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We recognize the arts as gifts from God, and we incorporate
them into our community life. Quoting the Book of Common Prayer:
O God, whom saints and angels delight to worship in
heaven: Be ever present with your servants who seek through
art and music to perfect the praises offered by your people on
earth; and grant to them even now glimpses of your beauty,
and make them worthy at length to behold it unveiled for
evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Spirituality in the Arts
Nativity offers programs to the general public that cover a variety of
performing arts. For more information, click here.
Art in our Worship Building
Our Altar
The altar is the work of parishioner Doug Smith, who also built the pulpit,
the altar rail, and the stations of the cross. The front of the altar uses
marquetry, an
art form using wood veneers, to suggest the Last Supper. The
marquetry in the front of the pulpit is the Nativity logo.
The Angel of Nativity
This 8-by-4 foot triptych is the work of parishioner Joel Haas. It was cast
in polyurethane resin, coated with marble dust and a sepia tone
stain.
The angel's features reflect the racial diversity of our parish.
The artist began with the
premise that angels are messages, not messengers, from God.
Therefore, the angel addresses us as modern viewers, as well
as people of the future and the shepherds of the past. The shepherds
in the two side panels are small and de-emphasized, since they
are both metaphorically and historically in the past.
The angel says to us all, "Fear not, for I bring glad tidings that shall
be for all people." View the middle panel of
the Angel of Nativity triptych.
Our Logo
The logo of the Church of the Nativity combines several ancient symbols of
Christ and his birth.
The shepherd's crook recalls the shepherds who were the first to
witness the birth of the Savior at Bethlehem. It is also the symbol of
Christ the Good Shepherd. Sometimes called a crozier, it can be
understood as a symbol of the Episcopal Church because a crozier is carried by
bishops, whose ministry includes being shepherds of their flock.
The manger into which the infant Jesus was placed after his birth in a
stable is symbolized by the X that sits on the shepherd's crook. These two
symbols together produce a stylized chi rho, the first two letters of
"Christ" in Greek.
On top of the X is a crown, symbolizing Christ's kingship. The crook could
also be seen as a staff, another symbol of Christ's kingship.
Music Program
Adult Vocal Choir
Nativity's Adult vocal choir sings at the 10:30 am service and on special
occasions during the year. Although many in the choir are professionally
trained singers, we welcome everyone who likes to sing. If you have the desire
and basic musical aptitude, we can teach you the basics of choir singing. Rehearsals, of course, are necessary.
Our repertoire is eclectic including classic composers, the English choral tradition,
African-American spirituals, and modern compositions.
Waltye Rasulala, our vocal choir director, holds a BA and MM in Voice and Conducting,
respectively, from Westminster Choir College. She has performed in musical theater, appearing on
Broadway, and is a frequent soloist in both spiritual and secular venues.
Bell Choirs
Nativity owns several octaves of bells and chimes.
We have separate bell
choirs for adults, teenagers, younger children, and the very young. Usually
we play preludes and offertory music, but on occasion we accompany the
liturgical settings. Newcomers are always invited.
Our director of bell choirs, Ruth Brown, has a BA in music theory from
the University of Texas in Dallas and has taken graduate studies in music at Meredith College.
In addition to teaching flute, recorder and piano privately, Ruth performs with the
Raleigh Ringers.
Our Organ
Opus 115 of the Andover Organ Company
was installed in August, 2007. Ours is a tracker action instrument.
Read about it here.
Other Instruments
We are blessed to have members who
are professionally trained instrumentalists, including members of the
North Carolina Symphony. From time to time they
share their talents with us on such instruments as flute, cello, and
clarinet.
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