss

ways in which we can reach out to that marginal-

ized population.

Wednesday, April 9,our Lenten program concludes

with Brother Charles Goldsmith. Brother Charles

is a pastor from the Southern Baptist tradition

whose ministries include working as a Hospice

Chaplain and working in a biker ministry known as

His Blood Warriors. Please come join us as Brother

Charles shares the story of his journey and how he

came to reach out to the margins of his world

through his ministry.

Sunday, April 13 Palm Sunday 7:30 am—Holy Eucharist, Rite I

10:30 am—Liturgy of the Palms & Holy Eucharist, Rite II

(begins in the Labyrinth)

Tuesday, April 15 10:00 am—-Healing and Holy Eucharist

Wednesday, April 16 6:30 pm—Stations of the Cross

Thursday, April 17 MAUNDY THURSDAY

6:30 pm—Holy Eucharist Rite II & Stripping of the Altar

Friday, April 18 12:00 noon—Good Friday Service

6:00 pm—Stations of the Cross

EASTER SUNDAY 7:30 am—Holy Eucharist Rite I with music 8:30—Easter Reception until 10:00 am.

9:00 am—Easter Brunch, Flowering of the Cross, & Children's Easter Egg Hunt

10:30 am—Holy Eucharist Rite II 5:00—7:00 pm—Adult Easter Party

From the Rector:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. As I write this

we are halfway through Lent and rapidly approaching the coming Easter celebration. Because of

the importance of Holy Week to the church, our focus is not always on the week before us, but

often is looking with an eye toward the horizon. Those of us whose lives rotate around the

church are usually looking to the next big event, rather than on the details of the task before us.

But Lent is a time when we are called to self-examination for spiritual development and peni-

tence. This practice demands that we look at the details of our lives and at the day to day prac-

tices of our lives. I hope you continue with me in that process and not rush forward to Easter

along too quickly.

Our Lenten series has been less well attended than last year and I have received some feedback on a number

of reasons for this. I ask those of you who may have ideas or suggestions to bring those to me as we review and pre-

pare for next year’s Lenten program. My hope is that we can devise a program that meets the needs of our members

and helps to draw us closer to one another and closer to Christ during this season of preparation.

The schedule for Holy Week is available in this edition of The Window. I pray that you consider attending all

three of the services that week. Each one plays an important role in our preparation for Easter morning. On Maundy

Thursday, we recall the giving of the New Commandment, that we love one another as Christ loved us, giving him-

self up for us. When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet around the table after instituting the Lord’s Supper, he gave us

an example of how to live our lives, strengthened by the sacrament of Holy Eucharist for service to others.

Good Friday’s liturgy is a time of solemn prayer for the whole world. It is a time to recall Christ’s death and

sacrifice for us. We will share communion from the reserved sacrament, set aside after the stripping of the altar on

Thursday evening. We read the Passion of our Lord from the Gospel according to John at the hour when he hung on

the cross for us. It keeps before the understanding that without crucifixion, there will be no resurrection on Easter

morning. We will also observe the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday at 6:00 pm. As the sun goes down, we re-

call Jesus being laid in the tomb where all his disciples believed the story would end.

On Easter morning, we will celebrate with great vigor and enthusiasm the principal feast of the Christian

faith. There will be music at the 7:30 service, breakfast, our egg hunt, the return of the Alleluia to our worship ser-

vices, and festival music at 10:30 as a reminder that our salvation has been won as Christ triumphs over death and

the grave. And after our morning celebrations, we will have our adult Easter party, a time of frivolity and festivity to

celebrate the efforts of the whole parish in making the Easter services a joyous witness to the community.

And then we will rest from our labors for a brief time.

As we begin the Easter season at the end of April, I hope those of you who are new to the community will

join us for a Newcomer’s Dinner, hosted by the rector and the vestry on Wednesday, April 30. Since this is the first

of such events in my time as your rector, anyone who has joined the church since Katie and I arrived in the summer

of 2012 is invited to join us. More details will be available soon, but I hope you will mark your calendars for this

evening.

Needless to say, the church is quite active at this time of year. There are many opportunities for involvement

and I hope you will consider ways to become more a part of this community. At the same, I know we are all en-

gaged in many activities as the sun begins to warm Southern Alabama and beckon us outdoors more and more often.

As spring breaks forth around us, I bid you join me in finding the Risen Christ increasingly a part of your everyday

lives. + Father Peter

Good Friday Offering At present…I am going to Jerusalem with

aid for the saints…Romans 15:25

Every year on Good Friday, pilgrims from all over the world gather to walk along the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem. Some

carry a cross, to understand better the nature of the burden that Jesus bore. Others accompany them, as witnesses, as peni-

tents, as believers. For 150 years, the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East has borne, in a special way, the re-

sponsibility of sharing the cross of Jesus. By helping to maintain the Christian witness in the Holy Land, the Church serves us

all. Since 1922, Episcopalians have supported the ministries of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East

through the Good Friday Offering. Offerings placed in the offertory plate will help our brothers and sisters in Jerusalem.

Please indicate “Good Friday Offering” on your check. Thank you.

Rescue Mission Report

Nativity parishioners definitely felt the love of God at work as we shared food, fun and fellowship with

over 40 residents at the Dothan Rescue Mission on March 16. Elizabeth Welch and Becky Taylor-Scott made

delicious casseroles and other Outreach Ministry members brought a huge fresh fruit salad, Texas toast and

desserts. There was such a large DRM turnout on that cold evening that the EYC members only had a bite or

two to eat…..a good LEARNING experience for our “angels” to see what it feels like to be hungry and not

have food to eat.

Once the residents finished their meal, 8 EYC members (along with Brad and David on their guitars

and Libby as vocalist) entertained them with a short service of songs and scripture. We had 9 other parishion-

ers who kindly joined us that evening and it seems “a good time was had by all.” The Nativity Outreach Min-

istry members plan to have more gatherings at the DRM in the near future and we hope you will prayerfully

consider being a part of this ministry.

Nativity Outreach Ministry

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you

welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to

me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty

and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when

did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did

it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” Matthew 25:35-40

Dothan Rescue Mission On Sunday, March 16, the EYC and Outreach served dinner and led a worship service for residents at

the Dothan Rescue Mission. Many thanks to everyone who took part. Special thanks to Elizabeth Welch and

Becky Taylor Scott for their wonderful food (shepherd’s pie and chicken enchilada casserole) that they cooked

ahead of time as they were unable to join us that evening.

This will be a monthly event and our next trip is tentatively set for Sunday, May 4. We are looking for

volunteers to help provide the food, prepare the food Saturday afternoon, and serve dinner Saturday evening. If

you want to help but are unavailable on that day you can always prepare something ahead of time and drop it by

the Parish Hall Kitchen. Typically we provide a main course, a side (or bread), dessert, and a beverage (iced

tea), as well as help serving and taking part in the worship service. If you are interested in volunteering, please

contact Stuart (stu_1963@yahoo.com) or Elizabeth (elizawelch51@hotmail.com).

We are coordinating with the Mission dates for the rest of the year and we will let everyone know when

they are finalized. This was my first trip to the Dothan Rescue Mission and I can honestly say it was a very

moving, uplifting and spiritual experience. ~Stuart Ibberson

Wiregrass Area Food Bank Bill Elliott reports that on March 14, we delivered 512 pounds of canned goods to the Brown Bag

Program at the Wiregrass Area Food Bank. That same day, volunteers (including Bill) prepared more than

400 boxes of food – each containing something donated by Nativity. Please continue to support this worth-

while effort. The Wiregrass Area Food Bank is always in need of volunteers to help pack up and hand out

food.

Bulk Packing – Volunteers pack food items for the satellite food banks (i.e. The Denton Road

United Methodist Church)

Mass Packing – Volunteers pack food items for pick-up at the Wiregrass Area Food Bank.

Pick-Up – Volunteers hand out food items to people who pick-up at the Wiregrass Area Food Bank.

If you want to help, show up at the Food Bank between 7:30 and 8 a.m. You will be working until 10

or 11 a.m. depending on how much food needs to be packed. And remember, where comfortable shoes.

The Food Bank is located at 382 Twitchell Road in Dothan. For more information, call 334-794-9775.

Volunteer Dates

Bulk Packing-Wednesday Mass Packing -Friday Pick-Up-Wednesday

April 2 April 11 April 16

May 7 May 16 May 21

June 4 June 13 June 18

July 2 July 11 July 16

Aug. 6 Aug. 15 Aug. 20

Brown Bag Program Volunteers are also needed to assist with the Brown Bag Program. The dates are: 1st Wednesday and Thursday

of each month, 2nd Friday of each month, and the 3rd Wednesday of each month.. A typical volunteer schedule

runs about 7:30 a.m to 11:00 a.m. For more information on volunteering with the Brown Bag Program,

contact Bill Elliott at gonavy71.04wee@yahoo.com.

“Lily - Love in the Language of Yarn"

'Lily' is a ministry in Turkey and Jordan, started by ONE woman. Women working with 'Lily' in both

these countries now collect blanket squares, hats, and other knitted and crocheted items from around the

world for Syrian refugee chidren. These women meet once a week to stitch the 8-inch squares together into

beautiful blankets. It takes 64 squares to make a blanket. When they have enough for a shipment, they rent a

van and a driver and hand-deliver these beautiful blankets and hand-made items to the closest camps. Thus far,

they have collected 24,749 squares. Of that number, 572 have been made by members of Nativity and the com-

munity of Dothan. Each week, our collection basket by the font is miraculously filled with blanket

squares. These squares are then blessed at the altar of Nativity, taken home, packed, and shipped to one of the

two collection places in Turkey and Jordan. 'Lily' extends a big "THANK YOU" to all knitters and crocheters

and to the person who has generously volunteered to help with the mailing of our packages. As their website

and facebook page say, "Every square is a hug from someone who cares." Blessings, Elizabeth Welch

MISSION TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 2014 There is still time to sign up for this year's mission trip to our

Companion Diocese of The Dominican Republic--to our "adopted"

Village of El Pedregal. The dates of this trip are June 7-14, 2014. Our

projects for this year include the building of a house in the community, the

building of a playground on the school/church grounds, maintenance

around the church camp (painting, repairs, etc.), knitting and crocheting

classes for the women and teenagers of El Pedregal, the establishment of a

cottage industry for the marketing of handmade items, and a splash party

for the children of El Pedregal. We will be staying at Campamento Epis-

copal Monte de la Transfiguration (Episcopal Camp of The Mount of the

Transfiguration), which is located in the beautiful mountains in Jarabacoa,

north of Santiago. The Village of El Pedregal lies just outside the camp

boundries. Christ Episcopal Church in Valdosta, GA has established a detailed "Mission Trip Planning Page" for

this trip, which includes photos. This can be found at http://christchurchvaldosta.wordpress.com/2013/11/08dr-

2014-mission-trip-planning-page/. The deadline for this trip is fast approaching; April 15, 2014. Although much

needed skills for this trip include light construction, ability to knit and/or crochet, ability to speak Spanish, all you

really need is a servant's heart to minister in God's name to our brothers and sisters in El Pedregal. For more

information, please check out the above website or call Elizabeth Welch at 797-4617. Gracias!

Bake Sale...Thanks to the success of our previous bake sales in raising funds for

the Brown Bag Program, we are doing it again! The next, semi-annual Nativity Bake

Sale is set for Sunday, April 27. Please bring your baked goods (although you are

not limited to baked goods) to the Narthex that morning. We will have the Bake Sale

following both the 7:30 a.m. and the 10:30 a.m. services.

Nativity Outreach Ministry

April 6

Altar Guild: TBA

Acolytes: C—Claire Waid, 1st—Andrew Gholson,

2nd—Sullivan Brakefield, GB—Caroline Orr,

MC—Will Gholson.

Breakfast Chefs: John Welch, Bill Mallis & Jeff

Crittenden.

Eucharistic Ministers: 7:30—Hank Vaughn,

10:30—Harry Hall & Stuart Ibberson.

Flower Guild: Donna Balzaratti & Traci Newton.

Greeters: David & Karen Jackson.

Lectors: 1st—Doug Bates, 2nd—Elizabeth Welch,

POP—Taylor Flowers.

Ushers: 7:30—Wendell Switzer, 10:30—Brad Bullard

& Web Gholson.

Vestry Lock-up: Carol Vaughn.

April 13 ~ Palm Sunday

Altar Guild: TBA

Acolytes: Verger—David Deal, C—Hugh Wheelless,

1st—Ellen Johnson, 2nd—Caroline Orr, TH—Stuart

Ibberson, GB—Tallulah Randolph, MC—Mary Blake

Zeron, & B—Collier Johnson.

Breakfast Chefs: Johnny Turner, Robert Holman &

John Coleman.

Eucharistic Ministers: 7:30—Debra Strickland,

10:30—Karen Jackson & Dan Johnson.

Flower Guild: Kathie Buntin & Traci Newton.

Greeter: Charlie & Nelda Northcutt.

Lectors: 1st—David Deal, 2nd—Johnny Turner,

POP—Stephanie Gibson.

Ushers: 7:30—Hank Vaughn, 10:30—Bill Owen &

Johnny Turner.

Vestry Lock-up: John Welch.

April 20 ~ Easter Sunday

Altar Guild: TBA

Acolytes: Verger—David Deal, C—Will Gholson,

1st—Scarlett Van Meter, 2nd—Claire Waid,

TH—Andrew Gholson, GB—Bella Van Meter,

MC—Abby Mason & B—Mikey Mason.

Breakfast Chefs: Easter.

Eucharistic Ministers: 7:30—Kathi King,

10:30—David Deal & Harry Hall.

Flower Guild: Melinda Kellenberger & Kathi King.

Greeters: Franklin Skinner & Mary Alford.

Lectors: 1st—Mary Alford, 2nd—Taylor Flowers,

POP—Lee Scott.

Ushers: 7:30—Bill Elliott, 10:30—John Steensland,

Mike Cody, William McRae & C.K. Merrill.

Vestry Lock-up: Richard Seaman.

April 27

Altar Guild: TBA

Acolytes: C—Stuart Ibberson, 1st—Scarlet Van Meter,

2nd—Abby Mason, GB—Bella Van Meter,

MC—Mikey Mason & B—Mary Blake Zeron.

Breakfast Chefs: Nelda Northcutt & Kathi King.

Eucharistic Ministers: 7:30—Susan Henderson,

10:30—George Dennis & Stuart Ibberson.

Flower Guild: Karen Jackson & Becky Taylor Scott.

Greeters: Richard & Barbara Seaman.

Lectors: 1st—Stephanie Gibson, 2nd—Doug Bates,

POP—Elizabeth Welch.

Ushers: 7:30—Wayne Strickland, 10:30—Tony Saliba

& Whit Huskey.

Vestry Lock-up: Gina Medley.

April 17 ~ Maundy Thursday, 6:30 pm

Acolytes: C—Cody Preston, 1st—Mary Grant Hall,

2nd—Preston Hall, & GB—Will Turner.

Eucharistic Ministers: Collier Espy & Doug Bates.

Lectors: 1st—Carol Rheingans, 2nd—Valerie Harris

POP—Jeff Crittenden.

Usher: Franklin Skinner.

April 18 ~ Good Friday, 12noon

Eucharistic Ministers: Bill Elliott & Elizabeth Welch.

Lectors: 1st—Karen Jackson, 2nd—Stuart Ibberson,

POP—Harry Hall.

Usher: Doug Creel

SHARE IN DECORATING THE

CHURCH FOR EASTER

WITH

EASTER FLOWERS

Please place in the Alms Basin or

mail to the church office by

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Your Name

______________________________________________________________

Number Purchased ______ Amount Enclosed_________________________________ ($25.00 minimum, payment must accompany reservation)

In Honor_______Name____________________________________________________

In Honor_______Name____________________________________________________

In Memory_____Name____________________________________________________

In Memory_____Name____________________________________________________

To the Glory of God_____

Signed:________________________________________

Daytime Telephone Number: ___________________

Please put the exact wording and any other information you would like on this form.

This will ensure your memorial, etc. is printed correctly in the Easter Flowers Bulletin.

Nativity Adult Easter Party

All adults in the parish ages 21 and older

are cordially invited to attend Nativity’s Easter Party

in celebration of The Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior.

Place: The Home of Web and Melissa Gholson

122 Girard Avenue

Time: 5—7 pm. (Not handicap accessible)

Please RSVP Didi Cody by text or call 618-9821 or email macodad@aol.com if you plan to attend.

Co-hosts are:

Mike & Didi Cody

Jeff & Mary Crittenden

Doug & Susan Creel

Collier & Sue Espy

Taylor & Carole Lea Flowers

Greg & Kathleen Rane

Liz Smyth

Parish Family: Marjorie Bush, Rosalyn Byrd, Rex Everage, Joan

Hall, LaBruce Hanahan, Sam Hathcock, Kay Henry, Jenny Holman,

Mace Holman, Ann Johnson, Lewis King, Joyce Long, Margaret

Mace and her family, Jacque Mathison, Wes Myers, Ed Planz, Stanley

Reynolds, Gary Rheingans, Nonnie Teague and Zita Vaughn.

April 1 Debbie Somma

Vinny Somma

April 3 Charlie Northcutt

Arpil 6 Teresa Van Meter

Joe Benny Salgado

April 7 Deborah West

Arpil 8 Susan Boyce

William Newton

Therese Adams

April 9 Andrew Hicks

April 11 Mary Grant Hall

Rebekah (Abby) McAda

April 12 Charlie Page Mainwaring

April 14 Dot Colbert

Al Matheny

Alex Middleton

April 15 Susan Blue

Jacob Suggs

April 16 Jennifer Joyner

April 17 Mary Ball

Metz Miller

April 18 Gabriel George

Carolyn Merrill

April 19 Ann Cook

Hugh Wheelless, Jr.

April 20 Charles Gilmore

April 23 Anna Hicks

April 24 Ellen Boone Newton

April 25 Nancy Lucas

Mary Blake Zeron

April 26 Alice Harper

James Peter (JP) Wong

April 27 Lane Miller

William Nichols

Melinda Mainwaring

April 28 Olivia Harper-Collins

April 30 Bo Morris Slingluff

Nativity Prayer List

O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your servants the help of your power, that their sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Family and Friends: Saheed Abedini, Frank Allen, Will Beason,

Margaret Barker, Westly Buntin, Newt Cole, Jill Crowe, Tyler Davis,

Brian Dekle, Michael Donovan, Leslie Ebinger, Marion Hall, Phillip,

Megan Harrell, Breanna Harrison, Morgan Hasty, Janet Ibberson, Pat

Johnson, Lou Kellenberger, Dorothy Knott, Dave Kowalski, Steve

Laney, Kimberly Lent, James Little, Jim Mattison, Nancy

McBreardon, Susan and Leslie Mendenhall, Angela Orndorff, Pat

Pearson, Louie Pilcher, Jean Pribbenow, Russell Price, Libby Claire

Rushing, Ashley Tucker Sanders, Latonia Sansom, Julianne Snecken-

berger, Michael Soppet, Helen Woods, Janet Worthington, and the

Villages of El Pedregal and Moreno.

Armed Forces: Brian Bennett, Justin Brownlee, Matthew Crittenden,

Bill Cody, IV, Bill Elliott, III, Thomas Eyler, Wes Justmann, Camille

Kent, Brian Mainwaring, Jeff Mainwaring, Todd Mainwaring, John

Malone, Jasmine McClendon, Emori Moore, Beau Parks, Christian

Taylor, Isaac Van Meter, Andrew Welch and Nathaniel Wood.

Please note: Periodically, the office must update the

prayer list. Unless notified, names remain on the prayer

list for three months. As always, if you have someone

you would like us to include in our prayers, please call

the Church Office at 793-7616. Thank You.

The Church Office...

will be closed on Easter Monday, April 21 and Tuesday, April 22.

There will be NO Holy Eucharist on Tuesday, April 22.

Thank You.

VBS Planning Meeting This Sunday, March 30th, we will hold a Vacation

Bible School meeting directly after the 10:30

service in the Parish Hall. All are welcome and

lunch will be provided.

The Nativity Window is published monthly by

The Episcopal Church of the Nativity 205 Holly Lane Dothan Alabama 36301 (334) 793-7616 FAX (334) 671-9440 Email: nativity@centurytel.net

Please call the Church office when a family member is admitted to the hospital, a new baby arrives, you need to schedule a meet-ing or event in the Church, or your address or phone number changes.

PARISH OFFICE HOURS Monday-Thursday 8:00– 4:00 (closed from 12-1 p.m. for lunch) Closed on Friday

NATIVITY STAFF The Reverend Peter Wong— Rector The Reverend John Coleman — Priest Associate Dr. Debbie Deas—Organist and Choir Master Erin Merrill — Children’s Ministry Director Rhonda Kidder— Parish Administrator Debra Owen—Receptionist James Salter—Sexton Nursery/Childcare Bobby Stokes, Marlo Miller, Tamara Neil, and Sandrienna Reed

2014 NATIVITY VESTRY

John Welch —Senior Warden ~ 790-0916 or john.welch@centurylink.com C. K. Merrill—Junior Warden ~ 733-3577 or ckmerrill@higginselectric.com Bill Elliott, Jr.— Treasurer ~ 655-3128 or gonavy71.04wee@yahoo.com Mary Hall Plunkett — Clerk ~ 701-4352 or cialdake@yahoo.com

Charles Allgood ~ 803-0405 or callig1800@aol.com Kathie Buntin ~ 794-9561 or tbuntin528@aol.com Joe Chambers ~ 718-1528 or JChambers@jhfc-law.com Linda Fisher ~ 379-7555 or whyteboa@hotmail.com Web Gholson ~ 701-9390 or webg@centurytel.net William Griggs ~ 618-1107 or williamgriggs3@gmail.com Whit Huskey ~ or whuskey@huskeylaw.com Gina Medley ~ 718-1476 or glmedley1@aol.com C.K. Merrill ~ Gloria Myers ~ 792-9174 or gc.myers10@gmail.com Kathleen Rane ~ 714-1737 or krane@graceba.net Gary Rheingans ~ 648-5543 or crheingans@sw.rr.com Richard Seaman ~ 678-427-6830 or bseaman190@aol.com Becky Taylor Scott ~ or bekatay@me.com Carol Vaughn ~ 794-6274 or vaughndmd@gmail.com

The Episcopal Church of the Nativity 205 Holly Lane

Dothan, Alabama 36301