May, 2008 • Volume 133, Issue No. 5 St. Peter’s by-the-Sea Gulfport Leila Wynn receives honorary doctorate rebuilt and moving forward from Seminary of By Susan Prendergast the Southwest The Dedication and Leila Clark Wynn, Consecration of St. Peter’s by-the-Sea longtime parishioner of in Gulfport was held April 9th with St. James’, Greenville, over 300 current and former parish- received an honorary The Rev. George ioners and many other friends from doctorate from the local congregations and other volun- Seminary of the Woodliff honored teers who worked rebuilding the Southwest in Austin, church from out of state. A new Texas at its May 13th in Yazoo City parish hall was also blessed during Commencement. By Gary Andrews the evening. Wynn is a native of Austin and served on sev- Editor and Publisher, Bishop Gray, III presided over eral diocesan committees since moving to Yazoo Herald, reprinted with permission the service. The St. Peter’s choir, Mississippi in the mid 1950s. She served on the under the direction of J.T. Anglin, was Seminary of the Southwest’s development board Through a bolstered by the presence of Mobile’s for several years. series of phenome- Gloria Dei Chorale. Wynn’s philanthropy is well known in the nal dreams with With the assistance of Jon Marc diocese. She has given generously to rebuild the supernatural quali- and Van Zutphen, the St. Peter’s ECW Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina as well as ties, George held a “phenomenal reception” after being a major supporter of education at three Woodliff was the service in the new parish hall after institutions of higher learning. Clergy and choir process in at St. Peter’s by-the-Sea uprooted from his the service. For the last twenty years, Wynn has been a career as a very with a standing room only congregation to dedicate and consecrate the rebuilt church in early April. trustee of Millsaps College and was awarded an successful attorney honorary doctorate in recognition of her public for a vocation to service. She still serves on a number of boards in the priesthood. support of South culture and literature. “For as long as Bishop: pastoral care clergy Wynn is the editor of the book, The Time I have lived, I have Has Come: The Greenville Literary Tradition, a always wanted to training a response to Lambeth selection of readings from works by early know about my Greenville writers. She also donated her collec- faith, and I feel this The Rev. George Woodliff selected as Man of Year by Yazoo Herald. tion of first-edition books by William Faulkner to was God’s way of Conferences and TEC the University of Mississippi and has served on the calling me into the ministry,” Woodliff recalled. By Scott Lenoir board of the Faulkner Center in Oxford. George Woodliff grew up in Jackson and graduated from Murrah High School. With uncertainty about his The Diocese of Mississippi offers a Gray said that in much the same way future, he ventured off to Ole Miss and graduated in clergy pastoral training conference begin- he’ll never understand the life experiences 1970. ning Sunday afternoon June 1st at Gray of his foster daughter who lived in a “Friends” explore “There were some good years at Ole Miss,” he Center. The conference is for those who Kenyan refugee camp for eight years, he is ways to expand use remembered. “Archie (Manning) was the quarterback, wish to deepen their pastoral skills in also unable to fully understand the life and we went to the Sugar Bowl that year.” working with gay and lesbian persons and experiences of gay and lesbian people. of Gray Center their families. However, Bishop Gray stated, “I can learn After graduating from Ole Miss, Woodliff studied By John Fontaine Bishop Duncan Gray, III said that the to listen more deeply and I trust that in so law and graduated from the University of Virginia. “Family Time” at Gray Center offers one pos- conference is offered “in the spirit of the listening I can become a more effective “My father was the founder of the law firm of sible way to increase use of the conference center consistent encouragement by Lambeth pastor. That is my hope for this confer- Heidelberg and Woodliff in Jackson,” he said. “The firm and further the purposes of the church. That was Conferences and our own church to pro- ence.” was one of the top three in the entire state.” the consensus of some 45 “Friends of Gray vide pastoral care for gay and lesbian per- The conference begins the afternoon After law school, Woodliff did a clerkship for the Center” meeting there on May 4-5 at the invitation sons in our congregations. of Sunday June 1 and concludes mid-after- Supreme Court of Mississippi Chief Justice Robert of Bishop Gray. The Rev. Dr. Philip Culbertson, noon on Monday, June 2nd The cost of Gillespie. In his opening remarks, Gray emphasized recently retired professor of pastoral care the conference is $95.00 and continuing Woodliff left his clerkship and joined his father’s the importance of the center as a resource of the at the School of Theology in the University education unit credits are given. firm in 1974. By the time of his departure from the firm diocese: his major reason for assuming chairman- of Auckland in New Zealand is invited to All clergy attending the event will gain on July 31, 1991, he had previously served several years ship of the center board. He cited purchase of a lead the conference. Culbertson taught ten contact hours of continuing education as the managing partner. family cemetery plot and naming the center in his many diocesan clergy during his tenure as credit which equals one unit. Woodliff, will as further personal commitment. a professor at Sewanee. There will be time for small group Continued on page 5 Gray Center, to cover operating costs, now In a March letter to clergy, Gray stat- discussions and time for conferences with needs $240,000 a year over and above the income ed: “my commitment to the pastoral care Bishop Gray and Culbertson. from camps and conferences. “Good stewardship of all members of Christ’s body calls me to For registration information, contact requires that we explore ways to reduce that level imagine new models for care-giving in our Emily Everett at the diocesan office or SALUS CRUCE of dependence on the diocesan budget,” the bish- day.” email her at [email protected]. salvation by op concluded. Friends, the cross Continued on page 5 OUR DIOCESE

possible! Your newsletters contain much news of glo- plished here, much remains to be done. Many who rious Easter celebrations and plans for Pentecost, don’t see how we live from day-to-day don’t under- Notes & Quotes which by the time this is printed, will be behind us. stand that we are still not back to “normal”-whatever Faithful by Maria Watson Some ongoing and upcoming events include line that is! St. John’s, Pascagoula’s, Sheetrock Ministry Departed The last time I wrote, it dancing lessons at All Saints, Jackson, every Tuesday continues to serve the community as people rebuild was of the joyous anticipa- evening; Nativity, Greenwood’s start of a large con- homes and lives. by Catherine Johns tion of the Consecration of struction project, including a new parish hall, kitchen, St. John’s, Ocean Springs, held its annual the new, post-Katrina St. office suite, library and meeting rooms, restrooms and Renaissance Faire, now rated one of the “Top 20 March, 2008 Peter’s-by-the-Sea in loggia to connect existing buildings to the new build- Events in the Southeast,” Saturday and Sunday, May 3- Charles C. McInnis, 81, communi- Gulfport. I was subsequently ing, entrance courtyard, main courtyard and play- 4, with all proceeds going to benefit its outreach min- asked to do for the service cant of Trinity Church, Hattiesburg, ground. By the time you read this, building should be istries: The Lord Is My Help, Ocean Springs Boys and died December 2, 2007. exactly what I had done under way. All Saints, Tupelo, is reorganizing its Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity of Jackson County, when we consecrated the Dorris Curry Traylor, 82, commu- Garden Guild and looking for help with flower beds Samaritan Ministries and Interfaith Hospitality nicant of Trinity Church, church the first time, in in the landscaping around its new building. Network. St. Peter’s by-the-Sea, Gulfport, has June 2000: to be the intercessor and a chalice-bearer Hattiesburg, died December 31, The EYC of All Saints, Grenada, made an resumed its food collection ministry, this time for 2007. using the identical service we used the first time and a extraordinary pilgrimage to Canterbury, England, Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, which operates a Food replica of the service bulletin that I had designed and Horace Patrick Gautier, 97, died where they worshiped at Canterbury Cathedral and Pantry. on January 29, 2008. He was a produced. For me, it was truly déja vu. I could hardly heard Evensong sung by the King’s School of the believe what I was doing as I stood there outside, Communicant of Church of the Choir. Parents of the returning EYC Pilgrims hosted a NOTABLE QUOTES... Redeemer in Biloxi. waiting for the knock of the crozier at the threshold Canterbury Night to share stories and photos of the “Pentecost marks the birth of the church when it and the resonant voice of our bishop saying “Let the Gerald Jefferson “Jerry” trip. St. Timothy’s, Southaven, is sponsoring a Relay was at its youngest and most vibrant Montgomery, 57, died March 3, doors be opened” and the procession to begin. As I sit for Life team June 20-21 to help raise funds for cancer stage...Furthermore, Pentecost signals the beginning there now, each Sunday morning, I marvel at the re- 2008. He was a communicant of research. All Saints, Tupelo’s ECW had its annual of the transmission of the faith. Before his ascension, Church of the Nativity, Greenwood. creation of this magnificent place of worship; at the Spring Luncheon May 18, and earlier, on April 30, pre- Jesus told his disciples in Jerusalem to ‘wait there for fact that it is whole again; and that it is for me, some- John Richards Early, Sr., 83, died sented its choir and the MUW Chorale in a perform- the promise of the Father.’” [Acts 2:39] (Trinity, March 3, 2008. He was a communi- how, a glorious cocoon. ance of the Gabriel Fauré’s “Requiem.” St. Mark’s, Yazoo City) “In our baptismal covenant, we promise Next to my deep reverence for my Church, is my cant of Church of the Incarnation, Gulfport’s ECW had its Spring Luncheon, in the new with God’s help to ‘continue in the apostles’ teaching West Point. abiding love of the arts. An acute awareness of the Parish Hall. Its featured entrée was Pam Roberts’ own and fellowship, in the breaking of the bread and in severe loss sustained by both artists and collectors in Ruth Fleming Martin, 87, died Shrimp and Grits concoction, the recipe for which the prayers’...This idea of fellowship is vital to the life March 30, 2008. She was a commu- 2005 is ever with me. So it was with great joy that I earned a place on the Sun Herald’s Food Page. St. of the Christian as the call of Christ is a call to com- read of St. Stephen’s, Indianola’s plan to host a nicant of St. James’, Jackson. Mark’s church is nearing completion and will likely munity-coming together to serve one another and the Inez Hood Heidelberg, 104, com- juried visual art exhibition this Fall between the Feasts be the next Coast parish consecrated. St. Patrick’s, world. We are not called to be alone on some ‘me and of St. Michael and All Angels (September 28) and All municant of Trinity Church, we hear, is due to start construction this summer. Jesus’ adventure, but instead Christ opens our minds Hattiesburg, died March 31, 2008. Saints (November 1). “A Feast for the Eyes” will open Trinity, Natchez, hosted the closing concert of and hearts to the reality that we are all connected with an evening reception Saturday, September 27, Scott Sumner Turner, 29, died the Natchez Musical Arts League May 19, featuring through our creator...” (St. Peter’s by-the-Lake, April 5, 2008. He was a communi- and close with a festival Evensong Sunday, November instrumentalists and vocalists, both professional and Brandon). 2, featuring a guest choir and organist from another cant of Trinity Church, Hattiesburg. gifted amateurs, from the Natchez area. A reception “ ...The Book of Common Prayer is central to Coleman Creswell Craig, Jr., 86, Episcopal church. St. Stephen’s will issue a call for (of course!) followed. who we are. It is based upon a critical premise: ‘We artists nationally, regionally and locally through died April 6, 2008. He was a com- For the outdoor types, St. James, Jackson, is pray what we believe and we believe what we pray.’ municant of Church of the Nativity, numerous communications channels, seeking draw- sponsoring a Bike Trip in Vermont in July 12-21-riding These prayers are appropriate for public worship ings, paintings, prints, photographs, pottery, sculpture Greenwood. a bicycle from the southeastern tip of Vermont to the because they are what we have all agreed upon what Billie Arterbury Vickery, 82, com- and mixed media. More on this from St. Stephen’s, as northwest and back in 12 days. In April, St. James sent we hold in common. Basically, the Book of Common the opening date nears. municant of Church of the Nativity, a group of volunteers back to the Coast to help with Prayer protects us from one another’s creativity, or Greenwood, died April 7, 2008 Meanwhile, as I write this, we are approaching Katrina Relief. They worked on a home in Waveland lack thereof, bad theology or current passions...” Pentecost, the birthday of the church and that long, Mary Walta Parsons, 102, died and stayed at Mission on the Bay in Bay St. Louis, one (St. Andrew’s Cathedral) April 8, 2008. She was a communi- green season that will take us full circle back to of the five work camps being run by Lutheran Advent and the church’s New Year. It hardly seems cant of Trinity Church, Yazoo City. Episcopal Ministries. While much has been accom- Clara Louise Brooks Honey, 90, communicant of St. Timothy’s, Continually published for 132 years in the Diocese of Mississippi Executive Committee Deployment Report Southaven, died April 9, 2008. Submitted by the Rev. Canon David Johnson Vera J. Jacobs Speakes, 84, died May 2008 April 14, 2008. She was a commu- nicant of Grace Church, Rosedale. New Appointments/Calls Floyd M. Sulser, Sr., 88, died April The Reverend Jeff Reich, called as Rector, St. John’s 17, 2008. He was a communicant Church, Laurel of St. Columb’s, Ridgeland where Annie Cumberland, appointed to be Curate, St. Andrew’s he had twice served as senior war- Official news organ of the Bishop and the Diocese of Mississippi Cathedral, Jackson 118 N. Congress Street - P.O. Box 23107 Catherine Rickett, appointed to be Deacon-in-Charge, den. Jackson, Mississippi 39225-3107 St. Stephen’s, Columbia, and St. Elizabeth’s, Collins Irma Young McClendon, 70, com- Peter Gray, appointed Curate, St. Anna’s, New Orleans municant of St. James, Greenville died April 24, 2008. The Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray III Positions Open Robert Clayton Corley, 90, com- Ninth Bishop of Mississippi Vicar, St. John’s, Aberdeen municant of St. John’s, Laurel died Rector, St. Alban’s, Bovina April 25, 2008. The Rev. Scott Lenoir Rector, St. George’s, Clarksdale Marie Jeanette Asmar, 86, com- Editor Rector, Calvary, Cleveland municant of St. John’s, Laurel died Rector, St. Paul’s, Corinth May 1, 2008. The Mississippi Episcopalian (USPS 024755) is published monthly by the Episcopal Diocese of Rector, St. James’, Greenville William H. Ingram, Jr., 81, com- Mississippi, 118 N. Congress St., Jackson, MS 39201. Periodical postage paid at Jackson, MS. Rector, St. Peter’s-by-the-Sea, Gulfport Associate Rector, St. John’s, Ocean Springs municant of St. John’s, Laurel died POSTMASTER: Send change of address to the Mississippi Episcopalian, P.O. Box 23107, died May 1, 2008. Jackson, MS 39225-3107. In giving changes of address send the old address as well as the Rector, St. Timothy’s, Southaven Rector, Advent, Sumner new. We cannot be responsible for the return of manuscripts or photographs. Rector, All Saints’, Tupelo

2 The Mississippi Episcopalian May 2008 OUR DIOCESE

late morning service. In between I visited with formation of new bishops and ongoing continu- new confirmands, their parents and sponsors. ing education for all bishops. Our meeting is at The Bishop’s Journal Reception following. Good visit with people who Virginia Seminary which means I have an oppor- April 1 – Staff meeting in morning. In office the young these days, I was a part of the develop- are very special to me. tunity to visit over the next two days with our rest of the day. ment of this network, a project inspired and still Drive to Michigan City where I preach, cele- seminarians. brate, baptize 2 and confirm 2 in the midst of an coordinated by the Rt. Rev. Claude Payne, April 22 – College of Bishops Board of Directors April 2 – Annual consultation with the Rev. Jim overflow crowd at Calvary Church. It seemed retired Bishop of Texas. at Virginia Seminary. We finish late in the after- Carlyle thru lunch. Made a call on Pastor Tom there were more people in church than there are We welcome about 40 of these leaders to noon. I take Peter and Giulliana, his fiancé, to Clark of Ascension Lutheran Church to talk in the entire community of Michigan City. Gray Center. dinner. about the use of Gray Center and Camp Bratton- Reception following in very crowded parish Green by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of April 8 – Gathering of Leaders continues at Gray house. After a good visit I drove home to April 23 – Return to Jackson late morning. Go America. Center. In the evening I briefly address the Jackson very tired. in to the office for a portion of the afternoon. Afternoon staff appointment to discuss pas- Executive Board of the North American Leave late afternoon to prepare for my work at April 14 – Day off toral issues. Association of the Diaconate (NAAD) who are the Cursillo #115 where I will be serving on staff gathering at Gray Center prior to the arrival on April 3 – Drive to Gray Center for meeting with April 15 – In office all day. Staff meeting in the for the first time in five years. Thursday of deacons from across North America. camp directors for this summer’s program at morning. Good working session with Dean April 24 – Gather with the staff of Cursillo Camp Bratton-Green. Sincerely appreciate the April 9 – Gathering of Leaders concludes at Gray O’Connor and newly appointed headmaster of #115 to finish preparations for the arrival this ministry of these people who are the backbone Center. It has been a wonderful time of renewal St. Andrew’s School, Mr. George Penick. evening of participants in the Cursillo weekend. of our camping ministry. for me. Afternoon appointment with the Rev. Ed Lundin. I am supportive of the Cursillo movement because I have clearly seen its transformative After the Camp Director’s meeting I visit After lunch at Gray Center I drive to the April 16 – Breakfast with Chancellor and staff. impact on individuals, congregations and on a with the Rev. Elizabeth Wheatley-Jones about her coast where I gather with the congregation of St. Morning appointment with aspirant for holy wide range of diocesan ministries. High degree new oversight responsibilities with our campus Peter’s by-the-Sea, clergy and lay people from orders. of commitment from staff is very evident. ministries. across the coast to bless and dedicate the rebuilt Annual consultation with the Rev. Jeff Return to office for remainder of the day. church and parish house. What an extraordinari- Reich. Afternoon sessions with the Rev. Mary April 25 – Cursillo #115 at Gray Center ly emotional time as this first of our destroyed April 4 – In the office in the morning. Late after- Berry and Ms. Carol Penick. churches returns. Volunteer workers from Camp April 26 – Cursillo #115 at Gray Center noon I drive to Gray Center to participate in the Coast Care representing congregations in April 17 – Walk to state Capitol to pray before Friends of Gray Center weekend. “Friends” are April 27 – Cursillo #115 concludes with a Maryland, Utah, Connecticut and New the state Senate convenes for its next to the last those who have made special contributions to wonderful eucharist attended by people from Hampshire are here in their work clothes. How day of the regular session. Our Congregation for the ministry of Gray Center. This weekend is to throughout the diocese. Driving rain does not wonderfully appropriate that the faith and Children initiative has made some headway in say thanks for their support and to gather ideas dampen the spirits of those present. So apprecia- courage of the people on the coast are celebrat- this session as an advocate for the most vulnera- from them for the future direction of Gray tive of all the work that has gone into the prepa- ed with the volunteers from afar who have ble in our state. Am thanked by a couple of Center. ration of this weekend. meant so much to us. Senators for that work. Severe storm with tornadoes hits the Afterwards we celebrate in the parish house Appointment in afternoon with aspirant for April 28 – Day off. I participate in the Cecil and Jackson area. My family is without power so I late into the night. holy orders. Working session with Canon Bob Brunson Memorial Golf Tournament for the return to Jackson in the evening. McCormick and the Rev. Paul Stephens, new American Cancer Society at Annandale Golf April 10 – Still on the coast. I attend chapel at April 5 – Still no power as I drive to Gray chair of our Finance Committee. Club. Lots of fun for a very good cause. Coast Episcopal School where I celebrate the Center. Conversation with the Friends of Gray In the evening I go with Tabitha to a year eucharist and speak to the students. I am pre- April 18 – In office all day. Annual consultations Center through early afternoon. end banquet for her school service club. sented with a book written by second grade chil- with the Rev. Diane Livingston and the Rev. Bill Drive to Grace Church, Canton where I am dren entitled What Does Bishop Gray Do When Livingston. Afternoon appointment with the Rev. April 29 – Staff meeting in the morning. Much able to participate in the closing eucharist for He is Not Being a Bishop? Very revealing. Harriet Simmons. of the day with the convocation deans seeking the staff planning of Cursillo #115. I look for- their advice on a variety of matters and seeking Meet with the headmaster and the Board of April 19 – Meet with Gray Center Board at ward to my work on staff. to improve communication throughout the dio- Coast Episcopal School after the service for a dis- Gray Center through lunch. Good energy and cese. Late afternoon appointment with the Rev. April 6 – Up very early to drive to Tupelo for an cussion about future plans for the school. creativity as we are looking at several new initia- John Jenkins to discuss current status of All annual visitation at All Saints. Am asked to speak Meet the Rev. Harold Roberts for lunch and a tives. Saints’ School financial status. at the adult forum on what gives me faith and good visit. Am shown the current plans for the After meeting I drive to Clinton where I cel- keeps me going in the midst of the challenges new Church of the Redeemer in Biloxi. ebrate my granddaughter, Harper’s first birthday April 30 – In office all day. Morning appoint- facing the church. It was an assignment that Drive back to Gray Center where I have dinner, at Duncan and Amber’s home. What a joyous ments with Mr. Mike Huseth and the Rev. made me do a lot of thinking. then address the full gathering of the North occasion. Life is just too rich to be believed Richard Middleton. Afternoon session with the At the eucharist I preached, celebrated, American Association for the Diaconate. sometimes. Rev. Luther Ott. Annual consultation with the confirmed 13 and reaffirmed 1. Following a Return to Jackson in the evening. Rev. Margaret Ayers. reception I had a good conversation and lunch April 11 – Return to Gray Center to spend the April 20 – Up early to drive to Greenville for vis- with the interim rector of All Saints’, the Rev. morning with our Mississippi deacons who are itation. At St. James’, Greenville, I celebrate, LaRae Rutenbar. involved in a parallel meeting with NAAD. preach, confirm 5 and reaffirm 1. Wonderful Drove to Okolona for visitation to St. Two appointments in the afternoon, then return reception/lunch afterwards. Am very impressed Bernard’s. This very small congregation contin- home early. I am very tired. with the spirit of this place seven months after ues to have a significant presence in their ecu- the departure of its rector. Greatly appreciate April 12 – Drive to Chapel of the Cross, menical and outreach ministries. They continue the work of the Rev. Patrick Sanders here. Visit Madison for a meeting with the Daughters of the with Patrick, wife, Jennifer, and daughter, Sky in YOUR to inspire me. I preach and celebrate at the King from around the diocese. I preached and eucharist, then enjoy an extended time of visit- their home after lunch. celebrated the eucharist. I also asked the ing and eating after the service. Travel across town for visit with the Mission Daughters to help me in their prayers to discern Return home to Jackson and discover that Committee of Church of the Redeemer, our diocese’s next step in our relationship to the Greenville in the late afternoon. Hear their plans AD our electrical power has been restored. Many in Bishop Masereka Christian Foundation in the Jackson area are not as fortunate. for purchase of neighborhood property. In wor- Uganda. ship later I preach and celebrate. Enjoy the time April 7 – Continue to clean up after Friday’s Later in the afternoon drove to Oxford in very much with many old friends from my storm. Drive to Gray Center where I help host anticipation of my visitation to St. Peter’s. HERE! Greenville days. and participate in the “Gathering of Leaders.” April 13 – Visitation to St. Peter’s, Oxford. This is a growing group of young leaders who April 21–Fly to Alexandria, Virginia to partici- Contact Scott Lenoir Preached at early service. Preached and celebrat- are passionate about the mission of the church, pate in a meeting of the Board of Directors of ed at mid morning service. Preached, celebrated, and have a hope-filled vision of the Episcopal the College of Bishops. The College of Bishops 601-856-8234 baptized 3, confirmed 14 and reaffirmed 1 at the Church. Despite the fact that I am not terribly is the group responsible for the orientation and

May 2008 The Mississippi Episcopalian 3 OUR DIOCESE Ring Around the Collar A-V Center News By Denny Allman by Janet C. Nail One of the rituals we Episcopalians do at each celebration of the Eucharist is “pass the In commenting on his public television series THE WAR, Ken peace.” The actual liturgy varies by congregation: In some it is a mere nod to the per- Burns said that one reason he made it was that young people knew son on either side with a muttered “peace.” In others, it appears to be a gab-fest and nothing about World War II, some of them even thinking we were catching up on the week’s activity. Regardless of how you celebrate it in your congre- fighting on the side of Germany against Russia. gation the idea is that “The Peace of the Lord” be offered to all. The Rev. Charlie Now how did they get that idea? Deaton, Rector of St. Peter’s by-the-Lake, Brandon has this to say about that peace. I can answer that: in school! I was fascinated by World War II even as a small child; I Jesus said to the disciples, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give learned what I could from listening to my dad and his friends talking as they sat around the table in to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’” (John 14.27) the evening (no one ever notices the dishwasher). Later I read everything I could. I guess you can say I am war-literate. If someone were to ask me for one single word to describe what Jesus’ life was like, I’m not sure that the I did not, however, learn anything about the war in school. We studied the French-Indian world would be “peaceful.” From the beginning - and even 9 or so months before that - Jesus’ life was anything Wars, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War (or War between the States; I did go to school in the but ordinary. The things which made it unusual at first (Annunciation, Birth Narrative and Epiphany, Baptism in South), the Depression; World War II was covered with the statement “We won it.” I minored in the Jordan, Temptation in the Wilderness, etc.) certainly don’t seem to be the kind of things which would make history in college, and I commiserated with a history major who told me that World War II was his life peaceful. If anything, these are the kinds of things which cause people who hear the stories to seek out, ask specialty, and no class covered it. questions and generally irritate the living stew out of the person at the epicenter of these events. Peaceful? Not Veterans don’t always talk about the war, either; a cousin didn’t realize that his father had hardly - not in my book anyway. fought at the Bulge until we gave the uncle a book of memoirs of the battle. But I suppose that’s thinking of “peaceful” as being the same thing as “quiet and undisturbed.” You know, They don’t know because no one teaches them. “My, the lake looks peaceful today,” and such. But I have a sneaking suspicion that this is not the peace which Bible illiteracy may have the same source. We are so familiar with the stories that we forget Jesus leaves for the disciples. I have a hard time hearing Jesus say, “Uneventful days I leave with you; my own they are new to our children. Then we are surprised when they think David and Goliath is the calm and easy manner of life I give to you.” Not to say it would be an unwelcome gift, but it just isn’t quite right. name of a rock group or that Joshua is just the name of thirteen boys in the fifth grade. The truth of the matter, I believe, is that Jesus’ peace wasn’t found so much in the events of his life but in his They will know only if you teach them. approach to dealing with those events. The peace of Jesus is all about walking through life with God in much the Summer is a wonderful time to teach the Bible stories. And THE ELECTRONIC CAMPFIRE is a same way as a fish swims through life with water. In his often-quoted prayer, St. Patrick seems to get this total- fantastic resource to help you to introduce the stories. immersion idea: In this DVD program storytellers Angela Lloyd and Jim Friedrich present five familiar stories Christ be with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, with sometimes startling staging and interesting presentations: the Creation, the Binding of Isaac, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, the Red Sea, and the Valley of the Dry Bones. Using the video to introduce the stories, then Christ on my right, Christ on my left, expounding on them would be a challenging summer Sunday school project. Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, What about you? You know the Ten Commandments. You may hear them read in church Christ in the heart of every one who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every Sunday. Certainly you see them wherever someone wants to make a statement about being a every eye that sees me, Christian. But do you really know them? Christ in every ear that hears me. A woman in a study group once told John Powell, S.J., that she didn’t know why we study the The peace with Jesus promises is not about the stillness of the world around us but the stillness of our soul Ten Commandments, she had never broken any of them. He responded, “That’s one, for a start.” within us. Peace is a sure and certain knowledge that our Captain will see our ship safely home regardless of the Do we take the Decalogue so literally that we feel smugly sure we have never broken one of raging seas which life sends our way. Peace is not the promise of an easy path in life; peace is the promise of a them? faithful companion as we walk along the way. The A-V Center has several programs about the Ten Commandments, but one of the most “May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and unusual is DECALOGUE, a series of dramatic programs illustrating each commandment in contem- love of God and of our Savior Jesus Christ.” porary terms, definitely NOT literally. Take your time with these; they are Polish, with subtitles. To borrow either of these programs or to discuss others in the A-V Center, please call 662-746- Peace be with you, Charlie 5557 (ask for Miss Janet) or e-mail me at [email protected]. We will be help you plan your summer Christian Education program, your Vacation Bible School , or your study group.

I am sure that CJ, Watson and Bailey are well aware of the ways that they have failed to be holy A reflection on the or pursue holiness in the last several months. But theirs has been a particular success - they have alerted the rest of us to the reality that a life lived for God is not just idealistic but is a practical possi- bility, a genuine capability, that we each possess. Bailey, CJ and Watson have never been supermen, Bishop’s Mission Corps or super-Christians. They have always been remarkable in their down to earth normality. That they By The Rev. Tim Jones have had the courage to live this life for a year is therefore all the more exemplary for the rest of us. St. Lawrence and St. Hilda, York, England The call is there for us too, for us to answer in the ways God sets before us. It takes a particular kind of courage to do something that nobody else is doing, and do it pub- God bless them for what they have done, and God bless Fr. Reich and the community of St. licly. At the risk of sounding condescending, which is absolutely not my intention, it is perhaps even John’s, Aberdeen, for being the hosts and experimental guinea-pigs. The blessing, though, is diffuse, more courageous to do publicly that which nobody else is doing when you are in your early adult- spreading well beyond Aberdeen. The Benedictine cell in Aberdeen has been provocative and inspira- hood, when the opinions of others seem to carry more weight than later seems justified. tional to the wider Church. My prayer is that your holiness proves infectious. The idea for the Bishop’s Mission Corps was Bishop Gray’s: he saw that the Church has a deep, rich vein of life and wisdom which it needed to make better available to a new generation. Quite how things would turn out no-one quite knew, but if we had known back then that the Benedictine cell in Aberdeen would be an early fruit of the Bishop’s Mission Corps we would have been not just over- joyed but overwhelmed. What Watson Lamb, Bailey Ward and CJ Meadors chose to do with this year of their lives has been brave, self-sacrificial and generous, and holy. The pursuit of holiness is a vision that the modern Church needs to recapture for itself. There is a certain nervousness about that vision, because the pursuit of holiness brings risks and dangers - the danger of self righteousness, or self centeredness, or self congratulation - the very opposite of true holiness, in fact. But the pursuit of holiness - of living in a way that is centered on God rather than on one’s own desires and wants - is the calling of each of us, and can for most of us seem so terribly difficult. Ultimately it is only possible by the grace of God, and is the only real hope in a troubled, clumsy, fallen world.

4 The Mississippi Episcopalian May 2008 OUR DIOCESE Redeemer’s Angels Attic serves Lincoln County An Episcopal outreach ministry begun in 2001 has become a corner- stone in the social service community of Lincoln County. Angels Attic is a high quality thrift store that sells everything from clothes to coffee makers. There are racks of shoes and shelves of books, toys for children and you name... they’re stocked better than the dollar store. “Volunteers from Redeemer Church and one from the community are here two days a week working with our clients,” said Carole Bennett, President of Angels Attic. The doors are open every Friday and Saturday from 8-3 p.m. On Angels Attic crew serves Brookhaven and Tuesdays, the workers spend hours surrounding providing low cost commodi- sorting washing, ironing and pricing ties and generating funds for other social service organizations. From left to right: clothes. Dorothy Benson, Betty McGee, Barbara Bennett, the wife of the Rev. Ford, Don Ford, Patsy Yates, Carole Gene Bennett, rector of Redeemer Bennett, Dott Cameron, Sue Menter (not Redeemer, Brookhaven recently erected the bell tower pictured above in memo- Church, said that Angels Attic is inde- pictured). ry of Mary Compton Pounds. The tower, designed by parishioner James Menter, pendent from the church budget. provides an entrance into a beautifully landscaped garden area. “ We get many donations from Angels Attic recently made con- Angels Attic is located behind businesses and individuals in the tributions to Habitat for Humanity, Redeemer Church in property owned community, but we don’t get money scholarships for Camp Bratton Green by the church and business is brisk. Friends, from the church.” said Bennett. , Toys for Tots, Katrina relief organiza- Continued from page 1 The logo for the group was Money generated from sales of tions, the Bishop’s Discretionary designed and painted by Asem Zeini The “Friends” then broke into panels to consider three aspects of the cen- donated items is put back into the Fund, a camp for autistic children, the and Dixie Simmons. ter: Property Development, chaired by Girault Jones of All Saints, Grenada; community to support other social Boys and Girls Club, among others. Marketing/Stewardship under Tom Black of St. Peter’s, Oxford; and service ministries in Lincoln County Bennett stated that over thirty Camping/Programming with Peg Wahrendorff, Mediator, Meridian and Sarah and throughout the Diocese of thousand dollars has been given away Williams, St. Columb’s, Ridgeland as co-chairs. The discussions ranged widely Mississippi. during the last three years. from sale of lots for family vacation cottages to the preposterous proposal for a bar as one sure profit center. Woodliff, “After all the Vatican has a bar with Continued from page 1 direct access from St. Peter’s. So, why In January of 1990, he began having the series nity wide Thanksgiving service. the University Medical Center and works as a pathol- shouldn’t we?” of dreams that led him into the priesthood. Woodliff has been very involved with the Yazoo ogist with a private firm in Jackson. The panels were told of many “I really struggled with leaving a steady income Boys and Girls Club, serving as its chaplain since its They are the proud parents of Lauren, 22, a positive points of support: gift of with a lot of stability,” he said. “I had a lot of good inception. Woodliff stated that the most credit for senior at Belhaven College, Anna Rose, 18, a senior specific buildings, in-kind gifts of relationships, and I guess you could say I had to be the Boys and Girls Club must go to Clarence Brown, at Manchester Academy, and Elizabeth, 13, a seventh equipment or repairs; “work week- dynamited out to where I was to get where I am. one of the real heroes of the city. grader at MA. ends” of volunteers from various “To follow the Lord Jesus and to be in the cur- He started a Prayer and Praise service that As the son of George and Ann Woodliff, he churches doing the myriad mainte- rent of the Spirit is the most important thing in life,” rotated from church to church each month. grew up and was raised in St. Andrews Cathedral nance chores; and, notably, the he said. “I firmly believe that I am called by Him to “This was a good service and brought a lot of across from the Governor’s Mansion. on-going landscaping and tree plant- serve, and as long as the Holy Spirit leads me, noth- people together,” he said. “It lasted for three or four “I was really blessed by my parents,” he said. “I ing by Lee Lewis of St. Philip’s, ing else matters. The greatest privilege in my life is years, and it also helped us form the current minis- lost my dad in 2003 and Mom is now 82 years old, Jackson. to serve the body and blood of Christ to the people terial association.” and she still gets around really well.” The summary reports all pointed of Trinity Church.” Woodliff and the Yazoo Ministerial Association Woodliff’s brother Dan is an internist in toward spurring greater interest and Woodliff trained for the priesthood and attend- endorsed a monthly businessmen luncheon that is Jackson and his youngest sister Ruth Woodliff- use, especially of the conference ed seminary in Oxford, England. held on the last Monday of each month at Parkview Standley is an Episcopal Priest. Ann, another facilities. No matter the panel title, “We moved to England in 1991 for three years Church of God. younger sister, is an international lawyer and lives in “marketing” was a factor in all. But of college and training,” he said. “Even though it “Ellis Wright came to us and told us what he Seattle. “marketing” should be of a church- was a three-year term, we stayed an extra year wanted to do, and we readily accepted and Woodliff said that Trinity Church offers Biblical oriented activity rather than a because I had a detached retina during my time at endorsed his idea,” Woodliff explained. “This has preaching and the opportunity to encounter the commercial-oriented one. The strong seminary, and I needed the extra year to graduate.” made a major impact on our businessmen, and we Risen Christ in a style of worship used by the early ties so many campers formed through Woodliff was ordained a deacon in August of seem to be growing each month.” church in the first centuries of Christianity. the years were seen as a valuable 1995 and became a priest in March of 1996. Upon As president of Stand Firm, an organization He said, “if you are not attending a church building-block. his return to the U.S., Woodliff served as the associ- that promotes orthodox Christianity within the now, I invite you to come to Trinity.” “Family Time” was a logical out- ate rector of the Episcopal Church in Starkville and Episcopal Church, Woodliff has helped establish an Yazoo City is privileged to have George growth. Those with special memories also chaplain of Mississippi State University. He and international Web site for this organization. , Woodliff as Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church and might like to renew and share the his family moved to Yazoo City in 1998. www.standfirminfaith.com. as a citizen of this community. time of peace, quiet and the great Since his move to Yazoo City, Woodliff has Among other activities, Woodliff, through the “I feel that I am doing what the Holy Spirit outdoors for a mini-vacation- family been very active in community projects and current- Ministerial Association, promoted attendance by wants me to do and as long as I am doing what He time to explore nature and give mom ly serves as the president of the Yazoo City men of the community to a promise keepers meet- leads me to do, then nothing else matters.” a respite from cooking and home Ministerial Association. He has been very active and ing in Jackson. The Yazoo Herald is honored to select George chores. Doing well by doing good! helped establish a community wide Easter service Woodliff is 59 years old and married to the for- Woodliff as one of Yazoo City’s top citizens for and also works with the association on the commu- mer Jill McLaurin of Jackson. She is a graduate of 2008. May 2008 The Mississippi Episcopalian 5 OUR DIOCESE St. John’s, Laurel calls the Rev. Jeff Reich The Rev. Jeff Reich, Vicar of St. John’s, Aberdeen, will soon be the 12th rector of St. John’s in Laurel. Reich has served St. John’s, Aberdeen for the last four years and will end that cure in May, however, he will not assume leader- ship of St. John’s, Laurel until July. “No I’m not on vacation,” said Reich. “I will be leading the 40 day Bishop’s Mission Faith and Jason Dugger work with a young patient in the Omoa Corp retreat at Gray Center.” Dental Clinic The retreat involves young men and woman who wish to learn about and live into the Rule of St. Benedict. HMM team members bring home more than they gave On February 23rd, my wife, Faith, and I set out on a mission. We left the comforts of home and all The Rev. Jeff Reich with wife, Catharine, that is familiar to aid those in need as members of the Honduras Medical Mission Team. We had no idea what to expect as this was our first trip as missionaries. To put things into perspective in words is very and children Mattie and Thomas difficult to say the least. The overwhelming feeling we both have is that we brought back much more than we left in Honduras. Over the course of four days, our extraordinary team worked with many won- derful people in the small town of Omoa on the northern coast of Honduras. Our clinics: medical, den- Editor’s Note: below is an addendum to the April MSE article regarding the State of the Church tal, pharmacy, eye, veterinary, and preventative worming station served a significant number of underpriv- Committee of which the Rev. Chip Davis is a member. Davis submitted a needed clarification to the ileged people and animals on this trip. This mission, in previous years, was undertaken in other locations article which deals with the subject of inclusivity and the Episcopal Church. RSL+ such as San Joaquin and Conception, other very impoverished areas of Honduras. During our stay, the medical clinic served 1,101 families (a total of 2,322 patients) and the pharmacy dispensed almost 8,600 I believe that The Episcopal Church should be, and I believe it is, passionately committed to prescriptions for various medical conditions. The dental clinic saw 316 patients and extracted 710 teeth. including anyone who is seeking a deeper relationship with God. I do not and would not in any way The dental and sealant clinics, where Faith and I worked, saw 217 patients and sealed 1,196 teeth. The seek to exclude anyone from the table. eye clinic served 811 patients and gave out 644 pairs of glasses. The veterinarians saw 395 cows, 70 hors- But everyone ultimately will not be included because of very clearly established boundaries es, and 7 dogs, just a few of the many who need our compassion, love, and resources around the world. which give expressions to our Episcopal identity. Anyone who rejects the Book of Common Prayer is What did we bring back? We gained a new appreciation for the power of the human spirit and a bet- going to have a hard time regularly experiencing TEC as inclusive because the very object they reject is ter understanding of the need to give ourselves up to serve others. After all, Christ gave himself for our essential. sake and for that of the Church. Through the eyes, faces, and spoken words of our patients, we were More specifically, anyone whose worship experience must include an “altar call” will continually shown the reflective Spirit of Christ and the work of His hands through us all. We want to be more, want feel excluded by the lack of a provision for an altar call in the liturgy. Several Christian traditions still to give more, and want to be better instruments of His power as a result of this endeavor. In addition, we exclude women from ordained ministry. brought back the influence and inspiration of the most wonderful group of people we have ever worked In The Episcopal Church we no longer find it necessary to add a gender modifier before bishop, with, our entire HMM team and all of the kind local children and adults in Omoa that volunteered in the priest, or deacon (and neither should we) because of our full inclusion of both genders in ordained clinics. ministry. Those who do not accept the ministry of both men and women, may find their inability to do We are very thankful for our church family at St. Peter’s by the Lake in Brandon, who helped and so places them outside the community in many of the parishes of today’s Episcopal Church. supported us tremendously on this trip and to our family and friends for their encouraging words and Can we say that the choices made by individuals may have the effect of excluding them from TEC support. We realize that we are but just individual instruments in the orchestra of life. Faith and I only rather than TEC excluding them? hope that, in some way, we can inspire others to tune their instruments and play their part when given By the way, the Canons also give priests the authority to refuse the sacrament of marriage to any- the opportunity. There are so many people in need in this world, even in our own country, state, and one and to exclude others from receiving communion under certain very specific circumstances. towns that we can help. This trip brought enlightenment and humility to us as a couple and as servants Inclusion in The Episcopal Church as a full, baptized member invites individuals to consent to of Christ. We had the opportunity of providing care to those who are less fortunate and do not have the certain minimum norms. The more one desires inclusion through the exercise of ministry in the benefit of the many luxuries we so often take for granted. Let us all appreciate what we have, be better Church, the more opportunities there seem to be to consent to what is normative and further inclu- stewards of it, and strive to share it with others every chance we get. sion. From the bottom of our hearts, we want to thank our wonderful team, especially our team leader, I join Blessed Richard when he said (if he said), “I pray that none will be offended if I seek to Deborah Hanson, for allowing us to take part in this cause, and look forward to going back for many make the Christian religion an inn where all are received joyously, rather than a cottage where some years to come. few friends of the family are to be received.” — attrib. Richard Hooker (1554-1600) For more information about the Honduras Medical Mission and how you can contribute through donations, or as a team member please take a look at our website: www.hondurasmedicalmission.net Chip Davis+ Sincerely, Jason & Faith Dugger Brandon, MS Honduras Medical Mission Team, 2008

6 The Mississippi Episcopalian May 2008 PARISH LIFE

The Rev. Bruce Cheney leads Holy Cross, Olive Branch in a ground breaking service for an addition providing 4,000 square feet designed to house new office space, a nursery and classrooms.

Clergy leaders of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Forest include, in front, The Rev. Greg Proctor and New addition planned for The Rev. Jennifer Deaton. Regular attending members include, from left back, Ron and Mary Jo Walsh, Bobby and Vickie Hester. Members who attend regularly, but not pictured include Anne Johnson, Gene Holy Cross, Olive Branch and Emra Lee. Services at St. Matthew’s are held on the second and fourth Sundays each month at 6 p.m. at their location across from the Forest United Methodist Church on East Third Street in Forest. Holy Cross Episcopal Church held a ground-breaking ceremony after the 10 a.m. service on On May 7, the church celebrated its 25th anniversary including a visit with Bishop Gray. Sunday, March 9th. As children stomp on the freshly turned earth and members look on, Rev. Bruce Cheney holds aloft the shovel used for the ceremony. Holy Cross is the oldest Episcopal church in DeSoto County, and the shovel held by Cheney is the original shovel used when the church broke Small Episcopal Church ground on the existing structure Oct. 6, 1963. The new construction will start with 600 square feet of “gathering space” that will be used as an entrance, for classrooms and for dining. The church also plans a multipurpose area of 3,400 square Celebrates 25 years of worship feet, to be used for staff offices, choir practices and as a nursery. A large commercial kitchen also will be By Chris Allen Baker part of construction. Holy Cross is located at 8230 Hwy. 178 in Olive Branch. Diocesan Worship Leader FOREST— For one evening, a small church in the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi was center stage on May 7 as members welcomed its Diocesan Bishop in celebrating 25 years of worship in Scott County. The Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray III celebrated the Holy Eucharist at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church with the congregation and general community of visitors, a total of 42, attending. Past members of the congrega- tion were special guests, including the priest who originally provided the spiritual leadership for St. Matthews. Other clergy attending included the Rev. Bill Senter in addition to one of the church’s regular priests, the Rev. Greg Proctor. Other dignitaries included Forest Mayor Nancy Chambers and Mrs. D.R. Gibson contributed piano music for the special service. While Bishop Gray routinely tours the state to visit churches in the Diocese, the key to the service was the celebration of 25 years of worship for this congregation nestled in a small house on East Third Street. Mary Jo Walsh, a lay Eucharistic minister, said the service is a milestone in the life of the Episcopal Church’s presence in Forest. “This was a special time for us. We enjoyed having Bishop Gray visit and celebrate with our church Cursillo #115 at Gray Center took place April 24th-27th with 37 par- family,” Walsh said. “We also welcomed many area Episcopalians who have attended here before who came ticipants including: Vernon Anaya, Mary Anderson, Anita Batman, back to visit.” Linda Banks, Mark Banks, Lori Bell, Sid Caradine, Melissa Crouch, During his sermon, Bishop Gray focused on the Ascension and related his own spiritual journey. He Stacye Davis, Michelle Ford, Tom Fowlkes, Marilyn Frey, Anne called the 10 days between the Resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit as an amazing and particu- Heidelberg, Debbie Laney, Robert Hollingsworth, Elizabeth Logan, larly interesting period that had always fascinated him. He commented on the events of where Jesus had Becky Luke, Michael Magargel, Patricia Matthews, Betty Melton, Jimmy left his disciples upon his crucifixion, returned in the Resurrection and yet was leaving them again. This Miller, Mary Carol Miller, Ed Oliver, Chan Osborn de Anaya, Dale time, though, he was leaving them with the promise of the Holy Spirit to come later. Riser, Emily Riser, Ben Ross, Betty Sessums, Jessica Smith, Sandra Stepp, Corrine Stockston, Vickie Taylor, Helen Tester, Al Trezevant, After becoming ordained as a priest as a time between significant phases of his life, Bishop Gray Judy Wallace, Karen Williams, and Lynn Wells. Van Bankston served described the correlation of the time of the Ascension with his own timeline and that of St. Matthews’ his- as Cursillio Rector, and Julie Breland was the Observing Rector. tory and future. Spiritual Directors at #115 were the Rev. Margaret Ayers, the Rev. While the roots of the Episcopal Church in Mississippi date back to the early territorial days before David Knight and Bishop Duncan Gray, III. statehood, St. Matthew’s church was essentially created in 1983 when a group of interested persons met to investigate the possibility of forming an Episcopal Church in Forest. The first Episcopal service was held May 8, 1983, at the Bank of Forest. The Rev. E. Gene Bennett, now in Brookhaven and who attended the recent service with the Bishop’s visit, conducted services there until March 1985 when the group acquired the property where the church remains. On June 9, 1985, The Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray Jr. consecrated the building and the Episcopal Church of St. Matthew became an official Mission Station of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi. The congregation has met regularly since May 8, 1983, Walsh said. The Church has held three wed- dings, 21 baptisms and has had 35 confirmations. Attendance has fluctuated between five families up to 13 families. “Those families not involved at this time generally have moved out of town,” Walsh said. Attendance on any given Sunday is at least 90 percent of the families involved. “Our church family, though small, is very aware of the needs and concerns of others. Each family has its special outreach activities. Various groups use the building for meetings,” Walsh said. St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church now holds services on the second and fourth Sundays each month at 6 p.m. Two priests share clergy duties for the church. Proctor, rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Meridian, visits on the second Sunday. The Rev. Jennifer Deaton, the spiritual leader at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in the Jackson area, visits on the fourth Sunday. May 2008 The Mississippi Episcopalian 7 OUTREACH & RECOVERY Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi and Episcopal Relief and Development Grant “gap funds” for second round of Hallelujah Houses By the Rev. Carol Borne Stewart The second round of grants issued by the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi and Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is providing “gap funding” for workforce individuals seeking to rebuild their homes or seeking to become first time home owners. After building five homes in the Pass Christian community and one in D’Iberville, the Diocese of Mississippi, ERD and the ECD/ Hope collaborative partnership, Hallelujah Housing, is beginning work in the North Gulfport and Gautier communities. The North Gulfport community is providing a rare opportunity for Hallelujah Housing to part- ner with the Department of Archives and History in moving a home from the corner of Tegarden and Pass Roads and restored it to a beautiful condition. House by house, the North Gulfport com- munity is seeing revitalization and is feeling renewed energy in their neighborhood. The street in Gautier, MS where we are assisting homeowners is also receiving homes being built by Habitat for Humanity. This neighborhood north of I-10 is a true example of many partners This refurbished house was moved from Tegarden These houses on Lima Street in north Gautier were and Pass Roads with the help of grants from several constructed by community partners including working together to rebuild a community. organizations including Mississippi Department of Habitat for Humanity, the Resource Foundation, The high cost of insurance is forcing mortgage prices to be higher than expected. The Archives and History. A grant from Hallelujah Inc. and Hallelujah Housing. Hallelujah Housing grants are making the difference for people who can afford a mortgage on a Housing will assist the future homeowner afford the $90,000 home but would find a $120,000 home a little out of their reach. The national mortgage mortgage for this home now located in the North crisis has also added pressure on all agencies attempting to assist families with home ownership. Gulfport Community. Gap funds are not plentiful and we feel fortunate to be a step on the walkway into a home for a coastal family. Properties and collaborative partners are being researched in Pascagoula and Hancock County as well. The third round of Hallelujah Housing “gap funding” monies will likely assist in the financing of homes for people in the eastern part of Jackson County as well as in the north Gulfport and Hancock County communities. “March Madness” at Lutheran Episcopal Services in Mississippi by Karen Quay, Director of Case Management Families contributed funds from their insurance settlements, FEMA, or housing grants. These funds, however, were insufficient to build. With “March Madness” has many faces-all reflective of a state of mind that clients contributing up to $20,000, case mangers still needed to obtain an celebrates the end of winter and close quarters. Natasha Porter, a Katrina additional $30,000 for a total of $50,000 in order to have a completed survivor and client of LESM at Camp Coast Care (CCC), is truly celebrating house. To obtain the balance, the five CCC case mangers were successful the end of a hard season and of the close quarters of her 900 square foot in presenting their clients’ cases to Harrison and Hancock County Long FEMA trailer. Term Recovery Committees. A total of $800,000 was approved for the 16 Porter and her three children will be moving out of their formalde- houses to cover the cost of materials and supplies. hyde-infected trailer into a new home, compliments of the Diocese of In Natasha’s case, funding was made easier through the generosity of Indianapolis, the Mennonite Disaster Relief Ministries, volunteers at Camp the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis. The Diocesan representatives met Coast Care, LESM construction staff, her case manager Deng Mabil, and Natasha, filmed her telling her story of survival and determination follow- additional funding from the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and Gulf ing Katrina and shared the video with Diocesan members at home. The Coast Community Foundation. very successful fundraising effort was sufficient to assure that Natasha and Volunteer workers, family and friends gather at LESM built 16 homes for case management clients (including Ms. her family have a fully completed, furnished, and landscaped home. the blessing of one of the sixteen homes construct- Porter) in a massive building blitz during the month of March, in partner- The Porter home was blessed on May 9th and stands as a testament ed in a massive March building blitz jointly ship with the Mennonite Disaster Relief Task Force. The relief organiza- to the difference committed people can make in the life of a family. accomplished through the creative and persistent tions prioritized elderly, single parent, and disabled clients who own their efforts of LESM and other disaster relief agencies. own property; those who participated were required to help fund the completion of their homes. Newcomer reflects on Camp Coast Care ministry By Scott Lenoir Betsy Enochs of Mediator, Redeemer in McComb-Magnolia, visited Camp Coast care last month for the first time and left after a week with an experience of ministry she will never forget. “This has been such a rewarding few days and even though I am hurting from the physical work I have been doing, just a few nights in my bed and I am ready to come back,” said Enochs who worked to salvage a home in Gulfport and worked in the camp’s kitchen. Enochs joined a group from Maryland and Jacksonville, Florida during the week to replace grass sod and also to float sheetrock in the McKenzie home. Thinking a day in camp helping in the kitchen might give her a chance to catch up on the high energy demands of working Betsy Enochs in the field, Betsy discovered that the kitchen is the heartbeat of the CCC requiring as much or more work as the volunteers have in renovating houses affected by Katrina. “Whoever said that kitchen work was easy hasn’t worked in the kitchen,” said Betsy after being with Chef Jon Marc for a day. Enochs said the experience has generated a desire to return, “This has been so good for me, I am on a spiritual high now.” Betsy said that says she plans to return in May. Contact Michael Magargel today at [email protected] to reserve your spot and give your neighbors a hand up, as well as yourself. Betsy Enochs of Mediator, Redeemer, McComb/Magnolia, Camp Coast Care is fund by Episcopal Relief and Development and supported by Lutheran Episcopal Services in Mississippi. is experienced in floating sheetrock, and worked to restore the McKenzie home during her weeklong stay last month at Camp Coast Care. 8 The Mississippi Episcopalian May 2008 PARISH LIFE

Episcopal bands Will&Jason, Passenger Jones and Rubrixx played in the grove at St. Philip’s in Jackson to help raise money for people affected by the recent storms which hit the Jackson area in early April. Picnic fare was the dinner of the night for many at the Tornado Relief Concert. Tornado relief concert raises cash Pictured are the Kyle and Brian Seage with daughters Betsy and Katie. for Jackson area homeowners By Scott Lenoir After seeing the damage caused by tornados embedded in a strong line of thunderstorms which hit the Jackson area in early April, Episcopal musicians decided to get together and raise money for people affected in the Hinds, Rankin, and Madison County area. The Rev. Dr. Bryan Owen, a canon at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Jackson, and bassist for the all clergy band Rubrixx, suggested to the band that a benefit concert be held St. Philip’s Episcopal Church because of the parish’s close proximity to the worst hit areas along Old Canton Road in Jackson. “St. Philip’s was delighted to host the event,” said Senior Warden Marcie Skelton, who firmed up the preparations with the support of rector Tom Slawson and the vestry. The benefit included three bands with strong ties to the Episcopal Church which played for donations in the grove at St. Philip’s on Friday April 25th, three weeks to the day after the storms hit. Audio engineer Nat Duncan donated his service to the concert running sound for the guitars of Will Skelton & Jason St. Andrew’s parishioners came to the aid of one of their own who suffered the loss Woodcock; the original, alternative sound of Passenger Jones; and the party music of Rubrixx. of her home in the April 25th storm aftermath. Julie Braswell’s home, after surviv- The donations amounted to $2,746.00 and the money is being distributed by Lutheran Episcopal Services in ing the morning tornados which struck several of her neighbors on Canton Heights Mississippi (LESM) Drive in Jackson, was gutted by fire that afternoon. Julie was unhurt as well has Contributions may still be made for this particular relief effort. Contact the Rev. Sandra Braasch at LESM for more her three dogs. She moved into a rental house May 3rd not far from her home. information.

Bishop Gray gathers with the Post Ordination Consultation group at Gray Center, completing the group’s meetings for the year. Participating in POC this year were Billie Abraham, Margaret Ayers, Bruce Cheney, Tom Fanning, Walton Jones, Patrick Sanders, Karl Schaffenburg, and Bill White. POC is a group of recently ordained Deborah Price, Gwen Covington, Dana and Curt Lamar enjoy a tasting of fine presbyters and transitional deacons who meet with Bishop Gray and group facilita- wines at Mediator, McComb’s fund raiser. tors David Johnson and Sylvia Czarnetzky four times each year. Mediator-Redeemer ECW, McComb- Magnolia Wine Tasting fund raiser March 27th the Episcopal Church Women of the parish of the Mediator-Redeemer in McComb and Magnolia, held a wine tasting in the Mediator Parish Hall in McComb. Not only did everyone enjoy tasting the different wines, they also enjoyed food pre- pared by ladies of the church from their cookbook “Faith of our Fathers, Food of our Mothers”. A portion of the proceeds are going to “5000 for 100” to help St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church in Long Beach rebuild. The Chicken Men of St. Coumb’s braved bad weather to grill hundreds of chicken lunches for the annual Men’s Club Bar-B-Que on April 26st. May 2008 The Mississippi Episcopalian 9 YOUTH Scholarships awarded to 17 college bound students

Elizabeth Avant Maggie Floyd Amanda Frazier Mary Gray Bernard Hufft Doreen Ndishabandi Dorothy Ndishabandi Jonathan Ndishabandi

Lemnyuy Nyuykongi Dylon Richmond Nicole Stein Mary Street Lila Schaffenburg William Schaffenburg Lorissa Toliver Timothy Umeofia

The Scholarship Committee for majoring in Computer Engineering. and five applicants won the award. annually to girls and boys of either the Floyd, Amanda Frazier and Nicole the Diocese of Mississippi awarded sev- Nyuykongi is a communicant at All A Capers scholarship is awarded Greek Orthodox or Episcopal Faiths. Stein. enteen young people money to Saints’ Church in Jackson. to Bernard Hufft. He is a member of All The late Alexander Misticos established Maggie is a communicant of advance their college educations from Also receiving Okolona Saints’ Church in Tupelo and attends these scholarships as memorials to Chapel of the Cross, Madison. She a variety of scholarships administrated Scholarship is Lorissa Tolliver, a mem- the University of Mississippi. members of his family. would like to become a physical thera- through the diocese for the 2008-2009 ber of St. Mary’s in Vicksburg. She Mary Gray is also a recipient of a The recipients are Elizabeth pist. She is the daughter of Ms. Nell academic year. attends Le Cordon Bleu College of Capers scholarship. Mary will attend Avant, Lila Schaffenburg, and William Floyd OKOLONA SCHOLARSHIPS Culinary Arts in Atlanta and is the Sewanee. She is the daughter of Mr. Schaffenburg. Amanda Frazier is a communicant The Willie Mae Raspberry daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Larry Tolliver. and Mrs. Lloyd Gray and is a member Elizabeth is graduating from of All Saints’ Church in Grenada. Scholarship was awarded to Doreen Jonathan and Dorothy of All Saints’, Tupelo. Pillow Academy in Greenwood and Amanda will attend the University of Ndishabandi, a member of All Saints’ Ndishabandi are receiving scholarships Carol Jackson receives a Capers plans to attend the University of Mississippi and plans to be a dental Church in Jackson. She will graduate as well. Jonathan attends Hinds scholarship as well. Her home church Mississippi. She is a member of Church hygienist. She is the daughter of Fred from Murrah High School and wishes Community College and Dorothy is a is St. Alexis in Jackson. Carol attends of the Nativity in Greenwood. Elizabeth Frazier and Patricia Taylor. to work in international relations and student at the University of Southern Belhaven College and her major is is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Nicole Stein is the daughter of foreign policy. Doreen is the daughter Mississippi. Both are members of All Music Performance. Avant. Anne Kinney Stein and the late of the Rev. and Mrs. William Saints, Jackson. Also given a Capers Scholarship is Lila and William Schaffenburg are Leonard Joseph Stein. She is a mem- Ndishabandi. The Raspberry Scholarships and Dylon Richmond, member of St. members of Church of the Incarnation ber of Chapel of the Cross in Madison The James L. Raspberry the Okolona Scholarship were created John’s, Ocean Springs. He attends in West Point where their father serves and will attend Mississippi State Scholarship is presented to Timothy through the Trustees of the Okolona Georgetown University. as Rector. William attends Dickinson University and major in Engineering. Umeofia, son of the Rev. and Mrs. College Endowment to be used to help Mary Street is also a recipient of a College in Pennsylvania and plans to Selections for all scholarships are Christian Umeofia, formerly of this dio- black college students. Preference is Capers scholarship. Her home church become a doctor. Lila will attend the made each year by the Scholarship cese. Timothy plans to attend East given to Episcopalians, but applications is St. James’ Church in Jackson and she University of Mississippi. Committee composed of the Bishop of Carolina University and hopes to one from all churches are accepted. will attend the University of Mississippi. WARREN TRUST the Diocese of Mississippi, the Dean day become a physician. CAPERS SCHOLARSHIP She is the daughter of George and The late Robert Warren of St. and Wardens of St. Andrew’s Cathedral An Okolona Scholarship goes to The Charlotte Capers Lorraine Street. Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral estab- along with members of the Executive Lemnyuy Bernard Nyuykongi, a student Scholarships are presented to those MISTICOS SCHOLARSHIPS lished the Warren Trust Scholarships. Committee and Trustees of the at Jackson State University where he is who are pursuing a liberal arts degree Misticos Scholarships are awarded The scholarships are given to Maggie Diocese.

niece Tabitha. We came to the refugee camp are not good, we are fighting, we are at war. I known as Kakuma, where we met my brother don’t know why we fight, but I just know we Elizabeth Lueth James. fight—that’s why a lot of people die. A lot of I remember when I stayed with my family: people walked on foot to move from place to Editor’s note: Elizabeth Lueth, one of the most days we my mom, dad, two sisters, and two brothers. I place because of the war. No water. No food. Sudanese children sponsored through the were without think it was a good time; life in my country was No place to sleep. That’s why people got sick Diocese of Mississippi, is a senior high school food and water. I still good. But when the war started, life in my on the way without doctors. A lot of people student at the Education Center School. The can remember country was not good anymore. And all the died from sickness. A lot of people died from following essay Elizabeth write was the result of sleeping on the members of our family were separated from one killing in the war. That’s why we came here- answering questions posed to her by three ground with only another. My daddy, Lueth Atem, died in 1991. because life in our country was not good. I Millsaps students as a part of a learning service a small blanket to My mom, Malang Mayen, died in 1993. My sis- came here because I didn’t have anyone in my project for a course on Sudan to be taught at protect me from ter, Amou Lueth, died in 1993. And my brother, family, and I was still young with no one to take Millsaps College by Dr. Greg Miller. The essay the weather. Atem Lueth, died in 1995. And my sister, Adau care of me. describes her perilous journey from the Sudan There were no Lueth, still lives there in Africa. And one of my The American people brought us here. We to the United States. On Sunday, May 25, Saint Elizabeth Ajong Lueth tents or other brothers, James, is here. James came with my can go to school. A lot of people don’t have a Andrew’s Cathedral will celebrate the Feast of kinds of shelter. niece Tabitha and me to the United States for mom. Some people come here to go to school, the Martyrs of Sudan. All in the Sudanese com- In 1991, I was displaced from my home- resettlement. So in the beginning there were so if we go back, the war stops, and life in our munity are invited to serve in the choir at both town due to a civil war that broke out in Sudan five in my family, three girls and two boys, and country gets better, we can make our country Sunday choral Eucharists (8:45 and 11) which the same year I was born. The enemies attacked now three of us are left, two girls and one boy. better with a good education. But as for me, I will include Dinka tribal hymns. our village. I escaped to save my life. I walked When my parents died, I was still little. I came here because circumstances in my country many miles with my father and two sisters and was in a bad situation because the war was going were not good. I came here, and the American many other people to a displacement camp. In on that was why my family died. Not just my people brought me here, and they have taken Fleeing from the war in Sudan as a young the displacement camp there was not enough own family, but other people died because of care of me. And I can go to school, too, so my girl with my tribe, I traveled on foot to Uganda food. I lived in the displacement camp for three the war. A lot of people don’t know why all life is going to be changed when I go back. in 1991. On my journey, there was little food. years. When I arrived in Uganda, I traveled to these people died. They ask me, “where is your Continued on page 14 The UN would provide us with some food, but Kenya by car. In 1994, I came to Kenya with my family?” Because circumstances in the country

10 The Mississippi Episcopalian May 2008 YOUTH

flee from danger, and cannot fight back against injustices, who shall be his advocate? Lush forests, gently scampering brooks, soothing All Things Bright and Beautiful breezes, and all creatures of our God and King-these elements of Editor’s note: Three young people delivered excellent sermons on was not, however, a gift intended to be abused and squandered, as is nature weave harmoniously together to create our environment, the youth Sunday at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in April about stewardship of occurring with such great magnitude today. In fact, according to breathtaking world around us, a natural wonder bestowed upon us the Earth. Elizabeth Morrison preached the 8:45 service and Lee Genesis 2:15, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the by the Almighty Creator of the Universe, and a gift that is currently Morrison preached at 7:30. 17 year old, Jennifer Triplett delivered the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Though an imperfect buckling under strain and devastation wrought upon it by us, sermon at the principle service and it is printed below. Jennifer is a place, this planet is our Garden of Eden, and God explicitly instruct- humans, the very intended recipients of God’s gift of the world. senior at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, and will be attending Tulane ed us to care for it. As Bishop Gray noted in a letter from September of last year University next year. She is the daughter of Bill and Linda Triplett. In today’s gospel lesson, we hear Jesus promising that he “will concerning the preservation of the environment, we have “the moral ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you responsibility [...] to protect God’s Earth.” He later goes on to note By Jennifer Triplett for ever. This is the Spirit of truth.” In these lines, Jesus is explaining very accurately that “We as Christians, like most Americans, consume “All things bright and beautiful, that, while he will no longer physically be present on earth to look material things and energy at a rate never before seen in human his- all creatures great and small, all things out for his people, God will send something equally as precious in tory.” Bishop Gray’s letter and my words with you today are not to wise and wonderful, the Lord God his place: the Holy Spirit. Referring to each member of the Holy chide and to castigate our community for being wasteful and abusing made them all.” Trinity as an “Advocate” for us, the children of God, carries a conno- God’s precious gift of the natural world around us. Rather I hope to Tall blades of chartreuse rice tation of loving concern and implies that God, Jesus, and the Holy remind you, in the words of Bishop Gray, that “Time is of the plants dancing in the warm, salvific Spirit will both support and watch over our interests and needs. essence in caring for this rare and beautiful gift God has given us, this Mississippi Delta breeze, rows of In many aspects, we are defenseless and rely on God to be our earth, our island home.” snowy cotton bolls blurring into a soft Advocate. Just as starving children in developing countries or elderly Having said these things, I do not feel the need to dwell on southern quilt, and the last glow of victims of nursing home abuse, everyone depends on the advocacy of relaying to you a litany of the environmental issues currently plagu- Jennifer Triplett fading daylight seeping into flat fields God by way of the Holy Spirit. Through Jesus speaking in the Gospel ing our planet. I do, however, feel responsible to share with you just near the edge of dense forests-truly, according to John, God promises to provide his people with an a few ways we can lessen our impact on the planet. Mohandas this is the work of God. Advocate to be with us forever. Rather than a tangible human, we Gandhi, the great Mahatma, once claimed that “Whatever you do will Orion’s Belt scintillating over a deserted stretch of the Natchez must rely on our faith and love of God to understand the presence of be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.” Upon cursory Trace Parkway, with shadowy knolls cradling a band of black asphalt God as our Advocate. Jesus tells us that we will know the God and examination, this quotation is borderline discouraging. What, then, is marked with faded white lines, and a dim, blurred tree line hugging His Holy Spirit, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.” the point of action if its results are ultimately insignificant? Our action the bends in the road-truly, this is the work of God. Accordingly, the Holy Spirit resides within each one of us, and it is necessary because “insignificant” does not mean “pointless” or “of Bold and brilliant azaleas, towering and aged magnolias all dot- remains our obligation to God to let the Spirit and the light shine no value.” In fact, when we consider the combined actions of each ting lush lawns throughout Belhaven, glistening in the bright morn- through us into the world. member of our faith community, our individual and “insignificant” ing dew, radiating a warm glow reflected from the shining sun-truly, Seeing a person upset and offering a kind and supportive word, actions band together to create an effect of great significance. this is the work of God. seeing someone struggling to manage his groceries and offering a In closing, let us remember to flip light switches off when leav- Cities consumed by acres of rotting rubbish, woodlands devas- helping hand, seeing a fellow human reveling in a moment of joy and ing a room empty; let us not leave water running unnecessarily; let tated by unnatural forest fires, consumption of over 2 billion trees joining in her celebration-all these are ways in which we can embrace us make efforts to place our trash and recyclables in the appropriate annually (in this country alone), smog at levels dangerous to human the presence of the Holy Spirit which resides within each of our receptacles; let us care for the blessing of this earth which God has health, the decimation of rain forests in South America, the wanton hearts and share the God’s love and compassion with people in given to us. pollution of water sources across the planet-truly, this is the work of need. Just as God, through the Holy Spirit, acts as our eternal advo- God, our Father, is an eternal giver of gifts. Not only did he give humans. cate, so must we be advocates for each other. It is our responsibility us the world and everything in it, but he also bestowed upon us the As we all know (and as is documented in the Bible’s opening as Christians to look out for each other, especially those of us unable gift of the Holy Spirit to be our undying Advocate. Let us act now to lines) “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” The to be our own advocates: the ill, the weak, the young, and the preserve our environment and to show our appreciation to God for heavens and the earth were, and remain today, precious gifts defenseless. “all things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all bestowed upon us, the children of God, because of his love and If one cannot speak, cannot argue on his own behalf, cannot things wise and wonderful” because the Lord God made them all. grace. This magnificent gift of seas and mountains, rivers and plains,

part 3 regarding unity and com- mon life. Anglican covenant discussed After several participants shared concerns and hopes among clergy and deputies regarding the covenant, Bishop Gray reminded that statements By Scott Lenoir member of the Anglican Communion. such as these are all generated An Anglican covenant entitled “The St. There was no general consensus apparent within the belief that “commun- Andrew’s Second Draft,” was discussed at a May to this reporter that the St. Andrew’s Draft is ion is a gift from God and that we meeting at Gray Center by clergy and deputies to supported by those who attended; however, are stewards of that communion.” General Convention. Crafting of the proposed most acknowledged that there were valuable Gray noted that the impact covenant is the work of the Covenant Design aspects to the draft that could in some form be of African provinces in the The Rev. Lynn Barker, Rector of All Saints, Grenada, reports Group, a collection of Anglican scholars from helpful to the strengthening of our common life Anglican Communion since 2003 around the world who were appointed by the and mission in the communion. from her group to the plenary session discussing the Second has brought about more commu- Draft of the St. Andrew’s Anglican Covenant. Archbishop of Canterbury. There was discussion regarding the length nication between the liberal, west- The meeting, called by Bishop Gray, III, of the appendix to the document which dealt ern side of the church and the was designed for the Bishop to hear comments with conflict resolution. The appendix is almost African Church than has been had in many years. Christian Foundation, one of the recipients of and conversation about the developing Anglican as long as the covenant itself and seems to pro- While conflicts make the headlines, Gray TEC’s Millennium Development Goals funding. covenant which is divided in to three parts: 1) vide a system that promotes, in the words of the said that stronger bonds between the African “There is more to our common life than Our Inheritance of Faith, 2) The Life We Share Rev. Bob France, “an eternity of process” regard- Churches and the Episcopal Church are being the conflicts experienced in the last few years,” with Others: Our Anglican Vocation, and 3) Our ing conflicts. created. said Gray. Unity and Common Life. Many clergy felt parts one and two of the In July, Gray will be traveling to Uganda The next step for Gray will be to take all Those gathered at the meeting divided up document were strong; however, part three boils prior to his attendance at the Lambeth the notes made at this meeting and use them to into five small groups which met for an hour down to issues of trust which drew support for Conference. The Rev. William Ndishabandi, a provide input into the covenant document and a half. After lunch, the groups reported and against the document. Some reporters to native Ugandan and now rector of All Saint’s which will be presented to the primates and their impressions in a plenary session about the the plenary session said that some in their group Church in Jackson, will be the Bishop’s guide as bishops attending the Lambeth Conference. document which seeks to define through a questioned why the document was even written he visits the Diocese of South Rwenzori to see covenantal agreement what it means to be a as it says nothing new, with the exception of first-hand the work of the Bishop Mizereka

May 2008 The Mississippi Episcopalian 11 OUR DIOCESE A Feast for the Eye: juried art competition exhibition seeks submissions By Scott Lenoir The competition-exhibition is open to men and women of (6'x8’ maximum), and festival vestments that are suitable to dis- St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Indianola is all faiths who produce original artwork in all media. play in the nave are of special interest to the show. Also, large hosting a juried visual art exhibition this fall between Drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, ceramics, free standing sculpture, weighing no more than 100 pounds, may the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels and the Feast of sculpture and mixed media will be accepted. Film and video be submitted for display in the St. Stephen’s church yard which is All Saints (Sept. 28 - Nov. 2). are not eligible. fenced. A Feast for the Eye will open with an evening Each artist may submit up to two works for acceptance in Artists should submit entries with a completed entry form reception on Saturday, September 27, and close with the show on a compact disk with a resolution of no larger than plus a typed biographical sketch with an artist’s statement that is a festival evensong on Sunday, November 2, featuring a 300 dpi (maximum dimension of 1000x800 pixels). no more than one paragraph each. guest choir and organist. Entries for the competition must be postmarked by August The consultant and advisor for the art show is Ron Koehler, “The arts are an important part of spiritual devel- 15th and all work submitted should no more than three years Chair of the Delta State University Department of Art. Koehler is opment and even a small parish can bring an arts experi- old. There is a $25.00 entry fee. All works sold will have a 10% an experienced curator and arts juror. ence to not only the parishioners, but to the community at commission fee to St. Stephen’s. To receive an entry form, call St. Stephen’s at 662-887-4365 large,” said exhibition coordinator Alice Shands. Shands said that liturgical banners, icons, small dossals or email [email protected].

The Spring Workshop of the Mississippi Art Colony was filled with Episcopalians. Meeting at Camp Henry Jacobs near Utica for its weeklong event, the workshop allowed artists to paint, receive instruction, critique, and enter a juried competition. Pictured front row (l. to r.) are Lyle Morehouse, St. Paul’s Meridian; Byron Myrick, St. John’s Laurel; Tina Lutz, All Saints, Tupelo; Harriett Lenoir, St. Mary’s, Lexington; Millie Howell, St. Francis, Philadelphia; Pat Stephens, St. John’s, Minden, LA; Pat Regan, Christ Church, Pensacola, FL; (back row l. to r.) Missy Patrick, Christ Cathedral, Mobile, AL; Susan Cox-Davis , St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Jackson; Latricia Graves, Chapel of the Cross, Madison; Sandy Ford, Christ Church, Pensacola; Carlana Lane, St. John’s Pascagoula.

Artist Georgeann McCullough, a past President of the Ms. Art Colony and member of St. Andrew’s Cathedral, works in charcoal under the pavilion at Henry Jacobs.

Interfaith dialog hosted at St. Andrew’s Cathedral By Alice Skelton St. Andrew’s Cathedral hosted the April Celebration of Faith sponsored by the Jackson Chapter of the Institute of Interfaith Dialog with dinner and conversation. The Institute of Interfaith Dialog (IID) is a non-profit multi-faith organization whose primary goal is to help bring together the faith communities in order to promote com- passion, cooperation, partnership and com- munity service through interfaith dialog and conversation. This month’s meeting was attended by Dr. Lola Williamson of Millsaps College led a presentation over fifty people of different faiths and cultur- and discussion on eastern religions at an interfaith gather- al backgrounds. Several St. Andrew’s commu- ing at St. Andrew’s Cathedral. nicants attended and enjoyed food from Turkish and American kitchens. The dinner was followed by a presentation on Eastern Religious Traditions. Dr. Lola Williamson of the Religious Studies Department of Millsaps College gave an excellent presentation on Eastern religions, focus- ing primarily on Hindu and Buddhist beliefs and practices. The IID also sponsors trips to Turkey to enable Mississippians to enjoy a different cultural experience and a view of global communities’ spiritual traditions. If you would like more information on the IID, go to their website http://www.interfaithdialog.org/ or contact Avery Rollins at [email protected] or 601 898-0095.

12 The Mississippi Episcopalian May 2008 OUR DIOCESE Gulfport Soup Kitchen “Feed My Sheep” breaks ground on long awaited building By the Rev. Carol Borne Stewart After the waters of Hurricane Katrina washed away the building housing the “Feed My Sheep” soup kitchen in Gulfport, MS, St. Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church began looking around their city to see what ministries outside the walls of their church (or lack thereof) needed assistance in its rebuilding. St. Peter’s had been a partner for many years with “Feed My Sheep” so when ERD announced the availability of monies to rebuild social outreach ministries, St. Peter’s jumped on writing a grant for the rebuilding of “Feed My Sheep”. In 2007, a grant for $135,000.00 was awarded to St. Peter’s-by-the-Sea, Gulfport for the soup kitchen rebuilding project. After a year of conversations with the city and the zoning departments, “Feed My Sheep” broke ground for their new build- ing on April 17, 2008. Money from the ERD grant will assist with food purchase, food storage and equipment needed to open the Ground was broken on the “Feed My Sheep” building in downtown Gulfport operation. Prior to Hurricane Katrina, “Feed My Sheep” fed 500 people daily with additional meals delivered to persons not able on Aril 17, 2008. The facility will feed up to 500 meals a day when opened in to walk or be transported to the feeding site. late summer, 2008. ERD update By Diane Livingston Certainly you have read the articles about the massive devastation caused in Myanmar (Burma). Certainly you have seen the pictures of the terrible damages caused by the earthquake in China. Meanwhile, large parts of the United States continue to be wracked by tornadoes. As Christians, most of us want to do something to help the many thou- sands of people adversely affected by these recent events. Thankfully, our church provides an easy way for us to help. This is by supporting these specific projects through Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD). Let me tell you about what ERD is doing in each of these three Diane Livingston areas: (1) Myanmar, where up to 100,000 people may have been killed by Cyclone Nargis. - You may have read about how foreign aid has been discouraged, held up, or not even allowed by the government there. Because ERD was already collaborating with Anglican and other ecumenical partners in the area (since the Deacons and other clergy throughout the Episcopal Church gathered for NAAD annual conference south Asia tsunami), funds we have already furnished have been able to be put to use by the people who at Gray Center last month. Pictured (l. to r.) are: the Rev. Susanne Watkins-Epting, Diocese of live there (not by the government). So far, this has provided food, water, and shelter. An assessment team New York; the Rev. Richard Buhrer, Diocese of Olympia, WA; the Rev. Joy Dosher, Diocese of North is currently investigating to see how our funds can best be spent in the future. Most relief agencies will do Carolina; and the Rev. Steve Owen, Diocese of MS. their work and leave in several months. However, it generally takes from five to eight years for a communi- ty to recover from a calamity such as this cyclone. I assure you, ERD will assist in designing a long-term recovery plan and will be there for years as the recovery plan unfolds. Accountability systems are already in place. North American Association (2) China, where the May 12th 7.9 magnitude earthquake killed over 12,000 people (that total will, no doubt, increase sharply as other towns are taken into account) - Here, the Chinese government is mak- ing a major effort to assist local emergency services. Some 50,000 military troops have been sent to the for the Diaconate offers area to assist. The estimate is that about 3,500,000 homes were destroyed by China’s most deadly earth- quake in three decades. Rescue crews are just now reaching the epicenter of the earthquake. In China, our partner is the Amity Foundation, an independent Chinese Christian organization. With ERD’s financial Lifelong Learning support, Amity has already begun providing food, bedding, and sheltering materials in some of the affected areas. As more is learned about needs elsewhere, they plan to continue to meet the needs of suffering fam- ilies. for Lifelong Learners (3) United States, where tornadoes swept across the Midwest and Southeast over Mother’s Day week- end, killing at least 22 people and leaving thousands homeless in Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, and By Debo Dykes Georgia - ERD immediately contacted all the dioceses affected to see what their needs were. We stand ready to respond once the needs have been identified. An international list of archdeacons, deacons, priests, and lay persons gathered at The Duncan Many of your parishioners want to help these victims. Please give your members the opportunity to M. Gray Camp & Conference Center during the days of April 17, 18, 19, and 20, to share ideas do so by asking for donations in your Sunday bulletins, your newsletters, or by a verbal request at your about continuing education and to discuss other important issues related to the life of the Church. Sunday services. Individuals can make donations directly to Episcopal Relief and Development, PO Box The topic for this year’s North American Association for the Diaconate (NAAD) conference was 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058. However, I suggest that you think about making this disaster relief effort Lifelong Learning from Lifelong Learners. Drawing on the gifts of some of the most committed lead- a church project. In that case, donors would make their checks out to your church, but earmark them for ers in deacon formation and lifelong learning, the program included a presentation by participants ERD. It might be for “ERD - Myanmar Cyclone”, it might be for “ERD - China Earthquake”, or it could be from NAAD regional conferences on what we’ve learned about lifelong learning and how to share for “ERD - Emergency Relief Fund”. Another good choice would be just to “ERD”. Our staff would then this rich source of information with others throughout our churches and local communities. decide where the contribution was most needed. If you choose this option, your church would then have A special evening was set aside for NAAD participants to visit historical sites and cities within the responsibility of identifying these checks, taking them into your general fund, and sending one check the area such as The Eudora Welty House, The Islamic Museum, The Civil War Historic Park in from your church for the total to the ERD address above. I suggest you allow at least two weeks for checks Vicksburg, and others. Hosted by Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi deacons, NAAD participants to come in before remitting to ERD. Remember, when contributing through ERD, an exceptionally high experienced true southern hospitality, complete with personal guides, transportation, and the 92% of each dollar given actually goes to help people in need. ERD’s work depends on the generosity of all unforgettable taste of great southern dinning. Episcopalians. A sincere thank you is offered to all of our Mississippi deacons for helping host this year’s Please contact Diane Livingston, 228-265-4794 or [email protected] if you have questions. NAAD conference. A special thank you to Carol Stewart, Dave Duggins, Frank Spencer, Bill Hanna, Gay Yerger, Nick Roberts, and Ilene Warwick for providing transportation for our NAAD guests. We look forward to the NAAD Conference participants returning again in 2009.

May 2008 The Mississippi Episcopalian 13 OUR DIOCESE Janet Nail professes to Third Order in Society of St. Francis

Janet Nail of Trinity Church in Yazoo City was professed in the Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis at the Church of the Creator in Clinton. Pictured at the event are: (l. to r.) Marla Kelly Asson, Provincial Fellowship Coordinator; Janet; the Rev. Ann Whitaker, TSSF, and Mary Ann Cortright, Nail’s spiritual advisor in this journey.

By George Woodliff Janet Nail, parishioner of Trinity Episcopal Church in Yazoo City, and Director of the Audio-Visual Center for the Diocese of Mississippi, was inducted into The Third Order Society of St. Francis on Sunday, April 13 at Church of the Creator in Clinton. The Society of St. Francis began in 1205 when St. Francis recognized the need to include people from all walks of life within his movement of reform and renewal in the Church. For advertising information Today there are estimated to be over a half-million Franciscans worldwide. Anglican Franciscans are divided among five provinces. The Province of the Americas stretches from Canada to Brazil to the call Caribbean. It includes The Third Order which consists of men and women, married or single, ordained or lay, who are called to a dedicated life of service to our Lord through prayer, study and work. Scott Lenoir The three aims of the Order are: To Make Our Lord Known and Loved Everywhere 601-856-8234 By word and example, Tertiaries witness to Christ in their daily lives. By prayer and sacrifice, they help forward God’s work wherever called. To Spread the Spirit of Love and Unity Within the Family of God By working joyfully with people of differing race, creed, education and opportunity, Tertiaries seek to break down the divisions of the world, learning from Francis, an instrument of God’s peace who honored the Christ in all people. To Live Simply Acknowledging that everything belongs to God, Tertiaries seek to use God’s gifts wisely and to be good stewards, neither destroying or wasting what God has made. They provide necessities for them- selves and their families without demanding luxuries, never forgetting the needs of others. The symbol of the Franciscans is the Tau Cross. The Tau is the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Francis learned of it in Ezekiel 9:4, where God orders “the man with the writing case” to mark a Tau on the foreheads of those in Jerusalem who “mourn and grieve over the abominations” committed in that city. Francis often signed his letters with a Tau.

Lueth, because of the war. I didn’t come here as a we met again in 1994. They took the boys to go I’ve talked to my friends and family on the Continued from page 10 woman. I didn’t come here to have fun. I came to school. They moved to Ethiopia, and we phone. The situation in the country is better, here because of my bad situation and because I moved in Sudan during the war, and then we but still life is not that good yet. They’re still People keep asking me, “Why did you come didn’t have a family. came to Kenya because the war continued. We walking from place to place. It’s getting better here?” And they ask me because they don’t I thank America now for bringing me here. knew that we would see each other again when than what it was before. They are trying to move know what is going on over there in my country. When I came here, I didn’t know anybody, we separated, but we didn’t know where. back into the country, into Sudan, now. There People ask me, “Do you like America? Which do but now I have friends in America. We are from People ask me how to help. People can are not a lot of phones, but I can reach them. you like better? Do you like America or do you Sudan, and yet people help us. If you don’t help us get a good education. That’s the most We call them. Some people have a phone. You like Africa?” I say, I like both of them. Because have somebody to help you, you don’t know important thing. You can help them get a good can talk to them. over there, life in my country was good before where to find things, you have to ask somebody. job back home and help others. I am interested in going back to Sudan. the war came. I still like it because it is my It’s the same if you’re a boy or if you’re a girl. I miss a lot of people. I was born in My plan is to go and help build a country that country. It is where I was born. And I like Everything is hard, but if you have somebody to Sudan, so they know me better. They know has been torn by the war. I want to avoid being America, too, because they brought me here. help you, I don’t think there’s a difference about me, and I know about them. That’s what I shy and being quiet so I can achieve my plans. They changed my life from what it was before. between being a boy or a girl. Everything’s the miss. Here in America, they don’t know that I thank God for protecting me and James Now they take care of me. They brought me same. much about us; the people here, they’re differ- and Tabitha and bringing us to America. I con- over here. I needed some help, too, when I James was in school in Africa. He started ent. They just know I’m from another country. tinue to pray to God to protect us while we’re in came here— at first, I didn’t know where I was school before I did. The boys went to Ethiopia The people over here, they treat me differently, America. God bless my family. I thank America going! Nobody had been here before. My before so that they could go to school, and I because they know I’m not from here. Some for bringing me here. God bless Sudan, and grandfather, Atem Bul, was in his own country; started school later in Kenya. people do that, but not everybody. The people, God bless America. he had no reason to come here! But I came James and I were separated in 1988, and they ask me a lot of questions.

14 The Mississippi Episcopalian May 2008 OUR DIOCESE period he began to look at what the future might hold for him. He loved academics and teaching, but quickly realized to further his education and obtain a PhD, he would have to go out of state. At that time in his life Beyond The Chair and journey, this wasn’t possible due to the lack of having someone to care for him. So, he turned to a sec- By Jim Carrington ond option, that of working in a hospital environment as a chaplain. He felt confident he could use his expe- It was a beautiful spring day in 1970 when Bruns McKie Myers, III, riences to counsel and work one on one with others suffering life changing disabilities. found himself faced with a choice and like many 19-year-olds he chose to As he moved toward graduation from the seminary, the big question facing Bruns was, could a person go swimming rather than attending his calculus class at Mississippi State with a disability find employment? Cultural attitudes and opportunities for the disabled in the late 80’s were University. It was a choice that would impact his life and the lives of much different than those found today. Ultimately, after graduating and being ordained, he volunteered at countless other people for the next 38 years. Methodist Rehab as a chaplain for a couple of years. In 1990, he was hired as the chaplain and for the next Diving into the lake near Starkville, the Jackson native broke his 16 years he rolled the halls of that facility working with people who, like him, had thought their lives over neck and started a journey that would lead him through untold chal- due to their injuries. lenges, challenges that at times even had him questioning his will to live. While he felt totally sure this was where God wanted him to be, Bruns said he always felt something was In 1970, recovery for a C 4-5 quadriplegic, who was essentially with- lacking, that there was more to his life than what he was experiencing at the rehab. Born and raised in the Episcopal Church, Bruns says he didn’t realize that stamped on his DNA were out movement below his collarbones, was far from where it is today. To Photo by Jim Carrington listen to him describe the treatment that was available and the limits that the liturgy and worship of that church. It soon became clear this was what was missing in his life. He began existed in rehabilitation makes you wonder just how he became the per- The Rev. Bruns Myres to look at the possibilities of returning to the Episcopal Church as a priest. After visiting with and receiving son he is today. encouragement from friends, priests and even the Bishop of the Dioceses of Mississippi, the Right Rev. Alfred The person he is today is Mississippi’s and perhaps the nation’s only quadriplegic Episcopal priest, “Chip” Marble, he began the process that led him to being ordained as a priest at St. Philip’s in 2001. actively serving the Parish of St. Philip’s as its Associate to the Rector. At St. Philip’s, he celebrates the While having found something that had been missing in his life, the challenges and obstacles didn’t Eucharist several times a month, as well as teaching, preaching and visiting as would any priest. He is limited cease, but with the support of his parish it was clear they could be overcome one way or another. A ramp only by where his chair cannot go, but he will not hesitate to push those limits in order to do the work he was constructed to allow him to roll up to the altar and celebrate the Eucharist. With training from Tom loves. Slawson, Rector at St. Philip’s, and Luther Ott, who was just finishing his Curacy at St. Philip’s, Bruns contin- Bruns was a cowboy before his accident and even today the Murrah High School graduate still loves his ued to learn about the church’s liturgy and about the gestures and motions that he could and could not do. horses and can work them into his teachings and sermons in ways that clearly indicate what kinds of person In order for him to celebrate the Eucharist, he had to have the Lay Eucharistic Ministers serve as his arms and he was as a teenager. What doesn’t show, thanks to his fantastic personality and perpetual smile is the loss of hands, something that required significant training and practice. He also had to have the congregation learn his true love, a girl he was going to marry; the loss of friends who didn’t know how to react to someone in a how to receive the wafer from him by taking it from the paten which is placed the lapboard he uses to hold wheelchair; and the confusion and sadness he experienced during those darkest days of his recovery. They his Prayer Book and other information. all make up a very real part of who the man is today. While it has created moments of tension as the Lay Eucharistic Ministers learned to set the altar and turn He is quick to tell you there are many people in his life who helped him make the transition from a the pages of the service book, that group of St. Philippians will tell you that participating in a service with deep sense of loss to one of hope and promise. Heading that list is his mother, who continues to play a vital Bruns tends to be one of their moments closest to Christ. role in his daily life. Bruns knows what he has had to give up due to his condition and is so very thankful for Tom Slawson calls Bruns a remarkable person in light of what he has accomplished given what hap- all who have helped him overcome those losses. pened to him. He calls Bruns’ relationship with the parishioners something very special. Talk with Bruns and you can see the his face light up as he recalls how with his first wheelchair he expe- “The interesting thing about having Bruns at St. Philip’s is that over time people have begun to look past rienced a sense of freedom that he thought was lost forever. This new freedom helped him see that there the chair to see the person and the priest that he is, rather than as a handicapped individual.” was something special in his life. He wasn’t sure of what it was, but he knew something was out there. That Joining Tom Slawson in praising Bruns Myers and his service to the Dioceses of Mississippi, Bishop Gray something was hope and promise. recently said, “The Christian witness of faith, hope and courage has never shone brighter than in the life of Little did he know, as one of the initial patients at Methodist Rehabilitation Center, he was seeing a path the Rev. Bruns Myers. Bruns has greatly enlarged our model of the ordained ministry, and we will be forever being cleared before him for his future. Friends who truly cared began to take Bruns to church in the little grateful for his being God’s instrument of healing in our church and in our lives.” van his parents had adapted for transporting him in his chair. With those trips and with visits from a very spe- Perhaps Bruns himself can best express his feeling about where he is today. During the interview for cial little lady who would come to his house to visit, Bruns Myers began to renew his relationship with God, a this article, he concluded it by saying, “When I came to St. Philip’s and was able to serve and celebrate, I relationship that would continue to grow and prosper during the coming years. knew, with absolute certainty, that this was my home and that God had led me here to serve him in ways that Bruns found himself being guided into going to the Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson. With I would have never dreamed. I wanted a home; I looked for a home; I missed that connection; and now I the help and support of others he found that he could learn and that he enjoyed learning. It quickly became had a home and found the connection I wanted and needed. St. Philip’s mission statement begins by saying apparent to him that without a degree he would be limited in what could be accomplished. To overcome that we are to be about Christ’s work by: welcoming the stranger....I was welcomed here by people I didn’t that limitation, he enrolled in Belhaven College where he went fulltime until he graduated three and a half know, and as someone with a disability, you feel like a stranger because there is no way you can be 100 per- years later when he received a degree in Philosophy and Biblical studies in 1988. cent be a part of anything because your disability is something that separates you in so many ways. I’ve come Following his Belhaven experience, Bruns returned to the seminary as a special student. During that closer here at St. Philip’s than I have anywhere else.” A Most Interesting Gathering of Leaders! By Debo Dykes During the first week of April, a group of bishops, priests, and lay persons were invited to take part in a national Gathering of Leaders con- ference. The conference, led by The Rt. Rev. Claude Payne, retired Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, Ms. Mary MacGregor, Director of Development for the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, and Mr. Belton Zeigler, from the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina, was designed to engage, encourage, and invigorate participants as leaders of their congregations. Priests from Texas, Delaware, Virginia, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Louisiana, California, Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi gathered to lis- ten, worship, create, share their hopes for the future of the Church, and be transformed and renewed by God’s blessings and time spent together in community. Those attending from the Diocese of Mississippi were, Bruce Cheney, Laura Gettys, Bishop Gray, Alston Johnson, David Knight, Melanie Lemburg, Brian Ponder, and Ollie Rencher at national Melanie Lemburg, Shannon Gathering of Leaders Conference at Gray Center. Manning, Brian Ponder, Ollie Rencher, Matt Rowe, Kyle Seage, and Elizabeth Wheatley-Jones. BILL KING BILL YOUNGBLOOD 601-953-2847

May 2008 The Mississippi Episcopalian 15 EVENTS DIOCESAN CALENDAR MAY 2008 JUNE 2008 13-14 • Gray Center Board, Gray Center 15 1 • Fresh Start, St. Peter’s, Oxford - 9:30 a.m. - Bishop Gray visits: 13-18 3:30 p.m. • Holy Trinity, Crystal Springs, 10 a.m. • Camp Bratton Green Regular Session 2 (3rd- • Mississippi Religious Leaders’ Conference - 4th grades) 12 noon 1-2 • Clergy Pastoral Training, Gray Center 15 16 Bishop Gray visits: • Standing Committee Meeting, Allin House - 3 • Creator, Clinton - 10:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. • Deadline for submittal to The Mississippi Episcopalian 18 17 • Deacons’ Council meeting, Allin House - 11 • Diocesan Altar Guild, Creator, Clinton 4 a.m. • Stewardship with Terry Parsons at St. • Province IV House Of Bishops, Kanuga Andrew’s Cathedral, Jackson - 9a.m. - 12 20-26 noon 4-6 • Camp Bratton Green Regular Session 3 (5th- • Province IV Synod, Kanuga 6th grades) 18 Bishop Gray visits: 5-11 22 • St. James, Jackson - 8:40 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. • Camp Bratton Green Special Session 1 (age Bishop Gray visits: 36+) • St. Francis, Philadelphia - 10:30 a.m. 25 • Mississippi Day at the National Cathedral, 7 25 Washington D.C. • Ordination of Transitional Deacons, Saint • Executive Committee, St. Andrew’s Andrew’s Cathedral, Jackson - 10:30 a.m. Cathedral, Jackson - 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 26 • Allin House closed in observance of 8 26-28 Memorial Day Bishop Gray visits: • Diaconate Discernment Committee • St. Columb’s, Ridgeland - 10:30 a.m. 27-June 2 • Racial Reconciliation Presentation, All Saints, 27-29 • Camp Bratton Green Regular Session 1 (7th- Jackson - 3 p.m. • Camp Bratton Green First Camp (1st-2nd 9th Grades) grades) 9-10 29 • Retired Clergy & Spouses Retreat, Gray 29 • Ordination of Cathy Halford to the Center Bishop Gray visits: Diaconate, Saint James, Jackson - 6 p.m. • St. John’s, Leland - 10:30 a.m. 11 • Diocesan Trustees meeting, Allin House - 2 p.m.

Retired Clergy, Spouses & Surviving Spouses Conference 2008 June 9th & 10th at Gray Center Contact Debo Dykes or Catherine Johns for more information 601-948-5954

Red Stoles Golf Tournament Sunday, June 29th 1:30 p.m. Wedgewood Golfer’s Club Olive Branch, MS Sponsored by St. Timothy’s, Southhaven $100.00 per player Includes lunch Blessing of the Putters for a mystical 18 Many contests & prizes Money raised goes to area charities Play Big Red call Joe: 1-800-238-3028 ext 226

16 The Mississippi Episcopalian May 2008