The Sunrise ...at Episcopal Church of the Resurrection Starkville, Mississippi September, 2005 Dear Brothers and Sisters, A Is the Church of the Resurrection the kind of church you think it should be? What is it not doing you think it should be doing? What are you investing to have it be that kind of church? These are the type questions we will be asking you this fall as we, prayerfully led by the Holy Spirit, will discern how to be the church that God calls us to be at this time, in this place. This discernment process, facilitated by Mary Lee Beal and Leigh Jensen, will include surveys (to be completed by everyone 14 and over), a full parish gathering, and small group gatherings. A more detailed description of and calendar for completion of the discernment process is located on page 2 of this newsletter. We have three primary goals for undertaking this process: 1) We have an average Sunday attendance of around 140-150. For the last 5-6 years your Vestry has wrestled with the fact that this is one of the most difficult size congregations to be - a size in which the parish needs and programs exceed the capacity of the lay leaders and staff but not large enough to have sufficient numbers of lay leaders or financial resources for additional staff or programs. As a parish, we must decide whether we will seek to continue to grow or will let our currently available resources dictate our parish membership size. 2) To determine what our members consider the most important goals that lie before us for the next 4-5 years. 3) To have more of our members actively involved in leading and offering our various ministries. Your active participation is essential. We need to know what kind of parish you want and what goals you want accomplished, and we need your help accomplishing them. My friends, we are inviting you on a journey, one which we hope will not only transform this parish, but your lives. We invite you to create at this time and in this place a church that is a worthy and deserving recipient of your generous investing of your time, skills, and money. We invite you to truly live into the ministry of the laity as defined by the Episcopal Church: to represent Christ and his Church; to bear witness to him wherever they may be; and, according to the gifts given them, to carry on Christ's work of reconciliation in the world; and to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church (Book of Common Prayer, pg. 855). Your church is not a volunteer organization. You were ordained into the priesthood of all believers by your Baptism. We are not asking you to add more busyness to your day or week. We are asking you to prayerfully help create the Church that God is calling on you to create here and now. We cannot do it without you. The Church of the Resurrection of the future will be shaped over the next several months by all who participate in this process. Please pray that we all seek God's guidance as we do so. Please participate in creating what this Church will be. Please invest your time, your skills and your money in making the Church you want a reality. Your perceptions, your needs, your suggestions, your vision of being the Church, your time, your skills, your knowledge, your financial support are essential. We cannot do it without you. Christ's Peace, NEWS & EVENTS September, 2005 Newsletter   Parish Discernment Process Complete Congregational Health Inventory. All members 14 and over are requested to complete an inventory. When? Return by September 25 Full Parish Meeting: Our Parish History. Within the Sunday Eucharist, a panel will present our parish history, members will be invited to discuss and react to this history. When? Sunday, September 25, 9:30 - 11:30, lunch follows Small group gatherings. All members 14 and over are requested to attend small group gatherings to offer their suggestions for parish improvement and future goals. When? All members invited to small groups during October. Facilitators report group feedback by October 31 Summary presented to the Vestry. All information collected from the inventories, the small group gatherings, and the Bishop's Vision Pathway will be summarized and presented in a written report to the Vestry. When? November or December Vestry meeting Summary presented at Annual Parish Meeting. All information collected from the inventories, the small group gatherings, and the Bishop's Vision Pathway will be summarized and presented in a written report to the Parish. When? Sunday, January 29, 9:30 - 11:30, lunch follows Goal setting meeting. The Vestry, Committee Chairs, other lay leaders, and Parish Clergy and Staff using the proposed goals and Bishop's Vision Pathway will determine the goals in each ministry area that will have the highest priorities. When? Saturday, February 19, 8:30 - 4:30 Vestry Strategic Planning Retreat. The Vestry will determine the process, resources needed and persons responsible for implementation of the established goals. When? Dates to be arranged in March Strategic Plan summary presented to Parish. When? Included in the April newsletter   What Is Our Story? Sunday, September 25 - 9:30 a.m. On Sunday September 25, we will have only one worship service. This worship service will be the formal beginning of our parish discernment process. Within the celebration of the Eucharist, some of our longer-term members will help us share the Church of the Resurrection story. The service will begin at 9:30 a.m. and end at 11:30 a.m. (Nursery service will be provided) and followed by a free catered lunch in the Parish Hall. Please attend!!!!! If you plan to eat lunch, please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex (entry way from the parking lot) bulletin board or call the Parish Office (323-3483) indicating how many will be eating lunch.   Silent Auction & John Maxwell Performance of Bartholmew Wednesday, August 14, 5:15 p.m. We will begin our Wednesday Agape Meals with our annual Silent Auction on Wednesday, August 14. This is a fun social event, with heavy hors d'oeuvres, wine and other beverages. While you get a chance to bid on donated artwork, special gifts, vacation accommodations, etc, the primary goal is to kick off our fall programs. Please come and meet parishioners who attend our three services. 5:15-6:30. Activities and child/youth friendly meals will be available during the Silent Auction. John Maxwell, actor/director who has performed throughout the world with his one-man play Oh, Mr. Faulkner, Do You Write?, uses drama to tell biblical stories. He will perform his most recent play Bartholomew. This performance will be enjoyed by all children and youth grades 1 and up. 6:45 - 7:15.   The bell is ringing! The bell is ringing. It's that time again. Time to frolic with your teachers and/or with your students. Church School! Yeah! Church School. Wednesday evenings for a catered dinner at 5:15 and Church School at 6:15. Come one and all. It's time to learn about the good news of life, time to run onto Noah's Ark and paddle up the Jordan River to the Sea of Galilee and learn what Jesus is trying to tell us. It's time to hear His words by the Sea and test our faith as Peter did . We need to listen to His words and learn the answer to His question, "Who do you think I am?" How can we fully answer if we don't dig deep, from the age of 3 to 103? Jesus wants us to learn of Him, to seek answers to His questions. And most of the answers can be found in Church School. And as if that were not enough, there will be multi-generational activities each Sunday morning at 9:15, activities which will allow you to put into positive action the things you learn on Wednesdays. The bell is ringing. It's time to go. Guy Hargrove, Vestry Member for Child & Youth Formation   Wednesday Agape Meals at Church of the Resurrection beginning Wednesday, September 21 Dinner: 5:15 - 6:00 Christian Education: 6:15 - 7:15 We officially begin our Wednesday Agape Meals at Church of the Resurrection on September 21. Catered meals will be served from 5:15 until 6:00 p.m. Christian Education for Children, youth 4 and up, and for Adults will begin at 6:15 and end at 7:15. The Nursery will be available during the Christian Education.   YOGA at Resurrection Starting in mid-September, two generous parishioners will offer a different type of Christian formation at Resurrection--weekly yoga classes! On Tuesdays at 5:30, beginning September 20, Mary Hermann is offering an hour-long Spirit-Powered Yoga session. This class will provide an energizing workout of both traditional and power yoga poses, set to contemporary Christian music. Spirit-Powered Yoga provides athletic conditioning within a spiritual context that will leave you feeling balanced as well as energized. On Thursdays at 5:30, beginning September 22, Sylvia Milosh is offering an hour-long Hatha Yoga and meditation session. This class will be based on classical Hatha yoga, with gentle postures that bring flexibility, balance, and relaxation--a good preparation for the meditation session that will follow the yoga. Both classes will take place in the Student Center. Bring a yoga mat, water, and a towel, and dress comfortably. For the meditation session, bring a cushion or throw pillow to sit on. Both classes are best done on an empty stomach--we recommend that you not eat for two hours beforehand. Classes are free of charge and will run for 12 weeks, with time off the week of Thanksgiving.   Adult Christian Education? Make That Christian Transformation Adult Christian Education has two offerings for the fall season of Agape Wednesdays--get ready to discover how God can enlighten and energize your daily life! As we live into what it means to follow Christ's teachings, we can discover the potential for changing the world--starting with our own small corner of it--as God changes our hearts. Divine Justice In response to a strong show of parish interest in the issue of divine justice, we're offering a book study class that will look for 12 weeks at Jim Wallis's God's Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It. This provocative book examines our private and public responsibilities as Christians in the face of terrorism, poverty, war, abortion, and capital punishment--using the Bible as a guide. Wallis's central questions are: "How do we live a faith whose social manifestation is compassion and whose public expression is justice? And how do we raise our children by those values?" An excerpt: The loss of religion's prophetic vocation is terribly dangerous for any society. Who will uphold the dignity of economic and political outcasts? Who will question the self-righteousness of nations and their leaders? Who will question the recourse to violence and rush to wars, long before any last resort has been unequivocally proven? Who will not allow God's name to be used to simply justify ourselves, instead of calling us to accountability? And who will love the people enough to challenge their worst habits, coarser entertainments, and selfish neglects? Prophetic religion always presses the question of the common good. Daily Spirituality We're also offering a video discussion class on daily spirituality. For the first 8 weeks, the class will view and discuss a series of videos by Christian author Thomas Moore. Moore, who wrote Care of the Soul: A Guide for Cultivating Sacredness in Everyday Life, is known for his insightful and thoughtful essays that inspire us to live attentively and find meaning and depth within the daily rush of modern life. This series looks at cultivating a relationship with God through telling our stories (why Christianity is important to us); through common daily acts such as walking, doing errands, or commuting; and through ritual and prayer. The final 4 weeks of the Daily Spirituality class will feature 2 videos on forgiveness and compassion. Joan Mueller, in Forgiveness, examines why forgiveness really is divine--how it liberates us from painful traps of our own making while modeling Christ. And Jim Wallis, in We All Get Healed, explores how divine compassion can set off a chain reaction that energizes our own souls while reaching out to others in the name of Christ. The Fine Print The fall adult ed calendar runs for 12 Wednesdays, starting September 21 and ending December 14, taking off the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. If you choose the Divine Justice option, bring a check for $20 to the church office by September 14 or to the Silent Auction -- or simply order your own copy and bring it on September 21. If you'd like to participate in this but the cost of the book would prohibit your participation, please let Fr. Bill know and copy will be made available to you. Rachel McCann, Vestry Member for Adult Formation   Music Notes Children's Choir Who is eligible for this choir? Children entering the first through the sixth grades. What is the purpose of this choir? Not another activity to add to a list of "things to do", the choir is a ministry of the church, growing the children up in the ways of the church, to allow them to express their love and to serve their God in the liturgy. When will Children's Choir begin? The first session will be on Wednesday, September 21. What time will Children's Choir meet and where? As a part of the Agape Wednesday evening activities, we will begin our new time, from 4:30-5:30 in our new place, the Student Center. What happens as soon as choir is over at 5:30 on Wednesdays? The children will be escorted by the choir leaders to join their families in the Parish Hall for the catered supper followed by the Christian Formation activities, which will conclude at 7:15. What will Children's Choir be doing this year? 1) We will be using our new curriculum, titled Voice for Life. This curriculum enables the individual singer to develop within the choral group, gaining skills, confidence and self-awareness as singer, musician and member of the group. 2) We will be using our new Children's Hymnal, titled We Sing of God, as we prepare the children to follow and to sing from printed music in the liturgy. What will the choir be wearing this year? They will continue to wear their own long black pants (or skirts) and black T-shirts under a white cotta which the church will provide. Adult Choir This choir is open to everyone who likes to sing or would like to learn to sing. We will meet on Sunday mornings at 9:00 to rehearse. This rehearsal will take the place of the Wednesday evening rehearsal. The CHOIR CHAIRS have been delivered, paid for and placed in the choir loft. They will be blessed at the 10:30 Eucharist on September 11. A list of donors and memorials is being prepared which will appear in the bulletin on that day. We are grateful for all who helped make possible these beautiful additions to our worship space!   St. Joseph's Guild Paints, Paves, Fixes Up Saint Joseph's Guild has been busy throughout the spring and summer. Thanks to Melinda Myers, who finished all of the painting of the red doors. Thanks to Clarissa Balbalian who coordinated removal of the downed pecan tree limb at the Canterbury Lodge. The limb cutting was done by Hal and Gloria Rowland. At spring and summer workdays, James McCormick pressure washed; Happy Deas, Bill Batson, Lois Connington, and David Lewis removed bamboo, a terrible job by any standard, so much appreciated. Clarissa Balbalian did edging. The mowing teams of Bill Cooke, Peyton Passons, Eric Watland, and Michael Fazio did their job. The pool area has, of course been re-fenced, been landscaped and the irrigation system extended there. James McCormick took care of the pool all summer. John Beal worked with SED to have a new light pole installed between Canterbury Lodge and the pool and a new light added at the pole to the south side of the Parish Hall. The handicapped parking and new sidewalks have, of course, been completed. Thanks to David VanLandingham, who coordinated all that work with the contractor, never a small job. Thanks also to John Beal, who saw to the laying down of conduit under the concrete for new lighting that will be put in place next year according to a plan developed by Happy Deas. After the concrete was poured Lois Connington, Walt Newsom, David Lewis, and Bill Hardin got the parking lot and shrubbery beds back in shape, a lot of work! Walt Newsom returned to sweep all the gravel off of the lower driveway. Ellen and Walt Newsom also contributed the handsome outdoor bench that now sits at the northwest corner of the parking lot. In the courtyard, Will Mullins built the ramp and installed the handrail and, of course, all of the brick pavers have been laid. David Lewis is now casting the final coping stones for the labyrinth, and Pam Collins is updating the landscape plan in preparation for final grading of the area.   What's your Servant Ministry Committee been up to? Except for the month of June your Servant Ministry Committee has continued meeting on the third Wednesday of each month at noon in the Student Center (next meeting is September 21). Peter's Rock & Safe Haven We have continued to collect items from the parish each month: food items for Peter's Rock Food Pantry and hygiene items for Safe Haven Shelter. Thanks to everyone who shops for these much needed things to share with those who are in need. IN SEPTEMBER BRING CANNED MEAT (spaghetti, ravioli, vienna sausage, tuna, etc.) and DEODORANT. E.R.D. We continue to sell Bishops Blend coffee which helps Episcopal Relief and Development and local outreach. Also, donations from individuals in the parish are routed on to ERD for their wonderful work in the United States and around the world after disasters strike and as they help communities rebuild their lives focusing chiefly on food security and primary health issues. Regular giving to ERD truly goes to the heart of giving to those who are in extreme need. In July our focus was on Sudan and trying to raise awareness about the genocide in Darfur. Many thanks to Donna Stark who created much visual awareness of this concern as well as specific ways to influence our government to take a stronger stand against allowing this genocide to continue. Since ERD does much work in Africa, including Sudan, ERD giving envelopes remain available in the narthex. Your gifts can be designated to any particular country or program. Other Gifts Gifts of money were sent to the following: $500 to Starkville Habitat for Humanity to help complete the Apostles House for Latoya Weaver and her children; $1,000 to Helping Hands as they serve those with emergency needs in our community; clergy discretionary funds of $200 were sent to Camp Caritas to offer a week of camp for children whose parents are incarcerated; clergy discretionary funds have also helped families with utility bills and special need groceries including one of our adopted families. Our Adopted Families School supplies were purchased for the school-aged children from our adopted families. Plans are being made to prepare a special Thanksgiving basket for all four of our adopted families. The mother in one of our families who struggles with Lupus has gone to Houston for specialized treatment. Fortunately there is a relative there who can help with the parent's two young children which allows them not to be separated for such a long time. Stop by on POD and investigate how you may become involved with Servant Ministry. This fall keep watch for news about other ways to reach out to those beyond our church in this community and in El Salvador where our parish mission team will journey next May. For questions contact Diane Livingston, 615-0956 or dianelivingston@hotmail.com.   James Andrew Hanson, son of Rebecca and Andy Hanson of Birmingham, was born July 19. His grandparents are Beath and Jim Lane.   September Birthdays 2 Jerry Williams 3 David McMillen 3 John Baswell 3 Glenda Baswell 3 Allison Noffisinger 8 Susan Cook 8 Sally Hester 9 Charles Hester 8 Edna Earle Wilkerson 10 Jim Lane 11 Graham Dewey 12 Pam Collins 13 Dixie McMillen 13 Devyn Green 14 Larry Oldham 15 Keith Caprio 16 Adrian Lewis 17 Juawice McCormick 18 Bill Tennyson 20 Bill Boyd 20 Glenda Wadsworth 20 Jean Newman 23 David Chambers 23 Richard Damms 23 Holly Potts 25 Kristina Baca 25 Adele Crudden 27 Bob Mangum 28 Lorene Martin 28 Don Zacharias 28 Rachael Damms 29 Henry Zimmerman CANTERBURY NOTES Canterbury New Meal Deal … Help Needed! With the new Christian Formation format beginning this fall, Canterbury will be joining the parish for dinner on Wednesday evenings. Over the years, a provided meal has been an important draw for our students, and we'd like to continue that practice in a different way. If you'd like to make a donation to help defray, or, better yet, cover the cost of student meals for Wednesday evenings, please contact Ginny Powell at 312-1990 or Brian Ponder at 323-3483 about doing so. We'd like to keep meals free or low-cost to students and hope that by doing so we encourage their participating more actively in the life of the parish. Tailgating Time! Canterbury and the parish Young Adults and Families committee announce plans for fall tailgating! EVERYONE'S invited! Please join us for tailgating on each of the home football game days (except for the Egg Bowl) under the Episcopal Tent! We'll be sending parish-wide emails with times and location as a reminder before each of the games. We are hoping to have a "permanent" tent location to announce early this month. Paper products, cups and dinner ware, a hot grill and lots of lemonade will be provided. Bring something to throw on the grill and a side item or appetizer to share (with serving utensil if necessary)! Plan on joining us at least a couple of hours before kickoff. Come show your team (and church) spirit! Go Dawgs! Tailgate Schedule September 3 MSU v. Murray State, game time 6:00 p.m. September 24 MSU v. Georgia, TBA October 1 MSU v. LSU, TBA October 22 MSU v. Houston, game time 1:30 p.m. November 5 MSU v. Alabama, TBA Canterbury at the Tent Event A good number of folks representing the Canterbury Fellowship at MSU gathered for Troubling the Waters concert and/or the bishop's Tent Event on August 19-20. Carey Price, Merry Barnes, Shane Sanders, Emily Schuster, Becca Horton, Ginny Powell, Jessica Callahan (alumna), Martin Noah, Watson Lamb, Laura Hughes, Talon Kasmai, Leila Schott and Samantha McLeod joined in the festivities. Ginny Powell served as water bearer. Many of us gathered for dinner in Canton before the Friday concert, sharing a great meal at the Stone Pony Oyster Bar. Take a look at Canterbury's water sources which have been included along with Resurrection's listing elsewhere in this newsletter! Canterbury Launches New Newsletter Canterbury Tales, a newsletter for Episcopalians at MSU, is a new, monthly publication and will be included in future editions of the Sunrise. In it students, faculty, staff and parishioners will find lots of information about what Canterbury's up to, local and diocesan happenings and much more that's pertinent to Canterbury and Resurrection alike! Important items, informational updates and needs requests from Canterbury to the parish will still be included in the Sunrise. Look for Canterbury Tales in upcoming newsletters, or pick up a copy in the narthex!   EYC Update Recent Events The EYC was well represented at Troubling the Waters, the musical event which led into the bishop's Tent Meeting on August 20. Emily Brandon, Danielle Martin, and Kate Boihem were all in attendance, as well as numerous Canterbury students and members of the choir. The event was an enormous success and memorable experience. Times are Changin' The meeting time for EYC has changed this year to 4:00-6:00 Sunday afternoons. That being said, the first meeting for the new school year will be September 11 at 4:00. For information contact Brian at 662.323.3483 or Carey at 601.529.2166.   Y.A.Y.F.C. Look for a special newsletter in the mail this month. Upcoming Fall activities will include Tailgating, Wine tasting, and Dinner & Lyceum Series Events!! Tailgating Tailgating will begin Sept. 3rd--this is gonna be great, so come out and enjoy yourselves. We will have a grill and something cold to drink, so bring something to grill and a dish to share! Y.A.F.Y.C. and Canterbury will be in charge of setting up. We will alternate with them throughout the season. Emily Easterling will make phone calls to give details on the whereabouts of our tent and to elicit help in setting up. If you have any questions e-mail or call Emily (emilyeasterling@gmail.com or 662-418-5421). Play Group We will continue to meet at 9 a.m. on the 3rd Saturday of the Month at McKee Park for Playgroup! Again, everyone is welcome. September 17th at 9 a.m.--hope to see you there! P.O.D. Please, come check out our P.O.D. poster on Sept. 11th!!!!   What do they have in common? •A fountain in a backyard garden •Sacristy at Church of the Resurrection •Sacred Ganga Water from the River Ganges •Fountain at Church of Immaculate Conception, Jacksonville, Florida •Backyard pondwater, Starkville •Tibbee Creek •The Lake at Browning Creek in Oktoc •Hillbrook pond in a backyard •Rainwater from a yard on Tally Ho Drive •Kitchen sink from our home (we are blessed to have Starkville to call home so we feel that the water from our own kitchen sink is very special to us) •Shaw Springs, one of the headwater springs of the Noxubee River •Rainwater •Mt. Fuji, Japan June 2005 (reportedly takes nearly 100 years to drain down the mountain) •Rainwater from a garden •Eckie's pond, MSU •Rainwater during a needed rain--off one drip spot on the eaves •Island of Lindisfarne, England •Island of Iona, Scotland •Lake at athletic offices, MSU •Long's Lake, Tally Ho Drive, Starkville •Rainwater from heavy shower, with thunder and lightning, 107 Seville Place •Home •Rainwater •Starkville tap water •Rainwater •De-ionized water from a laboratory at MSU. Water so pure that it is an electrical insulator used in semiconductor labs all over the world •The Fountains of the Chapel of Memories, MSU •The Fountain of the Colvard Student Union, MSU •A water fountain in the Colvard Student Union, MSU •The Fountain of the Hunter Alumni Center, MSU •The Fountain of the Mitchell Memorial Library, MSU •A University Research Site, South Mississippi •Chadwick Lake, MSU •The Pacific Ocean, Santa Clara, Panama •The Canterbury Lodge •The swimming pool, Resurrection •The Parish Kitchens, Resurrection •The Sacristy, Canterbury Lodge Answer: Sources of water for the Tent Meeting, August 20, 2005   Vestry Nominations The 2006 Vestry Nomination Committee (Tom Coleman, Chair; Beth Batson, Michael Fazio) is currently accepting Vestry Nominations for election at the January 23, Annual Parish Meeting. The Vestry positions being filled are as follows: Senior Warden (Babs Deas, has served one term and is eligible for reelection), Junior Warden (elected for a one year term and can serve three consecutive terms), Vestry for Pastoral Care and Vestry for Parish Life. Role of Vestry The basic responsibilities of the Vestry are to: Help define and articulate the mission of the congregation. Support the mission by word and deed. Select the Rector. Ensure effective organization and planning. Ensure adequate resources in leadership and in financial stewardship. Manage resources effectively. Determine that appropriate programs, policies and procedures have been developed and are followed. Assess its own performance. Role of Individual Vestry Members: The responsibilities of individual vestry members are to Regularly prepare for, attend and participate in vestry meetings. Learn about the mission, goals, programs, services, activities, strengths and needs of the parish, Diocese and National Church. Maintain confidentiality on sensitive topics. Serve the congregation as a whole rather than any specific group. Encourage complainants to talk directly with the person(s) involved; avoid taking sides, inform the rector or senior warden of serious concerns. Avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest. Study financial statements and ask questions. Take on leadership roles or other tasks willingly and enthusiastically. Help identify new leaders. Serve as an example to other parishioners by personal attendance at worship and other parish gatherings, supporting the parish financially through giving a proportion of income, offering gifts and talents in parish ministries and activities. Role of Vestry Coordinator: The vestry coordinator's role is to: Serve as the overall coordinator of the designated ministry area. Recruit and select committee chairs or serve as committee chair. Be the contact person in the absence of the committee chair. Meet with Rector or other designated parish staff to plan and implement ministry. In Vestry meetings and retreat, to be responsible for proposing improvements and reporting progress in ministry area. Submit budget proposal for ministry area. Be responsible for preparing annual report summarizing ministry results, developments, and plans.   For the Vestry positions being filled, the ministry areas are as follows: Senior Warden: Mission is to assure effectiveness of the day to day operation of the parish and the appropriate use of resources. Chairs the Budget and Finance and Human Resources Committee, oversees and appoints the chairs of the Audit, Capital Funds and Nursery Committees. Junior Warden: Mission is to plan improvements and maintain the care of the facilities and grounds of the parish. Chairs the St. Joseph Guild and Landscape and Grounds Committees. Coordinates the parish activities with the Swimming Pool and Columbarium Committees. Pastoral Care: Mission is to support the pastoral needs of parishioners. Chairs the Pastoral Care Committee. Selects the Caregivers and Pastoral Meals Committees, Guild of the Christ Child and Lazarus Guild Chairs Parish Life: Mission is to offer diverse activities that promote community within the parish. Selects the Hospitality, Communication, Lenten Lunches, Parish Opportunity Day, Wednesday Agape Meal and Keeping in Touch Effectively Committees Chairs. Assists with the Annual Parish Meeting and Vestry Planning Retreat The Nomination Form is included in this newsletter as pages 11 and 12. Copies can also be picked up in the parish office. Nominations should be completed and returned to the parish office no later than Thursday, September 15. Vestry Nominations File - PDF format   From the Vestry The vestry of the Church of the Resurrection met at 7:00 PM on August 15, 2005. The meeting began with a Bible Study and discussion. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved and the financial report was accepted. A big THANK YOU went out to Paul Martin for filling in for clerk Rae Wilkinson while she was out of town. Mary Lee Beal reported to the vestry the plans she and Leigh Jensen Crawford were making in preparation for the discernment process "Discerning the Congregation's Future". The process will begin with a single church service on September 25th at 9:30am. A lunch following the service will be provided by the church. This is an exciting time at Resurrection, and it was stressed that everyone must participate for it to be successful and informative. More details to follow! The stewardship drive will kick-off with the Silent Auction on September 14th. This is always a fun event for the Parish. David McMillen is in charge. Parish Opportunity Day is September 11th between the services. This is an opportunity for everyone to see what ministries are available at Resurrection and sign up to help out. If anyone has special gifts or talents, they can be put to good use. A nominating committee to nominate people for the vestry was appointed. The nominating committee is: Tom Coleman, chairman; Michael Fazio and Beth Batson. Please be receptive to these folks, and if approached give the idea prayerful consideration. Plans for a pictorial directory were discussed as were plans to better publicize the swimming pool. Rachel McCann reported on Adult Christian Formation. There will be two classes for adults on Wednesday nights. One class will involve reading a book and discussing it and the other to watch selected videos and then discussing them. She also reported that Yoga classes will be offered at the church. Plans for these have not been finalized. With the students back, Canterbury is up and going full throttle. Brian Ponder, MSU Chaplain, reported there were 53 Episcopal students at Mississippi State. He also reported that Canterbury and the Young Adult group plan on tailgating at every home MSU football game. More details on this fun event to follow. The meeting adjourned with prayer. Babs Deas, Senior Warden   Diocese Tent Meeting On Saturday, August 20, approximately 2000 Mississippi Episcopalians gathered at Gray Center, with approximately 50 folks from Resurrection and MSU Canterbury. The purpose of the Tent Meeting was to celebrate as a diocese and to hear Bishop Gray offer his vision for this Diocese. While we have acknowledged for a year now the vision of "One Church in Mission, Inviting, Transforming and Reconciling," the Tent Meeting offered more detail as to what this vision will mean for the diocese and parishes. Bishop Gray in laying out his vision, has challenged parishes and Episcopalians throughout the Diocese to begin to think of the Church in a different way - yet a way that is true to what the Church was called to be as it was shaped by the first apostles of Jesus and led by the Holy Spirit. As we progress through our parish discernment, the specifics of the Bishop's vision will be presented to those who were not able to attend the tent meeting. These Diocese goals will be addressed as we establish our parish goals. As soon as the video of the Bishop's address is available, we will schedule a showing for all to see and discuss. A sincere thanks goes to all from Resurrection who offered their gifts and talents in supporting the Tent Meeting. The success of our parish participation is attributed to the coordination and promotional work of Babs Deas and Leanne Fazio as Tent Meeting Water Bearers, who actively encouraged the parish participation and used creative ways of promoting this event and coordinated the collection and delivery of the symbolic water used in the Tent Meeting liturgy. Ginny Powell (Canterbury Water Bearer), Carey Price and Emily Easterling also were instrumental in the promotion to our parish. Martha and Dolton McAlpin and Emily Easterling helped with child care at the Tent Meeting. Leigh Jensen Crawford participated in the training of the Tent Meeting child care volunteers. Diane Livingston served as the Deacon of the Eucharist for this event. A special thanks also goes to all the adults, Canterbury students and youth who represented Resurrection/MSU Canterbury and supported our diocese by attending.   Other Coming Events and Important Dates September 1 Deadline for $50 deposit for tickets to Lessons & Carols ECW bus trip 5 Diocesan & Parish Office Closed - Labor Day 11 P.O.D. (Parish Opportunities Day) 11 Acolyte Training (3:00 p.m.) 11 EYC Begins (4:00 p.m.) 13 Executive Committee, St. Andrew's, Jackson 14 Stewardship Evening, featuring John Maxwell, and Silent Auction 15-16 Deacons' POC, Gray Center 16-17 A Conference for Understanding & Managing Church Conflict. For more information, contact the Rev. Canon David Johnson, 601-948-5954 17 Day on the Diaconate, Gray Center 17 YAYFC Playgroup, McKee Park (9:00 a.m.) 18 Parish Discernment Sunday 18-20 Presbyter POC & Fresh Start, Gray Center 21 Children's Choir Begins (4:30 p.m.) 22-27 House of Bishops 23-25 Senior High Day, CBG 25 Parish Discernment Sunday  October 1 Special Council, Holy Trinity, Vicksburg 5-9 Women's Kairos 10-13 Annual Presbyter Conference, Gray Center 20-23 Cursillo #108, Gray Center 27-30 Men's Kairos November 4-6 Friends of Gray Center 11-12 ECW Fall Meeting 11-13 Deacons' Winter Retreat, Gray Center 11-13 Happening #62, Redeemer, Brookhaven 18-20 Bishop's Silent Retreat, Gray Center 23-27 Diocesan Office Closed ~ Thanksgiving 24 Thanksgiving Day   Christian sympathy is extended to Margaret Mosley on the death of her brother, Clyde Brooks. "Rest eternal grant him O Father, and let light perpetual shine upon him."   Your prayers are asked for…...those with child, especially Meg Hargrove Miller, Jamie Perry, Caroline Brady, Kristen, Jennifer Beal Duncan...those who suffer in mind, body or spirit, especially Margie, Jeanne, Lorenzo, Dee, Edna, Don, Oma Lee, Ophelia, Nel, Becky Seago Simrall, Donald Mosley, Charles Finane, Madeline, Warnie Kennington, Melinda Jones, Tom Bell, Mary Lou Hansford, Larry Ivey, Napoleon Sears, Carolyn Green, Patti Thomas, Lisa Rowland, Nell Elam, Gloria and Hal Rowland, Tommy Wakeman, Teresa Phillips, Judy Touchstone, Pat Encke, Frank Howell, Marianne Clark, Victor Lee, John Decker, Frances Finane, Zach Luccasen, Libber Ewing, Jim Little, Jimmy Lorimer, Mary Sears, Larry Alexander and family, James Sears....those who serve in the military, especially Steve, David, Chris, Fran, Tim McKay, Justin, John Burdan....and those in harm's way.   Parish Opportunity Day: September 11 It is almost time for our annual Parishioners Opportunity Day, and I hope everyone is excited about starting off our new year with a lot of participation in our many ministries. This is a good time to check out the things offered at Resurrection and sign on to help carry out the work of the church. Each group will have a display and there will be wonderful refreshments made by Jauwice McCormick! Sunday, September 11, between 9:15 and 10:15 and 11:30 to 11:45 is the time to check it out and see what you might be interested in doing. It should be fun! Beth Batson, Vestry Member for Parish Life   St. Francis Day & Blessing of the Animals: October 2 The annual St. Francis Day celebration with Blessing of the Animals will take place Sunday, October 2, at 4:00 p.m. in the church parking lot. Whether your pet be hoofed or winged, pawed, clawed or even bipedal, join us for this yearly celebration of God's creation and those who bring our lives so much joy. Treats for humans and their owners will be served!   Acolyte Training There will be a training session for acolytes on Sunday, September 11 at 3:00 p.m. Current acolytes and those interested in becoming acolytes should attend this important session. Acolytes exercise an important ministry within the parish and larger Church, as well as performing an important liturgical function during our worship life together. We invite anyone in grades 5-12 to participate. Please contact John Beal at 323-8748 or Brian Ponder at 323-3483 for more information.