If you are like me your head has been reeling these last few weeks as senseless violence erupts both around the world and just sixty miles from home. Today, I share some thoughts about around the world.

Since October 7, the world has watched as the terrorist group Hamas attacked Israel and the Israeli government and army retaliated. As this conflict continues and escalates, many of you may be wondering which “side” deserves your support and prayers. For me the answer is “neither and both.”

As followers of Jesus how can we ever support violence and hate and injustice? As followers of Jesus how can we ever not pray for victims of hate, and violence, and injustice?

As most of you know, since I have been here at Nativity, I have made two trips to Israel and Palestine. I am passionate about basic human rights and justice for Palestinian people (Christian and Muslim) living in the occupied West Bank and Gaza, rights that have been taken away by the Israeli government and illegal Jewish settlements. But the current conflict has further complicated an already complicated situation.

The attack on Israeli citizens and taking of hostages by Hamas cannot be justified. Antisemitism that is increasing worldwide and especially in the U.S. cannot be condoned or allowed. We must support and pray for innocent Jews who are being targeted. We must be sure to speak out against this kind of hate, especially hate aimed at neighbors and friends in the MidCoast, but also those around the world now living in fear.

In the same way, the retaliation and attacks by the Israeli government and army on innocent Palestinian civilians living in Gaza is wrong and cannot be supported. Bombings and missiles are tearing apart apartment buildings, homes, and whole neighborhoods, killing and injuring innocent residents. Borders are closed. Palestinians living there cannot leave and at the same time, the Israeli government is blocking the entrance of food, water, and fuel to all Gaza. Even away from Gaza, Palestinians living in Jerusalem and in the West Bank are facing increased violence against them by Jewish settlers in addition to limits on their movement from their homes to workplaces, schools, and family.

None of this is right. As a follower of Jesus, I cannot choose one “side” or the other because those effected are all God’s children, all human beings. Recently a Nativity member forwarded to me an email that came from a Jewish friend here in the U.S. that was written by her Jewish friend in Israel. I’d to like to share just a bit of it:

“This dichotomy of ‘either you're for Israel, or you're for Palestine’- is false. You don't owe blind loyalty to any one side. NOTHING justifies atrocities at the level we witnessed on [Oct 7]. You can condemn the bombings in Gaza and the killing of innocents in the Gaza strip, and yet still recognize that what Hamas perpetrated on [Oct 7] was monstrous, heinous, unprecedented and unequal in scale to any past transgressions. Acknowledging this does not make you disloyal to the cause of the Palestinians: on the contrary. Your loyalty should be first and foremost to humanity. To human rights, to human decency, to human kindness and compassion. This is the only way forward that does not lead to hell on earth.”

The way I see it, as followers of Jesus we must support and pray for human rights, human decency, human kindness, and compassion for all of God’s children, for all of humanity. That part is not complicated.

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.

Thursday, November 2

8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom

Saturday, November 4

9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

BTS Small Church Leadership Community Team Retreat, @ Pineland Farm

Sunday, November 5 - All Saints Sunday

Daylight Savings Time ends.

Remember to Turn your Clocks back, 1 hour!

9:00 AM - Choir practice

9:15 AM - Adult education

10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Assistant: Fred Walker

Altar Care/Flowers: Donna Perry

Acolyte: Ann Walker

Usher: Denise Stadler

Monday, November 6

7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting

Tuesday, November 7

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

Bagel Café, Mechanic St, Camden

Thursday, November 9

8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom

Sunday, November 12

9:00 AM - Choir practice

9:15 AM - Adult education

10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Assistant: Ted Long

Altar Care/Flowers: Donna Perry

Acolyte: Ann Walker

Usher: Tina Huntley

Monday, November 13

7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting

Tuesday, November 14

No Out of Office Hours today

Thursday, November 16

8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom

Sunday, November 19

9:00 AM - Choir practice

9:15 AM - Adult education

10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Assistant: Marty Taylor

Altar Care/Flowers: Donna Perry

Acolyte: Ann Walker

Usher: Carol Brazier

Monday, November 20

7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting

Tuesday, November 21

No Out of Office Hours today

Thursday, November 22 - Thanksgiving Day

8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom

12:30 - 2:00 PM - Community Thanksgiving Meal at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Rockland

Sunday, November 26 - First Sunday in Advent

9:00 AM - Choir practice

9:15 AM - Adult education

10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Assistant: Fred Walker

Altar Care/Flowers: Donna Perry

Acolyte: Ann Walker

Usher: Kim Murphy

Monday, November 27

7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting

Tuesday, November 28

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

Nov 28 - Seafolk Coffee, 22 Central St, Rockport (If they’re open Tuesdays)

Wednesday, November 29

7:00 PM - Holden Evening Prayer/Advent Worship via Zoom

Thursday, November 30

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.

We will celebrate "All Saints Sunday" on Sunday, November 5. During the liturgy, our Remembrance of Saints will include those members of Nativity that have passed into God’s eternal care since November 1, 2022 and during a special prayer we will read the names of saints no longer with us who are important to you (those who have passed recently or a time ago). Please add those names to the list in the Narthex or email or call the church (office@nativityrockport.org or 594-4665) by Wednesday, November 1.

For centuries the Church has marked the passing of each year with a “calendar.” That calendar—the “Church Year”— contains “seasons” and “festival days” and a section of the year called “ordinary time.” Some festival days are a set date like Christmas on December 25th each year. Others, like Easter, have a fancy formula dependent on phases of the moon and mathematical approximations, so fall on different dates each year. The details of the history of the calendar, how it may have changed, and how it is observed differently by different Christian denominations could be the subject of several Adult Ed classes.

This year at Nativity, we are going to shift the calendar slightly. After discussion and careful consideration, the Council and I feel this slight shift is in the best interest of our congregation. The shift will allow us to celebrate Christ the King Sunday, the festival that ends our church year, then four Sundays of Advent. Then on Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24 we will have only one worship service at 5:30 PM.

The schedule of the Sundays leading up to Christmas will be November 19: Christ the King Sunday; November 26: The First Sunday of Advent; December 3: The Second Sunday of Advent; December 10: The Third Sunday of Advent; December 17: The Fourth Sunday of Advent. We will have four Wednesday Advent Evening Prayer services via Zoom: November 29, December 6, 13, and 20. Our Christmas Eve worship at 5:30 on December 24 will include candle-lighting and Holy Communion.

If you have any questions, please contact me.

Pastor Anderson

Nativity will be collaborating with Hospitality House to provide Thanksgiving “baskets” to recently housed clients, up to 12 families. The list of needed items will be posted on the sign up board at Nativity.

Each “basket”(actually a reusable shopping bag) will contain:

• 12-14 pound turkey
• 1 disposable turkey roasting pan
• 2 boxes stuffing
• 2 jars/cans gravy
• 1 jar cranberry sauce
• 4 cans veggies (green beans, corn, peas)
• 5 lbs of potatoes
• 1 lb butter
• 1 muffin or cornbread mix
• Dessert - brownie mix, pie crust/canned filling, cake mix/canned frosting

Because we are not all worshipping in person, please speak to Ann Walker in person or by phone (860-917-7678) to sign up for contributions. She will let you know what is still needed.

Purchased items may be dropped off at Nativity any time up to Sunday November 19th. The collection box will be in the Narthex by the west door. Perishable items (turkeys, pie crusts, butter) may be placed in one of the freezers/refrigerators in the kitchen. Turkeys dropped off on or after Friday November 17 should be placed in the refrigerator to begin defrosting. Need help with delivery? Call Ann Walker for pick up!

Want to participate but can’t shop/deliver? Send/drop off a check (made out to Nativity with Thanksgiving Baskets in the memo line) to:

Nativity Lutheran Church

179 Old County Rd

Rockport, ME 04856

This money will be used to purchase final items for the baskets on November 19 and any surplus will go to the Knox County Homeless Coalition to support their work.

Thank you for helping make Thanksgiving special for others!

Ann Walker

Nativity’s Creation Care Team held a meeting October 26 to look at where we’ve been over the past 2 years, what we’ve learned and what goals we might pursue over the coming months and year. Listening to team members express what has been meaningful to them, I felt extremely grateful for each one of them and our shared passion for this work. We have approached creation care from many angles. Along the way, team members have been keeping our ears to the ground, educating ourselves and encouraging each other. Our inspiration to do this work is multi-directional. We draw from our faith, from each other and from the Holy Spirit, and I also notice team members drawing inspiration from members of our congregation and the wider community who take part. When others show up, we feel supported in our work. In turn, we hope that what we offer enriches their faith and their life. We are all connected through this process, and in that way, we are closer to what God is calling us to be.

Fall is moving quickly, and Thanksgiving and Advent Season are not far off. It’s a busy time of year, but also a deeply meaningful time. Lately our hearts are heavy with the tragedy of violence near to us and across the globe. Advent is a time of both an awareness of all that needs redeeming and God’s promise to bring redemption. As we wait, both the struggles and the hope are present in a kind of tension with each other.

Many parts of God’s creation are also in need of redemption. What will Nativity’s creation care look like in its third year? Where do we see God at work, and how is God calling us? In what ways will we change, individually and collectively?

The team will meet again in November and continue to sharpen its focus and plans for the year. We want to continue to monitor important environmental legislation in Maine and offer opportunities to further develop our legislative advocacy skills. Land use, energy use and agricultural practices were other areas of interest. And because water continues to be an essential, but vulnerable, part of Creation that touches us all in many ways, we hope to delve into new aspects of water stewardship, perhaps as a sequel to our watershed events of this past summer.

The so-called “Big Work” is important, but so is the “Little Work”. We can encourage each other to keep our day to day earth-friendly practices going, and even adopt one or two new ones this year. To get things rolling in the coming weeks, Lynne Taylor has shared information about two ways we can care for Creation by reducing our carbon footprint: through incorporating vegetarian meals into our diet, and through supporting and/or volunteering with a local group called Window Dressers (see more information in this newsletter). These are 2 great examples of steps individuals can take to lessen our negative impact on our environment. I get excited about these and other ideas we’ve shared with each other over the past 2 years, because these actions are often very manageable, and when multiplied by many people, they are powerful ways of making a difference.

As we move ahead, the Creation Care Team welcomes your ideas, thoughts and participation. If you are interested in working with the team or have questions, we would love to hear from you. We are committed to continuing to offer opportunities that we believe will help our congregation live the Care-for-Creation Covenant we have adopted. In her book Refugia Faith, Debra Rienstra puts it this way: “As a person of faith, I believe in the divine mystery, a loving God who is always calling us through the wonders and suffering of the world to transform our ways, a God who draws us relentlessly toward the divine purpose of flourishing for the whole earth and all its creatures.” With you here, with all of us here, I believe we are closer. And isn’t it something that we get to be part of God’s transforming, redemptive work, making spaces for flourishing to happen and hope to live?

Elaine Isakson for the Creation Care Team

Nov 7 - Bagel Café, Mechanic St, Camden

Nov 14 - No Out of Office Hours

Nov 21 - No Out of Office Hours

Nov 28 - Seafolk Coffee, 22 Central St, Rockport (If they’re open Tuesdays)

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 leads Adult education and Bible Study before worship on Sundays. Adult education continues in November, each Sunday at 9:15 AM.

Harvest Festival/Tag Sale Results, Toys for Tots Next.

The HF/TS was again a huge success thanks to everyone’s efforts! The proceeds are shared with the Knox County Homeless Coalition, and NLC’s Ministries.

Beyond the obvious financial success of the program this year, it is a lot of fun to share together the camaraderie in preparation for the event day, pack up after the event, and the interaction with our customers at the event itself.

The pack up started 10/16 and finished in time to set up the plan for the Toys for Tots (T4T) program in the church basement. T4T is looking for volunteers to help prep for the distribution, and the distribution itself. Please contact Phil with any questions you might have concerning this program, or wish to volunteer to help.

Phil & Karin Pratt

207-832-4335

davisloop100@gmail.com

Pictured below: Craft items for sale in the Narthex; Glassware for sale in the Basement; Barbara and Hans working in the Kitchen to provide breakfast and lunch; Mimi and Donna commandeering the successful production of homemade donuts - in memory of Ralph Miller.

One more way to reduce your carbon footprint – enjoy a vegetarian meal.

Thinking of adding some vegetarian recipes to your rotation, but don’t know where to start? The Care for Creation team is here to help. Over the next few issues, we will include a tasty pre-tested vegetarian recipe in The View for you.

Marty and I enjoy these sweet potatoes as our main dish during the winter months.

Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

https://foodwithfeeling.com/black-bean-stuffed-sweet-potatoes

We are hoping to feature vegetarian recipes from everyone who has one to share.

If you have a favorite that we can print, please send it to Lynne Taylor.

Help reduce fuel costs

Window Dressers, a volunteer organization that creates insulating window inserts, has scheduled a community build October 27-November 8 at the Watershed School on Free Street in Camden.

The invitation on their website says, Each simple job is taught and all tools and materials are provided. No experience is necessary. Lunches and coffee breaks will be provided. Parking available in public lots on Mechanic Street and Knowlton Street. Thank you!

General information about the project https://windowdressers.org/insulating-inserts/

Listing of volunteer openings https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/98867416062/false#/invitation

Please contact Lynne Taylor for more information.

Your help will mean a lot to someone this winter.

Thank you.

On August 27th, we welcomed new and associate members to Nativity Lutheran Church. This month, we are continuing to highlight some of our new members.

Welcome to all of our new members: 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).

Annie was baptized and raised in the Dutch Reformed Church, Holland, Michigan. In 1963, she left for Stephens College, Columbia, Missouri, and graduated in 1967 from the University of Colorado, where she met her husband Sam. She taught Art to eighth graders in Denver, and married in 1968.

Sam and Annie raised their five children in Saturday Cove and Camden. In Camden, 1978, Sam started the Waterfront Restaurant and is still active there. Annie was a volunteer for Coastal Family Hospice for 11 years, serving on the board for three years.

During Covid, and at a time of spiritual need, Annie drove to the closest church from their Rockport home. She arrived a half hour late, knowing nothing about the Lutheran faith. She feels she has come full circle by her "discovery" of Nativity Lutheran Church - the closest to her childhood and its feeling of church family.

Nativity, with its friends, camaraderie and commitment to "community" far and near, is an invaluable gift.

(pictured here with her granddaughter Bea, upon Bea's First Communion)

Kathy Ash-Flashner and her daughter Katie moved to Maine when Katie decided to move from southern California to a place that “had more trees than people.” We went house hunting during the pandemic without previously ever having visited the state. We settled on a place in Hope because we felt a connection to the land, even though the house remains a “fixer-upper.” An additional benefit, it also brought us close to my son and his wife in Massachusetts. Maine was not the adventure I had planned for my retirement, but then I think sometimes God laughs when we plan.

Having grown up in Pennsylvania, I taught at a Lutheran related college in Pennsylvania only to have life take me to Yosemite National Park where I worked for the Park Service before directing Yosemite Child Care Center. After a return move to Pennsylvania, I attended the Philadelphia Seminary to become an ordained Lutheran Pastor. While serving full time as a parish pastor, I also served part time as an Associate of the Bishop for the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, completing that work at the end of July this year.

Both my daughter and I enjoy being outdoors and hiking. I have a passion for the ministry of Lutheran World Relief and participate in their parish projects, especially making the quilts and school kits. This year I was fortunate to join the Penobscot Bay Ringers to once again ring handbells.

On Thursday, Nov. 23, St. Peter's will host their annual Community Thanksgiving Luncheon. The meal will be served from 12:30 - 2:00 PM. The event is free and open to all members of the community.

Would you like to help? St. Peter's is looking for people to help with Set Up (any time between 8AM - 12PM), Serving (12 - 2PM), and Clean Up (2 - 4PM). If you would like to help, contact Kim Murphy at kmusicorama@gmail.com for more information.

Sue and Gretchen doing water quality testing at Ash Point Preserve. The Watershed Watchers Program was sponsored through Herring Gut Coastal Science Center in Port Clyde!

Over the past year, AIO has experienced significant growth in the need for food and energy assistance, as well as the level of service it provides to our community. Here are some of the highlights of the year:

• 40% growth in both market visits and individuals served at the pantry over prior year

• 10,370 market visits serving 26,574 individuals (mostly repeat visits and individuals)

• Total food provided over 975,000 pounds

• 596 energy vouchers ($300) provided, mostly for fuel

• Total weekend meals (formerly Backpack program) provided was 16,544 – an increase of 34% from prior year

• Diaper program usage up 54% over prior year with 1212 family visits and over 73,000 diapers distributed

• Total revenue was $993,000, with expenses of $948,000. Most revenue comes from donations, most expenditures go to programs.

Clearly the need in our community has grown, and people find AIO to be welcoming and accessible. We anticipate 20-25% growth for the coming year, and we look for additional ways to address food insecurity in our community. For a more detailed discussion in the full report, click here: https://www.aiofoodpantry.org/annualreport

Ted Long, Vice-Chair

AIO Board of Directors

3 - Bonnie Hoffman, Dex Pavelich, Sherry Cobb

4 - Marty Taylor, Sharon McCullough

8 - Lynne Taylor

16 - Mimi Moore

23 - Arleigh Huntley

26 - Bob Dawson

28 - Gail Kimmel

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.

• Daylight saving time: When do we fall back?

  Daylight saving time ends Nov. 5 at 2 a.m. We will "fall back," turning our clocks back to 1 a.m., gaining an extra hour of sleep.

• 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: Betty Long, Elaine Isakson, Annie Appleton, Kathy Ash-Flashner, Kim Murphy, Ann Walker, Pastor Anderson, Gretchen Hanna, Creation Photo by Jametlene Reskp on Unsplash, Coffeeshop Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash, Bible Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash, Balloon Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash, Thanksgiving Photo by Jed Owen 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