PARISH. Join us Palm Sunday. as we begin our Holy Week Pilgrimage & we greet and Welcome Bishop Sean Rowe!

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1 THE PARISH VISITOR APRIL Join us Palm Sunday as we begin our Holy Week Pilgrimage & we greet and Welcome Bishop Sean Rowe! Please See page 2 For Full Holy Week and Easter Schedule Palm Sunday Schedule *Please Note special times* Sunday 8:00 a.m. Blessing of Palms and Holy Eucharist Bishop Rowe, Celebrant and Preacher Sunday 9:00 a.m. Church School (**Note time change for Church School**) Sunday 9:00 a.m. Meet Bishop Rowe in Sayre Hall for introduction, short presentation and Q&A Sunday 10:00 a.m. Church School invited to Sayre Hall to meet Bishop Rowe and join in Fellowship Sunday 10:30 a.m. Liturgy of the Palms & Passion Sunday Eucharist Blessing of the Palms in Sayre Hall for those who would like to be part of the procession to the Cathedral HIGHLIGHTS IN THIS ISSUE Holy Week & Easter Schedule...p. 2 From the Dean s Desk...p. 3 Vestry Snippets & Financial Report...p. 5 Annual Meeting...p. 6 Nativity Youth Camp...p. 7 Family Stations of the Cross...p. 7

2 PAGE 2 COME AND WORSHIP WITH US HOLY WEEK & EASTER SCHEDULE P S A 13 8* and 10:30* AM Liturgy of the Palms and Passion Eucharist, The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe Presiding 9 AM Church School for ALL Ages; Forum time with Bishop Rowe, Sayre Hall 10:30 AM Bless Palms in Sayre Hall and Procession to Cathedral Note: Palms will be blessed and distributed at Saturday s 5 PM Eucharist as well. H W A 16 9 AM Holy Eucharist & Healing Service 7 PM Tenebrae Service, Cathedral; Choirs from Trinity Easton, St. Andrew s, & Cathedral M T A 17 7:30 PM* Maundy Thursday Liturgy/Foot Washing, Holy Eucharist, Stripping of the Altar G F A 18 7:30 AM Liturgy & Holy Communion from reserved sacrament, Sayre Chapel Noon to 3 PM Good Friday Liturgy, Prayers & Meditation & Holy Communion from reserved sacrament 5:30 PM* Family Service, Sayre Hall H S A 19 8:30 AM Morning Prayer, Good Shepherd Chapel 5 PM* Great Vigil of Easter E S - A 20 Holy Eucharist at 8* and 11* AM * Nursery available for infants and toddlers during these services. For additional information, contact us at or visit our website at

3 PAGE 3 From the Dean s Desk The Walk of Faith is not a competition; It is a company walking together, tending each other gently. (From the Lent App, Mary Earle) I am finding the most competitive element of walking in faith are those things that seek to dis- integrate the balance of my being. The things that compete it seems are time, my own self-doubt, distractions that pull my attention to other things. I find that these are everyday kind of things, these things that compete. I find they are the kind of things that aren t necessarily unimportant or even things I don t enjoy sometimes. I just find that in my walk of Faith, they add up to an equation where I find myself having drifted off course a bit. Like when I was a kid and first figured out I could just float in waters of the lake we would swim in. I d close my eyes, drift back into a dreamy float, and eventually come out of my float to find that I had drifted sometimes rather dramatically away from my original location. I wonder if you might feel that way sometimes as well in the midst of your journey in life and in your walk in faith. I feel that a bit way right now about our corporate life together as a congregation. This has been quite a year when I ponder it. Last year at this time I was preparing for a sabbatical time when in a short sequence I also shared the excitement for staff members leaving us for new adventures, tempered by a whole lot of grief for the loss of colleagues and friends AND what I knew would be a loss for our Cathedral community. While I was away our Bishop announced his plans to retire. Since then we welcomed a terrific interim organist/choirmaster, a new associate for family faith formation, and have elected a Bishop Provisional. Add to that one of the longest, coldest, and snowiest winters which has impacted many of our activities and many individuals ability to just get; alas one might just feel like we have floated a bit into a new and unfamiliar territory in our communal walk of Faith. I am very mindful that attendance in worship has been down a bit as compared to last year s parochial report. (The report we send in each year of our vital statistics to the diocese and national church) I am also mindful that we have been entirely faithful in marching boldly in ministries of Worship, Formation, Service, and Fellowship; and yet also mindful that we need to expand the circle to include new faces and new gifts into these ministries. I am also mindful of your faithfulness in supporting the ministry of this Cathedral in your financial stewardship, which increased by percentage of giving over last year s parochial report. We will always have more work to do, but how grateful we can be for our faithfulness. What I am most mindful of is our primary mission found in our catechism, which is to restore all people to unity with God and with one another through Jesus Christ. We continue on this walk of Faith, and I thank you for it. At this particular reading you will find that this journey in our common life is leading us toward Easter! Whatever may compete in your walk of faith, know that we are called to walk with one another, and to bring a gentility to one another in this walk. I invite and encourage all of you especially after this long, cold, winter, to come along, come to worship, come to fellowship, and come together as we meet the Risen Christ.

4 PAGE 4 APRIL LECTIONARY April 6 Ezekiel 37:1-14 Romans 8:6-11 John 11:1-45 Psalm 130 April 13, Palm Sunday Isaiah 50:4-9a Philippians 2:5-11 Matthew 26:14-27:66 or Matthew Psalm 31:9-16 April 17, Maundy Thursday Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), Corinthians 11:23-26 John 13:1-17, 31b-35 Psalm 116:1, April 18, Good Friday Isaiah 52:13-53:12 Hebrews 10:16-25 or Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 John 18:1-19:42 Psalm 22 April 19, The Great Vigil Romans 6:3-11 Psalm 114 Matthew 28:1-10 April 20, Easter Acts 10:34-43 or Jeremiah 31:1-6 Colossians 3:1-4 or Acts 10:34-43 John 20:1-18 or Matthew 28:1-10 Psalm 118:1-2, April 27 Acts 2:14a, Peter 1:3-9 John 20:19-31 Psalm 16 Baptisms Costas Michael Vasiliadis Son of Anne & Michael Vasiliadis Transfers In PARISH REGISTER Elizabeth House from Grace Episcopal Church, Allentown, PA Ryan Bancroft from St. Joseph s Episcopal Church, Atlanta, GA BARDSEY CELTIC SPIRITUALITY NIGHTS 4TH THURSDAY OF THE MONTH BEGINNING APRIL 24TH If you participated in our ten week journey called the Bardsey initiative or if you wanted to and were not able, please join us the last Thursday of the month, beginning April 24th for nights of reflection and prayer in the Cathedral. The time will begin at 7:00 P.M. and as was the case in the Bardsey initiative experience, the Cathedral will be transformed into a space of quiet reflection, prayers for healing for those who desire it, and prayer with many candles, a short reflection offered, and quiet reflection with live music provided by Celtic musicians. The time will end at 7:40 P.M. and those attending will be invited to Sayre Hall for a short time of refreshment and fellowship. MAKING PALM CROSSES Have you ever wondered where the Palm Crosses come from that you get on Palm Sunday? Have you ever wondered how to make them? Well, if you come on April 12th at 11:00 AM I will show you the secret of how to make them. You will not only have a good time making them but you can visit with the others who are keeping this tradition going. When you have more than one person making the crosses, the time goes by very quickly. Please meet in the Quilter s room (down the steps in the lower parking lot. It is open to children and adults alike. Please don t let this tradition die! -Mary Ann Lynn

5 PAGE 5 The Vestry met on Monday, March 17, Congratulations to Sophie Kitch-Peck and Adam Rizzo for being selected to represent the Cathedral and diocese at the EYE (Episcopal Youth Event) at Villanova in July. The Vestry has gifted them with $ each to help with the expenses to this event. We wish them a safe and exciting experience. Come and meet our new Bishop on Palm Sunday. Bishop Sean Rowe will be visiting the Cathedral on Palm Sunday. There will be two services that day, 8:00 and 10:30 A.M. There will be a forum and Sunday School at 9:00 am. Bishop Rowe will be available for questions and comments at the forum. The children will have time with the Bishop at 10:00 A.M. A Habitat for Humanity update, we have paid another $4,000 to our pledge for the house project. We have met $21,500 of our $27,000 pledge. The winter has been long, cold, and hard. We have used most of our Gas budget for the year. This budget will be in the red by next month. We have exhausted our lawn and snow removal budget. That portion of the budget will remain in the red for the rest of this budget year. The Vestry is open to suggestions on how we can adjust these without unbalancing the entire budget and we also welcome contributions to offset these costs. Thank you in advance for your input and generosity. The Vestry will meet again on Monday, April 28, :30pm. VESTRY THE NORTH AMERICAN DEAN S CONFERENCE Each year, the Deans serving Cathedrals across North America gather for a time of worship, fellowship, and sharing of mission experiences and challenges. Dean Pompa has been unable to participate in these conferences because of his service in past years in the Pension Group ministry of CREDO. He has retired from that position and thus will be looking forward to attending this year s conference at the Cathedral in early May.

6 PAGE 6 CONGRATULATIONS TO DEACONS ELIZABETH YALE AND MICHELLE MOYER Sunday March 2, Bishop Rowe ordained Elizabeth Yale and Michelle Moyer as Deacons! We are so proud of Elizabeth and Michelle, and so fortunate to know them and be part of their formation. Elizabeth is finishing up her studies at Sewannee and will graduate in May. It will be decided in the coming weeks where she will serve. Michelle already has completed her studies and is currently serving as chaplain to Hospice care through Sacred Heart Hospital and is serving also as Chaplain at St. Luke s. Bishop Rowe has placed Michelle at the Cathedral to serve her parochial responsibilities as a Deacon and we are delighted! Michelle will be present in Liturgy, will help with Pastoral Care, and will take on a diaconate project to be determined. She will serve with us until her ordination to the Priesthood. THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PARISH The annual meeting of the Cathedral will take place on Sunday May 11 th at 9:35 A.M, during the Forum Time. (There will be Sunday school that day for children and teens). The annual meeting of the parish is a time for us to gather and give thanks for common mission. We elect leadership to the vestry, diocesan convention, and our nominating committee. We also pay special attention to projects of the vestry and particular mission focus that we would like to focus in the year ahead. We also have been known even to have a little fun. So please do come and take part in the annual meeting. If you are new the Cathedral, please come and learn a bit about this important part of our life together. GET TO KNOW YOUR VESTRY! Greetings from your Vestry! This month we invite you to learn more about Kris Warner. Kris Warner is completing her second year on the vestry, fulfilling a term position. She is married to Andrew Warner, has two children, Grace and Drew and a black lab, Saki. Her children were baptized at the Nativity and are presently enrolled in the J2A and Rite 13 programs. Kris grew up in the Lehigh Valley. She graduated with an Education Degree from Bloomsburg University and holds a Master s Degree as a Reading Specialist. She taught first grade for 14 years and now enjoys her time with family and community work. Kris has participated on various committees within the Junior League of the Lehigh Valley and is presently very active on the board of The Auxiliary of St. Luke s University Hospital. She also spends many hours working at Black River Farms, tending the vineyard and gardens. She likes to read and play tennis in her spare time. Kris was baptized and confirmed at St. John s UCC. She joined the Nativity in 1991 and has had the pleasure of serving as a Chalice Bearer, Pastoral Visitor and assists with the Monday Flower Arranging group.

7 PAGE 7 We had huge success with the Heifer project last year! HEIFER PROJECT As a result, grades K-5 are again collecting their change during Lent. We are working towards purchasing as many animals as we can through Heifer International. This is a program that is both educational for our students and extremely helpful to those who receive the animals. If you would like to contribute, don t hesitate to stop downstairs in the Church School office on Sundays or speak to one of the teachers. CALLING ALL CAMPERS AMPERS! SIGN UP FOR NATIVITY YOUTH CAMP June 14-21, 2014 AMP 2014 NOWN OW! All youth who will have completed 2nd grade through 12th grade by camp time are invited to attend! Deadline for application is June 1. Please return completed applications for the Cathedral Office. Questions? Call Ray Arcario, Camp Director at Here are dates our camp director needs you to pay close attention to: May 10: Nativity Youth Camp Car Wash, 8:30 AM to 1 PM (Rain date is May 17) All campers and counselors are expected to attend please arrive no later than 8 AM for set up. If you cannot attend, please contact Raymond Arcario at Help from parents is VERY welcomed, encouraged and needed. June 1: ALL completed camp forms are due in to the church office. June 14: Nativity Youth Camp Staff and Counselors leave for camp June 14. All campers arrive at Camp Lackawanna 12 Noon to 2 PM. June 21: Pack-up and Closing Eucharist Parents should arrive by 9 AM June 22: Camp Sunday at the Cathedral Applications are available on the Cathedral s website at or from the Cathedral Office. GOOD FRIDAY ~ FAMILY STATIONS OF THE CROSS 5:30 P.M., Sayre Hall In observance of Good Friday this year we have planned a family friendly stations of the cross program. Everyone is invited to participate in a series of interactive intergenerational activities which follow the traditional prayers and readings from the Stations of the Cross Liturgy. Some activities are designed for the youngest among us while others are more abstract designed to engage mature minds. Join us as we journey with one another through the footsteps of Jesus. We look forward to seeing you there.

8 PAGE 8 Adult Forums 9:35 Sunday mornings in Sayre Hall April 6: Spirituality and Sabbath led by Tori Aitchison (Week 2) The biblical Sabbath is an invitation to God s people to find and rest in God s goodness. The ancient practice of keeping Sabbath is both an invitation to join in God s pattern of creation by resting and noting goodness and honoring God. Tori Aitchison, parishioner and student in the spiritual formation program at Moravian Seminary leads us on a journey to explore the spirituality of Sabbath. April 27: "Ask the Vestry" Join members of the vestry at this open floor forum. Learn about what it's like to serve on the vestry and hear about all the upcoming events. If you've ever wondered what the vestry is? What it does? Or How can I learn more? Please join us for those answers and more! CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY CLERGY AND STAFF The Standing Committee, canonical authority The Very Rev. Anthony R. Pompa, Dean and Rector tpompa@nativitycathedral.org The Rev. Kimberly A. Reinholz, Associate for Family & Formation Ministry kreinholz@nativitycathedral.org The Rev. Michelle Moyer, Pastoral Care, Bereavement Support The Ven. Richard I. Cluett, Archdeacon-in-Residence The Very Rev. Robert D. Schenkel, Dean Emeritus-in-Residence The Rev. Joel Atkinson, The Rev. Jane Teter and The Rev. Anne Kitch, Canons-in-Residence Thomas C. Flynn, Organ Master In-Residence Debra Smith, Asst. to the Dean & Administrator dsmith@nativitycathedral.org Peggy Bankowski, Administrative Assistant pbankowski@nativitycathedral.org Bill Korp, Bookkeeper bkorp@nativitycathedral.org Keith Painton, Facilities Manager kpainton@nativitycathedral.org James K Meyer & David McClintock, Sextons VESTRY Kim Plyer, Senior Warden kplyler@yahoo.com Richard Guyer, Junior Warden Richard.Guyer@amwater.com Barbara Iannelli, Clerk of the Vestry biannelli@me.com Pamela Bayliss pbayliss@rcn.com Tom Brandt tbrandt152@me.com Carl Chegwidden carlcheg@aol.com Tom Kolepp tkolepp@gmail.com Phillip Rizzo perizzo@verizon.net Richard Sause rsause@lehigh.edu Lee Snyder lsnyder@snyderhoffman.com David Swartz no Joy Thiel tom2728@msn.com Jacob Thomas jacob.t.thomas@gmail.com Ray Vernon wvernon47@gmail.com Kris Warner kristinaww@yahoo.com The Parish Visitor is published monthly except during August by the Cathedral Church of the Nativity. Deadline for articles is the 10th of the month and can be submitted through the church office or to the editor at parishvisitor@nativitycathedral.org.