Episcopal Church Field Trips

Greetings Nativity family! I wanted to update ya’ll on something I’ve been working on for a while. In my full-time role as a VA Chaplain, much of the work I do is helping Veterans address “spiritual injury.” A spiritual injury occurs when someone no longer has access to what gives them meaning, purpose and hope in life. Spiritual Injury can be related to military trauma, church hurt, grief, a mental health concern, or a number of other reasons. Sometimes the healing journey involves learning new spiritual practices, or connecting spiritually to the lessons learned in mental health treatment. Some people cannot imagine ever returning to a religious community; there’s just been too much hurt, disillusionment, disappointment. Other people find themselves curious about different spiritual or religious traditions as a way of finding a “new normal” that involves faith.

After much prayerful discerning, I’ve decided to offer a series of “Episcopal Church Field Trips” for folks who are curious about worship in the Episcopal tradition. I wanted to let you all know about these “field trips” and invite you to come along. Whether you are a Veteran yourself, or have Service members/ Veterans close to your heart, you are welcome aboard! There’s no RSVP required, but if you’d like to give me a heads up to be on the lookout for you, please send me an email. Thanks!

• What:  “Episcopal Church Field Trips”
• Who: For Veterans/Service Members exploring spiritual community within The Episcopal Church
• When: Monthly, Fourth Sundays (June 2022 – October 2022)
• Where: Various congregations, see schedule below
• Masking: Bring a high quality mask; requirements/guidance changes
• Attire: Slacks (or nice jeans) and a polo (or button shirt) will blend in well-enough at each location
• Sponsored by: Church of the Nativity, Raleigh, NC
  • Point of Contact: Ryan Parker (Candidate for Holy Orders, Priesthood)

• 6/26/2022- St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Cary)
  • Website: https://www.stpaulscary.org
  • Address: 221 Union St, Cary, NC 27544
  • Service time: 9:00AM
  • Debrief location after: Courtyard

• 7/24/2022- Church of the Nativity (Raleigh)
  • Website: https://nativityonline.org/
  • Address: 8849 Ray Rd, Raleigh, NC 27613
  • Service time: 10:30AM
  • Debrief location after: Oak Tree

• 8/28/2022- St. Ambrose (Raleigh)
  • Website: https://stambroseraleigh.org/
  • Address: 813 Darby Street, Raleigh, NC 27610
  • Service time: 10:15AM
  • Debrief location after: Labyrinth

• 9/25/2022- Church of the Good Shepherd (Raleigh)
  • Website: https://www.cgs-raleigh.org/
  • Address: 121 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27603
  • Service time: 10:15AM
  • Debrief location after: TBD

• 10/23/2022- St. Joseph’s (Durham)
  • Website: https://stjosephsdurham.org/
  • Address: 1902 West Main St., Durham, NC 27705
  • Service time: 10:30AM
  • Debrief location after: TBD