To My Church Family...

It is with encouragement that I write to tell you the response to our October 11th drawdown has been good, and we are well on our way to a night of fun and fellowship. However, I cannot take the credit. I was asked by our senior warden to spearhead the stewardship drive and arrange for some kind of activity in which the parish could participate. I very quickly went to prayer as I do when asked to do something of this nature. My prayers were answered when Babs Deas called me back a week later and informed me that Beth Batson had agreed to handle the food for this as yet undetermined activity. Then, during my first chat with Beth, she asked if I had heard of a drawdown. Well, in fact, I had participated in one on a yearly basis for several years through one of my state medical organizations, and as a prize-challenged individual, it has not been a particularly successful venture on my part, but one with which I am familiar. As it was, with the help of my daughter Emily, a couple of hours later we had drawdown tickets and were ready to go. It seems like I have done little or nothing up to this point and reminds me of a common saying, give and you will receive.

On a more serious note, until I came back to Starkville, I had very little involvement in church activities for many years, having never settled in to a church home while in school and postgraduate training. We arrived here just six months ahead of Father Johnson, I was elected to the vestry my first year back at Resurrection, and reluctantly I accepted Father Johnson’s request to be the stewardship representative on the vestry. I learned the meaning of stewardship as the appropriate management of one’s resources, when previously I had equated stewardship with fund raising.

Our church community is filled with resources, and our task is to tap into those and appropriately manage them. If there are two things farthest from my comfort zone in my offerings to this parish, it is stewardship and being a Sunday school teacher. Now I find myself in charge of the stewardship drive and helping the Christiansen’s teach the 4th through 6th grade Sunday school class. Despite reluctance, I have decided it’s not so bad after all.

Each of us has our own means of enacting stewardship in our church and our personal lives. Each of us has our own comfort level with which we can accomplish good and meaningful stewardship of our own individual resources. My hope is that all of you can continue and strengthen the ways in which you best offer your resources to God through Church of the Resurrection.

Finally, the most important lesson I have learned in my Christian experience is realizing that my entire existence including life, family, occupation, health, possessions, friends, my church, my church family, and much more, is a gift from God. As such I am called to give back to God, so that my resources may be used for others and to further the message of Christ.

In closing, I think Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians (9:6) helped me most to formulate what I have tried to express, and I hope it will also guide you in your stewardship.

“The point is this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work.”

Thanks be to God.

Steven Brandon

Stewardship Drawdown & Reception

Wednesday, October 11, 6:00 PM
Nursery Available

SUNDAY SCHOOL SCUTTLEBUTT …

Class Notes

Sunday school has resumed, and classes are off to a great start for the academic year! PreK/Kindergarten through sixth grade classes are using an Episcopal curriculum from Morehouse Publishing, entitled: All Things New. This curriculum is rooted in the liturgical and seasonal cycles and incorporates the lives of saints and biblical figures in its lessons. Materials are bright and colorful and include take home pages for kids and calendars for parents. Junior & Senior High School students are using Seasons of the Spirit, an in-depth curriculum, based on the Church’s liturgical and seasonal cycles, as well as the lectionary. Adults are using a video series with discussion based on a variety of topics, involving insights from a number of theologians and scholars who represent a wide range of viewpoints within the life of the Church.

Sunday School For All Ages Begins Each Sunday at 9:15!!

Hope you’ll join us!

Where Do Classes Meet?

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER COMMISSIONING

ALL Sunday school teachers (lead teachers & assistants) will be commissioned as part of the 10:30 a.m. service on October 8.

Please make plans to attend this service as our teachers are commissioned for ministry in this place.

Vestry Notes

The vestry of the Church of the Resurrection met at 7:00 PM on September 18, 2006. The Rev. Brian Ponder opened the meeting with a reading on the life of St. Hildegard and prayer. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved, and the financial report was accepted.

Brian reported on recent expenditures by Canterbury. Glenn Cook will help address some drainage issues around the Canterbury Lodge before a landscape design is begun. He also asked for input from the Vestry on requests for assistance from people passing through Starkville. It seems that Helping Hands and the Salvation Army are out of funds. The police will no longer give traveler assistance, and the people requesting help has approximately tripled. The vestry felt it was our mission to help people out, and the suggestion was made to invest in cards from Wal-Mart and gift certificates for restaurants and motels.

Junior Warden, Clarissa Balbalian, presented plans to refurbish the office and Sunday school space. This is still in the planning stage but includes cleaning ductwork, painting, replacing the flooring, renovation of the vesting room and minor restoration plans in the Student Center. Look for more information in the future!

Parish Opportunity Day was a great success, and many thanks go to Jim Jones for his hard work in organizing the event.

Rachel McCann reported the opening day for Adult Formation went very well. Guy Hargrove and Brian Ponder reported that opening day for Youth Formation went well also. There are a few kinks to be worked out, but all in all a good start.

The meeting adjourned with the Lord’s Prayer.

St. Joseph’s Guild Workday

October 21, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon

St. Francis Day Celebration & Blessing of the Animals: October 8

The annual St. Francis Day Celebration with Blessing of the Animals will take place at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 8, 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. Those with pet allergies are encouraged to bring a favorite stuffed animal for blessing.

Treats for humans and their owners will be served!

As is customary for the St. Francis Day Celebration, donations will be accepted for the Oktibbeha Co. Humane Society. Items needed daily at the Humane Society include: bleach*; Pine-Sol*; paper towels*; disposable Latex gloves*; Purina Dog Chow*; Purina Puppy Chow*; Purina Cat Chow*; Purina Kitten Chow*; non-clumping kitty litter*; fabric softener dryer sheets; laundry detergent (prefer liquid); automatic dishwasher detergent; dish detergent; dog chews and chewy treats; assorted size dog collars; leashes; Quality Flea and Tick Spray; and Germ-X hand sanitizer. Long term needs include: otoscope; postage stamps; and general office supplies. Check the OHS website for up-to-date donation needs.

* indicates most needed items

• October 27-29 Junior High DOY – lots of games, reflection, songs & fun for those in grades 7-9, Camp Bratton-Green, Canton
• Noember 3-5 Happening #64 – a weekend renewal movement for high schoolers with focus on a series of talks and activities, each focusing on the person of and our personal response to Christ, St. James’, Greenville
• November 18-19 Troubling the Waters II – a concert weekend of fun with Fran McKendree and others, reclaiming the focus of the Bishop’s Tent Event, Creator, Clinton, MS
• December 1-3 Signs of Endings – a transition retreat for seniors in high school bridging the gap between high school and what’s next, Camp Bratton-Green, Canton
• Dec. 27-January 1 Winter Solstice – a winter camp experience for those in high school, Camp Bratton-Green, Canton

DOG WASH

The EYC will be running a Dog Wash on Sunday, October 8 beginning at 3:30 p.m. Come have your pooch shampooed! The Dog Wash is FREE, though donations will be accepted with proceeds supporting an EYC trip later in the year.

CANTERBURY TAILS!

Canterbury will host a Homecoming Tailgate party on October 14 from 10:00 a.m. to game time for MSU Episcopalians (past, present & future), Parishioners, Family & Friends... Drop in a sit a spell! Burgers and dogs will be provided. We ask that you bring a dish to share. Details will follow about approximate tailgating location. Be sure to look for the tent with the Episcopal flag.

For more information, please contact Brian.

Canterbury Notes

CANTERBURY CONTINUES…

throughout the MSU academic year, gathering on Wednesday evenings for dinner, fellowship and worship. Canterbury is OPEN TO ALL! We gather at 5:30 p.m. for a FREE dinner provided by parishioners and always have time for Eucharist or Evening Prayer, reflection, and fun. Join us sometime soon!

SUPPERTIME, SUPPERTIME, SUP-SUP-SUPPERTIME

As part of its weekly programming, Canterbury offers FREE home-cooked meals on Wednesday evenings, and we need YOUR HELP to keep us well fed! Please consider cooking and serving a meal for Canterbury this year. This is a GREAT way to get to know those in the Canterbury Fellowship and vice versa! If you are interested and willing, please call Merry Barnes, Canterbury assistant, at 601.506.1021 or email her at merrizzle@yahoo.com. You may also drop Brian a note, letting him know of your interest: msu_canterbury@bellsouth.net. Merry will help coordinate scheduling and will be in touch concerning expected numbers, serving times and other details.

THANKS IN ADVANCE for your participation!!

“PEWS, VIEWS & BREWS” NEWS

The PV&B group of Canterbury students and parish 20- & 30- somethings will gather Tuesday, October 3 at 6:00 p.m. for its monthly meeting. We’ll gather at the Canterbury Lodge before moving to a local restaurant/pub for dinner and discussion. This semester, we’re reading Peter J. Gomes’s The Good Book: Reading the Bible with Mind and Heart. Gomes is professor in Harvard College and dean of the chapel at Harvard University.

For more information, please contact Brian Ponder at 323.3483 ext. 102 or msu_canterbury@bellsouth.net. Other PV&B dates this semester: November 7 & 28.

DINNER & A MOVIE & COMPLINE, TOO!

Canterbury will gather for Dinner & a Movie & Compline, TOO! on Sunday, October 8 at 6:30 p.m. An entrée will be provided, and participants are asked to bring a prepared dish or invited to cook at the Lodge! Sign up by contacting Brian Ponder at 323.3483 ext. 102 or msu_canterbury@bellsouth.net. This month’s movie … Paperclips, one school’s journey in fathoming the enormity of the Holocaust. Thanks to David Lewis for the recommendation! Other DMC gatherings are scheduled for the second Sunday of each month.

VOCARE DATES SET

VOCARE, a retreat for young adults aged 19-29, will be held at Camp Bratton-Green from November 10-12. Applications are available from the diocesan youth page (www.dioms.org, then follow the Episcoyouth links to Vocare) or from the chaplain’s office.

Vocare offers a time to reflect on the call of Christ in our lives and is similar in format to Happening, New Beginnings and Cursillo. It offers a wonderful opportunity for singing, talks, fun and fellowship with others from around the diocese. Cost is $40 for the weekend experience and includes all meals, lodging and a t-shirt. For more information, please contact Brian.

Some scholarship monies are available through the chaplain’s office, though registrants are asked to pay a portion of the weekend fee.

DOK Officer Commissioning Set

Lynn Phillips Gaines was recently elected to serve as diocesan vice president of the Daughters of the King. Lynn will be commissioned for this ministry during the 10:30 a.m. service at Resurrection on October 8.

All Daughters and members of the parish are encouraged to attend.

Best wishes, Lynn, on your appointment to this worthwhile opportunity for ministry.

Music Notes

Mississippi Music and Liturgy Conference

Attending the conference for a week this past August were Clarissa Balbalian and Leanne Fazio. Attending for the weekend was Dolton McAlpin.

Organ Cleaning

Thanks to John Beal and Michael Fazio for cleaning both inside the organ and underneath and behind the organ. Dust accumulates on the contacts which prevents keys from sounding.

Thanks, guys, for keeping music alive.

New and returning adult choristers

William Pepper has moved back to Starkville and is singing with us again. New to the choir this fall are Eleanor McClellan and Iwao Asakura, both of whom are on the music faculty at MSU. Welcome to these three!

Children’s Choir….

….is delighted to have all six choristers from last year back in their chairs and ready to sing!

Lessons and Carols

Lessons and Carols will be read and sung on Sunday, December 3 at 5:30 p.m. The Adult and Children’s Choirs will be joined by Lana Johns, flute, Bonnie Oppenheimer, oboe, and Bob Damm, percussion. The service overflows with opportunities for the congregation to join in song.

A Festive Reception will follow in the Student Center.

We Welcome Visiting Clergy

We will have visiting celebrants with us several Sundays this fall. On October 1 and November 5, the Rev. Mike Dobrosky is here, and on December 17, The Rev. Canon Jennifer Deaton is here.

Please welcome them when they visit—we appreciate their presence among us!

Bishop’s Blend Coffee Available Through the Church

Bishop's Blend provides good "fair trade" coffee at a reasonable price AND helps with Episcopal Church outreach, both locally and at the "Episcopal Relief & Development" level. Bishop's Blend comes in 5 flavors:

Café de la Paz - New Roast! This blend of Central American coffees is roasted to sweet perfection. The rich aroma and soft, smooth taste will make anyone a coffee lover!

Kaldi's Roast - New Roast! This Extra Dark Roasted coffee features beans from both the Yergacheffe region of Ethiopia and Sumatra in Indonesia. Kaldi's Roast exerts a powerful aroma and an earthy, full-bodied taste.

Bishop’s Blend - This smooth and rich French Roast offers a bold flavor to complement any meal or dessert.

Bishop’s Cinnamon Spice - This blend combines pure, ground cinnamon with the flavor of toasted hazelnuts.

Bishop’s Blend Decaf - The Organic Water Process ensures a chemical-free decaf coffee, featuring great aroma, mild taste, and a soft finish.

If you would like to order BB coffee, let Tom Cathcart know (preferably via kkoch1@bellsouth.net).

The 12 oz bags are $10 each. Let Tom know how much of each kind you want and whether you want ground or whole bean. He places orders on the 30th of each month and will let you know when they can be picked up at the church.

~ Tom Cathcart

Feast Day of Hildegard

September 17 was the feast day of Hildegard of Bingen, born in 1098 in the lush Rhineland Valley. Hildegard was a mystic, poet, composer, dramatist, doctor, and scientist who founded convents at Bingen and at Eibingen. Among her numerous and influential activities, Hildegard wrote a liturgical drama, The Play of the Virtues, in which personified virtues sing their parts, and the devil, condemned to live without music, can only speak.

For Hildegard, music was essential to worship.

THERE ARE ANGELS AMONG US!

Julia Heard has graciously volunteered to set-up, make coffee (Bishop’s Blend, of course) and clean-up on Sunday mornings.

Thank you, Julia, for your willingness to serve!

RESURRECTION HOSTS VOCARE STAFF TRAINING: HELP WANTED!!

A weekend staff training is set for October 20-21 at Church of the Resurrection for VOCARE in MS. Vocare is a long-standing ministry of the diocese and offers a renewal movement experience for those aged 19-29. We’ll be hosting a number of young persons from around the State for the overnight session, and help is needed in feeding our visitors and providing showers. Staff will stay at Resurrection. If you are able and willing to help provide a meal for this event (Friday night snacks, Saturday breakfast, lunch or snacks), please contact Nancy Christiansen at 320.7068 or NanC559@aol.com.

Fall Blood Drive Set for October 22

The Fall Blood Drive is scheduled for Sunday, October 22, from 9:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. in the Merchants and Farmers Bank parking lot. If we meet our quota, the entire parish family is covered for blood needs for another 6 months. Since we started this ministry twelve (12!) years ago, many parishioners have benefited from this service.

Watch for a sign up sheet and details about giving blood; this will be posted soon in the Narthex. Can’t give blood? Bring cookies or fruit for the donors and workers!

If you have questions, please call Ellen Newsom at 323-9278.

ECW’s Cooking Divas: November 8!!

The cooking divas of the ECW invite all adult parishioners to make gourmet cheese balls! We will have an old fashioned assembly line and fellowship and fun! You don't have to be a woman to attend!

Who: All parishioners who like to have fun--no cooking experience necessary!
When: Wednesday, November 8 at 6:00 pm.
Where: Parish Hall (downstairs)
What: Cheese ball assembly
Why: Proceeds will fund the service projects of the ECW through out the year.

The ECW Divas will have cheese balls to taste at the Stewardship Reception on October 11 and between the Sunday morning church services during the month of October. You can put in your orders for your holiday-giving at either location. Please drop by and taste!. This year we will have two different recipes, and both will be mouth watering!

All of the money earned from this project will go towards the service projects of the ECW! Look for more information in the pew sheets!

Licensed Lay Ministry Conference Announced

The diocesan Licensed Lay Ministry Conference is scheduled for October 20-21 and will take place at Gray Center in Canton. This year’s topic: Renewed, Refreshed, Revised—An Exploration of the use of the Revised Common Lectionary. Registration forms are available in the parish office. Cost of the Conference is $110, which includes conference fee, housing, meals and a bound copy of the Revised Common Lectionary (contains lectionary, collects and lessons in the New Revised Standard Version). Single occupancy is an additional $15.

For more information, contact the Rev. Debo Dykes at debo@dioms.org or 601.948.5954 or 601.859.1556. This conference meets diocesan requirements for annual re-licensing for Lay Ministry Worship Leaders.

Other Coming Events & Important Dates

October

November

December

Due to Fall Break, Birthday & Anniversary Blessings,
which are usually offered on the first Sunday of the month,
will take place on Sunday, October 8.

October Birthdays

Christian Sympathy is Extended to: Teresa Kennard, on the death of her aunt, Lucille. Rest eternal grant to her, O Lord; And let light perpetual shine upon her.

Your Prayers Are Asked for... those with child, especially those with child, especially Alice Bennett, Stephanie Nettles, Jennifer Reed Kouns.... those who suffer in mind, body or spirit, especially Jeanne, Lorenzo, Edna, Don, Oma Lee, Ophelia, Donald Mosley, Madeline, Brooke Schnitman, Bridget Burdan, Hunter Maye, Lisa Dickey, Frances Finane, Chad Green, Marianne, Chris Pearce, Walt Hillen, George Hester, Richard Christiansen, Warnie Kennington, Rhonda Bond, Joan Hill, Dorothy Anderson, Beth Hester, Louise, Murray Bullock, Betty Woods, Cecelia Robson, Jan Handy, David Cook, Larry Heath, Melinda Jones, Faye Jordan, Susie Jordan, Kathryn Buckley, Marion Kennair, Mollye Callahan, Ernie Russell, Jim Jones, Stan Wiginton, Gene, Hattie Shelley, Roy Povall, Susan Kresge...those who serve in the military, especially Steve, David, Chris, Fran, Tim McKay, Justin, John Burdan, Rob Kennington, David McCaffree.... and those in harm’s way.

Search Committee News

The Search Committee has been busy during the past month, working on our survey data, developing our Church Deployment Office profile, and working on our Parish Profile. We had about 130 surveys returned, and we thank all of you who returned a survey for participating in the search process. We have met several times about a variety of issues and are keeping our Web site current (www.resurrectionchurch.com/search).

Also, thank you to all who have nominated someone to be considered for the search process. The committee will review all applications after the nomination period ends.

Next Steps

We will meet with our consultant on October 4th to discuss screening of applicants and on November 1st to discuss the upcoming interviews. We expect to have some great applicants!

Thank You!

Thanks to several people who have assisted the Search Committee so far: Michael Fazio who drafted the content for the Parish Profile, Sally Hester, who is busy creating a Parish Profile that reflects who we are, Brian Ponder for his advice and direction as needed, and Sandra Sistrunk for her assistance on a daily basis with so many things.

John Beal and David VanLandingham, as former Search Committee Chairs, have also been invaluable resources and have offered their assistance as needed.

Every member of the committee is working hard. Babs Deas and Rae Brandon hosted our initial meetings with our consultants at their homes, and so many of you have offered to help in a variety of ways. It is all appreciated.

Thank You!!

for Gray Center Sunday

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

Blessings & salutations from Gray Center! Thank you so much for your Gray Center Sunday contribution. It was, again, a very rewarding remembrance this year. Thank you, again. Please come visit with us soon.

Peace,

Bill Horne

for the Staff Funeral Purse

Dear Resurrection,

You’ve all been so wonderful, it’s hard to know how to begin to say thanks. Please know that your kindness will always be remembered.

Thank you so much.

Eve Mckee and family

Holy Silences

You’ve probably noticed some extended quiet time as part of services recently, especially on Sundays when our liturgy is Morning Prayer with Holy Eucharist. These moments of holy silence are intended to offer occasions for reflection on the lessons—a time for the words of Holy Scripture to soak in. Enjoy the silence! This is a very simple, yet significant invitation, especially as we create sacred space for the Holy in the midst of a busier and increasingly louder world outside our walls.

Peace,

Brian