Nativity Tidings
Newsletter of Church of the Nativity, Sarasota
August, 2000

In Memoriam
Ernest Ray Lohmann II

Ernest Ray Lohmann II, 76, Sarasota, died June 29, 2000. He was born July 11, 1923, in Kansas and came to Sarasota 50 years ago from Washington, D.C. He retired as a pharmacist with PharMor. He graduated from the University of Florida. He was a Navy veteran of World War II. He was a member of Church of the Nativity-Episcopal and Elks Lodge. Survivors include his wife, Patricia R.; a daughter, Marcia Schaffner of Bradenton; two sons, Ernest III and James, both of Sarasota; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He and his wife Pat transferred to Church of the Nativity from the Church of the Redeemer. Ernie served as an usher and greeter at the 8:30 service and previously served on the Vestry. A memorial service was held July 12 at Church of the Nativity with commitment in the Sola Dei Gloria Memorial Garden.

Memorial donations may be made to Church of the Nativity, Building Fund.

Twenty four children graduated from 2000 Ark Avenue with honors! Heartfelt thanks to those listed alphabetically as follows: Grant Bailey, Deacon Jan Brown, Marjorie Clyburn, Nicki Coffaro, Elliot Garrison, June Hanley, June Carol Hines, Lois Johnson, Josh Lang, Nancy John Langdon, Beth Lindfors, Mickey Lindfors, Joanne Marino, Fr. Jim Murphy, Sharon Murphy, Bonnie Neiger, Terri Teigland, Shannon McConnell, Lorry Schmitt, Evan Simington, Marcia Simington, Sharon Simington, Doris Stinebert, Debbie Stoner, Dorothy Wallace, Irene Wernick, and all the generous people who donated puzzles, buttons, fabrics, bubble wrap, snacks and monetary assistance!!

Christmas in July

As I write this, the thermometer reads 92 degrees and the humidity is typically high for a Florida day in mid-July. However, today I am concentrating on Christmas, and I hope you will be, too!

Nativity’s ECW outreach program for the holidays includes the "Shoebox" program for children of the world and the "Shirtbox" Golden Christmas program for lonely seniors of our area–and we should be thinking about both programs NOW. This is a major sale and clearance time in our area and, therefore, a time to get good bargains for both projects.

The "Shoebox" program is an opportunity to fill a shoe box for a boy or girl in an age bracket of 2-4 years, 5-8 years or 9-12 years with toys, books, coloring books, personal care items (no liquid nor breakable items), clothing and school supplies. Watch store advertising papers and clearance racks in the stores for bargain prices. Back-to-school sales are good too. Last year Nativity filled 53 shoe boxes. Let’s try to do at least one more this year!

The "Shirtbox" Golden Christmas program is for nursing home residents who have no family around. The gifts are delivered by local youth groups. Last year was our first time in the program, and we contributed 12 boxes. We should do a better job! Boxes may have clothing items, stationery supplies, personal care items, sugar-free candies, puzzle books, etc. Some great prices are available on shirts, vests, sweaters, housecoats and slippers now. Just prowl through the stores. You can shop early, save money, eliminate stress, and be ahead of the Christmas rush by beginning now.

Both types of boxes may be filled by individuals or families. Questions??? Contact Millie Bennett (751-9988). We have the opportunity to touch someone’s life with love. That’s what Jesus taught!

Millie Bennett, Chair
ECW Christian Social Concerns

The Nativity Quilting Sisters will sponsor a special two-part children's Sunday School class on August 13 and 20. The patchwork quilt will be used as a metaphor to teach the children about God's comfort, love, and protection, and how women use quilting as a unique expression of their Christian faith. The children will also make a group quilt for display in the upcoming Nativity quilt show (date to be announced later). Class will be held during the second service beginning at 10:30 am.

Established in 1888, the Church Periodical Club is an unfunded agency affiliated with the Episcopal Church, independent since the early 1970s. It operates with one part-time employee and completely on voluntary funds.

The ministry of CPC provides books and related materials, including theological and educational texts, audio and video tapes and software, to persons who have no other way to get them. From the numbers of grant applications received each year by the National Books Fund and the Miles of Pennies program it is safe to say the CPC's "Ministry of the Printed Word" is needed.

CPC is set up much like the national church with four levels of organization. National officers, province representatives, diocesan directors and parish chairmen raise money, publicize the funds and recruit more Christians to Proclaim Christ through the printed word.

Then, to finance the operation, the Church Periodical Club has friends. Contributions of parishes, clergy, individuals, Episcopal Church Women and others -- these further the ministry and keep the CPC in business. We have hundreds of friends who support the administrative fund and through it the "Ministry of the Printed Word." There is need for more friends to send donations, to research grant requests and to publicize the funds. It all depends on volunteers.

EthelMarple, Vice-President