|
The Sunrise |
...at Episcopal Church of the Resurrection
Starkville, Mississippi
January, 2005
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This January Resurrection will experience four events that are key elements of what it means to be Anglican and Episcopalian. First, on January 23, we will hold our annual parish meeting. At this meeting we will elect new Vestry members. This election reflects that rather than congregational decision-making, we elect those who manage the parish finances, oversee our various ministries and - in the case of a vacancy - calls the rector to serve our parish.
Second, January 28 - 30 your parish delegates and alternates (chosen by your Vestry) and your clergy will attend the 178th Council of the Diocese of Mississippi in Natchez. This meeting emphasizes we are not isolated congregations but part of a long tradition of united parishes seeking to worship God and (prayerfully using Scripture and the wisdom and practices of those who have gone before us and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit) discern how to best be God's people in today's world. It emphasizes Resurrection exists not only to provide ministry inside our walls but in the broader community and in unity with the collective Body of Christ. Your delegates and clergy to Council and those of other parishes and missions of our diocese elect those persons who will manage our diocesan finances and oversee diocesan ministries and - in case of a vacancy - elect the Bishop.
At this particular Council delegates and clergy will elect deputies to represent our diocese at the 2006 General Convention of the Episcopal Church in the USA (ECUSA). Once again, we are reminded that we are not an isolated congregation located in Starkville, MS. Instead, we are part of Christ's Body that has a long tradition of united parishes and dioceses seeking to worship God and (prayerfully using Scripture and the wisdom and practices of those who have gone before us and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit) discern how to best be God's people in today's world. ECUSA is not That Church, Those People or The Northern Church. ECUSA is us: people who share a common history and tradition and who every three years as dioceses elect deputies who, along with their Bishops, seek to be the people God calls us to be in this time and in this place. This is true whether we agree or disagree with decisions made at General Convention.
Finally, on January 22, we will gather as a parish with others from our Diocese and from within ECUSA to ordain Brian Ponder to the Sacred Order of Priests. In this ordination, we will once again celebrate we are not an isolated congregation. We will claim the tradition of our Christian heritage that celebrates ministry through various orders. Laity, the first and primary order of ministers, are in the world representing Christ and his Church in the workplace, homes and neighborhoods and using their gifts in Christ's work of reconciliation in the world and in the life, worship and governance of the Church. Laity help plan and conduct Brian's ordination and are among those presenting him for ordination. Bishop Gray, who serves as apostle, chief priest and pastor of our diocese will practice the 2000+ year old tradition of laying hands on Brian asking that the Holy Spirit be instilled within him in a significant way to enable him to perform his role as priest. As he does so, I and other priests will place our hands on Brian as a sign of that passing on of the Spirit and that Brian joins us in our roles of proclaiming the Gospel, administering the sacraments and blessing and declaring pardon in the name of God. Serving as the Bishop's Chaplain, reading the Gospel and setting the Altar, Diane and other deacons present will participate emphasizing their unique calling as servants and to represent Christ and his church particularly to those in need.
January offers us reminders we do not do God's work alone and while we may not always do it perfectly, we have a far better chance, in this time and place, of living into God's calling in communion than we do in isolation.
Christ's Peace,
NEWS & EVENTS
January, 2005 Newsletter
The Feast of the Epiphany
An Order of Worship for the Evening and the Holy Eucharist - Thursday, January 6 at 5:30 p.m.
Music Notes
Adult Choir
For Christmas, the adult choir contributed money to the Episcopal Relief and Development Foundation to provide a goat and training for one family.
Lessons & Carols
Lessons and Carols was a beautiful service, thanks to the planning and participation of Brian, Bill, and Diane, the adult and children's choirs. The Festive Reception was beautiful and delicious. Thank you, Holly Potts, for organizing, setting up, and cleaning up. Holly had wonderful help: Les Potts, Alice Jones, and many others who contributed to the table.
Christmas Services
The adult choir was joined by guests and former members of the choir for the 10:30 Christmas eve service.
David Bouchard played the trumpet and joined Matthew Christiansen of the children's choir in "See Amid the Winter's Snow" at the offertory for the 5:30 Christmas eve service.
EYC
Convocation Youth Representatives Announced
The Very Rev. Shannon Johnston, dean of the Tombigbee Convocation, has announced the appointment of two youths from our convocation to represent the Division of Youth and the diocese as a delegate and alternate at Annual Council in Natchez this month.
Our own Kate Boihem will serve as alternate. Thank you, Kate, for your willingness to represent the youth of our convocation and this diocese!
Schedules & Plans
Hannah McCormick, Emily Brandon, Katie Bullman, Jessica Callahan, Carey Price, and Brian Ponder will all be participating with Winter Solstice at Camp Bratton-Green the week after Christmas.
The EYC wrapped up 2004 with a movie night and a Christmas party. EYC will resume January 9, from 5-7 at the Canterbury Lodge.
Canterbury
Scheduling
Canterbury's regular scheduling resumes the week of January 9. Have a wonderful holiday season, winter break and a great New Year! Canterbury Fellowship will meet on Wednesdays beginning January 12 at 6:00 p.m. in the Lodge!
Service & Outreach
Thanks to everyone who participated in two service and outreach efforts to make the holidays special for families and individuals in the Starkville area! Canterbury adopted five families and individuals, providing frozen meals for Thanksgiving, packaged in hand-decorated boxes! Students also adopted several "angels" from the parish Angel Tree, purchasing and wrapping presents for Christmas. Way to go, Canterbury!
THANK YOU!
A big thank you to everyone who's provided meals for us recently:
Susan & Bill Hill
Jeanne & Tommy Wakeman
Jean & James Newman
Marilyn & Bill Boyd
What a treat!!! Thanks for keeping us wonderfully fed!
Canterbury Meals
Anyone interested in providing a meal for Canterbury for the spring semester is encouraged to sign up on the list in the narthex. Ginny Powell, Canterbury assistant, will contact volunteers as the semester is beginning to schedule you!! Thanks!
Servant Ministry
Angel Tree
Many thanks to all who shopped for items from the Angel Tree. Seeing so many of you walk in holding or lugging your wonderfully wrapped packages was a real treat and a reminder of how much joy we receive when we share with others. A BIG thanks to the 15 adults and children who gathered on a very cold Monday morning (Dec. 20) to deliver lots of gifts and food to the four families we adopted.
We plan to stay in touch with these families in 2005 so watch for upcoming opportunities to visit or offer assistance as may be needed.
Children's Clean Water Project
The children of the parish in Sunday School saved and collected money to help with clean water in a community where safe water is a problem. Many in the parish dropped money in the large water jug in the narthex. Thanks to everyone for the offering of $102.00, which is being sent to Episcopal Relief and Development to help make clean water possible for those who do not have this gift.
Martin Noah
Martin Noah, our Sudanese MSU student, now has student insurance effective January 1, 2005 through August 2005. We hope to help Martin with continuing his insurance at that time when it will come up for renewal. An area dentist has agreed to provide dental care for Martin since his insurance does not cover this.
Sunday Sharings
Thanks for lots of helpful items (toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, socks and underwear, etc.) for Safe Haven Shelter for women and children fleeing abusive situations. This opportunity will continue monthly on the third Sunday. Our Second Sunday Sharing also continues for non-perishables which help stock the Salvation Army Food Pantry.
Salvation Army Kettle Day
Our appreciation goes to Tom Cathcart who organized ringers for the Salvation Army Kettle Day and to all those who responded on one of the month's coldest days.
Helping Hands
Helping Hands received an offering of over $4600.00 at the Community Thanksgiving Service at the First Baptist Church. This will greatly help them in their work and we appreciate many who contributed to this offering and who attended the service. Helping Hands' work never ends so donations are always welcomed.
The Servant Ministry Committee
The Servant Ministry Committee will meet the third Wednesday in January (the 19th) at noon in the Student Center. Bring your lunch and join us as we continue to seek how this parish is called to serve our brothers and sisters who are in need.
Thanks from the Community
We have received thank you notes and letters from several groups helped by our Servant Ministry with donations of money or other support. These letters are on the Narthex bulletin board:
All
Saints' Episcopal School
Community Medicine Chest
Episcopal Relief and Development
Helping Hands Ministries
Safe Haven
Starkville Alcoholics Anonymous
Starkville Area Habitat for Humanity
Starkville's Junior Auxiliary
January Birthdays
|
1
Susan Cook |
12
Chris Dewey |
18
Maggie Hollister |
Council Convocation Caucus
Saturday, January 8, 10:00 a.m., All Saints' Church, Tupelo.
The purpose of the caucus is prior to Council, to review the Diocese proposed budget, discuss pre-filed resolutions, and to discuss the procedures for discussing, amending, and voting on resolutions at Council.
All parishioners are invited and encouraged to attend. Council delegates and alternates are strongly encouraged and requested to attend.
Sunday School To Celebrate Jesus' Birthday
The Sunday School is celebrating Jesus' birthday with a birthday party for him on Sunday, January 9th. This party will take the place of our regular Sunday School time in the morning. We will be holding this celebration in the Canterbury Lodge.
We hope you can join us to celebrate this wonderful event!
Baptism
The First Sunday after Epiphany, the Baptism of Our Lord, January 9, 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's teachings on Holy Baptism.
Inquirer's Class
Beginning January 9, 2005, from 9:15-10:10, Fr. Bill will offer an Inquirer's Class. Using The Discovery Series: A Christian Journey, we will explore our Episcopal origins and what it means to be a Christian. This series will include a combination of video presentations and question and answer discussions.
Anyone who wishes to be confirmed during Bishop Gray's spring visit to Resurrection on Sunday, April 10, 2005, must first attend inquirer's class.
This series is also appropriate for Episcopalians who would like to learn more about Christianity and about the Episcopal Church and for those who are exploring the Episcopal Church but have not decided whether they wish to be confirmed.
Anyone interested in being confirmed should contact Fr. Bill.
Thanks from our Rector & Deacon ….
Please accept our heartfelt and sincere appreciation for the generous cash Christmas gift you provided to us. Your Christmas cards and best wishes have added to our depth of experiencing the Christmas season and continued to reinforce our sense of family with you as a parish.
Thanks for all you do to support us and your parish throughout the year. As we celebrate the twelve days of Christmas, we wish a Christ-filled season and a blessed new year!
Christ's
Peace,
Bill & Diane
...and Thanks from our Chaplain
Dear Friends in Christ,
Thank you very much for your kindness expressed so generously through the monetary gift with which you surprised me at year's end. I am very thankful for this gift and even more for the blessing of serving amongst you, the people of Resurrection.
All my best for a wonderful holiday season, a blessed Christmas and the happiest of New Years. Thank you, again.
Faithfully,
Brian +
From the Vestry
For its final meeting of the year, the Vestry met on Monday, December 13, 2004 at the home of Bill and Diane Livingston. The group enjoyed a brief social time before our meeting began at 7:00pm.
For our opening devotional Bill read scripture from the first chapter of Matthew. We learned from the scripture that we are called to do things "out of our culture." Is Resurrection doing this? What should our parish be doing to live out our mission?
Our first order of business was the 2005 budget. The Senior Warden informed the group of the process the Budget Committee (Livingston, Beal, Fazio, Passons and McVey) went through and how the final budget was reached. After some discussion, the budget for 2005 was approved. It will be presented at our Annual Meeting on January 23, 2005.
After corrections, the minutes for the November 15 meeting were approved and the November Financial Report was accepted.
Bill gave an updated Stewardship Report. There are still some outstanding pledges but as of Monday, December 13, 2004 a total of $227,716.00 has been pledged. This is a slight increase over 2004. 31.8% of the pledges make up 66.5% of our budget.
Brian reported that plans for his Ordination are proceeding. It is scheduled for 11:00am on Saturday, January 22, 2005.
Canterbury has also taken a break until the new semester begins in January. He has met with a core group of students and is excited about the upcoming activities for the spring semester.
Bill reported that our Annual Parish meeting will be held on Sunday, January 23, 2005. There will be only one service that morning at 9:30am. Following our annual meeting there will be a Dutch treat lunch served. Two Vestry members and a Senior Warden will be elected during the business portion.
Diane gave her quarterly report on our Servant Ministry, Outreach Committee. The group has been quite busy and has plans for Resurrection to become more involved in reaching out to members of our community.
There had to be some changes made for our council delegation to Annual Council to be held in Natchez. Originally Leonard Brandon, Alyson Hardin and James McCormick were elected as delegates in March 2004. Hardin and McCormick are unable to attend. The Vestry approved moving Beth Batson and Tom Cathcart from alternate to delegate. Babs Deas, Anita George and Tom Handy are now our alternates.
The Vestry Retreat was set for February 25 - 26, 2005. All Vestry members and committee chairs should plan to attend.
The meeting was closed with the Lord's Prayer.
Annual Parish Meeting: Jan. 23
Our annual parish meeting will be Sunday, January 23. There will be only one morning service at 9:30 a.m., and the meeting will be immediately after that service.
There will be a catered lunch following the annual meeting. Watch for more information in early January and for a sign-up sheet in the narthex.
Vestry Nominations Due Jan. 20
Vestry nominations are being received. Forms are available on the table in the narthex or in the parish office. Nomination forms are due in the parish office by noon, Thursday, January 20, 2005.
As part of the vestry reorganization, vestry members are being nominated for specific service areas. Copies of the new vestry organizational structure are available in the narthex.
Other Coming Events and Important Dates
JANUARY
10 Registration deadline for Annual Council
18 Registration deadline for Youth Council
22 Brian Ponder's Ordination (11:00 a.m.)
23 Annual Parish Meeting
28-30 The 178th ANNUAL COUNCIL, NATCHEZ, and the 7th
Annual Youth Council
FEBRUARY
5-12 Honduras Medical Mission
17-20 Cursillo #106, Gray Center
25-27 Total Immersion Spanish Weekend, Gray
Center
MARCH
3-5 Happening #60, St. Philip's, Jackson
11-13 New Beginnings, Camp Bratton-Green
APRIL
1-2 Wardens' Conference, Gray Center
1-3 SR High DOY Weekend, Camp Bratton-Green
15-16 ECW Spring Conference, Gray Center
29-1 JR High DOY, Camp Bratton-Green
Resurrection events are bolded; council dates & deadlines are italicized.
Christian Sympathy is extended
to Juawice McCormick on the death of her grandmother, Nora Ware, to Debbie Nettles on the death of her father, Major A.C. Griffin, Jr., to Gretchen Passons on the death of her aunt, Marion Gwinner, and to Jerry Williams on the death of his wife, LaVora.
"Rest eternal grant them O Father, and let light perpetual shine upon them."
Your prayers are asked for…...
those with child, especially Maribel, Emily, Wendy VanLandingham, Julia Silverman, Laura Livingston, Holly Potts, Casey Cole….…those who suffer in mind, body or spirit, especially Margie, Jeanne, Melanie, Lorenzo, Dee, Edna, Don, Nora, Oma Lee, Ophelia, Nel, Becky Seago Simrall, Donald Mosley, Larry Heath, Judy Kirkpatrick, Susie Owings, Jim LeBatard, Mike Stanton, Chad Green, Mike Ballard, Adam Stewart, Jane Raney, Charlie Jackson, Bob & Mary Eleanor Anderson, Teresa & Gene Phillips, Jim Little, Sam Cox, Roy Kennington…....those who serve in the military, especially Steve, David, Chris, Justin, Fran, Bob, Banks, Richard, Andy Hyde, Steve Carmichael, Keith Harris, Adam Pastor, T. J. , Eric Kennington…….and those in harm's way.
