HOLY HAPPENINGS
Volume 24 Issue 1
February 2016
Celebrate! celebrate!
After so much planning, printing, inviting and coordinating,
the Church of the Holy Nativity
celebrated one hundred years of
spreading the Good News of
Christ (even though it may have
been 5 days early) on December
20th. The celebration was held at
one service 10am to 180 overjoyed parishioners. Presiding
was our Bishop the Rt. Reverend
Alan M. Gates who celebrated
and preached with vigor as the
congregation responded enthusiastically. Accompanying the celebration was the splendid music
provided by our Organist Casey
Hannan, our choir, trumpeter
Michael Gaunitz with Ray Lyons playing the flute. The children were brought forth to present Bishop Gates, to his surprise, some Christmas gifts from
our parish.
During announcements Father
Harry thanked the Bishop, and
everyone in attendance for making this occasion so very special.
Father especially thanked the
Centennial Committee: Jim
Kimball, Beryl McFadden, Ron
Russo, Steve Williams and Brian
Smith for organizing this very
special celebration and the Altar
Guild for taking so much time to
provide so much beauty, the
Church looked simply magnificent.
CHURCH OF THE HOLY
NATIVITY
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
Sunday
Holy Eucharist - 8 & 10 a.m.
Sunday School - 9:30 a.m.
NURSERY AVAILABLE
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
OFFICE HOURS
Mon. thru Fri. - 9 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Parish Office 781-335-2030
Rector
781-974-7392
E- Mail:
[email protected]
WEBSITE:
www.holynativityweymouth.org
The Rev. Harold G. Birkenhead, Rector
The Rev. Brad Hultman, Asst. Priest
Casey Hannan, Organist & Choirmaster
Lizzi Campbell, Secretary
Bob Thomas, Sexton
Brian Smith, Warden
Steve Williams, Warden
Following the service the Bishop,
clergy and congregation moved to
the Elks Club in Weymouth for a
catered luncheon and music provided by Mr. Tom Rizzo. At least
the children continued to celebrate,
celebrate as they all danced to the
music. Indeed, and as all can attest,
this was a celebration which will
live in our memories for years to
come. As Bishop Gates alluded to
in his sermon; the next step we
take will be the first step, the beginning of the next 100 years and
may God continue to bless us all
and this most lovely parish, The
Church of the Holy Nativity.
Page 2
Whoa! Air Conditioning
From
the Wardens
on Christmas
Eve?
Dale Critchley and I were discussing, while preparing for our
Christmas Eve service, how if ever
we could supercede the grand Centennial celebration on Christmas
Eve. Well, although the Church
wasn't quite as full and although
we did not have the Bishop with
us, we did have something on this
Christmas Eve that has never happened before and most likely will
never happen again, "Air Conditioning". Hard to believe that outside it was near 62 degrees and
inside in a fairly full church the
temperature was climbing close to
80. The choir seemed to swaying,
not from the music, as splendid as
it was, but from the inside humidity. Still, all in all, it was a wonderful,uplifting and beautiful service.
To everyone who made this year’s
back to back celebrations so invigorating, thank you from the bottom, top and all of my heart. Holy
Nativity most certainly is the
"Christmas" church filled with the
Christmas Spirit, the Christmas joy
and always, the Christmas Love.
God has truly blessed us all.
HOLY HAPPENINGS
SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS
ALTAR FLOWERS
The Sunday school children will be
making “FRUITS of the SPIRIT”
beaded bracelets to wear during the
season of Lent. Just like the bracelets worn by the members of the
parish, the students will wear them
for a week at a time to share their
gifts of the Holy Spirit with others
around them.
The Altar Guild has provided yellow
envelopes to be used for flowers or
the Sanctuary lamp candle donations. If writing a check instead of
using cash, please make the check
out to “Holy Nativity Altar Guild”
and note either ‘flowers’ or ‘candle’
on the memo line. Checks, with or
without envelopes, may be put in
the alms basin.
We will also be making prayer
chains. Each chain will have forty
links for the 40 days of Lent and
each link will have the name of
someone on the prayer list. Every
day during Lent a link is removed
and the person’s name on that link
will have a prayer said for them.
There will be no Sunday school on
February 14th the start of February
school vacation.
CRAFT GROUP
Craft group resumed Thursday, Jan
28 from 9ish to 12:00. We will be
completing projects which will be
sold at our Holly Fair in November. All are welcome.
Also, if you have any ideas for
projects, bring them along.
Call Charlene if you have any
questions- 781-974-7393.
WOMEN’S EVENING
GROUP
I was
leaving
you.
By the That
time you
read
this the
Women’s Evening Group will have had
their Potluck Supper and old fashion
Yankee Swap and enjoyed good
company, in friendship, fellowship
and fun. Information to follow in
the next newsletter regarding our
March meeting.
As I will be away for the winter,
Terry Williams has volunteered to
be Chairman of the Women’s Evening Group. Terri has some ideas that
will bring new membership and service.
Questions: Terri Williams,
781-982-4994 or
[email protected].
Terry Asher,
p very quick, and
781-331-1300
or we would
like to start planning the Third
[email protected].
Annual Intergenerational
Christmas Pageant, which will
be held at the 10 a.m. Service
on Sunday, December 19. We
have had a wonderful time the
It seemed almost impossible
HOLY HAPPENINGS
Page 3
Limited Proxy Form
This proxy is for the following meeting:
Time:
11:00 a.m.
Date:
Sunday, February 7, 2016
Place:
Asher-Stoddard Hall
As a member of Holy Nativity Episcopal Church, I hereby appoint:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
(If Blank, Warden of the Vestry, Steve Williams)
As my PROXYHOLDER with full power of substitution to represent me at the Annual Meeting, as well as any lawful adjournment
thereof.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Member
DATE
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRINTED NAME
ADDRESS
(This proxy is limited to the purpose of obtaining a quorum, is revocable, and is valid only for the meeting for which it is given, and
any legal adjournment thereof, and in no event for more than 90 days.)
IF THERE IS A CHANCE THAT YOU MAY NOT ATTEND THIS MEETING, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU
RETURN THIS FORM!
Please return to:
Holy Nativity Episcopal Church
8 Nevin Road
South Weymouth, MA 02190
ANNUAL MEETING PROXY FORM
All parishioners should fill out this form BEFORE the Annual Meeting and place it in the alms basin. In
the event you do attend the meeting, you will get your proxy form back.
This completed form allows the Annual Meeting to proceed on its scheduled date in the event a quorum is
not met.
Page 4
HOLY HAPPENINGS
Newsletter
From the Wardens
Deadline
The deadline for the
MARCH 2016 Holy
Happenings will be Thursday,
February 11. Articles may be
submitted via snail mail,
dropped off in the bin on the
office door or sent to email
[email protected].
Thank you.
FOOD FIRST
SUNDAY
Food First Sunday will be
Sunday, February 7. The
pantry would appreciate any
cereals. Thank you.
Coffee Hour Hosts
Needed
Please sign up on the Coffee
Hour sheet in the AsherStoddard Hall. If you have any
questions, please call Ed Muller
at 781-337-7165.
VESTRY
AS A PARISH,
WE PRAY FOR:
The next Vestry meeting will be
Wednesday, March 16, 2015
at 7:30 pm following a service
of Compline at 7:00 pm. There
will not be a meeting in February due to the Annual Meeting.
ARTHUR NORRIS
ASHLEY & MIA EISSANTI
ASHLEY SMITH
BILL GARRITY
BILLIE-JO ROGERS
DIANE ORRICO
EDWINA WOOL
ENID HAYES
EWEN MCDONALD
FATHER STEVE
Tuesday Morning Eucharist GERI
JOHN GREENE
and Luncheon
JOSEPH MICHAEL
KYLE & MEREDITH LEAHY
Did you miss Sunday’s service?
LAURA
Are you hungry for the word of
LUCILLE OLSON
God? Would you enjoy relaxing
MARILYN
during a Eucharist and then enjoy a MARTHA O’DAY
light lunch and some great conver- MATT JANEWAY
That I was leaving you.
sation? Then Holy Nativity offers
MYRTLE PERKINS
you a wonderfully quiet but spiritu- NIC SORRENTINO
al Eucharist followed by a light
PAIGE
PHIL STEPHAN
luncheon and conversation every
Tuesday at 11:30 am. If you know RAY THORNE
RAYMOND GAGNON
someone who wishes to come
along then remind them they don’t RICK
RITA, PAUL & EVAN REDMOND
have to be a church member or
ROCKY
even an Episcopalian. Just come
ROSE
along and pray, be fed by the Lord STEVE
and then enjoy a luncheon of felTERRI WILLIAMS
lowship and good cheer.
THOM & MAUREEN SHORTT
VAL AND HER FAMILY
Home Communion
If you or a relative are unable
to get to church to celebrate
the Eucharist at any time during the year, please call the
office at 781.335.2030 to
schedule a Home Communion with Fr. Harry or Fr. Brad.
The visit will be arranged at
your convenience, days or
evenings.
p very quick, and we would
like to start planning the Third
Annual Intergenerational
Christmas Pageant, which will
be held at the 10 a.m. Service
on Sunday, December 19. We
have had a wonderful time the
It seemed almost impossible
HOLY HAPPENINGS
Epiphany
From the Wardens
(Greek Ἐπιφάνεια, Epiphaneia,
"Manifestation", "striking appearance") or Theophany meaning
"Vision of God".
January 3 Fr. Harry preached
about the season of Epiphany and
after a brief question and answer
we discovered that Epiphany is a
season which begins our time
when we can become manifestations of Christ to others around us.
Fr. Harry challenged the congregation to take those fruits and gifts
that God has given us, especially
and most particularly the Fruits
and Gifts of the Holy Spirit of
which we are all endowed, and
bring those fruits and gifts to others. Remember? The gift of
Knowledge, wisdom, prophecy,
faith, healing result in the fruits of
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness. Fr. Harry has
shown us those bracelets that we
can place on our wrist, each one
of a different color and a different
gift, and challenged us to wear
one bracelet for a week or more if
need be. The challenge is to then
to go out and share that fruit or gift
with someone you may know who
is in need, whether it be joy to
someone who is sad or love to
someone in need of caring. You
are then asked to return the bracelet for another one. The challenge
with "manifest" begin, on the 1st
Sunday after Epiphany, January
10th and will end on Easter Sunday the Sunday our Lord is resurrected for all to see and believe. A
log can be kept if you desired but
it is not a requirement. The main
challenge is to see how many people we can manifest Christ to in
our lives. So, anyone want to take
the challenge? Look for the bracelets in the Asher/Stoddard Hall.
Page 5
MYSTICAL THEMES
IN HOLY SCRIPTURE
Sundays, February 14—March 6
There are teachings, parables and
scripture lessons common to all
religions, philosophies and cultures. These common elements
are most prevalent in the wisdom
teachings and mysticism.
For four Sundays in Lent we will
review and reflect on these
‘universals’ and use them in prayer and meditation as part of our
daily Lenten spiritual discipline.
Spiritual teachings that are common to all people and cultures are
most often a powerful point of
departure for developing spiritual
insight and devotion.
A Message
From Your Stewardship Team
As we welcome in 2016 and think
back on the wonderful celebrations during 2015 and our 100th
Year Celebration in December at
Holy Nativity, we would like to
wish you all a very Happy New
Year as we look forward to another year of being a part of our wonderful Parish Family and all of the
blessings that our God has bestowed on us.
That I was leaving you.
Please note, this spiritual study is
separate from the Lenten forum
being held Monday evenings during Lent. All people are welcome
to attend. Please let me know if
you intend to participate. A syllabus will be provided prior to February 14.
Yours,
Fr. Brad
p very quick, and we would
like to start planning the Third
Annual Intergenerational
Christmas Pageant, which will
be held at the 10 a.m. Service
on Sunday, December 19. We
have had a wonderful time the
It seemed almost impossible
Page 6
HOLY HAPPENINGS
(ABOVE) The choir prepares to begin the celebration.
(BELOW) Father Brad Hultman, Father Harold G. Birkenhead,
The Right Reverend Bishop Alan M. Gates, Bishop’s Deacon Phil Flaherty
HOLY HAPPENINGS
Page 7
Congratulations to
Billy MacPhee and his family
for having the winning raffle ticket to
collect the centennial oil painting of The
Church of the Holy Nativity.
Page 8
HOLY HAPPENINGS
Wardens Report
There is no other way to describe it but; “awesome, beautiful, fantastic, uplifting, emotional, very special,
memorable and historic”. That pretty much sums up the year here at The Church of the Holy Nativity that all
cumulated with the Centennial Celebration on December 20th, followed by the Christmas Eve services. What a
memorable 2015 we have all have the honor and privilege to be part of and experience.
The list of “Thank-Yous” this year is pretty much endless and never seems to be enough given all the work,
ministry, passion and dedication done over this past year. Well, here goes anyway, on behalf of the Vestry and
Wardens: “THANK-YOU, THANK-YOU, THANK-YOU!!! Our service as Wardens is made easier by the
family of “Us” here at Holy Nativity working, praying, worshiping, caring and participating together in all that
we do here all year long.
In December the Vestry had the honor and opportunity to meet with Bishop Alan Gates and found it to be both
informative and entertaining. We all got to know one another a bit better and learn more about the Bishop and
vice versa. He took the time to hear about this very special parish and what our thoughts and concerns were in
general as well as looking into the future. Time well spent for everyone.
Certainly the Centennial Celebration was literally the icing on the cake this year at Holy Nativity.
The Centennial Committee (Fr. Harry, Don Reade, Beryl McFadden, Ron Russo, Brian Smith and Steve Williams) chaired by Jim Kimball met throughout the past year to plan and help execute everything centennial
based from the service to the luncheon to the limited edition items sold to help offset related costs. Jim Kimball did an exceptional job keeping this on point and focused and on time when planning for this once every
hundred years event and we cannot thank Jim enough for his dedication and expertise. It was also very special
that The Right Reverend Alan M. Gates, Bishop of our Diocese was here with us as the Celebrant for the service. Certainly this was an event that we will all remember for many years to come right from the service itself
to the luncheon that followed at the Weymouth Elks Club.
You cannot pull off such an important and once-in-a-lifetime event without the help of our Altar Guild, Lay
Eucharistic Ministers, Choir and Choir Director, Acolytes, Ushers, the Parish Secretary, Sextant, the special
guest musicians and our clergy Fr. Harry and Fr. Brad.
At our most recent Vestry meeting in January, we took a moment to thank the three Vestry members who have
completed their three year term and will be rotating off as of the Annual Meeting on Feb. 7th. More “Thanks
very much” going to Harry Maynard, Ruth Bates and George Ward for their service and ministry to this
church and Vestry. Your help and input is always greatly appreciated.
Finally, we will all, gather again to hear and discuss this past year and the upcoming year along with acknowledging all the accomplishments at our Annual Meeting on Sunday February 7th following the 10am service.
Hope that you will be there as we would love to see you all again.
God’s PeaceYour Wardens,
Brian Smith & Steve Williams
HOLY HAPPENINGS
Page 9
THE DESERT OF OUR HEART, THE CITY OF OUR SOUL
Since the beginning of time humanity has been in search of God. From the monastics who spent silent years of
deep thought and meditation in the desert opening their souls to the Word of God, to the Evangelicals who revived destitute cities with song and celebrations inviting the presence of God, humanity has been in search,
only to find that if we all open our hearts our eyes would be opened to the beauty of God all around.
Our Lenten program will be a journey of sort, leading you from the city of Jerusalem where a small Jewish
sect known as the Essenes will break away from conventional Jewish beliefs and establish their own community in the desert in a place called Wadi Qumran of the Dead Sea. Their practice in their search for God was in
the practice of cleansing, eating, healing, praying and meditating. This same practice would be adopted by so
many varied religious in years to come, most particularly our Desert Fathers and Mothers.
Some 2000 years later records of the Essenes and ancient scriptures never touched by mankind since its preservation, would be discovered in caves along the Dead Sea and be called the Dead Sea Scrolls. These scrolls
would reveal much about the Essenes of which it believed John the Baptist may have been a member.
Around the 3rd Century, Christians known as the Desert Fathers followed the practice of the Essenes by breaking with conventional religions and society and lived mainly in the Scetes desert of Egypt. Their search for
God would lead to some of the greatest forms of monastic contemplation in particular Apoththegmata Patrum
or Sayings of the Desert Fathers.
And finally, our search will lead us to today where some still look for God, but are we searching in the wrong
place? Did you ever wonder why after all the time Jesus’ disciple followed him in life they could not recognize him after his resurrection? Where is Jesus? Where is the God who embraces our soul? Our Lenten program this year invites you to come along in search, from the desert of our hearts to the cities of our souls and
search for the God who loves us all.
Monday, February 22 - The Essenes
Monday, February 29 – The Dead Sea Scrolls
Monday, March 7 – The Desert Fathers
Monday, March 14 – Our Road to Emmaus, The Blood of Christ never fails us.
Page 10
HOLY HAPPENINGS
HOLY HAPPENINGS
Church of the Holy Nativity
8 Nevin Road
South Weymouth, MA 02190
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Inside This Issue
* Annual Meeting Proxy
Page 3
* Centennial Photos
Page 6-7
* Lenten Program
Page 9
Important Dates
Feb 7
Annual Meeting
Feb 9
Shrove Tuesday Pancake
Supper
Feb 10
Ash Wednesday
Feb 11
Holy Happenings articles
due
Feb 13
Weymouth Garden Club
Feb 14
No Sunday School
Fr. Brad Bible Study
begins
Mission Statement
The family of the Church of the
Holy Nativity is called to be a caring community, committed to spiritual development; encouraging
growth in each member’s personal
relationship with God, through
Christ; by providing educational
opportunities for youth and adults
as well as Christian Formation for
all, going forth to share God’s message of love and forgiveness.
MAILED
January 25, 2016
Important Dates
Feb 15
Office closed
Feb 22
Lenten Dinner &
Lenten Program begins
Feb 28
Book Sale
Feb 29
Lenten Dinner &
Lenten Program