The Sunrise ...at Episcopal Church of the Resurrection Starkville, Mississippi August, 2004 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ…. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. (Roman 12:6-8, NRSV) Life consists of many rhythms: daily rhythms of eating and sleeping, weekly rhythms of work and rest, nature rhythms of the four seasons, and ultimately a rhythm of birth, growth, maturity, and death. Thus, it is fitting that most of our human institutions have rhythms and that our worship of God is expressed in the rhythm of the Church or liturgical year. However, even while observing the liturgical rhythm, most parishes have rhythms unique to their idiosyncracies. We are a parish heavily influenced by the Mississippi State University rhythms. Thus, while our liturgical year begins with Advent (Nov. 28 this year) and our secular year begins January 1, for Resurrection, it seems our year begins with the beginning of the school year and the arrival of the MSU students. So, Resurrection is about to embark on a new year. As with any new beginning, this is a time to consider the opportunities before us. As part of that weighing of opportunities, I invite you to prayerfully consider the ministries Resurrection offers in which you participate. Our Church and Scripture clearly proclaim each of us are provided with gifts for bringing about the kingdom of God. And so, I invite you to consider what gifts you have to assist Resurrection in its mission. By this, I am not talking about tasks for you to take on that you do out of obligation. This generally leads to burnout. I am talking about the opportunity to experience what Frederick Buechner describes as "where your greatest pleasure meets the world's greatest needs." This experience results in fulfillment, not burnout. As part of being a university community, with families whose careers carry them elsewhere, we have recently seen several of our parish families move away. Therefore, more than ever, your gifts are needed. The Gospel of Matthew frequently contrasts the ways of the Kingdom of God and the earthly kingdom. Such a contrast in today's world reveals an earthly kingdom that is consumer driven: What have you got for me? The Kingdom of God, however, is community, family. This means it is there to serve our needs when they arise and that we offer our gifts, talents and resources for others in the community and family to assure their needs are met and to support the common good of the family. As summer comes to an end, as we move into a new year as a parish, please consider what gifts you bring. Can you assist teaching in our youth Christian education? Help plan, decorate or set up one of our social events? Prepare refreshments, a meal for Canterbury or EYC? Help in our outreach to those needing food and emergency assistance? Where can your greatest pleasure meet a need within our parish? What is the gift you have received through grace? Perhaps, your gift and passion will lead us to a new ministry. If a long-time member, perhaps God invites you to offer new or different gifts. If a new member, perhaps God invites you into our family because of your gift and to shape the community to which God calls us to be. You will do best where your passions are. Please know your gift is needed. However, don't wait to be asked. Then, you probably will be asked to fill a void, but not necessarily to offer the gift that fulfills you. Please let me know where your passion is. Together, we can determine how best to use it to meet needs in the parish. Christ's Peace,   NEWS & EVENTS August, 2004 Thank you for Sharing Sunday Thank you to all those who contributed food on July 11, Sharing Sunday. That food has been delivered to the Salvation Army for distribution through their food panty. Remember, each second Sunday is Sharing Sunday and your gifts are always needed.   Music Notes Adults' Choir Fall rehearsals begin Wednesday, August 18 at 5:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. The choir will vest and sing for services beginning Sunday, August 22. The choir supper, with Canterbury students as guests, is Wednesday, August 25, at 5:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Children's Choir A startup pool party/pizza supper will be on Sunday, August 15, from 3:00-5:00. The first rehearsal is Monday, August 16 at 3:30 p.m. The children will meet for rehearsals on Monday afternoons from 3:30-4:30 in the Parish Hall. Each rehearsal will begin with a light snack and a brief activity session. The Children's Choir has scheduled 2 singing dates for the fall. The first is Sunday, November 14, at Holy Eucharist at 10:30 a.m., and the second date is Sunday, December 5, at Lessons and Carols at 5:00 p.m.   Parish Directories--Finally! Updated parish directories are available in the narthex and parish office. The directory has a new format. To help you find names quickly, the new directories have 4 sections: Active Members, Friends and Family, MSU and MUW Students, and EYC and Youth. A list of frequently requested numbers and addresses is on the inside cover. Please let the parish office know if there are changes, additions, or corrections to the current information or for our next update.   Got ID? We recently began distributing parish ID cards which provide emergency contact information for the parish office and for Fr. Bill. Cards are available in the narthex or parish office. If you need an ID card mailed to you, please call the parish office.   Coming Soon….2004 Silent Auction The time and date for this fall's Silent Auction will be announced soon. In the meantime, begin thinking about what you have or what you might make to donate to the auction. Any quality items - no garage sale items, please - will be accepted. A few possibilities are quilts, art, sculpture, painting, preparation of a special recipe, any special skill or talent, baby sitting, or time in your vacation home. Last year's popular "Bid Bags" will be part of this year's auction. Food items, some donations of time or skill, and smaller items will probably be "Bid Bag" items. For the "Bid Bag" items, tickets are sold in lots; last year's tickets were 12 for $10.00 and 25 for $20.00. You can, of course, place as many tickets as you want in an item's bid bag. A winning ticket for each item will be drawn from its bag. Last year's auction was fun and successful. Start planning your donation now to help make this year's even more fun and more successful.   Let's Cookout!!! Friday, August 6, let's get together to play and share a meal together by the pool. We'll gather at 6:30 (come earlier if you want more sun and pool time) and start cooking at 7:00. Everyone is invited to bring whatever they want to cook on the grill. We'll have tables set up, fire up the grill and provide ice and condiments but bring your own meat (and buns if bringing hamburgers or hot dogs), beverage, a side dish to share and your own lawn chair. If you can help setting up or taking down tables or firing up the grill, please let Kathy Brandon know.   Habitat's Apostles' House is a Reality Many thanks to all in the parish who helped to make the Apostles' House a reality. It is now a home for Roxanne Thomas, her mother, and her son Ethan. They moved into the house in June. The house was dedicated on Saturday, July 17th. Habitat for Humanity presented Roxanne with the Homeowner's Bible. Prayers were offered by many who gathered in the freshly sod front yard. Church of the Resurrection helped in numerous ways: Sunday School Children collecting money in their Habitat House boxes and those at Vacation Bible School making a "toolbox" for the family; the EYC conducting a yard sale to give the proceeds to this house; the Outreach Committee contributing funds from the church and working hard on plans for many months; Canterbury MSU students and parishioners laboring on the house and helping with construction; those helping with financial planning; and our own Donna Stark, the outgoing board president, spearheading this entire event. All of your efforts have now resulted in a safe and comfortable home for a family who needed it.   Sunday School Sunday School begins Sunday, September 19. Classes meet at 9:15 each Sunday morning. If you are interested in more information or in helping with a class, please contact James McCormick.   EYC Kickoff Plans are being made for an EYC kickoff event for students in grades 6-12 on Sunday, August 22 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Please contact Jessica Callahan, our EYC leader, for information or to volunteer to help with the event.   August Birthdays John Switzer 1 Merrick Clapp 4 Clifford Anderson 6 Jeanne Ferris 8 Mary Horton 14 Sue Bell 18 Lindy Rawlings 21 Melinda Myers 26 Joey Hansford 27 Dorothy Anderson 27 Melinda Gwin A28 Tom Bell 30 Your prayers are asked for... those with child, especially Rachel, Colton, Meloney and Maribel…..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, Bill Boyd, Becky Seago Simrall, Allison Russell, Tommy Greer, John Luttrel, Virginia, Laura, Olivia Wampler, Patty Stewart, Tyler Thurston, Michelle, Donald Mosley, Charlie Jackson, Roy Povall, Larry Heath, Marian, Banks Waldrop, Mary Frances Mansfield, and Melinda Gwin .....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.   POD-- September 12 Parish Opportunity Day is Sunday, September 12. From 9:00-10:15 and 11:30-11:45, learn more about Resurrection's many ministries and how your gifts and talents can help with our ministries.   Other Coming Events and Important Dates August 6 Resurrection Parish Cookout 15 Resurrection Children's Choir's Kickoff Pool Party 20-21 Special Stewardship Events in conjunction with Diocesan Training Day, St. Andrew's Cathedral, Jackson, and Diocesan Training Day, St. Andrew's Cathedral, Jackson. For more information, contact Margaret McLarty, 601-321- 5001, mclartymp@aol.com 22 Resurrection's EYC Kickoff 27-29 AWWY (Adults Working with Youth) Conference, Gray Center September 12 Resurrection Parish Opportunity Day 18 Day on the Diaconate, Gray Center 24-26 Resurrection Choir Retreat 24-26 Senior DOY, grades 9-12, Camp Bratton-Green October 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 November 5-7 New Beginnings #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 December 1 Deadline for all committee reports to be printed in the Council Edition of The Mississippi Episcopalian 15 Deadline for all nominations for Diocesan Elected Positions to be received in the diocesan office   Diocesan Training Day: August 21 The annual diocesan training day offers learning and growth opportunities for current, emerging, and future leaders. A full day of workshops and informational sessions are offered, plus there are networking opportunities and the fun of a large diocesan gathering. More information, including registration packets, is available in the narthex or at www.dioms.org/trainingday.html. SCHEDULED WORKSHOPS Here come Lectionary Year A: A down and dirty, yet Kosher, introduction to the Gospel of Matthew Bringing the Living Word to Life New Ideas for Youth Ministry Breaking down invisible barriers: how to attract and keep young adults in our churches Flower Guild/ Diocesan Altar Guild Anglican Rosary Seeing the face of god in each other Stand Firm English as a Second Language--Classes & Resources Half of what I know: tips, tricks, and ways to cheat Music for Worship Lay Readers Retreat Ministries Let's keep those voices rising What Is Cursillo?? Columbarium Acolyte Worship Service Adapting activities and curricula to meet special needs Camp Caritas General Convention Via Media ECW Programs Let's talk about the elephant in the living room Godly Play A Rule of Life: How to write and live your personal Rule The Order of the Daughters of the King It's GRACE Center, spelled G-R-A-Y Center Treasurer/Administrator Workshop Being kind to creation