189Th Annual Council: January 29-31 in Biloxi Tornadoes Hit North
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SPECIAL COUNCIL ISSUE January, 2016 • Volume 141, Issue No. 1 189th Annual Council: January 29-31 in Biloxi By Robert Wetherington The 2016 Annual Council Committee has been hard at work on the Coast. Our hearts and minds have been working collectively to prepare for the arrival of our sisters and brothers of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi. So much has been done already by this group of dedicated volunteers, and there is so much still to do: floor layout, liturgical details, worship leaders, youth programming, childcare, catering decisions, restaurant connections and volunteer assignments were all on the agenda. The committee is in the good hands of Marie Porter and Lena Melton who are holding the reins of our efforts. All signs point to a wonderful experience had by all as our excitement builds for hosting the all Mississippi Episcopalians and other guests here on the beauti - ful Gulf Coast. Please remember that all are invited to enjoy the local food cul - ture, so make your reservations early. Also, plan to join us for a Mardi Gras themed reception on Saturday night at the Maritime & THE 189 th ANNUAL COUNCIL Seafood Industry Museum, and, of course, get ready for the wonder - OF THE DIOCESE OF MISSISSIPPI ful articulation of being One Church that is Council itself. We are glad to bear the blessing of preparing for your arrival, and we hope It takes a lot of people to host a diocesan council. that you all will come prepared to enjoy all that the Coast has to offer. Pictured above is the 189th Council Committee at a recent meeting. Not pictured are the hundred or so more The Very Rev. Robert Wetherington is the dean of the Coast Convocation and rector of volunteers ready to help make all the guests to Council Redeemer/Biloxi. welcome. Inside this issue: 2016 Bratton-Green Permanent Staff Selected Bishop’s Journal . .page 2 By Jason Ezell Sims Cauthen, Challenge Course Summer Camp registration is currently 189th Annual Council Agenda Tiana Bridges, Challenge Course open online. Go to: http://www.graycen - . .page 3 We are excited to announce the young adults Allen Purvis, Music ter.dioms.org/camp/index.html Council Nominations . .page 4 that will serve on the 2016 permanent staff at Kaitlin Gaskin, Nature Scholarships are available as well Bratton-Green! Please keep these young people in Anna Katherine Peel, Waterfront as the opportunity to donate to the 2016 Annual Budget . .page 8 your prayers throughout this year as they prepare Anne Peyton Sugg, Waterfront scholarship fund. Please contact Jason Diocesan Calendar . .page 22 for a monumental job of leading our youth in wor - Amzie Williams, Waterfront Ezell, Program Director, in the Gray Center ship, fun, and reflection this summer. Margaret Hay, Waterfront office for more information at 601-859-1556 or Presiding bishop to visit Mississippi Robert Brown, Maintenance/Evening Program [email protected] . .page 24 This year’s staff consists of: Jack Cottingham, Maintenance/Evening Program Nathan Oakes, Arts and Crafts Tornadoes hit north Mississippi, disaster relief funds disbursed to bring aid By Scott Lenoir Chancellor, Holy Innocents/Como; the Rev. Jason Shelby, St. George’s/Clarksdale; and the Very Rev. Bruce McMillan, Christ Church/Holly Springs; were given a total of $5,000 from the Mississippi A year to the day that tornadoes hit Columbia, Mississippi, in 2014, north Mississippi suffered Disaster Relief Fund, which is administrated by the diocese. Also, an additional $5,000 was applied the same fate on Dec. 23, 2015. According to Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) for through Episcopal Relief and Development for the Holly Springs area, which suffered the most reports, 241 houses were destroyed or sustained major damage. More than 400 houses were affect - damage. ed. At this writing, volunteer workdays are being organized and a disaster relief trailer is ready to be Governor Phil Bryant declared a state of emergency for the five counties affected: Benton, deployed to north Mississippi when the workdays are scheduled. Coahoma, Marshall, Quitman, and Tippah. The governor applied for, and was granted, Federal Disaster assistance from President Barack Obama according to MEMA reports. The Rev. Scott Lenoir is the editor of the Mississippi Episcopalian. The diocese’s Disaster Preparation and Response Team (DPRT) contacted three priests in the affected areas who provided assessments and identified families in need of assistance. The Rev. Don Annual Council details begin on page 3 ORDINARY CONCERNS Jackson, I met with the Rev. Sylvia Czarnetzky. December 14, 2015 — Early morning December 9, 2015 — Early morning work - workout after which I did nothing until picking out. In the office, I kept two phone meetings up the girls from school! and one “in-person” meeting. Over lunch and December 15, 2015 — In the morning, I Truckin’ into the afternoon, I met with the convocation chaired the staff meeting. The word for the day December 1, 2015 hotel. deans. This was the last meeting for the Very was “Gaudete.” After the meeting, I spent time in — I can’t believe it’s December 4, 2015 Rev. Lee Winter, who will retire at year’s end. meeting with the canons and canon-elect. Peggy December. Back to the — Meetings continued Later in the afternoon, I met with the Rev. Jones and I met before lunch in order to contin - office after a restful and till 10:30. Kyle and I left Kathleen Potts. After leaving the office, I picked ue preparation for the Commission on Ministry’s wonderful vacation! First for the airport around Bish op Brian Seage up Katie and Betsy on my way to bless the new January meetings. In the afternoon, I kept two thing was a breakfast meet - lunchtime. Louisville is a columbarium and memorial garden at Grace in-office meetings before leaving to pick-up the ing with Bishop Kopacz cool city! Many thanks to our hosts from the Church in Canton. It’s a beautiful new space at a girls from school. and Bishop Swanson from Diocese of Kentucky. After arriving in Jackson, I beautiful church. The girls and I felt the December 16, 2015 — Early morning the Roman Catholic dealt with several important phone calls and Christmas spirit as we drove through the town workout. After arriving at the office, I met with Church and the United made a pastoral call at UMMC. square while leaving. On the way home, we Canon Johnson. Later in the morning, I kept a Methodist Church. After December 5, 2015 — In the morning, I stopped for sushi. conference call with Mission Mississippi regard - returning to the office, I attended the meeting of the Gray Center Board December 10, 2015 — After dropping the ing the 2016 State Legislators Prayer Breakfast. met with the entire staff for our weekly meeting. of Managers. On the way home, I visited the Rev. girls off at school, I met with representatives of Late morning and through lunch, I met with The word for the day was Advent. Later I met Gene Bennett, who is being cared for at UMMC. St. Andrew’s school about the building project Abram Jones, a junior seminarian at the with Peggy Jones to catch up on the calendar I was pleased to see Gene’s infectious smile. In and capital campaign. Later in the morning, I Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, TX. Abram and other issues. Before lunch, I met with the the afternoon, I watched the SEC championship met with members of the Finance Committee is doing well in seminary and in life! He and canons and canon-elect. Over lunch, we met with some friends. There was great joy in my and staff for a 2016 budget meeting. In the after - Lucy welcomed their first child, Maggie, into with representatives of Trustmark Bank for a house as Bama raced to victory. Later that noon, I caught up on phone calls and kept a their lives in early October. In the afternoon, I “meet and greet” with our canon-elect Brian evening, I was saddened when Stanford clob - meeting with representatives of one of the dioce - had annual consultations with the Rev. Mary Ponder. In the afternoon, I spent time working bered USC. san ministries. In the evening, I attended Katie’s Berry, after which, I met with the Rev. Dcn. on several projects that needed my attention. I December 6, 2015 — Traveled to Olive choir concert. Carol Spencer. left the office in time to attend Betsy’s basketball Branch for visitation at the Church of the Holy December 11, 2015 — Early morning December 17, 2015 — After dropping the game at St. Andrew’s. After the game, I returned Cross. I enjoyed my time with the congregation workout. During the morning hours, I worked at girls at school, I went to the office for morning several phone calls. and was really touched by the beautiful stained home and made several phone calls. After wrap - meetings with the Rev. Luther Ott and the Rev. December 2, 2015 — After dropping the glass window created from the broken glass of ping up phone calls and emails, I turned my Margaret Ayers. We discussed some very prelimi - girls at school, Kyle and I went to the airport for Christ Church in Bay Saint Louis after Katrina. attention to getting the house ready for the Allin nary plans for the visit of Presiding Bishop a flight to Louisville, KY. We will be attending During the service, I preached, presided and House staff Christmas party. Kyle had already Michael Curry in June. Later in the morning, I the Province IV Bishop and Spouse gathering. confirmed one. I returned home in the early prepared most of the food and will create her was busy with back to back to back phone meet - December 3, 2015 — The gathering began evening.