Nativity Newsletter

Are you looking for a way to serve Christ at Nativity?

As Christians, we are all called to serve Christ but we are not all called to serve in the same way. If you have been wrestling with this question, have you considered serving on the Altar Guild? It has traditionally been a role for females, but at Nativity all are welcome.

I never considered being a member of the Altar Guild until Duncan asked me if I would serve because some members were stepping back. I had never volunteered because I heard you had to clean the linens. I struggle with my own laundry, much less the holy linens. However,it's not easy to say no so I said yes.

I am glad I did. I have found it to be another form of worship steeped in tradition. Changing the colors according to the season, filling the eucharist candles and paschal candle with oil, setting up the altar according to tradition (by the way all parts have a name). Placing the priest's wafer, counting out the wafers for the congregation, pouring the wine all have become to be a "holy" moment for me because I see it as preparing the table for our Lord and Savior. I think the others on the Altar Guild have similar feelings. Cleaning up is not difficult and most of the time there are very few stains to remove. How much time does it take - about 20-30 minutes to set-up and about 20 minutes to clean up. We work in teams and alone, whichever you prefer. We each serve about once a month.

There is also a special bonding that takes place among the members of the Altar Guild. Currently those who serve are Margaret Love Denman, Vivian McKey, Liz Reynolds, Karen Simard, Anne Winebrenner, and me, Kathy Shoalmire. Please talk to us to learn more. We need you. 

Those Who Serve - April 26, 2026

Celebrant: The Rt. Reverend Duncan M. Gray, III

Music: Brenda/Katherine

LEM: Suzy

Altar Guild: Vivian and Kathy

Lectors: Joe and Alexe

Offertory: Denny and Rosemary

MPOD: Debbie

Lessons:

• Acts 2:42-47

• 1 Peter 2:19-25

• John 10:1-10

• Psalm 23

  
  

Collect for Nativity

Father of all wisdom and love,

In whose wisdom we trust and in whose love we dwell.

We come asking you to guide us as we search for a new shepherd for this flock, a new teacher for those who seek, and for a steadfast companion who will walk with us along the way.

All this we ask in the name of our creator, redeemer and sustainer, one God, whose mercy endures forever. Amen

Announcements:

Registration is now open for Camp Bratton-Green. Scholarships are available. If interested, please see Mary Beth Pulsifer.

Please pray for those attending Cursillo May 1 - 3: Becky Kelly, Karen Simard, and Susan Hunsicker Still. Also, please pray for Margaret Love Denman and Kathy Shoalmire who will be serving on staff.

Book Group starts up Saturday, May 9 at 9am. The book is The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. This best-selling compilation of letters written to and by Sybil Van Antwerp leads us through her journey of coming to terms with connection, forgiveness, grief, and aging. It's an easy read with deep meaning as she reaches out to friends, family, and authors in the telling of her story. Open to all. Please join us.

Nativity Newsletter

Nativity Spotlight - Becky Kelly

Over the course of the past two years, I have on occasion spent time with Becky traveling to and from Nativity. She likes to talk, but not so much about herself. I enjoyed putting it all together today when I interviewed her.

Becky, a self-described nomad has lived a bold life since her birth in Memphis a "few" years ago. Her family moved from Memphis to Cleveland, MS where she attended Hill Demonstration School which provided an opportunity for students at Delta State majoring in education to get some hands-on experience. Interestingly, she learned that Duncan had also attended that school a few years after she was there.

From there, her family moved to Yazoo City. Much of her early life was spent in the Methodist Church with some sprinkling of Presbyterian Sunday night youth activities. Of course, nothing compared to having a date to attend Trinity Episcopal. She said she believes that was when the seed was planted for her love of the Episcopal liturgy.

After graduating from MSCW with a teaching degree, Becky struck out to the sunshine state in her YELLOW VW convertible. She taught in FL for a couple of years. Much to her dad's chagrin, Becky sold her car just after making the last car payment. Why? Twenty-five year old Becky wanted to teach in Germany and needed the money. She took off to Germany without a job (because she had been advised not to go through DOD or she would be sent elsewhere). As good fortune would have it, she landed a first grade teaching job for children of the American military personnel. She was there a year and spent most of her time traveling. Becky celebrated her 26th birthday in London and heard Big Ben strike twelve - she was born at 12:00.

Two of her favorite stories come from her travels to the French countryside and to Dublin. In France, she and a co-worker struck out one Easter Weekend. Becky didn't know French and the co-worker knew very little. They stopped for dinner that evening and ended up asking the young male waiter where they could stay the night. He retrieved his father who offered them an upstairs room for rent. They spent a good part of the evening trying to explain how the Easter bunny delivers eggs to American children. HA!

In Dublin, Becky, the principal, and two other co-workers took a jaunt to Dublin where they rented a Gypsy wagon drawn by a horse named Kerry. Becky said you could do everything on this wagon but use the bathroom. They went from Dublin to Dingle Bay and back to Dublin. While clippity-clopping down the road, they passed an old Irish gentleman sitting on a stone wall. As they passed, he tipped his hat and said "Top of the Morning".

She left Europe and returned to the states where she worked for various corporations mostly in sales and marketing. She spent some time back in Florida, Hershey, PA, Connecticut, Memphis, and Jackson working. She loved her job with the Hershey Corporation where she handled sales for school children and corporate events,helped to open an amusement park in Connecticut that Hershey had purchased, had a similar job with the Memphis Zoo, was a telemarketer for non-profits, and retired from WKNO where she managed major fundraising auctions.

After retirement, Becky did not want to return to MS but she knew she wanted to live in a university town. After trying out one in North Carolina, it became apparent that it would take some time to become part of the community. She literally woke up one morning and said "I am moving to Oxford, MS".

Her pathway to Nativity was through Duncan which started during Covid. She was part of a small group that he agreed to do a Bible Study for via Zoom. She participated in his "white privilege" seminar at St. Peter's and literally followed him to Nativity.

Becky said Nativity is a place where no one is a stranger and people laugh. She said James McCormick once said to her "we just muddle along".

Becky said that having low vision has made her more attentive to the music we sing. She finds great joy in hearing the congregation singing the hymns and can feel the love resonating from our voices.

Those Who Serve:

Celebrant: The Rev. Christopher Powell

Music: Dianne

LEM: James

Altar Guild: Karen

Lectors: Suzy/Kathy

Offering: Noa Caroline and Elijah

Lessons: 2nd Sunday of Easter

Acts 2:14a,22-32

1 Peter 1:3-9

John 20:19-31

Psalm 16

Collect for Nativity

Father of all wisdom and love,

In whose wisdom we trust and in whose love we dwell.

We come asking you to guide us as we search for a new shepherd for this flock, a new teacher for those who seek, and for a steadfast companion who will walk with us along the way.

All this we ask in the name of our creator, redeemer and sustainer, one God, whose mercy endures forever. Amen

Announcements:

Altar Guild: We are in need of at least 2 people who are willing to serve on the altar guild. It's a great way to be of service. Please contact Kathy Shoalmire or Liz Reynolds.

Book Study: Our next book is The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. All are invited to participate. We will start up on May 9 at 9 am. For more information contact Kathy Shoalmire or Margaret Love Denman

Cursillo Prayer Requests: Please be in prayer for those of us from Nativity who will be attending Cursillo the weekend of May 1-3. Margaret Love Denman and Kathy Shoalmire will be on staff. Becky Kelly, Karen Simard, and Susan Still will be attending.

Nativity Newsletter

PALM SUNDAY - this Sunday. Here is what you need to know.

We will gather at the Salt & Light building about 10:20 to get our palms, have the Blessing of the Palms liturgy and then proceed across the street singing All Glory Laud and Honor (Hymn 154) if you want to get a hymnal from the church beforehand as well proceed to the nave.

We will have the reading of The Passion by several members of the congregation. It will be done in parts: before and after the setting the table and after communion. There will be a point in the service to venerate the cross with our palms and/or index cards will be made available prior to the service in the Salt & Light Building for you to write out your intentions and to place at the foot of the cross.

We will conclude with what I am sure will be a fabulous potluck lunch. Please provide food or help clean-up if able.

Those Who Serve:

Celebrant: The Reverend Andy Andrews

Music: Brenda, Katherine, Dawn, Eddie

LEM: Suzy

Altar Guild: Jackie

Lectors: Sean/Barbara

Offering: Denny/Isaac

MCPOD: Patricia

Lessons:

The Liturgy of the Palms

Matthew 21:1-11

Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

The Liturgy of the Word

Isaiah 50:4-9a

Philippians 2:5-11

Matthew 26:14- 27:66

or Matthew 27:11-54

Psalm 31:9-16

Collect for Nativity

Father of all wisdom and love,

In whose wisdom we trust and in whose love we dwell.

We come asking you to guide us as we search for a new shepherd for this flock, a new teacher for those who seek, and for a steadfast companion who will walk with us along the way.

All this we ask in the name of our creator, redeemer and sustainer, one God, whose mercy endures forever. Amen

Announcements:

Maundy Thursday Service at 6:00 pm - led by Michael Prager

Good Friday - Church will be open from 11a - 2p for prayer

Easter Sunday - Celebrate the sacrament of Holy Baptism. The Reverend Ann Whitaker will be the celebrant.

Easter Sunday - around 12:30 all are invited for Champagne and Coconut Cake Potluck at the home of Alexe Van Beuren and Kagan Coughlin (509 Wagner Street) Bring a dish, friends, family, but no pets and no smoking in the barn! Kids' Easter Egg hunt around 2:30pm - Bring a basket.