MSU's Reflect and Rejoice Concert: Celebrating African American
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February, 2016 Volume 141, Issue No. 2 Jeanie Munn/Photo • The 189th Annual Council convened in Biloxi the last week of January. See the bishop’s address report on page 2 and resolutions passed, including one supporting a new flag for the state of Mississippi, on page 3. MSU’s Reflect and Rejoice Concert: Celebrating African American History through Music honors Starkville racial reconciliation leader By Scott Lenoir For the first time in many years, Dr. George was not at Council as she had an Executive Council Task Group Dr. Anita Parrott George will be honored in Feb- meeting for the national church in Raleigh, NC. She ruary with a choral anthem commissioned by Dr. Karen did not know about the resolution, printed on page 3, Murphy, organist/choirmaster at until this reporter read it to her on Monday after Coun- Resurrection/Starkville, and member of the piano de- cil. partment at Mississippi State University. Murphy wrote “I love the Episcopal Church,” said George, “and I a grant for the creation of the piece, which was com- am appreciative to my church family at every level— posed by Dr. David Hurd, former Professor of Sacred who have heard me, supported me, and made space Inside this issue: Music at General Theological Seminary in New York for my voice which, in turn, has given voice to many Resolutions . .3 City. Dr. Hurd will be in attendance at the event. The others not the table. Over and over, we have seen the anthem is based on Isaiah 11: 1-9, the Old Testament face of God in each other.” Elections . .4 lesson read by Dr. George at the installation of Presid- When asked about her thoughts on the anthem McCormick retires . .5 ing Bishop Michael Curry last November. and the resolution passed by Council, Dr. George said Godly Play training . .6 The anthem will be performed by the University that she was so happy people recognized her work. Singers of Mississippi State under the direction of Dr. She confessed that she often felt like she was just Dr. Anita P. George Gary Packwood on Monday, February 22, at the First “plugging away” at her efforts in racial reconciliation Bob Parrott/Photo Baptist Church in Starkville at 7:30 p.m. and wondered if it made any difference. Murphy received the grant through the Criss Dr. George said, “Ultimately, I feel very, very hum- Fund, which is made available to the faculty of MSU. ble, and then just joyful. I hope that people who think One requirement for receiving funding is that the proj- they are just plugging way will see that they can make a ect must be of a religious nature, and the reading from difference.” Isaiah fills that requirement; however, when the grant Regarding her work in anti-racism training, Dr. was written, no one knew that Dr. George would be George said, “People do not want to go through the reading the same lesson at the presiding bishop’s in- discomfort of talking about it [racism], but we can stallation. “It just seems providential that the piece was never get rid of it until we talk about it in every genera- based on the reading Anita read at Presiding Bishop tion. It’s not an easy conversation to have. Curry’s installation,” said Murphy. “I hear so many younger people say we’re in a Murphy said that she first met Dr. George in an post-racial era, that racism is no longer with us, and I airport three years ago where the two engaged in an agree that things are really different, but the conversa- hour-long conversation. Murphy said that over the tions need to continue. We need to be aware of our years, “Anita’s boundless energy, love and devotion for past and how it affects our future together. We always humanity made it a thrill for me to have this anthem need to talk with each other.” Congratulations to the Revds. Alex Allain, Hailey Allin, Katie Bradshaw, Will Compton, dedicated to her.” Jennifer Southall, and Morris Thompson III — all ordained to the priesthood at Another honor for Dr. George came at the 189th The Rev. Scott Lenoir is the editor of the Mississippi Annual Council in Biloxi at the end January when a res- Episcopalian. St. Andrew’s Cathedral/Jackson on January 16. Josh Geter/Photo olution commending Dr. George’s efforts was passed. COUNCIL ADDRESS Bishop’s address picks up PB’s Jesus Movement focus Jeanie Munn/Photo By Scott Lenoir Mission abroad Marriage The bishop noted the The bishop announced his intention to fol - Bishop Brian Seage acknowledged that we work of the Honduras Med - low the existing process towards discernment are one church joined together by our Lord, even ical Mission that will soon about the adoption of same sex blessings and though the church holds a diversity of opinion, embark on its 34th mission marriage which grants each parish and mission but he also told those gathered at the 189 th An - trip taking medical supplies the authority to decide its own practices. While nual Council that Being One Church isn’t and services to San Joaquin acknowledging the imperfection of the system, enough. It is a start, a beginning point, but not and several other villages he also stated that clergy have always had the enough. surrounding it in the Santa right to decline to officiate any marriage for any “Our survival as a denomination, and as Barbara region. “Most im - reason. Christians, calls us to not just stay right here, but pressive,” said the bishop, “I believe it is necessary for us to provide a to be out there—in the world. We cannot de - “is that they haven’t stopped safe avenue for these conversations. I believe it pend on people simply finding us. We need to looking for ways to more ef - is important for us to pray together, affirm our go out and lead them in!” fectively and efficiently prac - faith in the words of the creed and share how Recalling words of Presiding Bishop Michael tice their ministry. Thank God speaks to God’s people,” said Seage. Curry, Seage said, “…our new presiding bishop you.” Parishes undergoing a process are encour - has boldly declared, ‘This is the Jesus movement, Seage announced that aged to continue; however, parishes or missions Bishop Seage begins annual address at Council and we are The Episcopal Church, the Episcopal he received an invitation to contemplating a process are asked to wait until branch of Jesus’ movement in the world.’ visit with Bishop Murray in Easter when a new process will be offered. “With “Friends,” said Seage, “we are the Missis - Bishop Seage noted the recent work of St. Panama. Murray invited our bishop to try this new process…options will remain similar to sippi branch of the Jesus’ movement in this Paul’s/Columbus that sent parishioners around Panama’s surf—adding enticement to an already the past: 1) do nothing; 2) differentiate your world.” the neighborhood inviting people to its Christ - strong relationship with Mississippi’s companion parish from process; 3) run the process, and re - As the bishop stated at last year’s Annual mas service as reported on page 24 of the Janu - diocese. quest that the ban on same sex weddings be Council, the word, “being” is an active word. ary issue of the Mississippi Episcopalian. In April of this year, Seage will be a part of a lifted or, a new option; 4) if you discern for pas - “Being is not resting or passive,” said Seage not - Recovery Program and Wellness Mississippi team to visit Uganda as a guest of toral reasons your parish is divided on the issue ing that we have the choice to stay “within our Last year, the Episcopal Recovery Program Bishop Jackson of the Diocese of Rwenzori. but feels called to ask their affiliate clergy (rector, own little cloistered communities of faith” or, as was established by Bishop Seage to assist persons Seage noted that given the recent primates meet - associates or curate) to make this available to Seage hopes, we can be called out into an active and families dealing with all facets of recovery. ing in Canterbury, such a trip was an important parishioners in a context outside of the parish, I and vibrant faith, Being One Church in Mission. The bishop also announced that the André Fund one to make. will grant permission for them to do so.” Quoting the catechism in Book of Common was created last spring. The fund is named for Closer to home, several offerings within Bishop Seage will also grant permission to Prayer , the bishop reminded those gathered that André Conway, “who, though his life was cut Mississippi churches for Spanish-speaking people retired clergy and non-parochial clergy to request the church carries out its mission through the short, reached out to many in the recovery com - have been taking place. The bishop cited St. permission to perform same sex weddings out - ministry of all its members. “You heard it right,” munity.” The fund has helped four people get Peter’s/Oxford and St. John’s/Ocean Springs, side of the parish context. said Seage, “we are all called to be missionaries started in a program of recovery. The offering at which are both involved with this ministry. “I’m All of the bishop’s remarks were put in con - and all people represent the mission field the closing Eucharist went to the André Fund. proud to say that I muddled through the service text with the Supreme Court decision in June of whether across the globe or across town.” Again The 2015 Clergy Conference held at Gray at St.