Nativity Notes
From the Dean
You are the blessing

“Come and get blessed this Sunday, and most of all, don’t forget to be a blessing to others.” This the headline on an invitation for folk to come to our sister parish, St. Paul’s within the Walls in Rome. 

If I were honest, and I think I am, try to be, I would tell you that there are some days (not many) that I have a little trouble getting out of bed with a bounce in my step. You have those days, I know. This past week I found myself in a bit of a funk, moving slow, and feeling less than motivated about the day ahead. I made my bed, took my shower, slipped into my Priestly garb, and headed to my office, first stopping at Wawa for a coffee. I prepared my cup, grumbled that there were no “yellow packets” of sweetener, made some smart remark to a fellow coffee drinker that they aren’t good for us anyway, and I made my way to the coffee. Then the day changed. “Good morning! How are you this morning?” came a voice from behind the counter where the coffee was lined up. A cheerful young woman from behind the counter greeted me with a smile and said, “Father, would you bless me? I need a blessing”.

My funk was thick and only a sharp knife was going to cut through it. I responded slowly, but politely, “Would you like a blessing now?" (You know how this goes, that little inner voice goes off, “no stupid, she wants it next week!”). “Yes, please, I would”. A highly trained professional I am, I raised my hand, I asked God to surround her with love, to be a present force of strength and support, and my hand did what it has been doing for almost 30 years, it moved in a three—fold motion of grace. She smiled, said thank you, and both our days suddenly seemed blessed.

Sometimes WE forget, that we were born to be a blessing. I am not just talking about Priests, I am talking about all of us. Sometimes we just need a reminder of what a blessing is. A blessing is the God’s honest truth that wherever we are God goes with us. So many Sundays I have lifted my hand and pronounced a blessing over so many beautiful lives. I was reminded so sharply that people’s hunger to know God goes with them is out there, in the world, in the every day. There-in lies our opportunity. You are the blessing. Share it. 
Pilgrimage to Wales: A Celtic Journey to Health, Healing & Wholeness.
Join us in the spirit of God's healing grace as we live a pattern of prayer, journey, exercise and communion with God's healing spirit.
Adult Forums:

September 23 – October 14  - 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 (Sep. 23 through Oct. 14), 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.
Past & Present Luncheon It's not Back to School-- no, no-- it's BACH TO PAST AND PRESENT.  Indeed!  Friday, September 21st (TODAY) we have The Bach Choir Director, Greg Funfgeld joining us as our opening program. He will have slides and stories and will be assisted by our own Eve Campbell, who has put together a history of how the Bach Choir is tied to Nativity Cathedral. As always the program will be followed by a lunch. Please hold the date and join us for our 1st luncheon of the 2018-19 season.  Program at 11:00 am. Luncheon at Noon. 
Nativity Book Club will be meeting Thursday September 27, at 11:00 am in room 23. (Please note the change of date.) We will be discussing  The Column Of Fire by Ken Follet. Our Leader will be Doris Burnside. Bring your list of books you may want to read and discuss this year. Looking forward to seeing everyone.
Cathedral Choirs  Cathedral Choir rehearsals are Wednesdays at 7 pm. Cathedral Choristers rehearsals begin on Wednesdays, at 4:30 pm. Our new Cathedral Handbell Choir will begin rehearsals Thursday, September 27 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.
Night Songs  Join us Wednesday, October 3 at 9PM in the Cathedral for Night Songs Compline, a sung choral night prayer. Candlelight, beauty, rest – a peaceful end to our day. 
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 by Monday, September 24, 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.
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 ).
Thank you to all who attended the Forum on Sunday (September 16) regarding the ongoing Nativity Campus Planning Project . Many thanks to David Horn of Architerra PC, our landscape architects for the project, for making the presentation. Apologies to all for our technology issues. The planning group appreciates the numerous questions and comments made at the Forum and ask that any further questions and comments be sent to the planning group ( Karen Boksan , Tom Edwards , Dick Guyer , Joe Hafich , Harry Johnston , Annalisa Kelly-Cavotta , Mary Mulder , Dean Tony Pompa , Werner Reinartz , Richard Sause , and Meg Seltzer ) or to any member of Vestry. The following link will take you to a copy of the material presented by David Horn. 
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. 
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, September 21
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs the Thrift Shop
11:00 AM Past & Present Luncheon - Dining Room, Kitchen

Saturday, September 22
9:00 AM Altar Guild Prep – Cathedral
10:00 AM Thrift Shop open until 1PM
11:00 AM Private Interment - Memorial Garden
5:00 PM Holy Eucharist – Cathedral

Sunday, September 23
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
1:00 PM RIte 13 & J2A Gathering - Andrejko Home

Monday, September 24
9:00 AM Flower Arranging for Hospital Visitations - Sacristy
3:45 PM Homework Club - Welcome Place

Tuesday, September 25
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 Yarns of Love - Dining Room

Wednesday, September 26
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
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, September 27
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs the Thrift Shop
11:00 AM Nativity Book Club - Room 23
1:30 PM EfM Post-Graduate Book Club - Goodwin Room
3:45 PM Homework Club - Welcome Place
6:30 PM Discover Islam Program - Dining Room
6:30 PM Pastoral Visitor Team Meeting - Good Shepherd Chapel
7:00 PM Cathedral Handbell Choir Rehearsal - Bishop Gray Room
7:00 PM S-Anon - Room 21

Friday, September 28
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs the Thrift Shop


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