Nativity values and lives out radical hospitality because we believe it embodies the love of God as demonstrated in Jesus. Nativity is a safe, welcoming and affirming community for all people. We stand up for the rights of all people as children of God and are committed to the ongoing work of welcome, inclusion, celebration, and advocacy for our queer siblings, people of color, and all who are marginalized.
It’s easy to complain about things we don’t like, but it’s not helpful. Frankly, it often adds to the emotional violence around us. Nativity staff and council are committed to focusing on the things we can do. We can all be better followers of Jesus. We can all do a better job of being the love of Christ in the world.
Nativity staff and council invite the community to join us. We invite you to pray for our leaders in government, especially our President and his cabinet. We ask that you join us in community, in order to help each other follow Jesus and be the love of Christ in the world. It’s a love that, we believe, stands with all people as children of God, a love that stands allied with our queer siblings, a love that stands allied with our siblings of color. It’s a love that stands up to injustice, speaks truth to power, and works for justice and dignity for all. We may be in different places on the journey of understanding, but we are committed to standing together.
In a pastoral letter to the nation, Presiding Bishop of the ELCA Elizabeth Eaton reminded all followers of Jesus that we are called to speak up when government distorts or denies the image of God in each person, endangering their safety. Where harm or inequity occur, we are called by God to respond with love and advocacy. We pray for strength, she writes, strength to love unconditionally and to serve one another. As we pray, we must also act—advocating for policies that affirm the dignity of every person and standing against actions that demean or exclude.
We invite you to read Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton’s letter (Click Here).
Whatever your hopes or fears for our nation, we want to support you. If you’d like a listening ear, Nativity has four dedicated staff members committed to Pastoral Care. We also have a prayer room with spiritual resources for quiet contemplation. This room is available during church office hours. To connect with pastoral care, please feel free to reach out to these Nativity staff members.
Pastor Glenn (gseefeldt@nativitychurch.org)
Deacon Kyle (kyle@nativitychurch.org)
Jan Frederickson, Visitation Minister (pfrederi@msn.com)
Pat Hendricks, Adult Faith Formation (bppat127@gmail.com)
We hold our community and our nation in prayer at this time. Nativity will always work toward a nation and a community for everyone, by everyone, holding Jesus and his teachings at the center.