| The Sunrise |
...at Episcopal Church of the Resurrection
Starkville, Mississippi
January, 2006
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ
As you throw out the gift wrappings and put away the decorations until next Christmas, as you catch your breath from the pre-Christmas rush, I invite you to truly experience Epiphany. Epiphany often feels like unmarked time sandwiched between Christmas and Lent. Symbolically it represents the revelation of Jesus as the Messiah to the whole world – and thus we use Eucharistic Prayer C and its emphasis of God as the God of all things during Epiphany. We enter Epiphany hearing Matthew 2:1-12 (I encourage you to read this text before proceed reading this entry): the journey of the Magi. I invite you to experience this story as a metaphor for your spiritual journey.
Seeing things in a different light is what Epiphany is all about, and so I invite you to experience this story as your personal story as the meeting place of altered time and creative gazing. We spend much of life in darkness, overwhelmed by circumstances beyond our control, waiting for inspiration – for some revelation that will inspire us to action. The first sign of Epiphany is that even if in such darkness the hope exists that inspiration will come.
Thus, we, like the Magi, search the night sky of our existence, waiting for a sign: something that shatters the darkness, make sense of life, gives us a sense of direction or purpose. We seek God’s will, we discern, we pray for guidance. Then something happens: a star appears, something occurs we cannot ignore. Perhaps more frequently for those committed to continually discerning the movement of the Holy Spirit and for others only once or twice in our lives, but the star, the light that draws our attention, is bright enough that we cannot ignore it, that we know we have to respond, make a change, start on a journey. At times, the star comes as a light of great joy and other times it comes as a deep loss or grief that compels to seek a new place. The journey may be external – resulting in a physical move – or internal – a deep inner movement with the intensity to change who we are.
Faith often requires following the star not knowing where it will lead – to follow the star until we know we have arrived – sometimes a journey of days and sometimes of years. If we take the journey prayerfully, as we follow the star we become aware of our offerings: our gifts, talents and skills as well as our shortcomings. Only as they enter his house and see Mary and Jesus, do the Magi open their chests to reveal their gifts. Our journey helps reveal and clarify our essential giftedness for that particular time and place. Our journey takes long enough to name our particular gift, trust it, and most important not to judge it or compare it with the gifts of our traveling companions. When at last we are ready, purified, we reach our destination and are free to bow low, to enter the sacred place, and to offer our gift.
No matter how many times we make the journey, it always seems to surprise us that after we have come into the presence of the Holy we must go home by another way. We can dwell only so long in the presence of the Holy, and then we must return to our everyday existence. We assume we can return by the way we have come, however, each time it surprises us to find our journey home, once we have stood in the presence of the Holy and offered our gifts, is always altered. The experience has changed us, and we cannot go back in the same way or by the same route. Thus, we venture once again into uncharted territory and with a fear of losing control that thrusts us into lands we had not planned on visiting.
During the days of increasing light of Epiphany, as you put away the nativity scene, as you catch your breath from Christmas, take a deep breath, one long enough and deep enough that it becomes a breath of prayer. Let it be a prayer that allows God to reveal to you where you are in your Epiphany journey. Even if you think you haven’t yet begun your journey, allowing God’s light of Epiphany to offer the hope that something greater is to come is the sign the journey has already begun.
Christ’s Peace,
Daughters of the King
There will be an informative meeting for anyone interested in Daughters of the King on Sunday, January 22, at 4:00 p.m. in the Student Center. For more information, please call Gretchen Passons at 323-0445 or contact her by email her at grpassons@bellsouth.net.
Adult Christian Education: The Transformational Power of Crisis
Adult Christian Ed’s Winter Term begins on Wednesday, January 4. The 8-week term, which runs through February 22, examines the transformative power of crisis.
For the first six weeks, we will view and discuss the video series Wrestling with Angels, which confronts questions such as: Where is God when it hurts? Why does it seem that my prayers are unanswered? How do I navigate through the chaotic terrain of crisis? How can I question and still believe?
During the final two weeks, we will view and discuss Joan Borysenko’s Fire in the Soul. In this video, Borysenko redefines what St. John of the Cross called “the dark night of the soul,” characterizing it as “the space between no longer and not yet.” She explores the process of spiritual transformation that crisis brings and explores the signs along the journey where we can either self-destruct or transform.
Please join us in the Student Center Wednesday evenings at 6:15, immediately following Agape Wednesday dinner.
Rachel
McCann,
Vestry Member for
Christian Formation
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Our Agape Wednesday class of 6-8 year olds enthusiastically shows off the cross they've been decorating during the Season after Pentecost. Back Row, L to R: Maggie Hollister, Donovan Parkerson, Jonathan Brandon, Lanae Watland, Magdalen Dobson; Front, L to R: Will Christiansen and Devyn Green. |
Confirmation Classes
Our Confirmation Classes will meet from 9:15 - 10:15 a.m. beginning January 15 and will meet most Sundays until mid-May. These classes will involve video presentations and group discussions.
They are for anyone who would like to learn more about our Christian faith and Episcopal tradition (many long-time Episcopalians have found them informative and enjoyable). Participation is required for those wishing to be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church.
Participation does not commit one to being confirmed and is an excellent way of learning more about the Episcopal Church.
January Baptismal Date
The next baptismal date is set for January 8, 2006, the first Sunday after the Epiphany: the Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ. If you or your child would like to be baptized on this day, please contact Fr. Bill or Fr. Brian in the parish office as soon as possible.
Music Notes
Lessons and Carols
Gratitude to all who made the evening a lovely Advent worship experience:
The Readers of the Lessons: Babs Deas, Martha McAlpin, Marsha Williams, Bob Collins, and clergy Diane Livingston, Bill Livingston, and Brian Ponder
The choirs, with narrators Jonathan Brandon and Will Christiansen, soloists Callie Hester and Matthew Christiansen, and triangle ringers Magdalen Cook, Maggie Hollister and Lenae Watland from the Children’s Choir; and soloists Pam Collins and Rachel McCann and instrumentalists Dolton McAlpin and James McCormick from the Adult Choir
The Altar Guild: Behind the scenes were Bob Anderson who organizes and works with Readers, Barbara McCain who works with the Children’s Choir, David McMillen who engaged Lois Connington to organize the fabulous Festive Reception, Babs Deas who assisted Lois in decorating the Student Center, the Daughters of the King who helped serve and clean up after the reception, the many many parishioners who prepared the Feast, and all those who came, sang, and enjoyed the community afterwards.
My thanks to Brian Ponder for the hours spent with me choosing the Lessons and the Music, and to Sandra Sistrunk for the beautiful pew sheets
A service such as Lessons and Carols brings the entire parish together
. This experience is a peak one for me during the year. I hope I haven’t
omitted anyone in the above list . . . if I have, please call this
to my attention so I may make amends!
Thank you all, each and every one of you.
Leanne Fazio
Organist/Choirmaster
Choir Rehearsal Schedule Set
Adult Choir will rehearse at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 8, and will resume regular 9:00 a.m. Sunday rehearsals on January 15.
The Children’s Choir will resume their Wednesday 4:30 p.m.rehearsals on January 18.
Vestry Nominations
The Vestry nominating committee, whose members are Michael Fazio, Junior Warden, Beth Batson, and Tom Coleman, members of the Vestry, nominate Clarissa Balbalian to succeed Michael Fazio as Junior Warden for a three year term beginning in January, 2006. They also nominate (1) Martha McAlpin and (2) Jim Jones to succeed Beth Batson and Tom Coleman whose three year terms of service on the Vestry expire in January, 2006. If Martha is elected at the parish annual meeting in January, she will assume Tom Coleman’s responsibility for coordinating and assisting the Pastoral Care committee coordinators. If Jim is elected then, he will assume Beth Batson’s duties coordinating Parish Life activities.
The
Vestry nominating committee encourages members of our church to nominate
others for the posts of Junior Warden and two members of the Vestry.
The committee suggests that a church member who wishes to nominate someone
first obtain the permission of the nominee to nominate the member at
the annual meeting. Potential nominees may wish to confer with Bill
Livingston about the duties of serving on the Vestry before they consent
to their nominations being submitted at the annual meeting, now scheduled
for Sunday, January 29, 2006.
Respectfully submitted,
TOM COLEMAN, Chairman
From the Vestry
The vestry of the Church of the Resurrection met in November and December.
The November meeting was held on November 21st at 7:00 pm and the December meeting on December 19 at 6:00 pm. The December meeting had an earlier start as this was one of the quarterly social times held before the meeting. The meetings began with a Bible Study and discussion. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved and the financial report was accepted at both meetings.
The November meeting began with Leigh Jensen Crawford giving the vestry an update and explanation of the Discernment process. She reported on the way the process was handled and briefly went over the information she and Mary Lee Beal had collected from the surveys and the small group meetings. The vestry members were to take the information and study it for future discussion.
Discussion in November revolved around Stewardship and the report that we were exceeding last year’s pledges, appointing the Budget Committee consisting of the Senior Warden, the Junior Warden and the Treasurer and accepting new and renewing existing Eucharistic Ministers and Lay Readers. A Burial Customary was presented to the vestry which set standards by which burials will be conducted at Resurrection. A form will be available and everyone will be encouraged to fill one out.
Michael Fazio, Junior Warden, reported the heating/air conditioning unit in the Student Center is out and must be replaced at the cost of around $3500. Donations to cover this cost will be solicited from the Parish.
As stated above, the December meeting began with a social hour at the home of Babs Deas.
The nominating committee reported they had a slate ready for the Annual Meeting on January 29, 2006. The nominees are: Junior Warden, Clarissa Balbalian to succeed Michael Fazio; Martha McAlpin, to succeed Tom Coleman; and Jim Jones to succeed Beth Batson. The floor will be open for additional nominees and everyone is reminded they must have the nominee’s approval to submit his or her name.
All vestry members were reminded they need to submit a report about their ministries to be included in the annual report.
Fr. Livingston gave a report on the success of the Stewardship Drive, and the information about the Discernment Process was discussed. Both issues will be addressed at the Annual Meeting.
The budget for 2006 was presented and approved.
Both meetings adjourned following prayer.
Babs
Deas,
Senior Warden
From the Clergy
THANK YOU!!!
We thank you for your kind and generous monetary Christmas gift. We are humbled by your generosity and by your love that it represents. We also sincerely appreciate the many cards, food and personal gift items and Christmas wishes you have extended to us. However, most of all we thank you that for another year, you have allowed us to serve you and have invited us into your lives: both the high points and the low points. We appreciate all you do for your parish throughout the year and many ways you support us in our ministries and personally.
We wish each of you an Epiphany filled with the light of Christ!
Bill & Diane
A Note of Great THANKS!
Please accept my most sincere thanks for all of the wonderful remembrances this holiday season—the lovely treats and goodies, so many nice cards and the generous gift of money. I am grateful for the outpouring of love that these gifts signify and continue to be richly blessed by our ministry together in this place and by each and every one of you, my church family. Thank you for your love and support.
Resurrection and Canterbury are sources of great joy in my life and ministry. I am very thankful to serve here and look forward to many more opportunities to grow with you in the years ahead. May God bless you this Christmastide and in the year ahead.
Faithfully,
Brian
Burial Customaries
On the racks in the Narthex (entry way from the parking lot), you will find copies of the Burial Customary recently approved by the Vestry. This customary was created to offer guidance to families planning a funeral: options for the liturgy, instructions about the pall and flowers, answers about fees, etc.
This customary was also created to encourage you to plan your burial service in advance. Pre-planning your burial service (especially when your death is not imminent) allows you to reflect on what is important in how you want your burial to reflect your life and frees your loved ones from making difficult decisions while in the midst of grief.
Families who clearly knew what their loved one desired often comment how freed they felt not having to make those decisions themselves. As you begin a new calendar year (regardless of your health or age), please consider completing one of the burial customaries – in communication with your family – and filing a copy in the parish office.
New Year’s Day Schedule
Please remember! On New Year’s Day, we will have only one worship service at 9:30 a.m. The service will be abbreviated, with lots of Christmas hymns.
The Feast of the Epiphany: January 6th
The Feast of the Three Kings, the Visitation of the Magi (Wise Guys), the Manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ to the Gentiles …
The Feast of Epiphany is a major feast of the Church year and officially marks the ending of the Christmas season. It celebrates Emmanuel, God’s dwelling among us and all people, not only as the expected Messiah for the Jewish people. Join us for Eucharist with music on Friday, January 6 at 5:30 p.m. when the wise ones visit Resurrection.
A reception with kings’ cakes and hot cider will follow.
Canterbury and Annual Council Registration
A couple of rooms have been reserved for Canterbury students wishing to attend Annual Council in Southaven February 3-5. Registration for Council is $40/student, and Canterbury can help defray the cost of attendance.
The deadline to register at the $40 rate is in early January, so please let Brian know of your interest in attending and whether or not you’ll need lodging no later than January 8! Registration more than doubles after that date!
We’ll be planning a “Dutch treat” meal—either with parishioners from Resurrection or with others from the Episcopal Church at Ole Miss and Canterbury Fellowship USM—on Saturday evening. Hope you can make it!! Look for more information through emails.
Diocesan Scholarships Available
Applications for three diocesan undergraduate scholarships are now available! Misticos Scholarships are awarded annually to three young men and one young woman who are active members of the Mississippi Episcopal or Greek Orthodox Churches. These scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial need, academic achievement, accomplishments and leadership. The Charlotte Capers Scholarship is awarded each year to (an) Episcopal college student(s) from Mississippi who is/are receiving an education with an emphasis in the liberal arts. One or two Capers scholarships are awarded each year with those in financial need given preference. Several Okolona Scholarships are also granted annually and are awarded “for the education of black youths.” The deadline for each of these applications is March 1, and prior recipients may reapply. For more information or to obtain an application, contact Brian in the parish office.
EYC resumes …
on January 15, beginning at 4:00 p.m. in the Canterbury Lodge.
Canterbury Resumes …
at its usual meeting time on Wednesday, January 18. Have a great Winter Break!
Servant Ministry
Thanks to everyone's generosity all of the angels on our tree were claimed and shopped for! Thanks to the Servant Ministry Committee for selecting and interviewing the families and helping to put the tree up (Alice Jones, Melinda Myers, Martha McAlpin, Holly Potts, Danielle Martin, Donna Stark). All gifts were delivered on December 19 thanks to Christopher Dearman, Kathy Dooley, Bill Batson, John Beal and Diane Livingston. The families were very appreciative. Because so many of you helped we were able to make Christmas brighter for:
Two grandparents and their 11 year old grandson
Two parents, a grandparent and 4 children (ages 14, 8, 4 and 2)
A father and his 12 year old daughter
A mother and her 3 children (ages 6, 4 1/2, 3)
An elderly lady who is housebound
A mother and 3 children (ages 9, 6, 3)
Thanks for sharing your bounty to help those who lack. The Servant Ministry Committee plans to stay in touch with the families throughout the year so we invite all to be involved with this minisry as you see announcements concerning our new friends.
The Servant Ministry will continue its monthly meetings at noon in the Student Center on the third Wednesday.
Next meeting is Wednesday, January 18. All are welcomed.
Diane Livingston
Canterbury Outreach/Servant Ministry Update
Canterbury continues to reach out to those in need on the MS Gulf Coast following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
In December we sent more than a hundred filled Christmas stockings and holiday treat bags to Camp Coast Care for distribution. These gifts were given to boys and girls from all over the Coast, many of whom have lost everything.
Canterbury is planning another trip to Camp Coast Care towards the end of the Winter Holiday Break to work both on- and off-site. Those interested in attending should contact Brian no later than January 8.
In addition to work on the Coast, Canterbury adopted several Angels from the Angel Tree last month. Our gifts were delivered by parishioners since so many of us had left already for the Winter Holidays. Thanks, especially, to Becca Horton and Watson Lamb for helping get presents wrapped and on their way our adopted families.
Canterbury/Young Adult Opportunity
THE BISHOP WANTS YOU!!!
At the Tent Meeting the Bishop announced the formation of the Bishop's Mission Corps. The Corps will provide an opportunity for people in their 20s to prepare themselves theologically and spiritually for life in the emerging, mission-oriented church.
From June 4th to July 14th, 2006, up to a dozen inaugural members of the Bishop's Mission Corps will spend 40 days living in community at the Gray Center, adopting a Benedictine pattern of life of worship, study, training and work. If you are interested in learning more about being involved in this exciting new venture, contact the Rev. Alston Johnson at the Chapel of the Cross, Madison (601.856.2593), or the Rev. Tim Jones at St. Paul's, Corinth (662.286.2922).
Thank You!
Dear Friends -
Thank you for your generous $200.00 donation for the 2006 Honduras Medical Mission.
The people of San Joaquin, Concepcion, and surrounding villages depend on this mission for their medical, dental, and veterinary care.
We appreciate your support of and commitment to this ministry.
Honduras
Medical Mission
ALL SAINT’S SCHOOL
Applications are still being accepted for the spring semester of the 2005-06 school year...if you know a student who would benefit from the loving environment and more personalized academic attention offered at All Saints, call 601-636-5266 for an information!!! www.allsaintsweb.com
Other Dates & Events
January
- 1 New Year’s Day
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1 New Year’s Day Service (one service only), 9:30 a.m.
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2 Office closed in observance of New Year’s Day holiday
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4 Agape Wednesday resumes
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4-6 Diocesan Office closed to allow Bishop & staff to attend Weathering the Storm
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5 Permanent Staff interviews, Big House @ CBG
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6 Feast of the Epiphany (see p. 3)
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8 First Sunday after Epiphany: Baptism Date (see p. 3)
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8-11 COM Screening, Gray Center
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11-12 COSMOS at Gray Center; for more information, contact the Rev. Carol Stewart, 601-948-5954 or email cbstew@bellsouth.net
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13 Deadline for Registration for 179th Annual Council
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13-14 Gray Center Board Meeting
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15 Confirmation classes begin Martin Luther King Day; Diocesan Office closed
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17 Coast Convocation Pre-Council Meeting, location TBA
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19 Northern Convocation Pre-Council Meeting, Holy Innocents, Como, 6:30 p.m.
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27-29 Sr. High DOY Weekend @ CBG
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30 - Trinity Institute Webcast; for more information, contact Gray Center, 601-859-1556 or grayctr@netdoor.com
February
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1 Trinity Institute (continued from January 30)
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3-5 179th Annual Council of the Diocese of Mississippi & 8th Annual Youth Council
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6-7 Diocesan Office Closed
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15 Trustees, Allin House, 2:00 p.m.
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17-18 Finding Place, Finding Peace: A conference for former wardens, Gray Center
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17-19 Jr. High DOY Weekend @ CBG
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21 MRLC Banquet, Galloway UMC, Jackson, 6:30 p.m.
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25 LESM Annual Meeting, location TBA
Your prayers are asked for…..those with child, especially Kristen, Jennifer Beal Duncan, Wendy VanLandingham...those who suffer in mind, body or spirit, especially Margie, Jeanne, Lorenzo, Dee, Edna, Don, Oma Lee, Ophelia, Nel, Donald Mosley, Charles Finane, Madeline, Melinda Jones, Tom Bell, Frances Finane, Libber Ewing, Jim Little, Jimmy Lorimer, Janet Mason, Jonathon Sobley, Tommy Prince, Brooke Schnitman, Wesley Bryan, Mona Terry, Myra West, Rachel Bullman, H. French Brown, Jr., Lorene Martin, Chad Green, Ying Saisuphaluck, Grace Jones, Bridget Burdan, Rebekah Fondren, Butch Ogden, Sidney McDaniel....those who serve in the military, especially Steve, David, Chris, Fran, Tim McKay, Justin, John Burdan, Rob Kennington....and those in harm’s way.
Christian sympathy is extended to Bob Anderson and the family of Mary Eleanor Anderson, who died on December 6, 2005. Rest eternal grant her O Father, and let light perpetual shine upon her.
A Letter from Camp Bratton-Green
Dear members of Resurrection,
My name is Jerry Hudson, and I am Chairman of Gray Center Board. The Duncan Gray Conference Center and Camp Bratton-Green has always been a peaceful place where adults and young people can come to be refreshed for their personal spiritual journey. Our conference center and camp need your help.
We need help in a big way with only a small sacrifice. We only need 1500 Episcopalians to send the Gray Center $40.00. That’s right. We’re only asking you for $40.00, but you can send more if you feel so moved to. For every $40.00 you send us, we will send you a 2006 Gray Center calendar with beautiful pictures highlighting the camp and conference center as our way of saying thank you.
The Diocesan web site states there are approximately 20,000 Baptized Episcopalians in the Diocese of Mississippi. We only need 1500 Episcopalians to send us $40.00 The Gray Center needs your help. Please contact us and let us know how many calendars you would like us to send you, or we’ll automatically send you enough calendars to match your contribution. You may contact the following:
Bill Horne
Duncan Gray Center
1530 Way Road
Canton, MS 39046 Phone: 601-859-1556
e-mail: horne@graycenter.com
Jerry Hudson
P O Box 1056
Clarksdale, MS 38614
Phone: 662-627-4752 (Day)
662-627-4367 (Nite)
jerryh@jsanders.com
Merry Christmas,
Jerry Hudson
Chairman,
Gray Center Board
January Birthdays
| 5
Frank Switzer |
18 Maggie Hollister |