Nativity Newsletter

Mission Committee Spotlight: Vince Stroup, Jr. Warden

Vince Stroup was born and raised in north Mississippi. He grew up around the Enid/Pope area and graduated from South Panola. With the exception of brief stints in Oxford and the Delta, he spent his entire life in southern Panola County. He also spent a good bit of his youth in the big-little town of Crowder and the communities of Enid-Teasdale, visiting family and attending church.Vince attended Ole Miss, where he and Elle first met, and graduated with degrees in History and Classics. Thereafter, he began teaching, something he had wanted to do since Jr. High, in Greenville before moving to Oxford where he primarily taught Latin and Social Studies. He is currently teaching at Batesville Junior High School. Over the years, he has taught a few different subjects but is mainly interested in getting students to think critically and ask questions about the world in which they live.

Vince attended many different churches over the past decade but had never quite found one that felt like home. But about a year and a half ago, Elle recommended a small Episcopal Church in Water Valley she's heard about from others. He was skeptical at first since he has what he calls a "low-church background", but said they were immediately welcomed and knew this was where they should be. Vince says he is sure that he can speak for Elle and their children when he says that they are blessed to be a part of Nativity.

Vince spent most of his life as a Southern Baptist and asks that we bear with him as he learns the legacy and liturgy of the Episcopal Church. He noted that besides being involved in the youth group a couple of decades ago, he has not served in any official church roles; but says he will do his best to fulfill the duties of Junior Warden and will appreciate any feedback anyone may have.

Second Sunday of Lent:

Celebrant: The Rev. Ann Whitaker

Music:

LEM: Joe

Altar Guild: Vivian/Jackie

Lectors: Eddie/Tommy

MC POD: James

Lessons:

Genesis 12:1-4a

Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

John 3:1-17

Psalm 121

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:

Undesignated Offering March 1 - will be used for Nativity's Hunger Relief Efforts and Ministry.

Lenten Book Study continues every Saturday through Lent from 9-10:30 a.m. Prone to Wander by Joanna Harader. All are welcome.

March 1 - 9:00 am - Jack Barry will discuss his experience with the Hindu faith and the parallels he has seen with Christianity. We will meet in the Salt & Light building.

March 14th - 10:00 am - Outreach Workshop: The Rev. Sarah Stripp, Deacon at St. Andrews and managing director for Springboard to Opportunities, a non-profit helping families in affordable housing reach their goals, will be conducting a workshop for us. We will meet 10-12 in the sanctuary, break for lunch, and conclude 1:30-3 in the Salt & Light. (Note: those attending the Lenten Study are welcome to join when finished.)

The Rev. Sarah Stripp serves as a vocational deacon at the Cathedral. In addition, Sarah is the Director of Socioeconomic Wellbeing for Springboard To Opportunities, a nonprofit helping families in affordable housing reach their goals in life, work, and school and has been working in community development based non-profits for the last 12 years. While Sarah grew up in Michigan, she has been in Mississippi since 2014 and now considers it home and is passionate about creating communities where all people have an opportunity to flourish. Sarah is a graduate of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network Fellowship and the Aspen Institute’s Jackson Workforce Leadership Academy.

And here is the short description of the session:

Giving Life to our Prayers is a workshop designed to support parishes in recognizing the needs of their community around them and creatively consider the assets they already have to help meet those needs and embody the prayers that we pray every Sunday morning. This interactive workshop will include activities, discussion, and personal reflection as we develop an action plan for moving forward together.

REGISTRATION for Camp Bratton-Green

Registration for camp is now open on the following website:

https://graycenter.org/camp-bratton-green/. Parents, if you are interested in a scholarship from Nativity for your child to attend camp this summer (or any Diocesan Youth Event throughout the year), please contact Sr. Warden Mary Beth Pulsifer @ mpulsifer23@gmail.com.