November, 2013 • Volume 138, Issue No. 11

By Susan Hudson

Natchez is hosting the 187th Annual Council of theEpiscopal Diocese of Mississippi.  We are preparing for awonderful celebration of our common life together.  If youhave not made your reservations, please consider doing sonow.  Hotels are filling up, but there is still availability.

After our opening worship and business session onFriday evening, please join us for the Diocesan Reception atthe convention center.  We'll have a delicious array of appe-tizers, as well as wine and beer available.  However, if yourgroup would like to have dinner out at one of our wonder-ful Natchez restaurants, this would be the night to doit.  Reservations are recommended, and suggestions areincluded in your registration packet.

The red carpet is being rolled out for the Saturday Night Gala at DunleithHistoric Inn.  The setting will be magical, the menu tantalizing, the music toe-tap-

ping, and there will be a home-brew competition. All pro-ceeds of this competition will support diocesan missions.If you have anyone in your parish who would like to enterthis competition, please encourage them to registeronline: trinitynatchez.org/brew

Sunday following Council, Natchez restaurants will beopen for brunch and lunch.  Since some are opening toaccommodate our Council participants and others arecrowded on Sunday, please be sure to make your reserva-tions in advance.

There will be continuous shuttle service from all list-ed hotels except those within walking distance of theConvention Center.

Trinity Natchez is excited to be hosting Council onceagain; we look forward to seeing you there.

Susan Hudson is the chair of the 187th Annual Council.

Dear friends in Christ,

The Nominating Committee for the tenth Bishop of Mississippi is pleased to give you a report on our progress thus far and what we willbe working on in the months ahead.

As you know, the diocesan profile was completed and distributed in mid-September and the period for nominations ended on October 14.We are now getting to the most difficult task assigned to this committee. We are studying the material each candidate has submitted, schedul-ing and conducting interviews, and then reducing the number of candidates for additional interviews. Each nominee has provided us theirresume, submitted answers to three questions that we posed, and sent us additional biographical information.

This is an enormous amount of material to study, and scheduling interviews by different teams of committee members is also a time-con-suming and complex task.

During this important and demanding phase of our work, we understand our task not primarily in terms of eliminating candidates, butrather in terms of discerning which candidates have the skills and gifts necessary for our future leadership. We seek to discern which candi-dates best understand our unique gifts and challenges and have the vision to take us forward.

In all of this, we hope to listen attentively and thoughtfully for the movement of the Holy Spirit in our midst. Indeed, we will rely uponthe Spirit as we complete our task, and we will also rely upon your prayers. We continue to ask for them during this time of discernment.

It is our hope and prayer that when our work is done early next year and we have presented the final slate of candidates to the StandingCommittee, you will be excited about the gifted, faithful people who stand before you as candidates for the next bishop of this wonderfulplace.

For a more detailed timeline, we invite you to visit our webpage: msbishopsearch.org. We thank you for your prayers and your trust in us.

God’s Peace,

Lee Davis Thames, ChairThe Nominating Committee for the 10th Bishop of Mississippi

Natchez preparing for 187th Annual Council

2 The Mississippi Episcopalian

OUR DIOCESE

Can you smell the turkey roasting in theoven yet? Yum! That wonderful time of yearwhen diets go out the window is rapidlyapproaching, and we’re all looking forward to it,I’m sure.

Thanksgiving, though, is about more thanstuffing ourselves with good food and spendingtime with family and friends. Those are bless-ings, certainly, and for those blessings we givethanks to our loving Creator “from whom allblessings flow.”

One vital way of demonstrating our appre-ciation is by giving back from the abundanceGod has given us, by sharing in and supportingChrist’s ministries through our local churches.There is no greater blessing than that which wereceive when we share our blessings with others.

Notes from around the diocese:All Saints’/Tupelo will host Shepherd’s

Center meetings at 9:00am on Thursday,November 21, and Thursday, December 19.Shepherd’s Center is a group of adults dedicatedto serving others by offering transportation,minor home repair, health screenings, and edu-cation opportunities. The meetings are open tothe public and begin with refreshments at 9:00a.m., followed by the program.

A Harvest Bazaar is in the works at St.James’/Greenville for Thursday, November 21.It’s their biggest fundraiser of the year, featuringa silent auction and baked goods. Last year theyraised $14,000 for area groups, including CampBratton-Green Special Camps, the SalvationArmy, the Honduras Medical Mission, and St.

James’ Boy Scout Troop. Trinity/Hattiesburg is seeking donations

for Mary Bethune School. Many students neednot only uniforms, but basic personal care prod-ucts such as soap, shampoo, deodorant, tooth-paste, and toothbrushes. All items can be left inthe church office.

Rankin County Human Resources has pro-vided St. Peter’s/Brandon with the opportunityto adopt 15 Rankin County families forThanksgiving. They will provide a $12 voucherto purchase a turkey and non-perishable fooditems to complete a meal.

For their Christmas angel tree ministry, St.Peter’s has adopted 49 children through RankinCounty Human Resources. The names and wishlist items are posted in the narthex, and thedeadline for returning all gifts is Sunday,December 8. The gifts will be sorted and deliv-ered on Tuesday, December 10. Volunteers areneeded to help with sorting and delivering onTuesday, December 10.

St. Columb’s/Ridgeland is planning theinstallation of the June and Sig Steinberger play-ground beginning Wednesday, November 13.Located to the left of the current play equip-ment, the playground will include swings, aslide, an overhead ladder, and other climbingapparatus.

On Thursday, November 21, St. Columb’swill host the annual community Thanksgivingservice, combining the congregations of St.Matthew’s Methodist, St. Francis RomanCatholic, and St. Columb’s.

A wine and cheese reception on Sunday,

November 3, at 3:00pm will benefit the St.Columb’s choir fund. Then at 4:00pm, the cele-brated Mississippi Chorus will perform, present-ing Gabriel Faure’s “Requiem.”

The Haven House Family Shelter for bat-tered women and children has a funding short-age, and St. Alban’s/Bovina is asking membersto prayerfully consider Haven House as their“Angel Tree” child for Christmas. For those whowish to donate, there is a list of needs posted inthe parish house.

St. Philip’s/Jackson is chartering its firstScout unit, Cub Scout Pack 11. Contact BillBurke at billy_burke@att.net or Tommy Sebrellat oasebrell@comcast.net if you would like tohelp with the new program.

On Sunday, November 10, and Sunday,November 17, there will be an African Art Exhibitin St. Philip’s parish hall library. Crafts, jewelry,and soapstone one-of-a-kind items will be onsale, with all proceeds going to African TeamMinistries for assistance in Kenya.

A portion of the proceeds from a holidayperformance at St. Philip’s will benefit GraceHouse. James Martin will perform from 3:00pm-4:00pm on Sunday, December 1, celebrating theCD release of “Wake Up Singin’!” with LynnRaley at piano and the Raphael Semmes Combo.A reception will follow in the Bush Parish Hall.Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased by visiting the website,http://www.gracehousems.org. Signed copies ofthe CD will be available at the door for $25.

Friends of the Labyrinth at St.James’/Jackson is offering a book study basedon Anne Lamott’s book, Help, Thanks, Wow:The Three Essential Prayers. Meetings will beheld on Wednesdays, November 13 andDecember 4, in Oak Ridge Hall at 6:00pm.Several facilitated walks are also scheduled.

St. John’s/Laurel has scheduled the firstpill-packing party to sort the supplies collectedfor the Honduras medical mission. Pizza is pro-vided for those assisting.

On Sunday, December 8, St. John’s willpresent Advent lessons and carols. The eventwill begin at 6:00pm.

Volunteers are needed to help paint theoutside labyrinth at Grace/Canton on Friday,November 22. The labyrinth will be available towalk during Advent from Sunday, December 1,through Sunday, December 22. Grace Churchwill also be serving coffee and hot chocolateFriday and Saturday nights from 6:00pm until9:00pm during Advent.

St. Pierre’s/Gautier is selling pewter orna-ments as an outreach fundraiser. The orna-ments, which come in an attractive gift box, fea-ture a 3D rendering of the church on the frontwith a brief history of the church on the back.The cost is $20. For additional information, con-tact Meg Walters at meg@saintpierres.org.

In celebration of St. Andrew Day, theBrotherhood of St. Andrew is offering a spaghettiand meatball lunch at St. Pierre’s on Sunday,November 24, after the 10:00am service. Thefollowing Sunday, December 1, they will offerlunch again at St. John’s/Pascagoula after the10:30am service.

Ascension/Hattiesburg collected a greatstack of towels, cleaning fluid, and over $150 forSouthern Pines Animal Shelter at their pet bless-ing.

A workshop for lay readers, lay worshipleaders, lay eucharistic ministers, lectors, verg-ers, and servers is being offered byRedeemer/Biloxi on Saturday, November 23.The program will begin with registration at8:00am followed by Holy Eucharist at 9:00am.Workshops will be given on Benedictine spiritu-ality, the mechanics of reading aloud in church,and some point of historical interest. There willalso be a brief Bible study, with the programconcluding at 1:00pm. The $25 fee, payable atthe door, includes lunch. For more information,please call (228) 594-2100 or e-mail Faye Jones(fjones@redeemer-biloxi.org) or Deacon JamesHenry LeBatard (james-henry@earthlink.net).

All Saints/Jackson is collecting items forthe men and women at Central MississippiCorrectional Facility. For this Christmas out-reach program, they are filling Ziploc bags withneeded items such as clear deodorant, clearshampoo, white crew socks, and individuallywrapped hard candy.

The Sunday school classes at St.Paul’s/Meridian are collecting gifts to fill shoe-boxes that will be shipped to children aroundthe world through Operation Christmas Child.Examples of suggested gifts are school supplies,personal hygiene items, small toys, socks, toyjewelry, and sunglasses to name a few. The col-lection deadline is Wednesday, November 13,when the classes will gather for a packing party.

St. Paul’s annual Advent wreath workshopwill take place during the Sunday school houron Sunday, December 1, in the parish hall.Wreath frames and candles will be provided, butgreenery and berries are requested. Referencematerials for use of the Advent wreath in thehome will be available, and there will be warmcider and Advent music to complete the mood ofthe morning.

Trinity/Yazoo City received Yard of theMonth from the Four Seasons Garden Club forthe beautiful flowers in front of the church.

Members of St. Stephen’s/Indianola arepreparing to send shoes to the Honduras. Theshoes, scheduled to arrive Friday, November 1,will be organized during a workday on Thursday,November 7, and packed for shipment onMonday, November 18. Volunteers are neededfor both days.

St. Paul’s/Columbus is sponsoring aThanksgiving food drive for Helping Hands. Therequested contribution is designed to feed afamily of four, and the goal is to provideThanksgiving dinner for 70 families.

On December 1 at 5:30pm, members of St.Paul’s will share fellowship at an Advent eventconsisting of a spaghetti dinner preceding themaking of advent wreaths. At the end of theevening they will light the first candle and blessthe wreaths.

African crafts and jewelry will return to St.John’s/Ocean Springs on Sunday, November10, and Sunday, November 17. They will beavailable in the parish hall after all services andduring the week. All proceeds will go directly tohelp educate women and children, provide cleanwater, and train women for jobs in Kenya.

St. John’s Got Talent is scheduled forSunday, November 17, at 3:00pm. Donationsaccepted at the door will go to local charities.

Continually published for 138 years in the Diocese of Mississippi

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

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. Notes & “Quotes”

Continued on page 5

November 2013

ORDINARY CONCERNS

Sept. 26 – Breakfast with small group ofpolitical leaders to discuss ways that we canbuild bridges across party lines in Mississippi inthe context of eucharistic fellowship.

Drive to Madison for a brief meeting withthe Bishop Masereka Christian FoundationMission Task Force as they make preparation forsupportive initiatives. Return to Jackson forlunch and early afternoon meeting with theRacial Reconciliation Task Force. Annual consul-tation with the Rev. Kyle Seage later in the after-noon.

Sept. 27 – Drive to Vicksburg for the induc-tion of the new FEMA/AmeriCorps class at AllSaints’. Having been trained for a month on thecampus at All Saints’ and at Gray Center theseyoung men and women, who are giving up ayear of their lives for national service work, willbe deployed to work in forest fire, flood, andtornado damaged areas of this country. As alwaysit was a very special moment for me.

Returned to the office midafternoon.Sept. 28 – Participated in the Day on the

Diaconate hosted by All Saints’ in Jackson. Alarge number of interested persons were thereto learn details about the program for deaconsin this diocese and to consider whether theymight be called to this ordained ministry.

In the afternoon, I deal with a pastoral mat-ter.

Sept. 29 – Drive to Kosciusko for my visita-tion to St. Matthew’s. Good meeting with therector and, later, the vestry. All spoke of theinflux of relatively large numbers of visitors whoare expressing genuine interest in this small andintimate community of faith. At the Eucharist, Ipreach, celebrate, and receive one. Sit-downluncheon afterwards allows for very good con-versation with several members of the congrega-tion.

Leave Kosciusko and drive to Gulfport forthe confirmation, etc. with the entire CoastConvocation. En route to St. Peter’s-by-the-Sea, Istop at Lakeview Nursing Home to confirm onewho could not be at the service tonight.

Later at St. Peter’s-by-the-Sea in Gulfport, Ipreach, celebrate, confirm, and receive a largenumber of persons from three congregations onthe coast. (fourteen confirmed and two receivedfrom St. Peter’s; two confirmed, one received,and one reaffirmed from St. John’s in OceanSprings; and two confirmed from St. Thomas inDiamondhead). Wonderful dinner afterwards aswe rejoice in the oneness of our common min-istries on the Gulf Coast.

Overnight at the home of Scott and HarriettLenoir.

Sept. 30 – Drive to Pass Christian for ameeting with the new head of Coast EpiscopalSchool, Betsy Grant, board members, SteveMcNair, Merry Thompson, and the Rev. BetsyBaumgarten. Delighted with the vision andexcitement that is a part of CES these days.

Return to Gautier for “annual consultation”on the golf course with the Rev. Scott Lenoir. Iappreciate Fr. Lenoir’s hospitality today in allow-ing me to win, but I worry that his compassionmay one day run out.

Return to Jackson in the afternoon.

Oct. 1 – Celebrate the Eucharist in the earlymorning in the chapel at St. James’ in Jackson.

Staff meetings in the morning at the office. Afternoon meeting with the Rev. William

Ndishabandi. Later, I meet with Mr. AlexValentine and Mr. Peter Malual to discuss waysthat the Sudanese Ministry Committee could findvocational mentors for young well-educatedSudanese who wish to pursue careers in theirchosen fields.

Oct. 2 – Morning appointment with Mr.Grae Dickson. Around noon, I leave the office todrive to Philadelphia for a meeting with DonPerry, senior warden at St. Francis. Good visitand brief tour of the town.

Later, drive to Columbus for a midweek visitation at St. Paul’s. Meet briefly with confir-mands, et al., before the service. With a packedchurch, I baptize two adults, confirm eighteen,receive two, and reaffirm three. Following theservice, I join the congregation in a very nice sit-down dinner. So many very good things are hap-pening at St. Paul’s.

Return to Jackson very late.Oct. 3 –Breakfast meeting with Chancellor

Granville Tate and Canons Johnson andMcCormick. In office the rest of the day.

Annual consultation with the Rev. BillieAbraham. Late afternoon conference call withthe Executive Committee of the Gray CenterBoard.

Oct. 4 – Breakfast with the Rev. NeddieWinters, Executive Director of MissionMississippi. Conference call with participants inthe November workshops on “Racism in America – 50 Years Later.”

In office the rest of the day. Additional con-versations with planners of the November eventat St. Andrew’s.

In the evening, I join former and currentmembers of the Gray Center Board of Managersat the home of Gerald and Kathryn McCormickto celebrate the ministry of Bill and TrudyHorne. Bill’s tenure as Executive Director overthese past ten years has been marked by pro-gram expansion and increasing financial stability.I deeply appreciate his faithful service to GrayCenter.

Oct. 5 – A day free from church responsi-bilities. I spend much of the day working in theyard.

Drive to Natchez and spend the night inanticipation of my visit to St. Paul’s, Woodville,tomorrow.

Oct. 6 – Drive to Woodville for annual visi-tation to St. Paul’s. This marks the 190thanniversary of this congregation’s beginningsand the day is celebrated with its annual “home-coming” festivities. I preach, celebrate, and leadthe congregation and visitors in the reaffirmationof their baptismal vows. A lovely luncheon in theparish hall follows.

After lunch, I drive to Gray Center where Imeet with a small group over dinner to shareinformation and solicit support for the Collegefor Bishops. Lee Davis Thames and his wife,Jane, are co-hosts with Kathy and me of thisevent. Bishop Clay Matthews and I discuss theuse of the college as the only training vehicle for

Bishops in the Anglican Communion. I serve onthe faculty and on the Board of Directors of thecollege and have seen what it has meant tonewly elected bishops in the United States,Canada, Africa, Mexico, Cuba, Ireland, Scotland,Taiwan, and New Zealand. The College forBishops is vital to the health of this church, butis too little known to most people. This smallgathering was a limited effort to change that.

Oct. 7 – I join with sixteen clergy in theannual Bishop’s Open Golf Tournament at LakeCaroline Golf Club. Once again, my team comesup short.

This marks the official beginning of thisyear’s Clergy Conference. Deacons and priestsfrom around the diocese gather at Gray Centerin the afternoon.

The Bishop’s Banquet, a wonderfully festiveand good-humored event, takes most of theevening.

Oct. 8 – Clergy Conference – Gray Center.All of today is directed by Bishop Clay

Matthews from the Office of PastoralDevelopment. Bishop Matthews has overseenelection of bishops since the early 1990s andworks with the clergy to identify normal issuesthat arise in the transition from one bishop toanother.

We also hear from several appointed clergywho discuss finding God in the midst of theirpersonal transitions.

Evening worship includes a renewal of ourbaptismal promises.

Oct. 9 – Clergy Conference – Gray Center. The morning is free from church business,

but clergy are encouraged to participate in avariety of wellness activities.

Afternoon is spent on a variety of diocesanbusiness.

Oct. 10 – Clergy Conference – Gray Center.Morning “Conversation with the Bishop” is

a spirited open ended, no-holds-barred, conver-sation within the context of our deep commit-ment to each other and the church.

Our conference concludes with a celebra-tion of the Holy Eucharist, laying on of handsand anointing for healing and a renewal of ourordination vows. It is a poignant and movingtime for me as I realize that this marks the lasttime I will preside in this way at this ClergyConference.

Some afternoon appointments at GrayCenter then drive back to Jackson to meet apriest being interviewed for a position in a localchurch.

Oct. 11 – Gather with Dean O’Connor,Tom Williams, John Dreyfus and CanonMcCormick to discuss details of the presidingbishop’s visit to St. Andrew’s and the two-dayconversation on race hosted by the cathedral,November 15 and 16th.

Afternoon appointment with an aspirant forholy orders.

Oct. 12 – Commission on Ministry meets atthe Cathedral. I meet with them through themorning then excuse myself to deal with a pas-toral matter.

Oct. 13 – Spend the morning at three sepa-rate worship services at the Chapel of the Cross,Madison.

At the early service, surprising those earlyrisers by my presence, I preach, celebrate, and

lead the congregation in a reaffirmation of theBaptismal Covenant.

At the second service, I preach, celebrate,baptize two, and confirm twelve. At the laterservice, I preach, celebrate, and confirm fifteen.Between the last two services, I join the congre-gation in a wonderful reception in the parishhall.

Following the service, I have a brief visitwith an aspirant for holy orders. Leaving theChapel, I return to Jackson and join Kathy in themidafternoon “Goat Roast” festivities at St.Philip’s.

Oct. 14 – Breakfast with Mr. DerrickJohnson, then drive to Gray Center to plant treesin honor of my newest grandchildren. All day atGray Center.

Oct. 15 – Early morning worship at St.James’, Jackson. No Eucharist (bread and wineare unavailable), but Morning Prayer is read bythe faithful.

Staff meetings in the morning. Attendfuneral of my father’s cousin, Ms. Bettye SanfordWoods, longtime parishioner at St. Andrew’s.Meet with Standing Committee through much ofthe rest of the day.

Late afternoon conversation with an aspi-rant for holy orders.

Oct. 16 – In the office all day.Two appointments with aspirants for holy

orders. Annual consultation with the Rev.Deacon Scott Williams. Afternoon session withthe Rev. David Lemburg.

Evening visitation to St. Mark’s, Jackson. I preach, celebrate, and lead the congregation ina renewal of baptismal vows. A delicious sit-down dinner follows in the parish hall.

Oct. 17 – Kathy and I meet with somemembers of the Bishop’s Search Committee tohelp them to understand “what a bishop reallydoes” and what are the implications for familylife. It is a visit that we trust will be useful to thecommittee as they begin their interview processmoving toward the election of the new bishop.

Afternoon spent in the office.Oct. 18 – Most of the day spent in the

office. Visited with Dr. Safiya Omari from theJackson mayor’s office to talk about the comingconversations on racism being hosted at St.Andrew’s.

Late afternoon appointment with Ms.Suzanne Peterson, senior warden at St. Luke’s inBrandon. Following that conversation, I cele-brate, preach, baptize two, confirm two, andreaffirm two at St. Luke’s on this their patronalfeast day of St. Luke.

Reception follows in the parish hall where Ipresent certificates of appreciation to those whohave made significant contributions to the life ofSt. Luke’s.

Oct. 19 – Drive to Greenwood where Ihave a good, but all too brief, visit with childrenand grandchildren.

Drive to Hattiesburg in the early evening toprepare for visitation tomorrow.

Oct. 20 – Visitation at /Trinity Church inHattiesburg. At the early service, I preach, cele-brate, and lead the congregation in the reaffir-mation of their baptismal covenant. A receptionbetween the two services allows me to visit with

The Mississippi Episcopalian 3November 2013

The Bishop’s Journal

The Bishop’s JournalContinued on page 4

4 The Mississippi Episcopalian November 2013

SPIRITUALITY

those about to be confirmed and many others.At the later service, I preach, celebrate, con-

firm twelve, and receive one. Brief conversationswith clergy after the service, then drive toJackson to catch a flight to Washington, D.C. fora semi-annual meeting of the Board of theCollege for Bishops.

Overnight at Virginia Theological Seminaryin Alexandria, Virginia.

Oct. 21 – Board meeting of College forBishops at Virginia Seminary as we undertake anin-depth evaluation and assessment of the struc-ture and curriculum of the college.

Evening meal with board members at localrestaurant.

Oct. 22 – We conclude our board meetinglate morning and I am able to share lunch withour Mississippi seminarians at Virginia Seminary.We catch up on a variety of matters and theyremind me again of why I am so optimisticabout the future of the church.

Do some research in the school library thengo to our daughter, Tabitha’s, apartment where Ispend the afternoon reintroducing myself to mygrandson, Deng Nicholas Garang Ajak, quite abig name for a 9-month old little boy. I am takento dinner by Tabitha and her husband John. Avery special visit with the three of them.

Overnight at Virginia Seminary.Oct. 23 – Up very early to catch a flight

back home to Jackson in time to meet with theRacial Reconciliation Task Force beginning atlunch. Good and productive meeting. Take acouple of phone call appointments later in theafternoon, then leave office a little early due tosome fatigue.

Oct. 24 – Early morning Eucharist, break-fast, and conversation scheduled for governmen-tal officials has minimal participation. We needto think through this model of gathering folkstogether.

Attend the ground breaking ceremonies ofthe New Mississippi History and Civil RightsMuseum. A very powerful and moving momentas speaker after speaker of every political persua-sion says, in their own words, the same thing:“We must tell all of our story, even the parts ofour story that we wish had never happened.” I have never been so proud to be a native son ofthis state.

Meeting with the trustees of the diocesethrough much of the afternoon.

In the evening, I attend the 10thAnniversary Celebration Dinner of the InterfaithDialogue Institute, a wonderful initiative begunby a Turkish student at Jackson State ten yearsago to encourage constructive dialogue acrossAbrahamic faith traditions. The work done bythese folks over the past 10 years has beeninspiring and remarkable.

Oct. 25 – In office all day. Over lunch andinto the early afternoon, I meet with a smallgroup to reorganize the HIV/AIDS ministry of thediocese.

Several phone call appointments during theafternoon, then gather late afternoon with mem-bers of the LGBT task Force for candid conversa-tions.

In the early evening, Kathy and I drive toOxford for an extended weekend that will com-bine my visitation to St. Peter’s with some familytime.

Overnight with Duncan IV, Amber, andgrandchildren.

Oct. 26 – With family all day. Peter,Giulianna, Joseph, and Francesca join us in theafternoon. It is such a rare moment for me tohave such a leisurely Saturday. Surrounded byfamily makes this a very special day.

In the evening, Duncan and I go to the OleMiss football game, the first game I have seensince I became bishop! Where has the timegone?

Oct. 27 – At St. Peter’s for my visitation. Isit with family as a grandfather at the 9:00 a.m.worship service. Afterwards, I meet with thosebeing confirmed and received at the 11:00 a.m.service. It is a good group that includes severalthat I baptized during my tenure at St. Peter’s.

At the Eucharist, I preach, celebrate, con-firm fifteen, and receive five in a very full church.A very good lunch and reception follow.

Return to Duncan and Amber’s home for abrief rest, then back to St. Peter’s where I meetwith another group preparing to be confirmed atthe worship service for the Episcopal Church atOle Miss. At the late afternoon service, I preach,celebrate, and confirm four. Dinner follows withstudents and others.

Excusing myself from the students, I joinwith the Hispanic community at St. Peter’s fortheir early evening service. I preach (with atranslator), celebrate (in Spanish), baptize three,confirm two, and receive one (I speak English,the congregation responds in Spanish). It isquite an experience.

Hearty dinner afterwards prepared by mem-bers of First Presbyterian Church, part of theirongoing support of this ministry of their across-the-street neighbors.

Return to Duncan and Amber’s home verylate, but very full!

Oct. 28 – Before we leave town, I substi-tute for Kathy (who is sick) in two events at ourgranddaughters’ school. I read a book to Sadie’sprekindergarten class and then join Harper forlunch in the cafeteria. It’s a great way to end avery special weekend.

Kathy and I return to Jackson. I get her set-tled into bed at home, then drive to TougalooCollege to meet with Dr. Beverly Hogan,Tougaloo’s president, to talk about the upcom-ing conversation on racism initiated by ourPresiding Bishop and hosted by St. Andrew’sCathedral.

The Bishop’s JournalContinued from page 3 Enneagram Conference:

Who Are You? Who Am I?The Enneagram is a personality typing system that can be used as a tool to deepen your under-

standing of yourself and your relationships with God, your family and friends. The Enneagram pro-vides a specific path tailored to your personality to help you grow personally, professionally and spiri-tually.

On January 18-19, 2014, Suzanne Stabile, a master teacher of the Enneagram and co-founder ofLife in the Trinity Ministry in Dallas, will intrigue, entertain and educate participants in an Enneagramworkshop at St. James’ Episcopal Church in Jackson. The workshop will be divided into two parts:Saturday: Know Your Number

This seminar gives an introduction to the Enneagram. The Nine Types will be introduced:Perfectionist, Giver, Performer, Romantic, Observer, Devil’s Advocate, Epicure, Boss and Mediator.Each personality type will be reviewed in detail including an evaluation of the strengths, the weakness-es and the likely interpersonal challenges that may be involved in an unhealthy expression of eachtype.Sunday: Shame, Fear and Anger

This seminar will focus on how one engages in these emotions, learns from them and then over-comes some of the habitual responses that keep us trapped in a false understanding of ourselves. Thecore emotion for three of the types is shame, for three other types is fear, and for the remaining threetypes is anger. This seminar builds on the foundation of Know Your Number.

The Reverend Dr. Roger Paynter, former pastor at Northminster, says, “Suzanne is from WestTexas... West Texans are straight shooters, use a lot of imagery, and are known for being very honestand to the point. Suzanne is that way. Hysterically funny, you will be SO GLAD you came to hear her.”

The workshop is Saturday, January 18, from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm with lunch provided and Sunday,January 19, from 1:30 pm - 6:30 pm with light snacks provided. Fee for both days is $60, Saturdayonly (with lunch) is $40, and Sunday only is $30. For a registration form, please e-mail Ellen Gabardi atCGABARDI@AOL.COM or call her at 601-317-6400. The event is LPC Board approved for 11 CEU’s forattendance of both days.

Prepared by the conference planning committee members Ellen Gabardi and Caelin Slevin.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help...Psalm 46:1There are cookies to bake and presents to wrap, choir anthems to rehearse and angel costumes to

sew, ornaments to hang and parties to attend...how easily we forget that Christmas is not about whatwe have to get done, but rather what God has already done in becoming Emmanuel, God-with-us.

Our annual Advent retreat is an opportunity for knitters and other needleworkers to share stitch-es, skills, stories, laughter, and quiet with one another. This year, we will set the rhythm of our hand-work to prayer and reflection on the psalmist’s reminder that God’s care is more powerful than ouranxiety. Be still and know that I am God...Psalm 46:10

In addition to our times of prayer and quiet, we will have ample time to learn new skills and askand answer questions about various techniques and patterns. Mrs. Susan Nix returns as conferencecoordinator, and the Rev. Jennifer Deaton as chaplain.

Cost for the weekend, including snacks and four meals: $175 (double room), $200 (singleroom); after Nov. 22 add $25 for late registration. Saturday only, including lunch: $35

For more information about this retreat and other Gray Center programs please visit our website cffm.dioms.org or contact Caelin Slevin at caelin@graycenter.org or 601-397-4273.

Be Still and Know: Knitting and Needlework in Advent

At Gray Center, December 6-8 (7pm Friday until Sunday Noon)

A date to remember: Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Deadline for The Mississippi Episcopalian

Episcopal Church of the Mediator Bookstore

3825 35th Avenue • Meridian, MS 39305

www.mediatormeridian.dioms.org (click on Bookstore)email: www.mediatorbooks@comcast.net

Phone: 601-483-3959, ext. 25, manager’s cell: 601-527-6095Hours: Wed. 3:30-5:30 PM and Sun. 9:00 AM-10:15 & after 10:30 service

Prayerbooks, Anglican rosaries, Sara Rubin Pottery, crosses, jewelry, Episcopal items (T-shirts, sweatshirts, pins, hats, stickers, note cards) baby gifts, baptism & confirmation gifts,seasonal cards & gifts

Shipping available

GOOD READING

The Mississippi Episcopalian 5November 2013

By Janet C. NailWhile I was in the hospital this

summer, diagnosed with cardiomy-opathy and congestive heart failure,my brothers called frequently tocheck on me (and perhaps to gloata little; I HAD been a littleobnoxious flaunting my goodhealth when they were similar-ly engaged). Both of themwarned me that depression was a strongpossibility. Don’t be too worried, they told me.

Well, actually, I wasn’t worried. I had readJESUS WEPT: WHEN FAITH AND DEPRESSIONMEET (Jossey-Bass, 2009), a small book byBarbara C. Crafton that is almost required read-ing for anyone who has ever felt depressed.

Crafton opens with the story of her ownissues with depression. She didn’t identify herproblem as depression; she felt that she was justtired. Overworked. Overcommitted. That thisis just the way it is when you are a priest. Butoh! How tired she was. So tired that she toldher husband, in great seriousness, that she want-ed to be dead. Not that she intended to commitsuicide, he should understand; just that shelonged for the great rest of death.

Then, one Sunday, toward the end of theservice, the room closed in on her; before herwas a tunnel of black. She sank to the steps,thinking, “I’ll just rest here for a moment.” Butshe woke up to the emergency medical teamloading her in an ambulance and taking her tothe hospital where the cardiologist cleared theblockage in an artery.

Relieved, she attributed her former moodas part of her heart problem. Now she would beall right. She fell into the same habits of over-work and overcommitment until she once morepassed out during a service.

This time she had to accept that she wasclinically depressed, that she would need to takeantidepressants, perhaps for the rest of her life.But she questioned whether depression and psy-chotropic drugs were a denial of faith.

What is the position of a Christian towarddepression? Is depression a sign of weak faith?Even if it is a legitimate illness, shouldn’t one beable to overcome it through prayer and faith?

Crafton tried that, and each time she fell

back into the deep despair thathad nearly destroyed her. And

she finally accepted that thepsychotropic drugs were not a

crutch, but a life-giving correctionof a life-destroying illness, much as

insulin is life to a diabetic. But the question is not hers

alone. As a priest she is constantlyfaced with people who have been diag-

nosed with depression, who have beenprescribed antidepressants, and who are

ashamed of the diagnosis and what they describeas “drug dependence.”

Crafton assures sufferers that depression isnot new, that it is not evidence of lack of faith.Consider “the dark night of the soul” of John ofthe Cross; consider the descriptions of the“noonday demon” that one may find in the writ-ings of the Desert Fathers. This is a malady thathas plagued mankind for a long time. Is itwrong now to accept treatment simply becauseearlier sufferers had recourse only to grimendurance?

Every sufferer’s experience is his or hersalone; but the diagnosis is not a mark of shame.Some of the people in Crafton’s office do seekprofessional help and, albeit reluctantly, acceptthe aid of antidepressants. Others soldier on,helped mainly by friends and counselors whowalk the road with them. Some eventuallydecide on electroconsulvive therapy (the oldshock treatments of the movies).

And some, alas, choose suicide. It is theirrevocable decision to end the pain of empti-ness, and Crafton is definite in stating that we donot owe a sufferer collusion is his decision. Gethelp. Call the help line. Drag the person to theemergency room. Give him/her time to behelped.

Crafton offers a short course on centeringprayer that has helped many sufferers. This maybe familiar already, but her description has thebenefit of being more accessible than many heav-ily theological guides. (Use it even if you aren’tdepressed!)

If you or someone you love suspects clini-cal depression, see a professional. Then readthis book while you are being treated. It maysave your life.

Book Review - Jesus Wept: When Faith And Depression Meet

The preschool at St. John’s is replacingtheir fence. The old fence will be taken downon Friday, November 22, beginning at 1:00pm(after children leave for the holidays).Donations are being requested to help defraythe cost of the fence and painting.

St. Peter’s/Oxford offers a worship serviceat the North Mississippi Regional Center (NMRC)on the second Sunday of each month at 3:00pm.The NMRC is one of six comprehensive regionalcenters in Mississippi providing an array of serv-ices to individuals with intellectual and related

developmental disabilities in the northern 23counties of the state. Volunteers provide a Biblestory, prayer, and joyful singing for the clients.All children and adults are welcome to partici-pate.

Quotes this month:The Rev. John Kellogg, Incarnation/West

Point: “Looking back, the most important thingthat I learned from my church community is this:A church is more than a building or a set ofbeliefs. At its best, a church is a community ded-icated, for better or worse, to a journey of lovethat is greater than any of us alone.”

The Rev. Mary Berry, St.

Matthew’s/Kosciusko: If you haven’t spentmuch time in the Psalms lately, I encourage youto do so. They really don’t take too long to justread through but that doesn’t do them justice.To get the most out of the Psalms it is helpful toread one every day. Read it in the morning andlet the language rest within you all day long. Agood Advent practice of piety would be to readand meditate through the Psalter over the fourweeks of Advent.

The Rev. Brian Ponder, St.Paul’s/Meridian: “As we gather with family andfriends, as we recount the bounty of our experi-ences, as we celebrate and acknowledge thereign of Christ within our lives, may we each be

reminded that the blessings of God’s mercy,grace and love call us beyond ourselves. If Godhas worked upon us, if God reigns within us, ifGod has changed the very landscape of our lives,we must do something about it. That somethingmay begin within, but its reach must ever bebeyond us, extending to those in need of careand concern, compassion and empathy, in needof God’s mercy grace and love upon their lives.”

I close this month with my own offering ofthanks for the many blessings in my life. Amongthose I count the opportunity that has beengiven to me to share in the stories of our church-es in Mississippi. Thank you for allowing me tospread the word of your missions and ministries.

Notes & “Quotes”Continued from page 2

William A. Powe, Sr., 73, communicant of Trinity, Hattiesburg, died April 20, 2013.Virginia Sue Ashley, 90, communicant of Trinity, Hattiesburg, died April 30, 2013.Marjorie West, 77, communicant of Trinity, Hattiesburg, died September 2, 2013.Marie McMicheal Reich, 87, communicant of St. Paul’s, Meridian, died October, 1, 2013.L. A. Rogers, 94, communicant of Trinity, Hattiesburg, died October 3, 2013.George Dandridge “Dan” Van Cleve, 51, communicant of St. James’, Jackson, died October 3, 2013.Jack Boyle Fowler, Sr., 90, communicant of St. James’, Jackson, died October 4, 2013.John Dalzell Peet, Jr., 67, communicant of St. James’, Jackson, died October 8, 2013.Edith (Edie) Sanford Bland, 80, communicant of St. Paul’s, Corinth and long -time communicantof St. James’, Jackson, died October 12, 2013.Irma Hoffman, age 103, communicant of St. John’s Ocean Springs, died October 12, 2013.Lucy Puckett Fisher, 88 years old, communicant of St. Stephens, Indianola, died October 14, 2013.Linda Robinson, age 78, communicant of St. John’s Ocean Springs, died October 15, 2013.Samuel Price Murchison, 87, communicant of Trinity, Hattiesburg, died October 21, 2013.Norris Strickland, 80, communicant of All Saints’, Tupelo, died October 23, 2013.Alfred Charles Hopton, II, 86, communicant of St. James’, Jackson, died October 24, 2013.Carolyn Scanlon McLendon, 82, communicant of St. James’, Jackson, died October 24, 2013. Margie Dawn Murchison, 50, communicant of Trinity, Hattiesburg, died October 26, 2013.

FAITHFUL DEPARTED

MINISTRY

6 The Mississippi Episcopalian November 2013

Usually at smaller churches the bishop’s annual visitation has a few confirmations, but BishopGray’s visit to St. Alban’s/Bovina was busy! The Rev. Billie Abraham presented a class of thirteenpeople for confirmation. There were also two baptisms. Those confirmed are pictured above.Pictured are: Front row, left to right, are David McLaughlin. Sherry Barton, Bishop Gray, III, WilmaMitchell; back row, left to right Anitia Collins. Richard Massey, Margo Massey, Sara Margaret Porter.Dalton Thames, Charles Barton, Marci Turner, Jay Sciro, Betty Rushing, and Norman Jones. Baptized were Caroline Sciro and Jonah Artman. James Drake/Photo

A seminar educating the public on poverty was held Saturday, Nov 2, 2013, in Vicksburg with nation-ally known guest speaker Jodi Pfarr. Sixty people from the area, including Mayor Flaggs andAlderman Thompson from Vicksburg, attended the event. This event was made possible by grantsfrom the Diocese of Mississippi and the United Way. The thought-provoking seminar drew praisefrom many of the participants and excitement for a “Getting Ahead Class.” Further updates will beposted on www.centralmsbridges.com. Andrew Lewis/Photo

By Judy BarnesSt. Alexis Episcopal Church in Jackson recently had the first of two

free fall entertainment events called “Higher Grounds Coffeehouse.”Musical groups The Red Hots and Double Ramm Outlaws performed.The goal of the series is to increase the church's name recognition inthe community with non-churchy options. St. Alexis is a lively store-front mission church in downtown Jackson that was founded sevenyears ago especially for young adults who are often estranged from church in general or turned off bythe churches their parents attend. St. Alexis also offers a warm welcome and worship home to streetpeople, shelter residents, working class and professional adults, and young families; everyone regard-less of gender, sexual orientation, race or life situation.

The second part of this fall's “Higher Grounds Coffeehouse” will be a performance of DavidSedaris' one-man show, “The Santaland Diaries,” on Thursday, December 19, at 7pm. The show is azany, touching account of a young man's experiences working as one of Santa's elves at Macy'sDepartment Store in New York. It has been produced all over the US to rave reviews. “Higher GroundsCoffeehouse” is open and free to the public. Coffees, beverages and snacks are served. Everyone is verywelcome.

Planning is underway for an Advent series of Sunday evening Taizé worship services. Taizé is aretreat center in France known for the beauty of the singing of thousands of worshipers who arrive asstrangers from all over the world and then, as they share worship and music, become friends. Themusic is simple, poignant and incredibly moving.

Judy Barnes is a communicant of St. Alexis/Jackson.

Bronson Bryant (retired from Trinity/PassChristian, now living in Atlanta) and Scott Lenoir (St. John’s/Ocean Springs) playedin the 21st Annual 4th Province Priests andDeacons Golf Summit, also known as thePorter Cup. The event was held earlier thismonth in Waycross, Georgia. All priests anddeacons who enjoy a good walk spoiled areencouraged to join in this unique event thattakes place every November. Mike Malone/Photo

The Division of Youth continues to hold itsannual DOY Weekends at Camp Bratton-Green for both junior and senior high agegroups. Both youth and adults help tolead the weekends. Hannah McCormick/Photos

St. Alexis announces fallentertainment series

{MSE] In September, Kathleen Olivieri, John Breazeale, Roderick Holmes, and Lynn Phillips-Gaines, deacon at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, attended the National Bridges conferencein Oklahoma City. Everyone who attended had different “Aha experiences,” which are sure to impactthe Starkville Bridges initiative.

The Rev. Lynn Phillips-Gaines described her experience by saying, “I learned about creative ways tobring the Bridges constructs and approach to various sectors of the community. Identifying a Bridgestrainer who can be called upon to do community workshops throughout the state is of paramountimportance. Secondly, training of members of your church, community volunteers, elected officials andanyone involved in any type of charity or outreach is of extreme importance because it will help you bemore effective in their endeavors. So a community without the resources to put together a Gettin’Ahead class doesn’t need to be discouraged! My belief now is that it is the middle class who needBridges to keep from making the same mistakes over and over again hence creating yet another toxiccharity.”

In the words of Roderick Holmes, “I don’t think I met a person there that didn’t possess hopewithin their individual and organizational efforts. Building Bridges is all about that very aspect; hope. I felt that in sincerely in every session. That single word is the structural key that can and will mold alllevels and aspects of poverty into non-existence.”

John Breazeale said: “it was nice to be in a room with others who had been Getting’ Ahead facilita-tors and to share ideas of what works and what needs improvement. All in all, this conference gives mehope of a reasoned approach to combating poverty”.

According to Kathleen Olivieri, “One common denominatorthat I observed was that the Bridges Out of Poverty initiatives werecoordinated under one agency or entity in the community.Starkville Bridges was the only successful group in attendance whoconsisted of all volunteers! I was very surprised by this realiza-tion!”

“Because our university is such an integral part of our commu-nity’s success, Starkville Bridges must extend our reach to faculty,staff and students. Faculty and staff need educational training andtime to examine processes in their offices. Students who comefrom under-resourced backgrounds view MSU from a totally different mindset that the middle class.Due to the changing funding structure of all IHL’s in Mississippi, the needs of all students must beaddressed and learning/applying the constructs of Bridges is an excellent beginning,” said Olivieri.

“After attending the National Bridges Conference, our group realizes the Bridges initiative is somuch more than providing Getting Ahead classes and mentoring,” mused Lynn. It is a way to removecommunity and institutional barriers to financial sustainability in Starkville and is very exciting! So,please invite anyone who has been attracted to this initiative to be in these vital upcoming conversa-tions about our future.

Next year the National Bridges conference will be in Nashville, Tennessee. Starkville Bridges isalready make plans to have as many of their volunteers attend this event as possible.

National Bridges conference attended by several in diocese

CLERGY CONFERENCE 2013

November 2013 The Mississippi Episcopalian 7

Top stars go to clergy who kept moving at Gray Center[MSE] As an incentive to get clergy to participate in physically active events at this year’s annual

clergy conference, a system of stars was devised in hopes of creating a little competition. The winners,those receiving the most stars, were awarded prizes for their level of activity during the four-day con-ference.

This year there were five winners in the Star Challenge. • Robert Wetherington – 55 stars for a $100 gift card to Amazon• Betsy Baumgarten – 47 stars for a $50 gift card to Amazon

• William Ndishabandi – 39 stars for a $50 gift card to Amazon• Anne Harris – 22 stars for a $25 gift card to Amazon• Paul Stephens – 22 stars for a $25 gift card to Amazon

The Rev. Kyle Seage and Canon Kathryn McCormick helped organize the Keep Moving events thisyear and said that they look forward to continuing an emphasis on physical activity and clergy wellnessat next year’s conference. In the meantime, the coordinators encourage everyone to “Keep Moving!”

Upcoming Offeringsat Gray Center

The Rev. William N’dishabandi runs through the fog during the ClergyCrawl run/walk. N’dishabandi has made jogging a discipline for the lastyear and shed many pounds in the process. Jud Meaders/Photo

Pictured are the runners and walkers who participated in the annual Clergy Crawlat clergy conference last October. Kyle Seage/Photo

Crossing the clergy crawl finish line areMargaret Ayers, and Paul Stephens.

The Rev. Bryan Seage receives the sacrament of unction which Bishop Gray, III offered to allclergy at the closing day of the annual clergy conference. Scott Lenoir/Photo

Bishop Gray, III preaches at the closing Eucharist of the annual clergy conference at GrayCenter. This marks the last conference that Gray will lead and emotions were high throughoutthe service. The bishop coadjutor will be in charge of the 2014 conference. Scott Lenoir/Photo

November 27-28 Egg Bowl Tailgating (not) at Gray CenterTailgating is all about coming together as a community to support something youlove. Support Gray Center's new “Speaker's Fund” while rooting for your team atour NO-SHOW tailgating party.

December 6-8 Knitting and Needlework in Advent: Be Still and Know…Bring your needles and thread and take time to be still as we move through the busy season of Advent.Mrs. Susan Nix, St. Andrew’s CathedralThe Rev. Jennifer Deaton, St. Andrew’s Cathedral

2014 Save the Date (More information coming soon!)

January 17-19 Young Adult WeekendMeaningful discussion, real connection, restorative leisure... for young adults (25-40)with Rev. Edward O'Connor and Rev. Jody Burnett

January 24 Traditional Day Apart with Bishop Duncan Gray III

February 7-9 Men's Weekend with Grae Dickson and Jes Harrington

March 8 Themed Day Apart: Anglican Rosary with Greg Proctor

March 28-29 Rebuilding when your Relationship EndsWith Becky Posey Williams, LCSW

For more information or to register for events, please go to graycenter.org or contact Caelin Slevin at caelin@graycenter.org or 601-397-4273

from The Center for Formation and Mission

8 The Mississippi Episcopalian

OUTREACH

Trinity/Hattiesburg continues tornado recoveryBy Beejee Dickson

The tornado that ripped through Hattiesburg just before St. Valentine’s Day this year left many scars, some of which have not yetbegun to heal. Calls and money poured into the town and into Trinity church. Crews from other Episcopal churches came in immedi-ate response. The diocese stayed in touch and has sent blessings and money. The response was almost overwhelming and left theEpiscopal churches, Trinity and Ascension, with hearts grateful for the generosity of those who came to our aid. Some parishioners’homes were demolished or damaged. Most of the recovery, at least for the parish, is under way or completed, but in the wider com-munity much remains to be done and the work is tediously slow. Oak trees leave big gaps when they fall, especially when they fallinto houses, and skilled volunteers are needed for some specialized jobs. Trinity has representation on the R3SM Unmet NeedsCommittee, a committee of a United Way agency to Restore, Rebuild, and Recover Southeast Mississippi established for the Pine Beltafter Hurricane Katrina. That committee is sponsoring a community-wide call for volunteers and funds October 20-26, centeringaround Make a Difference Day October 26.

To receive assistance through the Unmet Needs Committee, the property must be in the hands of the applicant (no renters), musthave received tornado damage, and the applicant must have no other resources with which to recover from the damage. Insurancepayments or FEMA grants have been exhausted if given; deadlines for other assistance have passed. As of October 1, over half of the911 opened cases had been closed; 61 families had been approved for assistance. Of those approved, 10 families have homes thathave to be demolished and totally rebuilt, but only 4 such projects have been funded; the others await financing. Typically, these peo-ple are homeowners or are paying a mortgage and have very low income; many are disabled or have a family member who is disabled.Many are women, single or with children, elderly or middle-aged. Besides direct assistance to members of the congregation, Trinityhas disbursed funds to help 12 families get their houses back into shape and to one family to stay in alternative housing while repairswere under way. Some work is completed; other repairs will be made during Make a Difference Week. Other churches and groups,such as the American Red Cross and the Greater Pinebelt Community Foundation, even the City of Hattiesburg, have supported thesefamilies. The funds are running out.

But the work is not nearly over and mold is growing where rain has washed into spots uncovered by February’s winds. Six-month-old tarps are inadequate. Fly-by-night contractors have left work only partially completed. The diocese is helping Trinity get intouch with Episcopal Relief and Development, now dealing with relief efforts in Colorado, to name one more recent major disaster.R3SM is making an appeal for new building materials, the Greater Pinebelt Community Foundation is making an appeal for donationsto its Disaster Relief Fund and Volunteer Hattiesburg is making an appeal for volunteer labor. Trinity asks for your prayers and what-ever contribution you can make.

ADDRESSES:

New trailer for disaster relief to be at annual councilBy Scott Lenoir

As reported in the October 2013 issue of the Mississippi Episcopalian, the Diocesan DisasterPreparedness and Response Team recently purchased a trailer that will be kept at the Gray Center.The trailer will be used for disaster response.

This trailer purchase gives the diocese two trailers that will be available for volunteers to use tohelp with debris removal and other relief projects. St. Peter’s by-the-Sea/Gulfport received a trailerafter Hurricane Katrina and offers it for use to parishes throughout the diocese in times of need.

“The idea we’re working from is to have the trailer on the Coast available for the southern end ofthe diocese and the one at Gray Center will be used for central and north Mississippi,” said the Rev.Carol Spencer, the chair of the preparedness and response team.

The team is hoping that churches across the diocese will help purchase items to outfit the trailer.“Our list includes everything from rakes to chain saws,” said Spencer. “We hope to have a registryposted on the diocesan website soon. Congregations or individuals may log on and indicate what willbe purchased. Everyone is invited to bring their gift to Natchez where the trailer will be set up.”

Spencer said that the registry on the diocesan website, www.dioms.org, will be posted before theend of November.

Bishop Gray, III is hoping that this effort receives broad support. “I established the disaster pre-paredness and response team with the idea of returning to a more grassroots approach at addressingthe needs we have during times of crisis,” said the bishop. “The request for a group effort at supplyingthe trailer with tools is in keeping with our hope to involve every parish and mission in this ministry ofdisaster preparation and response.”

Spencer added that there is also a continuing focus on adding to a database of resources from allchurches. “Though this trailer is our immediate focus, our networking with each and every congrega-tion continues to be our long-range goal. Presently, 18 congregations are in our diocesan network. Bythe end of 2014, our goal is to have 30 congregations actively participating in our educational andinformation sharing network. We can better serve the local needs if we have local participation,” saidSpencer.

Individuals may enter their own resources into our database by logging on www. dioms.org. andclick on the link “Help Diocesan Disaster Preparedness and Response Team” which is on the homepage.

Trinity Episcopal Church509 W. Pine St.Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39401www.trinityhattiesburg.org

The Greater Pinebelt Community Foundation1507 Hardy St., Suite 208Hattiesburg, MS 39401www.pinebeltfoundation.org

Volunteer Hattiesburgwww.volunteerhattiesburg.org

November 2013

Christopher C. Turner

TURNER INSURANCE

November 2013

SUDAN

Preamble The towns of Maar and Paliau are not cattle camps as is widely publicized in the wake of recent

unprovoked Murle attacks in Twic East County. Rather, they are administrative centres for Pakeer andAjuong Payams in Twic East County. Aside from its administrative status, Maar doubles as the DiocesanSeat of the Twic East Diocese.

On Sunday morning of 20th October 2013, the unsuspecting civil population came under a well-coordinated, indiscriminate attack; executed by a group of renegades clad in military uniform andemploying modern weapons. While carrying out their horrendous crime, they vandalized homes, mar-kets, worship sites, schools, a clinic and targeted clergymen, and health workers. Among those killed,five clergymen lost their lives including Rev. Mathayo Garang Biar and Layreader Gabriel Majak Bol.Because it was Sunday, families that were assembling in the local parishes in Paliau, Marial and Maar,were trapped in the Church compounds — exposing them even more to the risk of being killed,injured, or abducted.

Unless, there was recently an emergence of a new rebel group in Pibor County, there is no soundmind that would comprehend the pervasive misrepresentation by some quarters that these criminalsare not David Yau Yau’s elements. As they withdrew, they left trail of evidence signifying their trueidentity as Murle and elements of rebel David Yau Yau.

Therefore:• Appalled by these willful targeting of civilians and their property; and the acts of impunity resultingfrom this behavior including killing and maiming of civilians; commission of acts of terror includingabduction, pillaging of villages and asset stripping;• Concerned by the systematic breakdown of the rule of law and the risk of collapse of institutions ofgovernance in the country and particularly in Jonglei State where the government is completely help-less in discharging its responsibility to protect as well as the provision of public security as a collectivegood;• Having registered numerous incidents in Greater Akobo and Greater Bor where government inter-vention has always been wanting as civilians were left to their own devices and to fend for themselves(See the attached addendum of chronology of events);• Alarmed by the progression of this conflict to engulf administrative centres and places of worshipincluding setting attacks to coincide with religious holidays and attack of congregations; • Saddened by the inability of the United Nation Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to fully dischargeits mandate under Chapter Seven of the United Nations Charter on civilian protection and thatUNMISS’ interventions come always after the fact and with little effect;• Concerned that the process leading to establishment of truth surrounding the assassination of IsaiahAbraham (Diing Chan Awuol) has stalled;

We the Bishops of Dioceses of Bor and Twic East:1. Condemn in no uncertain terms these barbaric acts of impunity by David Yau Yau rebels and theMurle youth and urge the government and the United Nations to declare David Yau Yau as a terrorist.2. Urge the Government and United Nations Mission in South Sudan to urgently put in place orrevamp mechanisms of civilian protection in Jonglei State - including disarmament of civilians in thestate.3. Call upon David Yau Yau, Murle leaders, the government and UNMISS to accelerate release of theabducted persons including women and children and facilitate family reunion of these victims withtheir families.4. Encourage the Murle leaders, the government, and UNMISS to own up to their responsibility toreturn all the cattle stolen in recent attacks and bring the perpetrators of these attacks to justice toaccount for their crimes.5. Urge the Murle traditional authorities, political leaders, the government and United Nations to putan end to the scourge of abduction and cattle theft in Jonglei State.6. Request all parties to Jonglei Community Peace Accord signed in Bor to recommit themselves to thespirit of peace and harmony and national unity as stipulated in the pact and the roadmap that theywillingly signed.7. Regret the failure of the government of South Sudan to protect its citizens and properties;8. Fear that South Sudan is descending towards the failed state unless serious measures are adopted toprevent the decline towards anarchy and impunity. 9. Urge and pray for the SPLM leadership to seek out peace and harmony among its ranks and encour-age tolerance in its political tradition in order to insure participation, freedom of expression and therule of law. 10. Appeal to the government to release the final report on the murder of Isaiah Abraham and informthe public on steps being taken to bring the culprits to book and that justice delayed is justice denied.

The Mississippi Episcopalian 9

Press Release from the Diocese of Twic EastMy dear friends,

Since 2008 this diocese has been in the process of deepening a relationship between Mississippiand the Diocese of Twic East in South Sudan. It is from this diocese in South Sudan that many of theSudanese who have been in our churches since their arrival in 2000 have come.

We have done much together over these past five years including visits by Bishop Ezekiel DiingMalangdit and me to each other’s diocese. In both of my visits to South Sudan our teachers, clergy andmedical personnel have been hosted by the community of Maar, the diocesan seat and center for TwicEast. Their graciousness and hospitality were more than I could have imagined or expected.

On Sunday morning, October 20, Maar and a neighboring village, Paliau, were attacked by a rene-gade South Sudan rebel militia. Homes, markets, churches, schools and the clinics in which we workedwere burned or damaged in other ways. News reports indicate five Episcopal clergy were killed. Thetotal death toll will reach 100+. Rapes and abduction of many children were a terrifying part of thisattack.

Much has been destroyed in the community that so opened its arms to us in 2010 and in Januaryof this year.

This letter is an appeal to the people of this diocese to support the appeal of Bishop Ezekiel (seeattachment, below). We will be establishing a fund here in the office entitled “Twic East Relief” and askyou to prayerfully consider a contribution.

I invite your response to this horrific attack on those many of us had begun to know as friendsand fellow Anglican/Episcopal Christians. Bishop Ezekiel once told me that he most cherished ourprayers. “Please don’t forget us,” he pleaded. In this terrible moment we cannot forget.

If you would like to contribute to our relief fund, please send your check to Diocese ofMississippi, P.O. Box 23107, Jackson, MS 39225-3107 with the designation “Twic East Relief.”

Thank you for your faithfulness and generosity.Faithfully,The Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray, III

From: Ezekiel diing [mailto:malangajang@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, October 30, 2013 5:42 PMTo: pjones@dioms.orgSubject: Disaster in Twic East County of Jongeli State in South Sudan

Appeal for relief from the Rt Rev Canon Ezekiel Diing Ajang Malangdit.Bishop of the Diocese of Twic East.

On October the 20th, 2013, over three thousand men in green uniformed armed with all sorts ofguns included heavy artillery launched a deadly attack on civilian population in Twic East Countykilling over 70 people. Several others were wounded, children and women were abducted and close toquarter of million of cattle were looted. Over 50 houses in the adjacent payams (districts) of Pakeerand Ajoung where the attack occurred were also put on blaze by the attackers. The attackers were fromrebel led by the man called David Yau Yau who is supported by the Sudan and have been fighting thegovernment of South Sudan since 2010. On the other front, the Twic East County is prone to floodingbecause of its proximity to the largest swamp ( Sudd) along the River Nile. As we speak thousands ofpeople are displaced by the flood after the area experienced heavy downpour and the mud-madedykes were overflow and destroyed by water surge from the Nile. As the result of the two mentionedcalamities, people of Twic East County are not only dealing with the aftermath of deadly attack in thearea but also are exposed to water born disease, lack of shelter, food and potable water. As the Bishopof the affected area, I am appealing for prayers and any kind materials supports such as mosquito nets,blankets, clothes, water jerry cans, medicines or cash and off course food items to relief the situationsin Twic East area.

The people of Twic East Diocese and the whole area at large kindly requesting for yours prayersfor those innocent people who lost their love ones and those whose proprieties are destroyed or loot-ed during the heinous attacks of the David Yau Yau rebels.

As followers of Jesus Christ, I wanted you to remember the book of Mathew 25: 34 where ourLord said that those who render good services to the needy will inherit the kingdom of God. We arenew Diocese in a country which has just come of war therefore we are overwhelmed to provide assis-tance needed by the victims of the recent attacks and flood. I am writing this letter of concern while inSioux-Fall South Dakota USA, where I am attending operation for my son Paul Diing, who is sick frombrain Tumor.

In case you wanted to reach me in Sioux-falls before I go back to South Sudan in 11, 2013, con-tact me on Tel 605-553-5845.

Yours Rt Rev Canon Ezekiel Diing Ajang MalangditContacts: Episcopal Church of the Sudan Juba P.O.Box 110 South South Sudan Juba /Post office Kenya Church Mission Society of Africa P.O.Box 40360 code 00100 Nairobi.Contacts; Telephone no +211-955-682-118 in South Sudan or Tel +254 725 267 761 in Kenya .Email malangajang@gmail.com, or ezekieldiing@yahoo.co.uk

Letter of appeal

OUR DIOCESE

10 The Mississippi Episcopalian November 2013

Youth ministry training for leaders atGray Center focused on two topics

[MSE] In the fall of 2013, the diocese hosted two weekend retreats for Adults Working withYouth. AWWY 1 focused on topics for new or less-experienced youth ministers, and AWWY 2 focusedon topics for more experienced youth ministers.

Topics at AWWY 1 included: theology of youth ministry, games, icebreakers and the YouthCustomary. AWWY 2 included workshops, group discussions, new games from other dioceses, andtime for reflection and renewal with a spiritual director. Both weekends also included a new programoffered by the diocesan Committee on Ministry with Gay and Lesbian Persons.

This year, the two weekends were held during the two Division of Youth weekends so that adultswho were bringing youth to the events could have professional development opportunities offeredconcurrently. Having AWWY and DOY at the same time also allowed for a significant cost reduction forparticipants in AWWY.

AWWY was free of charge this year for adults who stayed with the DOY participants at CampBratton-Green. We hope that this reduced cost will allow greater numbers of adults to attend theAWWY retreats. If you or another adult at your church is interested in receiving information about fur-ther opportunities, please contact our diocesan youth coordinator, Annie Elliott, at youth@dioms.org.

By The Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray, III

[Diocese of Mississippi] The Rt. Rev. DuncanM. Gray, III announced at the annual diocesan cler-gy conference at Gray Center in Canton, Mississippi,that Trinity Church in Yazoo City requested the useof the process known as Delegated EpiscopalPastoral Oversight.

At the Oct. 10th meeting Bishop Gray said thathe and the Rev. George Woodliff, rector of Trinity, had been inconversation about this issue for many months. Gray agreed toWoodliff’s request and wrote the following letter to explain whatthis decision means for Trinity Church, the Rev. Woodliff and theDiocese of Mississippi.

Over the past decade, the Episcopal Church has been rathercreative in helping congregations stay connected to their dioceseand the Episcopal Church when there have been serious and

seemingly irreconcilable differences - theologicaland otherwise - with their diocesan bishop.

Beginning with the controversy over the firstfemale diocesan bishop twenty years ago, certainprocesses have been used to maintain the diocesanbishop’s authority within a diocese while makinggood faith pastoral accommodation for serious dis-agreements and differences. The latest effort thathas been in place for several years and has been

very useful in more than a dozen dioceses is our arrangementknown as “Delegated Episcopal Pastoral Oversight.” (DEPO)

Under DEPO the diocesan bishop invites a bishop fromanother diocese into his/her home diocese to assist in providingsacramental and pastoral care to a congregation whose relation-ship with the diocesan has been severely damaged. The agreementis worked out between the two bishops and the petitioning con-gregation in a way that is mutually agreeable.

The affected congregation remains a part of the diocese, its

clergy continues to function within the structures of the dioceseand its fellow clergy. The one major difference is that the diocesanbishop delegates his pastoral and sacramental oversight to theinvited colleague bishop. Regular conversations between the twobishops are an important part of this relationship.

After my announcement at last year’s Diocesan Council of mywillingness, under certain prescribed conditions, to lift my ban onthe use of the liturgy for the blessing of same gender relationships,a few congregations considered the DEPO option. Recently, onecongregation, Trinity Church, Yazoo City, has requested a move inthat direction. The conversation between that congregation, thedesignated bishop and me has only just begun, but all three par-ties have entered into this discernment in good faith and trust thatthe details of such a pastoral accommodation can be agreed uponin the near future.

May God forever direct and guide us in this effort and in allthings.

Reflections on Delegated Episcopal Pastoral Oversight: A Pastoral Response

DIOCESAN CALENDAR

EVENTS

NOVEMBER• 8-9: ECW Conference — St. Columb’s Episcopal Church, Ridgeland • 10: Bishop Gray visits St. Paul’s, Meridian — 10:30 a.m.

Bishop Gray visits Holy Trinity, Crystal Springs — 5:00 p.m.• 14-16: Open the Eyes of My Heart: Photography as a Spiritual Practice — Gray Center• 15-16: Fifty Years Later: The State of Racism in America — St. Andrew’s, Jackson• 17: Bishop Gray visits Redeemer, Biloxi — 9:00 & 11:15 a.m.• 19: Fresh Start — Trinity Church, Hattiesburg — 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.• 19: Disaster Preparation & Response Team Meeting — Allin House — 11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m.• 20: Deacons’ Council Meeting — Allin House — 12:00-2:00 p.m.• 21: Fresh Start — All Saints’, Grenada — 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.• 21-4: Cursillo #125 — Gray Center• 21-24: Province IV Leadership and Networking Meeting — Trinity Center, NC• 27: Egg Bowl Tailgating (not) at Gray Center — Cyberspace• 27-29: Allin House closed for Thanksgiving holiday

DECEMBER• 3: Deadline for The Mississippi Episcopalian• 4-6: House of Bishops in Mississippi• 6-7: Lay Leadership Training Institute — Gray Center• 6-8: A.C. Marble School for Theological Formation — Gray Center• 6-8: Be Still and Know: Knitting and Needlework in Advent — Gray Center• 8: Bishop Gray visits Grace Church, Rosedale — 8:00 a.m.

Bishop Gray visits Calvary, Cleveland — 10:30 a.m.• 10: Standing Committee Meeting — Allin House — 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.• 11: Ordination to the Priesthood, The Rev. Lyn Stabler Tippett — St. Stephen’s,

Columbia — 6:00 p.m.• 12: Finance Committee Meeting — St. Andrew’s — 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.• 12: AmeriCorps Graduation — All Saints, Vicksburg• 13-14: Gray Center Board Meeting — Gray Center• 15: Bishop Gray visits Christ Church, Holly Springs — 11:00 a.m.• 15: Ordination to the Priesthood, The Rev. Lynn Ronaldi — Advent, Sumner — 5:00 p.m.• 17: Executive Committee Meeting — St. Andrew’s — 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.• 23-27: Allin House closed for Christmas holiday• 27-January 1: Winter Solstice — Gray Center

JANUARY• 3-5: A.C. Marble School for Theological Formation — Gray Center• 5: Bishop Gray visits Creator, Clinton — 10:30 a.m.

Bishop Gray visits Good Shepherd, Terry — 4:00 p.m.• 7: Deadline for The Mississippi Episcopalian• 9-11: EfM Mentor Training — Gray Center, Canton• 12: Bishop Gray visits St. Peter’s By-the-Lake, Brandon — 10:30 a.m.• 12: Ordination to the Priesthood, The Rev. C.J. Meaders — Trinity, Natchez • 16: Fresh Start — St. Andrew’s — 10:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m.• 17-18: Lay Leadership Training Institute — Gray Center• 19: Bishop Gray visits St. James, Port Gibson — 9:15 a.m.

Bishop Gray visits St. Mark’s, Raymond — 4:00 p.m.• 23: Bishop Gray at Legislative Lobby Breakfast — Galloway United Methodist Church,

Jackson — 7:00 a.m.• 26: Bishop Gray visits St. Stephen’s, Indianola — 11:00 a.m.

Bishop Gray visits St. John’s, Leland — 5:00 p.m.• 31-Feb. 2: 187th Annual Council — Natchez Convention Center

November 2013

By Maria WatsonSt. Peter’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, Gulfport, will offer its third annual

Advent Quiet Day Saturday, Dec. 7, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The theme for the day is“Art and Spirituality;” presentations will focus on art forms as a part of the faithjourney.

Joy Jennings, an artist and member of St. Peter’s, will lead the reflections,assisted by Maria Watson, a writer and also a member of St. Peter’s. Ms. Jenningshas recently completed the Journey Partners course in spiritual direction, a jointcourse sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi and the UnitedMethodist Church of Mississippi. In addition, both women are licensed lay worship leaders in theDiocese of Mississippi.

While participants are encouraged to bring their own art projects and/or journals to use duringthe periods of silent reflection, they will also be welcome to find various places of solitude, either inthe church or on the grounds, for meditation. Several optional art activities will be provided. A soupand salad lunch will be served.

Please make your reservation by calling St. Peter’s by-the-Sea Church office, 228-863-2611, or byemailing stpetersbythesea@bellsouth.net. There is no charge for participation in this mini-retreat.

Advent Quiet Day planned inDecember in Gulfport

The Mississippi Episcopalian 11

Deployment ReportFor The Mississippi Episcopalian

November, 2013New Calls/AppointmentsThe Reverend Ann McLemore, to be Associate Rector, St. James’, JacksonThe Reverend Carol Mead, to be Priest-in-Charge, St. Peter’s-by-the-Lake, Brandon

In TransitionSt. Thomas’, DiamondheadRedeemer, GreenvilleSt. James’, GreenvilleSt. Paul’s, HollandaleSt. Stephen’s, IndianolaSt. John’s, LelandSt. Mary’s, Lexington

Chapel of the Cross, MadisonEpiscopal Church at Ole Miss, OxfordSt. John’s, PascagoulaTrinity, Pass ChristianSt. Francis’, PhiladelphiaThe Episcopal Church at MSU, Starkville

Saturday, December 7 from 10 AM to 2 PM

Luncheon ($10.00), Silent AuctionBaked Goods & Casseroles

White Elephant SaleEntertainment – Howard Jones Jazz

Join the fun and fellowship: 209 E. Madison Street, Bolton, Mississippi

Learn more at www.stmarysbolton.org

St. Mary’s Christmas Bazaar & Chicken Spaghetti Luncheon

LIFESAVER

November 201312 The Mississippi Episcopalian

By Marlo Kirkpatrick, and reprinted with permission from St. Andrew’s Episcopal School’sArchways Magazine.

All Chloe Sumrall wanted wasa cheeseburger.

After a month-long dietundertaken in preparation for aMarch 2nd gala, the only thing onthe St. Andrew’s senior’s mind onMarch 3rd was a bacon bluecheeseburger with fries.Accompanied by a group of friendsand family, Chloe headed toRidgeland’s Burgers & Blues to sat-isfy her craving.

Fred Cayia, an executive withEntergy, his wife, Holly, and their six-year-old son,Freddie, were also in the mood for a burger.Following church services that Sunday morning,the Cayia family made the trip to Burgers & Blues.

Neither Chloe Sumrall nor Fred Cayia couldhave imagined that a simple lunch would endwith Chloe saving Cayia’s life.

Chloe had just told her waitress, “I’d like thebacon bl-” when she heard a child screamingacross the crowded restaurant.

“This wasn’t the sound of a kid throwing ahissy fit,” Chloe recalls. “There was pure terror inhis voice. My first thought was that someone hadcome into the restaurant with a gun.”

The screams were coming from six-year-oldFreddie, prompted by the terrible scene playingout in front of him. One minute, Freddie’s fatherwas studying the menu. The next, Fred Cayiaslumped over the table, gasped to his wife, “I amdying,” and collapsed. Cayia’s heart had stoppedbeating.

A handful of people moved to help; otherpatrons froze in panic. As they laid Cayia on thefloor, Freddie’s shrieks grew louder, matched bythose of his mother, Holly, screaming for some-one to call 911. In the midst of the chaos, ChloeSumrall stepped in.

“I’m CPR certified, are you?” she asked thosetrying to help. When they shook their heads no,Chloe immediately dropped to the floor andbegan performing chest compressions, assisted byher mother’s partner, Renee Collins, who beganmouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Chloe’s mother,Kasi Sumrall, took the unconscious man’s hand inher own and talked to him while her daughterand Collins fought to restart his heart.

“He wasn’t responding,” Chloe says. “I wascrying and screaming, telling him to stay with me,to keep fighting.”

“Freddie was hysterical, screaming and tryingto climb me like a tree,” Holly Cayia recalls. “ThenLucy Sumrall, Chloe’s sister, came over to me andsaid, ‘I’m a camp counselor, let me take him.’Lucy took Freddie outside so he wouldn’t have tosee any more. I am so grateful for that.”

A doctor patronizing the restaurant moved tohelp, but after checking Fred Cayia’s motionlessbody with a stethoscope, the physician told Chloegently, “You can stop now. He’s dead.”

“All I could think about was this man’s little

boy,” Chloe says. “I lost my own father when Iwas five, and I wasn’t going to let that little boygrow up without a father. Fred might not have

had a pulse, but I could feel himfighting. I was not going to beresponsible for his death becauseI gave up.”

Within minutes, personnelwith the Ridgeland FireDepartment arrived, led by para-medic Nathan Bell. Bell wouldlater tell Fred Cayia that mostpeople attempting to performCPR do more harm than good,but that Chloe “was perfect.” Bellinstructed her to continue com-pressions while he and his team

administered drugs and performed defibrillation,a series of electric shocks to Cayia’s chest. Chloecontinued to perform steady CPR throughout theentire process, working for 20 minutes before shewas relieved by a member of the Ridgeland FireDepartment. After what seemed an eternity, FredCayia’s heart once again began beating. He wastransported to St. Dominic Hospital, but hischances of survival were slim.

“All of my friends were saying, ‘You triedreally hard, Chloe,’” Chloe says. “I went outsideand found Lucy there with Freddie. I rememberbeing that scared little kid when my own fatherdied. Freddie looked up at me and said, ‘I don’twant my daddy to die.’ I just refused to believe hewouldn’t make it.”

Later that evening, Chloe and her familywent to St. Dominic’s to check on Cayia. HollyCayia greeted them in the ICU waiting area with acry of, “My angels!”

“Fred and I moved to Mississippi from Ohioand we didn’t have any family close by,” HollyCayia says. “Fred was sedated and it was just meand Freddie, all alone, getting ready to go hometo a dark, empty house. I can’t tell you how muchit meant to have Chloe and her whole familycome to the hospital to check on us.”

Doctors diagnosed Cayia’s condition as sud-den cardiac death. Unlike a heart attack, which istypically caused by a pre-existing blockage, sud-den cardiac death occurs when the electrical sys-tem to the heart malfunctions. Blood is not deliv-ered to the body, including to the brain. Unlessemergency treatment, including CPR, is begunimmediately, the result is death within mere min-utes. Less than two percent of sudden cardiacdeath victims in Mississippi survive.

Thanks to Chloe Sumrall’s heroic actions andthe emergency medical care administered by theparamedics, Fred Cayia became part of that fortu-nate two percent. Two days after he was rushedto the hospital, Cayia woke up, prompting thedoctors and nurses at St. Dominic to dub him“the miracle man.” Three days after she watchedas Cayia’s lifeless body was loaded into an ambu-lance, Chloe received a texted photo of him sit-ting up in his hospital bed, little Freddie by hisside. Less than two weeks after lying dead on thefloor of a restaurant, Fred Cayia returned to work.

His recovery has been remarkable, although

Cayia notes, “it’s reallyhard on your body whenyou die.” Doctors installeda pacemaker and are stilltreating the damagecaused by the cardiacevent, but Cayia’s heartfunction has been largelyrestored and he shows nosigns of brain damage;Chloe’s “perfect” CPR keptoxygen flowing to hisbrain until the paramedicscould revive him.

Weeks after the inci-dent, Cayia wrote a letterto George Penick, St.Andrew’s head of school,recounting Chloe’s heroism. Penick invited Cayiato share his story with parents and students at St.Andrew’s annual Upper School awards day. AsCayia recounted the events at Burgers & Blues, ahush fell over the crowd filling the Center forPerforming Arts. When Cayia called Chloe to thestage and six-year-old Freddie presented her witha bouquet of roses, there wasn’t a dry eye in thehouse.

Freddie has largely recovered from the trau-ma, and recently remarked to his father, “Youknow, Daddy, you were dead on the floor inBurgers & Blues and then this teenager came andbeat you up.”

While Chloe jokes that, “If Fred really want-ed to meet me, he could have just walked overand introduced himself.” But both the Sumralland Cayia families know they were destined to bein the restaurant that Sunday.

“What happened that day was nothing shortof a miracle, an act of God,” Holly Cayia says.“Fred had been traveling earlier that week. Thiscould have happened on an airplane or when hewas alone in a hotel room. Instead, it happenedwhere Chloe was there to save him. We have sucha bond now with Chloe, Lucy, Renee, and Kasi.Through this experience, we gained a family.”

The Cayia and Sumrall families get togetherfrequently, sharing meals and spending timetogether, including a meaningful Easter Sunday.Chloe and Fred Cayia recently filmed a televisioncommercial about their story for St. Dominic’sHospital. Following the filming, they went out tolunch, where Chloe finally got her bacon bluecheeseburger.

Chloe and Cayia’s shared experience andnew bond has profoundly impacted both theirlives. On the way to Burgers & Blues that Marchmorning, Chloe and her family had discussedwhat type of career she planned to pursue. Theevents of that day helped Chloe make the deci-sion to pursue pre-med studies at the Universityof Mississippi, where she’s now a freshman. Andthanks to Chloe’s efforts, Fred Cayia is living hislife with greater purpose than ever before.

“I am here today because of the courage andwill of Chloe Sumrall,” Cayia says. “When I reflecton this experience, what Chloe did, and how sherefused to give up on me, I think of a quotationfrom Dr. Robert Schuller: ‘What would youattempt to do if you knew you could not fail?’

“I think about this event every single day,”Cayia continues. “I believe I had divine interven-tion in many ways. There is something else I amsupposed to do here. I don’t know what it is, butI know to pay attention and not mess it up. I amreally lucky, but I also believe Chloe was sup-posed to be there that day. God lined up all myguardian angels.”

Editor’s Note: Fred Cayia is the director of over-sight for Entergy Nuclear. Cayia recently sent agift from Entergy Corporation for the special ses-sion program at Camp Bratton-Green in honor ofChloe Sumrall. Chloe has been a part of specialsession staffs for many years. She is now a fresh-man at Ole Miss. To learn more about CPR class-es in your area contact your local Red Cross.

Chloe Sumrall and Fred Cayia visit at St. Andrew’s School in Ridgeland.Chloe Sumrall

Heart to HeartHow Chloe Sumrall’s refusal to give up saved the life of a husband and father