Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ...

The work of the Search Committee continues to go very well. We have a process of continually screening applicants, doing telephone interviews, then screening again, and, finally, personal interviews. Each time we interview someone, we learn more about ourselves and the kind of priest who will be a fit for us. We are looking for candidates who we feel can lead our congregation more fully into the ministries to which God calls us. We have interviewed individuals who seem to be a fit for us, but for a variety of reasons the fit or timing for them has not been right. Interviews are a two-way street—we discern which person will be a good fit for Resurrection, and clergy discern their call from God.

We are exploring new nominations, and names are regularly sent to us by the diocese. The committee is open to nominations, so if you know of someone, please fill out a nomination form and turn it in to the church office. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to discern who God is forming for us......and remember to thank the members of the Search Committee for their work when you see them.

Leigh Jensen Crawford
Search Committee Chair

Search Committee Evaluates Candidates

From Martha McAlpin, the following is offered for your consideration as the Search Committee continues the work they have been given to do.

Consider what would have happened if a search committee had been appointed during Biblical times. The following is a confidential report on several candidates being considered for rector.

Resurrection Members To Be Confirmed May 19, 20

Please keep the following parishioners in your thoughts and prayers as they prepare for confirmation at St. Andrew’s Cathedral on Saturday, May 19: Jo Lynne Bright, Jackie Finch, Lori Mitchell, and Jerome and Stephanie Nettles. On Sunday, May 20, Rachel Sykes will be confirmed at St. Paul’s in Columbus.

The diocesan-wide service is open to all. Members of the parish are encouraged to attend the service at 10:30 a.m. St. Andrew’s is located at 301 E. Capitol Street in downtown Jackson.

Bubbles in Church?! It must be PENTECOST!

On Pentecost Sunday, May 27, children of the parish are encouraged to continue the practice of blowing bubbles in procession at the beginning of the 10:30 a.m. Eucharist, a symbol of the Holy Spirit and breath of God moving through God’s Church. Kids and parents are invited to meet in the Student Center at 10:15 a.m. for a brief teaching and to line up for the procession.

Music Notes

Lent, Holy Week, Easter

Adult Choir

Choral Rehearsals

Both Adult and Children’s Choirs will continue with regular rehearsals, same times, same places, until they sing a final time this season on Pentecost Sunday, May 27.

Summer Choir

Our summer choir will begin singing the Sunday after Pentecost, June 3.

Want to sing but don’t have time to commit to rehearsals during the academic year? Join with us on Sunday mornings in the Parish Hall at 10:00 for a warm-up and a sing-through of the service music for that day. Join for one Sunday or all Sundays in summer. Help the Parish Choir get some needed and deserved rest during the summer months!

… LET OUR TONGUES EMPLOY! …
Spanish? Latin? Greek? German? French? Japanese? Swahili?
PENTECOST READERS NEEDED!

Can you read and/or speak a foreign language?

Typically on The Day of Pentecost, members of the congregation are invited to read one of the day’s lessons in many different languages, acknowledging that an important part of the Pentecost story is that the Gospel and its common message of grace, love, hope and faith has been entrusted to many peoples. This reminds us also that from the beginnings of the Church’s life, the Gospel was meant for the whole world. If you’d be willing to read the proscribed lesson that day in a language of your choice (other than English), please notify the parish office as soon as possible.

If you don’t have an edition of the Bible in the language you’d like to read, we’ll do our best to provide the lesson for you. For more information, please contact Fr. Brian.

-----Don’t forget: wear RED May 27th!!!-----

St. Joseph’s Guild

Weed and Feed Successful

On March 24, new members teamed up with long timers, 8:00 churchgoers with 10:30 folks, for a morning of fellowship and sprucing up the church.

You may have noticed that you slide a little more easily down your pew on Sunday and that the woodwork gleams a little brighter. Many thanks to Melinda Meyers, Leanne Fazio and Leigh Jensen Crawford for scrubbing and polishing the inside of the church and student center.

Outdoor activities focused on cleaning and mulching the flower beds and pool area. Folks who removed leaves and weeds and put down fresh mulch include: Dwayne Meyers, Charlie Perkins, Lori Mitchell, James McCormick, David Lewis, Sue Bell, and Becca Horton. Lawn mowers were Wayne Wilkerson and Michael Fazio. Jo Bright ran her weed eater through the entire courtyard (a heroic effort!). Douglas Crawford fixed the church lawn mower and loose decking on the handicap ramp entrance.

Michael Fazio rewarded all the hard workers with a fine lunch, hot off the grill.

Volunteers needed:

If you would like to volunteer for these or other projects, please contact Clarissa Balbalian 662-615-1291 or cbalbali@ext.msstate.edu.

FYI: Messages to the Church Available

Two messages to the church are available in the Narthex for your consideration. One is from the House of Bishops to the larger church. The other is from Bishop Gray to the diocese.

Gray Center Sunday: May 6

On Sunday, May 6, our special offerings will go to support the ministries of Gray Center and Camp Bratton-Green. At 10:30 a.m., several youth members will talk about the ministries of Gray Center and CBG. Join us as we support the spiritual heart of the diocese.

Vestry Notes

The vestry of the Church of the Resurrection met at 7:00 p.m. on April 16, 2007. Due to recent tragic events at Virginia Tech, the Rev. Brian Ponder asked the vestry to go into the nave and read the Great Litany. Following this, the meeting was called to order, the minutes of the March meeting were approved, and the financial report was accepted.

Announcements were made naming the delegates and alternates to the 2008 council and the vestry’s move to raise the amount we are paying the Rev. Brian Ponder for added supply duties. It was necessary to announce these items to get them in the minutes due to voting on these items on-line.

Discussion centered on the church’s summer schedule, requests from audit committee members, approval of offering for Gray Center Sunday, and criteria for on-line voting by vestry members. A proposed change in the summer schedule was tabled for discussion at the next vestry meeting.

The audit committee has reminded the vestry that they are responsible for the church’s money and any recommendation or suggestion made by the audit committee must be acknowledged even if no action is to take place.

The Bishop has asked us to designate the first Sunday in May as Gray Center Sunday. The vestry voted to send a donation of $250.00 to Gray Center taken from the plate offering.

The vestry talked about establishing criteria for on-line voting and determined that voting on-line would only be undertaken as emergency and time sensitive issues warranted.

Vestry members discussed their specific areas of ministry. Jim Jones (Parish Life) announced a wine and appetizer party will take place on April 27th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Everyone is asked to bring a bottle of wine and an appetizer. A nursery will be provided.

David Christiansen (Evangelism) discussed changing the current visitor cards and plans for gift for people visiting Resurrection.

Guy Hargrove (Children Formation) reported that due to the cold weather attendance at the Easter Egg Hunt was down but that everyone who came had a wonderful time as there were lots and lots of eggs to hunt and gather. He also reported a meeting for Sunday school teachers for next year and plans for vacation bible school are under way.

Clarissa Balbalian (Junior Warden) reported that a parishioner had offered to buy new furniture for the Student Center because what we have is so hard to get out of. She also stated that needed are names of those willing to work on the pool.

The meeting concluded with the prayer for the search.

Babs Deas
Senior Warden

Bratton-Green Eggs & Ham Breakfast a Success!!

The 2nd Annual Bratton-Green Eggs & Ham Breakfast, sponsored by the parish EYC and Canterbury Fellowship, served as a wonderful fellowship and fundraising activity the second Sunday of Easter! Parishioners were treated to delicious beignets, ham, (green) scrambled eggs, fresh fruit and more!

A little over $400 was raised to help sponsor one of our campers to Bratton-Green this summer! Way to go, EYC, Canterbury, and Resurrection for your participation in this worthwhile event! Thanks to all who made it a good success.

Hoppin’ Good Time!!

Thanks to Kim Stevens and the EYC for their successful work on this year’s Easter Egg Hunt! A great time was had by all! Thank you, Kim, for the wonderful goodies, snacks, and prizes.

Thank you, EYC for your help in coordinating the hunt!

Thanks also to Hannah McCormick, this year’s Easter Bunny!

Thank You!

“Thank you” to all who made the reception after the Great Vigil of Easter a success.

To those who brought food, thank you, it was delicious and beautiful.

To those who helped set up and take down, thank you, you made it a joy!

We have such a great church family, and it is never felt so strongly as when there is a big project to tackle.

Melinda Myers
Event Coordinator

Holy Week & Easter Thanks!

A HUGE “Thank you!” to all who made the Holy Week and Easter celebrations, well, HOLY!

Thanks to our choristers, acolytes, vergers, LEMs, servers, ushers, oblation bearers, altar guild, readers/lectors, special musicians and ALL whose participation and ministries added so much to the services.

Thanks to the many folks who worked behind the scenes to make this a special time for worship and prayer. Thanks to Ellen Newsom and Merry Barnes, who set up and adorned the Altar of Repose.

Thanks to Melinda Myers, who coordinated the Easter Vigil reception.

Thanks, especially, to Sandra Sistrunk, our parish administrator, and to Leanne Fazio, organist/choirmaster, for their hard work and dedication!

Chaplain to attend CREDO Conference

The Rev. Brian Ponder has accepted an invitation to attend a CREDO conference from May 14-21 at Lake Logan Episcopal Conference Center in Canton, North Carolina. The eight-day conference provides participants with the means to find direction and clarity in four component areas: spiritual, physical, vocational and financial. CREDO provides a foundation for participants to embrace wellness and to prayerfully discern the direction of their vocation.

CREDO was founded in 1997 as a pilot program funded by The Church Pension Group. The number of participants has grown each year, with more than 500 clergy and bishops attending a conference in 2005. Participants are selected at random from all active clergy with more than one year in the pension fund.

Brian will join approximately 30 other clergy in the CREDO conference. Over the course of the conference, participants will meet in plenary sessions, small groups and private consultations with faculty members. Participants also have ample quiet time to reflect on their personal and professional lives.

Each participant commits to extensive reflection through pre-conference instruments and surveys that focus on personal and professional wellness. The work of CREDO is organized around four major areas; each of these components is explored as an integral part of the whole.

Spiritual – offers CREDO as a sacred space where each participant can reflect on his or her interior life and relationship with God in Christ.

Vocational – provides opportunities for reflection, discernment and planning in the professional areas of vocation, career and work.

Health – encourages reflection on physical and emotional health and well-being, stewardship of the body and development of a plan to address the individual’s health needs.

Financial – explores all aspects of personal financial management and encourages reflection on God-given resources and how best to use them in response to God’s call.

Through this discernment and visioning process, and with the help of a faculty team of professionals, each participant builds a CREDO Plan – a personal covenant based on his or her CREDO work and a formal expression of the CREDO experience. The CREDO Plan provides a personal baseline and strategy for effective implementation.

Please keep Brian in your prayers as he takes some intentional time to reflect on ministry, vocation and wellness.

Safe Church Conference:

SEX OFFENDERS ON THE INTERNET

The Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi, MSU Social Work Program and St. Andrew’s Episcopal School will host a one-day training event that will inform participants on how internet sex offenders operate and what can be done to reduce the risk to our children. This important event will be held June 15 at St. James’ in Jackson, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Lunch included).

The morning session will be keynoted by James F. McLaughlin, a detective for the City of Keene, New Hampshire. Det. McLaughlin is currently assigned to the Investigation Unit of the Keene Police Department, focusing on crimes of child sexual and physical abuse and child exploitation. The afternoon session will focus on creating safe environments in our churches. “Safe Church” training is required of clergy, all church employees and anyone who works with youth, either volunteer or paid. Volunteers who give pastoral care and visit in homes are encouraged to attend. Sunday school teachers who teach children on Sunday mornings are not required to attend but may find the information useful.

CEU (Continuing Education) is available for all participants. The day-long session meets diocesan requirements for awareness training in the prevention of misconduct. For registration information, please contact Leigh Jensen-Crawford, ljensen@saffairs.msstate.edu or 662.325.2218.

Other Coming Events and Important Dates

May

June

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 Pray for Those Who Will Be Confirmed on May 19:
Jo Lynne Bright, Jerome Nettles, Jackie Finch Stephanie Nettles, Lori Mitchell Rachel Sykes (May 20 at St. Paul’s, Columbus)

We Share in Sorrow for Those Who Have Died:
Millie Rowland, mother of Hal Rowland; Geneva Adams Stark, sister-in-law of Betsy Stark and aunt of Bill Stark; Jim McGrane, brother of Marianne Crowell; Catharine Angelo, cousin of Leonard Brandon.

Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord; And let light perpetual shine upon them.

Your Prayers Are Asked for...
those with child, especially Whitney Hilton, Laura Vollor, Kathleen Thomas, Kacey Strickland, Leslie Zacharias, Jessica Harris.... those who suffer in mind, body or spirit, especially Jeanne, Lorenzo, Edna, Don, Ophelia, Donald Mosley, Bridget Burdan, Hunter Maye, Lisa Dickey, Chad Green, Marian, Richard Christiansen, Rhonda Bond, Murray Bullock, Faye Jordan, Mollye Callahan, Gene Phillips, Hattie Shelley, Liam Livingston, Tonya Cruta, Rozella, Jane Polk, Jean Core, Teresa Phillips, Robert Wallace, Marguerite McKell, Phil Walker, Russell Kyle, Bill Davis, Lori Holiman, John MacQuarrie, Bobby Wilkinson, Jerry Brashier, Russ McReynolds, Horace Boyer, J. W. Baswell, Myrlene Wilkerson....those who serve in the military, especially Steve, David, Chris, Fran, John Burdan, Rob Kennington, David McCaffree....and those in harm’s way.

Birthdays

Parents Night Out!

Our next PNO is May 18 ~ mark your calendars!!!

It’s Time for Our Annual Pentecost Picnic & Pool Party!!!

Everyone is invited to meet out by the pool on Pentecost Sunday, May 27, after the 10:30 a.m. service for our Pentecost Picnic & Pool Party.

We'll provide ice and drinks. Bring a lawn chair and a covered dish…and join us by the pool, outside on the lawn, or inside in the Parish Hall.

Please contact Holly Potts at 769-2346 if you can coordinate and/or help with set up, clean up, or something else!  See you there!

Congratulations, Graduates!!

High School Seniors

Jonte Bouchard
Emily Brandon
Katie Bullman
Wendell Cathcart
Halee Heath
Hannah McCormick
Monty Switzer

Canterbury/MSU & Parish College Grads

Julia Cathcart
Jackie Finch
Bill Hughes
Watson Lamb
Carey Price
Whitney Snow
Margie Ticer
Matthew Tolbert

MSU Doctorals

Rachel McCann, Ph.D.
Juawice McCormick, Ph.D.
Gavin Olsen, D.V.M.