Please join our Sustainability Team right after worship September 3 for coffee/refreshments and conversation intended to spark imagination and envision new possibilities for congregational life and ministry at Nativity.

We’ll begin with a question—one that is open-ended with multiple answers and lines of inquiry; one that might build on previous experience and interests, could open areas for exploration and investigation, honor all possibilities, promote diverse ways of thinking and learning from each other, and integrate many ideas.

After a short time of discussing the question, we will focus specifically on identifying Nativity’s assets -- the valuable things about us such as physical assets, individual assets, community assets, economical assets, etc.

Then we’ll brainstorm actions that could connect the dots between the assets and our question. Our goal is to use our imaginations and then to live into, to ponder, and daydream about the ideas we generate… not to create a to-do list. It sounds like a lot but we’ll move quickly and covenant to finish no later than noon. Please plan to attend.

Just some random thoughts and observations from me this month as the calendar has caught up to me and I am even later than usual getting “my stuff” for the View to Kim.

I’m feeling blessed and energized today. Yesterday in worship we welcomed 10 new members plus two associate members to Nativity. Some of those have been participating in the life of the congregation for some time and some just for a few months. And beyond those new folks we have had a few more that have been attending worship and have shown interest in what we are about. There were more than 40 folks in the space for worship plus 9 more online. At least 35 were present at our brunch and lots of good food and good fellowship was enjoyed.

Another energizer has been our “Stewarding Our Watersheds: A Precious Gift” series. Participation from community members and congregation members has increased with each one. I am so grateful for the work of our Creation Care Team in first brainstorming then putting together the nuts and bolts of this series. God has blessed us with this planet Earth and beyond and asks us to care for it. Learning more is the first step in doing more and we are providing that opportunity. I hope you’ll be able to attend the fourth presentation, “Let a River Run Free” at Nativity, 10:00 AM on September 16.

The work of our Sustainability Team is challenging. How do you predict the future? That of course is not our task. Our task is to plan for that which we cannot predict—perhaps even more challenging. But considering all the possibilities and all the potential is energizing. In addition to examining conditions specific to Nativity, the team has been participating in a leadership program with other small congregations from the northern regions of New England. It has been energizing to share stories of success, concerns for the future, and hope for what might be.

Our local weather this summer has been less than energizing. With a cold start to summer and then all the rain we’ve had I’ve only had my boat in the water once and my Ladies’ League golf has been rained or flooded out several times and the forecast looks like it could happen again this week. And you know how you usually get a little lull in lawnmowing in the middle of August? Well that sure didn’t happen this year. Here we are entering September and mine has been growing out of control all summer long. But the flipside is on my drive to church this morning I was stunned by the abundance and beauty of the wildflowers growing alongside the road. I guess life is about trade-offs, right?

I’m energized to look ahead to the coming year, planning worship, education opportunities, and fellowship occasions. There is so much possibility and promise.

I’m blessed to work together with you in ministry.

Yours in Christ,

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, September 3

9:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Assistant: Ted Long

Flowers/Altar Care: Sue Ann Moore

Acolyte: Ann Walker

Usher: Mimi Moore

Asset Mapping Discussion, following Worship

Monday, September 4

7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting

Tuesday, September 5

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

Schoolhouse Bakery, 21 River Rd. Rt 131, Tenants Harbor

Thursday, September 7

8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom

Sunday, September 10

10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Assistant: Ann Walker

Flowers/Altar Care: Sue Ann Moore

Acolyte: Ann Walker

Usher: Jennie Dynesius

AIO Artfeeds Fundraiser begins (see article below)

Monday, September 11

7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting

Tuesday, September 12

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

Lincolnville Center General Store, 269 Main Street, Lincolnville

Thursday, September 14

8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom

Saturday, September 16

10:00 AM - “Stewarding Our Watersheds: A Precious Gift” series - Part 4

“Let a River Run Free” at Nativity Lutheran Church, meet in the Sanctuary

5:00 - 7:00 PM - AIO Artfeeds Fundraiser (see article below)

Sunday, September 17

10:30 AM - Worship in-person Outdoors (weather permitting) and online

Assistant: Kim Murphy

Flowers/Altar Care: Sue Ann Moore

Acolyte: Ann Walker

Ushers: Sue Dawson, Mary Ann Hawkins

Monday, September 18

7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting

Tuesday, September 19

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

FlipSide Coffee, 189 Main Street, Thomaston

Thursday, September 21

8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom

Sunday, September 24

10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Assistant: Marty Taylor

Flowers/Altar Care: Sue Ann Moore

Acolyte: Ann Walker

Usher: Bruce Cobb

Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen

Monday, September 25

7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting

Tuesday, September 26

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

Schoolhouse Bakery, 21 River Rd. Rt 131, Tenants Harbor

Thursday, September 28

8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom

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.

Just a few things that will be coming up in our worship life together:

• Sunday, Sept. 3 worship will begin at 9:30 AM.
• Our Sunday worship time switches to 10:30 AM on September 10.
• On September 10 we will begin “Year 2” of the Narrative Lectionary. The Narrative Lectionary is a four-year cycle of readings. On the Sundays from September through May of each year, the texts follow the sweep of the biblical story, from Creation through the early Christian church. The texts show the breadth and variety of voices within Scripture. They invite people to hear the stories of our ancestors in faith, the prophets, Jesus, and Paul. Listening to the many different voices within Scripture enriches preaching and the life of our faith. We may deviate slightly from the assigned texts for special festival days and seasonal variation. In the Spring of Year 2 we will focus on the gospel of Mark.

• The original plan when we began using “The Message” translation of the Bible for worship in July of 2022 was to use it in July and August and then return to the more familiar and formal NRSV version. But so many positive comments and reactions led to a continuation of The Message’s use. Although many like the less formal language of The Message, there are those who have missed the NRSV. After more than a year, we will return to the NRSV beginning September 10.

• On Sunday morning, September 17, weather permitting, we will worship outside.
• Choir will begin on September 17, with rehearsal beginning at 9:00 AM
• We’ll continue using Marty Haugen’s “Now the Feast and Celebration” liturgy at least through October 1.

September 16, Saturday,10:00 am at Nativity Lutheran Church: This session entitled “Let a River Run Free” features the film, “A Culvert Story”, with local artist and conservation activist, Dan Daly. There will be time for questions and a reflection on the importance of preserving rivers and streams that support fish, wildlife and the ecosystem. Participants also walked a short distance to view the river and learn about the effects of tidal direction changes.

Below, pictures from the August 22nd event: "Wonders of the Weskeag Marsh" with Theo Pratt, Coordinator of the Weskeag River Monitoring Project. She presented an informative talk about the marsh and the monitoring program.

AIO’s 2nd Annual ArtFeeds exhibition and online silent auction will take place September 10-16, 2023, at Page Gallery in Camden. The event will showcase a collection of wooden bowls shaped and donated by Maine State Correctional Facility’s industries program and decorated by well-known Maine artists. Each artist interprets sharing food and fighting food insecurity in their creative style on an individual bowl. The exhibition is free and open to the public.

Each bowl will be part of an online silent auction which also opens on September 10 and runs the length of the exhibition. Instructions for bidding will be posted at www.aiofoodpantry.org/artfeeds when the exhibition begins on the 10th. The exhibition culminates with a reception on Saturday, September 16, 4:00 -6:00 pm at Page Gallery. Bids for the silent auction close September 16 at 7:00 PM.

The same evening (September 16) AIO will host a ticketed benefit event at16 Bay View, in Camden, 5:00-7:00 PM. $35 per person includes hors d'oeuvres, beverage voucher, and a bidding paddle for the program support items auction. Tickets can be purchased at www.aiofoodpantry.org/artfeeds .

All funds raised will support AIO’s programs.

The weather has been so unpredictable and the temperatures will begin to drop, so Pastor’s “Out of the Office Hours” will move back to local coffee shops beginning September 5. Since Rockland and Camden may still be quite busy with tourists, we’ll venture to the more out of the way places. Pastor will be there 9:30 -11 AM for casual and spontaneous conversation. Come and go at whatever time works for you.

September 5

Schoolhouse Bakery, 21 River Rd. Rt 131, Tenants Harbor

September 12

Lincolnville Center General Store, 269 Main Street, Lincolnville

September 19

FlipSide Coffee, 189 Main Street, Thomaston

September 26

Schoolhouse Bakery, 21 River Rd. Rt 131, Tenants Harbor

The Congregation Council held its annual retreat on August 22 to lay out plans for the coming year. Officers remain the same as last year:

• President – Ted Long

• Vice-President – Sue Dawson

• Secretary – Kim Murphy

• Treasurer – Fred Walker

Pastor Anderson led us in a morning prayer devotion adapted from the Iona community. We especially appreciated the emphasis on God being with us, even in difficult times. Together, we identified many things for which we are grateful – joyful singing, more people worshiping in person, the Creation Care team, Pastor’s leadership, the people and how we support each other, the sustainability team, our building, and more.

After reviewing the past year Council approved several goals for this year and discussed ways to implement and achieve them:

• Complete the Sustainability project by implementing one new idea and delivering a report to the congregation at the annual meeting

• Sustain and support the two ministry initiatives currently underway: 1) Creation Care, and 2) Deepening Biblical Understanding

• Create a team to explore the legal and practical options for the use of our building

• Develop a budget plan for long-term sustainability.

• Enhance worship with new uses of our technology and inventive liturgies and forms of engagement

• Establish a program to strengthen public recognition of Nativity’s ministries in our community

The Council also approved aligned goals for Pastor Anderson, emphasizing support for the ministry initiatives, exploring new sustainability initiatives, and carrying our ministry with emphasis on outreach to members and the community.

On the more operational side, Council agreed on the following:

• To hold a series of cottage meetings in members’ homes to sustain community and listen to how members are experiencing congregational life.

• To direct a portion of the proceeds from the Harvest Festival and Tag Sale to the Knox County Homeless Coalition, with the expectation of doing so for several years going forward.

• To recruit one or two people to lead the public recognition project noted above. (Let us know if you are interested!)

• To recommend to Pastor that we hold just one service on Christmas Eve (a Sunday) -- our traditional evening candlelight service -- and not hold morning worship that day.

Regular Council meeting dates and times (approximately every 2 months) will be published in the View and the bulletins as they occur, and they are open to anyone who would like to join us. Likewise, we welcome any questions or suggestions that you have.

For the Congregation Council

Ted Long, President

longte1507@gmail.com

717-468-6472 (cell)

596-0519 (home)

The Harvest Festival/Tag Sale will be held October 14. We are looking for many people to help with the event.

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE EVENT IN ALL POSITIONS!!!!!!!

STANDING, SITTING, WALKING, TALKING

(EXPERIENCE NOT NECESSARY TO APPLY)

PEOPLE WITH EXPERIENCE IN ANY OF THESE TALENTS

(OR NO EXPERIENCE)

PLEASE APPLY RIGHT AWAY!!!!!

Varying FUNCTIONS needing your expertise across all categories - Crafts, Baked Goods, Cafe, Ladies Boutique, Silent Auction, Tag Sale : (choose the ones you like - multiple choices strengthens your resume, qualifying you for future events).

A) Layout and Presentation

B) Pricing

C) Day of the Event Support

D) Pack Up

E) Delivery

F) Highway sign posting, and pickup

(and more)!!!!

THE MERCHANDISE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU!!!!

For early consideration of your application please call right away:

Karin or Phil Pratt

207-832-4335

OR

use the convenient email option davisloop100@gmail.com

After some down time, Theotalk conversations will resume this fall. As a brief refresher, especially for newer members and friends, Theotalk is a book discussion group focused on contemporary theological and church-related issues. We meet in people’s homes, enjoy some camaraderie and snacks, and discuss a book or portion thereof. Anyone who is interested is welcome to participate, as well as friends from other congregations.

This year, we will align our readings with Nativity’s initiative to deepen understanding of the Bible, focusing on the Bible’s portrayal of Jesus and the meaning of the four gospels. Our meetings will be held once every two months, beginning in October, and we will try to read a new book for each meeting. Instead of our previous practice of meeting in the evening (a number don’t like to drive at night), we will meet during the daylight hours, usually for 90 minutes to 2 hours.

If you would like to join these conversations, which are always lively and insightful, please let me know. I will be contacting those previously engaged and anyone else who indicates an interest by mid-September to set up our schedule for the year and publicize it. I hope many of you will give this a try, even if only for one or two books. We look forward to a robust year of stimulating learning.

Ted Long, Convener

longte1507@gmail.com

717-468-6472 (Cell)

596-0519 (Home)

In July, members of the Sustainability Team took a trip on the Schooner Appledore to fulfill an assignment given to them by the BTS program: Cultivating Refugia - Building the Resilient Church. The assignment consisted of gathering for a social activity and to not discuss church business. Some of us (your editor included) found that directive to be quite a challenge!

The sky was grey and cloudy but our spirits were lifted by the opportunity to enjoy a special trip with each other. We are thankful to the sponsors of this trip and to the BTS center for helping us to use imagination and explore new ideas.

7 - Ted Long

16 - Clara Mason

18 - Fran Kresge

26 - Kasie Waters

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: Pastor Anderson, Elaine Isakson, Mimi Moore, Sue Dawson, Imagination Photo by J. Balla Photography on Unsplash, Coffeeshop Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

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