The Episcopal Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen

To Contact Us

The Church of the Nativity

159 S. 2nd Street

Newport, PA  17074

 

Telephone:  717-567-6514

Fax:  717-567-2227

 

Church email:  chnatss@pa.net

Rector’s email:  daphne@pa.net

Newsletter Page 2

June 2010

 

The Episcopal Church Welcomes You

By now you all know that I will be retiring from Penn State at the end of this month.  One of the things I look forward to trying this summer after retiring is gardening.  Upon hearing this, Father Ed asked me to take a clipboard out with me and to take notes on anything that came to mind on gardening and spirituality.  Don’t ask me where this idea came from; sometimes we must just accept the suggestions of our friends.

My first set of notes was extremely brief:  “It stinks out here.” 

This was because our farmer had just laid down a load of natural fertilizer, aka chicken manure.  My job was to turn the soil and get the weeds out, all the while trying to keep my eyes from watering while breathing through my mouth.  So where is the spirituality in this?

How about; sometimes we must do tasks that are unpleasant which lead us to the greater good, such as lush homegrown vegetables later in the season.  Or taking on projects in the congregation or community which may be outside our comfort zone yet the completion of which fulfill our Lord’s admonition to care for the poor and less fortunate.

Wow.  I guess Father Ed was right.  I can find spirituality in a garden.  Stay tuned.

 

Announcements will be coming soon!  Mark your calendars for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (June 28, 29 and 30)!  Each morning we will be joining the youth from St. John’s, Carlisle as they “put on” a Vacation Bible School for our children, their friends and neighbors!  Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity for fun and friendship, learning and laughing together.  Invite any kids from preschool through 5^th grade to come and enjoy activities, lessons and music all centering around the Parable of the Sower and the Seed calling us to BE GREEN!!  Also, adults, consider lending a hand with snacks and activities as you are able…VBS is for grownups too!

 

Parish Picnic and outdoor eucharist is scheduled for Sunday June 27^th at the Landis Farm on Owl Hollow Rd on the way to Millerstown.  The service will begin at 11:00 AM followed by a pot luck lunch, games and swimming.  For those unable to make it then, we will have a quiet eucharist at Nativity at 9:30 that morning.

 

The kids and their adult advisors will live at Nativity and engage in mission projects at different sites around Perry County.  We welcome them all to our spiritual home and will do our best to support their ministry among us!  They will be conducting a Vacation Bible School for our kids and those from the neighborhood,  as well as doing some painting and landscaping projects at Honaman House, Episcopal Gardens and the Warren Van Buskirk house.  Other suggestions for this work-week are welcomed!

 

SENIOR WARDEN’S CORNER