Nativity’s
Tidings
October 2014
Volume 32, Issue 10
Father Chuck Mann
A community in
Christ—loving and
reaching out to
all—proclaiming
the Good News
The Right Reverend
Dabney Smith, D. Min.
Bishop
The Reverend
Charles H. Mann
Rector
Church of the Nativity
5900 N. Lockwood Ridge Road
Sarasota, Florida 34243
Telephone:
Fax:
(941) 355-3262
(941) 358-8930
As usual this space is used by Fr. Chuck to offer insight into
Scripture. But in his absence, as Senior Warden I want to offer a further update about Fr. Chuck’s health. He was placed
on a medical leave as of the 18th of August and will continue
on Medical until he is fully recovered and is able to return to
Nativity. His return is open depending on his recovery.
In his absence, in conjunction with the diocese, Fr. Richard
Fellows will be with us until Fr. Chuck returns. Services will
be as normal with Fr. Fellows. In the meantime he will be
available for emergencies, funerals and other services as
needed. Please filter these requests through Elly and/or to me.
Some additional background on Fr. Fellows, he is retired after 30 years in the priesthood and continues as a supply priest
in the Diocese. He and his wife Laura live in North Tampa.
Fr. Fellows was Rector at Church of the Annunciation
(Holmes Beach) prior to his retirement. Please welcome Fr.
Fellows to Nativity.
I would also like to remind you to mark your calendars of
some events in October.
October 4: Daughters of the King Quite Day
October 11: MON Spaghetti Dinner proceeds go
to Retire the Mortgage
October 14 ECW Fall Leadership Meeting
October 18 Diocesan Convention
October 22: Stewardship Kick-off with dinner and
Movie “God is Not Dead”
Please continue to keep Fr. Chuck and Debbie in your prayers as he recovers and include also prayers for Fr. Fellows,
the health of Nativity, and its leadership during this time.
Yours in Christ:
Ron Hurley, Sr. Warden
Web ages:
Our Church:
www.churchofthenativity.com
Our Diocese:
www.episcopalswfl.org
Administrative Secretary
Elly Freyer
Treasurer
Beatty Collins
Financial Administrator
Karla Porter
Music Director
Karla Porter
Praise Team Leader
Debbie Mann
Youth Minister
Minister of Buildings and Grounds
Dick Wernick
Tidings Editor
Elly Freyer
[email protected]
Webmaster
Jon Wunderlich
Vestry:
Administration
Ron Hurley, Senior Warden
Bruce Simington, Junior Warden
Outreach
Martin Padarathsingh
Bill Howe
Evangelism
Pastoral Care
Nancy John Langdon
Deb Teahan
SHOE BOX TIME !
Here it is October, and there are only seven more weeks until
International Day of Dedication for your Shoe Boxes! Have
you started to shop or take inventory of what is needed to
complete your Gospel Opportunty Boxes? Operation Christmas Child is a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse.
As many of you know, we fill these boxes with lots of goodies for children all over the world. This may be the only
Christmas gift a child may open. Included in each box is
Gospel literature in that child’s language.
Suggested items include soap, toothbrush, wash cloth or
small towel, small toys...yo-yo, deck of cards, small cars,
balls, etc….comb, hair bands and much more. Also, new
clothing for age categories 2-4, 5-9, 10-14. Use your imagination.
And very importantly, PRAY...PRAY...PRAY! Prayer directs
you to buy for the special child who will receive your box
(and to include different items you may never have thought
of) for that child. Pray for the family and the safely of the
box.
IT’S TIME TO
PURCHASE
TOYS
TOYS
TOYS
Christian Formation
Nancy Monti
Mary Elizabeth Hamlin
2
NOT-T0-BE-MISSED CONCERT IN NOVEMBER!!
ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL
presented by I Solisti de Oneco Woodwind Quintet
Sunday, November 16, 2014 at 4:00 p.m.
Tickets are $15.00 in advance and $20.00 at door
For advance tickets, please go to the website www.TheFirstBrass.org
or call 941-928-0296
This composition by Gwynth Walker, noted American composer, will be the Florida premiere of a delightful set of vignettes performed by the I Solisti de Oneco
Woodwind Quintet that tell musical stories about all of God's creatures. You will
hear cats, fleas, bears, tortoise & hare, and, of course, Mary's Little Lamb.
Plan to be with us for this musical afternoon! I Solisti de Oneco is part of the First
Brass formed by our favorite bagpiper, Gary Reinstrom. This concert at
Nativity is part of their 2014-2015 concert series of which we are pleased to be a
part.
All Creatures Great and Small is a wonderful prelude to our upcoming Flower
Festival for 2015—the theme for this year is Celebrate All Things Bright and
Beautiful!
I Solisti de Oneco
3
NATIVITY’S MORTGAGE
AFTER 2015
Maybe you have wondered where our Diocese gets the funds for its operation. They come from the
76 churches throughout the Diocese through a charge of 10% of each church's regular income. That
has been a longtime practice and is continuing.
In our case, this 10% is forgiven for gifts to the Memorial Garden and, unlike other churches,
we've also never had to pay 10% on funds donated to pay off our mortgage. Unfortunately, soon
that will no longer be the case.
Earlier this year the Diocese gave notice that we, like other churches, should contribute 10% to
the Diocese on any funds we raise to pay the mortgage. When we received this news, a committee
consisting of Fr. Chuck, Sr. Warden Ron Hurley and Treasurer Beatty Collins met with the Diocese
and were able to delay the change until 1/1/16. In other words, any funds raised for the mortgage
between now and the end of 2015 will NOT be subject to the 10% assessment, but funds raised AFTER 2015 will face that fee.
Beatty and I looked at what our situation would be after 2015. We agreed that if we only make
our monthly mortgage payments of $2,476.94, by the end of next year the balance remaining would
be approximately $70,000. Then, to finally close out the mortgage, we would have to pay an additional 10% on that remaining balance.
Obviously, we need additional income for mortgage payments during the next fifteen months to lessen the impact after 2015. Please think about ways to increase current income for the Mortgage Retirement program.
We have discussed the situation
with the very generous Bullocks and Chester immediately talked about another fish fry as well as
increased Sunday veggie sales, his busy schedule permitting. Maybe we should try another trunk
sale or maybe we should ask the Flower Festival Committee for another gift for the mortgage. Please let Beatty or me know what you might suggest.
Dick Neimeyer, for the Mortgage Committee
IMPORTANT REQUEST: If you write a check for your contribution to any fund- raising effort for
the mortgage, please make it payable to Church of the Nativity and on the memo line put mortgage
(NOT spaghetti dinner , veggies, etc.) Thank you.
4
A Special Night at the Movies
What:
When:
“God’s Not Dead”
Wednesday, Oct. 22
Dinner at 6:00 PM, Movie begins at 6:30
Where:
Parish Hall
Why:
Kickoff of our Fall Stewardship Campaign
“God’s Not Dead” is an exciting new hit movie. Released just this past Spring, it
has already been viewed by more than 70 million people!
This tense drama pits a young Freshman college student against his atheist professor. When the student enrolls in a philosphy class, he is told that he must sign a
declaration that “God is dead” in order to get a passing grade. When the student
refuses, he is then challenged to prove to all of his classmates that God is alive. In
doing so, the Freshman jeopardizes his faith, his relationships and even his future.
God’s Not Dead is also a perfect theme for this year’s Fall Stewardship Campaign.
Stewardship is a way of giving back to God and ultimately our response to Him for
His ever-present blessings in our lives.
40 DAYS FOR LIFE
Join the worldwide movement to protect mothers and babies
From September 24—November 2 our community will join hundreds
of other cities participating in 40 Days for Life, a life-saving campaign
made up of three components: PRAYER AND FASTING, COMMUNITY OUTREACH, & PEACEFUL VIGIL
For information call Renee Hunter 755-0342
5
Quack, Quack!
Recently, a friend of mine (and yours) told me she and her husband had a
“piggy” bank in the shape of Donald Duck. I guess that really isn’t a piggy bank,
is it? I don’t remember ever seeing a Donald Duck bank. Do you?
Anyway, this bank was where they threw their pennies when emptying their
pockets each night. One day they thought it was time to empty Mr. Donald, but
they could not agree on what to do with all those pennies. So, they put them in a plastic bag and
put them in Mr.’s sock drawer until they could make up their minds.
Well, time moved on and they forgot about them.
Meanwhile, Mr. has gone to be with our Heavenly Father and after almost five years later,
Mrs. found the stash in the sock drawer. Now what to do with those coins? They weighed just over
7 pounds.
Well, I suspect you’ve already guessed that the Mrs. brought the pennies to the Mile of Pennies fund. I counted and wrapped 1,300 pennies which means $13.00 is added to this month’s total.
Our thanks go to Donald Duck who gives happiness to kids in the USA and doesn’t even
know he’s helped to provide printed or taped books and related materials from pre-school to grade
12 to kids all over the world.
And thanks, too, to the Mrs. and to all of you who continue to put those pennies in the red
basket.
Than…er
---Quacks from Liz Stoner
Dear Friends of Nativity ~
Thank you all very much for your kindness and support over the past year.
Whether it came in the form of a card, a call, a gift of food, or a fervent prayer, it was always
heartwarming and uplifting. Truly, this “Warm Nativity Fellowship” was a great comfort to me
during my husband’s illness. Ralph was also very thankful to be included in Nativity’s prayer
chains, as well as those same chains which were simultaneously going in Scotland, London and
Australia, all of which were very much appreciated.
J particularly want to thank Karla Porter who, upon hearing that Ralph was having difficulty rising from his chair, kindly offered the loan of an electric one. Then, within hours of the same
day, she assembled a crew, had it picked up at her house and delivered to ours! Thank you, Karla. It turned out to be a huge blessing. Later she reversed it, with practically the same great crew.
These good men of Nativity are: Tom Bishop, Bob Hines, Ron Hurley and Rich Swithers. Thank
you, fellows, it could not have been done without you. Again, how blessed we are at Nativity!
A very big thank you to those dear friends who made donations to Nativity or Tidewell in memory of my husband Ralph W. Alee. Your generosity touches my heart. Thank you all so much
and God bless you for being there for me when I needed you most.
Sincerely, Elizabeth Alee
6
Calling All Angels
Calling all past and present angels, as well as “the
curious.” You are hereby invited to a Planning
Meeting for the Secret Angels to be held on Wednesday, October 15 at 2:00PM in the Parish Hall. We
need to plan for our Secret Angel Celebration Dinner
scheduled for Monday, December 15th.
We welcome all good ideas and look forward to your participation at
the Meeting. Nancy Monti, Chair
ECW ~ EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN
OUR FIRST EVENT
On Tuesday, October 14th the ECW of Church of the Nativity will host
the Fall Leadership Meeting of the Manasota Deanery. This is a lunch
event so many hands are needed for preparation, set-up and clean-up for
the meeting. Please see Irene Wernick for further details.
Nativity is hosting this time
And we’d like to see you there.
There’ll be lots and lots of God’s Good News,
And a delicious lunch to share.
-Jackie Eller-
7777
October
Nonprofit
Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
Manasota FL
Permit #45
Church of the Nativity
5900 North Lockwood Ridge Rd.
Sarasota, FL 34243-2523
CURRENT RESIDENT
Pentecost
October2014
Episcopal Church of the Nativity is located on Lockwood Ridge
Road one block south of University Parkway. Our telephone number
is 941-355-3262, and our service times are as follows:
Sundays
8:00am Eucharist, No Music
9:00am Sunday School
10:15am Eucharist with Music
Wednesdays
10:00am Healing Holy Eucharaaist
8
October
Birthdays
4
7
8
9
11
14
17
18
21
21
22
22
24
25
28
29
31
Mary Elizabeth Hamlin
Tom Bishop
Brenda Bunker
Dee Dibble
Linda Frayser
Elizabeth Alee
Eleanor Calwhite
Bess Hankinson
Kathy Sitterle
Joan Combs
Jillian Block
Bob Herring
William Van Der Bos
Hunter Hagerman
Susan Bullock
Lana Watson
Mary Burke
October
Anniversaries
1
8
10
12
20
9
Gene & Gin Olson
Vincent & Gabrielle
Piekunka
Ed & Peggy Walther
Charlie & Mary Burke
Stephen & Joy Murtha
10
6
5
27
26 ***
8:00am Said Eucharist
9:00am Sunday School
10:15am Traditional
Eucharist
2:00pm Golf
.
28
2:00pm Golf
21
20
19
8:00am Said Eucharist
9:00am Sunday School
10:15am Traditional
Eucharist
8:00am Said Eucharist
9:00am Sunday School
10:15am Traditional
Eucharist
14
2:00pm Golf
ECW DEANERY
LUNCH & MTG.
VESTRY MTG.
7PM
2:00pm Golf
7
OCTOBER 19TH
FLOWER
FESTIVAL\
MEETING
AFTER
10:15 SERVICE
Tue
13
12
8:00am Said Eucharist
9:00am Sunday School
10:15am Traditional
Eucharist
**
Daughters of the
King Meeting
Mon
***4th Sunday
Outreach/Inreach
Ingathering
Sun
10AM
HEALING
MORNING PRAYER
OR
HOLY EUCHARIST
29
10AM
(SEE ABOVE)
6:PM MOVIE &
DINNER/FALL
STEWARDSHIP
CAMPAIGN*
22
15 SECRET
ANGELS MTG.
2PM
10AM HEALING
MORN. PRAYER/
HOLY EUCHARIST
10AM
HEALING
MORNING PRAYER
OR
HOLY EUCHARIST
8
10AM
HEALING
MORNING PRAYER
OR
HOLY EUCHARIST
1
Wed
30
23
1
2
CHOIR
PRACTICE
6:30
CHOIR
PRACTICE
6:30
CHOIR
PRACTICE
6:30
16
CHOIR
PRACTICE
6:30
CHOIR
PRACTICE
6:30
Thu
31
24
17
10
3
Fri
Tidings October 2014
*GOD’S NOT
DEAD
25
DIOCESAN
CONVENTION
18
SPAGHETTI
DINNER
5:00-7:00 pm
11 MON
4
Sat