Episcopal Church Women (ECW)

(From December, 1998 Nativity newsletter)

Looking back on November

Thank you Sheryl Cutrona for a fun, creative Sunday, teaching us how to make stenciled boxes. Now we know first hand what a great teacher you are. Please look for these boxes, which will be sold in the next week or two to help raise funds for our Christmas mission project, Adopt-A-Family. Buy them and give them a good home.

We had a wonderful turnout for the Fall ECW Manasota Deanery Meeting at St. Wilfred's. We felt privileged that Bishop John Lipscomb officiated at the services. After the well-organized program, everyone was served a delightful lunch and unforgettable homemade desserts. Next time, join us for this lovely outing.

Holiday Events

Saturday, December 5, 8:30 to 11:00am. The annual Santa Breakfast and Bible stories program will be held at the church. This year, we've added some baked goods, craft items, and a drawing for a hand-carved wooden Madonna and child plaque. There will be photos with Santa for $5. Please contribute your talents, baked or otherwise, as all proceeds will help our needy families (Adopt-A-Family). If you have any questions about bringing a craft item(s), please call Irene Wernick at 351-0827 right away. Donations may be made for the breakfast. Bring your family, grandchildren, and neighbors.

Tuesday, December 8, 7:00pm. Evening prayer and gift wrap for Adopt-A-Family. This evening is one of the year's highlights as we gather in the spirit of the season for prayer, sharing, and fun. Bring some of those holiday goodies you've just baked, and we'll nibble as we visit and sing.

Wednesday, January 6, 4:00 to 6:00pm. Epiphany Tea with surprise cake. Come see what this tradition is. You will be receiving an invitation in the mail, but mark your calendars now. Won't this be a lovely way for us ladies to celebrate Epiphany and the New Year?

Sunday, January 17, 8:30 and 10:30am. Valentine Card Sale. We sold these cards last year to benefit Agape Flights, a Christians missionary airline based in Sarasota with flights to Haiti. They were so appreciative and the money provided such a critical service that we decided to sell them again. At $1 per card this year, you can send them to all your loved ones.

Sunday, January 17, 3:00pm. The annual Pontifax Meeting will be held at All Angels by the Sea on Longboat Key. The Pontifax committee was founded in 1971 by a group of Episcopal and Roman Catholic women for the purpose of better mutual understanding and common trust in the areas of church work and community service, as well as to give witness to a common faith and baptism. The name comes from the Latin word for bridge: pontis. In recent years, the Lutheran women and clergy have joined. Call Irene or Nicki if you are interested in this ecumenical and, no doubt, educational meeting of worship and fellowship. And bring your Lutheran or Catholic friends. We'll carpool from Nativity.

In case you think your ECW officers have too much time on their hands, they will be attending a Presidents' Council Meeting on January 26.

Saturday, February 13, 11:30am. Nativity again will host a St. Valentine's Agape luncheon preceded by Holy Eucharist at 11:30am. We all had such a great time and fellowship at this event last year, we just have to repeat it. We will be inviting the ECW from our neighboring new mission church, St. Mary Magdalene, which is on State Road 70 in Bradenton. Proceeds from the free-will offering will benefit Agape Flights, who will present a brief program that day. Join us.

— Nicki Coffaro

(From November, 1998 Nativity newsletter)

Nancy John Langdon debuted our Episcopal Church Women (ECW) season with a lively presentation on her recent trip to Peru. Thanks for sharing your experiences and treasures with us. That same morning, Nativity hosted the Fall ECW Presidents' meeting and luncheon. Irene Wernick, this year's Nativity ECW president, planned and executed a beautiful gathering and luncheon with lots of help from Marcia, Lois, Liz, Louise, Doris, and Nicki. It was highlighted with a brief presentation by our own June Carol Hines on discovering and using our God-given talents. Many kudos were offered by our 32 guests. Thank you, each and every one.

Sunday, November 29, both services
Bake-less bake sale. Show how grateful we are for having celebrated Thanksgiving by not baking for the bake sale. Monetary contributions (or checks to Church of the Nativity — ECW Bake Sale) may be placed in the decorated cake. Proceeds will benefit our Christmas Adopt-A-Family project. Take this easy, calorie-free way to help a needy nearby family.

Saturday, December 5, 8:30 to 11:00 AM
Santa Breakfast and Bible stories plus craft and bake sale. Our annual Santa breakfast is a terrific way to start the season and contribute to our Adopt-A-Family Christmas project. This year we're adding a craft sale and a bake sale to help raise funds. Yes, you can donate your talents for us to sell. The bake sale will give you a jump on your Christmas goodie baking. There are Christmas cards available, too: $10 for 10 cards. Invite your grandchildren, neighbors, and friends for a delicious breakfast and chance to have their pictures with Santa.

Tuesday, December 8, 7:00 pm
Evening prayer and gift-wrap party for Adopt-A-Family. One of the highlights of our year is this evening of fun and fellowship as we wrap the items bought for Nativity's Adopt-A-Family with the proceeds from all our recent fund-raising efforts. The fruits of your labors and love are very evident at this party. And no one would object if your brought some treats to share.

Wednesday, January 6, 4:00 to 6:00 PM
Epiphany Cake/Tea at Lois Johnson's (nearby in Palm Aire). A lovely ladies gathering will have a most surprising cake. Watch for the signup sheet and directions that we will post in December.