December, 2010 • Volume 135, Issue No. 12

By Scott Lenoir, EditorConvocational pre-council meetings are scheduled in January and Bishop Gray says that he hopes the meet-

ings will be well attended as there is a lot of information passed along which will allow for a more productiveAnnual Council.“Besides getting out a lot of good data regarding the budget and mission priorities, these meetings allow the

possibility for good discussion in a smaller setting [than Council]. It also allows me to have some time to discusspriorities I have all of which is hoped to make our Annual Council flow well,” said Gray.The meetings are scheduled as follows:

January 10, 6:00 p.m. Northern Convocation St. Peter’s, OxfordJanuary 11, 6:30 p.m. Coast Convocation Redeemer, BiloxiJanuary 12, 6:00 p.m. Delta Convocation St. Stephen’s, IndianolaJanuary 13, 6:00 p.m. Sowashee Convocation St. John’s, LaurelJanuary 17, 6:30 p.m. Central Convocation St. Columb’s, RidgelandJanuary 18, 7:00 p.m. Old River Convocation St. James’, Port GibsonJanuary 19, 6:00 p.m. Tombigbee Convocation St. John’s, Aberdeen

Davis Rogers also a national finalist

By Jim CarringtonJackson Academy senior and St. Philippian Davis Rogers recently had a most

unexpected surprise. He knew he had been selected as the male winner of the2010 Wendy’s Heisman Award for Mississippi and was expecting to be honored

for that at a special Jackson Academy assembly.However, instead of just being recognized as astate winner, it was announced that he was one ofsix male finalists for the national award, an honorthat took him to New York for the ESPN televisedceremony where one of six national winner wasselected.

Rogers, the son of Jonathan and Dara Rogers,was blown away by the announcement madebefore 500 of his classmates. “I’m really surprised;I didn’t expect this,” he said afterward. “Afterreceiving word that I was state winner, I was excit-ed, but, honestly, I felt the chances of me being aregional winner were kind of far off.”

The Wendy’s-sponsored High SchoolHeisman recognizes athletes who play at least onevarsity sport and maintain at least a “B” grade aver-age. Some 55,000 students submitted applications

nationwide for the award. Twelve regional winners, five females and five males,are selected to appear on the ESPN awards program which will take place in con-junction with the Heisman Award presented to the nation’s top football player.Rogers was selected as the South Region winner, beating state winners fromAlabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Tennessee

The 17-year-old is an outstanding student at Jackson Academy, with a100.82 grade-point average while taking several college preparatory andAdvanced Placement courses. He has scored 35, out of a possible 36, on hisACT. He plays safety on JA’s football team, as well as playing soccer and runningtrack.

“We support our son, making sure he is ready,” said Rogers’ father.“However, the credit is all his. He’s the one who stays up late, hitting the books;who goes to extra workouts; and he is the one on the field playing for hisschool.”

Also singing Rogers’ praises was his football coach David Sykes. “He hastremendous commitment and devotion. He’s an extremely hard worker and is agreat teammate.” Sykes concluded by saying, “He is an even better person thanhe is an athlete or a football player.”

Another aspect of the Wendy’s award is the student’s involvement in com-munity service. During a pre-tape interview by an ESPN film crew, Davis wasquick to point out his involvement in the Special Session camp at Bratton Green.He talked about how great it was to work with those special people while givingthem an opportunity to have a camp experience.

Rogers has received a $100 gift certificate from Wendy’s and his schoolreceived $2,000.

Rogers, who is the nephew of The Reverends Charlie and Jennifer Deaton,wants to be a doctor. He has narrowed his college choices to the University ofMississippi or the United States Naval Academy.

“Those are two completely opposite atmospheres,” he said. “It’s going tobe a pretty hard decision to make.”

Those who know Davis Rogers know he will make the right decision andwill be a success in whatever college or profession he chooses. After all, he’salready a proven winner.

Jim Carrington is a parishioner at St. Philip’s, Jackson.

Pre-Council meetings scheduledthroughout diocese

Poetry reviewed .........................5Council Workshops....................6Greg Miller’s newestEvents .........................................7Bishop Elect ...............................8

INSIDE:

The winner of the Holy Mackrel for having the most in attendance for ECW’s 2010 FallConference was St. Stephen’s , Indianola. Left to right: Mary Anne Allen, Joyce VanCleve,Ellen Clayton, Joanne Lear, Annette Watson, Beth Fisher, Marsha Webb, and not picturedwas Laurie Noble.

St. Philippian, a Heisman winner

Jackson Academy senior Davis Rogers and friends are videoed for ESPN story.

this edition

Davis Rogers goes through interviews with ESPN reporters.

2 The Mississippi Episcopalian

OUR DIOCESE

December 2010

I feel it is appro-priate the change inthe writing of theNotes and Quotes col-umn is taking place atthe beginning of thechurch’s new year. Aswe move into Adventand “a new begin-

ning,” I want to recognize the wonderful jobdone on this column over the years by MariaWatson. Much like a postman, neither rain, norhail, nor occasional snow, nor the ravages of ahurricane could deter her from producing thevery popular Notes and Quotes. Maria, thanksagain for all your hard work and for your lovefor the Episcopal Church and its people.

As I make this “new beginning,” I want youto know that I do it wearing brand-new shoes.New shoes? You don’t think I would attempt tofill Maria’s shoes as writer of this column doyou? No way. Therefore, I ask your patience as Iattempt to develop a style and achieve a rhythmin the writing of this column. I must admit it isnot as easy as it looks when seen on the pages ofThe MISSISSIPPI EPISCOPALIAN. So, pleasebear with me. However, if at anytime you asreaders of this paper have any suggestions as tohow to improve the column, please email me atjimcarrington@att.net.

All parishes are encouraged to send meeither hard copies or electronic versions of theirmonthly and/or weekly newsletters. My mailingaddress is 44 Moss Forest Circle, Jackson, MS39211. For electronic submissions, please usethe above listed email address. Parishes withoutregular newsletters are also encouraged to sub-mit news of happenings in their parishes. Iknow all parishes in Mississippi are doing thingsthat deserve recognition and I will attempt toprovide that recognition of events and activitiesscheduled and/or accomplished through this col-umn.

Our editor has asked me to remind eachparish to review their mailings of newsletters tothe Diocesan office as some are sending multiplecopies. With today’s tight budgets and everincreasing postage costs, it would be cost effi-cient to send no more than one copy to theDiocesan office and one to this writer.

I want to thank Bishop Gray III and Scottfor their confidence in allowing me to serve aswriter of Notes and Quotes. I will do everythingpossible to uphold that confidence and to insurethis column remains a popular segment of TheMISSISSIPPI EPISCOPALIAN.

We now take a look at some of the activitiesamong our parishes across Mississippi. On Dec.5, the Knitting Hearts ministry, Creator,Clinton, will meet at Emeritus/Trace PointeRetirement Center. Shawls knitted by this groupare given to those in need of comfort, forwarmth and for the soft tangible feeling of beingloved.

Trinity, Vicksburg will hold an AdventTeaching Mission on Dec. 7. This one-nightteaching mission, led by Fr. Alan Hansen of theACTS 29 Ministries will reflect on “all the otherbenefits procured unto us by the same” in theSacrament of the Eucharist.

St. Peter’s, Oxford and Holy Innocents’,Como, will join to conduct their annualChristmas service at Parchman on Dec. 18th andto deliver gift bags to 128 inmates.

The Men’s Fellowship of Incarnation,West Point, will meet on Dec. 13 to dedicate“The Holy Smoker,” a combination charcoal andgas grill. That day is the feast day of St. Lucy,and it was on this day that Hernando de Soto’smen first barbequed a hog in what is nowMississippi.

Epiphany, Tunica is looking for somegood Episcopalians who at some point in thepast attended their church. This search is inpreparation of the observance of the anniversaryof the opening of their church building follow-ing the years of worship at the PresbyterianChurch, 1912-1924. Church leaders want toinvite them to the anniversary celebration on

April 17. 2011.The Children’s Sunday School at St.

Peter’s, Gulfport, are making and/or purchasingsmall Gifts for Baby Jesus as a way to help focuson what one small item the Baby Jesus wouldhave needed. Items collected will be given tothe local Women’s Shelter.

The Walk of Grace will begin at St. James,’Jackson, on December 4th to raise money forGrace House, the state’s largest and longestoperating HIV/AIDS transitional housing.

St. Columb’s, Ridgeland, will host a pan-cake breakfast on Dec. 11, featuring members ofthe Santa Institute at the University of MississippiMedical Center. The team will present its find-ings on the “Science of Santa.” These scientistswork with Santa all year to make him more effi-cient and to keep him healthy. They work toanswer questions such as “How does Santa knowwho’s naughty and who’s nice?” How do rein-deer fly? At what speed does Santa and his rein-deer fly to make his trip around the world? Andhow does he get through all the chimneys with-out getting burned?” This program is a fundrais-er for the St. Columb’s music program.

Among the Notable Quotes found in someof the newsletters include: St. James,Greenville. Martin Luther once said, “Beautifulmusic is the art of the prophets that can calm theagitations of the soul; it is one of the most mag-

nificent and delightful presents God has givenus.”

St. Francis of Assisi said, “Never cease inproclaiming the gospel. When necessary, uswords.” St. Peter’s by-the-Sea, Gulfport.

“Tithe if you love Jesus. Anyone can honk,”is the motto of the 2011 Stewardship Drive at St.John’s, Pascagoula.

Notes & QuotesBy Jim Carrington

The Mississippi Episcopalian (USPS 024755) is published monthly by the Episcopal Diocese ofMississippi, 118 N. Congress St., Jackson, MS 39201. Periodical postage paid at Jackson, MS.POSTMASTER: Send change of address to the Mississippi Episcopalian, P.O. Box 23107,Jackson, MS 39225-3107. In giving changes of address send the old address as well as thenew. We cannot be responsible for the return of manuscripts or photographs.

Official news organ of the Bishop and the Diocese of Mississippi118 N. Congress Street - P.O. Box 23107

Jackson, Mississippi 39225-3107

The Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray IIINinth Bishop of Mississippi

The Rev. Scott LenoirEditor

Continually published for 132 years in the Diocese of Mississippi

FAITHFULDEPARTED

Lois Glos Prather, age 82, communicantof All Saints’, Tupelo, died November 5,2010.

Dick Wessman, 72, communicant of St.James’, Jackson, died November 5, 2010.

George Robert Rea Sr., 95, communicantof St. Paul’s, Meridian, died November 8,2010.

Seymour Weiss, 79, communicant of St. James, Greenville, died November 12,2010.

ORDINARY CONCERNS

The Mississippi Episcopalian 3

October 6 - Worked from home today asplumbers and electricians are my constant com-panions.October 7 - Continuing to work at home supervis-ing certain home repairs. Annual consultation withthe Rev. Brian Seage.October 8 - Back in the office. Morning sessionwith staff putting finishing touches on next week’sAnnual Clergy Conference. Late morning appoint-ment with Dr. Greg Miller. Afternoon appoint-ments with the Rev. Harriet Simmons and a youngaspirant for holy orders.October 9 - Gather at lunch with the Commissionon Ministry to reflect with them on recommenda-tions for ordination and candidacy for our postu-lants. We spend much of the afternoon discussingtheir recommendations.October 10 - Drive to Vicksburg for visitation withthe congregation of Holy Trinity. I teach a SundaySchool class and discuss with them the uniquechallenges of the church in this generation. At themain eucharist I preach, celebrate, baptize 2 andconfirm 8. Following a very nice reception in a pri-vate home across the street from the church, Ienjoy good conversation and lunch with the vestryand rector of Holy Trinity.

Following lunch I drive to Port Gibson for avisitation at St. James. I preach, celebrate and con-firm six. Very special fellowship with the congrega-tion during dinner after the service. Very renewingmoment for me.

Return home in the evening.October 11 - Day off. Travel to Brookhaven in theevening for a meeting with the vestry of Church ofthe Redeemer. Very good visit. Excited about theirclarity of vision.October 12 - Our Annual Clergy Conferencebegins in the evening, but pre-conference eventssuch as the 10th annual Bishop’s open attract mymost intense energy. Unfortunately, I must give upmy team’s trophy from last year to the rising golfstar of the diocese - the Rev. Carol Mead and herteam soundly defeat other lesser lights. Wait ‘tilnext year!

Clergy Conference officially begins with theBishop’s Banquet at Gray Center. Very lively andpositive spirit. It is good to be among the very spe-cial clergy of this diocese.October 13 - Clergy Conference - The keynotespeaker of our conference is the Very Rev. KevinMartin, Dean of St. Matthew’s Cathedral, Dallas,and author of several books and papers on evan-gelism and church growth. Very insightful, and attimes, provocative speaker on the challenges allchurches face in this era.

An added dimension to this year’s conferenceare “faith stories” shared by members of the clergydescribing their spiritual journeys to this momentin their lives.October 14 - Clergy Conference - After Sabbathtime in the morning we spend the balance of theday doing diocesan business that includes both themundane as well as the challenging.

Worship throughout this conference contin-ues to nurture my soul at very deep levels.October 15 - Clergy Conference concludes in themorning with an open conversation on any and alltopics with the Bishop and the final eucharist thatincludes the renewal of our ordination vows.

It has been a very special week for me with

the clergy of this special diocese.Afternoon appointment with

Dr. Anita George.October 16 - Back out to Gray

Center for meeting of the Gray Center Board ofManagers. Kathy and I drive to Oxford for my visi-tation to St. Peter’s which includes an overnightvisit with Duncan, IV, Amber, and our granddaugh-ters, Harper and Sadie. It is a special time.October 17 - Preach and celebrate at the earlyservice at St. Peter’s. At the 9:00 a.m. service, I stepaside from my bishop’s role and Kathy and I sit inchurch with Duncan, Amber and Harper. At thelate service, I preach, celebrate and confirm 8.After a reception hosted by the congregation, Ihave time to meet with the vestry of St. Peter’s.Many new faces in leadership roles since mytenure at St. Peter’s.

Mid afternoon, leave Oxford and travel toMichigan City for a visitation to Calvary Church.This very small congregation continues with servic-es only twice a month, but has deep roots in thecommunity. I preach, celebrate and baptize one.After dinner on the grounds with the congrega-tion, I return to Oxford to spend the night withthe Grays, IV.October 18 - Return to Jackson in the morning.Have a few free hours then go to St. Luke’s,Brandon for my traditional visitation on the Feastof St. Luke. I preach, celebrate confirm 7 andreceive one in the evening service. Very largecrowd spills over into a very fine reception.October 19 - Staff meetings throughout the morn-ing. Afternoon appointments with two aspirantsfor holy orders. I also meet with the Rev. Jan Ollerfor her annual consultation. Afternoon sessionwith Mr. Darden Wade.October 20 - Leave Jackson to drive to Greenvillefor a meeting with the Mission Committee ofChurch of the Redeemer. Return to Jackson forplanning of Diocesan Council liturgies with theRev. Canon Bryan Owen and staff. Evening wor-ship at St. Alexis, Jackson, where I preach, cele-brate, baptize 2 and confirm 2.October 21 - Morning appointments with an aspi-rant for holy orders. Morning session with semi-narian Ms. Clelie McCandless. Check in from timeto time with the Standing Committee as it meetswith diaconal candidates during the day.

Late afternoon appointment to discuss disas-ter preparedness with Deacons Carol Spencer andCathy Halford.October 22 - Hospital visitation with member ofstaff undergoing surgery. In office most of the restof the day. Lunch with Dean Travis of theSeminary of the Southwest.

Dinner in the evening with clergy colleaguesand families.October 23 - Duncan, IV and Amber arrive. Wewill have the joy of babysitting our granddaughtersHarper and Sadie, throughout the weekend.Grandparenting is one of God’s graces in this life.Very full and wonderful day.October 24 - Visitation to Church of the Creator,Clinton. I teach an Adult Forum before the mainworship service. At the eucharist, I preach, cele-brate and confirm 4. After a splendid lunch withthe congregation, I have a good visit with theCreator vestry.

Drive to Gray Center for the closing service ofthe Cursillo weekend. Participation is up consider-ably for this Cursillo weekend, and good sign forthis very special ministry.

Drive home to a house full of girls.October 25 - This week Bishop Zebedee Maserekafrom the Bishop Masereka Christian Foundation inUganda is our guest in Mississippi. Today he is inSouthaven, tomorrow Memphis and Oxford,Clarksdale, Jackson, Hattiesburg and Madison therest of the week. Much of my week is spent mak-ing sure all the necessary connections, logisticsand transportation needs are taken care of.

Today is my day off, but a couple of confer-ence calls intrude. We have the granddaughtersuntil the afternoon when their parents take themback to Oxford.October 26 - Staff meetings in the morning.Afternoon appointment with my appointee to theLESM board, Mr. Collier Graham. Planning sessionwith the Rev. Deacon Bill Hanna. Late afternoonconference call with Chancellor Granville Tate andMr. Richard Price re All Saints’/AmeriCorps mat-ters.

In the evening, I join a very large crowd atthe Convention Center for the Annual InterfaithDialog Dinner.October 27 - Drive to Vicksburg to begin conver-sation with AmeriCorps staff from Washington,D.C. on new lease for AmeriCorps and All Saints’School. Following the meeting, I enjoy a lovelylunch at the All Saints’ rectory with Richard andSusan Price, our resident managers and caretakersof All Saints’.

Return to office in the afternoon.October 28 - In office trying to take care of neg-lected correspondence during the morning.Annual consultation and lunch with the Rev. SamGodfrey. Appointment with young aspirant forholy orders, then drive to Clarksdale where I meetwith Bishop Masereka and the congregation of St.George’s for a presentation of the remarkablework being done in Uganda by the BishopMasereka Christian Foundation.

Overnight in Clarksdale.October 29 - Up early to drive Bishop Maserekaand his traveling companion, the Rev. EzraMukunzo, to Jackson where the bishop speaks atthe St. Andrew’s School Chapel service. Lunchwith Bishop Masereka and St. Andrew’s staff to dis-cuss a relationship with St. Andrew’s and the clinicbeing built in Uganda.

Dinner with Bishop Masereka and his Jacksonarea hosts.October 30 - Some “down time” on Saturday. Inthe evening, I host a fundraiser at Chapel of theCross, Madison, for the new clinic BishopMasereka is building. Wonderful hospitality andfood from the people of the Chapel.October 31 - Up early to drive to Grenada forannual visitation at All Saints’. Breakfast with thevestry of All Saints’. At the Sunday eucharist, Ipreach, celebrate and officiate at the Celebrationof a New Ministry with the congregation of AllSaints’ and their new priest-in-charge, the Rev.Elizabeth Wheatley-Jones. Wonderful lunch after-wards with the congregation.

Home to Jackson in the afternoon.November 1 - All Saints’ Day - Sabbath rest forme.November 2 - Staff meets in the morning. Meetwith wardens of St. James’, Jackson late morning.Good visit with Mike and Barb Dobrosky earlyafternoon, then drive to Hattiesburg to meet witha newly arrived professor, Ms. Elizabeth Lentz todiscuss options for a campus ministry at USM. Sheis very committed to exploring possibilities in

cooperation with the two Episcopal churches inHattiesburg.

Return to Jackson in the evening.November 3 - Morning appointment with Mr. JimEd Henderson. Most of the rest of the day is spentwith a meeting of the Convocation Deans.

Evening meeting with the vestry of St. Luke’s,Brandon to discuss new Spanish-speaking ministryin Rankin County.November 4 - Breakfast with Chancellor GranvilleTate and staff. Annual consultation with the Rev.Karl Shaffenburg and the Rev. Gates Elliott.

In office all day.November 5 - Morning planning session withCanons Johnson and McCormick. After lunch Idrive to Gray Center for meeting with Mr. TomMontgomery. Home to Jackson in the evening.November 6 - After attending a wedding at St.James’, I drive to Hernando to join with theemerging congregation for eucharist and visitation.This small community of faith is meeting in adonated space in a home in Hernando and is call-ing itself “Resurrection” to link its life to its spon-soring congregation, Holy Cross in Olive Branch.Good visit with the Rev. Bruce Cheney and mem-bers of the community.

After worship, I drive to Tupelo. Overnightwith my brother, Lloyd, and his wife Sally.November 7 - Visitation at All Saints’ Church,Tupelo. At the early service I preach and celebrate.I teach an adult forum between services, thenpreach, celebrate, baptize 2 and confirm 9 at thelater service amongst a full church. After a recep-tion with the congregation, I spend a workinglunch with the All Saints’ Vestry.

Excusing myself from lunch, I drive theNatchez Trace back to Jackson where I visit anoth-er All Saints’ Church on this All Saints’ Sunday, AllSaints’, Jackson in the evening. At an extraordinari-ly rich and culturally diverse congregation, I bap-tize 1 (from Cameroon), confirm 1 (from Ghana)and receive 1 (from Barbados) via Jackson.Wonderful dinner follows full of dishes fromaround the world.November 8 - Day off. Make a hospital visit in theafternoon, then drive to Greenwood for a meetingwith the Vestry of Church of the Nativity. Arriveearly enough to sit in on a Vestry ExecutiveCommittee planning session as well.

Return to Jackson late.November 9 - Staff meeting in morning. Travel toMillsaps around noon to celebrate the eucharistwith the Canterbury Club. Good visit with theseyoung people who continue to search for a way ofrelating their faith to an ever changing world.

Return to the office for a late afternoon visitwith vestry and rector of Holy Trinity, Vicksburg.

In the evening, I participate in a panel discus-sion sponsored by Jackson State Universityaddressing the oft quoted comment of Dr. MartinLuther King, Jr. that “11:00 o’clock on Sundaymorning is the most segregated hour in America.”Conversation goes late into the evening.November 10 - Conference call in the morning tobegin planning a church-wide capital campaign torebuild the infrastructure of the Episcopal Churchin Haiti. Morning conversation with group to dis-cuss revitalization of the servant ministry initiativesof the diocese.

Hospital visit before leaving town forStarkville where I have a good conversation withMs. Lynn Phillips Gaines, a candidate of ordinationto the vocational diaconate.

The Bishop’s Journal

December 2010

December 20104 The Mississippi Episcopalian

OUR DIOCESE

Bill King Bill YoungBlood

601-953-2847

As you read this we should be about to enter the final week ofAdvent. I pray that you are having a rewarding season. I pray thatyou are truly looking forward to the celebration of the coming ofGod-made-human, Emmanuel. The Advent and Christmas seasonsmust struggle mightily to avoid being overwhelmed by the secular,Santa Claus season. But struggle we must. This longing we have forGod to enter our lives must be fulfilled. The following essay by theRev. Taylor Moore, Rector of St. Peter’s, Oxford speaks to that. Itwas written in the Advent season of 2008.

A Season of Longing

“Come, thou long-expected Jesus...” is our advent desire. There are many ways to describeAdvent - as a time of expectation, waiting, preparing, or watchfulness. “Longing” is a word that Iwould offer also, as the word connotes a desire that will never fully be fulfilled.

Children wait for Christmas with its festivities, foods, visits with relatives, time off from school andthe gifts. Adults await many of these and more. Perhaps, you long for a healing of a relationship witha relative you may see, or not see, this Christmas. Perhaps you yearn for something simple and neces-sary, like a job or health insurance. At times, we even long for an end to Advent, at least if it is primari-ly experienced in the frantic pace filled with shopping, celebrations and good cheer of the extended“holiday season,” what might be called “Thank-mas-year.”

Yet, most of all, we yearn for God, Emmanuel. We long to see, to experience God in a more com-plete, a deeper way. At times during this season, intimations of Emmanuel surface in church - in thehumor and humanity of the children’s pageant, in the beauty of the Advent Lessons and Carols service,or in singing the memory-soaked carols of Christmas Eve and Christmastide. For these glimpses wealways need to be thankful.

Yet, Christmas comes and then goes. The glittering wrapping is crumpled and tossed away, theturkey is consumed and leftovers frozen for another day, the tree is taken down and the ornamentspacked away. In a poem where the poet and priest R. S. Thomas contemplates the finality of his wife’sdeath, he writes: You waited with impatience/each year for the autumn migration./ It happened andwas over.

Advent and then Christmas happen and are over. Or are they? In an Advent sermon preachedmany years ago, Archbishop Rowan Williams said that “we are perpetually on the eve of God’s coming,knowing and not knowing what it will be. Advent insists that we stay for a while in this tension ofbeing on the eve, if only in order that the new thing we celebrate on Christmas may have a chance ofbeing truly new for us, not a stale and pious cliché.”

Experiencing the seasons of the church year is a way to learn the truths of the Christian faith.Advent teaches us that our longing for God is only partially fulfilled - at least on this side of the graveor the end-time. If we learn to live fully into this season of eves of longing, we may well be surprisedby God’s unexpected incarnations throughout the year. This is the truth this season can embody.

Taylor+

By Denny Allman

Ring Around the Collar

Installed as ECW CoastConvocational

Coordinators at theAnnual Fall Conferencewere Drew Meyers and

Lindsey Lind fromChrist’s Church, Bay St.

Louis.

Bishop Gray and Calvary Rector, the Rev. Bailey Norman, are pictured during the blessing of Calvary Church's new columbarium. The Bishop also blessed and dedicated the newly renovatedand expanded Rayner Hall, the church's parish house on a recent visit to Cleveland.

The youth of St. Philip’s bring gifts to the altar during the observance of the Feast of St. Nicholas. The gifts will be given to the Natchez Children’s Home. Looking on is St. Nicholas (Jack Conway).

A date to remember: Monday, December 27, 2010Deadline for submittal to the Council Edition of the Mississippi Episcopalian - 12:00 noon (Early Deadline)

Editor’s Note: this is the 50th Ring, but who’s counting? Thanks Denny.

Keith

Pett

way/

photo

POETRY REVIEW

By Janet C. Nail

I once taught poetry writing at an enrichment school in Stanislaus County,California. Most of the students were there because they wanted to learn to writepoetry, but there were exceptions.

“Why do we have poetry, anyway!?” Robbie burst out one day. “Why don’t wejust say what we mean?”

“Well,” I said, looking at this fourth grade boy who would rather be playing base-ball. “Poetry teaches you to see more than what you are looking at. Here.” I took anegg from the basket of eggs waiting to be decorated by the art class. “Look at this.Just look at it for awhile. Then tell me what you see.”

Let us leave that frustrated little boy holding an egg and glaring at me for themoment.

I’m sure that Greg Miller at the age of nine may have had issues with the mean-ing of poetry. But he learned to see, and more important, to show us what he sawand help us to share his experience.

In WATCH (University of Chicago Press, 2009), Miller invites us to accompanyhim on his travels, whether literal or symbolic, and to see what he sees. The pilgrim-age through art museums, through stories, through memories cannot be accomplished throughdescription and narrative; it can only be guided by the poet.

The trio of poems about Hurricane Katrina captures the essence of tragedy in few words.Description is useless here; he sees a tree split, another splay. Waters rise, people die, help is notthere. It is all captured on the five-inch screen of the black and white television. Then the screen goesout (a bullet) and one wonders what is left. “In the Coliseum” people talk with the blank nonsequiturs of people who are stripped of emotion, and finally, we are survivors in the middle of chaos-the smell, the inconvenience, the mess. Does the title “Wake” refer to the wake of the hurricane or tothe wake of a funeral? Or both?

The title poem “Watch” takes us, with Miller, to the sea to watch for whales. A question abouthow whales can sleep when they must think to breathe leads him to muse on the twilight world thesleeping whales inhabit as “Cranial hemispheres wink and wake/and alternate.” The whales are “bal-anced between each/of our states/through dive and breach.” Are we living between sleep and wake?And, as the watchers are “Following one as it leaves/two other whales we see/suddenly not what we’reheading for/but the asymmetrically/colored snout of a fin whale”. Sleep, wake, startled by the unex-pected, sleep again-and blood is brine. We are creatures of the sea.

Greg Miller is chair of the Sudanese Ministry Committee, and he knows theseyoung men and women who fled their war-torn country and settled here. In“Capital Towers” he observes a luncheon at which two young Sudanese men“address/the Coffee Club, on the top floor/of Capital Towers....”

“I do not tell you these stories/so that you will feel sorrow/for my private loss-es,/but so you will understand/more and so be able/to make others understand.”

Miller finds himself distracted by the buildings outside, chiding himself: “I ama crow/with an eye for shiny things.” He suddenly feels like an observer who hasto live vicariously, unable to feel. He watches a gentleman take the young man’shands in both of his and thank him for sharing his story. And he muses “Wemean/Well, we all do mean well” but finally agreeing with Brecht, that tragedygives people pleasure instead of a new way of seeing.

Dinka seminarians also ask “Will God save the Muslims?”, and open our eyesto the cost of our faith. They are learning “Tillich/Barthes, and Daly, Thomas andLuther.” The teacher cannot say whether those who sacrifice to gods-”The god ofthe spear, the god of the drum—/Or to the hungry ancestors” will be welcomed inHeaven. Yet this is important to them; so many of their people want to believe,but they cherish the old beliefs. Indeed, Deng gave his grandfather a shower when

he came home drunk, and put him to bed. “My bad grandson/Baptized me! He made me a Christian!”and he felt that he had lost “all the loving flesh/With which his spirit held communion.” “Salvation” isneither simple nor easy!

“Crown” is a series of poems that expressively follows the liturgical year from Advent through theFeast of Christ the King. From the preparation of Advent(“I’ll take my sweet time, then and make/Myown hands’ best work the place/That’s safest, best, for my Lord’s sake.”) through Lent, when he says “Ifear I grow too happy in unhappiness.” Easter is joy, and Miller cannot contain the joy of theResurrection. Whitsunday is a meeting with the prophets, and the year ends with the Feast of Christthe King:”See, know, taste his goodness. He who was least/Offers himself in love, each day a feat.”

This book is an invitation to the feast, a feast that the poet received with humility and obedience,that he wishes for us the same. Greg Miller sees God in all things around him, and he offers to guideus to see God too.

Oh, yes. My student, before he left the class, handed me a scrap of paper with his poem:“Egg/Egg/Egg/NEW LIFE!” He grinned at me as he left.

Greg Miller would have understood.

December 2010 The Mississippi Episcopalian 5

WATCH: a review of Dr. Greg Miller’s third book of poems

LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING?A SECRET SANTA GIFT?

AT A LOSS OF WHAT TO BUY YOUR SPECIAL SOMEONE?

How about ducks and geese or bees and honey?Perhaps a system for clean water or mosquito netting?

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A date to remember: Monday, December 27, 2010Deadline for submittal to the Council Edition of the Mississippi Episcopalian - 12:00 noon (Early Deadline)

6 The Mississippi Episcopalian

184th ANNUAL COUNCIL

December 2010

SudanThe Workshop on Sudan will cover the state of the January refer-endum and peace process in Southern Sudan, the mission trip byBishop Duncan Gray III and Greg Miller to our companion dioceseof Twic East in May of 2010, and possibilities for future ministry.Presented by Dr. Greg Miller of St. Andrew’s EpiscopalCathedral, Jackson and the Chair of the Sudanese MinistryCommittee.

UgandaIn the fall of 2009, Bishop Gray commissioned a team of nine to“go and see, come and tell” as they embarked upon an informa-tional trip to Kasese, Uganda to learn more about the BishopMasareka Christian Foundation (BMCF). The team, now known asthe U-Team, embarked upon a 12-day trip designed explore theinner workings of the BMCF. Come hear about Bishop Masereka’svision and the BMCF. Presented by Mrs. Leanna Owens, LowerSchool Head of St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, Jackson.

PanamaThis diocese has had a longstanding companion relationship withthe diocese of Panama; the medical mission effort was begun in2000 through conversations between the respective bishops andpeople having experience in Latin America with medical missionwork. A plan was devised to work with indigenous Indian groupsin eastern Panama in partnership with the national health depart-ment and Panama diocese volunteers. The Mississippi medicalteam’s annual visit has been one facet of the system developed inPanama that has heightened awareness by the populous of healthcare issues and how they may be addressed and managed;heightened the level of activity and resources by the local govern-ment healthcare providers; and helped produce a sense of con-nection between the area residents served, the local Episcopalchurch, and the Mississippi diocese. The dedication of the com-panion volunteers and clergy in the Dioceses of Panama andMississippi to the advancement of the outreach process of evan-gelism through healthcare work has been vital to the success ofthis effort. Presented by Mrs. Dawn Flannes of St. Andrew’sEpiscopal Cathedral, Jackson and Chair of the PanamaMedical Mission.

HondurasThe Honduras Medical Mission has been impacting the lives ofpeople in our Diocese and the Diocese of Honduras for over 27years. Come and find out how being a part of this team can helpyou grow as a parish and as an individ-ual. Learn about the changes thathave occurred in the village of SanJoaquin as a result of the partnershipwe have created there. Presented byMrs. Deborah Hanson of St. Philip’sEpiscopal Church, Jackson andChair of the Honduras MedicalMission.

Overseas Missions WorkshopFacilitated by the Rev. Cathy Halford, All Saints’, JacksonWorkshops

184th Annual Council

Saturday, January 29, 2011*12:30 p.m. – Lunch

1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. – WorkshopsJackson Convention Complex

Register online athttp://annualcouncil.dioms.org/digital_faith/events

or call the diocesan office at 601-948-5954.

There is no charge for the workshops and you do not have to be registered for Council to attend the workshop. *Non-Council participants may pre-order lunch for $20.

A Planned Giving PrimerA “nuts and bolts” workshop designed to give con-gregational leaders the knowledge and tools neces-sary to start, enhance and maintain an effectiveplanned giving program. Led by Cathy Fitzpatrickand the Rev. Paul Stephens, All Saints’Episcopal Church, Tupelo.

Challenge of Mission in ContemporaryCulture

We are living in rapidly changing times and themission field has shifted in dramatic ways. In thisworkshop Bishop Gray will present current researchon the spiritual life of contemporary Americans andits implication for the church’s mission and evangel-ism. Led by the Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray, III.

Congregational DevelopmentOne of the operating aims of every parish and mis-sion is to be a healthy, faithful, sustainable congre-gation where members can fulfill their mission to bethe Body of Christ in a particular place and time toa particular people through the richness of theEpiscopal tradition. At this workshop, we willexplore organizational models which effect changein an organization by exploring where a congrega-tion is, where God might be inviting them toengage, and how to get there. We will be usingmaterials from the recent Cooperative College forCongregational Development Conference held atGray Center last summer. Led by the Rev. MarianDulaney Fortner of Trinity Episcopal Church,Hattiesburg.

Adults Working With YouthThis workshop will have information about all of ourdiocesan youth programming, including DOY andHappening, as well as tips and information for localyouth groups. Youth leaders from small churchesare particularly encouraged to attend. Led by theRev. Annie Elliott, Diocesan Youth Coordinator.

CommunicationsPlease join us for a conversation and workshopon communication methods, best practices,advice and information. The workshop will coverwork with the Episcopalian, including ways youcan help with articles, pictures, and information.In addition we will discuss the use of electroniccommunications within your parish and commu-nity. We will take a look at electronic newsletters,web pages, blogs, Facebook, Twitter, onlineadvertising, and the use of other technologiesthat enhance communications. The intent of theworkshop is a conversation where we can alllearn from one another some best practices andsome pitfalls to avoid. Led by The ReverendDavid Knight, Rector of St. Patrick’s in LongBeach, The Reverend Scott Lenoir, Editor ofthe Mississippi Episcopalian, and TheReverend Jeff Reich, Rector of St. John’s inLaurel.

StewardshipTired of worrying every year about the annual“beg-a-thon” and wondering what else is outthere for the annual fall pledge campaign?Specific discussion of new and innovative meth-ods of raising funds for churches each year willalso be a primary portion of the workshop. Ourtime together will focus on the theology of stew-ardship, of recognizing God’s abundance andgenerosity toward us and seeking ways for us toexpress our thanks for God’s love. Stewardshipis an everyday, every week, every month, all yearapproach to returning to God that which he hasalready given us, with our hands, our hearts, ourexpressions of faith and our money. Led by theRev. Kyle Seage of St. Philip’s, Jackson andthe Rev. Canon David H. Johnson, Canon tothe Ordinary, Diocese of Mississippi.

DIOCESAN CALENDAR

EVENTS

December 2010 The Mississippi Episcopalian 7

DECEMBER

12• Bishop Gray visits: St. John’s, Laurel - 8:00a.m. & 10:30 a.m.•Dedication of the Church of the Redeemer,Biloxi - 5:00 p.m.

16• Standing Committee - 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.,Allin House, Jackson

17•Diocesan Executive Committee - 11:30 a.m. -3:30 p.m., St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Jackson

19• Bishop Gray visits: Ascension, Hattiesburg -10:30 a.m.

23-27• Allin House closed for Christmas Holiday

27•Deadline for submittal to the Council Editionof the Mississippi Episcopalian - 12:00 noon

27-January 1•Winter Solstice, Camp Bratton Green, Canton

30 - 31• Allin House closes at 12:00 noon December30th for the New Year

JANUARY

2-5•Diocesan Presbyter, Discernment Committee, Gray Center, Canton

6-8• EFM Mentor Training Basic/In-Service, Gray Center, Canton• EFM Mentor Training Formation/CommonLessons, Gray Center, Canton

7• Clergy Conference Task Force - 11:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m., Allin House, Jackson

8• Commission on Ministry - 10:00 a.m. - 2:00p.m., Allin House, Jackson

7-8• ECW Winter Board, Big House, Gray Center,Canton

9• Bishop Gray visits: St. Stephen’s, Indianola -10:00 a.m.• Bishop Gray visits: St. Matthew’s, Kosciusko -5:30 p.m.

10• Bishop Gray visits: St. Andrew’s UpperSchool, Ridgeland - 10:55 a.m.•Northern Convocation Pre-Council Meeting -6:00 p.m., St. Peter’s, Oxford

11• Coast Convocation Pre-Council Meeting - 6:30p.m., Redeemer, Biloxi (new location)

12• Fresh Start - 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., St.Andrew’s Cathedral, Jackson•Delta Convocation Pre-Council Meeting - 6:00p.m., St. Stephen’s, Indianola

13• Sowashee Convocation Pre-Council Meeting -6:00 p.m., St. John’s, Laurel

15• The Ordination of Mrs. Patricia Cantrell, Mrs.Deborah Hanson, Mrs. Lynn Phillips-Gaines andMrs. Josie Williams to the Sacred Order ofDeacons - 10:30 a.m., St. Andrew’s Cathedral,Jackson

16• Bishop Gray visits: St. Paul’s, Picayune - 10:00a.m.

17• Central Convocation Pre-Council Meeting -6:30 p.m., St. Columb’s, Ridgeland• Allin House closed in observance of Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr.

18•Old River Convocation Pre-Council Meeting -7:00 p.m., St. James’, Port Gibson

19• Tombigbee Convocation Pre-Council Meeting- 6:00 p.m., St. John’s, Aberdeen

23• Bishop Gray visits: St. John’s, Aberdeen -10:30 a.m.• Bishop Gray visits: Good Shepherd, Columbus- 5:00 p.m.

25• Legislative Breakfast - 7:00 a.m.

28-30• The 184th Annual Council of the EpiscopalDiocese of Mississippi, Jackson ConventionComplex, Jackson, MS• Annual Council Youth Lock-In, St. Columb’s,Ridgeland

31-February 1• Allin House closed

FEBRUARY

1•Deadline for submittal to the MississippiEpiscopalian - 12:00 noon

2• Celebration of New Ministry for the Rev.Walton Jones and the Parish of Trinity Church,Natchez

4-5• Role of Scripture and the Anglican Covenant,Gray Center, Canton

6• Bishop Gray visits: Grace, Rosedale - 8:00a.m.• Bishop Gray visits: Calvary, Cleveland - 11:00a.m.

9• Coast Confirmation Service - 6:30 p.m.,Redeemer, Biloxi

10•Dedication of the Gail Keenan Art Center,Coast Episcopal School, Long Beach

12•New Vestry Members’ Conference - 9:00 a.m. -3:30 p.m., St. James’, Jackson

13• Bishop Gray visits: Redeemer, Greenville -10:30 a.m.• Bishop Gray visits: St. John’s, Leland - 5:00p.m.

14-24• Center for Formation & Mission presents: APilgrimage to Israel & Jordan

25-26•Gray Center Board, Gray Center, Canton

25-27• Spring Jr. High DOY, Camp Bratton Green,Canton

27• Bishop Gray visits: Resurrection, Starkville &MSU Canterbury - 10:30 a.m.

27-March 1• Presbyter Post-Ordination Consultation, GrayCenter, Canton

New Year’s Eve at Gray CenterGray Center will be hosting a New Year’s Eve celebration once again! Come gather with us

Friday, December 31st to Saturday, January 1st to welcome 2011!

The cost of attendance is $100 a room which includes:• One Cottage, Inn, or Big House room• A New Year’s Eve dinner at 7:00 p.m.• A New Year’s Day brunch at 9:00 a.m.• Live Music by the Red Hots• A safe location for your New Year’s celebration• New Year’s Eve Party Pack

Rooms will go fast so please reserve your space early. You may have noticed that LiveMusic has been added to the program this year and we are excited to have the Red Hots joinus for our celebration. Feel free to bring any snacks, cards or board games you may wantthroughout the evening. Gray Center will not supply alcohol for this event so it is BYOB. Foryou football fans we will have college bowl games playing in the lobby. Check in will be anytime after 2:00 p.m. on Friday and room checkout is 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. Even thoughroom checkout is 11:00 on Saturday feel free to spend the day relaxing at Gray Center. Weare asking for a $50 nonrefundable deposit due by December 24th to hold your room. Thisfee will be applied to the event balance. To register for this event or if you have any questions please contact Grae Dickson at

(601) 859-1556 or email at grae@graycenter.org. If you are interested in a single room pleasecontact Grae Dickson for availability. We hope to see you here to celebrate the New Year withus at Gray Center.

Gray CenterValentine’s Wine Tasting

On Saturday, February 12 - 13, 2011, GrayCenter will be hosting a Couple’s Dinner andWine Tasting! We are offering an opportunityto get away for Valentine’s Day Weekend andenjoy an evening of great food, great wine,and great company. The event will beginSaturday evening at 6:00 p.m. and concludeon Sunday morning. The cost of the event is$100 a couple which includes:

❖ Saturday Dinner❖ Saturday Evening Wine Tasting❖ Live Music and Social❖ Lodging❖ Breakfast Sunday

Please contact Linda Cain or Grae Dicksonat 601-859-1556 to reserve your space. If youhave any questions you can emailgrae@graycenter.org.

By Scott Lenoir, EditorThe Bishop Elect of Western New York says

he wants to build a bridge between the North andSouth, specifically the Mississippi Delta where hegrew up.

The Rev. Dr. R. William (Bill) Franklin waselected on the seventh ballot November 20th atSt. Paul’s Cathedral in Buffalo, New York. Afterconsents are given, Franklin will become theDiocese of Western New York’s eleventh bishopwith a consecration for April 30, 2011.

Franklin was born in Brookhaven,Mississippi and grew up in Cleveland where hismother, Dorothy Cain Franklin, still lives. Hisparents were both teachers. Ralph Franklin, hisfather died in 1988; he was a Professor of Musicand the Band Director at Delta State University.After Franklin graduated from Cleveland HighSchool, a place where he was taught 8th gradeEnglish by the Rev. Dr. Julia Moore, Franklin’s lifebegan to separate from the land of his birth.

“It’s a world I never wanted to run awayfrom,” said Franklin, 63, in a recent telephoneinterview. “It’s just that my life has taken me inother directions.”

“Bill has got a great sense of humor, andhe’s a lot of fun to be around, which really does-n’t show when you’re reading his papers orbooks.” said Franklin’s cousin, Duke Cain, aparishioner at St. Andrew’s Cathedral. Cain saidthat family reunions were common between theCains and Franklins. He also revealed that a secretpassion of his cousin was playing the organ whichFranklin studied while growing up in Cleveland.

Following high school, Franklin leftMississippi for undergraduate work atNorthwestern University in Chicago where heearned a degree in history in 1969. He receivedboth his Master’s and Ph.D. in Church Historyfrom Harvard University.

His life of teaching included positions atSt. John’s University in Minnesota; GeneralSeminary in New York; and Berkley DivinitySchool at Yale in New Haven, Connecticut wherehe served as Dean and President. Franklin alsoserved from 2003-2005 as head of ChristianFormation at Trinity Church, Boston which iswhere his time with the Rev. Sam Lloyd, then rec-tor of Trinity Church, began taking a turn towardHoly Orders.

Ordained to the diaconate and priesthood in2005, Franklin has served in The EpiscopalChurch and the Anglican Communion in manypositions over his years in lay and ordained min-istry including being a consultant to the

Archbishop of Canterburyat Lambeth in 1998.

After ordination in2005, Franklin served inRome, Italy where he wasan Associate Rector at St.Paul’s Church andAssociate Director of theAmerican Academy inRome, where his wife,Carmela, served as direc-tor. In August of 2010,Franklin accepted a posi-tion as Senior PriestAssociate at St. Mark’sChurch in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; however,his name had been submitted in the Episcopalprocess for Western New York in 2009.

“When I read the profile for Western NewYork, and of course it’s nerve wracking goingthrough these things, I really felt a match with thediocese. The whole process has been going onfor a year and I’m really excited about being elect-ed and serving in Western New York,” saidFranklin.

One piece of Franklin’s move brings about ahomecoming of sorts for his wife, CarmelaFranklin, as her parents, native Italians, moved toBuffalo in 1986. While Carmela will keep herposition as a Professor of Classics at ColumbiaUniversity in NYC, she will join the family onweekends and will make some of the visitationswith her husband as he travels throughout west-ern New York.

Bill and Carmela Franklin have been marriedfor 39 years and have two grown daughters.Corinna is a physician in Los Angeles and Beatriceis a senior at Harvard majoring in philosophy andeconomics. Franklin says his children both enjoyvisiting their grandmother Dorothy in theMississippi Delta.

“When we visit again, I hope the Dean of theDelta Convocation (the Rev. Julia Moore) will setup some time for me to visit with clergy in thearea with Bishop Gray’s blessing. There are a lotof churches in Western New York with 75 to 200members much like Mississippi. We’re not a dio-cese of big churches and I feel like we have a lotto share with each other.”

Franklin is the author of several books ondiverse historical and theological subjects andbelieves his unique background will allow him tobe up to speed when he becomes a part of theHouse of Bishops in April of 2011.

“I was often on the hot seat in Rome as a

part of a team in conversa-tion with Vatican represen-tatives through theAnglican Centre in Rome. Iknow what the backgroundissues are facing theEpiscopal Church and theAnglican Communion so Iwon’t have to do muchhomework on that. I’mcomfortable in articulatingthe position of theEpiscopal Church, butdoing it a way that tries tokeep up friendships with

other churches,” Franklin said.With all his experience in the larger church,

Franklin says he hasn’t forgotten where his rootsare.

“Mississippi has emerged at several points inmy life even though I never went back to livethere, and I’ll always remember the impact thatsmall churches and small towns played in mylife.”

Franklin says he hope to be in place inWestern New York in February.

After Franklin’s consecration, there will befour native Mississippians serving in the House ofBishops. The other three are Bishop Gray III,Bishop Chip Marble, and Bishop MorrisThompson. There are several retired MississippiBishops of course, and others whom we adopted,such as the Rt. Rev. Shannon Johnston who servesthe Diocese of Virginia.

To learn more about the Rev. Dr. Franklin,check out the Western New York’s website:www.episcopalwny.org.

St. John's, Ocean Springs and St. Pierre's, Gautier had a joint celebration of Confirmation and HolyEucharist in November. Presented for confirmation from St. Pierre's were Helen McCall Hammergrenand Pamela Rone (on left). Continuing from the left are St. John's parishioners George Thompson,Roger Boutin, Theron Furr, and Jill Roth. St. John's young people Nathalie Gault, Nicholas Gault arestanding in front. Not pictured but also confirmed or received were Fran Laport and Howard Newby.

Bill Franklin

December 20108 The Mississippi Episcopalian

Native Mississippian elected Bishop of Western New York

ELECTIONS