Nativity Blog Archives

Meet new friends or reconnect with the community at Nativity by joining Foyer! Groups of 4–5 gather monthly from September-December to share a meal. Whether you cook, host, or order in, the focus is fellowship in a relaxed setting. Families can also join through Family Foyer, if sufficient interest. Sign up by emailing Gail T. () and indicate Foyer or Family Foyer. Assignments will be shared the last week of… Read more: Getting to know you: A foyer adventure

Join us every Wednesday at 7 pm EST beginning Sep. 9 for a meaningful and thought-provoking book study as we explore Take This Bread by Sarah Miles. Together, we’ll reflect on faith, community, hospitality, and the transformative power of sharing a meal and sharing our lives. Contact the Nativity Office () for the zoom link.

Thank you to all of the volunteers and ministry teams who give their time and energy to make Nativity’s life and ministry possible! To help streamline purchases and communication, we’ve created a Vendor Request Form for all ministry-related purchases. All requests must be reviewed and approved by staff and/or Vestry before a purchase is made. The office will follow up with confirmation once your request has been reviewed. Thank you… Read more: New vendor request form

Join us for a Homecoming Sunday celebration on Sep. 13 at Church of the Nativity! After the 10:30 am service, enjoy good food, fun, and fellowship as we kick off a new season of busy programming and ministry. It’s a great opportunity to connect with old friends, meet new ones, and learn more about the many ministries that make Nativity such a vibrant community. More details to come – stay… Read more: Mark your calendars – Homecoming Sunday celebration!

Church of the Nativity’s Building & Grounds committee keeps Nativity’s buildings and campus in good repair and is looking for volunteers — whether you’re handy or simply willing to learn. This year’s projects have included exterior painting, new Narthex flooring, and parking lot restriping, while upcoming needs include HVAC and roof repairs. To volunteer, contact Randy Smith (). Donations to the Long-Term Maintenance Fund are also greatly appreciated.

The Church of the Nativity has a long history of prioritizing outreach! Please use the QR code below to view a list of the various ministries we either support or run ourselves. These are just introductions into these programs. If you would like to learn more or if you would like to get involved, please fill out this form and check the box under the mission(s) you are interested in.… Read more: Church of the Nativity Outreach Ministries

A new Sunday morning book study will begin Sep. 14 – Oct. 4 from 9:30 – 10:20 am in Curry Hall, Room 204. James Casler will lead as we read and discuss Lord Teach Us-The Lord’s Prayer & the Christian Life. We’ll explore The Lord’s Prayer phrase by phrase and look at this familiar prayer in a whole new way. Copies of the book are available in the Narthex. Sign… Read more: Join us for morning book study

You may have noticed Glad Tidings reaching you a little sooner! We’ve moved our weekly newsletter from Thursday mornings to Wednesday mornings. Have an announcement, event, or ministry update to share? Please send it to the church office by close of business Monday for inclusion in that week’s edition. Thanks for helping us keep our parish connected. We’re glad to get the news to you a little earlier each week!

The Diocese of North Carolina is beginning a process of discernment and celebration that will lead to the election and consecration of our 13th Bishop of North Carolina. This work involves the whole Body of Christ – not just the clergy – and you are invited to participate! Applications are now open to serve on either the Search Committee or Transition Committee and will be accepted through Aug. 25. Learn… Read more: Calling All Laity and Clergy!

Interested in joining Nativity’s adult pilgrimage to Charleston, South Carolina, Nov. 10–14? Mark your calendars for an interest meeting on Sunday, Aug. 30 to learn more about this upcoming opportunity for fellowship, learning, and spiritual formation. We hope you’ll join us. More details coming soon.

Who needs a ride? The vestry is exploring beginning a rides ministry to help Nativity members who are temporarily unable to get to Church on Sundays by offering rides with a rotating pool of volunteers. If you are someone who has needed, or currently needs, help getting to and from Nativity – please . If there is enough interest, and supply of volunteers, we will announce the launch of this… Read more: Can We Help You Get to Church?

You may have noticed our new laminated welcome cards in the backs of the pews! Designed with both newcomers and longtime members in mind, these cards include a brief introduction to Church of the Nativity and the Episcopal Church, along with a QR code that allows visitors to easily connect with us and learn more. These reusable cards are also part of our commitment to creation care by reducing paper… Read more: New welcome cards in pews

Raleigh Episcopal Campus Ministry serves as an inclusive and welcoming place of worship for college-age students in the Raleigh area, led by Rev. Caleb Tabor. While many students come from NCSU, ECM also welcomes students from Meredith College, Wake Technical Community College, William Peace University, and other local schools. The organization offers weekly Sunday services, small group study, and fun outings and retreats. Raleigh ECM is proud to welcome all… Read more: Raleigh Episcopal Campus Ministry

The options for composting at Church of the Nativity have changed recently. The Building and Grounds team has removed the compost bins from the Community Garden. Please place all compostable materials in the bin provided by CompostNow located on the north end of the parking lot (to your right when facing Estill House). This bin is commercially processed and can accept a wide variety of compostable materials, including cooked meats,… Read more: Composting Just Got Easier at Nativity

In the 1990s the UN worked to establish 8 millennium development goals (MDGs) adopted in September of 2000 when 189 countries and 147 heads of state signed the Millennium Declaration with the goal of providing a global blueprint to improve human living standards by 2015. The MDG era officially concluded in 2016, leading to measurable successes. While the initiatives achieved substantial progress, the results were unevenly distributed across regions. The… Read more: Nativity’s work with Rise Against Hunger over the last 15 years by Rene Garces

In hopes of providing rest and renewal for our clergy this season, the Vestry is implementing a six-week trial of a single Sunday worship service during the second half of the summer. From Sunday, August 2 to Sunday, September 6, our two Sunday services will be combined into one 9:30 am Eucharist service, with adult formation to follow in Curry Hall at 10:45 am. By implementing this plan for six… Read more: Trial Summer Schedule Update

Position Description June 11, 2026 Who we are: Church of the Nativity is a young(ish) Episcopal Church (40 years old this year!) with a history of being actively engaged in worship, justice and Christian formation. We average approximately 150 worshippers on Sunday morning, and our sanctuary features a two-manual, 20-stop Andover pipe organ that was installed in 2007 and has been well maintained. For more information about our organ, please… Read more: Organist/Choirmaster Church of the Nativity (Episcopal) – Raleigh, NC

A full email address usually has two parts: “Display Name” <email address> The display name is optional. Sometimes you will only see the email address, such as Alfred@gmail.com. The sender can type almost anything as the display name. It is usually meant to be a name people can read easily, such as “Alfred C.” But it is not checked against the real email address, so the display name can be… Read more: Who does that email really come from?

This is the story of the Alabama River, which runs from Montgomery Al. to Mobile Al and its trip through the history of the State of Alabama. With a particular focus on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, this beautifully illustrated story tells the history of Alabama, particularly during the Civil Rights Movement in the 60s.

This story uses gorgeous illustrations that show the beauty of God’s Creation during walks that a Grandad shares with his Grandson. On these walks, the grandfather explains to his grandson how different parts of nature pray to God. This does not always make sense to the child during these walks. As he grows older, he realizes the beauty that Grandfather brought into his life through a connection with nature.

This is a beautiful story about a child going with their father to an annual visit to a family reunion. Beautiful illustrations show African-American family traditions that are centered around their land that has been with them for years, and will be theirs for years to come. Every year, the family gathers to share how the land has affected them, their lives, and history.

This beautifully illustrated picture book recounts the racial discrimination and injustice present in our American society in the 1950’s and 60’s.  This intergeneration story is told by a grandfather to his grandson and has a positive message of changes that have enabled black Americans to have more opportunities now than in the pre-civil rights era.    The story is appropriate for 4-8 year olds and concludes with an author’s note… Read more: These Hands

The Energy Bus for Kids by Jon Gordon is an illustrated fable that teaches children how to overcome negativity, bullies and daily challenges by cultivating a positive attitude. Following a boy named George who learns to “fuel” his life with positivity, the book introduces five rules to help kids find inner motivation, stay positive, and share positive energy with others. As the book begins, nothing is going right for George… Read more: The Energy Bus

Often in our lives we look to others for inspiration and example. Learning about the way others have lived their lives can be a positive force for young readers. BLACK BOY, BLACK BOY, and  BLACK GIRL, BLACK GIRL are two such books that highlight the lives of inspirational people of color.  Each book has selected particular people to give the reader a peek into the work these people have accomplished. … Read more: BLACK GIRL, BLACK GIRL

Often in our lives we look to others for inspiration and example. Learning about the way others have lived their lives can be a positive force for young readers. BLACK BOY, BLACK BOY, and  BLACK GIRL, BLACK GIRL are two such books that highlight the lives of inspirational people of color.  Each book has selected particular people to give the reader a peek into the work these people have accomplished. … Read more: BLACK BOY, BLACK BOY

A Rose for Abby  by Donna Guthrie (1988) is a simple but meaningful story about helping those less  fortunate than ourselves.  In this story, Abby sees an old woman looking through the trash for whatever she needs, most likely food.  Abby is concerned,  so she decides to help in some way.  By enlisting the help of her father, who is a pastor, and the local grocer as well as other… Read more: A Rose for Abby

In 1959 a boy named Junior moved with his family to Roxboro, North Carolina. Their farm was failing and they hoped for a better life in the city, but Junior’s family was black, and this was the era of Jim Crow when public spaces were segregated. Although Junior missed life on the farm, his new school friends introduced him to a small library in the woods for black residents. After… Read more: The Library in the Woods

“You never know what can happen.” This opening line about the life of Sonia Sotomayor captures the essence of her childhood growing up in public housing in the South Bronx section of New York City, through her appointment and current position as the first Latina Supreme Court Justice of the United States. It is a remarkable story. The book focuses on the early challenges facing Sonia and her family as… Read more: Sonia Sotomayor – A Judge Grows in the Bronx

The Acorn and the Oak By Rhonda Accardo  Reviewed by Mari Borstelmann This is a story about a young girl and her mom who love walking together through the forest on a dirt road they know very well.  At the end of the road is an old oak tree, a wonderful place for the girl and her mom to sit together and talk about nature. The girl learns how the Great Oak… Read more: The Acorn and the Oak

Sunday, June 7, begins our Summer Peace Library program. Go to the Peace Library Review page for a list of all the books that have been reviewed by Nativity. Look for the special display at the front of the sanctuary featuring Peace Library books chosen to complement each week’s Gospel reading. Many of these titles are new to the collection. Activity sheets for most books will be available for children… Read more: Peace Library Summer Reading

One of the outreach efforts your pledge dollars support each year is the Episcopal Habitat Build. Nativity contributes toward building materials and provides volunteers to help construct a home for a qualified homebuyer. More ways to support Habitat 1) Donate to Habitat ReStores If you’re spring cleaning or downsizing, consider donating gently used items to a Habitat ReStore. Wake and Johnston Counties have 10 locations. ReStores are thrift stores, and… Read more: Habitat for Humanity

Nativity will celebrate Graduation Sunday on Sunday, June 7, honoring both our eighth-grade students and graduating seniors. Eighth graders are invited to wear their school colors, while seniors are encouraged to wear their academic regalia. All graduates will take part in the procession and receive a special blessing, followed by a celebration after the service. Families and friends are warmly invited to join us for this celebration. Please register to… Read more: Graduation Sunday – June 7

Be part of our team on Saturday, March 28 at Olde Poole Place as we partner with Habitat for Humanity! We need 15 volunteers to work on the house and helpers to provide lunch for 40 people. No experience is needed – core volunteers will guide us. Youth 16+ may participate with a parent. It’s a wonderful opportunity for learning, fellowship, and building beloved community. You can register here, just… Read more: Habitat for Humanity Build Day on Saturday, March 28

Happy March, Seniors! We’re gathering for our March Senior Luncheon on Sunday, March 15, 12 pm, at The Piper’s Tavern (8304 Falls of Neuse Rd., Raleigh 27615). David and Ellen Nason are our gracious hosts. Please give them a call or send an email to let them know you’re coming so we can plan accordingly. We look forward to good food and great fellowship!

Lent calls us to center our lives on Christ. As Nativity looks toward the next 40 years, how do we keep Jesus as the ONE THING? Join us March 4, March 11 and March 18 (on Zoom at 7 pm) and March 25 (in-person potluck) for prayerful, forward-looking conversation. We’ll celebrate our past, explore the future of the Episcopal Church with Rev. Katie Nakamura Rengers on March 18, and gather… Read more: Wednesdays in Lent: The Next 40 Years

By Ailsa Tessier If you need some quiet or meditative time in any season, I invite you to reflect and meditate on all the works of art here at Nativity. Let’s look at some of the art we are fortunate to enjoy in our parish. Probably the most prominent art we see are the many lovely works created by former parishioner Doug Smith. Doug designed and created our altar, the… Read more: Invitation to reflect and meditate on all the works of art at Nativity

From June 16 – 21, our high school students will travel to Richmond and Williamsburg, VA for a week-long pilgrimage into the story of The Episcopal Church. We’ll step into the moments when our Church wrestled with big questions, shaped its identity, and found new direction. We’ll worship together, serve alongside local communities, have a lot of fun, and make memories that last. This is more than a history trip;… Read more: Registration Open for Youth Pilgrimage 2026: Roots & Renewal

Join us in Corlett Hall on Sunday, March 22, following the 10:30 service, for an intergenerational postcard-writing event in support of Advocacy Day 2026. Nativity members of all ages are invited to write, draw, and share their voices on issues that matter most, including Climate Care, Affordable Housing, and Gun Violence, an urgent concern voiced by our youth. Snacks, art supplies, and postcards will be provided. Your handwritten message or… Read more: Together We Speak: Advocacy Day Postcards – Sunday, March 22, following the 10:30 service

Spring is almost here, and that means it’s time for our Church of the Nativity Spring Workday! Join us on Saturday, March 14 from 9 am–2 pm as we care for our church home together. We’ll be working on projects inside and out including gardening, regular maintenance, cleaning, organizing, and more. There’s something for every skill level, and many hands make light (and joyful!) work. Come for part of the… Read more: Buildings and Grounds Spring Workday – Saturday, March 14 from 9 am – 2 pm

Join us for our next Stand Up, Speak Out gathering on Sunday, February 22, following the 10:30 service. As we begin the season of Lent, we’ll take time to touch base, reconnect, and look ahead to the many meaningful opportunities coming up. There’s a lot on the horizon, and we’d love for you to be part of the conversation. Bring a snack to share and come ready for thoughtful discussion… Read more: Stand Up Speak Out (SUSO) Meeting

The youth, working alongside Randy Smith, will assemble Blessing Bags for the homeless during Lent this year. These bags will be available for pickup on Palm Sunday, March 29, after each service, so that you can share them during Holy Week. If you would like to contribute, items can be purchased through our Amazon Wishlist. We provide this for convenience, but you are absolutely welcome to purchase items elsewhere as… Read more: Holy Week Blessing Bags

What hopes and dreams do you have for Nativity? Share a message with future members by writing on the special acid-free paper in the Narthex using the pens provided. Your note will be placed in our time capsule and opened 40 years from now! The display will remain in the Narthex through the end of February. Watch for details about the Time Capsule burial after the Lenten season. And don’t… Read more: Talk to the Future

Looking to make new connections or reconnect at Church of the Nativity? Foyer groups are a fun way to share a meal and good conversation in a relaxed setting. Groups of 4-5 gather monthly and cook, host, or order in! Families are welcome to join through Family Foyer if there’s enough interest. Email Gail Till to sign up. Group assignments will be shared the last week of February.

StoryBuilders is a devising summer theater camp for rising 3rd–9th graders, offered in partnership by Nativity and The Justice Theatre Project. The two-week camp runs the weeks of July 27 and August 3. Campers work in age-based groups to create an original stage performance inspired by texts from Nativity’s Peace Library, developing characters and scenes with guidance from teaching artists. The cost is $285 per week, and scholarships are available.… Read more: StoryBuilders Theatre Camp

Delve into Hell Bent by Brian Recker during our Lenten book study, as we explore Christian spirituality, community, and the nature of God’s love. The group will meet Tuesdays, February 24–March 24, from 1–2 pm in the Estill House Conference Room, just following the Lenten Tuesday Eucharist. The study will be offered in a hybrid format, with a Zoom option available. Please register to indicate your preference and to receive… Read more: Hell Bent Lenten Book Study

Episcopal 101 is a three-week Sunday-morning class for newcomers, visitors, seekers, and anyone who wants to learn more about what it means to be an Episcopalian, covering our history, beliefs, and practices. The class meets Sundays, February 22–March 8, from 9:30–10:20 am, in the Estill House Conference Room and will be led by The Rev. Grey Maggiano. Please register to indicate your interest and help with planning.

Lent Madness is a Lenten devotion that invites participants to learn about the saints through a fun, tournament-style bracket. Brackets will be available in the Narthex beginning Sunday, February 8, or you can print your own. Voting at Nativity begins Monday, February 23, with 10 e-mail ballots across the season of Lent to determine Nativity’s choice for the Golden Halo. If you want even more fun, take part in the… Read more: Get Ready for Lent Madness!

Lenten devotionals are now available for pick up in the Narthex. Choose from four titles: Pick up yours today!

Nativity has been invited to once again participate in the Annual Friendship Iftar Dinner at the Divan Center (1076 W Chatham St, Cary, NC 27513) on Thursday, February 26, at 6 pm. This special evening is an opportunity to share in the spirit of Ramadan, enjoy a meal with our neighbors, and celebrate unity in diversity. Space is limited, so please register soon. Join us as we gather to learn… Read more: Ramadan Friendship Dinner

Have you ever rung handbells? Our handbell choir has one or two openings, and we’d love to welcome new ringers. If you have any experience with handbells or are comfortable reading music, you might be a great fit for our group. We rehearse on Wednesday evenings and have a lot of fun making music together. Interested or curious to learn more? Please reach out to Ailsa Tessier by email or… Read more: Handbell Ringers Wanted