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Nativity is truly a community of faith, with about 800 members and growing. We are singles, parents with small children, empty nesters, and elderly.
We are diverse in many respects. We are joyful but respectful in our worship.
We have been described as a friendly, dynamic, involved,
highly participative, and energetic congregation. We emphasize
strong fellowship programs and caring and support for one
another. We also see the needs beyond our
neighborhood, and we apply ourselves diligently to our
outreach activities. We recognize that people vary in their
gifts and needs, so we offer a broad array of programs and
use our members' talents in a wide variety of ways.
Some of us are natives of
North Carolina -- and
a few of us are true natives of
Raleigh -- but
most of us moved here for
school, jobs, or retirement. Our origins are many.
We welcome anyone who is interested in worshiping with us.
If you are interested in being baptized or confirmed, please
let the Rector know of your interest. If you would like to
become a member of Church of the Nativity, call the church office.
Our Mission
We invite all people to glorify God through worship, prayer,
fellowship, education, and loving service, and to experience
God's love and peace through Jesus Christ.
We are committed to:
- Eucharistically centered worship
- Services signed and interpreted in American Sign Language.
- Active outreach and evangelism
- Striving for peace and justice
- Fostering spiritual growth
- Supporting one another in this parish family
- Nurturing children in the knowledge and love of God
- Returning to God our gifts of time, talent and treasure
Our Status in the Episcopal Church
We are a parish of the Diocese of North Carolina
of the Episcopal Church.
Across our membership, we value our diversity of
religious backgrounds, life experiences, and opinions. As a body, Nativity is fully loyal to and supportive of the
Episcopal Church.
Our Clergy and Staff
- The Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry, Bishop of North Carolina
- The Rev. Diane B. Corlett, Rector (on leave)
- The Rev. Dr. George M. Clifford, Priest Associate and Acting Associate Rector
- The Rev. Lois Boney, Assisting Priest for Pastoral Care
- The Rev. George B. S. Hale, Priest Associate
- Ms. Jennie Herrick, Parish Coordinator
Our Love of the Arts
Read about the incorporation of the arts into our community of faith.
Our Facilities
Our worship building seats approximately 350.
It combines modern and traditional design elements, and it is accessible
to the disabled.
Nativity's original building contains offices, classrooms, Corlett Hall (a
multi-purpose parish hall), and the toddler nursery. It is named Estill House
in honor of the Rt. Rev. Robert Estill, retired Bishop of North Carolina.
We are about to start construction on a new education building.
Our History
1985-1990
- As Raleigh
expands rapidly to the north, a group of Episcopalians
attending various churches in the city approaches Bishop Estill about starting a new
congregation closer to their homes.
St. Michael's Episcopal Church
agrees to sponsor a parochial mission. On December 5, 1985,
Bishop Estill celebrates Holy Eucharist for 40 charter members at the
Black Horse Run clubhouse.
- In 1986, the congregation chooses the name Church of the Nativity and begins weekly worship at York Elementary School.
Later the congregation uses temporary space at Ravenscroft School and Hale High School.
- In 1987 the Rev. Rick Callaway becomes Vicar. The congregation purchases land, embarks on construction
planning, and meanwhile commits to a ministry to the deaf.
1990-1999
- The original building opens on Epiphany Day, 1991. Three weeks later, the congregation becomes a diocesan mission.
- The Rev. Chuck Oglesby is appointed Deacon, and the Rev. Pamela Porter is appointed Interim Vicar, followed by the Rev. Craig Phillips.
In 1992, the Vestry calls the Rev. Diane B. Corlett as Vicar.
- A trailer is added for classroom space in 1993.
- In 1994 the congregation becomes a parish.
- In 1996, the Rev. Jack Durant is appointed Deacon; the Rev. Brad Mullis comes to Nativity as Assistant to the Rector;
and the Rev. George B. S. Hale is appointed Priest Associate.
- In 1999, the Rev. Nancy Titus is appointed Deacon. The nursery is expanded, and a second trailer is added for classrooms.
2000-Present
- We reorganize Christian education for teenagers around the Journey to Adulthood program.
- The new worship building is consecrated on the Saturday after 9-11-2001.
- The Rt. Rev. Samuel Kamya of Uganda visits us in 2003 and 2007.
- The Rev. David Buck comes to Nativity as Assistant to the Rector in 2004, and we expand our adult
offerings for spiritual formation with new programs (Faith and Science Dialog, Spirituality in the Arts, and
Education for Ministry).
- Our pipe organ was installed in 2007.
- The Rev. Jay Lawlor comes to Nativity as Assistant to the Rector in 2008.
- The congregation launches a capital campaign for a new education building.
- In 2009, the Rev. George M. Clifford is appointed Priest Associate, and
the Rev. Lois Boney comes to Nativity as part-time Assisting Priest.
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