Nativity Blog Archives

Nativity has a long history of  handbell choirs – we’ve been playing for  more than 25 years. Though you haven’t seen us lately, we’ve missed our beloved bells. Since Covid, the ringers have been on hiatus and have struggled to regroup since the pandemic ended. We will soon begin again! During September we will be recruiting new members to join our current ringers. Handbell ringing experience is not required, but… Read more: Handbells are Back

by The Rev. Stephanie Yancy and The Rev. Dr. Cathy Deats Dear Nativity Friends, It’s been so much fun to be with you these past eight months as your interim co-rectors. We have watched as you continued to be church without missing a beat. Your always meaningful worship and faithful service to the community have inspired us. Your openness to new things has made it easy for us to fit in… Read more: Farewell Letter from our Co-interim Rectors

Are your housing costs affordable? In January this year, the US Department of Housing & Urban Development defined affordable housing as housing costs, including utilities, that do not exceed 30% of an occupant’s gross income. Currently, over 56,000 working households in Wake County cannot afford housing. This crisis affects long-time residents, firefighters, teachers, and police officers. Historic Black neighborhoods are particularly hard-hit by gentrification and displacement. For instance, downtown Raleigh… Read more: ONE Wake: Affordable Housing Petition

by Viola Baldwin One of Church of the Nativity’s ministries is working at the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle once a month. We gather in the warehouse and pack approximately 100 bags with a menu established by the staff of the Food Shuttle. We then deliver the bags to three sites by going door to door in a senior living facility. The residents are very appreciative of the food and the deliverer—we… Read more: Inter-Faith Food Shuttle Volunteers Needed

Cuyler O’Connor, Deacon at El Buen Pastor, has reached out to Nativity to ask for help in collecting school supplies for their children in Durham. Please consider contributing to this effort. Collection boxes can be found in the Narthex as well as in Estill House through August 8th. If a digital option is better for you, you can place an order through Amazon Wish List: El Buen Pastor School Supplies .  Needed… Read more: School Supplies Collection for El Buen Pastor

The Buildings and Grounds team is striving to rejuvenate our campus. The Memorial Garden has been a major focus along with the overall grounds, and our progress is starting to show! The Estill House portico repair will be underway very shortly, after hitting a few snags. We are working to clean floors and carpets, paint several walls, reduce energy consumption via LED bulbs and insulation, and much more. We have… Read more: Buildings & Grounds Projects Update

by Beth Crow, Chair of the Search Committee George Douglas, Senior Warden, and Beth Crow, Chair of the Search Committee, announced that the Rev. Grey Maggiano has been called as Rector of the Church of the Nativity. Grey sends his greetings to Church of the Nativity, and excited about joining us in a few weeks. In addition to this video, you can also watch a past sermon that he preached… Read more: Rev. Grey Maggiano Called as Rector

There are two hearing aid technologies available to use in the Nave of Church of the Nativity. T-Coil Technology Radio Frequency (RF) transmission to a “Listen” device (RF signal receiver) that enables use of T-coil connectivity in the hearing aid. The Nativity system uses the 42 MHz range. Listen devices are in the charging box on the table below the TV monitor. There is a total of 8 devices. You… Read more: Hearing Aid Assist Technologies at Nativity

The Search Committee has given the Vestry their recommendation for the next Rector of Church of the Nativity. The Vestry will be setting up a time to meet and interview this candidate very soon.

by Jeremy Clos On Thursday, June 13 fourteen of our high school youth and their adult chaperones departed for Wilmington, NC. This pilgrimage promises to be a transformative journey, filled with opportunities for learning, reflection, and fellowship. Our journey begins on Thursday, where we will delve into the complex history of chattel slavery in the United States. Our first stop will be the Bellamy Mansion, a historic landmark that offers… Read more: Youth Pilgrimage to Wilmington

The Search Committee has been busy meeting and conducting Zoom interviews with many interested priests. We very much enjoyed everyone we interviewed and had the difficult task of narrowing our selection to those we will invite to Raleigh for in-person interviews. We are now in the process of scheduling these interviews which will take place over the coming weeks. Our next update will be when the in-person interviews have concluded. … Read more: May 30 Transition Update

Steve Dearth and Sherry Hedrick Recently Carl Sigel, the inspiration and main driver of Nativity’s Creation Care initiatives, decided to move to a mentorship role in this mission, one that, under his leadership, has been impactful throughout the diocese and beyond. Enter Steve Dearth and Sherry Hedrick, longtime Raleigh residents who have been attending Nativity for about a year and a half. According to Steve, “We feel strongly that proper… Read more: New Creation Care Leadership

(left to right: Becky Christian, Becky Showalter, Michael Anello, Jill Staton-Bullard) Last Sunday, April 28, Nativity presented a $1,000 check to Michael Anello, Executive Director of Haiti Reforestation Partnership. Three of our members (pictured here) are or have been leaders with this unique and successful economic development project in one of the poorest, most unstable countries in the world. During this year’s Week of Giving, individuals in the church community… Read more: Nativity Supports Haiti Reforestation Project

The Search Committee met on Wednesday, May 1, to review and discuss the applicant files we received from the Diocese. We have many interested applicants, and we are excited to begin the interview process. Over the coming weeks, we will be conducting Zoom interviews with applicants. During that time, we will not be sending out transition updates. Our next update will be when the Zoom interviews have concluded and we… Read more: May 2 Transition Update

The Search Committee met on Wednesday, April 24, and continues to prepare interview questions and calendar potential dates for Zoom and in-person interviews of interested priests. Please continue to inform interested candidates that our Parish Portfolio is available, and we are receiving names until April 28, 2024. Next Steps: Communication Need more details about the search process? More information can be found on Nativity’s Clergy Transition Page. Have a question for… Read more: April 25 Transition Update

The Caregivers Support Group meets on the second and fourth Sundays of each month after the 10:30 service in Room 202 of Curry Hall.  There is no one type of caregiving. Some care for a spouse, parent, a child (young or adult), a grandchild, another loved one, or a friend. Some give care day to day in person; others do so long distance. Some are giving care for a short… Read more: Caregivers Support Group

April 18, 2024, Transition Update  The Search Committee met on Wednesday, April 10, and is in the process of preparing interview questions and calendaring potential dates for Zoom and in-person interviews of interested priests. Please continue to inform interested candidates that our Parish Portfolio is available, and we are receiving names until April 28, 2024.   Next Steps:  Communication  Need more details about the search process? More information can be found on… Read more: April 18 Transition Update

On Wednesday, April 3, the Search Committee met to discuss the next steps in the search process with Canon Catherine Massey. Through the end of this month, the committee will meet to prepare interview questions for Zoom and in-person interviews of interested candidates. We will receive the names and files of interested priests on April 29, and the discernment phase of the search process will begin. Zoom interviews will be scheduled… Read more: April 11 Transition Update

What a busy and glorious Holy Week at Nativity! The Vestry would like to thank everyone who gave their time, talent, and heartfelt touches to each and every service. Stephanie, Cathy, Phillip, and Jeremy delivered some amazing sermons, shared some great children’s homilies (and crafts), and presided over some beautiful baptisms! Bradley provided some poignant music and inspired the choir to work their vocal cords overtime, resulting in lovely psalms,… Read more: Easter Thank You from the Vestry

On Wednesday, April 3, the Search Committee met and discussed the next steps in the search process with Canon Catherine Massey. Please continue to spread the word to interested candidates that our Parish Portfolio has been posted and we are receiving names through April 28, 2024.    Next Steps:  Communication  Need more details about the search process? More information can be found on Nativity’s Clergy Transition Page.  Have a question for the… Read more: April 4 Transition Update

On Wednesday, April 3, the Search Committee will meet and discuss the next steps in the search process with Canon Catherine Massey. Please continue to spread the word to interested candidates that our Parish Portfolio has been posted and we are receiving names through April 28, 2024.    Next Steps:  Communication  Need more details about the search process? More information can be found on Nativity’s Clergy Transition Page.  Have a question for… Read more: March 28 Transition Update

Please continue to spread the word to potential candidates that our Parish Portfolio has been posted and we are receiving names through April 28, 2024.    Next Steps:  Communication  Need more details about the search process? More information can be found on Nativity’s Clergy Transition Page.  Have a question for the Search Committee? Please ask it here. 

The Parish Profile has been finalized and posted! Last week, the Search Committee presented the final portfolio for Vestry approval.  We then submitted the portfolio to the diocese and, on Monday, March 11, the portfolio was posted. We will be receiving names through Sunday, April 28.  The committee also wanted to share the word cloud below which represents the themes that emerged when we answered the question: What makes a… Read more: March 14 Transition Update

The Search Committee finalized the initial draft of the Parish Portfolio last week and shared it with the Vestry. After the Vestry provided comments, we reviewed them during our March 6, 2024 meeting. Currently, we are actively revising the document, and upon completion, we will submit it to the Vestry for approval.  The committee wanted to share the word cloud below which represents the themes that emerged when we answered… Read more: March 8 Transition Update

The Search Committee met on February 22, 2024 to continue their work on the Parish Portfolio. We are making great progress and are close to completion. Our next step will be to present it to the Vestry. Once we receive the Vestry’s comments, we will finalize the Parish Portfolio for their final approval.  The committee wanted to share the word cloud below which represents words parishioners used to respond to… Read more: March 1 Transition Update

by Carl Sigel Since Nativity’s earliest days, one of the cornerstones of our mission has been to explore how we grow, eat, and share food. In 2021, Nativity partnered with nine other Raleigh congregations in a program to support our local Black farmers. The program, called Farm to Church Community Supported Agriculture or CSA, was launched by the Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (RAFI-USA).  CSAs have become a popular way for… Read more: Spring 2024 CSA

The Search Committee met on February 15, 2024 to continue their work on the Parish Portfolio. The committee will continue to meet weekly until its completion. The committee also updated the Vestry on its work during the Vestry’s meeting on February 20.  The committee wanted to share the word cloud below which represents the most popular words parishioners used to respond to the following statement: Name the three things you… Read more: February 23 Transition Update

The Search Committee met on February 7, 2024 to begin their work on the Parish Portfolio. During the preparation process, the committee thought it would be fun to share word clouds generated from the questions posed to the congregation during the February 4 congregational meeting. The word cloud below represents the most popular words Nativity used to answer the question: Remember a moment that was a high point, when you… Read more: February 16 Transition Update

Following the success of last year’s Episcopal 101 offering, we are holding a similar Q&A series this Lent, where you can ask all of your lingering questions regarding being an Episcopalian, our church practice, etc. To ask a question, fill out this Google Form, and you will receive a response via a blog post or short video.  This week’s answer comes from Jeremy Clos, Lay Associate for Christian Formation. Why… Read more: Lent Q&A 2024: Week 1

by Jeremy Clos I am thrilled to extend an invitation to all high school students to join our upcoming Youth Pilgrimage to Wilmington, NC, scheduled for June. This pilgrimage promises to be a transformative journey of discovery, camaraderie, and spiritual enrichment. We eagerly anticipate your participation and look forward to embarking on this meaningful adventure together. Important Dates to Note: Key Trip Information: Trip Highlights: Our Youth Pilgrimage aims to… Read more: Fire and Freedom: Summer Youth Pilgrimage 

On Sunday, February 4, Nativity had a productive and well-attended congregational meeting to collect important and needed information for the preparation of our Parish Portfolio. We also heard from many who were unable to attend via a questionnaire that was sent out after the meeting concluded. The Search Committee is so grateful to all who participated in this process. We very much value your input!  The Search Committee collected and… Read more: February 9 Transition Update

by Joe Ward February 24 is the kickoff day for the 2024 Habitat for Humanity Episcopal Build. On Saturday, February 24, volunteers from the Episcopal churches will join forces to assemble walls for two homes and stand walls on one house. Volunteers are needed for either the 8;30 wall build for the first house or 10:30 wall build for the second house. Lunch will be provided. You can register online. … Read more: 2024 Habitat EpiscoBuild Kickoff

by Ailsa Tessier We know it as Foyer at Nativity, but where did this name come from? We understand that the idea of foyer gatherings began after the bombing of Coventry Cathedral during World War II. The cathedral’s Provost made a commitment to not seek revenge, but to strive for forgiveness and reconciliation with those responsible. Out of that commitment came community meetings, where people worked together to find common… Read more: Foyer Groups at Nativity

Cuyler O’Connor was ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons on January 27, 2024. With that ordination comes a move for Cuyler to a different parish, as he is called to serve where needed. This is a bittersweet moment for Nativity, as we celebrate his journey but also know that we will miss him. Cuyler shares the following note: When I started this diaconal process, I never thought about the… Read more: Farewell from Cuyler O’Connor

The Search Committee met with Canon Catherine Massey of the Diocese on January 18 to discuss the next steps in the transition process. The immediate next step — and perhaps the most important — is determining what qualities our parishioners would like to see in our new Rector. We would like to ask for your help by attending a special congregational meeting at Nativity at 10:30 am on February 4.… Read more: January 26 Transition Update

by Chuck Till The first Bishop of the newly formed Diocese of North Carolina, John Stark Ravenscroft – the namesake of Ravenscroft School in Raleigh – was an enslaver. After he became a member of the clergy, he emancipated many of his enslaved persons but not all. The second Bishop of the Diocese, Levi Stillman Ives, defended the institution of slavery even as he encouraged his white parishioners to attend… Read more: A Response to the Pastoral Letter

by Bridget Knapp Wait a minute! I thought the election wasn’t until November 5? Yes, but that’s the general election. There’s lots to do before then, like vote in the primary election on March 5, where we decide which candidates we should vote for in the general election. (Take a look at the election calendar). In the primary election, eligible voters affiliated with any political party are allowed to vote… Read more: It’s Time to Vote!

This post was last updated on January 18, 2024 From Stephanie Yancy: Some of you have asked how to reach me. You can reach me via email through the link at the bottom of this blog post and via the staff page of the website. You may also call me on the office phone: 919-846-8338. If you leave a general message, Bradley will see that I get it. If your… Read more: Contacting Our Interims

This is your Vestry’s final update for 2023 and my last as your Senior Warden. Beginning January 1, George Douglas will be Nativity’s Senior Warden, and Dave McKinnon the Junior Warden. I know I speak for Bill Sena, the 2022–23 Junior Warden, and Anne Krouse, the other Vestry member rotating off the end of this year, when I say what a privilege it has been to serve you and the… Read more: December 29 Transition Update

Reverend Nancy Titus and Jeremy Clos will offer a book study of Cynthia Bourgeault’s The Wisdom Way of Knowing: Reclaiming an Ancient Tradition to Awaken the Heart beginning on January 24. The book is available through major retailers for about $20. The study will meet on Wednesday evenings from 7 to 8 pm via Zoom and continue through one chapter a week for eight weeks. Sign up here to receive… Read more: New Book Study: The Wisdom Way of Knowing

Our message this week comes from our Co-Interim Rectors, The Rev. Stephanie Yancy and Dr. Rev. Cathy Deats. The Vestry would like to wish each and everyone of you and your families a very Merry Christmas! Dear Friends at Nativity, I am so pleased that your vestry has called The Rev. Dr. Cathy Deats and me to be your co-interim rectors! I loved my time with you a year ago… Read more: December 22 Transition Update

Sunday, December 31 will be Helen Moses’ last official day at Nativity. We have so loved having her as our Priest Intern, and have appreciated all the many ways that she has been involved in the life of our parish: she has preached sermons, taught classes, she will be singing in some of our Christmas and Advent services, and much, much more. We will miss her greatly! We wish her… Read more: Farewell to Helen

It is with great joy that we, the Vestry of Church of the Nativity, announce that we have called our Interim Priests. Yes, you read that correctly: priests.  The Rev. Stephanie Yancy and The Rev. Dr. Cathy Deats will share the Interim position, with Stephanie serving ¾ time and Cathy ¼ time. They will begin the first of the new year. More details about their shared position will come next… Read more: December 15 Transition Update

I was born and raised in Uganda, Africa as the only child of an Anglican Priest who later became Bishop. I attended Indiana University, Bloomington for my undergraduate degree and medical school in Indianapolis. I completed my residence in Family Medicine in Kalamazoo, MI. That is where I met my wife Tracey. We have been married for 34 years and have 2 wonderful children. Erika who lives in Baltimore, and… Read more: New Vestry Profile: Sam Wesonga

Thanks to you, members of Nativity, our annual Week of Giving and Day of Giving was — once again — a wonderful success. Because of your generous hearts, the 15 nonprofit ministries that participated received a grand total of over $22,900. That is simply outstanding. Your money supports local ministries such as Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, the Episcopal Campus Ministry, the Farm Workers Ministry, Habitat for Humanity of Wake County, Interfaith… Read more: Week of Giving 2023: A Huge Success

The Vestry is in the final stage of selecting our Interim Rector and will make an announcement as soon as all legal procedures are completed. As stated last week, the Vestry will meet on December 12 to approve the selection of Search Committee members; that list will be shared once all parties have accepted their nominations.

Yvette is a lifelong Episcopalian, who grew up in Long Island, NY. She attended St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Harlem, where her father has been serving as the Deacon for over 25 years. From an early age, Yvette has been involved in the church as a Junior Daughter of King and a Daughter of King; on most Sundays she could be found serving as an acolyte, singing in the youth… Read more: New Vestry Profile: Yvette Smith

Eva Warren is a preschool teacher at North Raleigh United Methodist Church and has been in the early childhood education field for the last 17 years. She graduated from NC State, is a mom to four boys aged 10–16, and a dog mom of two. She spends her free time reading, and taking walks outside and playing games with her boys. Welcome, Eva!

The Vestry met Tuesday evening, November 28, to begin interviewing candidates for the Interim Rector position. The Search Committee Chair, Beth Crow, and the Junior Warden, Bill Sena, are reviewing Vestry members’ input on possible members for the Search Committee. The Vestry will vote on the final list at their next Vestry meeting on December 12.

I was born and raised in the Montreal, Canada area. We were raised in the Anglican church, St. Barnabas, where all of us McKinnons served either in the choir or as crucifers, as well as youth groups. I earned a B.A.SC in industrial engineering and then went to work for a large telecommunications manufacturer. They transferred me to North Carolina, where I met my beautiful wife Becky; we have been married for 44… Read more: New Vestry Profile: Dave McKinnon