Nativity View

Nativity is hosting our collaborative Blessing of the Animals with St. Peter’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, October 4 at 10:00 AM on our grounds. Bring your pet, stuffed animal, or picture of a beloved pet for a short service and a blessing. All are welcome so invite friends and neighbors. We’ll gather near the apple trees. Please use the east parking lot. All live pets should be leashed or in a carrier.

Churches all over the world hold pet blessings on or near the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, October 4. The services are a way of thanking God for the pets that bring joy to so many. St. Francis of Assisi was born in the 12th century and lived in Italy. He is remembered for his generosity to the poor, his willingness to minister to the lepers, and for his love for animals and nature. He is the Catholic Church’s patron saint of animals and the environment.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.” Psalm 107:1

“Let nothing be wasted.” John 6:12

“I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.” Matthew 25:35

Numerous stories, songs and letters in the Bible instruct us to give thanks for God’s gifts. Food is one of those gifts, one for which we all share a common need. We are less apt to waste such an important thing as food, if we see it as a gift from God and give thanks for it.

Likewise, many Biblical stories involve food and feeding people. One story, the miracle of the feeding of the 5000, is recounted in all four gospels. After the crowd of people gathered on the shore of the Sea of Galilee had been fed, Jesus told his disciples to “gather up the leftovers and let nothing be wasted”. Unlike many of us whose parents told us not to waste food because ‘children are starving in Africa’, we aren’t given Jesus’ reasons for these instructions, just his clear, simple directive not to let the leftover food be wasted. I think this detail in the story can be a reminder for followers of Christ, like the disciples that day, to not waste the gifts God has given us, and specifically not to waste food.

Giving thanks and feeding others – there are no surprises for Christians when it comes to those. But where does Creation Care come into this 3-way intersection? God has given us a home that is both infinitely beautiful and absolutely necessary for our survival. When it comes to understanding the impact on Creation of the waste we generate as humans, we know a lot, but there were things Nativity’s Creation Care Team found we didn’t realize when it comes to the impact of wasted food. One was that the food that ends up in our landfills creates greenhouse gases that are many times more powerful than carbon dioxide. We learned about the substantial earth resources that are used to produce food, only to have a shockingly large portion of it go uneaten. And a somewhat more obvious fact hit home, that the food that ends up in our local landfills is not feeding our hungry neighbors. What grew out of the team’s process was a sense that it would be worthwhile for our congregation and community to take time to look at this part of Creation Care. While we became aware of the challenges, we also learned that there are solutions to reducing wasted food, many of which are not overly complex and can be taken on by individuals and communities like ours.

We went to work last winter and have put together a series entitled WASTED FOOD: CHALLENGES AND COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS, which is open to the public and includes a great variety of presenters for the four informational sessions. We hope to raise awareness and spark conversations. You are invited to any or all of our upcoming presentations. Come represent Nativity in our community and help us welcome our presenters. Come learn, ask questions, and find out what you can do. Come add your experience and ideas to the mix. Together we can be thankful stewards of the gift of Creation, including our neighbors who are hungry. Below are the event details. We look forward to seeing you there!

September 30 (Tuesday) at 3:00-4:30 at Camden Public Library Picker Room: Susanne Lee, University of Maine faculty fellow, Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions, will share the importance of reducing wasted food and tell us about Food Rescue Maine and statewide efforts involving businesses, institutions and households.

October 14 (Tuesday) 3:30-5:00 at Nativity Lutheran Church, 179 Old County Road, Rockport: Scrap Dogs co-owner Tessa Rosenberry, Kristie Kosalski of Come Spring food pantry/Gleaners, and student representatives from the Camden Hills High School Windplanners sustainability group will share their efforts to capture uneaten food and deliver it to peoples’ tables and to farmers for compost.

October 28 (Tuesday) 12:00-2:00 at Nativity Lutheran Church: Chef/owner Melody Wolfertz of In Good Company restaurant, Rockland Hannaford manager Kristin White, and Membership and Outreach Coordinator Elissa Bower of the Good Tern Co-op and Hole in the Wall Bagels, will share how food vendors can practice sustainability for the good of the environment, their patrons and their businesses.

November 8 (Saturday) 10:00am-12:00 at Nativity Lutheran Church: Focusing on household solutions, retired SNAP Nutrition Educator/former owner of Amalfi restaurant, Nancy Wood, and Cindy Wright of the Knox-Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District will share ways to cook and store food and tips for composting scraps year round to avoid wasted food in your in-town or rural home or apartment.

October brings the changing of the seasons, shorter days, cooler temperatures, and celebrating Martin Luther’s call to reform. Let’s celebrate October and that reformation spirit by gathering for fellowship and good food after worship on October 19. You can bring foods we think of as traditionally German, something that reminds you of fall, something new and reforming, or an old time potluck favorite . How creative can we be? It’s helpful for planning to know how many to set up for and what others are bringing. Please sign up in the narthex or call or email the church office with how many will attend. If you know what you’ll bring you can include that or be spontaneous and surprise us. If life prevents you from knowing if you can make it or your plans change, please feel welcome to join us even if you didn’t sign up. Donna P is doing the organizing. She’ll need set up and clean up help so please be in touch with her if you can help.

We will celebrate "All Saints Sunday" during worship on November 2. Our Remembrance of Saints will include those members of Nativity that have passed into God’s eternal care since November 1, 2024. In addition to that remembrance, we will read the names of saints who are important to you and no longer with us during a special prayer. These names can be Nativity members who passed away in previous years or family or friends not part of our Nativity community.

Please add those names to the list in the Narthex or email or call the church (office@nativityrockport.org or 594-4665) by October 27.

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.

Oct 7 - Bagel Café, 30 Main St, Camden

Oct 14 - School House Bakery, 21 River Rd, ME-131, Tenants Harbor

Oct 21 - Dot’s, Rt 1, Lincolnville

Oct 28 - Main Street Markets, 435 Main St., Rockland

These are the Temple Talks that were recently given as part of Nativity's further exploration of Christian Nationalism and how we are called to respond. The views expressed are those of the individual authors and not necessarily those of the congregation.

The first paragraph of each Temple Talk is listed here. For the full talk, you will have to go to this link:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rvJDQyCIhxnVJEG0KImmBIVann9lzH4PG3wN_JwiL0M/edit?usp=sharing

Sunday September 7, 2025

When we began our introduction to Christian Nationalism, I knew very little about it. I found the three sessions illuminating—and a little frightening. I now understand what Ollie J. meant when he told me, “Christian Nationalism is neither.”

Of course, not all Christian Nationalists are the same—there are differences among people who hold these beliefs. But the general spirit of the movement is deeply troubling. It is bigoted, often racist, and—at its core— un-Christian.

Sunday September 14, 2025

Last week we heard Fred’s very personal testimony about how the movement often called “Christian nationalism” isn’t Christian at all.

Today I want to elaborate on that and to point out the similarity of Christian nationalism today in the U.S. to the fascist, Nazi version of the German Christian church in the years leading up to the Second World War. Some of my observations are paraphrased from Robert McAfee Brown’s book, Kairos: Three Prophetic Challenges to the Church, published in 1990.

September 21, 2025

Two weeks ago we heard what Fred learned about Christian Nationalism and how it isn’t Christian. Last week Carolyn talked about how Christian Nationalism today has similarities to the Nazi version of the German Christian church during the 1930’s. Today, what I will talk about is close to home for me. It’s personal. I studied government and history and spent my career in the non-partisan federal civil service. As a member of the non-partisan civil service, I took an oath to support and defend the United States Constitution, an oath that I took seriously then and continue to take seriously.

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.

September 30 (Tuesday) at 3:00-4:30 at Camden Public Library Picker Room: Susanne Lee, University of Maine faculty fellow, Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions, will share the importance of reducing wasted food and tell us about Food Rescue Maine and statewide efforts involving businesses, institutions and households.

Thursday, October 2

8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom

Saturday, October 4

10:00 AM - Blessing of the Animals

Sunday, October 5

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

10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Following Worship - We will hold the 2nd Congregational Conversation concerning Christian Nationalism.

Monday, October 6

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

Tuesday, October 7

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

Bagel Café, 30 Main St, Camden

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

Thursday, October 9

8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom

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

Sunday, October 12

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

10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Monday, October 13 - Indigenous Peoples' Day

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

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

Tuesday, October 14

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

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

3:30-5:00pm “Community Food Rescue and Waste Reduction”

Thursday, October 16

8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom

Sunday, October 19

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

10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Following Worship: Octoberfest Potluck

Monday, October 20

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

Tuesday, October 21

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

Dot’s, Rt 1, Lincolnville

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

Thursday, October 23

8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom

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

Sunday, October 26

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

10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

12:00 noon - Loaves and Fishes at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Rockland (even team) (see Ollie Jones or Carolyn Ramm if you can help out)

Monday, October 27

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

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

Tuesday, October 28

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

Main Street Markets, 435 Main St., Rockland

12 noon-2pm “How Restaurants and Food Vendors Handle Food Sustainability”

Thursday, October 30

8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom

• 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: Balloon Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash, Food Photo by Nico Smit on Unsplash, Coffee Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash, Martin Luther Photo by Wim van 't Einde 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