The church received over $2.4 million in pledges and is looking to close the campaign on July 30.  Parishioners are asked to submit any remaining pledge cards to the church office by that date.  If you would like to make arrangements to receive a pledge card, please contact the church office.

A Letter from Our Bishop Paul

April 11, 2010

Dear Sisters and Brothers at Nativity,

Greetings in the name of our Risen Lord! It is a joy to salute you as together we work to keep Nativity strong and ready for its ministry in the next century of its life.

The Church, of course, is us, Christ’s people built into a house of living stones. At the same time that living Church uses buildings, art, and technology to do its work of worship and witness in the world. The most ancient term for church buildings is “house for the church.” For 150 years, the Church of the Nativity, now the Cathedral Church of the Nativity, has witnessed to God’s love and presence on Bethlehem’s south side. Its physical presence says to all who walk or drive by, that God’s people gather in their midst, that God’s people are here to serve. These buildings have also been house for a church that engages in remarkable ministries to its own family and to those in the larger community.

This physical proclamation of the gospel by just being here is becoming more important in our time. In the last several decades, mainstream Christian churches have moved out of Bethlehem’s central core, or simply closed, on both sides of the river, and that process continues to this day. I am grateful to God that historically, Episcopal Churches do not abandon the cities and their problems, but as Jeremiah said so long ago, they work and pray for the place where they are. Your mere presence is a witness, and the servant ministry you do as you are present touches many.

The prophets repeatedly spoke of rebuilding the walls as a sign of trust in God, a sign of the people’s movement into God’s future. Those ancient passages now speak to us in a very literal way: it is time to rebuild the walls that house our church community, so that Nativity can serve our great-grandchildren and continue to say to all around that God will not cease to care for the city.

I believe deeply in the importance of this project. Accordingly I have made a gift from funds under my care as bishop in thanksgiving for Nativity’s ministry to our entire diocesan community. As individuals, Diana and I have sent in a check as well. I understand that economic times are not at their best; it is also true that in America, at least, some of our greatest building and missionary projects were undertaken precisely as statements of trust and hope in times of fiscal and social stress. Joining this project now is to thrust against despair and fear.

The care and artistry that went into the design and building of Nativity were expressions of our ancestor’s adoration toward God. It is our turn now to join in their praise and prayer as we ready Nativity’s plant for its future service as an expression or worship and a sign to all who see it that God is with us.

Faithfully yours,

+Paul

O God of unchangeable power and eternal light,
look favorably upon this your Church;  let the whole world know
that things which were cast down are being raised up,
and things grown old are being made new.

Guide the people of this Cathedral Church of the Nativity
as we seek to respond to the future you call us to.

Grant us quiet and serenity so that we may listen,
courage and faith that we may act.

Dedicate and fill our imaginations and actions
so that our lives of service are wholly dedicated to you

and are building blocks of your Kingdom.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

April 11, 2010 the Cathedral Church officially launched the public phase of their “Carrying the Vision Forward” capital campaign. This kick-off event is the launch into action of a plan that has been discussed for many years. Long time parishioners remembered conversations dating years back that challenged even very good memories. Some two years ago, members of the Cathedral participated in a process of vision and strategic planning to help identify a sound missional strategy and mark a path forward for mission and ministry. There were many missional opportunities identified but three in particular became primary in focus as they have capital needs associated with them:

• Restoration/repair work and update of the facilities
• Creation of an endowment specifically for the upkeep of the heavily used facilities
• Improvement in technology focused on communications in the Cathedral and Sayre Hall

The kick-off event marked a day that reflects the spirit and commitment of the congregation and the hard work of the Vestry, Steering Committee and Property Committee. Sayre Hall was transformed into a playful “construction site” complete with scaffolding, tools, ladders and enough hardhats to transform many into would be construction workers in their Sunday best. There was an area for the nursery age children as well as games set up for the youth (and young at heart). A lovely brunch was offered in a fashion and with foods that evoked thoughts of “break-time” on a construction site. The focus of the event was the clear invitation to take part in carrying the vision forward.

Sr. Warden and Steering Committee Co-Chair, Raymond Arcario offered thanks to the congregation for continuing on the path laid by generations in prayerful support as caretakers of the gifts provided. The mission and ministry of the parish are what make this the beacon on the hill. The beautiful Cathedral and Sayre Hall have served in support of that mission and now will get much needed loving attention. Raymond read a letter from Bishop Paul to the members of the Cathedral parish. Bishop Paul’s letter reminds us of what we know; that our space and spaces, aesthetically beautiful and to be enjoyed, are the vehicles for God’s kingdom to be lived by a faithful people in a particular context. His letter reads in part:

“The Church, of course, is us, Christ’s people built into a house of living stones. At the same time that living Church uses buildings, art and technology to do its work of worship and witness in the world. The most ancient term for church buildings is “house for the church.” For 150 years, the Church of the Nativity, now the Cathedral Church of the Nativity, has witnessed God’s love and presence on Bethlehem’s south side. Its physical presence says to all who walk or drive by, that God’s people gather in their midst, that God’s people are here to serve. These buildings have also been house for a church that engages in remarkable ministries to its own family and to those in the larger community.”

“The care and artistry that went into the design and building of Nativity were expressions of our ancestor’s adoration toward God. It is our turn now to join in their praise and prayer as we ready Nativity’s plant for its future service as an expression of worship and a sign to all who see it that God is with us.”

The Dean, The Very Rev. Anthony Pompa, in his sermon for the day and in remarks at the celebration invited the congregation to imagine what their lives and the lives of those living on the south side of Bethlehem for the past 150 years would be like if not for the vision of the Kingdom that led to the birth of Nativity. Building on the Gospel text of the day and the story of the disciples “locked in a room in fear,” he urged the congregation in joining in a disciple’s discernment to consider “who we are”, “what we have” and in unlocking the doors to go do it – Carry the vision forward. The Dean shared remembrances that connect his life as a person, husband, father and priest to the Cathedral. His earliest recollection was a story of the Dean as a 12 year old on a class trip from Jim Thorpe to Bethlehem seeing the cathedral for the first time as the school bus drove past. That powerful vision still present through the milestones that bond the Dean to this cathedral; his ordination, serving as an associate, meeting and marrying his wife Felicia, leaving to become the rector of a parish in Virginia and many years later answering God’s call to return to lead as the Dean and Rector. Many in attendance shared in those memories and took pause to think about their own.

The Cathedral has an active membership of approximately 600 baptized persons. The Cathedral’s space is witness to the ministries of the people of the Cathedral; sheltering and feeding the homeless, educating and socializing children each day in after school programs, hosting diocesan events and ordinations, worship and education programs for the parish, fellowship for all, etc. The Cathedral provides space and partnership for nearly 100 groups from throughout the Bethlehem community.

The capital needs that have been identified to be addressed in a priority manner are estimated to cost $4,075,000. In the silent phase of the campaign leading up to this kick-off event, pledges and gifts totaling just over $1,600,000 have been received. The hope and prayer is that every member of the parish will be visited to assist in their prayerful discernment toward joining as the Cathedral Church of the Nativity carries the vision forward. If you would like to learn more about this campaign please contact Raymond Arcario Co-Chair at 610-282-9509 or rarcario@hotmail.com. You are invited to visit the Cathedral website at www.nativitycathedral.org