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Hearing Aid Assist Technologies at Nativity

There are two hearing aid technologies available to use in the Nave of Church of the Nativity.

Radio Frequency (RF) transmission (aka as T-Coil)

Radio Frequency (RF) transmission (aka as T-Coil) 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 turn the power on/off by pushing the small power button on top of the device. A small light to the left of the button will light up when the device is on.

The loop cable attaches both ends into the two jackets on top of the “Listen” device.

Other manufactures’ T-Coil loop listen devices may also work with Nativity’s sound system. The device must operate in the 42 MHz range.

If you have not already done so, you need to enable T-Coil connectivity in your hearing aid.

Wi-Fi transmission to a cell phone that runs the “Listen Everywhere” phone app

Wi-Fi transmission to a cell phone that runs the “Listen Everywhere” phone app and uses Bluetooth connectivity between the cell phone and the hearing aid.

If your hearing aid supports t-coil, we recommend using t-coil technology. The Wi-Fi solution is about 2 to 3 seconds delayed, which can be a significant issue.

On your mobile phone, download the “Listen Everywhere” app from Android Google Play or the iPhone App Store – and install the app on your phone. You may already have it, since it is used in many other locations.

There is a new Wi-Fi network in the Nave “Nativity Nave – HearingAid”. You need to connect your mobile phone to this network to receive the hearing aid Wi-Fi signal.

When your mobile phone is connected to the Wi-Fi network, start the “Listen Everywhere” app. The first time you do so at Nativity, the app may want to search for hearing aid signal over the Wi-Fi network. It should find a service called “COTN Services”. If it does not find that after having searched for about 60 seconds, you can as an alternative enter an IP address directly into the IP Address field in the “Listen Everywhere” app: “10.0.6.2”. Succeeding starts of the app while connected to the hearing aid Wi-Fi network will bring the “COTN Services” provider up right away.

Make sure your hearing aid has Bluetooth reception enabled. If the hearing aid has an accompanying mobile phone app, you will enable it using the app. If there is no hearing aid app, there may be a switch on the hearing aid to enable it.

If you need any help getting started using these technologies, please Email Alfred Christensen.

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Caring for Creation Social Justice Uncategorized

Nativity Supports Haiti Reforestation Project

(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 contributed an additional $2,545 to the Partnership.

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Uncategorized

Sound System Fundraiser: Personal Story from Lloyd Childers

Hello again from the Nativity Sound System Fundraising Team. This week we have another member of our team, Lloyd Childers, sharing her thoughts on the need for a new sound system.

“Say Whaaa……..t

“Ever wonder what someone is saying? Perhaps hear part of a sentence but lose the rest when the speaker turns his head? That’s me! Even with hearing aids set to the highest level, I rarely hear the entire sermon at Church of the Nativity. It’s  frustrating, to say the least. That’s why I was thrilled to hear about the effort to install an audio system in the church–not just speakers, but a “surround sound” that will allow the hearing impaired full benefit of the entire service. 

“Unfortunately, it’s not something you can buy at Costco. So I joined the Nativity Sound System Fundraising Team, a committee to investigate the source and cost of such a system. Shockingly, it could range from $30,000 to 50,000! We were thrilled to receive a large donation toward the project, but much more will be needed.”

The team is very thankful for those who have already contributed to this fund; you can do so online at the the Donations to Church of the Nativity page on our website.

We are also seeking donations for our October 14 Not-So-Silent Auction and wine and cheese gathering. If you :would like to contribute to the auction, please complete this form: “Not So Silent Auction!”: Donation Form 2023. Keep in mind that donations can be gift cards, gift baskets, tickets to various performances, or perhaps something unique from the donor — such as art work, baked goods, or such services as yard work or help with technology. Feel free to be creative!

If you have questions about the auction or any aspect of this fundraiser, please feel free to contact any member of the team. Contact information can be found in the Parish Directory.

  • Viola Baldwin
  • Lloyd Childers
  • Beth Crow
  • Geoffrey Krouse
  • Kara Malone
  • Sarah  O’Connor
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Uncategorized

Sound System Fundraiser: Personal Story from Viola Baldwin

Last month Geoff Krouse spoke to the congregation, as well as wrote Give, Get, Go! Upgrading the Nave Sound System for Glad Tidings, announcing the formation  of a team to organize fundraisers for a new sound system in our Nave. This month, we will share some personal stories of why this initiative is so important to many in our congregation. Below is Viola Baldwin’s testimony. 

“I have joined a group that is planning to raise enough money so that the people of the Church of Nativity can enjoy the services and events in the Nave whether they are sitting in a pew or at home. This is personal for me. I am hearing impaired. I wear hearing aids. They certainly help but the ear is very complicated and hearing aids are not ears. 

“The best sermons are the children’s sermons. But I can’t hear 95% of it even when I am sitting three rows away. I don’t hear high-pitched or soft voices. Please don’t whisper something to me. I don’t hear voices that go up and down. Unfortunately, speakers tend to start out the beginning of sentences with clear, distinct voices and then drop at the end. I almost always miss the punch line! 

“If I happen to be late one Sunday and sit at the back, I should have stayed home! 

“So having a sound system that allows me to be a full-fledged member of the Nativity service is important to me.” 

The team is very thankful for those who have already contributed to this fund; you can do so online at the the Donations to Church of the Nativity page on our website.

We are also seeking donations for our October 14 Not So Silent Auction and wine and cheese gathering. If you :would like to contribute to the auction, please complete this form: COTN “Not So Silent Auction!”: Donation Form 2023. Keep in mind that donations can be gift cards, gift baskets, tickets to various performances, or perhaps something unique from the donor — like art work, baked goods, or services like yard work or hep with technology. Feel free to be creative!

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Children and Youth Uncategorized

Youth Pilgrimage to New Orleans

by Jeremy Clos

A group of 13 of Nativity’s high school students will embark on a transformative pilgrimage to the bustling city of New Orleans from June 11-16 guided by the theme of Do Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly. Centered on the principles of God’s liberating power and community building, this pilgrimage will delve into the heart of New Orleans, immersing the youth in experiences that challenge, inspire, and empower. This journey will have a profound impact on the lives of these young pilgrims.

During their time in New Orleans, the youth will engage in a half-day of service work with Renew Schools, an organization dedicated to transforming underperforming schools and providing quality education opportunities for all students.  This work will allow our youth to channel their energy into uplifting the lives of others. Through other acts of service, they will witness firsthand the transformative power of justice, mercy, and humble acts of kindness. Whether working with hurricane relief efforts in Lafitte, LA, or lending a helping hand at the Barataria Eco Preserve, their service will make a difference and deepen their understanding of God’s call to serve others and restore creation.

As the youth explore the rich history of New Orleans, they will confront hard truths about the past and present. A visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Slave at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church will serve as a poignant reminder of the deep wounds inflicted by slavery. Through reflection and dialogue, they will grapple with the legacy of exclusion, working towards a more inclusive and just society. They will also pay tribute to the victims of the tragic Upstairs Lounge fire, reminding them of the ongoing struggle for equality and acceptance by the LGBTQIA+ community.

Unity and community-building will be at the core of this pilgrimage. The youth will share in the joy of cooking meals together, breaking bread as a symbol of solidarity and fellowship. They will gather in prayer, seeking God’s guidance and strength as they navigate the challenges and revelations of their journey. Through teamwork and collaboration, they will witness the power of working together towards a common goal, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.

Finally, after days of meaningful engagement, the youth will have a day to explore and appreciate the beauty of New Orleans. They will embark on a swamp tour, encountering the wonders of God’s creation and reflecting on the interconnectedness of all life. The iconic Jackson Square, with the historic St. Louis Cathedral at its heart, and the surrounding environs will offer an opportunity for both contemplation and fun. Finally, they will culminate their pilgrimage with a jazz dinner cruise on the historic Steamboat Natchez, celebrating the vibrant culture and spirit of New Orleans.

As these 13 young people and their three chaperones, Reverend Phillip Bass, Jeremy Clos, and Anne Krouse embark on this profound journey, we ask the parish to uplift them in prayer. Pray for their safety, open hearts, and minds, that they may be vessels of God’s love and agents of liberation. Pray that their experiences in New Orleans shape their faith, deepen their understanding of justice and mercy, and empower them to walk humbly in service to others following the example of Jesus Christ.

This journey to New Orleans is not merely a trip but a true pilgrimage. Through service, encounters with hard truths, communal activities, and exploration, they will witness God’s liberating power and forge connections that will last a lifetime. Let us join together in prayer, supporting and uplifting these young pilgrims as they embark on this experience.

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Voice of the Vestry: Perry Suk

This is the first in a series of posts from members of the Vestry, which offer their personal reflections of serving Nativity in their capacity as vestry members.

I have been on the Vestry for just over a year, but these past two months, in particular, have been jam-packed with lots of personal experiences for me at Nativity. I have relished them all. Before I continue, I just want to point out that this is not a Spring push for new Vestry members, but rather a little insight into my interactions at church that may not have happened if I weren’t a Vestry member. It’s not that the Vestry has some special knowledge or connections that are unavailable to the church community; it’s just that as a 30-year on-again-off-again parishioner, I never really looked beyond those things that were of interest to me or that I was able to participate in based on time commitments. Now my eyes and heart are wide open to so many special Nativity opportunities, and I thought it might be fun to share! 

After the March Vestry meeting, which lasted longer than usual, I found myself smiling on the way home. It was such a productive and interesting meeting, starting with the Bible Study. I truly appreciate the meaningful, interesting, and sometimes outside-the-box discussions that develop from a reading that Stephanie selects. And that particular evening, we also had the perspective of two ordination candidates, Karen McGugan and Ryan Parker (who had just woken up on the previous Sunday morning and decided he wanted to preach). Wow! Both of these delightful candidates, along with Philip Bass, Cuyler O’Connor, and Anne Stokes, have all been nurtured and mentored by Stephanie as they find their own separate paths into ministry. I highly recommend reaching out to these amazing and inspirational folks! 

As the Vestry liaison to the Children’s Formation, I have been involved in some of the changes that occurred in March; in particular, moving the Sunday School time from before to during the church service. The number of kids, from age 4 to 11, tripled in number creating what one teacher called ‘chaotic joy’! I am grateful to all the volunteers who teach not only the young children but our youth as well and who are willing to be flexible with their time. In addition, I feel lucky to be given this opportunity to meet two generations of parishioners – the young parents and their children! I look forward to Jeremy Clos’s involvement in all levels of formation to more fully integrate multiple generations. 

And then there was the Grounds Work Day! My husband, who pretty much begs me to stay out of the garden due to my ever-so-not-green thumbs, couldn’t believe I was headed to church to help out. But, with the patience and guidance of others, I managed to pull my weight and, yet again, engage with more friendly folks (young and old), connecting names to faces! 

Throughout March and April, I have also spent several Wednesdays knitting with the Chatty Yarns group. I have become addicted, not just to the craft, but to the wonderful group of women who know so much about the history of Nativity as well as what’s happening now! Through our conversations, I’ve learned about what some of them are doing to keep Nativity thriving in Outreach programs, church guilds, and the bell and choir groups (by the way, hats off to Bradley for his incredible musical wisdom!). As a bonus, I also pick up travel pointers as many of the Chatty Yarners have been to faraway places! 

Finally, during Easter Week, I attended my very first Maundy Thursday service, for the sole reason, I admit, that I was scheduled as the Vestry rep that evening. Unexpectedly, the homily, the foot washing, and the stripping of the altar made quite a spiritual impact on me. It was calming, peaceful, and moving; a wonderful way to prepare for the joyfulness of Easter Sunday. 

I hope you can tell that I am grateful to be a part of the Nativity community and I encourage you to embrace as many opportunities as you can! Who knows, maybe you’ll find yourself considering a spot on the Vestry or perhaps a leadership role on one of our many committees. I believe it’s important to share the wealth, so to speak, in order for Nativity to continue to be the special place that it is!

— Perry Suk

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Children and Youth From the Clergy Uncategorized

Safe Church Training

The Episcopal Church and the Diocese of North Carolina take the issue of sexual misconduct and abuse very seriously. To address this issue, the Church has implemented policies and procedures that include requiring all clergy, staff, lay leaders, and volunteers to complete a series of courses in Safe Church Training. This training is designed to help prevent cases of sexual misconduct, abuse, and harassment within the Church and promotes a safe and healthy environment for everyone participating in its ministries and programs.

Church of the Nativity has long participated in Safe Church Training; each year we ask all volunteers and leaders of the Church to complete the required training. The in-person training of the past has been replaced by an online course comprising several different modules, a subset of which are required for various different positions. If you are a volunteer or lay leader, you will soon receive an invitation from Jeremy Clos to participate in the course. Once you’ve been invited, you can complete these modules at your own pace. Once completed, you are certified for a period of three (3) years before you will need to revisit the training.

Safe Church Training covers a range of topics relevant to various ministries here at Nativity, including how to recognize and report abuse, set boundaries, encourage appropriate behavior, and create safe environments for children and vulnerable adults. Therefore, Vestry members, all clergy and staff, those making home or hospital visits (ie. Stephen Ministers or Lay Eucharistic Visitors), and anyone working with youth or children’s formation should complete the course. By completing this training, individuals are better equipped to prevent and respond to instances of misconduct and abuse within the Church and the wider world. 

At Nativity, Safe Church Training is not just about meeting a legal requirement or fulfilling an obligation. Instead, we focus on creating a culture of safety, respect, and accountability within our Church. We seek to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their age, gender, or background, feel safe and valued within the community. It also helps to build trust and confidence among church members by demonstrating that our Church is committed to protecting its members and that we possess a clear process for reporting and addressing any incidents of misconduct. When these concerns are taken seriously and addressed in a timely and appropriate manner, confidence within the community increases. 

If you have questions about Safe Church Training or have not yet received an invitation, please reach out to Jeremy Clos, Lay Associate for Christian Formation. Email Jeremy Clos

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Social Justice: April 2023 Update

Social Justice at Nativity

Nativity’s Social Justice Committee shares the following announcements, events and recommended resources to the Nativity community as we continue our pursuit of racial justice and reconciliation.

Announcements & Events

Black Farmers’ Market – Raleigh, 2nd and 4th Sundays, 1–4 pm
Southeast Raleigh YMCA, 1436 Rock Quarry Rd, Raleigh, NC 

Remembering Warren County: North Carolina and the Continuing Struggle for Environmental Justice, April 20, 2023, 7–8 pm
North Carolina Museum of History, 5 East Edenton Street, Raleigh
Tickets are free. A panel discussion of environmental leaders and activists, reflect on NC’s role in the origins of the environmental justice movement by way of the 1982 PCB protests in Warren County and efforts to address the ongoing issues regarding environmental justice nationwide.

The Color Purple, April 22-30, 2023
Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts (f.k.a. Duke Energy), 2 East South Street, Raleigh
Tickets start at $40. A teenage Celie is torn from her beloved sister and forced into an abusive marriage. Over the next forty years, while Celie encounters repression, despair, and heartbreak, she also discovers hope in a group of friends who inspire her to find her voice, discover her beauty and change her life.

Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto No. 1, April 28 – 29, 2023
Meymandi Concert Hall, Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts (fka Duke Energy), 2 E. South St., Raleigh
Tickets start @ $21.50. Sterling Elliot, cello soloist.

The Face of Emmett Till, May 12 – 21, 2023
Pure Life Theatre, 3801 Hillsborough St. Suite 100, Raleigh, NC
Tickets start at $28. The Face of Emmett Till is a true-to-life dramatization of the death of 14-year old Emmett Till, a Chicago teenager who, while visiting relatives in Money, Miss., in August 1955, was kidnapped, tortured and murdered by two white men who claimed they wanted to teach him a lesson for “allegedly” whistling at a local white woman. 

Michael Richards Are You Down? Exhibit, Open through July 23, 2023
North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC
Registration not required. Michael Richards’s visionary sculptures and drawings, created between 1990 and 2001, engage Blackness, flight, diaspora, spirituality, police brutality, and monuments in his largest retrospective to date. Michael Richards: Are You Down? takes its name from one of the last artworks the artist created. In his sculptures and installations, Richards gestures toward both repression and reprieve from social injustices and the simultaneous possibilities of uplift and downfall, often in the context of the historic and ongoing oppression of Black people. Flight and aviation were central themes for Richards as an exploration of freedom and escape, ascendance and descent. These themes are especially evident in Richards’s engagement with the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, including his well-known sculpture Tar Baby vs. St. Sebastian (1999)—a version of which has been on continuous display at the NCMA since 2003. 

Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design Exhibit, Open through August 6, 2023
North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC
Tickets: $23.60. Academy Award–winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter has defined generations through her work in film and TV. Her art adds dimensionality, flair, and culture to the characters she envisions, giving power to the incredible actors who wear her designs. Her vibrancy and attention to detail in costuming is integral to translating stories of race, politics, and culture to the big screen. From humble roots in Massachusetts, Carter has helped style the Afrofuturism movement for almost 40 years. Creating pieces for films such as Black Panther, Malcom X, Selma, and Do the Right Thing, Carter has designed costumes for legends like Oprah Winfrey, Denzel Washington, Chadwick Boseman, Eddie Murphy, Angela Bassett, and Forest Whitaker. In this exhibition the NCMA displays more than 60 of Carter’s original garments while also showcasing her immersive process, historical research, and the attention to detail that imbues every project she brings to life. 

​

Recommended Resources

Racial Reconciliation and Social Justice (Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina)
This website is updated regularly with social justice resources recommended by the Diocese.

Categories
Glad Tidings Uncategorized

Lent Question: What is LEVAS?

In this post, Bradley answers a question from our Lent Question Box:

“What does LEVAS mean? We have been singing a lot of hymns that are from LEVAS lately.”

This is a great question! And — unlike some of the questions Stephanie and Phillip have been taking! — it’s not that complicated. (Phew!)

We have indeed been singing quite a few hymns from something called “LEVAS”. If you look carefully at a bulletin from February, you’ll find something like this:

Sequence Hymn: LEVAS II 221. This little light of mine

The Hymnal 1982 is the main and official hymnal of The Episcopal Church, but there are also supplements to the hymnal. The two most popular ones are Wonder, Love, and Praise, and Lift Every Voice and Sing II: An African-American Hymnal — known simply as “LEVAS II” or “LEVAS” for short.

You’ll notice that we began using this supplement a lot in February — and with that month being Black History Month, that was no coincidence.

Why is LEVAS important? Why was it commissioned, and why do we use it? I hope that this might be self-evident to most. The Hymnal 1982 is wonderful. However, it is markedly Anglo- and Euro-centric.

Canon 24, Section 1 states, “It shall be the duty of every Minister to see that music is used as an offering for the glory of God and as a help to the people in their worship… In fulfilling this responsibility the Minister shall seek assistance from persons skilled in music. Together they shall see that music is appropriate to the context in which it is used.”

While this article was no doubt referring to following good liturgical practice in accordance with The Book of Common Prayer when it mentions “the context in which it is used”, I would argue that this should stretch further. The context which we find ourselves in is one where white supremacy is embedded into mainstream American culture, its institutions, and its politics. We are in desperate need of voices of people of color, and all other marginalized groups.

LEVAS is an attempt to provide balance in our worship. Yes, we are Episcopalian and of the Anglican heritage. As much as I love Bach, Parry, Stanford, and Howells, being Anglican doesn’t mean only singing that repertoire and worshiping in one way. The Episcopal Church is diverse, and our worship should reflect that.

We have sung from LEVAS — and will continue to sing from LEVAS — because the “context” we are in needs to change.

— Bradley

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From the Clergy Uncategorized

Lent Question: Forgiveness

During the season of Lent, Stephanie and Phillip are answering questions from the congregation about being an Episcopalian, discipleship, church traditions and history, and spiritual practices. If you have a question, you can leave it in the wooden question box, which can be found next to the offering plates by the inner Narthex doors.

We received the below question, which is answered today by Rev. Phillip.

“Anger, disappointment and frustration keep me from getting closer to God this Lent. I struggle to reconcile these feelings towards people who have gravely hurt those I love with being able to forgive. This tension causes me to lose sight of the fact God loves them as much as all of us. I get further frustrated when those folks who cause harm refuse to own their actions or make real efforts to reconcile with those they continue to hurt. I don’t know what I’m asking you to do with this; it is a snapshot of my wilderness.”

This is a wonderful question that is filled with great insight! Forgiving our enemies and/or the enemies of those we love can be one of the hardest challenges of being a Christian and it is at the heart of this question. Of course, in our personal relationships we may ask for or offer forgiveness directly to another person to bring about reconciliation. However, when we think of forgiving those who harm us or others socially, financially, or politically, the reality is that those we forgive often have no idea whether or not we have forgiven them. Therefore, we have to understand that forgiveness is about us. When we are trapped by resentment and anger we become focused on the behavior of others. When we do this we end up spending our time and energy on those who have upset us. This takes away from our time and energy being given to those we love and in our walk with God. Forgiveness of others strengthens our relationship with God by freeing us from emotional burdens of anger, disappointment, and frustration. It frees us to refocus our energy into loving ourselves, our neighbors, God, and even our enemies. Ultimately, forgiveness frees us from judging others and offers reflection of where we may need to establish healthy boundaries and practice loving ourselves.

In my clinical work, I often hear clients share their desire to forgive and how that desire is complicated by shame. Most of us are familiar with the verse from the Gospel of Matthew that reads, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”¹ Even for clients who did not grow up in the church or who profess any religious belief, there is a general rule that judging others is wrong. So, when we are hurt and experience anger or frustration, we often feel shame about our emotional reaction because it can feel like judgment.

I define judgment as having an opinion with condemnation. I may see someone as bad, wrong, or evil. And, I may want to punish those who have hurt me or those I love. But, God doesn’t see it this way. God loves us all, even those who persecute us. That’s why we leave judgment to God. One of the ways I practice this is by reminding myself that the pain I see others causing is their work to figure out with God, not mine. I have enough of my own stuff to work out. And, I’m grateful for a God that is loving of us all as we work out our issues.

But that doesn’t mean that we don’t pay attention to how our bodies and our emotions react to our own pain or the pain of others. So what do we do with our experiences of those who hurt us or others? How do we forgive without judgment? To do that, we practice self care. We practice what Jesus has commanded, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”² Loving ourselves looks like understanding our emotions and holding healthy boundaries. Our emotions are not good or bad. They are gifts that God has given us and they reflect what is happening in our lives. Emotions that we are comfortable with or that “feel good,” such as happiness or joy reflect when our needs have been met. Other emotions, such as anger, disappointment, and frustration generally reflect when a need hasn’t been met. In the framework of this question, that is most often tied to not feeling a sense of physical or emotional safety. So, I can name my anger, disappointment, and frustration with someone’s behavior without judging them. It is a healthy and appropriate act of self care to name what I am experiencing. Then, I can decide what loving myself looks like.

Perhaps, it looks like setting healthy boundaries around myself or those I love. Maybe it looks like taking social, financial, or political action and using my voice to speak for those who are being harmed. It may even look like a relaxing spa day! I encourage you to think of forgiveness as a letting go and not an approval of someone’s actions. Letting go of those feelings of anger, disappointment, and frustration, as well as letting go of unhealthy relationships can be healing. It also frees us to do the radical work of loving ourselves and others. It isn’t always easy. But, with God’s help, it is possible.

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  1. Matthew 7:1, NIV
  2. Matthew 22:37–39, KJV