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November, 2009 Volume 134, Issue No. 11 By Scott Lenoir, Editor After two and a half years as bishop coadjutor, the Rt. Rev. Shannon Sherwood Johnston became the thirteenth Bishop of Virginia on Oct. 1, 2009. In a special edition of the Virginia Episcopalian, Johnston said that he has done his best to listen to clergy and laity throughout the diocese since his consecration in 2007. “Listening will always remain a top priority for me as your bishop. I lead from the perspectives of relationship and context. The sheer size and complex- ity of the Diocese of Virginia makes this all the more necessary rather than less feasible.” The Diocese of Virginia has 181 congregations, 450 clergy and some 80,000 parishioners. Since his installation as Ordinary, Johnston held four “Town Hall Meetings” with parishioners, two of which were for youth ages 14 and up and their youth leaders. Two more meetings are scheduled on Nov. 21st. The purpose of the meeting is to gather infor- mation about building “a new vision for communal ministry.” The formal installation service recognizing Johnston as the new diocesan bishop is set to coincide with the diocesan Council, January 29-30, 2010 at St. Paul’s Church in Richmond. Johnston was elected Bishop Coadjutor of Virginia after serving as rector of All Saints’, Tupelo for thirteen years. Prior to his call to All Saints’, Johnston was rector of Church of the Advent, Sumner. Shannon Johnston now diocesan Bishop of Virginia By David Johnson, Canon to the Ordinary Five representatives from the Diocese of Mississippi have been appointed by the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies to serve on national church committees, commissions, agencies and boards during the 2009-2012 triennium. Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts-Schori appointed the Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray, III, to serve on the Standing Commission on Mission and Evangelism. President Bonnie Anderson of the House of Deputies appointed the Reverend Canon David H. Johnson of the Diocesan Office and Dr. Anita P. George from Church of the Resurrection, Starkville, to serve on the State of the Church Committee. Dr. Ed Sisson from St. Peter’s Church, Oxford, was appointed by Anderson to serve on the Executive Council Committee on Science, Technology & Faith. Sisson, George and Johnson have been in Mississippi’s deputation to General Convention since 2000. Lauren Wilkes Auttonberry from Holy Trinity, Vicksburg, was appointed to serve on the Standing Commission on Communications & Information Technology. The various commissions, committees, boards and agencies do much of the research, work and preparation between the triennial General Conventions of the Episcopal Church. Those appointed to these groups will serve through 2012. The various bodies begin their work with orga- nizational meetings in Chicago on November 17-20, 2009. By Scott Lenoir, Editor The diocesan Executive Committee will soon set priorities for the 2010 budget. Once completed, the committee will pass their wishes on to the Finance Committee so it can build a budget proposal. “Due to the unprecedented budget shortfalls projected in 2010, the Executive Committee must give more guidance to the Finance Committee regard- ing priorities of diocesan funding,” said the Rt. Rev. Duncan Gray III, who is the chairman of the Executive Committee. As reported in the October 2009 issue of The Mississippi Episcopalian, a $250,000 debt service to support rebuilt Coast churches, along with at least a $50,000 drop in endowment fund contributions, is forcing the diocese to make deep cuts in spending. The reality of the reduced budget has sped up the process of re-evaluating diocesan structure and redefining its mission and ministry “to find out who we are as a diocese what role and function we have in the church,” said Gray. Church consultant Reb Scarborough of Texas, who has helped the Diocese of Texas and numerous churches and non-profit groups through a re-evaluation process, will work with the Diocese of Mississippi as it begins this task. Gray noted that the process will take some time to complete and that all parishes and missions will be involved in the process. Executive Committee to prioritize 2010 budget By David Johnson, Canon to the Ordinary The Reverend Lonnie Herring, a deacon who serves as chaplain at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman, was recently awarded The Commissioner’s Distinguished Service Coin for “dedication to service, commitment to the department’s mission, and enthusiastic effort and focus.” The award was present by Corrections Commissioner Christopher B. Epps in cere- monies at Parchman on October 20. Commissioner Epps noted that Lonnie is “to be commended for your high standards of excel- lence, integrity, vision, and purpose.” Lonnie is a long-time staff member at Parchman, is highly respected in his field, and has been a deacon in the Diocese of Mississippi since his ordination in 1996. He has served as deacon at several congregations in the Delta. Lonnie’s current assignment is Deacon in Charge of Grace Church, Rosedale. Mississippi representatives appointed to serve national church for 2009 triennium A/V Resource Center Catalog now online An updated Audio/ Visual Resource Catalog is now listed on the diocesan website at www.dioms.org/resources/av-cen- ter.html. You may also find the list- ing by clicking “Church Resources” in the navigation on the diocesan home page, www.dioms.org. The catalog may also be accessed under “Young Adults” and “Youth Ministries”. Janet Nail is the librarian for our A/V Center which is housed at Trinity Church in Yazoo City. Janet and diocesan website administrator, Emily Everett, spent many hours on this project. Contact Janet to check out resources from the A/V Center. There are hundreds of Christian Education offerings listed for both adults and young people. As new titles are added, the online catalog will be updated. Herring awarded for distinguished service The Rt. Rev. Shannon Sherwood Johnston, formerly a priest in the Diocese of Mississippi, now serves as diocesan bishop with the retirement of the Rt. Rev. Peter Lee. Emily Cherry/photo Herring
12

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Page 1: Volume 134, Issue No. 11 Mississippi representatives ... · Commission on Communications & Information Technology. The various commissions, committees, boards and agencies do much

November, 2009 • Volume 134, Issue No. 11

By Scott Lenoir, Editor

After two and a half years as bishop coadjutor,the Rt. Rev. Shannon Sherwood Johnston became thethirteenth Bishop of Virginia on Oct. 1, 2009. In aspecial edition of the Virginia Episcopalian, Johnstonsaid that he has done his best to listen to clergy andlaity throughout the diocese since his consecration in2007.

“Listening will always remain a top priority forme as your bishop. I lead from the perspectives ofrelationship and context. The sheer size and complex-ity of the Diocese of Virginia makes this all the morenecessary rather than less feasible.”

The Diocese of Virginia has 181 congregations,450 clergy and some 80,000 parishioners.

Since his installation as Ordinary, Johnston heldfour “Town Hall Meetings” with parishioners, two ofwhich were for youth ages 14 and up and their youthleaders. Two more meetings are scheduled on Nov.21st. The purpose of the meeting is to gather infor-mation about building “a new vision for communalministry.”

The formal installation service recognizingJohnston as the new diocesan bishop is set to coincidewith the diocesan Council, January 29-30, 2010 at St.Paul’s Church in Richmond.

Johnston was elected Bishop Coadjutor of

Virginia after serving as rector of All Saints’, Tupelo forthirteen years. Prior to his call to All Saints’, Johnstonwas rector of Church of the Advent, Sumner.

Shannon Johnston nowdiocesan Bishop of Virginia

By David Johnson, Canon to the OrdinaryFive representatives from the Diocese

of Mississippi have been appointed by thePresiding Bishop and the President of theHouse of Deputies to serve on nationalchurch committees, commissions, agenciesand boards during the 2009-2012 triennium.

Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts-Schoriappointed the Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray, III, to serveon the Standing Commission on Mission andEvangelism.

President Bonnie Anderson of theHouse of Deputies appointed theReverend Canon David H. Johnson of theDiocesan Office and Dr. Anita P. Georgefrom Church of the Resurrection,

Starkville, to serve on the State of theChurch Committee.Dr. Ed Sisson from St. Peter’s Church,

Oxford, was appointed by Anderson to serve on theExecutive Council Committee on Science,Technology & Faith.

Sisson, George and Johnson have been inMississippi’s deputation to General Conventionsince 2000.

Lauren Wilkes Auttonberry from Holy Trinity,Vicksburg, was appointed to serve on the StandingCommission on Communications & InformationTechnology.

The various commissions, committees, boardsand agencies do much of the research, work andpreparation between the triennial GeneralConventions of the Episcopal Church. Thoseappointed to these groups will serve through 2012.

The various bodies begin their work with orga-nizational meetings in Chicago on November 17-20,2009.

By Scott Lenoir, EditorThe diocesan Executive Committee will soon set priorities for the 2010

budget. Once completed, the committee will pass their wishes on to the FinanceCommittee so it can build a budget proposal.

“Due to the unprecedented budget shortfalls projected in 2010, theExecutive Committee must give more guidance to the Finance Committee regard-ing priorities of diocesan funding,” said the Rt. Rev. Duncan Gray III, who is thechairman of the Executive Committee.

As reported in the October 2009 issue of The Mississippi Episcopalian, a$250,000 debt service to support rebuilt Coast churches, along with at least a

$50,000 drop in endowment fund contributions, is forcing the diocese to makedeep cuts in spending.

The reality of the reduced budget has sped up the process of re-evaluatingdiocesan structure and redefining its mission and ministry “to find out who weare as a diocese what role and function we have in the church,” said Gray.

Church consultant Reb Scarborough of Texas, who has helped the Dioceseof Texas and numerous churches and non-profit groups through a re-evaluationprocess, will work with the Diocese of Mississippi as it begins this task.

Gray noted that the process will take some time to complete and that allparishes and missions will be involved in the process.

Executive Committee to prioritize 2010 budget

By David Johnson,Canon to theOrdinary

The ReverendLonnie Herring, adeacon who serves aschaplain at theMississippi StatePenitentiary atParchman, was recently awarded TheCommissioner’s Distinguished Service Coin for“dedication to service, commitment to thedepartment’s mission, and enthusiastic effortand focus.”

The award was present by CorrectionsCommissioner Christopher B. Epps in cere-monies at Parchman on October 20.Commissioner Epps noted that Lonnie is “to becommended for your high standards of excel-lence, integrity, vision, and purpose.”

Lonnie is a long-time staff member atParchman, is highly respected in his field, andhas been a deacon in the Diocese ofMississippi since his ordination in 1996. Hehas served as deacon at several congregationsin the Delta. Lonnie’s current assignment isDeacon in Charge of Grace Church, Rosedale.

Mississippi representatives appointed toserve national church for 2009 triennium

A/V ResourceCenter

Catalog nowonline

An updated Audio/VisualResource Catalog is now listed onthe diocesan website atwww.dioms.org/resources/av-cen-ter.html. You may also find the list-ing by clicking “Church Resources”in the navigation on the diocesanhome page, www.dioms.org. Thecatalog may also be accessed under“Young Adults” and “YouthMinistries”.

Janet Nail is the librarian forour A/V Center which is housed atTrinity Church in Yazoo City. Janetand diocesan website administrator,Emily Everett, spent many hours onthis project. Contact Janet to checkout resources from the A/V Center.There are hundreds of ChristianEducation offerings listed for bothadults and young people. As newtitles are added, the online catalogwill be updated.

Herring awarded fordistinguished service

The Rt. Rev. Shannon Sherwood Johnston, formerly a priest in the Diocese of Mississippi, now serves as diocesan bishop with the retirement of the Rt. Rev. Peter Lee.

Emily Cherry/photo

Herring

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2 The Mississippi Episcopalian

OUR DIOCESE

November 2009

Oh what a gloriousday this has been! Fromthe first “The Lord bewith you,” to the finalAlleluia of “Ye Watchersand Ye Holy Ones” and“Thanks be to God,” ithas been a marvelous 24

hours. It is, of course, All Saints’ Day, one of theChurch’s great feasts and certainly one of my ownfavorites. At the same time it pays homage to allthe saints, both canonized and “un”, it initiatesthe young through Baptism and leads us intoNovember, toward Thanksgiving and finallyAdvent, the Church’s New Year-my very favoriteliturgical season. And...this year, All Saints actuallycame on Sunday and...we went back on “God’stime.” What more could we want?

This year, as we approach Thanksgiving, I amgrateful for so very, very much: a house well onits way to completion; the renewal and rekindlingof old friendships and relationships; a wonderfulparish family and a splendid new rector; and thesurprising discovery of a desire hidden deep with-in me: the drive to write fiction. Never had theidea crossed my mind; after all, I am a journalist.But there it was back in June-the Muse-and I revelin the change it has wrought in me and my hopesfor the future. A good friend, who knows me verywell, advised: “Let the musician in you, not thejournalist, write this one.” Right (or write) on!

Last month, this column was devoted toactivities around the Diocese; this one, I’m happyto say, again, includes Notable Quotes as thereare so very many.

On October 31, Pam Rhea, deacon candidateof St. Paul’s, Columbus, led a women’s retreaton “Taking Off Your Mask Finding Authenticity,”at Resurrection, Starkville. (How I would loveto have attended that one!) The Rev, Dr. WilliamK Ndishabandi, All Saints’, Jackson, was headedto a CREDO conference November 9-16, at the

Bishop’s Ranch Conference Center in Healdsburg,California. The conference helps participantslearn to find direction and clarity in the spiritual,physical, vocational and financial areas of theirministry. All Saints’, Tupelo, is gearing up tohost the 183rd Annual Council of the Diocese ofMississippi February 5-7, 2010. Nativity,Greenwood, had a chili cook-off it hopes willbecome an annual event. St. Peter’s by-the-Sea,Gulfport, put the big pot in the little one and hada capacity crowd for its delicious “Lunch withJulia,” featuring-what else?-boeuf bourguignon.

The Brotherhood of St. Andrew plans a freespaghetti and meatball lunch for all parishionersof St. John’s, Pascagoula, and St. Pierre’s,Gautier, after the November 29 10:30 service atSt. John’s in celebration of St. Andrew’s Day,November 30. Ascension, Hattiesburg, plans tocontinue its tradition of making gumbo beforeThanksgiving to raise money to support anAscension EYC outreach mission trip to anotherstate. St. Patrick’s, Long Beach’s EYC went toLucedale October 24 to the renowned Corn Mazeand returned to the church for a lock-in thatnight.

St. James’, Greenville, hosted theGreenville Garden Club’s flower show November5 in its parish hall. St. Stephen’s, Indianola, willhost a Christmas party for the staff at Indywood inIndianola. Church of the Holy Trinity,Vicksburg, learned recently that it is listed amongthe Ten Most Beautiful Churches in The EpiscopalHandbook; it was named the most beautifulchurch in Province 4. The book is available at St.Andrew’s Bookstore, Jackson. Holy Trinity plansits annual Turkey Dinner for November 19.

Trinity, Natchez, plans its 19th AnnualService of Advent Lessons & Carols Sunday,December 6, at 5 p.m. St. Peter’s, Gulfport, alsoplans Advent Lessons and Carols for December 6at 9 a.m., followed at 6 p.m. by the Celebration ofthe New Ministry of the Rev. Melanie Lemburg.Trinity, Natchez, will offer Piano FridaysDecember 4, 11 and 18 with noonday recitals byrising star musicians from Alcorn State University,followed by lunch prepared by the ECW. Creator,

Clinton, is already thinking ahead to Lent and atheater production of The Diary of Anne Frank.

NOTABLE QUOTES...Many of the quotes revolved around Clergy

Conference held in October. A sampling: “BishopGray alternates the emphasis on our annual gath-erings between presentations that are focused ona current topic in the ministries of the church andpresentations that are focused on the well-beingof our souls.

“This year, the focus is our souls. Our guestspeaker is the Rt. Rev. Jeffrey Lee, the Bishop ofChicago. He is leading us into periods of extend-ed silence with guided meditations and music. Histopics are grief, gifts and healing. He is inviting usinto our interior space where the Divine dwellswithin each one of us...the opportunity to shutdown the exterior chatter of our environment andthe interior noise of our constant mental busi-ness...putting away all means of communication:computers, cell phones, etc. He has set the tonethat gives us permission to stop doing and simplybe with God.”

From St. Alban’s, Vicksburg: “Is wounded-ness a part of God’s being, of who God is? Stillknocking around in my heart and mind are thequestions ‘What are my wounds? What am Iaching for? And the question Jesus asks many peo-ple in the Gospels: what is it you really, reallywant?’... Grace, Canton: “I spent one peacefulafternoon walking the shoreline of the lake atCamp Bratton-Green.”...Nativity, Greenwood:“Gratitude is a necessary part of faith-being thank-ful for all that God has done for us from creationto redemption, from birth to new life. Gratitude isan active and intentional expression of our faithin and love of God. Gratitude is enacted in theway in which we respond to God’s infinite lovefor us. We are constantly transformed by the lov-ing work of God in our lives as we face the joysand sorrows of this world...” Advent, Sumner.“To kneel in prayer can mean many things. Wecan kneel in awe of God. We can kneel to expressour honor and respect. We can kneel before Godto implore His aid. Kneeling in prayer shows a

humbleness of spirit. We humble ourselves beforeGod. It helps us to remember Him who isgreater.”...Trinity, Natchez. “I found at the con-ference (on Centering Prayer with the Rev. TomWard), which was really a retreat, that the firststep to intimacy with God is the same as the firststep to intimacy with my spouse: be there. I sat insilence for 20-30 minutes, eyes closed and reach-ing out for God. I waited. I calmed my mind withmy sacred word. I listened. I was there. It’s thehardest thing I have ever done. It was also themost exhilarating.”...Trinity, Yazoo City.

And finally...some Biblical Q&A humor, courtesyof Grace, Canton:Q: Who was the greatest female financier in theBible?A. Pharoah’s daughter. She went down to thebank of the Nile and drew out a little prophet.

Q: What excuse did Adam give to his children asto why he no longer lived in Eden?A. Your mother ate us out of house and home.

Notes & Quotesby Maria Watson

The Mississippi Episcopalian (USPS 024755) is published monthly by the Episcopal Diocese ofMississippi, 118 N. Congress St., Jackson, MS 39201. Periodical postage paid at Jackson, MS.POSTMASTER: Send change of address to the Mississippi Episcopalian, P.O. Box 23107,Jackson, MS 39225-3107. In giving changes of address send the old address as well as thenew. We cannot be responsible for the return of manuscripts or photographs.

Official news organ of the Bishop and the Diocese of Mississippi118 N. Congress Street - P.O. Box 23107

Jackson, Mississippi 39225-3107

The Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray IIINinth Bishop of Mississippi

The Rev. Scott LenoirEditor

Continually published for 132 years in the Diocese of Mississippi

A date to remember: Dec. 27 – Jan. 1stWinter Soltice atCamp Bratton-Green. To registercall 601-859-1556.

Page 3: Volume 134, Issue No. 11 Mississippi representatives ... · Commission on Communications & Information Technology. The various commissions, committees, boards and agencies do much

November 2009

OUR DIOCESENomination to the

183nd Annual CouncilEpiscopal Diocese of Mississippi

By Grae Dickson

Gray Center will be hosting a New Year’sEve celebration once again! Come gather with usThursday, December 31st to Friday, January 1stto welcome 2010!

The cost of attendance is $100 a room whichincludes:❖ One Cottage, Inn, or Big House room❖ A four course dinner at 7:30 on

New Year’s Eve❖ A New Year’s Day brunch at 9:00❖ A safe location for your New Year’s

celebration❖ New Year’s Eve Party Pack

The four course dinner is something new we areoffering this year. Here is the tentative menu forthe New Year’s Eve dinner (final menu availableDecember 1st).First Course — Corn and Crab BisqueSecond Course — Oyster En Brochette withSeafood Remoulade Third Course — Grilled Sirloin Steak servedover Fried Green Tomatoes with a HollandaiseSauce, Roasted New Potatoes, Almond GreenBeansFourth Course — White Chocolate Mousse

One cottage is already booked and rooms

will go fast so please reserve your space early.Feel free to bring any snacks, cards or boardgames you may want throughout the evening.Gray Center will not supply alcohol for thisevent so it is BYOB.

For football fans we will have college bowlgames playing in the lobby. Come early onThursday and checkout is not until 2:00 p.m. onFriday. We are asking for a $50 nonrefundabledeposit due by December 18th to hold yourroom. This fee will be applied to the event bal-ance.

To register, or if you have any questions,please contact Grae Dickson at (601) 859-1556or email at [email protected]. If you are inter-ested in a single room please contact GraeDickson for availability.

We hope to see you here to celebrate theNew Year with us at Gray Center.

Grae Dickson is the Food and Beverage Directorat Gray Center.

The Mississippi Episcopalian 3

New Year’s Eve at Gray Center

This form should be received by December 15, 2009 for publication in the Council edition ofThe Mississippi Episcopalian.

Email a black-and-white (high resolution) head shot photograph of the nominee to Kathryn McCormick ([email protected])

RETURN TO: Diocese of MississippiCanon Kathryn McCormick, SecretaryP. O. Box 23107Jackson, MS 39225-3107

Any communicant in good standing may submit nominations for any diocesan office. Election willbe by the clerical and lay delegates at the 183rd Annual Council, which will be held February 5-7, 2010,at the BancorpSouth Arena, Tupelo, Mississippi.

The nominee’s consent must be obtained before the nomination can be accepted.

Email a black-and-white (high resolution) head shot photograph of the nominee to Kathryn McCormick ([email protected])

NOMINEE: Consent is given by nominee: Yes

Address: City Zip

Church: City

Nominated For:

Nominated by:

Church: City

What gifts do your bring to this position?

What are your expectations for this position?

INFORMATION ABOUT THE NOMINEE RELEVANT TO THIS ELECTION:Occupation or profession:

Local Church Involvement:

Community and Civic involvement:

Diocesan involvement:

National church involvement:

(position)

(nominator)

Saving MississippiA Novel

byJay Westfaul

$13.95 Available at St. Andrew’s Bookstore, Jackson

Amazon.com

or call 1-800-718-7282

This work of historical religious fiction set in the turbulent sixties invokes a range of emotions and isof special interest to Mississippi Episcopalians.

The author, a communicant of St. Peter’s in Oxford,is well-known throughout the state as a churchorganist. An Episcopalian for over twenty-fiveyears, Westfaul writes of racial reconciliation and theimportant role of the church during a dark period ofMississippi history.

Page 4: Volume 134, Issue No. 11 Mississippi representatives ... · Commission on Communications & Information Technology. The various commissions, committees, boards and agencies do much

November 20094 The Mississippi Episcopalian

OUR DIOCESE

October 1 – Finish up with the meeting of theDomestic Missionary Partnership at Gray Center.Return to office in the afternoon for appoint-ments with the Reverend Jeremy Blauvelt and,later, with the Reverend Billie Abraham.October 2 – Up early to drive to Brookhaven forthe funeral of the Rev. Ed Hale at the Church ofthe Redeemer. Father Hale had served severalchurches in Mississippi during his long and faith-ful service. He had lived since retirement inBrookhaven.

Spend most of the day with family andfriends of Father Hale. Return to office briefly topick up a few things.October 3 – Morning appointment with ChrisRobinson, senior seminarian from VirginiaSeminary. Meet briefly with the Commission onMinistry before their session with Chris Robinson.Afternoon spent on personal matters.October 4 – Drive to Oxford early for annual visi-tation. I meet briefly with confirmands, then teachan overflow adult class. During the main service, Ipreach, celebrate, confirm 13 and receive 2.Following a lovely reception, I meet with thevestry of St. Peter’s. I conclude my time in Oxfordwith some time with the rector, the Rev. TaylorMoore.

Drive to Jackson when I meet up with thisyear’s participants in the Post OrdinationConsultation (POC) Program. David and NoraJohnson host us for dinner. Good discussionafterwards with this group of newly ordained.October 5 – Day off.October 6 – Staff meeting in the morning, thenCanons Johnson and McCormick and I spend therest of the day working on long term projects atGray Center.October 7 – Morning appointment with Ms.Blount Montgomery. Conference call with theFinance Committee working on 2010 budget.Drive to Hattiesburg in the afternoon to officiateat the Celebration of a New Ministry with TrinityChurch and their new priest-in-charge, the Rev.Marian Dulaney. Very happy and celebrative occa-sion. After visiting with members of the congrega-tion following the service, I return to Jackson late.October 8 – Morning office appointments withthe Rev. Arthur Toro and Ms. Gay Yerger. Meetwith Standing Committee through much of theday. Late afternoon appointment with a represen-tative from the Mississippi National Guard to dis-cuss the Guard’s need for chaplains.October 9 – In the morning, I go with my fatherto tape a piece for a fund raising campaign for St.Andrew’s School. Afternoon appointments withMr. Jim Henderson and an aspirant for HolyOrders.October 10 – Go with Tabitha to watch her com-pete in a cross country meet in Clinton. Work onsermon in the afternoon.October 11 – Drive to Philadelphia for annual vis-itation of St. Francis’. We begin with breakfastwith entire congregation at the home of Don andEvelyn Perry. Later, I preach and celebrate at theEucharist. This congregation has made greatprogress in recent years, but downturn in theeconomy has meant the loss of several familiesfrom the congregation. Spirit continues to be verypositive.

Leave shortly after the service to travel toSouthaven. At St. Timothy’s, I celebrate, baptizeone, confirm 6, receive one and reaffirm 2. I alsoofficiate at the Celebration of a New Ministry forthe congregation and their new rector, the Rev.Patrick Sanders. Very positive mood.Dinner follows in the parish center. Return hometo Jackson very late.October 12 – Day off. Make a few last minutepreparations for our Annual Clergy Conferencethis week.October 13 – Annual Clergy Conference beginsfor some with the Bishop’s Open, a golf outingthat contains far more friendly banter and jokesthan decent golf shots. After golf we make ourway to the more official start of Clergy Conferenceat Gray Center.October 14 – Clergy Conference at Gray Center.Our presenter for the Conference is the RightReverend Jeffrey Lee, Bishop of Chicago.October 15 – Clergy Conference at Gray Center.October 16 – Clergy Conference concludes. Idrive to Gulfport to spend some time with Pauland Martha Stephens on the occasion of Martha’smother’s death. Return to Jackson in the evening.October 17 – A day with my family - a cross coun-try meet with Tabitha at Ridgeland High Schooland a wonderful baby-sitting stint with my grand-daughter in the afternoon and evening.October 18 – Drive to Clinton for annual visita-tion at the Church of the Creator. I preach, cele-brate, and confirm four. Wonderful reception fol-lows as I enjoy the fellowship and admire the dec-orations highlighted by gold fish. Good sessionwith the vestry follows the reception. I greatlyappreciate their positive leadership.

Stopping by home to pick up a few things, Iproceed on to Brandon for a visit to St. Luke’s. Inthe midst of a very large crowd, I preach, cele-brate, baptize one and confirm 9. Good visit withcongregation at reception afterwards. This parishhas just completed a very successful stewardshipcampaign and are showing wonderful signs ofvitality.

A short drive home – for a change.October 19 – Day off. My granddaughters, Harperand Sadie, along with Amber, their mother, joinme at Gray Center to help me plant two trees intheir honor. A very special moment for me.October 20 – Staff meeting in the morning.Appointments in the afternoon with Mr. HankLamb and Episcopal Relief and Development rep.Ms. Katie Mears. Later session with an aspirant forholy orders. Conference call with the members ofthe Honduras Medical Mission Committee to dis-cuss implications of the political instability inHonduras on our plans for the medical Mission inFebruary.

In the evening, I am the dinner guest of theTurkish Cultural Center in Ridgeland.October 21 – Fly out of Jackson in the morningfor Los Angeles where I will be attending a boardof directors meeting of the College of Bishops.The College of Bishops is the canonically desig-nated group responsible for the formation of newbishops and providing continuing education formore experienced bishops. Our meeting placeand lodging is the Cathedral Center of St. Paul, avery nice combination Cathedral, Conference

Center and diocesan offices of the Diocese of LosAngeles.October 22 – College of Bishops - Los Angeles.October 23 – Return from College of Bishopsboard meeting - discover en route that I have lostmy cell phone. Suddenly I feel very vulnerable.October 24 – Drive to Canton to participate inopening sessions of our Day on the Diaconate.We have a goodly number of folks who have indi-cated an interest in knowing more about the min-istry of the deacon in our church. Afternoon visitwith the Rev. Ed Wills from the Diocese ofArkansas.October 25 – Up early to drive to Starkville.Teach an adult class before worship. During thelate Eucharist, I preach, celebrate and confirmfour. Very good spirit here as evidenced by largecrowds and happy faces.

Return to Jackson in the afternoon.October 26 – Day off.October 27 – Staff meetings in morning, thendrive to coast. En route, I stop in Picayune forconference with the Rev. Kathleen Potts.

In the evening I officiate at the Celebrationof a New Ministry at Christ Church, Bay St. Louis.The Rev. Patrick Skutch is the new rector andexcitement is very high. The congregation is mak-ing great progress on their new church and parishhouse. Completion date has been projected forApril 2010. I tour the new facility and amimpressed.

After a wonderful dinner following the serv-ice, I return to Jackson late.October 28 – Morning meeting with EpiscopalChurch Women representative Lollie Everett andGrace Steiner to discuss the focus of the ECW inthe coming year.

Midday with the convocation deans.Afternoon session with the Rev. Judy Morris. Latein the afternoon, I tape a brief talk for the peopleof All Saints’, Tupelo who are launching a newcapital fund campaign.October 29 – Spend the morning working on AllSaints’ School matters. Session with the Rev. JohnJenkins, Margaret McLarty and KathrynMcCormick to discuss upcoming alumni events atAll Saints’. Later in the morning I host a confer-ence call with bishops from the owning diocesesof All Saints’ to update and ratify a variety of deci-sions made in recent weeks.

Afternoon appointment with the Rev.Deacon Bill Hanna, chair of the Deacons’ Council.

Late afternoon trip to watch Tabitha run in across country meet.

The Bishop’s Journal FAITHFUL DEPARTEDCatherine H. Johns, 66, communicant ofAll Saints’, Jackson, died on August 22,2009.

Leanna W. Gray, 50, communicant ofMediator-Redeemer, McComb-Magnolia,died September 5, 2009.

Annie Katherine Dodd Pinson, 89, a com-municant of St. Mark’s, Jackson, died onSeptember 21, 2009.

The Reverend Edward S. T. Hale, 88, com-municant of Church of the Redeemer,Brookhaven, died September 29, 2009.

Mr. Catchings Baird Smith, 84, communi-cant of St. James’, Jackson, died on October6, 2009

Debbie O. Raymond, 54, communicant ofSt. Timothy’s, Southaven, died on October11, 2009.

Mrs. Peggy Smith Dupuy, 77, communi-cant of St. James’, Jackson, died on October12, 2009

William (Bill) Wheatley, communicant ofAll Saints’, Jackson, died on October 12,2009.

Stan Polk, 56, communicant of HolyInnocents’, Como, died October 19, 2009.

Jay Clifton, Jr., 47, communicant of HolyInnocents’, Como, died October 20, 2009.

A.W. Wallace, 90, communicant and found-ing member of St. Elizabeth’s, Collins, diedOctober 21, 2009.

Dr. Robert E. Schmieg, Jr., 47, communi-cant of St. James’, Jackson, died October 23,2009.

A date to remember:December 31st – Jan 1stGray Center New Year Eve’s Party.

To register call 601-859-1556.

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The Mississippi Episcopalian 5

OUTREACH

The Rev. Molly Macsherry WadeOn one of the rare crisp, sunny afternoons in October, more than 75 people gathered

to “Celebrate and Bless” LESM’s newest ministry, New Life for Women. It was an occasionthat touched the hearts and spirits of everyone who attended. New Life for Women is aplace of hope and healing for those who are living with addictions. It is safe place wherewomen come to re-discover their worth as children of God. As we came together on thatday, it was clear to us that this was a special moment for a special ministry.

It has been twenty years since the first seeds of this program were planted. There wasmuch about which to say praises on that day. Women have come and gone from thishouse, most with new understandings about life and love.

As we came together to celebrate the 21st Anniversary of New Life for Women we shared the com-mitment to continue this program. The gathering consisted of the Staff of New Life for Women, theBoard of New Life for Women, the staff of LESM, the Board of LESM, the residents, interested peoplefrom the community, members of Wells United Methodist Church and their pastor, The Rev. KeithTonkel, and The Rev. Molly Wade. It truly was a glorious time of prayer, sharing, praising, and thank-ing God and all who are committed to the vision of New Life for Women. There were tears and laugh-ter as the staff and residents talked about their journeys with addiction that eventually led them intothe possibility of wholeness and peace.

One young woman approached me and said, “I have only been here for two days, but knowing

that our home has been blessed and knowing that people really do care about me makesme know that I’m going to make it.” As we all continued to share stories, that sentimentseemed to sum up what New Life for Women is all about.

Leaving, it was clear that we were no longer Episcopalians, Lutherans, Methodists, andpeople from other denominations. We were all children of God in need of someone tohonor us, to listen to, to pray for, to laugh with and to cry with. We were all a part of NewLife for Women.

As you read this, please know that you are all welcome and needed to become mem-bers of LESM and, therefore, New Life for Women. If you are interested, please call the

Director of New Life for Women, Lisa Williams or Molly Wade at LESM. You may contact NLFW at: 601-212-5675 or Molly Wade at : 601-352-7125.

November 2009

Dear Diocesan Family,I have heard it said that the

church is a place of hellos andgoodbyes. People are alwaysgoing and coming; changes hap-pen; ministries focus on newneeds and so on. Now is a good-bye time for me. After seven yearsof serving as your Episcopal Relief & Development Diocesan Coordinator, I am concluding my role. Myhusband Bill has accepted a position in Hickory, North Carolina, so we will soon move to the Dioceseof Western North Carolina. The good news is that there is already a new Coordinator who has beenappointed by Bishop Gray: The Rev. Cathy Halford; 128 Park Avenue; Madison, MS 39110; [email protected]; cell, 601-672-7037. Cathy serves as deacon at All Saints’ Church in Jackson. Shebrings new energy and a great passion to learn about Episcopal Relief & Development so that she cankeep you informed about what our church is doing in the world to help those in need. Very goodthings happen around the globe that help people live better lives because Episcopalians give generous-ly to Episcopal Relief & Development.

I cannot end without sharing something current about the work of Episcopal Relief &Development. Barbara Crafton recently wrote in her daily email:

Two terrible car bombings right in the heart of Baghdad. 150 dead, more than 600 wounded, ter-rible damage to property. Among the buildings extensively damaged was St. George’s, the AnglicanChurch in Baghdad. It could always have been worse: nobody was in the church when it was struck.But the medical clinic in one of its buildings suffered a body blow: much of its equipment wasdestroyed in the blast. Expensive and hard to replace in wartime Iraq, the equipment was part of oneof the city’s more hopeful enterprises: it offers free medical and dental care to hundreds of Iraqi men,women and children each week.

Canon Andrew White, vicar of St George’s and president of the Foundation for Relief andReconciliation in the Middle East, does not even think of closing up shop. “Some people ask mewhether days like today make me want to give up,” Canon White said. “We have seen much of what wehave worked for destroyed. But the truth is, it is days like today that remind us why our work in Iraq isabsolutely essential.”

Episcopal Relief and Development agrees. That hundreds of clients, of all sects and ethnicities inIraq, derive such life-saving benefit from one of our churches paves the way for peace there. EpiscopalRelief & Development will assist St. George’s and the Foundation in replacing its lost equipment assoon as a plane can get it there, so that its vital peacemaking work can go on.

Thank you for sharing the walk to make a difference in the world’s needs through the strong,innovative and loving work of Episcopal Relief & Development. Though I will be walking from NorthCarolina for a while, I invite you to join in or to continue if you are already involved and help makemiracles happen.

PEACE, DIANE LIVINGSTON ([email protected])

Episcopal Relief & DevelopmentHealing a hurting world

New Life for Womencelebrated its 21stAnniversary with aworship service.Picture are left toright, The Rev. KeithTonkel, Wells UnitedMethodist Church; TheRev. Molly Wade,LESM staff lead theCelebration andBlessing of LESM’snewest partner ministry.

Jim Carrington/photo

Jackson’s New Life for Women has its home and ministry blessed on 21st anniversary

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November 20096 The Mississippi Episcopalian

OUTREACH

A crew of 10 from St. James’, Jackson led by the Rev. Christopher Powell (2nd from left), offered a highly competitive tastetreat at the Red Beans and Rice Celebration (8 of the 10 are pictured here).

The St. Andrew’s Cathedral Spellcasters brewed beans and rice under the blessed supervision of three angels (or were theywhite witches?). Printed napkins listing Top 10 Reasons to Love our Beans were handed out with each serving. Reason #7:“Vote for us; we’ll vote for you at the Pearly gates.” Nothing like a little indulgence in the 21st century.

The St. Alexis’ Beanstrokers, who won the Red Beans and Rice competitionin 2008, stand with Stewpot Executive Director, the Rev. Frank Spencer.Pictured are (back) the Rev. Chuck Beanstroker Culpepper and StewpotExecutive Director, the Rev. Frank Spencer, ( front) Anna Grace Teal,Alex Lessley, Gracie Gibson, and Mary Millis Spooner.

Toiling over St. Alexis’ cauldron at the Red Beans and Rice Celebration iscook Jeff Walker.

Stewpot backers brew up caldrons of beans on HalloweenBy Scott Lenoir, Editor

Storms plaguing rain soaked Mississippi departed on All Hallow’s Eve and 1200 peoplepacked Trustmark Park’s outfield for the annual Red Beans and Rice Celebration which had adistinctively Halloween flare this year. This is the 18th year that the Red Beans and RiceCelebration has been held for the benefit of Stewpot Community Services.

Among the many participants in this year’s cook-off were three Jackson Episcopal parisheswho joined in brewing competitive caldrons of red beans and rice recipes: St. Alexis’, St. James’, and St. Andrew’s Cathedral. St. Alexis’ won the event in 2008.

Stewpot Executive Director, the Rev. Frank Spencer, a deacon at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Jackson, hopes the red beansand rice celebration will net Stewpot a much needed $80,000.

Spencer said it’s been a challenging year for the outreach ministry. “The budget is tight. We were projecting we’d spend 1.7million dollars this year, but we had to shut down one of shelters due to the economic slow down, so we’ll spend about 1.6 mil-lion.”

The next big event for Stewpot is to provide 500 traditional Thanksgiving dinners with all the trimmings which is a slight risein demand from 2008. Families qualifying for the dinner will be provided with a turkey, two cans of yams, two cans of peas, a bagof sugar, flour, a box of dressing, and cranberry sauce.

Spencer estimates each meal will cost about $25.00. Local TV and radio public service announcements will begin airing soonreminding people to contribute to the Thanksgiving dinner campaign which provided 450 dinners to low income families in theJackson area in 2008. Stewpot also provides the same dinner during the Christmas season.

In 2008, Stewpot Community Services provided more than 140,000 meals and gave shelter to more than 1,200 families andindividuals. Emergency grocery supplies and energy assistance were given to 6,000 people.

Stewpot Community Services is located at 1100 W. Capitol St. in Jackson. To learn more about Stewpot, log on to www.stewpot.org.

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The Mississippi Episcopalian 7November 2009

PARISH LIFE

By Fonda LundinThe Chapel of the Cross

Episcopal Church started their artseries last September with classicalguitarist, Barry Hause. He per-formed Tuesday, September 28th.Selections included music by LeoBrouwer, Antonio Lauro, HeitorVilla Losbos, Alonso de Mudurro,Isaac Albenitz, Roland Dyens andAndrew York.

The church was full with allages in attendance. Hause gracious-ly and skillfully introduced thoseattending to the versatility and thesonic range of the classical guitar.

A reception followed the per-formance where Hause compliment-ed those in attendance for the attention and enthusiam and he looks forward to visiting the RollingFork area again.

Chapel of Cross began this art series due to the lack of the arts in the area. The Chapel of theCross members and vestry generously supported the series which is free and open to the public. Moreperformers will be scheduled throughout the winter until the spring of 2010. For more contact, please call Fr. Ed Lundin, 601-606-4108.

Art series begins at Chapel of the Cross, Rolling Fork

What a difference a day makes

Guitarist Barry Hause (right) visits with Willie Beardon andEmogene Carter at Chapel of the Cross, Rolling Fork.

By Barbara T. Moton

Matthew 25:35-36. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty andyou gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothesand you clothed me.

October 24,2009, Church of the Redeemer, Greenville, celebrated Make-a-Difference Day by invit-ing the community to come and receive clothing, household, and nonperishable food items. Our neigh-bors were also invited to share our meal consisting of soups, hot dogs, potato chips, desserts, and avariety of drinks. The day was highlighted by the members of the Eliza Pillars Registered Nurses ofMississippi who took blood pressure readings and offered free health literature to those who attended.Approximately fourteen Redeemer parishioners served and fellowshipped with more than 50 peoplewho visited the Delta church. The nurses found only three elevated blood pressure readings of thetwenty that were taken. One gentleman celebrated his birthday with the group. He expressed histhanks for the hot meal and uplifting conversation after the group sang Happy Birthday to him.

Matthew 25:40. I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothersof mine, you did for me.

Barbara T. Moton is a communicant of Redeemer, Greenville.

A member of Eliza Pillars Registered Nurses of Mississippi takes a blood pressurereading of a visitor attending Redeemer, Greenville’s observance of Make-A-Difference Day.

Redeemer, Greenville observes Make-a-Difference Day

All Saints’ Tupelo baptized nine children on All Saints Day, Nov. 1st. The Rev. Paul Stephens, center,is the rector of the parish.

Trinity Episcopal Church in Hattiesburg celebrated the installation of the Rev. Marian DulaneyFortner as Priest in Charge on October 7, 2009, with the Rt. Rev. Duncan Gray, III officiating and theRev. Canon David Johnson preaching. Shown here with the Rev. Fortner are members Troy McIntire,Chris Tardy, Ben Carmichael, Kathy Carmichael, Tom Fortner, Anna Laura Brett, Pam Napier, Jimmy McKenzie, Kathy Garner, Ned McInnis, Mary Dean McInnis, Leighton Lewis, and children infront: Hudson Garner, Will Brett, Tess McIntire and Mary McIntire.

Jim Li

nk/p

hoto

The Rev. Patrick Skutchwas installed as rectorof Christ Church, BaySt. Louis on Oct. 28th.Skutch is pictured withhis wife, Bonny; son,Drew and daughter,Charlotte who is heldby Bishop Gray.

The Rev. AlstonJohnston, rectorof Chapel of theCross, Madisonblesses SpencerCarroll’s RussianTortoise atChapel of theCross’s Blessingof the Animals inOctober.

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November 20098 The Mississippi Episcopalian

OUR DIOCESE

Review by Janet Nail,A/V Center Director

After his hearttransplant, my brotherDavid is unable to driveuntil further notice.Therefore, his daughtergleefully claimed his Ford truck, a crew cab muchnewer than mine, and drove it all over the threecounties she covers in her work. She said it madeher feel powerful. We joked that he would haveto get her out of it with a pry bar.

Then the price of gas shot up about twentycents a gallon in the course of a week. Michellewas happy to return the truck and reclaim her lit-tle Nissan!

‘Tis a gift to be simple-and these days it hasbecome a necessity.

In this recession that the media assures us isnot happening, we are seeing jobs disappear,wages frozen or even cut, prices going up and nohelp in sight. Dimly, we perceive that we aregoing to have to learn a new word: frugality.

Although I grew up in the profligate fiftiesand sixties, my parents did not. They remem-bered the Great Depression, and they lived care-fully. My mother and her treadle Singer made allmy clothes and hers, all my brother’s shirts, allthe curtains and slipcovers in our house. No carof ours ever went to a garage. Not for nothinghad my father lied about his age and joined theArmy at sixteen, being assigned to the motorpool, where he learned to work on any vehiclethe military had. They made frugality an art.

I learned to cook early, and I can feed thefive thousand with a can of corned beef! Ilearned the art of stretching food without sacrific-ing taste before I was twelve years old.

I continued my habits, aided and abetted bythe other adult in the family, who was also rearedby parents who remembered the GreatDepression. Our children didn’t like it; theDaughter swore that she was marked for lifebecause I refused to buy her jeans with a nameon the hip pocket. I didn’t care.

In the midst of my mission to ruin my chil-dren’s lives, I discovered a book that has been aguide for my way of life: LIVING MORE WITHLESS, by Doris Janzen Longacre (Herald Press,1980).

This is not a counterculture, back-to-the-landbook; nor is it a trendy guide to simple living thatgushes with fatuous suggestions that have no con-

nection with real life (sellyour yacht and rent onewhen you want to go out onthe ocean!). This is a bookthat challenges you to look at your life decisionsand consider the effects of everything you do onthe rest of the world. Living simply is more thana way to save money; it is a way to enrich yourlife.

Mrs. Longacre begins by outlining the fivestandards by which our actions should be consid-ered: do justice; learn from the world community;nurture people; cherish the natural order; non-conform freely

It is hard for us to realize that our choicesreverberate throughout the world. My morningcup of coffee, the banana on my cereal, theblouse I wear with “Made in Bangladesh” on thelabel are all connected to people who may behungry because the land for food crops have beengiven over to coffee production and banana trees.Someone may be working for a pittance so that Ican buy a blouse cheaply. No, Mrs. Longacredoesn’t scold and demand that we forego our cof-fee; she simply says we should consider what thismeans and make choices with our eyes open.

We can certainly learn from the world com-munity. I read once about an American on safariwho was on limited time, and he pushed his bear-ers to cover a long distance the first two days; thethird day, the bearers wouldn’t move. Theyexplained that they had to wait until their soulscaught up with them. Most of the world commu-nity is not enslaved to clocks as we are; they taketime to allow their souls to expand. Shouldn’t wewant to learn from them?

The first thing that comes to mind when Iconsider nurturing people is the plight of chil-dren who have every technological toy that comeson the market, but whose parents are too busy tospend time with them. And what about the elder-ly, who sometimes feel they are cast aside becausethey are no longer productive; i.e., makingmoney.

To cherish the natural order is critical at thistime. Whether you believe in global warming ornot, you have to be aware of the imbalances innature that may be attributed to our carelessnessin stewardship.

To nonconform freely may seem puzzling.But Willard Swartley, a professor of NewTestament, stated it this way; “ If it hasn’t alreadydone so, the church...must recognize that it livesin a pagan society; it must seek for values and

norms not shared by society. In short, it willeither recover the Christian doctrine of noncon-formity or cease to have any authentic Christianvoice.” Living more with less is countercultural.

The second two-thirds of the book is mostlytestimonials from people who have learned to liveby these standards. This is not a manual of howto live simply. These are stories and comments ofpeople who are struggling to put their Christianbeliefs into practice. They acknowledge that theirdecisions may not be yours, but they explain thatthis is what gave them peace.

Many of the stories involve cars. As a nationwe are an automobile culture. Though we rangefrom those who get in the car to drive across thestreet to those who drive only to get to work, welove cars. We discuss our cars at parties, we readup on the new models, we criticize designs, andwe comment on other people’s cars. We lovecars. But here we have stories of people whochoose to buy a car together and share expenses,making it necessary to cooperate in schedules andplans. We hear of people who discuss the owner-ship of a vehicle with their church family. Wehear of families who (gasp!) own only one vehi-cle. And we may begin to think that one person,one car may not be necessary.

Are we willing to step out of the fashionstruggle? Is it necessary to buy the latest, mostfashionable styles offered in the stores? Well,obviously I don’t think so (ask my daughter!) butI’ll admit to impulse buying. Do I really needseven pairs of jeans? And how about all those t-shirts? Even though I get most of the t-shirts free(donating blood, attending trade shows), do Ireally need all of them? Well, no; but I can’t let

go of them; this is my personal struggle. On the other side is the story of a man who

resisted the suit and tie culture, wearing jeans toevery function-until he was attending a confer-ence in Asia and realized that he was the onlyman who wasn’t wearing a suit. Deciding that hewas insulting his hosts in other countries with hiscasual attire, he began to wear suits to these con-ferences. No one cared that his suits were sec-ond-hand or obviously out of fashion. He wasshowing respect. Yes, fashion and clothes can bea mine field, but when approached with the con-cept of showing respect for oneself, for others,and for God, things are much simpler.

If you want to use this book as I do, as aguide and an inspiration, you may purchase it onAmazon. If you want to read it first, the A-VCenter has a copy that you may borrow.

Expanding the message of LIVING MOREWITH LESS are two programs in the A-V Center:CURING AFFLUENZA and BREAK FORTH INTOJOY. These programs are lessons in breaking thebonds of our possessions and finding freedom inrelationships.

To borrow the book or program, e-mail meat [email protected]. You may alsocall me at 662-746-3923; leave a message if I amnot in (I am struggling with the issue of a cellphone; am I living more with less in that I do nothave a cell phone?)

I also own the companion book, THEMORE-WITH-LESS COOK BOOK; you are on yourown with that one. I lent my first copy to some-one very close to me, and he wouldn’t give itback. I had to buy another one, and I cherish it.

by Doris Janzen Longacre (Herald Press, 1980).

Living More With Less

I think that I, like Rip Van Winkle, must have slept through much of2009. It seems like we just did Advent! I think that Advent is my mostfavorite of the Church seasons. It is that season in which we are remindedof God’s great love for his often recalcitrant people. As it so eloquently stat-ed in the Gospel according to John: “God so loved the world that he gavehis only begotten Son...” It is difficult for us to imagine a love so great.How in the world do we prepare for it? The Church has set aside the fourweeks before the Feast of the Nativity for this purpose. We are asked tocontemplate this great love. The announcements by the prophets in theearly weeks, the appearance of John the Baptizer and, finally the revelation

of the young woman’s pregnancy; all these are part and parcel of our contemplations.

The following essay is by the Rev. Lee Winter, rector of the Church of the Resurrection, Starkvillefrom a couple of years ago.

Advent is a season of expectant waiting and listening. The first couple of Sundays focus on thecoming kingdom. We don’t really turn to the first coming of Jesus - his birth - until the very end of theseason. We still get the best of all worlds because we get the whole Christmas season while other tra-ditions and Wal-Mart have packed it all away until next year.

I like the image of us stretching as far as we can toward God in order to hear and see what Godhas in mind for us. Imagine being on the border between what is familiar and known and what is newand not fully seen yet. We get still and listen. We look and try to describe what we see only partially.We get ourselves ready mentally, physically, and spiritually for a new journey.

Most people face a new journey that contains some unknowns with a mixture of fear and anticipa-tion and even excitement. The “mix” may depend on past experiences (we’ve all known folks whoreally don’t like surprises) and our trust of who is in charge. We’ve also known folks who aren’t happyunless they are out on the edge of new-ness. The Church has the whole spectrum within its member-ship. A process philosopher, Alfred N. Whitehead, wrote something that I use fairly often: “The art ofprogress is to preserve order amidst change and change amidst order.”

Join in a faithful observance of Advent. Prepare the way!Peace, Lee

By Denny Allman

Ring Around the Collar

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November 2009

EDUCATION

The Mississippi Episcopalian 9

Applications for diocesan scholarships being accepted

By Scott Lenoir, EditorApplications for diocesan scholarships are being accepted at the diocesan office. The deadline to

receive consideration for the latest round of distributions is March 1, 2010. Below is a description of the different offerings sponsored by the Diocese of Mississippi

Application forms may be found online at www.dioms.org or at the Allin House in Jackson, 118 N.Congress St. in Jackson.

Misticos ScholarshipFour scholarships are awarded annually to one girl and three boys of either the Greek Orthodox orEpiscopal faiths, to be used for the expense of the persons named attending the colleges of theirchoice. The late Alexander Misticos established these scholarships as memorials to members of hisfamily.

Warren ScholarshipsThe late Robert Warren of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral established the Warren Trust Scholarships.Criteria for the award of Warren Scholarships are similar to those for Misticos Scholarships, but youngwomen are given preference. The same application is used for Misticos and Warren Scholarships.

The scholarships are awarded to students who show financial need and show distinction in the areasof academic achievement, leadership, extracurricular accomplishments and leadership in their church.

Okolona ScholarshipsThe Trustees of the Okolona College Endowment established annual scholarships to be awarded toblack college students, male or female, from Mississippi. Scholarships are awarded on the basis ofneed, academic performance and leadership potential. Preference is given to Episcopalians but mem-bers of all churches may apply.

Maroon ScholarshipThe Maroon Scholarship was established in memory of Lester and Margaret Adams. It is awarded to aMississippi Episcopalian attending engineering or business college at Mississippi State University.

Capers ScholarshipsThe Charlotte Capers Scholarship is for Episcopal college students from Mississippi who are receivingan education with an emphasis in the liberal arts. Scholarships are awarded annually and applicantswith financial need are given preference.

The deadline for all scholarship applications is March 1 of each year.The Diocese of Mississippi is always happy to work with those who wish to begin a scholarship

fund. If you are interested in establishing a scholarship through planned giving, or in other ways,please contact Kathryn McCormick, the Canon for Administration and Finance at the Allin House at601-948-5954.

Lev. 11:32 “Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head and honor the face of the old man.”That was the title and biblical reference of a sermon preached on Sunday, September 27, 1847 at

St. Paul’s, Columbus by my great-grandfather, the Rev. Edward Fontaine. In 1877, he used it again atMt. Olivet church on the west bank at New Orleans.

How do we know? It’s noted on the original eight-page handwritten copy that the first BishopGray gave me some fifty years ago. He had saved it during his tenure at St. Paul’s when old files werebeing cleaned out. The style- and length- are very much dated. A few examples:

“In some circles in our free and happy country, that equality with is so commendable when itattaches to the rights of free men, degenerates into anarchy in the sameness of dignity which it conferson old people and children...such things as seniority in rank and seats of honor are not recognized.Children claim equal privileges with their parents in place and conversation.”

Numerous classical references seem obscure and tedious today where any familiarity with Greekand Roman texts is limited to a small academic set:

“Valerious Maximus has perpetuated the fame of the Sacedemonians in his works. He relates thatan old Athenian went into the theatre there...and couldn’t find a seat. None of his countrymen offeredhim one. He came where the ambassadors from Sparta were seated. They all rose respectfully andgave him the seat of honor among them...a noble action worthy of an enlightened and gallant nation.”

The ending is a stern admonition: “You yourselves may live to be old and to feel the want of thatrespect in your advanced age which it now commands you to pay to the ancient members of your com-munity. Keep the commandment strictly and interpret it literally: ‘rise up before the hoary head andhonor the face of the old man.’”

Sermons today usually don’t have titles or chapter and verse biblical citations- or stern admoni-tions. Nor do most sermons last for 40 or more minutes. Better not or food would be stone cold onthe buffet line at the country club!

The hoary-headed John Fontaine is a member of St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Jackson.

By John Fontaine

Old Age Shall Be Honored

Saints abroad meet Archbishop of Canterbury

By Patrick Taylor

St. Andrew’s Episcopal School students Molly O’Brien and Dan Zehr are spending their sopho-more year in Osaka living with host families and attending Momoyama-Gakuin, St. Andrew’s sisterschool in Japan. Recently they had a special treat when the Most Reverend and Right Honorable RowanWilliams, the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury, visited the school to commemorate its 125th anniver-sary.

The Archbishop of Canterbury is the symbolic head of the Anglican Communion, of which theEpiscopal Church is a part. Prior to Williams’ appointment as archbishop in 2003, he served as a bish-op, a theologian, and an academic.

Momoyama-Gakuin is a member of National Association of Episcopal Schools, and it was throughNAES that Momoyama-Gakuin initiated the exchange programs with other Episcopal schools in the U.S.St. Stephen’s in Austin was the first U.S. school to enter into an exchange program with Momoyama-Gakuin, and St. Andrew’s joined a couple of years later in 1975. Currently, St. Stephen’s and St.Andrew’s are the only schools from the original group of schools that participated in exchange pro-grams in the 70s thatare still involved in theprogram, which hasbecome the model forexchange programs inJapan.

Patrick Taylor is theDirector ofCommunications at St.Andrew’s EpiscopalSchool.

Pictured are Archbishop Rowan Williams, left, Dan Zehr; Patrick Proudfootof Rick Hansen Secondary School in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada;Molly O’Brien; and Ace Furman of St. Stephen’s in Austin, TX.

A bit of history

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10 The Mississippi Episcopalian November 2009

EDUCATION

By Scott Lenoir, EditorThe educational problems in the Mississippi Delta are well known and part of the mission of St.

George’s Episcopal Day School in Clarksdale is to model what can be done in this academically trou-bled part of the state.

Mary Thompson, the Chairman of the Board at St. George’s Day School and Senior Warden of St.George’s Episcopal Church, has been associated with the school for over thirty years in a voluntarycapacity. Her tenure as Chairman of the Board began during the vacancy at St. George’s Church wherethe rector of the parish is also the chairman of the school board.

Thompson says she is excited that the school hired a full time writing teacher for the first timewho will teach writing only, separate from the traditional language arts program.

“Over twenty years ago, we began the WALI program (Writing and Loving It) that was taught byvolunteers. This year for the first time, we’ve made it part of the academic curriculum. We have ateacher (Harriet Catoe of Sumner) who focuses strictly on writing,” said Thompson.

St. George’s School has struggled over the years because of its commitment to opening its doorsto students of differing backgrounds, but Thompson said the school has not waivered from its goals.“We are a school dedicated to academic rigor and to diversity: racial diversity, religious diversity, andeconomic diversity.”

There are 75 students currently enrolled at St. George’s School and there are many need-basedscholarships open to students.

Currently 25% of the student body is composed of minorities. Thirteen full time teachers and a few teachers aids work at the K-3 through 6 grade school, but

many volunteers also pitch in offering enrichment programs with topics ranging from cooking classesto how to carve out a canoe.

The sixth grade class also publishes a newspaper, Delta People, which is focused on the studentswriting stories about people in the Clarksdale area. St. George’s Church parishioner, Jane Wilbourn,volunteers her time to lead this project with the writing teacher.

The publication of Delta People is the final writing project of the year where students learn inter-viewing skills and hone their writing talents as well. Delta People is published once a year as an insertin the Clarksdale Press Register.

“St. George’s is sort of a laboratory because we really believe that part of our mission as anEpiscopal school is to be open for children from all sorts of situations so we can be together and learntogether. Financially, we’ve suffered from this decision which is why we seem to be constantly raisingmoney,” said Thompson.

St. George’s School is located in west Clarksdale and not physically attached to the downtownparish property. If you wish to learn more about St. George’s Episcopal Day School, you may call 662-624-4376 or on the web, log on to www.stgeorgesds.edu.

Delta Episcopal school serves asmodel for academics and diversity

Coast Episcopal School hikes in northern GeorgiaBy Anne Betz

Following our tradition of educating the mind, body and spirit of each of ourstudents, the Fifth Grade from Coast Episcopal School made their annual trip tohike a portion of the Appalachian Trail in northern Georgia. Hikes to SpringerMountain (the southern terminus of the AT), the Len Foote Hike Inn, andAmicalola Falls were among the highlights of the trip. The group members weregiven many opportunities to explore, experience, and connect with nature. Notonly did the students challenge themselves physically, but tested their ability tolearn important life lessons such as strength of character and perseverance all inGod’s surroundings.

Anne Betz is the Director of Admissions at Coast Episcopal School.

Pictured are Coast Episcopal School Students who made the AppalachianTrail hike. From left to right on the front row: Skye Ward, Malone Harrison,

Cameron Ladner, John David Luffey, Cara Cole, Lucy Herron, Grace Trapani,Abby Ladner, Richard Alarcon, Madeline Samson, Hailey Morgan, SylviaCulpepper. In the middle row: Angele Luffey, Brittany Brewer, Christine

Ladner, Paige Rackley, Lisa Herron, Jolynne Trapani, Mary Claire Rackley,Patty Harrison. On the back row are Morgan Ladner, Katharine Samson,Deacon Dianne Livingston, George Ward, Kim Morgan, Susan Culpepper,

Richard Alarcon, and The Rev. Bill Livingston.

On Thursday, September 10, 2009, The Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray, III, visited Coast Episcopal School.Bishop Gray celebrated Eucharist and blessed our new altar in our outdoor chapel.

CES Headmaster, Gary J. Mannina, The Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray, III, the Rev. David Knight of St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church in Long Beach, MS were on hand for the celebration.

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NOVEMBER13-14• ECW Fall Conference, Gray Center, Canton13-15• Jr. High DOY, Camp Bratton Green, Canton15-17• Presbyter Post-Ordination Consultation, Gray Center, Canton17•Diocesan Trustees - 1:00 p.m., Allin House,Jackson19•Mississippi Religious Leadership Conference -12:00 noon22• Bishop Gray visits: St. George’s, Clarksdale -10:30 a.m.• Bishop Gray visits: St. Thomas’, Belzoni - 6:00 p.m.25-27• Allin House closed for ThanksgivingDECEMBER1•Deadline for submittal to The MississippiEpiscopalian - 12:00 noon2• The Ordination of the Rev. Carol Mead to thePriesthood - 6:30 p.m., Resurrection, Starkville4-5• Anti-Racism Training, Gray Center, Canton4-6• Center for Formation & Mission: Holy LeisureSilent Retreat, Cottage 3, Gray Center, Canton5•Gray Center Board - 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Gray Center, Canton

6• Bishop Gray visits: St. John’s, Laurel - 10:30 a.m.• Celebration of New Ministry for the Rev.Melanie Lemburg - 6:00 p.m., St. Peters by-the-Sea, Gulfport9• Bishop Gray visits: Mediator, Meridian - 6:00 p.m.10• Finance Committee - 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Jackson13• Bishop Gray visits: Church of the Advent,Sumner with Celebration of New Ministry for theRev. Robert Wetherington - 10:00 a.m.15Standing Committee - 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Allin House, Jackson17• Executive Committee - 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.,St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Jackson20• Bishop Gray visits: St. Paul’s, Woodville - 10:30 a.m.• Bishop Gray visits: St. Columb’s, Ridgeland:Dedication & Visitation - 5:00 p.m.23-25• Allin House closed for Christmas27-January 1•Winter Solstice, Camp Bratton Green, Canton30• Bishop Gray visits: St. Catherine’s Village,Madison - 4:00 p.m.

JANUARY1• Allin House closed for New Year’s Day2• Permanent Staff Interviews, Gray Center,Canton3-6• Presbyter Discernment Committee, GrayCenter, Canton5•Deadline for submittal to The MississippiEpiscopalian - 12:00 noon7-9• EfM Mentor Training (Basic / In-Service &Formation / Worship), Gray Center, Canton8-9• ECW Board, Winter meeting, Big House, Gray Center, Canton9• The Ordination of Mrs. Pam Rhea, Mr. ScottWilliams & Mr. Dennis Wilson to the VocationalDiaconate - 10:30 a.m., St. Andrew’s Cathedral,Jackson10• Bishop Gray visits: St. John’s, Ocean Springs -9:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.11•Northern Convocation Pre-Council Meeting -6:30 p.m., St. Peter’s, Oxford12• Tombigbee Convocation Pre-Council Meeting -6:30 p.m., All Saints’, Tupelo 13• Fresh Start - 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Jackson,MS• Central Convocation Pre-Council Meeting - 6:30 p.m., St. Philip’s, Jackson

14• Coast Convocation Pre-Council Meeting - 6:30 p.m., St. Mark’s, Gulfport17• Bishop Gray visits: Incarnation, West Point -10:30 a.m.18• Allin House closed in observance of Dr. MartinLuther King, Jr. Day19•Delta Convocation Pre-Council Meeting - 6:30 p.m., St. Stephen’s, Indianola20• Bishop Gray visits: St. Vincent’s, Parchman -7:00 p.m.21•Old River Convocation Pre-Council Meeting -6:30 p.m., St. James’, Port Gibson24• Bishop Gray visits: Christ Church, Holly Springs - 11:00 a.m.• Bishop Gray visits: St. Peter’s, Oxford -Hispanic Service - 7:00 p.m.26• Sowashee Convocation Pre-Council Meeting -6:30 p.m., Ascension, Hattiesburg28• Bishop Gray visits: St. Andrew’s Upper School,Ridgeland - 9:30 a.m.31• Bishop Gray visits: Epiphany, Tunica - 11:00 a.m.• Bishop Gray visits: St. Paul’s, Hollandale - 5:00 p.m.

DIOCESAN CALENDAR

EVENTS

November 2009 The Mississippi Episcopalian 11

Coast brotherhood offers thanksBy Chet Dobrosky

The Brotherhood of St. Andrew would like to thank all those who helped make the Saturday, October 3rd, 2009 BBQ a suc-cess. It was a beautiful day the Lord gave us and I have received many compliments about the 1/2 chicken & 1/2 pound pulledpork meals that was prepared for the low donation of $7.00.

Many people gave up their Saturday morning to boil and barbecue chicken, make baked beans, make barbecue sauce, makecoleslaw, smoke the pulled pork & prepare it, clean the cookers and pots and pans, work on the serving line making plates,delivering plates offsite, selling tickets, etc. Others gave their time also in days prior to the 3rd in preparation for the BBQ.

It takes special people to give up their free time to do these things and we have many special people at St John’s and St.Pierre’s Episcopal Church and within the community who support our outreach projects.

Proceeds from the BBQ’s are distributed among many worthy organizations including, but not limited too: the SalvationArmy, Orphanage in Uganda, Daily Bread, Samaritan Ministries food pantries, National Day of Prayer, needy families atChristmas, and other worthy causes. This would not be possible if it were not for all the wonderful people in the church andcommunity who continuously support our functions. Thanks again!

Chet Dobrowski is the Director of the St. John’s and St. Pierre’s Brotherhood of St. Andrew in Jackson County.

Members of the St. John’s and St. Pierre’s Brotherhood of St. Andrew served upa tasty BBQ in Jackson County last month. The proceeds of the cookout fundseveral Coast outreach ministries. Pictured (l to r) are David Dickens, CherrieJones, Dr. Bob Donald, the Rev. Jim LeBatard, Kathy Khayat, and Bryan Reed.

BILL KING BILL YOUNGBLOOD

601-953-2847

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OUTREACH

November 200912 The Mississippi Episcopalian

By Leanna Owens

On August 1, Bishop Gray commis-sioned a team of nine to “go and see,come and tell” as they embarked uponan informational trip to Kasese, Ugandato learn more about the Bishop MasarekaChristian Foundation (BMCF).

The team included parishionersfrom St. Peter’s, Oxford: Laura Gettys,Whitney Moore, Neil White, Debbie Bell,Jennifer Mizenko, Wanda Dean and MikeStanton. Also traveling was the rector ofAll Saints’ Episcopal Church, Jackson andthe Rev. William Ndishibandi; represent-ing St. Andrew’s Episcopal School inJackson was Leanna Owens. The team,now known as the U-Team, embarked upon a 12-day tripdesigned to explore the inner workings of the BMCF.

Bishop Masereka is a retired bishop of the SouthRenzori Diocese in Kasese. His vision for the BMCF is toassist patients and orphans affected by HIV/AIDS, malaria,

tuberculosis, and other diseases that ravage the area. Inaddition, there is a maternity ward for patients who arealso affected. Bishop Masereka and his staff are committedto providing quality healthcare to the people in the SouthRenzori region of Kasese.

The team visited the BMCFMedical Centre, participated inthe ground breaking of the newBMCF Medical Centre andtoured a local hospital to com-pare and contrast services. Oneof the highlights of the visit wasa trip to the Kamaiba PrimarySchool. The children greeted theteam with traditional song anddance; and an impressive rendi-tion of the Star Spangled Bannerwas enjoyed by all.

The scheduled home visitswere quite humbling and eye-opening for the team. Everyone’sheart was touched by familieswho were trying to earn incomefor food and school fees.Although the children did nothave much in the way of clothingand monies, their hearts werefull of gladness and joy as they

played with each other and sang for their guests. No trip to West Africa would be complete without a

safari. The team enjoyed seeing elephants, rhinos, lionsand a plethora of birds as they toured the Queen VictoriaNational Park.

Although Mississippi is known for itshospitality, the hospitality shown to the teammembers was second to none. StellaMasareka (Mama Stella) was the perfect host,preparing delicious meals and donning herguests in traditional African wear as they saidgoodbye to their Mississippi family.

Saturday, November 14, the team willgather in Grenada to share their findingswith Bishop Gray. Additionally, the team willmake recommendations outlining ways theDiocese of Mississippi can share in the BCFMministry.

More information about opportunitiessupporting BMCF will be available at AnnualCouncil in Tupelo this February.

For more information on the BishopMasareka Christian Foundation, log on to

their website at: www.bmcf.org.

Leanna Owens is the principal of St. Andrew’s EpiscopalLower School and a communicant of St. Mark’s inJackson.

The Mississippi delegation — in traditional African clothing — joined BishopMasereka, his wife Stella (far left), and Father Ezra (far right).

Jenifer Mizenko, from St. Peter’s, Oxford, joins in a traditional Ugandadance.

“The Mississippi delegation won the bidding for a Ugandan goat at a Cathedral auction. Biddling price, 100,000 shillings ($50.00 US).

The Rev. Ann L. Whitaker, rector of the Episcopal Church of the Creator in Clinton,celebrated Creator’s second annual Mass for Bikers before blessing the riders andtheir bikes in late September.

U-Team’s 12 day trip explores innerworkings of Ugandan foundation

Barbara Gauntt/photo

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Mike Stanton/photo

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