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The Sunrise |
...at Episcopal Church of the Resurrection
Starkville, Mississippi
November, 2002
Dear Brothers and Sisters of Church of the Resurrection,
Together, we embark on an important and monumental journey as parish and priest. On this journey, I anticipate we will share many tears of joy and grief: tears of joy of marriages, births, baptisms and transformed lives; and tears of grief of strained relationships, deaths, and struggling lives. On this journey we will share the wonder of God's presence as God moves among us and through us. On this journey we will struggle with how Church of the Resurrection lives out its calling in a rapidly and ever changing world which is seeking an ever-deepening relation with God but no longer sees the Church as the path for that spiritual journey. A major part of this struggle will be how we nurture our own spiritual journeys and fill our own pastoral needs but never lose sight that the Church exists to take Christ into a hurting world.
Not to be redundant of what I said my first Sunday, but wanting those who may not have heard it to hear it, I thank each of you for the outpourings of love and welcome you have extended to Diane and me. Before we arrived we received calls, cards and letters, and e-mails. After we arrived, we received a "welcome meal" the day our movers arrived with our belongings and have had numerous offers of assistance. Each Sunday and at each event, you have graciously and warmly welcomed us. We are very excited to be among you and to share with you Resurrection's visions, mission, and ministry.
I learned early in my priesthood that there is no "normal" in a rector's work week. This has proven true at Resurrection. Because of immediate pastoral needs, staff and committee meetings to educate me as to operation procedures, special events here at Resurrection, and required Diocese events, I have not yet begun to visit shut-ins and others with longer-term pastoral needs. For this I apologize. I will begin doing so as soon as possible.
Also, I consider it very important that I have personal contact - outside our scheduled events - with each of you. I would like to visit with you either at your place of work or home. From these visits, I'd like to learn about you whatever you think I need to know to serve you best as your rector, how Resurrection could better support your spiritual journey, how Resurrection could better take Christ into the world, and what gifts and talents you currently offer and would like to offer to support Resurrection's mission and ministries. Because I do not want to infringe on your time or space uninvited, I ask you to invite me to have these visits when they are convenient with you. You may do so by either calling me at the office or leaving a message with Nelda. I will start with those who have already extended such invitations. Recognizing that it may take several months to complete all these visits, I do ask your patience and that I may have to delay some of your invitations.
Similarly, to allow you to get to know Diane and me better and us to know you, we will be hosting groups for evening dessert or morning coffee cake. These will be very informal and just a chance for us to visit with each of you in small groups. Again, I request your patience. Because of ongoing parish evening events and with Thanksgiving and Advent (secularly known as Christmas season) rapidly approaching, it may also take several months before we are able to invite all of you into our home.
Finally, thank you for allowing me to serve you as priest and rector. You have honored me with this privilege.
Christ's
Peace,
Fr. Bill
November, 2002 Newsletter
WORSHIP
SCHEDULE:
SUNDAY: 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I (No
nursery)
9:15 a.m. Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II (Nursery)
WEDNESDAY: 7:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist preceded by Dinner at 6:00 p.m. (There will be no meal or service on Wed., Nov. 27th)
THURSDAY: 12:05 p.m. Healing & Holy Eucharist followed by "Dutch treat" lunch
NURSERY REMINDER - The nursery is open for the 10:30 a.m. service only. Call Jay McCombs to volunteer for November dates. Teens, moms, dads and non-parents welcome! Thanks to our October nursery workers, Elizabeth Yarbrough and Julie Baca.
STEWARDSHIP - Last year the total number of pledges was 103 for a total of $170,117. Thanks to all who have returned their pledge cards this year. To date 69 have been returned for a total of $140,433. The average pledge thus far is about $2000. We have a ways to go if we are going to continue to offer the ministries that we do. Have you made your pledge? It is not too late! Please get return your card so the finance committee can get started on the budget.
ALL SAINTS DAY & BAPTISMS will be celebrated on Sunday, November 3rd at our Sunday morning services. If you or one of your children desires Baptism, please contact Bill to make arrangements for Baptismal catechetical instruction.
ST. MARTHA'S GUILD will meet Monday, November 4th at 12:30 p.m. in the Student Center for fellowship and a brown bag lunch. Visitors are always welcome.
ANNUAL DIOCESAN ECW MEETING will be easy to attend this year at St. Paul's in Columbus! Registration begins Friday the 8th and the meeting closes Saturday after lunch. The speaker is The Rev. E. Claiborne Jones, Rector of the Epiphany, Atlanta. Claiborne was a former candidate for Bishop Coadjutor in our diocese. Please see the flyers on the bulletin board for more information, or call Anita George. Let's get a group together and go!
SECOND SUNDAY SHARING is November 10th. Please be generous as you give thanks for all your blessings and bring nonperishable food items. Items brought will be divided between our Thanksgiving baskets and the Salvation Army Food Pantry which is bare.
YOUTH NEWS from Tyler Finklea: EYC will be going to Columbus for a Golden Triangle EYC lock-in at St. Paul's on the afternoon of Saturday, Nov. 16th through noon on Sunday, Nov. 17th. EYC members...Mark your calendars ...watch for details!
SILENT RETREAT - The Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray III will lead a silent retreat at the Big House at Gray Center November 22-24. It will be a weekend of silence and reflection with Bishop Gray offering meditations and prayers during the time together. Scholarships are available. For details see the notice on the bulletin board.
THANKSGIVING - Join with your parish family on Tuesday, November 26th at 7:00 pm to celebrate a Thanksgiving Holy Eucharist.
ADVENT LESSONS AND CAROLS - This lovely service of readings, anthems, and hymns will be offered on December 8th at 5:00 p.m. The readings move us from the story of creation, through the prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah to the birth of Jesus. After each reading an anthem or hymn appropriate to that reading is sung by the choir or the congregation. A festive reception will follow.
DIOCESAN COUNCIL - The 176th Annual Council of the Diocese will convene Friday, February 7th at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi. Our delegates are Jim Jones, Alyson Hardin, and Mary Lee Beal. Their spouses are alternates. Ellen Newsom will be handle Council Registrations and room reservations in our block of rooms at the Biloxi Beachfront Hotel. All reservations must be made by January 6th. Council registration is $60 per person with a special rate for students and youth. Rooms are $79 plus tax. Watch for more information in the Mississippi Episcopalian or call Ellen for details.
OUTREACH - The Outreach Committee is gearing up for its busy season, (Thanksgiving and Christmas) and they would love your help! Please call Tom Cathcart if you would like to help with planning, shopping, delivering, or working with the Angel Tree.
PARKING REMINDER - If you are physically able to walk and negotiate stairs easily, please park in the lot behind Merchants & Farmers Bank, along Montgomery Street, or in the lot at the corner of Main and Montgomery. Let's leave the upper lot for those less able to handle the steps, those with small children, and our guests.
FRAN McKENDREE - In spite of Isadora's battering wind and rain, a gathering of 40ish folks enjoyed the soothing and uplifting music and circle dancing offered by Fran McKendree with our own John Talbert on percussion. Thanks to Megan O'Toole, Suzy Hatten, Tyler Finklea, Keri Denley, Melinda Gwin & the Cox family for helping!
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS - The Blessing of the animals was a popular service once again. Eighty-six people brought sixty-nine animals to be blessed! In addition, a truck load of cleaning supplies, paper towels, food, blankets and other gifts were collected for the Humane Society Animal Shelter.
PARISH LIFE COMMITTEE REPORT from Mary Eleanor Anderson: A most sincere thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make the Stewardship Dinner and auction such a tremendous success. One of the most rewarding aspects of being the Parish Life person responsible for events and celebrations is the wonderful way everyone responds to a call for help. We could not have such successful events without so many willing hands. We had about 100 people attend the dinner and collected $5,925 at the auction! Grace Strahan and Craig Piper were chairpersons for the event and Babs Deas was in charge of the auction. Their helpers included Karen Koch, Ellen Newsom, Melinda Myers, Meredith Roberson, Margaret King, Ann McVey, Marsha Williams, David Lewis, Rachel McCann, Anita George, Ruby Licona, Dwayne Myers, Tom Cathcart, Clark and Beth Callahan, James McCormick, John Beal, Tracy Stebbins, and Brian Arnett.
COLUMBARIUM REPORT from Sherrie VanLandingham: Grading for the Columbarium was to be done in September but has been delayed due to the weather. After grading is done footings will be dug and concrete work will begin.
BLOOD DRIVE - Thanks to the generosity of the following donors, the entire parish family is once again covered for blood needs for six months. Should the need arise, call Ellen Newsom or Nelda for details on whom to contact. Those who gave are: Tom and Frances Coleman, Clark Callahan, Glenn Cook, Carlton Polk, Jerry Williams, Cory Adams, Elizabeth Wheatley, Slick Ables, Mike Vance, Johanna Rice, Michael Bestor, Leonard and Steven Brandon, Brian Arnett, Tracy Stebbins, and Chris Brown.
FRONT SLOPE UPDATE - Many thanks to Pam Collins and her crew of volunteers who continue to give of their time and energy to plant the front slope. It is giving our landscape a much needed and appreciated face lift!
MORE THANKS - Thanks to Donna Barnes Stark for her generous donation of colorful table cloths and napkins for the Parish Hall. And to Clark Callahan for providing 150 place settings of silverware. The ECW has bought dinner plates that all match, so now we are ready for dinners and luncheons in style! Would anyone like to buy the green plaid plates?!?
VOLUNTEERS - Many thanks to Bob Anderson and Douglas Crawford for refurbishing the upstairs men's room. Bob steamed and scraped away the old wallpaper and prepared the walls and Douglas painted them. It is a vast improvement! ECW provided funds for the paint and supplies. And thanks to Beth Batson for hanging the tapestry (once our reredos) in the narthex.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES - We still need volunteers for several projects. If you can't catch those named below to volunteer your services, you can always call Nelda in the church office and leave a message. Contact James McCormick if you would like to help with Birthday Sunday or Sunday morning coffee hour. Contact Tom Cathcart if you would like to help with Outreach, Christmas families, Second Sunday Sharing or other outreach ministries. Contact David Lewis if you can help with Sunday School. Contact Marsha Williams if you want to join the Altar Guild. Contact Elizabeth Wheatley if you are willing to provide a Wednesday night Canterbury Supper. Contact Elizabeth if you are willing to help with Scales House Renovations. Contact Linda Cox if you are willing to serve as a Lay Eucharistic Visitor. Contact John Beal if you would like to be an usher or an acolyte.
YOUR PRAYERS ARE ASKED FOR... Lorenzo Crowell and LaVora Williams as they undergo treatment, Rae Brandon for upcoming surgery, and Jan Handy as she recuperates from surgery.
CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY is extended to Kathy Brandon and her family on the death of her mother, Audrey Van Skiver. And to Frances Coleman on the death of her aunt. "Rest eternal grant them, O Father, and let light perpetual shine upon them."
CONGRATULATIONS to Mary Lee and John Beal on the birth of their grandson, William Waverley Duncan, son Jennifer and Chad Duncan. And to Alice and Jim Jones on the birth of their granddaughter, Alexandria Marie Lorimer, daughter of Melinda and Jimmy Lorimer.
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS -The following folks have birthdays in November...
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2
Stephen Brown |
9
Abigail Cathcart |
16
Angela Evans |
A PLANNED GIFT is the Ultimate Gift, the once-in-a-lifetime gift. Planned gifts are given in response to an affection and concern for the future ministry of the Church. Is your will current? Have your remembered the Church?
Quotation for your Consideration:
"Insanity is doing what you have always done and expecting different results!"
LOOKING AHEAD...
- December 8 - Advent Lessons and Carols
- December 6-8 - Senior High Retreat on "Endings"
- December 27-Jan 1 - Winter Solstice (9th-12th grade)
- January 4 - Ordination of Deacons, including Diane Livingston
- February 7-9 - Diocesan Council on the Gulf Coast
- February 9 - Investiture of The Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray III as Diocesan Bishop of Mississippi.
- February 28 - Retirement dinner for Bishop Marble
- March 2 - Seating of Bishop Gray at St. Andrew's Cathedral.