Nativity Notes
From the Dean
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A Birthday Reflection

Another year around the sun. 54 times for those who’d like or need to know. My birthday falls so near the Christmas and New Year holidays that when I was young, it always felt like a bonus to extend festivities.

I grow older now and sometimes a bit more reflective. I love my life and have so much gratitude for it. Gratitude drives me to my genesis. It’s vulnerable to share what is below, a “private” conversation with the one in whom my greatest admiration lies. But it speaks the truth to what and how God works in our lives. I share it with humility. Perhaps you’ll find some nourishment here, I pray you do.

Text exchange with my mother on my birthday.

“Thank you for giving birth to me. Thank you for working so hard to care for me, feed me, house me, keep me safe.

Thank you for teaching me to care about others, to be respectful of others feelings. Thank you for sending me to Sunday school and for believing in God so simply and sweetly that I believed too.

I love my life and am so grateful for it. Thank you.”

Mother:

“So sweet. Many thanks to you. You were my salvation at a terrible time in my life.”

Me:

“Well. Maybe then we were born for one another. God is like that! You are the best!”

Mother:

“So are you. Love you my baby boy.”

This makes my heart sing! 
Adult Forums:
 
Jan. 13 Dr. Peter Pettit, Associate Professor of Religion Studies at Muhlenberg College presenting on Judeo-Christian Relations
Jan. 20 Dean Pompa Listening Time
Jan. 27 Annual Parish Meeting
Organ Birthday Recital  Organ Concert at Nativity Cathedral Bethlehem PA on Sunday January 20 at 4 pm in celebration of the 20 th anniversary of the installation of the Cathedral’s Austin organ. Described as “indomitable and immensely gifted” ( Choir & Organ ) and as “an artist of rare sensitivity and passion” ( The Macon Telegraph) , Robert McCormick , Organist and Choirmaster of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, is widely heralded by his colleagues and known for his creative and notable abilities in organ improvisation and engaging performances of repertoire of all styles. $10 suggestion donation. All are welcome!
Nativity Book Club January 31 at 11 AM we will discuss Catherine The Great by Robert Massie. (Note the change of date.) The book for February is Why Religion by Elaine Pagels.
Community Breakfast Martin Luther King Day Community Breakfast will be held in Sayre Hall at the Cathedral Church of the Nativity on Monday, January 21, 2019 at 9:00 AM. This is a free community event. RSVP to Jen or 610-867-4669 x104.
Emergency Shelter Season 2018-2019

Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering will be once again be in action this winter to shelter our street neighbors. A single site at Christ UCC Church, 75 E. Market Street, will also be used again. We will be covering the odd numbered Thursdays as we did last year, and will be using SignUp Genius for online registering of volunteers. The dates are December 1 through March 31 as we've done in the past. You can also contact either Deacon Rodney ( rodneyconn@icloud.com or 484-232-6122) or James Reader ( jim_reader@hotmail.com or 610-417-7418) should you need assistance in signing up, or if you have any questions.

We need people to help register guests, get them their bunk assignment, prepare and serve meals, chaperone through the night and coordinate clean up in the morning. The shelter will open its doors to guests at 5:00 pm and all guests will be out of the building by 7:00 am. This year there will be at least two paid staff members on site from 4:00 pm until 8:00 am.

Parishioners in the Hospital  If a family member is hospitalized, please contact either the clergy or leave a message with the parish office (610-865-0727) informing us of who is in the hospital and at which hospital.
Annual Meeting
Sunday, January 27 - Parish Annual Meeting & Breakfast
8:00 AM Holy Eucharist
9:00 AM Sunday School & Annual Meeting
10:30 AM Holy Eucharist
Cathedral Schedule


Friday, January 11
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs the Thrift Shop

Saturday, January 12
8:00 AM Finance Committee Meeting - Room 23
9:00 AM Altar Guild Prep – Cathedral
9:00 AM Celtic Cultural Outreach Art Class - Dining Room
10:00 AM Thrift Shop Open Until 1 PM
5:00 PM The Feast | Celtic Eucharist – Cathedral

Sunday, January 13
8:00 AM Holy Eucharist - Cathedral
8:45 AM 321 Contact Worship Service - Sayre Hall
9:20 AM Sunday School | Adult Forum
10:30 AM Holy Eucharist - Cathedral
2:00 PM Private Piano Recital - Cathedral, Sayre Hall

Monday, January 14
9:00 AM Flower Arranging for Hospital Visitations - Sacristy
10:00 AM Food Access Committee Meeting - Room 21

Tuesday, January 15
1:00 PM Al-Anon Meeting - Room 21
6:30 PM Vestry - Dining Room

Wednesday, January 16
9:00 AM Holy Eucharist | Healing Service - Good Shepherd Chapel
9:30 AM EfM - Room 22
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs the Thrift Shop
1:30 PM Exploring Christian Literature Book Club - Goodwin Room
3:15 PM Private Tutoring - Good Shepherd Chapel
5:00 PM New Bethany Ministries Board Meeting - Room 22
6:30 PM EfM - Goodwin Room
6:30 PM New Bethany Ministries Parenting Class - Good Shepherd Chapel, Nursery
7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal - Choir Room

Thursday, January 17
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs the Thrift Shop
11:00 AM Bethlehem Steel Vets - Room 21
7:00 PM S-Anon - Room 21

Friday, January 18
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs the Thrift Shop




Cathedral Church of the Nativity
321 Wyandotte Street | Bethlehem PA 18015
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