The Sunrise ...at Episcopal Church of the Resurrection Starkville, Mississippi   February, 2005 Dear Brothers and Sisters, "Let's have lunch together!" We know the common invitation. I invite you to an uncommon invitation. "Let's have Lent together!" First, a brief history of Lent: From its beginning Christianity has practiced some form of pre-Easter fasting and preparation. At least by 325 CE, based on the 40 days of fasting by Jesus, Moses and Elijah, it had begun to form our current practice of the "40 days of Lent." Originally, these "40 days" were a time of intensive preparation for new converts who had been preparing a year or more for their Easter baptisms, a time on penitence for Christians who had drifted away from their faith and Christian community, and a time for all to more intensely deepen their relationship with God and with their Christian community. Over the centuries, the strict adherence to fasting has diminished, but Lent has kept its penitential nature. Thus, you will notice not only the absence of "alleluias" in our liturgy but also the greater emphasis on confession and repentance. Some have continued to use Lent as a time to abstain from something. Unfortunately rather than as a spiritual discipline, many choose to "give up something" which for health reasons they need to give up anyway - smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol or chocolates - or, as the joke goes, "I gave up watermelon for Lent," to give up something painless. Rather than simply thinking about "giving up something," consider spiritual growth. Be more disciplined with your Christian study: if not already, read the Bible; take advantage of the many Lenten daily meditation booklets; choose a book or subject to study in depth. Practice "taking on" a discipline: daily write, call or visit someone who would benefit from such contact; become more involved in a parish ministry or a community ministry; cut back on deserts and give what you would have spent to a specific parish ministry or charity. Prayerfully reflect: what in your life disrupts your relationship with God and the Church, the Body of Christ; how does your spending, giving to your parish and use of your possessions reflect your relationship with God or reflect your thanksgiving for what God gives you; what relationships need to be reconciled? Take advantage of our Lenten offerings. These begin with the Ash Wednesday liturgy marking the sign of the cross on your forehead with ashes made from last year's Palm Sunday branches, reminding you that your immortality, resurrection, and faith journey are all enmeshed. Throughout Lent, we will offer meditation, study and discussion of the Lord's Prayer, communion in parishioner's homes in various parts of town, Healing and Holy Eucharist, Stations of the Cross, and daily worship during Holy Week. More details of each of these events can be found elsewhere in this newsletter. I am a firm believer to fully experience the holiness of Easter, we need a Holy Lent, a Lent of reflection, prayer, and seeking. If we haven't taken time to consider the ways we place barriers in our relationship with God, haven't seriously reflected on what it means to be loved by a God who loved us enough to take on our humanity and receive our worst, heard the voice of Christ calling us into a deeper relationship with God and each other, then, we'll miss much of what Easter offers us. So, let's have Lent together! A Holy Lent. Christ's Peace, NEWS & EVENTS February, 2005 Newsletter   Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras End Epiphany with a celebration! Join us on Tuesday, February 8, at 6:30 p.m. for our Annual Shove Tuesday Red Beans and Rice Dinner and Celebration. This event is for the whole family and is an opportunity to party, socialize, and have some of Michael Fazio's excellent Red Beans and Rice. The cost of the dinner is $5. (No nursery, but all children are welcome).   Music Notes ADULT CHOIR LESSONS AND CAROLS REVISITED - A huge contribution to this service is made each year by the readers of the Lessons. This year readers were Marsha Williams, Martha McAlpin, Bob Collins, Diane Livingston, Brian Ponder, and Bill Livingston. Thank you!   CHILDREN'S CHOIR Rehearsals have begun as we prepare for singing at the ordination and for Lent and Palm Sunday.   Canterbury Notes Canterbury Fellowship is back on track following the winter holidays! We have resumed a regular schedule of activities for the spring semester. Some items of particular interest for those in college are: FRAN MCKENDREE MAKES A VISIT TO RESURRECTION! Please refer to the flyer found in this newsletter with more details. Fran will join us for music and homily as part of the 7:00 p.m. Eucharist on February 20! Any Canterbury students interested in attending Fran's concert at St. Peter's, Oxford on February 17, please contact Brian as soon as possible. VOCARE IN MISSISSIPPI is a renewal movement for those aged 19-29 and focuses on vocation and call within a Christian framework. It's not at all exclusive to those seeking ordination, rather it offers a time together with others who are seeking just what God is calling them to in life. Weekend format is similar to Happening, including a series of talks and reflections with ample time for fellowship and worship. The next Vocare weekend is set for February 18-20 at Camp Bratton-Green in Canton. Anyone interested in more information, or an application, please contact Brian Ponder. CBG STAFF APPLICATIONS are expected to be available following Annual Council. There is a wide variety of camp sessions available for staffing, and there's always a need. Staff is not limited to those in college! ANYONE interested in serving on staff is encouraged to call the church office for an application!   EYC News DIOCESAN YOUTH ACTIVITIES ANNOUNCED Dates have been set for the spring term for several youth programs sponsored by the diocese. HAPPENING is one of the diocese's longest running youth movements and is international in scope. The weekend offers a series of talks and reflections upon the person of Jesus Christ and the reality of being a Christian in today's world. It is geared for those in grades 10-12, and there are a few slots reserved for adult Happeners. Happening #60 will be held March 4-6 at St. Philip's, Jackson. NEW BEGINNINGS is a renewal movement for youth in junior high/middle school. New Beginnings #11 will be held on March 11-13 at Camp Bratton-Green. The weekend is modeled on other renewal programs such as Happening and Vocare yet is specifically geared for those in grades 7-9. DOY is a weekend of fun and games, very much like a mini-camp session, for persons in middle and senior high schools. There is also time for reflection and worship. Sr. High DOY will be held April 1-2, while Jr. High DOY will be held on April 29-May 1. Both events will take place at Camp Bratton-Green. CAMP BRATTON-GREEN SUMMER 2005-Sessions have been scheduled for the summer at CBG. Now's the time to get geared up for Camp! Expect camp and youth activity applications to be available following Annual Council in Natchez. For more information, please contact Brian in the church office.   Servant Ministry OVER $2 MILLION RAISED FOR TSUNAMI RELIEF We extend our greatest appreciation to many of you who responded to the plea to help those affected by the tsunami. Your gifts of almost $1,000 have been routed to Episcopal Relief and Development, who had already sent $250,000.00 before reports came out in the news. Since the disaster has been publicized, $2.1 million have been given to ERD with more coming in daily. The rebuilding efforts will go on for years so funds will continue to be needed. Once ERD is there they will continue to stay there with those affected until their lives are restored. PEANUT BUTTER & SHAMPOO, PLEASE Also, we appreciate the food for the Salvation Army Pantry and hygiene supplies for Safe Haven Shelter and the monetary gifts for these groups that many of you are bringing in each month. To help give a focus we have decided to highlight two items each month (of course, you may bring other items) and ask that whenever you are at the church during the month of February for any event or service, you may drop off PEANUT BUTTER or SHAMPOO. At the end of the month, we will offer these items as gifts of the people during the 10:30 eucharist and each agency will receive a surplus (hopefully) of each of these things. So, for February THINK and BUY PEANUT BUTTER and SHAMPOO. ANGEL TREE THROUGH THE YEAR All of the four families that Resurrection adopted for Christmas have expressed their deepest thanks to the whole parish for the wonderful gifts that they received. Several kept saying what a difference the gifts made in their families' holidays. The Servant Ministry Committee would like to continue contact with these persons to offer assistance when needed and to get to know all of them better so that friendships can start. We do know that one family (a mom and three children - 8, 5 and 2) need a kitchen table and chairs and a booster seat for the 2-year old. The table has been donated by someone on the committee but does any one have 4 chairs and/or a booster seat that could be used by this family when they eat at their table? Please contact the office or Diane Livingston if you can help with this need. EMPLOYMENT WANTED Martin Noah, our MSU student from Sudan, is still seeking a part-time job. If you have any leads, please contact Diane Livingston. THE NEXT MEETING The Servant Ministry Committee will meet Wednesday, February 23rd at noon in the Student Center. Please bring your lunch and join in our discussions, prayers, and plan-making as we seek to serve Christ in all persons.   February Birthdays 1 Monty Switzer 2 Jean Little Brandon 2 Rachel Cox 6 Donna Stark 6 Stephen Wray 8 Parker Davis 9 Martha McAlpin 10 Janice Killebrew 13 Tommy Wakeman 14 Babs Deas 15 Les Potts 17 Leonard 17 Frances Coleman 17 Bill Hill 20 Jeanne Wakeman 20 Alyson Hardin 20 Happy Deas 21 Shelby Wiedrich 23 Charles Little 26 Sally Tipton Children in Sunday School Aid Tsunami Victims The children in Sunday School have decided to donate their money to ERD Tsunami Aid during the next few weeks. All parents are encouraged to talk with their children about how they are helping with children and families during this time of disaster and to pray together for the lives of all affected.   Thanks The Oktibbeha/Starkville Boys and Girls Club members, staff and director would like to extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation of your continued support of the Boys & Girls Club's endeavors!   We give thanks for the birth of Keegan Patrick Mahoney, son of Kevin and Maribel Mahoney and grandson of Debbie Nettles, on December 30, 2004.   From the Bacas We would like to thank the congregation for your thoughts and prayers during our trip to Moscow as well as the food for our family and gifts for Kristina upon our return. We feel truly blessed to bring Kristina into this church family. Keith, Julie, Ethan, and Kristina Baca   Thank you from the Chaplain Dear Friends in Christ: Let me take this opportunity to thank everyone who made possible the wonderful ordination celebration on January 22 and for all of the preparations and work that took place in the days leading up to this special moment in my life and our ministry together. Everything was absolutely wonderful, and I am truly blessed to know your love and support. I want to particularly thank Diane and Bill Livingston for their preparations, detail coordination and guidance; Leanne Fazio, Barbara McCain, our parish and children's choirs, musicians and instrumentalists who sang and played beautifully, as well as put in tireless hours of rehearsing for the service; Beth Batson and her "crew" who honored me, my family and the bishop with an outstanding reception complete with gorgeous decorations and excellent food and drink; Michael Fazio and everyone who prepared the grounds so meticulously for the occasion; Jerry Williams, Glenn Cook and Michael who helped with parking and getting as many people "in" as possible; Mary Lou Hansford who coordinated the acolytes and John Beal who got us all lined up and "looking right" for the processions; the ladies of the altar guild who went over and beyond in readying the church for the service; and Sandra Sistrunk who worked hours-on-end to make the service bulletin a work of art, not to mention being a wonderful troubleshooter. I regret that I am inevitably leaving out a great number of names who participated in and made this day possible for me, but please know how very grateful I am for everything. You have truly honored me, and I am wonderfully blessed to serve among you as a priest in this, our Church. I also want to thank the entire parish and especially those who were able to attend the service. What an empowering moment for the Church an ordination is, and how moved I am to have had you beside me that day. How moved I am also by those of you who held me in thought and prayer, though you were unable to attend the service. I am especially grateful for the beautiful silver home communion set with which the parish remembered me and the stoneware chalice and paten with which Canterbury remembered me on this most joyous occasion. Thank you, again, for everything. Faithfully, Brian+   Ladies' Mini Retreat In preparation for Lent, all ladies of the church are invited to participate in a Ladies' Retreat to be held from 9:30 am to 11:30 am in the Student Center on Saturday, February 5th. We will meet from 9:30 to 10 for coffee and biscotti, and then begin our study at 10 am. The Reverend Barbara McKee will help us explore some of the ways to pray, and then allow quiet time to reflect on what we have learned. There will be a short ECW business meeting afterwards for those wishing to stay. For more information please contact Rae Brandon or Melinda Myers.   Attention: All Mississippi Cursillistas The secretariat is in need of new staff applications. Please consider serving on staff and fill out an application (available from your church office). The applications may be mailed to Karen Kay, 2010 Alta Woods Boulevard, Jackson, MS 39204, or scanned and emailed as an attachment to kkay63@hotmail.com, kkay@granthampoole.com, or kkay@jam.rr.com. Alternatively, you may fax it to Grantham Poole CPA's, attention Karen Kay, at 601-957-9858. If you have already filled out an application and you are still interested in serving, please go ahead and send in another one, as some may have been lost, and many have expired. If there are duplicates, the most recent one will be filed. Thank you very much! Mississippi Episcopal Cursillo Secretariat   Minutes from the Annual Meeting The Church of the Resurrection held the Annual Parish Meeting on January 23, 2005 following a special timed 9:30 a.m. service. Senior Warden, Mary Lee Beal, called the meeting to order. Babs Deas was appointed clerk. A copy of the Annual Report is included in these minutes. Everyone was asked to read over last year's minutes, which were included in the annual report. A motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes. The motion passed. Mary Lee presented the nominations for Senior Warden, Babs Deas; Junior Warden, Michael Fazio; Vestry Member responsible for Adult Formation, Rachel McCann; and Vestry Member responsible for Children and Youth Formation, Guy Hargrove. She then asked for nominations from the floor. Since there were no nominations from the floor, a motion was made to accept those nominated. The motion was seconded and passed. Mary Lee asked everyone to note vestry attendance in the Annual Report. Verbal corrections were offered for this report, and a corrected report will be included in the February newsletter. The budget for the year was presented in two ways, the usual line item and a narrative budget. Rev. Livingston once again explained that the narrative went along with the stewardship emphasis on giving based on our gratitude to God for His many blessings and not about the budget. After some questions and discussion, particularly about the balance of the loan on the renovations, a motion was made to accept the budget. The motion was seconded and passed. A balance report of the loan and all accounts will be included in the February newsletter. Mary Lee thanked those members going off the vestry this year - James McCormick, Dolton McAlpin and Tom Cathcart - for their hard work on the vestry these past three years, as well as Beth Batson, Peyton Passons and Tom Coleman, whose terms continue. The ordination on January 22, 2005, of Brian Ponder, Chaplain to MSU, was a wonderful and joyous celebration, and Mary Lee thanked everyone involved. She also thanked our Parish Administrator, Sandra Sistrunk, and especially Diane Livingston, Deacon, for their able and wonderful contributions not to mention hard work through the year. Mary Lee expressed her gratitude to the members of this Parish for the opportunity to serve as Senior Warden. Rev. Livingston also thanked the vestry members who are going off the vestry. He had special thanks for Mary Lee and talked of the numerous responsibilities she had to assume during the vacancy and dealing with a new Rector. Although the issues were covered in the Rector's Report in the Annual Report, Rev. Livingston felt it was important to touch upon some of these at the meeting. He specifically talked about the issues in the broader church, the Vestry Organization, plans for Resurrection to involve all parishioners this year in discerning our vision and plans for the future, and Stewardship. He reported that Mary Lee Beal and Leigh Jensen Crawford would facilitate a discernment process at Resurrection to see, as a transitional church, which direction we want to go. He thanked everyone for their welcome and support in the time he has been here. As there was no old business or new business, a motion was made to adjourn. The motion was seconded and passed. Following the blessing, the meeting was adjourned and everyone encouraged to meet in the Parish Hall for a catered lunch. Respectfully submitted, Babs Deas, Clerk   Summary Balance Sheet Information CASH & OTHER CURRENT ASSETS, RESTRICTED & UNRESTRICTED $120,596 FIXED ASSETS & OTHER INVESTMENTS $316,369 TOTAL ASSETS $436,965 NOTE PAYABLE, BUILDING RENOVATIONS $108,763 OTHER PAYABLES $1,395 FUND BALANCES, RESTRICTED & UNRESTRICTED $326,807 TOTAL LIABILITIES $436,965   CORRECTED VESTRY ATTENDANCE With apologies to Beth & Peyton - Beth Batson 10 of 10 Mary Lee Beal 10 of 10 Thomas Cathcart 8 of 10 Thomas Coleman 9 of 10 Michael Fazio 9 of 10 Bill Livingston 10 of 10 Diane Livingston 7 of 7 David McMillen 9 of 10 Dolton McAlpin 9 of 10 James McCormick 9 of 10 Peyton Passons 9 of 10 Brian Ponder 4 of 4   Other Coming Events and Important Dates FEBRUARY 5-12 Honduras Medical Mission 8 Shrove Tuesday / Mardi Gras, Red Beans & Rice, 5:30 p.m. 9 Ash Wednesday Liturgy, 12:05 p.m., MSU Chapel of Memories 10 Ash Wednesday Liturgy, 5:30 p.m. 11 Home Communion, 7:00 p.m. 12 Lenten Study 13 Healing & Holy Eucharist, Soup & Bread Lunch 17-20 Cursillo #106, Gray Center 20 Fran McKendree, 7:00 p.m., at Resurrection 22 Lenten Study 25-27 Total Immersion Spanish Weekend, Gray Center 24 Healing & Holy Eucharist, Soup & Bread Lunch MARCH 1 Home Communion, 7:00 p.m. 2 Lenten Study 3 Healing & Holy Eucharist, Soup & Bread Lunch 4-6 Happening #60, St. Philip's, Jackson 9 Lenten Study 10 Healing & Holy Eucharist, Soup & Bread Lunch 11-13 New Beginnings, Camp Bratton-Green 15 Home Communion 16 Lenten Study 17 Healing & Holy Eucharist, Soup & Bread Lunch APRIL 1-2 Wardens' Conference, Gray Center 1-2 SR High DOY Weekend, Camp Bratton- Green 15-16 ECW Spring Conference, Gray Center 29-1 JR High DOY, Camp Bratton-Green JULY 21-24 Cursillo #107, Gray Center OCTOBER 20-24 Cursillo #108, Gray Center     CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY is extended to Jack Hollister, Maggie Hollister, and Larry Heath on the death of Melanie Hollister, wife, mother, and sister. "Rest eternal grant her O Father, and let light perpetual shine upon her."   YOUR PRAYERS ARE ASKED FOR…...those with child, especially Emily, Wendy VanLandingham, Julia Silverman, Laura Livingston, Holly Potts, Casey Cole, Kathleen Thomas, Claire van Ogtrop….…those who suffer in mind, body or spirit, especially Margie, Jeanne, Melanie, Lorenzo, Dee, Edna, Don, Oma Lee, Ophelia, Nel, Becky Seago Simrall, Donald Mosley, Susie Owings, Mike Stanton, Charlie Jackson, Teresa & Gene Phillips, Jim Little, Charles Finane...those who serve in the military, especially Steve, David, Chris, Justin, Fran, Bob, Banks, Richard, Keith Harris, Adam Pastor, T. J. , Eric Kennington, Tim McKay…….and those in harm's way.   Lenten Offerings ASH WEDNESDAY LITURGY: In addition to Holy Eucharist, this service includes prayers of confession and penitence and the imposition of ashes. The making of the sign of the cross on our foreheads with ashes made from palm branches from the previous Palm Sunday serve as signs of our penitence, our mortality and our connectedness to Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem and his resurrection. This is an excellent way to begin your Lenten observance. The Ash Wednesday Liturgy will be offered at MSU's Chapel of Memories at 12:05 p.m. and at Resurrection at 5:30 p.m. HOME COMMUNIONS: These communions offer insight into what early Christian worship was like in which they gathered in homes before we had cathedrals and "church buildings." These are excellent opportunities to gather with fellow parishioners in their homes for less formal worship and to invite friends and neighbors to experience the beauty of our liturgy in a more accessible environment. We begin with Eucharist, including guitar music, and end with a brief social gathering. Because the service lasts about 30 minutes and is very casual, these are excellent services to bring your children. These home communions will be on Tuesdays, at 7:00 p.m., on the following dates: February 15, March 1 and 15. The locations are to be arranged and will be published in the weekly announcements. LENTEN STUDY: Our Lenten study this year will be a meditation, study, and discussion of the Lord's Prayer. We will study and discuss the various portions of the prayer, the versions from the different Gospels, and our Book of Common Prayer, the meanings and implications of the words, and have a time of prayerful meditation using a specific portion of the prayer. We will meet on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall from February 16 through March 16. HEALING AND HOLY EUCHARIST: On Thursdays during Lent, we continue our weekly celebration of the liturgy for unction or healing and Eucharist. This is about a 30 minute service with prayers for healing and anointing with oil for unction as a sign of Christ's healing and, if desired, a special request for healing. From February 17 through March 17, the service will be followed by soup and bread in the Student Center. The service begins at 12:05 p.m. Get in line first for the soup and bread and you can observe this Lenten discipline in your lunch hour. STATIONS OF THE CROSS: The discipline of walking the Stations of the Cross, in which we move from one "station" to the next in the Nave, and offering readings and prayers relating to the passion and death of Christ, is a centuries old tradition and a discipline offered to more fully appreciate the love of God to take on our humanity and to suffer death in order to be reconciled with us. The Stations of the Cross will be offered on Fridays. More details on dates and times will be published in the weekly announcements. HOLY WEEK: Services will be offered each day from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday. Details of Holy Week services will be included in the March newsletter.