Community Engagement
Nativity offers special services and fun events for the local community.
BLESSING BOX
The Blessing Box at Nativity: Love God, Love Others, Serve the World. Take what you need, give what you can. If you want to offer a blessing to the community, please feel free to do so! Just place it in the box. If you need a blessing, please come and take whatever you might need.
Suggested donation items
Canned protein (tuna, chicken, ham, Vienna sausages, spam), meals in cans, beef stew, beef chili, ravioli, chicken and dumplings, Chunky soups, Raman noodles, rice boxes that you only add water to (such as Rice-a-Roni), cereal, peanut butter and jelly, saltine crackers, cookies, pretzels.
Shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, shaving cream, feminine hygiene products, bar soap, liquid dish detergent, laundry detergent, toilet paper.
No medicine
No expired items or opened packages
Pop Top cans strongly preferred
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
In the fall, on a Saturday closest to the Feast of St. Francis, Nativity traditionally hosts a Blessing of the Animals.
WHEN Saturday closest to the Feast of St. Franci
WHO Everyone—and all species—are welcome
DETAILS Please bring pets on leashes or in carriers. Water is provided.
MARDI GRAS & LENTEN TRADITIONS
Nativity celebrates the eve of Lent with a Mardi Gras celebration.
WHAT Community Mardi Gras celebration
TRADITION Children “bury” a Hallelujah banner on the eve of Lent and “resurrect” it on Easter.
COMMUNITY EVENTS Parade down Main Street + gumbo cook-off
NOTE Activities occur annually as weather, interest, and planners allow.
CONTACT nativitywatervalley@gmail.com
SPRINGHILL NORTH M.B. CHURCH PARTNERSHIP
We share a close partnership focused on:
DISASTER RECOVERY Joint rebuilding after storms
FELLOWSHIP Member exchange and mutual visitation at each other’s services
12-STEP MEETINGS AT SALT & LIGHT
Nativity hosts weekly recovery meetings at the Salt & Light Building (across from the church):
AA (Alcoholics Anonymous)
NA (Narcotics Anonymous)
FAMILIES ANONYMOUS Forming, planned start early 2026
SCHEDULE See meeting times on the Salt & Light Building website.
YCARES SUMMER PROGRAM SPONSOR
We support YCares at Davidson Elementary School, committed to strengthening foundational skills for children in our community.
FOOD & FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Nativity partners with Compassion Ministries of Mississippi through:
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Ongoing financial support
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Volunteers who pack bulk food boxes for distribution
SALT & LIGHT BUILDING: COMMUNITY USE
We provide the Salt & Light Building for community events, including:
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Weekly 12-Step groups
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City festivals (e.g., Watermelon Carnival)
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Friends of the Blackmur Memorial Library book sales
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Local Arts Council events (e.g., Art Crawl)
…and more. -
FACILITY USE INQUIRIES nativitywatervalley@gmail.com
JAIL MINISTRY
We serve neighbors in the local jail by providing Forward Day by Day devotionals and special outreach during the holidays.