NATIVITY OF THE
NEWS & EVENTS
Guest Speaker --Deacon Mark Roosien "And He Ascended into Heaven"
May 20, 2020 / Zoom Meeting
7:00pm
Listen to Deacon Mark Roosien speak on the importance of the often forgotten Feast of the Ascension (via Zoom).
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87177309662?pwd=a0lHeHowMThLUXhPaFphQzdWdFdDQT09Deacon Mark has a PhD in Liturgical Studies from the University of Notre Dame and is currently teaching at Yale Divinity School.
Please reach out to Allison if you did not receive the weekly email and need the Zoom Meeting ID and Password.
Stephen Ministry Open House Q and A
May 6, 2020 / Zoom Video Recording
Below is a link from our Sunday Stephen Ministry open house. It is about an hour. We discussed some very important information regarding the "next steps" for our Stephen Ministry program. Enjoy!
https://www.dropbox.com/s/4hzj6rm797t3r5a/StephenMinistryQ%26A-5-3-20.mp4?dl=0
John is our Referrals Coordinator. If you would like a Stephen Minister, or know of someone in the parish who would benefit from a Stephen Minister, please contact him at jldaniels@aol.com
Plans for reopening parish
May 9, 2020
Below you will see a link for a presentation regarding opening Nativity in the future.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/f4emy73655ptvzx/FrBill-5-10-20-COVID19-Update1.mp4?dl=0Please feel free to reach out to Fr. Bill with any concerns and/or questions
Orthodox Church in America addresses COVID-19 (Corona Virus)
Mar 4, 2020
The Orthodox Church in America put out a special announcement about the Coronavirus this weekend. The link is below. Please read it.
Upcoming Town Hall Meetings
Mar 29, 2020 / Church
As was previously mentioned, we will host three Town Hall meetings to discuss various aspects of our parish life. Details regarding the meetings will be sent around shortly. The parish council has been working very hard to make these meetings productive and life-giving. The meetings will be repeated so you may choose to attend all three or just one if you wish. Notes will be sent around after each meeting. SUNDAY, MARCH 29 --- TOWN HALL MEETING #1 SUNDAY, APRIL 5---TOWN HALL MEETING #2 SUNDAY, MAY 3 --- TOWN HALL MEETING #3
Lenten Donations Needed - Men's Rescue Mission
Mar 4, 2020
During the season of Great Lent our parish has been asked to donate the following items for the Men's Rescue Mission. Items will be blessed on Palm Sunday and donated to the mission. May we always strive to serve God and neighbor. You may bring the items and put them in the back of the Church. Toothpaste (regular size) Men's deodorant (regular size) Small wash clothes (any color)
Communities of Calling - Called to Worship
Mar 4, 2020 / Church
As Orthodox Christians we all have a common calling to worship God. Our practice is to worship God in community. You are all encouraged to attend and to participate in the various Lenten services which are noted below. Every Wednesday evening during Lent we have the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts followed by a Lenten Potluck Supper. These Wednesday evening services are a good way to share both faith and fellowship. If you cannot attend all of them plan to attend a few. You will learn more about your faith and also share fellowship which is an important part of our community life.
Holy Week and Pascha Sign Up Sheets Coming
Mar 4, 2020
Next week we will have several sign up sheets available for various tasks that need to be done during Holy Week and Pascha. There are various opportunities for service and volunteering such as: 1. Donation of 15 dozen red dyed eggs that will be distributed on Pascha night 2. Purchasing of candy and putting them in bags for our Easter Egg Hunt and volunteers to arrange the Easter Egg Hunt, which will be Sunday, April 26 3. Help with arranging flowers for our Holy Friday service for Friday April 17 4. Help with our two processions for Holy Friday and Pascha night. 5. Set up and clean up of our Education Building for our Pascha Agape Meal. 6. Readers to read the 15 Old Testament Readings on Holy Saturday, April 18. 7. Help decorating the Church for Palm Sunday on Saturday April 11.
Great Lent is Coming!
Mar 2, 2020 / Church
This year the season of Great Lent begins on Sunday, March 1 with the Vespers of Forgiveness and Rite of Forgiveness. Please see our parish schedule below regarding our various Lenten services. However, several weeks before Lent begins we have what is called "Pre-Lenten Sundays" which prepare us for Lent. Soon we will be hearing two special hymns at the end of Liturgy: "Open to me the Doors of Repentance" and "By the Waters of Babylon" which both speak about the need for forgiveness and repentance. These hymns will be sung throughout Lent as a reminder for our constant need to change and become more and more like Jesus. Jesus forgave, we are called to forgive. Jesus loved, we are called to love. Jesus was generous, we are called to be generous.
Consider Giving Online
Feb 5, 2020 / https://holyvirgin.net/donations/
Giving online allows us maintain a steady stream of donations so that we can continue God's work. For questions about online giving please contact Matt Reuther at [scoer84@gmail.com](mailto:scoer84@gmail.com) PARISH WEBSITE [https://holyvirgin.net](https://holyvirgin.net/) ONLINE GIVING [https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/1088287](https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/1088287)
Assistant Choir Director Needed
Feb 5, 2020
We are looking for someone who feels called to serve as an assistant choir director to help Dianne. Basic tasks and requirements are below. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND TASKS: 1. Be an active member of our parish community (i.e regular Church attendance at Vespers and Divine Liturgy) 2. Participate in the Sacrament of Holy Confession and Communion. 3. Have a keen interest in music. However, professional music training IS NOT required. 4. Be able and willing to work with Dianne in your new role as assistant director 5. Be able and willing to pursue basic Orthodox music directing classes online under the guidance of the OCA Liturgical Music program. Nativity will pay for this training. 6. Learn basic Orthodox music rubrics and directing skills. 7. Be able to work closely with both Fr. Bill and Dianne.
If you think that you are called to this ministry please reach out to either Dianne or Fr. Bill.
Meal at the Mission
Feb 9, 2020
Every month, our parish purchases food and cooks a hot lunch for approximately one hundred men at the Men’s Rescue Mission in Charlotte.
Please contact Matt Winter if you would like to help mcw2166@tc.columbia.edu
Sewing at the FCC
Feb 5, 2020
Please contact Ann Lowther if you would like to help teach sewing to teenage moms. You do not need to know how to sew; your presence would provide company and fellowship to the girls. Cell 704-778-8851, email [ann@gadget.org](mailto:ann@gadget.org). These are the upcoming dates and times for sewing: February 15 at 2:00 pm February 29 at 11:00 am March 21 at 2:00 pm March 28 at 2:00 pm
Loaves and Fishes Canned Food Drive
Feb 5, 2020
Please bring canned food to Church with you every Sunday. Last year, Loaves & Fishes provided groceries to over 77,600 people. 46% were children.
Annual Talent Show and Candy Donations
Dec 8, 2019 / Church
After Liturgy
Once again, we will have our Annual Parish Talent Show on Sunday, December 8. Let's share our wonderful talent with Archbishop Alexander! A sign up sheet is in the coffee room and Erynn will set up a SignUp Genius
We are also seeking candy donations and volunteers to wrap the candy. We need approximately 50-60 bags.
Parish Painting
Nov 23, 2019 / Church
4:00pm
We are having the entire inside of the Church building painted this week. We are seeking donations to help pay for this. Please be generous. We prefer not to use funds from savings to pay for this project. Thank you for your generosity!
We also need 5-6 people to help with putting items back and some light cleaning on Saturday afternoon around 4pm. More hands mean less work!
Angel Tree Program
Dec 8, 2019 / Church
Diann Zablotsky has 5 "Angels" left who need adoption. She will not be in Church next Sunday but you can email her if you would like to adopt a little Angel. Gifts are due back on our before Sunday, December 8. You can contact Diane at dlzablot@gmail.com
The Relatives House
Nov 17, 2019 / The Relatives House
1:00pm - 3:00pm
The Relatives House is a safe house for local youth who need support. We will provide minute to win it games and snacks.
Advent Youth Retreat
Dec 7, 2019 / Church
10:00am - 7:00pm
We will have an all day Advent youth retreat. We will begin our day at 10:00am and finish with Vespers. Our bishop, Archbishop Alexander, will be in town that weekend and the parish is providing dinner after Vespers if you would like to stay for that too.
Donation Request - Dove's Nest
Feb 5, 2020
The Dove's Nest, which is the female side of the Men's Rescue Mission is in need of laundry pods* and laundry supplies. They have over 100 women staying with them in October through December.
You can give throught our donations page.
Deacon Informational Meeting
Oct 29, 2019 / Church
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Fr. Bill is hosting a deacon informational meeting and pizza supper for any men who may be interested in serving as a deacon one day.
Please RSVP to Fr. Bill at wcmills3@yahoo.com or 704-894-0363.
Stephen Ministry Guest Speaker
Nov 3, 2019 / Church