Honoring the Martyrs of Memphis: An Evensong Reflection

On Sunday, September 13, we invite you to a special service of Evensong at 6:00 PM to commemorate the lives and sacrifice of Constance and her Companions, commonly known as the "Martyrs of Memphis."

Their story is one of remarkable courage and selfless love, a witness that continues to inspire Episcopalians across the South and beyond.

A Brief History

In 1873, a group of sisters from the Community of St. Mary (the first indigenous Anglican religious order in the United States) relocated to Memphis at the request of Bishop Charles T. Quintard. Their mission was to operate St. Mary's School for Girls adjacent to what had recently become the Cathedral of St. Mary, the first Episcopal cathedral in the Southern United States.

For five years, they served the community peacefully. But in the summer of 1878, the Mississippi River brought a devastating scourge: yellow fever. The virus tore through Memphis with horrific speed. As many as 200 people died each day. Thirty thousand residents fled in terror, the city's government ceased to operate, and the Tennessee General Assembly actually pulled Memphis's city charter.

Yet, the sisters stayed. Sister Constance, superior of the order, along with Sisters Thecla, Ruth, Frances, and Hughetta, refused to abandon the sick. From their base near the cathedral, they operated the Church Home Orphanage and delivered meals, medicines, and supplies to an estimated 80 sick residents daily. They worked from six to six, beginning each day with the Eucharist before venturing out to comfort those whom even their own families would not approach for fear of infection.

Two Episcopal priests, The Rev'd Charles Parsons and The Rev'd Louis Schuyler, joined the relief effort, both losing their lives as well.

On September 9, 1878, Sister Constance died from complications of the fever. Her last words were “Alleluia! Hosanna!” Over the following days, Sister Thecla, Sister Ruth, and Sister Frances also succumbed to the disease. Sister Hughetta fell ill but miraculously survived.

In all, more than 5,000 Memphians died. The city was so depopulated that it did not reorganize for fourteen years.

A Lasting Memorial

Today, the high altar at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Memphis stands as a memorial to these four martyred sisters, bearing the inscription of Constance's final cry of praise. In 1981, the Episcopal Church officially added Constance and Her Companions to the Calendar of Lesser Feasts and Fasts, celebrated each year on September 9.

We give thanks for their heroic witness, as described in the Collect for their feast day:

"We give you thanks and praise, O God of compassion, for the heroic witness of Constance and her companions, who, in a time of plague and pestilence, were steadfast in their care for the sick and the dying and loved not their own lives, even unto death. Inspire in us a like love and commitment to those in need..."

Join Us

We invite you to join us this Sunday, September 13 at 6:00 PM as we honor their memory with a service of Evensong. Come and let us reflect on their sacrifice and pray for the grace to love and serve as they did—without counting the cost.

All are welcome.

A Night of Song and Story: Greenwood Chorale Celebrates America's 250th at Nativity

On Tuesday, June 23, the Parish Hall of Church of the Nativity was filled with the sound of voices raised in song as the Greenwood Chorale presented "Our Heritage: A 250th Celebration." This special concert commemorated the 250th anniversary of our nation's founding through a moving blend of music and narration.

The audience heard beloved favorites including America the Beautiful, The Stars and Stripes Forever, a stirring tribute to each branch of the Armed Forces, In Flanders Fields, Let There Be Peace on Earth, and God Bless America. Along the way, community leaders brought to life words from Thomas Jefferson, Emma Lazarus, Ronald Reagan, John F. Kennedy, and others.

A True Community Event

The Chorale was joined by a number of community groups, including:

• Boy Scout Troop 200

• American Legion Posts 29 and 200

• Girl Scout Troop 33150

• A children's chorus

• Cellist Stephanie Weldon

The evening was led by pianist and director Paul Brown, whose passion for music and community was evident throughout the performance.

Nativity Well Represented

We are especially proud that Fr. Don offered the opening prayer and closing remarks, and that Alicia, Melanie, and Cam sang with the community group. A huge thank you to Harris for helping get everything set up!

Admission Free

Admission was free, and the evening was a wonderful reminder of the power of music to bring people together. We are grateful to the Greenwood Chorale for choosing Nativity as the venue for this special celebration and look forward to hosting them again in the future.

Groovy VBS 2026: A Joyful Celebration of Peace, Love, and Jesus

This August, Church of the Nativity was transformed into a far‑out summer adventure as children ages 4–11 gathered for Groovy VBS 2026: Peace, Love, and Jesus. Over three joyful days, nearly 60 children explored the miracles and teachings of Christ through groovy music, creative crafts, engaging stories, and fun games.

Day 1: Peace

The week kicked off with a focus on Peace. Children learned the story of Jesus calming the sea, a powerful reminder that even when life feels stormy, Christ is with us. Our memory verse for the day came from John 14:27:

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid."

The Parish Hall was filled with singing, arts and crafts, story time, games, and plenty of smiles as we began this exciting time together.

Day 2: Love

Day 2 focused on Love through the story of the Good Samaritan. We learned that loving our neighbor means showing mercy and kindness even when it is inconvenient—and even when the person in front of us seems different from us.

Our memory verse was a simple and powerful one:

"We love because he first loved us." — 1 John 4:19

It also seemed especially fitting that today's Psalm in the Daily Lectionary reminded us:

"Things that we have heard and known, that our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done." — Psalm 78:3–4

Watching these children learn and grow in faith is a beautiful reminder that this is exactly what the psalm calls us to do: to tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord and the wonders God has done.

Day 3: Jesus

On our final day, the children learned the story of Jesus calling Peter and the first disciples, inviting them to leave their nets and become "fishers of people." Our memory verse came from Matthew 4:19:

"And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.'"

What a beautiful reminder that following Jesus is an invitation to a life of love and sharing the Good News with others.

The laughter kept rolling, the singing got a little louder, the crafts got a little messier, and our kids spent each morning learning just how deeply God loves them.

A Heartfelt Thank You

A special thank you goes to Madeline Kirk for the months of organizing and leading that made this week such a success. We are also grateful to our wonderful music team—Alicia, Charles, and David—whose energy and joy filled the Parish Hall with songs that the children will be singing for weeks to come.

And to our many, many volunteers, thank you. Whether you welcomed families, prepared snacks, led crafts, taught lessons, played games, kept children safe, or quietly stepped in wherever you were needed, you made this ministry possible. Every smile, every lesson, every song, and every act of kindness helped share God's love with nearly 60 children this week.

Three wonderful days, countless smiles, and hearts full of God's love. Groovy VBS 2026 has come to a close, and what a joyful week it has been!

We are already looking forward to next year!

St. Nicholas Sip and Savor Fundraiser

Some evenings just have a way of reminding you what church family looks like—and the St. Nicholas Sip and Savor fundraiser on July 31 was one of those evenings.

Friends gathered around the table for five beautifully prepared courses, each thoughtfully paired with wines selected by Marian Chancellor. From Whispering Angel Rosé and Harken Chardonnay to Pinot Noir, Malbec, and Prosecco, every course brought new flavors and plenty of smiles.

The meal itself was extraordinary:

• Burrata with grilled peaches and prosciutto

• Shrimp cakes with citrus salad

• Grilled tuna

• Seared pork tenderloin with sweet potato grits and a red wine cherry reduction

• Chantilly cream cake with fresh berries

A Ministry of Love

Proceeds from the evening will benefit the St. Nicholas Project, which serves foster children and families through Children's Protective Services in Leflore County. Every person who attended became part of that ministry.

Gratitude

Our sincere thanks to Marian Chancellor for leading us through each pairing with such grace and enthusiasm. We are also deeply grateful to Loren and Lee Leflore, Michael and Spencer Jennings, Vicki Yaeger, Ben and Stribling Hargett, Robin Stuckey, Jamie Hargett, and the many others who planned, prepared, served, and worked behind the scenes to make the evening such a success.

Jamie's leadership of the St. Nicholas Project continues to be a blessing to the Nativity Parish and to the children and families we serve.

There was wonderful food, exceptional wine, and more laughter than we could have hoped for. It was a beautiful reminder that some of life's greatest gifts are found around a table—sharing a meal, enjoying one another's company, and supporting a mission that makes a real difference in the lives of children.

Wyatt to Represent Nativity on Diocese of Mississippi Youth Council

We are delighted to announce that Wyatt, a member of our parish family, has been selected to serve on the Diocese of Mississippi's Division of Youth Council for 2026–2027.

DOY is a team of youth leaders from Episcopal churches across the state who help lead diocesan youth events and represent young people in the life of the Church. It is a significant leadership opportunity, and we are proud of Wyatt for stepping forward to serve.

In addition to his diocesan responsibilities, Wyatt is also representing Mississippi this week at the 4-H National Championships in Nebraska, competing in compound archery. This is a tremendous achievement, and we wish him the very best as he competes against archers from across the country.

Congratulations, Wyatt! We are so proud of you and grateful for the ways you represent Nativity and the Diocese of Mississippi with grace and dedication.

Nativity Shines in The Anglican Digest

Church of the Nativity is honored to be featured in the Summer 2026 edition of The Anglican Digest, a publication read by Episcopalians across the country.

The article highlights our parish history and notes that our congregation's membership is among the youngest in our diocese and the wider Church—a testament to the vitality and energy of our community.

It also shines a light on some of the ministries that define our parish life, including:

• The St. Nicholas Project, serving foster children and families through Children's Protective Services in Leflore County

• The Community Thanksgiving Service, bringing together churches across Greenwood

• A Day of Giving, a parish-wide day of service and outreach

• Our ongoing work in ecumenical ministry and racial reconciliation through partnerships with churches and organizations across our community

We are grateful for everyone who helps make Nativity a place of worship and service. Most of all, we are thankful for the ways the Holy Spirit continues to move in and among us, drawing people together and calling us into the work God has set before us.

Blessing the Fields: Nativity and Advent Gather for Rogation Sunday

On Trinity Sunday, the annual gathering of Nativity and Advent took place at the home of Billy and Melanie for a beloved parish tradition: the Rogation service.

Together, we offered prayers for our farmers, for the land, for favorable weather, and for all those whose labor helps provide. Rogation Sunday is a centuries-old tradition in the Anglican Church, a time to bless the fields and pray for a bountiful harvest. It is a beautiful reminder of our dependence on God's provision and our connection to the land and to those who work it.

Following the service, we shared a wonderful potluck lunch and enjoyed time together as a parish family. The food was delicious, the fellowship was warm, and the afternoon was filled with laughter and conversation.

A heartfelt thank you to Billy and Melanie for their gracious hospitality and to everyone who helped make it such a special day. We are already looking forward to next year's gathering!

A Joyful Mother's Day: Youth Lead Worship at Nativity

We had a wonderful Mother's Day service this morning at Nativity. The church was full of joy as our young people stepped into leadership roles and helped lead the worship.

Our children sang beautifully, filling the sanctuary with their voices. Our teens served throughout the Mass as readers, ushers, and leaders of the Prayers of the People. The church was full of young acolytes, serving at the altar with reverence and grace.

Celebrating Our Graduates

We also celebrated the graduation of Benz Porter, a standout athlete from Pillow Academy, as he prepares to attend Mississippi State this fall. We are proud of Benz and all of our young people who helped make today such a special day!

Gratitude

A big thanks to Rachael, Alicia, and Charles for helping arrange and oversee the service. Their dedication to our young people is a gift to the entire parish.

Mother's Day at Nativity was a beautiful reminder of the life and energy our children and youth bring to our church family. We are grateful for each one of them!

Nativity Leaders Shine at 20th Annual Community Prayer Breakfast

Nativity was well represented at the 20th Annual Community Prayer Breakfast on May 2, an event benefiting The Greenwood Mentoring Group.

Paula Provine emceed the program with her signature warmth and grace, guiding the morning's proceedings with skill and heart.

Cam Abel was one of two keynote speakers, sharing an inspiring message that reflected the values of faith, service, and community.

John and Marsha are also dedicated supporters of the Greenwood Mentoring Group, and their presence at the event was a testament to their ongoing commitment to the organization's mission.

The Community Prayer Breakfast is a cherished Greenwood tradition, bringing together leaders from across the community to pray, share a meal, and support the important work of mentoring our young people. We are grateful for the ways our parishioners continue to serve and lead in the wider community.

Rev. Don Chancellor Opens Mississippi Senate Session with Prayer

On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, the Mississippi Senate opened its session in a spirit of reverence as The Rev. Don Chancellor, rector of the Episcopal Church of the Nativity, delivered the opening prayer. He was invited to offer the invocation by Sen. Lydia Chassaniol, who also led the Pledge of Allegiance before Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann guided the lawmakers through the day's agenda.

The invitation reflects the deep respect for faith and community that characterizes Mississippi's legislative tradition, as well as the recognition of Nativity's leadership within the Greenwood community. As rector of Church of the Nativity, Fr. Chancellor has served the parish with dedication, guiding the congregation in worship, outreach, and fellowship.

For over a century, the Episcopal Church has maintained a presence in the public square, offering prayers for wisdom, justice, and compassion for those in positions of leadership. Fr. Chancellor's invocation continued that tradition, asking for God's guidance upon the senators as they deliberated on matters affecting the people of Mississippi.

Nativity extends its congratulations to Fr. Chancellor on this honor and gives thanks for his faithful ministry, both within our parish and in the wider community.