Monthly Message EPISCOPAL CHURCH O F THE HOLY NATIVITY. from The Rev. Michael Case, Priest-in-Charge IN THIS ISSUE: Fr. Michael Case Office Hours:

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1 EPISCOPAL CHURCH O F THE HOLY NATIVITY DECEMBER 2018 NEWSLETTER IN THIS ISSUE: Monthly Message from Father Michael November Vestry Highlights...3 Treasurer s Report...4 Birthdays & Anniversaries...4 Prayer Book Markers...5 Ladies Annual Christmas...5 Sunday School Teachers...5 Need Some Office Supplies?...5 Stewardship There s Still Time...6 Christmas Poinsettias...7 Cookie Bakers Needed...7 Bishop s Visit & Potluck...7 Hypothermia Signs...8 December Calendar...9 Fr. Michael Case Office Hours: Tues., 12/04/18...5:30-8:00PM Thurs., 12/20/18...5:30-8:00PM Please call the church office at (208) or Father Michael at (208) to make an appointment The Episcopal Church of the Holy Nativity 828 W. Cherry Lane Meridian, Idaho (208) SUNDAY WORSHIP 9:30 AM Monthly Message from The Rev. Michael Case, Priest-in-Charge Dear People of Holy Nativity, Happy Church New Year! On December 2nd we will celebrate the first Sunday of Advent, ringing in the new liturgical cycle. Advent is a season of anticipation a time of waiting, of reflection, and of preparation for the birth of the one called Emmanuel God with us. Outside of the church people are busy preparing for Christmas, but in our Episcopal tradition we are faced, once again, with the soon, but not yet dilemma in which we so frequently find ourselves. In stores we began hearing Christmas music before Thanksgiving was even complete, and began the barrage of hurry while supplies last marketing drive of Black Friday, which will unfortunately continue through the end of the holiday season. While the world about us rushes ahead, we must force ourselves to slow down and contemplate what this season is truly all about. We must see this separation of sacred and secular as we wait (no Christmas hymns in church just yet we have not arrived), and slow down and listen for what the Spirit is telling us. The concept of reflection is a big one during Advent. We have an opportunity to reflect upon the past year to look at where we have been, evaluate what was good or maybe not so good, and look toward the future in anticipation of something better not just for ourselves, but for the world about us. How will we prepare ourselves for the birth of Jesus, and all the transformative power his birth entails? In order to assist with this idea of contemplation and reflection, as well as foster the ability to listen for the Spirit, we are working to build time into our Sunday schedule. This time has always been there, but over the years we have strayed from using it to our advantage. I m referring, of course, to the time before our service as we enter our sacred space in preparation for our encounter with the Mystery. Continued on page 2

2 DECEMBER 2018 Page 2 Monthly Message from The Rev. Michael Case Continued from page 1 Over the years, this time has become space to visit and catch up, to hurry and get questions answered or ideas expressed before the service begins. But during Advent, I m challenging us all to use this as contemplative time to enter our sacred space in silence. To use the time to pray, to contemplate, or to simply be still and open to what the Spirit is saying to us. Over the next several weeks we will, most likely, find demands on our time increased due to family gatherings and social events. We will find ourselves being pulled into the commercialism of a secular Christmas with attempts to shift our focus from what this season is truly about. But throughout Advent, it is my prayer that we use the contemplative time each Sunday morning as a catalyst for finding other moments throughout our week to slow down to pray, to read, to meditate and to truly reflect on the purpose of this season in our liturgical year. Above all, I pray that we can find time to listen to what the Spirit is calling us to be and to do as we await the birth of the One sent to save us all. In Christ s love, Michael + Hope MATHEW 24:36-44 HOPE

3 DECEMBER 2018 Page 3 NOVEMBER VESTRY HIGHLIGHTS The meeting opened at 6:45 PM with Mary Buchanan reading the Prayer for Vestries. Vestry Minutes Cindy Wolfenbarger The corrected minutes from Oct. 17th were approved by the vestry on Oct. 24th by . Treasurers Report Mike Magette Mike handed out the treasurer reports and made a few comments about a couple items. We are still doing very well. Vestry Reports: Stewardship Shawna Myers Shawna forgot to include the Time and Talent checklists with the pledge cards. She will be making them available to the parish. Also remind people to get pledge cards in if they haven t yet. She also shared that the St. Vincent s Turkey project was able to feed 2,400 families! Fellowship Mary Buchanan Mary would like to ask the Vestry if we could afford to get new chairs for the Parish Hall? The old ones are very hard to keep clean. We could get 100 folding chairs from Costco for $1,999. They would be metal and have rubber on the legs so would not harm the new floor in the Parish Hall when we get that done. Mike said we had the money available and we could purchase the chairs we will get beige. The old chairs can be sold on Craig s list. Mary took the bars off the windows in the Parish hall and will be putting up the curtains soon. She asked if it would be okay for her and Kay to paint the cabinets in the kitchen? We told her to go ahead. Then we got to talking about the floor in the kitchen that needs to be replaced. There is an account for kitchen repairs and the money from the bazaar (selling food in the kitchen) went into this account. Donna suggested using some of the money from the Women s group account about $2000. Donna will talk to Kay about that. Mary will talk to Phil and have him get 3 bids for the kitchen floor.an industrial strength linoleum. Building and Grounds Phil Street (not present) Phil let us know that he got a bid for the Parish Hall floor for $6,500. This would be an epoxy paint. We would like to have 2 more bids before we decide. Interfaith Luncheon Fr. Michael Fr. Michael told us there would be an Interfaith luncheon in our Parish Hall on Tues. Dec. 11th from noon to 1 PM. We do not need to provide food or anything.just the space. Action Items IEF: A lady from the Idaho Episcopal Foundation would like to come talk to our congregation. She could make a short announcement during the announcements and then have a presentation in the Parish Hall during coffee hour sometime in January. Jo Ann will contact her and set a date. We will be having our Annual meeting on Jan. 27th, so not that Sunday. Bishop s Visit: Sunday, Dec. 9th will be Bishop Brian Thom s annual visit to Holy Nativity and do a confirmation. After some discussion, we decided it would be best to have a potluck that Sunday. Mary Buchanan will contact the coffee hostesses and request their assistance. Narthex Entrance Church Doors: The front doors are so heavy that some of the parishioners cannot open them. Fr. Michael will send an to the ushers and ask them to be very attentive in helping those who cannot open the doors. Maybe we could get a grant for an automatic door opener system? The meeting ended at 7:30 PM with all praying the Lord s Prayer. Respectfully submitted, Cindy Wolfenbarger, Vestry Clerk

4 DECEMBER 2018 Page 4 NOVEMBER 2018 TREASURER S REPORT Cash Balance $50, DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS Accounts Payable / Bills 0.00 Balance After Payment $50, FUND BALANCES Operating Reserve $8, Be Our Guest $3, Caring Closet Fund $2, Children s Ministry $ Cents A Meal $ Building Fund $6, Memorial Fund $3, Paradise Point $4, Women s Group $2, Youth Mission $1, Kendra Mattson...12/3 Kyle Mattson...12/3 Mary Dallas...12/4 Tom Farquhar Mayes...12/4 Marilyn Hereford...12/5 Matt Wheeler...12/5 Frank Dykas...12/6 Christina Woods...12/6 Carolyn Winters...12/7 Bob Burnz...12/9 Clare Barrett...12/16 Janet Willoughby...12/16 Nancy Ross...12/18 Kevin Brady...12/19 Debbie Domka...12/19 Mary Alice Sanders...12/22 Mary Rockrohr...12/23 JoAnn Myers...12/24 Snadra Koerner...12/25 Larissa Blount...12/29 Bill Carlisle...12/31 Kitchen Improvements $3, Total 36, MONTHLY RECURRING EXPENSES New Commercial Loan $2, Priest $1, Total $3, December Anniversaries Orve and Marian Hendrix...12/14 Brian and Janie Grassley...12/18 Clay and Sondra Lisle...12/19 James and Gail Roberts...12/21 Paul and Sharon Parish...12/30 Phil and Lisa Strees...12/30

5 DECEMBER 2018 Page 5 PRAYER BOOK MARKERS Matt Wheeler The Youth Group is making placemarkers for our prayer books and hymnals - we need hundreds so we are happy for any donations of: Spools of narrow ribbon Sheets of heavy card stock A glue gun and glue sticks for it Fabric scissors We can promise to give back the last two, but this project may take a year. LADIES ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BRUNCH Sunday, December 2nd 11:30am Louie s Restaurant on Fairview Bring a gift to swap (under $10). Would you like to help Teach Sunday School? We are looking for one or two people to help with this important ministry. If you are interested, please contact Diana Bush (208) or Carrie Magette (208) Thank you! Also we will be collecting personal hygiene products, and new underwear and bras (especially large sizes) to donate to the Boise Rescue Mission Women s and Children s Ministries Questions or suggestions call or text Sue Pahlas at Office Supplies If anyone is in need of ring binders, legal pads, hanging file folders, index tabs, etc. there are boxes of them in the office donated by Janice Avera. If you want any of these items, contact: Cindy Wolfenbarger or cindywolf819@msn.com or stop by the office: Monday noon - 3pm Wednesday 9am - 11am Friday 9am - 11am Thanksgiving Boxes Thank you to all who provided a Thanksgiving box and turkey for the St. Vincent Project!

6 DECEMBER 2018 Page 6 STEWARDSHIP AND HOLY NATIVITY Thank you to everyone who turned in their pledge cards by November 18, Compiling the pledge amounts really helps the Finance Committee and Vestry plan a budget for If you have not yet submitted your Pledge Card, there is still time. Extra blank cards are available in the Narthex and we will gratefully continue to receive them! Stewardship is about being grateful, responsible stewards of the gifts we receive from God. The tradition of giving back to God and to the church comes from the Biblical practice of tithing, which means to give back a tenth of our earnings to God (Numbers 18:26). The Episcopal Church sees stewardship as more than simply contributing money to the church; it s also about contributing time and talents, and volunteering for ministry and mission. It s also about reaching out to build relationships from a perspective of abundance instead of scarcity. Please consider making a pledge so that we may continue with our various ministries. Every little bit counts and helps us to achieve wonderful things! Blessings This year especially, we ve had some fun-filled talks by parishoners about Stewardship. Brian Grassley took a light-hearted approach with a superman theme. Barbara Samperisi, with the help of Jon Anson (pictured above), gave an amusing talk about how tithing truly isn t a yoke around your neck, but a privilege and easily managed. Again, if you haven t completed and submitted your pledge card, we hope you will consider doing this very soon so that budgets can be planned for next year. Thank you!

7 Holy Nativity DECEMBER 2018 Page 7 Christmas Poinsettias There is a sign up sheet in the Parish Hall if you would like to have a Christmas Poinsettia to honor or in memory of a loved one. The suggested donation is $ Checks may be written to "Holy Nativity" with "Poinsettias" in the subject space. The Poinsettias will be used to decorate the altar area during the Christmas Season. If you have questions, contact: Clare Barrett Christmas Basket Cookies Needed We need lots of cookies to put in the Be Our Guest Christmas baskets! The Ladie s Knitting Retreat at the Monastery of the Ascension near Jerome, Nov BISHOP S VISIT AND POTLUCK The baskets will be assembled at 6pm on Monday, December 10th. Please deliver your cookies either that evening or on the 9th. Note: Please place cookies in baggies - 2 cookies in each bag. The completed basket will be given out on December 12th. Please let Gladys Clymens know if you can bake some! The Bishop s Visit is slated for Sunday, December 9th. We will be having a potluck that day. For those of you who plan to bring a dessert, (just a hint) we understand the Bishop is fond of pie....but then, who isn t? Thank you!

8 DECEMBER 2018 Page 8 Learn the Signs of Hypothermia Provided by Bob Burnz Winter will soon be here, and it s time to think about cold weather safety; specifically hypothermia. Hypothermia is a dangerous drop in body temperature, usually caused by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures but it can occur even at cool temperatures (above 40 F) if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold water. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hypothermia is particularly dangerous because a person may not know it is happening. Some signs of hypothermia include shivering, exhaustion, fumbling hands, slurred speech and drowsiness. In infants look for bright red, cold skin and very low energy. If you notice any of these signs, take the person s temperature. If it is below 95, the situation is an emergency get medical attention immediately. If medical care is not available, begin warming the person, as follows: Get the victim into a warm room or shelter. If the victim has on any wet clothing, remove it. Warm the center of the body (head, neck, torso and groin) first using an electric blanket, if available. Warm beverages can help increase the body temperature, but do not give alcoholic beverages. Do not try to give beverages to an unconscious person. After body temperature has increased, keep the person dry and wrapped in a warm blanket, including the head and neck. Get medical attention as soon as possible.

9 DECEMBER 2018 Page 9 DECEMBER 2018 CALENDAR SUN MON TUE WED THUR FRI SAT 1 2 9:30am Holy Eucharist ADVENT SUNDAY & POTLUCK Be Our Guest Meal 6 Choir Practice 7:30pm 7 Walking In The Parish Hall 10:30 to 11:30am 8 LADIES CHRISTMAS BRUNCH 9 9:30am Holy Eucharist BISHOP S VISIT & POTLUCK Be Our Guest Meal 13 Choir Practice 7:30pm 14 Walking In The Parish Hall 10:30 to 11:30am :30am Holy Eucharist 10:45 WORSHIP COMMITTEE Pastoral Care Mtg. 6:30pm 19 Vestry Meeting 20 Choir Practice 7:30pm 21 Walking In The Parish Hall 10:30 to 11:30am :30am Holy Eucharist 11:00am KNITTING CIRCLE 24 Christmas Pageant 7pm Christmas Eve Service 11pm 25 MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! Choir Practice 7:30pm 28 Walking In The Parish Hall 10:30 to 11:30am :30am Morning Prayer Happy New Year LEADERSHIP TEAM Bishop of Idaho: The Rt. Rev. Brian Thom Priest-in-Charge: The Rev. Michael Case Assisting Priest: The Rev. Alice Farquhar-Mayes Music Director: Ms. Heidi Roberts Senior Warden: Ms. JoAnn Myers Junior Warden: Mr. Garry Mattson Finance Chairman: Mr. Mike Magette Treasurer: Mrs. Donna Lofton Ministry Schedule: Mrs. Kelly Mattson Children s Sermons: Mr. Matt Wheeler Sunday School: Mrs. Diana Bush Youth Group: Mr. Matt Wheeler Altar Guild & Flowers: Ms. Clare Barrett Food Bank: Mr. Richard Jones Fellowship: Mrs. Mary Buchanan Women s Group: Ms. Sue Pahlas Worship Committee: The Rev. Michael Case Editor: Mrs. Mary Buchanan