Church of the Nativity - Episcopal

Church of the Nativity - Episcopal Church of the Nativity is located in Water Valley, Mississippi. Holy Eucharist service (Rite II) is held every Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

Church of the Nativity is a mission-size church that is a member of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi. In 1918, the building was purchased and remodeled by the Episcopal congregation of the Church of the Nativity, to replace the earlier house of worship that had been located a half-block to the north, on the northwest corner of Main and Clay streets. On November 1,1918, the former Cumberland Pr

esbyterian Church building was consecrated as the Church of the Nativity. This building was destroyed by the tornado that struck Water Valley on April 21,1984. A new building for the church was erected soon thereafter on the same site. Holy Eucharist service is held Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and we'd love to have you join us.

09/04/2026

Is it just me or has it been really difficult to get motivated lately? I've decided it's the heat. I find it really zaps me. There are only a few things I've done consistently over the last few weeks: I have consistently avoided doing things I don't want to do. Most of those things have to do with housework. Something positive I have been consistently doing is going to the gym - which I don't love - but I know it is good for me if I ever plan to walk like a normal person again. It's nice to belong to a community like Nativity because it seems like there is always someone to take your place if you miss your assignment at church or to encourage you out of the doldrums.

In two weeks, Margaret Love Denman, Sally Lott McLellan, and I will be headed to Camp Bratton-Green for Cursillo #141. Margaret Love and I are on staff and will be leading a session and serving as table leaders for discussion. Sally Lott will be a cursillistas. Please pray for us September 18-20.
---Kathy Shoalmire

Sunday, September 6
Celebrant: The Reverend Ann Whitaker
Music: Loyal
LEM:James
Altar Guild: Kathy and Teresa
Lectors:Karen/Dawn
Offering: Noa Caroline/ Denny
MC POD: Eddie

Lessons:
Ezekiel 33:7-11
Psalm 119:33-40
Romans 13:8-14
Matthew 18:15-20

Announcements:

Bible Slam has started. We are attempting to finish reading the entire Bible which was started before Covid - read some during Covid - then postponed. We are trying to finish before Christmas. Think of it as another way to worship. You simply go to the church - anytime night or day - and get the BIG RED BIBLE (if not on lectern - it is kept on the bookcase by the keyboard) The place to start reading will be marked. Read aloud and mark where you quit. If you need the code for the church, see James McCormick.

Women's Book Group is OPEN to everyone. We are studying the familiar story of Mary and Martha. Come even if you don't have the book we are using (Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World). We meet at 9:30 am on Saturdays.

The Mission Committee meets at 6pm on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.

08/28/2026

Those Who Serve: Sunday, August 30
Morning Prayer: James McCormick
Altar Guild:Karen/Margaret Love
Lectors: Eddie/Joe
Offertory: Elijah/Rose
MC POD: Debbie

Lessons:
Jeremiah 15:15-21
Psalm 26:1-8
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 16:21-28

Announcements:

*Greetings all Nativity We Open Our Doors Ambassadors!
As you know, our aim was to visit our designated church during the month of August. Please provide Mary Beth with an update on how your visit went. If you have not been able to visit yet, no worries. Just let me know, so we can begin moving forward with our next steps. Thank you!

*Book Group: Is discussing the book Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World. All are invited to join us on Saturdays, at 9:30 am even if you haven't bought the book or read the book.

*Bible Slam: Starts This Week September 1.The Bible is in the sanctuary - the page is marked. Just go anytime night or day - read aloud starting at the marked page - mark where you stop - fill out the street. We want to finish before Christmas. For more information see James McCormick. He will also give you the code to enter the church.

08/21/2026

Those Who Serve - Sunday, August 23 - 10:30 am
Celebrant: The Rev. Deacon Tina Frizzell
Music: Brenda
LEM: Joe
Altar Guild: Vivian
Lector 1: Kathy
Lector 2: Jack
Offertory: Rosemary and Benjamin
MC POD: April

Compline: Sunday, August 23 - 6pm - led by Margaret Love Denman
All are encouraged to attend. This is a brief and beautiful liturgy from the Book of Common. Prayer.

Lessons:
Isaiah 51:1-6
Psalm 138
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16:13-20

Announcements:

After Church Fellowship: Help is needed for both set-up and clean-up. Please volunteer.

Book Group: We will be discussing the book Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World. All are invited to join us on Saturday, August 29th at 9:30 am even if you haven't bought the book or read the book.

Bible Slam: Starts September 1. See James for more information.

What a wonderful service this past Sunday with Ann, the priest, Tina, the deacon, Robbie, the verger, and Tom, the cruci...
08/07/2026

What a wonderful service this past Sunday with Ann, the priest, Tina, the deacon, Robbie, the verger, and Tom, the crucifer and Noa Caroline did a great job taking up the offering by herself. Also, I just love back-to-school Sunday with Ann and the Blessing of the Backpacks. Please continue to pray for our kids, their parents, and their teachers. I love this picture and missed several who were not there.

Last week, I wrote my non-scientific version of the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics and how it compares to the energy we bring to Nativity and to the Water Valley Community. Well, Brenda Prager, was intrigued by it and as a chemical engineer decided to expand on what I wrote in a more technical and scientific way. Please message for a copy!

Sunday, August 9, 2026 - Morning Prayer
Morning Prayer Leader: James McCormick
Music: Brenda
Altar Guild: Liz
Lectors: Kathy/Liz
Offering: Rose/Elijah
MC POD: Mary Beth

Lessons:
1 Kings 19:9-18
Psalm 85:8-13
Romans 10:5-15
Matthew 14:22-33

Collect for Nativity
Father of all wisdom and love,
In whose wisdom we trust and in whose love we dwell.
We come asking you to guide us as we search for a new shepherd for this flock, a new teacher for those who seek, and for a steadfast companion who will walk with us along the way.

Announcements:

Bible Slam starts September 1st. See James McCormick for more information or newsletter for the week of July 26.

Book Group restarts on August 29. Book: Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver. We meet at 9:30 at Salt & Light. Everyone is invited to join us - just bring your energy or if you don't have any to share, we will share, we will share ours.

The Mission Committee meeting is on Tuesday, August 11 at 6pm in the Salt & Light Building. Meetings are open to the congregation.

07/30/2026

Reflection:

Newton's 2nd law of Thermodynamics and Nativity
Last week the book group completed the book "The Gift of Years" by Joan Chittister. The last chapter we discussed was Legacy. We each gave one sentence that we would like to be in our obituary. Almost to the person it had to do with serving others or seeing the needs of others or caring for others.

That evening, I was sitting in my great grandparents' swing on my screened porch reflecting on our book group but more so on Nativity as a whole. For some reason Newton's Second Law of Thermodynamics kept popping into my head so I consulted my "friend" ChatGPT because there had to be some connection that I couldn't quite link.

The Second Law of Thermodynamics basically states that in a closed system,energy dissipates and that the system tends toward chaos or disorder, NOT toward order. In order to push against chaos/disorder, new energy must be put into the system. Examples used were weeds taking over gardens, dust collecting around the home, relationships falling apart, institutions becoming inefficient, etc.
We know that flowers bloom because someone plants, waters, and tends them. Communities flourish because people invest their time, talents, and hearts. Friendships deepen because people SHOW UP for one another. That's it! That is the connection.

Nativity is so special because we SHOW UP for one another. We come to the book group when we would rather stay home and drink our coffee there, we get up and come to church when we would rather sleep in or have family time, we volunteer to help with the Watermelon Carnival lemonade stand when we know how hot it is going to be, we give extra money to the benevolence fund even if it puts a strain on our own budget. On the first Sunday we bring a few extra dollars in the offering plate to go towards our Children's Ministry or the fund to stock our Blessing Box.

Showing up for each other and the community is what I believe defines Nativity. Without a vicar we could allow Nativity to once again fail like a few decades ago. But we bring new energy every time we show up. That energy keeps Nativity strong. You can see that energy not just in what we give or volunteer to do, but look out how we exchange the peace - Energy abounds and the source of that energy is the Holy Spirit.

Keep showing up. Your energy is needed. See you Sunday. Remember it is Back to School Sunday with The Rev. Ann Whitaker.

Sunday, August 2, 2026 - Back to School Sunday
Celebrant: The Rev. Ann Whitaker
Deacon: Tina Frizzell
Verger: Robbie Fisher
Crucifer: Tom Kirkpatrick
Altar Guild: Kathy
Lectors: Dawn/Joe
Offering: Noah/Denny

Lessons:
Isaiah 55:1-5
Psalm 145: 8-9, 15-22
Romans 9:1-5
Matthew 14:13-21

Collect for Nativity
Father of all wisdom and love,
In whose wisdom we trust and in whose love we dwell.
We come asking you to guide us as we search for a new shepherd for this flock, a new teacher for those who seek, and for a steadfast companion who will walk with us along the way.

Announcements:

Bible Slam starts September 1st. See James McCormick for more information or newsletter for week of July 26.

Book Group restarts on August 29. Book: Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver. We meet at 9:30 at Salt & Light. Everyone is invited to join us - just bring your energy or if you don't have any to share, we will share ours.

I am starting with announcements this week because there are so many things going on.1. Saturday, August 1 - Watermelon ...
07/24/2026

I am starting with announcements this week because there are so many things going on.

1. Saturday, August 1 - Watermelon Carnival - Free Lemonade. Volunteers are needed. See sign-up sheet on Sunday. This is a great way to help make our presence known in the community.
2. The Mission Committee approved the addition of a Benevolence Fund which is equivalent to a Vicar's Discretionary Fund. There are times when there are individuals with needs but they don't fit within the budget. If you would like to contribute to this fund, please designate Benevolence Fun on your check memo line. Thank you for your ongoing generosity.
3. September 18-20. Cursillo at Camp Bratton Green. The cost has been reduced to $50. There are only 3 slots left. Read more about it here. Cursillo. Margaret Love, Becky, Karen, Susan, and I will be more than glad to talk with you about it. Everyone gets something different from it. This link in the latest The Mississippi Episcopalian has 2 articles one by Danny Blanton who was a pilgrim and the other by yours truly who served on staff. If you have been contemplating how to improve your spiritual life or what God has in store for you, Cursillo is a great place to be. Whit Rayner, a Jackson attorney from Chapel of the Cross in Madison, will serve as the Rector for Cursillo.
4. Starting Tuesday, September 1 - BIBLE SLAM. James McCormick has advised that Bible Slam started during Covid but was never completed. What is a Bible Slam? Bible Slam is a congregational commitment to read the entire Bible during a certain amount of time. It started when Kirk LaFon was the Vicar. He found a large old Bible at St. Peter's and brought it to Water Valley. It stopped after Covid but they got through the Old Testament. How does it work? If you want to participate you go to the church (anytime. night or day) and find the marked page and start reading ALOUD. You can take a partner or do it alone. When you finish, you mark where you ended. It will start at the marked spot in the Apocrypha and go through Revelations. If you are interested, let James know. He will compile a list, share the code to enter the church, and give more detailed instructions. When it is finished, he hopes to make a formal return of the Bible to St. Peter's and challenge them to do the same. The goal is to be finished by Christmas Eve!

Note: the flowers this past Sunday were given in honor of Rose Stroup in honor of her birthday by her family: Elle, Vince, Isaac, and Vivienne.

Sunday, July 26 - 9th Sunday after Pentecost
Morning Prayer: Michael
Music: Brenda
Crucifer: Suzy
Altar Guild: Karen and Margaret Love
Lectors: Brenda and Karen
Offering: Elijah and Benjamin
MC POD: Eddie

Lessons:
1 Kings 3:5-12
Psalm 119:129-136
Romans 8:26-39
Matthew 13:31-33,44-52

Collect for Nativity
Father of all wisdom and love,
In whose wisdom we trust and in whose love we dwell.
We come asking you to guide us as we search for a new shepherd for this flock, a new teacher for those who seek, and for a steadfast companion who will walk with us along the way.

Three times a week I attend the "older" adults exercise class at the Y. One of the stretching exercises is to turn our n...
07/17/2026

Three times a week I attend the "older" adults exercise class at the Y. One of the stretching exercises is to turn our necks as far to the left and to the right as possible. The other day I thought what a good exercise for Sundays - turning around to see who is coming in. Last weekend, out-of-the-blue Sally Lott made a comment that I've pondered all week. She said, "I know it's probably rude, but I get excited when I hear the church doors open. I just have to turn around and see which of my friends is coming through the door." I wonder if God gets excited, too, when he sees his Beloved coming through the doors. If you haven't been through the doors lately, know that you are missed. We are truly stronger together: individually and collectively.

Those Who Serve: Sunday, July 19 - 8th Sunday of Pentecost
Celebrant: The Reverend Christopher Powell
Music: Dianne
LEM: Joe
Altar Guild: Vivian
Lectors: Sean and Jack
Offering: Emma and Herschel
MC POD: Debbie

Lessons
Wisdom of Solomon 12:13, 16-19
or Isaiah 44:6-8
Psalm 86:11-17
Romans 8:12-25
Matthew 13:24-30,36-43

Collect for Nativity
Father of all wisdom and love,
In whose wisdom we trust and in whose love we dwell.
We come asking you to guide us as we search for a new shepherd for this flock, a new teacher for those who seek, and for a steadfast companion who will walk with us along the way.

Announcement
Watermelon Carnival - Saturday - August 1 - Nativity will be providing free lemonade in front of the Salt & Light Building. Volunteers are needed from 10-4. Sign-up sheet available Sunday or contact Mary Beth.

A Message from Hannah McCormickNoa had an amazing week at Camp Bratton-Green, our diocese’s youth camp. She attended the...
07/09/2026

A Message from Hannah McCormick
Noa had an amazing week at Camp Bratton-Green, our diocese’s youth camp. She attended the primary session directed by Rev. Andrew McClarty (Columbus) and Ginny Davis (Oxford) for ages 6-8 years old. Noa stayed in Cabin 2 with 11 other girls, 5 counselors, her mother Hannah McCormick as cabin mom, and last but not least her baby brother Townes as unofficial cabin baby. The theme of the week was Mariokart! There were skits starring several members of staff as the characters and all the campers including Noa loved the story and lesson. It all culminated in camp defeating the villain Bowser, throwing actual banana peels on the track.

Noa’s favorite activity areas at camp were arts & crafts and the pool. Noa’s favorite food was milk and cookies at bedtime, Chinese food for lunch, and breakfast on the last morning which was bacon and cinnamon rolls. Her favorite counselor’s name was E.K. When asked who her favorite friends were she always said all of them. This experience was something Noa waited for for a long time, having tagged along to DOY as a staff brat when she was younger. She said she felt “excited, scared, brave, silly, warmed up, ready, snacky” and more.

A message directly from Noa herself:
“Thank you everyone who helped me go to Camp Bratton-Green!”

Having grown up at Bratton-Green myself, spending all my formative years there, I felt so privileged to watch her experience as a first time camper. It’s a holy place doing holy work, ensuring new generations of community within our wonderful diocese.

Those Who Serve: July 12 - Seventh Sunday of Advent
Celebrant: Rev. Tina Frizzell, Deacon
Music: Brenda
LEM: Robbie
Altar Guild: Anne
Lectors: Sean and Tom
Offering: Vivienne and Rose
MCPOD: April

Collect for Nativity
Father of all wisdom and love,
In whose wisdom we trust and in whose love we dwell.
We come asking you to guide us as we search for a new shepherd for this flock, a new teacher for those who seek, and for a steadfast companion who will walk with us along the way.
All this we ask in the name of our creator, redeemer and sustainer, one God, whose mercy endures forever. Amen

Announcements:
Michael Prager will be leading us in Compline on Sunday, July 12 at 6pm. This is in addition to the Sunday Morning Service.

The agenda for the Mission Committee's upcoming meeting on Tuesday, July 14th is attached. The MC meets the 2nd Tuesday at 6pm at the Salt & Light building. You are welcome to attend.

07/03/2026

Happy 4th of July to all of you. Hope you have a great time celebrating with family and friends. Bring your leftovers on Sunday.....

Sunday, July 5 - 6th Sunday of Pentecost
Celebrant: The Rev. Ann Whitaker
Music: Loyal Murphy
LEM: James
Altar Guild: Liz
Lectors: Suzy and Tommy
Offering: Benjamin/Rosemary
MC POD: Mary Beth

Lessons:
Zechariah 9:9-12
Psalm 145:8-15
Romans 7:15-25a
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

Collect for Nativity
Father of all wisdom and love,
In whose wisdom we trust and in whose love we dwell.
We come asking you to guide us as we search for a new shepherd for this flock, a new teacher for those who seek, and for a steadfast companion who will walk with us along the way.
All this we ask in the name of our creator, redeemer and sustainer, one God, whose mercy endures forever. Amen

Announcements:
1. This coming week, we will be having work done at the sanctuary to address the on-going issues with moisture/mustiness in the sacristy and moisture and mold throughout the crawlspace. We have tried several stop-gap solutions to this problem, with no success. This work (crawlspace encapsulation) should provide a permanent solution. We foresee no disruptions for worship times.

2. The group that attended our workshop on immigration issues will be having a follow-up meeting on Saturday July 11 at 1 pm at Salt and Light to discuss next steps. We hope you can make it.

3. Our loose offering for this coming Sunday will go toward our Hunger Relief Fund. Thanks for your generosity!

06/19/2026

There is a song that is very fitting for what we experienced last weekend celebrating with Robbie on the occasion of her installation as our Verger. The song is Sweet, Sweet Spirit. The lyrics are the message for this week's newsletter. You can find it online if you want to hear the melody. It would be great for us to learn this song. We have such a Sweet, Sweet Spirit among us.
Sweet, Sweet Spirit
There's a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place,
And I know that it's the Spirit of the Lord;
There are sweet expressions on each face,
And I know they feel the presence of the Lord.
Refrain:
Sweet Holy Spirit, Sweet heavenly Dove,
Stay right here with us, filling us with Your love.
And for these blessings we lift our hearts in praise;
Without a doubt we'll know that we have been revived,
When we shall leave this place.

Sunday, June 21 - 4th Sunday of Pentecost
Celebrant: The Rev. Christopher Powell
Music: Dianne
LEM: Joe
Altar Guild: Anne
Lectors: Liz/Karen
Offering: Benjamin/Noa Caroline
MC POD: Vince

Lessons:
Jeremiah 20:7-13
Psalm 69: 8-11, (12-17), 18-20
Romans 6:1b-11
Matthew 10:24-39

Collect for Nativity
Father of all wisdom and love,
In whose wisdom we trust and in whose love we dwell.
We come asking you to guide us as we search for a new shepherd for this flock, a new teacher for those who seek, and for a steadfast companion who will walk with us along the way.
All this we ask in the name of our creator, redeemer and sustainer, one God, whose mercy endures forever. Amen

Announcements:

Compassion Ministries Food Packing - June 23rd at 6pm.

Nativity Women's Book Group : Our next book is The Gift of Years - Growing Older Gracefully by Joan Chittister. We will start June 27th. We meet Saturdays at 9:00am in the front room of the Salt & Light. PLEASE JOIN US. Each chapter of this book focuses on a different topic. You can join us when you can without making a commitment for every Saturday.

If you are looking for ways to serve Christ at Nativity, please consider becoming a Lay Worship Leader. There is an online workshop on Thursday, June 25th. See the attachment for more information. No commitment is required. Free.

Next week we will feature Often Asked Questions. If you have a question about Nativity such as "How To", please email Kathy Shoalmire at [email protected]. We will get your question answered (hopefully).

June Birthdays and Anniversaries
3 - Caspian Coughlin
13 - Mary Beth Pulsifer
24 - Robbie Fisher
29 - Marty Pitre
29 - Tom Kirkpatrick

Address

609 North Main Street
Water Valley, MS
38965

Opening Hours

10:30am - 12pm

Website

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