Nativity Notes
From the Dean
Made for Goodness

I stood by the elevator in the hospital lobby waiting patiently for it to arrive. I was joined by a tall man, maybe in his 20’s. He was handsome, dressed in jeans and a casual shirt, with a nervous look in his eye. Astute as I am, I glanced down along his right hand to see he was holding a babies’ car seat, empty of course. I realized now, no even remembered in my own self the cause of that nervous look.

I said to him, “You picking up”?  He looked at me, looked down at the car seat, half smiled and said, “Yup”.  I smiled at him and asked, “Is this your first”? His smile just a crack wider, he said, “Yup”. 

I congratulated him and told him how absolutely thrilled I was for him and his wife, and I truly was! He thanked me, his breathing eased a bit, the elevator doors opened and we entered together. I asked him, “What did you all name the baby?” Then as if we together chose the curtain on Monty Hall’s Let's Make a Deal with the grand prize, his face literally lit up! There was a pride that filled his eyes, broadened wide his smile, and built up to crescendo in his voice. He told me the babies’ name, a family name he said, “Named after my father and my grandfather, who I loved and loved me! They were so good.”

The goodness was tangible! I felt it, it oozed out of every part of that young man’s being, flowed right down his right arm, and even though I could not see that child in that seat, I knew that goodness was about to occupy it. I said to him, “That is a beautiful name and I know that your child will be so fortunate to be loved the way you have been loved. Congratulations friend, and God Bless”. The door opened to his floor and he walked toward his destiny of goodness.  

I arrived on the floor of my destination. The elevator doors opened and I stepped out reminded of my own destiny of goodness. Grace. 

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 4 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 ).
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.
Perfect Pairings  Join us for an intimate dinner in the historic Cathedral on Friday, November 2nd at 7 p.m. featuring fare prepared by Voracious Catering and Black River Farms curated wine pairings. All proceeds benefit the mission and ministry of the Cathedral Church. (Seating is limited.)
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 12
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs the Thrift Shop
5:30 PM Seating of the Bishop & Holy Eucharist - Cathedral

Saturday, October 13
8:00 AM Finance Meeting - Room 23
9:00 AM Altar Guild Prep – Cathedral
Thrift Shop Closed Today
12:30 PM Diocesan Finance Committee - Room 21
2:00 PM Private Rehearsal - Cathedral
5:00 PM The Feast | Celtic Eucharist – Cathedral
7:30 PM Cathedral Arts Concert: The French Connection - Cathedral

Sunday, October 14
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 Crop Walk | Holy Hike

Monday, October 15
9:00 AM Flower Arranging for Hospital Visitation - Sacristy

Tuesday, October 16
9:30 AM Meditating with the Psalms Bible Study - Dining Room
10:00 AM Diocesan Finance Committee Meeting - Room 23
1:00 PM Al-Anon Meeting - Room 21
7:00 PM Journey with Matthew - Dining Room

Wednesday, October 17
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
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 18
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs the Thrift Shop
11:00 AM Diocesan Investment Committee - Room 22
11:00 AM Nativity Book Club - Room 23
11:00 AM Bethlehem Steel Vets - Room 21
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 19
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs the Thrift Shop
6:00 PM Bethlehem Special Olympics Event - Sayre Hall, Dining Room, Kitchen


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