The Steeple November-January 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
Aaron Tan, PhD-Director of Music atan@nativity-hsv.org
Amy Brooks- Director of Communications abrooks@nativity-hsv.org
Lane Tutt- Groundskeeper ltutt@nativity-hsv.org
Emily Cantrell- Director of Christian Formation ecantrell@nativity-hsv.org
Keke Warren- Nursery Manager
Derek Cantrell- Interim Director of Youth Ministry Austin Cook- Director of Finance acook@nativity-hsv.org Jabbar Jasper- Facilities Manager jjasper@nativity-hsv.org Rachael Samples- Worship Coordinator rsamples@nativity-hsv.org Sally Stockton- Director of Kitchen Ministries
Marlin Wilder- Assistant Facilities Manager
Stewardship 2027 Dear Nativity Family, As we continue our 2027 Stewardship Campaign, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the faith, generosity, and commitment of our parish family. I am grateful to share that, as of October 29, we have received 128 pledges toward our 2027 campaign. Each pledge is a meaningful expression of support for the life and mission of Church of the Nativity. To those who have already pledged, thank you for your faithful generosity. I am equally thankful for the many ways each of you enriches our parish through your time, talents, prayers, and service. Stewardship is about so much more than financial giving. It is about recognizing God’s blessings in our lives and responding with grateful hearts, sharing what we have been given to strengthen our church, care for one another, and serve those around us. As we continue this journey together, may we prayerfully reflect on the blessings in our lives and the many ways we can share them with others. Thank you for being part of our Nativity family. Each of you plays an important role in making our parish a place of faith, fellowship, love, and service. With heartfelt gratitude, Cameron Durnya The Stewardship Committee Church of the Nativity Please click HERE for the 2027 pledge card.
The Episcopal Church of the Nativity
Images taken October 28, 2026 • Porte cochere • Hall bathroom tile in Ridley • Elevator shaft • Sheetrock in Ridley
Click HERE to give to the Becoming One Body campaign.
The Episcopal Church of the Nativity
Music
Has Music at Nativity brought you a little beauty this year?
You can express your appreciation by contributing to Nativity’s Music Designated Fund. Contents of the fund are reserved for special music projects like hiring guest artists, major instrument repairs, and concert expenses. To make a donation, write a check to “Music at Nativity” or give online at https://tinyurl.com/MusicAtNativity.
The Episcopal Church of the Nativity
The Episcopal Church of the Nativity
The Episcopal Church of the Nativity
The Feast of All Saints by Mother Melissa On the Church calendar, All Saints’ Day is celebrated on November 1. All Saints is a feast day that recognizes all the saints of God. Who are the saints of God? Broadly defined, all the baptized are considered the saints of God, both past and present. On All Saints’ Day, we particularly remember not only the famous saints of the Church, but also those in our own lives who have gone before us in the faith. In the Episcopal Church, All Saints’ Day is a principal feast, which means that it ranks right alongside Easter Day and Christmas Day. In fact, All Saints is the only day on the Church calendar that is celebrated on its day, November 1, and also on the Sunday following. Additionally, All Saints is one of only four days that the prayer book notes as “especially appropriate” for baptisms. All Saints is a unique day in the Church because it intentionally reaches across time – back in time to remember saints of old, in our current time recognizing the saints among us, and forward in time by baptizing those who will carry on the faith. Saints that were – saints that are – saints that will be. Here at Nativity, we will celebrate the Feast on All Saints on Sunday, November 1, with baptisms at the 11:00am service, as well as the renewal of baptismal vows at 7:30am and 8:45am. We also will read the names of all those members of Nativity who have died since All Saints’ Day 2025. We hope you will join us on this special day in the life of the Church as we celebrate all the saints of God.
Parish Engagement Parents of Young Children This group meets the 2nd Monday of every month. Moms meet in Club 78 and Dads meet in the Welcome Center from 5:30-7pm. Nursery is provided as well as a pizza dinner for the kids! November 9th December 14th January 11th Questions? Madeleine Bell-Colpack mbellcolpack@nativity-hsv.org
The Episcopal Church of the Nativity
The Lunch Bunch is a group of folks, typically ages 55+ who enjoy food, fellowship, and service projects. The Lunch Bunch meets the first Tuesday of the month in Ridley Hall at 12pm. Lunch is free, but we ask that you let us know you are coming so we will have enough food! In November, we will hear from Wendy Kirk, Executive Director of Huntsville Assistance Program. December 1st January 5th
Click image to order today!
The Episcopal Church of the Nativity
Join us for the annual Veteran's Day Breakfast in Ridley Hall! We hope to see you Wednesday, November 11th as we celebrate our veterans with a free pancake breakfast!
Save the Date! 196th Convention of The Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Alabama. If you would like to be a delegate please reach out to Austin Cook acook@nativity-hsv.org.
Come make an Advent Wreath with us!
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29 10 AM IN RIDLEY HALL CANDLES & BASINS PROVIDED YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO BRING YOUR OWN FRESHLY CUT GREENERY! WE WILL HAVE SOME ON HAND. EACH FAMILY IS INVITED TO MAKE ONE WREATH! SUGGESTED DONATION OF $10 IF YOU ARE ABLE TO CONTRUBUTE
Advent Wreaths Join us in Ridley Hall on Sunday, November 29th during the formation hour as we decorate Advent Wreaths. You are encouraged to bring your own greenery and some to share if you are able! Suggested donation of $10 if you are able to contribute.
The Episcopal Church of the Nativity
The Episcopal Ch
Come by the Welcome Center for a sweet treat during the Christmas Parade on December 1st starting at 6pm!
Nativity Women's Advent Retreat Please join us December 4th-6th at St. Bernard's Abbe (Cullman, AL) for the Nativity Women's Advent retrea We will spend the weekend celebrating Advent through history, art, and crafts. Click HERE for more information and to register!
The Episcopal Church of the Nativity
A New Bowl in the Baptismal Font by Mother Melissa You may have noticed that we have a new bowl for the baptismal font. We have been searching for quite a while to find just the right one. Nativity’s original font cracked some time ago, so a bowl is necessary today to contain the water. Holy Baptism is the sacrament that brings us into the Christian faith. Traditionally, baptismal fonts have been located at the entrance to the church, as ours is at Nativity. The font stands as a reminder to us of our baptisms and is at the door of the church because, quite literally, baptism is what brings us into the Church. Many people will dip their hand into the water in the font as they walk into the church and make the sign of the cross over themselves as a way of remembering their baptisms. Likewise, on the way out of church, many will do this same action as a way of remembering the promises made at their baptisms as they go forth to be Christians in the world, striving to live into more fully as followers of Christ. We hope the new bowl will call your attention to the font and help you remember your baptism.
Children's Ministry
Club 56 (5th and 6th graders) meet once a month on Sunday evenings for food, fellowship, and service projects! Questions? ecantrell@nativity-hsv.org
The Episcopal Church of the Nativity
The Episcopal Church of the Nativity
Click the image to register!
Volunteer Workday
The Episcopal Church of the Nativity
Youth Ministry JOIN US FOR
Christmas Caroling the
at ne Russell Erski
Youth to arrive @ 5pm to serve dinner!
Date announced soon! 5:30-6:30pm
The Episcopal Church of the Nativity
YOU’RE INVITED TO THE EYC
2027 NATIVITY SKI TRIP
FEB 12 - 15 @ WINTERPLACE SKI RESORT
EYC SKI TRIP WAITLIST OPENS SOON CHECK EYC NEWSLETTER
DINNER PARTY
PLEASE BRING A DISH TO SHARE!
NOV 15 @5-7PM
Nativity Bazaar
Annual Bazaar Thursday November 19, 2026 Seatings available at 11:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m.
Join us for feast & fellowship as we come together around the table! $30 LUNCHEON
$28 CARRY OUT
Turkey & Dressing Casserole Sweet Potato Casserole Green Beans Cranberry Relish Homemade Rolls Pickles Dessert
Proceeds will go towards Nativity’s Accessibility Campaign
Interested in volunteering? Email: bazaarnativity@gmail.com
Join us for the Nativity Bazaar Thursday, November 19th! Click HERE to make a reservation or to purchase takeouts and prize drawing chances! All proceeds will benefit the Becoming One Body Accessibility Campaign
The Episcopal Church of the Nativity
Greene Street Holiday Market
The Episcopal Church of the Nativity
Nativity Parish Retreat at Camp McDowell By Liam Ayres In late September, many of our church’s families and parishioners made the journey through the rolling hills of Nauvoo to gather at Camp McDowell for a weekend of fellowship, connection, and relaxation. There truly was something for everyone, whether it was a spontaneous guitar “jam sesh” around the bonfire, canoeing on Clear Creek, hiking to St. Christopher’s, touring the Farm School, or becoming an all-star in the parish kickball game! Now in its second year since returning from a several-year hiatus, the parish retreat was more than just a chance to unplug. It was also a wonderful opportunity to get to know other members of our Nativity family. Parishioners of all ages and backgrounds came together over shared activities, meals, and worship, building the kind of intentional connections and friendships that are hard to make in the busyness of everyday life. As the retreat came to a close and we headed home to Huntsville, we returned as a closer, more rested parish. And while our cars may have made it back, our hearts are still at Camp McDowell. The bumper sticker says it best: “I’d rather be at Camp McDowell,” and it has never been more true! Save the date for next year’s parish retreat: Sept 17-19, 2027!
The Episcopal Church of the Nativity
The Episcopal Church of the Nativity
Outreach 2026 Global Partnership Award by Mother Rosie On October 5, 2026, the Church of the Nativity received the 2026 Global Partnership Award from Global Ties Alabama at their annual lunch and board meeting event. The award recognizes the collaboration and community that has been built between the refugee community that Global Ties supports and Nativity’s support of the mission. Over the past few years, the church has helped with supplying shoes, home goods and bicycles to some families as well as pairing up parishioners with refugee families to assist them with laundry for several months. It was an honor to be recognized and an honor to be given an opportunity to serve.
ECW Project by Mother Rosie
I am pleased to announce that during the board meeting in September 2026, the National Episcopal Church Women (ECW), a ministry created to empower women of the Episcopal Church to carry on Christ’s work throughout the world, voted to grant $1000 to The Church of the Nativity's program to support homeless women by purchasing bras for them. We will be partnering with First Stop in the coming months to have a day for women. We will include offering haircuts and showers. Currently, only new underwear are provided for the people utilizing Shower Up and other services. Women are sometimes given a voucher for clothing at places like the Saving Way Thrift store, however the selection and sizes are very limited. As a way of respecting the dignity of every human being, the ECW at Nativity will be able to support these women who are living in dire circumstances and let them know they are loved. If you have questions or would like to help in planning this outreach event please reach out to Mother Rosie. rvealeby@nativity-hsv.org
The Episcopal Church of the Nativity
Cursillo
Flower Dedications 2026 Christmas Flower Dedications– Christmas Flower Dedications are open! Flower dedications are $20 each and may be submitted online or by filling out a form. The forms are located on the table next to the drink cooler in the Banister Room, the table next to the interior entrance of Bibb Chapel or in the back of the Nave. The deadline to submit a Christmas Flower Dedication is Sunday, December 13th. To submit a dedication online, please click HERE. Additional questions - please reach out to Andrea Vandervoort at 256-539-2673.
The Episcopal Church of the Nativity
Trunk or Treat and Compline
The Episcopal Church of the Nativity
The Episcopal Church of the Nativity
The Episcopal Church of the Nativity 208 Eustis Avenue Huntsville, Alabama 35801
Click HERE for the August and September Vestry Minutes