August 2026

The Steeple August-October 2026

The Episcopal Church of the Nativity 208 Eustis Avenue Huntsville, AL 35801 www.nativity-hsv.org

Clergy The Reverend Michael Goldsmith Rector mgoldsmith@nativity-hsv.org The Reverend Melissa M. Hartley, PhD Priest Associate mhartley@nativity-hsv.org The Reverend Rosie Veal Eby Priest Associate rvealeby@nativity-hsv.org The Reverend Deacon Bob Serio, MD Deacon bserio@nativity-hsv.org

Staff Directory Madeleine Bell-Colpack- Director Parish Engagement mbellcolpack@nativity-hsv.org

Veronica Love- Weekend Sexton

Amy Brooks- Director of Communications abrooks@nativity-hsv.org

Aaron Tan, PhD-Director of Music atan@nativity-hsv.org

Emily Cantrell- Director of Christian Formation ecantrell@nativity-hsv.org

Lane Tutt- Groundskeeper ltutt@nativity-hsv.org

Derek Cantrell- Interim Director of Youth Ministry

Keke Warren- Nursery Manager

Austin Cook- Director of Finance acook@nativity-hsv.org

Marlin Wilder- Assistant Facilities Manager

Jabbar Jasper- Facilities Manager jjasper@nativity-hsv.org Rachael Samples- Worship Coordinator rsamples@nativity-hsv.org Sally Stockton- Director of Kitchen Ministries

In this issue.....

• Becoming One Body Video Update • Music at Nativity • Stewardship of Creation • Cursillo • Youth and Children's Ministry • Parish and Community Engagement (Trash Pandas, Nativityfest, Parish Weekend...)

• Sacred Ground and Pilgrimage Opportunity • Sleep in Heavenly Peace Bed Build • EFM

The Episcopal Church of the Nativity

Dear Church Family, I am happy to report that the One-Body Accessibility Project continues to be on budget and on schedule. I am truly grateful to Fite Building Company and Matheny Goldmon Architects for their outstanding work and collaboration.

If you have driven by the church lately on Greene Street, you have seen that the elevator tower is complete and the roofing system trusses are in place. The steel and rafters for the covered entry way at the turn-around driveway are up as well. Ridley Hall has passed its electrical inspection which means that the sheetrock will be completed soon.

I also want to give you a financial update. To date, we have received $2,925,558 in income as well as $115,000 in interest. There has been $3,976,600 pledged to the project through 267 commitments. For context, we have 344 Annual Stewardship pledges.

Currently, we have had $2,584,461 in expenses which leaves us with about $500,000 remaining in the bank. We will need to begin drawing on our construction loan soon. If you remember, the total cost for the project is estimated to be $5,000,000. This means we still have a $1,000,000 gap between pledged gifts and the overall project cost.

It is an exciting time at Nativity! Even in the midst of the construction, our ministries continue to thrive as we receive more new members into our church family every month. I am grateful for your patience, your love for your church, and above all, for your commitment to serving Jesus Christ through the Church of the Nativity.

God’s Peace -

Click HERE to give to the Becoming One Body campaign.

Click the image to view the newest video update!

The Episcopal Church of the Nativity

Music

Music at Nativity

2026–2027 Season

Sep 30, 7p Choral Evensong for Michaelmas 2026 Wed 6:30pm organ recital following 5:30p Spaghetti Supper Sun Oct 11, 3p

Organ & Harp Concert

with Lindsay Haukom & Aaron Tan

Wed Oct 28, 7p Compline sung by the Schola

following 5:30p Spaghetti Supper

Sun Nov 1

All Saints Eucharist

Sun Nov 29, 7p

Candlelight Concert

Sun Dec 20, 6p

Lessons and Carols sung by the

Sun Dec 24

Christmas Eve

8:45a: Nativity Choristers & Parish Choir 11a: Chancel Choir sung by the Schola & Chancel Choir

5:30pm organ recital Chancel Choir & Nativity Choristers

4p: Parish Choir & Nativity Choristers 7:30p & 10p: Chancel Choir

Jan 31, 5p Nativity Choristers Evensong 2027 Sun 4:30pm organ recital Sun Feb 21, 5p

Choral Evensong sung by the

Sun Mar 14, 3p

Baroque Concert with the

Mar 25–27

Holy Week: Triduum

Sun Mar 28

Easter Day

Sun Apr 18, 7p Sun May 16, 5p

Candlelight Concert sung by the Schola Choral Evensong for Pentecost

4:30pm organ recital

Chancel Choir & Sewanee Schola

Chancel Choir & Ensemble Meliora Maundy, 7p (25): Chancel Choir Good Friday, 7p (26): Parish Choir Vigil, 7p (27): Chancel Choir 8:45a: Parish Choir, Nativity Choristers & Schola 11a: Chancel Choir & Schola

sung by the Chancel Choir

The Episcopal Church of the Nativity

Music at Nativity Music has always been an integral part of worship and life at Nativity. The parish is known as a center for quality choral and organ music in downtown Huntsville and its surrounding areas. The music tradition of Nativity represents a broad spectrum of repertoire but is deeply and firmly rooted in the Anglican tradition. We have musical offerings for all ages and all levels of experience.

More info: Aaron Tan, Director of Music, atan@nativity-hsv.org

Come make music with us at Nativity this season!

Chancel Choir

►Sings Sundays at 11am; rehearses Wednesdays 7–9pm Nativity’s longest-serving choir, it presents the broadest range of repertoire and serves throughout the year and sings Choral Evensong, Lessons and Carols, and concerts.

Parish Choir

►Sings Sundays at 8:45am; rehearses Sundays at 8am Nativity’s newest choir, it presents more accessible choral music and rehearses solely on Sunday mornings.

Nativity Choristers

►Sings once a month; rehearses Wednesdays 5–6pm For young treble voices Grades 3–12, it sings throughout the academic year and for special services. During the semester, all choristers are also offered free individual lessons in either piano, voice, or organ.

Schola

Comprising Nativity’s most experienced singers, the Schola sings the evening office of Compline. The group focuses on plainsong and Renaissance polyphony.

REGISTER HERE!

The Episcopal Church of the Nativity

N Im ew m pr us ov ic isa ev t ta ion ery w ke re n! qu eek es ! ts

t, e k r Ma f, ic! e th l of mus p o e o Sh co som joy en

Upcoming Programs

Aug 13 Music of Jehan Alain

Guest organist Tom Froehlich (former WLRH host)

Aug 20 Happy birthday, Debussy!

Aug 27 Music of Joseph Jongen Sep 3

Vierne fireworks

Sep 10 Bach Trio Sonata No. 6 Sep 17 Toccatas by Froberger and Germani

with Aaron Tan and guest organist Rolf Goebel

with Aaron Tan

20-MINUTE MINI-RECITALS AT CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY

THURSDAYS AT 5:15 PM May 7—Oct 29 presented by presented by

GREENE STREET MARKET www.greenestreetmarket.com

& CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY www.nativity-hsv.org/music

Sep 24 Guest organist TBD Oct 1

Saint-Saëns’ “Carnival of the Animals”

Oct 8

Music from Spain across the centuries

Oct 15 Rheinberger and Mendelssohn Oct 22 Bach Trio Sonata No. 3 Oct 29 Grand finale: Hallowe’en special!

The Episcopal Church of the Nativity

Stewardship of Creation

by Dave Chadwick The height of summer may not seem to be an ideal time to explore the Alabama woods. High humidity, frequent thunderstorms, biting insects, and ticks are just some of the discouragements to enjoying God’s Creation. But there is always wonder and beauty to be found. On a recent trail run on Monte Sano, a young Broad-Tailed Hawk was calling loudly in the trees next to the Lodge. Further along the trail a Barred Owl was flying silently through the trees and then landing to regard me inquisitively with its big brown eyes. I often see White-Tailed Deer in the woods, sometimes just standing on the trail. I pause to acknowledge that this is their home; I am a guest for a short time in their domain. The new Toll Gate Greenway that recently opened on Monte Sano now offers easier access to the trails for people of all generations.

The new Toll Gate Greenway on Monte Sano enables easier access to our local forests

Genesis 2:15 states. ”The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.”

Clearly, we have a responsibility on this planet to our fellow creatures and to the Lord of Creation. We alone among earthly creatures bear the responsibility for this Stewardship, especially because the environmental consequences of our actions, for good or ill, are so momentous. What this Stewardship also demands is a willingness for us to honor limitations, including limits to personal ambition and greed.

Knowing when we have enough, having a reverence for Creation, and leaving a space for it to thrive is vital for the future of all of God’s Children.

Cursillo The Cursillo Community at Nativity and in the Diocese of Alabama invite you to a weekend of spiritual renewal and joy! If you are interested in attending Cursillo in 2026, there is one weekend remaining!

WEEKEND DATES:

Thursday, October 8 through Sunday, October 11

LOCATION:

Wonderful! Wonderful! Camp McDowell

COST TO ATTEND:

NOTHING...the weekend is a gift to you!

CONTACT:

David or Debbie Collette (256-527-2560)

DEADLINE:

Applications due by September 1, but spaces are filling quickly

The Episcopal Church of the Nativity

Youth and Children As Madi transitions out of her role as Youth Director and into the position of Director of Parish Engagement and goes out on maternity leave, we are excited to have Derek and Emily Cantrell helping with all youth programing. Derek has been a long time mentor with our youth, leading Sunday school classes and some weekly bible studies classes. Derek has also chaperoned several of our youth trips over the years, including the white water rafting trip, Six Flags and most recently our annual ski trip. Emily Cantrell will be helping with the administrative duties for youth events. If you have any questions about youth events or need more information while Madi is out, please contact Emily Cantrell at ecantrell@nativity-hsv.org.

Currently a Youth Director Search Committee has been formed to begin the search, interview and hiring of our next Youth Director. The process for finding the right director for our youth program may take some time and we have a plan for ensuring our youth are well supported during this interim.

We ask that you keep this committee and all involved in your prayers during this process. If you have any questions about the search process, please reach out to Mother Rosie at rvealeby@nativity-hsv.org.

YOUTH AGES 16 & OLDER

BLESSING OF THE CAR KEYS All youth drivers are invited to bring their keys to service to be blessed and to receive a special keychain.

AUGUST 16th, 2026

Click HERE to reserve your spot for the game!

The Episcopal Church of the Nativity

NEW AND CURRENT ACOLYTES ACOLYTE TRAINING - SUNDAY, AUGUST 16 12PM Acolyte training will be held Sunday, August 16th at 12pm for rising 5th-12th graders following the 11am service.

Lunch will be available in Ridley Hall prior to the training.

The training will be held in the Nave and should last around one hour.

Please click HERE to sign up for lunch and to attend the training.

If you are unable to attend and are interested in an alternate training date, please email Nativity Ministry Coordinator, Rachael Samples at rsamples@nativity-hsv.org We’re excited to have you all take part in this important ministry at Nativity!

The Episcopal Church of the Nativity

Register for Sunday School HERE

The Episcopal Church of the Nativity

Vibrant New Mural Brings Fresh Life to Second Mile Development Community Garden -by Vicky Hinton, Second Mile Executive Director The community garden at Second Mile Development is bursting with more than just fresh produce this season. Thanks to a creative collaboration and generous community support, a beautiful new mural has bloomed at the corner of our neighborhood patch.

Designed by local artist and Grissom High School senior Diana Sommers, the mural was brought to life this summer with a little help from her friends from the Church of the Nativity youth group. The artwork celebrates the beauty of God’s creation and features a colorful display of native flowering plants that mirror the natural growth surrounding it.

The visual transformation has brought a wave of energy and life to the garden space. Neighbors and passersby regularly pause to admire the vibrant colors. The wall has become a natural conversation starter too! Community members frequently stop by to ask questions, chat with volunteers, and learn more about the work Second Mile is doing while they enjoy the beautiful painting.

This addition of the mural complements the growth for this little garden idea that has blossomed into something much bigger. The garden has been made possible from the start thanks to amazing community partners and through the generous support of the Greene Street Market grant. Between the growing vegetables and flowers and the inspiring new mural, the Second Mile Development garden has truly become a place a beauty that feeds the body and the soul.

Volunteer Workday

The Episcopal Church of the Nativity

Many of our youth participated in painting the mural for the Second Mile Community Garden this Summer.

The mural was designed by Nativity Youth Diana Sommer.

"In designing this mural, I thought carefully about how to represent both a garden and our community.

That led me to center the piece around plants native to North Alabama, the same flowers, mushrooms, and insects you'd find growing in a garden like the one at Second Mile. I also wanted the roots and the variety of insects to speak to something beneath the surface: the quiet, unseen work that makes growth possible in the first place. My hope is that this mural brings even more life and happiness to the garden." ~ Diana Sommer Club 56 visited Merrimack Hall and Huntsville Hospital during VBS!

The Episcopal Church of the Nativity

Parish and Community Engagement Caring for Our Community Caregivers -The Rev. Rosie Veal Eby On July 13, the Outreach Committee hosted a special Caregiver Appreciation Lunch to honor the dedicated individuals who serve others throughout our community. Representatives from approximately 15 organizations joined us for an afternoon of lunch, fellowship, and a presentation focused on the importance of self-care. More than 30 caregivers attended the event.

The purpose of the luncheon was simple: to express our gratitude for the vital work these caregivers do every day.

Those who spend their lives caring for others are often overlooked, and the risk of burnout is high. We wanted them to know how deeply their compassion and commitment are appreciated.

The Flower Guild helped make the event especially welcoming by providing beautiful centerpieces for each table.

Guests also enjoyed the chance to win one of 15 generous door prizes, including hairstyling gift certificates, homemade cakes, and fresh-baked cookies donated by members of our community.

We were also grateful to welcome therapists from Life Seasons Counseling, including two of our parishioners, Brynnan Reddy and Rachael Tieslau. They led an engaging question-and-answer session, sharing practical strategies for managing stress, preventing burnout, and maintaining healthy self-care practices.

As our first Caregiver Appreciation Lunch, the event was a wonderful success. The Outreach Committee hopes to make it an annual tradition, providing an opportunity to continue building relationships with and supporting the many organizations that Nativity partners with through our stewardship and outreach ministries.

The Episcopal Church of the Nativity

Click HERE to purchase tickets!

Nativity Parish Retreat September 25th-26th After taking a break for a few years, the Nativity Parish Retreat made its long-awaited return last year—and it was a blast!

Help us keep this wonderful tradition alive by joining us for this year's retreat.

Come away for a weekend filled with worship, fellowship, relaxation, and laughter in God's backyard!

Whether you've attended before or this will be your first retreat, there's a place for you. We hope you'll join us for a weekend to recharge your spirit and build lasting friendships.

Click the link below to register! https://tinyurl.com/NativityParishRetreat26

The Episcopal Church of the Nativity

Upcoming Sacred Ground Dialogue Group & Social Justice Pilgrimage to Washington, D.C. Sacred Ground Dialogue Group September 9–November 18 The Rev. Rosie Veal Eby will lead a Sacred Ground Dialogue Group beginning September 9.

Sacred Ground is a film- and readings-based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith. Small groups journey together through chapters of America's history of race and racism while weaving in stories of family history, economic class, political identity, and regional experiences.The 11-session series is built around a powerful online curriculum of documentary films and readings that explore Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American history.Sacred Ground is part of Becoming Beloved Community, The Episcopal Church's long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice in our personal lives, our ministries, and our society. Participants are invited to peel back the layers that have contributed to today's challenges and divisions, all while remaining grounded in our shared call to faith, hope, and love.The group will meet via Zoom at 5:30 p.m., with the exception of September 30 and October 28, when we will gather in person for a spaghetti dinner and conversation.

For those interested in participating in the Social Justice Pilgrimage to Washington, D.C., this class provides an excellent foundation for the journey.

Space is limited to 12 participants.

If you have questions, please contact Mother Rosie at rvealeby@nativity-hsv.org.

Social Justice Pilgrimage to Washington, D.C. The estimated cost is $2,000 per person, which includes airfare, lodging, museum admission fees, most meals, and transportation within the Washington, D.C., area.

Click HERE for a proposed itinterary.

Click HERE to register.

The Episcopal Church of the Nativity

All men are invited to join for fellowship and pizza!

Sunday, August 2nd at 5:30pm in the Welcome Center!

ECW- All women are invited to join monthyl for fun fellowship opportunities!

The Episcopal Church of the Nativity

Sleep in Heavenly Peace Sleep in Heavenly Peace Bed Build August 23 2-4 PM The Church of the Nativity is partnering with St. Thomas and Sleep in Heavenly Peace to build beds for children in Madison County that do not have a bed to sleep in. Last year we helped build 50 beds in about 4 hours and hope to sponsor at least 20 this year. The cost of the beds is $250 for materials and about $35 for the pillow, sheets and bedspread.

Please sign up HERE if you are willing to help with the bed build on Sunday August from 2 to 4 pm.

No special skills are required.

If you are willing to help financially with this ministry please send your donation to Austin Cook at the church with memo for SIHP bed build (208 Eustis Ave, HSV 35801) or click HERE. Thank you for supporting this ministry!

Deacon Bob and Mother Rosie

Nativity Bazaar

Centering Prayer Would you like to try a new, although ancient, step toward awakening to God's presence within you? Try Centering Prayer!

Save the date for an Introduction to Centering Prayer.

Saturday, September 12th 9am-1pm St. Thomas Episcopal Church 12200 Bailey Cove Road 35803 Questions? Mary Johnson 256-527-1954

The Episcopal Church of the Nativity

EFM ARE YOU TIRED OF GETTING BEAT BY THE BAPTISTS? Are you tired of losing a discussion about bible trivia because the closest you can find something in the bible is “it’s either in the front, the middle part or near the end”. Do you wonder how some of the stories in the bible ever made it there in the first place? If God didn’t take paper and pen and write the King James Bible, then who did? Why do we even study the bible---how does reading stories that are 2000 to 10000 years old helpful to me now?

If these and other questions have been nagging at you, maybe it is time for EFM (Education for Ministry).

EFM Classic is a 4 year course of study, offered by Sewanee, where we explore the Hebrew bible (the Old Testament), the New Testament, Christian history over the past 2000 years and look at current theories of ethics, theology and spirituality. Along the way we will explore how these foundations of our faith interact with our daily lives through a process called Theological Reflection.

We meet once a week (sessions are offered on Monday from 6-9 pm and Tuesday from 1:30-4 pm) during the academic year for about 3 hours (36 sessions). We share updates on our lives, we review our readings for the week and spend time in reflection based on our shared life stories and end with a collect or prayer based on our discussions. During the year we will explore ways to interact with God that may be new for some such as Centering prayer, praying the rosary, walking the labyrinth and lectio divina. Preparation for the seminar usually involves 2-3 hours of reading, journaling or watching prepared videos. If you think this may be too much for your schedule but still want to get a feel for EFM, Sewanee offers EFM Wide Angle. It covers highlights of the 4 year program in smaller segments that can be done in one year. The seminar time (weekly meeting time) is the same but the prep time is usually only 1-2 hours. We are going to offer an information session on August 16 between the services (around 10:15am). Grab some breakfast in Ridley Hall and come to the Welcome Center for further discussion. Classes will be starting in September. More information about the program can be found at EFM Classic or EFM Wide Angle. If you have questions about the program before our meeting, please contact Ted Briggs (ted.l.briggs@gmail.com) or Deacon Bob Serio (rserio001@gmail.com).

The Lunch Bunch The Lunch Bunch is a group (typically ages 55+) who meet monthly for food, fellowship, and outreach projects. This month the Lunch Bunch will meet August 4th at noon in Ridley Hall. There is no cost for lunch!

Please click HERE to let us know you are coming!

The Episcopal Church of the Nativity

The Episcopal Church of the Nativity 208 Eustis Avenue Huntsville, Alabama 35801

Click HERE for the June Vestry Minutes