Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ...

A new year means different things to different people. Here at Resurrection it means new and exciting changes.

We have two new bronze crosses gracing the Columbarium. They are beautiful, and in a short time we will add two benches.

Plans are also in the works to finish the landscaping and to repair and paint the wood on the outside of the building. The ECW has dedicated its funds to refurbish the restrooms.

We have two new vestrypersons; David Christiansen, whose ministry responsibility is Evangelism and Holly Potts, whose ministry responsibility is Festivals and Celebrations. How nice it is to have two young people, relatively new to the church, exhibit such a commitment. Let’s all support these two in their new ministries. Let’s make it easy for them by volunteering to help instead of waiting for them to come begging.

And finally, in the not too distant future, we will welcome a new rector.

As you can see; changes galore! This might be a good time for that new year’s resolution. The one that states you are going to participate more in the life of the church. Whether that means regular attendance, regular giving of financial aide, or volunteering for a particular ministry, we are more then able to provide you with a way to reach that goal. Look at the last two pages of the Annual Report. (If you don’t have a copy, pick one up at the office or look on the Web page.) You will see a list of ministries in which you can participate—all need volunteers. Find one that appeals to you, one for which you have a special talent and step up.

We are truly blessed in this church. We have beautiful structures, a warm, loving, and generous congregation, and certainly the education and talent to make the most of all we have.

Babs Deas,
Senior Warden

COLUMBARIUM CELTIC CROSS INSTALLED

Thanks to the many generous donations to our Columbarium Garden we have been able to complete phase 2 of the planting plan and the garden area designed by Pam Collins. The two specially created crosses that were ordered have arrived!

The Celtic Bronze Cross is now installed on top of a marble pedestal. This cross was donated by Charlie Hicks, Helen Polk’s father, in memory of Lillian Hicks, his wife. John and Mary Lee Beal donated the bronze cross for the inside of the Columbarium, and it will be installed very soon!

Two marble benches have been donated by Jerry Williams in memory of his wife, Lavora. They will be ordered next. We look forward to having the labyrinth, both crosses and the benches blessed this spring. Thanks to everyone who has helped to make this very extraordinary Columbarium, Labyrinth and Garden a reality for our church!

PRAYER REQUESTS & OUR PRAYER LIST

As pastoral concerns arise, please don’t forget to notify the parish office of your prayer requests and needs. Many within the parish use our prayer list routinely (clergy, Daughters of the King, individuals, etc.) to hold parishioners, their loved ones and members of the larger community in prayer in times of joy, sorrow, need, and concern.

In February we will begin to vary the way in which we maintain the parish Prayer List, so that it more accurately represents the length of time prayers and petitions are asked of us. Most prayer requests will continue on the parish’s master prayer list for four weeks before being rotated off, unless otherwise indicated. If the prayer need persists, names can always be added again.

For longer term needs, there will be two other time periods available: three months or on-going. It is always helpful for those who request that a name be added to notify the office again when the need changes or no longer exists. This, of course, is particularly important for those members of the larger community for whom we pray but don’t always have any outside contact.

Names of those on our parish prayer list are always remembered at the principal Sunday services on the first week in which prayer has been requested. Afterwards, names are prayed for at Thursday healing services, and a listing is always included in both Sunday bulletins and monthly newsletters.

SEARCH COMMITTEE NEWS

The search continues.…

The Search Committee is continuing to screen and interview candidates for rector. December came along and interrupted our process--committee members were busy as were clergy. Although that has delayed our process some, we have continued to meet, screen, telephone interview, discern, and pray.

Please continue to pray with us that we will find the person God is forming for service at Church of the Resurrection. Also, please remember to thank those individuals who are giving their time and energy to this process: Mary Lee Beal, Rae Brandon, David Christiansen, Glen Cook, Babs Deas, Martha McAlpin, Dwayne Myers, Carey Price, and Beatrice Tatem.

Leigh Jensen Crawford,
Chairman

TUNA & TOOTHPASTE

The Servant Ministry is again collecting food items for Peter's Rock food pantry and personal hygiene items for Safe Haven. Through the month of February the food item will be tuna and the hygiene item will be toothpaste. Please bring your food and hygiene items to the church on Sunday or drop them off at the church office during the week.

PNO PLANS FOR SPRING

By now you may have heard me make several announcements about the Parents’ Night Out as we seek to organize this new church event. Some of you may have thought, “What a nice idea,” or, “I wish that had been available when our children were young.” Yet I feel it is more than just that: it is a ministry that fulfills several small, but important needs for us all as a church family. It enables our children to experience babysitting in a familiar, Christian environment; it makes being at church more a part of their life; it enables parents to nurture their own relationship, the foundation for the family; and assisting allows us to get to know one another better and strengthen our own church family.

In order to do this, we need to recruit parishioners to be there at the church with Theresa for the safety of herself and the children. Although I had envisaged this primarily as a role for the younger babysitters in our parish, I have been surprised and gratified by the number of grandparents (and others) who have stepped up to the plate. Thank you all – but we could still do with several more helpers (of any age!) to complete this year’s program. Please prayerfully consider whether you can be a part of this. Funds are available if you wish to take this on as a job; conversely, donations are gratefully accepted.

Our next two Parents’ Nights Out are scheduled for February 16th and March 9th, 6-9 pm. Thereafter, we aim to make it the third Friday of the month unless it clashes with another major event. Please make use of this opportunity – either to take a few hours of ‘freedom’ or to enjoy the company of our youngest church members.

Susan Cook,
Coordinator

MUSIC NOTES

Children’s Choir

The children and the directors appreciated greatly the assistance of Nancy Christiansen at the 5:30 Christmas Eve service which the children led from the choir loft. Thanks, Nancy!

The children are busily preparing music for the Lenten and Easter seasons. This Choir continues to have perfect attendance except for an occasional excused absence for illness.

Sign Up Sheet for Bellringers

Children who are at least in grade 1 and who want to be bellringers should add their names to the sign up sheet in the narthex. There’s no upper limit on age ~ if you’ve always wanted to be the Sunday bellringer, sign up!!

Adult Choir

This choir enjoyed the participation of many guests during the 10:30 Christmas Eve service: Laura Damm, Milo Burnham, Jim Richter, Tray and Kathleen Batson, Ellen Goodman, Daryl Fazio, and Steven Fazio.

The choir has welcomed new chorister Charlie Perkins, and is proud of chorister Rachel McCann’s finishing the dissertation that completes her requirements for the Ph.D. Congratulations, DR. McCann!

Scrumptious chocolate cookies were given out after the Christmas Eve service to the choir by Melinda Myers as appreciation for the months of hard work the choir did to learn the song Melinda requested for Christmas Eve: “Tomorrow shall be my dancing day.” The choir is interested in an ongoing collaboration with Ms. Myers in which they sing and she passes out cookies.

Some of our choir members will participate in two upcoming events presented by the Starkville-MSU Symphony Association. The programs are:

FLUTE & ORGAN RECITAL

LANA JOHNS, FLUTE - LEAANE FAZIO, ORGAN
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 3:00 P.M.
Featuring works based on the miracles of Jesus (Daniel Pinkham) and the Magnificat (Daniel Roth).

CANTERBURY NOTES….

LODGE UPDATES …

Some updates have been made recently (or are in process as of this writing) to the Canterbury Lodge. The informal gathering space just off the kitchen has: had the bar top peninsula removed; a bench seat installed under the window (with air/heat register and outlets moved to accommodate change); received a new coat of paint; and has been furnished with a number of new chairs purchased from Flexsteel at wonderful savings. The area is shaping up nicely and is proving to be more conversational in its arrangement and comfortable for our regular meetings.

A BIG THANKS to all who’ve helped out, especially: Chris Price, Becca Horton, Merry Barnes, and Carey Price, all of whom have assisted with changes and/or helped cart in new furniture and move out old furniture. It’s looking GREAT!

MSU DELEGATION ATTENDS ANNUAL COUNCIL

Members of the Canterbury Fellowship attended the 180th Annual Council of the Diocese of Mississippi in Vicksburg to learn more about the workings of the church and its business as well as to reunite with others from around the State in fellowship. Attending are: Watson Lamb, Walker Dyess, Becca Horton, Carey Price, Emily Schuster (Council alternate from Resurrection), Merry Barnes and Chris Price.

CANTERBURY PROGRAMS CONTINUE

For more information about these or any of Canterbury’s offerings, please contact Brian Ponder, chaplain, at 662-323-3483.

MSU STUDENTS NAMED CBG PERMANENT STAFF MEMBERS

Three University students have been named permanent staff members for the 2007 summer sessions at Bratton-Green in Canton. They are Carey Price, ropes (2nd year); Merry Barnes, arts & crafts (1st year), and Samantha McLeod (2nd year). Way to go!

COOKS NEEDED

It’s not too late to cook for Canterbury! Slots are still open on our calendar. A home cooked meal is a signature of the ministry of the parish to Canterbury! Please sign up on the Lodge TODAY to help out!

CAMP BRATTON-GREEN APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED MARCH 1!

Summer camp applications will be available following Annual Council. Please be on the lookout for information through postings in the Sunday bulletins, or be looking online for application information: www.graycenter.org. Applications may not be postmarked before March 1, and sessions fill up quickly. Each must be signed by a member of the clergy.

CHAPLAIN’S DAY ON CAMPUS

Throughout the semester, Fr. Brian will be out of the office most, if not all, Tuesdays to minister to folks on campus and to simply be available to the campus community at-large.

Should you need to reach him on Tuesdays, you may do so by contacting the parish office and leaving a message in his voice mailbox or through Sandra Sistrunk.

MSU-employed parishioners and students are especially encouraged to make use of this time and offering. Brian will be available for appointments in your office and/or over lunch. And, he might also just drop by to say, “Hi” at some point!

ASH WEDNESDAY PLANS ANNOUNCED

Two Ash Wednesday services will be held on February 21, one on the MSU campus and the other at Resurrection. Once again, the Canterbury Fellowship in conjunction with Resurrection will offer the University the opportunity to gather in worship on Ash Wednesday at 12:05 p.m. This service attracts members of various denominations and backgrounds and is truly an offering for the larger campus community.

A second service will be offered at 5:30 p.m. at Resurrection.

Both services will include Holy Communion with the Imposition of Ashes.

DIOCESAN SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE FAST APPROACHING

ATTENTION High School Seniors and College Undergraduates:

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.

NEW IN 2007:

A new scholarship at MSU has been announced for a Mississippi Episcopalian studying in one of the various Engineering fields. More information is expected shortly.

A BELATED THANK-YOU …

To Susan Cook and Ellen Newsom who made the Advent Wreath Workshop such a wonderful success back in December. Ellen secured many of the wreath forms, candles and materials for use in the workshop, while Susan made available greenery, skill and workshop leadership the morning of the session. Thanks for getting Advent in the Home celebrations off to a wonderful start!

LENT, HOLY WEEK, AND EASTER DAY SCHEDULE 2007

Though the interim necessitates us having a less vigorous schedule of Lenten offerings this year, we continue to have a wonderful number of opportunities for growth and renewal during the Lenten season.

February 20
Red Beans and Rice Dinner
5:30 p.m. in the parish hall
A final celebration and feast before the Lenten Fast!

February 21
Ash Wednesday Service of Holy Communion w/ Imposition of Ashes
12:05 p.m. in the Chapel of Memories, Mississippi State University
5:30 p.m. in the nave

Thursdays
Holy Eucharist w/ Healing followed by Soup & Bread Lunches
12:05 p.m. in the nave; lunch follows in the Student Center

Fridays
Stations of the Cross, 5:30 p.m., in the nave

April 1 Palm Sunday – Sunday of the Passion,
8:00 & 10:30 a.m. in the courtyard and nave
Proper Liturgy for Palm Sunday with Liturgy of the Palms and Procession

Holy Week
Evening Prayer – Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday – 5:30 p.m. in the nave

April 5
Maundy Thursday, 6:30 p.m. in the nave
Proper Liturgy with Holy Eucharist, Foot Washing and Stripping of the Altar

April 6
Good Friday, 12:05 p.m. in the nave
Proper Liturgy

April 7
Holy Saturday, 10:30 a.m. in the nave

The Great Vigil of Easter, 7:30 p.m. in the courtyard & nave
Lighting of the Paschal Fire, Recounting the Story of Salvation, Holy
Baptism and the First Alleluias! of Easter, followed by the Breaking of the
Lenten Fast with the Easter Reception

April 8
The Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ – Easter Sunday
8:00 a.m. (said) & 10:30 a.m. (festival Eucharist with music) in the nave
No Sunday School or Confirmation classes this day

PLEASE NOTE: There will be no home Eucharists this Lent, nor will there be an independent Lenten study offered by the clergy.

LENTEN LUNCHES: SOUP AND BREAD

We continue our Lenten tradition of soup and bread lunches after Thursday’s noon Healing Eucharist.

The first lunch will be on Thursday, February 22. Watch for sign up sheets to volunteer to provide soup, bread, or soup and bread. For more information, please contact Jean Little.

Please plan to join us on Thursday for this special meal!

Other Coming Events and Important Dates

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THE MEMBERS OF OUR SEARCH COMMITTEE: Leigh Jensen Crawford, Chairman, Mary Lee Beal, Rae Brandon, David Christiansen, Glen Cook, Babs Deas (Senior Warden, Ex officio), Martha McAlpin, Dwayne Myers, Carey Price (Canterbury Representative, Ex officio), and Beatrice Tatem.

WE WELCOME THE NEWLY BAPTIZED: We welcome the newly baptized into the Body of Christ, the Church: Christopher Shane Williams, fiancé of Ginny Powell, and Chandler Makenzie Nettles, daughter of Stephanie & Jerome Nettles.

WE SHARE IN SORROW FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED: Walt Hillen, husband of Bettye Hillen; Jean Whittlesey, mother of Kathy Gray. Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord; And let light perpetual shine upon them.

YOUR PRAYERS ARE ASKED FOR...those with child, especially Jennifer Reed Kouns, Rachel Price Flum, Whitney Hilton.... those who suffer in mind, body or spirit, especially Jeanne, Lorenzo, Edna, Don, Ophelia, Donald Mosley, Madeline, Bridget Burdan, Hunter Maye, Lisa Dickey, Chad Green, Marian, Richard Christiansen, Rhonda Bond, Joan Hill, Murray Bullock, Jan Handy, Melinda Jones, Faye Jordan, Mollye Callahan, Gene Phillips, Hattie Shelley, Liam Livingston, Tonya Cruta, Rozella, Chip Barker, Jane Polk, Allen Sanford, Jane Loveless, John R. Thompson, Jean Core, Teresa Phillips, Noah David, Tommy McGilvray, Mary Frances Ponder, Cody Watson, Shane Gray, J. B. McKinney, Robert Wallace....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.

February Birthdays