Thirty six people attended Popular Topics on Sunday, February 3rd to hear Dr. Rolf Skogerboe, Ear/Nose/Throat surgeon. Dr. Skogerboe began by saying,

“The favorite four letter word for people with hearing loss is the word, What?” 

He presented examples to improve communication. Speak slowly and enunciate, particularly consonants. Look directly at people so they can increase their comprehension by reading lips. Higher voices are more difficult, so try to speak in a lower tone. On February 10th, the topic will be “Fraud Prevention.” 9:00-10:00 AM, lower level of Nativity Church.

On December 14th the Student Action Leadership Team (S.A.L.T.) hosted 23 high school students in a night to support LSS Safe House, a local teen homeless shelter. Students learned about the shelter and the struggles of the local homeless population. They also made fleece tie blankets to be donated. Our students experienced God’s love as a community of youth as we explored what it means to belong and be claimed as children of God. This was made possible by the loving support of the Nativity.

On September 9, members of our Nativity Community participated in God’s Work Our Hands projects.  15 volunteers painted and cleaned at Rezek House (2-year transitional living program for homeless youth ages 16-21).  Volunteers reported that it was a great way to experience God’s work as they prepared a new apartment for a mother and child to move into the following week.

The second project included donating approximately $1700 in household goods and filling 16 laundry baskets that go to families in the FISH (Families in Safe Hands) program as they transition from homelessness to apartments.

Thank you for your generosity and commitment of time and energy to make this day a success!

-Mitch Granholm

The Plan for Giving pledge card is different than the Simply Giving signup form. We would like to receive a Plan for Giving from all Nativity members. We are encouraging those who do not already give by automatic withdrawal/Simply Giving to prayerfully consider it.

I have been thinking about what my family has received from Nativity and why we give to Nativity.

The “why” is straightforward; we know that we directly benefit from the services and the community that this church creates. Nativity helps shape the conversations we have with our kids about our faith and values – and reminds us that those conversations are critical to our growth and ability to form healthy relationships. Some of the best and most challenging conversations we’ve had with our kids were instigated by a lesson taught by Tori during Faith Formation, an experience shared by Kelly during Pop Tops (Popular Topics), a community/faith event hosted by Meet Me At The River, and a conversation in the Fellowship Hall about affordable housing or homelessness. I’m so thankful for those experiences that come from the wisdom and connection that the church’s leadership and staff cultivate with our community and neighbors.

I think about the sermons, fellowship, and service opportunities as buds on a plant. Financial giving is one of the ways we can help feed the roots of the plant, so the buds can grow, and it takes all our actions and support to make sure the buds can turn into vines that grow beyond the church’s walls. When we give financially on a regularly basis those generosity muscles get a little more use, so when we give it seems more natural. It feels like it comes more out of joy and less out of obedience. We begin to feel thankful for being able to help feed the roots, so the vines can continue to grow.

We still make decisions based more on fear and greed, but I think it happens less often. This connection formed with Nativity and our community reminds us that we need to think about how investment returns are much broader than financial gains. We can live our lives knowing relationships and the love of God that we see in our community can have a much greater value than a bank account getting bigger. I encourage you all to think about how stretching the “generosity muscle” can help form stronger roots for you, our church, and community.

-Rachel Dungca

The Plan for Giving pledge card is different than the Simply Giving signup form. We would like to receive a Plan for Giving from all Nativity members. We are encouraging those who do not already give by automatic withdrawal/Simply Giving to prayerfully consider it.