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.