February 2011 ST. PAUL’S EPISTLE 250 Hwy 2 NE • P.O. Box 1225 • Corinth, MS 38835 • 662-286-2922 From the Rector This month, your vestry will be gathering on a retreat to get to know one another better, engage in a bit of Bible study and perhaps some mischief (or tomfoolery, it hasn’t been voted on yet), and to discuss priorities for ministry at St. Paul's. Several members of St. Paul's —your delegates, alternates, and a few just along for the fun—had a productive trip to Jackson for the Diocese of Mississippi’s Annual Council, and we return with renewed energy for the ministry of our diocese here in Corinth. We recall that we are “one church, united in mission: inviting, transforming, and reconciling.” As Chris- tians, we seek to invite all into the particular joy of being transformed, and reconciled for Christ’s own mission. Together, as one church. The cartoon above is a little chance to giggle at the sometimes less-than-transformative aspects of “church life.” But consider this power- ful comparison: "There is a great difference between learning about the Bible and living as a disciple of Jesus Christ. We are not saved by our knowledge, or beliefs, or our wor- ship in the church; just as we are not saved by our actions or our religion. We are saved by the anguish and the love of God, and to live according to that truth is to have faith." (John Westerhoff III, in Will Our Children Have Faith?). Pray for your vestry, and pray for St. Paul's as we look for ways that our parish community can live according to this faith, and give our- selves to God for God’s own transforming work in us. Ann+ In this Issue What’s on the calen- dar for February? p. 3 See the Church Fam- ily Life section for up- dates on fellow church members, p. 2 Vestry Retreat, p. 3 A bit about the Rec- tor’s Discretionary Fund, p. 2 Reformulated Pas- toral Care Committee, p. 2 Book about retired Bishop Gray, p. 3 Valentines cookie swap, p.3 February Birthdays and Anniversaries, p. 2
Transcript
February 2011
ST. PAUL’S EPISTLE 250 Hwy 2 NE • P.O. Box 1225 • Corinth, MS 38835 • 662-286-2922
From the Rector
This month, your vestry will be gathering on a retreat to get to know one another
better, engage in a bit of Bible study and perhaps some mischief (or tomfoolery, it hasn’t been voted on yet), and to discuss priorities for ministry at St. Paul's. Several members of St. Paul's —your delegates, alternates, and a few just along for the fun—had a productive trip to Jackson for the Diocese of Mississippi’s Annual Council, and we return with renewed energy for the ministry of our diocese here in Corinth. We recall that we are “one church, united in mission: inviting, transforming, and reconciling.” As Chris-tians, we seek to invite all into the particular joy of being transformed, and reconciled for Christ’s own mission. Together, as one church. The cartoon above is a little chance to giggle at the sometimes less-than-transformative aspects of “church life.” But consider this power-
ful comparison: "There is a great difference between learning about the Bible and
living as a disciple of Jesus Christ. We are not saved by our knowledge, or beliefs, or our wor-ship in the church; just as we are not saved by our actions or our religion. We are saved by the anguish and the love of God, and to live according to that truth is to have faith." (John Westerhoff III, in Will Our Children Have Faith?). Pray for your vestry, and pray for St. Paul's as we look for ways that our parish community can live according to this faith, and give our-selves to God for God’s own transforming work in us. Ann+
In this Issue
What’s on the calen-dar for February? p. 3
See the Church Fam-ily Life section for up-dates on fellow church members, p. 2 Vestry Retreat, p. 3 A bit about the Rec-tor’s Discretionary Fund, p. 2 Reformulated Pas-toral Care Committee, p. 2 Book about retired Bishop Gray, p. 3 Valentines cookie swap, p.3
February Birthdays and Anniversaries, p. 2
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Church Family Life
News and notes about our parish family
Have you noticed our two new acolytes at work? David Soltz and Nora Hughes have begun serving as gospel bearers in our 10:30 service. Sherry Smith’s 6th cycle of chemother-apy ends 2/1 and she looks ahead to a round of diagnostic scans on 2/18 to determine the next step. Bettie Lockett-Jones has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, and for the time being is at Cornerstone Rehab in Corinth. Bettie and family appreciate your prayers, especially as they await test results to determine the next step: husband Rich-ard, daughter Tina Garrett, and grandchildren Amanda, Teresa, and Michael. Richard Jones got a good report from his last checkup, meaning his lymphoma has not shown any activity. Jo Midkiff is back home at Southern Magnolia in Iuka after several recent hospitalizations, and has experi-enced some setbacks. She enjoyed the card sent from the parish after the Annual Meeting. Michael Wollam was se-lected to attend the 2011 TN Electric Coop Association Youth Leadership Summit during spring break. Seen in the Daily Corinthian: Frances Bullard and David Bauer, scoring goals for Corinth High School soccer. Seniors David Bauer, Sarah Bullard, and Gil Hedges are in the midst of making plans for next year. Bill Martin is awaiting results of a diagnostic scan, and continues his protocol of “maintenance” chemotherapy. Stan and Jean Taylor have been seen looking well and miss-ing their St. Paul's friends, as health demands keep them home. Remember Julie Hutchins upon the unexpected death of her brother Eddie. Condolences can be sent to 921 Webster St. in Corinth. Have you noticed new faces around St. Paul's? Say hello to newcomers Judi Walters, of Savan-nah, and Tom Grayson of Corinth, and help them to feel at home at St. Paul's.
Happy Birthday! Dana Bullard, Feb. 2; Jill Martin, Feb. 12; Barbara Barrett, Feb. 14; An-drew Fraser, Feb. 18; Ronnie Highland, Feb. 24; Jimma Lambert Feb. 24 Happy Anniversary! David and Jerrie Rinehart, Feb. 7; Cliff and Billie Gephart, Feb. 12; Bill and Jill Martin, Feb. 28
To add your birthday, anniversary, or news, please call the church office or email Danielle at [email protected].
Pastoral Committee’s ministry A reformulated Pastoral Committee will coordinate care for our members, including reaching out to newcomers, com-municating on behalf of those who are sick and in need, and caring for our homebound members. If you know of a pas-toral need, a hospitalization, or death, please let Ann know.
Outreach Committee to begin its 2011 work
You’ll hear from the Outreach Committee as work gets underway in developing plans for engaging the mis-sion heart of St. Paul's. The committee will be recom-mending disbursement of outreach funds (budgeted and/or raised) to causes or organizations addressing lo-cal, regional, national, and international concerns to “promote the justice, peace, and love” of Jesus Christ (BCP Catechism, 855). The committee’s work may reflect a broad diversity of approaches to this call. In addition, the committee is tasked with engaging the parish in an outreach project each year, and educating the parish about mission needs through Sunday announcements, newsletter articles, and use of weekly bulletin and e-news announcements. The committee will communicate about projects that receive funding, including sharing any follow-up in-formation, photographs, newsletter articles, so stay tuned for news about how you can be part of this minis-try that is at the heart of our Christian call. Have an idea for a way St. Paul's can enact our mission in the commu-nity or beyond? Let one of our outreach committee members know: Bert Ardoin, Barbara Barrett, Marilyn Scheitlin, Dorothy Senf, and Tricia Jobe (vestry liaison).
Discretionary Fund
Part of your outreach and ministry of compassion at St. Paul's happens through the Rector’s Discretionary Fund, an account which every Episcopal parish must sup-ply, for “pious and charitable purposes.” Funds are dis-tributed at the priest’s discretion—thus the name, dis-cretionary fund. In 2010, St. Paul's gave over $2400 in compassionate support to people in our community—and most of these were one-time gifts of $25 paid toward a person’s utility bill. Do the math...that’s a LOT of people who experi-enced dignity and compassion from St. Paul's. The parish budgets $500 each year for this fund, and your generous contributions have extended the reach of this ministry. Thank you for your support! Donations to the fund can be sent to the church office or placed in the offering plate and with a memo: “discretionary fund.”
Don’t forget...
Don’t forget the A.M.E.N. Food Pantry in your weekly giving; bring non-perishable food items to be placed in the bins inside the front doors of the church. The pantry often experiences a dip in their stock after the holidays, so your gift this month will be a timely help.
The vestry will meet at the Pickwick cabin of Jan and Glennan Grady to gear up for leadership and ministry together this year. Keep them in your prayers as they offer their time and gifts in the service of this parish.
Congratulations to our newly elected vestry members David Dierks, Maggie Dilworth, and Cynthia Harrell. Special thanks to outgoing vestry members Jake Bland and Marilyn Scheitlin (Cynthia Harrell was re-elected). Francis Criss also retires as parish Treasurer after many years of excellent, above-and-beyond service. The vestry is grateful for Jake’s oversight of our build-ing and grounds for the past several years, and for Marilyn’s careful service as Clerk this year. At the re-treat, the vestry will appoint someone to fill the unex-pired term (1 year of Bettie Lockett-Jones), along with a Clerk and Treasurer. If you are interested in serving, please let a member of the vestry know.
This Month in Christian Formation
Sunday School meets 9:30-10:30 Nursery open 8:15-11:45
Sunday School: Adults and Youth– “Saving Jesus,” a 12-week study of Jesus’ birth, ministry, and resurrection through DVD segments with contemporary scholars and group discussion continues. Join this group in the library (the door might be closed so we can hear better, but we want you to come on in!).
Children– children will continue their exploration of the par-ables and stories of Jesus’ life as a teacher and healer. Taught by Jan Grady and Susan Adams.
Old Testament study Fr. Rich Smith of St. James' Catholic Church is beginning a weekly Bible study for those who want to soak in the Torah, or first 5 books of our Old Testament. This group begins Fri-day 2/4 at 6pm, at St. James'. Please bring a Bible.
Episcopal Relief and Development Sunday
On Sunday, March 13, the first Sun-day in Lent, offerings will be col-
lected on behalf of the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund. Lent can be a time to remember and support ERD in its work caring for those in poverty. Lenten devotional booklets, with daily meditations written by Episcopalians from all around our church (including our own Bishop Gray III), will also be available for your Lenten prayers.
Book about retired Bishop Gray, Jr.
A new biography of Bishop Duncan Gray, Jr., has just been published: And One Was a Priest: The Life and Times of Dun-can M. Gray Jr., by Araminta Stone Johnston. It is published by University Press of Mississippi, and available on Amazon or a local bookstore. Retired Bishop Gray, Jr., is the father of current Bishop Gray III.
Annual Meeting and New Vestry Members Thanks to all who set up, cleaned up, cooked, and shared fellowship for our Annual Meeting on Sunday. We elected David Dierks, Maggie Dilworth, and Cynthia Harrell to the vestry; celebrated our outgoing vestry members; and had a candid discussion about Sunday worship and fellowship. “Behold how good and pleasant it is when kindred dwell to-gether in unity…” from Psalm 133
2 Groundhog Day 3, 10, 17, 24 Spanish Evening Prayer, 5:30pm 11-12 Vestry Retreat 12 ECW Cookie Swap, 12pm 13 ECW Bake Sale 14 Valentine’s Day 17 Mission Mississippi, 11:30am 21 President’s Day
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February Calendar
Are you receiving St. Paul’s Weekly E-News? To subscribe, please email [email protected]. If you cannot get to church and would like to receive Holy Communion or a visit at your residence or the hospital, please call the church at 286-2922.
Would you like to host
coffee hour after the
10:30am Sunday services?
The sign-up sheet is
located on the fridge in
the kitchen.
The church office depends on volun-teers to answer phones and greet visitors and assist with small projects throughout the week. Would you like to volunteer, either occasionally (as a substitute) or frequently (as a “regular”)? Please let Ann know.
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH
P.O. BOX 1225
CORINTH, MS 38835
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Sunday Worship Schedule: Holy Eucharist 8:30am Sunday School 9:30am Holy Eucharist 10:30am with music Nursery available 8:15-11:45
The Rector and Vestry: The Rev. Ann Benton Fraser, Rector Dana Bullard, Senior Warden Scott Bauer, Junior Warden Darrell Davis David Dierks Maggie Dilworth Jan Grady Cynthia Harrell Tricia Jobe Jimma Lambert Tom Soltz
