…to all involved this year with our 3rd Annual Nativity Trunk or Treat! We couldn’t have done it without you! It was wonderful to see such a great community gathering.
The Global Mission Outreach Team thanks the Nativity community for supporting the Days for Girls (female hygiene kits) project. Over $1,100 was raised for support of DFG kits, 80 kits were produced (value over $800) and over $500 of materials were donated. The event culminated with a group of 37 volunteers who helped make components of the kits. Nancy and Steve Laible will personally deliver DFG kits to school girls in Bangladesh during their mission trip to the LAMB project in Bangladesh during the month of October, 2018. Thrivent Financial provided ‘Action Team’ support for the sewing event.
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!
Nativity made a big impression with over 100 people participating in the St Anthony Village Fest Parade. Nativity’s strength in numbers communicated a COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY and caring for community.
Nativity’s values of caring for neighbor were on display as our group moved through the parade route surrounded by Nativity’s community outreach flags. As I handed out a bookmark, the woman turned it over and commented, “Does your church do all these things?” Yes I answered and so much more.
THANK YOU TO the many who helped communicate a powerful message of compassion to the community; walkers, riders, donating candy, prepping and serving food, giving rides, drivers, passing out candy and bookmarks, carrying the outreach flags and having fun in the process.
Thank you for giving of yourself.
-Pastor Glenn
-Mitch Granholm
PLEASE COMPLETE AND SUBMIT/RETURN YOUR PLAN FOR GIVING TO NATIVITY
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE. Thank you!
You can complete your plan or sign up for an automatic withdrawal (Simply Giving) online at www.Nativitychurch.org/give or stop by the Welcome Desk and pick up a form.
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.
My family and I have been members at Nativity for a number of years and our children also attend the Nativity Child and Family Center. The church is important to us for many reasons, but some of the main points that come to mind include the charitable events and causes that the church participates in as well as the people that organize and invest their own time and effort accordingly. From the team of pastors and staff at the church to the volunteers that are involved donating time, I think financial donations are also a very important component of the church. My family and I choose to make financial donations to the church because we trust and believe in Nativity! At this time in our lives we are trying to teach our children the importance of the church and the opportunity to be generous within the church. I remember my parents teaching me about donating to church at a young age, and our intent is to teach our children the same values. I know that financial contributions to the church can and do help many other people but the donations also help our family mentally and spiritually recognizing that the opportunity to donate to the church is something that improves our lives too!
-Luke Juhl
PLEASE COMPLETE AND SUBMIT/RETURN YOUR PLAN FOR GIVING TO NATIVITY
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE. Thank you!
You can complete your plan or sign up for an automatic withdrawal (Simply Giving) online at www.Nativitychurch.org/give or stop by the Welcome Desk and pick up a form.
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
PLEASE COMPLETE AND SUBMIT/RETURN YOUR PLAN FOR GIVING TO NATIVITY
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE. Thank you!
You can complete your plan or sign up for an automatic withdrawal (Simply Giving) online at www.Nativitychurch.org/give or stop by the Welcome Desk and pick up a form.
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.
The above statistics illustrate a shift in the US population never before seen in our history. Sociologists, economists, and health care gurus predict overwhelming challenges today and into the future—challenges to health care, governmental programs, housing, and faith communities. Nativity Church is aware of these issues and plans to address many of them in the coming months.
While the challenges facing our society seem overwhelming, a cultural trend is emerging that puts a positive spin on the “graying of America.” Today’s elders are crafting new attitudes toward aging. Some call this new attitude, vital aging. “Vital aging is a lifelong process of achieving individual potential and engaging with others to meet the needs of all.” (Vital Aging Network)
“Wrinkles should merely indicate where the smiles have been.”—Mark Twain.
In order to achieve individual potential, today’s elders engage in personal reflection, conversation, and learning opportunities in order to find meaning and balance. This leads a discovery of ways to enrich their own lives through helping others.
Nativity Church has a Vital Aging Initiative to encourage and affirm elders and those who are approaching elderhood. Through presentations, conversation groups, and seminars; Nativity Church invites all people to participate. Recent offerings include: “Elderhood, a New Life Stage,” “Managing Change,” “Facing Loss with Courage,” and “Downsizing/De-cluttering your Life.” Future topics: “Planning for Retirement,” “Advanced Care Directives,” “What Happens to my Faith as I Age,” “What Happens to my Body and my Brain as I Age?”
The aging process can be a time when rich experiences and new insights outweigh and inform the challenges of coping with change. And, with 10,000 people per day turning 65, one is certainly not alone!
Join us June 13th, 2018 for one of our Wednesday evening events: How did I get to be 60 (or 70 or 80), when I’m 35 inside?
Pastor Glenn invited me to speak on why I give to Nativity.
Today there seems to be so many conversations about making good investments. What’s going to get you your best return on investment. While I think it’s important to think about stocks and bonds and other options, I think it’s equally important to think about the value beyond the dollars and cents.
I give to Nativity because I view it as an investment in my future. Not because I think it will buy my way into heaven, I’m pretty sure Luther already fought that battle but more so because Nativity is doing the work that I want invested in my community.
When I first attended Nativity, I was not asked how much I make or how much I can give (monetarily), I was offered an open pew, I was warmly greeted by name, I was generously given time and resources, and I was asked, “how can we help you continue on your journey of faith.” So, quite simply I think I invest in Nativity because they first invested in me.
-Lisa Blanksma
PLEASE COMPLETE AND SUBMIT/RETURN YOUR PLAN FOR GIVING TO NATIVITY
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE. Thank you!
You can complete your plan or sign up for an automatic withdrawal (Simply Giving) online at www.Nativitychurch.org/give or stop by the Welcome Desk and pick up a form.
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.
“Dear Scholarship Committee,
I’m writing to express my deep gratitude for the scholarships you have given me, not only this year, but throughout all four years of my college education. The financial assistance you have provided has granted me access many transformative experiences at St Olaf, allowing me to develop the skills I need to be successful in my chosen profession as well as encouraging me to learn and grow as a person. Thank you for your continuing generosity as I head into my senior year!”-Sincerely,Noah Livingston
Dear Nativity Scholarship Committee,
“I am writing to express muy sincere gratitude for your generous scholarship. The financial assistance which you have provided will allow me to focus on my education, and pursue the career of my dreams.The Augsburg community has inspired me to pursue a BA degree in Theater, and bring my acting career to life. My passion for acting began in high school when I performed in class plays and musicals. I enjoyed performing in front of a large audience, and sensed that I had a meaningful talent to share with the world. My education at Augsburg University will improve my acting ability to succeed in this highly competitive field.This scholarship is truly a blessing! I want to set an example about the importance of a college degree, and why it is essentially a precursor to a fulfilling life. The road to success is never straight, but I’m willing to take the journey with the Lord as my guide.Thank you for your generosity and support!”Sincerely,Marcus Papasodora
Show Us Some Love!