Category: Outreach

Blog posts from our various outreach teams

Categories
Outreach Social Justice

Nativity Members Exceed Goal for the First Nativity/Raleigh-Apex NAACP Scholarship Fund

Members of the Nativity Social Justice Advocacy Team and the Outreach Team are proud to announce that the new scholarship fund introduced in February has completed its 2021 campaign (as of April 30.) Our goal for this first year was to provide the Raleigh-Apex NAACP with at least $1,000 to provide one scholarship for college to a young adult of color. The final results are in and, thanks to the generous support of many, Nativity will be providing $8,026 to support the scholarship fund for 2021. That translates into eight scholarships for deserving college applicants!

The scholarship was announced in February as part of Nativity’s long-term commitment to becoming a beloved community, striving for justice and peace for all people and respecting the dignity of every human being.

NAACP Chapter President Gerald Givens refers to our effort as the “Episcopal Church of the Nativity/Raleigh-Apex Scholarship Fund.” He is hoping that our cooperation with this effort will encourage other Episcopal churches in Wake County to help grow this scholarship fund in the next few years. The program just began within the past four years and Givens was delighted that we wanted to be on the ground floor and help make a difference.

Education is a key element of success for most people and it is our hope that helping motivated and talented students of color to continue their education after high school will help move our nation closer to economic and social equity.

Any donations received after April 30 will be applied to our scholarship fund for 2022.  Many thanks to all who have helped this year!

-George Douglas

Categories
Outreach

Church of the Nativity’s “Week” of Giving

Don’t let Amazon be your only online shopping site!  Look out for great gift giving during our virtual Week of Giving for 2020, Nov. 26-Dec. 6. In the past eight to ten years we have dedicated the first Sunday of Advent as our Day of Giving, a time when many of the various outreach ministries supported by Church of the Nativity shared information about their engaging and generous programs. It also has given parishioners a great opportunity to support these programs.

This year’s Covid crisis has forced us to be more creative with the work of the church, and so our one-day in person DAY of Giving will now be a WEEK of online sharing and giving.  There are 14 worthy organizations to choose from this year for donations, perhaps in honor of family or friends.  We can even provide a beautiful card, to be sent through email to you, to announce your gift.

Mark your calendars and be prepared to visit Church of the Nativity’s website throughout the week of Nov. 26-Dec. 6. There will be descriptions of each program as well as brief informative videos. Nativity parishioners have leadership roles in most of these organizations.  If you have any questions, please Email Beth Crow.

The organizations that will be represented are: Abukloi, Church of the Nativity Youth Ministry, Episcopal Farmworkers Ministry, Episcopal Relief and Development, Equal Justice Initiative, Habitat Build,  Haiti Reforestation Partnership, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, Leesville Pride Packs, NC Interfaith Power and Light, Peggy’s Angel Tree, Raleigh Episcopal Campus Ministry, SAFEchild and US-Uganda Orphans Education Fund.

Categories
Outreach

Heroes in Disguise

Did you know that you are a hero in disguise? We, on the Outreach Team, think you are! By paying your pledge, mailing in donations, and supporting the church financially you have enabled our team to make our planned budget a reality.

During this ongoing pandemic we, as a team, have met monthly and been able to distribute funds to many worthy causes in Raleigh and beyond. Most recently, we were able to pay for 10,000 meals to be packed by Rise Against Hunger. This week we are donating to Leesville Elementary School to restock their empty shelves for the children’s backpack program. We have also sent a donation to Masks for Many, a program providing masks for essential workers in the Triangle area.

So, thank you! Thank you for supporting the church and keeping our Outreach program funded for those in need. You are our heroes!

Categories
Outreach Social Justice

What do Fish, Lakes, Groundwater and Social Justice Have in Common?

Members of the Outreach Team met with members of the Social Justice Team by Zoom with the goal to determine how Nativity might respond during this time of deep racial upheaval in our country. 

Several years ago, I attended a two-day program offered by the Racial Equity Institute.  In it, they used this powerful analogy.  If you were walking by a lake and saw several fish struggling on the bank, you might walk over, put those particular fish back into clean water, and to those fish, that was good.  If you were to notice that the lake had many fish dying or ill, you may wonder what you could do to fix the lake and make changes around that particular lake.  However, if you read in the paper, that several different lakes in your area were all suffering in similar ways, then it may occur to you that you had a groundwater problem – a base volume of water feeding many areas all with a common issue.  Racial Equity Institute argues that racism is our groundwater problem.

From a practical standpoint, the analogy also impacts how Nativity might respond to the issues of racial equity in our community and in our country.  Should we use our resources to treat the fish – individuals that need help?  The lakes – the justice system, education, healthcare, housing, etc?  Or the groundwater – the underlying racism and white advantage that permeates it all?  The call, we believe, is all of these.  As Stephanie has often preached, it is rarely an “either/or” situation but more often a case of “both/and”.

We hope to be able to use our resources to continue in direct outreach as we have done for many years (taking care of the fish), but now we would like to be more purposeful in thinking about ways that we can reach out and support changes to the systems (lakes) and even more importantly, the groundwater.

We look forward to input from the Sacred Conversations group and ask you to please pray for the us as we feel our way forward in this important work.

Becky Showalter

Categories
Outreach

Making a Difference in the Covid-19 Pandemic

Nativity’s Outreach Team continues to meet and look for ways to help those in need in our community. Our most recent efforts have been donations to the Episcopal Farm Workers Ministry Covid-19 Emergency Fund and Leesville Public Schools Covid-19 Emergency Fund.

The Episcopal Farm Workers Ministry serves migrant and seasonal farmworkers in the fields, on the farms, and at home.
Learn more about this program at https://episcopalfarmworkerministry.org/.

Our donation to Leesville Public Schools is to a special fund established to support families experiencing financial hardship due to  the pandemic.
You can learn more about this program at https://les.memberhub.store/shopping/items/115940.     

We continue to look for more opportunities to help those in need. All of this is made possible through your pledges and donations. Thank you very much for supporting Outreach and Church of the Nativity.   

Categories
Outreach

Outreach Efforts Continue at Nativity

As spring emerges and days turn into weeks during this pandemic, the local news continues to report the growing needs in our community. Nativity’s Outreach Team has been planning and making decisions to alleviate some of those needs. Because of your generous donations, $2700 has been raised to date through our virtual food drive for Inter-Faith Food Shuttle.  Donations are still being accepted. Click here to donate.

We have financially supported the local Habitat for Humanity Episcopal Build and the new home will be completed in late May. The date of August 30 has been set for our annual Rise Against Hunger meal-packing event and we have paid the cost of the supplies needed for that meal packing. Save the date on your family calendar. The team has decided to spend a portion of our “Disaster Relief” budget locally in view of the pandemic. Money is being sent to Wake County Meals on Wheels, which provides daily meals for seniors and to Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, as their number of recipients has more than doubled during these recent weeks. All these efforts are made possible through your pledges and financial donations to Nativity. Thank you for supporting the church and our outreach efforts.   

Lillis Ward

Categories
Outreach

An Opportunity to Help Those in Need

Our outreach opportunities with Leesville Elementary School Backpack Program and Windsor Spring Groceries for Senior have been suspended for the time being. Yet we have the desire to help others who are food insecure.  As schools have been closed and people have lost their jobs, the need grows daily.  After studying the websites of organizations in Raleigh who lead food distribution efforts, financial donations are the most effective way to help right now. If we donate money, it can be used to buy food in bulk stretching the spending power of each donation. Inter-Faith Food Shuttle (IFFS) has provided a way we can donate from the safety of our homes.

We now have a “COTN Virtual Food Drive” page on the IFFS website where you can shop and pay for food and IFFS will do the actual purchasing and handling of the commodities. You may visit our drive using the above link and click on the tab “Donate”.  If you prefer to mail a check, you may make the check out to Inter-Faith Food Shuttle and mail it to:

Inter-Faith Food Shuttle
Att: Development Dept
1001 Blair Drive Suite 120
Raleigh, NC 27603

Call Lillis Ward, 336-529-3133 or Email Lilis Ward for questions.

Categories
Outreach

Episcopal Coalition – Habitat for Humanity

It is that time once again to start building a new affordable home for a deserving family in Wake County.

The Wall building is set for Saturday February 29 at the Habitat facility located at 2615 Westinghouse Boulevard, Raleigh.  Last year we had a fantastic group from Nativity working with 6 other parishes to get the walls built and then taken to the job site.  We will be working in a different subdivision this year in Garner.

You can sign up at:  http://vhub.at/EpiscopalBuild.

Also, mark your calendars for Saturday April 4!!!  This is Nativity Day.  We need at least 15 of us to sign up.  We will be providing the luncheon feast and we always have a great workday with lots of fellowship.

There are also opportunities for clergy and youth to get involved. Look for updates and more information on our website and in Sunday Tidings. Contact Dave McKinnon or Joe Ward if you have questions.

Categories
Outreach

Ocracoke Strong

The total raised for the Ocracoke Hurricane Relief fund from the Silent Auction at Nativity in December is $4,310.00 – money that has been donated to the relief efforts at Ocracoke.

Bill and Sharon Conley visited Ocracoke just after Christmas; here is Sharon’s description of what they saw:

After Christmas, Bill and I and two family members spent a few hours in Ocracoke while awaiting the ferry to Cedar Island.  Almost immediately after arriving from Nags Head, we saw disturbing evidence of Dorian’s September 6th “visit” to this island, a place that is 3′ above sea level.  Approaching on Highway 12, we saw large mounds that looked like sand dunes.  As we got closer, we realized they were huge piles of debris.  Continuing on, we passed a mile or more of organized waste – broken appliances in one area, tools and lawn equipment in another, roofs, walls, and siding in another area.  Miles of waste showing evidence of the disaster to people’s lives!

Riding around the town, there are hopeful signs of renovation.  There are also signs of demolition, where renovation has yet to begin.  It was a Sunday and the only open restaurant was a small pizza place with huge lines.  A local grocery was also open.  The residents we met said that the goal is for Ocracoke to be ready for tourists in March.  Money is a necessity but manpower may be even more important.  I am hopeful about their recovery.  Their slogan: OCRACOKE STRONG! 

If you did not manage to participate in the Silent Auction for Ocracoke, but want to donate to the relief efforts, go to the Outer Banks Community Foundation website and donate.

Thank you for your donations.

Beth Crow and Sharon Conley

Categories
Outreach

Nativity Silent Auction for Ocracoke

Thank you all for your support both in donations and bidding.  We raised a totaled of $4308 for Ocracoke.

Item # Auction Item Category Value Starting Bid Current Bid Highest Bidder
1 “Mesa Verde’s Cliff Palace” Art $45 $20 $35 JO
2 “Lighthouse Overlooking the Harbor” Art $60 $40 $50 A & G C
3 “The Pietà” Photography $45 $20 $30 CS
4 “Under the Sea” Art $85 $45 $100 KC
5 “Canyon de Chelly” Photography $60 $40 $40 J I
6 “Elijah and Phoebe” Art $25 $5 IG
7 Two, Bird Watercolor Paintings Art $15 $5 VB
7-A “Wine in the Shade” Art $20 $25 DM
7-B “Daisy Cluster” Art $20 $20 MW
7-C “Mountain Mist” Art $20 $25 JO
8 “Ocracoke Favorites” Music $20 $15 $15 P C
9 Carolina Hurricanes Autographed Team Photo Autographed Photo $10 $5
10 “Another Year Blooms” Music $15 $8
11 “Home to Me” Music $15 $8
12 “My Live Oak” Music $10 $5
13 Molasses Creek “Waterbound” Music $10 $5
14 Molasses Creek “People Get Ready” Music $10 $5
15 Molasses Creek “Something Worth Having” Music $10 $5 $5 TP
16 Molasses Creek “Catch the Wind” Music $10 $5 $20 CK
17 “The Power of Love” Literature $25 $30 LW
18 “Do, Die, or Get Along” Literature $20 $40 JW
19 Mahogany sugar bowl Hand-Made $15 $35 JI
20 “Wheels” Hand-Made Quilt Hand-Made $175 $75 $75 BF
21 7″ Hand-Made and Hand-Painted Pottery Hand-Made $20 $25 J P
22 5″ Hand-Made and Hand-Painted Pottery Hand-Made $5 $5 VB
23 Cole Family Pottery, small dish with handle Hand-Made $5 $5 DH
24 Small, Double Dish Pottery Hand-Made $5 $5 MS
25 Small, Cole Pottery Pot with Lid Hand-Made $5 $25 AB
26 Lufkin Vase or Flower Pot Hand-Made $5 $10 JW
27 Susan Parrish Pottery, Bowl Hand-Made $10 $30 LF
27-A Hand-Thrown Blue Candle Stick Hand-Made $5 $5 J M
28 Small Pottery Dish Hand-Made $10 $25 JO
29 Cole Pottery 9″ Dish Hand-Made $15 $25 MC
30 Generation Pottery Hand-Made $15 $30 MKC
31 Fiesta Pottery Hand-Made $5 $5 LB
32 Sunset Pottery Hand-Made $15 $15 PW
33 Glass Perfume Bottle Hand-Made $10 $15 LD
33-A Antique Lacquered Korean Wedding Chest-Large Oriental Antiques $45 $45 JPT
33-B Antique Lacquered Korean Wedding Chest-Small Oriental Antiques $25 $30 BS
33-C Orignial Japanese Sake Cups Oriental Antiques $10 $15 MB
33-D Korean Tarnish-resistant Vintage Brand Wmf Ikora Footed Plate Oriental Antiques $15 $15 EB
33-E Korean Decorative Lacquered Paper Art Trays Oriental Antiques $15 $15 HA
33-F Forbidden Stitch Embroidery Silk Oriental Antiques $35 $35 EB
33-G Original Porcelain Chopstick Holders Oriental Antiques $5 $5 LD
34 Raleigh Little Theater “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.” Performing Arts $54 $40 $40 DM
35 Raleigh Little Theatre’s “Suessical, Jr.” Performing Arts $34 $20 $25 CM
36 Mike Wiley’s “Breach of Peace” Performing Arts $80 $65 $75 PC
37 1 hour Chamber Music for your Entertainment & Listening Pleasure! Performing Arts $50 $65 DH
38 Hand-Made Advent Calendar Good As New $35 $35 ES
39 American Girl Doll Rocking Chair Good As New $45 $45 NT
40 Antique Rod and Reel Good As New $5 $5 KB
41 Harmony Guitar Good As New $40 $45 CM
42 Violin, Bow and Case Good As New $30 $50 CM
43 Japanese Tea Set Good As New $15 $20 HA
43-A Tulip Stained Glass Good As New $15 $25 BC
44 Fur Cape Good As New $30
45 Bamboo Frame from Pottery Barn Good As New $5
46 “Sunday Morning in Sleepy Hollow.” Good As New $25 $35 CM
47 Canon HD Camcorder M20 Good As New $25
48 Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS Good As New $100 $30
49 Child’s Barbie Bike Good As New $85 $45 $40 CM
50-A Nippon Porcelain Hand-Painted Bowl and Saucer Good As New $20 $10
50 Nippon Porcelain Hand-Painted Bowl Good As New $25 $20 $25 SC
51 Nippon Hand-Painted Sugar Bowl, Creamer and Creamer Holder Good As New $35 $25
52 Carnival Glass Peacock Bowl Good As New $20 $10
52-A Lenox Wine Glasses Good As New $80+ $50
53 Leather Purse from Cape Town, South Africa Good As New $100 $40 $40 MS
53-A Green Leather Purse from Cape Town, South Africa Good As New $100 $35 $20 BS
54 3 Lap Blankets Good As New $5 $20 BK
54-A Little Tykes Picnic Table Good As New $8
54-B Tickle Me Minnie Mouse Good As New $5
54-C My Zoo Stuffed Animal Storage Good As New $5 $23 JB
54-D Joovy Jogging Stroller Good As New $35 $35 JPT
54-E Embroidered Fireplace Screen Good As New $25 $20 KC
54-F 20+ Disney VHS Collection Good As New $15 $20 JC
54-G Collection of DVD Classics Good As New $15 $20 SH
54-H Embroidered Pillow from the Holy Land Good As New $5
54-I African Print Sarong Good As New $40 $20
54-J Long, Embroidered Skirt Good As New $15
55 Starbucks Gift Basket Gift Baskets $50 $25 $25 KB
56 Dunkin’s Gift Box Gift Box $50 $25 $20 DH
57 Rodan & Field Gift Box Gift Box $168 $60 $80 MD
58 Wine Gift Basket Gift Basket $65 $35 $45 MC
59 Coffee and Cocoa Gift Basket Gift Basket $55 $25 $30 JC
59-A Talbot’s Gift Box Gift Basket $157 $65 $85 MC
59-B Bread Basket Gift Basket $35 $20 $30 GK
60 Outback Steakhouse Gift Certificates $60 $45 $50 PC
61 Fresh Local Ice Cream Gift Certificates $20 $15 $15 PC
62 Chick-fil-A Coupon Package Gift Certificates $53 $35 $40 SS
63 Chick-fil-A Coupon Package Gift Certificates $53 $25 $45 RG
64 Chick-fil-A Coupon Package Gift Certificates $53 $30
65 Chick-fil-A Party Tray Coupon Package Gift Certificates $42 $20 $35 JW
66 Chick-fil-A Party Tray Coupon Package Gift Certificates $42 $20 $35 DH
67 Chick-fil-A Party Tray Coupon Package Gift Certificates $42 $25 $35 MB
68 Maude’s Coffee Gift Certificates $25 $20 $25 JP
69 Maude’s Coffee Gift Certificates $25 $20 $25 JP
70 Harris Teeter Gift Certificates $20 $15 $20 JP
71 Food Lion Gift Certificates $20 $15 $20 JP
72 MODs Gift Certificates $25 $20 $25 GK
73 Relish Gift Certificates $50 $40 $55 J
74 Bad Daddy’s Gift Certificates $48 $35 $40 AC
75 Bad Daddy’s Gift Certificates $48 $35 $40 GK
76 Winston’s Grille Gift Certificates $50 $40 $55 DM
77 Brixx Gift Certificates $50 $40 $50 GK
78 Brixx Gift Certificates $50 $25 $45 RG
79 Mellow Mushroom Gift Certificates $50 $40 $50 JO
80 Irregardless Cafe Gift Certificates $60 $35 $50 RG
81 Poppyseed Market Gift Certificates $50 $40 $55 EC
82 Hayes Barton Cafe Gift Certificates $75 $60 $65 JO
83 Dos Taquitos Gift Certificate $30 $20 $30 JO
84 Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Gift Certificate $5 $3 $5 SS
85 Chetola Resort Lodge Gift Certificates $750 $450 $500 CM
86 “Dar He: The Lynching of Emmett Till” by Mike Wiley Private Booking $2,500 $950 $950 LD