Nativity Scene February 2015

8/9/2019 Nativity Scene February 2015

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The Episcopal Church of the Nativity 22405 North Miller Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85054 480.307.9216

THE NATIVITY SCENE January 2015

Bishop Kirk Smith to Visit Nativity, Sunday, Feb. 8

Please come to church for a very special day on Feb. 8! The Episcopal Bishop of Arizona, Bishop Kirk Smith,

will make an official visitation to Nativity on Sunday, February 8 at both services. He will preside and preach,

and we will have baptisms at the 9:00 service and confirmations at the 10:30 service. After the 10:30 service, he

will lead an adult forum presentation about finding God in the darkness of life – all are welcome to come hear

him speak! Congratulations to the following special folks:

Baptisms: Alexsis Munhall and Natalia Sipp.

Confirmations, Receptions, and Reaffirmations: Rubie & Tony Czerwinski, George & Donna

Hartz, Marc & Therese McGowan, Elizabeth Evans MacNabb, and Steve & Claire Smith.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper,February 17 at 6:00 p.m.

Happy Mardi Gras! Our annual Pancake Supper

celebrating the last night before Lent begins will be

sponsored by the youth group as a fundraiser for their

mission trip, and will feature the yummy cooking of the

Men’s Group. Come for a delicious dinner, kids’

activities, and lots of fun! If you have your palm cross

from last year, bring it along, and we will burn the

crosses at the end of the evening to prepare for Ash

Wednesday. Tickets $5 per person, $15 per family.

Feb. 18

Lent begins with the powerful experience of repentance and

cleansing that is Ash Wednesday. We offer services at noon

(spoken) and 7:00 p.m. (with choir). We also offer a

children’s and family service at 5:30 p.m. in the Healing

Chapel. Come and prepare your heart for the Lenten

journey.

Congratulations to New Nativity Vestry Members!Reappointed to a second one year term as Senior Warden, David Bolger.Re-elected to a second one-year term as Junior Warden, Mark Miller.Elected to three-year terms: Steve Smith, Darrell Spencer, and Colleen Whichello

And thanks to our retiring vestry members, George Hartz, Jane Heist, and Kara Erickson! Weappreciate your dedicated service! And thank you to Kara for agreeing to continue serving as Nativity’s treasurer in the coming year.

Diocesan Convention Delegates: Jennie & Mark Dobbins, Cotty & Andrea Peabody, Cheryle DunkelbergDiocesan Convention Alternates: Jan Dunkelberg, Donna & George Hartz, Mary Dexter, Jeff Jameson, Darrell Spencer,

Steve Smith.

Nativity’s Annual Meeting UpdateNativity’s Annual Meeting featured discussion of our mission and future direction, how we can serve ourcommunity, treasurer’s report, and talks by Pastor Susan and our Senior Warden, David Bolger, and JuniorWarden, Mark Miller.

A summary of the Treasurer’s Report can be found on page 8.

A condensed version of Pastor Susan’s Annual Meeting address is on page 6.

w w w . N a t i v i t y S c o t t s d a l e . o r g

http://www.thenativity.net/



Nativity Schedule

Take a moment to wish a Happy Birthday To:

Nativity Staff

The Rev. Susan B. SnookRector

[email protected]

The Rev. Dr.Wayne V. WhitneyAssociate Rector

[email protected]

Dr. Ilona Kubiaczyk-AdlerDirector of Music Ministry

IlonaKubiaczyk-Adler @TheNativity.net

Shelley ByrnesDirector of Christian [email protected]

Susan WeidhaasBookkeeper

[email protected]

Mina RaffertyParish Administrator

[email protected]

Tim KoskySexton

Nativity’s Vestry

Senior Warden: David Bolger

480-945-3810 [email protected]

Junior Warden: Mark Miller

480-368-5530 [email protected]

Treasurer Kara Erickson

480 518- 2683 [email protected]

Tricia Beaird 480-699-7893 [email protected]

Suzanne Cohen 480-586-6625 [email protected]

Jennie Dobbins 602-770-0513 [email protected]

Kris Haugen 480-515-4803 [email protected]

Cotty Peabody 480-588-8328 [email protected]

Lani Sambach 602-793-2808 [email protected]

Steve Smith 480-285-7679 [email protected]

Darrell Spencer 702-540-5050 [email protected]

Colleen Whichello 301-520-2689 [email protected]

Sunday Schedule

9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Festive Eucharist Rite IIwith Children’s Chapel

10:00 - 10:30 a.m. Hospitality10:15 - 11:00 a.m. Sunday School for All Ages10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Festive Eucharist Rite II 11:40 - 12:15 p.m. Adult Christian Formation11:40 - 1:30 p.m. Youth Group

Polly Miller 2/8

Sarah Stuckey 2/12Margaret Byrnes 2/12

Jeremy Spencer-Treinen 2/18

Kathy Wasson 2/18

Shirley Cope 2/21

Lani Sambach 2/22

Jennifer Deihl 2/23

Every month we list those whose birthdays are being celebratedIf you would like your name added to the list,

please contact Mina Rafferty at [email protected] .

22405 N. Miller RoadScottsdale, Arizona 85255

Telephone:480-307-9216

www.NativityScottsdale.org

Wednesday Schedule

6:00 p.m. Evening Prayer Rite IIfeaturing Healing Prayers

6:30 p.m. Transforming Questions Class


http://www.nativityscottsdale.org/

mailto:[email protected]



http://www.nativityscottsdale.org/



































One of the most beautiful parts of the Book of Common Prayer, I think, isin the opening of the Ash Wednesday liturgy:

Dear People of God: The first Christians observed with great

devotion the days of our Lord's passion and resurrection, andit became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season ofpenitence and fasting. This season of Lent provideda time in which converts to the faith were prepared for HolyBaptism. It was also a time when those who, because ofnotorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithfulwere reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored tothe fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregationwas put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution setforth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which allChristians continually have to renew their repentance and faith.

I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to theobservance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance;

by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading andmeditating on God's holy Word.

Lent may be my favorite season of the church year. And before you accuse me of being a church geek(okay, I admit it, I’m a church geek), let me say that it is the solemnity and reverence of Lent that touchme deeply. It is the discipline that Lent inspires me to practice that draws me closer to God. And it is thefact that Lent connects me with God’s greatest gift – the gift of forgiveness and reconciliation with God inChrist – that fills me with deep gladness. When I worship on Ash Wednesday, I feel cleansed, because this

day reminds me that, though I am mortal, yet God’s love promises me resurrection. In Jesus, I am assuredthat God’s love will never leave me.

Lent is famously a time for adopting special disciplines of prayer and fasting – giving up something forLent. I do often give up something for Lent, but I also think it’s important to take something on, so thatLenten discipline is more than just another good thing to do. This Lent, Nativity is offering several specialoptions for Lent studies: the Transforming Questions series, which continues on Wednesday nights, andtwo new offerings – the Crucified Life small-group study (see page 6), and a special course on Nutrition(see page 10).

I also suggest, once more, taking the 20 + 5 + 1 Challenge. That is:

Pray 20 minutes a day; Serve others 5 hours a month; Worship 1 hour a week.

Check out the website www.prayworshipserve.com for more information on the challenge. Check outNativity’s website for a number of resources on daily prayer, here: http://nativityscottsdale.org/spirituality. And watch Nativity’s bulletin for opportunities to serve others in our community.

In the name of the church, I invite you to a holy Lent.Susan

A n o t e f r o m Pa s t o r S u s a n Transforming lives with the love of God in Jesus Christ



http://nativityscottsdale.org/spirituality

http://www.prayworshipserve.com/

http://nativityscottsdale.org/spirituality

http://www.prayworshipserve.com/



Pa g e 6 N e w s f r o m N a t i v i t y ’s A n n u a l M e e t i n g , S u n d a y , J a n . 2 5

Pastor Susan’s Annual Meeting Address

Church of the Nativity is eight years old, and what a great eight years it’s been! In record time, we have

grown to a program-size congregation with over 200 people in Sunday worship on average; we have becomea full parish of the Diocese of Arizona, and we have built our own permanent church building. More than that,

we have touched many people’s lives, and we have lived into our Christian commitment to “Transform Lives

with the Love of Jesus Christ.” I give thanks for the partnership and dedicated servant that so many servants

here have given to Nativity’s mission.

New challenges lie ahead of us. In 2014 overall, our attendance was about the same on average as 2013. It

was flat or a little down for the first 9 months of the year (possibly partly attributable to Ilona’s maternity

leave and my sabbatical), but began to grow again in October. The new growth is good to see, but it points to

a challenge that congregations our size often have. When a church gets to the size of about 150 on a Sunday,

studies show that it needs to make some conscious changes in the way it operates in order to continue to grow.

Without making these changes, the church might shrink back to attendance of 150. Your vestry has been

studying these changes, and has begun to make progress on some of them. For instance:

• We have instituted new software for accounting and member data;

• We have created a “Shepherd Program” to stay in touch with our members and to help newcomers get

incorporated into the parish;

• Most importantly, we have been researching the community around us, looking for more ways to get

involved in our community and serve those in need.

More activities lie ahead of us. For instance, we would like to:

• Live into the full potential of our new member software for communications and newcomer tracking;

• Find a way to get more administrative and communications help;

• Bring our Associate Rector on as full-time staff in 2016;

• Create a plan for long-term financial sustainability;

• Create new leadership identification, training, and recruitment processes;

• Offer more ways for people to get involved in Christian learning, especially in small-group opportunities;

• Continue our project of researching our community and determine the best ways to serve the people here;• Begin to research our own congregation’s unique character, including the ways each of us live out our faith

and what brings us together.

In all of these activities, we are really going deeper into an exercise that our group of founders did together

way back in the summer of 2006. We spent several months working to discover what business writer Jim

Collins calls our “Hedgehog Concept,” modified to apply to churches: Continued on the following page





A n n u a l M e e t i n g R e p o r t Pa g e 7

The Hedgehog Concept for a Church

A church’s Hedgehog Concept, I believe, is the intersection of these three questions:

• Who are we? What do we, uniquely, have to offer?

• Who are our neighbors, and what are their hopes and needs?

• What is God calling our church to be?

As we continue down the road of answering these three questions, we will periodically report to the

congregation, or even invite you to come together and help us address them together. Already, some of our

neighbors in the community have suggested that we could provide services like an after-school program, an

addiction recovery program, and a grief support group.

I want to mention how proud I am of Nativity’s Outreach ministries. We are making a big difference to those

in need in many parts of the Valley and the world, including our three sister churches: Santa Maria (west

Phoenix); St. Mary’s of the Moonlight (Navajoland); and Santa Maria Magdalena (Veracruz, Mexico).

Through giving significant amounts of money, and building relationship through active service, we are truly

helping those in need.

In our worship, prayer, service, study, and proclamation of the good news of Christ, may we continue to

Transform Lives with the Love of Jesus Christ.

Blessings, Susan+

Who are we?

Who are

What does

Our God call the

Neighbors? Church to Be?





Pa g e 8 N e w s f r o m N a t i v i t y ’s A n n u a l M e e t i n g ,

Feedback from Nativity Members

Nativity members offered ideas at the Annual Meeting for how we can get

more involved in our nearby community. The ideas included:

• An after-school or preschool program;• A grief support group;• Work to support people and families struggling with addiction and

recovery;• Support for seniors living isolated lives or needing transportation;• Help with financial planning;• Crisis assistance;• And many more.

Nativity’s vestry will be completing our community leader interviews, considering all these suggestions, and

putting them together into a plan to reach our community.

Kara Erickson,Treasurer, presented the financial report at the Annual Meeting.Highlights included:

• Actual Pledge and Plate Receipts in 2014 were $484,607;

• Nativity’s Pledge receipts were $22,357 short of budget due to unforeseen circumstances due to

death, illness or family relocation;

• Nativity ended the year with a surplus of $2,150 as budgeted expenses were less than anticipated;

• Building loan was reduced by $197,000 (including a $100,000 special donation at our

ADVENTure Silent Auction) to an outstanding 12/31/14 balance of $463,042;

• Another payment was made in January 2015 to reduce the building loan by $32,000;

•

Fundraising was above budget by $4,132 and raised $14,132;• Committed more than $20,000 to outreach programs.

• The 2015 Stewardship campaign resulted in a 5% increase in pledge commitments from 2014, to

$488,600, a very good result considering the pledge losses due to death, illness, and relocation in

2014.

Summary financial statements are on the next page. Detail statements are available upon request.





Community Forum on Human Trafficking.

On Tuesday evening, January 27th, Church of the Nativity held its first community forum on publicinterest issues. Jayne Baker, a Diaconal Minister from Ascension Lutheran Church, led thediscussion on Child Trafficking at a gathering of about fifteen people. For most of us the statisticswere shocking:

Over 100,000 American kids are victims of human trafficking in the United StatesWhile life expectancy of a girl born in the USA today is around 80yrs, the average mortality of a girlcaught up in trafficking is 34.

Rozlind, a survivor/advocate, told her story that began when she was but three years old. Her storywas both shocking and hopeful. Shocking in all that she has gone through, but hopeful that there are

organizations such as StreetLightUSA, that are working with these children to make them wholeagain. StreetLightUSA is located in metropolitan Phoenix and can always use volunteers andmentors. You can find out more about them at StreetLightUSA.org .

The next Nativity Public Issues Forum will be held on addiction on Feb. 26. See the announcement below.

Paul Rank, Outreach Chair

Pa g e 1 0 C h u r c h o f t h e N a t i v i t y C o m m u n i t y Fo r u m s

Community Forum on Addiction: Thursday, Feb. 26, 7:00 p.m. -

Joyce Ditzler

Our member Joyce Ditzler, a specialist in addictions, will offer a seminar on Thursday, Feb. 26 at 7:00p.m. 'Recovering from addictions: How to stop and stay stopped.' The seminar includes facts onaddiction, whether alcohol or drugs; what family and friends can do-including when to seek help andhow to find it; how to move from despair to hope; and how to maximize the chances of recovery. Adiscussion for the family, the 'addict' and helping professionals.

The Crucified Life:

Jesus’ Seven Last Words - a Study for LentFor Lent, we invite you to join in a small-group study of Jesus’ Seven Last Words, and what they mean for our lives.

The study includes a short DVD, a Bible study, and a discussion each week. Thursdays, 10:00-11:30 p.m. February 19

through April 2. Participation is free, but if you’d like to purchase an optional devotional guide, it is $15. Please email

Pastor Susan to register at [email protected].







Pa g e 1 2 C h i l d r e n & Yo u t h M i n i s t r i e s

Shrove Tuesday Pancake SupperPlease purchase your tickets to the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper whichwill take place on Tuesday, February 17! Tickets are $5 per person or $15

per family! Enjoy pancakes and sausages made by the Men of Nativity andsupport the Youth Group Mission Trip! The youth group will provide achildren's activity as well as clear tables and serve drinks! Bring your PalmCrosses from lat year, and at the end of the evening we will burn them in preparation for Ash Wednesday. Sign up and buy your tickets at the table inthe Parish Hall. If there are men who would like to help in the kitchen pleasecontact Art Graf at [email protected] to volunteer!

*This is a Family Activity so children will be with their parents when theyare not participating in the provided activity.

Ash Wednesday Services

The holy season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, February 18. Nativityoffers three services that day, all with Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes.Regular services are at noon (spoken) and 7 p.m. (choral) Children’s & Familyservice is at 5:30 p.m. In the Healing Chapel.

2015 Flower Dedication Chart -

The 2015 Flower Dedication Chart is now available for your consideration. Flowers may be dedicated in

memory of a loved one, or in thanksgiving for blessings received. Once the last Sunday service is

completed, the flowers can be taken home with you or given to someone as a gift. Please return the vases by

the following Sunday. Should you have any questions, please contact Kathy Graf at 480-570-2276.

A New Mah Jongg Group is Forming

Anyone interested in playing a fun tile game, please contact Kathy Graf. We will be

meeting on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at the church. This is a fun

and easy game to learn to play with lots of opportunity to socialize. Kathy may be

reached at [email protected].

Office Volunteers Wanted!

In response to feedback received at the annual meeting, we are putting out a call for office volunteers once

more. We need people to take two-hour shifts on Mondays and Fridays, as well as people who don't want a

regular shift but are willing to substitute sometimes. It's easy and fun, and greatly appreciated! To volunteer,

please contact Mina Rafferty at [email protected], or fill out this form on our website: http://

nativityscottsdale.org/office-volunteer-form/.




http://nativityscottsdale.org/office-volunteer-form/


http://nativityscottsdale.org/office-volunteer-form/







P a g e 1 3

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper!

Join us on Tuesday February 17th for delicious pancakes and sausages made by the Men of Nativity andsupport the Youth Group Mission Trip! The youth group will provide a children's activity as well as clear

tables and serve drinks! Sign up and buy your tickets at the table in the Parish Hall. If there are men who

would like to help in the kitchen please contact Art Graf at [email protected] to volunteer!

*This is a Family Activity so children will be with their parents when they are not participating in the

provided activity.

MARK YOUR

CALENDARS

• Feb 6 and 7 - Rummage Sal

• Feb 17 - Shrove Tuesday

Pancake Supper Fundraiser!

• Feb 18 - Ash Wednesday

Youth Group Stuff:If you haven't turned in your Mission Trip deposit but intent to go with us to San Diego the week of July

5-10 to do mission work, please do so now! Once Shelley puts in the deposits with Group Mission Tripsthe spots will be filled!

Thank you to all the parishioners who have purchased Christmas Ornaments and Super Bowl Snack Packs

to help fund our Mission Trip!

Thank you also to our anonymous Mission Trip Angels who have offered to match our fundraising! This is

an amazing gift and will allow us to spend some time on learning to be disciples and doing service even

before we go on Mission Trip!

Lenten Service Trip!The teens are going on a Lenten Service Retreat February 20 - 22. We will be

going to Chapel Rock (our Diocesan Camp and Conference Center) to help withsome of the manual labor required to keep the camp in it's beautiful condition.

We will be doing 8 hours of service as well as team building and devotions! Dr.

Wayne will join us on Saturday evening and will lead a eucharist at Rock Chapel

after our service work on Sunday. Contact Shelley at

[email protected], if you would like to join us and haven't yet

committed. I am confirming the dates with Chapel rock NOW!

Lenten Book Drive

During Lent we will be collecting easily used and new books to be donated to UMOMs Read-to-Me program. This is a great

opportunity for children to help other children! Please have your

kids go through their books and pick the ones they enjoyed at an

earlier reading stage, bring them to Children's Chapel and/or

Sunday School and your child will receive a sticker! The books

will be blessed and then given to homeless children! Start

cleaning now!









The Episcopal Church of the NativityMailing Address:22405 North Miller RoadScottsdale, Arizona 85255

www.NativityScottsdale.org

Worship Sundays

9:00 & 10:30 a.m.

U p c o m i n g E v e n t s :

February 7 Annual Rummage Sale Page 11

February 8 Bishop Visitation Page 1

February 13 Big Fun Bible Movie Night Page 4

February 14 Habitat for Humanity Work Day Page 11

February 15 Newcomer Cafe Page 11

February 17 Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper Page 1

February 18 Ash Wednesday Page 12February 19 The Crucified Life Lent Study Begins Page 10

February 20-22 Lenten Service Trip at Chapel Rock! Page 13

February 22 Nutrition Course Begins Page 11

February 26 Public Forum on Addiction Page 10





Nativity Scene February 2015

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Transcript of Nativity Scene February 2015