Nativity Notes
(From January 2001 Nativity newsletter)
ALPHA COURSE
A
new year, a new beginning, a new ALPHA Course!
The Alpha Course is a ten-week practical introduction
to the Christian faith designed for non-churchgoers and those who have
recently become Christians as well as people who have been in the church for
many years. Each session begins with dinner and fellowship. After dinner we
will watch a video together and then break into small groups. The sessions
will begin at 6:15 PM and end at 8:45 PM.
It is emphasized that everyone be allowed to ask any
questions they like in their small groups. Nothing will be treated as too
trivial, threatening, or illogical. Every question will be addressed
courteously and thoughtfully. It is a policy that people are given the freedom
to return or not. No one will chase them.
The
Alpha Course is truly a time of learning our faith. It is not limited to
Church of the Nativity members. Please invite those outside the church to join
you in this wonderful time of fellowship and learning. Alpha is “FRIENDS
BRINGING FRIENDS!”
The Course will held on Wednesdays, beginning
February 7 and will continue through May 2. The exceptions are Ash Wednesday,
February 28, when there will be no Alpha Course session. A weekend retreat
(location TBA) will be held on March 30 and 31.
Please put the Alpha Course on your calendar. You,
your family and your friends will be blessed.
SINGING CHRISTMAS TREE
Thanks to Father Gerry and Millie Bennett, some 45
Nativity members and friends attended the 27th annual Singing Christmas Tree
event at Sarasota's First Baptist Church on Sunday, December 10. This was 20
more than last year, and everyone said they truly enjoyed it.
The Bennett’s got up very early one chilly morning
and stood in line for some time so that we could not only have seats, but good
ones. Hopefully next year, we will have even more people attend.
ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
The early bird gets the birdie. One under par, that
is.
Yes, it's that time again. Time to start thinking
about Nativity's Fourth Annual Golf Tournament, which will be held at Rolling
Green Golf Club on Saturday, April 21. A shotgun start for the Florida
scramble format will be at 1:00 PM. This year's tourney is limited to the
first 72 golfers, but Chairman Dick Berg said he would take eight alternates
in case of cancellations. For those who come to for the meal only, there are
only 44 spaces available so make
your reservations early.
A sign up sheet will go up on Saturday, February 17.
Mark that date on your calendar. The cost will be announced at a later date.
Dick also said that anyone who is interested in
donating a door prize should contact him. "Any prize would be
appreciated," he said. "Last year, there were 50 or 60 golfers and
more than half of the people there won something."
ANNUAL SPRING TRAINING OUTING
The main schedules are out and it's also time to
start thinking about which spring training game Nativity baseball fans want to
attend.
For the past two years, a group from Nativity has
attended a Grapefruit League game at Sarasota's Ed Smith Stadium, spring home
of the Cincinnati Reds. One year, we saw the New York Yankees and last season
we saw the Boston Red Sox.
This spring, we have several choices. The first
question is whether to continue attending the games in Sarasota or perhaps try
McKechnie Field in Bradenton where the Pittsburgh Pirates play. No, Dean, the
Atlanta Braves are not coming to this area in 2001.
However, Father Jim has mentioned that his Cleveland
Indians are coming to Sarasota on Friday, March 2. The Kansas City Royals come
to town on Wednesday, March 14. Bradenton will host the Houston Astros on
Tuesday, March 13, and the Montreal Expos on Friday, March 30.
Both Sarasota and Bradenton will host the Minnesota
Twins, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, Tampa Bay Devil
Rays, Detroit Tigers, Toronto Blue Jays and the Boston Red Sox. And, of
course, the Reds and the Pirates will play each other a couple of times each
in both parks.
If you have a preference, please tell Jabbo Gordon so
he can make the arrangements. But you have to be quick because the good seats
go in a hurry.
Last
year, by the way, we had 30 folks go, but many said it was a little too hot
because it was late in the season. If we go earlier, it might be cooler, but
we see mostly rookies. Toward the end of spring training, most of the rookies
are gone, and fans see some of the big stars.
AN INVITATION
When I moved to our last parish, several women invited me to attend a
Community Bible Study (C.B.S.) I always had an excuse, i.e. too busy, etc.
Finally, I accepted their invitation and went. Well, I am sorry now I didn't
do it sooner as it turned out to be the best bible study I have ever
participated in and I learned and retained so much. I just found out that
there is a C.B.S. in Sarasota and I am now inviting you to go with me. Their
new semester begins Jan. 10th (every Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30
a.m. at Faith Baptist Church on Bee Ridge Rd.) I would be happy to stop at the Church of the Nativity and pick anyone
up who is interested. The study is Romans this year. Give me a call for more
information 792-8893 or if you would like me to pick you up on the
way.
Marilyn Davis
PARISH PICTORIAL DIRECTORIES
The directories have not arrived and, unfortunately,
it doesn’t look like they ever will. We have contacted the Better Business
Bureaus, both locally and in the city where the company who took the pictures
is located. We will, in the not too distant future, do a new Parish Pictorial
Directory, but only after we undertake a very careful research of the business
practices of the company that we select to produce it!
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
GROWING KIDS
GOD’S WAY
Congratulations to Michael and Nora Abraham for
successfully completing the “Preparation
For the Toddler Years” course, a part of GROWING KIDS GOD’S WAY.
Our congratulations are also extended to Joanne
Marino for the completion of “Preparation
For the Toddler Years.” Joanne took the course in order to be better
equipped to work with and train our little ones in Sunday School.
Our Lord is truly blessed by these members of our
Nativity family who are committed to raising children in the ways that He has
commanded - to love, serve and obey our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Well
done, good and faithful servants.
