Nativity Newsletter

Spotlight: Nativity Mission Committee Secretary: April Hammons

Like a lot of us here at Nativity, I am not a cradle Episcopalian. I was raised in the Methodist church in Northeast Louisiana. I came to St. David’s Episcopal Church in my home town of Rayville as an eight-year-old because my Brownie troop met there. I and my fellow troop members were invited to a service at St. David’s for a recognition ceremony. I remember sitting by an elderly parishioner who thoughtfully guided me through the service. Kneeling and standing over and over again and reciting from the Book of Common Prayer was different but also felt strangely familiar and right. When Let Us Break Bread Together played during Holy Communion, I had what I would describe as my first “religious experience.” I would continue to attend St. David’s with my best friend. After graduating from college, I moved to Jackson, Mississippi. I was confirmed at St James Episcopal Church in Jackson by Bishop John Allin. I was married at St. James, both of my children were confirmed there, and I spent many years there as a catechist in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program. I left St. James in 2016 after my divorce.

In 2017, I remarried and in 2022 my husband Jack and I bought a house on Market Street in Water Valley. I walked into Nativity for the first time on Pentecost Sunday of 2022. I quickly realized that most of the people I had met since moving to “the Valley” also attended Nativity. I immediately felt at home there and knew that I had found a special community of like-minded souls. We have all learned about the three pillars of our faith: scripture, tradition, and reason. As I described in my first childhood experience with the Church, it was the tradition that pulled me in! I loved the ritual, the incense, the music, the liturgy, and all the other details that have come to be so familiar to me. What keeps me in the Church, however, especially now, is reason. I both love and appreciate the fact that we are both allowed and encouraged to ask big questions. The times that we are in currently feel difficult. The world can be scary. When I am overwhelmed, I know that I can go to church on Sunday and be filled with the Word that always reminds me of the love that God has for each of us and also be surrounded by this wonderful community that makes Nativity the wonderful place it is!

As for my life outside of Nativity, I can be found Monday through Friday working at the University Counseling Center. I am a Licensed Certified Social Worker and have worked in that field for over 30 years. My husband Jack and I enjoy cooking, entertaining, and going to see live music! Between us, we have three adult children. We love our little house on Market Street and wonder aloud every day how we got so lucky as to end up in this house, in this town, with so many wonderful friends!

Sunday, August 3, 2025 - Morning Prayer with Michael Prather - 10:30 a.m.

Lessons for Sunday

Hosea 11:1-11

Psalm 107:1-9, 43

Colossians 3:1-11

Luke 12:13-21

Those who serve: Tommy Reynolds and Liz Reynolds

Altar Guild: Margaret-Love Denman and Liz Reynolds

Announcements:

For those assisting with handing out lemonade for the Watermelon Carnival on Saturday, there is parking behind the building.  

INVITATION TO CELEBRATE

You are cordially invited to rejoice with us in the glorious rebirth of our church on August 3, 2025! Join us for an uplifting morning service at 8:15 a.m. and an empowering afternoon service at 3:00 p.m., featuring the dynamic Rev. Mitch Steen. Together, let's lift our voices in triumphant praise to the Lord! Dear friends and fellow believers, come witness the magnificent work of God. Eternal gratitude from the Springhill Church Family.

Nativity Newsletter

Mission Committee Member Focus this week is James McCormick, Jr. Warden

Fifty years ago if somebody had predicted, “James, in the year 2025 you will be all settled down. You will be living in a small town in Mississippi. You will be retired from teaching Statistics. You will be a grandpa, and you will be active in the local Episcopal church.” Eighteen-year-old James would have laughed long and hard at the absolute absurdity of such a bizarre future for myself.

You see, my ‘life plan’ 50 years ago was to ride my bicycle to Tierra del Fuego and then turn around and ride to Alaska. That travel adventure did not happen. Instead, I am enjoying a marvelous and fulfilling life journey filled with love, family, and fun. The fulfilling journey led Juawice and me here to Water Valley in 2019. We love it here. Nativity Episcopal Church has been a vital part of our life here in Water Valley. We have found friendship and inspiration through our involvement in this little church.

Personally, I am deeply skeptical of all things Theological — but I thoroughly believe in this little church. I believe in this little church because it truly is a place where we ‘lift our hearts to the Lord’. It is a place that prioritizes helping people. I think Nativity has the whole “with gladness and singleness of heart” thing dialed in solid.

I am proud to be serving as Nativity’s Junior Warden. Also, there is absolutely no truth to those rumors about me building an AI VicarBot in my garage.

Sunday, July 27, 2025 - Rev. Ann L. Whitaker, TSSF - Holy Eucharist - 10:30 a.m.

Lessons for Sunday

Hosea 1:2-10

Psalm 85

Colossians 2:6-15, (16-19)

Luke 11:1-13

Message from Rev. Ann L. Whitaker, TSSF

Calling all students, homeschoolers, professors, teachers, school workers, school board members, and lifelong learners: A Back to School Blessing is scheduled at Nativity for July 27. Children are invited to bring backpacks or other school supplies to the blessing. We will gather together to remember ALL learners for the 2025-2026 school year. I look forward to joining everyone for this special event.

Blessings,

Ann +

The Rev. Ann L. Whitaker, TSSF

Announcements:

Watermelon Carnival Nativity Lemonade Stand - two hour shifts. Set-up will be outside of Salt & Light Building. See sign-up sheet on Sunday. We need at least 3 people per shift starting at 8:00 am and ending at 4:00 pm.

Reflections

Reflections Week of July 14, 2025

I am a native of Booneville, Mississippi.  When I was born, I weighed 11 lbs. 6 ozs.  My sister, who is eight years older than me, weighed 9 pounds plus when she was born.  After my birth my mother decided that she didn’t want to have any more children because she was scared of what the next child might weigh!

I grew up in my local Methodist Church where my father was Church School Superintendent for many years.  When I was a child I may have asked my parents once if we were going to go to church on Sunday; but never had to ask again.  Because of my parents’ dedication to the church, I have eight years of perfect attendance Sunday school pins – eight years in a row!

I was a band nerd growing up and played drums both in both my high school and college bands.  I still play to this day and sometimes even get paid for it!

I’m a graduate of Mississippi State University with a B.S. degree in Business.  My work background is 41 years spent in banking and workforce development.  All of those years were spent helping others in one way or another. 

I fondly call Nativity “Our Little Church” because even though we’re small in number, we do big things in our community.  A highlight is that former Bishop Duncan Gray married my wife Dawn and me at Nativity.  I am honored to be Nativity’s treasurer and to be a part of moving our church forward.

Lessons for Sunday, July 20, 2025 - Morning Prayer with Joe York, LEM

Amos 8:1-12

Psalm 52

Colossians 1:15-28

Luke 10:38-42

Announcements

Volunteers Needed. 

Watermelon Carnival Nativity Lemonade Stand - two hour shifts. Set-up will be outside of Salt & Light Building. See sign-up sheet on Sunday. We need at least 3 people per shift starting at 8:00 am and ending at 4:00 pm.

Coffee Hour volunteers are needed. See sign-up sheet in the Salt & Light Building.

Flowers for the altar. If you would like to place flowers on the altar, there is a sign-up sheet in the back of the church. Also, if you want the Altar Guild to purchase the flowers for you, there are envelopes in the back of the pew. Sally Lott McLellan has been very gracious to offer her talent of flower arranging at no charge. A minimum donation of $40 is requested. Any left-over funds will be used by the Altar Guild for special occasions such as Christmas and Easter.

Church Administrator named.  The Mission Committee has designated Kathy Shoalmire as the church administrator. This is a non-paid position. She will continue to work with Alexe to get the newsletter out along with some other administrative duties. Kathy can be reached at kathybshoal@icloud.com or by text at (662) 801-6695.

Please let Kathy know now if you have prayer requests. We have two lists: 1. Public list and 2. Private list only shared with the Daughters of the King, who have taken a vow of confidentiality.

Coming Soon. Blessing of the backpacks by Rev. Ann Whitaker on 7/27/25.

Announcements! On August 10th, Bishop Dorothy Wells and former Bishop Michael Curry will meet in Jackson, MS for a conversation about Emmett Till.