- NativityWV Episcopal
- Sep 18
- 5 min read
Nativity Spotlight: Susan Hunsicker Still by Sally Lott McLellan
Susan Hunsicker Still is the longest living member of the Church of the Nativity. No, that doesn’t mean she was around when the church was built in 1869 – but her history with the church is absolutely rich! She was a member in the 50s and 60s and was married there in the last formal wedding in the building before it was destroyed by a tornado in 1984 (on April 21st , Susan’s birthday!).
Susan is a native of Water Valley, the daughter of John and Margaret Hunsicker. The Hunsicker family was originally from Ohio but Margaret was from Water Valley. John and Margaret met at Camp McCain in Elliott, Mississippi, where John was recovering from a shrapnel wound and Margaret was a telephone operator. A WWII romance! Susan moved away in 1969 to attend Mississippi State College for Women (now Mississippi University for Women) where she received both bachelor's and master’s degrees in Special Education. After teaching in various places she returned to Water Valley in 1980 so that her daughter Brandy could grow up with family. She was one of a group of cousins who were close in age, and she was christened in Nativity.
When a tornado destroyed the church – literally lifting and moving the structure into a neighbor’s yard (see photos)– Susan’s father was able to save some relics before they were stolen, including the chalice, cross and candle holders. As Junior Warden of the church, John was instrumental in it’s reconstruction. Some of the stained glass windows were salvageable – the lilies and the round windows – and John remade the others. The consecration date for the rebuilt church was in October of 1985. Susan’s father eventually served as a Senior Warden and her mother was on the Altar Guild. During a period when attendance was sparse, before the church was closed, Susan kept it clean. And she in fact was a Senior Warden. Who knew?!
When Susan returned to Water Valley in 1980 she was an active member of the church. During a time of low membership, Duncan Gray (as Bishop) closed the church in 2003, and it was reopened in 2017 by Bishop Brian Seage. Susan didn’t resume fellowship at the church at that time. Her recent return was due to Beth Mayeaux, who talked her into coming back and she “fell in love with everyone,” she said. She is devoted to Nativity, not only because of her family’s affiliation but because the nature of the church is so open and giving. Like Liz Reynolds said, “you come in and you just don’t leave!” Just imagine how proud she must feel sitting there on Sunday services and seeing the contribution her parents made to the life of the church, and what she herself has given to its livelihood.
The Salt & Light Building is one of the most delightful things about Nativity, says Susan. “We’re building relationships with people we might not otherwise get to know. That time together after church brings more understanding, and more connections. People are welcomed with open arms.” She loves being one of the Ladies of the Nativity, and what she loves the most about Nativity is that as she meets new people in the church, she is accepted just as she is. And isn’t that true of many of us at Nativity? We’ve joined this tiny little church in this small town and found a huge and loving community – a family.
Sunday, September 21, 2025 - Morning Prayer - Michael Prager
Lessons
Jeremiah 8:18-9:1
Psalm 79:1-9
1 Timothy 2:1-7
Luke 16:1-13
Those Who Serve
Lectors: Eddie, James
Altar Guild: Liz
MC POD: Eddie
Announcements:
Coffee Hour: Please bring a dish (we are lacking signed-up hosts for the next several Sundays). Also, if you are able, please consider staying to help clean-up! Many hands make light work. Thank you!
From the Senior Warden, Mary Beth Pulsifer
Recognizing that children and young families represent the future of our church, The Mission Committee is seeking to develop a standing Youth Ministry Committee. This committee will be involved in both short and long-term planning and organizing around youth activities and programs, youth Christian Formation, and creation of child-friendly spaces. If you are interested in serving and/or chairing this committee, contact our Senior Warden, Mary Beth (mpulsifer23@gmail.com)
Shortly after the close of the third quarter (September 30), Treasurer Eddie Wood will be sending out e-mails to all who pledged to the church this year to advise on the status of 2025 pledge payments received to date. Look out for this email in early October.
Anyone interested in becoming licensed by the Bishop as a Lay Eucharistic Minister or Lay Eucharistic Visitor, please contact Robbie Fisher at robbiedfisher@gmail.com
Anyone interested in serving on the Finance Committee to assist with the development of the 2026 church budget, please contact Robbie Fisher. This committee will work primarily October through December.
Ladies' Spiritual Retreat: led by Rev. Jennifer Holder - October 3-4
The Ladies' of Nativity will be hosting the retreat focused on the little book "Help Thanks Wow: The Three Essential Prayers" by acclaimed author Anne Lamott. Lamott is an author full of wit and teeming with life experiences she readily shares. She leads readers into spiritual exploration along with her by her comfortable writing style.
The retreat will begin Friday with gathering at the Salt & Light building beginning at 5:30 pm for dinner provided by the LON. The HELP session will be held after dinner. Saturday morning we will gather at 9:00 am for a continental breakfast followed by the THANKS session. We will break for lunch on your own and then will have the WOW session after lunch There will be a period of a private meditation walk before concluding with afternoon prayer time using the Celtic prayer book from the community of Lindisfarne on England's Holy Island.
Participants are asked to read or listen to the book prior to the retreat if at all possible.
The retreat leader, Rev. Jennifer Holder, is a retired priest who makes her home in Hattiesburg, MS. She attends Trinity Episcopal Church there and also serves as a supply priest around the Diocese of Mississippi. Jennifer moved to Mississippi from Texas in 2023 where she had been a deacon and a hospital chaplain in Dallas, the priest for Canterbury House at Texas Tech University in Lubbock and rector of St. Christopher's Episcopal Church.
I am very excited to lead this retreat. It evolved from chats with new friends (Margaret Love Denman, Kathy Shoalmire, and Mariamne Young) made at Cursillo 138 in April. I have used this amazinglyl simple primer on prayer for several retreats and it often shapes my own prayers. It has drawn me closer to God. I hope it can help others, too," Mother Jennifer said.
For more information please contact Kathy Shoalmire at (662) 801-6695 or nativitywatervalley@gmail.com.