The Sunrise ...at Episcopal Church of the Resurrection Starkville, Mississippi August, 2003 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, If you have (and I hope you have) read my last two entries in Sunrise, you know I have been offering a series on stewardship. If by "stewardship," you think I mean "the parish budget" (and yes, our pledge income is below what it takes to operate the parish) then you have not been paying attention to my previous entries or to my sermons. By stewardship, I mean "what we are doing with what we have -- our money, possessions, talents, time -- and how this reflects our relationship with God." And, yes, I focus mostly on money because it is most symbolic which makes it easier to see what we have and what we do with it. The most common explanation I hear as to why we don't give or don't give more to the church in some way or another comes down to the issue of "enough": If I give more away, I won't have enough for me. This "enough" is both elusive and addictive. Nelson Rockefeller, an heir to the Rockefeller fortune was once asked, "How much is enough?" He paused for a moment, smiled and replied, "Just a little bit more." For any of us who raises the issue of "enough" if we are honest, we would answer the same. Whether we are rich or poor or just plain middle-class, one thing we never seem to get is enough. When we get that little bit more, we still need just a little bit more. As young adults, enough is enough to get us started. In mid-life, enough is enough to get us to the lifestyle we expect. As we grow older, enough is enough for a comfortable retirement. Thus, for many of us, pursuing enough becomes our life and begins to define our purpose for being. Our desire for "more" stems from a belief that "more" equates with happiness. But once we exceed meeting basic needs -- adequate food, shelter, clothing, health care, and a few amenities -- seldom does happiness increase. On the other hand, compulsive desires to acquire more and the sacrifices of family, leisure, and personal development result in deteriorating families, exhaustion, depression and anger. Ironically, low-income people in the United States give a higher percentage of their income to charities than do those who have middle and high incomes. Our innate tendency toward "more" is reinforced by our culture's marketing which seductively portrays possessions as sources of attractiveness, power, prestige -- ultimately happiness. We especially desire more when we see someone else with more. We can be like 4 year olds playing contentedly when another child arrives with an ice cream sandwich. While all were previously content playing, now, only an ice cream sandwich will give them happiness. Our culture teaches us that we can never be satisfied because someone else will always have more than we do. Each week in the Eucharist, we pray, "Give us this day our daily bread." In doing so, we ask not simply for food, but for all that we need to support the body and life. But in asking this, we do so corporately, which means we seek this not just for ourselves but for others and must recognize that we may be part of the source of their "daily bread," their "enough." How much is enough? If only God would give us a specific amount or formulas to answer this question, but there are no formulas, God doesn't work this way, and whatever the answer is will be unique to each of us. My hope and prayer is that each of us, now and as we consider our pledge to the parish, will prayerfully ask ourselves this question: "What am I discerning God's purpose for me to be? Is my 'enough' helping to fulfill that purpose? Does it help me celebrate and share God's love?" But, first we begin by receiving. We receive God's grace and recognize that all we have is "gifted" to us. Receiving grace means to show grace to others. Grace received and not passed on dies on that spot; but grace lives when we embrace others, which begins with offering our time, talents, and money back to God. So, as you pray, pray with your hands open so God can give you what you need and remove what is a distraction. Christ's Peace,     SUNRISE NEWS & EVENTS August, 2003 Newsletter EYC NEWS EYC will splash into another awesome and fun-filled year on Sunday, August 24 from 5-7 pm. Young folks in grades 6 thru 12 are invited and encouraged to attend, and bring friends! Got questions, curiosities, or ideas? Contact Jessica at 312-3119 or . CANTERBURY Canterbury -- Summer vacation is coming to an end and the start of school is nigh upon us. Our "Welcome to Canterbury" Event will take place on Wednesday, August 27th at 5:30 pm on the lawn behind the Parish Hall in conjunction with the Choir Fish Fry Hall. Following Fish and fellowship, we will gather in the Lodge Chapel for Holy Eucharist. Dessert will follow the service! Y'all come, share some fish, break some bread, slurp some dessert and welcome our new and returning MSU students! Parish Choir (for adults & high schoolers, grades 9-12) On Wednesday, August 27, we will start the year with a Fish Fry. Join us at 5:30 on the lawn outside the Parish Hall. For more information regarding the choir, contact Leanne Fazio at 323-3451 or . St. Joseph's Guild Members of St. Joseph's Guild have been on the job. The ramp and steps were sanded and painted and the chain-link fence was removed through the hard work of David Lewis, Robert Cox, James McCormick, and Chris Horton. Also, the sash and frames at the stained-glass windows have been painted so that the plate glass covers can be installed. Now, we are in the process of accepting bids for landscape work around the parking lot and the north and east flower and shrubbery beds. Keep an eye out for these and other welcome improvements. Currently, two teams are doing the lawn mowing: Peyton Passons, Bill and Anne Cooke and Michael Fazio, Douglas Crawford. Bob and Pam Collins are moving along with their mammoth project to provide lawn and bed irrigation throughout our property. Thanks everyone! ECW MEETING SCHEDULED The Episcopal Church Women will meet Monday, August 4, at 10:00 a.m. We will begin with Holy Eucharist, followed by the business meeting. After the business meeting, we will progress to The Veranda for a Dutch Treat lunch. All women in the church are invited to participate! Children's Choir Notes CHILDREN'S CHOIR is for children entering grades 1-6. We will start back up with the following activities: SUNDAY, AUGUST 17: PARENTS MEETING: Children and parents will gather for lunch in the Parish Hall immediately following the 10:30 service. After lunch, the children will stay in the Parish Hall for ice cream and games while the adults meet in the Student Center for Q & A: "What and Why Children's Choir?" All activities will conclude by 1:00. SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 3-5 p.m. KICK-OFF POOL PARTY for all children entering grades 1-6 who are interested in making a commitment to the Children's Choir Program. SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 3:45-4:45 p.m. Rehearsals begin for the children's choir. Oblation bearers needed There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board in the Narthex. Please select a date and sign the list to be a part of this important area of service in our church. You're invited... Clyde and Marsha Williams invite the communicants of Church of the Resurrection to the Celebration and Blessing of the Marriage of their daughter, Rowan Terry and Mr. Charles Martin Haug. The marriage will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday, August 9, 2003 at Church of the Resurrection. Your Prayers are Asked For… Expectant Mothers: Wendy VanLandingham, Beth Woodcock, Kristin Cade, Paige Passons Simmons and Maribel Those serving in the military: Steve VanLandingham, David Callahan, Chris Livingston, Justin, Fran Miller, Kate James, and Bob Tipton, Banks Waldrop Those serving as missionaries: Bob and Amy Little Special needs within the Church of the Resurrection: Jeanne Ferris, LaVora Williams, Don Emerich, Edna Wilderson, Rae Brandon, Jan Handy, Susie Owings, Alice Franks, Lorenzo Crowell, Dee, Melinda Gwin Relatives and friends of the Church of the Resurrection: A.C., Margie Cook, Melanie Pharo, Betsy Selby, Jay Keehley, Nora Ware, Stella Madar, Oma Lee Pierce, Al Baca, Green Baggett, Ben Barnes, Robert Caballero, John Paul, Lisa Keehley, Kathy Harris, Jonathan Franks, Martha VanLandingham, Wangua Rockhold The departed: Chat Rhodes, father of Wingfield Rhodes Bouchard Prayers for General Convention Many difficult decisions will be addressed at the tri-annual General Convention of the Episcopal Church in the U.S.A. in Minneapolis, July 30 - August 8. Please pray for all Bishops and Deputies, especially those from our Diocese (including our own Anita George). You may want to post this prayer as a reminder: Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel at General Convention for the renewal and mission of your Church. Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, p. 818) About Making Prayer Requests To include names for prayer requests in the newsletter or in Prayers of the People, you may make an entry in the "Prayer Requests Notebook" on the shelves in the side narthex or entry into the church, call the parish office, or tell Bill or Elizabeth. While your clergy regularly pray for individuals within the parish as well as for special requests, they consider information and prayer requests confidential. If you want clergy to include your requests in the corporate prayer requests, please let them know. In addition, if you are adding someone to the list, please have the person's permission and let us know how to list their name, first and last names or only first name. To keep our prayer lists current, names of persons outside the parish will be included in the newsletter only once and in the Prayers of the People for only one month. Please resubmit prayer requests monthly to have them remain on the list. (Again, this is only for those who are not members of the parish). Attention: All folks Interested in Children's Christian Education Sunday, August 10, there will be a meeting at our regular Sunday School time (9:15 am) to discuss plans that are underway and how you might help in the vital ministry. There has been a good response to our plea for teachers, but we would appreciate more help, even if only part-time or assistant in nature -- the more the merrier! MARK YOUR CALENDAR and join in the creative merriment of Children's Christian Education -- it's rich, vital and joy-filled! August Birthdays 1 John Switzer 4 Merrick Clapp 6 Clifford Anderson 8 Jeanne Ferris 21 Leonard Rawlings 26 Joey Hansford 26 Melinda Myers 27 Dorothy Anderson 28 Melinda Gwin 21 Leonard Rawlings 30 Tom Bell PARISH OPPORTUNITIES DAY (or POD… Get it? Read on to learn more…) Inside Resurrections "POD" are many seeds of opportunity just waiting to be planted. Sunday, August 24 is Parish Opportunities Day, the day we open to invite you to open the POD and see what seeds of interest emerge. From 9:00-10:30 am between services, representatives of our many activities, services, and ministries will gather in the vicinity of the Student Center, all appropriately identified by signs or banners, to display, discuss and explain the many - and there are many - opportunities for service and worship offered in and through Resurrection. Do you have questions about our parish's many opportunities for service and participation but are reluctant to ask? You and all others are invited, even urged, to stop by the Student Center and ask those questions. We really, really, really want to try to answer them! Please come and open the POD to see what seeds may be of interest to you, even calling you to nurture life, growth and ministries by investing your time and talents in meaningful ways. No questions? Come anyway. Our parish leaders and ministry representatives welcome your curiosities, suggestions, and attentive presence. Come, peruse the seeds, and savor beverages and tasty morsels (sugar snap pods, perhaps), too! Sunday Get-Togethers Let's get together. Let's swim and eat together. Sunday afternoons around 4:00 why not bring the family and something to cook on the grill and spend time with folks in your church family. For more information, contact Jennifer Damms (338-9022) or Jay McCombs (324-8269).