The Sunrise ...at Episcopal Church of the Resurrection Starkville, Mississippi May, 2004 Dear Brothers and Sisters, More than anytime of our Church year, during these 50 days of Easter, we become acutely aware that we are an Easter People, an empty-tomb people, a post-Resurrection people. Rather than get caught up in the mechanics of the resurrection, let us focus less on the how and more on the why. Jesus' original disciples never seemed to understand who he was, were more interested in their positions of prestige and, when the times got tough, denied and deserted him. Yet after the resurrection, we find transformed people for whom proclaiming the Good News becomes their single focus. The Easter Season ends on Pentecost Sunday (May 30 this year). On Pentecost we celebrate another transformation - the transformation of the community and the birth of the Church. Gathered together on that first Pentecost were peoples from all the known world: with all their different languages and customs. Again, let us worry less about the how and focus more on the why. Imagine a gathering of the highest-of-high-church-bells-and-smells Episcopalians, the most charismatic-hand-waving pentecostalists, the most vehement fire-and-brimstone Primitive Baptists, the most rigid-Calvinistic Presbyterians, the most faithful papal Roman Catholics, blend them among an Anglo, African-American, Hispanic and Asian audience and throw in some cathedral, renewal, gospel/spiritual and contemporary-Christian-rock musicians (you get the idea), all who suddenly put away their differences and celebrate God's deeds of power. Would it have been chaotic? Would it have been messy? You bet. Transformation happens only in messiness! Transformation means letting Christ into all those messy places in our lives - those we and everyone around us know about - and all those messy places we think we have concealed so well from everyone's view. Transformation means letting Christ turn upside down all the order and structure we have created thinking it leaves us safe but in actuality leaves us empty and shallow. Transformation means letting go of our preconceived conceptions of who God is. Transformation means letting go of our preconceived images of who we are. Transformation means not only tolerating the chaos, it means welcoming, celebrating, reveling in the chaos. It means letting God be God and letting God shape us into the image of God we were created to be, not the image we have painstakingly protected. The tomb is empty! Proclaim the Good News! Be transformed by the Risen Christ. Invite him into all the messy places of your life: the public ones and the private ones. Revel in the chaos of transformation. Pentecost Sunday celebrate that if only for a brief time, we can let go of our need for order, for structure, for uniformity and be transformed into a community that finds itself with many different languages, with many different ways, but together celebrating and speaking about God's deeds of power. Christ's Peace, NEWS & EVENTS May, 2004 Newsletter   A New Ministry at Resurrection Several people have completed training and have been commissioned to serve as Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEMs) to the homebound or to hospitals and nursing homes. On Sundays, a special box will be prepared at the altar with that day's Eucharist. At the close of the service, one of the LEMs will come forward to receive the box and a prayer will be offered. After church, the LEMs will visit the homebound or sic person and share the Eucharist. This is a special ministry to make sure that those who may not be physically able to attend church remain connected to the Body. Please notify Diane if you or someone you know would like to be visited and receive the Eucharist.   About Pentecost Pentecost is the celebration of the birth of the Church. It is a festive day. Our 10:30 a.m. liturgy will celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit by having the children participating in the procession by blowing bubbles. Some may ask what bubbles have to do with the Holy Spirit. We understand the Holy Spirit biblically as the "breath of God." In Acts, Luke describes it as a violent wind. We cannot see breath or wind, but we can see bubbles created by breath. In addition the bubbles rise and drift, a symbol of our prayers and praise lifting up to God. Bubbles are festive, a sign of our celebration of the birth of the Church. This also allows our children (the future of the Church) to more fully participate in the service and have a better understanding of Pentecost. Wear red! Red is the color that symbolizes the Holy Spirit. We are not only Easter People, but we are also the recipients of the Holy Spirit. The altar hangings and vestments for the day are red. On Pentecost, we are encouraged to wear red as a sign of being people who have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Luke also tells us that on Pentecost once the Holy Spirit had descended upon them, "each one heard them speaking in the native language of each." As a way to experience what this may have felt like, a portion of the Acts reading will be read in multiple languages. If you can read (do not have to be fluent or able to translate) in any other language, please let Fr. Bill know. We would like to have you participate in the Acts reading (you will do this from your pew, not from the lectern). A translation of the text in any language you can speak will be provided for you. For some, this may cause our liturgy to seem somewhat chaotic - but then so did Pentecost. We will continue the Pentecost celebration with our annual Pentecost Picnic immediately following the 10:30 service that day. Linda Cox is coordinating this year's event, with the able assistance of Robert Cox, James McCormick and David Lewis. This year, we will have active games (croquet, badminton, etc.), board games, cards, swimming, music, and lots of laughter and relaxation. Linda may be calling on you to help by bringing food, facilitating games, or assisting with set up and/or clean up activities. Dress for that day is casual (red of course!). Sweetened and unsweetened tea will be served. You are welcome to bring beer or wine if you desire. If you have questions, comments, or wish to volunteer please call Linda at 325-2091 (work) or 324-3876 (home). Or you can email her at Lindac@saffairs.msstate.edu.   Music Notes Children's Choir Picnic There are no more Sunday rehearsals until fall, but there is the end-of-the-year picnic on May 9 at Robinson Lake! Meet at the church at 4:45 p.m. for transportation to the lake. Parents, plan to pick up your children here at the church at 7:15 p.m. Activities will include games and a picnic provided by the music staff. Emily King To Sing Emily King will sing a solo, Hymn of Promise by Natalie Sleeth, on May 9 at the 10:30 a.m. Eucharist. Emily and her family are moving to Huntsville, Alabama in May. We will miss all of them in the life of the church and Emily's voice and commitment to this choir. God speed! Adult Parish Choir Appreciation Dinner The Choir Appreciation Dinner is Wednesday, May 26, in the Parish Hall. The day of Pentecost, Sunday, May 30, is the last Sunday the choir will sing until fall.   Summer Family Choir Love to sing? Want to be in the choir but can't fit a 9-month commitment into your schedule? Want to sing in the choir but also want to sit with your family? Then we have a deal for you! Each Sunday, beginning June 5, report to the Parish Hall at 10:00 a.m. to be part of the Summer Family Choir. You will get a cotta (the white part of the choir black-and-white vestment) and will rehearse the service music and the hymns for that day. There is no Wednesday night rehearsal for this choir and no other time commitment. Come and sing for as many or as few Sundays as you want during the summer. Questions? Call Leanne at 312-1481 or email her at leannefazio@hotmailm.com.   United Thank Offering Sunday May 23 is the spring ingathering for the United Thank Offering (UTO). The Mission of the United Thank Offering is to expand the circle of thankful people. To achieve this mission, they encourage daily prayers, offerings and awareness of the abundance of God's blessings. The United Thank Offering is a program of the Episcopal Church USA for the mission of the whole Church, founded by and administered by women since 1889. The United Thank Offering Committee is entrusted to promote thank offerings, to receive the offerings and to distribute the United Thank Offering monies through grants. In 2003, UTO awarded over $3 million in grants. The Committee awards and administers these grants within the framework of the policies and procedures of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society (www.episcopalcurch.org/uto). You will be receiving information about submitting your offering, including your blue envelope, in early May. Please contact Gretchen Simmons if you need additional information.   Pool Time The swimming pool will open beginning on Sunday May 9, and on May 30 (the Sunday of Pentecost) we will have a parish picnic incorporating a pool party after church. Be sure to wear your red swimsuit! The pool will be open to members of the parish and their guests. The pool is intended to be financially self-sustaining. The fee is negotiable; however, suggested pool fees are: Family - $75; Single - $40. If you need to discuss the fee, contact Dolton McAlpin. Pool fees are not membership dues. They are needed for maintenance. Please register to use the pool and pay fees in the church office. The basic pool rules are: Guests MUST be accompanied by Parishioners. Children under 16 MUST be accompanied by an adult. No swimming alone. No running, horseplay or abuse with noodles. No glass containers in pool area. No swimming after dark. Copies of the pool rules are available in the church office and will be posted by the pool. For any questions or comments concerning the pool, please contact Dolton McAlpin (h) 323-7206; (w) 323-9743. Let's have a great summer at the pool!   Summer Music Camp This July, First Presbyterian Church will be hosting a Music Camp for 1st through 6th graders. This will be a two-week experience for young singers and will offer them many opportunities through music and dance. During the two weeks, they will begin work on a fall musical "It's Cool in the Furnace". This musical is about the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The fall performance date has not been set. This should prove to be a wonderful learning and growing experience as well as an opportunity to make new friends and have a good time. The camp will be Monday through Friday, July 19th through July 30th, 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. There is no fee and snacks will be provided. Registration forms should be completed and returned to the church office at First Presbyterian no later than July 1st.   Music Camp Registration Form Child's Name _____________________________________________ Age ____________ Grade (entering in the fall) ____________ Return form to church office at First Presbyterian no later than July 1. Please contact Barbara McCain at 338-1801 for additional information.   Camp Caritas of Mississippi The Diocesan Committee on Prison Ministry needs YOUR HELP in making Camp Caritas, June 13-18, a success! There is a need for Staff Members (some positions do not require the full week's commitment), especially lifeguards and musicians and persons to lead arts, crafts and sports. House Parents are also needed, this position requires being able to stay the full week. There is mandatory staff training on Saturday, June 12 at Gray Center. Financial support is needed to sponsor the 18 children who will attend the camp. This is the first of what we hope will be an annual event to help change the lives of children who have one or both parents incarcerated. For more information, contact Gay Yerger, 601-856-1776, byerger@jam.rr.com. Send contributions made out to "Diocese of Mississippi" to Diocesan Prison Ministry, earmarked "Camp Caritas" to P.O. Box 23107, Jackson, 39225-3107.   Your Prayers Are Asked For…. those with child, especially Kathleen Rachel, and Colton… those who suffer in mind, body or spirit, especially A. C., Margie, LaVora, Jeanne, Melanie, Lorenzo, Dee, Edna, Don, Nora, Jan, Oma Lee, Ophelia, Rae, Nel, Becky Sego Simrall, Allison Russell, Tommy Greer, John Luttrel, Virginia, Laura, Kate Hummell, Emma Armstrong, Olivia Wampler, Patty Stewart, Diane, Carol, Tyler Thurston, Austin Williams, and Michelle… those who serve in the military, especially Steve, David, Chris, Justin, Fran, Bob, Banks, Richard, Andrew and Andy Hyde…and those in harm's way.   2004 Pioneer Camp & Bratton-Green Schedule May 29-30 Midget Camp 1, Grades 1&2 May 30-June 5 Regular I - grades 3&4 June 5-10 Pioneer Camp OnSite 1 June 7-12 Special I and Pioneer Camp 1 - Coastal June 13-17 Pioneer Camp OnSite 2  June 15-21 Regular II - grades 5&6 June 22-30 Pioneer Camp 2 - Wilderness June 24-29 Special II July 2-8 Regular III - grades 7-9 July 4-10 Pioneer Camp 3 - Basic July 12-18 Regular IV - grades 5&6 July 13-19 Pioneer Camp 4 - Ozark July 21-27 Regular V - grades 3&4 July 23-August 5 Pioneer Camp 5 - Montana July 30-August 5 Regular VI - grades 7-9 August 7& 8 Midget Camp 2, Grades 1&2 Need an application? Call Gray Center, 601-859-1556   Other Important Dates M A Y 7-9 - Junior DOY, grades 6-8, Camp Bratton-Green - UTO Spring Ingathering 26 - Choir Appreciation Dinner, Parish Hall 27- 30 - Men's Kairos #10, CMCF, Pearl and Men's Kairos #15, Parchman J U N E 13-17 - Camp Caritas, Gray Center 23 - Vacation Bible School, Resurrection 23-25 - De Colores VBS at Grace, Canton 30 - Vacation Bible School, Trinity J U L Y 7 - Vacation Bible School, Trinity 14 - Vacation Bible School, Resurrection 18-24 - PYE, Berea College, Kentucky 22-25 - Cursillo #104, Gray Center A U G U S T 20-21 - Special Stewardship Events in conjunction with Diocesan Training Day, St. Andrew's Cathedral, Jackson, featuring Ms. Terry Parsons, Staff Officer for Stewardship in the Congregational Development unit of ECUSA 20-22 - Resurrection Adult Choir Retreat 21 - Diocesan Training Day, St. Andrew's Cathedral, Jackson. For more information, contact Margaret McLarty, 601-321-5001, mclartymp@aol.com 27-29 - AWWY (Adults Working with Youth) Conference, Gray Center S E P T E M B E R 18 - Day on the Diaconate, Gray Center 24-26 - Senior DOY, grades 9-12, Camp Bratton-Green O C T O B E R 4-7 - Presbyters' Conference 28-31 - Cursillo #105, Gray Center and Men's Kairos #11, CMCF, Pearl 29-31 - Junior DOY, grades 6-8, Camp Bratton-Green N O V E M B E R 5-7 - New Beginings #10, Camp Bratton-Green 12-13 - ECW Fall Conference and Annual Meeting 12-14 - Vocare #33 and Deacons' Winter Retreat 28-31 - Cursillo #105, Gray Center and Men's Kairos #11, CMCF, Pearl 29-31 - Junior DOY, grades 6-8, Camp Bratton-Green   Thank You from Habitat From Freddie Rasberry, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity: Thank you for your most generous gift to the Starkville Area Habitat for Humanity. The partner family we are presently building for is Roxanne Thomas. Roxanne is confined to a wheel chair because of multiple sclerosis. She is rearing her onlyl chile, Ethan, who is 13. Her mother, Mabel Minyard, lives with Roxanne and Ethan in their rental home. Roxanne is a graduate of Mississippi State University with a degree in music. Before being stricken with multiple sclerosis, she taught music in the Starkville public school system. She once toured with a Christian band, and played and sang for Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash as a guest in their home. Despite the fact that she is in circumstances beyond her control, she feels that God continues to bless her and her family. The selection as a Habitat family is just more evidence of this fact. At the groundbreaking ceremony she said, "God works in mysterious ways, and today He has blessed us." Roxanne, Ethan, and Mrs. Minyard will live in the Apostles House at 104 Nelson Street in Starkville.   Dear Episcopalians: Thanks so much for inviting us over on Wednesday night. The supper, discussion (about The Passion of the Christ), and chance to worship together were great. Hope we can do more things together. Julia Heard Trinity Presbyterian Vacation Bible School Planning is underway for this summer's Vacation Bible School. Church of the Resurrection and Trinity Presbyterian are working together to share Vacation Bible School this year.Current plans are to have Vacation Bible School Wednesday evenings from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. See the other important dates section for tentative dates and locations. Contact James McCormick for additional information. Thanks to the many who did so much extra work during Lent, including: The Altar Guild The Choir Easter Egg Hunt Coordinators Home Communion Hosts John Beal and the Acolytes Lectors and LEMs St. Joseph's Guild Volunteers and Coordinators for the Soup and Bread Lunches   May Birthdays David Callahan 2 James McCormick 3 Gretchen Passons 5 Nancy Christiansen 7 Mark Bullman 9 Rebecca Beattie 12 Tom Coleman 14 Nina Tipton 15 Brenda Jackson 17 Elaine Brown 19 Guy Hargrove 19 Craig Piper 19 Rowena Kelley 20 Alice Jones 24 Mary Sears 27