This morning a colleague shared an excerpt of a poem in an email. The bit she shared prompted me to find the work and now I must share it with you. Read it to the end for there you will find a call to transformation: the death of old ways will bring renewal.

Listening to Autumn

Autumn is slipping through summer’s branches

and I am listening to the dying

flowing forth from autumn’s being.

I am listening to the life

hidden in the dying.

I am listening to the trees taking off their lush green garments.

I am listening to the trees turning, turning, ever turning.

I am listening to the burning bush of autumn.

I am listening to the falling of this season.

I am listening to the song of transformation,

to the wisdom of the season,

to the losses and the grieving,

to the turning loose and letting go.

I am listening to the surrender of autumn.

I am listening to the music of the forest’s undergrowth,

to the crunch of leaves beneath my feet,

to the miracle of crumbling leaves becoming earth again.

I am listening to the beauty and fragility of aging.

I am listening to the wheel of the year turning,

to the cycle of the seasons,

to the call for harmony and balance.

I am listening to the circle of life.

I am listening to days growing shorter,

to the air turning crisp and cool,

to the slow waning of light,

to the stars that shine in cold, dark nights.

I am listening to the growing harvest moon.

I am listening to happy harvest cries,

to hearts overflowing with thanksgiving,

to tables laden with gifts from the earth,

to baskets overflowing with fruit,

I am listening to the bountiful gift of autumn.

I am listening to a call for inner growth,

to my need to let go of material possessions,

to my need to reach out for invisible gifts.

I am listening to a call for transformation.

I am listening to the death of old ways.

I am listening to the life force turning inward.

I am listening to the renewal of the earth.

I am listening to summer

handing over to autumn.

I am listening to the poetry of autumn.

~ Macrina Wiederkehr from The Circle of Life: The Heart’s Journey Through the Seasons

By Joyce Rupp & Macrina Wiederkehr

Our world is so in need of renewal and transformation. As this month ends, we at Nativity will celebrate Reformation. But as we do so we must not view it as only a celebration of history. The church must always be renewing, always reforming, always transforming. What old ways must die for new to be discovered?

Jesus worked to excite, energize, and motivate people around a shared Torah vision of an alternative society of justice and compassion he called the “kingdom of God.” People joined this Jesus movement because it made a material difference in the quality of their lives. This is the mission God calls us to: changing lives—our own and others! Are you listening? Do you hear God’s call? Do you have a reformation vision?

Blessings,

Pastor Anderson

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.

Sunday, October 1

9:00 AM - Choir practice

9:15 AM - Adult Bible study

10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Assistant: Kim Murphy

Altar Care: Sue Ann Moore

Flowers: Sherry Cobb

Reader: Sue Ann Moore

Monday, October 2

7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting

Tuesday, October 3

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

Dot’s, Rt 1, Lincolnville

Thursday, October 5

8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom

Saturday, October 7

10:00 AM Blessing of the Animals, St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Rockland

Sunday, October 8

9:00 AM - Choir practice

9:15 AM - Adult Bible study

10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Assistant: Ted Long

Acolyte/Altar Care: Tina Huntley

Flowers: Sherry Cobb

Reader: Mimi Moore

Usher: Sue Dawson

Monday, October 9 - Indigenous People's Day

7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting

Tuesday, October 10

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

Schoolhouse Bakery, Rt 131, Tenants Harbor

Thursday, October 11

8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom

Saturday, October 14

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Harvest Festival/Tag Sale!

Sunday, October 15

9:00 AM - Choir practice

9:15 AM - Adult Bible study

10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Assistant: Marty Taylor

Acolyte/Altar Care: Tina Huntley

Flowers: Sherry Cobb

Reader: Jane Monhart

Usher: Carol Brazier

Monday, October 16

7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting

4:00 - 5:30 PM - Congregation Council Meeting

Tuesday, October 17

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

FlipSide Coffee, Main St, Thomaston

Thursday, October 19

8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom

Sunday, October 22

9:00 AM - Choir practice

9:15 AM - Adult Bible study

10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Assistant: Fred Walker

Acolyte/Altar Care: Tina Huntley

Flowers: Sherry Cobb

Reader: Ollie Jones

Usher: Mary Ann Hawkins

Monday, October 23

7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting

Tuesday, October 24

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

Schoolhouse Bakery, Rt 131, Tenants Harbor

Thursday, October 26

8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom

Sunday, October 29 - Reformation Sunday

9:00 AM - Choir practice

9:15 AM - Adult Bible study

10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Assistant: Betty Long

Acolyte/Altar Care: Tina Huntley

Flowers: Sherry Cobb

Reader: Ted Long

Usher: Denise Stadler

Pot Luck Luncheon immediately following Worship

Monday, October 30

7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting

Tuesday, October 31

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

Atlantic Baking Company, Main St, Rockland

Note

For midweek prayer via zoom - there is a separate Zoom link. Email Pastor at office@nativityrockport.org if you would like the zoom link.

Please also email Pastor if you do not have the Sunday link.

Oct 3 - Dot’s, Rt 1, Lincolnville

Oct 10 - Schoolhouse Bakery, Rt 131, Tenants Harbor

Oct 17 - FlipSide Coffee, Main St, Thomaston

Oct 24 - Schoolhouse Bakery, Rt 131, Tenants Harbor

Oct 31 - Atlantic Baking Company, Main St, Rockland

Pastor will be there 9:30 -11 AM for casual and spontaneous conversation. Come and go at whatever time works for you.

Kathy Ash-Flashner will be leading Bible Study before worship on Sundays beginning October 1 at 9:15 AM. The first session will introduce participants to what they can find in a Study Bible.

Bring a Study Bible if you have one and discover what tools and information beyond scripture itself can be found in it. We’ll have extra Bibles available if you don’t have one.

Also bring your ideas of what Bible stories, books of the Bible, or topics you would like to explore in future sessions. Future sessions will be determined by the interests of the group.

Saturday, October 7, Blessing of the Animals: St. Peter's and Nativity Lutheran invite you to bring your pet(s) for a blessing on Saturday, October 7, at 10:00 AM at St. Peter's. Come give thanks for the animals in you life! Bring your pet of any shape or size, a favorite stuffed animal, a photo of a beloved pet or even a picture of one from the wild. For the safety of pets and people, all pets must be leashed, haltered, or secured in a carrier.

As you read this, we want to highlight that this event is being held on October 14th between 9am and 1pm. Yes, all items in the BASEMENT ONLY are 1/2 Price between 12:30pm and 1:00pm on that date.

We will be announcing more workshops to set up the event. If you are not able to make it to these workshops please let Karin or Phil know, as most of the workshops are set up around availability of people.

All people donating Crafts or Food please be sure to pre-price the items. Contact Karin and Phil to arrange: drop of food on Friday morning between 10am and noon, and plans to set up Saturday morning before the event opens.

All participants in the event should be at church by 8:30am for a brief blessing before the event, AND some last minute instructions. It’s fun - call Karin or Phil soon to discuss event needs a your availability.

Karin or Phil Pratt

207-832-4335

OR

use the convenient email option davisloop100@gmail.com

We’ll celebrate Reformation Sunday on October 29, beginning, of course, in worship with a Festive Eucharist, decked out in red, and including special music. Then we’ll enjoy fellowship and food with a Reformation Pot Luck in the Fellowship Hall.

Bring your favorite “Reformation Dish” to share---maybe that’s something German; maybe it’s some favorite recipe of old you want to renew or reform; maybe it’s whatever you pick up at Hannaford that morning; maybe it’s simply a favorite you enjoy sharing.

Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex so we can plan seating, drinks, etc. If you know what you’ll bring you can add that but you can also surprise us. If you’d like to help with planning, please speak with Mary Ann H.

Understanding Jesus and the Gospels More Deeply

Beginning this month, Theotalk discussions on big religious issues will resume, this year focusing on deepening biblical understanding in alignment with Nativity’s ministry initiative on that objective. We will read 4 books during the year, holding one session on each book, approximately every other month. The first two sessions will help us understand Jesus and his ministry more fully, while the second two will consider the significance of the Gospels for Christian faith. Here are the books, listed in the order we will read them:

• Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography by John Dominic Crossan

• The Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions by Marcus Borg and N.T. Wright

• What the Gospels Meant by Gary Wills

• The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels

Our first session discussing the Crossan book, will be held the week of October 23. Watch the bulletin and Sunday announcements for the exact date and time (still finalizing that). Thereafter, sessions will be held approximately every couple of months and announced well ahead of time so people have time to read the books. Sessions will be held during the day on weekdays and last about 2 hours. We invite all members and friends of Nativity to join in these conversations. You may come to any or all of them, as you are interested. All of the books are available at Amazon in paperback or Kindle form. We look forward to a stimulating year of discussions and to gaining a deeper understanding of Jesus and the Gospels!

For more information, contact Ted Long at longte1507@gmail.com or 717-468-6472.

On August 27th, we welcomed new and associate members to Nativity Lutheran Church. During this month, and next month, we will feature pictures and short biographies in the View, so that you may get to know them.

Welcome to Annie Appleton; Aaron Cramp; Shelly Cramp; Kathy Ash-Flashner; Gretchen and Paul Hanna; Carolyn Ramm and Oliver Jones; David and Michele Paul;
Bruce and Sharon McCullough (Associates).

David and Michele both grew up in the midwest, he in Michigan and she in Wisconsin. They met, married and raised two boys in the Denver area. Michele was a teacher. She's taught every grade from preschool to high school, and at one time taught preschool in the morning and high school English in the afternoon. She is semi-retired, but still teaches English online to students in China. David was an IT Manager at the University of Colorado Medical Campus. He is fully retired, but spends lots of time on projects around their new house in Rockland. They both love living in Maine and can't wait to see the fall colors and explore their new home.

Bruce and Sharon McCullough are pleased to be included as Associate Members of Nativity. They have been visitors for just a couple of weeks a year for many years during their summer vacations in Bayside, Maine.

Residents of Philadelphia, Bruce is an attorney with a practice in both Pennsylvania and Delaware; Sharon owns an event planning company and works with higher education and non-profit institutions. They recently had their own cottage built in Bayside and will be spending more time each summer in Maine and look forward to worshiping at Nativity.

Ollie Jones and Carolyn Ramm moved to Camden this summer from Newburyport, MA. Both are retired, Carolyn from a long career as an in-house attorney for technology companies, and Ollie from many years as a software engineer and a mid-life transformation to a Lutheran pastor. Their eldest daughter resides in Rockport with her family, which was a major draw to the Midcoast for them. They have two other adult daughters, one each in Portland, Maine and Portland, Oregon. Carolyn is a Celtic fiddler and Ollie rides his bicycle as much as possible. They are both looking forward to being active and making friends at Nativity.

Paul and Gretchen Hanna hail from the state of Missouri, pronounced “Misery” in the months of May to September, when the heat and humidity wrap you in a wet, steamy blanket. Ever since vacationing in Maine during the summer, the dream was kindled that one could actually escape Missouri’s summer. They realized the dream when they refurbished a condo in the old Rockport High School. Now home for at least four months each summer, Rockport is truly a dream come true.

Gretchen is a retired Title I teacher, specializing in math and reading. In Missouri, she is a passionate, 30-year volunteer with the conservation department, providing interpretation on hikes, leading programs such as paper making, and guiding the scouts through orienteering sessions.

Paul is a semi-retired college professor, who continues to teach online graduate courses in curriculum, classroom management, and reading. He is a fair cook, and, during Covid wrote a cookbook: 60 Sheetcakes, One Recipe.

In Maine, Gretchen extends her love of the outdoors by hiking, kayaking, and meeting up with others to do the same. Paul always has a project at hand. Together, they enjoy playing bridge and belong to several groups.

Gretchen and Paul were searching for a church in Missouri, but prayers are not always answered as they’re framed. They discovered Nativity, where they feel welcomed and spiritually fulfilled. They are happy to be a part of such a vibrant community.

Our fourth and final watershed summer events’ speaker, Dan Daly, had some competition on Saturday, September 16 at 10 a.m.: Hurricane Lee! The storm, downgraded to a tropical storm, presented some challenges, but the Creation Care Team was grateful for the 17 gathered and nine Zoomers to hear our final speaker. Prayers were answered and the electricity lasted throughout the presentation.

In the final session, we watched the feature film entitled A Culvert Story. Daly, a local artist and conservation activist, offered a reflection on the importance of protecting rivers and streams that support fish, wildlife and the ecosystem. He realized, while fishing a favorite stream, that something was amiss. First, he questioned where the frogs, salamanders, fish, and mammals of his past experience had disappeared to. What had changed in the stream? He wondered about problems and solutions.

As a member of Trout Unlimited, he started talking to biologists, hydrologists, fisheries, among others, connecting experts to find a solution to not only his problem, but an environmental ecosystem problem. Dan shared with the audience that laws in the past ten years have changed for the protection of watersheds, the natural byways to the sea. Large grants (if you cross your t’s and dot your i’s) are available for improvements and protection of watersheds to ameliorate the problems of our endangered ecosystems. Crisis situations, such as washed-out roads and fallen bridges, have to be restored methodically and must be done so to protect the fragile waterways, resisting the temptation to just get it done. Even though a project completed with environmental outcomes in mind are more costly and the planned projects can last for years, it is imperative that decision makers and the general public are educated about how the impact of projects affect the fragile ecosystems.

Change is not for the faint of heart: change doesn’t happen overnight. Change happens through educating oneself on the issues at hand, then connecting the available resources and staying involved. Change happens when a group of passionate people, with a single goal in mind, are ready to dedicate time and energy to their purpose. We, as a creation care team, led by Elaine, have persevered to share some of our collective knowledge through our journey of the local watershed series, hopefully to the benefit of a brighter future for our children and grandchildren. God has gifted us with one earth! Let’s hug it tight and cherish each living thing!

YouTube link to Dan’s journey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqVgRB3tWnM

Link to Dan’s art: https://dalyart.com/maine-scenes-landscapes/

Gretchen Hanna,

Creation Care Team Member

Last Spring, Nativity’s Sustainability Team was one of five congregational teams from northern New England accepted to participate in a Small Church Leadership Community project sponsored by the BTS Center (successor to Bangor Theological Seminary). This year-long project is focused on “Cultivating Refugia: Building the Resilient Church.” Refugia, a term borrowed from biology, are sheltered places where life flourishes in times of crisis, eventually spreading beyond to nourish other spaces. By analogy, our five churches can be such refugia in this time of societal and religious disruption, eventually nourishing new life beyond ourselves.

At our first meeting in June, each church shared a Pecha Kucha (a narrated pictorial summary) of its congregation. We learned that we all face similar challenges while still actively engaged in ministry to our communities. Nativity, however, is the only one that had developed an organized process to address sustainability. In July, we gathered for a day-long retreat in Portland, where we got to know the other participants personally and to lay the foundation for our year’s work. We explored the idea and experience of refugia more deeply and sharpened our sense of current upheavals in religious life. Especially meaningful for us was learning what it means to be resilient and understanding how to foster the imagination critical to nourishing resilient congregations.

We meet every couple of weeks by Zoom to share what we have learned from our homework assignments and to focus on some new ideas. We have utilized a rich array of resources, such as Krista Tippett podcasts about becoming critical yeast and living with questions, a presentation on the book “How to Lead When You Don’t Know Where You Are Going,” and reading an essay on contemplation as an essential practice in addressing crises. Happily, one of our assignments was to have some fun together, share laughter, and get to know one another better apart from our normal church work. As part of the project, we also engaged the congregation in an asset mapping exercise to lift up what our strengths are and how we can best utilize them. We were grateful for the energy and insights that emerged from that work, and we expect to build on what we learned there in further congregational discussions.

The ultimate objective of the project is to bring us to the point where we can address the current challenges we face confidently and effectively. In this first part of our journey, we are learning to recognize and name the issues that confront us, as well as developing the tools and approaches (personal and collective) that can help us address them. While we will still lament what we are losing, we will also express gratitude for the gifts we have, which will sustain us in building some new ways to live out our faith. We look forward to engaging you as part of that journey in the months to come.

3 - Ollie Jones

4 - Donna Perry, Staci Coomer

7 - Don Gjertsen

8 - Maryann Hawkins

9 - James Kimmel

11 - Hans Akselsen, Jr., Marvin Jacobs

12 - Bill Schoppe

13 - Kathy Ash Flashner

14 - Byron Huntley

28 - Phil Pratt

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.

• 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.
  

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: Elaine Isakson, Dan Daly at dalyart.com (Fall - Lermond Pond - watercolor), Pastor Anderson, Coffeeshop Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash, Forest Photo by Johannes Plenio on Unsplash, Reflective lake Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel on Unsplash, Stormy Lighthouse Photo by Zoltan Tasi on Unsplash, Bible Photo and Photo with bench by lake by Aaron Burden on Unsplash, Statue Photo by Wim van 't Einde on Unsplash, Internet resources

Rev. Wendy J. Anderson

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
Facebook: facebook.com/nativitylutheranchurch.rockport.maine