Reflections

Reflections

In my initial interview in 2022 with the Mission Committee of Nativity prior to becoming Vicar, I heard an overwhelming desire to develope a creative and supportive relationship with the local schools. Thus, with the guidance and direction of Kathryn York and assisted by Suzy Robinson, we began work to establish an after school tutoring program. We worked closely with Mr. James Watson, the principal at Davidson Elementary, and recruited tutor volunteers from Nativity and were set to begin. Unfortunately, the change of leadership at Davidson scuttled our planned program.

Nonetheless, we continued to stay in touch with the new principal, Mr. Lee Gray, who encouraged us to support the development of YCare. This multi-dimensional after school program, an outreach initiative of the Memphis-based YMCA, was looking to come to Water Valley, he said,  and needed strong community support. 

It has been over a year since that first conversation with Principal Gray, but YCare, led by a Water Valley native, Ms. Monique Bush, is now coming to Water Valley with plans to begin operation in the fall. The development of “sustainability partners” is now underway, and at its monthly meeting this week Nativity’s Mission Committee voted to provide a grant of $5,000 to become one of YCare’s first sustainability partners. I couldn’t be more excited!

YCare will be offering a variety of after school programs, including tutoring, that will need community volunteers, and there will be opportunities for folks from Nativity to participate in various ways as the program establishes itself at Davidson Elementary. Though I will not be around to see all of this come to fruition, I am thrilled that YCare is coming to Water Valley and know that its impact will be felt, not only in rising test scores, but in an improving of the quality of life for Water Valley’s children. I know that Nativity will be in the middle of it all!

Other Matters of Importance: 

May 25-Rogation Sunday Luncheon at Home of Vivian McKey

After worship on Sunday, May 25 we will travel to Vivian and her family’s home just south of town(3313 CR 90) for a potluck luncheon and the traditional Rogation Day blessing of the fields- in this case the commercial flower fields of Kris McKey, Vivian’s daughter. It will be a great time for food, fellowship and fun on a beautiful spring day. Vivian will provide hamburgers and hot dogs, and there is a sign up sheet in the rear of the church for others to indicate what they will be bringing. Make plans to join us!

Compassion Ministry Food Box Packing Monday, May 19-

Thanks to all who have signed up to pack food boxes this Monday. The work will begin at 6:00 pm at the Compassion Ministries warehouse at 1301 Highway 7 North.

See you Sunday!

Blessings and Peace,

Duncan

Dmgrayiii@gmail.com

(601)260-1937

Reflections

Reflections

I have been thinking a lot these last two weeks about the life and legacy of Pope Francis. His death stirred deep emotions in people, both within and outside the Roman Catholic Church. Much has been made of his simplicity of life and his particular attention to those on the margins of society. I was particularly touched by his willingness to see Vice President Vance on the day before his death. The pope had been particularly critical of Vance on several matters, and had rebuffed Vance’s overture of a papal visit only days before. But then, facing his own death, he chose to make an overture to one with whom he was in deep disagreement. Such grace was stunning.

For several years I have been moved by his efforts to turn the Roman Catholic Church outward, focusing more on the needs of the world with less emphasis on doctrinal purity. The image he used of the church was a field hospital serving the wounded, rather than a fortress protecting the strong. I am sure Jesus was pleased.

In these past few days,  as I thought of Pope Francis, I was reminded of one of the  great leaders of our church in the 20th century, Archbishop of Canterbury William Temple. It was Temple  who first said that “the church  is the only institution that exists primarily for those outside of its membership”.

Pope Francis and Archbishop Temple remind us over and again that gathering for worship is not simply about me, and cannot be seen as an end to itself. Rather, gathering for word and sacrament within a nurturing community is more truly understood as a means of refreshment and renewal so that we can more fully serve the world in Jesus’s name.

Other Matters of Importance:

Compassion Ministry/Packing Food Boxes May 19-

On Monday, May 19 @ 6:00 pm we will gather at the Compassion Ministry site at 1301 Highway 7 North to pack food boxes for distribution to local families in need. If you can join us, please sign the sheet in the rear of the church. This will help in our planning.

Nativity’s Second Rogation Sunday Celebration and Blessing of the Fields-

May 25, immediately following worship, we will travel to the home of Vivian McKey and her family for a pot luck lunch and the traditional Blessing of the Fields. The address is 3313 CR 90, just south of Water Valley. Rogation Sunday is deeply rooted in our Church of England rural agricultural roots, and it serves as a great opportunity for us to gather together outdoors on a lovely (we hope)spring day to nurture the ties that bind us together. 

Reminder: For those who have received the Daughters of the King discernment 

workbooks, we will begin meeting this Wednesday, May 7 at 5:00pm. We will finish at 6:00. We will be working on the first two units of study.

Clergy Schedule- This Sunday, May 4, the Rev. Ann Whitaker will be our celebrant and preacher, as well as lead Bible Study prior to worship. The Vicar will be serving on staff of a Division of Youth Retreat Weekend. And so, in my absence, on that Star Wars Day, “May the Fourth be with you.” I know. It’s painful, but I couldn’t help myself.

Blessings and Peace,

Duncan

Dmgrayiii@gmail.com

(601)260-1937

Reflections

Reflections

Easter Sunday was a wonderful moment in the life of Nativity. More than 80 folks, including lots of visitors-young and old-jammed into our little church to remember and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. The wonderfully chaotic way in which chairs were brought over from the Salt and Light building, and folks moved around in the seats and pews to make way for others in this overflow moment, was a marvelous thing to behold. Loud noises from little people made for a wonderful angelic chorus from all the saints. Alexe and Kagan’s traditional hosting of a pot luck lunch at their home was a very special conclusion to this remarkable day for this amazing congregation. Alleluia! He is risen, indeed!

And then, a remarkable thing happens in the life of the church. On the heels of all of this excitement and joy, the Gospel reading for the Sunday after Easter gives us Thomas, in all his uncertainty, saying to his companions that unless he sees and touches the scars of Jesus he cannot believe that Jesus is alive. Just when we have been lifted up by the great joy, indeed certainty, of Easter, we are reminded that there is, within our our souls, that nagging doubt that it all may just be an illusion. It is in these moments that we all get in touch with our Missouri roots, and say, like Thomas, “Show me!”

I am going to preach on this reality on Sunday, so I won’t reflect much more in this newsletter. But, it is important to note that Jesus does come to Thomas and give to him what he needs. So, too, he comes to us, but maybe not quite in the way that we had anticipated.

Other Matters of Importance

Dates to Remember:

    May 19- At 6:00pm we will gather at the Compassion Food Ministry distribution center at 1301 Highway 7 North to pack boxes of food for distribution to families in need during that week. This is a joint project of churches in Water Valley and we will be sharing that day with our Methodist Church neighbors. There is a sign up sheet in the rear of the church that will help us in our planning.

    May 25- Rogation Sunday/ Blessing of the Fields. After worship we will gather at the home of Vivian McKey ( 3263 CR 90) and family for a pot luck lunch and the traditional blessing of the fields, which will include the commercial flower gardens of Vivian’s daughter, Kris. Rogation ( from the Latin, “rogare”, meaning “to ask”, in this case for blessing) Sundays have their origin in the rural parishes in our spiritual ancestor, the Church of England. On this particular Sunday the congregation would process into the fields just outside church forthe traditional blessing of the fields, that included prayers for an abundant harvest.

              We first did this Rogation celebration/ picnic at the home of Jenni Campbell, and it was lots of fun! Additional details will follow, but mark your calendars now!

Forward Day by Day Booklets-

        There is a limited supply of Forward Day by Day booklets available in the rear of the church for those who wish to use these daily devotional resources rom the Episcopal Church. Please know that these same devotional booklets have been made available to residents of our local jail, so that as you pray these daily, you will be in prayerful communion with those that Jesus asked us to be particularly mindful of. They are free of charge and cover the months of May, June and July. If there is a need, we will order additional copies.

Service Bulletins to be Discontinued-

       After 4+ years of writing and publishing the Sunday worship bulletins, James McCormick has asked to be able to step down from this responsibility. Thus, for the time being, the only handouts we will have for worship will be the scripture readings insert. Going forward, the Daughters of the King will be coordinating the prayer list that James has been putting in the bulletins.

       If you are willing to assume a role in the publishing of the church worship bulletin, please see James or the Vicar. James will be glad to train any interested person(s).

     Thank you, James, for your faithful and, mostly, unseen, work over these many years!

New Doors on the Blessing Box-

     The doors on the Blessing Box outside of the Church had, over time, lost their facade. . As you recall, the original structure had been built by Clyde Robinson, but the doors, in particular, were in need of repair. Our heartfelt thanks to Marty Pitre for repairing the doors and giving them a Nativity-like image. If you haven’t yet noticed them, take a look, and give Marty a high five for work well done!

See you Sunday!

Blessings and Peace,

Duncan

dmgrayiii@gmail.com

(601)260-1937