Music at Nativity
Music is an integral part of worship in the Episcopal tradition. It is an important method of celebration and an expression of our faith. At Nativity, our music is grounded in the Anglican choral tradition, but we embrace a wide range of styles and genres in our hymns and anthems. Within the same service you might hear or sing chanted psalms, Lutheran hymns, a Howells anthem, and a spiritual from the Episcopal Hymnal supplement, Lift Every Voice and Sing II. On Sundays and special occasions the choir sings anthems appropriate for the season, coordinated with the liturgy, and may be accompanied by the organ, the piano, the Nativity band, the Nativity Ringers and other musicians.
The central mission of the music program is to support the regular liturgy of the parish.
Choir
The Nativity choral music program welcomes both those who enjoy music but are new to choral singing, and those who are highly skilled musicians. The Nativity Choir supports congregational singing at the 10:30 am service on Sundays, September – May, and on special occasions during the year. The choir rehearses at 7 pm on Thursday evenings, ending with Compline. On Sunday mornings we gather at 9:30 am for a warm up and run through of that day’s music. During the summer months, members of the choir and other musicians may provide music at the 10:30 service on some Sundays. Please Email Bradley Burgess, our Lay Associate for Music, Communications and Administration, if you are interested in singing in the choir. Come, make a joyful noise unto the Lord!
Handbells
The Nativity Ringers play during worship services for special occasions, such as Christmas Eve and Easter. Nativity has five octaves of Malmark handbells and three octaves of chimes. Please contact Bradley Burgess, Lay Associate for Music, Communications and Administration: Email Bradley Burgess, if you are interested in ringing handbells.
Our Organ
The organ at Church of the Nativity is the Opus 115 of the Andover Organ Company, Methuen, Massachusetts. The organ was designed with characteristics of instruments typical of small New England parishes of the 19thcentury. It is delightfully voiced for the acoustic intimacy of our modest-sized nave. Since its installation in 2007, the organ’s rich sounds have enhanced our worship at Church of the Nativity as we praise the glory of God.
Read more about Nativity’s Organ.
Other Instruments
We are glad to use a variety of instruments to enhance the music in our worship services. On several occasions throughout the year, we assemble a band to play during the 10:30 worship service. If you play an instrument and would like to be part of the band, please Email Bradley Burgess, our Lay Associate for Music, Communications and Administration.
We are also blessed to have parishioners who are professionally trained instrumentalists, including members of the North Carolina Symphony. From time to time they share their talents with us during the worship service or at special occasions.
Art Around Nativity
Look around Nativity and you will see the work of many gifted artists, some of whom are or have been parishioners here.
The Altar
The altar is the work of late parishioner Doug Smith, who also built the pulpit, the altar rail, and the stations of the cross. The front of the altar uses marquetry, an art form using wood veneers, to suggest the Last Supper. The marquetry in the front of the pulpit is the Nativity logo.
You may also note the logo is carved into the ends of each pew.
Stations of the Cross
Placed at intervals on the walls of the Nave is a series of 14 panels depicting Christ carrying the cross to his crucifixion in the final hours (or Passion) before he died. They were created by late parishioner Doug Smith, who also designed and built the altar.
Stained Glass
While Nativity is not an old church, we do have stained glass. Bob Renfrew, the now- deceased spouse of a Nativity parishioner and an expert in the art of stained glass, created the Nativity logo that hangs over the door to the Narthex.
Processional Banners
A banner appropriate to the season is carried in the processional. All of the current banners were created by former parishioner Evelyn Judson.
During the pandemic 2020, Evelyn Judson created new liturgical vestments and altar accessories for Church of the Nativity.
To see more of the artwork Evelyn Judson has made for Nativity, go to Evelyn Judson’s quilt website.
The Angel at Nativity
The 8- by 4-foot triptych is the work of Raleigh sculptor Joel Haas. It was cast in polyurethane resin, coated with marble dust and a sepia tone stain. The angel’s features reflect the racial diversity of our parish.
The artist began with the premise that angels are messages, not messengers, from God. Therefore, the angel addresses us as modern viewers, as well as people of the future and the shepherds of the past. The shepherds in the two side panels are small and de-emphasized, since they are both metaphorically and historically in the past.
The angel says to us all, “Fear not, for I bring glad tidings that shall be for all people.”
The Altar Cross
The cross that hangs over the altar in the nave was donated in 2011 by parishioner Peggy Wade in memory of her brother, Robert B. Sutton, Jr. It is made of cherry wood from a tree in Traphill, NC, that Peggy’s aunt used to climb when she was a child. The wood was beautifully crafted by Peggy’s relative, John Morgan Freas.
The Curry Hall Cross
The cross over the door to Curry Hall, the Education Building, is a “Mission Cross.” It is made from four traditional Latin crosses, a symbol for world evangelism of the Gospels.
Like a compass, the tops of the four crosses point north, south, east and west. The crosses also represent the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
It is a fitting symbol for the building, where we teach our youth the word of God in preparation for their lifelong mission as followers of Christ.
The Corlett Hall Cross
The cross in Corlett Hall has been there since the Parish Hall was used for worship services, before the current nave was built. It is a Celtic cross, the cross being surrounded with a ring called a “nimbus.”
It was designed by a former intern, the Rev. Melanie Mudge.
Paintings
A series of seven framed prints by artist Tom DuBois, donated to Church of the Nativity by our deacon at the time, The Rev. Chuck Oglesby, hangs in Estill House.
Four of the prints depict a different scene in the story of Noah’s Ark, showing the ark’s progress in The Promise, The Invitation, The Commission, and The Celebration. These are in the conference room of Estill House.
Three others are about the Nativity, including the birth of Jesus, the angel announcing the birth to the shepherds, and the three wise men on their way to Bethlehem.
The Church Mouse
Can you find the church mouse painted by Carlie Sigel, who grew up in this church? It is hidden somewhere in the nave. Carl and Emilie Sigel, founding members of Nativity, are still active parishioners and would love to help you find our church mouse!