Nativity Newsletter

NO CHURCH on Sunday, January 25.

Stay home, pray the Collect for Nativity, read the lessons. Jack's session on Hinduism is postponed to a later date.

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:

Fifteen (15) Nativity folks showed up and showed out for the packing of the boxes for the pantry. (Yes - more than the other church!) Thank you to those who helped. Enjoy the photos.

Isaiah 9:1-4

1 Corinthians 1:10-18

Matthew 4:12-23

Psalm 27:1, 5-13

Weather permitting, The Rev. Ann Whitaker will be with us on Sunday, February 1st for the baptism of Austin and Kelsey Roye. Please mark your calendars and show your support by being there.

February 8th - Nativity Annual Meeting - election of new Mission Committee members, vote on the constitution. The Rev. Katie Sorey will be supplying that day.

Mardi Gras Parade - Saturday, February 14th - more details to follow.

Winter Storm: If there are any church members who need a warm place during the coming days, please let Mary Beth Pulsifer know.

Note: Nativity is partnering with the Water Valley Police Department to provide temporary lodging at the motel for anyone in danger from the cold.

Nativity Newsletter

Lay Worship Leader, Don Newlin, will be back with us again this Sunday for Morning Prayer. Please join us at 10:30.

Those Who Serve:

Sunday, January 11, 2026

Morning. Prayer: Don Newlin

Music: Brenda/Katherine

Altar Guild: Karen

Crucifer: Tom

Lectors: Kathy/Eddie

MC POD Eddie

Lessons:

• Isaiah 42:1-9

• Acts 10:34-43

• Matthew 3:13-17

• Psalm 29

Announcements:

After worship on February 8, (and before coffee hour) we will hold our canonically required Annual Meeting to elect new Mission Committee members, review our annual budget and to vote on a new church “Constitution” which is akin to by laws for our mission church.  This document has been approved by the Diocesan Office and the Mission Committee and must be voted on by the full membership of the church.  

If you would like to review the proposed Constitution in advance of the meeting, it is available at this link:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VcnS9mCV3_sA-PMSEMvkbssfuyXerlqa/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=100529201357357906141&rtpof=true&sd=true

You may also request a copy of the proposed Constitution by e-mailing the church at nativitywatervalley@gmail.com

Save the Date: Sunday, January 25 at 9:15 a.m. Jack Barry will lead a discussion on Hinduism and the parallels he has observed with Christianity.

Lenten Book Study: begins Saturday, February 21 at 9:00 a.m. The book is Prone to Wander by Joanna Harader. Order your book now. It is arranged as daily devotionals with probing questions for each day.

Nativity Newsletter

A Message from the Senior Warden

First, I thank you for the opportunity to serve as your senior warden these past several months.

I have learned so much and grown in my relationships with our church members. It is hard to

express in words my gratitude for your support, guidance, encouragement, patience and grace,

but please know that it is in my heart.

I want to provide you with an update on our planned schedule for the upcoming 6 months (and

possibly beyond). On the first Sunday of each month, our beloved Rev. Ann Whitaker will be

with us; on the third Sunday of each month Rev. Christopher Powell, who most of us are familiar

through his past service as a supply priest, will be celebrating with us; and beginning in

February, Deacon Tina Frizzel, who is well-known to us all, will lead us in worship one Sunday

each month. The administrative team (Kathy Shoalmire, Robbie Fisher and I) will

continue to work on filling other Sundays with supply priests and Lay Worship Leaders. Our

own Michael Prager has also agreed to continue filling in when needed. Thank you, Michael.

As for progress in the search for our next Vicar, The Vicar Exploratory Committee (chaired by

Mike Mitchell) is currently creating a Congregational Profile, based on the surveys you

completed and other input from the congregation. This will become the basis for a “job

description” that will be posted on the Diocesan website and other social media. We hope to

have this posted by the end of this year. After this posting, applications will be received and

reviewed by the VEC. Although this review is, at least initially, a confidential process, know that

our search is based on the input we receive from the congregation. Please continue to share

your thoughts, questions, hopes, ideas and prayers with Mike and/or other members of the

Committee.

Our understanding from Canon Meade is that this can be a rather lengthy process, typically 6

months to a year or more. It is also a process that should not be rushed, as we want to find the

best fit for Nativity. We face some challenges: there is a serious shortage of priests in the

Mississippi Diocese (and in general), and small churches like ours are faced with financial

constraints (the Diocese does not contribute to the salary for our Vicar, it is the responsibility of

Nativity through our budget). That being said, we all know that Nativity has much to offer: a

vibrant and expanding congregation, a beautiful and “quirky” small town community, solid

management and stable finances. We want to be certain that our next Vicar is as excited to be

here as we are to have him or her with us. Although, along with you all, I am eager to see who

God will send to us, I do not worry about the process, as I become more aware each day that

Nativity is so much more than its Vicar. We are a community/family with an incredibly generous

heart and a mighty, mighty spirit.

In Peace,

Mary Beth Pulsifer

Those Who Serve: December 21 - 4th Sunday of Advent

Deacon Tina Frizzell

Altar Guild: Jackie

LEM: James

Lectors: Barbara/Suzy

MC POD: Barbara

Lessons:

• Isaiah 7:10-16

• Romans 1:1-7

• Matthew 1:18-25

• Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18

  
  

Announcements:

Christmas Eve Service: 5:30 pm - Rev. Ann Whitaker will be the celebrant. Reception to follow at Jacki Kellum's Studio 32 S. Main. Special Music begins at 5:15 p.m.