SPECIAL COUNCIL ISSUE January, 2012 • Volume 137, Issue No. 1 Read Scripture with the Bishop in Lent Looking for a Lenten discipline? (MSE) Bishop Gray is inviting mem - read. The emphasis will be on bible reading bers of the diocese to join him in reading and less on bible study, so stacks of biblical through the four gospels during Lent. This commentaries will not be necessary. The bible reading initiative, begun at St. “lectio divina,” or holy reading approach, Thomas Episcopal Church in Fort will be more the norm. A fuller description Washington, Pennsylvania and endorsed by of this Lenten discipline will be sent to the Archbishop of Canterbury, our those who register. Presiding Bishop and a variety of other Registration will be through the dioce - archbishops and bishops from around the san website, www.dioms.org or through the Anglican Communion is an effort to invite a local church office if one lacks internet serious and rigorous reading of scripture availability. Many churches will also offer throughout the year. for those participating in the Lenten read - In Mississippi the initial focus will be ing a time to reflect and respond to what on the four gospels in Lent. Participants they are reading. THE 185TH ANNUAL COUNCIL who register and make a commitment to To learn more about the origins of of the read one or two chapters a day on an assigned schedule will receive regular this bible reading initiative, visit The Center for Biblical Studies at www.thecen - DIOCESE OF MISSISSIPPI comments and reflections from Bishop Gray on the particular passages being terforbiblicalstudies.org. February 3-5, 2012 Vicksburg Convention Center Vicksburg, MS Diocesan ECW elects new officers

ECW Triennial delegates and alternates, pictured with Bishop Gray L-R: Julia Young - UTO Chair, St. Philip’s, Jackson; Jane Wacaster, St. Paul’s, Meridian; Mary Beth Welch, St. John’s, Laurel; Nancey Scott - President, St. Philip’s, Jackson; Grace Steiner, Trinity, Natchez; Lyn Wellons, St. Stephen’s, Columbia; Barbara Brunson - Distinguished Woman Recipient, St. James’, Jackson.

The 2011-2012 ECW Board, pictured with Bishop Gray (top L-R): The Rev. Jennifer Deaton, Chaplain; Brenda Hawkins, Recording Secretary; Mary Beth Welch, Sowashee Convocation Coordinator; Evelyn Gregory, Advisor; Wava Peters, Treasurer; Lollie Everett, Central Convocation Coordinator; Betty Melton, Corresponding Secretary; (bottom L-R) Jo Ann Lee, Church Women United; Elisabeth Scott, Recommended Reading; Emily Everett, Publicity; Julia Young, UTO; Nancey Scott, President; Grace Steiner, Nominating; Lyn Wellons, Historian; Barbara Brunson, CPC; and Ellen Clayton, Delta.

The ladies of St. Columb’s, Ridgeland won the Holy Fish for having the most members in attendance at the Fall Complete Annual Council news begins on page 3 ECW Conference, November 11 - 12, 2011. ORDINARY CONCERNS

evening for the Disciples of Christ in Community ing the service, foregoing the reception. The Bishop’s Journal (DOCC) program at St. Andrew’s Cathedral. We return to Jackson late where we join Finance Committee meets through much of Kathy, my father, brother Lloyd and son Peter at the day struggling with next year’s budget for the hospital. November 23 - In office for the most of the Evening with bishops and spouses at the diocesan ministries. December 15 - All appointments at the office morning, then travel to Gray Center to prepare home of the Rt. Rev. Don Johnson of West In the evening I join the DOCC programs at are rescheduled as I spend the morning with for our annual Thanksgiving/family gathering. Tennessee and his wife Jeannie. St. Andrew’s for dinner and presentation. family at the hospital. Special plans have been made to make sure that December 1 - Province IV Bishops Meeting. December 8 - Morning appointment with the My mother dies around noon surrounded by my father has some time with children, grand - Discussion of a wide variety of matters through - Rev. Matthew Rowe. In office the rest of the day. family. It has been a very long journey these last children and great grandchildren. out the day. Annual consultation with the Rev. Deacon Steve few years, but her life was one of great joy and At one time or another almost 50 members of December 2 - Province IV Bishops Meeting. Owen. grace. I will miss her greatly, but I have been the Lloyd and Gray families will be gathered given so much. Conversation on a variety of matters, particularly December 9 - In the office through the morn - here. My sisters arrive shortly afterwards from recent events in the Diocese of South Carolina. ing. Appointment with Mr. Ralph Maisel about November 24 - Extended family time at Lake Tennessee. The circle is complete. We say our Closing eucharist and dinner t St. John’s the Order of St. Luke. Discussion later with Ms. Tithelo where another segment of my extended final goodbyes. Episcopal Church in Memphis. Susan Lockard about possible prison ministry family - the Miller clan - gather for Thanksgiving With family the rest of the day. December 3 - I stay in Memphis to host a gath - initiatives. each year. I have succeeded my father as chief ering of people from around he country who are Drive to Gray Center for lunch with Bill December 16 - Both my father and I end up in liturgist for this family event though in this fami - interested in serious reform of our church struc - Horne and a couple interested in helping build a the hospital today as a vicious viral infection ly gathering there are, in addition to my father ture, including General Convention. Keynoters new cabin at Camp Bratton-Green to relieve takes us down. It is not the best way to spend and me, four Episcopal priests and one are the Rev. Dwight Zscheile and the Rt. Rev. some of the pressures that have arisen with the day after your mother’s death. Presbyterian minister. Stacy Sauls. Lively and productive conversation. unprecedented number of campers at our sum - My son Duncan arrives and is given hospital Return to Gray Center in the evening. Drive home in the early evening to Jackson. mer and winter sessions. watch duty for his namesakes. November 25 - At Gray Center with family December 4 - Up early to drive to Meridian for In the evening Kathy and I join with Catholic December 17 - I am released from the hospital. November 26 - Family members leave Gray my annual visitation to Church of the Mediator. I Charities (Kathy is the emcee) in the Annual With family in preparation for funeral. Center. Kathy and I decide to spend an extra meet first with the large confirmation class, then Emancipation Celebration for foster children in December 18 -With family at home. Initial visita - two nights in the quiet and beauty of this place. at the main service I preach, celebrate and con - the Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Program. tion is held in the afternoon at St. Andrew’s. firm 17. I also commission four members of the This is the formal acknowledgement of the pend - November 27 - At Gray Center with Kathy. December 19 - Visitation and funeral for my congregation to a ministry of hospital visitation. ing independence of this class of foster children. November 28 - Spend some time in the office mother. Interment in Canton. Family gathers Reception follows in the parish hall. I then Our own child, Tabitha Agany, is one of those catching up on a few matters. Time with my afterwards at the home of my Uncle Lloyd Spivey have the opportunity to meet with the vestry being honored tonight. It is a very special mother in the afternoon. and wife, Ebbie. over lunch to listen to their hopes and dreams moment. November 29 - Staff meetings in the morning, December 20 - At home with family. for this congregation. December 10 - In the afternoon Kathy and I then pick up my father for the Annual Bishops’ Drive to Philadelphia for the ordination to drive to the coast in anticipation of my visitation December 21 - Come into the office to check (Retired and Active) Luncheon. This is a special the priesthood of the Rev. Watson Lamb. It is a to Christ Church/Bay St. Louis tomorrow. Over on correspondence and do a few things before Advent fathering with my Methodist and Roman very joyous and happy event as this congregation dinner we enjoy the Christmas parade of lighted the Christmas break. Catholic colleagues and some of their predeces - welcomes its first full term priest as vicar. boats on the Biloxi Bay. Drive to Canton in the afternoon to visit the sors. Reception afterwards in a downtown bed and Overnight in Biloxi. burial plot. Afternoon in the office. breakfast, then return to Jackson late. December 11 - Visitation to Christ Church/Bay December 22 - At home with family. See my November 30 - Leave very early in the morning December 5 - Day off spent with parents. St. Louis. I begin by teaching an adult class on father off with my sister as he will spend to drive to Memphis for a meeting of the bishops December 6 - Staff meetings in the mornings. the mission imperative of the church. Later I Christmas in Tennessee. of Province IV (mostly the southeastern region of Meet with the Standing Committee through preach, celebrate and confirm 5. I also bless December 23 - At home with family. Some last the U.S.) much of the middle of the day. Afternoon some beautiful kneeling cushions for the altar minute shopping. All of our Wednesday session is spent with pre - appointment with the Rev. David Knight. rail. Lunch with a wonderful seafood flavor fol - sentations and discussions on the denomination - December 24 - Celebrate at the 5:00 p.m. lows. al health plan that will take effect in 2013. December 7 - Spend much of the morning Christmas Eve eucharist at the Cathedral in the working on a presentation I will give this Travel in the afternoon to Brookhaven for midst of lots of happy families, children and visitation to Church of the Redeemer. After visit - squealing babies. I was scheduled to preach, but ing with the confirmation class before the serv - had asked the dean to take my place for this one Continually published for 132 years in the Diocese of Mississippi ice, I preach, celebrate, baptize three and con - night. It was a good and holy moment. firm five in a very special evening service. After the service Kathy and I load up the car Following a lovely dinner in the parish hall, I and drive to Oxford where we will spend return to Jackson late. Christmas with Duncan, IV, and his family. December 12 - Day off. Some Christmas shop - Arrive in Oxford at about the same time as Santa. ping and time with my mother. Very early December 25 - Christmas with Kathy, Duncan, Tuesday morning I get word that my mother is IV, Amber, Harper and Sadie. Very special day. Official news organ of the Bishop and the Diocese of Mississippi being taken to the hospital from St. Catherine’s. 118 N. Congress Street - P.O. Box 23107 I meet my father at the hospital. December 26 - In Oxford with family as office is closed Jackson, Mississippi 39225-3107 December 13 - Much of the nigh at the hospital. Return to the office for remnants of a staff meet - December 27 - Office closed. Return to Jackson ing, then session with the convocation deans. In with Kathy. The Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray III the hospital for much of evening. December 28 - In office all day catching up with Ninth Bishop of Mississippi December 14 - Briefly in office in the morning. many things. I so appreciate the expressions of care and The Rev. Scott Lenoir Annual consultation with the Rev. Brian Ponder. love that have come to us over these past 2 Editor I am delighted that he is back in the diocese at St. Paul’s/Meridian. weeks. Words are inadequate to express what The Mississippi Episcopalian (USPS 024755) is published monthly by the Episcopal Diocese of Drive to Como in the afternoon, my daughter they have meant, so a simple “Thank You” must Mississippi, 118 N. Congress St., Jackson, MS 39201. Periodical postage paid at Jackson, MS. Tabitha as my companion, to ordain to the suffice. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to the Mississippi Episcopalian, P.O. Box 23107, priesthood the Rev. Don Chancellor. Lots of December 29 - Office all day. Jackson, MS 39225-3107. In giving changes of address send the old address as well as the excitement and joy in this moment at Holy December 30 - In New Orleans with my family. new. We cannot be responsible for the return of manuscripts or photographs. Innocents. Because of the condition of my moth - December 31 - In New Orleans with my family. er, Tabitha and I must leave immediately follow -

2 The Mississippi Episcopalian Special Council Edition 2012 185 TH ANNUAL COUNCIL 185th Annual Council Celebrating One Church Locations listed are at the Vicksburg Convention Center in Vicksburg

Council Convenes FRIDAY, February 3 12:15 p.m. CLERGY SPOUSES’ LUNCHEON - 2:00 - 6:30 p.m. REGISTRATION Anchuca In Vicksburg Council Committee meetings COUNCIL LUNCHEON - 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Hearings on Council Resolutions, Ticket included in registration February 3-5, 2012 Main Hal l packet Dear Diocesan Family, 4:30 p.m. Newcomer orientation, Holy Trinity Room, 2nd floor 2:00 p.m. Diocesan Choir Rehearsal , “A city set on a hill cannot be hid.” 5:30 p.m. Rehearsal for acolytes and servers, location to be announced Matthew 5: 14 Main Hall 2:00 p.m. BUSINESS SESSION Before we know it, the time will be here for us to gather and celebrate 6:30 p.m. OPENING SERVICE OF Ballot, if necessary who we are as a diocesan family: one body, under one Lord, one faith, one bap - EVENING PRAYER Presentations and Committee tism. It is our pleasure to invite you to Vicksburg, a historic old river city, set on Evening Prayers reports a hill, where we plan to let our light shine as we come together as one around Commissioning of newly licensed the theme of our 185th Annual Council, “Celebrating One Church.” worship leaders 3:15 p.m. Break - approximate Annual Council is a time when Episcopalians come together to worship Bishop’s Address and to visit, much like a large family reunion. All communicants of the diocese CLOSING PRAYERS are invited and encouraged to attend. Blocks of rooms at various hotels and bed FIRST BUSINESS SESSION Commissioning of newly elected and breakfast establishments have been reserved at special rates for the event. Report of the Credentials Committee officers The opening session will begin Friday evening at the Convention Center as Dispatch of Business Committee participants gather to enjoy food and fellowship prior to the Saturday business Welcome by host churches 5:00 p.m. Business Session adjourns meeting, The bishop’s address and Evening Prayer will also take place Friday Nominations and Elections Committee evening. Saturday will be a day of continuing business meetings and exploring 7:00 p.m. DINNER and DANCE with the sights and sounds of Vicksburg. Saturday’s activities will culminate with a DIOCESAN RECEPTION - Patrick Smith Band - Down South Catfish Dinner at the Convention Center while enjoying the music Ticket included in registration packet; Ticket in registration packet of the Patrick Smith Band . The weekend will conclude Sunday morning with a cash bar Celebration of the Holy Eucharist, a service that brings the entire diocese SUNDAY, February 5 together for worship and praise. SATURDAY, February 4 8:00 a.m. Choir Rehearsal - Main Hall Register now and make your reservations ahead of time in order not to 7:30 - 10:30 a.m. REGISTRATION continues miss out on the hotel or bed & breakfast of choice. 8:30 a.m. Rehearsal for acolytes, The host churches, Saint Mary’s, Christ Church, Holy Trinity, and Saint 8:30 a.m. MORNING PRAYERS ushers and altar party - Main Hall Alban’s , are working to prepare for your visit and look forward to your arrival. BUSINESS SESSIONS Please join us as we come together to work, relax, catch up with each other and 9:00 a.m. First Ballot 9:00 a.m. Hold for business worship as one. Presentations and Committee reports 10:00 a.m. Closing Eucharist Budget 2012 Reading of the Memorial Roll Faithfully in Christ, Benediction and Adjournment 10:15 a.m. Break - approximate The Very Rev. Billie Abraham, Rector of Saint Alban’s Church The Rev. Denny Allman, Regular Supply Priest of Saint Mary’s Church 12:00 p.m. NOONDAY PRAYERS Mr. Rich Cooper, Senior Warden of The Church of the Holy Trinity The Rev. Sam Godfrey, Rector of Christ Church Reflections from the Road By Duncan M. Gray, III, Bishop of Mississippi Our annual Diocesan Council is preparing to meet for the 185th time this year in Vicksburg. It is a remarkable moment in our common life, this annual event. I think it’s safe to say that Diocesan Council is both a product of our common life and a significant contributor to making us uniquely who we are in the Diocese of Mississippi. For those new to Mississippi from other dioceses, as well as for those who attend Council for the first time, this gathering is a remark - able surprise in both its spirit, size and its length. “How can you get your people to stay the entire weekend?” I am constantly asked by bishop colleagues who are hard pressed to find a quorum to conduct diocesan business on a Saturday morning. I respond that it has something to do with the quality of life in this church. It has something to do with the quality of worship throughout the weekend that culminates in the great liturgy of the eucharist on Sunday morning. But it also has everything to do with the Holy Spirit that has bound us together in this diocese in relationships that have transcended the divisions of theology, politics, churchmanship, liturgical preference and ethics that forever appear to threaten our unity in Christ. For many, Council resembles more a large house party than a church gathering (which may say something significant about our stereotype of church gath - erings!) The renewing of friendships, the deepening of our spiritual life through worship and prayer are the context in which we do the business of the church. Whether or not you are an official delegate, I invite you to consider a visit to the Sunday morning Eucharist of Diocesan Council to participate in the church gathered. The Eucharist is at 10:00 a.m. on February 5th at the Vicksburg Convention Center. I think you’ll be renewed by the experience as we cele - brate the unity that is ours in Christ Jesus.

Special Council Edition 2012 The Mississippi Episcopalian 3 COUNCIL NOMINATIONS Nominations To The 185th Annual Council Of The Diocese Of Mississippi * Nominated Incumbents eligible for Re-election ✝ Nominee whose appointment expires; nominated for an elected term.

TREASURER Special Gifts: 30 years accounting senior partner, 25 years investment advisor . Elect one lay person for one-year term Expectations: Attempt to help the Diocese make wise decisions with its trust money. Also to make PAGE, Mr. Fred H. sure investments are securely invested and receive an excellent rate of return. All Saints’, Tupelo; Tombigbee Convocation

Certified Public Accountant. Local Church Involvement: Vestry; Senior EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Warden (two terms); Finance Committee Chair; Stewardship Committee Elect two lay persons for three-year terms Chair; Capital Campaign Committee; Search Committee; Adult Christian Elect two clergy for three-year terms Education Teacher. Community and Civic Involvement: Treasurer - SAFE, Inc.; Catch Kids, Inc.; Cultural Alliance; former Board Member - United LAY Way; MS Society of CPA’s; Boy Scout leader for 25 years. Diocesan Involvement: Finance Committee member for years. National Church ✝ STRANGE, Mr. Charles Foster Involvement: None. Redeemer, Greenville; Delta Convocation

Special Gifts: 40+ years experience advising clients regarding finance and business operations. Retired Educator. Local Church Involvement: Lay Reader; Senior Warden. Community and Civic Involvement: Greenville Symphony Board; City of Greenville Election Committee. Diocesan Expectations: To assist the Bishop, Canon for Finance and Administration, Trustees and Executive Involvement: Second Appointment to the Executive Committee. National Church Involvement: Committee regarding diocesan financial matters. None

Special Gifts: My leadership at my local church over the years. TRUSTEE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH Elect one lay person for three-year term Expectations: To serve my church and learn more of the workings of the church. LAY STANDING COMMITTEE Elect one lay person for four-year term TENHET, Mr. Tim Elect one presbyter for four-year term St. George’s, Clarksdale; Northern Convocation

Director of Sales and Marketing for The KBH Corporation. Local Church PRESBYTER Involvement: Current Senior Warden (has served before in that capacity); Sunday School teacher; Choir Member; Lay Reader; Search Committee * McMILLAN, The Very Rev. Bruce D. Member; Day School Board Member. Community and Civic Involvement: Christ, Holly Springs; Northern Convocation Participant in many organizations through church involvement; President, Clarksdale Country Club; Board Member, Ward Lake Land Company. Priest. Local Church Involvement: Rector of Christ Church, Holly Springs Diocesan Involvement: Cursillo; Vocare staffer. National Church and Dean of Northern Convocation . Community and Civic Involvement: Involvement: None. Chairman of Holly Springs Housing Authority; Friends of the Library; Literacy Council. Diocesan Involvement: Former member of Executive Special Gifts: Tim is a graduate of the University of the South (a two-time All-Conference quarter - Committee; Finance Committee; Episcopal Committee; Dean of Northern back there, though he would not want me to mention that!). He has served as Chair of his class’s 25th Convocation. National Church Involvement: Attended meeting of Reunion and as Class Agent for his class. It is evident then that Sewanee is a place that is important to Province IV at Kanuga. him and to which he has remained connected in meaningful ways. Tim is a consensus-builder, a thoughtful leader, a good listener, a good decision-maker. As a former senior warden at St. George’s, I Special Gifts: Experience. Service at all levels of diocesan mission and ministry was privileged to work with him in many capacities and through many issues. I found his ideas well thought out, his willingness to work and volunteer helpful. He is decisive without rushing to judg - Expectations: To continue to give counsel and advice to my Bishop and work with my fellow com - ment. I think his leadership abilities coupled with his deep love for Sewanee make him an excellent mittee members for the good of our Church. candidate.

Expectations: I know that Tim would expect to be an active trustee and that he would have the uni - versity’s best interests at heart. I know he is supportive of the mission to look for ways to make Sewanee continue to be affordable to a diverse student body

TRUSTEE OF THE DIOCESE Elect one lay person for four-year term

* STROJNY, Mr. Mike St. Mark’s, Gulfport; Coast Convocation Senior Partner Strojny & Strojny Financial Services. Community and Civic A date to remember: Involvement: Board of Directors Coast Transit Authority; act as Advisor to Mayor of Biloxi; served in many civic organizations. Diocesan Involvement: Monday & Tuesday, February 6-7, 2012 past member of Diocese Trustees. The Allin House will be closed

4 The Mississippi Episcopalian Special Council Edition 2012

76,980 76,980 76,980 2012 ANNUAL BUDGET 6 10,300 10,300 10,300 6 4,800 4,800 4,800 6 21,314 22,018 22,018 6 14,651 15,400 15,400

6 2011 2011 - - 2012 Budget - The budget below was approved by the Executive Committee as a 6 Budget Actual 3,314 2012 Request 4,000 12-31-2011 4,000 "budget in progress." At publication time, there were many churches 66 Automobile Expense 3,527 2,275 3,527 3,527 who had not reported their 2012 Voluntary Proportionate Giving, thus 67 Medical, Life, Disability Insurance 20,282 76,98019,070 76,98020,601 76,98020,601 668 Sabbatical Funds - 10,300 - 10,300 - 10,300 - other funding options were being considered. Most funding requests 669 BISHOP GRAY TOTAL 150,607 152,704 4,800 157,626 4,800 157,626 4,800 for 2012 were reduced to the 2011 expense level which is how funds 670 21,314 22,018 22,018 will be distributed until the Executive Committee approves a final 671 BISHOP'S HOME 14,651 15,400 15,400 672 4735 Northampton - Utilities 5,500 5,725 - 5,790 - 5,790 - budget on March 8, 2012. 673 4735 Northampton - Maintenance 5,000 3,3145,000 4,0005,000 4,0005,000 674 BISHOP'S HOME TOTAL 10,500 10,725 2,275 10,790 3,527 10,790 3,527 675 19,070 20,601 20,601 2011 2011 2012 Budget 1,486,419 1,504,157 1,567,241 676 SUPPORT OF THE BISHOP TOTA 161,107 163,429 - 168,416 - 168,416 - Budget Actual 2012 Request 12-31-2011 3 163,895 130,068 180,000 677 152,704 157,626 157,626 1 RECEIPTS 4 773 - - 778 CANON TO THE ORDINARY 2 Parochial Pledges 1,567,241 1,486,419 1,504,157 1,567,241 5 79 Stipend 41,760 41,760 81,760 81,760 3 Prior Year Pledge Payments 150,000 163,895 130,068 180,000 209,389 199,513 199,513 80 Housing Allowance 40,000 40,000 5,725 5,790 - 5,790 - 4 Coast Appeal - 773 - - 7 8,250 8,250 8,250 781 Pension Premium 14,717 14,717 5,000 14,717 5,000 14,717 5,000 5 8 5,708 5,504 5,504 782Travel 9,000 10,725 7,259 10,790 9,000 10,790 9,000 6 Phillips Trust 209,389 209,389 199,513 199,513 9 30,440 27,300 27,300 783 Continuing Education 1,200 570 1,200 1,200 7 Johnson Home Trust 8,250 8,250 8,250 8,250 1 798 740 740 84 Automobile Expense 4,020 163,429 3,420 168,416 4,020 168,416 4,020 8 Beasley Trust 5,708 5,708 5,504 5,504 1 19,564 19,000 19,000 785 Medical, Life, Disability Insurance 20,282 19,070 20,601 20,601 9 Thompson Trust 30,440 30,440 27,300 27,300 1 - - 86 CANON TO THE ORDINARY TOT 130,979 126,796 131,298 131,298 10 Thompson Aging Ministries 798 798 740 740 1 3,162 2,704 2,704 87 41,760 81,760 81,760 11 Kenneth Wills Trust 19,000 19,564 19,000 19,000 1 3,690 3,596 3,596 888 CANON FOR ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE 40,000 - - 12 Church Foundation - - - 1 2,787 1,825 1,825 889 Salary 72,064 14,71772,064 14,71772,064 14,71772,064 13 Wade Moore 3,162 3,162 2,704 2,704 1 8,821 8,767 8,767 890 Pension 6,486 7,2596,486 9,0006,486 9,0006,486 14 Robert Donnelly 3,690 3,690 3,596 3,596 1 1,486,419 1,504,157 - 1,567,241 - 891 Travel and Continuing Education 4,200 4,008 570 1,2004,200 1,2004,200 15 George Hewes Fund 2,787 2,787 1,825 1,825 13 163,895 7,367 130,068 7,200 180,000 7,200 892 FICA Taxes 5,513 3,4204,595 4,0205,513 4,0205,513 16 Virginia Smith Fund 8,821 8,821 8,767 8,767 14 1,748 773 4,360 - 4,360 - 893 Medical, Life, Disability Insurance 21,530 19,07020,214 20,60121,315 20,60121,315 17 Thomsen Trust - - - 25 32,416 32,843 32,843 894 CANON FOR ADMINISTRATION A 109,793 126,796107,367 131,298109,578 131,298109,578 18 Thomas Blake Fund 6,000 7,367 7,200 7,200 2 209,389 5,200 199,513 4,859 199,513 4,859 895 19 Epis Outreach Foundation - 1,748 4,360 4,360 27 8,250 8,250 8,250 96 EPISCOPAL COMMITMENTS 20 Allin House Endowment 32,416 32,416 32,843 32,843 8 50,000 5,708 50,000 5,504 50,000 5,504 97 TEC Commitment 291,692 291,692 72,064 276,392 72,064 257,966 72,064 21 Theological Education Trusts 5,200 5,200 4,859 4,859 29 30,440 27,300 - 27,300 - 998 Coast Support - 6,486 773 6,486 - 6,486 - 22 12 798 10,000 740 10,000 740 999 Province IV Quota 6,448 4,0086,448 4,2006,170 4,2006,170 23 Okolona Endowment for Jackson 50,000 50,000 50,000 50,000 21 19,564 10,00019,000 10,00019,000 1009 4,595 5,513 5,513 124 Christ Our Savior - Okolona - - - 2 10,000 10,000 10,000 1019 EPISCOPAL COMMITMENTS TOT 298,140 298,913 20,214 282,562 21,315 264,136 21,315 125 Virginia Smith for Hispanic Min 10,000 3,162 10,000 2,704 10,000 2,704 2 10,000 10,000 10,000 1029 107,367 109,578 109,578 261 George Hewes for Hispanic Min 10,000 3,690 10,000 3,596 10,000 3,596 2 1039 SUPPORT STAFF 1 2,787 1,825 1,825 27 Small Church Fund - Venture 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 104 Bookkeeper 37,292 37,292 37,292 37,292 1 8,821 8,767 8,767 28 Virginia Smith for Iona Project 10,000 10,15010,000 10,000 10,000 - 105 Assistant to the Canons 31,805 291,692 31,550 276,392 35,000 257,966 35,000 1 - - 329 1069 Assistant to the Bishop 40,685 40,685 773 40,685 - 40,685 - 1 7,367 7,200 7,200 330 Designated Funds 1079 Sexton 7,542 6,4487,542 6,1707,542 6,1707,542 1 1,748 4,360 4,360 313 Small Missions from Reserve 10,150 10,150 - 1108 FICA Taxes 8,979 9,336 8,879 8,879 2 32,416 32,843 32,843 323 Christian Foundation 500 109 Pension Premiums 10,559 298,913 7,018 282,562 10,167 264,136 10,167 2 5,200 4,859 4,859 333 John Gray Bequest 3,965 9,794 - 1110 Life, Medical Insurance, Disability 54,052 55,185 53,977 53,977 2 343 Celtic Pilgrimage 2010 2,712 351 111 SUPPORT STAFF TOTAL 190,914 188,607 193,542 193,542 50,000 50,000 50,000 353 Israel Trip 2011 482 20,000 20,000 1,790 112 37,292 37,292 37,292 2 - - 363 James Latimer 3,965 10,000 3,965 - - 1113 GENERAL OFFICE 31,550 35,000 35,000 2 10,000 10,000 437 CfFM Speaker Fund 2,712 14,600 2,712 - 1114 Staff compensation increase 40,685 0 40,68510,840 40,685 - 2 10,000 10,000 438 Hispanic Ministry 20,000 41,441 482 20,000 - 20,000 - 1115 Sabbatical Funds - staff - 7,542 - 7,542 - 7,542 - 2439 Diocesan Journal Funds 10,000 10,000 10,000 - 10,000 - 1116 General 4,000 9,3362,477 8,8793,200 8,8793,200 240 Venture Grants - 10,00014,600 3,633 10,000 3,600 10,000 3,600 - 1117 Parking - staff 6,120 7,0185,707 10,167 6,120 10,167 6,120 2441 Kenneth Wills Distribution 41,440 41,441 - - 1118 Parking - meetings 500 55,185 633 53,977 500 53,977 500 424 6,000 6,000 6,000 1119 Dues and Subscriptions 1,439 188,607 1,489 193,542 1,000 193,542 1,000 434 Battle Hill 9,000 10,150 3,6331,300 3,600 - 3,600 - 1120 Postage 5,000 4,476 4,500 4,500 3444 Latimer, Holy Land - - - 121 Supplies 4,200 2,455 3,000 3,000 3445 Trustee Bookkeeeping 6,000 6,000 6,000 6,000 122 Printer toner, etc. 2,500 1,835 2,500 2,500 - 346 Miscellaneous Donations - 1,300 76 - 75 - 75 1123 Bank Charges and Fees 850 755 - 1,000 - 1,000 - 3547 Budget Restoration - 25 - - 1124 Telephone 14,000 12,436 2,477 12,500 3,200 12,500 3,200 48 35 10,034 3,965 10,500 - 1125 Maintenance - Computers & Soft 6,000 5,7077,244 6,1206,000 6,1206,000 49 Investment Interest 100 76 75 75 35 2,712 1126 Equipment Reserve - 633 - 500 - 500 - 50 Memorial Income - 25 - - 3 69,607 482 15,00020,000 (25,000) 20,000 1127 Annual Council Reserve - 1,4895,000 1,0005,000 1,0005,000 51 Mississippi Episcopalian Ads 7,500 10,034 53 10,000 10,500 - 10,500 - 1128 Automobile Reserve 8,000 8,0004,476 10,000 4,500 10,000 4,500 524 2,234,452 14,600 2,105,861 2,191,312 - 1291 Staff Development 1,100 2,455 830 1,1003,000 1,1003,000 5534 Prior Year Balance 50,000 69,60741,441 15,000 - (25,000) - 1301 Insurance 3,948 3,6691,835 3,6692,500 3,6692,500 454 1311 Workers' Compensation 2,095 2,095 755 2,2001,000 2,2001,000 55 TOTAL RECEIPTS 2,303,769 2,234,452 3,633 2,105,861 3,600 2,191,312 3,600 1321 Audit 14,000 12,43623,600 12,50014,000 12,50014,000

564 - - 1133 Miscellaneous - 7,244 - 6,000 - 6,000 -

574 SUPPORT OF THE BISHOP 6,000 6,000 6,000 1341 Duplicating - Riso 5,500 6,484 - 7,000 - 7,000 - 584 BISHOP GRAY 1,300 - - 1351 Dupliccating - Copier 4,500 4,4485,000 4,5005,000 4,5005,000 594 Stipend 76,980 76,980 76,980 - 76,980 - 136 Duplication - Supplies 400 47 200 200 604 Housing Allowance 10,300 10,300 10,300 10,300 137 GENERAL OFFICE TOTAL 84,152 93,680 98,829 84,152 61 Housing Equity 4,800 4,800 76 4,800 75 4,800 75 138 625 Pension Premium 22,018 21,314 25 22,018 - 22,018 - 139 DEBT SERVICE FOR COAST PROPERTIES 63Travel5 11,500 10,03414,651 15,400 10,50015,400 140 Gulfport, St. Mark's 27,232 30,823 20,160 20,160 645 Travel - Sudan - - - - 141 Biloxi, Redeemer 7,151 7,895 7,159 7,159 65 Continuing Education 1,200 69,607 3,314 15,000 4,000 (25,000) 4,000 1 64,464 35,284 35,284 6 2,275 3,527 3,527 Spe5cial Council Edition 2012 1 T h e M i s s i s -sippi E p i s c o 50,000 palian - 5 6 2,234,452 19,070 2,105,861 20,601 2,191,312 20,601 1 103,182 112,603 62,603 65 - - - 1 6 152,704 157,626 157,626 7 24,845 26,500 26,500 1 1,151 - - 5,725 5,790 5,790 1 2,415 2,600 2,600 7 5,000 5,000 5,000 1 46,105 51,160 51,160 7 10,725 10,790 10,790 1 1,214 13,500 13,500 7 1 75,729 93,760 93,760 163,429 168,416 168,416 1 7 18,827 30,000 30,000 41,760 81,760 81,760 1 4,189 12,000 12,000 8 40,000 - - 1 (868) - - 8 14,717 14,717 14,717 1 95,000 122,000 105,000 8 7,259 9,000 9,000 1 27,303 24,000 24,000 8 570 1,200 1,200 1 9,173 7,794 7,794 8 3,420 4,020 4,020 1 1,300 - - 8 19,070 20,601 20,601 1 - - - 8 126,796 131,298 131,298 1 8 1,025 1,025 1,025 1 1,500 1,500 1,500 72,064 72,064 72,064 1 157,449 198,319 181,319 9 6,486 6,486 6,486 1 9 4,008 4,200 4,200 9 4,595 5,513 5,513 140,000 140,000 140,000 9 20,214 21,315 21,315 1 47,541 47,541 47,541 9 107,367 109,578 109,578 1 187,541 187,541 187,541 9 1

291,692 276,392 257,966 12,780 12,780 12,780 9 773 - - 1 12,780 12,780 12,780 9 6,448 6,170 6,170 1 1 298,913 282,562 264,136 6,408 7,000 7,000 1 1 1,990 4,000 2,000 1 8,398 11,000 9,000 37,292 37,292 37,292 1 1 31,550 35,000 35,000 1 40,685 40,685 40,685 76,114 90,000 90,000 1 7,542 7,542 7,542 1 11,938 9,000 9,000 1 9,336 8,879 8,879 1 88,052 99,000 99,000 1 7,018 10,167 10,167 1 1 55,185 53,977 53,977 1 188,607 193,542 193,542 74,124 27,300 27,300 1 1 - 150 150 1 - 750 750 - 1 7,700 9,200 9,200 1 - - - 1 81,824 37,400 37,400 1 2,477 3,200 3,200 1 1 5,707 6,120 6,120 1 633 500 500 - 10,000 - 1 1,489 1,000 1,000 1 1 4,476 4,500 4,500 - 10,000 - 1 2,455 3,000 3,000 1 1,835 2,500 2,500 1 755 1,000 1,000 1 12,436 12,500 12,500 1 7,244 6,000 6,000 1 - - - 1 5,000 5,000 5,000

12,877 10,000 10,000 2 1,953 2,500 2,500 2 1,052 3,000 3,000 2 - - - 8,000 10,000 10,000 2 1,718 3,500 3,500 1 830 1,100 1,100 2 150 1,000 1,000 1 3,669 3,669 3,669 2 1,755 2,500 2,500 1 2,095 2,200 2,200 2 19,505 22,500 19,500 1 23,600 14,000 14,000 2 1 - - - 1 6,484 7,000 7,000 29,783 35,000 31,000 1 4,448 4,500 4,500 2 1,521 - - 1 47 200 200 2 2 012 A N NU A L - B U -DG E -T 1 93,680 98,829 84,152 2 6,707 5,848 5,848 1 2 38,010 40,848 36,848 2 2011 2011 30,823 20,160 2012 20,160 Budget 2011 2011 2012 Budget 1 Budget Actual 7,895 2012 Request 7,159 12-31-2011 7,159 Budget Actual 361 2012 Request 500 12-31-2011 500 142 Long Beach, St. Patrick's 70,354 64,464 35,284 35,284 218 Ordinations 500 8,000 43 10,000 500 10,000 100 143 Loan Principal - 76,980 - 76,98050,000 76,980 - 2191 ORDAINED MISCELLANEOUS TO 1,000 830403 1,1001,000 1,100 600 1446 DEBT SERVICE FOR COAST PRO 104,737 103,182 10,300 112,603 10,300 10,30062,603 1220 3,669 3,669 3,669 1456 4,800 4,800 4,800 1221 CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT 2,095 2,200 2,200 1466 THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION 21,314 22,018 22,018 1222 Venture Grants 10,000 23,60010,000 14,00010,000 14,00010,000 1476 Seminary Tuition and Fees 20,500 14,65124,845 15,40026,500 15,40026,500 1223 Moving Mission Clergy - 1,815 - - - 1486 Seminarian Travel Fund - 1,151 - - - 2241 Coop College for Cong Developm 4,000 6,4844,000 3,2007,000 7,0003,200 1496 Seminarian Medical & Psycholog 1,950 3,3142,415 4,0002,600 4,0002,600 1225 CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPM 14,000 15,815 4,448 13,200 4,500 13,200 4,500 1506 Seminarian Life & Medical Insura 64,158 46,105 2,275 51,160 3,527 51,160 3,527 2261 47 200 200 1516 Moving to Seminary 8,500 19,070 1,214 20,60113,500 20,60113,500 1227 RECONCILING 93,680 98,829 84,152 1526 THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION TOT 95,108 75,729 - 93,760 - 93,760 - 1228 Racial Reconciliation 3,000 2,182 6,800 3,000 1536 152,704 157,626 157,626 229 Ministry & Formation for Diacon a 12,012 9,521 11,350 11,350 1547 CONGREGATIONS 230 Ministry with Gay & Lesbian Pers 3,000 30,823 4,390 20,160 5,000 20,160 3,000 155 Delta Ministry 20,000 18,827 30,000 30,000 1231 Lutheran Episcopal Services in M - 7,895 199 7,159 - 7,159 - 156 Coast Episcopal School - 5,7254,189 12,000 5,790 12,000 5,790 1232 Disaster Relief - 64,464 288 35,28411,000 35,284 - 1577 Jackson, All Saints - 5,000 (868) 5,000 - 5,000 - 1233 Outreach Coordinator - 7,586 - 50,000 5,000 - 1587 Jackson, St. Alexis 95,000 10,72595,000 122,000 10,790 105,000 10,790 1234 Episcopal Relief and Developme 500 103,182 470 112,603 500 62,603 500 1597 Olive Branch, Holy Cross 26,003 27,303 24,000 24,000 2351 RECONCILING TOTAL 18,512 24,635 39,650 17,850 160 Columbus, Good Shepherd 9,173 163,429 9,173 168,416 7,794 168,416 7,794 236 1617 Small Missions Support 10,150 1,300 - - 237 OUTREACH 24,845 26,500 26,500 162 Jackson, Christ our Savior - - - - 2381 Congregations for Children 3,000 2,7501,151 3,000 - 3,000 - 163 PROPERTY MAINTENANCE 41,760 81,760 81,760 2139 MS Religious Leadership Confere 2,000 2,0002,415 2,0002,600 2,0002,600 1648 Itta Bena - insurance 625 40,000 1,025 1,025 - 1,025 - 2401 Panama: Overseas Mission Clerg 5,000 46,105 5,000 51,160 5,000 51,160 5,000 1658 124 Price Street, Oxford - Mainte 1,500 14,717 1,500 14,717 1,500 14,717 1,500 2411 University of the South 500 1,214 500 13,500 500 13,500 500 1668 CONGREGATIONS TOTAL 162,451 157,449 7,259 198,319 9,000 181,319 9,000 1242 Whispering Pines Hospice 2,500 75,729 2,500 93,760 2,500 93,760 2,500 1678 570 1,200 1,200 2431 OUTREACH TOTAL 13,000 12,750 13,000 13,000 1688 GRAY CENTER 3,420 4,020 4,020 244 1698 Camping Ministry 140,000 140,000 19,070 140,000 20,601 140,000 20,601 245 COMMUNICATIONS 18,827 30,000 30,000 1708 Conference Center 47,541 126,796 47,541 131,298 47,541 131,298 47,541 1246 Communications Coordinator 13,040 13,763 4,189 12,00015,000 12,00013,040 1718 GRAY CENTER TOTAL 187,541 187,541 187,541 187,541 1247 The Mississippi Episcopalian 75,000 61,263 (868) 60,900 - 60,900 - 172 2481 Communications & Training 250 95,000 70 122,000 2,000 105,000 250 173 COORDINATOR FOR YOUTH MINISTRIES 72,064 72,064 72,064 2491 Website support 6,500 27,303 6,000 24,000 6,500 24,000 6,500 1749 Stipend 12,780 12,780 6,486 12,780 6,486 12,780 6,486 1252 COMMUNICATIONS TOTAL 94,790 81,096 9,173 84,400 7,794 80,690 7,794 1759 COORD FOR YOUTH MIN TOTAL 12,780 12,780 4,008 12,780 4,200 12,780 4,200 2531 1,300 - - 1769 4,595 5,513 5,513 2541 ALLIN HOUSE - - - 1779 COMMISSION ON MINISTRY 20,214 21,315 21,315 2551 Utilities 6,200 5,109 6,200 6,200 1789 COM Expenses 7,000 107,367 6,408 109,578 7,000 109,578 7,000 256 Maintenance Contracts 1,800 2,2061,025 1,0251,800 1,0251,800 1799 Continuing Education for Clergy 4,000 1,990 4,000 2,000 1257 Renovation Repayment 39,433 39,433 1,500 39,433 1,500 39,433 1,500 180 COMMISSION ON MINISTRY TOT 11,000 8,398 11,000 9,000 2581 Repairs and Maintenance Reserv - 157,449 - 198,319 - 181,319 - 181 291,692 276,392 257,966 1259 ALLIN HOUSE TOTAL 47,433 46,748 47,433 47,433 1829 CURACY TRAINING 773 - - 260 1839 Curacy Support 65,000 76,114 6,448 90,000 6,170 90,000 6,170 261 COLLEGE CHAPLAINS 140,000 140,000 140,000 1184 Moving from Seminary / Missions 13,500 11,938 9,000 9,000 1262 Delta State University 2,500 47,541 2,500 47,541 4,000 47,541 4,000 185 CURACY TRAINING TOTAL 78,500 298,913 88,052 282,562 99,000 264,136 99,000 1263 USM Chaplaincy 10,000 187,541 10,000 187,541 10,000 187,541 10,000 1186 1264 Oxford, UM 55,585 55,585 57,734 57,734 187 RETIRED PRESBYTER SUPPORT 265 Starkville, MSU 66,766 66,766 66,016 66,016 188 Retired Presbyter Life & Medical 66,456 37,29274,124 37,29227,300 37,29227,300 266 Jackson State University 50,000 50,00012,780 50,00012,780 50,00012,780 1189 Retired Clergy Wellness 150 31,550 - 35,000 150 35,000 150 2671 COLLEGE TOTAL 184,851 184,851 12,780 187,750 12,780 187,750 12,780 1190 Assisting Bishop Travel & Honor - 40,685 - 40,685 750 40,685 750 2681 1191 Phillips Christmas 9,200 7,5427,700 7,5429,200 7,5429,200 269 ONE CHURCH COMMITTEES / RESOURCES 1192 RETIRED PRESBYTER TOTAL 75,806 81,824 9,336 37,400 8,879 37,400 8,879 270 Archives and History - 6,408 - 7,000 - 7,000 - 1193 7,018 10,167 10,167 2711 Safe Church Committee 500 1,990 2,0504,000 2,000 500 1194 PLANNED GIVING AND DEVELOPMENT 55,185 53,977 53,977 2721 Safe Church Reserve Fund 500 8,398 500 11,000 500 9,000 - 1195 Planned Giving Committee 10,000 188,607 - 193,542 10,000 193,542 - 1273 Blanket Surety Bond 2,370 2,370 2,370 2,370 1196 PLANNED GIVING AND DEVELOPMENT TOTAL 274 Hispanic Ministry 40,000 482 40,000 20,000 197 10,000 - 10,000 - 275 Companion Diocese 3,500 76,114 3,000 90,000 3,200 90,000 3,200 198 - 1276 Missionary to Virgin Islands - 11,938 25,000 9,000 9,000 - 1199 YOUTH COMMISSION - - - 2771 Panama Medical Mission - 88,052 99,000 - 99,000 - 1200 Division of Youth (net) 8,000 12,877 2,477 10,000 3,200 10,000 3,200 2781 New Partnershsips 5,000 2,606 5,000 2,500 1201 Happening (Net) 2,500 5,7071,953 6,1202,500 6,1202,500 279 Sudanese Ministry 7,000 5,557 7,000 7,000 1202 New Initiatives 3,000 1,052 633 3,000 500 3,000 500 280 General Convention Deputies 17,000 17,00074,124 27,30018,382 27,30018,382 1203 VOCARE (net) - 1,489 - 1,000 - 1,000 - 1281 Province IV Synod Deputies 4,000 4,000 - 4,883 150 4,883 150 1204 Young Adult Ministries 3,000 4,4761,718 4,5003,500 4,5003,500 1282 Lambeth Reserve 1,500 1,500 - 1,500 750 1,500 750 1205 Adults Working with Youth 500 2,455 150 3,0001,000 3,0001,000 1283 ONE CHURCH COMMITTEES / RE 81,370 37,015 7,700 109,885 9,200 60,335 9,200 1206 Youth Commission Expenses 2,500 1,8351,755 2,500 2,500 1284 81,824 37,400 37,400 1207 YOUTH COMMISSION TOTAL 19,500 19,505 755 22,500 1,000 19,500 1,000 1285 TRANSFORMING COMMITTEES /RESOURCES 1208 12,436 12,500 12,500 286 Bishop's Mission Corps - - - - 1209 CLERGY CONFERENCES 7,244 6,000 6,000 287 Young Adults Discernment - - 10,000 - - 1210 Clergy Conference 35,000 29,783 - 35,000 - 31,000 - 1288 Camp Caritas - - 1,500 1,500 1211 Clergy Workshops - 5,0001,521 5,000 - 5,000 - 289 Fresh Start - Transition Clergy - 1,770 - 10,000 - - 212 Presbyter Spouse Weekend 2,500 - - - 290 Visioning Support - - - 213 Post Ordination Consultation 7,000 6,707 5,848 5,848 291 Lay Leadership Training Institute 4,920 3,403 10,040 7,500 214 CLERGY CONFERENCE TOTAL 44,500 38,010 40,848 36,848 292 Journey Partners 2,700 2,700 5,700 2,700 215 293 Southeastern Deployment Netwo - - 2,000 2,000 216 ORDAINED MISCELLANEOUS 294 Stewardship Consultant Training 5,000 5,283 5,000 5,000 217 Clergy Consultation 500 361 500 500 295 Iona Partnership 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 2 43 500 100 2 8,000 8,000 8,000 6 2 The Mississippi Episcopali an 403 1,000 600 2 18,096 S p e c 20,100 ial Counc i l E d i t i 4,360o n 2012 2 2 - - 2 2,500 2,500 2,500 10,000 10,000 10,000 3 450 500 500 2 1,815 - - 3 52,201 65,340 44,060 2 4,000 3,200 3,200 3 2 15,815 13,200 13,200 2 3,200 3,600 3,600 3 - - - 2,182 6,800 3,000 3 (1,950) - - 2 9,521 11,350 11,350 3 1,250 3,600 3,600 2 4,390 5,000 3,000 3 2 199 - - 2 288 11,000 - 4,861 4,500 4,500 2 7,586 5,000 - 3 (453) 250 250 2 470 500 500 3 (387) - - 2 24,635 39,650 17,850 3 - - - 2 3 (645) - - 3 3,630 3,500 3,500 2,750 3,000 3,000 3 525 1,500 1,500 2 2,000 2,000 2,000 3 - 1,500 1,500 2 5,000 5,000 5,000 3 (2,614) - - 2 500 500 500 3 4,918 11,250 11,250 2 2,500 2,500 2,500 3 2 12,750 13,000 13,000 2 10,779 10,360 10,360 3 10,779 10,360 10,360 13,763 15,000 13,040 3 2 61,263 60,900 60,900 2 70 2,000 250 - - - 2 6,000 6,500 6,500 3 - 100 100 2 81,096 84,400 80,690 3 - 500 - 2 3 (498) 500 - 3 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,109 6,200 6,200 3 4,502 6,100 5,100 2 2,206 1,800 1,800 3 2 39,433 39,433 39,433 2 - - - 18,334 24,000 19,200 2 46,748 47,433 47,433 3 18,334 24,000 19,200 2 3 2 8,274 - - 2,500 4,000 4,000 3 2 10,000 10,000 10,000 2,254,835 2,426,944 2 55,585 57,734 57,734 2 66,766 66,016 66,016 2 50,000 50,000 50,000 2 184,851 187,750 187,750 2

- - - 2 2,050 500 2 500 500 - 2 2,370 2,370 2,370 2 482 40,000 20,000 2 3,000 3,200 3,200 2 25,000 - 2 - - 2 2,606 5,000 2,500 2 5,557 7,000 7,000 2 17,000 18,382 18,382 2 4,000 4,883 4,883 2 1,500 1,500 1,500 2 37,015 109,885 60,335 2

- - - 2 - - - 2 - 1,500 1,500 2 1,770 - - 20122 ANNUAL BUDGET - - 2 3,403 10,040 7,500 2 2,700 5,700 2,700 2 - 2,000 2,000 2 2011 2011 5,283 5,000 2012 Budget 5,000 2 Budget Actual 10,000 2012 Request10,000 12-31-2011 10,000 Bishop Gray’s 2011 296 Cursillo 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 297 Outreach Foundation - 76,98018,096 76,98020,100 76,980 4,360 2986 Cong Consultation Reserve Fund - 10,300 10,300 - 10,300 - Discretionary Fund 2996 EFM 2,500 4,8002,500 4,8002,500 4,800 2,500 3006 Stewardship 500 21,314 450 22,018 500 22,018 500 3016TRANSFORMING COMMITTEE / R 33,620 14,651 52,201 15,400 65,340 15,400 44,060 (1/1/11-12/31/11) 3026 - - - 3036 PRISON MINISTRY 3,314 4,000 4,000 3046 Parchman, Chaplain 4,950 2,2753,200 3,5273,600 3,527 3,600 Receipts: 3056 Camp Caritas - 19,070 - 20,601 - 20,601 - Cash on Hand 1/1/2011 ...... $2,758.46 3066 Prison Ministry Committee 450 (1,950) - - - 3076 PRISON MINISTRY TOTAL 5,400 152,704 1,250 157,626 3,600 157,626 3,600 Honorariums, Visitations, etc...... $12534.18 3087 Total ...... $15,292.64 309 IN MISSION COMMITTEES / RESOURCES 310 AIDS 4,400 5,725 4,861 5,790 4,500 5,790 4,500 3117 Wardens' / Treasurer's Conferen 250 5,000 (453) 5,000 250 5,000 250 Disbursements: 3127 New Vestry Member Retreat 250 10,725 (387) 10,790 - 10,790 - 3137 Journaling Conference - - - - Charities, Grants, Conferences, etc...... $12,189.15 314 Audio Visual Center - 163,429 (645) 168,416 - 168,416 - Balance on Hand 12/31/2011...... $23,103.49 3157 Committee Meetings 3,500 3,630 3,500 3,500 316 Diocesan Journal - 525 1,500 1,500 317 Bishops' and Chancellors' Confe 1,500 41,760 - 81,760 1,500 81,760 1,500 3188 Background Checks - 40,000 (2,614) - - 3198 IN MISSION COMMITTEES / RESO 9,900 14,717 4,918 14,717 11,250 14,717 11,250 3208 7,259 9,000 9,000 3218 INSTITUTIONAL MINISTRIES 570 1,200 1,200 3228 Jackson, Medical Center 10,360 10,779 3,420 10,360 4,020 10,360 4,020 3238 INSTITUTIONAL MINISTRIES 10,360 19,070 10,779 20,601 10,360 20,601 10,360 3248 126,796 131,298 131,298 3258 INVITING COMMITTEES / RESOURCES 326 Altar Guild - - - - 327 Ecumenical Relations 100 72,064 - 72,064 100 72,064 100 3289 Music and Liturgy 500 6,486 - 6,486 500 6,486 - 3299 Licensed Lay Ministries (net) 500 4,008 (498) 4,200 500 4,200 - 3309 Mississippi Music Conference 5,000 5,0004,595 5,0005,513 5,0005,513 3319 INVITING COMMITTEES / RESOU 6,100 20,214 4,502 21,315 6,100 21,315 5,100 3329 107,367 109,578 109,578 3339 CENTER FOR FORMATION & MISSION 334 Center for Formation and Mission 19,200 18,334 24,000 19,200 335 CFfM TOTAL 19,200 291,692 18,334 276,392 24,000 257,966 19,200 3369 773 - - 3379 PRIOR YEAR EXPENSES - 6,4488,274 6,170 - 6,170 - 1338 339 TOTAL EXPENSES 2,316,544 2,254,835 298,913 2,426,944 282,562 2,205,301 264,136 3401 341 342 TOTAL RECEIPTS 2,303,769 2,234,452 37,292 2,105,861 37,292 2,191,312 37,292 3431 TOTAL EXPENSES 2,316,544 2,254,835 31,550 2,426,944 35,000 2,205,301 35,000 1344 NET (12,774) (20,383)40,685 (321,083) 40,685 (13,988)40,685 1 7,542 7,542 7,542 1 9,336 8,879 8,879 1 7,018 10,167 10,167 1Bishop Gray’s 2011 Official 55,185 53,977 Acts 53,977 1 188,607 193,542 193,542 1 Sermons and Addresses ...... 71 - 1 Baptisms ...... - ...... - . . . .32 - 1 Confirmations ...... 2,477...... 3,200 . . . . .287 3,200 1 5,707 6,120 6,120 1 Received ...... 633 ...... 500 . . . .35 500 1Reaffirmed ...... 1,489...... 1,000 ...... 2 1,000 1 4,476 4,500 4,500 1 Ordinations to the Transitional Diaconate ...... 2,455...... 3,000 ...... 5 3,000 1 Ordinations to the Priesthood ...... 1,835...... 2,500 ...... 3 2,500 1 755 1,000 1,000 1 Ordinations to the Vocational Diaconate ...... 12,436 ...... 12,500 ...... 4 12,500 1 Office Conferences and Appointments ...... 7,244...... 6,000 . . . . .183 6,000 1 Diocesan Conferences and Meetings ...... - ...... - . . .145 - 1 5,000 5,000 5,000 Other Conferences and Meetings ...... 93 (Univ. of South, All Saints’ School, House of Bishops, etc.) Other Calls ...... 28 Community and State Conferences and Meetings ...... 13

Special Council Edition 2012 The Mississippi Episcopalian 7 V

5,000 5,000

B 13,758 10.00% 12,100

B 1,100

B 12,000 10.00% 20,000

B 13,400 11.00% 13,830

B 1,900 5.00% 4,023

B 28,193 11.50% 33,942

B 18,208 8.50% 19,500

C 11,375 8.00% 12,291

C -

C 21,185 10.00% 26,304

C 19,189 12.00% 23,991

C 3,287 2.00% 2,800

C 3,765 10.00% 3,300

C 5,535 12.00% 5,000

C 1,905 12.00% 1,987

C 58,383 12.00% 46,500

C 8,337 10.00% 9,763

C 9,556 7.00% 8,540

C 4,500 10.00% 4,500

D 17,910 10.00% 18,450

E 1,807 10.00% 1,400

F 584 10.00% 700

G 6,748 9,000

G 2,400 14.00% 2,400

G 27,543 10.00% 33,205

36,195 10.00% 38,200

G 18,500 11.00% 23,501

G 70,617 18.50% 72,000

G 17,077 10.00% 26,237

H 13,084 9.50% 17,172

H 36,696 9.50% 47,300

H 600 600

H 6,315 10.00% 10,000

I 23,380 14.00% 24,500

I 3,000 15.00% 3,000

J 2,537 5.00% 3,846

J - -

J 1,600 4,400

J 118,897 11.00% 158,175

J 14,110 17.00% 14,798

J 141,167 11.00% 182,000

J 9,600 10.00% 10,000

J 39,564 14.00% 57,435

K 3,362 12.00% 3,883

L 24,567 8.00% 26,800

L 500 5.00% 1,900

L 3,650 15.00% 4,000

L 12,832 10.00% 17,394

M 70,974 10.00% 60,000

M 13,594 11.00% 14,850

M 45,000 14.00% 47,880 VOLUNTARY PROMPO R TIONATE G IVI N 66,000G R 13.50%EP O R 68,561T M - - As of 12/31/2011 N 39,000 13.00% 39,500 V V N - - 2011 2012 2011 2012 O 14,066 5.00% 15,350 VPG $$$ $$$ VPG $$$ VPG $$$ $$$ VPG $$$

PARISH/MISSION % Estimate Actual % Estimate O PARISH/MISSION % Estimate A c tual - % Estimate -

ABERDEEN, St. John's 10.00% 5,000 5,000 5,000 AOLIVE BRANCH, Holy Cross 9.00% 8,043 5,0006,220 5,0008,000

BAY ST. LOUIS, Christ 10.00% 12,926 13,758 10.00% 12,100 BOXFORD, St. Peter's 15.00% 90,000 13,75883,402 10.00%15.00% 12,10090,000

BELZONI, St. Thomas' 1,100 1,100 BPASCAGOULA, St. John's 35,000 35,467 1,100 16.00% -

BILOXI, Redeemer 10.00% 12,000 12,000 10.00% 20,000 BPASS CHRISTIAN, Trinity 13,000 12,000 2,614 10.00% 9.00% 20,000 4,000

BOVINA, St. Alban's 10.00% 12,907 13,400 11.00% 13,830 BPERKINSTON, Annunciation - 13,400 216 11.00% 13,830 -

BRANDON, St. Luke's 4.00% 4,000 1,900 5.00% 4,023 BPHILADELPHIA, St. Francis' 10.00% 8,438 1,9008,440 10.00% 5.00% 4,0238,586

BRANDON, St. Peter's 11.50% 37,286 28,193 11.50% 33,942 BPICAYUNE, St. Paul's 10.00% 8,900 28,193 2,500 11.50% 8.00% 33,942 -

BROOKHAVEN, Redeemer 8.00% 18,208 18,208 8.50% 19,500 BPORT GIBSON, St. James' 4.00% 3,179 18,208 2,690 8.50%7.00% 19,500 6,370

CANTON, Grace 8.00% 11,522 11,375 8.00% 12,291 CRAYMOND, St. Mark's 1,000 11,375 3,000 8.00% 12,291 2,500

CARROLLTON, Grace 300 - CRIDGELAND, St. Columb's 10.00% 34,494 18,944 - 6.00% 18,000

CLARKSDALE, St. George's 20,000 21,185 10.00% 26,304 CROLLING FORK, Chapel/Cross 10.00% 5,700 21,185 4,700 10.00% 26,304 5,200

CLEVELAND, Calvary 12.00% 23,040 19,189 12.00% 23,991 CROSEDALE, Grace - 19,189 - 12.00% 23,991 -

CLINTON, Creator 5.00% 7,992 3,287 2.00% 2,800 CSOUTHAVEN, St. Timothy's 6.00% 15,000 13,947 3,287 2.00%6.00% 16,000 2,800

COLLINS, St. Elizabeth's 10.00% 3,765 3,765 10.00% 3,300 CSTARKVILLE, Resurrection 16.00% 44,800 45,320 3,765 10.00%16.00% 44,000 3,300

COLUMBIA, St. Stephen's 10.00% 5,000 5,535 12.00% 5,000 CSUMNER, Advent 3,000 5,5353,166 12.00% 5,000 -

COLUMBUS, Good Shepherd 12.00% 1,987 1,905 12.00% 1,987 CTERRY, Good Shepherd 2,000 1,9051,695 12.00% 5.00% 1,9871,500

COLUMBUS, St. Paul's 16.00% 70,000 58,383 12.00% 46,500 CTUNICA, Epiphany 5.00% 600 58,383 - 12.00% 46,500 -

COMO, Holy Innocents' 9.00% 8,000 8,337 10.00% 9,763 CTUPELO, All Saints' 14.00% 58,000 55,151 8,337 10.00%14.00% 56,000 9,763

CORINTH, St. Paul's 7.00% 9,539 9,556 7.00% 8,540 CVICKSBURG, Christ 10.00% 9,850 9,5569,075 10.00% 7.00% 8,5407,800

CRYSTAL SPRINGS, Holy Trinity 3,500 4,500 10.00% 4,500 CVICKSBURG, Holy Trinity 20,000 18,210 4,500 10.00% 9.25% 23,804 4,500

DIAMONDHEAD, St. Thomas' 10.00% 18,000 17,910 10.00% 18,450 DVICKSBURG, St. Mary's 1,500 17,910 1,080 10.00% 18,450 -

ENTERPRISE, St. Mary's 10.00% 1,400 1,807 10.00% 1,400 EWEST POINT, Incarnation 15.00% 24,341 22,436 1,807 10.00%15.00% 23,753 1,400

FOREST, St. Matthew's 10.00% 700 584 10.00% 700 FWOODVILLE, St. Paul's 0.00% 1,500 1,125 584 10.00% 700 - GAUTIER, St. Pierre's 10.00% 9,017 6,748 9,000 GYAZOO CITY, Trinity 10.00% 3,800 6,7482,972 10.00% 9,0003,350

GREENVILLE, Redeemer 14.00% 2,400 2,400 14.00% 2,400 G 1 ,674,988 1,486,419 2,400 14.00% 1,630,670 2,400 GREENVILLE, St. James' 11.00% 33,205 27,543 10.00% 33,205 G 27,543 10.00% 33,205 GREENWOOD, Nativity 10.00% 40,000 36,195 10.00% 38,200 Ma ke Steward s h i p B e s 36,195t Pra 10.00%ctic e s 38,200 GRENADA, All Saints' 10.00% 14,380 18,500 11.00% 23,501 G 18,500 11.00% 23,501 GULFPORT, St. Mark's 18.00% 70,617 70,617 18.50% 72,000 G Part of Your New Y ear ’ s 70,617Reso 18.50%lut i o n 72,000s GULFPORT, St. Peter's 10.00% 28,304 17,077 10.00% 26,237 G 17,077 10.00% 26,237 HATTIESBURG, Ascension 9.25% 13,084 13,084 9.50% 17,172 HBy Kristine Mil ler Best Practices, Congregatio n a l L e a dership 13,084 9.50% 17,172 HATTIESBURG, Trinity 9.00% 39,200 36,696 9.50% 47,300 H 36,696 9.50% 47,300

HOLLANDALE, St. Paul's 500 600 600 HNow is a great tim e to start the year off by im p l e m e n t i n g som e s t e w a r d s 600hip best practice s . F o r 600 example.., HOLLY SPRINGS, Christ 10.00% 9,337 6,315 10.00% 10,000 H 6,315 10.00% 10,000 INDIANOLA, St. Stephen's 14.00% 23,000 23,380 14.00% 24,500 I1. Annual m ee ting — Your annual meeting is c o m i n g up and y o u w 23,380ant to share 14.00% the chu r c h b u d 24,500get INVERNESS, All Saints' 15.00% 3,000 3,000 15.00% 3,000 Iwith the con gre gation. Rather than a series of p o w e r p oint sli d e s a n d 3,000charts, wh 15.00%y not sh o w p h o t o 3,000s of JACKSON, All Saints' 5.00% 3,857 2,537 5.00% 3,846 Jall the min ist ries in which you are involved? P e o p l e a r e much m o r e i n 2,537terested in 5.00%how yo u r m i n i s 3,846tries JACKSON, Medical Center Ministry - - - Jare impact ing the lives o f those whom you se r v e t h a n t h e y are i n i n c r e a s -ing utility costs. M a k e s u r e - your presentation reflects how your parish is responding to God’s call. Better yet, create a ministry- JACKSON, St. Alexis' 4,400 1,600 4,400 J 1,600 4,400 focused budget which shows your budget in terms of ministry support. (Send me an email if you are JACKSON, St. Andrew's 11.00% 152,585 118,897 11.00% 158,175 Jinterested in a template.) 118,897 11.00% 158,175 JACKSON, St. Christopher 16.00% 14,688 14,110 17.00% 14,798 J 14,110 17.00% 14,798 2. Thanking your givers—as a part of your pledging process, be sure to communicate with those who JACKSON, St. James' 10.00% 154,000 141,167 11.00% 182,000 Jare fundin g y our important ministries. Send a p e r s o nal and si n c e r e 141,167 (handwritte 11.00%n, if pos s i b l e ) t 182,000hank JACKSON, St. Mark's 10.00% 10,000 9,600 10.00% 10,000 Jyou note t o a ll those who made a pledge or a r e c o n t r ibuting t o y o u r a 9,600nnual bud 10.00%get. Rem e m b e r 10,000that JACKSON, St. Philip's 13.00% 53,333 39,564 14.00% 57,435 Jpledges ar e m ore likely to be fulfilled if you r e g u l a r l y (at least q u a r t e 39,564rly) commu 14.00%nicate w i t h g i v e 57,435rs KOSCIUSKO, St. Matthew's 12.00% 3,600 3,362 12.00% 3,883 Kabout how th eir generous gifts are enabling m i n i s t r y t h rough y o u r p a 3,362rish. 12.00% 3,883 LAUREL, St. John's 8.00% 26,800 24,567 8.00% 26,800 L3. Provid e multiple opportunities to contribu t e — m a king a pl e d g e t o 24,567 the annual 8.00%budget i s n o t t 26,800he LELAND, St. John's 10.00% 2,725 500 5.00% 1,900 Lonly way m embers can contribute! Some mem b e r s a r e willing a n d a b l e 500to give m 5.00%ore. Ma k e s u r e y 1,900ou provide a list of “special projects” and associated costs (i. e. computer software $250, upgrade sound LEXINGTON, St. Mary's 4,000 3,650 15.00% 4,000 L 3,650 15.00% 4,000 system $1250, etc.) Post the list on your website, print it in the bulletin and newsletters so members LONG BEACH, St. Patrick's 10.00% 16,200 12,832 10.00% 17,394 Lknow what is nee ded. Be sure to include how e a c h o f these p r o j e c t s 12,832 will enhan 10.00%ce your a b i l i t y t o 17,394 do MADISON, Chapel of the Cross 10.25% 87,439 70,974 10.00% 60,000 Mmore min istry. 70,974 10.00% 60,000 MCCOMB, Mediator/Redeemer 10.00% 13,500 13,594 11.00% 14,850 M4. Provide multiple vehicles for making a con t r i b u t i o n—if the m a j o r 13,594ity of your 11.00%member s a r e c o n 14,850tribut - MERIDIAN, Mediator 14.00% 44,800 45,000 14.00% 47,880 Ming throug h the offering plate ONLY, you are n o t r a i s ing as m u c h a s 45,000you could. 14.00%Electron i c f u n d s 47,880 trans - MERIDIAN, St. Paul's 13.20% 66,000 66,000 13.50% 68,561 Mfers, stock gift s, online giving, gifts-in-kind an d o t h e r methods o f c o n 66,000tributing sh 13.50%ould be h i g h o n 68,561 your MICHIGAN CITY, Calvary 200 - - Mlist for the New Year. In my experience, those w h o a r e r esista n t t o t h e s e - “new” methods t y p i c a l l y s a -y,

NATCHEZ, Trinity 13.00% 35,000 39,000 13.00% 39,500 N“people w ant to put something in the offering p l a t e ” and “we t r i e d t 39,000hat and no 13.00%one cho s e t o p a 39,500rtici - pate”. New processes take time and churches are notorious for being late adopters. In churches where NEWTON, Trinity - - - N - -

OCEAN SPRINGS, St. John's 5.00% 15,500 14,066 5.00% 15,350 O 14,066 5.00% S t e w a r 15,350dship,

OKOLONA, St. Bernard's - - - O - Contin u e d o n p a g -e 22

O 6,220 8,000 O 6,220 8,000 8 The Mississippi Episcopalian Special Council Edition 2012 O 83,402 15.00% 90,000 O 83,402 15.00% 90,000 COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS All Saints Chancellor’s Report Commission on Ministry November accomplishments The Chancellor of the Diocese attended the meetings of the The Commission on Ministry (COM) continued to carry out its • Continue to repair/replace hot water storage tank in Green Hall Trustees of the Diocese and the Executive Committee, and assisted as canonical responsibility to assist Bishop Gray in all matters related to the • Winterized campus and buildings requested. ministry of priests, deacons, and laypersons in the Diocese of Mississippi. Conducted research, rendered legal opinions and conferred with The COM is responsible for making recommendations to the Bishop con - December plans the Bishop, the Canon to the Ordinary, and the Canon for Administration cerning aspirants, postulants, and candidates for holy orders at all stages • Finish replacement of hot water storage tank in Green Hall and Finance and lay leaders on a variety of issues affecting or involving of the process leading to ordination. It is this work that takes up the • Replace old florescent light fixtures in old library the Diocese. bulk of the COM’s time together. The COM also helps the Bishop think Studied and reviewed Roberts Rules of Order, the Council Agenda, creatively about the emerging needs of the Episcopal Church in The budget request for December is $41,446, with cash on hand of and attended the Diocesan Council held at the Jackson Convention Mississippi, and how the COM can respond to these new needs in helpful approximately $5,000. Center in Jackson, Mississippi, assisted as requested and served on the ways. Bishop Gray typically meets with the Commission for a period of Constitution and Canons Committee. time at each gathering. AmeriCorps continues to have only a few teams (at times only 1- or Coordinated the filing of a sales tax registration application with the The full COM meets three times a year - in March, in August, and in 2-team members) on campus. All teams are to return on December 5-6 Mississippi State Tax Commission for vendor sales at the Diocesan October. The Presbyter Discernment Committee, a subcommittee of the for the second transition. The solution to the hot water storage problem Council. COM, meets in early January with aspirants for the priesthood and their in Green Hall was to purchase a large commercial electric water heater It Coordinated the submission of a non-profit corporation filing for spouses. The Presbyter Discernment Committee welcomed its newest will also provide back-up hot water if the main water heater goes down. the Trustees with the office of the Secretary of State of Mississippi. member In January 2011— the Rev. Shannon Manning. The Diaconal With this tank, exhaust vents did not have to be installed saving us con - Reviewed the bi-monthly issues of Church Law and Tax Report Discernment Committee meets as needed, and is made up of COM mem - siderably on the purchase and installation costs. We have the $10,000 regarding court decisions involving churches, parishes, dioceses, etc., and bers and others. It did not meet in 2011. requested last month but need an additional $2,500 to cover installation, called to the attention of the Bishop and the Canon for Administration January 3 - 5, 2011, the Presbyter Discernment Committee met with which is in this month’s request. and Finance the matters of importance to this Diocese. four aspirants sent to us by the Bishop. They reconvened on January 8th AmeriCorps has resolved their problems with the security contrac - Studied, reviewed, conferred and met with the Bishop, the Canon to interview a fifth aspirant. Spouses of several aspirants were also inter - tor. They hired a new supply technician, filling the position that Wade for Administration and Finance, the Trustees and representatives of viewed. The Presbyter Discernment Committee made its recommenda - used to be in, who started on the 16th. He has rented the green house Merrill Lynch and Vector Money Management, Inc. involving the manage - tions to the Bishop. Bishop Gray accepted two new postulants for the and is now living on campus. They are conducting interviews for Joy’s ment of the Diocese’s investment portfolio. priesthood: Laurence Wainwright of St. Alexis, Jackson, and Sarah Moses replacement, but are not sure when that person will be starting. Conferred with the Bishop, Trustees and others, especially the of St. Peter’s, Oxford. Sarah already has her M.Div., so her training will Paula will be retiring at the end of December. We will be having a Canon for Administration and Finance, and worked extensively with rep - be a little different from the traditional seminary track. luncheon for her that will be combined with the regular Christmas holi - resentatives of AmeriCorps/NCCC and their legal counsel and other rep - The full COM met at Gray Center in March. We met with Laurence day social for the All Saints staff. Paula’s replacement is already on board. resentatives, on contract, leasehold and related legal issues concerning Wainwright (new presbyter postulant) and Dr. Billy Walton (All Saints’, the All Saints Episcopal School in Vicksburg, for which the Trustees are a Tupelo), (diaconal postulant). The results of the General Ordination creditor. Exams (GOEs) were discussed at length with respect to the five candi - Center for Formation and Mission Conferred with the Bishop, Trustees and the Canon for dates for the priesthood: Van Bankston, Don Chancellor, Watson Lamb, You are invited... Administration and Finance on financing matters involving the existing Clelie McCandless, and Seth Wally. The COM recommended all five for The renewed Center for Formation and Mission (CfFM) is delighted financing relationship between the Trustees and Trustmark National Bank ordination to the transitional diaconate. to have completed a second year of programming, inviting congregations, involving the indebtedness incurred by the Trustees for congregations on The full COM met again at Gray Center August 10-12, 2011. The individuals, friends and neighbors to engage and explore and experience the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina and separate obligations of All COM approved the candidacy of rising senior seminarian John Kellog the Spirit of God as we seek to be One Church in Mission, Inviting, Saints Episcopal School. (General Seminary). It was learned that new postulant Laurence Transforming, Reconciling. We are deeply grateful for our collaboration Conferred with the Bishop and Trustees on matters involving the Wainwright had chosen Seminary of the Southwest and was enrolling with the Center for Ministry, created by the Mississippi Conference of the Gray Center Special Maintenance Fund, including a timber sale proposal there as a junior. United Methodist Church and Millsaps College. The diocese already col - involving real property held and administered by the Trustees for the There was an energetic and wide-ranging discussion of deployment laborates with the Center for Ministry in offering Journey Partners, a two- benefit of that Fund. issues in the diocese, including staffing solutions for small churches that year course in the art and practice of spiritual direction; in 2011, Center Conferred with the Rector of St. James Jackson concerning a vestry can no longer afford full-time clergy and the vacancies in the Mississippi for Ministry staff also assisted the CfFM Program Committee in planning matter. Delta. David Johnson reported on the Iona Initiative out of the Seminary and implementing a variety of other conferences and retreats. Evaluated the applicability of the Mississippi Charitable Solicitation of the Southwest. David is on the organizing committee for this program, A women’s retreat entitled “Sanctuary” invited participants to reflect regulations to Gray Center. which would be available to laypersons in the Diocese of Mississippi who on finding sanctuary in God and discovering God in the sanctuary of our Reviewed and responded to an inquiry concerning the effect of a might be bi-vocational priests or vocational deacons. Mississippi would deepest selves. A series of quiet days entitled “A Day Apart” offered a bankruptcy filing by a vendor who provides services to a Diocesan min - be one of seven charter dioceses for this program, which plans to launch space of silence, beginning and ending with prayer. A longer guided istry. by September 2012. silent retreat entitled “Who are You, God, and Who am I?” invited partici - Conferred with the Bishop, Canon for Administration and Finance, The balance of the COM’s time at this meeting was spent reviewing pants into a rhythm of silence and gathered prayer, exploring our images the Trustees and the Rector and Vestry of St. Mark’s Gulfport and pre - the files of the current postulants, and meeting with all three rising mid - of God and God’s images of us. Our annual retreat for knitters and pared correspondence and related documentation relating to the finan - dler seminarians, Will Lowry (Sewanee), C.J. Meaders (Seminary of the needleworkers reflected on the story of Mary and Martha, and in the busy cial obligations of St. Mark’s to the Trustees arising out of the sale in Southwest), and Lyn Stabler (Sewanee) and assorted spouses. We also season of Advent, invited Jesus to help us choose the better part. 2010 of the beachfront property at St. Mark’s. met with James DeDeaux, the most recent postulant for the vocational For the first time, the CfFM offered a men’s retreat, co-sponsored Worked on real property transactions and related matters for diaconate. with the Brotherhood of St. Andrew from Chapel of the Cross, Madison. Redeemer Biloxi; Redeemer Greenville; St. John’s Leland; a property The final COM meeting of the year took place October 15, 2011, at The Reverend Patrick Gahan came from Texas to lead this event entitled inquiry concerning Mediator McComb; issues involving construction war - St. Andrew’s Cathedral. The COM approved four transitional deacons for “Does God Have a Plan for Me, or Is Destiny Overrated?” Another first ranties for St. Patrick’s Long Beach; a donation to the Trustees of proper - ordination to the priesthood - Don, Clelie, Seth, and Watson. The COM was the inaugural offering of Sewanee at Gray Center, a series of confer - ty located in Northeast Jackson; and a construction project for St. received a report from Shannon Manning on the Young Adult ences that will bring faculty from Sewanee’s School of Theology to teach Christopher’s Jackson. Discernment program in the Diocese of Mississippi. The COM was updat - and reflect on their areas of expertise and interest. This event was enti - Conferred with the Bishop, the Canon to the Ordinary, the Canon ed on the Iona Initiative by David Johnson. The COM made some minor tled “The Anglican Perspective of C.S. Lewis,” keynoted by the Reverend for Administration and Finance, and the Standing Committee and assisted amendments to the Presbyter Discernment Handbook. There was contin - Dr. Robert MacSwain, Associate Professor of Theology and Christian in the consummation of a real property sale transaction to Keesler ued discussion of creative solutions for serving the liturgical, pastoral, Ethics at Sewanee. Federal Credit Union involving four acres of property at St. Patrick’s Long and sacramental needs of small churches in the Mississippi Delta and You are invited... You are invited to lay down the fullness of a day - Beach, the closing proceeds from which enabled the Trustees to make elsewhere in the state. perhaps even the fullness of a couple of days - to join us for an event in further principal reductions on the indebtedness incurred by the Trustees 2012. We will continue to offer quiet days, a silent retreat, retreats for for congregations on the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina. Respectfully submitted, women and men, and a weekend for needleworkers. New in 2012 will The Rev. Sylvia Czarnetzky be a conference on healing ministries co-sponsored by Order of St. Luke Granville Tate, Jr. COM Chair the Physician, as well as a second offering of Sewanee at Gray Center. Chancellor That event will take place in March, keynoted by the Reverend Dr. Bill Brosend, Professor of Homiletics and President of the Episcopal Preaching Foundation. He will reflect with us on how Jesus has prepared us all to tell the good news... I remain deeply grateful to the members of the CfFM Program Committee for their vision and creativity. We look forward to serving individuals and congregations in the Diocese of Mississippi and beyond in 2012. We are one church in mission, inviting...and you are invited...

Respectfully submitted The Reverend Jennifer Deaton, Program Committee Chair Special Council Edition 2012 The Mississippi Episcopalian 9 COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS Committee on Ministry Companion Diocese Report Cooperative College for Bob and Lollie Everett traveled to Panama to represent the Diocese with LGBT Persons of Mississippi at their Convention in Panama City, February 10-13, 2011. Congregational Development (CCCD) The Mission: Our mission is to continue Christ’s work of reconciliation We arrived the afternoon of the 7th and left on the 13th. Since Bob had CCCD enters its third year this summer. The two-year originating and the unity among all persons by attaining full inclusion of LGBT per - never been before, Bishop Murray asked that we come early so he could cycle of the program was completed in the summer of 2011. During the sons in the life of the Church. show Bob some sites. We stayed with the Bishop and his family, and had past two years of CCCD, the program was a combined effort of the a wonderful time. The weather was wonderfully warm and so was the hos - Dioceses of Alabama, Arkansas, East Carolina, Mississippi, Tennessee and The committee met on three occasions during the year (12 March, 25 pitality. We went to the Canal, downtown, Old Town, and other tourist Upper South Carolina. It was administered in the Diocese of Mississippi. June and 1 October 2011). A summary of accomplishments, ongoing proj - sites on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Then Wednesday night I met In 2012, CCCD will divide into CCCD West and CCCD East, with the ects and new initiatives follow: with the Committee. Thursday I attended the ECW Meeting, and Saturday West conference being hosted at Gray Center. Sponsoring dioceses for 1. Retreat 2012: I am very pleased to announce that The Rt. Rev. Mary we attended the Convention. Friday night we took Julio, Ana, Jewell, and CCCD West will include Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee. Glasspool, Bishop Suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles has Shawn out to eat at a delightful restaurant in Old Town and then for ice The Dioceses of West Tennessee and Louisiana have agreed to join the accepted Bishop Gray’s invitation to conduct the 2012 retreat. Bishop cream. All in all it was a delightful trip, and we want to return for a vaca - program. Glasspool was elected the eighth bishop suffragan of the Episcopal tion someday. CCCD West will be an intense five-day program in congregational Diocese of Los Angeles on 5 December 2009 after serving nine years as On February 9, 2011 at 6:00 p.m., Lollie Everett met with Bishop development and will be led by trained representatives from participating canon to the ordinary to the bishops of Maryland. She is the second Julio Murray, Rev. Glenda McQueen, Prof. Walter Smith, and Eva Murdock dioceses. This summer’s program at Gray Center will begin on Sunday woman to be elected bishop in diocesan history. Bishop Glasspool’s areas in the Diocesan Office to discuss the next few years and how we wish to evening, June 24 and will conclude on Friday, June 29. It is anticipated of specialization include ecumenical and interreligious ministries, dioce - proceed. that lay and ordained representatives from six dioceses will participate. san schools and LGBT ministries. The seventh annual retreat will be held We agreed that we were very pleased with the ECW’s relationship, Representatives of four Mississippi parishes participated in 2010 and at Gray Center 24-26 August 2012. and felt it was progressing with a better understanding of each other’s cul - 2011. Parish development programs have emerged in those congrega - 2. Retreat 2011: The sixth annual retreat was held at Gray Center 26-28 tures. The relationship is truly a give and take - one with love and under - tions during the past two years. August. There were 65 attendees from five states including many parishes standing. The two Boards have developed special bonds and deep friend - The curriculum for the two-year course of study is grounded in from the Gulf Coast to Southaven in the north and Vicksburg to Meridian ships. organizational development and is aimed at training lay and ordained in central Mississippi. Of that number, seven were clergy including We agreed to postpone the Medical Mission until at least 2012 to leaders to lead and develop their congregations by a deeper understand - Bishop Gray. The leader of the retreat was The Rev. Deacon Joanna give us time to address needs and other issues. Things discussed were ing of parish dynamics. Seibert, MD, from St. Margaret’s Church, Little Rock, AR. Her theme was: changes that might affect how and where a medical mission would best A Spiritual Journey with Psalms, Harp and Stories. Drawing from several serve the people. A contact person will be appointed by the Bishop at a of her publications she conducted periods of meditation, discussion later date to serve this purpose. Deacons’ Council groups and music, which she played on the harp. The three areas pre - We discussed and agreed that projects work best when a specific Deacons of the diocese continued working in a wide variety of min - sented were: (1) How God cares for us in times of suffering; (2) How person is interested in that project, so we are both reorganizing our istries, primarily focused on “the poor, the weak, the sick, and the lonely” God heals and speaks to us in community; and, (3) How help came when Committees to meet these criteria in hopes that this will help with com - (BCP, p. 543). There were several areas of focus by deacons during the we thought solutions were impossible. munications. Also, we are in the process of updating addresses, e-mails, year that included prison ministry, racial reconciliation, public school 3. Youth Counseling Program: The Youth Counseling Program was etc. I gave them an ECW Calendar, and I am waiting for their list. ministry, hospital chaplaincy, and advocacy (acting as a voice for those completed in We discussed the possibility of having Companion Churches. I have throughout the state that have no voice). the summer and submitted to the Bishop for review and approval. He has a couple that have expressed an interest. The Rev. Glenda McQueen and The new deacons were ordained in January at St. Andrew’s asked for certain changes, which are now in the process of being made. I I are going to explore this in the coming year. We discussed ways to Cathedral: Patricia Cantrell (Incarnation, West Point), Deborah Hanson am happy to report the The Rev. Janet Ott has been asked to coordinate include our youth in this as they are so internet savvy. We also discussed (St. Philip’s, Jackson), Lynn Phillips-Gaines (Resurrection, Starkville), and this project with the help of other committee members. It is expected camps and exchanging campers, or staff and training for camp staff. I will Josie Williams (St. Alban’s, Bovina). that this will be accomplished in the spring of 2012. One of the aspects of get with The Rev. Annie Elliott, and see what her ideas might be. The annual retreat for deacons was held at Gray Center in April. the program will be familiarization training, which is being planned for We discussed bringing someone over to come to the Racial The spiritual retreat was led by Gay Yerger (St. James’, Jackson), who also 2012. Reconciliation Workshop in March. Milford Peynado was suggested as a serves as Formation Director for the Deacons’ School. 4. Inclusive Statement of Welcome: Some years ago the Bishop pro - possible attendee. He will go back to do the setting up for Anita to come The Discernment Committee for the Diaconate met in May and rec - vided the following statement to each parish/mission and asked that it be there, or whatever they decide. ommended one new postulant. displayed in a prominent place in each parish/mission and be printed in The school in Colon and the Camp in Santa Clara are both in need The Rev. Dr. Bryan Owen serves as Dean of the School for the news letters and bulletins: “We respect the dignity of all persons regard - of things. The Camp received a partial UTO Grant to redo the kitchen. Diaconate, coordinating classes, faculty and students. Two postulants less of national origin, race, gender, age, or sexual orientation, and wel - They are now looking for donations to finish up. I have a list and thought began academic and formation work in September. come and encourage them to participate fully in all areas of parish/mis - I might visit a few churches that might like to help out. The Day on the Diaconate, a day of providing information to those sion life.” It is recognized that there has been limited success with this In late March, the Diocese of Panama sent Milford Peynado to a who are interested in learning more about a diaconal ministry, was held initiative, and for that reason the committee plans to readdress this in Racial Reconciliation workshop. The ECW sent money to the School in in the spring in Jackson and in the fall in Hattiesburg. 2012 with the hope of offering a fresh approach that will facilitate more Colon, to help with a new roof in April. We look forward to continuing our work in the diocese as we strive progress. On November 9, two ladies, Carla Barrett and Debra Cox, came for to serve Christ by serving the helpless. 5. Work with the MS Department of Mental Health: The chairman of the annual ECW Meeting. We toured the Diocesan Office and St. the committee, with the approval of the Bishop, worked with the MS Andrew’s before going to the ECW meeting. They returned home on The Rev. Bill Hanna, Chair Department of Mental Health in planning and participated in a confer - Sunday after the meeting. Deacons’ Council ence to identify and describe services and support for LGBT youth. The The Youth Group from St. conference titled “Integrity in Services and Supports for LGBT Youths: Philip’s, Jackson is going to Dispelling Myths, Creating Safe Environments” was held in October and Panama in the spring of 2012 on attended by 450 employees of state governmental departments with a mission trip. They will be stay - A date to remember: responsibility for youth services. A number of community organizations ing in Panama City, and possibly made presentations that described their services. The reason that the going out to Tuesday, February 7, 2012 committee was asked to become involved was in recognition of our faith- based initiatives in support of LGBT persons. The chairman has been Santa Clara, the Camp. Deadline for submittal to the Mississippi Episcopalian - 12:00 noon asked to continue to work with the Department as a resource person. Companion Diocese Chair, 6. Committee Membership: The committee has decided to identify two Lollie Everett types of membership: Active Members-These are persons who have com - mitted to attend meetings and actively participate in the initiatives of the committee. Emeritus Members-These are persons who are committed to and support the actions of the committee and will attend meetings and offer support when their schedules permit. A list of Active and Emeritus members may be found at the Diocesan web site. Go to www.dioms.org and click on Mission and Outreach and click next on LGBT Ministries.

Respectively Submitted, John A. Lever, Chairman

10 The Mississippi Episcopalian Special Council Edition 2012 COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS Diocesan Altar Guild Diocese of Mississippi’s Disaster Education for Ministry The Diocesan Altar Guild is still regrouping and trying to get Preparation and Response Team Education for Ministry in Mississippi continues to be a source of Convocation groups better organized. It does seem to be a problem to education, theology, and spiritual growth throughout the diocese. There schedule meetings that do not conflict with other events in the area. The Diocese’s Disaster Preparation and Response Team has made pre - are currently 20 groups, 178 members, and 32 mentors or co-mentors We did have a most successful meeting last April 16th at St. Peter’s sentations throughout each convocation in Mississippi attempting to engaged in the program in the Diocese of Mississippi. In addition to the by-the- Sea in Gulfport. The keynote speaker was the Reverend Albert establish a grass roots way in which the diocese may be better prepared face-to-face groups, there are two online groups for those who cannot Kennington, retired rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Mobile, to respond to those in need during a crisis situation. We are establishing attend a face-to-face group. Alabama. He spoke on “Why We Use What We Use in Our Worship convocational networks for local preparation and response; when linked Education for Ministry (EfM) is a program of theological education Services.” Workshops were held on flower arranging, with Joyce Jurik of together we anticipate having a strong diocesan response team to handle from the School of Theology at the University of the South, Sewanee. St. John’s in Ocean Springs; a linen workshop, conducted by Patricia a vast array of disasters (i.e., hurricanes, tornados, ice storms, etc.). EfM is designed for lay people who would like to increase their knowl - Hourin, of St Thomas, Diamondhead; and Preserving Church Heritage, Each parish and mission has been asked to collect the names of commu - edge of Holy Scripture, Church History, and Contemporary Theology as with Sue Cassady of St. Peter’s, Gulfport. nicants and the resources they may bring to this disaster prep and well as grow in their faith and ability to carry out the ministries to which Eucharist was celebrated by the Rev. Melanie Lemburg in the response work. We have received this information (pink sheets) from they are called. Participants in EfM meet weekly to discuss their readings, absence of Bishop Gray, III, who was in New Orleans awaiting the birth many congregations and look forward to receiving this data from many worship together and share in theological reflection. A trained mentor of a grandson. Earlier in the meeting, the DAG had given a monetary gift more congregations in the very near future. leads the group but students are responsible for their own learning. to Camp Bratton-Green in honor of the Right Rev. Duncan M. Gray, Jr., The survey form below is to aid in the data gathering process. Your The seminar group is the nucleus of the Education for Ministry pro - former chaplain of the National Altar Guild and organizer of the first name may have already surfaced in the local meetings, but to make sure, gram. A group meets weekly over the course of 36 weeks and members diocesan altar guild in Mississippi. we ask that you please fill out all the information blanks below about have an opportunity to share their insights and discoveries as well as to We continue to maintain a supply closet for churches in need of yourself. Your information will be released only to your parish or mis - discuss questions which the study materials raise for them. Through dis - articles. Mary Jackson of St. Mark’s, Jackson, is in charge of this ministry. sion and, in the event of an emergency, to the point person in a disaster cussion and guided reflection, the seminars furnish an opportunity to She can be contacted at [email protected]. area who is working with the Diocese of Mississippi. deepen one’s understanding of the reading materials and develop skills DAG maintains its custom of providing a red stole for each of our Thank you for helping to make our ability to respond during times of dis - in theological reflection. The goal is for members to learn to think theo - new deacons at their ordination. One of our members, Lollie Everett, aster more effective. logically by examining their own beliefs and their relationship to our cul - makes these beautiful stoles and one will be on display in the altar guild ture and the tradition of our Christian faith. The seminar is supported by booth at annual council. We continue in our mission to assist the Faithfully, a life of prayer and regular worship. Bishop, clergy and all guilds in the care of their altars. The Rev. Carol Spencer, Coordinator For further information about joining an existing EfM group or The 2012 annual meeting will be held at Nativity Episcopal Church, The Rev. Scott Lenoir, Co-coordinator about starting an EfM group in your parish, please contact Greenwood on April 28, 2012. The Diocese of Mississippi Disaster Preparation and Response Team Dr. Barbara Jones Mary Alice Bailey, Chair Your contact information (if we have not received this information from MS Diocesan EfM Coordinator your local congregation) 901-485-2860 Name: [email protected] The Episcopal Church at Ole Miss Address: Home phone number: (ECOM) Cell number: Episcopal Church Women The Episcopal Church at Ole Miss (ECOM) is the expression of the Fax number: Episcopal Church Women had a very exciting and busy year. We Episcopal tradition at the University of Mississippi in Oxford. ECOM seeks Your email address: started in January with our Winter Board Meeting at the Big House to to spread the love of Christ to the entire University community: students, map out our plans for the year. Our Spring Conference at Gray Center faculty, and staff. ECOM uses worship, scholarship, fellowship, and serv - At what Episcopal parish or mission are you a member? featured The Rev. Minka Sprague, who gave a wonderful presentation ice to spread the Gospel. Resources you have titled “A Love Song for the Episcopal Church. She spoke on the history, ECOM worships on Sunday nights at 5:30 p.m. at St. Peter’s Do you own a pickup truck? 1/2 ton ? 3/4 ton? faith, theology and unique features of our church. Everyone was remind - Episcopal Church in Oxford, MS. Worship occurs in a “come as you are” Do you own a trailer? Enclosed or open? ed who we love this church so much! During the year members of the setting. The service follows The Book of Common Prayer, with Eucharistic Can you help with debris removal? ECW Board had the privilege of meeting with a number of churches in prayers and other elements changing with liturgical seasons to expose the Do you have wood working skills? the Diocese who are organizing ECW’s or reviving current organizations. community to the full breadth of the prayer book. Music is performed by Can you help with food preparation? If your parish is interested or would like us to present a program to your student musicians and includes selections from the ECOM Song Book, What other skills do you have or resources that might be of service at a local ECW, just contact any member of the board. the Hymnal 1982, and other resources. ECOM also seeks to learn more disaster site? In May ECW was well represented at the Service of Repentance and about Christ through the study of Holy Scripture and church teaching. Reconciliation at St. Andrew’s Cathedral sponsored by the Task Force on Discussions about Christian faith often take place at weekly fellowship Please clip and return to the diocesan office addressed to The Rev. Carol Racial Reconciliation of the Diocese. Several of us serve on this Task known as ECOM Wednesdays. ECOM seeks to serve Christ by serving the Borne Spencer Force. In June 8 of us attended the Province IV Women’s Conference at poor of Oxford and the wider Lafayette County area through its feeding Kanuga in North Carolina. Jackie Robe, our Province IV President, con - ministry MANNA. With the help and support of St. Peter’s and other Division of Youth (DOY) tinued her “Believe in a Miracle” program which has been so successful in organizations, MANNA produces over 100 meals weekly to serve the hun - the Diocese of Southwest Florida. We had an amazingly successful Spring DOY. Senior High filled the gry. From cooking the meals to delivering the meals, MANNA is a student In November our Fall Conference and Annual Meeting proved very entirety of Camp Bratton Green with 120 campers total. Junior High also led arm of ECOM. interesting. Jackie Robe was scheduled to be our speaker and was taken had great attendance with just over 100 campers. The theme for the The chaplain helps to facilitate all aspects of ECOM life (worship, ill at the last minute and unable to come. Our wonderful chaplain, The spring was Super Mario Brothers. Throughout the weekend the campers scholarship, fellowship, and service) and serves as the spiritual guide for Rev. Jennifer Deaton, and The Rev. Deacon Cathy Halford came to our used the adventures of Mario and his friends to explore the Holy Spirit’s the community. The chaplain works in consultation with students to find rescue. On Friday, Jennifer took some of Jackie’s material on saints, presence in their lives, the unfailing support found in Christ’s teachings, the best ways to service the spiritual needs of the community. Above all, expanded on it and gave us a wonderful program. On Saturday Cathy and the unconditional love from God. The weekend concluded with the the ECOM chaplain is the outward and physical sign of the ministry of the presented a wonderful session on Episcopal Relief and Development with Circle Game where campers and staff were able to openly discuss their church, seeking to help the University community members begin and/or special emphasis on their “Nets for Life” program, which is a special inter - spirituality and ask questions. deepen their union with Christ and with fellow Christians. Through the est of the National ECW and will be featured at our Triennial Meeting in The Fall DOYs were smaller but no less exciting or spiritually fulfill - uniqueness of the Episcopal/Anglican tradition, the Episcopal Church at July in Indianapolis. Bishop Gray installed the new officers at the Closing ing. Senior High had just over 100, and Junior High had about 60 Ole Miss seeks to spread the love of Christ at the University of Mississippi Eucharist. Nancey Scott of St. Philip’s in Jackson will be serving as campers total. The theme was Post-Apocalyptic DOY. The campers arrived through thought, word, and deed. President. to find themselves in a world without electricity, hot water, good food, We are in the process of preparing informational packets on ECW social order, and worst of all, camp songs. Throughout the weekend the The Rev. Fr. Seth M. Walley for priests in our Diocese, featuring our national and local projects— campers were slowly given back the essentials of life, and at the end of Chaplain United Thank Offering, Church Periodical Club, Children at Risk, Global the weekend, learned that giving these things to others is the work of the The Episcopal Church at Ole Miss (ECOM) Scholarship, Church Women United, and other areas where ECW is church that Jesus Christ Himself has commanded us to do for our neigh - involved in the mission and ministry of our church. Of note, in our bors. Global Scholarship fund we had raised enough money to expand our DOY Council did a wonderful job planning and executing both Ugandan scholarship to two. We now give two scholarships to Panama weekends, and thank you to all of the adults who volunteered their time and two to Uganda. and talents to the weekends. We would also like to give special thanks to I am very grateful for all the help I received during my tenure as Bill Cruse. Bill has served as DOY coordinator for the past several years President. It has been truly a blessing to serve and work with all of the and has decided to step down from his position in order to focus more people of this wonderful Diocese of Mississippi. on the youth ministry of St. James. DOY grew in numbers as well as spiri - tual service while under Bill’s care and we wish him the best. Bill’s co- Grace Steiner coordinator Abram Jones will become the coordinator until the fall while we search for a new co-coordinator for the program. Special Council Edition 2012 The Mississippi Episcopalian 11 COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS

and raised money for Camp Bratton Green. Bishop Gray started a tradi - Episcopal Canterbury Fellowship at Executive Committee tion of celebrating at the closing Eucharist on Sunday morning after the Mississippi State University, 2011 March 10 Barbeque. In 2011, the college ministry at Mississippi State University experi - Newly elected members of the Executive Committee were intro - The registration fee for the 185th Annual Council will be $95 until enced significant growth in numbers and in scope. The ministry is duced: The Rev. Luther Ott, St. Paul’s, Meridian; The Rev. Matt Rowe, November 1, and then increase to $105 until January 1 when it will designed to develop and sustain pastoral relationships with MSU stu - Nativity, Greenwood; Dr. Stephen Stray, St. Andrew’s, Jackson; Mr. Jim increase to $115. The special registration fee for seminarians, spouses of dents, as well as with members of the faculty and staff. Education about Wheeler, Redeemer, Biloxi. Those serving one-year appointments were seminarians and retired clergy, and non-delegate youth will be $50 / $60 / spirituality and the Episcopal tradition also continues as a primary goal of introduced: The Rev. Anne Harris, St. John’s, Ocean Springs; The Rev. $70, respectfully. The Finance Committee recommends budgeting the MSU ministry. Bailey Norman, Calvary, Cleveland; Mr. Charles Strange, Redeemer, $5,000 annually for the Annual Council Reserve in order to decrease the Through social activities, discussions, movies, and individual meet - Greenville deficit balance. ings with students, we nurture each student’s developing spirituality. We Canon Johnson made a presentation on the canonical role of the Since seminary education for priests is changing and the number of encourage students to think for themselves and to consider how their Executive Committee. bi-vocational priests is increasing, a special educational training program current choices will mold them as adults and as members of the larger The Rev. Patrick Sanders was elected vice president of the Executive is being developed, the Iona Initiative. This initiative is set to begin Church. Committee. September 2013 with a combination of face-to-face meetings, webinars To help develop students’ theological awareness and education, the All trust funds which are managed by the Trustees of the Diocese of and formation sessions. chaplain offered “Canterbury Tales,” an informal discussion group held at Mississippi and the purpose of each fund was reviewed. local restaurants. The group (named by a student in a contest) explored There was discussion on Voluntary Proportionate Giving and “What August 30 a wide variety of topics on religion and spirituality, including the sacra - are we doing together that we cannot do separately?” A task force to look It was reported that the diocese has disassociated with LESM and ments, use and understanding of Scripture, and the Episcopal tradition as into giving was formed with the following members: Graham, Sanders, LESM is liquidating even though there will be no formal announcement compared to and contrasted with other faith traditions. Ayers and Ott. at this time. Camp Victor may become part of the Lutheran ministry but Thanks to the participation of current students in the summer ori - The 2011 Budget was reviewed in detail. that is being negotiated. entation sessions, new students felt welcomed into the Canterbury family Discussion followed on raising funds on-line. Cursillo has request - Two years ago, the Executive Committee prioritized the items of the and have participated regularly and enthusiastically. At those sessions, ed permission to do online fundraising and other groups are already diocesan budget and another survey will be available after this meeting the MSU ministry gave away water bottles and T-shirts to increase aware - involved: Gray Center, Camp Bratton Green, etc. The Executive for the Executive Committee to complete. It is important that our budget ness of the Episcopal Church on campus and throughout the Starkville Committee authorized the use of online fundraising for special ministries is a statement of who we are as our diocesan ministry. The survey will community. in the diocese. ask for what is absolutely essential, essential, not essential and absolutely In the past year, Chaplain Carol Mead has given students the contin - The background of the closing All Saints School and the lease to not essential. uing opportunity to understand other faith traditions. A presentation by AmeriCorps was reviewed. AmeriCorps spent roughly $3 million renovat - The task force to look at the implementation of the Denominational Dr. Jonathan Edelman of the MSU faculty allowed students and other ing the campus with particular attention to systems and major repairs. Health plan met via telephone and offered a proposal for action from the guests a glimpse of the Hindu faith tradition. Such offerings are intended The lease is year to year for five years. There is an option to renew after Executive Committee. The cost sharing from participants was inevitable to give students an understanding of the common ground of human reli - five years. The four owning dioceses: Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana and would be reviewed even if we did not have to implement the denom - gious tradition. The encounters also equip us to respect the dignity of and Western Louisiana, loaned funds for operations to All Saints School inational health plan. Language stating that the diocese will work with every human being, even those who make religious choices very different during the last year the school was open and while a lease or sale was churches to work toward the implementation of the plan was added. from ours. being negotiated. There are also two loans being held by Trustmark. The minimum insurance allowance for 2012 will be based on the A key gift of the MSU Canterbury ministry is the Canterbury Lodge, The executive directors are Richard and Susan Price. two tier premium of the high deductible health plan and funding of 90% a renovated house on the property of the Episcopal Church of the Camp Bratton Green attendance was 90% of capacity which is more of the deductible in a health savings account. Resurrection in Starkville. The house serves as a meeting place for most than ever due to the camp coordinator, John Dreyfus, making numerous In 2012 the retirees will be moved to the Comprehensive Plan and Canterbury activities, both social and spiritual, as it includes a kitchen, recruiting visits to churches. The Adopt-a-Cabin program has been very the diocese will contribute $350 annually for the additional out of pocket den, dining area, and an excellent worship space. The lodge also gives successful with all the cabins adopted and renovations underway. The expense. Those wishing to remain on the Plus plan will have their premi - MSU students a refuge from the noise and busy-ness of campus, and stu - boat dock was also adopted and totally renovated. The staff is working um billed directly to them. dents frequently use the lodge as a quiet place to study. During 2011, we hard to bring new persons to Gray Center and in 48 days of 2011, 263 The One Church, One Diocese Task Force will be reviewing: schol - have undertaken significant renovations of that space, knocking out one new people have visited Gray Center for the first time. arships and educational opportunities available, the state of missions, wall to make the space more flexible in accommodating Canterbury’s The Bishop’s Barbeque is set for May 28 and donations are needed churches in transition and conflict, clergy who came from other dioceses, increasing numbers. for the silent auction. The Barbeque is being coordinated by the Gray and what expectations do churches have because they are part of the dio - Wednesday evenings are the primary structured meeting times for Center staff. Gray Center Sunday is May 29. cese. Canterbury students. Each Wednesday during the semester, students The proposed implementation plan for the Denominational Health The Executive Committee voted to increase the pension base of the meet with the chaplain for a meal home-cooked by Resurrection parish - Plan which is to be implemented by January 1, 2013 was discussed. minimum parochial clergy package by $1,200. The cost of living for 2011 ioners. Those meals are followed by a variety of activities, including The diocese will not be involved with Lutheran Episcopal Services was recognized at 4.1%, but the pension base for priests in supported movies and documentaries, board games, discussion, Eucharist, and com - in Mississippi (LESM) in disaster relief but will be involved in other areas. missions should be raised by 2.5%. pline. The Episcopal Outreach Foundation will be revived and a Servant The Prevention of Sexual Misconduct policies were approved. The In addition to the weekly group gatherings, Canterbury students Ministry Task Force will look at outreach grants for congregational proj - Disciplinary Board has been appointed by the bishop and Les Alvis of meet with the chaplain-usually in the Colvard Union-on campus in small ects. Tupelo was elected president. groups and one-on-one. Each week during the academic year, the chap - The Executive Committee reviewed the 184th Annual Council. lain provides an on-campus presence at the MSU Chapel of Memories. In December 15 the fall semester of 2011, she offered noonday services each Wednesday; June 2 Winter reported that the Supported Mission Task Force is working that service alternated between noonday prayer and Eucharist. As in the The first annual Bishop’s Annual Stewardship Summit (BASS) was with St. Alexis, Jackson to articulate their vision and create a financial past, the Ash Wednesday service held at the MSU Chapel, open to all, was held at St. Columb’s in Ridgeland and the second annual BASS will be plan, particularly as it relates to diocesan support. very well attended. held May 18-19, 2012 with the Rev. Corky Carlisle as presenter. Four congregations with two representatives each have participated The proposed implementation plan for the Denominational Health in the Lay Leadership Training Institute which will conclude in the The Rev. Carol Mead, Chaplain Plan by the January 2013 deadline was discussed. Discussion followed on spring. Mrs. Lynn Schmissrauter, Diocese of East Tennessee, will perform cost sharing and the minimum diocesan coverage and Bishop Gray a complete evaluation at the conclusion of the program. appointed a task force to study the best proposal. The following missions were declared mission stations: St. Mary’s, Happening The Rev. Margaret Ayers will be provide pastoral care and teaching Bolton and Nativity, Macon. The following missions were declared ministries for the Methodist church in Port Gibson, as well as continue extinct: St. George’s, Itta Bena; Our Saviour, Iuka; Nativity, Water Valley. The Spring Happening 73 was hosted by Mediator in Meridian with her responsibilities at St. James, Port Gibson. The 2011 financials were reviewed. The proposed 2012 budget was Rector Anna Hansen and Head Gopher Emilie Street. The Fall Happening Reports from University of Mississippi and Delta State University presented along with the status of the Voluntary Proportionate Giving 74 was hosted by All Saints in Tupelo with Rector Sarah Shirley and Head were received. pledges for 2012. Several areas will be further reviewed and the 2012 Gopher Jace King. Both churches did an amazing job. A special thank The Supported Missions Task Force met with representatives from will be finalized on January 3. you goes out to the many people involved with meals and showers for St. Alexis in Jackson. The Task Force will continue to work with St. Alexis The housing resolutions for Gray, Johnson and Black were accepted those weekends, especially Stacy Carroll and Katy Watkins, our parish to refocus their expectations and look at models for church growth. as presented. coordinators. The pilot for the Lay Leadership Training project will begin in An appropriate memorial to Ruth Spivey Gray will be established Both events had waiting lists for staff and participants. On-line regis - September. Two persons from five congregations will be invited to partic - with the offering at the closing Eucharist at the 185th Annual Council. tration has helped but most of the credit should go to the hard working ipant in the pilot from September through March. The group will meet The following supply rates for clergy were approved: Sunday - one staff. They do an amazing job of preparation, prayer and supporting each once a month at Gray Center and concentrate on their spiritual journey service: $150; Sunday - two services: $175; Sunday - three services: $200; other throughout the year. with practical instruction. Weekday - one service: $75. Happening Reunion has also been an incredible part of this past The Executive Committee received written reports from Gray year. After a short hiatus, it is back in full swing. Their ministry continues Center’s executive director, Bill Horne. It was noted that conference cen - Kathryn W. McCormick, Secretary to grow and evolve to meet the needs of the Happening weekend while ter income is down and the staff is looking at ways to increase business offering an opportunity for previous Happeners to come together, share from not-for-profit groups. Three marketing proposals were received old memories, and, of course, create some new ones. from students at Millsaps. The Bishop’s Barbeque was a great success

12 The Mississippi Episcopalian Special Council Edition 2012 COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS Episcopal Relief & Development 2011 Annual Report for Gray Center Honduras Medical Mission During this past year, Episcopal Relief & Development has focused Just within the last few days (today is 12/5/11) is has appeared as In February 2011, Chapel of the Cross hosted the 28th annual Honduras on tornadoes and mosquitoes nets. As usual, our diocese was very gener - though we may very well end another year in the black. It would make Medical Mission. Thirty five people from all walks of life chose to spend ous in giving to the programs of Episcopal Relief & Development. us four for four in the last four years! If we miss this it should not be by their time and resources serving the people of San Joaquin in the In April, a tornado devastated the town of Smithville. Along with a much, and that is better than our projections 4-6 weeks back. The staff Province of Santa Barbara, Honduras. Over the years many relationships great deal of help from many parishes, our diocesan disaster fund, has rallied to the cause and with a little help from some of our last quar - have been formed and many improvements have been made to the vil - Habitat for Humanity, and a grant from Episcopal Relief & ter clients, not the least of which is Camp Winter Solstice, it looks very lage. The water system that was installed the previous year is continuing Development, a wonderful family (related to the Rev. Judy Morris) was promising. Before too much celebration, though, it must be said that we to provide the village with clean, filtered water. Also, sewing machines able to rebuild and is now living in their new home. had anticipated a $27,000 reserve at this year’s end. We will fall woefully were purchased which have allowed the women of the village to create an The Rev. Carol Spencer and I traveled in June to a conference cen - short of that ambitious goal. enterprise that consists of sewing curtains, bedspreads and other acces - ter in Alabama to join people from other Province IV states to become We will have completed several extraordinary capital projects, fund - sories. These are lasting blessings that would not be possible without better trained in disaster response. As a result, our newly -formed dioce - ing for which comes to us from recent designated gifts. The greatest one your donations. san disaster response committee is now affiliated with the Episcopal is the exterior re-finishing of the Big House. By January 1st new During this year’s mission, the doctors treated over 1600 people, the Relief & Development U. S. Disaster Program. Hardieboard Siding will have been completely installed and painted. This pharmacy filled over 8000 prescriptions, the dentists performed over At the annual Episcopal Relief & Development network meeting is a project we have needed to complete for 6 - 8 years or longer, but 1000 extractions and applied sealants to the teeth of 367 children. The held in Cleveland, Ohio in May, the diocesan representatives were asked until now the funding was just not available. This current treatment veterinarians vaccinated 154 dogs for rabies and treated, vaccinated and to promote “Nets for Life,” the program which provides treated mosquito should not need additional attention for many years. Another much- dewormed 518 horses, 628 cows, 2 cats, 4 goats, and an agouti. The eye nets to families in the sub-Saharan countries in Africa. Of course, parishes needed project was the Ropes Storage Shed; it has been replaced with a clinic dispensed 473 pairs of glasses, the clergy held 7 services and cele - can start any time to raise money (only $12) for these nets, but I have brand new, larger and more functional structure. The bathrooms in the brated 2 Eucharists, 2 Baptisms, and 1 marriage blessing. All this was asked that our timeline take place from Advent through Lent. And again, Administration Building at camp have both had new interior wall treat - accomplished with the assistance of support staff and the members of the the Diocese of Mississippi will make a difference! ments. And the road into the conference center has had innumerable village. Our brothers and sisters in Honduras are an integral part of the One component that Episcopal Relief & Development still needs in patches made. Its entire length can now be traversed without having to team, assisting with the organization of the mission and caring for and our diocese is more parish representatives. I hope that the interest will weave about to miss the potholes. Many thanks to our newest member of feeding our team members. grow in the coming months. Also, I am available if any information is the site team, Terrell, for making these arduous repairs. The kitchen for St. Peter’s, Oxford is in high gear putting the finishing touches on the needed. The programs of Episcopal Relief & Development not only bring Cottage #1 will be completed just after the first of the year as expended mission for 2012. us together, but are there to help us to reach out to others. deliveries of new cabinetry put us off schedule to have completed this job by year’s end. We acknowledge that the ongoing success of this important work is due Respectfully submitted, You can’t talk about Gray Center without talking about Camp to your continued prayers, and your financial support. Thank you. The Rev. Deacon Cathy Halford Bratton-Green. Last year’s record attendance has been topped again! Episcopal Relief & Development Diocesan Representative From a record of 766 campers in 2010, we had 808 in 2011. John Respectfully submitted, Dreyfus is due a tremendous amount of credit for promoting the camp all The Rev. Deacon Deborah Hanson across the diocese with parish visits and camping trade shows. He was Chairperson HMM Diocesan Committee Finance Committee responsible for print advertisements that we know brought in new The Finance Committee gathered in Jackson and via conference call campers. His confident goal is to better the 2011 numbers in 2012, his on several occasions in 2011 to monitor and review transactions affecting last year with Camp Bratton-Green as Camp Coordinator. We are looking Journey Partners - Spiritual the operating, restricted and designated accounts of the Diocese and to forward to Abram Jones joining the staff during camp in 2012 with the Direction Training Program ensure that those accounts and related financial statements were audited intent to take John’s place after he leaves in August. Winter Solstice, as of in accordance with the canons of the church. Additionally, the this date, has already exceeded its attendance record for 2010 and it Episcopal Diocese of MS and the Center for Ministry Partnership Committee monitored and reviewed Gray Center financial transactions, looks now as if they will also book the Big House to take in the waiting The Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi and the Center for Ministry made recommendations to the Executive Committee regarding insurance, list. joined in Partnership in 2008, offering Journey Partners, a training pro - compensation and related issues, and developed a balanced Diocesan We mentioned our Campaign Discovery ‘13 last year. You may gram in spiritual direction. The Center for Ministry is a collaborative ven - Operating Budget for 2012 for consideration and approval by the remember that its goal was to expose as many new persons to the won - ture of Millsaps College and the Mississippi Conference of the United Executive Committee and Council. ders of Gray Center and Camp Bratton-Green as we could. We eclipsed Methodist Church. Gray Episcopal Conference Center is the home for The Finance Committee also worked with the Executive Committee even our wildest estimates with over 500 persons seeing our center for Journey Partners, providing hospitality and sacred space for the partici - to develop a plan for implementation of the Church’s new their first time ever. We know that this is the best way to grow new pants and staff. Denominational Health Plan (DHP), established by General Convention clients; once they’ve been to Gray Center for the first time, most all of In 2011 Journey Partners completed its fourth class of the two-year in 2009 and to be administered by the Episcopal Church Medical Trust. them will return. Our Valentine’s Dinner and Wine Tasting was a big hit course, under the direction of Jane Watts of the Center for Ministry. The DHP will be fully implemented beginning on January 1, 2013. last year and it is coming back. We are going to have a BBQ Cookoff in Rev. Wendy Miller, noted teacher and practitioner of spiritual direction, is I wish to thank members of the Committee for their hard work, 2012, more CfFM opportunities than ever before with possibly some the instructor of Journey Partners. sound judgment and dedicated service during a year in which the numer - learning themes like Black and White Photography and Fly-fishing joining This program is both ecumenical in approach and intentional in ous challenges and changes were presented. Thanks are also extended to our already very popular Knitting Retreats. diversity. Participants have included laity and clergy from the United Kathryn McCormick and Liley Gilbert for their dedicated work in the We hear just lately that at least one very popular camp, of another Methodist, Episcopal, Baptist, Presbyterian, Disciples of Christ, financial area. denomination, in our state is near to closing its doors and another Mennonite, and Roman Catholic denominations. national camp in the Carolinas is facing closure as well. These are just Spiritual Direction is an ancient ministry in which a trained person Respectfully submitted, two potential casualties of the bad economy of late. We can only guess assists others in their search for an ever-closer relationship with God. It is The Rev. Paul Stephens, Chair that there are many others. Our diocese is so very blessed to have a the art of walking beside others as they listen for the voice of God in their financially stable and fiscally responsible camp and conference center, but lives. It employs both God-given gifts and carefully cultivated skills. it will only remain this way with the support of every parish in the dio - Journey Partners provides a rich context in which to take one’s own Fresh Start for Transitional Ministries cese. We would never again be able to acquire such a wonderful facility. faith journey to a deeper level, to study classic and contemporary spiritu - Fresh Start for Transitional Ministries is an ongoing program of the Please remember your center every year. al writings and to develop the skills of spiritual direction. Specific atten - Diocese of Mississippi aimed at supporting clergy in the first two years of The dedicated staff at Gray Center works tirelessly to provide levels tion is also given to spiritual guidance within congregations and groups. service in a new cure. Fresh Start groups gather four time each year at of hospitality few will find anywhere else. They thank you for your In 2011 two Episcopal Clergy and six laypersons completed the Fresh Start South, hosted at Trinity Church, Hattiesburg, and Fresh Start patronage and invite you back soon. course. There were six small group staff persons consisting of three North, hosted at All Saints’ Church, Grenada. Additionally, both North Episcopal and three Methodist. and South groups meet together with the Bishop in Jackson in January. Sincerely, In the eight years of Journey Partners there have been: Fresh Start has been facilitated during the past year by the Reverend Bill Horne • 77 total participants Brian Seage, Rector of St. Columb’s, Ridgeland, and the Reverend Canon Executive Director 19 Episcopalians (5 priests and 14 laity) David H. Johnson of the diocesan staff. • Gray Center • 6 Episcopal Staff Persons Each of the four regular meetings of the North and South groups In 2012 Journey Partners will begin its fifth class of the two-year includes the following elements: collegial support, critical incident course that will be limited to 30 participants. Cost for participants for the reflection, sharing a meal, and discussion of a specific parish ministry two-year program: $3,000 ($1,500 per year). Scholarships are available. topic. Applications can be found on-line at www.centerforministry.com or by Fresh Start was begun as collaborative effort of several dioceses in request at Center for Ministry, 601-974-1488. the late 1990s and has been part of Mississippi programs since 2003. Fresh Start for Transitional Ministries is separate of the Post Ordination Gay Yerger Consultation program, which is for newly-ordained clergy.

Special Council Edition 2012 The Mississippi Episcopalian 13 COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS

HIV and AIDS victims and their family members each year with emergency Lay Leadership Training Institute Mississippi Episcopal AIDS assistance, and many more with messages of prevention and spiritual sup - The Lay Leadership Training Institute is one of the key diocesan ini - Committee port. tiatives the Bishop described in his address at the 2011 Diocesan Council. The Mississippi Episcopal AIDS Committee is grateful to receive The Mississippi Episcopal AIDS Committee (MEAC) was formed by This year is a “beta” version of what will hopefully become a staple of lay some funding from the Diocese. This money assists us to pay for the bus the Diocese of Mississippi in 1988. It addresses three primary areas relat - leadership training in the diocese. Only five congregations were invited to that takes the volunteers and patients to the Province IV Network of AIDS ed to HIV and AIDS in the diocese: 1) Spiritual support for people with participate in this initial year. Congregations of different size and from Ministries Retreat at Kanuga each year, and allows us to support a tele - AIDS, their caregivers, families, and loved ones; 2) Education and preven - various areas of the diocese were chosen. The 2011-12 Leadership class phone line that is answered 24 hours a day. All service funds go 100% to tion; and 3) Emergency financial support for those who have no other has eight participants and meets once a month at Gray Center. The emergency services; all committee members are volunteers. funding source for medicines, transportation, food, and utilities. Reverend Canon David H. Johnson and Alice Perry lead the sessions. Please come to our exhibit booth at Council this year and learn how MEAC maintains a list of Episcopal priests and pastors from other The purpose of the Lay Leadership Training Institute is to develop you can assist. Mississippi continues to have an unacceptably high rate of denominations throughout the state who are willing to minister to those and nurture gifted, faithful laypersons for ministry and a process of con - new case of HIV reported each year, and we need to work together to with HIV and AIDS for spiritual support. Calls are taken 24 hours a day tinuous learning and leading. turn the epidemic around. We do this by: by trained volunteers at a telephone crisis line. While some of the calls are for information and are handled effectively by the volunteers, many • Creating a Christian community among participants; Respectfully submitted, callers are referred on to a priest or pastor in their area for spiritual coun - • Engagement of faith-based methods and models of leadership; Ella Tardy, Chair, Mississippi Episcopal AIDS Committee seling. Others are referred to a committee member for emergency assis - • Encouraging the application of these lessons and experiences in the local congregation; tance. The Diocese of Mississippi delegation to the Province IV Network of The Mississippi Episcopalian • Evaluate the experience for future use. The weekends involve the full use of the Daily Office, the deepening AIDS Ministries Kanuga HIV and AIDS Retreat in June 2011 was once Advisory Committee of the shared spiritual journey, and intellectual and practical engagement again among the largest ever with 38 people living with HIV/AIDS and seven MEAC volunteers and caretakers attending. This total of 45 was a The Mississippi Episcopalian continued to be very fortunate in of the topics. The topics are: Episcopal Structures and Models of receiving many articles and pictures from writers and photographers Transformation; Stages of Faith; Organizational and Church Dynamics; record number once again and all enjoyed the trip thoroughly. The retreat is sponsored by the Province IV Network of AIDS Ministries and throughout the diocese in 2011. The Bishop desires the paper to contin - Understanding Expectations and Church Conflict; and Systems Theory in ue its focus on news of the people and events throughout the diocese Congregations. the National Episcopal AIDS Coalition (NEAC). Mississippi MEAC volun - teers are active on the regional planning committee and plan to increase rather than on ad space, but there is some space available for available for The final weekend will focus on discerning vocation and include a advertisers to use. Please contact our editor for further information detailed evaluation of the program. the participation in the delegation each year in the future. Other educational activities are ongoing. MEAC volunteers corre - regarding rates. spond with all churches in the Diocese to make them aware of the com - The quality of photography has improved over last year as most per - Licensed Lay Ministry mittee’s goals, activities such as the Kanuga retreat and World AIDS Day sons who submit a photo know to send an original file size of around During 2010, St. Pierre’s, Gautier organized and hosted their annual con - (each December 1), and other educational opportunities. Committee 1MB (megabyte) at least. What looks good on the computer screen is vocational workshop for relicensing of Licensed Diocesan Worship members distribute literature to many clergy members and congregants at often too small to come out well in a hard copy. An easy way to judge Leaders. The Annual Lay Ministry Workshop was held at Gray Center in the annual church Council each year. Plans are underway to speak to the size is to set your digital camera to “high quality” when you take a pic - October. groups in each region. Resource materials are maintained in a small ture and be sure to send the “original file” to the editor. We currently have over fifty persons in the process to be licensed as library. In 2012 we look forward to having a new column in the paper enti - Diocesan Worship Leaders. We have received twenty-nine new applica - The Emergency Fund maintained by MEAC remained strong during tled, “Reflections from the Road” written by Bishop Gray, III. This col - tions for Licensed Diocesan Worship Leader during the year. Twelve per - 2011 with a grant of $25,000 from the Mississippi HeARTS Against AIDS umn first appeared in Oct. of 2011. sons have completed the Licensed Worship Leader Education program benefit. This was lower than previous years because the HeARTS fundrais - This year we offer thanksgiving for the great work John Fontaine and have been recommended for licensing by the Bishop as of November er was affected by the economy. Donations were also received from (St. Andrew’s Cathedral) has done proofing the paper for the last several 30, 2011 this year. Episcopal churches in the Diocese and individuals and organizations years. John is one of three proofers and caught many errors over the A separate listing of those to be relicensed is part of this report. throughout the state. These funds are spent at a rate of up to five thou - years as well as providing the editor with some good commentary from As reflected in the steady growth of Diocesan Worship Leaders, sand dollars a month in order to supply essential medications for patients time to time. 2011 was the last year for John’s proofing and we thank Eucharistic Ministers and Eucharistic Visitors, we comprise a vibrant and waiting for approval for AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAP, through him for his great service. committed body of the church. We will continue to support our Diocesan the Mississippi State Department of Health) and for Medicaid patients Suzanne Cox (St. Pierre’s in Gautier) has stepped up to be proofer mission of ONE CHURCH IN MISSION: INVITING, TRANSFORMING, who require more than the allowed seven prescriptions each month. in John’s place and we welcome her input. Other proofers are Kyle Seage RECONCILING. Medicare patients need assistance with their co-payments following the and Kathryn McCormick. We try to catch most errors, but we leave a few changes to Part D medication coverage. Even patients with medication every issue for the entertainment of those who enjoy counting mistakes. Danny Ray Meadors, Chair coverage through private insurance need one-time assistance paying high Please continue to send all material for publication to Scott Lenoir Thomas R. Ward, Jr. co-payments for medications. More patients are requesting other medical at: [email protected]. related items such as eyeglasses and emergency dental services because The deadline for the paper is always the first Tuesday of each there are no other funds available to assist them. month at 12 noon for publication in that month unless otherwise Prison and Justice Committee Assistance through the MEAC emergency fund must be requested by announced in the paper. During 2011, ministry in prisons was affected by political changes and the a social worker, nurse, medical provider, or clergy member involved with The Mississippi Episcopalian Advisory Committee for 2012 is: Scott ever tightening budgets at both state and Federal prisons. Those changes the patient. Requests are received by means of a 24 hour answering serv - Lenoir, Kathryn McCormick, Duke Cain, and Jim Carrington. have translated into a change in access to the prison populations. ice. The poor economy has been evident in the increasing number of A common response by prison volunteers is that prisoners are not well- requests received, especially for basic necessities such as school supplies, Respectfully submitted, prepared for release. Currently, the new buzz word for the prison cul - utilities and food. MEAC continues to be the only source for emergency The Rev. Scott Lenoir, Editor ture is “reentry” - preparing inmates for a return to society, hopefully as assistance for HIV and AIDS patients in the state. Sponsors are also more mature and productive individuals. Reentry has received a lot of talk matched with families needing assistance at Christmas and other special Post Ordination Consultation and some administrative action by the prisons. In 2011 several new men - occasions. Special efforts are made to assist young children when their Post Ordination Consultation is a program of nearly 40-years’ dura - toring programs were established in prison by private organizations. To parents pass away. tion in the Diocese of Mississippi, aimed at the ongoing formation and meet the needs of reentry, the programs and ministries of this committee Changes to the Mississippi Medicaid eligibility guidelines, the ADAP support of newly-ordained transitional deacons and priests during their have been revised. A five session program for satellite facilities (where list of medications available and the HOPWA management in the Jackson first two years out of seminary. inmates work in the community during the day prior to their release) has area have been of great concern to committee members during 2011. The full participation of all new ordinands in POC is required by the been drafted and is under review. The satellite facility program was devel - Mississippi HeARTS Against AIDS has sponsored an additional fund raiser Bishop. Financial support for participation is partially provided by the oped from materials and texts used by the Kairos Prison Ministry and the this year, the Red Party, to help meet the growing needs. The changes new ordinands’ continuing education funds, with the balance from dioce - Alternatives to Violence Program. Topics of the five sessions are: Choices; may lead to an increased need for emergency funds for medications and san funding. Who Am I Becoming?; Anger; Conflict; and Forgiveness. Additional mate - for rental assistance. The program has been supervised during the past year by Canon rials may be added based on a pilot test and revision of the program. It is The Mississippi Episcopal AIDS Committee also works to organize David Johnson, the Reverend Sylvia Czarnetzky, and the Reverend Marian anticipated the reentry program will be tested in a facility early in 2012, prayer and healing services, memorial services, and to link people to Dulaney Fortner. POC meets as a group four times each year - from revised, and then deployed in a satellite prison afterwards. churches. Committee members work closely with HIV/AIDS housing pro - Sunday evening through Tuesday morning - at Gray Center. Bishop Gray grams, service agencies, and Ryan White HIV/AIDS health programs. joins the group for conversations on Sunday evenings. Twice during the Jim Ed Henderson MEAC has worked during 2011 to increase diversity within its member - past year the group has had their opening dinner at the home of David Chair, Prison and Justice Committee ship and to expand knowledge and activities of the committee members. and Nora Johnson. MEAC is proud to have officers serving on the Province IV Network of The remainder of each POC retreat is spent in collegial support, AIDS Ministries. critical incident reflection, Sabbath rest, reflection and discussion of iden - Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori recently “urged all tified ministry topics, sermon discussions, and worship. Each retreat con - Episcopalians to join our Church’s advocacy efforts” regarding the contin - cludes with a Eucharist planned by the POC participants. uing problems of HIV and AIDS. POC’s topics will be expanded in the coming year to include addi - The committee looks forward to continuing to increase the number tional topics identified by the Bishop, diocesan staff, and POC partici - of people served each year. Emergency assistance helps more than 500 pants. 14 The Mississippi Episcopalian Special Council Edition 2012 COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS Safe Church Committee Trustees of the Diocese of Mississippi Standing Committee Mission Statement: Transforming faith communities more fully into safe Trustees of the Diocese of Mississippi, a Mississippi non-profit cor - The committee met at Annual Council in Jackson 2011 to elect places for worship and spiritual growth, free of sexual exploitations, poration, is the legal entity which holds church property and manages David Sparks, President and Sheri Cox, Secretary. Gray Center was the through advocacy, education, training, prevention, and response. investments for the benefit of the Episcopal Church in Mississippi. The site of the March 5, 2011 meeting and the committee consented to the Bishop serves as President of the corporation with four elected lay election of Bishop of Northern Michigan and Diocese of Western New During 2011, the focus of the Safe Church Committee has contin - trustees serving staggered terms and a fifth lay person who serves one York. The committee approved Clelie McCandless, Seth Wally, Watson ued to be education and training in our Diocese. Several trainings events year by appointment of the Bishop. Members serving in 2011 were John Lamb, Don Chancellor and Van Bankston to the diaconate. were held throughout the Diocese using the Safeguarding God’s Children Davis, Michael Strojny, Lynn Jenkins, Holmes Adams and Filo Coats who The next meeting of the Standing Committee was held on May 19, curriculum. With our additional trainers, we have been able to meet are members of parishes in Columbus, Gulfport, Brandon, Jackson and 2011 at the Allin House. Committee met with Rev. Cecil Jones and most requests for training, and we continue to emphasize training for Grenada. Meeting with the Trustees were Ed Thurmond, Treasurer of Senior Warden Ernest McFadden from St. Christopher’s Jackson to dis - those who work regularly with children and youth. Background checks the Diocese; Granville Tate, Diocesan Chancellor; Canon Kathryn W. cuss their building plans. Committee approved their request to borrow on new clergy, aspirants, lay persons, and church employees continue to McCormick, Diocesan Secretary and Treasurer of the Trustees; and D. money for their building project. A request from St. Philips Jackson to sell be regularly conducted. Carl Black, Jr., Assistant Secretary of the Trustees. the Rectory was approved. Following a meeting with a priest, the com - The Safeguarding God’s People curriculum, with emphasis on adult Officers for the year were Holmes Adams, Vice President; Filo Coats, mittee consented to the election for a Bishop Suffragan of Haiti, Bishop victimization and the church, is in process with expected training to Secretary and Kathryn W. McCormick, Treasurer. The Bishop appointed Coadjutor of New York, Bishop Suffragan of Virginia, and to elect the begin summer 2012. The focus is on prevention of sexual harassment in D. Carl Black, Jr., Assistant Secretary. During the year there were three Bishop of East Tennessee. the church setting. regular meetings at the Allin House and three telephonic or e-mail con - Committee met on August 12, 2011 at Gray Center. We approved The Diocesan policies on Sexual Exploitation were revised and ferences. consents for election of the Bishop of Nebraska, Bishop of Washington, approved by the Diocesan Executive Committee. Committee members Investment returns were very erratic during the year with positive and consent to elect a Bishop Coadjutor for the Diocese of New Mr. Les Alvis, Dr. Leigh Jensen-Crawford, and The Rev. Canon David results reported at earlier meetings and negative returns by October. Hampshire. Committee received notification of St. Andrew’s intent to Johnson completed the revisions for submission to the Executive Investment managers were operating within guidelines adopted by the begin a Capital Campaign and to borrow funds. This is done in accor - Committee. Many thanks go to both Les and David for all their work this Trustees, but returns for the year cannot be predicted at this point. dance with Canon 7. The Committee met with postulants currently year on this very important policy for our Diocese. Timber sales at Gray Center were applied to loans made by the attending seminary. We did approve John Kellogg as Priest Postulant. We have met our goals of providing continuing education for Trustees with a portion used to increase the fund maintained for support. Bishop Gray met with the committee to provide information about sever - groups requesting the Safeguarding God’s Children curriculum, and car - Clark Creek timber sales are underway with the initial returns reserved al topics - Iona School/Deacons School and Delta vacancies. rying out the work of the committee including advocacy, crisis response, for payment of property taxes. The Allin House was the site for October 20, 2011 meeting of the prevention and education. Property maintenance is a continuing responsibility. Using funds Standing Committee. Committee voted to accept the Bishop’s recom - provided by various trusts, the Trustees were able to support repairs at mendation regarding an Ecclesiastical Discipline. St. John’s, Leland and Leigh Jensen-Crawford Holy Cross, Olive Branch and major renovations to the Bishop’s resi - St. Paul’s, Hollandale were approved to use Rectory Funds for repair Chair, Safe Church Committee dence which are currently underway. The Standing Committee will work on the building and future maintenance. Approval was given to St. determine disposition of funds realized from the sale of the vicarage at Christopher’s, Jackson to sign a note and St. Paul’s, Columbus was Hollandale. approved to sell the house adjacent to the church. St. Patrick’s, Long The Episcopal Church at USM Following Katrina the Trustees incurred substantial loans to pur - Beach was approved to borrow a Development Loan in the amount of (ECUSM) chase property for use by coast parishes. Sales of the church site at St. $200,000. Committee approved consent for election of Rt. Rev. Kee Mark’s, Gulfport and the former rectory at Redeemer, Biloxi, have been Sloan as Bishop of Alabama (one of our own!). Ordination to the priest - The Episcopal Church at USM (ECUSM) is in its second academic applied to reduce the loan, and a sale is pending of a portion of the hood for Don Chancellor, Watson Lamb, Clelie McCandless and Seth year of revitalization on University of Southern Mississippi’s campus. We property acquired for St. Patrick’s, Long Beach. Walley were approved. have weekly Eucharist in USM’s Danforth Chapel, with dinner provided Income accumulations in the Gray Center Special Maintenance December 6, 2011, Committee met at the Allin House. The commit - by members of Hattiesburg Episcopal community afterwards. Our servic - Fund permitted a distribution of almost $29,000 for camp scholarships tee enjoyed lunch with Bishop Gray and returned to the Allin House for es include live music, Prayers of the People tailored to our USM commu - and maintenance of existing structures. business. Committee spent most of the meeting in conversation with nity and opportunities for both corporate sharing and individual prayer. Bishop Gray about various church vacancies and the plans for filling One of our biggest events this fall was our All Saints/All Souls Service, these. There was discussion about seminarians returning to Mississippi including reading names of loved ones who have died and sharing after graduating. The Standing Committee acts as advice to the Bishop moments of remembrance. ECUSM is so glad that Revs. Susan Bear, The Iona Initiative The Iona Initiative is a collaborative effort of the Diocese of and we provided our feedback on this subject and others at the request Marian Fortner, and David Knight continue to celebrate our Eucharists of the Bishop. for and with us, and we’re thrilled to have Rev. Van Bankston, curate at Mississippi, the Diocese of Texas, and six other southern, western, south - western and midwestern dioceses for the local formation of vocational The Standing Committee will meet again during Annual Council in Trinity Church, joining as well. Much thanks to them for continuing to go Vicksburg. above and beyond their parish duties to support ECUSM. deacons and bi-vocational, non-stipendiary priests. The Iona School, In addition to liturgies, ECUSM hosts outreach, fellowship, and spir - based in the Diocese of Texas, is the forerunner of this concept and is being offered as a template for a wider effort for local formation of clergy. Respectfully submitted, itual development opportunities. We have done Habitat for Humanity Sheri Cox, Secretary work days, volunteered in USM’s Native American Medicine Garden, gone The Iona Task Force, composed of a representative from each of the bowling, tailgated, and had lecture/discussion series about “What is an charter dioceses, has been meeting quarterly during the past year. The Episcopalian?” For one of these discussions last spring we asked the invitation to participate in the project came from the Right Reverend Southeast Deployment Network Rabbi of Hattiesburg’s synagogue to lead us in a Seder. It was an amazing Dena Harrison, bishop suffragan of Texas, chair of the board of trustees experience, and led to a rich discussion. of Seminary of the Southwest, and overseer of the Iona School. Other (SEDN) This next year we will be pushing to increase our numbers. If you charter dioceses include West Texas, Northwest Texas, Arkansas, know of any students attending USM now or in the future, please be sure Nebraska, Wyoming, and Oklahoma. Additional dioceses are expressing The Southeast Deployment Network is a new initiative from several they know that ECUSM is here for them. They can find us on facebook interest in affiliating with the program. Province IV dioceses aimed at developing a new clergy deployment (The Episcopal Church at USM) or by email ([email protected]). The Iona Initiative will become a practical reality for local formation resource for those dioceses and others which may choose to become As always ECUSM is incredibly grateful to both the Church of Ascension in September 2012. Plans are being made for the technological delivery involved. Currently, the Dioceses of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Trinity Church in Hattiesburg for their support of our ministry in so of core formation courses by seminary faculty. Local schools-including in Tennessee, Upper South Carolina, and Southwest Florida are participat - many ways. Without them, and the support of the diocese as a whole, Mississippi-will meet once each month, with each meeting spanning ing in the planning of the resource. Other dioceses are expected to ECUSM’s ministry would not be possible. Friday evening through Sunday morning. Local classes will be conducted enroll, as well on Friday, Saturday evening and Sunday morning. The core academic The primary manifestation of SEDN will be an interactive website Elizabeth Lentz courses will be provided via technological delivery on Saturday morning for clergy seeking calls to the Southeast and for diocesan deployment offi - Marie Baker and afternoon. The complete three-year curriculum will cover the major cers. The website will allow clergy interested in serving the participating areas of ministerial competency. dioceses to post biographical and vocational information about them - Canon David Johnson is Mississippi’s representative on the Iona selves. The deployment officers of the participating dioceses will be able Initiative Task Force. He serves on the Technology Subcommittee of the to post information about search processes and clergy vacancies within group. The task force is seeking grant funding so that the program may their dioceses. The website will facilitate the matching of clergy seeking be expanded and become more refined. placement in the Southeast with congregations from participating dioce - Bishop Gray intends to use Mississippi’s first year of the courses to ses seeking a new cleric. prepare vocational deacons. Opportunities for the formation of bi-voca - The primary purpose of the budget request is to establish the SEDN tional, non-stipendiary priests may come later. The program would be a website and the structure for the essential data base for gathering clergy partial solution for providing clergy to small congregations. The Iona and congregational information. Initiative is not considered an alternative to seminary for those people wishing to enter full-time parochial ministry.

Special Council Edition 2012 The Mississippi Episcopalian 15 COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS

The committee also addressed social needs. Along with Episcopal Sudanese Ministry Committee lawyers from Saint Alexis and Saint Andrew’s working pro bono, commit - Youth Ministries Council The leadership of the diocesan committee passed to Peter Malual in tee members have given refugees needed help with legal issues. The The youth ministries of the Diocese of Mississippi are growing and September of 2011, who reports: committee has assisted one refugee in his attempts to return home to his evolving each calendar year, and many exciting things happened in 2011. “In October of this year, the Office of Black Ministries of the Episcopal family and ailing father in South Sudan and has offered support to fami - We had a large youth presence at Council last year, including over 30 Church brought Bul Mabil and me to the ‘Everyone, Everywhere lies relocating to find work. The committee and committee members applicants for seven spots on the Division of Youth Council. Conference’ and Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) Training have helped Restoration Home in Jackson support one young man’s That momentum continued into the rest of the activities this year, in Estes Park, Colorado. The conference brought together domestic and recovery. as many youth attended DOY and Happening. Happening Reunion also global mission partners from across the Episcopal Church and Anglican The committee offered a few loans through Hope Community continued to grow in 2011. These are our three long-standing ministries Communion and allowed participants to share, learn, and recommit to Credit Union, helping young people in emergencies support themselves to youth. Those weekends would not be possible without the hard work the missional work of our baptismal covenant. and establish credit. It is good to see that some who have asked for our of the coordinators: Bill Cruse, Abram Jones, Andrew McLarty, and Jason At this conference, the Reverend Angela Ifill, Associate for Diversity help no longer need it and have been able to borrow on the credit histo - Woodcock. This was Bill Cruse’s last year as a DOY Coordinator, so we at the National Office, held a meeting with the Sudanese representatives ry the church’s fund helped them establish. especially recognize him this year. Bill will serve as an advisor to DOY in to access the needs and concerns of Sudanese congregations in various Members of the committee have been advocates with the Mississippi the spring of 2012. More information can be found in the DOY and dioceses across the country. At this meeting, most of the Sudanese rep - congressional delegation and President Obama’s administration on behalf Happening reports. resentatives expressed a sense that they were still not recognized or fully of peace in Sudan, celebrating the independence of South Sudan this In November, Abram Jones, Annie Elliott, Jace King, and Sarah integrated into their respective dioceses, but the Mississippi diocese was spring. The committee is grateful to Senator Wicker’s offices for advocacy Meeks attended the Province IV Youth Networking Meeting. The event one of the few dioceses who have welcomed and embraced Sudanese and help with Sudanese issues and for Secretary of State Clinton’s leader - was held in Memphis. Adults and youth from all over Province IV gath - Episcopalians. I was very proud to explain to the representatives the ship in the relatively peaceful transition to independence for South ered to share their experiences in youth ministry as well as discuss the steps my diocese has taken to address the needs and concerns of the Sudan. During the referendum for independence, many local Sudanese Episcopal Youth Event and Provincial Youth Events. We also had time to Sudanese within the diocese. Also inspired by church’s mission, with the travelled to voting places in Texas and Tennessee, braving an ice storm see the Civil Rights Museum. In 2012, we will host this meeting at Gray support of the Sudanese Ministry Committee, Bishop Gray, and others, I on their return, and despite an accident, everyone returned safely, thanks Center. am planning for a possible medical mission trip to South Sudan at the be to God. In Nashville, many were welcomed and offered generous hos - In addition, the diocese hosted two events for Adults Working with end of 2012. For this reason, the ministry is sending me to Honduras pitality by parishioners of Christ’s Cathedral, Nashville, including Bishop Youth. In August, we had our annual gathering. The August meeting is with a medical mission team in February to learn how the medical mis - Gray III’s kind sister. The committee helped defray some of the costs of our primary time to distribute diocesan information, brainstorm for the sion is carried out. The committee had a preliminary meeting with transportation for those traveling to vote. coming year, and discuss about new ideas. At that meeting, the diocesan Dawn and Mike Flannes to begin planning, consulting also with Reverend The Committee and the National Church sent three representatives, Youth Customary was discussed and revisions were planned for 2012. In Deborah Hanson of Saint Philip’s.” including two Sudanese, from Mississippi to a national meeting of the December, we had an Advent retreat in Johns, Mississippi. The retreat This year the committee spent the majority of its funds on book Sudanese Leadership Institute in Phoenix. The Diocese of Mississippi was facilitated by Beth Bojarski, the Diocesan Youth Coordinator for scholarships to Sudanese refugees who are in college and for high school continues to be active in the national network of clergy and laity support - Kentucky. This weekend gave youth ministers a chance to step back tuition. Following 2011, Saint Andrew’s Cathedral again held a public ing Sudanese refugees in the United States. Greg Miller is a member of from their lives to reflect and plan for the coming season. celebration of the graduation of several young people from universities the Emeus Group for Sudanese Ministry that drafted resolutions to be Last but not least, the Diocesan Youth Commission met twice dur - and high schools. Students finishing college and university degrees this presented to the national church in support of more integration of ing 2011. That group consists of the Camp Coordinator, the diocesan year include Agot Agot, John Juarwel, James Lueth, Dau Mabil, Martin Sudanese refugees into their parish and diocesan ministries. Committee program coordinators, and members-at-large. Matit, Mangok Mayen, and John Yak. Sarah Wal graduated from the members have advocated for the protection of civilians in Darfur and Education Center School, where she received the President’s Award for recognition of Episcopalians martyred in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan. her high grade point average and an award for the kindness and compas - Saint Andrew’s continues to be the church home for the Sudanese sion she displayed toward faculty, staff, and fellow-students. The Church Dinka community in Jackson, offering evening prayer in the Dinka lan - of the Resurrection in Starkville cares for and mentors a young man fin - guage and a ministry of food and fellowship following services. ishing his degree in engineering at Mississippi State University. Unfortunately, several college graduates remain underemployed and in a Peter Malual and Greg Miller few cases unemployed, and anyone knowing of opportunities is encour - aged to contact committee members. REPORT OF THE REGISTRAR — 2011

Ordained to the Vocational Diaconate Dimissory Received: Retired: Patricia Cantrell, 1/15/2011, by Duncan M. Gray, III at St. Andrew’s Brian Ponder, 10/01/2011 from the Diocese of West Tennessee James Carlyle, 4/1/2011 to reside in Kansas City, MO Cathedral, Jackson Hunter Isaacs, 4/1/2011 to reside in Gautier Deborah Hanson, 1/15/2011, by Duncan M. Gray, III at St. Andrew’s Dimissory Issued: Harold Roberts, 6/1/2011 to reside in Ocean Springs, MS Cathedral, Jackson Laura Gettys, 3/2/2011 to the Diocese of West Tennessee Harriet Simmons, 6/1/2011 to reside in Meridian, MS Lynn Phillips-Gaines, 1/15/2011, by Duncan M. Gray, III at St. Chan Osborn deAnaya, 5/4/2011 to the Diocese of Navajoland Ed Lundin, 6/30/2011 to reside in Hattiesburg, MS Andrew’s Cathedral, Jackson Area Mission Ella Breckenridge, 7/1/2011 to reside in Alexandria, LA Josie Williams, 1/15/2011, by Duncan M. Gray, III at St. Andrew’s Janet P. Oller, 6/30/2011 to Diocese of Indianapolis Mary Gieseler, 10/31/2011 to reside in Mobile, AL Cathedral, Jackson Karl Schaffenburg 11/17/2011 to Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Ordained to Transitional Diaconate: Changes in the Diocese: Renunciation of Vows: Van Bankston, 6/4/2011, by Duncan M. Gray, III at St. Andrew’s Walton Jones, 1/1/2011 to Trinity, Natchez James Carlyle, 8/2/2011 Cathedral, Jackson Dave Duggins, 1/26/2011 to St. Thomas’, Diamondhead Donald Chancellor, Jr. , 6/4/2011, by Duncan M. Gray, III at St. Michael Nation, 3/1/2011 to Non-parochial Licensed: Andrew’s Cathedral, Jackson Sam Godfrey, 6/1/2011 to Christ Church, Vicksburg Jane Alexander, (Western Louisiana) Watson Lamb, 6/4/2011, by Duncan M. Gray, III at St. Andrew’s Bruce Cheney, 8/1/2011 to Pacific Health Ministry, Honolulu, Arnold Bush (Central Gulf Coast) Cathedral, Jackson HI Susan Carney, (Rhode Island) Clelie McCandless, 6/4/2011, by Duncan M. Gray, III at St. Andrew’s Ann Whitaker 8/15/2011 to St. Peter’s, Oxford Ted Dawson, (Lousiana) Cathedral, Jackson Betsy Baumgarten 9/1/2011 to Coast Episcopal School, Long Terrell Griffis, (Louisiana) Seth Walley, 6/4/2011, by Duncan M. Gray, III at St. Andrew’s Beach Edgar Ince, (West Tennessee) Cathedral, Jackson Robert Wetherington 9/1/2011 to Redeemer, Biloxi John Stone Jenkins, (Louisiana) Brian Ponder 9/25/2011 to St. Paul’s, Meridian Margarita Swetman, (Newark) Ordained to Priesthood Luther Ott, 11/1/2011 to Holy Trinity, Vicksburg Noble Walker, (West Tennessee) Christopher Robinson, 01/22/2011 at Mediator, McComb by The Rt. Anne Harris, 12/5/2011, to St. Paul’s, Columbus Mary Ann Heine (Louisiana) Rev. Duncan M. Gray, III Scott Lenoir, 12/12/2011 to St. John’s, Ocean Springs Daniel D. McKee (Arkansas) Watson Lamb, 12/4/2011 at St. Francis, Philadelphia by The Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray, III Died: Peggy Jones Don Chancellor, 12/14/2011 at Holy Innocents, Como, by The Rt. Mike Dobrosky, 1/2/2011 Registrar Rev. Duncan M. Gray, III William (Bill) Richter, 3/10/2011 Thomas (Tom) Hastings, 3/25/2011 Limuel (Lim) Parks, Jr. 9/2/2011 Lonnie Herring, 9/9/2011

16 The Mississippi Episcopalian Special Council Edition 2012 REPORTS WORSHIP LEADER RENEWALS CANON 18 SECTION 1. The Bishop of this Diocese shall determine which of those categories of Perkinston, Annunciation: William John Thomas. licensed lay ministers authorized by Title III, Canon 4, of the National Canons of the Episcopal Picayune, St. Paul’s: Patrick Rutherford, Lucia Terry. Church are to be licensed in this diocese. Individuals shall not be licensed until they have com - pleted that education and training required by Title III, Canon 4, and by such additional training DELTA CONVOCATION as the Bishop may require. Cleveland, Calvary: Lee Aylward, Steven Craddock, Carol L. Jones, Evelyn Lyon, Keith Pettway, Hilda Povall, Robert T. Ragan. CENTRAL CONVOCATION Greenville, St. James’: Michael W. Boyd, Richard Byler, Ashley Hines, Dotti Lowe, Dot Meeks, Brandon, St. Luke’s: Mara Jean Johnson, Janice Sandefur, Robert R. Whitney. Walter B. Swain, Jr. Brandon, St. Peter’s: Ross Hartford, Robert Houston, Finley Knox, Lisa Maisel, Ralph Maisel, Indianola, St. Stephen’s: David B. Allen, William E. Baker, Woods Eastland Thomas G. Gresham, Kathleen G. Oglesby, Harry Perdue, Howard A. Roser, Jean A. Roser. Walton Gresham III, Richard G. Noble, Joseph Seldon Van Cleve. Canton, Grace: John R. Childress, Sr., A. P. Durfey, Jr., Marian Durfey, Robert Killelea, Holly D. Lexington, St. Mary’s: H. L. Nichols, III. Wallace. Sumner, Advent: Stephen Vaught. Clinton, Creator: Pat H. Martz, Michael Milone. Yazoo City, Trinity: Priscilla Harper, Robert Harper, Jill Woodliff. Forest, St. Matthew’s : Mary Jo Walsh. Jackson, All Saints’: Cindy Gavette. NORTHERN CONVOCATION Jackson, St. Andrew’s: John Anderson, Jr., D. Carl Black, Jr., Laura Clapp, Michael S. Flannes, Holly Springs, Christ Church: Janey Fant. Cheryl Kirchner, Margaret McLarty, Jacqueline Mohle, Diana O’Toole, Kenneth M. Parker, Bob Oxford, St. Peter’s: Patricia Rogers Lewis, Holt Montgomery, Sarah M. Moses, Donald Newlin, Thompson, Robert P. Wise. Kay Paris, Ed Sisson, Maurie White. Jackson, St. Christopher’s: Goldia M. Revies. Southaven, St. Timothy: Winford Blackburn, Edward Brown, Carol Grishen, Barbara H. Jones, St. Mark’s: Raphiell Ashford, LaWanda M. Washington. Sandra S. Kimmelman, Joe Schmitt. Jackson, St. Philip’s: Kenneth Bennett, Lucette Bennett, Glynn Bradshaw, Jill Cole Bullard, Jim Carrington, Pam David, Grace Duckworth, Chad R. Espeland, Jan Evers, Julie Breland Goforth, Lester OLD RIVER CONVOCATION Hailey, II, Gerald McWhorter, A. Frederick Parker, Mary Frances Ponder, Ben Preston, Patience Rall, McComb/Magnolia, Mediator/Redeemer: Judy Johnson, Curt Lamar. Nancey Scott, Thomas Andrew Welch. Port Gibson, St. James: Katherine Bilbro Madison, Chapel of the Cross: Annetta J.Allred, Charles C. Barlow, Jr., Marilyn Beach, Bill Vicksburg, Christ Church: Sara Baker, Brenda Benway, David Benway, Edwin L. Boren, Jane Buhner, Margaret Buhner, Ann Homer Cook, Patricia H. Evans, William “Bill” Horne, Ella W. Weston. Calhoun, Michael J. Chaney, Charlene Eichelberger, Jim Miller, Sharon S. Miller, Alice Read, Corrine H. Raymond, St. Mark’s: Cynthia Whittington Stockton. Ridgeland, St. Columb’s: Beatrice Langston Berry, L. Brooks Derryberry, William Girod, Janice Vicksburg, St. Alban’s: Richard Price, Elizabeth Selby, Thomas L. Skinner, Harvey Smith, Jr., Jordan, Floyd King, Malcolm McMillin, Betty Jo Mahaffey, John Robert Mahaffey, Bob May, Floyd Sulser, Sarah S. Tompkins. Jr., Ernest Vanlandingham, Andrew C. Young. Vicksburg, St. Mary’s: Linda Tolliver. Terry, Good Shepherd: Norma Ainsworth, Edward J. Peters. SOWASHEE CONVOCATION COAST CONVOCATION Collins, St. Elizabeth’s: Alfred Don Corban, JoAnn Corban, Irene Dickinson, Brenda McClendon, Bay St. Louis: Kathryn J. Larsen. Nancy Sanford, Rebecca Tough, Jeremy Hunter Tough. Biloxi, Redeemer: Clinton Burchfield, Margaret Burchfield, Virginia L. Chavez, Laura Frederick, Columbia, St. Stephen’s: Ann Simmons, Martha Louise Stevens. Malcolm Jones, Robert E. Thunelius, Brittany M. Wheeler, James Wheeler, Richard Wilder, Andrew Hattiesburg, Ascension: Patricia Byrd, Pamela M. Cameron, Kenneth Cantrell, Rick Fortenberry, Wood. David B. Holmes, Larry Mullican, Ellen Sundberg, Rosalie Zimmerman. Diamondhead, St. Thomas: Frank J. Cuervo, Lowell “Skip” K. Giffin, Jr., Patricia C. Hourin, Hattiesburg, Trinity: Patty Bomboy, Sarah Wainwright. Darlene Park, Tyrone Sartin, Susan D. White. Laurel, St. John’s: Patricia Bailey, Eugene M. Harlow, Rebecca J. Jackson, John Jeffries, Pat Gulfport, St. Mark’s: Andrea Balius, Jerome H. Carver, John M. Harral, Terry Helms, Jamie Landrum Myers, Byron Myrick. Hobbs, James Keith, Vicki Lynn Miller, Mary Nichols, Suanna Smith, Patti Sneed, Ruthie Wilder, Walter Meridian, Mediator: Lois Downs, Jean Garrison, Ann Glazar, E. Ann Milsted, Dianne C. Panek, V. Williams, Peter Wilson. Sara Scaggs, James Robert Smith, William Stallworth, Michael A. VanVeckhoven, Katy Watkins. Nancy Gulfport, St. Peter: Sue Cassady, Joy Jennings, Maria Watson. Ziller. Long Beach, St. Patrick’s: Douglas MacCullagh, Kitty MacCullagh, Danny Ray Meadors. Meridian, St. Paul’s: Betty Melton. Ocean Springs, St. John’s: Joanne P. Calhoun, Lena Melton, Mary Jo Morgan. Pascagoula, St. John’s: E. Lee Crowe, Chester Dobrowski, Jean Guentz, Kay McBroom, Robert TOMBIGBEE CONVOCATION McDonald, Mary Warfield. Aberdeen, St. John’s: Velma Lettice Bowen, David Houston, III, Sallie A. Rowe. Columbus, St. Paul’s: Douglas N. Crowe, Robert Proffitt, Katharine E. Woods. Philadelphia, St. Francis: Chris Allen Baker, Neil Blount, Evelyn Perry. Starkville, Resurrection: Robert Collins, Guy Arnold Hargrove, Nancy Walsh. Tupelo, All Saints’: Nathan Duncan, David R. Sparks, Albert F. White. West Point, Incarnation: Rufus Ward, Jr.

A date to remember: Thursday, Friday & Saturday, February 23-25, 2012 Jr. DOY at Gray Center

Special Council Edition 2012 The Mississippi Episcopalian 17 RESOLUTIONS Resolution Regarding Funding, Structure and Organization of the Episcopal Church and the General Convention Sponsored by: Resolved , while acknowledging the historical legislative function of General Convention, serious con - sideration should be given to, but not limited by, General Convention missional models that include Mr. Jack Conway the following: The Reverend Marian Dulaney Fortner • Simplifying the structure of General Convention governance (e.g. Unicameral legislature; The Reverend Canon David H. Johnson • Training for evangelism, church planting, congregational development, story telling and commu - The Reverend Elizabeth Wheatley-Jones nity formation; The Reverend J. David Knight • Sharing of “best practices” and facilitating “grass roots” networks; Ms. Bobbie Marascalco • Being an opportunity for the spiritual revival and renewal of the church; Canon Kathryn Weathersby McCormick • Increasing the capacity to impact the host community in the Name of Jesus Christ. The Very Reverend Edward F. O’Connor Dr. Ed Sisson Resolved , the Task Force shall endeavor to issue its report and recommendations along with resolu - tions necessary to implement them, including proposed amendments to the Constitution and Canons Resolved , the 185th Council of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi support the study of funding, of this Church, so that they might be considered by a special General Convention prior to the conven - organization and structures of the Episcopal Church, as represented by the following resolution to be ing of the 78th General Convention in 2015, but in any event, not later than February 1, 2015. presented at the 77th General Convention of the Episcopal Church: Resolved , the General Convention requests the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget, and Resolved , the House of ______concurring, there shall be a Task Force of the General Convention on Finance to consider a budget allocation of $100,000 for the implementation of this resolution. Missional Structure and Strategy, the composition of which shall be at the discretion of the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies and the members of which shall be appointed Explanation jointly thereby not later than 90 days following the adjournment of this 77th General Convention. The The administrative and governance structures of The Episcopal Church have grown over the years so Task Force shall be charged with presenting a plan to the Church for reforming its structures, gover - that they now comprise approximately 47% of the church wide budget and sometimes hinder rather nance, administration, and staff to facilitate this Church’s faithful engagement in Christ’s mission to than further this Church’s engagement in God’s mission. Reform is urgently needed to facilitate this proclaim good news to the poor, release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, freedom to the Church’s strategic engagement in mission and allow it to more fully live into its identity as the oppressed, and the acceptable year of the Lord (Lk. 4:18) in a way that maximizes the resources avail - Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society in a world that has changed dramatically over the years but able for that mission at all levels of this Church. that also presents extraordinary missional opportunity. . Remembering Ruthie Gray NEW EMAIL ADDRESS After a lengthy illness, Ruth (Ruthie) Spivey Gray, died in Jackson on December 15, 2011. Please note my new email address: Ruthie was a lifelong Episcopalian, growing up in Canton, the daughter of Lloyd Gilmer and Ruth Miller Spivey. She attended the University of Mississippi and was president of Tri Delta Sorority and a member of Mortar Board. [email protected] She joined her husband, Duncan M. Gray, Jr., as he worked for civil rights and human during the turbulent decades of social change The Rev. Scott Lenoir, Editor in Mississippi. This work began in Cleveland and continued through The Mississippi Episcopalian cures her husband held in Oxford and Meridian before moving to Jackson after being elected Bishop of the Diocese of Mississippi in 1974. Ruthie Gray was a strong supporter of public schools during the Ruth Spivey Gray integration crisis and serviced as citywide PTA president in Meridian during a critical time of transition. She was involved in citizen lobbying efforts on behalf of public schools throughout her life. Other civic involvements included leadership positions with the Girl Scouts, president of the Meridian Symphony League, consumer representative to the Mississippi State Board of Nursing, and she served on the Jackson Planning Board. Ruthie’s mark within the Episcopal Church was left in numerous diocesan outreach ministries. She also sang in parish choirs for over 21 years, a reflection of her lifelong love of music. She was highly involved in Camp Bratton-Green, the diocesan summer camp, serving as a staff member for more than 20 years. It was at Camp Bratton-Green that she first met her husband. She had a lifelong love of the outdoors and enjoyed leading her family and friends in exploring the moun - tain trails near the home she helped design at Sewanee, Tennessee. To clergy across the diocese, Ruthie’s warm hospitality and lively personality put many of the newly ordained at ease when she and her husband hosted regular gatherings at their home in Jackson. But above all, Ruthie will be remembered most as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is survived by her husband, the Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray, Jr., of Jackson; two sons, the Rt. Rev. Duncan Gray III (Kathy) of Jackson and Lloyd Gray (Sally) of Tupelo; two daughters, Anne Finley (Mack) of Adams, Tenn., and Catherine Clark (Shelton) of Nashville, Tenn.; a brother, Lloyd Spivey, Jr., (Ebbie) of Canton; ten grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her sister, Marie Anne Spivey Lloyd (Thames). The family expresses its gratitude to all who provided care and support throughout her illness, especially the congregations of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral and St. James’ Episcopal Church. The family requests that memorials be made to Camp Bratton-Green at Duncan Gray Center, 1530 Way Road, Canton, MS 39046. This article is taken for the obituary which appeared in the Jackson Clarion Ledger. 18 The Mississippi Episcopalian Special Council Edition 2012 OUR DIOCESE Coast Episcopal School receives art You Are Invited... The Center for Formation and Mission invites you to warm your commission grant soul at Gray Center this winter at one of our 2012 offerings...

(Special to MSE) - Coast Episcopal School of Long Beach has been awarded a $1000.00 grant from A Day Apart: Day of Silence and Prayer the Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC). This grant is a portion of the $1.5 million in grants the January 27 Commission will award in 2011-2012 and will be used towards the Gail Keenan Arts Gallery. The Spend a day in quiet prayer, with guidance for times of gathered worship and sacred solitude. grants are made possible by continued funding from the Mississippi State Legislature and the National You may choose to wander Gray Center’s trails or sit by the lake, walk the labyrinth or medi - Endowment for the Arts. tate in the chapel, write in a journal or sketch the rolling hills...however it is that you find “Organizations across the state who receive grants from the Mississippi Arts Commission continue yourself resting in the presence of God. Snacks and drinks are provided; please bring your to prove that arts programs are vital to the success of their community. The grants awarded by the Commission provide funding for the staging of festivals, theatre performances, and many other arts- own lunch. The day will be guided by the Rev. Dianne Braman, LCSW and trained spiritual related activities,” said Malcolm White, Executive Director of MAC. “The arts provide a positive envi - director. Cost for the day is $20. ronment for learning, both in the classroom and in communities. Arts funding has a significant multi - plier and for every dollar spent in the creative sector, eight dollars are realized in the local economy. Bearing the Word: A Women’s Retreat That’s a good investment for any business” February 17-19 The Gail Keenan Art Gallery furthers the mission of Coast Episcopal School, fostering a life-long Join other women for an exploration of the ways in which we are called to bear the Word of love of learning while also enhancing our longstanding emphasis on the arts as well as academic excel - God in the world, like our sister Mary and so many women of faith before us. In our relation - lence. The mission of the art gallery is to accompany and enhance the arts education at CES and its ships and in our work, in our art, in our poems and songs, and in our stories we make the connection to the development of the whole child. Word of God incarnate over and again. We will gather in the Big House for this time of The gallery provides a visual space for the students to nurture and express their artistic talents and “experience” themselves as creative contributors to our world. While also expanding learning prayer, conversation, creativity, and reflection. The weekend will be led by the Rev. Rwth opportunities through the visiting artists’ program, it serves as a teaching resource to enable students Ashton, Chaplain at Millsaps College, and the Rev. Jennifer Deaton, Canon for Pastoral Care at to make connections between art and life. Through exhibiting works of regional artists, the gallery St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral. Cost for the weekend is $170 for double occupancy, and serves the community at large and increases awareness of the broad education offered at Coast $185 for single occupancy. Episcopal School. The Gail Keenan Art Gallery brings artists from local and regional areas to engage with these stu - Men’s Retreat dents, allowing them to better understand themselves and to foster a lifelong appreciation for the arts. March 2-4 The Mississippi Arts Commission, a state agency, serves the residents of the state by providing Last fall men were invited to Gray Center by the Brotherhood of St. Andrew at Chapel of the grants that support programs to enhance communities; assist artists and arts organizations; promote Cross for a weekend of good food, good fellowship, and good conversation about living a life the arts in education and celebrate Mississippi’s cultural heritage. Established in 1968, the Mississippi Arts Commission is funded by the Mississippi Legislature, the National Endowment of the Arts, Blue of faith. It was so well received we are offering the event again this spring. Stay tuned for Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation, the Phil Hardin Foundation, the Riley Foundation, the more information. Mississippi Endowment for the Arts at the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson and other private sources. The agency serves as an active supporter and promoter of arts in community life and in arts The Teller as the Tale: Jesus’ Rhetoric of Preaching education. March 23-24 This second installment of our Sewanee at Gray Center series welcomes the Rev. Dr. Bill For more information from the Mississippi Arts Commission, contact Susan Dobbs - 601/359-6031 or Brosend, Professor of Homiletics at Sewanee’s School of Theology, to reflect on the call all [email protected] Christians share to hear and proclaim the good news of God in Christ. Whether our preach - ing happens in a pulpit or a cubicle, on a streetcorner or in the carpool line, by words or by actions, our lives speak. Cost for the weekend is $90 for double occupancy, and $105 for sin - gle occupancy.

Scholarships are available for all Center for Formation and Mission events. To learn more about these events, or to register, please visit our website at http://cffm.dioms.org

A date to remember: Friday, Saturday & Sunday, March 2-4, 2012 Happening #75, Gray Center

THE 185TH ANNUAL COUNCIL of the DIOCESE OF MISSISSIPPI

February 3-5, 2012

Vicksburg Convention Center

Vicksburg, MS

Special Council Edition 2012 The Mississippi Episcopalian 19 GRAY CENTER Camp Bratton-Green Bar-B-Q Cook-off and Open House By Grae Dickson

For all you passionate barbecue enthusiasts or novices that want to have a good time cooking with your friends, Gray Center is offering you the opportunity to show your stuff in our First Annual Camp Bratton-Green Bar-B-Q Cook-off on March 2 - 3, 2012. The cook off will be part of a Camp Bratton-Green open house held on March 3rd. There will be four categories judged at this year’s competition: Pork Butts, St. Louis Style Ribs, Chicken, and Chef’s Choice. The Chef’s Choice can either be another meat or a smoked component to a dish but the smoked component needs to be the focal point. You can every category or select one that is your specialty but to be awarded Grand Champion you must submit an entry in each category. The entry fee for this event is $100 per team with an additional $50 per team (breakfast included) if you wish to stay in a cabin. Each team will consist of a head cook with a maximum of 4 other team mem - bers. The winner of the event will receive a trophy and a $250 cash prize. All proceeds from this event will go to the Camp Bratton-Green Scholarship Fund. As part of this event, Camp Bratton-Green will host an Open House, open to the public on Saturday March 3rd from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. This is a chance to come out to Bratton-Green and see what camp has to offer and to sample some delicious BBQ. We will be serving BBQ plate lunches for $8.00 a person from 11:00 to 2:00. The open house will conclude with the BBQ award ceremony at 3:00 pm in the Camp Chapel.

For more information or for a complete set of rules please contact Grae Dickson at 601-859-1556 or [email protected]. Information and rules will also be available at www.graycenter.org. Get your team together now and come enjoy a great time at Camp Bratton-Green. Gray Center Valentine’s Wine Tasting On February 11 - 12, 2012, Gray Center will be hosting a Couple’s Dinner and Wine Tasting! We are offering an opportunity to get away for Valentine’s Day Weekend and enjoy an evening of great food, great wine, and great company. The event will begin Saturday evening at 6:00 p.m. and conclude on Sunday morning. The cost of the event is $100 a couple which includes:

• Saturday Dinner • Saturday Evening Wine Tasting • Live Music and Social • Lodging • Breakfast Sunday Please contact Linda Cain or Grae Dickson at 601-859-1556 to reserve your space. We are asking for a $50 nonrefundable deposit to be received by February 7th to hold your space. This will be apply to the bal - ance of the weekend. If you have any ques - tions you can email [email protected].

The Very Rev. Bruce McMillan, rector of Christ Church in Holly Springs, is pictured with his mother, Kathleen McMillan, 92, and the Most Rev. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury at a reception in the Guard Room at Lambeth Palace, in London. Northern Convocation Dean attends English consecration

By Scott Lenoir

Last year, the Very Rev. Bruce McMillan, rector of Christ Church in Holly Springs and the Dean of the Northern Convocation, attended a CREDO Conference in Prescott, Arizona where he met an English cleric, the Venerable Christopher Lowson. Lowson was on the staff of the Archbishop of Canterbury at the time and he struck up a friendship with McMillan. During the CREDO Conference, Lowson learned he’d been appointed by Queen Elizabeth II as the 72nd Bishop of Lincoln. “When I asked him (Lowson) about the date of the consecration he told me September 21, 2011 which is the Feast of St. Matthew. It was to be held at Westminster Abbey and by the greatest coincidence, that was the day when I and my 92 year-old moth - er, Kathleen, were planning on being in London,” said McMillan. McMillan said that front row seats were immediately promised and invitations to a reception at Lambeth Palace given by the Archbishop Canterbury, Rowan Williams. The day of celebration kept up as Bishop Lowson and his wife Susan, invited McMillian and his mother and several friends to Lowson’s birthday dinner the next day at The Goring Hotel in London.

20 The Mississippi Episcopalian Special Council Edition 2012 CHURCHWIDE Sloan seated as Alabama’s 11th bishop Episcopal News Service] The Rt. Rev. Twenty-five Episcopal Church bishops, in John McKee Sloan was seated Jan. 7 as 11th Sloan’s words, “from Maine to Oklahoma and bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama. everywhere in between,” participated. Also The service for Sloan, who had been the attending were dignitaries from area churches, bishop suffragan of the diocese since 2008, including the Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, took place at the Cathedral Church of the Greek Orthodox, Evangelical Lutheran Church, Advent in Birmingham. AME Zion and Christian Methodist Episcopal Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori denominations; rabbis from area synagogues; officiated at the service. She had also been and Birmingham Mayor William A. Bell Sr. Sloan’s chief consecrator in 2008. Jefferts Schori spent the afternoon after The Rt. Rev. Henry N. Parsley Jr., 10th the service with visitors at Trinity Commons, bishop of Alabama, presented Sloan with the the home of Episcopal campus ministries in symbol of office, a silver-tipped crozier first Birmingham. carried by Alabama Bishop Richard Hooker On Friday, she met with health and med - Wilmer in the 19th century. ical researchers at the University of Alabama at Diocese of Mississippi Bishop Duncan Birmingham. “It was a fascinating conversa - Gray preached and jokingly called Sloan, origi - tion,” she told diocesan clergy at a luncheon nally from Mississippi, a missionary to Alabama that day, according to the diocesan news story. who “went native.” She said their 90-minute conversation focused Noting Sloan’s reputation as a storyteller, on “the interface of their science and their in the tradition of so many Mississippi authors, faith.” he called upon Sloan to continue telling the She said the discussion touched on faith story of Christ and his people: “Who we are, in issues of death and dying. She was especial - where we come from, and what we are called The Rt. Rev. Henry N. Parsley Jr., right, 10th bishop of Alabama, presents the Rt. Rev. John McKee Sloan with ly struck, she said, by questions raised about to become.” the symbol of office, a silver-tipped crozier first carried by Alabama Bishop Richard Hooker Wilmer in the the legacy of racism in medical research and “Continue to tell the stories of human 19th century. Photo/Diocese of Alabama how it affects the recruitment of African foibles and God’s holy and mysterious grace,” Americans in clinical research trials. he concluded, according to a diocesan story Sloan, 56, has been bishop suffragan of about the service. “Tell the stories, my brother, so that the Word becomes flesh and dwells among us.” Alabama since 2008. He was elected bishop diocesan in July 2011. He is the former rector of St. The reader of the Old Testament Lesson was Zach Woolley, who has been a camper and a staff Thomas Church in Huntsville, and before that served churches in his native Mississippi. He is also a member of Special Session at Alabama’s Camp McDowell. The Special Session program, which Sloan member of the Episcopal Church’s Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music. He is married to the inaugurated and continues to co-direct, is designed for summer campers with mental and physical dis - former Tina Marie Brown. Their children, Mary Nell and McKee, led the recitation of the Psalm in the abilities. service. Alleen Cater, who directed the Transition Committee, read the New Testament lesson. The Diocese of Alabama includes 34,000 members in 90 congregations, covering north and cen - The liturgy opened with preludes for organ and brass under the direction of Dr. Stephen G. tral Alabama and the Black Belt region. The diocese has three campus ministry centers and eight cam - Schaeffer, the cathedral’s music director and organist. The cathedral choir sang anthems, including a pus chaplains. The diocese has established 11 new Episcopal churches since 1990. It is active in a num - solo by Amberlyn Richardson on “Prayer of the Venerable Bede” by Richard Proulx. ber of ministries of outreach including significant work in Haiti. National Cathedral appoints Francis H. Wade interim dean Search process also announced for new dean sion as a spiritual home for the nation, embodying the Episcopal Church’s expansive and thoughtful [Episcopal News Service] The chair of the Washington National Cathedral Chapter, the Rev. James understanding of God and passionate commitment to the reconciling ministry of Christ.” P. Wind, announced Jan. 4 the appointment of the Rev. Francis H. Wade as interim dean of the cathe - Wade will work closely with Budde and Cox, as well as with the Rev. Canon Jan Naylor Cope, dral. Wade has been called on a part-time basis to focus on spiritual guidance and support to the cathedral vicar. He will also work closely with the worship team in developing major services of nation - cathedral during its search and transition to a new dean. Canon Kathleen A. Cox, the cathedral’s execu - al importance, as needed, lead cathedral worship, and preach regularly, the release said. tive director and chief operating officer, will continue to oversee the day-to-day operations of the “On behalf of the Cathedral Chapter we are grateful to Frank Wade for accepting our nomination cathedral. Wade will take up his new position on Jan. 6, according to a press release. as interim dean,” said Wind. “We look forward to finding a new leader for the cathedral with the able It was also announced today that the Cathedral Chapter has selected Alexander H. Platt to chair guidance of Alix Platt while also benefitting from Frank’s stewardship and support.” the search committee for a new, permanent dean with the goal of calling that individual by the fall of “The cathedral faces significant challenges going forward, and our next dean must be able to lead 2012. The Rev. Samuel T. Lloyd III stepped down as cathedral dean in September 2011 to return as us as we work to restore the Cathedral physically while also continuing to expand our mission and priest-in-charge of Boston’s Trinity Church, Copley Square, where he had previously served as rector. programs,” said Cox. “This is an exciting new era for the Cathedral with many great possibilities ahead “It is a great honor to be entrusted with one of our nation’s most treasured institutions, and it is a of us.” joy to be able to do so here in a community I have been a part of for so long,” said Wade, in the According to the release, in addition to Platt, Craig M. McKee, Esq., will serve as vice-chair of the release. “The cathedral plays a vital role in welcoming the country to pray, commemorate, celebrate, dean’s search committee. McKee is a Chapter member and co-chair of the National Cathedral and mourn. As such, it must serve the millions of Americans of all faiths who turn to it in times of Association. The other committee members are: John D. Barker, Chapter member; Llewellyn W. national significance just as ably as it does its local community and congregation.” Bensfield, member of the Board of Trustees of the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation; Paul Wade, a native of West Virginia, has been an ordained Episcopal priest for 45 years, having served Cooney, canon to the ordinary of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington; the Very Rev. Martha J. Horne, as rector of St. Alban’s Parish on the grounds of the cathedral from 1983 until his retirement in 2005. former dean of Virginia Theological Seminary; the Rev. Dr. Luis León, rector of St. John’s Church, He is an adjunct professor at Virginia Theological Seminary, where he earned his M. Div. and D. Div. Lafayette Square in Northwest D.C.; Dr. Eric L. Motley, Chapter member; Wind; and Dorothy M. degrees, and he has also taught at The General Theological Seminary. He is the author of numerous Woodcock, Chapter member. books, including Transforming Scripture, and his sermons and writings have been published extensive - ly, including in a variety of anthologies by Forward Movement Press. Wade is a noted leader in the Episcopal Church, having served in a variety of roles and committees at the church’s triennial General Convention for which he most recently served as chaplain of the 2009 gathering, the release said. A date to remember: “Frank Wade’s long-standing reputation as a preacher and teacher brings experienced leadership to Washington National Cathedral during this time of transition,” said the Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Tuesday, February 1, 2011 Budde, bishop of Washington, in the release. “He also is a gifted pastor, who will help bring together Deadline for submittal to the Mississippi Episcopalian - 12:00 noon the cathedral community, other clergy, volunteer leadership, and staff to continue the cathedral’s mis -

Special Council Edition 2012 The Mississippi Episcopalian 21 CHURCHWIDE Virginia court tells breakaway congregations to return property

By Mary Frances Schjonberg Henry D.W. Burt, secretary of the diocese and chief of staff, said in the same statement that “we Episcopal News Service] A Fairfax County, Virginia, court has told seven breakaway congregations hope that this ruling will lead to our congregations returning to worship in their church homes in the that they must return control of church property to the Diocese of Virginia and the Episcopal Church. near future, while finding a way to support the CANA congregations as they plan their transition.” The majority of members and clergy of those parishes left to form congregations of the Convocation The Rev. Canon Charles Robertson, canon to the presiding bishop and primate, said Jan. 11 that “I of Anglicans in North America (CANA), which the Anglican Province of Nigeria began in 2005. The depart - give thanks with the people of the Diocese of Virginia for the recent court decision, and even more for ing members of those congregations then filed claims to parish property under Virginia law. their passionate commitment to the mission of the church. And I join Bishop Johnston in calling us to Judge Randy I. Bellows said in a letter opinion issued late on Jan. 10 that the diocese and the pray for all those who have experienced the struggles of this litigation.” Episcopal Church “have a contractual and proprietary interest in the property of these Episcopal church - Meanwhile, Jim Oakes, chairman of the Anglican District of Virginia, which is the umbrella organiza - es” and added that while congregations “had an absolute right to depart from [the Episcopal Church] and tion for the Anglican congregations, said in a Jan. 10 press release issued by the breakaway Falls Church the diocese, they had no right to take these seven Episcopal churches with them.” that “we are profoundly disappointed by today’s decision.” Bellows’ decision stemmed from a June 2010 decision of the Virginia Supreme Court that said he He offered “our gratitude to Judge Bellows for his review of this case. As we prayerfully consider our erred in an earlier ruling when he said that the breakaway congregations involved in the cases were enti - legal options, we above all remain steadfast in our effort to defend the historic Christian faith. Regardless tled to retain all the parishes’ real and personal property when they left the Episcopal Church and joined of today’s ruling, we are confident that God is in control, and that He will continue to guide our path.” another denomination. The Rev. John Yates, rector of the breakaway Falls Church, said in the same press release that “the In coming to his opinion, Bellows reviewed Virginia statutes governing church property, the deeds core issue for us is not physical property, but theological and moral truth and the intellectual integrity of to the real property of the churches, the governing rules of the diocese and the Episcopal Church, and faith in the modern world.” the historic relationship between the parishes and the larger church. “Wherever we worship, we remain Anglicans because we cannot compromise our historic faith. Like He concluded state statutes support a finding that a local congregation is obligated to comply with our spiritual forebears in the Reformation, ‘Here we stand. So help us God. We can do no other.’” the “laws, rules and ecclesiastical polity” of the denomination with regard to property and that the consti - Oakes, in a separate release, said that the group would review Bellows’ opinion “as we consider our tution and canons of both the diocese and the Episcopal Church “demonstrate pervasive dominion, man - options. This is not the final chapter in this matter.” agement, and control over local church property, in a manner normally associated with ownership, title, “The court’s ruling simply involved one of our statutory defenses, and these properties are titled in and possession.” Bellows said the deeds in question make clear that the property “cannot be removed the name of the congregations’ trustees, not in the name of the diocese or the Episcopal Church,” he from the denomination without the larger church’s consent.” continued. “So we continue to be confident in our legal position as we move forward and will remain And, Bellows listed 20 ways in which each of the parishes throughout their history, until the time steadfast in our effort to defend the historic Christian faith.” many of their congregants broke away, acknowledged the authority of the diocese and the larger church. In June 2010, the Supreme Court held that although disagreements had caused “a division” within He also cited numerous ways specific to each of the parishes in which their so-called “course of dealings” the Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Virginia, the breakaway congregations had affiliated with a showed them to be subordinate parts of the Episcopal Church. church that was not a branch of either the Episcopal Church or the diocese. Such an affiliation is Bellows said that all personal property acquired by the congregations before Jan. 31, 2007, or Feb. required, the court said, for Virginia’s one-of-a-kind “Division Statute” (Section 57-9(A)) to apply, as the 1, 2007, (depending on the congregation) must be returned and all liquid personal property (e.g., contri - breakaway congregations claimed. butions and donations of money) acquired after those dates will remain with the breakaway congrega - The Supreme Court returned the cases to the lower court for further proceedings to resolve the tions. Any tangible personal property the congregations acquired after those dates must be given to the property claims of the Episcopal Church and the diocese “under principles of real property and contract diocese and the Episcopal Church unless the congregations can prove that they were donated to them law.” Bellows held a trial that lasted 22 days stretched over April, May and June 2011, and included testi - after those dates or purchased solely with money received after those dates. mony by 60 witnesses. He wrote that he also reviewed thousands of pages of post-trial briefs. “Our goal throughout this litigation has been to return faithful Episcopalians to their church homes In the Jan. 10 ruling, Bellows gave the diocese and the Episcopal Church 45 days to submit a pro - and Episcopal properties to the mission of the church,” Virginia Bishop Shannon S. Johnston said in a posed order to enforce his ruling on returning the property. The CANA congregations are to be given “a statement after the ruling. “While we are grateful for the decision in our favor, we remain mindful of the reasonable opportunity to note their exceptions,” he said, and he gave all the parties 30 days from Jan. 10 toll this litigation has taken on all parties involved, and we continue to pray for all affected by the litiga - to request a hearing on the terms of the proposed order. tion.” The Rev. Mary Frances Schjonberg is an editor/reporter for the Episcopal News Service. Ministry to homeless families needs your help now! Stewardship Continued from page 8 By Kathy B. van Zutphen they have continued to promote these other methods of giving, A call came in to a local Gulf Coast church on the afternoon of December 12 as members of the congregation were busily preparing for it is taking hold and working! In some parishes members of the their annual Christmas program. The caller asked for help because she and her seven year old son, a second-grader at a local elementary vestry all make an online or EFT gift. This is one of the ways school, had just received an eviction notice from their landlord informing them that if they did not pay up, they would be evicted in seven leaders can truly lead in our parishes. Regarding the offering days — approximately a week before Christmas. plate...for those who did not grow up in the church, this prac - This past Christmas, more children than ever asked Santa Claus for items that are considered basic necessities for most of us — food, tice is not as important than for those who have been contribut - clothing, and shelter. This was especially true in Mississippi. ing via the plate since childhood. Many parishes have success - According to a study released by The National Center on Family Homelessness: fully overcome this issue by providing cards in the pew that say, • More than 12, 500 Mississippi children are homeless over the course of a year. “I made an online gift” or “I contributed through a stock trans - • The increase in the number of children who are homeless has a fer.” This enables people who wish to put something in the direct correlation with the bad economy. offering plate an opportunity to do so. • Nationally, there are more homeless children today than after the natural disasters of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, which caused historic 5. Stewardship Education—don’t wait until the fall to provide levels of homelessness in 2006. stewardship education. Use your adult forum or Sunday school • The Recession’s economic devastation has left one in 45 children homeless in a year — an increase of 38 percent from 2007 to 2010. time to review a book or video on stewardship. The TENS web - site has suggestions for materials they have reviewed and rec - Unfortunately, at the very time when homelessness has dramatically increased in families with children, funding for family appropriate ommend. shelters has practically dried up. Redemptorist priest, Father Steve Wilson, who is an officer of Interfaith Hospitality Network’s Rebekah’s House, a non-profit organiza - This is a perfect time to enhance your stewardship efforts and tion which provides counseling and temporary housing to homeless families, emphasizes that the outlook for 2012 is dire. get the New Year off to a great start! “The lack of shelter and support for homeless families on the Mississippi coast is at crisis level,” Father Wilson stated. “We have been Kristine Miller, CFRE, is a ministry strategist for Horizons operating Rebekah’s House on a shoe string budget for the last year and it is a miracle that we have been able to assist as many families as Stewardship providing counsel to churches and non-profits we have,” he added. “At this point the future is very uncertain; if we are unable to keep the shelter open, I have no idea what resources will who are seeking to raise funds to fulfill God’s vision for min - be left for homeless families.” istry. Kristine is a co-author of C.L.I.M.B. Higher: Reaching New The mission cannot provide for homeless families in 2012 without some immediate financial support. Heights in Giving and Discipleship a book outlining the process To help Rebekah’s House achieve its mission send your tax-deductible donation to: IHN’s Rebekah’s House, P.O. Box 8562, Biloxi, MS and theology for churches that wish to reach the summit of 39535. transformational stewardship. Kristine can be reached at Kathy van Zutphen is a communicant of St. Peter’s by-the-Sea, Gulfport. [email protected].

22 The Mississippi Episcopalian Special Council Edition 2012 EVENTS DIOCESAN CALENDAR JANUARY • 22: Bishop Gray visits St. Paul’s, Corinth - • 22: Bishop Gray visits St. Andrew’s School, • 9 - 10: Lay Leadership Training Institute - • 7: Alabama Consecration - The Rt. Rev. John 10:30 a.m. Jackson - 8:15 a.m. Gray Center McKee Sloan Seth Walley Ordination - St. Peter’s, Bishop Gray visits Trinity, Newton - • 11: Bishop Gray visits St. Albans, Bovina - • 8: Bishop Gray visits St. Peter’s, Gulfport - Oxford - 5:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 10:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. • 24: Bishop Gray at Legislative Breakfast - 7:00 • 23: General Convention Deputation Meeting - Bishop Gray visits St. Mary’s, Bolton - • 10: Racial Reconciliation Task Force - a.m. St. Andrew’s - 10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. St. Andrew’s - 12:00 p.m. 24: Pre-Council Meeting, Delta Convocation at 24 - 26: Senior High DOY - Camp Bratton Green 13: Fresh Start - Trinity, Hattiesburg - 10:00 a.m. 11: Diocesan Trustees meeting - Allin House - • • • • St. Stephen’s, Indianola - 6:00 p.m. 25: Lay Leadership - St. Columb’s, Ridgeland 15: Fresh Start - All Saints’, Grenada - 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. • • 26: Bishop Gray visits Resurrection/MSU, 16 - 21: House of Bishops - Camp Allen 12: Pre-Council Meeting, Northern Convocation • • • 25: Pre-Council Meeting, Old River Convocation Starkville - 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter’s, Oxford - 6:00 p.m. • • 23 - 24: Commission on Ministry - Gray Center at Trinity, Natchez - 6:00 p.m. 26 - 28: Presbyter POC - Gray Center 12 - 14: Education for Ministry Mentor Training • 23 - 25: Junior High DOY - Gray Center • 26: Pre-Council Meeting, Tombigbee • (Basic/In-Service & Formation/Spirituality) - • 29: Bishop Gray visits Holy Cross, Convocation at Resurrection, Starkville - 6:30 p.m. • • 24: Standing Committee Meeting - Gray Center - Gray Center Olive Branch - 6:00 p.m. 9:30 a.m. 29: Bishop Gray visits Christ Church, 13: Bishop Gray visits St. Andrew’s School, • • Holly Springs - 11:00 a.m. • 25: Bishop Gray visits St. John’s, Pascagoula - Jackson - 10:00 a.m. MARCH 10:30 a.m. • 13 - 14: Lay Leadership Training Institute - Gray • 2 - 4: Happening #75 - Gray Center Bishop Gray visits St. Paul’s, Picayune - Center FEBRUARY 5:30 p.m. 14 - 16: Youth Serve! - All Saints, Grenada • 3 - 5: 185th Annual Council - Vicksburg 29: Convocational Deans Meeting - Allin House - • Convention Center • 2 - 4: Happening #75 Reunion - St. Alexis, • • 15: Bishop Gray visits St. John’s, Laurel - Jackson 12:00 p.m. 10:30 a.m. • 3 - 5: 185th Annual Council Youth Lock-in - 30 - 31: ECW Spring Conference St. Alban’s, Bovina • 4: Bishop Gray visits Holy Trinity, Vicksburg - • Bishop Gray visits St. Mark’s, Jackson - 10:30 a.m. • 31: Day on the Diaconate, North 4:00 p.m. • 4: Cursillo Sing-a-Long - Vicksburg Convention Center - 5:30 p.m. Bishop Gray visits Good Shepherd, Terry - • 16: Allin House closed for Martin Luther King, 5:00 p.m. Jr. holiday • 6 - 7: Allin House closed • 6: Deadline for The Mississippi Episcopalian 17: Pre-Council Meeting, Coast Convocation at 7: Deadline for The Mississippi Episcopalian • • 8: Executive Committee Meeting - St. Mark’s, Gulfport - 6:00 p.m. • • 10 - 11: Lay Leadership Training Institute - St. Andrew’s - 10:00 a.m. • 18: Fresh Start - St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Gray Center Jackson - 10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. • 12: Bishop Gray visits Mediator/Redeemer, • 18: Pre-Council Meeting, Central Convocation at McComb - 10:30 a.m. St. James’, Jackson - 6:30 p.m. Bishop Gray visits Holy Trinity, Crystal • 19: Pre-Council Meeting, Sowashee Convocation Springs - 5:00 p.m. at St. John’s, Laurel - 6:30 p.m. • 16: Disaster Relief Committee meeting - Allin • 19: MRLC Banquet House - 3:00 p.m. • 21: Clelie McCandless Ordination - • 17 - 18: Gray Center Board meeting - Gray St. Timothy’s, Southaven - 10:30 a.m. Center • 21: “Thoughts, Words and Deeds” - • 17 - 19: Happening Staff Training - Nativity, Greenwood St. James’, Jackson • 21: Cursillo Secretariat/Servant Community • 17 - 19: Seeds of Faith - Mediator, Meridian Joint Meeting - St. Philip’s, Jackson • 19: Bishop Gray visits Trinity, Natchez - 10:30 a.m.

Harris priest in charge at St. Paul’s The Rev. Scott Lenoir says goodbye to Betty Ruth Fox at a reception for him and his wife, Harriett, at Chapel of the Cross in Madison where he was Priest Associate. The Lenoirs moved to Gautier just The Rev. Anne Harris is now priest in before Christmas. He will continue to be the editor of The Mississippi Episcopalian and joined the charge at St. Paul’s in Columbus. Harris staff at St. John’s in Ocean Springs on January 8, 2012. was called to St. Paul’s from St. John’s in Ocean Springs where she was assistant rec - tor since 2009. Harris is a 2008 graduate of Virginia FAITHFUL DEPARTED Seminary and served her first year of min - Jane McKinnon , 91, communicant of Christ Church, Bay St. Louis, died October 25, 2011. istry with a hospice service in Boca Raton, Florida before accepting a call to St. John’s. Mary Frances Smith-Vaniz , age 103, a communicant of Grace Church, Canton, died on November Her husband, Jim, plans to move to 13, 2011. Columbus to join his wife. Harris is a native of New Zealand. Ruth Miller Spivey Gray, 83, wife of the Right Reverend Duncan M. Gray, Jr., and mother of the Right Reverend Duncan M. Gray, III, communicant of St. Andrew’s, Jackson, died December 15, 2011. The Rev. Anne Harris

Special Council Edition 2012 The Mississippi Episcopalian 23 BOOK REVIEW

Editor’s note: Phyllis Tickle will make a presentation on emergence Christianity at Nativity Episcopal Church in Greenwood on Jan. 21. Contact Nativity Church for more information on the program. Book Review: The Great Emergence by Phyllis Tickle

By Janet C. Nail affixing his theses on the Wittenberg door as the opening volley of the Reformation, but, indeed, the Roman Catholic Church was reeling from conflict “Give me that old time religion, it’s good enough for me.” between the peoples and powers of Italy and the princes and powers of France. But what is “that old time religion”? I was raised here in the south, and I The conflict eventually led, in 1418, to the election of three popes, an act which always knew that after Paul had finished whipping the churches in the Middle East shattered the primacy of the papacy and the relative unity and stability of its into shape, he gave us a model of the Church (and religion) that we are supposed authority. In absence of accepted authority, what happens? Martin Luther nails a to follow without changing. Right? document on the door that shouts, “Look! There’s a problem here!” And the Wrong, according to Phyllis Tickle, in THE GREAT EMERGENCE (Baker church holds a giant rummage sale that jettisons the authority of the Pope and Books, 2008). Since Christianity is alive, it is always changing, and we are in the says, “Scripture, and scripture only.” midst of a pivotal change in the way we see and experience our faith. This change Making scripture the ultimate authority requires that people be able to read is part of what she identifies as the Great Emergence; the book considers the mon - that scripture. Enter Gutenberg and the drive for widespread literacy. But if five umental phenomenon from the perspective of three basic questions: What is it? people read the same document, there will be at least three interpretations of that How did it come to be? Where is it going (and where is it taking us as it goes)? document. And literacy does not stop with reading scripture; thoughtful people Mrs. Tickle examines these questions from the viewpoint of religion-specifical - will read science, philosophy, economics, sociology, and all the other exploding ly, Christianity in North America. She paraphrases an observation of the Right information around them. And eventually-say, five hundred years or so-there will Reverend Mark Dyer, an Anglican Bishop, who has observed that the only way to be questions to the extent of requiring another rummage sale in religion; hence, understand what is currently happening is to realize that about every five hun - the Great Emergence. dred years the church feels compelled to hold a giant rummage sale! That is, the Phyllis Tickle brings her discerning eye, sharpened by her years as religion empowered structures of institutionalized Christianity become an intolerable shell editor of “Publishers’ Weekly,” and her critical faculties as an academic to her that must be shattered so that renewal and new growth may occur. examination of the Great Emergence. She addresses the expanded social and sci - The upheaval leads to three consistent results. First, a new, more vital form of Christianity entific advances that expanded people’s awareness and led to questioning of the church’s absolutes. emerges. Second, the organized church is reconstituted into a more pure and less ossified expression She carefully diagrams the reactions within Christianity and these responses in separate yet overlap - of its former self. And third, whenever the rigidity of an overly established Christianity has broken ping points of the compass. open, the faith has spread. In exquisite prose, Phyllis Tickle advances her hopeful view of the emerging face of religion, a Before the Great Emergence was the Great Reformation. We think of Martin Luther’s hammier face that may not be familiar, but which will always be turned to God. Take My Yoke And Learn From Me! By William N'dishabandi them.” If we are to be a living force in life, our faith must be unleashed. As we strive to nurture the Campus ministry exists in order to help our students, who are having their minds challenged and faith of young adults who have chosen to enter the employment market we need to support and get lives changed by the University, not to lose their souls in this process or amidst this world. One of my involved in campus ministries. Some of you perceive the campus as an alien place, an alternative cul - purpose as chaplain at Jackson State University is to inspire both the faculty and students with the ture which is deeply mistrusted. It is very important for the church to be present where people are renewed confidence in its ability to satisfy increasingly their deepest longing to carry them forward to gathered into the institutions of our society, to listen and witness, to serve and learn, to stand with ever higher achievements. Think about this: Polls show that 18-29 year-olds make up the most un- those searching for meaning and guide them. Our Campus ministry helps students to enlarge, churched age group in the US. If we want to touch lives of young ones we must be part of their world. improve the quality of life in Christ Jesus. For example: early this year I encountered a Kenyan stu - Christian personality will not be an accomplished fact for us until we have put race prejudice and any dent, who was hungry and looking exhausted. He feeling of superiority forever out of our hearts and minds. Let’s learn from Christ’s ministry. He had spent weeks, if not months, on streets of Jackson looked out with eyes of compassion and a heart full of love upon all the world, and saw humanity as as a homeless. Through some of your help, we were sheep having no shepherd. able to integrate him into the society. He’s now an Gerhard Lenski wrote, “If the world were Christianized, ignorance would disappear; people aviation engineering student at the University of would see even as they are seen, and they would understand themselves better as well as the world Florida. Another example is of a student (by permis - about them. They would live temperately and intelligently. They would develop skills and abilities. sion I’ll use his 1st name) Djouda, from Cameroon They would work with God and for God, and His power would enable them to accomplish wonders was almost about to return to his homeland but that surpass all our understanding.” Lenski is the author of A Christianized World. He reminds us that through the help of our Diocesan Executive and the when we yoke ourselves with the body of Christ, we become equipped and strengthened to overcome Okholona scholarship, Djouda is one of the highest our struggles and temptations. GPA in graduate studies in the department of This academic year we focused on Matthew 11:29-30 as our theme: “..Take my yoke and learn Epidemiological and Bio-Statistics at JSU. Our cam - from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke pus ministry is changing lives. There other various is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew invites us to carry our yoke and follow him. The purpose of testimonies among those who benefit from this min - the yoke is not to enable the Ox to get rid of his load; it is a device by which he can more efficiently istry. If you want to know the benefits of having a draw his load. Someone said, “I do not strive to get rid of the problem and perplexities and responsi - campus ministry near your parish, be part of it. bilities of existence among the students because life would be meaningless and colorless without Someone said, “in religion we walk by sight and insight.” Happy New Year!

The Rev. Dr. William N'dishabandi is rector of All Saint's Episcopal Church in Jackson and chaplain at Jackson State University.

24 The Mississippi Episcopalian Special Council Edition 2012