Nativity Newsletter

(photo of Debbie features her holding Neuty (the Nutria - King of Mardi Gras (2025) in New Orleans.)I am a lifelong Mississippi resident, for better or for worse. I grew up on a farm in the Mississippi Delta, attended Mississippi College in Clinton, went to law school at the University of Mississippi, and joined the faculty of the law school in 1981, where I taught until 2022. I did leave the state for two years to clerk for Judge Elbert Tuttle of the (then) Fifth Circuit and to do housing work at the Atlanta Legal Aid Society. My two passions in teaching have been housing and family law, and I still do work in both areas. I loved teaching, but especially clinical teaching. Working side by side with students on their first cases was always a thrill.Attending church (Sunday morning, night, and Wednesday night; revivals in the summer; church camp) was an important part of my childhood. We attended a small, country Baptist church nearour home. It was a warm, loving church community. The pastor for twelve years of my childhood tempered the harsh doctrine with a genuine spirit of love. But by the time I was 18, the exclusionary doctrines and focus on personal behavior rather than social justice made no sense to me. I went to a Baptist College nonetheless, which just led to more questions -- and some ill-advised decisions. I started smoking briefly because men could smoke but women couldn’t. Notmy best moment.For the next twenty years, I was not a part of any church. I still read books that inspired me (Thomas Merton in particular) but that was it. Then, in 1996, my twelve-year-old daughter, who attended Camp Bratton-Green with an Episcopal friend, asked me to go to the St. Peter’s Ash Wednesday service. The Episcopal Church was a breath of fresh air for me; the liturgy was moving. I was hooked immediately. I do miss the country church music of my childhood that isseared in my brain. But after 30 years I’ve learned a new set of hymns. Still, I’m grateful we sang “Rock of Ages” last Sunday. (The music at Nativity is beautiful). As an additional bonus, I was introduced to Neil White at St. Peter’s shortly after that Ash Wednesday service. We were married there in 1999. Neil and I will always feel a part of St. Peter’s. But sometimes what we need changes with the times we live in and the trajectory of our personal lives. The Church of the Nativity has become the place that calls to us.I am so grateful to be a part of this close, loving, energetic congregation. I look forward to every Sunday. I miss the service, the incredible lunch, and all of you on those weekends when the call of grandchildren takes us to New Orleans. The last year, without Duncan, has been a surprise to me. Like many of you, probably, I feared a dip in the energy, a drop in attendance, a feeling of being a bit lost. That has not happened. If anything, it feels stronger. I look forward to years of growing with Nativity and with you.

Those Who Serve - 4th Sunday of Lent - March 15, 2026Celebrant: Christopher PowellMusic: DianneAltar Guild: Liz/AnneLEM: JamesLectors: Suzy/JackMC POD: April

Lessons:

• 1 Samuel 16:1-13

• Ephesians 5:8-14

• John 9:1-41

• Psalm 23

  
  

Prayer Requests:Roxie: sister of Sally Lott McLellanJan NicholsSusan: sister of Les NicholsRichard: father of Dawn DenhamSteve: father of Kaityln DillardWilliam: friend of Margaret LoveBetty: aunt of Kathy ShoalmireLisa Grey: friend of Kathy ShoalmireSeth: friend of Patricia KruegerMatt: friend of Kathy ShoalmireThe young men and women called into servicePeace in the Middle East and the worldThe Mission CommitteeVicar Exploratory CommitteeThose Who Serve NativityCollect for NativityFather 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:Giving Life to Our Prayers workshop: This Saturday, March 14th from 10:00 am - 11:30 (meet in the church). Break for lunch at B.T.C. if able. Then wrap up in the Salt & Light Building. Contact Mary Beth Pulsifer for more information or to sign up (mpulsifer23@gmail.com)

Maundy Thursday (April 2) We will be having a Maundy Thursday service led by Michael Prager beginning at 6 p.m. We are also gauging interests in a potluck Agape Feast at Salt and Light following the service. If you would like to participate in a potluck, sign up at church or let Mary Beth know at mpulsifer23@gmail.com . If a decent number are interested we will let you know as the date approaches.April 16-17 - Small Church Conference  for all Lay and Ordained Leaders at All Saints, Grenada. See flyer for additional information.