HOLY HAPPENINGS. Volume 24 Issue 1 February 2016 CHURCH OF THE HOLY NATIVITY SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

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1 Volume 24 Issue 1 February 2016 Celebrate! celebrate! After so much planning, printing, inviting and coordinating, the Church of the Holy Nativity celebrated one hundred years of spreading the Good News of Christ (even though it may have been 5 days early) on December 20th. The celebration was held at one service 10am to 180 overjoyed parishioners. Presiding was our Bishop the Rt. Reverend Alan M. Gates who celebrated and preached with vigor as the congregation responded enthusiastically. Accompanying the celebration was the splendid music provided by our Organist Casey Hannan, our choir, trumpeter Michael Gaunitz with Ray Lyons playing the flute. The children were brought forth to present Bishop Gates, to his surprise, some Christmas gifts from our parish. During announcements Father Harry thanked the Bishop, and everyone in attendance for making this occasion so very special. Father especially thanked the Centennial Committee: Jim Kimball, Beryl McFadden, Ron Russo, Steve Williams and Brian Smith for organizing this very special celebration and the Altar Guild for taking so much time to provide so much beauty, the Church looked simply magnificent. CHURCH OF THE HOLY NATIVITY SCHEDULE OF SERVICES Sunday Holy Eucharist - 8 & 10 a.m. Sunday School - 9:30 a.m. NURSERY AVAILABLE 9:30-11:30 a.m. OFFICE HOURS Mon. thru Fri. - 9 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Parish Office Rector E- Mail: office@holynativityweymouth.org WEBSITE: The Rev. Harold G. Birkenhead, Rector The Rev. Brad Hultman, Asst. Priest Casey Hannan, Organist & Choirmaster Lizzi Campbell, Secretary Bob Thomas, Sexton Brian Smith, Warden Steve Williams, Warden Following the service the Bishop, clergy and congregation moved to the Elks Club in Weymouth for a catered luncheon and music provided by Mr. Tom Rizzo. At least the children continued to celebrate, celebrate as they all danced to the music. Indeed, and as all can attest, this was a celebration which will live in our memories for years to come. As Bishop Gates alluded to in his sermon; the next step we take will be the first step, the beginning of the next 100 years and may God continue to bless us all and this most lovely parish, The Church of the Holy Nativity.

2 Page 2 Whoa! Air Conditioning From on Christmas the Wardens Eve? Dale Critchley and I were discussing, while preparing for our Christmas Eve service, how if ever we could supercede the grand Centennial celebration on Christmas Eve. Well, although the Church wasn't quite as full and although we did not have the Bishop with us, we did have something on this Christmas Eve that has never happened before and most likely will never happen again, "Air Conditioning". Hard to believe that outside it was near 62 degrees and inside in a fairly full church the temperature was climbing close to 80. The choir seemed to swaying, not from the music, as splendid as it was, but from the inside humidity. Still, all in all, it was a wonderful,uplifting and beautiful service. To everyone who made this year s back to back celebrations so invigorating, thank you from the bottom, top and all of my heart. Holy Nativity most certainly is the "Christmas" church filled with the Christmas Spirit, the Christmas joy and always, the Christmas Love. God has truly blessed us all. SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS The Sunday school children will be making FRUITS of the SPIRIT beaded bracelets to wear during the season of Lent. Just like the bracelets worn by the members of the parish, the students will wear them for a week at a time to share their gifts of the Holy Spirit with others around them. We will also be making prayer chains. Each chain will have forty links for the 40 days of Lent and each link will have the name of someone on the prayer list. Every day during Lent a link is removed and the person s name on that link will have a prayer said for them. There will be no Sunday school on February 14 th the start of February school vacation. CRAFT GROUP Craft group resumed Thursday, Jan 28 from 9ish to 12:00. We will be completing projects which will be sold at our Holly Fair in November. All are welcome. Also, if you have any ideas for projects, bring them along. Call Charlene if you have any questions ALTAR FLOWERS The Altar Guild has provided yellow envelopes to be used for flowers or the Sanctuary lamp candle donations. If writing a check instead of using cash, please make the check out to Holy Nativity Altar Guild and note either flowers or candle on the memo line. Checks, with or without envelopes, may be put in the alms basin. WOMEN S EVENING GROUP By the That time you I was read leaving this the you. Women s Evening Group will have had their Potluck Supper and old fashion Yankee Swap and enjoyed good company, in friendship, fellowship and fun. Information to follow in the next newsletter regarding our March meeting. As I will be away for the winter, Terry Williams has volunteered to be Chairman of the Women s Evening Group. Terri has some ideas that will bring new membership and service. Questions: Terri Williams, or tuluannie@comcast.net. Terry Asher, p very quick, and or we would tlasher@comcast.net. like to start planning the Third Annual Intergenerational Christmas Pageant, which will be held at the 10 a.m. Service on Sunday, December 19. We have had a wonderful time the It seemed almost impossible

3 Page 3 This proxy is for the following meeting: Limited Proxy Form Time: 11:00 a.m. Date: Sunday, February 7, 2016 Place: Asher-Stoddard Hall As a member of Holy Nativity Episcopal Church, I hereby appoint: (If Blank, Warden of the Vestry, Steve Williams) As my PROXYHOLDER with full power of substitution to represent me at the Annual Meeting, as well as any lawful adjournment thereof. Member DATE PRINTED NAME ADDRESS (This proxy is limited to the purpose of obtaining a quorum, is revocable, and is valid only for the meeting for which it is given, and any legal adjournment thereof, and in no event for more than 90 days.) IF THERE IS A CHANCE THAT YOU MAY NOT ATTEND THIS MEETING, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU RETURN THIS FORM! Please return to: Holy Nativity Episcopal Church 8 Nevin Road South Weymouth, MA ANNUAL MEETING PROXY FORM All parishioners should fill out this form BEFORE the Annual Meeting and place it in the alms basin. In the event you do attend the meeting, you will get your proxy form back. This completed form allows the Annual Meeting to proceed on its scheduled date in the event a quorum is not met.

4 Page 4 Newsletter From the Wardens Deadline The deadline for the MARCH 2016 Holy Happenings will be Thursday, February 11. Articles may be submitted via snail mail, dropped off in the bin on the office door or sent to office@holynativityweymouth.org. Thank you. FOOD FIRST SUNDAY Food First Sunday will be Sunday, February 7. The pantry would appreciate any cereals. Thank you. Coffee Hour Hosts Needed Please sign up on the Coffee Hour sheet in the Asher- Stoddard Hall. If you have any questions, please call Ed Muller at Home Communion If you or a relative are unable to get to church to celebrate the Eucharist at any time during the year, please call the office at to schedule a Home Communion with Fr. Harry or Fr. Brad. The visit will be arranged at your convenience, days or evenings. VESTRY The next Vestry meeting will be Wednesday, March 16, 2015 at 7:30 pm following a service of Compline at 7:00 pm. There will not be a meeting in February due to the Annual Meeting. Tuesday Morning Eucharist and Luncheon Did you miss Sunday s service? Are you hungry for the word of God? Would you enjoy relaxing during a Eucharist and then enjoy a light lunch and some great conversation? Then Holy Nativity offers you a wonderfully quiet but spiritual Eucharist followed by a light luncheon and conversation every Tuesday at 11:30 am. If you know someone who wishes to come along then remind them they don t have to be a church member or even an Episcopalian. Just come along and pray, be fed by the Lord and then enjoy a luncheon of fellowship and good cheer. AS A PARISH, WE PRAY FOR: ARTHUR NORRIS ASHLEY & MIA EISSANTI ASHLEY SMITH BILL GARRITY BILLIE-JO ROGERS DIANE ORRICO EDWINA WOOL ENID HAYES EWEN MCDONALD FATHER STEVE GERI JOHN GREENE JOSEPH MICHAEL KYLE & MEREDITH LEAHY LAURA LUCILLE OLSON MARILYN MARTHA O DAY MATT JANEWAY That I was leaving you. MYRTLE PERKINS NIC SORRENTINO PAIGE PHIL STEPHAN RAY THORNE RAYMOND GAGNON RICK RITA, PAUL & EVAN REDMOND ROCKY ROSE STEVE TERRI WILLIAMS THOM & MAUREEN SHORTT VAL AND HER FAMILY p very quick, and we would like to start planning the Third Annual Intergenerational Christmas Pageant, which will be held at the 10 a.m. Service on Sunday, December 19. We have had a wonderful time the It seemed almost impossible

5 Page 5 Epiphany From the Wardens (Greek Ἐπιφάνεια, Epiphaneia, "Manifestation", "striking appearance") or Theophany meaning "Vision of God". January 3 Fr. Harry preached about the season of Epiphany and after a brief question and answer we discovered that Epiphany is a season which begins our time when we can become manifestations of Christ to others around us. Fr. Harry challenged the congregation to take those fruits and gifts that God has given us, especially and most particularly the Fruits and Gifts of the Holy Spirit of which we are all endowed, and bring those fruits and gifts to others. Remember? The gift of Knowledge, wisdom, prophecy, faith, healing result in the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness. Fr. Harry has shown us those bracelets that we can place on our wrist, each one of a different color and a different gift, and challenged us to wear one bracelet for a week or more if need be. The challenge is to then to go out and share that fruit or gift with someone you may know who is in need, whether it be joy to someone who is sad or love to someone in need of caring. You are then asked to return the bracelet for another one. The challenge with "manifest" begin, on the 1st Sunday after Epiphany, January 10th and will end on Easter Sunday the Sunday our Lord is resurrected for all to see and believe. A log can be kept if you desired but it is not a requirement. The main challenge is to see how many people we can manifest Christ to in our lives. So, anyone want to take the challenge? Look for the bracelets in the Asher/Stoddard Hall. MYSTICAL THEMES IN HOLY SCRIPTURE Sundays, February 14 March 6 There are teachings, parables and scripture lessons common to all religions, philosophies and cultures. These common elements are most prevalent in the wisdom teachings and mysticism. For four Sundays in Lent we will review and reflect on these universals and use them in prayer and meditation as part of our daily Lenten spiritual discipline. Spiritual teachings that are common to all people and cultures are most often a powerful point of departure for developing spiritual insight and devotion. Please note, this spiritual study is separate from the Lenten forum being held Monday evenings during Lent. All people are welcome to attend. Please let me know if you intend to participate. A syllabus will be provided prior to February 14. Yours, Fr. Brad A Message From Your Stewardship Team As we welcome in 2016 and think back on the wonderful celebrations during 2015 and our 100th Year Celebration in December at Holy Nativity, we would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year as we look forward to another year of being a part of our wonderful Parish Family and all of the blessings that our God has bestowed on us. That I was leaving you. p very quick, and we would like to start planning the Third Annual Intergenerational Christmas Pageant, which will be held at the 10 a.m. Service on Sunday, December 19. We have had a wonderful time the It seemed almost impossible

6 Page 6 (ABOVE) The choir prepares to begin the celebration. (BELOW) Father Brad Hultman, Father Harold G. Birkenhead, The Right Reverend Bishop Alan M. Gates, Bishop s Deacon Phil Flaherty

7 Page 7 Congratulations to Billy MacPhee and his family for having the winning raffle ticket to collect the centennial oil painting of The Church of the Holy Nativity.

8 Page 8 Wardens Report There is no other way to describe it but; awesome, beautiful, fantastic, uplifting, emotional, very special, memorable and historic. That pretty much sums up the year here at The Church of the Holy Nativity that all cumulated with the Centennial Celebration on December 20 th, followed by the Christmas Eve services. What a memorable 2015 we have all have the honor and privilege to be part of and experience. The list of Thank-Yous this year is pretty much endless and never seems to be enough given all the work, ministry, passion and dedication done over this past year. Well, here goes anyway, on behalf of the Vestry and Wardens: THANK-YOU, THANK-YOU, THANK-YOU!!! Our service as Wardens is made easier by the family of Us here at Holy Nativity working, praying, worshiping, caring and participating together in all that we do here all year long. In December the Vestry had the honor and opportunity to meet with Bishop Alan Gates and found it to be both informative and entertaining. We all got to know one another a bit better and learn more about the Bishop and vice versa. He took the time to hear about this very special parish and what our thoughts and concerns were in general as well as looking into the future. Time well spent for everyone. Certainly the Centennial Celebration was literally the icing on the cake this year at Holy Nativity. The Centennial Committee (Fr. Harry, Don Reade, Beryl McFadden, Ron Russo, Brian Smith and Steve Williams) chaired by Jim Kimball met throughout the past year to plan and help execute everything centennial based from the service to the luncheon to the limited edition items sold to help offset related costs. Jim Kimball did an exceptional job keeping this on point and focused and on time when planning for this once every hundred years event and we cannot thank Jim enough for his dedication and expertise. It was also very special that The Right Reverend Alan M. Gates, Bishop of our Diocese was here with us as the Celebrant for the service. Certainly this was an event that we will all remember for many years to come right from the service itself to the luncheon that followed at the Weymouth Elks Club. You cannot pull off such an important and once-in-a-lifetime event without the help of our Altar Guild, Lay Eucharistic Ministers, Choir and Choir Director, Acolytes, Ushers, the Parish Secretary, Sextant, the special guest musicians and our clergy Fr. Harry and Fr. Brad. At our most recent Vestry meeting in January, we took a moment to thank the three Vestry members who have completed their three year term and will be rotating off as of the Annual Meeting on Feb. 7 th. More Thanks very much going to Harry Maynard, Ruth Bates and George Ward for their service and ministry to this church and Vestry. Your help and input is always greatly appreciated. Finally, we will all, gather again to hear and discuss this past year and the upcoming year along with acknowledging all the accomplishments at our Annual Meeting on Sunday February 7 th following the 10am service. Hope that you will be there as we would love to see you all again. God s Peace- Your Wardens, Brian Smith & Steve Williams

9 Page 9 THE DESERT OF OUR HEART, THE CITY OF OUR SOUL Since the beginning of time humanity has been in search of God. From the monastics who spent silent years of deep thought and meditation in the desert opening their souls to the Word of God, to the Evangelicals who revived destitute cities with song and celebrations inviting the presence of God, humanity has been in search, only to find that if we all open our hearts our eyes would be opened to the beauty of God all around. Our Lenten program will be a journey of sort, leading you from the city of Jerusalem where a small Jewish sect known as the Essenes will break away from conventional Jewish beliefs and establish their own community in the desert in a place called Wadi Qumran of the Dead Sea. Their practice in their search for God was in the practice of cleansing, eating, healing, praying and meditating. This same practice would be adopted by so many varied religious in years to come, most particularly our Desert Fathers and Mothers. Some 2000 years later records of the Essenes and ancient scriptures never touched by mankind since its preservation, would be discovered in caves along the Dead Sea and be called the Dead Sea Scrolls. These scrolls would reveal much about the Essenes of which it believed John the Baptist may have been a member. Around the 3 rd Century, Christians known as the Desert Fathers followed the practice of the Essenes by breaking with conventional religions and society and lived mainly in the Scetes desert of Egypt. Their search for God would lead to some of the greatest forms of monastic contemplation in particular Apoththegmata Patrum or Sayings of the Desert Fathers. And finally, our search will lead us to today where some still look for God, but are we searching in the wrong place? Did you ever wonder why after all the time Jesus disciple followed him in life they could not recognize him after his resurrection? Where is Jesus? Where is the God who embraces our soul? Our Lenten program this year invites you to come along in search, from the desert of our hearts to the cities of our souls and search for the God who loves us all. Monday, February 22 - The Essenes Monday, February 29 The Dead Sea Scrolls Monday, March 7 The Desert Fathers Monday, March 14 Our Road to Emmaus, The Blood of Christ never fails us.

10 Page 10 Church of the Holy Nativity 8 Nevin Road South Weymouth, MA RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Inside This Issue * Annual Meeting Proxy Page 3 * Centennial Photos Page 6-7 * Lenten Program Page 9 MAILED January 25, 2016 Important Dates Feb 7 Annual Meeting Feb 9 Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper Feb 10 Ash Wednesday Feb 11 Holy Happenings articles due Feb 13 Weymouth Garden Club Feb 14 No Sunday School Fr. Brad Bible Study begins Mission Statement The family of the Church of the Holy Nativity is called to be a caring community, committed to spiritual development; encouraging growth in each member s personal relationship with God, through Christ; by providing educational opportunities for youth and adults as well as Christian Formation for all, going forth to share God s message of love and forgiveness. Important Dates Feb 15 Office closed Feb 22 Lenten Dinner & Lenten Program begins Feb 28 Book Sale Feb 29 Lenten Dinner & Lenten Program