The Sunrise ...at Episcopal Church of the Resurrection Starkville, Mississippi September, 2003 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, During September and October, we will gather in homes to share conversations on stewardship. Over the last three months, I have attempted in my newsletter entry to offer insights into the theological and biblical teaching on stewardship and to help confront the "perception of enough" which prevents many of us from being gracious givers. In this final stewardship entry (please withhold your applause), I want to address the issue of proportionate giving. Stewardship is about proportionate giving, not about the parish budget. Christian Stewardship is the sacramental and sacrificial offering of a portion of our time, talent, and treasure in gratitude for God's bounty toward us. It is sacramental because it is an outward and visible sign of the commitment of our whole being to God. Our whole life all week is an offering. Our pledge is a symbol that should be presented in-person at the altar during public worship each Sunday. It is sacrificial because our offerings to God must represent a real sacrifice of our time, talent, and material well-being, otherwise, it is not representative of our devotion of our new self to God. It should vary with one's income or material resources in accordance with some standard. Each Christian is personally responsible for deciding that standard, adopted after prayer. The standard set forth in the Holy Bible and established by the General Convention of the Episcopal Church is the tithe, or 10% of one's income. If one does not offer a tithe, either because of a decision based on inability or preference, then proportional giving is offered as an alternative. Proportional giving means that we give a portion of our time, talent, and income for the work of the Church in thanksgiving for what God has given to us. It means to have a definite percentage in mind, not just a careless tip or token. It means deciding on a disciplined approach to giving. Each person's standard of giving is always a matter between the individual Christian and God. If we feel that God has given us little, then our response will be small. If we feel that we owe our very lives to God - then our response will reflect that belief. You will know when it seems right and good - a joyous and generous participation in the full life and ministry of the People of God. For most of us the act of writing down a pledge is a vital reinforcement of the commitment in our own minds and hearts. It helps encourage other members of the Christian community to do the same. The pledge is the essential link between the individual Christian and the community of the Church so that we can safely plan how best to use the peoples' offerings for God's purposes. The pledge is not necessarily fixed for a year. It should be proportional to one's income and, therefore, can be revised up or down as circumstances change. Proportional giving IS an integral element in a covenant relationship with God - offer received and accepted; the means by which we acknowledge that God is the source of all that we have and all that we are; the means by which we put ourselves in the right relationship with God - allowing God to be God of our lives, not ourselves, culture, possessions, nor money; an outward and visible sign of our faithfulness and obedience; a sound foundation for managing money; the means by which we combat the temptations of a culture which would have us believe that we are what we own and dependent on ourselves alone for our own welfare; a practice that makes the world a much less lonely place; a Holy Habit which God has designed for our health and well being; and the means by which we CELEBRATE with God! Christ's Peace,  NEWS & EVENTS September, 2003 Newsletter EYC News EYC has kicked off their fall semester with a pool/pizza party at Resurrection Pool. EYC is dividing into Junior and Senior High this year since we are expanding in our numbers!!! Everyone 6th grade - 12th grade is invited to participate. You can get your applications for Diocesan youth events (DOY, Happening, New Beginnings, Signs of Ending, Vocare) from Jessica. Children's Christian Education Children's Christian Education begins September 7 at 9:15 sharp. The new curriculum has arrived! Directors for each age group are on board and most of the teachers needed have volunteered. There are still openings for your special talents. Please contact David Lewis or Nancy Christiansen for more information and to offer your help with this important ministry. September is Labyrinth Month Both skilled and spiritually-moved workers are needed to help construct the labyrinth in the church courtyard. We will be working every Saturday in September from 8:00 until 5:00. Any amount of time or moral support will be greatly appreciated. Canterbury CANTERBURY, our campus ministry at MSU, kicked off the fall semester with a Fish Fry in conjunction with the Adult Choir on Wednesday, August 27th followed by the return of our Wednesday evening Holy Eucharist. (Thanks, choir folks, for hosting, feeding and welcoming our students!) With the upcoming departure of our Chaplain, things are kicking into full-gear to establish our new Canterbury Advisory Committee to maintain our momentum. Fear not, we have not intention of neglecting our University Community in the interim period. Folks are being lined up to assist with liturgical, program and administrative aspects of the Canterbury ministries. Beginning on September 3rd, our Wednesday schedule will resume with Noonday Prayers at the Chapel of Memories and Canterbury Dinner at 6 pm at Resurrection followed by Holy Eucharist at 7 pm. As in years past, we will be needing assistance with Wednesday evening meals, program presentations, as well as odds and ends in the realm of completing renovations and furnishing the Lodge. Speaking of the Lodge, mark your calendars for October 12th at 5:00 pm at which time Bishop Gray will join us for the Blessing/Dedication of the Lodge, the Columbarium and the Labyrinth and to mark Elizabeth's departure with a Service of Leave-taking. To provide meals, help with the Lodge, offer items for the Lodge, or help welcome and incorporate the students and other University folk, contact Elizabeth at the church (323-3483) or via e-mail (ewheater@netdoor.com). All are invited, welcome and encouraged to participate fully in the life and ministries of Canterbury Episcopal Fellowship! August Vestry Notes The Vestry met on Monday, August 18 in the Student Center with Anderson and Williams absent. Our meeting opened with a devotional. Following a reading from Acts, which addressed the criticism by the early apostles of Peter's acceptance of the uncircumcised, Bill asked the Vestry to discuss what it means to be a church in conflict and how we, as the Parish of the Resurrection can best be the church we are called to be while still acknowledging our differences. Old Business: There was no Audit Report. Bill gave a brief overview of the Stewardship Campaign for this fall. One change is that our Silent Auction will be held and the end of the campaign, November 13, rather than the beginning. The parish will also be invited, in small groups, to presentation in various home. Invitations will soon be going out. David Lewis gave an overview of Christian Education for the fall 2003. The program will begin on September 6 and coordinators have been selected for the various age groups. Kathy Brandon, 3 -5 year olds; Laura Lamb, 1st -3rd grades; Margaret King, 4th - 6th grades; Nancy Christiansen and David Lewis, 7th - 12th grades. TEACHERS ARE NEEDED! The first 8 weeks of Adult Christian Ed. will be on Outreach and why it is so important. Outside speakers will explain all of the opportunities available in Starkville. Tom Coleman made a brief presentation on Parish Opportunities Day (POD) which will be held on August 24 during the Christian Ed. hour. Elizabeth stated that the Canterbury Advisory Committee was not totally formed but would be shortly and will begin meeting. She is hoping for a large active group of students for the coming year. She also announced that she will be leaving Resurrection and that Sunday, Oct. 12 will be her last. The Vestry accepted this news with regret but also with great excitement for Elizabeth and her future. Resurrection has certainly been blessed with her presence and wishes for her only the very best. Plans to develop a 7:00 pm Sunday Eucharist are still continuing. The Parish was chosen by the Diocese to be one the initial parishes to receive consultation services on steps to operating as a "transition" parish. However, the Diocese may reconsidering the person to best provide this consultation. Since Elizabeth is moving, arrangements are going to be made to have the blessing of the Canterbury Lodge and Columbarum before her departure. The date will depend on the Bishop's availability. New Business: Bill spoke briefly concerning the Parish's response to the General Convention. Anyone who has concerned should be encouraged to talk with Bill. A new voice mail and telephone service was also discussed. There will be further study but the consensus of the Vestry was the system needed changing. A request from Habitat for Humanity was referred to the Outreach Committee. The minutes for June 16 and financial statements for May, June and July were accepted. The Vestry commended Michael Fazio as Junior Warden for all the improvements completed, in process, and being planned on the building and grounds. Michael unveiled one of the St. Joseph Guild T-shirts, which he has had made and which he is giving to those who are part of the ongoing work crews for the building and grounds maintenance. BISHOPS BLEND COFFEE Buy a bag...change a life Episcopal Relief and Development has developed a line of organically grown, Fair Trade coffee. When you purchase Bishops Blend, you provide critical funds for ERD's outreach to the poor, hungry, homeless, and sick around the world. Plus you will be helping small farmers earn a fair living wage and gain access to affordable credit. AND, you will be helping with local outreach through your church because $3 - $4 dollars will remain here to support local projects. Three varieties are available. Order forms are available in the narthex on Sundays and in the church office during the week. There will be no shipping cost on the first order placed, therefore our local outreach makes more from this order. Please place your order by September 14! Blessing of the Animals The feast day of St. Francis is October 4th, so we will bless the animals on Sunday, October 5 at 5:00 p.m. in the church parking lot. Bring your pets, large and small, in a cage or on a leash please! Please bring an offering for the local Humane Society. (The Shelter needs include bleach, pine-sol, spray bottles, paper towels, disposable gloves, dog collars and leashes, topical flea control products for dogs and cats, and used towels and blankets for the winter months.) Invite your friends to come and bring their pets… All Creatures Great and Small! September Birthdays 2 Jerry Williams 3 Glenda Baswell 3 John Baswell 3 Mike Goree 3 David McMillen 3 Allison Noffsinger 5 Sara Foote 6 Rob King 8 Sally Hester 9 Charles Hester 9 Edna Wilkerson 10 Jim Lane 11 Graham Dewey 12 Pam Collins 13 Devyn Green 13 Dixie McMillen 16 Adrian Lewis 17 Juawice McCormick 18 Bill Tennyson 20 Bill Boyd 20 Jean Newman 20 Glenda Wadsworth 23 Richard Damms 23 Holly Potts 23 Elizabeth Wheatley 27 Bob Mangum 28 Rachael Damms 28 Lorene Martin 28 Don Zacharias Your Prayers are Asked For… …Expectant Mothers: Elaine Brown, Sykes Zimmerman, 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, Jan Handy, Susie Owings, 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, Ron Newell, Bill McCann, Meredith Jones, Fred Faulk …The departed: Alice Franks 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). Acolytes needed Children beginning in grades 4 & 5, who are prepared to show the maturity needed to be acolytes (and want to be acolytes) are invited to a training session September 7 at 3:00 p.m. Primarily young people are needed, but some adults are also needed. If you are interested please contact John Beal or the church office. Dear Episcopal Church Family, Thank you so much for your wonderful meal you served the work crew from Rockford College. I know they had a wonderful time and said that they loved the meal. I know I loved it!! Thank you also for your willingness to help when the Habitat had a need. It means a lot to the Starkville Habitat for Humanity to be able to call a church and find a giving and caring group of people. Thank you so very much and God Bless Y'all, Laura McDavitt Music Notes The noted American hymn specialist, composer and arranger Alice Parker has said, "Singing is a birthright--a primary gift of God." Join us for the joy of singing! The Children's Choir will have its first rehearsal on Sunday, September 7 from 3:45-4:45 in the Parish Hall. This choir is composed of children entering grades 1-6. The Adult Choir will have its first rehearsal on Wednesday, September 10 from 5:30-6:45 in the Parish Hall. High school grades 9-12 and all other adults welcome! 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. Blood Drive Scheduled Sunday, Sept 28 the United Blood Services Blood Mobile will be at the church, in the MFB parking lot, from 10:30 -2. Sign up in the narthex. If we meet our quota the entire parish will be covered for blood needs for the next 6 months. If you can't give blood, you could bring goodies for the donors to eat! Silent Auction Notes The Silent Auction is less than 3 months away and we have received only two items. Please contact us concerning items or services you wish to donate. Remember it will be held on Thursday evening, November 13. Mary Lee & John Beal Co-Chairs 323-8748 St. Joseph's Guild It has been another month of progress on the buildings and grounds, and many deserve our thanks. I'm sure that everyone has noticed the planting at the ramp bed. Robert Cox is continuing to paint the red doors, which will soon include the front door. John Beal and Douglas Crawford took on almost more than they could handle in solving plumbing problems in the upstairs kitchen; you can't see much of the results but, believe me, they are there. Pam Collins directed and worked with a crew spreading mulch on the front bank: Bob Collins, Glenn Cook, Peyton Passons, Bob Bruszak (a first-time newcomer!), and Brian Arnett. David Lewis is continuing his mega-project--the labyrinth, with the help of Bill Cooke, Robert Cox, James McCormick, David Callahan, and Robert King. I have some new volunteers as a result of Parish Opportunity Day. Anyone else wishing to volunteer, please let me know. Also, if you see things that need to be done, don't hesitate to say so.