The Sunrise ...at Episcopal Church of the Resurrection Starkville, Mississippi November, 2004 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ…. Perhaps you can share with me in the excitement over the onset of the changing seasons. Temperatures begin to hint that colder days are around the corner, as do the changing and falling leaves of trees nestled and scattered amongst the pines. From the highways, we see impressive row upon row of cotton yet to be picked or already plucked, remnants of harvested cornfields, beautiful wild grasses, lands ripe for baling, many more already baled, and sunsets inching ever earlier into our evenings and, eventually, our afternoons. And so it begins. The changing seasons of our earth echo over the horizons - harvest time, the yearly countdown of remaining voting and shopping days, the dash to store up on goodies at season's end, the realization that there's not much time left to accomplish that which we had set out to do at year's beginning. The busyness of this time of year is quite certain. Mid-term has come and gone. Models of next year's auto fleets are already and have been on the streets. Semester or new school year routines have long been in place and have become rote. Summer vacations are memories. Plans now aim towards the future. Families, friends and individuals begin to make ready for the upcoming holidays. Where will we be traveling? Who's coming to visit? Will there be room for everybody? Will there be enough? Will I be alone? Our focus becomes one of preparation - for that which is ahead, for the times that will happen or find particular meaning because their yearly marking has been kindled within our memory, individually and collectively. This is not only true of our secular lives but also within the life of the Church. November ushers in for us the winding down of our liturgical year. The long season after Pentecost comes to a close this month, but not before our celebrations of All Saints and All Souls, and not before Thanksgiving. Advent awaits us on that not-so-distant horizon, and we, in turn, await its promises, both realized and yet unseen. It is here that we, as Church, as family, as the Body of Christ, make preparation. We make ready our hearts and homes for the yearly retelling of that part of the story of salvation - our story - which begins in wonder, anticipation and awe and then surprises us. It catches us unexpectedly - the foretelling of the exalted One who comes to us in great lowliness. This year, maybe we can let some of the busyness fall by the wayside. Maybe such pause will free us to understand ourselves just that much more fully within the context of this great story. Just as the leaves of the trees burst forth in color then begin their descent to the ground, drifting closer and closer to that point of earthy contact, may our hearts be warmed by the remembrance of the One who stooped and stoops to meet us, calling us into relationship. May we ever-rejoice and give thanks for the bounty of blessings bestowed upon us in that act. May we ever be mindful of and responsive to the needs of so many who are longing to understand themselves within the mystery of the Church's story, or who are so desperately in need of even hearing the story. May we be mindful of those things that would divide and separate us and keep us from wholeness, ever searching and praying for means towards unity and concord - as the Church, as a nation, and in our own lives. May we ever await, anticipate and expect new beginnings and that day when Light illumines all pathways and shatters all darkness. May the God of all hopefulness fill our hearts in the season ahead. Christ's Peace,   NEWS & EVENTS November, 2004 Music Notes Adults' Choir The adults will not rehearse on Wednesday, November 24, the day before Thanksgiving. Children's Choir The children's choir is working on reading music - notes and rhythms - as well as learning songs for singing in church and at Lessons and Carols. They will be singing at the 10:30 Eucharist on November 14. The children also will not rehearse on Wednesday, November 24, the day before Thanksgiving. EYC & Canterbury The month of November the EYC will be taking steps to gather plans for a spring mission trip. We will be working towards a destination, mission objectives, and fundraising opportunities. The EYC also has many participants in DOY, Happening, and New Beginnings. Please keep them in your prayers during these weekends as they experience the wonderful spiritual and community growth. Thanks to all the parents who have been feeding us our wonderful meals! EYC meets through December 5, including Thanksgiving Sunday. Canterbury continues to meet on Wednesday nights at 6:00 p.m. through December 8th! Because of the Thanksgiving Holiday, we will not meet on November 24. A BIG THANK YOU to all who have provided Canterbury meals for us recently: Ellen & Walt Newsom, Pat Powell and Margaret & Joe Tom Mosley. We REALLY appreciate your generosity!! Others interested in cooking for Canterbury Fellowship for the Spring semester are encouraged to sign up on the bright yellow sheet in the Narthex! Survivor Island Sunday School Update Please come join us each Sunday morning for games, music, crafts, and snacks. The current lessons that we are studying are from Genesis. The children and teachers have been enjoying making tie serpents and singing songs about monkeys, hippopotamus, butterflies and many other creations of God. The children have also written their own play about Cain and Abel, and have performed it. The children, with the help of their teachers, have made a creation pizza and dirt dessert, and have enjoyed eating the snacks. Anyone interested in helping us out on Sundays should let us know. Our next unit of study will be on Noah's Ark. The children will be building and decorating their own ark. We are very excited about setting sail on our ark. We are in need of nearly new stuffed animals that will be donated to the children at the Palmer House when we are finished using them on the ark. You may bring these to the Student Center and place in the box marked Noah's Ark anytime between now and November 21. There will be no Sunday School on November 28. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas (December 5 and 12) we will be making Advent wreaths. We will also be studying the Advent lessons and sing Advent carols. Anyone interested in helping with this unit should let us know. We are planning a birthday party for Baby Jesus on January 9, when return from holiday break. Please come and join in the fun during Sunday School! Lessons & Carols, followed by a reception, is in the Student Center on Sunday, December 5, at 5:00 p.m. Community Thanksgiving Service Starkville's annual Community Thanksgiving service is scheduled for Sunday, November 21, at First Baptist Church. There will be no service at Church of the Resurrection so that we can participate in the community service. The offering from the Community Thanksgiving service supports Helping Hands. Helping Hands depends heavily on these gifts as they seek to offer assistance to those who need help with rent and utilities and also as they counsel with persons to give them skills they need to change their lives. If you are not able to attend the evening service and would like to make an offering to Helping Hands, there will be envelopes available Sunday morning at Resurrection on the 21st. Any amount is very much appreciated and these envelopes will be turned in that evening at the service. Recovery Sunday: November 21 Bishop Duncan Gray III has asked that we designate Sunday, November 21 as Recovery Sunday. The emphasis of both the 8:00 and 10:30 services plus the adult and junior and senior high Sunday School classes will be upon addictions, substance abuse, enabling, and recovery. Quoting Bishop Gray, "There are few people who have not been touched, directly or indirectly, by addictive behavior and substance abuse. It is, however, very easy to deny that our churches have these same problems. Our denial, indeed if not in word, is fueled in part by our inability to know what to do if we, or someone we know, is abusing alcohol, drugs or other substances." It is hoped that through dedicated Eucharistic Services and informed discussion in the Sunday School atmosphere that some light can be thrown upon addiction and recovery. If you wish to take part in the discussion please contact Guy Hargrove, 323-6941. Pre-Advent Quiet Day Saturday, November 20, 2004, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. St. Matthew's Episcopal Church 317 St. Matthew's Street Kosciusko, MS 39090 662-289-5326 Dress in casual, comfortable clothes. Bring a sack lunch, Bible, paper, and pen/pencil. Presenter: The Rev. Clarice Case November Birthdays 1 Matthew Christiansen 5 Emily Brandon 5 David Evans 7 Wayne Reed 8 Janet Dewey 8 Jane Polk 9 Abbie Cathcart 11 Jim Chatham 13 Gloria Bagwell 14 Rae Brandon 15 Jan Handy 16 Angela Evans 18 Lillian Lewis 20 Lu Switzer 21 Kathy Dooley 22 Charles Jackson 24 James Newman 25 John Brzuszek Can You Top This? Sunday, November 14 is World Hunger Sunday sponsored by the Episcopal Relief and Development. In support of the United Nations critical millennium Development Goals, Episcopal Churches all across the USA will be helping to cut in half by 2015 the number of children who suffer from hunger in the U.S. and worldwide. In numeric terms, we know that for as little as 7 cents per American per day ($25.55 per person per year), world hunger can be cut in half by 2015. Resurrection is asking everyone to bring a can or box of nonperishable food that will be taken as usual to the Salvation Army Pantry as our Second Sunday Sharing. On November 14 we ask everyone to attach to the top of your item something folded - a one dollar bill, a check (made out to Resurrection earmarked for food), a five, a ten, a twenty, etc. Our CAN YOU TOP THIS? Drive will help us offer a monetary gift to help children who are hungry locally and worldwide. Please be generous with your gifts for those who do not have adequate food. Habitat for Humanity Habitat for Humanity is busy working toward getting another house ready for a family who needs it. We have received a request from Habitat asking all churches to take responsibility for part of the construction process whether that be foundation, framing, roofing, plumbing, drywall, painting, etc. If you and others you know have specific building skills, please call Freddie Raspberry of Habitat (324-7008) or Diane Livingston. This is a special way to offer gifts/skills that you have to help others. Holiday Servant Community Salvation Army Kettle Church of the Resurrection will supply bell ringers for the Salvation Army Kettle at Food Max on Tuesday, December 14. Watch for a sign-up sheet later in November on the narthex bulletin board to take a 30-minute slot and help raise funds for the Salvation Army. For questions contact Tom Cathcart from the Servant Ministry Committee. Adopt-a-Family Church of the Resurrection will once again participate in the community Adopt-a-Family Project. Watch for the Christmas tree in the Student Center in late Nov./early Dec. so that you can select a person to shop for special remembrances or needs at Christmas. This can be a great family activity to help all members experience a concrete way of thinking of and helping those in need during the holidays. Sherrie VanLandingham will be taking applications from persons the week before Thanksgiving until December 10. If you can help her with this process during the day, she definitely needs you. Please call her to ask questions or to volunteer: 323-1678. From the VESTRY The Vestry met Monday, October 18, 2004 at 7:00 pm in the Student Center. Our opening devotional centered on a reading from Luke and how Resurrection is called to live out its mission. Our church certainly needs not to be complacent or arrogant. We exist for all of God's people and our mission is to serve all. The Minutes for the September 20th meeting were approved and the September Financial Report was accepted. During announcements, Mary Lee gave a caution to the Vestry concerning the workload of our Office Administrator. Bill gave a progress report on our Stewardship meetings. The committee has held two gatherings for parishioners who did not participate last year and is looking forward to our Silent Auction to be held on Thursday, October 21. James gave a report on Christian Education and stated that things were going well. Christian Education is still looking for volunteers to help on a monthly basis. If you have any skills or would help in someway, please contact James McCormick or Jennifer Damms. Dolton has gathered all the preliminary information for the audit and that committee will meet soon. He will have a report Vestry at our November meeting. In Michael Fazio's absence, Bill announced that we would soon be seeing new signage around our church. We were all excited about the new signs because some people who have lived in Starkville still don't know "that's the Episcopal Church" on the hill. Bill also announced the Bishop's Conference "Where have All the People Gone?" will be held at Resurrection on Tuesday, October 26 at 6:30 pm and on Wednesday, October 27 at 10:00 am. He encouraged us all to attend. In addition there will be a workshop held at Gray Center on Saturday, November 6 dealing with the "Transitional sized" church. Resurrection is certainly in this category. The program begins at 9:00 am and will conclude by 4:00 pm. Anyone interested in the future of Resurrection certainly should make plans to attend. Brian gave his Canterbury report and said "all is going well." There is a core group of students attending the Face to Face Service on Sunday evenings and also for the Wednesday night gathering. The students will have a campout on Friday, October 29 and will out in full force for the activities of MSU Discovery Day spreading the word about the Canterbury group. A 2005 Budget Committee was approved by the Vestry. Included are Bill Livingston, Mary Lee Beal, Michael Fazio, Peyton Passions and Ann McVey. Bill moderated a discussion on the Windsor Report which was released this morning. The Windsor Report is the report issued by the commission appointed by Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury to review conflicts within Anglican Communion. Due to its length (approximately 100 pages) and that there had not been adequate time to review it, Bill offered only highlights of the report. The report criticizes those provinces, particularly the USA by its consecration of Bishop Gene Robinson and Canada by its developing liturgy for the blessing of same-sex unions, have acted unilaterally and brought themselves into conflict with others in the Anglican Communion. The report criticizes those provinces particularly some in Africa for establishing missions in geographical areas served by other provinces. It calls on both of these groups to apologize and to discontinue such actions until these issues are resolved by the Anglican Consultative Council and by the Lambeth Conference. The report most strongly emphasizes the importance of reconciliation and unity within the Anglican Communion but acknowledges that in such unity, the communion members will not always speak with one voice or agree on all issues. During our Mission portion of the meeting, Bill handed out a proposed flowchart for Vestry reorganization and member responsibility. Under the proposal the six vestry members will have definite duties and responsibilities. If approved, new vestry members will be elected to assume the coordination of those specific ministry areas. Vestry members are to review the proposal and be prepared to approve or disapprove it at the November meeting. We closed with prayer. Our next meeting will be Monday, November 15 at 7:00 pm in the Student Center. Your prayers are asked for… ...those with child, especially Maribel, Emily, Wendy VanLandingham, Julia Silverman, and Laura Livingston…..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, Michelle, Donald Mosley, Larry Heath, Judy Kirkpatrick, Susie Owings, Melinda Gwin, Jim LeBatard, Teresa Johnson, Bill Kennington, Charlie Hicks, Roy, Jason, Robert, Gwen Cahoon, Donna Smith, Mike Stanton, Tom Lindsay Chris Sears, and Katy.....those who serve in the military, especially Steve, David, Chris, Justin, Fran, Bob, Banks, Richard, Andrew, Andy Hyde, Steve Carmichael, Keith Harris, Adam Pastor, and Tawny Myers…..and those in harm's way. Other Coming Events and Important Dates NOVEMBER 1 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 Service for Commemorating the Departed, Eve of All Saints' Sunday 6 Budget hearings 12-13 ECW Fall Conference and Annual Meeting 14 World Hunger Sunday 28-30 Vocare, Deacons' Winter Retreat, Happening, Happening Reunion, 19 Bishop's Fall Silent Retreat 21 Recovery Sunday 21 Community Wide Thanksgiving Service, First Baptist Church 22-28 Silent Auction fundraiser, All Saints', Vicksburg 29-31 Junior DOY, grades 6-8, Camp Bratton-Green 28-30 Allin House closes at noon 11/24 in observance of Thanksgiving 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 19 Los Posada, St. Andrew's Cathedral 20 Executive Committee Meeting 24-27 Allin House closed for Christmas 27-1 Winter Solstice, Gray Center JANUARY 10 Registration deadline for Annual Council 18 Registration deadline for Youth Council 28-30 The 178th ANNUAL COUNCIL, NATCHEZ, and the 7th Annual Youth Council, Trinity Episcopal Day School ,Natchez Resurrection events are bolded; important budget & council dates & deadlines are italicized. Bishop's Blend Coffee Bishops Blend coffee, which comes in regular (ground and whole bean), decaf (ground and whole bean) and cinnamon spice (ground) for $10 a bag makes great hostess gifts and gift basket items. We will place an order on November 15 to help everyone have what they need for upcoming holiday periods. Please place your order form in the basket in the narthex by Sunday, November 14 for this last order of 2004. Remember buying this organic, shade grown coffee gives coffee farmers a fair living wage, helps support the work of Episcopal Relief and Development and $3 - $4 per bag stays at Resurrection to support local outreach. Eve of All Saints' Sunday The Eve of All Saints' Sunday service commemorating the departed is November 6 at 7:00 p.m. This service offers us a way of remembering departed loved ones in corporate worship and prayer. Those attending can give names of the departed to be included in the prayers and to bring photographs or other memorabilia to be displayed during the service. This service is an excellent opportunity to invite non-Episcopalians - especially those grieving the loss of a loved one - to experience ways in which ritual can sustain us both liturgically and pastorally. ECW Fall Conference The Diocesan ECW Fall Conference and annual meeting will be hosted by St. Timothy's, Southaven, beginning November 12. For more information, refer to the November Dio-Gram and the November Mississippi Episcopalian or contact Rae Brandon, 323-2794, or Lollie Everett, 601-824-0791 We pray for those who are preparing for their All Saints' Sunday Baptism: Claire Elizabeth Caprio Keith Connington Caprio Magdalen Ruth Cook Dobson Madelyn Sage Easterling June Elizabeth Glenney Lanae Elise Watland