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A WORD FROM THE RECTOR
Greetings in the
Name of our Lord, Jesus Christ!
An inflection point in differential calculus
is a point on a curve where the curvature changes sign (e.g., from
positive to negative). In common
parlance we might refer to this as a “turning point,” because a change in
direction is reflected in the curve. But
what do we call a point at which the direction of the curve does not
change, but there is an increase in the slope of the curve (for you
mathematical types, the gradient of the tangent of the curve is non-zero). Let’s think of this as an “acceleration”
point, when we can see a process grow; when we can point to evidence of growth.
That’s where we are. This parish family has certainly been healthy
as long as I have known you. The
attendance and giving patterns of the parish have been healthy, and the participation
in Church programs has been good, but all evidence points to the fact that we
have “stepped on the gas”. Last year,
average Sunday attendance was up over 12%.
This year it is up 15% over last year.
We have a full time Minister of Music.
We have just hired a Youth Minister.
The many capital investments made in facilities are reflected in how all of the parish is being used more, by more people. The life of this parish is reflecting that
the people of Incarnation are using their gifts of the Spirit in ministry to
build up the common Body of the Church, but as this acceleration continues we
must be mindful. We have to focus, just
as increased focus is called for when we’re driving at 70 m.p.h.
instead of 50.
Perhaps “focus” can be better
thought of as being intentional about what we do. Just as Sarah and the choir are intentional
about rehearsals; just as those who serve as lector are intentional about how
they prepare, each of us needs to think and pray about what the Spirit is calling
us to do (and how we’re going to do it) as the Spirit leads this parish into
further growth. For example, we have a
critical mass of youth, but a key ingredient to the success of youth ministry
will be the intent of parents (and the rest of us) to see this ministry succeed.
When we’re intentional about
worship and about life in Christ, we focus very much on our offerings of time
and talent, in addition to our offerings of treasure. Our spiritual life is not just about Sunday
mornings, and what happens on Sundays is not just one among a number of options
we might have for the day. Life in
Christ is life with a destination. We’re
going somewhere, and now we’re “stepping on the gas” more. What does this mean, in terms of how the
programs offered in this parish will progress?
Youth Ministry:
Alexandra Fowler will join us on 23 August as Youth Minister. Alex will be here every Sunday morning. The E.Y.C. will meet every week, starting at
9 a.m., followed by their regular 9:15 Sunday School. A weekly meeting will allow all youth to stay
on the same page in working toward longer range goals, which will include:
§ Periodic
outings just for fun.
§ Fund-raising to support service projects. Service
projects will be undertaken quarterly, and will include such work as
Adopt-a-Family, support of
§ An annual project will include a mission trip. This could involve service in a place like an
Indian reservation or the Nuestras Pequeñas Rosas orphanage in
§ We’ll explore multi-year projects (e.g., using the Journey to Adulthood
curriculum) to support a really big project, such as a pilgrimage to
None of this will happen if parents don’t make
it a priority, which means that more parents will be at the parish earlier on a
Sunday. In light of this, we’ll also expand ...
Adult Education:
Every Sunday an adult forum will be offered in which we’ll study the
lectionary lessons for the day. Come at
9:15, and with a cup of coffee join us in taking each lesson apart, putting it
in context, and clarifying any issues before we hear these lessons in the
worship service. You’ll be surprised at
how much more powerfully God’s word will speak to you in the worship
service. (A Bible study summary is
currently posted every week on the website, and this practice will continue.)
At Deuteronomy 26.1-15 we read
of the offering of the “first fruits” of the people to the Lord, and at Pentecost we read at Romans
8.23 that as believers, we have been given the “first fruits” of the
Spirit. Notice how the two come
together? When we offer our best by being
intentional in all that we do in the service of the Lord, God blesses us with
the fruits of the Spirit that empower a congregation to grow; to grow in the knowledge and love and service
of God. But we still have to offer of
ourselves, and while the members of this congregation have been wonderful (indeed!)
in giving of treasure, giving of time and talent will now be needed even more
because we are doing more.
Let’s keep a real focus on
what we are called to do. If you’re an
acolyte, lector, Lay Eucharistic Minister, chorister, or usher, come early so
we can insure that what happens in worship reflects our best offering to the
Lord. If you’re in Sunday School or E.Y.C., make being here a priority. If you’re a parent, make Sunday a priority
both for your children and for yourself.
When we all focus this way, we’ll see the acceleration continue, and
we’ll also be able to have some fun on a Sunday morning, as we gather first in
fellowship and then in worship.
Yours in Christ Jesus
Vestry Highlights:
1. Operating fund balance =
$16,249.01. Capital fund balance =
$15,899.99.
a. Outstanding
capital costs for which bills have not yet been received are for approx.
$1,500.
2. An anonymous $5,000 gift
toward debt reduction has been combined with a payment of $1,900 from the
capital fund to retire all remaining debt on the rectory.
The budgeted rectory debt payment of $650/mo will continue to be paid,
directed against a remaining line-of-credit debt at BancorpSouth
(with an outstanding balance of <$15,000).
3.
Other material changes in the parish budget for 2009 include the
expansion of the music
program to
include a mid-week choir rehearsal, and the hiring of a Youth Minister (start
date =
23 August).
4. Vestry will meet again on
Monday, 15 June at 5:30 p.m.
Grace Notes
Holy
Days: A quick look at a Church
calendar for June reveals a lot of red and a lot of white. Red days commemorate martyrs. These include those killed under Roman
persecution (2 June, the Martyrs of Lyons, ca. A.D. 177; 28 June,
Irenaeus of Lyon, d. 202; and Sts. Peter and Paul, 29
June, both killed under Nero, ca. A.D. 64–66, and the early
unknown martyrs of the Roman persecutions (30 June)); those killed for taking
the faith into a new territory (5 June, St. Boniface, d. 754; Barnabas the
Apostle, 11 June); and those who died witnessing to the faith in their own land
(3 June, the Martyrs of Uganda, d. 1886; and 18 June, Bernard Mizeki, d. 1896).
The word “martyr” is Greek for “witness”. Those who die for the Lord
witness to the faith, to the truth that Jesus is Lord; that He is the Way to
salvation.
White days commemorate saints
who were not martyred. In June these
include notable monastics (Columba of Iona, Norbert
of Magdeburg, and Etheldreda of Ely), teachers and
theologians (Antony of Padua, Basil of Caesarea, and Cyril of Alexandria). White days also include “high” feasts, even
if the saint was martyred (Nativity of St. John the Baptist, 24 June).
It is our practice to transfer
an important feast to our Wednesday eucharist,
if the feast falls in the same week and the Wednesday itself is not a
feast. (A day on which no feast falls is
called a “feria”.)
At Morning Prayer the feasts are observed as they fall, with collects
and readings provided either in the prayer book (for high feasts) or in Lesser
Feasts and Fasts, which is an official companion to the prayer book.
Each one of the saints we
remember has much to teach us. If you
are interested in more information about the life and witness of these
spiritual giants, a good source can be found in the hagiographies written by
James Kiefer, which can be found at the Daily Office website maintained by the
Mission of St. Clare, http://www.missionstclare.com/english.
Music:
The month begins with very familiar hymns, sung for Trinity Sunday,
including no. 362, Holy, holy, holy!
Lord God Almighty! and no. 473, Lift
high the Cross. At Mass in the Grass on 14 June we’ll work
with songs that are easy to sing with guitar accompaniment, including no. 405, All things bright and beautiful, and the
perennial favorite, no. 671, Amazing Grace!
How sweet the sound. The
story of the latter is well known. It’s
author, John Newton (d. 1807), was a slave-ship captain who became an Anglican
priest following his repentance. The
famous first line includes “[I once] was blind but now I see,” written by a man
who in losing his physical sight found a new spiritual insight.
The name “Mass in the Grass”
does beg the question of why the service is called “Mass”. “Mass” is the term used more commonly in the
Roman Church to refer to the service of Holy Eucharist, but as specified in our
own Catechism (BCP 859), the term Mass is fine in Episcopalian
usage, and is used as a short-hand. The
term comes from the end of the service, where we say “Go in peace to love and
serve the Lord,” or a similar phrase. In
the traditional service in Latin the service ended with the phrase, “Ite, missa est,” which means “Depart, the service is ended.”
The hymns this month are
pretty much all familiar. For example,
on 21 June we’ll hear the lesson of Jesus calming the storm on the
You will, of course, have
noted that each week the choir is now offering an anthem. Many thanks to the choir and to Sarah! The choir rehearses on Wednesdays, at 7 p.m.,
with a quick revisit on Sunday mornings prior to the service. Come and make a joyful noise to the Lord!
Men’s Fellowship:
The Men’s Fellowship will meet on Monday, 8 June, at 6:30 p.m., at the
Steven’s residence (
Parish Hall. For more
information, or to sign up, see Cheryl Sundbeck.
Relay for Life: West Point
will be participating in Relay for Life to help raise money for the
American Cancer Society on June 12th beginning at 6 pm in
here at
Incarnation. The theme this year is
Environmental Focus. For more information see Carolyn Jane Hay,
Melissa King or Michelle Easterling
Academic Achievements:
Congratulations are due to:
§ High school: Anna Margaret Pierce and Lacy Riley have graduated from
received the John C. Jameson Memorial
Scholarship.
§
All A’s: Anne Stevens, Anne Peyton Sugg,
Margaret Hampton Hay, Powell Tabor, Beth King,
Elizabeth Claire Tabor.
All A’s and B’s: David Pryor, Bonnie
Riley, Ashley Mooney, Sarah Pryor, Jeb Stevens, Murry
Falkner, John Willis Stevens, Sarah Tinsley.
College Students:
Paula Kohut has been chosen East
Mississippi Community College Ambassador for the 2009-10 school year.
William Schaffenburg is working this Summer as an
intern at Sandia National Laboratory,
Lila Schaffenburg is studying full time this Summer
at Ole Miss.
Athletic Awards:
Anne Stevens received the Coach’s Award
for softball.
Bonnie Riley received the Best Offensive
Player and Coach’s
Award, and made All Conference in basketball; and was Most
Valuable Player in varsity tennis.
David Pryor was named Most Valuable
Linebacker in football and chosen 2nd team All Conference.
Anna Margaret Pierce was chosen Best
Offensive Player in varsity basketball.