Category: From the Vestry

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. … A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. … A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. …A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate[.]

Ecclesiastes 3:1–8, NLT

Since Stephanie’s announcement about her answering a call in the Diocese of East Carolina, I have thought of this scripture often. We are all filled with so many mixed emotions, sadness for her leaving and joy about this wonderful opportunity for her. This weekend we will gather one last time with Stephanie as our Rector. We hope you will be able to join us this Sunday, October 29, immediately following the 10:30 am service for a meal in Estill House. We will celebrate her twelve years of ministry at Nativity and share a meal together with much love and laughter.

Please consider signing up through SignUp Genius for Sunday to RSVP and volunteer.

— Beth Crow, Senior Warden

Celebrating Rector Stephanie Allen

We will be celebrating the ministry of our wonderful Rector Stephanie Allen on Sunday, October 29 following the 10:30 am service with a pot-luck meal. (Please note there will, of course, be cake!) We are so excited for Stephanie’s next adventure and ask that you hold her and her family in your prayers during her transition process.

Brief Leadership Transition Update

The Vestry had a fruitful meeting this week with the Bishop Sam Rodman and Catherine Massey, the Canon for Transition of the Episcopal Diocese of NC, about a new Rector search. The Diocese will partner with and walk alongside the Vestry during the entire transition process. We also have clergy scheduled through the end of December to give the Vestry time to work with the Diocese to put a transition plan in place. More transition details will be communicated over the coming weeks, but we are encouraged by, excited about and confident in the transition process. The Vestry is trusting in and praying for God’s guidance in this task; and we ask that you hold us and Nativity in your prayers.

Annual Meeting, Sunday, November 12

Nativity’s Annual Meeting will take place on Sunday, November 12, immediately following the 10:30 am service. Agenda items include the leadership transition, Recognition of some stepping down from leadership roles, Nativity’s 2024 Stewardship Campaign and making calls for new Vestry members. We would love to see you there! 

Your Vestry met this past Tuesday evening to begin discussing the steps we as a church must take in the days and months before and following Stephanie’s departure. First on the agenda is planning a celebration potluck luncheon on Sunday, October 29, following the 10:30 service. We have created a SignUp Genius for you to let us know how you are willing to help.

Bill Sena and Beth Crow, your Junior and Senior Wardens, will keep you up to date each week in Glad Tidings as to where we are during this transitional period.

If you have any questions, please email Beth. The Vestry wants to be as transparent as possible and will try to answer all of your questions in our Glad Tidings articles.

Dear Members of Church of the Nativity,

By now, most of you will have read Stephanie’s email of yesterday about her having answered a call to work with the Diocese of East Carolina. Though we will miss her and her family, I know we all wish the very best for her as well.

Stephanie will be leaving us in good hands with well functioning ministry teams and an established, highly respected staff who will help Nativity continue to thrive and grow in its ministries. Nativity has been a beacon not just because of the outstanding leadership of Stephanie, but because of its strong lay leadership as well.

Transition and change can be stressful and overwhelming; we need to keep reminding each other that we are not alone in this process. In addition to support from the Diocese and from many talented individuals here at Nativity, we need to first and foremost ask God’s guidance and support. We need to hold Stephanie and her family in our prayers as we also pray for Nativity and all those who will be leading the effort in the search for a new Rector.

As Nativity’s Junior and Senior Wardens, we would like to reassure all of you that the Vestry has already begun conversations as to how we at Nativity will move forward. We will be meeting with Bishop Sam and Catherine Massey from the diocesan office this next week, and will keep the congregation informed during this period of transition. We will learn more about the transition options soon, and all members of the Vestry will be taking names of folks who are offering to help us, which will include helping to plan a farewell celebration for Stephanie as well as forming a search committee.

Beth Crow, Senior Warden
Bill Sena, Junior Warden