Celtic Communion
The early morning sun breaks through the easing darkness of the night. The threshold of night to dawn is to be crossed. There is a glow this time of year to the sun. The light has changed, it is different. There is a crisp dampness that greets us in the morning, leaves begin their gentle fall, wistfully almost, dancing in concert with the air that gently eases them to the ground.
The mist rises from the river here where we live, like incense that lifts our prayers to the heavens. It is this mist that creates a space and place that both invites us into a sacred space, and helps us mark the everyday as something extraordinary, a mystical room to escape and be connected to the bigger picture of creation and its majesty.
Through the mist, the sound of a rumbling train approaches. The soft hum of an engine, the clacking and sweet squeal of metal wheels on track, echoes through the river valley and through the mist. It takes me to a place deep inside of myself, that place that lives deep inside all of ourselves. I am now lying in my childhood bed, my two brothers resting in their beds across the room, the gentle light now reaching in through the curtains of the old Victorian we were fortunate to grow up in. And there, awakened by the early morning sounds of the train, making its way
through the river valley of my hometown, singing its song to the sky, the
mountains that surround, its echo reaching into our room, into my psyche, into my soul, the most comforting of sounds.
Back then here, on a mystical morning, the sound of this train gently wakes my soul for a new morn, as it did all those years ago. And here too I am connected now, to the generations of love that have formed me. To my grandfather Parry, the Welshman, the very DNA of my Celtic roots, and an engineer who carried troops by train in France in World War I and who carried passengers along the very river valley I stand upon, as an engineer on the Jersey Central Railroad. All this goodness on a mystical September morning in Bethlehem Pennsylvania in the year 2019.
I couldn’t possibly feel anything more intensely connected to the holy than this moment. There is nothing left to do now other than to claim it, receive it, honor it, and stand in awe of it. I wonder too now about you all? Your holy moments? Something to Ponder on a September afternoon, in Bethlehem, PA in the year 2019.
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Sunday Bulletin
For those of you worshiping with us via Livestream, below please find the Sunday bulletin.
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Adult Forums:
Oct 6 - Canon Grandfield's Bio & Work
Oct 13 - Winston Alozie, Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem
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Bible Study
has been canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. Plans will be made to reschedule Bible Study in the spring.
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Emergency Sheltering
The Cathedral is once again supporting the efforts of Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering in serving the homeless of Bethlehem. Besides the "odd numbered" Thursdays of December through March, we are also covering November 28 and April 2. SignUpGenius is being used again to schedule volunteers
Click Here
If you have any questions, please contact James Reader, Joe Tramontana or Deacon Rodney.
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Cathedral Arts
welcomes you to a new season of wonderful music! You're invited to our second concert on Saturday, October 26 at 7:30 p.m. featuring THE QUEEN'S SIX, the group of all-male vocalists who make up half of the Lay Clerks in the choir at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. These talented guys sing regularly for the Royal family, and their musical finesse will clearly shine through as they sing Renaissance motets, perhaps a bawdy madrigal or two, folk songs, and jazz and pop arrangements.
General tickets at $20 may be purchased online at
Click Here
, or at the door for $25. Student tickets are $10.
Please don't miss this concert!
Go to
www.thequeenssix.com
for more info about this amazing group. For more info about Cathedral Arts, email
swilliams@nativitycathedral.org
or phone 610-865-0727.
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Volunteer Opportunity
Volunteers and substitute volunteers are needed to deliver baked goods from Wegman's Bethlehem or Giant Market, Rt. 191 Bethlehem, to New Bethany Ministries' food bank at 333 W. 4th St., Bethlehem. Currently each volunteer picks up the baked goods set aside for us in the morning at one of the two markets and delivers them to New Bethany where help is available for unloading the goods. The whole pick-up and delivery process would require only about 1 hour of your time per week. Deliveries occur on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and most volunteers perform one delivery per week. For more information on this valuable ministry please contact one of the current volunteers: Sue Snyder (
snydersue3@gmail.com
), Joe Tramontana (
jtramontana77@gmail.com
), Gene Witiak (
thehug.witiak@gmail.com
) and Karen Norelli (
ksnorelli@gmail.com
).
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Cathedral Choirs
The
Cathedral Choir
rehearses 7 p.m. Wednesdays as we prepare weekly service music, Maurice Duruflé’s sublime
Requiem
for our Concert of Remembrance (November 1 at 7:30 p.m.), music for upcoming services of Compline (Oct. 2 at 9 p.m.), Evensong (Oct. 6 at 5 p.m.), Advent Lessons and Carols (Dec. 1 at 5 p.m.) and Christmas Lessons and Carols (Dec. 22 at 5 p.m.). Also, we join with the choir from St. Stephen’s Pro-Cathedral, Wilkes-Barre in making plans for a trip to England during August of 2022. Parents!
Cathedral Choristers
in grades 2-8 rehearse on Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. and we welcome all new singers.
Cathedral Handbell Ringers
rehearse on Thursdays at 7 p.m. in the Bishop Gray Room – if you are interested in ringing with this gifted group, please be in touch with Canon Stephen prior to rehearsals since positions are ‘assigned.’ If you would like to plug in to the music ministry at Nativity Cathedral, please know that you’re most welcome and we hope you’ll be in touch soon. Thanks for considering it!
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Monday Flower Group Volunteer Needed
The Monday flower group is looking for a volunteer for the month of July. Please call Angelica Baez for more information at 610-509-0659 or email at
angie73@rcn.com
. Each Monday a volunteer from the group produces and delivers a beautiful arrangement from the Sunday altar flowers to our hospitalized parishioners.
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Ushers
needed for both 8 AM and 10:30 AM services. If you would like to become more involved in Sunday’s services, consider becoming an Usher. Ushers are usually the first friendly face people see when entering the church for worship. This ministry is open to all people of all ages. Kilts are, of course, optional. If interested, please contact either Chip Montgomery or the church office.
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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.
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PILGRIMAGE 2020
CELTIC DISCOVERY OF WONDER TO IRELAND & WALES
May 3-12, 2020 – Cost $2,200
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Nativity Cathedral
Home for Healing & Wholeness
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Our Mission: Nativity Cathedral’s Home for Healing and Wholeness seeks to awaken the wonders of our spiritual lives and nurture healing, harmony and hope.
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Tai Chi
:
Rooted in ancient Chinese martial art, the practice of Tai Chi has proven to help manage stress, promote health, and invite one into meditation. Tai Chi practice helps individuals increase flexibility and mobility and can lead to a sense of health and wholeness in mind, body, and spirit.
Instructor: Mr. Tom Ardizzone has been practicing Tai Chi for over 25 years. Tom is a well known instructor in the Lehigh Valley, offering instruction at local colleges, Y.M.C.A. and churches for 20 years.
Saturday, Sept 21-Nov 2
9:00AM-10:00AM in Sayre Hall
$40 for 7 sessions
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Reiki
: Reiki is a Japanese practice and technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing and wholeness. The word Reiki comes from the Japanese word Rei, meaning “God’s wisdom” and Ki, which is “life force energy”. Reiki is administered by “laying on of hands” and focuses on positive energy with restorative healing effects.
Instructor: Dr. Connie Andrejko, DO, IBCLC, FAAP, Reki Master. Connie Andrejko is a physician specializing in Neonatology and the Vice President of Medical Affairs form Onsite Neonatal Partners. Dr. Andrejko is a Reiki Master and has been practicing Reiki for more than 10 years.
Reiki Level I Instruction:
Learn about the foundation of Reiki and become attuned to receiving and channeling life force energy through the laying on of hands. During the Reiki 1 session, students will learn and practice how to give a Reiki treatment to others and to themselves. The history and principles of Reiki will also be reviewed.
Thursday Oct 10, Thurs Nov. 14, Thurs December 12. (Choose one date)
6:30PM-8:30PM in Good Shepherd Chapel (Lower Level of Sayre Hall)
$50.00
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Reiki Healing Sessions:
For those who wish to receive a time of meditative Reiki treatment administered by qualified Reiki masters, these 25 minute sessions are an invitation for healing and wholeness in a safe and quiet environment.
When: Last Saturday of each month (Prior to Celtic Spirituality Night at Cathedral).
2:00PM-4:30PM. in Good Shepherd Chapel, (Lower Level of Sayre Hall).
$25 per session
(register and schedule a 25-minute session during that time frame).
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Group Spiritual Direction for Moms:
For moms of younger children (12 and under) and for actually any mom. Please join for an opportunity to gather each month to ‘listen to each other’ from that sacred inner space where we are free to ‘just show up’ and honestly name ‘how it is with our soul’. Punctuated by times of silence, our time together will offer a place where moms can ‘tend their own spiritual well-being’ and be on the receiving end, vs being on the ‘giving side’.
Facilitator: Marcella Kraybill-Greggo is a mom, a spiritual director, and a member of The Cathedral Church of Nativity. Marcella co-directs the Spiritual Direction Graduate Certificate Program at Moravian Seminary, while also serving as Clinical Director for Moravian’s MA in Clinical Counseling.
Sunday, Oct 20, Nov 24
9:20AM-10:20AM Goodwin Room
(Upper Level of Sayre Hall)
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TonyTalks
:
Following Celtic Spirituality Nights, the last Saturday of each month, Dean Pompa invites you to a series of “TonyTalks”. Short (15 minute) talks on the topic of Celtic Spirituality and prayer. Learn about the Celtic Way, experience ancient forms of Celtic Wisdom and Prayer.
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Cathedral Schedule
Friday, October 4
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs Thrift Shop
Saturday, October 5
9:00 AM Altar Guild Prep – Cathedral
9:00 AM Tai Chi - Sayre Hall
10:00 AM Thrift Shop open until 1 PM
5:00 PM Holy Eucharist – Cathedral
Sunday, October 6
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
5:00 PM Evensong & Blessing of Animals - Cathedral
Monday, October 7
9:00 AM Flower Arranging for Hospital Visitations - Sacristy
3:15 PM Private Tutoring - Dining Room
3:45 PM Homework Club
Tuesday, October 8
1:00 PM Al-Anon Meeting - Room 21
1:30 PM History Group - History Room
3:45 PM Homework Club - Welcome Place
7:00 PM Yarns of Love - Dining Room
Wednesday, October 9
9:00 AM Holy Eucharist & Healing - Good Shepherd Chapel
9:30 AM EfM - Goodwin Room
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs the Thrift Shop
1:15 PM Yarns of Love - Dining Room
4:30 PM Cathedral Choristers - 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 10
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs the Thrift Shop
3:45 PM Homework Club - Welcome Place
6:30 PM Reiki Level I Instruction - Good Shepherd Chapel
7:00 PM Cathedral Handbell Ringers Rehearsal - Bishop Gray Room
7:00 PM S-Anon - Room 21
Friday, October 11
Staff Off-site Event
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs the Thrift Shop
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Cathedral Church of the Nativity
321 Wyandotte Street | Bethlehem PA 18015
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Copyright © 2018 The Cathedral Church of the Nativity, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because of your affiliation with the Cathedral Church of the Nativity.
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