The Sunrise ...at Episcopal Church of the Resurrection Starkville, Mississippi October, 2004 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ…. With a very successful Parish Opportunities Day, the MSU students back worshiping among us and, even in less successful years, the football excitement, fall is an exciting time at Resurrection. Because of its association with harvest gathering and it is when pledges for the upcoming year are received, many parishes emphasize stewardship during the fall. We are no exception. During October you will be receiving your pledge packet for next year. Please return them to the parish office or bring them to the October 21 Stewardship Ingathering/Silent Auction or for the October 24 Ingathering Holy Eucharist when all pledge cards will be placed on the Altar with the bread and wine and Sunday offering and presented to God in thanksgiving and for God's blessing. However, you will not hear the dreaded "stewardship sermon" - offered by clergy or laity. I believe every sermon is a stewardship sermon because every sermon deals with our relationship with God and directly or indirectly asks where we place God in our priorities. Stewardship has nothing to do with the parish budget. Instead, stewardship has two foci: giving to God through thanksgiving for the abundance God has given us and using our resources to do what God has called us to do. Through what you have given out of thanksgiving to God your parish offers quality liturgy and music inviting us into the presence of God. Your thanksgiving serves the MSU students' spiritual needs. It allows your parish to offer pastoral care through hospital and home visits, meals and other critical support and counseling. Your stewardship cares for others in the broader community through Helping Hands, the Salvation Army, Safe Haven, Habitat for Humanity, the Episcopal Relief and Development Funds hurricane assistance and emergency assistance with food, utilities, rent and medicine through the Discretionary Funds of the Rector, Deacon and Canterbury Chaplain. It makes possible the transformation of lives through our common worship, Christian education, EYC, and Camp Bratton-Green. Your thanksgiving has resulted in substantial improvements in the building and grounds appearance. While your stewardship makes these things possible, we must begin with the focus on giving to God out of thanksgiving. Nothing reflects our relationship with God more than our relationship with our money and possessions. Our stewardship reflects whether we place our priorities on things that are earthly and ephemeral or on things that are of God and eternal. Our stewardship reflects whether all that we have is God's and what we give back to God is from that abundance. Unfortunately, we live in a culture that teaches us to worship money and possessions; a culture based on scarcity that teaches us no matter how much we have we need more. It entices us into excessive debt, especially credit card debt. Only through conscious and prayerful stewardship practices are we able to resist the temptation to worship materialism, to place God in the center of our lives, and to recognize we are happier, healthier and have more positive relationships when we don't worship material things. Promoting such conscious and prayerful awareness and practices, we invite you to attend one of our dessert stewardship gatherings. Those who attended last year found them enlightening and a major step in their spiritual journeys. I promise we will not talk about the parish budget. When you complete your pledge for next year, please follow the process outlined. Do not simply fill in a dollar amount. That is the least important thing and of little help to you. Considering how your pledge reflects your relationship with God is far more important. Christ's Peace,   NEWS & EVENTS October, 2004 Dear Friends: Your expressions of sympathy, words of comfort and prayers following the death of my grandfather have been appreciated very much. Thank you for the lovely peace plant sent to my family during our time of loss and sorrow. I am thankful to be part of this wonderful community of faith at Resurrection and thank God for your kindness and generosity. I am truly blessed. Faithfully, Brian Ponder + Music Notes Music is communication. In our churches, it speaks&emdash;sings, plays - over centuries the timelessness of our beliefs, whether the music be ancient or new as tomorrow. The Living Church, April, 2004 Adults' Choir Thanks to the following musicians for inspiring us at the new Face to Face service on Sunday evenings: Rachel McCann, guitar and voice Carol Jackson, flute Clarissa Balbalian, voice Pam Collins, voice, Dolton McAlpin and James McCormick, percussion On September 22, both the Children's Choir and the Adult Choir worked with Joseph Reiser of New York. Joseph led the choirs in exploring rhythm through movement in a series of eurhythmics exercises. The last week in July the following choir members attended the Church Music and Liturgy Conference at All Saints' Episcopal School in Vicksburg: Clarissa Balbalian, Brook Herman, Jim Jones, Dolton McAlpin, and Mary Sears. Children's Choir Children's Choir is off to a wonderful start--come join us if you are in grades 1-6. Canterbury News Canterbury meets every Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. for FOOD, FUN, AND FELLOWSHIP! A Big THANK YOU… ….to all who have signed up to provide Canterbury dinners for the semester. Others interested in signing up may do so on the sheet in the Narthex! Thanks for all of the delicious food, and especially to all who've recently provided Meals for Canterbury….The Parish Choristers….Leanne & Michael Fazio….Julia & Ed Silverman….Alice & Jim Jones….Babs and Happy Deas….Martha and Dolton McAlpin….Thanks! Halloween Fun Mark your calendars now for Canterbury's Halloween Overnight Camp-Out on October 29-20. Students interested in attending should sign-up by contacting Brian in the parish office. EYC The EYC has recently collected an assortment of goods to send to the churches on the Mississippi Gulf Coast to help those in the relief efforts following Hurricane Ivan. Late September and October start the fall diocesan events involving our youth. Please keep them in your prayers as they travel to these important weekends. Jessica Callahan and Carey Price attended the Adults Working With Youth (AWWY) meeting at Gray Center August 27-29. Rev. Chuck Culpepper, Cannon to Youth and College Ministries, headed this weekend full of new ideas, networking with other youth leaders, and programming and game ideas. With the growing EYC at Resurrection, Jessica and Carey brought back a wide variety of new ideas for the next year! Employment Wanted Sometimes there are Canterbury students who seek part-time work. It would be very helpful, especially for those not from Starkville, to direct them to leads. If you know of part-time work, please let the parish office know. Currently, we have one student-with his own transportation-who needs a job and is very willing to learn to do whatever the job requires. THANKS! POD Thank Yous Parish Opportunity Day (POD) was a great success! Thanks go to all who visited our displays, signed up offering your gifts and talents, put out ministry displays, and helped set up and take down. Thanks to Juawice McCormick for the great food treats and for her weekly gift of her culinary talents. Thanks to Peyton Passons for coordinating this year's POD. Second Sunday Sharing From Dee Dee Fulgham, Director, Salvation Army I just wanted to take this opportunity to extend a most heartfelt Thanks for your generous donations of non-perishable food for our pantry. Thanks to your donation, we are able to provide to individuals and families in need. This July and August have been especially busy, due to high energy bills and children getting ready to return to school, and we have had more request for food than ordinary. Most of the year we provide food for between 25 and 40 people per month. July, however, we assisted 84 people with food directly from our pantry, and we assisted 35 people in August. All of the food in our pantry is donated from our community churches, clubs, civic organizations, and private individuals. So, without caring churches like the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection and compassionate individuals like you, we would not be able to continue to provide this much needed service to our community. Again many, many Thanks for your generous food donation. October Birthdays 1 Walt Hillen 1 Karen Koch 7 Rick Noffsinger 8 Marilyn Boyd 8 Carlton Polk 10 Sam Polk 11 Arleen Clapp 11 Roger Clapp 14 John Wall 14 Hannah McCormick 16 Carol Jackson 17 Michael Fazio 20 Ginny Powell 21 Joshua Andrews 22 John Beal 23 Steven Brandon 24 Tommie Zacharias 26 James McCormick 27 Bob Collins 27 Mark Bullman 28 David Lewis 29 Russell Gaines 29 Greg Schuster 29 Kim Noffsinger 31 Clyde Williams 31 Pam Kilby Going, going, gone - Silent Auction & Stewardship Ingathering Is Only 3 Weeks Away Your donated items for the auction are needed now! If you need ideas, some popular items from last year's auction were art work, cheese straws and other goodies from special recipes, personal and professional services like baby-sitting and will preparation, wines, vacation getaways, antiques and collectibles. This year's Stewardship Silent Auction will be Thursday, October 21, beginning at 6:00 p.m. This event culminates our annual Stewardship Pledge collection, with your pledge card serving as your admission. The evening will include catered hors d'oeuvres and wine and non-alcoholic beverages. Please contact David McMillen or Beth Batson with any questions or to donate items. Remember, any quality item will be accepted, but, please, no garage sale items. Annual Conference Licensed Lay Ministry Education The Annual Conference Licensed Lay Ministry Education is October 15-16 at Gray Center. Guidelines for Licensed Lay Ministry 2004 are fresh off the press and will be available. The $75 registration fee includes overnight accommodations, meals, and Gray Center fee. Registration should be mailed by October 10 to Danny Ray Meadors, St. Patrick's Episcopal Church, 5287 Espy Avenue, Long Beach, MS 39560. For additional information, please contact Mr. Meadors at St. Patrick's (228-867-4000). Altar Guild Training There will be a training session soon for new Altar Guild members. If you are interested in becoming a member of or want more information about the Altar Guild, please contact Marsha Williams at 323-2936. Baptism All Saint's Sunday, November 7, is the next liturgical feast day designated for baptisms.  Anyone desiring to be baptized or any parent desiring to have a child baptized, please call Fr. Bill (323-3483) to schedule an appointment to discuss the Church teachings on Holy Baptism. Outreach/Servant Ministry The Outreach/ Servant Ministry Committee will meet at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, October 20 in the Student Center. Bring your own lunch. Anyone interested in outreach/service ministry is welcome to attend. Thanksgiving Cards Thanksgiving cards are found on the back of each pew. You are invited to write your Thanksgiving for someone or something for which you are thankful and to place your card in the offering plate. Your notes along with the bread, wine, and financial offerings are presented at the Altar in Thanksgiving for God's blessings. From the VESTRY The Vestry met September 20. 2004 at James McCormick's home for our quarterly social prior to the meeting. We began our meeting at 7:00pm with Bill's Opening Devotional. He read a parable from Luke which will be our Gospel lesson for Sunday, September 26. Once again, the group was "hit squarely between the eyes!" How as individuals do we live out the text? We and our church are called on to see people as human beings with needs, not just food and money. Does and is Resurrection doing this on a daily basis and living out its mission? The Minutes for the August 16, 2004 meeting were approved and the August Financial Report was accepted. During announcements several reports were given: Peyton Passons gave a report on the recent POD held September 12. James McCormick gave a wonderful report about the first day of Sunday School. A new format is being introduced this year and everyone seems very enthused. Lessons will be done in units so no one will be committed for longer than a month. If anyone has skills in story telling, music, crafts, etc. and are willing to help for one month, please let James or Jennifer Damms know you have these skills and are offering your help. If everyone one does one month, you are not committed forever. Bill reported on the Face To Face Sunday evening service and it is still in the planning and evaluation phase. It will be under review for the next several months. He also reported on the upcoming 2005 Stewardship Drive. The two meeting will be help on Oct. 11 and 14. The Silent Auction will be held on October 21. PLEASE LET BETH BATSON, DAVID MCMILLIAN OR SANDRA SISTRUNK KNOW IF YOU HAVE AN ITEM OR SERVICE TO DONATE. THE CHURCH NEEDS YOUR ITEMS. Dolton gave a swimming pool report. The pool is remaining open until the end of September this year. As a result, there will be very little carryover for next year so there may have to be an adjustment in fees next year. Diane Livingston gave her quarterly report on her activities as Deacon for our parish. She is actively involved in the LEM Home-Bound Eucharist and will help the Outreach Committee resume its very active mission. By the time you receive this the first meeting will have occurred; you still have time to offer your services. In Brian Ponder's absence, Joshua Andrews gave the Canterbury report. Brian is busy with the students and is also getting connected with the other campus ministers to see how the students can best be served. Noonday prayers have resumed on the campus on Wednesdays at 12:05pm. and Canterbury is meeting on Wednesdays for fellowship and shorter worship time because of the Face To Face Service on Sunday night. Action was taken on submitting the Vestry's approval to the Standing Committee for Brian's Ordination on January 12, 2005. The Cleaning Service contract was considered. Continued discussion on handicapped accessibility occurred. We are going to wait until the end of the fiscal year to see how we stand on money before anything is begun. A discussion took place about the coordination of parish activities and how they fit into the Vestry's responsibilities. Bill will have some recommendations at our October meeting. Bill dismissed us with a closing prayer. Our next meeting will be October 18, 2004 at 7:00pm in the Student Center. Blood Needs Met at Fall Blood Drive Thank you to all the donors at this fall's blood drive: Leonard Brandon, Debbie Nettles, Dixie Boswell, Rachel Brandon, Thomas Coleman, Russell Gaines, Carlton Polk, Claire Fellman, Steven Brandon, Ginny Powell, Lois Connington, Ashley Martindale, Will Mullins, Brian Ponder, Christopher Price, and Carey Price. You made it possible to meet our target and ensure continued blood coverage for the parish family. A special thank you to Jean Little, who supplied cookies! Your prayers are asked for…… ...those with child, especially Rachel, Maribel, Emily, Wendy VanLandingham and Julia Silverman…..those who suffer in mind, body or spirit, especially A. C., Margie, LaVora, Jeanne, Melanie, Lorenzo, Dee, Edna, Don, Nora, Oma Lee, Ophelia, Nel, Bill Boyd, Becky Seago Simrall, Tommy Greer, Michelle, Donald Mosley, Larry Heath, Judy Kirkpatrick, Susie Owings, Melinda Gwin, Jim LeBatard, Gordon Johnston, Paige McKay, Teresa Johnson, Charlie Hicks, Roy, and Jason.....those who serve in the military, especially Steve, David, Chris, Justin, Fran, Bob, Banks, Richard, Andrew, Andy Hyde, and Steve Carmichael…..and those in harm's way. Other Coming Events and Important Dates OCTOBER 4-7 Presbyters' Conference 10 St. Frances Blessing of the Animals 14-15 "The Challenge in the 21st Century", St. Peter's, Oxford 18 MDC budgets due to commissioners 19-20 "The Challenge in the 21st Century", Nativity, Greenwood 21 Resurrection's Silent Auction 22-24 New Beginnings, Camp Bratton-Green 25 Budget requests for supported missions & instituti onal ministries due to diocesan office 26-27 "The Challenge in the 21st Century", Resurrection, Starkville: this presentation will be offered at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 26 and 10:00 a.m. on Oct. 27. 21-24 Cursillo #105, Gray Center 29-30 Canterbury Campout 29-31 Junior DOY, grades 6-8, Camp Bratton-Green 30 VPG% report due to diocesan office NOVEMBER 2005 budget requests due to diocesan office; deadline for all reports for publication in Council edition of The Mississippi Episcopalian 2 ECW Pledge Coffee 6 Budget hearings 12-13 ECW Fall Conference and Annual Meeting 12-14 Vocare, Deacons' Winter Retreat, Happening, Happening Reunion, ECW Fall Conference & Annual Meeting 19-21 Bishop's Fall Silent Retreat 29-31 Junior DOY, grades 6-8, Camp Bratton-Green DECEMBER 3-5 Signs of Endings, Big House 10 VPG $ estimate due to diocesan office 13 Finance Committee meeting 15 Pre-filed resolutions & nominations due to the Secretary of Council 20 Executive Committee Meeting 27-1 Winter Solstice, Gray Center JANUARY 10 Registration deadline for Annual Council 28-30 The 178th ANNUAL COUNCIL, NATCHEZ Vote for Coffee! ECW will have their pledge coffee on November 2. Plan to stop by before or after you vote in the presidential election that Tuesday. The coffee is from 11:00-1:00 at Sherrie VanLandingham's home at 104 Tanglewood Drive. St. Frances Blessing of the Animals On Sunday, October 10th, at 5:00 p.m. if the church parking lot, we will be having our annual blessing of the animals. We invite all animals big or small, mammals or amphibians. As we have done in years past, we are collecting donations for the Oktibbeha County Humane Society shelter. Some of their more urgent needs are towels, blankets, bleach, Pine-Sol, paper towels, disposable latex gloves, Purina Chow&emdash;Dog, Puppy, Cat, and Kitten&emdash;and oscillating or box fans. A complete listing is posted in the Narthex . Please invite all your animal loving friends. For questions, contact Ginny Powell. Noonday Prayers Looking for something to steady the busy pace of the seasons? Want something to get you back on track in the middle of the week? Need some quiet time for reflection at midday? Noonday Prayers Wednesdays, 12:05 p.m. MSU Chapel of Memories Chaplain Brian Ponder, officiant All are invited.