Upcoming Events

Youth Cantata - Once Upon a Parable

Join us on Sunday May 20th at our 10:30 service for a presentation of this year's youth cantata Once Upon a Parable, a wonderful retelling of several of Jesus' most memorable parables. The Junior Choir will be doing the lion's share of the music and parts, but the Genesis Choir and High School Choir will also contribute to the presentation. Don't miss this great production!

Network of WNY Open and Affirming Congregations

The Network of Western New York Open and Affirming Congregations seeks to enlighten, educate and provide a resource for those, gay and straight, who wish to explore their faith in a welcoming and diverse environment. We offer the Western New York LGBT community, as well as the greater WNY community, resources identifying congregations with safe, loving, fully inclusive worship opportunities. We strongly believe that everyone has a place at the table and that we are called together to stand as one... so that none need stand alone!

An invitation is extended monthly to members of WNY Congregations that provide Open and Affirming worship opportunities to gather together in a social setting designed to bring folks of different faiths together in a welcoming atmosphere. The Outreach Committee would like to invite you to the next network meeting which is on Sunday, May 20th, at 7:00 p.m., and is being hosted by us - Church of the Nativity, UCC, 1530 Colvin Boulevard, Buffalo, New York, 14223, an Open and Affirming Congregation!! The evening will feature drinks, desserts, and sharing time and will be located in our Sangree Chapel.

Members of the Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender community and our Straight Allies are welcome to attend. Just come as you are! These gatherings continue to grow and each time has been very uplifting and spiritual.

We encourage you to also invite family members and friends whom you feel would like to attend the May gathering.

Thank You Jane Kubacki!

After many years of service, Jane Kubacki will be leaving her position as director of Nativity's English Hand Bell Choir. Jane's last Sunday, June 3 will include special music by the English Hand Bell Choir and Chancel and High School Choirs as well as a reception in Jane's honor following 10:30 worship.

Sunday School Picnic

Sunday, June 10th will be the final day of Sunday School for this academic year. All of Nativity is invited to attend our end of year luncheon and games to be held at the church immediately following the 10:30 worship service. This event is FREE for all who attend and, as always, we hope the ENTIRE Nativity family (no matter what age or stage in life you are) will join us in celebration.

Vacation Bible School

This summer's VBS program will be held August 6-10th, 9:30 AM - 12 Noon. This year's theme is all about the significance of water throughout the Bible and how God provides us with "living water" as spiritual sustenance. This year's events and activities will not only help the children learn these valuable lessons, but will also incorporate an ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS angle to benefit the global community as well!! If you are interested in helping with VBS this year, please contact the church office at 716-875-3365.

Past Featured Events

Spring Retreat for Adults

Join the Rev, Ken Neal from Friday, May 4th through Saturday, May 5th for a retreat for adults. The theme for the retreat will be Fact and Fancy in the Bible: What it says or doesn't say about Heaven, Hell, Devil, and God. The retreat will begin on Friday at 6pm and conclude Saturday at 6pm.

This year we will be joining with East Aurora Christian Church (where Ken is currently serving as Transitional Pastor) and Zion UCC here in the Town of Tonawanda. The more the merrier! Please join us!

The cost of the retreat will be $50 per person for those staying overnight; $45 per person for first-time retreatants staying overnight or $75 per couple for those staying overnight; $10 per person for those not staying overnight ($15 if you come for breakfast @ 8:15)

VOICE-Buffalo Feast of Tables

Enjoy delicious food featuring specialties of member congregations at VOICE-Buffalo's Feast of Tables, Saturday, April 21st from 5-8pm. The event takes place at the Erie Community College City Campus at 121 Ellicott Street in Buffalo. Tickets are $20 per adult for 20 tasting tickets or $60 for a family of four.

Concert Featuring Emily Tworek Helenbrook

Join us on Sunday, April 15th at 1pm for a concert featuring the vocal talents of Emily Tworek Helenbrook. Please consider a $10 donation to benefit One Great hour of Sharing. Call the church (716-875-3365) for tickets.

Faith Fights Diabetes

Faith Fights Diabetes is a multi-session program -- six Mondays, from April 16th to May 21st -- developed by the New York State Health Foundation, the Institute for Leadership and a faith based consortium. It is designed for those living with diabetes and their loved ones, those at-risk for the disease, and others who would like to learn more about diabetes as well as lifestyle and dietary changes that can have a positive impact on quality of life.

Senior High works with SABAH

The Senior High Youth will be volunteering at the annual SABAH (Skating Athletes Bold at Heart) ice show at First Niagara Center again this year. As a service project we are going to volunteer at the ice show on Sunday, March 25th as ushers or program sellers. We need to be at the arena at 12:30pm so we will leave right after church. If you are interested please return the volunteer sign-up form as soon as you can.

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.

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.

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.