Nativity Notes
From the Dean
Burden or Blessing

I am mindful that if you are fortunate enough to belong to a church community, you may be unaware of just how powerful you are.

I say this in complete mindfulness of the great divide that has arisen in our secular lives. I feel if we are not careful, we may find ourselves giving our power over to the evil and sinfulness that our Baptismal Covenant call us to resist and repent from. (Book of Common Prayer, page 304)

What evil? The evil of a tribalism that is calculated and strategic to separate us from one another by ideology, opinion, race, class, and economics. This same strategic use of tribalism invites us not to see one another innocently as different, but as a shameful enemy who must be defeated.

Why sinful? It is sinful in that when we fall into the patterns of seeing one another as an enemy over the opinions and ideology we may hold, we fail to see one another the way God would have us, as children of God sharing a future of hope and goodness that has literally been born out of sacrifice.

Be careful folk. Be careful.

I said earlier that we are fortunate if we belong to a community of faith because we will, I pray, hold our bond together as children of God over and against the evils of tribalism our society is now seduced by. It means we can be together in love, in life, in mission, in hope, in service defined by Christ and not primarily driven by ideology or political persuasion. It does not mean we are without our convictions, but it does mean we put the way of love first, and live together as holy people, even in the midst of our differences. It means when we bump into one another’s sensibilities we can walk the extra mile to reach out in love to one another to dialogue, to pray, and to gain understanding, and to be open to being convicted by our faith and transformed by it. It means we can even change our minds and more importantly our hearts.

It takes every ounce of power to live this way. The way of Love. It is in our current climate a swim against the stream. It takes power! You have it! I talked this past weekend at the Celtic Services of a prayer I came across somewhere in my readings of Celtic writings. I apologize that I cannot remember or find this prayer. The spirit of the prayer is this however. That in a Celtic world view, we are invited to see ourselves as part of a carefully woven pattern of relationships that breathe with all of God’s creation. (All of it). Carefully woven with the stars in the sky, the air that moves, the trees in the fields, the streams as they flow. Carefully woven with the sun that warms us, the moon that lights our dark nights, the animals in the field, our brothers and sisters of this race we call human. Together we are knit and together we breathe the life air that is the gift of our very existence. We, the human ones, have a choice in our place in the weave. We can bring with us Burden or we can bring with us Blessing. Who would want to burden another’s breathing?

Let us bring blessing. 

JESUS LIVES HERE!

This is the theme our stewardship ministry team prayed its way toward. It warmed our hearts as we shared stories of how this community of faith shares its resources of time, talent, and treasure to be people of Jesus and "Kingdom living people". 

As we begin this season, we once again move toward our renewed commitment to God's love for us and for the Kingdom work Jesus calls us to in our annual giving campaign. Let us be reminded of Jesus living in our hearts and in what we do together in his name. 
Adult Forums:

September 23 – October 14  (week 3 of 4) - Dr. Brett Hendrickson, Professor of religious studies at Lafayette College: Difficult Religious Issues in the News . As much as we might like to 'keep religion out of politics,' religious issues and disputes occupy a central position in many public debates. In this four-week series, we will discuss how and why religious ideas and beliefs affect some of today's thorniest issues, including separation of church and state, legalized abortion, protection of the environment, and Islamophobia. Come with an open mind and explore how understanding other people can help us understand our own convictions more clearly.
Seating of the New Bishop  will take place in the Cathedral on Friday, October 12 at 5:30 PM. This is a moving ritual that literally places our Bishop in the Cathedra as a sign of Episcopal Leadership and Care.
The first Cathedral Arts concert of the season will be on Saturday, October 13 at 7:30 pm featuring early music artists The Bricolage Project & The Chivalrous Crickets who will present “The French Connection”– delightful Scottish and French choral works, folk music, lute song based on the famous early Renaissance song ‘L’homme armé’ ( The Armed Man ).
Episcopal Church Women Project 2018  For Diocesan Convention this year, The Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Bethlehem will be collecting toiletries for Clare of Assisi House in Reading. This is a transitional home for incarcerated women when they are being released from prison and want to return to the workforce. Clare House’s mission is to foster restoration of women affected by incarceration to find encouragement, hope and support they need to successfully re-enter the community, building self-confidence and independence. The following toiletries - that ABSOLUTELY DO NOT CONTAIN ALCOHOL (please read labels) – are needed by Friday, October 12 : hand sanitizers, deodorant, bar soap, mouthwash, shampoo and conditioner, and liquid hand soap. Please place donations in the box in the back of church.
Crop Walk = Holy Hike  Sunday, October 14th the Cathedral young people and mentors will be taking their monthly “Holy Hike” by participating in the annual Crop Walk. The Crop Walk is an event to help raise money and awareness to combat hunger! A “box” will be located at the rear of the Cathedral where you may place a donation in support of our youth walking the Crop Walk. You may also send donations directly to the Cathedral office or by adding an envelope or check marked “Crop Walk” made out to the Cathedral. The Crop Walk “holy hikers” will gather at the Cathedral at noon for a quick bite and then head over the bridge to the Crop Walk start.
Please help!  The Better Buy Thrift Shop is in need of men’s winter clothing.
Cathedral Choirs  Cathedral Choir rehearsals are Wednesdays at 7 pm. Cathedral Choristers rehearse on Wednesdays, at 4:30 pm. Our new Cathedral Handbell Choir rehearses Thursdays at 7 pm. Interested in participating? Call or email Canon Stephen at 610-865-0727 or swilliams@nativitycathedral.org . Thanks!
Fall Bible Study  “Meditating with the Psalms” bible study Tuesdays through October 30, 9:30–11AM in the Dining Room. All you will need is a bible. To register, please contact Barbara Iannelli at biannelli@me.com or call 484-515-6334. Come and find peace, comfort and God.
Take the Bible Challenge! A Journey with Matthew  This 50 day study follows the good news of Christ as revealed to us through the Gospel of Matthew. Study book allows for daily reading and reflection. Weekly gathering led by Dean Pompa invites us to discover together major themes of the Gospel and share our discoveries with one another. Tuesdays, October 9 through November 27, 7-8PM at the Cathedral. To register email teisenreich@nativitycathedral.org or call the church office at 610-865-0727. Order your workbook through the office - $15.00 check payable to the Cathedral. Also available for your own download on Kindle, Nook, and iTunes.
Priscilla Payne Hurd Lecture Series on Church and Society  Please join us on Saturday, November 10, 11:30AM to 4:30PM, for an afternoon of learning and experiencing Spiritual Healing and Wholeness. Dr. Tricia Kelly, Breast Surgeon, and Rev. Wilma Alvarez, Cancer Counselor, at St Luke’s University Health Network will share their knowledge and practice of going beyond conventional medicine to treat their patients. Conference participants will also experience three small group healing sessions with experts in their fields. Sessions in Guided Meditation, Reiki, Qigong, Yoga, Art Therapy, and Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment will be offered. A Celtic Spirituality service will immediately follow the conference. $10 registration fee. Additional $10 charge for optional lunch. For more information and to register.
CONNECT 2018 High School Retreat  CONNECT is designed by our youth for our youth. It is a weekend for youth to share their faith stories and further explore their own faith. Those who participate will have the chance to connect with God, each other, and the world around them. The retreat will run from November 9 to November 11 at Pocono Plateau Camp and Retreat Center, Cresco, PA. The cost of the retreat is $125. Scholarships are available. Registration deadline is November 4 th . For more details and to register (click here).
The Episcopal churches in the Lehigh Valley invite you to see yourself as part of the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement , sharing our resources together. Each church has opportunities for Adult Formation, on Sunday mornings and at different times during the week. We are opening these up to members of one another’s congregations so that we can get to know one another, break down our silos, and more effectively be the Jesus Movement together. 
Hurricane Relief: Dear friends, in addition to our prayers, you can help those in the south effected by Hurricane Florence. Please visit www.episcopalrelief.org and make a donation. 
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.
Cathedral Schedule


Friday, October 5
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs the Thrift Shop
6:30 PM Memorial Service for William Lee - Cathedral
Reception following in Sayre Hall

Saturday, October 6
9:00 AM Altar Guild Prep – Cathedral
9:00 AM Baptism Rehearsal - Cathedral
10:00 AM Thrift Shop open until 1PM
5:00 PM Holy Eucharist – Cathedral

Sunday, October 7
8:00 AM Holy Eucharist - Cathedral
8:45 AM 321 Contact Worship Service - Sayre Hall
9:20 AM Sunday School | Adult Formation
10:30 AM Holy Eucharist - Cathedral
12:00 PM Order of St. Luke Meeting - Good Shepherd Chapel

Monday, October 8
Office Closed - Columbus Day Holiday

Tuesday, October 9
9:00 AM Flower Arranging for Hospital Visitations - Sacristy
9:30 AM Meditating with the Psalms Bible Study - Dining Room
1:00 PM Al-Anon Meeting - Room 21
2:30 PM New Bethany Ministries Staff Meeting - Goodwin Room
3:45 PM Homework Club - Welcome Place
7:00 PM Journey with Matthew - Dining Room
7:00 PM Property Committee Meeting - Conference Room
7:00 PM Yarns of Love - Good Shepherd Chapel

Wednesday, October 10
9:00 AM Holy Eucharist | Healing Service - Good Shepherd Chapel
9:30 AM EfM - Room 22
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs the Thrift Shop
1:15 PM Yarns of Love - Dining Room
3:15 PM Private Tutoring - Good Shepherd Chapel
3:45 PM Homework Club - Welcome Place
4:30 PM Cathedral Choristers Rehearsal - Choir Room
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, October 11
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs the Thrift Shop
3:45 PM Homework Club - Welcome Place
7:00 PM Cathedral Handbell Choir Rehearsal - Bishop Gray Room
7:00 PM S-Anon - Room 21

Friday, October 12
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs the Thrift Shop
5:30 PM Seating of the Bishop & Holy Eucharist - Cathedral


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321 Wyandotte Street | Bethlehem PA 18015
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