Nativity Notes
From the Dean
New Year’s Resolution

We don’t do much anymore in the way of exchanging gifts at Christmas. All of us have more than we need, that is just true. We do however exchange modest things, a gift from my son I have valued much. It is a book entitled “The Daily Poet”, a workbook of sorts, with daily suggestions and prompts to stir and challenge one to write. Thoughtful.

The very first prompt was an invitation to write about resolutions for a new year. My inspiration came from the coffee mug I was drinking from that New Year’s morning. A mug given to me in two chapters of time. When I was first ordained, a parishioner and her husband gave me a “cow coffee mug”, actually two. I loved those mugs and used them hard, losing one of them (I dropped it) at some point. Twenty years later and with this same parishioners we talked about the mugs and I told the truth of breaking one. Soon I was gifted with another.

One of the greatest gifts of my vocation is being invited into people’s lives. The ordination vow says that we are called to “Love” and to “serve”. The truth of it is that in these relationships, I have so generously been given gifts that quite literally overflow from any cup that may try to contain it. This was true of my relationship with this couple. They both live in heaven now, this I am most certain of. They allowed me in to love and be loved, they gifted me (and everyone they knew) with affection, humor, respect, and wisdom. They were generous and just knowing them called out gratitude. 

I looked at that “cow mug” on New Year’s morning and pondered the challenge to write about resolutions for a new year. Gratitude. I resolve to live in Gratitude. The poem I wrote that morning is here.

                                              For George and Anna

A coffee mug, a cow?! A gift.
A sacrament of friendship so valued.
Sweet aroma seeps out to wake the day.
A remembering to warm my heart.
Resolve to live this way!
Lost in gratitude for Love and Life.
My cup literally runneth over!
Moooooo 
Adult Forums:
 
Jan. 20 Dean Pompa Listening Time
Jan. 27 Annual Parish Meeting
Organ Birthday Recital POSTPONED  Organ Birthday Recital #1 with Robert McCormick, recitalist, originally scheduled for Sunday, January 20, 4 PM has been postponed. This concert is rescheduled for Sunday, May 19, 4 PM.
Thrift Shop Donations Needed  The Better Buy Thrift Shop is in need of men’s winter coats.
Inclement Weather Information  Service cancellations and updates can be found on WFMZ Channel 69 or www.wfmz.com , voicemail at Nativity Cathedral Office 610-865-0727, our website: nativitycathedral.org , and our Facebook Page: facebook.com/nativitycathedral 
Nativity Book Club January 31 at 11 AM we will discuss Catherine The Great by Robert Massie. (Note the change of date.) The book for February is Why Religion by Elaine Pagels.
SAVE THE DATE
ANNUAL EVENSONG AND SPAGHETTI SUPPER
Sunday, February 17 th

5:00 p.m. Evensong – Supper to follow
A night of fun and fellowship in support of Nativity Youth Camp
Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering Annual Meeting The annual meeting of BES will be held February 5, 2019 at 7:00 pm at Christ UCC. For those interested in hearing more about the program, you are welcome to attend. Reports of various activities as well as plans for the future of this ministry will be presented. If you have any questions, please contact Dn. Rodney .
Emergency Shelter Season 2018-2019

Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering will be once again be in action this winter to shelter our street neighbors. A single site at Christ UCC Church, 75 E. Market Street, will also be used again. We will be covering the odd numbered Thursdays as we did last year, and will be using SignUp Genius for online registering of volunteers. The dates are December 1 through March 31 as we've done in the past. You can also contact either Deacon Rodney ( [email protected] or 484-232-6122) or James Reader ( [email protected] or 610-417-7418) should you need assistance in signing up, or if you have any questions.

We need people to help register guests, get them their bunk assignment, prepare and serve meals, chaperone through the night and coordinate clean up in the morning. The shelter will open its doors to guests at 5:00 pm and all guests will be out of the building by 7:00 am. This year there will be at least two paid staff members on site from 4:00 pm until 8:00 am.

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.
Annual Meeting
Sunday, January 27 - Parish Annual Meeting & Breakfast
8:00 AM Holy Eucharist
8:30 AM Balloting Open & Breakfast
9:00 AM Sunday School & Annual Meeting
10:30 AM Holy Eucharist

(8:30-9:15 AM Balloting Open)
Cathedral Schedule


Friday, January 18
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs the Thrift Shop

Saturday, January 19
9:00 AM Altar Guild Prep – Cathedral
10:00 AM Thrift Shop Open Until 1 PM
5:00 PM Holy Eucharist – Cathedral

Sunday, January 20
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
4:00 PM Cathedral Arts Concert - POSTPONED

Monday, January 21
Cathedral Office Closed - Martin Luther King Jr Holiday
9:00 AM Bethlehem NAACP & Bethlehem YWCA Community Breakfast Celebration - Sayre Hall, Dining Room, Kitchen

Tuesday, January 22
9:00 AM Flower Arranging for Hospital Visitations - Sacristy
1:00 PM Al-Anon Meeting - Room 21
3:45 PM Homework Club - Welcome Place
7:00 PM Yarns of Love - Dining Room

Wednesday, January 23
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
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, January 24
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs the Thrift Shop
10:30 AM Diocesan Investment Committee - Room 23
3:45 PM Homework Club - Welcome Place
7:00 PM S-Anon - Room 21

Friday, January 25
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs the Thrift Shop




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