ANNUAL MEETING SUNDAY APRIL 26TH 9:15-10:15 A.M. SAYRE HALL REGULAR SERVICES AT 8:00, 8:45, AND 10:30 A.M. APRIL 2015 There IS church school this day at 9:15 A.M. Come and Celebrate our mission together. Election of vestry, diocesan convention delegates, Nominating Committee. Annual Updates and Ministries. Celebration and recognition of generosity of our Carrying the Vision Forward Capital Campaign end. More information on page 5. HIGHLIGHTS IN THIS ISSUE From the Dean s Desk...p. 2 Message from Mother Kim...p.3 Holy Week Schedule...p. 4 Annual Meeting information...p. 5-7 Nativity Camp News...p.8
PAGE 2 I have seen the sun break through to illuminate a small field for a while, and gone my way and forgotten it. But that was the pearl of great price, the one field that had treasure in it. I realize now that I must give all that I have to possess it. Life is not hurrying on to a receding future, nor hankering after an imagined past. It is the turning aside like Moses to the miracle of the lit bush, to a brightness that seemed as transitory as your youth once, but is the eternity that awaits you The Bright Field, R.S. Thomas From the Dean s Desk Silence. Beauty. Absence. Quiet. Blossoms. Colors. Hopefulness. Joy. Easter. Quiet yourself. Take a magnifying glass please first chance you get into a garden, a meadow, a greenhouse. Wherever you can, burst into a field of life that is emerging and be quiet. Look. Listen. Lift your breath and lift your eyes. Take notice of something beautiful and greet it. Take your magnifying glass and slowly look closer. Take note of the deep patterns that create such beauty. Give thanks. Life is not hurrying on to a future or an imagined past. Eternity awaits you. PILGRIMS TO WALES: CELTIC DISCOVERY Please pray for our Pilgrims as they make their way to Wales. 18 adults will begin a 14 day journey beginning May 3 and returning May 12 th. This prayerful time of discovery will include spiritual direction from author Esther dewaal and the pilgrim center at St. David s Cathedral in Pembroke shire. You can follow Dean Pompa s blog: A Pilgrims heart: Celtic Discovery by visiting The Cathedral website and clicking on Sermon/blogs or by Liking the Cathedral s Facebook page and looking for posts there. Please join us in worship Sunday May 3 rd at 10:30 A.M. and join in a prayerful blessing and sending of these pilgrims. Picture of Celtic Cross on Bardsey Island, Wales
PAGE 3 A MESSAGE FROM MOTHER KIM Senbazaru, Pentecost, and The Cathedral Cranes There is a young man in the pews at the Cathedral Church of the Nativity, who silently sculpts his Sunday bulletin into origami cranes, roses, and other intricately folded art work. This young man occasionally places these sculptures into the offering plate, but more often than not leaves them behind as a blessing for the sexton or a neighboring parishioner. He is one of 4 children in a family which has found their way to our community. He is passionate and funny, he is talented and wonderful, he is God s beloved child and he happens to live with Autism. Having worked in formation ministries for nearly a decade, I have often been asked how we are going to deal with people with learning differences. Honestly I have struggled with how to answer, don t we all learn differently? Don t we all deserve to be engaged where we are, when we are and how we best respond? Isn t that the way that the Holy Spirit intercedes in our lives, when we least expect it and are most ready to receive Her? Who am I as a formation leader to tell you how to best engage someone who learns differently? The question of how to engage individuals who are on different wave lengths is not a new one. Much of Paul s letters deal with how do we worship, teach and engage one another when our understandings of God are so different. We use different language, we follow different laws, we sing different songs but we follow the same God. This is why our liturgy has developed times for silence, speaking, singing and reflecting so that no matter where we are in our minds, or on our journeys of faith, we can meet God in worship. This brings me back to our young sculptor. At 16 he hasn t been able to participate in our Journey to Adulthood curriculum, by his own choice and that of his parents it hasn t been a good fit. He has instead on most Sundays either sat in on our Adult Forum with his mother and father, or gone with his older brother and his classmates for breakfast at a local restaurant. Last year, in a huge leap of faith he came to camp. He participated in what he was comfortable with, and excused himself when the hubbub became too much. But through it all, his hands are busy leaving cranes large and small, like Hansel and Gretel s breadcrumbs, in his wake. After a year of finding these remnants of our paper-artist in the nave, parish hall, and the lodge at camp, one Sunday morning I approached him and his mother and asked if they knew anything about the Japanese tradition of the 1,000 cranes. I explained that according to the myth of Senbazaru if an individual folds 1,000 cranes and offers them up to the gods that individual is granted one wish. I wondered aloud if we could adapt that tradition and invite the congregation to fold cranes to adorn our baptismal font for Pentecost in 2015, calling them doves instead of cranes and symbolizing the Holy Spirit which descended like a dove. His eyes lit up, he almost smiled. He turned away and said he d have to think about it. A few days later I received a Facebook message from his mother, telling me that they had talked about it and he would gladly help. For months the three of us have gone back and forth about how to approach the 1,000 dove project. We ve set a plan in place we will begin collecting cranes after Easter. We will have origami nights where we can learn in person and share a potluck supper. We have a video of our origami-artist-in-residence hands (only his hands and not his face since he hates having his photo taken) posted on YouTube, our website, Facebook page and twitter accounts. We also want to invite people to mail in their cranes if they live far away or are homebound for any reason. We will focus our final Generations In Formation Together (GIFT) Gathering for 2014-2015 academic year on creating and stringing together our 1,000 doves for our celebration of Pentecost on May 24th. Our GIFT Gathering is an intergenerational initiative which happens on the first Sunday of every month (except for April because of when Easter falls) during our formation hour. We meet together and share in a common experience of fellowship, formation and mission. Each month focuses on a theme either based on a feast, like Saint Francis Day, liturgical season, i.e. Advent or Pentecost, or secular event like the start of the school year or Super Bowl Sunday aka Souper Bowl Sunday. Each month we gather together to celebrate our gifts and talents and we also take up a collection for the month to support ministries and missions of the Cathedral such as Heifer Project, New Bethany Ministries, Room at the Inn Emergency Shelter. In April, instead of asking for money or in-kind donations we will ask people to donate their time and talent towards the 1,000 dove project. How do we engage with one another? How do we walk with one another on our pilgrimage in this life? How do we recognize one another s talents and gifts? We need to stop asking how to make us all the same. We need to start recognizing the doves that each of us leave behind. We need to start sharing our differences rather than trying to eliminate them. Remembering that all of us are beloved children of God and all of us have a place in this eternal kingdom. All of us are a little different.
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PAGE 5 Cathedral Church of the Nativity 321 Wyandotte Street Bethlehem, PA 18015-1527 Phone: 610-865-0727 Fax: 610-865-0447 www.nativitycathedral.org March 30, 2015 Dear Friends: I am writing to invite you to participate in an important event at the Cathedral Church of the Nativity. The annual parish meeting will be held Sunday, April 26 during the Forum time, at 9:15 AM. (Note: Regular Services at 8, 8:45 and 10:30 will take place and there will be Sunday School at 9:15.) The meeting has been moved to that time to try to invite more participation. Please make note of this change on your calendars and plan to be there. The holding of an annual meeting is directed by the By-laws of the parish. The guidelines for voting, an annual meeting schedule and instructions for absentee balloting are contained on the pages that follow. Please note that voting will be available Saturday evening from 4:45 until 6:15 PM and Sunday from 7:30 AM until 9:30 AM. If you cannot vote during those times please follow the instructions enclosed for absentee balloting. The annual meeting historically is a time where necessary business of the parish is conducted. The presentation of an annual budget, the election of members to the vestry, and the election of delegates to the annual convention of the diocese takes place. This annual meeting, we will also celebrate the successful conclusion of our Carrying the Vision Forward Capital Campaign. I look forward to seeing you on April 26 th. Faithfully yours, Tony The Very Rev. Anthony R. Pompa
PAGE 6 Cathedral Church of the Nativity 321 Wyandotte Street Bethlehem, PA 18015-1527 Phone: 610-865-0727 Fax: 610-865-0447 www.nativitycathedral.org DATE: March 30, 2015 TO: FROM: RE: The People of the Cathedral The Wardens and Vestry 2015 Annual Meeting Annual Meeting Schedule April 26, 2015 * Saturday evening April 25, Balloting (rear of Cathedral) 4:45-6:15 PM, 5 PM Holy Eucharist 7:45 AM to 9:30 AM Balloting (Sayre Hall) 8 AM, 8:45 AM Holy Eucharist 9:15 AM Annual Meeting (Church School Meets) 10:30 AM Holy Eucharist Please note the following about voting eligibility: Part I. Section 1. of the Cathedral s By-Laws reads: The members of the Corporation, who shall be qualified to vote at any election for Vestry members and upon all questions which may come before any meeting of the corporation, shall be all baptized persons of the age of sixteen years or more, who shall be worshippers in this Church as their usual place of public worship and who shall appear by the books of the corporation to have contributed to the current expenses of the corporation. ABSENTEE BALLOTING GUIDELINES FOR 2015 ANNUAL MEETING All persons who meet the By-Law qualifications for voting at the Annual Meeting are eligible for voting by absentee ballot. Please complete the enclosed request form, All requests for ballots by eligible voters must be received in the Cathedral Office no later than April 22, 2015. Absentee Ballot Request: Cathedral Church of the Nativity 321 Wyandotte Street Bethlehem PA 18015
PAGE 7 REQUEST FOR ABSENTEE BALLOT - 2015 Mail to: ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUEST Cathedral Church of the Nativity 321 Wyandotte Street Bethlehem PA 18015 Or email: dsnobles@nativitycathedral.org Please complete the form below. Upon receipt of this request in the Cathedral Office, an absentee ballot will be mailed to the address indicated at the bottom of this form or emailed if checked below. All requests for absentee ballots must be received in the Cathedral Office by Wednesday, April 22. Date: Name(s) Printed: Signature: Signature: I/we will be unable to attend the Cathedral s Annual Meeting on Sunday, the 26 th day of April 2015. Please send an absentee ballot so that I/we can vote for the following offices: Vestry Members, Diocesan Convention Delegates and Nominating Committee Members. My/our address is: My/our telephone number is: Please email me an absentee ballot. My/our email address is:
PAGE 8 ST. LUKE AND A MINISTRY OF HEALING If you have attended one of our Celtic Services on the last Saturday of the month, or if you are a regular at our mid-week service of healing, or if you have ever prayed for or asked for prayers and the laying on of hands for healing, you will know how powerful and important a ministry of Christian healing is. Dean Pompa would like to invite any who feel a call to participate in a ministry of Christian healing, that is a ministry of prayer and laying on of hands for wholeness in mind, body, and spirit to, please contact him. The hope of expanding this ministry would be to have faithful folk, lay and ordained engaged in this ministry so that we might broaden a ministry of healing at our Cathedral. Involving more individuals in this prayerful ministry and offering more opportunities for prayers of healing and laying on of hands in our worship. If led, we may consider establishing a chapter of the Order of St. Luke, an international organization of Christian Healing. You can learn more about Christian Healing and the order of St. Luke by visiting www.orderofstluke.org Please contact Dean Pompa with your interest or with your questions. 610-865-0727; tpompa@nativitycathedral.org NATIVITY YOUTH CAMP NEWS For the past 100+ years the Cathedral Church of the Nativity has had a camp ministry, this part of our story has changed contexts periodically. What started as a choir camp for boys has morphed into a weeklong sleep away camp in Tunkhannock for all Cathedralites in grades 2-12 over the course of the last century. God has worked wonders in the hearts and minds of campers, counselors and staffers while they live together in community, learn about scripture and spirituality, and experience the glory of creation. This year we will endeavor to explore the theme Here I am Lord through our week together June 20-27, 2015. All eligible campers and counselors ought to have received a camp brochure in the mail from Mother Kim in February, additional copies of the brochure/application can be picked up in Sayre Hall, outside of the Good Shepherd Chapel or in the narthex (foyer) of the Cathedral. On Sunday May 3, 2015 during GIFT Gathering, we invite everyone to learn a little more about Nativity Youth Camp (NYC) through a panel discussion with current campers, counselors, staffers and alumni. Come ask your questions. Come share your stories. Come sing God s praises and join in the song. If you have camp gear (tshirts, sweat shirts, hats etc.), you are invited to wear it. If you have any photos or memorabilia you d like to share, we will have a special sanctuary space in Sayre Hall for them to be displayed. Come one, Come all and Learn about NYC. Our GIFT Collection for May will be collecting Funds for Camp Scholarships (A.K.A Camperships). The Cathedral Church of the Nativity allows for all campers to attend NYC free of charge. The cost per camper is approximately $225.00 for the week which includes room, board and educational materials. We invite you to sponsor all or part of a campership by writing a check to Cathedral Church of the Nativity with GIFT Campership on the memo line. A full camp consists of approximately 50 campers and counselors, help us offset the $15,000.00 cost of camp through your generous donation towards this fundamental part of our Cathedral story.
PAGE 9 APRIL LECTIONARY April 2 Maundy Thursday Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 John 13:1-17, 31b-35 Psalm 116:1, 10-17 April 3 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 4-Easter Vigil Job 14:1-14 or Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-24 1 Peter 4:1-8 Matthew 27:57-66 or John 19:38-42 Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16 April 5-Easter Sunday Acts 10:34-43 or Isaiah 25:6-9 Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 or Acts 10:34-43 John 20:1-18 or Mark 16:1-8 April 12 Acts 4:32-35 Psalm 133 1 John 1:1-2:2 John 20:19-31 April 19 Acts 3:12-19 Psalm 4 1 John 3:1-7 Luke 24:36b-48 April 26 Acts 4:5-12 Psalm 23 1 John 3:16-24 John 10:11-18 PARISH REGISTER Deaths Barbara M. Heisler 02/14/2015 Robert Thornburg 03/09/2015 HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY NEW Saturday Volunteer Opportunity! Greetings! Habitat LV ReStore is offering a Saturday volunteer opportunity! We are looking for an assistant on our truck for pick ups on Saturday mornings. This person will ride along in our truck with our driver, go to donor locations, and help pick up stuff for the ReStore. A typical day will consist of 3-4 pick ups and be between the hours of 9 A.M.-12 P.M. If you are interested or have questions, please contact Emily at emily@habitatlv.org or 610-776-7499 ext 302. Thank you!
PAGE 10 The Vestry met on Monday, March 16, 2015. VESTRY The "Carrying the Vision Forward" Capital Campaign is coming to a close. The campaign committee has sent a letter concerning the final results of the campaign. They will also be calling everyone who has donated, to give you an update on your pledge. Thanks to all for your support of this campaign. The Annual Meeting will be held April 26, 2015 at 9:15 A.M. in Sayre Hall. The regular Sunday Schedule will continue as usual. We are looking forward to seeing everyone attend. The Vestry was given an opportunity to bid and acquire a property at 230 West Third Street, (located just east of the lower parking lot) through Sheriff Sale.. The Cathedral successfully bid and has purchased the property for $23,500, so that we can influence what happens to the east side of our campus. Come to the annual meeting and hear more about this acquisition. The Vestry will meet again on Monday, April 20, 2015 at 6:30 P.M. Life is Precious! Wish # 2 My Wish For The Kind Of Medical Treatment I Want Or Don t Want If there is a time when you are very sick and not able to speak for yourself and even may be close to death, your chosen caregiver will know if you want to be in pain or not. This person will also know exactly what you want as far as other medical care and food offerings. It is important to document what life-support means to you and whether you want devices to help you breathe. Should your heart stop do you want to be resuscitated? Ask yourself the question whether your religious or personal beliefs will interfere with your desire to live? There are many important choices to make for Wish #2. Some of the conversation(s) with your caregiver may make you both sad and a little uncomfortable for often we fear death. If this should occur, please remember the words to Psalm 23: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. If anyone needs assistance with filling this wish out please do not hesitate to contact me. I can be reached at judi.painter@yahoo.com, by phone or text at 610 241 4532 or by calling the Cathedral at 610 865 0727. I have packets I can mail out to you or there is an online version available at: www.agingwithdignity.org Blessings to all, Judi
PAGE 11 APRIL FORMATION CALENDAR April 5 No Sunday school or Adult Forum Easter Sunday April 12 GIFT Gathering Flowering the Cross and Seedlings for Mamo s Garden April 12 4 P.M. Regional Confirmation April 19 Sharon Brown Moravian Seminary Adult Forum Speaker April 24-26 Christophany Diocesan Spring Retreat for grades 6-12 April 26 Annual Meeting No Adult Forum April 26 12:30 P.M. Self Defense Class for Urban Adventurers (J2A Class) May 3 GIFT Gathering- Celebrating 100+ years of Camp CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY www.nativitycathedral.org 610-865-0727 CLERGY AND STAFF The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, Bishop Provisional The Very Rev. Anthony R. Pompa, Dean and Rector tpompa@nativitycathedral.org The Rev. Canon Kimberly A. Reinholz, Canon for Family & Formation Ministry kreinholz@nativitycathedral.org The Rev. Canon Michelle Moyer, Canon Pastor The Rev. Rodney Conn, Deacon, Homeless Shelter Ministry The Ven. Richard I. Cluett, Archdeacon-in-Residence The Very Rev. Robert D. Schenkel, Dean Emeritus-in-Residence Stephen Williams, Director of Music Ministry and Organist swilliams@nativitycathedral.org Debra Smith Nobles, Asst. to the Dean & Administrator dsnobles@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 Sexton 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 Victoria Aitchison toriandtheboys@me.com Joe Hafich josmhafich@enter.net Tom Brandt tbrandt152@me.com Carl Chegwidden carlcheg@aol.com Don Kelley ddkelley@aol.com Tom Kolepp tkolepp@gmail.com Werner Reinartz wreinart@hotmail.com Phillip Rizzo perizzo@verizon.net Richard Sause rsause@lehigh.edu Lee Snyder lsnyder@snyderhoffman.com Jacob Thomas jacob.t.thomas@gmail.com Kris Warner kristinaww@yahoo.com Find the Cathedral Church of the Nativity on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/nativitycathedral 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.