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The Sunrise |
...at Episcopal Church of the Resurrection
Starkville, Mississippi
April, 2003
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Never have I struggled so much with my newsletter entry. Because Easter arrives in April, under normal circumstances, I would focus on the Resurrection. However, you will receive this newsletter around the first of April, with much of Lent remaining. Also, we are not under normal circumstances. To assure that the newsletter can be mailed to be received by the first of the month, I normally prepare my entry on the 20th of the month. Because of our world situation, I have delayed (preparing this on March 24th). Within the last 5 days, we have gone to war - first appearing as if we could accomplish this task with minimal casualties to our own young men and women and to innocent Iraqis. Now, as we hear of U.S. and British casualties and prisoners of war and hear of escalating resistance, I have no idea what will occur between now and when you receive this newsletter.
While these prove trying times for our nation and its leaders, they also prove challenging times for clergy. Clergy, as do all of us, have opinions about politics. However, clergy must maintain positive pastoral relationships with all parishioners - regardless of differing views. Clergy must preach the Gospel with integrity separating the Gospel message from personal opinion - a daunting task at times. A common claim by many, "The Church should stay out of politics" complicates this task. Unfortunately, those who make this statement have it reversed. We need to keep politics out of the Church, but the Church - if it is true to its calling - should always be in the middle of politics. The Temple authority and the Roman Empire crucified Jesus not because he was a miracle worker healing people but because he continually confronted injustice and was, thus, in the middle of politics. The Church cannot be the Body of Christ in the world today and not do the same.
We live in a fallen world in which easy answers to difficult questions seldom exist. The challenge to clergy - as I have experienced and feel it now - is preventing others from rejecting my ministry because of differing views, helping us - myself included - wrestle with the difficult questions, involving the Church in the politics and confronting injustice without bringing partisan politics and personal opinion into the process (being human, an impossible task, but one for which we should strive and one which I attempt now).
The Church struggles with the issue of war because we are called to bring about God's Kingdom on this earth, and because we live in a fallen world in which many oppose God's kingdom. War is inconsistent with the creation God intended. However, because many subvert the creation God intended and because we fear (whether justified or not), we often conclude we have no means for self-protection or for eliminating injustice other than means inconsistent with God's vision of creation: war and violence against nations, groups of people, and individuals.
As this war proves potentially more hazardous than first assumed, I sense - once again - a seeking an assurance from the Holy. It calls to mind the collective grief following the Columbia tragedy. It calls to mind how the Sundays following September 11, 2001, churches experienced massive increases in attendance. It calls to mind how post-9/11 we experienced a sense of unity that crossed racial, economic, and political party barriers and the sense of mutual grief from other nations of the world, but we have refocused on our individual desires and our nation has isolated itself more than before. It calls to mind the words of Eucharistic Prayer C: "From the primal elements you brought forth the human race, and blessed us with memory, reason, and skill. You made us the rulers of creation. But we turned against you, and betrayed your trust; and we turned against one another. . . Again and again, you called us to return."
Too many - on both sides of this war - refer to this as a Holy War and use God's name to justify it. Yes, God is in this war. God stands beside every terrified soldier and their families and every innocent person struggling just to survive. God weeps over EVERY death and with EVERY grieving widow, orphan, and parent.
I know most of you are already praying for our nation and the world condition right now. That we may be guided to peace now and to lasting peace once this war ends, I offer to you the prayer we are saying at each service and will continue to do so until the war ends: "God of all power and mystery, your love encompasses both justice and peace. We commend to your gracious care those whose task it is to defend the innocent in times of danger. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be. Almighty God, your will is peace among all peoples. Grant us all the desire to seek peace. Grant our leaders also the wisdom and grace through which peace may be established. Give, we pray you, peace among nations, peace to your church, peace in our homes, and peace in our hearts."
I also commend to your reading the pastoral letter from the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church entitled "In the Shadow of War" and enclosed in this newsletter.
When I allow these times to seem overbearing, I celebrate that Easter rapidly approaches. It does remind us that in what seemed hopeless God shattered the reality - of both those who grieved and those who celebrated Jesus' crucifixion - in a new and awesome way. With that same Easter hope, I offer you the following poem by Ann Weems (author of Kneeling in Jerusalem, Putting the Amazing Back in Grace, and Psalms of Lament) from her Ash Wednesday sermon:
I NO LONGER PRAY FOR PEACE
On the
edge of war, one foot already in,
I no longer pray for peace:
I pray for miracles.
I pray
that stone hearts will turn
to tenderheartedness,
and evil intentions will turn
to mercifulness,
and all the soldiers already deployed
will be snatched out of harm's way,
and the whole world will be
astounded onto its knees.
I pray
that all the "God talk"
will take bones,
and stand up and shed
its cloak of faithlessness,
and walk again in its powerful truth.
I pray
that the whole world might
sit down together and share
its bread and its wine.
Some say there is no hope,
but then I've always applauded the holy fools
who never seem to give up on
the scandalousness of our faith:
that we are loved by God,
that we can truly love one another.
I no
longer pray for peace:
I pray for miracles.
Christ's Peace,
SUNRISE NEWS & EVENTS
April, 2003 Newsletter
WORSHIP SCHEDULE:
SUNDAY:
8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I (Nursery)
9:15 a.m. Sunday School and Inquirer's classes
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I (Nursery)
WEDNESDAY:
12:05 p.m. Liturgies for Peace at MSU
7:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist (Dinner at 6 p.m.)
THURSDAY:
12:05 p.m. Healing & Holy Eucharist followed by "Dutch
treat" lunch at Oby's
LENTEN SCHEDULE:
Tuesday:
7:00 p.m. - Home Communions
Wednesday:
12:05 p.m. - Stations of the Cross - MSU
5:30 p.m. - Lenten Study -Student Center
6:15 p.m. - Simple soup & bread with Canterbury
7:00 p.m. - Lenten Eucharist
Thursday:
12:05 p.m. - Holy Eucharist and Healing followed by soup and
bread luncheon
Friday:
5:30 p.m. - Stations of the Cross - Parish Church
NURSERY -The vestry has hired a nursery worker, Jamie Murphey to work from 7:45 a.m. until noon every Sunday! Many thanks to all who helped keep the nursery open since Stella retired!
OUTREACH COMMITTEE: The Outreach Committee has the goal of establishing Resurrection as a visible and active presence in the community by reaching out to individuals and families in need, offering them assistance, and letting them know they are welcome to worship with us. As part of the effort to establish contact with Starkville's social service community, the Outreach committee is planning a luncheon for area social workers, as a way of expressing our appreciation for the valuable work they do. The luncheon is scheduled for Tuesday April 1, 11:30-1:00 in the Parish Hall. Additionally, members of the committee have visited local agencies such as the Salvation Army, Helping Hands, Safe Haven, and Family-Centered Programs to explore ways in which we can facilitate their valuable efforts to serve the community.
REMEMBER TO SPRING FORWARD on April 6th. Don't forget to set your clocks ahead an hour before you go to bed on April 5th.
CHILDREN'S REMEMBERING PLAY will take place on Sunday, April 6th during the 10:30 service. Please come see the children perform this educational and rewarding play about Holy Week.
BIRTHDAY/ANNIVERSARY RECOGNITION SUNDAY is April 6th. On the first Sunday of each month, we will recognize all persons who will celebrate either a birthday or wedding anniversary that month. Persons with a birthday/anniversary that month will be invited to come forward at the beginning of the service (so that children in nursery may receive the blessing and return to the nursery), at which time a blessing and prayer of thanksgiving for their life and birthday/marriage will be offered. The Children's Christian Education will provide a basket to collect funds for the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund. Those who celebrate a birthday or anniversary may wish to offer an amount (1¢, 5¢, $1) to place in the bank. (This offering is strictly optional.)
ST. MARTHA'S GUILD will meet Monday, April 7th for fellowship and a brown bag lunch at 12:30 p.m. in the Student Center. Guests are always welcome.
CANTERBURY is observing a Holy Lent in a variety of ways including Stations of the Cross at the Chapel of Memories at 12:05pm on Wednesdays and some minor alterations in our Wednesday evening such as dinner of simple soup and bread and a special Lenten Eucharist. In addition, we will offer the experience of walking the Labyrinth in Holy Week (see LABYTINTH below). And renovations are on-going at the Scales House with hopes of completion sometime in April. If you have furnishings or offerings, please contact Elizabeth with descriptions of what you have to offer. Soon, very soon, we will be celebrating our new space!
SECOND SUNDAY SHARING is April 13th. Please remember those less fortunate and buy doubles of non- perishable food items for the Community food pantry.
EASTER FLOWERS: If you would like to participate in the purchase of special Easter flowers, there are envelops available for this purpose on the pew racks. Donations must be in the office by Noon April 16th to be included in the Easter Bulletin.
NEWSLETTER DEADLINE is April 16th.
LENTEN HOME COMMUNIONS continue on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.:
- April 1 Tom Cathcart & Karen Koch-10 Tally Ho
- April 8 Sherri & David Van Landingham-104 Tanglewood
GUILD OF THE PALM CROSS led by Beth and Jessica Callahan will meet in the Student Center on Saturday morning, April 12th at 10:00. To join the Guild, show up on Saturday. People of all ages are welcome. On the job training is available. Making the palm crosses is fun and easy. We usually make about 200 crosses in an hour! Come join the fellowship.
LUNCH WITH THE BISHOP - Palm Sunday, April 13. After the 10:30 service we will have a chance to visit with Bishop Gray during a Pot Luck Lunch. The church will provide the meat and tea. Please, bring a dish to share and be there for a fun time and good food with Resurrection cooks and folks. Let's have a big turnout!
LABYRINTH - As in the past two years, we will offer the Labyrinth experience on Monday & Tuesday of Holy Week (April 14 & 15) from 9am - 9pm at the MSU YMCA Auditorium. Walking the sacred path of the Chartres-style Labyrinth is an excellent way to enter fully into observance of the journey of Holy Week, as well as to get centered and enter into contemplative prayer. Guides will be available to assist with educational materials and approaches to walking theLabyrinth. Interested in serving as a Labyrinth guide? Contact Elizabeth.
THE RESURRECTION EASTER EGG HUNT will occur during Sunday School on Easter Sunday, April 20th. Kim Noffsinger will be in charge of the prizes and EYC will hide the eggs. Please bring a dozen eggs per child - plastic only with prizes inside (such as, candy, gum, or stickers) - the church office by Good Friday. The children will have age appropriate areas to hunt, so please label egg containers with name and age of child.
NAME TAG SUNDAY is April 20th . Please wear a NAME TAG as a means of welcoming guests!
NEW MEMBER MINISTRY: You can see that during lent we have many visitors or members visiting who have been away for a period of time. You are doing a beautiful job meeting and greeting both newcomers as well as people you don't recognize at the services. Please make note of anyone you see visiting our church and let Lynn Phillips know, even if you aren't sure if they are a member. The extra set of eyes will help us as we expand the ministry of our church. Your help is appreciated because many guests do not fill out a card. We hope to notice all who visit our church, even if they do not intend to join the church. Also, currently, one more volunteer is needed for the 8:00 service. Please contact Lynn if you are interested.
EYC NEWS - The EYC worked hard and creatively decorating for the Red-Beans and Rice dinner. Thanks to all who helped. After a wonderful spring break, we are in full gear looking forward to April events which include the Easter Egg Hunt and our Golden Triangle Lock-in in conjunction with Youth Sunday. We also have many Dioscean youth events coming up soon. Contact Jessica Callahan if you have any questions.
LAY EUCHARISTIC VISITING MINISTRY We are seeking volunteers to participate in our Lay Visiting Ministry for Church of the Resurrection. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A LAY EUCHARISTIC MINISTER (LEM) IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE! This service to the parish will involve teams of people visiting the elderly, shut-ins, and individuals who are hospitalized and taking them Holy Eucharist from the Sunday service. After the initial training period, the time commitment should be one Sunday afternoon per month, visiting two or three individuals. This project, Community of Hope, is being formed in conjunction conjunction with other Golden Triangle Episcopal Churches, under Diane Livingston's leadership, and Linda Cox will coordinate our church's efforts. This project is a wonderful way to deepen our sense of connection and community to members of our parish family who are not able to attend Sunday services. Please consider volunteering. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity to serve our parish, please contact Linda Cox (w-325-2091) or (h-324-3876).
EXISTING MEMBER MINISTRY The goal of the existing member ministry is to replace the time and talent survey, which has traditionally accompanied pledge cards, with a more effective tool for helping members of the congregation find their place in the church's ministry. Lynn Phillips will organize this activity.
YOUR PRAYERS ARE ASKED FOR....Susan Cook as she recuperates from pneumonia, LaVora Williams and Lorenzo Crowell as they undergo treatment, Rae Brandon as she recuperates from a broken leg, Jan Handy as she recuperates at home, Susie Owings as she recuperates at home, Carolyn Crowder as she recovers from a broken arm and the Yarbrough family as they begin to recover and rebuild their home after a fire.
CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY is extended to Dixie McMillen and family on the death of her father, Coleman Taylor; to Woodliff family (George Woodliff, III, former chaplain) on the death of their father, George Woodliff, Jr. "Rest eternal grant them, O Father, and let light perpetual shine upon them." Pray for all who mourn.
APRIL BIRTHDAYS
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1
Jennifer Damms |
4
Elizabeth Yarbrough |
16
Ernie Russell |
WORTH CONSIDERING - Have you remembered the church in your will? If you have questions about Charitable Annuity Gifts see Fr. Bill.
OUR THANKS TO Robert Cox for his major cleaning and maintenance work and painting work; to David Lewis and Crew for building the "north porch;"to Rob King for his part in painting; to Michael Fazio for the porch design and the burgers for the work crew; to Peyton Passons for his recent yard work; to Suzy Hatten for her work at the Scales House; and to Nancy Christiansen for serving as the Sunrise editor during Ellen Newsom's sabbatical
BLOOD DRIVE - The blood drive is scheduled for April 27th . More information will be coming soon.
SPEAKING OF STEWARDSHIP: As you may recall, at our Annual Parish Meeting, we discussed with great concern that the budget, presented and approved, proposed expending more money than the budgeted income. Without cutting personnel, there was nowhere else to reduce the spending. Of concern to your Vestry is that our pledge gifts received in January and February are less than the amount pledged. If this trend continues, our expenditures will exceed our income even more than was originally budgeted. If you have not kept your payment up-to-date, please do so. If you can give more than you pledged, please consider doing so. Your ongoing financial support is needed and appreciated. This is your parish, please help Resurrection live into God's vision for it.
CONGRATULATIONS to Bill and Diane Livingston on the birth of their grandson, Ronan Christopher Livingston, born on March 27, 2003. Parents are Chris and Laura Livingston.