The Churches of the Nativity and Holy Comforter December Newsletter We are Better Together

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1 THE BT TIMES We are Better Together G T A Christmas Story In the 1940s, in the town of Hammond, 9-year-old Ralphie wants one thing for Christmas an official Red Ryder BB rifle. When he asks his mother for the BB gun for Christmas, she says, No, you'll shoot your eye out. When he writes an essay about it at school his teacher gives him a C+ with a note saying, You'll shoot your eye out. Next he asks Santa for the gun, Santa's response is familiar, he says, You'll shoot your eye out, kid. Ralph fears that he ll never get the BB gun for Christmas. But there may be a surprise in store for him. This, of course, is the 1983 movie, A Christmas Story. If you have not seen it on TV, you must have been in a coma the last few years. Not too long ago it was shown once or twice during the Christmas season. Now it seems to be on all the time. There are even Christmas Story marathons during which the movie is shown non-stop for twenty-four hours! I watch the movie at least once each Christmas. Having seen it many times, one would think that it would get boring. However, despite knowing the plot (Soap poisoning!), somehow it is always funny and entertaining. I imagine that I will keep watching it, always finding something fresh and previously unseen! The yearly celebration of Jesus birth is like that, too. The plot is always the same. The elements of the story never change. Yet, each year I celebrate Christmas, it seems fresh and certainly not boring. The story of God s love shown in that crib in Bethlehem always amazes me. Each year I find something to peak my interest so as to make the story one anticipated but charmingly new. There is a prayer that is used during the Christmas season. It asks that we may celebrate anew the joy of the Messiah s birth. That is my prayer for each of you so that the wonder of the familiar story may never cease to inspire, amaze, and bring endless

2 A Winter Garden Seeds Were Planted Our vestry and council met. Our communities have joined. Our leaders are working together. The first part of our journey is complete. Today we have a church life to create, and future to design, missions to nurture, and the time and space to find new ways to reach into the community and out to the bigger world. Listening Sessions In order to continue to discern the voice God wants us to speak as a new combined faith community, David and Stewart, along with the Council and Vestry, have planned several events in early January. At these small informal gatherings, we will get to know each other better and start to dream about our future. What is God calling us to do? What specific gifts to we have now that can serve our community? Please sign up in the foyer or call the church office. Directions will be provided. Tending the Crops Church members in the hospital. A city whose problems are not intractable. A sanctuary perfect for concerts. Habitat building homes and communities. CARES serving our neediest neighbors. A book group. Quilters. And make no mistake about it, it takes energy and commitment to keep new relationships blooming. Winter Bulbs Under the morning frost, the bulbs are still alive. Readying themselves for spring, and another season of growth. Our church is, too. Let us find a little time in the first week of January to bring forth our faith, sit together over a cup of coffee or tea, and share of vision of the things we can do to serve God in our community. Cottage meetings. Engage. Sign-up. Tuesday, Jan. 5 - Tea at 2pm at the home of Jeff & Joyce Valentine Wednesday Jan. 6 at 7pm Epiphany blessing of the doors and conversation at the church Thursday, Jan. 7 11am Coffee talk at the church. Saturday, Jan. 9 9 am Coffee talk at the home of Rob & Quinby Sohlberg 2 This old picture is from Advent 1952!

3 Wednesday Night December 16, :30 pm Cool Jazz. Cold night. Burning incense. Candlelight. Prayer. A community of nonnecessarily-lutheran-orepiscopalians who come together ever month to listen, sing and pray. A ministry created at Holy Comforter that lives on and continues to flourish. A festive reception follows the service in Hart Hall. This months musicians are: Rhonda Robinson, vocals Justin Taylor, piano Seth Kibel, sax/clarinet Bob Abbott, bass 3

4 Frequently Asked Questions About the Nativity-Holy Comforter Joint Ministry What brought the two congregations together? Holy Comforter struggled with the same challenges faced by many urban mainstream Christian churches declining attendance and financial struggles made worse by the costs of maintaining a large, antiquated and inefficient physical facility. Nativity, while stronger financially, felt that it needed more active members to have the critical mass of worshippers necessary to carry out their Christian ministry evangelism, witness, service and outreach. The churches had much in common similar liturgies, hymns and prayers. And, unlike many other congregations, both Nativity and Holy Comforter have welcomed people of different racial, ethnic, economic backgrounds, and sexual preferences/identities. Both are committed to welcoming the stranger, the traveler, and the immigrant. The congregations had several joint worship services and opportunities for fellowship in the summer and fall of The two immediately found common ground, and the pieces easily fell into place. Aren t there differences in the Lutheran and Episcopal Churches? The two denominations have different histories. Their governance structures differ, both at the individual church level and at the diocese-synod level. For example, the Vestry is Nativity s governing body, while the Congregation Council serves that function for Holy Comforter. Episcopalians consider various actions such as confirmation as rites reserved for a bishop while a pastor can lead these services in the Lutheran church. Importantly, both denominations recognize Jesus the Christ as Lord and Savior. They both worship the Trinity of God the Father, Jesus His Son, and the Holy Spirit. Both believe that Salvation cannot be earned by acts, but is achieved as a gift of God through His Grace. In sharing these fundamental beliefs, any other differences between the two denominations can be overcome. What exactly are the two churches doing? The congregations of the Episcopal Church of the Nativity, Cedarcroft and the Lutheran Church of the Holy Comforter have entered into an agreement under which their members worship and minister together. Combining the individual strengths of the two congregations enables both churches to more effectively carry out their ministry to Christ under a new name The Churches of the Nativity and Holy Comforter. By joining forces, the churches members truly believe that they can be Better Together! 4

5 Does that mean that the two churches have merged? The two churches are one in prayer, but they remain separate, independent, legal entities under the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland and the Delaware-Maryland Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. In 2000, the denominations approved Called to Common Mission which means the two may worship together and exchange clergy all with a common commitment to evangelism, witness and service. On November 1, 2015, Holy Comforter moved from its existing church building at 5513 York Road in Govans to Church of the Nativity, Cedarcroft at 419 Cedarcroft Road. Who does what? Who decides? Nativity s Rector and Holy Comforter s Pastor share preaching and presiding responsibilities. They also share fully in guiding the churches ministries teaching, evangelism, social ministry and pastoral outreach and care, as they determine best for the congregations and reflecting their respective gifts, talents and interests. The clergy members jointly determine the Order of Worship, incorporating Episcopal and Lutheran prayers, liturgies and hymns. Members of both congregations participate in volunteer tasks choir, usher, Altar Guild, Flower Guild, lectors, Chalicist, etc. Who pays for what? Where do contributions go? Each congregation retains ownership of its respective real property and remains responsible for its debts and obligations. For example, Holy Comforter compensates its Pastor, as well as any staff it employs. Holy Comforter also makes a monthly contribution to Nativity toward the shared use of space, and church staff, including the Parish Administrator and Music Director-Organist. Certain other costs, such as renovating space for the Pastor s office and moving furnishings and equipment, are shared. Economies of scale have been achieved for certain other costs, such as printing, mailings and maintaining a joint website. Pledges go to the respective congregation from which the envelopes originated, while loose plate offerings are divided equally. New members wishing to join the Churches of the Nativity and Holy Comforter can select a denomination (Episcopal or Lutheran) at the time of their reception/baptism/confirmation or other entry rite for which they are eligible. Are there other examples where other Episcopal and Lutheran churches have combined? Yes, in the Canton area in Baltimore City, a Lutheran and Episcopal Church have created a new joint missionary congregation. Discussions are underway to form similar joint ministries serving the Pimlico and Woodlawn communities. There also are numerous examples where other Episcopalian and Lutheran churches have come together, notably in Maine and Minnesota. The models for these joint ministries differ widely and are generally customized to fit the particular situations, needs and desires of the churches involved. There are many joint college ministries around the country. 5

6 Sunday December 20 th 1:00pm Ascension Homes Christmas Dinner Help us welcome our neighbors for whom this holiday luncheon is a bright light in their Christmas season. Our GEDCO partners will provide the presents and we will provide the party. Sign up today on the bulletin board! Candlelight Christmas Eve Service at 7:30pm This is what Christmas is all about. We ll sing carols and hear the readings that are such a poignant part of our collective memory. It is from our past, and it is our present. Join us on Christmas Eve. Saturday, January 2 from 2-5pm Drop in for a cup of holiday cheer and celebrate the joy of the season with friends. Doug Campbell & Stewart Lucas 1201 Stevenson Lane in Towson Christmas Day Service 10:00am All are welcome at the table. Gratefully and joyfully, we will gather together to worship and celebrate. This is a more intimate service with songs sung by the piano. Sunday December 27 th 10:30am Christmas Lessons and Carols After the presents and the caroling and the tragic end of the Advent calendars, give yourself a present. Bring your quiet heart to be restored - and reminded of the gift of this miraculous season of faith and hope. December Birthdays & Anniversaries: Carla Jones, 2; Lee & Betsy Smith, 2; Jacqueline Crivello, 5; David & Joan Drebing, 5; Don Hughes, 6; Sam Waters, 6; Tom Horst, 7; Barbara Ziegler, 7; Bill Hallam, 9; Jeff Regner, 10; Audrey Trapnell, 15; Vanessa Michael, 16; Vanessa Dure, 16; Robin & Judith Cox, 19; Lee Smith, 21; Jack Webb, 22; Melvina Coleman, 23; Doris Meads, 23;Doug & Sarah Knowles, 26; Michael McDonald, 27; Larry & Debby Tupper, 28; Patricia Brain, 31; Karen Baroody, 31. 6

7 St. Nicholas, the original Santa Claus, is the patron saint of needy children. Celebrating St. Nicholas Day is a tangible way of connecting to the true spirit of the holidays by providing an educational, fun intergenerational experience for our church family The American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem are grateful for our generous support and for all that we are doing to help these children and future generations living in the Holy Land. Our Good Friday offering also benefits AFEDJ. Children are our hope for a peaceful, stable future in the Holy Land, and education is the key to providing these children with the tools and resources they need to grow and thrive. The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem provides quality education grounded in Christian values. Its doors are open to all children regardless of religious, ethnic, or economic background. The Lutheran Church also has a ministry in the Holy Land that works closely with AFEDJ. Please pick up a giving envelope in the foyer and give generously to AFEDJ this holiday season! Or simply note this on your check, and we will get your donation to the right place. Check out more at Speak to our Senior Warden Neal Baroody for more information. Poinsettia Donations If you would like to place a poinsettia in the church in thanksgiving, honor, or memory of someone, please fill out the following form and place it in the offering plate or mail it to office. Mark checks with Poinsettias in the memo by December 20. The suggested donation is $ Number of poinsettias: In Memory Of: In Honor Of: In Thanksgiving For: Given By: 7

8 CHRISTMAS EVE 7:30 pm Holy Eucharist With organ, choir and children s interactive retelling of the gospel story. CHRISTMAS DAY 10:30 am Holy Eucharist SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS 8:00 am Holy Eucharist 10:30am Christmas Lessons & Carols with Holy Eucharist December Adult Forums December 6, 2015 St. Nicholas Day December 13, 2015 Ministry to Seafarers December 20, 2015 The Life of Mary December 27, 2014 The Life of Joseph