Opportunities in the Life of the Church of the Nativity

(To obtain a list of the month's events and the monthly calendar, click on the link to Our Community and then choose Monthly Newsletter.)

July 25, 2010 – July 31, 2010at a Glance

Tues. 7/27	9:00 am	First Class Nursery School
	10:00 am	AA
	6:00 pm	Zumba (BodyShaping by Sandy)
	6:00 pm	Small Group - Together in Prayer
Wed 7/28	8:00 pm	AA
Thurs 7/29	9:00 am	First Class Nursery School
	6:00 pm	Zumba (BodyShaping by Sandy)
	7:00 pm	Small Group – Praying Possibilities
Fri. 7/30	9:00 am	First Class Nursery School Fun Fridays
	10:00 am	AA

 
Summer Coffee Hour at 10:00 am Connect with people from both Services. Join us for coffee, lemonade, iced tea, and treats. The coffee hour will take place in the gathering space and the meditation garden. This week our coffee hour hosts are Linda Marion Benner and Mary Benzel.

Bring your children to church during the summer months. Attending and appreciating worship is something we only learn by doing, so please take this opportunity to worship together as a family! Nursery Care will continue to be provided for children through age 5.

Water the Church Gardens this summer! Sign up on the bulletin board in the Gathering Space. Available dates are the weeks of August 15, 22, and 29th.

RADA Cutlery Church of the Nativity is now selling RADA cutlery as a fundraiser for our parking lot. This is a wonderful product, reasonably priced, made in the USA. Items are on display today and catalogs are available in the Gathering Space or call Joan Haubeil at 837-3435. These make fantastic shower and wedding gifts. Share the catalogs with family, friends and co-workers. No order is too small and there is no deadline. Thanks for your support!
Vacation Bible School is coming… Mark your calendars!
Monday, August 9th – Friday, August 13th This year’s theme is High Seas Expedition! Those 3 years old through grade 6 are invited to participate. Older youth are welcome to assist. We will also need adult leaders for all types of VBS roles. Please see Adrienne Kinkade, Sue Bumanis, or Jessica Lawrence if you are interested. Registration forms are on the table outside the Church office and on the bulletin board in the Gathering Space. Sign up today!

The T’ai Chi Group led by Xia Lu will meet after the 10:30 am Worship Service in the Dining Room
T’ai Chi is a combination of moving yoga and meditation. A person performs T’ai Chi by practicing breathing exercises and a series of slow, graceful, flowing postures. The postures consist of movements that improve body awareness and enhance strength and coordination. Many people who practice T’ai Chi say that they feel more peaceful and relaxed after a workout. Xia Lu is a new member of Nativity and a graduate student at UB. She learned T’ai Chi in China and is willing to lead a group for those who wish to learn how to practice it. Give T’ai Chi a Try! Join in today!

Get your Blood Pressure checked after the 10:30 am Service in the Green Room.

We Need Your Help to fix our “Holy” Parking Lot!
How can I help? We need every member and friend of Nativity to give whatever they can so that we can make plans to start this much needed project! Forms are available on the tables as well as the bulletin board in the Gathering Space! Please fill out the form, make check payable to “Church of the Nativity UCC” and under memo, mark, “Dry Up Nativity Campaign” We thank you for your generosity!
Dry Up Nativity Campaign – Needed: $60,000 Received to date: $33,673
**Update on fixing our “Holy” Parking Lot – The Dry Up Nativity Campaign The bids went out this week and are due back before the end of July. We’ll let you know how they come out soon!

Special Note from the Outreach Committee - Update on the Kasser Family from Iraq
Last week the family had the rest of their orientation from Journey’s End. Carol Horvath took them to the Laundromat which went well; and Ali Kadhum took them to apply for their Social Security cards. Pastor Kay will be on vacation until July 25th; backup coordinators are Bette Brunish - 688-9197 and Ali Kadhum and Emaan Saad, - 335-0395, especially if messages need to be conveyed.
 Still needed: their TV is not working because it lacks a remote. You can turn it on and get a picture, but it seems to be stuck on mute. If the person who donated the TV left a remote, it got misplaced. Does anyone have a universal remote that could be tried on their TV before we buy a new one or look for another TV?
Other things they mentioned were a DVD player if we can get the TV to work. Bikes for the children (3) two for younger adults, and one for a 9 year old. The younger boy, Mohammed would need a bike (larger one) with training wheels or we would have to get them put on. Also, 2 fans for the smaller bedrooms, and a vacuum cleaner that will work on carpets.
They are anxious to get to English classes. We need someone to show them how to take a bus, and someone to take them to the library. If you can be of any help, please contact Bette Brunish or Ali and Emaan . The Kassar’s address is 2114 Niagara Street, Buffalo, NY 14207 if you would like to send them well wishes in their new home.

This Week’s Events in Detail

Small Group - Together in Prayer - A new opportunity to come together in community to pray
for the personal, spiritual, social and environmental concerns set before us. This is an open invitation to join in group prayer from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm this Tuesday evening in the Sangree Chapel. Come join us for this very powerful time of prayer. For added information see Martha Morris, Judy Deck, Carol Herberger, or Xia Lu.

Small Group - Praying Possibilities – Join us any Thursday at 7:00 pm through
August 26th. “Praying Possibilities,” is an opportunity to learn more about prayer. Many folks feel inadequate when it comes to prayer. We may feel guilty because we don’t think we pray enough or when we do pray, we worry that it’s probably not right. Well, here’s a chance to learn a variety of prayer forms. You might even be surprised to discover that you’re praying far more than you thought! We will begin promptly at 7:00 pm and finish at 8:30 pm. All sessions are independent from the others. So, come for all, come for one, or come whenever you can; you’ll learn a new prayer form during each session. I’ll be leading these sessions and sharing what I’ve learned during my training in Spiritual Direction and Leadership. Hope to see you on Thursdays! Ruth Snyder

First Class Nursery School – Friday Fun Days! Every Friday from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm First Class Nursery School offers a babysitting service for all who are interested. This service is available for children 2 years and up from one hour to three hours. Cost is $3.00 per hour. Take some time to do shopping, run errands, etc. If you are interested, please call 863-9224 to sign up your child or for more information.

Join Us for Worship Next Sunday, August 1st
Contemporary Worship at 9:00 am

During the month of August - Summer should be fun…even in church…so during August we’re going to focus on joy. O Joy!!!! Music will be especially upbeat and joyful. Come and join the fun!

August 1 – Joy of Creating. Have you ever painted a picture? Written a song? Made a craft? Then you know the joy of creating. God is infinitely creative and, since we’re made in God’s image, we’re creative, too. Feel free to bring something you’ve created. We’d love to share in the joy!

Traditional Service at 10:30 am

During the month of August - Stories of Insight and Grace from the Gospel of Luke.
August 1st – Watching Jesus pray, his disciples are curious about what he does and how they should pray, so they ask his advice. In Luke 11:1-13 Jesus not only teaches them the Lord’s Prayer, but he tells them a fascinating parable. Our worship theme will be Shaped by Prayer.

Coming up in the Near Future - Mark Your Calendars

“Do you have ideas for Small Groups and / or Bible Studies?”
The Adult and Family Education committee wants your ideas and your volunteer-power to jump start the new “church year” with great small groups! (We suspect you have been longing for a craft group, or a video Bible Study, or a current events discussion group, or a group on Hungarian cooking! Seriously, what have you been longing for?) We welcome the valuable knowledge and ideas of leaders of current and on-going groups!! We would especially welcome people who think they might be able to lead a group but need some encouragement. Is there something you enjoy doing that you’re willing to teach others? Is there a book you’ve read that you’d like to discuss with others? Small groups can last a few weeks, a few months, or just meet a couple of times. The possibilities are endless. We have space, we have people, we need ideas! Please join us for a planning meeting on Wednesday, August 4th at 7:00 pm. We hope to see you there!

Biblical Storytelling Workshop - Bring the Bible Alive – Carol Wolf and Jen Heckmann Thursday, August 5th at 7:00 pm. Carol Wolf is a Master Certified Biblical Storyteller and Jen Heckmann will be starting classes for her career in Ministry. What a dramatic God we serve! Drama is all about us. Human history is the great drama of God. Think of the Bible as drama - real life drama. The intent is to help build the drama or story into a total experience. Learn how to connect God’s Story with My story and Your story! We will be exploring Mark 4:35-41 Jesus Calming the Sea. Everyone is welcome to attend. Please sign up on the bulletin board in the Gathering Space.

Fourth Annual Nativity Golf Outing will be held on Wednesday, August 18, 2010
at Brighton Golf Course Tee times start at Noon. Plan to come no later than 11:30 am so that you can register and pay greens fees. The format will be a scramble. Refreshments will follow immediately after Golf. Sign up on the bulletin board Golf Outing Sheet in the Gathering Space. Call the church office at 875-3365 if you would like us to sign up for you. If you have any questions, please contact John Haubeil at 837-3435 after 5:00 pm.

New Small Group - Yes, You Can Defy Diabetes - A Six Week Course on Healthy Living Are you interested in a healthier life style? Are you at risk for diabetes due to a family history or obesity? Would you like to lose weight? Have you ever been told you have a “slightly” elevated blood sugar, a “touch” of diabetes, or that you are “pre-diabetic”? Are you currently living with diabetes? If so, we have a program for you! We are planning to start on Monday, September 13 at 6:00 pm with enrollment and then six classes to follow. If you are interested, sign up on the bulletin board in the Gathering Space or call Judy Deck at 838 2776 or the church office at 875-3365.

New Small Group - Creativity and Spirituality through Watercolor
The group meets Thursday mornings for five weeks beginning September 30th and ending October 28th from 9:15 am – 12:00 pm in the Sangree Chapel. Sign up on the bulleting board in the Gathering Space. For more information call Marj Donovan (832-3897).
Special Requests

*Vacation Bible School needs: donations of 2 liter pop bottle caps and empty toilet paper rolls for our craft projects.

Also, please consider bringing in bottled water or a healthy snack for our children during that week! We need to provide a snack for approximately 60 children each day. Thank you for sharing!

Member in need: Church member seeking a part time home care aide, please see bulletin board in the Gathering Space for details. Thank you!

Help needed by one of our Members - Dottie Stout has come home from Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester and the family could use some volunteers to help sit with her from time to time. If you are available, please call her daughter, Donna Hause at 712-7323. Any questions, please speak with one of the Pastors.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to:

Ann Marie Hartmans and family on the death of her father, Gil Evans, who passed away on July 16. A service of Christian burial was held on Monday, July 19.

Carl Jennings and family on the death of his mother, Jeanne Jennings, who passed away July 17. A Funeral Service was held at Nativity yesterday, July 24, 2010.

SERVING OUR COUNTRY… A first-class stamp will deliver your letters.
Ryan Bolton – in US Navy - OSSA Ryan Bolton, USS GEORGE H.W. Bush - ZUM, 77 FPO AE 09513-2803
LCPL Daniel G. Higgins - in Afghanistan - 2/4 Echo Company, Unit 42085, FPO-AP 96610-0285 – nephew of The Rev. Linda Heffley
Ken Oswald - in Alaska – 703 Quartermaster Rd., Box 2428, Ft. Richardson, Alaska 99505
Email address: swimnfreek89@aim.com.
Sgt. Warren Herberger – in Afghanistan; Major Scott Morris – in Iraq – Carol and Mel Herberger’s nephews.
Gerrit Dykstra - A Troop 1st Squadron 172 Cavalry; Bagram Air Base; APOAE 09354
- Grandson of Ruth Dykstra and nephew of Tim Dykstra

Church of the Nativity UCC is a God is Still Speaking Congregation

“Never place a period where God has placed a comma.” – Gracie Allen
God is still speaking for peace and justice…
INTRODUCING: UNWRAPPING OUR GIFTS - A Laity Empowerment Course to explore the spiritual lives, gifts and ministries of the laity in our churches. This is an 8 week course which helps you identify the gifts and ministries you have to offer and how to use them living out your Christianity in a work-a-day world. Imaginative Bible studies, supportive spiritual sharing, meditation exercises and case studies on daily life ministry dilemmas are all examples of what each 2 hour session consists of. This course helps stimulate spiritual growth, inspires confidence, activates ministries and creates a deep sense of community within the participants. Lives can be changed and hearts opened by experiencing this 8 week course. When offered previous times in the past, many people have been so touched by their experience, they have gone on to actually lead other small groups or start their own ministry within the church. We will be starting up in late September and ending early November. It will consist of 7 week nights -2 hours each, and one 5 hour Saturday retreat day. Notification of nights and times will be announced soon. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Denise Martin (874-0604) or Jane Piduch (876-0041). We hope you will consider this wonderful opportunity to enhance your own spiritual growth and meet some great people in the process!!

New Small Group - Yes, You Can Defy Diabetes
A Six Week Course on Healthy Living
Are you interested in a healthier life style? Are you at risk for diabetes due to a family history or obesity? Would you like to lose weight? Have you ever been told you have a “slightly” elevated blood sugar, a “touch” of diabetes, or that you are “pre-diabetic”? Are you currently living with diabetes? If so, we have a program for you!

The NYS Health Foundation has partnered with the Institute for Leadership and a Faith-based Consortium to work with faith-based organizations (locally The Network of Religious Communities) to wage an all out campaign against what has now become a diabetes epidemic. Based on state-wide statistics, as many as one third of this congregation could be pre-diabetic or diabetic and not know it. Congregational health workers are being trained to present a 6-week program titled “Yes, You Can Defy Diabetes.” Carol Wolf and Judy Deck have been trained to present this program. Each week for about one hour, topics such as “What is diabetes?”, risk factors for diabetes, the ABC’s (AI C, BP, Chol), portions sizes, carbs, label reading, stress, exercise, and prayer will be covered.

We are planning to start on Monday, September 13 at 6:00 pm with enrollment and then six classes to follow. If you are interested, sign up on the bulletin board in the Gathering Space or call Judy Deck at 838 2776 or the church office at 875-3365. The program is free and includes course materials and gifts than can help you to achieve your
goal of healthier living and/or control your diabetes. Invite friends and family. This is open to everyone.

New Small Group - Creativity and Spirituality through Watercolor
The group meets Thursday mornings for five weeks beginning September 30th and ending October 28th from 9:15 am – 12:00 pm in the Sangree Chapel. Group Leader is Marj Donovan (832-3897). Co-Group Leaders are The Rev. Linda Heffley (837-4644) and The Rev. Kay Woike (834-9781).

All supplies are provided at cost. New members must call Marj Donovan a minimum of one week in advance (by Thursday, September 23rd). Any questions, please feel free to call Marj.

Together in Prayer - A new opportunity to come together in community to pray for the personal, spiritual, social and environmental concerns set before us. This is an open invitation to join in group prayer from 6-7pm every other Tuesday evening in the Sangree Chapel beginning Tuesday, June 29th. Come join us for this very powerful time of prayer. For added information see Martha Morris, Judy Deck, Carol Herberger, or Xia Lu.

Dash’s Supermarket Tapes – Save them and bring them to Church! There is a box on the table in the Gathering Space. Thank you to Joan Haubeil for taking on this project. They give us 3.5% of the total of the tapes. Every little bit helps! Keep bringing in those tapes!

Money Counters If you can count money, and we know most of you can, we could use your help for about one hour on two Monday mornings a month to count the Sunday Offering. If you would like to help, please contact Debbie in our church office weekday mornings at 875-3365.

Church of the Nativity would like your email address – there are forms available on the bulletin board in the narthex or in the summer issue of the Parish News. You can drop them off in the offering plate or on the desk in the Church office.

Voice –Buffalo will be selling coffee, tea, and cocoa, in the Gathering Space today before and after Services. Stop by! on the first and third Sundays of each month.

Health Ministry at Nativity Our Health Ministry Team has been conducting regular Blood Pressure Screenings on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month. They will be taking them in the green room after the 10:30 am Service. We invite everyone to stop by and have their blood pressure taken.

A Special Note from our Trustees…

Trustees Thank You for Your Support! Pledges in Advance Will Help During Summer!!!

Thank You for your continued faithful support of the Church of the Nativity! Our pledge income for the period 1/1 - 4/30 2010 has been at an all time high. However, so are our expenses! We have been averaging $5,610 in pledge income per week; and we also receive fundraising, holiday offerings, special mission giving, church school, and facilities use offerings. With this generous support we have been able to pay most of our bills when they are due. We continue to pay all of our regular expenses: payroll, building (including monthly mortgage payments) and program expenses. However, since we passed a deficit budget at the annual meeting, cash flow continues to be tight.
A major concern for us is that summer vacation season is almost here. During these months when church attendance drops, so does pledge revenue. Yet, our expenses continue at the same level! As you are aware, we have an ongoing parking lot drive (Dry Up Nativity Campaign) and mortgage fund drive. In light of this, we are not planning to take up a special summer offering this year. It will really help if all of us remember to keep our pledge payments up to date even if we are out of town or unable to attend worship during the summer season. Also, if possible, it would be greatly appreciated if those who are able to pay all or part of their 2010 pledge ahead of time do so! Thanks you all so much for your generosity!

PAYPAL We now have a great new way to make online Dry Up Nativity and pledge payments – a PayPal account. It can be accessed through the church website at www.nativityucc.org here. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY!!! Ed Bumanis and John Haubeil, Co-Chairs

Dry Up Nativity Campaign – Needed: $60,000 Received to date: $32,148
We are asking every member and friend of Nativity for your help with a very important problem: our church is frequently under water! That’s a bit of an exaggeration, but have you driven into one of the potholes in our parking lot, lately? Or have you helped Bob Faulks and Pat Mudd mop up the main kitchen, dining room, and even the nursery school when a heavy rain made the dining room stairs which go outside look like a fish-walk? No kidding, the water has poured down those stairs, across the dining room, out the door, and down the stairs to the nursery school. That is a whole lot of water! And it’s time for it to stop!
Fortunately the Trustees have a comprehensive plan to end the drainage problems that have plagued us for decades. The plan involves repair and upgrade of the building roof storm water drain system (including new drainage channels along the entire west side of the building) and re-grading and re-surfacing our parking lot (which actually slopes toward the building in spots). It also calls for a completely new sidewalk from the school administration parking lot to the sidewalk along Thorncliff. This plan was carefully worked out with Professional Engineer Bill Schutt and several skilled Trustees. Cost estimates are about $120,000, towards which we have proceeds from the sale of Art Busch’s house, a little more than $60,000. This leaves us needing to raise about $60,000.

By now, you can see how we need your help. We are asking you to join us in contributing a special gift to raise the needed money for this project! Already pledges and gifts total over $20,000, but that still leaves us with a long way to go. If at all possible, can you make a gift of between $100 and $500? If you are not able, please give what you can. Every bit helps us reach our goal! We need to know where we stand financially. To make this easier for everyone, there is a tear off sheet below where you can put you pledge amount (the enables you to plan ahead) - contributions do not need to be made until May.

We appreciate all your help and support for Nativity! It is that level of commitment that makes us bold enough to ask for your help again. Please make your best effort to join the families of Nativity so that we can put this problem behind us and keep our beloved building in great shape. Thank you for your generous and much-needed help!
Sincerely,
Ed Bumanis and John Haubeil for the Trustees Pastor Dan Pastor Ruth