May, 2014 • Volume 139, Issue No. 5

By Scott Lenoir

The Very Rev. Brian R. Seage waselected on May 3, 2014, as bishop coad-jutor of the Episcopal Diocese ofMississippi pending the required con-sents from a majority of bishops withjurisdiction and standing committees ofthe Episcopal Church.

Seage, 50, rector of St. Columb’sEpiscopal Church/Ridgeland, was elect-ed on the fifth ballot out of a field offive nominees. He received votes of 121of 182 cast in the lay order and 67 of115 cast in the clergy order. An electionon that ballot required 92 in the layorder and 58 in the clergy order.

The election was held during thediocese’s reconvened 187th AnnualCouncil at St. Andrew’s Cathedral inJackson, Mississippi.

Pending a successful consentprocess, Seage will succeed the Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray, III, who will retire inFebruary of 2015.

Under the canons (III.11.4) of the Episcopal Church, a majority of bishopsexercising jurisdiction and diocesan standing committees must consent to thebishop-elect’s ordination as bishop within 120 days of receiving notice of the elec-tion.

Seage has been rector of St.Columb’s since 2005. He holds anundergraduate degree from PepperdineUniversity and a master’s of divinityfrom the Episcopal TheologicalSeminary of the Southwest. He hasbeen a priest since 1998.

From 1997-98, Seage served ascurate at St. John’s/Ocean Springs, andthen as rector of St. Thomas EpiscopalChurch/Diamondhead from 1998-2005,growing both attendance and program-ming in the parish. A successful build-ing program was completed and aver-age Sunday attendance doubled duringhis ministry at St. Thomas.

In 2005 Seage moved to St.Columb’s, a rapidly growing area of thediocese. St. Columb’s attendance andprogramming have grown, and a largebuilding project has been completed.

Before entering the priesthood,Seage served as director of youth ministry for St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church in hisnative Thousand Oaks, California. In this large, program-size church, he manageda team of volunteers to support both the junior high and senior high youthgroups, assisted with chapel at St. Patrick’s Day School, and coordinated the con-gregation’s Habitat for Humanity program.

In the Diocese of Mississippi, Seage serves as a Fresh Start facilitator, a posthe’s held since 2007. He served on the Executive Committee from 2006 through2009 and was also part of the diocese’s Restructure Task Force. He has been asummer camp director at Camp Bratton Green each summer since 2006 and hasserved on the Gray Center Board of Managers. While at St. Thomas, he served onthe board of trustees for Coast Episcopal School. Additionally, he has been a mem-ber of search committees for leadership roles at Gray Center and Coast Episcopal.

Mississippi elects Seage bishop coadjutor Continued on page 5

The Very Rev. Brian Seage accepts his election as bishop-coadjutor at St. Andrew’sCathedral on May 3. His wife, the Rev. Kyle Seage, rector of St. Philip’s/Jackson,stands with him.

By Scott Lenoir

The deadly tornadoes that plagued the Deep Southin April put first responders and relief volunteers intoaction. To date the diocese’s Disaster Preparedness andRelief Team (DPRT) has helped with a response toCovington County, Jackson County, and Lee Countythrough monetary contributions in the form of grantsand gift cards.  Also, a workday was done on May 10thfor the Tupelo area coordinated by All Saints EpiscopalChurch. The work crews were the first to use the newdisaster relief trailer that Bishop Gray blessed at AnnualCouncil in Natchez.

“We were fortunate to be able to use some of themoney collected at annual council in Natchez to help vic-tims of this series of storms and tornadoes that camethrough our state,” said the Rev. Deacon Carol Spencer,chair of the DPRT in the diocese. Spencer also noted thattwo grants are being received from Episcopal Relief andDevelopment: one for the Tupelo area and one for theLouisville area. Grant money will be managed by AllSaints’/Tupelo and Resurrection/Starkville.

Added to the Annual Council offering and ERDgrants was over $6,000 received at the reconvened coun-cil at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Jackson on May 3rd. The

Diocesan Altar Guild Board also voted to contribute $500to the fund and St. Peter’s/Oxford made a $700 contribu-tion.

Spencer said assessments in Madison, Rankin andWinston counties are ongoing. Episcopal clergy andlaypersons are helping to get the information that willallow assistance to be targeted.

If you would like to make a donation for tornadorelief, make your check payable to the Diocese ofMississippi and write Mississippi Disaster Relief Fund onthe memo line. Or you can make a donation on-line.

Spencer took the occasion of the tornados to onceagain remind all parishes and missions to turn in thepink sheets, or the duplicate resource sheets, in the disaster preparedness guide which may be downloadedfrom the diocesan website. Filling out the guide andsending the duplicate sheets to the diocesan office helpcongregations to be ready to respond when disasterstrikes.  The diocese DPRT uses the information to helpput resources to work outside the local parish as well.

Watch for more details on the diocese’s disasterrelief effort at www.dioms.org.

The Rev. Scott Lenoir is the editor of the MississippiEpiscopalian.

Donations to Mississippi Disaster Relief Fund ongoing

Tornado relief beginning

Inside this issue:Election Balloting . . . . . . . . .4

Election Photos . . . . . . . . . .7

Scholarship Awards . . . . . . . .8

Gray Center News . . . . . . . .10

St. Andrew’s Cathedral was packed on Saturday, May 3, for the election of thebishop coadjutor.

Diocese of Mississippi elects the Very Rev. Brian R. Seage as bishop coadjutor

2 The Mississippi Episcopalian

OUR DIOCESE

By now we’ve all had time to take a breathand reflect on the culmination of Holy Week serv-ices that marked the end of Lent and the begin-ning of the Great Fifty Days of Easter. I hope youall are enjoying the rebirth that’s sprung forth allaround us as much as I am. It’s a blessed timeindeed.

Notes from around the diocese:Trinity/Yazoo City is planning Parish

Homecoming 2014. On Saturday and Sunday,May 24th-25th, they’ll be celebrating 180 years ofsharing God’s love.

The kindergarten class at the Day School atSt. James’/Greenville received a grant from theStraddlefork Foundation matching some rummagesale funds to purchase a SmartBoard for the class-room. They watched the hatching of a nest ofeagles in Iowa and continue to track theirprogress daily in the classroom. They were alsogiven a worm farm from another class and justrecently released newly hatched butterflies intheir garden from larvae they watched develop.

Redeemer/Biloxi will offer a lay readerworkshop on Saturday, May 31st. Bishop Graywill be the celebrant at the opening Eucharist andthe keynote speaker on Bible study. JamesAnderson from St. Mary’s/Bolton will deliver aprogram about preparation for delivering thescriptures as part of the liturgy entitled, Bringingthe Living Word to Life, and John Switzer will givea brief summary of his journey from Rome to theEpiscopal Church in his presentation, A ModernCanterbury Pilgrim. Lunch is included in thecost of $25.

As part of the analysis of the preservation

needs of their historic church, St. Peter’s/Oxfordhas plans to install a French drain and a soliddrain to catch run off from downspouts. Whenthe work has been completed, new plants andsome transplanted shrubs will be added to beauti-fy the grounds.

Incarnation/West Point will celebrate Massin the Grass at Falkner’s Camp House on Sunday,May 18th. The service will begin at 10:30am andbe followed by a potluck lunch.

It’s time for the St. Peter’s by-the-Lake/Brandon Community Barbeque. OnSunday, May 18th, delicious barbeque chickenwill be served with all the trimmings. The EYCwill be selling drinks and desserts to complimentthe meal. Family, friends, and members of thecommunity are invited to come and share goodfood, good fun, and good fellowship – and to jointhe church.

St. Paul’s/Meridian participated in the StopHunger Now event, which was a big success, inconjunction with Jubilee Mennonite Church. Inall, 20,000 meals were put together and packed ina matter of two hours, and afterward, volunteersenjoyed a meal prepared by members of Jubilee.St. Paul’s donated $1,000 from Outreach/Missionto assist in this endeavor, and their vestry and oth-ers will be exploring similar opportunities to hostin the year ahead.

St. Paul’s has several dining events plannedto celebrate the Great 50 Days of Easter, such as acrawfish boil, a barbeque night, and a Mexicanfiesta, to name a few. Members can pay for indi-vidual events or buy discounted tickets to thewhole series.

There will be a reception following the

Celebration of a New Ministry for the Rev. TomFanning at St. John’s/Pascagoula on Wednesday,May 21st.

All Saints/Grenada is expanding theirhands-on outreach opportunities by asking parish-ioners to staff the parish food pantry on a bi-monthly basis on the second Saturday and fourthThursday of each month from 9:00am until noon.In addition to donated food items, cases of bot-tled water are requested for offering hospitality bywelcoming everyone with a cold bottle of water.

The EYC group at St. John’s/Laurel ispreparing for their summer mission trip. Theyare returning to Chicago to put on a VacationBible School for inner-city and immigrant chil-dren. The church is gathering supplies for artsand crafts, games, and devotions and would liketo purchase supplies and have them shippeddirectly to the parish in Chicago rather than trans-porting them from Laurel. The goal is to raisearound $2,000 for all the supplies needed (thereare tons of kids scheduled to attend). Monetarydonations of any amount are appreciated and canbe given through PayPal on their website or bycheck earmarked “EYC” given directly to thechurch. Their 2010 inner-city mission trip toChicago not only enabled the EYC members togrow and stretch spiritually and see the world in avery different way, it was also the kick-start for anew ministry at the host parish.

Resurrection/Starkville has a “CamperAngel Tree” set up in the student center. The tagson the tree contain the names of items needed forcamp for the minority camper they’re sponsoringat Camp Bratton-Green this June. The deadlinefor returning items is Sunday, May 18th.

The vestry of St. Columb’s/Ridgeland hasapproved the establishment of the St. FrancisGarden as a place for the scattered cremains ofpets. The cost of the landscaping will be coveredby the purchase of memorial bricks for $50 andthrough other donations.

Mother’s Morning Out, a new program at St.Columb’s, is open to registration from membersof the parish. The program begins after LaborDay with a cost of $115 per month for four hourseach Tuesday and Thursday morning plus a regis-tration fee of $50 to cover supplies. Childrenwho are from six months to four years of age areeligible.

Members of St. Columb’s EYC will be paint-ing a mural in the youth room under the direc-tion of professional artists Andy Young and ChrisBrady.

St. Peter’s by-the-Sea/Gulfport is offeringsomething different this summer: All SummerRequest. The music director, J. T. Anglin, is prom-ising to include favorite hymns requested by thechurch’s members in the selections for the sum-mer services. There’s a catch, though. He won’treveal when the selections will be scheduled, soparishioners have to “come and see.”

The EYC at St. Paul’s/Columbus recentlyspent two Sundays sorting and packing donatedclothes for Operation Ukraine, and their ShroveTuesday fundraiser generated $3,700 to supporttheir various missions.

St. Stephen’s/Indianola is planning a seriesof meet-and-greet lunches and dinners to giveparishioners and their new priest-in-charge, theRev. Giulianna Gray, an opportunity to visit and

get to know one another while sharing a meal.The preschool at St. John’s/Ocean Springs

has two condos (a two-bedroom that rents for$800 and a one-bedroom that rents for $500)available for rent in Orlando for any week in2014. The contact number is 228-424-8365.

Redeemer/Brookhaven will be host toLifeline Screening on Thursday, May 15th.Painless screenings to assess risk for cardiovascu-lar disease will be available. Pre-registration isrequired and can be completed by phone, fax, oronline with Helping Hands to receive a $10 dis-count; Redeemer receives a matching $10 dona-tion.

Saturday, May 24th, is the date set for theAngels Attic Appreciation Picnic in the Redeemerchurchyard under the trees. All volunteers,employees, and customers are invited to the cook-out to enjoy burgers, dogs, and soft drinks

A ladies luncheon at the church is on the cal-endar for Thursday, May 22nd, at Grace/Canton.All the ladies of the church are invited andencouraged to invite their friends.

Quotes this month:The Rev. Walton Jones, Trinity/Natchez, Fr.

Walton: “The world is constantly changing, butas Christians we ultimately point to the blessedchangelessness that God offers. Throughout allthe seasons of our life, God offers grace. Godoffers relationship. God offers life. May yourEaster be filled with the changelessness of God’sLove.”

“Rev. Taylor Moore, St. Peter’s/Oxford:There is a saying about quiet prayer whose wordsI don’t remember exactly, but it goes somethinglike this: If you are busy, take at least one timefor silence and prayer a day. If you are reallybusy, take at least two times! The paradoxicaltruth is that we do our work, God’s work, in amore focused and creative manner only if wemake time to pray and listen.”

The Rev. Van Bankston,Trinity/Hattiesburg: “. . . as in Ecclesiastes 3:1,we are assured that there is a season, a time foreverything under heaven. I think the secret tomaking peace with cycles of life, is to discover,accept, and appreciate God’s perfect timing.”

The Rev. Mary Berry, St.Matthew’s/Kosciusko: “Whether we think wehave any gifts for the healing ministry or not, weare still commanded to pray for each other. Godwill use us as he has need so we have to makeourselves available.”

The Very Rev. Billie Abraham, St.Alban’s/Bovina: “Jesus knew that we needednourishment to grow into the fullness of whoGod created us to be. Jesus instituted theEucharist at the Last Supper when he fed his dearfriends a meal of bread and wine—bread that wasconsecrated into the Real Presence of Jesus’ bodyand wine that was consecrated into the RealPresence of his blood. Jesus continues to nourishus today, just as he did his closest friends at theLast Supper, with the words, ‘Do this in remem-brance of me.’”

I wish you all a glorious, restful, rejuvenatingsummer as we continue to rejoice in our RisenLord. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

May 2014

Continually published for 139 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.

ORDINARY CONCERNS

March 28 – In office most of the day catch-ing up on correspondence. Late afternoon driveto Gray Center for weekend meeting with theCommission on Ministry and the StandingCommittee.

March 29 – At Gray Center alternatingbetween Standing Committee and theCommission Ministry. I also have the opportuni-ty for good visits with our diaconal postulantsbeing trained in the Marble School ofTheological Formation at Gray Center.

March 30 – Up early to drive to Aberdeenfor a visitation with the folks at St. John’s. This isalso the last Sunday for their vicar, the Rev.Brandt Dick, who has accepted a call to St.James’ in Greenville. Much emotion today aboutdifferent comings and goings.

I preach and celebrate, then join the peo-ple of St. John’s for lunch in the parish hall.Following lunch, I meet with the mission com-mittee who want to know what the next stepsare in securing a priest for St. John’s.

Drive to Jackson airport where I catch aflight to New Bern, North Carolina, for a meet-ing of the Board of Directors for the College forBishops.

March 31 – New Bern, NCMeet most of the day with the Curriculum

Committee of the College for Bishops as we eval-uate our process for formation and education ofnewly-elected bishops.

April 1 – New Bern, NCMeeting with the full board of directors of

the College for Bishops through the day.April 2 – College for Bishops’ board of

directors concludes its semi-annual meeting inthe early afternoon.

In the evening, I attend a banquet hostedby the association of executive secretaries forEpiscopal bishops (B+E+S+T). Peggy Jonesfrom our office is attending the conference thatis running somewhat parallel to my College forBishops gathering.

I am delighted to dine with Peggy in theevening. The Presiding Bishop, Katharine JeffertsSchori, is the speaker for the event. A greatevening!

April 3 – Return home to Jackson. Brieflycheck-in at office before going home.

April 4 – In office all day. Annual consulta-tion with the Rev. Jason Shelby. Moderate a con-versation with Mississippi Episcopalian and GrayCenter staff about how the newspaper and theministry at Gray Center can provide mutuallysupportive synergy to each other.

April 5 – Drive to Gray Center for breakfastand morning program of the Spring EpiscopalChurch Women (ECW). I celebrate at the closingEucharist as I continue to be impressed at thelevel of engagement, locally and within the dio-cese, of so many of these women.

Return home after lunch.April 6 – Visitation to St. Columb’s in

Ridgeland in the morning. After meeting withthose being confirmed prior to the service, Ipreach, celebrate, confirm eight and receive twoat the parish Eucharist. During the service, I amgiven a beautiful handcrafted wooden crozier.The people of St. Columb’s remembered that it

was in my haste to drive from Woodville to St.Columb’s to dedicate their new church in 2010that I lost my first wooden crozier somewhere inWilkinson County. It is a very special gift.

Lunch afterwards with the congregationprovides time for good conversation. Drive toGreenwood to pick up Peter and grandsonJoseph and then on to Clarksdale for our AnnualUnited Methodist/Episcopal shared Eucharistwith my Methodist colleague, Bishop JamesSwanson. Hosted by First United Methodist inClarksdale, the service, transferred this year dueto scheduling conflicts, celebrates our ecumeni-cal dialogs that have given us the Shared InterimEucharist Agreement. This is the first, and major,step toward a full communion between our twochurches. I preach and join Bishop Swanson as aco-celebrant in the Eucharist. Despite terriblethunderstorms, we have a good crowd for hisspecial moment.

Overnight in Greenwood with Peter,Giulianna, and the children.

April 7 – Return to Jackson. I have post-poned my scheduled retreat for this week pro-viding some flexibility in my schedule. My com-mitment to the election process and to the nom-inees for bishop coadjutor is to keep at a dis-tance from all that will be going on this weekbeginning today with the arrival of the nomineesand their spouses.

April 8 – Staff meetings in the morning,then in the office the rest of the day.

The staff is working very hard to have theoffice cleaned, organized and ready to receivethe nominees tomorrow. Kathy and I come tothe office in the evening to add our touches tothe cleanup/fix-up efforts of the staff.

April 9 –In the office briefly in the morn-ing, then return home to work as bishop coadju-tor nominees arrive at office to meet and visitwith the staff.

April 10 – In office in the morning.Appointment with the Rev. Luther Ott. In theafternoon at All Saints in Jackson, I preach andcelebrate at the funeral of the Rev. DeaconMarion Goodsell. Marion was a member of thefirst class of vocational deacons ordained in thisdiocese and their ministry set a model of whatthe vocational deaconate would become inMississippi.

April 11 – In the office in the morning,then drive to Memphis where I join thousands ofbaseball fans in welcoming the MemphisRedbirds back to Memphis for their 15th season.I was also at their opening day 15 years ago.

Overnight in Southaven.April 12 – Drive to Tunica, where I ordain

to the priesthood the Rev. Will Lowry at theChurch of the Epiphany. It is a very joyous occa-sion, made especially so for me personally by thepresence of many old friends and mentors frommy first ordained days at St. James’/Greenville.Father Lowry was only a toddler when we firstmet years ago.

Return to Jackson in the afternoon.April 13 – Palm Sunday at St. Andrew’s

Cathedral as we begin this sacred journeythrough this holy week.

April 14 – After an early morning Eucharist,

I drive to Lafayette, Louisiana, to pick up someold cypress windows that Kathy was given by anew friend.

Overnight in Lafayette.April 15 – Lafayette, LouisianaApril 16 – Return home to Jackson with

cypress windows. Conference call en route withtrustees of the diocese.

April 17 – In the office in the morning. Inthe afternoon, my father and I travel toVicksburg for a visit with the Rev. CliftonMcInnis, his wife, Percy, and two of their chil-dren. It is a very special time with very specialpeople.

Return home late in the afternoon. MaundyThursday liturgy at St. Andrew’s in the evening.

April 18 – The Liturgy of Good Friday issurrounded by my personal tradition of workingin my yard and garden on this day.

I have tried to plant something significanton this day throughout my adult life. Today it isflowers for the backyard.

April 19 – Working at home in the morn-ing. Celebrate the Easter Vigil in the eveningwith the congregation of St. Philip’s in Jackson.This traditional time for my visitation to St.Philip’s has meant a lot to me over the years.

I preach, celebrate, baptize one, confirmfive, and receive two. Wonderfully joyous recep-tion/party follows the vigil.

April 20 – A glorious Easter celebration atSt. Andrew’s Cathedral. Afterwards Kathy and Itake Mike and Dawn Flannes to dinner as theycelebrate their wedding anniversary on EasterSunday.

April 21 – Day off.April 22 – In office all day.Staff meetings in the morning. Over lunch

and into the early afternoon, I meet with theMississippi Episcopal AIDS Commission. Lateafternoon conference call with the ExecutiveCommittee of the Gray Center board of man-agers.

April 23 – Drive to Parchman for a visit toSt. Vincent’s at the State Penitentiary. This littlecommunity has also begun calling itself theChurch of the Penitent Thief. I have considerabletime to visit with the inmates both before andafter the Eucharist. I preach and celebrate andenjoy the increasingly competent “Praise Band”that provides music for the service.

I so appreciate the work of the Rev. DavidLangdon as he continues to be involved in hisretirement, and the Rev. Lynn Ronaldi fromChurch of the Advent in Sumner, as she beginsto learn the unique character of this ministry.

Return to Jackson late afternoon.April 24 – Work at home in the morning,

then attend the Mission Mississippi Mayor’sPrayer Luncheon in the Jackson ConventionComplex. Delighted that a number of the dioce-san staff can join me.

Afternoon session with the Rev. GeorgeWoodliff, then out to Gray Center where I jointhe vocational deacons at the beginning of theirannual retreat. As I tell them in the evening, Ifind myself spiritually renewed in my time withthe deacons.

April 25 – In the office most of the day.Midafternoon, I meet at my father’s house with afilm maker from Los Angeles who is doing a doc-umentary on the Rev. Malcolm Boyd and wishes

to talk to Bishop Gray, Jr., about his memoriesof the 1950s and 1960s.

April 26 – I drive to Gray Center to be withthe vocational deacons as they conclude theirretreat. I preach and celebrate at the closingEucharist. It is an emotional moment as I servein this role for the last time.

April 27 – Up early to drive to Hollandalefor my visitation to St. Paul’s. As I arrive inHollandale, I am confronted with a large num-ber of emergency vehicles a block from thechurch. A fire (lightning perhaps) has engulfedan office building a stone’s throw from thechurch. It is a bit scary for a while.

At the morning Eucharist, I preach and cel-ebrate, then enjoy a lovely lunch with the con-gregation.

Spend some time “lost in wonder, love, andpraise” on the back roads of the Delta, thenarrive at St. Thomas, Belzoni, for a visitation. Ipreach and celebrate at the late afternoonEucharist. Dinner follows with this special groupof people.

Return home to Jackson in the evening.April 28 – Day offApril 29 – Staff meetings in the morning.

Afternoon appointment with the Rev. AnnieElliott to discuss youth ministry matters.

Annual consultation with the Rev. LynnRonaldi followed by a work session with theReverends Ronaldi and Beth Foose as well asCanon McCormick to plan for Clinical PastoralEducation for our diaconal students in theMarble School.

April 30 – In office during much of the day.Receive call that Percy McInnis, wife of the Rev.Clifton McInnis, died during the night. “May shego from strength to strength in the life of perfectservice.”

In the afternoon, I drive to Brookhaven fora visitation to the Church of the Redeemer. I amaware as I make the trip that this will be my “laststop” before all eyes, quite appropriately, areturned toward my successor following the elec-tion this coming Saturday. It makes for a person-ally memorable occasion.

I have a good visit with a number of peopleat a reception before the service. At theEucharist, I preach, celebrate, and confirm five.

I return to Jackson late, very full in so manyways.

The Mississippi Episcopalian 3May 2014

The Bishop’s Journal

May 23-25

4 The Mississippi Episcopalian May 2014

ELECTION REFLECTIONS

[MSE] In order to elect the bishop coadjutor, clergy and lay delegates met at the reconvened187th Annual Council at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Jackson on May 3. Delegates sat on the gospel sideof the nave and clergy on the epistle side. Ropes were placed across the aisles to separate alternatedelegates and visitors who were present and who sat in the rear of the nave.

Besides having a packed cathedral, there were as many as 1,163 people viewing via the diocese’swebsite live streaming link. Also, the diocesan Twitter and Facebook accounts were highly active.

After the credentials report from Tommy Sebrell verified that a quorum of lay delegates and clergywas present, the candidates were formally nomi-nated by the chair of the Standing Committee,Sheri Cox. There were no nominations by thepetition process.

Canon law governing the election of a bish-op mandates an ongoing sequence of ballotinguntil a single nominee receives a majority votefrom both houses – clergy and lay delegate – onthe same ballot. A majority is defined as fifty per-cent plus one vote of the total votes cast in eachround of ballots.

The ballots handed out to the voting members were different colors, one color for clergy, a dif-ferent color for delegates. It took about forty-five minutes to conduct each vote.

It should be noted that the Rev. Dr. Stan Runnels withdrew his name from nomination after thethird ballot, and the Rev. Marian Fortner withdrew her name from the election after the fourth ballot.

After the election, the bishop and standing committee received word from the other nomineeswho expressed their thanks for having been considered and offered congratulations to the Rev. BrianSeage.

Below is the record of the balloting. Therewas a majority of votes in both houses on the fifthballot and that was about average for our dioceseover the last three elections. Dioceses often gothrough many more ballots and some electionshave to be recessed until another day. All thosegathered were grateful that the election was ableto be completed in one day.

With the election of the Very Rev. Brian Seage as bishop coadjutor and, ultimately, the 10th bishop of Mississippi, the Episcopal Church in this diocesehas turned a new page. This church has lifted up as its next leader an adopted son of Mississippi who will bring to the office an easy-going nature, a deep spir-itual faith and a transparent humility – all of which will serve him well through the years he will serve as bishop. I am delighted by the church’s choice.

As I have said many times over the course of these past several months, the time has now come for me to assume the role of John the Baptist, “todecrease so that he might increase” (John 3:30). The reason that the leadership of this diocese asked that there be some overlap between the election of anew bishop and the retirement of the old was so that there could be an intentional and systematic orientation and transfer of leadership and authority. Longbefore I formally pass the crozier (the symbol of diocesan authority) to Brian at Diocesan Council in February, he will have assumed, de facto, the authority tobegin setting the direction that he wishes to go and will have been given the authority, by me, to begin to make those critical decisions that will make thatdirection possible.

Certain responsibilities have become his immediately – seminarians, congregational development, staff make-up, and a variety of decisions that will haveramifications beyond the next few months. Fortunately, the College for Bishops offers a variety of multi-year education and formation programs that will great-ly assist in this period of transition. Unavailable to me in my transition fourteen years ago, the College for Bishops is now an extraordinary resource for theleadership of the church that has helped to shape increasingly healthy and competent bishops for the 21st century.

My most fervent hope is that this transition in leadership be a holy process informed by the Spirit for the good of the church. I look forward to workingwith Brian over the next few months to prepare him, as best I can, for his new responsibilities. I also look forward with great joy beyond next February toserving under him as my new bishop.

Keep us both in your prayers.

Faithfully,+Duncan

Reflections from the Road

The balloting process to elect a bishop

OUR DIOCESE

May 2014 The Mississippi Episcopalian 5

Bobby Daniel Hester, 65, communicant of St. Peter’s by-the-Lake, Brandon, died January 21, 2014.Charlene Antionette McLaughlin, 57, communicant of St. Pierre’s, Gautier, died March 18, 2014.The Rev. Dcn. Marion Goodsell, 85, (retired), died April 7, 2014.Alexander Hamilton Donald Bickman III, 84, communicant of St. Pierre’s, Gautier, died April 8,2014.Judge Bernadine Slay-Young, 81, communicant of Redeemer, Greenville, died April 14, 2014.Mae Catherine Ward Jackson, 80, communicant of St. Mark’s, Jackson, died April 24, 2014. Frances Percy McInnis, 84, wife of the Reverend Clifton McInnis, Jr., (retired), died April 29, 2014.

FAITHFUL DEPARTED

Deployment ReportFor The Diocese of Mississippi

May, 2014OrdinationsThe Reverend Will Lowry, ordained Priest, April 12, 2014, Church of the Epiphany, TunicaDr. Sarah Moses, to be ordained Deacon, June 14, 2014, St. Peter’s, Oxford, to serve at ChristChurch, Holly Springs

New Calls/AppointmentsThe Reverend Gates Elliott, to be Interim Rector, Chapel of the Cross, MadisonJosh Messick, senior at Virginia Theological Seminary (from the Diocese of Easton), to beCurate, Mediator, Meridian

In TransitionSt. John’s, AberdeenSt. Luke’s, BrandonSt. Thomas’, DiamondheadRedeemer, GreenvilleSt. Paul’s, HollandaleSt. John’s, LelandSt. Mary’s, LexingtonChapel of the Cross, MadisonMediator-Redeemer, McComb-MagnoliaTrinity, Pass ChristianSt. Francis’, Philadelphia

Mississippi elects Seage bishop coadjutorContinued from page 1

Seage and his wife, Kyle, who is rector at St. Philip’s/Jackson, are parents to two daughters, Katieand Betsy.

The consecration is due to take place September 27, 2014, at the Jackson Convention Center inJackson, Mississippi. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori will be the chief consecrator.

“To be called to this office by the people of the Diocese of Mississippi on behalf of our Lord andSavior Jesus Christ is humbling beyond words. The people of this diocese have ministered to my familyand me in so many amazing ways. It is an honor to join with the faithful of this diocese in this newrelationship,” said Seage.

The nominees were:• The Very Rev. Michael J. Battle, Ph.D., Vicar, St. Titus Episcopal Church, Durham, NC• The Rev. Marian Dulaney Fortner, Rector, Trinity Episcopal Church, Hattiesburg, MS• The Rev. Dr. R. Stan Runnels, Rector, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Day School, Kansas City, MO• The Rev. Ruth Woodliff-Stanley, Rector St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Denver, CO

Information about all the nominees is available at the diocesan website, www.dioms.org.

The Diocese of Mississippi is composed of approximately 19,000 active baptized members worshipping in 83 congregations throughout the state.

The Rev. Scott Lenoir is the editor of the Mississippi Episcopalian.

There were not many vacant seats at the cathedral on May 3.

The Rev. Lynn Stabler-Tippett visits with the Rev. Dr. Harold Roberts during a break at the election.

Photo

/Jim

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WALKABOUT

6 The Mississippi Episcopalian May 2014

Bishop nominees and spouses

The Rev. Ruth Woodliff-Stanley

The Very Rev. Brian Seage

The Rev. Gates Elliott leads the nominees at the Central Convocation Walkabout.

The Rev. Marian Dulaney Fortner

Photos/Jim Carrington

The Rev. Dr. Stan Runnels

The Rev. Dr. Michael Battle

The Mississippi Episcopalian 7May 2014

Together again — Barbara Ladner & Phillis Thompson register clergy. The two worked together foryears at St. Andrew’s Bookstore.

Bishop Gray prepares to reconvene council.The Grays

Standing Committee chair Sherri Cox nominates candidates. Members of the lay delegation wait for results of a ballot.

The Rev. Brian Seage is congratulated by Bishop Gray, III, after the fifth ballot.

ELECTIONPhotos/Jim Carrington

8 The Mississippi Episcopalian

EDUCATION

May 2014

17 scholarships awarded to outstanding studentsBy Peggy C. Jones, Assistant to the Bishop

The Diocesan Scholarship Committee is happy to announce that seventeen outstanding youngstudents have been chosen to receive scholarships for the 2014-2015 academic year. Selections for avariety of scholarships are made each year by the Scholarship Committee composed of the bishop ofthe Diocese of Mississippi, the dean and wardens of St. Andrew’s Cathedral along with members of theExecutive Committee and Okolona trustees.

THE OKOLONA SCHOLARSHIPS: The trustees of the Okolona College Endowment established annual scholarships to be awarded

specifically to African American college students. Preference is given to Episcopalians, but members ofall churches may apply. The Willie Mae Raspberry Scholarship is awarded to the most outstandingfemale student among those applying for the Okolona Scholarship. This year, the Willie Mae RaspberryScholarship goes to Haley M. Thomas, a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Jackson, who plansto study accounting at Jackson State University. The James L. Raspberry Scholarship, presented to themost outstanding male student among those applying for the Okolona Scholarship, is presented toSirak M. Mekonen, a member of Absalom Jones Anglican Campus Ministry, currently studying physicsand computer engineering at Jackson State University.

Also receiving Okolona Scholarships are: Lauren Elayne Carter, a member of New St. PaulMissionary Baptist Church, Tunica, planning to attend Jackson State University; Symone DiamondOlds, a member of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, Greenville, studying business at Delta State University;Damarquis Terrelle White, a member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Vicksburg, planning to studyengineering at Jackson State University; and Mytaius Henry Whitfield, a member of Mt. Carmel M.B.Church, Pelahatchie, currently majoring in criminal justice at Hinds Community College.

THE ADAMS EPISCOPAL ENDOWMENT SCHOLARSHIP This scholarship is awarded annually to undergraduate students who are active members of a con-

gregation of The Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Mississippi and attend the engineering college orbusiness college of Mississippi State University. This year, the Adams Scholarship is awarded to two

recipients: Richard Andrew Brown, a member of St. Alexis’ Episcopal Church, Jackson, planning tostudy mechanical engineering, and Joseph Arthur Merrell-White, a member of St. Paul’s EpiscopalChurch, Meridian, studying software engineering and computer science.

THE CAPERS SCHOLARSHIPSThe Charlotte Capers Scholarships are presented to those who are pursuing a liberal arts degree.

This year we have one Capers scholar: Sarah Anne Owen, a member of the Episcopal Church of theMediator, Meridian, currently attending Millsaps College studying to become a teacher.

THE MISTICOS SCHOLARSHIPSMisticos Scholarships are awarded annually to girls and boys of either the Greek Orthodox or

Episcopal faiths. The late Alexander Misticos established these scholarships as memorials to membersof his family. This year’s recipients are Craig Howard Kirkland, a member of Chapel of the CrossEpiscopal Church, Madison, currently studying marketing, real estate and managerial finance at theUniversity of Mississippi; Baxter Pratt Richardson, a member of Holy Trinity, Vicksburg, planning tostudy biological or research science; Robert Andrew Sanders, also a member of Holy Trinity,Vicksburg, planning to study environmental science at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington;and Forrest Timmons, a member of All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Tupelo, planning to study commer-cial aviation at Delta State University.

THE WARREN SCHOLARSHIPSThe late Robert Warren of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral established the Warren Trust

Scholarships. This year, one of four scholarships is given to Sarah Frances Parkes, a member of St.Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral, Jackson, currently studying psychology and biology at the University ofMississippi. The remaining Warren Scholarships are given to three members of St. Peter’s EpiscopalChurch, Oxford: Grace C. Quintana-Escobar, currently studying communication science disorders,Spanish and sign language at the University of Mississippi; Esmeralda Rodriguez, planning to studyphysical therapy and Spanish; and José Angel Rodriguez, currently studying mechanical engineeringand math at the University of Mississippi.

Members stretch during the chair yoga class started last month at St. Paul’s/Corinth. Instructor KarenBeth Martin leads the Thursday morning classes in gentle exercises using a chair for standing andseated yoga-based positions. The class is tailored to the abilities and limitations of those attendingwith the goal of improving strength, flexibility and balance.

Photo/Susan Adams

Easter Vigil 2014 at St. Peter’s/Oxford was celebrated with the baptisms of four infants and toddlers,two five-year olds, and two adults. Pictured are the newly baptized, parents, godparents, and clergy.

Sixth-graders at Coast Episcopal School pose for a photo after performing a passion play for theschool during Holy Week.

The Mississippi Episcopalian 9

GOOD READING

By Janet Nail

I promised my editor that Iwould review only one WorldWar II book during a year. That Ihave to do that should be an indi-cation that I am a—shall we say?—World War II fanatic.

A Higher Call (Berkley Caliber,2013), by Adam Makos, with LarryAlexander, is not about the politics ofthe war, nor about the strategy of bat-tles; it is the story of men at war; menwho loved their country but hated theirgovernment and men on the other sidewho answered a call to defend their countryand their government while hating war. It isespecially the story of a man who answered ahigher call and the enemy who never forgot.

Franz Stigler was supposed to be a priest. He was enrolled ina Catholic boarding school with plans to enter seminary when hegraduated. He cherished his faith, but he realized that he likedwomen and flying too much to embrace ordination. He wanted tofly more than anything.

In five years Franz was a pilot for Lufthansa. His training wasfree, compliments of the Nazi government, which circumvented theTreaty of Versailles by training commercial pilots. On returningfrom a trip as a navigator check pilot, he was approached by aGerman Air Force officer, who informed him that he was now in themilitary, that he would be training other pilots and flying sortiesover Spain, “perhaps with supplies in the belly of your plane.”

Thus began Franz Stigler’s career in the Luftwaffe, first as atrainer, then as a fighter pilot. He was indifferent to the militarygoals of the service until his brother August was killed while flyingcargo planes. Needing someone to blame, Franz blamed the Britishand fought with ferocity and hate.

But Franz Stigler could not maintain the white hot hate forlong. He saw a British pilot shot down and floating in the sea, and

it troubled him that the man would most likely die alone. He metBritish prisoners who were merely men like him.

Franz began to think about war.Meanwhile, Charlie Brown, a West Virginia farm boy, was

learning to fly a B-17, the famous Flying Fortress, the mostdurable bomber in the American Air Corps. The B-17 wasfamous for being able to limp back home with incredibledamage, and the pilots (and the public) loved her. Charliewas a natural pilot and he loved the plane.

However, he found he didn’t love war. He hardenedhimself to taking off in English fog with a visibility of vir-tually zero. He flew over the burning wreckage of hisfriends who crashed on take-off. He flew hundreds ofmiles at freezing altitudes, faced curtains of anti-aircraftflak to drop his bombs, then faced the same hazardson the return trip, along with the presence of

German fighters.In December, 1943, Charlie Brown and his crew were at a

briefing before a mission to Germany. The target was the FW-109plant on the outskirts of Bremen. No one had any illusion that thiswould be a milk run, but Charlie Brown and his crew were about tolearn just how perilous this mission would be.

First was mechanical trouble; number four engine was runningwild. Then they became separated from the formation, and finally,they faced eight Fw109s. Things were getting rough. In the ensu-ing fight, the Flying Fortress, named the Pub, began to absorbincredible damage. Bullets ripped the skin, tore off the tail, anddemolished the left horizontalstabilizer. The Pub, for allintents and purposes, wasdead, but still she flew.

As the plane plungedlower, the oxygen revived thecrew. The pilot managed tolevel the Pub, although theywere flying just above groundlevel. And then they sighted abandit, as they called the

enemy aircraft. Franz Stigler was approaching.Stigler noted the damage to the plane, and he was astounded

that it was still flying. He felt that shooting it down would not bean act of war: it would be murder. He flew level with the Pub, andhe caught Charlie Brown’s eye. He motioned for the plane to land,even though it would mean interment for the crew. Brown shookhis head and continued to fly.

Stigler knew that the plane would fly over the coast at a heavilyarmed point. He continued to fly by the B-17, and as they drewnear the artillery, he interposed his Messerschmitt with its unmis-takable silhouette between the guns and the American plane. Theartillery assumed he wanted to take out the bomber himself outover the ocean, so Stigler escorted them farther out to sea. Then hesaluted them, and returned home another way.

This was an unprecedented act of chivalry that remainedunknown. The Allies felt that, were the facts known, another pilotmight think that the Germans would do the same thing for him, andhe would be shot down. As for Stigler, he knew that if the factswere known, he would be executed.

This response to a call from God changed both men. Stiglerno longer wanted to be an ace; he simply wanted to keep his menalive. And Charlie Brown accepted that he must continue to do hisjob in the most humane way possible.

When the men met again in 1990, they each realized that theyhad truly been part of a higher call, and they realized that God canuse the madness of men to His own purpose.

Loving your country, hating war: A Higher Call

May 2014

The Seages before ballotting begins at St. Andrews Cathedral.Ph

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GRAY CENTER NEWS

10 The Mississippi Episcopalian May 2014

May 23-25 Bishop’s Barbeque A family friendly, fun filled day of celebration and communi-ty. Bring your friends and family to enjoy great food, games, fun competitions,live music and more.

June 13 Giving Church Another Chance with bishop and author Dr. Todd Hunter.Demystifying the “E” Word: how to gain confidence in the Gospel and in liturgicaland sacramental approaches to evangelism and discipleship. $70 (includes book)

July 19 Guided Day Apart: Writing the Rest of the Story with Rev. Carol Mead. We will read portions of Scripture and discuss the implications of things NOTsaid. Participants will be invited to write the rest of the story. $30. 10am-3pm

July 21-27 The Spirit’s Tether: Liturgy as Teacher and Caregiver with Ellen Johnson, KyleRitter & Bishop Johnson. For professional and vocational church musicians (choirmembers included) and partnering clergy. A time of fellowship, renewal, inspira-tion & ideas. Become your best selves as a community of faith.

July 31- Aug. 3 Family Camp Stay in the air conditioned comfort of the conference center whileenjoying camp style fun for the whole family. Nursery (under 5yo) will be provid-ed in the mornings to allow parents to relax or take part in adult programming.

August 8-9 Writing the Song Within You with Award Winning Singer/Songwriter TriciaWalker and Dr. Robin Webb, Pianist and Songwriter. How to write a song from aheartfelt idea or personal experience. For musicians and non-musicians alike.

August 15-17 Men’s Weekend with Grae Dickson, Rev. Chris Robinson and company.A time for men to gather around things that men love: eating, drinking and doing.

August 22-24 Spiritual Renewal Retreat: God Makes A Way with Dent Davidson.Sponsored by the Diocesan Committee on Ministry with LGBT Persons. Our joyful, playful, prayerful task is to come and till that fertile soil, and retell thestories of God making a Way to freedom through the lens(es) of our own lives.

[MSE] The Hotter than Hades Half Marathon is on again this year, sponsored by St. John’s/Leland.Race day is June 11th. Last year over 300 runners participated in the event, the proceeds of which arefor the Camp Bratton-Green Special Session Scholarship Fund. So far 115 runners have registered forthe event.

All participants must pre-register. Packet pick-up is at St. John’s/Leland. Half Marathon Entry feeis $45.00 before June 1 and $55.00 after June 1. The relay race is $35.00 before June 1 and $45.00after June 1. Race organizer Jamie Merrill says that there will be no registrations on the day of therace.

Merrill warns that the point-to-point race is extremely hot and runners need to be prepared.Medals for the event winners are being made by Special Session CBG campers this year.

For more information, contact Jamie Merrill by email, tribbetthalfmarathon@gmail.com or call 662-347-2920. 

Hotter than HadesHalf Marathon to raise money

for CBG again

By Grae Dickson

With all the changes in the dio-cese, one thing remains the same:It’s BBQ Time! The 2014 Bishop’sBBQ is rapidly approaching, May 23– 25, 2014, and the Gray Centersends an invitation to everyone tobe a part of the must-attend event ofthe year!

Over the years, the Bishop’sBBQ has been an opportunity forEpiscopalians to gather at GrayCenter and enjoy a wonderful week-end of food, fellowship, live musicand community. Last year, withthese core principles in mind, wealtered the focus of the BBQ. TheBBQ is now a family weekend of cel-ebration hosted by the Gray Center.Our diocese is blessed to have alocation where so many of our congregations can gather and wewant to invite you out to enjoy Gray Center in the splendor forwhich it is intended.

The BBQ hosts a series of friendly competitions between thedifferent churches with the winner taking home the Bishop’s BBQGrand Champion Trophy to display proudly at their church. Wewould love all churches to participate this year! The events aregeared to include members of all ages and we hope you all will takeadvantage of what we have scheduled. A list of events is included onour BBQ website at bbbq.dioms.org and we recommend that youbegin assembling teams immediately. Please contact Grae Dickson atgrae@graycenter.org if your congregation has any questions orintends to form a team.

All alcohol will be BYOB and all guests may feel free to bring any bottled water, soft drinks orother beverages to the BBQ with them. There will be a $5.00 cooler charge for any coolers broughtinto the event. Drinks will still be provided with meals.

Each church has received multiple information sheets covering the many options for the Bishop’sBBQ. Additional information and online registration can be found at http://bbbq.dioms.org or by visit-ing the Gray Center website at www.graycenter.org. If you have any additional questions or would liketo book a room for the weekend, please contact us at 601-859-1556.

We hope to see you all at the BBQ!

All Saints/Tupelo team hangs in suspense over theatrics at theRegatta (if you look closely you might make out that there is aman in the water by the white boat). Who will bring thrills tothe 2014 Regatta?

Holy Trinity’s “Holy Mackerels” show off their winning boat at the 2013 Bishop’s BBQ. This cardboard boat was the finest ship of the cardboard fleet in 2013.

A date to remember: Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Deadline for The Mississippi Episcopalian

Elizabeth Bush/Photo

Bishop’s BBQ slated forMay 23-25 at Gray Center

DIOCESAN CALENDAR

EVENTS

MAY• 6-17: Mission Trip to Uganda• 9-10: Gray Center Board Meeting, Gray Center• 11: Bishop Gray visits St. Andrew’s Cathedral — 8:45 and 11:00 a.m.• 13: Fresh Start — Trinity, Hattiesburg — 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.• 14: Finance Committee Conference Call — 11:00 a.m.• 15: Fresh Start — All Saints’, Grenada — 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.• 16-18: A.C. Marble School for Theological Formation, Gray Center• 17 Bishop Gray visits Trinity, Pass Christian, 6:00 p.m.• 18: Bishop Gray visits Annunciation, Perkinston• 18-20: Presbyter POC, Gray Center• 21: Celebration of a New Ministry — St. John’s, Pascagoula• 22: Standing Committee Meeting, Allin House — 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.• 22: Disaster Prep. and Response Team — St. Andrew’s Cathedral — 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.• 22: St. Andrew’s Episcopal School Baccalaureate — 6:00 p.m.• 23: Disciplinary Board Meeting, St. Andrew’s Cathedral — 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.• 23-25:Bishop’s Barbeque — Gray Center• 25: Bishop Gray at Gray Center Chapel• 26: Allin House closed for Memorial Day• 29: Executive Committee Meeting, St. Andrew’s Cathedral — 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Bishop Gray visits Ascension, Hattiesburg — 6:00 p.m.• 31: Lay Reader Conference — Redeemer, Biloxi

JUNE• 1: Bishop Gray visits St. James’, Greenville — 10:30 a.m.

Bishop Gray visits Redeemer, Greenville — 5:00 p.m.• 3: Deadline for The Mississippi Episcopalian• 6: Deacon Discernment, Place TBA• 6-8: A.C. Marble School for Theological Formation, Gray Center• 8: Bishop Gray visits All Saints’, Tupelo — 10:30 a.m.• 12 Pre-Seminary meeting, 10:00 – 2:00, St. Andrew’s• 14 Ordination to Transitional Diaconate — St. Peter’s, Oxford• 14-15: Philadelphia Commemoration• 18: Bishop Gray visits St. Mark’s, Gulfport — 6:00 p.m.• 22: Bishop Gray visits St. Mark’s, Jackson — 11:00 a.m.• 29: Bishop Gray visits St. Paul’s, Picayune — 10:00 a.m.

JULY• 1: Deadline for The Mississippi Episcopalian• 4: Allin House closed for Independence Day Holiday• 17: Deacons’ Council Meeting, Allin House — 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.• 19: Guided Day Apart: Writing the Rest of the Story, Gray Center — 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.• 22-27: MS Conference on Church Music & Liturgy — Gray Center

May 2014

Diocese enrolls in TENSBy David Johnson

The Diocese of Mississippi has just enrolled in The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS)and as such, each congregation in this diocese is a member of TENS. All congregations are now free toenjoy the benefits.

Each congregation has free to access on-line resources at the TENS website. There is a wealth ofmaterial there. You may access the website by going to http://www.tens.org/. Click on Resources andthen select Member Resources. You will need to enter the user name, which is “giving,” and the pass-word, which is “glory.” By taking those simple steps, you may access a wealth of stewardship resourcesand information.

TENS is also hosting an annual Stewardship Conference, Walking the Way, at Emory Universityin Atlanta, June 6-7, 2014. As part of a member diocese, you are eligible to receive a 20% discount onconference registration.

Keynoters at this year’s conference include Sister Joan Chittister, OSB; Bishop Robert Wright ofthe Diocese of Atlanta; and the Rev. Charles LaFond, canon steward of St. John’s Cathedral, Denver.Registration information is on the TENS website.

The Rev. Canon David Johnson is the Canon to the Ordinary.

The Mississippi Episcopalian 11

Dates to remember: May 23-25, 2014

Bishop’s Barbeque — Gray Center

EVENTS

12 The Mississippi Episcopalian May 2014

By Sloan McKellar

Day in the Country, winner of a graphicdesign award, as well as the Tabasco CommunityCookbook Award for the Southern Region, is tak-ing its show on the road to New York’s CentralPark for the annual Mississippi Picnic, June 14,2014. Published by Chapel of the Cross/Madison,the book has gained popularity throughout thestate and region as foodies and historians alikediscover that it contains not only a wealth of fab-ulous food, but also photographs and storiesdetailing the history of the church, its people andthe surrounding area.

“This is not your typical church cookbook,”said Shirley Abney, member of the cookbook mar-keting committee. “It’s a real keepsake that feedsbody and soul.”

“The book tells a story about the food weshare, the legacy left to us by our forebears, andour life today as a community of faith,” said SloanMcKellar, literary editor for the book. “It is ourstory, but it resonates with all types of people. It

tells of great joy, deep sorrow, times of abun-dance to near extinction, to the growing parishwe are today. These are themes that most folkscan relate to, no matter where they are from.”

Of course the star of the show is the food,and if food is love, then New Yorkers will certain-ly get a big hug from this book. Books will beoffered for sale at the picnic, as will samples ofsome of the dishes, such as the famous Bottled

Hell pepper sauce.Mrs. Abney added, “Folks are crazy about

our food. We know we’ve got a good thing hereand we want to share it with some of thoseMississippi transplants who just might be wishingfor a taste of home.”

Sloan McKellar is a communicant at Chapel ofthe Cross/Madison.

Josh Haley/Photo

Bottled Hell pepper sauce is a part of the farefrom Chapel of the Cross to be served at NewYork’s Mississippi Picnic held annually inCentral Park.

By Scott Lenoir

While the election for the bishop coadjutorbegan at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Jackson,Bishop Duncan M. Gray, III sanctioned anotherrace occurring at the same time in a CoastConvocation congregation.

“I was notified of the important event at St.John’s, Ocean Springs, by Sheree Ransom whoasked me to support her ‘horse,’ Bishop ByeBye, in what was described as a race to restoreSt. John’s organ,” said Bishop Gray.

In response to Ransom’s request, the bish-op decided to participate in the race, and

drafted a resolution declaring May 3, 2014,“Episcopal Derby Day at St. John’s EpiscopalChurch, Ocean Springs.”

Each horse in the race advanced down atrack in the parish hall. Horses moved as moneywas contributed to a particular horse. WhileBishop Bye Bye did not win the race, the horseshowed well. Overall the total event proceedstopped $18,000. St. John’s organist/choir direc-tor, Cynthia Ramseur, came up the idea of thefundraiser Juleps and Jazz, “but the genius ofpairing it with the Kentucky Derby, and a mockrace for the roses, came from a group called the

lunch bunch: Herb Moore,Sonia Cowart, ShereeRansom, BarbaraAckermann, Melanie Allen,and Jean Griffies,” saidRamseur.

The parish knewabout the problem withthe organ for severalyears, but managed to getalong without a majorrepair, “but the parishfinally had to hire a con-sultant. The organ hasbeen silent for severalweeks and Ramseur hasbeen playing an electricpiano during the inter-im.

“Juleps and Jazza Derby Party had oneprimary goal: To raisefunds to restore orreplace our organ,but we hope to havea little fun in theprocess too,” saidRamseur.

Bishop recognizes a race with resolution

A “horse” named in honor of Bishop Gray, III, was present in the derby fundraiser at St. John’s/OceanSprings.

Organist/Choir Director Cynthia Ramseur, with her Derby Day hat donned, stands under the winnerof the race: Organo d’Oro. Photos/Margaret Reynolds

Award-winning cookbook goes to the Big Apple