Upcoming Events

Middle-High Retreat

February 18th - 19th Harvest House Retreat - This is a sleepover and much, much, more! We will meet at church to car pool and will return to church on Sunday in time for Sunday school. This event promises to be filled with great fun and surprises and is a bargain at $15.00. Watch for an e-mail with the details of the event. As always do not hesitate to call if you have any questions or if you don't receive an e-mail.

Basement Bistro

Support Nativity's High School youth Summer work trip by attending this years Basement Bistro. See page six of the February Newsletter for more information.

Past Events

Friendship Dinner

We are not just a church, we are friends!! Let's have dinner together. This is a great opportunity for you to meet some of the adults of the church. The theme this year is a Mardi Gras. So, bring your beads and a dish to share (ham, rolls, dessert and beverages will be provided). The fun begins Sunday, February 12th at 5pm.

Sunday School Bowling Party

On February 5th, 2012 the church school will be having it's annual lunch and "Super"-bowling party! All students who have attended church school at least 12 times since September will receive a free ticket for food and bowling. The lunch will be held at church immediately following the 10:30 worship service. The bowling will be from 1 to 3, please keep an eye out for more information coming home with your child from Sunday school.

Annual Meeting

We will hold our Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 22nd following the 10:30 worship service. We'll begin with a lunch in the dining room and then start the meeting about 12:15PM.

As usual, we will hear reports from our committees and pastors, elect new officers and committee members, and adopt a budget for 2012. What will be extraordinary is that we will vote on becoming a Global Missions Church. Such a church is one that is concerned with the world as a whole and that seeks to engage in Christ's transformative and healing work beyond national boundaries. Is that us? Our Outreach Committee and Church Council believe it is, and are recommending an affirmative vote to the congregation.

Be sure to come and participate in all the important decisions that we will make at our Annual Meeting!!!

Christmas Pagent

Our Pagent this year is called "Why the Chimes Rang" and will be performed on Sunday, December 18th during the 10:30am service. It is a delightful Christmas story that we're sure everyone from the very young to the very old will love.

The junior choir will be an intergral part of this pagent and any child interested in a speaking part needs to be in attendance for rehearsals. Most will be held during choir practice on Wednesday evenings. All Sunday school students are invited to participate. Please watch for notes coming home from your teachers regarding rehearsals and other information. For more information please contact Janet Brinkman at 716-833-9833.

Living Nativity

Sunday, December 11th, two performances at 5 and 6pm

This event is free and open to the public. The program is about 20 minutes in length and includes live animals. Everyone is welcome to join with us in focusing on the true meaning of the holiday season: The birth of Jesus Christ. Refreshments follow each performance. If you'd like, bring a canned good gift for Jesus; it will be passed on to the Food Bank of Western New York.

A Celebration of Faith

Church of the Nativity to host retreat: Exploring deeper meanings of dreams

Remembering dreams with an eye to the amazing gifts they reveal, is the topic of a retreat presented by the Adult and Family Ed Committee at the Church of the Nativity, United Church of Christ. Led by Rev. Linda Heffley, an expert in the field of dream-work, this adults-only retreat is Saturday November 5th from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Church of the Nativity, 1530 Colvin Boulevard near Sheridan Drive in the Town of Tonawanda. FREE and open to the public.

Call the church office for details at 875-3365, or sign-up on line.

New Member Orientation

Have you been attending worship at Nativity? Do you have a child or grandchild in our church school? Have you wondered what it might be like to be a church member? Would you like to get to know some more people at Nativity? Are you interested in learning more about the Church of the Nativity and the United Church of Christ? If so, then we invite you to attend our New Member Orientation Classes!

Attending classes doesn't mean you have to join. It's just a commitment to learn more. Those who have attended in the past have enjoyed learning and have especially appreciated the opportunity to make new friends.

Classes are held in the Dining Room on four consecutive Sunday mornings from 10:30 to 11:30 am beginning October 30th and concluding November 20th. Members of Nativity serve as hosts and facilitate get-acquainted opportunities. The pastors and several lay leaders present information about Nativity's history, UCC history, the organization and committees of our church, a tour of the building, worship, stewardship, and opportunities to become involved in Nativity's ministry.

Coffee and munchies will be served. Those who complete the classes and want to join will be received into membership at a date to be determined.

To participate in the class, please contact the church office (875-3365 or office@nativityucc.org) or see Pastors Ruth (ruth@nativityucc.org) or Dan (dan@nativityucc.net). We're looking forward to engaging conversations and lots of fun!

World Communion Sunday

Jesus Christ invites you to join him at his table to celebrate World Communion Sunday, October 2 at 10:30 a.m. Bread representing many cultures throughout the world will be used. Several of our third graders will receive communion for the first time. All are welcome!

Nativity's 18th Annual Chiavetta's Barbeque

The Church of the Nativity will host their 18th Annual Chiavetta's Chicken Barbeque Fundraiser on Sunday, September 25 from 12 noon to 5:00 p.m. Ticket prices are: Adults, $8.50, Children: $5.00. Menu includes Chiavetta's chicken, two salads, roll, homemade desserts (while they last), coffee/soft drink. Dine in, Take-out, or Drive-thru available (drinks available for dine-in only.)

Sunday School Rally Day is Coming

This year, Rally Day falls on the 10th Anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, a telling reminder that people are still separated from one another. Nevertheless, we decided not to focus on what separates us, but rather what connects us. So "We're All in This Together" is the theme. We'll be discussing how we're connected as family, friends, school, neighborhood, church, nation and world. As usual, Rally Day will be an awesome adventure! Here's the schedule of events:

10:30 AM - Students Meet in Sunday Schol Classrooms. Classes will learn how each of us is connected to a larger community. Like past years, we're asking each student to come to Rally Day wearing a class color. Here's the color key:

Age/Class	Larger Community	Color
2 1/2-3 year olds	Family	Yellow
Pre K-K	Friends	Red
Grade 1-2	Schools	Green
Grade 3-4	Neighborhood	White
Grade 5-6	Church	Blue
Grade 7-8	Nation	Grey
Senior High	World	Black

11:35 AM - Parade of Classes - Following worship, adults will gather on the front lawn for the parade of classes and watch the grand puzzle come together!

11:40 AM - Team Building Games and Activities - As classes, students will participate in several games that focus on working together. While they're having fun, the adults get to eat first! (Don't worry, students will have had a snack in class and will eat after the games around 12:30). The Friendship/Evangelism Committee has planned a great meal of comfort foods: hotdogs, mac n' cheese, salad, apple, cookies/brownies, and beverage.