Parish Profile The "Parish Profile" was originally a 16 page document prepared in November 2006 as part of the search process for a new rector. The text from that publication appears on this page. The original full color document may also be downloaded and printed as an Adobe PDF file. Links to the complete file, which is rather large, and sections are below: Complete Document (5.4 MB) Pages 1 - 2 (548 KB) Pages 3 - 4 (708 KB) Pages 5 - 6 (988 KB) Pages 7 - 8 (548 KB) Pages 9 - 10 (1.1 MB) Pages 11 - 12 (596 KB) Pages 13 - 14 (860 KB) Pages 15 - 16 (252 KB)   Starkville and Mississippi State University Starkville is located in the prairie hills of northeast Mississippi and serves as county seat for Oktibbeha County’s 40,000 inhabitants. Part of the rapidly developing Golden Triangle area, which includes nearby Columbus and West Point and has a population well over 100,000, it is served by major highways and by the Golden Triangle Regional Airport, with service to Atlanta on Delta Airlines. The Oktibbeha County Hospital and its local physicians provide a full range of medical services, including a wellness center. Starkville is the home of Mississippi State University, the state’s largest institution of higher learning. MSU is a comprehensive, land-grant institution and ranks among the top 60 research universities in the country. The Thad Cochran Research and Technology Park is the only one of its kind in the state. Starkville Public Schools and Starkville Academy provide a well-funded, high-quality, K-12 education that includes a broad range of course offerings from literature, math, and science to art, photography, drama, and music. The school buildings are modern, well maintained, and well equipped. Other educational options include community Christian-based schools. As a university town, Starkville enjoys educational, cultural, recreational, and competitive sports opportunities most often associated with larger cities. These include lectures and concerts and performances by visiting artists, the Starkville-MSU Symphony, the Starkville-MSU Chorus, and school bands. The Starkville Community Theater presents a regular schedule of performances in its own theater located downtown. The Starkville Arts Council sponsors a community-wide arts festival in the spring. MSU offers a Lyceum Program, Lectern Series, Blackfriar Drama Society, University Chorus, faculty and student recitals, and gallery displays. MSU’s football, baseball, basketball, tennis and women’s soccer and softball programs provide the excitement of Division I-A intercollegiate athletics. Starkville has a variety of recreation facilities, including swimming pools, tennis courts, and baseball, softball, and soccer fields. Hunting and fishing opportunities abound in the nearby 47,000 acre Noxubee Wildlife Refuge and 25,000 acre Tombigbee National Forest. MSU offers one of the few Pro Golf Management programs in the country, and the university golf course is open to the public. Three additional public/private golf courses are within a 15 minute drive of Starkville. The campus includes the Mitchell Memorial Library and the Sanderson Recreation Center and a new Barnes and Noble Bookstore.    We, the Parishioners.... sincerely appreciate your interest in making the Church of the Resurrection your future parish home. We have much to offer and we want to be candid with you about our strengths as well as those areas needing growth and development. We are confident of our future and seek a rector who can help to lead us in shaping a continuing vision. As you read about us, we hope that you will share our excitement about the opportunities offered at the Church of the Resurrection. The Reverend Bill Livingston served as our rector from 2002 to 2006. The Reverend Diane Livingston was assigned as Deacon to the Church from 2003 to 2006. While their departures were a great loss for us all, they left our Parish healthy and focused and in the hands of competent, dedicated lay leaders and the Reverend Brian Ponder, our campus Chaplain and Assistant Rector. The 2006 search takes place in a church that has existed for more than 100 years. In 1888, the Diocese of Mississippi established a mission church in Starkville. In 1975, the Diocese granted parish status to the Church of the Resurrection, and the Parish, which has 300 communicants including students, serves both the community and Mississippi State University. Parish membership includes a wide range of ages and backgrounds and the high level of education found in a university community. In addition to clergy, the Church of the Resurrection employs a full-time parish administrator/bookkeeper, a professional organist-choirmaster, an EYC coordinator, and a nursery worker. Dedicated parishioners fill other positions such as church treasurer and verger.   Mission Statement Our mission is to seek Christ and to make him known in a dynamic place of corporate worship and to create a loving and supportive community sharing spiritual and physical help with others.   Church Facilities The church building was erected in 1910-13. The adjacent Student Center and Nursery was constructed in 1951. The Parish Hall was added in 1975 and houses parish offices, Christian Formation rooms, and a large assembly space with kitchen. Most of these facilities were recently remodeled and a sacristy added all using capital campaign funds totaling over $400,000. During the same period, the grounds have been re-landscaped, including the courtyard, where a Columbarium and labyrinth have been built. New signage and paving have been added and exterior lighting will be added this fall. A former residence houses the Episcopal Canterbury Fellowship. A swimming pool on the property is available for use by all parishioners.   About the Diocese of Mississippi The Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi is comprised of 85 congregations in all sections of the state. The Right Reverend Duncan M. Gray, III, is the ninth Bishop of Mississippi, having assumed the reins on March 1, 2003. The John Maury Allin Diocesan House — named for the sixth Bishop of Mississippi and the 23rd Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church — is the diocesan headquarters, located just around the corner from the Cathedral. The 85 congregations in the diocese vary from tiny rural missions to large urban parishes.  While the diocese’s 22,000 members are spread across the state, the greatest concentrations are in the Jackson metropolitan area and along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Frequently referred to as the “heart of the diocese,” the Duncan M. Gray Camp and Conference Center north of Canton is the home of Camp Bratton-Green and a large, modern conference facility. Young people have experienced summer camp there for nearly 60 years and for the last 15 years people have had access to top-notch conference facilities across the road, on the historic former site of Allison’s Wells. Another significant part of the diocesan life and ministry is work with college and university students. The four largest universities in Mississippi are each being served by ordained chaplains and other campuses are homes to budding college ministries. Much of the diocese’s efforts since August 29, 2005 have been focused on the recovery of the Mississippi Coast from the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina. Six congregations lost their church facilities in the storm and hundreds of thousands of Mississippians sustained sizeable losses. A broad ecumenical effort has been focused on the work of recovery. Diocesan leaders, led by our Bishops, have long been voices for progress in matters of social justice and vigorous ministry to all people in the state. A strong ecumenical bond exists between the Episcopal, Methodist, and Roman Catholic Bishops. A vital connection exists between the Episcopal Diocese and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, graphically represented in the cooperative work of Lutheran-Episcopal Services of Mississippi.   Diocesan Participation The Church of the Resurrection supported the Diocese with a pledge of 15% in 2005.  Currently parishioners serve in diocesan roles including the following: a Deputy to General Convention 2006, chairpersons of the Racial Reconciliation Committee and the Safe Church Committee plus members on each of those committees, vice president of Daughters of the King, regional mentor for Education for Ministry (EFM), and representatives on the Commission on Ministry, the Presbyter Discernment Committee and the Companion Diocese Committee.  Clergy and parishioners have a history of active involvement on diocesan committees, and the Parish encourages its clergy to be fully involved in diocesan activities.   Liturgy and Worship On Sunday mornings, the Church of the Resurrection offers Holy Eucharist at 8:00 (Rite I) and 10:30 (Rite II), with adult and youth Christian Formation classes at 9:15. The Rector and the Chaplain serve with Lay Eucharistic Ministers at these services and alternate various liturgical and preaching responsibilities. Sunday evening services were held during the past year and involve a more contemporary Eucharist. The Church offers a weekly Service of Healing and Holy Eucharist at 12:05 on Thursdays. Special services include Advent Lessons and Carols; the Feast of Lights on the Feast of the Epiphany; Lenten services including two Ash Wednesday liturgies (one on the MSU campus at noon and another at the parish in the early evening), Holy Eucharist on Thursdays at noon, Stations of the Cross on Fridays, home communions, Taizé services and Holy Week services, including the Easter Vigil; and the Blessing of the Animals. A variety of important moments in the life of the gathered community are annually recognized in the liturgical setting such as the Blessing of the Backpacks and honoring graduating high school and university seniors. Our clergy and other members represent the parish at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Prayer Breakfast each January and the community-wide Thanksgiving service each November.   Music Program Under the direction of Organist/Choirmaster Dr. Leanne Fazio, 15-22 choir members lead the congregation in music for 10:30 worship on Sunday mornings and at special services throughout the year. Since Dr. Fazio began her ministry at Resurrection in 2001, the choir has held annual weekend retreats to foster community and matters of music and spirit. Each year, Dr. Fazio and several choir members attend the annual Mississippi Music Conference held at Gray Center. Summer choir is available for parishioners who are interested in participating. The Children’s Choir, under the direction of Barbara McCain and Leanne Fazio, includes children in grades one through six and meets weekly. Rehearsal activities include preparation for participating in worship, learning to read music, learning principles of good singing, and practicing the bell-ringing ministry.   Christian Formation Christian Formation for children and adults runs from September to May. Typically, one or two adult classes are offered, headed by a clergy member or a parishioner. Topics range from the history of the Episcopal Church to books of the Bible and theological inquiry to meditative reflection. Confirmation/Inquirer’s Classes are an important offering of the parish’s annual Christian Formation. A Golden Triangle-based Education for Ministry (EFM) class meets at Resurrection, and its students are mentored by one of our parishioners. Children’s Christian Formation is organized into four age groups: pre-school and kindergarten, first-through-third grades, fourth-through-sixth grades, and junior-senior high school. Adult parishioners and students lead each children’s or youth class. Children’s curricula for Christian formation focus on the church year and lectionary cycle. Each is biblically based and includes activities that take place during the Christian Formation hour on Sundays as well as questions and ideas for families to consider at home. The parish’s Episcopal Youth Church people (EYC) group meets weekly on Sunday afternoons during the academic year. Over the past year, EYCers and their sponsors have also gathered weekly for breakfast on Tuesday mornings. Resurrection’s EYCers are active participants and staff members in the various youth ministry opportunities afforded them within the convocation and diocese. The EYC coordinator and assistant coordinator have historically been chosen from among active MSU Canterbury students.   Parish Life The Church of the Resurrection offers a wide variety of programs that further the work of the Parish. These programs include activities for all ages as well as intergenerational events and provide for differing interests and talents. Various receptions and festivals offer opportunities for social interaction and service. These include an Annual Parish Meeting and luncheon; Shrove Tuesday Red Beans and Rice; Weekly soup and bread luncheons during Lent; an Easter egg hunt; a celebration following the Easter Vigil; a Pentecost pool party; a reception for graduating seniors; a mid-summer cookout; a stewardship kick-off event; an Advent lessons and carols reception; lunches following parish work days; and receptions following the Bishop’s annual visit for confirmation, the Epiphany service, and baptisms. Additional on-going activities include coffee-and-tea social hour after services, recognition of birthdays and anniversaries on the first Sunday of each month, a new members ministry; ECW Activities, potluck suppers, blood drives, and meals for Canterbury students. Guilds include St. Martha’s Guild, the Altar Guild, Wedding and Lazarus guilds, and St. Joseph’s Guild as well as a chapter of the Daughters of the King. A monthly newsletter, regular e-mail updates, and a robust Web site guarantee communication with and among parishioners.   Pastoral Care Caregivers visit, call, and send cards to the sick and homebound as requested by the Rector or Chaplain and provide transportation to church and to appointments and run errands for those who cannot do so themselves. Under the guidance of the Rector, they maintain contact with those who have recently experienced the loss of a loved one, notify the Parish Office of illnesses or special needs, and send birthday cards to all Parishioners. Upon the request of the Rector, a member of the Guild of the Christ Child contacts the expectant mother to explain available services and to begin and maintain a relationship through the pregnancy. Members may attend the sacrament of the Blessing of a Pregnant Woman; inform the Rector of the birth when it occurs; and visit the mother in the hospital. The purpose of this ministry is to serve as a liaison for the mother and infant with the Parish at large. Lazarus Guild members assist the Rector in coordinating funeral-home personnel, family members, Altar Guild members, and other burial participants. They notify the Pastoral Meals Committee coordinator of the need for preparation and delivery of meals to the family.  Lay Eucharistic Ministers take the Eucharist from the altar on Sundays and deliver it to sick and the homebound parishioners. Committee members provide pastoral meals to those who are experiencing illness, surgery, bereavement, births, or any other special circumstances.   Outreach/Servant Ministry The Servant Ministry Committee coordinates monthly community-wide food donations through the Peter’s Rock Food Pantry and monthly hygiene-item donations to Safe Haven domestic violence shelter. This year, it organized a housewarming for a Habitat for Humanity family. Through the Committee, the church has contributed to Hurricane Katrina relief by sending volunteers to Camp Coast Care and by providing direct financial support. Through the Committee and working with Helping Hands, a community compassion agency, the Church adopts four families each Christmas. The Committee maintains contact and assists these families throughout the year, provides appropriate Easter baskets, back-to-school supplies, Thanksgiving baskets, and special assistance such as medical prescriptions, burial expenses, and household needs as required. The committee along with Canterbury and the parish EYC sponsored two children from our adopted/Katrina families to attend Camp Bratton-Green this past summer in response to the Bishop’s request for greater racial diversity. Working with Episcopal Relief and Development during the summer of 2006, the Church sponsored a group of Parishioners and townspeople on a working mission trip to El Salvador.   Campus Ministries/ Episcopal Canterbury Fellowship The chaplain brings a parish-based campus ministry to Mississippi State University. The Reverend J. Brian Ponder strives to strengthen the connection between parish communicants and University students, working to place these students on the Search and programming committees and to involve them in parish stewardship and the liturgical life of the church as lectors, youth coordinators/leaders, musicians, greeters, altar guild members, and LEMs. Students also participate in activities of  the St. Joseph’s Guild and in outreach to the larger community. In addition to weekly fellowship gatherings and worship services on Wednesday evenings, Canterbury activities during the last year have included hosting a Concert and Coffee House, with proceeds going to sponsor a local child in need to summer camp; participating in a food and cleaning ministry work day to benefit those in need in the greater Starkville area; attending the Annual Council of the Diocese of Mississippi; participating in the Bishop’s Tent Event at Gray Center; collecting and delivering supplies and gift cards and sending work teams on several occasions to the Mississippi Gulf Coast to respond to needs following Hurricane Katrina.  In the fall of 2006, Canterbury added to its regular weekly programming two monthly opportunities for reflection and study: Pews, Views & Brews—a gathering of Canterbury students and young parishioners to discuss theology and consider the teachings of the Bible—and Dinner & a Movie & Compline, Too—an occasion for making and sharing a meal in community and watching a movie with theological implications for discussion, followed by a time for worship. Experiencing the larger Church at work and in service is also an important aspect to Canterbury’s mission.  A delegation of four Canterbury representatives including the Chaplain will attend the investiture of the 26th Presiding Bishop in Washington, D.C. this fall. Mission trip opportunities are scheduled regularly. Canterbury students are active participants and staff in both Vocare and Happening Reunion weekends, and serve as staff members for the summer camping programs at Camp Bratton-Green. The Canterbury Lodge at Resurrection is a regular gathering place for worship, food, fun, and fellowship and is also available to students as needed for study, retreat, silence, and prayer space. It is equipped with a computer and internet access, a working kitchen, and meeting and worship spaces.   Parish Survey Results Responding to a survey prepared by the Search Committee, Parishioners made known as their reasons for attending the Church of the Resurrection: • to participate in worship • to experience personal spiritual growth • to receive holy communion • to participate in the traditions of the church • to feel a sense of community Personal and professional qualities desired in a new rector identified by parishioners include: • a good speaker • a strong leader • accessible • a positive personality • able to relate to all ages • deeply spiritual • energetic Five abilities desired in a new rector include: • preaching • spiritual guidance/leadership • worship leadership • counseling • crisis visiting Six strengths of the Church of the Resurrection identified in the survey are: • communication among members • choir and music • use of buildings and property • administration • variety of worship services • lay leadership Areas of concern in the parish identified by The Rev. Bill Livingston in an exit interview include needs for:  • more lay involvement in the church at all levels • increasing parish involvement in the Christian Formation program • clarifying and communicating a vision for a pastoral vs. program church • clergy leadership who can motivate parishioners to make church a priority • clergy leadership in welcoming and encouraging diversity Our Goals Parish goals identified in the survey include: • Expanding and enhancing Christian Formation, continuing to make it a priority • Maintaining and improving the quality of church facilities • Continuing to conduct meaningful worship services • Maintaining and enhancing a community outreach program • Finding new ways to invite and integrate the MSU community • Making financial stewardship a priority • Involving new members in church activities • Addressing issues that hinder racial reconciliation • Providing excellent training for lay leadership including LEMs, lectors, ushers, acolytes, and greeters