Nativity View

The 14th social statement of the ELCA, Faith and Civic Life: Seeking the Well-being of All, was adopted by the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly (our church’s highest legislative body) on August 1, 2025 by a vote of 762-16.

Social statements are the ELCA’s primary documents to address significant social issues. They are intended to aid reflection, shape conscience and set forth the ELCA’s teaching and policy on the major social issues and questions of contemporary life. Social statements are developed by task forces, using an established process of study and widespread participation across the church to guide theological and moral deliberation. The ELCA develops its social teaching documents through extensive discernment procedures that encourage participation by the whole people of God and literally thousands have contributed over this statement’s five-year development process.

Faith and Civic Life: Seeking the Well-being of All is a big picture document. The six sections systematically act as a go-between among broad theological, ethical, political, and social principles and analysis to provide reasoning that responds to questions about and obstacles to the flourishing of civic life in U.S. society. The title of the social statement captures a primary conviction of our church. God creates society with the intention that civic life seeks the well-being of all. Civic life should not favor any select group, the well-off, or the powerful.

Article 38 of the statement pertains directly to a topic we have been exploring here at Nativity: healthy patriotism versus Christian Nationalism.

The ELCA understanding of civic life and faith affirms healthy forms of patriotism. Patriotism is to love one’s country, to pray for its well-being, to be committed to its success, to have a sense of pride in it, to criticize it, and to work for its reform when necessary. All of these can be elements of how Christians and their communities live out discipleship as individuals and in corporate bodies.

There are also unhealthy expressions of patriotism. They actually are distortions of true patriotism and can be dangerous for the country and for vulnerable populations within it. Such forms of unhealthy patriotism attribute to the country, to a political party, to certain individuals, or even to a racial or ethnic group a veneration, worship, loyalty, or trust owed to God alone (Mark 12:17). Christ’s church cannot condone elevating a country or anything else to the place that belongs only to God, because this is succumbing to idolatry. This statement rejects unhealthy forms of patriotism, including those related to any form of religious nationalism. (Article 38, lines 1457-1468)

Recently Pastor Anderson sent a letter (via email) to our Nativity community informing folks of a series of Temple Talks at Sunday worship and two opportunities for Congregational Conversation after worship all regarding the topic of Christian Nationalism and the possibility of a public statement by the congregation. Council members Fred Walker, Carolyn Ramm, and Jane Monhart will present short Temple Talks on September 7, 14, and 21 respectively. On September 28 and October 5 we will have Congregational Conversations---time to ask questions and have discussion. One thing we will discuss is development of a congregational statement that could be shared on our website, in our newsletter, and possibly through local media. If you have questions about this process, speak with Pastor Anderson or any of the talk presenters.

You can read more of the Faith and Civic Life: Seeking the Well-being of All by clicking here.

The Team is thrilled to share our 2025 fall learning series entitled Wasted Food: Challenges and Community Solutions. Get out your calendars, mark the following dates, invite your neighbors, and join us in welcoming our lineup of guest speakers.

Tuesday, September 30, 3-5pm Picker Room, Camden Public Library

“Wasted Food in Maine: An Overview” - Susanne Lee, faculty fellow at UMaine’s Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions will tell us about Food Rescue Maine and lead a conversation about statewide efforts to reduce food waste by engaging with businesses, institutions, and households.

Now that we have an overview, let’s look at what is happening in our local area. How can we rate our community? Let’s ask some questions, let’s get involved, let’s become participants in a nationwide waste problem.

Tuesday, October 14, 3:30-5:00pm “Community Food Rescue and Waste Reduction” - Nativity hosts a panel of three community members actively involved in efforts to capture uneaten food. More details to come.

Tuesday, October 28, noon-2pm “How Restaurants and Food Vendors Handle Food Sustainability” - Nativity hosts a panel of three representatives from local businesses sharing how they manage food waste responsibly. More news to come. (40% food waste comes from restaurants, grocery stores, and food service companies)

Saturday, November 8, 10am-noon “Reducing Food Waste at Home” - Nativity hosts our final topic of avoiding food waste at home, as presenters share tips and tricks that can make you proud to participate. Details incoming. (43% food waste comes from our homes)

Fun Fact or Not So Fun: Did you know food waste comprises about 24% of municipal solid waste disposed of in landfills? Due to its quick decay rate, food waste in landfills is contributing to more methane emissions than any other landfilled materials. (AI Overview)

Till next month! Enjoy a daily dose of Vitamin N from NATURE!

Occasional contributor and excited member of the Creation Care Team,

Gretchen Hanna

The Rev. Yehiel Curry was elected as the next presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Phoenix, Ariz., on July 30, 2025. He will begin this role on Oct. 1, 2025, and be installed on Oct. 4 in Minneapolis. Currently, he serves as bishop of the ELCA Metropolitan Chicago Synod, where he leads a synod staff and 160 congregations by providing pastoral care, preaching, teaching, administering sacraments, and overseeing ordinations and installations. He was elected synod bishop in 2019 and reelected in spring 2025. Curry chaired the ELCA Conference of Bishops, fostering ecumenical relationships and theological engagement across the Lutheran communion. Previously, Curry served as the mission developer (2007–2012) and pastor (2013–2019) of Shekinah Chapel Lutheran Church in Riverdale, Ill. He has also been a seventh-grade teacher and a social worker. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill., and a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. He and his wife, LaShonda, are the proud parents of three daughters.

You are welcome to join Pastor Anderson on Tuesdays, 9:30 - 11:00 AM, for casual and spontaneous conversation. Come and go at whatever time works for you. We will begin September “Out of the Office and into Creation,” continuing our weekly coffee gathering in local parks to avoid the seasonal rush at local establishments for the first three weeks of September. Most of the parks have some kind of seating but you may want to bring your own folding chair to be more comfortable and for the flexibility to move into the shade.

If it rains we’ll gather inside at Main Street Markets, 435 Main Street, Rockland.

As the mornings grow cooler we will move back inside and gather at local coffee shops the last two weeks of September and into fall and winter.

Sept 2 - Glen Cove Park, Rt 1, Rockport

Sept 9 - G.W. Hodson Park, Molyneaux Rd., Camden

Sept 16 - Owls Head Lighthouse State Park, 186 Lighthouse Road, Owls Head

Sept 23 - School House Bakery, 21 River Rd, ME-131 Tenants Harbor

Sept 30 - Main Street Markets, 435 Main St., Rockland

Ilga Harrington would like to thank very much the many members of Nativity for their many kind prayers, cards and support on the passing of my husband Rod Harrington on July 18, 2025.

His Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, September 6th at 11:00 am at Emmaus Lutheran Church, 265 Middle Rd., Falmouth ME.

It will be live on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/live/w3fvqaFjgeQ?feature=shared

The Sunday Adult Bible Study Class, led by Pastor Kathy Ash-Flashner, will begin its new year on Sunday, September 7th at 9 am. As decided last spring, the class will begin the year by undertaking a close examination of the book of Hebrews. After an introduction to the book of Hebrews, we'll begin with Chapter 1. For those with study Bibles, participants are invited to read the introduction to the book of Hebrews before class. Don't have a study Bible or time to read? Just come to class. Everyone is welcomed! The class gathers in the meeting room.

The beginning of September means it's time for a new choir season. Our Nativity Church choir is veteran and dependable; they love to sing and bring you the Word through the dimension of song. It would be fun for all of us to add a few more capable voices to their mix this year. Choir rehearsal is 9 AM on Sunday morning so it is a commitment to get up and get going but we have fellowship, build our voices, and reliably laugh our heads off. Plus perform valuable and appreciated service to our home and the Church we care so much for, Nativity Lutheran.

Please consider joining us.

Charles Brown, Music Director

The Theotalk discussion group will focus its discussions for 2025-26 on issues related to Jesus and the early Jesus movement in the first two centuries after he lived. The two books we will discuss are the following:

• Miracles and Wonder: The Historical Mystery of Jesus by Elaine Pagels. This is a lively and interesting review of current thinking about some persistent issues about Jesus – the virgin birth, who Jesus was exactly, what is the good news, the crucifixion and resurrection, and how Jesus became God. It concludes with a very interesting look at how new converts, artists and filmmakers engage Jesus today

• After Jesus, Before Christianity: A Historical Exploration of the First Two Centuries of Jesus Movements by multiple participants in the Westar Institute’s Christianity Seminar. Instead of interpreting the early history of Jesus movements “backwards” through today’s eyes, they explore that history “forward,” trying to unravel what happened over the centuries before Christianity became consolidated as a formal religion.

We expect to have five sessions during the year, mostly on Zoom, but the first discussion will be held Tuesday, September 23, at 4:00 PM at Ted and Betty Long’s home. At this session, we will discuss the Introduction and Chapters 1-3 of “Miracles and Wonder.” Following the discussion, at 5:30, we will enjoy some wine, snacks and social time. Those who cannot attend in person can join the discussion via Zoom or telephone.

Anyone who has questions or would like to join the discussions for the first time should contact Ted Long

Editor's note: Did we miss your birthday? Please email your birthday date to kmusicorama@gmail.com so that we can add you to our monthly salutation.

Click on the Nativity Lutheran Church Calendar Link below if you would like an "easy-to-read" full size view of the month.

It will open a new window featuring the calendar.

Monday, September 1 - Happy Labor Day!

7:00 PM - Men's Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting, Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, September 2

9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours

Glen Cove Park, Rt 1, Rockport

3:00 PM Coastal Family Hospice Women’s Bereavement Group

Thursday, September 4

8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom

Saturday, September 6

11:00 AM - Celebration of Life Service for Rod Harrington

Emmaus Lutheran Church, 265 Middle Rd., Falmouth ME

AIO ArtFeeds program begins Saturday, Sept. 6th with an opening at Page Gallery

https://www.aiofoodpantry.org/news-events/annual-artfeeds-is-on-its-way

Sunday, September 7

9:00 AM - Choir practice in the Sanctuary; Adult Bible Study in the Meeting Room

10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Temple Talk: Fred Walker

Monday, September 8

10:00 AM - Glory Girls and Guys, Fellowship Hall

7:00 PM - Men's Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting, Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, September 9

9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours

G.W. Hodson Park, Molyneaux Rd., Camden

Thursday, September 11

8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom

3:00 PM - Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers Grief Group for Parents

Saturday, Sept. 13

AIO ArtFeeds Auction Day

Sunday, September 14

9:00 AM - Choir practice in the Sanctuary; Adult Bible Study in the Meeting Room

10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Temple Talk: Carolyn Ramm

Monday, September 15

7:00 PM - Men's Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting, Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, September 16

9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours

Owls Head Lighthouse State Park, 186 Lighthouse Road, Owls Head

3:00 PM Coastal Family Hospice Women’s Bereavement Group

Thursday, September 18

8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom

Sunday, September 21

9:00 AM - Choir practice in the Sanctuary; Adult Bible Study in the Meeting Room

10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Temple Talk: Jane Monhart

Monday, September 22

10:00 AM - Glory Girls and Guys, Fellowship Hall

7:00 PM - Men's Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting, Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, September 23

9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours

School House Bakery, 21 River Rd, ME-131 Tenants Harbor

4:00 PM - Theotalk Discussion, at Ted and Betty Long’s home

Thursday, September 25

8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom

3:00 PM - Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers Grief Group for Parents

Sunday, September 28

9:00 AM - Choir practice in the Sanctuary; Adult Bible Study in the Meeting Room

10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online, Congregational Conversation #1

12:00 noon - Loaves and Fishes at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Rockland (see Donna Perry if you can help out)

Monday, September 29

7:00 PM - Men's Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting, Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, September 30

9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours

Main Street Markets, 435 Main St., Rockland

3:00 -5:00 PM at the Camden Public Library, Picker Room: "Wasted Food in Maine: An Overview"

Many thanks to all who cared for creation this summer and added stars to our poster. Since summer technically lasts through September 21, we are leaving the poster on display until then. Hopefully it will remind us to continue caring for our precious earth in ways that are important to us.

Here are a few photos showing how we enjoyed and learned about the world around us at our August outdoor events.

On August 17th, the two Maine Master Naturalists who joined us were Kate Morse and Alice Noyes.

• Food Donations: We once again have a drop off box for food donations to AIO Food Pantry in the Narthex at Nativity. Look for the plastic tote and place your items there and Mimi will deliver them to AIO on a regular basis.
• The Pastor’s Discretionary Fund: Please remember that an extra $5 or $10 each month may make a huge difference to a family in need! Please indicate any additional donations as "Pastor's Discretionary" when you mail in your monthly offering.
  
• Don't forget: One simple way to help care for creation is to download the weekly bulletin onto your smart phone or tablet and then bring that device to worship or use it when you zoom at home saving paper and resources. Need help figuring that out? Call Pastor for Android help or Denise Stadler for Apple help.
  
• Your aluminum pop tabs can help keep families with sick children close to each other and the care and resources they need. Look for the paper bag on the Social Ministry bulletin board in the Narthex. Place your tabs in the bag and take your container home and fill it again! The tabs are donated to the Ronald McDonald House.
  
• Crafters, Artists and Makers Wanted for Nativity Lutheran Church’s Arts and Crafts Festival which will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2025, 9AM – 2PM. The Festival will also include live music and refreshments! Email: kmusicorama@gmail.com for an application

President - Carolyn Ramm

Vice President - Marty Taylor

Treasurer - Fred Walker

Secretary - Kim Murphy

Pastor Wendy Anderson

Jane Monhart, Judy Pelletier, Fran Kresge, Sue Ann Moore

Connect with ELCA greater church

Read Bishop Eaton’s monthly article:

https://www.livinglutheran.org/

https://www.elca.org/Resources/Presiding-Bishop-Messages

A Note from your editor, Kim Murphy

Reminder - send articles and photos by the 20th of each month.

Email kmusicorama@gmail.com

Photos this month: Lynne Taylor, Gretchen Hanna, Elaine Isakson, Mimi Moore, Balloon Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash, Park Photo by Riley Revell on Unsplash, Food Photo by Nico Smit on Unsplash, Yard Sale Photo by Louie Scott on Unsplash, Praying hands Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash, Internet resources

Sunday Worship (Sept -May) 10:30 AM

Summer Sunday Worship (June - August) 9:30 AM

Email: office@nativityrockport.org
Website: www.nativityrockport.org
Location: 179 Old County Rd, Rockport, ME, United States
Phone: 207-594-4665