Mission & Vision
Who We Are
We are a bilingual, multicultural community rooted in the Southside of Bethlehem Pennsylvania that worships and follows Jesus in the Episcopal Tradition.
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Our Mission
To know Christ, to make Him known, and to serve all people according to His example.
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To Know Christ:
We have a vibrant worship life. Each of our unique services caters to different spiritual needs. If you are looking for a worshiping community that indulges in luxurious silences and celtic themed music, come to the Celtic Services. If you want a service with traditional Anglican music and an opportunity to hear a theologically challenging sermon, join us at 10:45 am. If you and your family need extra space for that toddler to run around, join us at 9 am.
Buscas una comunidad que hable tu idioma, únete a nuestro servicio en español a las 12:30.
To Make Christ Known:
We offer many opportunities to deepen our relationship with Christ, including Bible Study, Discipleship Groups and Adult Forum. Our community’s love for one another is just one way that we make Christ known both inside our walls and the neighborhood around us.
To Serve All People According to Christ’s Example:
We serve our neighbors in myriad ways. Our Thrift Store offers great deals to everyone! We partner with New Bethany to give clothing to those in need. The English classes every Tuesday and Thursday are when neighbors show up to build community while learning English. We also coordinate the Fountain Hill Grocery Partnership, which helps families address food insecurity at Fountain Hill Elementary. We are always looking for new ways to serve as Christ served.
Beliefs
The Cathedral Church of the Nativity is an Episcopal Church of the Diocese of Bethlehem and a member of the Worldwide Anglican Communion. We hold to the historic faith of the church as expressed and summarized in the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds and the Book of Common Prayer. We take Jesus seriously. We believe that Scripture is the Word of God and should be interpreted for a modern world. Tradition is important to us. It is used as a helpful guide and a history of how our ancestors in the faith attempted the difficult task of following Jesus. Tradition is not the last word, and is not followed uncritically or without historical context. Tradition is always balanced with reason, scripture, and our experience. We believe that Jesus calls us to love and serve our neighbors, so you’ll see us out in the community doing our best to follow Jesus’ example of justice, love, and mercy. We believe that all people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, no exceptions, and we are fully affirming of the LGBTQIA+ community. We believe a better world is possible, and we hope that you will join us as we follow Jesus into a more Beloved Community.
We Are A Welcoming Haven
At Nativity, you will find multiple opportunities to worship, designed to meet the spiritual needs of a diverse community.
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We Are A Caring Community
We are a congregation that cares for all, and we have programs designed to help in many ways: pastoral care, bereavement, support, knitting ministry, prayer chain, adult formation, and fellowship.
We Are A Nurturing Space for Children & Youth
Nativity hosts robust programs for children and youth from nursery through high school. Youth may also choose to assist with our worship services. Outside of our Sunday programs, we have a week-long summer camp in the Poconos, mission trips, and youth group fellowship.
We Are A Congregation Committed to Serving
We are committed to serving not only our congregation, but also our community and the world.
We offer various services throughout the year, such as opening our doors in the winter to provide those without a home a place to sleep and eat. We serve our neighbors through Habitat for Humanity, ShareCare, and New Bethany.
We also operate a thrift shop and collect supplies for local food banks. We have a companion relationship with a Cathedral in South Sudan, whom we support through prayer, education, and mission trips.
