The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation
West Point, Mississippi
The Incarnate Word
13 October 2011
Next Tuesday the Vestry of the parish will meet with The Rev. David Johnson, Canon to the Ordinary of the diocese, to discuss the start of a search process to call a new rector. When the Vestry meet with Canon Johnson, he will outline the options that are available in a search process. A full search involves a period of self-study and reflection, resulting in the development of a Parish Profile, which is then used in advertising the position through the Office of Transition Ministry of the Church. An abbreviated process can involve the bishop and canon identifying and nominating candidates to the parish. A full process takes not less than a year. An abbreviated process would still not have a new incumbent in place before mid-summer. It is not clear whether the bishop will allow an abbreviated process or will require a full process.
Where do you fit in? The Vestry will appoint a chair for a Search Committee, who will then agree membership of the committee with the Vestry. The committee is likely to have 5 to 7 members total. Express your thoughts to members of the Vestry about any issue you see in the state of the parish (e.g., parish health and practices, the type of clergy needed, what you would see changed, what must be emphasized to continue), and if you are interested in serving on a Search Committee make this plain. Pray about what the parish wants and what the parish needs, reflecting on the history of the parish and what you have considered to be the strengths and weaknesses of prior rectors. God will raise up to you the pastor whom He intends, but when you are active in the discernment and call process the will of the parish will be made that much clearer. Be active in the process whether or not you are on a committee or the Vestry, so that by your involvement and prayer this parish may continue to thrive.
Proposition 26: The 8 November general election in Mississippi will include Proposition 26, which would amend the Mississippi Constitution to define the word “person” or “persons”, as those terms are used in Article III of the state constitution, to include every human being from the moment of fertilization.
How you chose to vote on Proposition 26 is a matter of your own individual conscience and political will, coupled with your own reading of the language of Proposition 26 and how you determine this language to give effect to your conscience and political will. In making this decision, how you are informed by your faith is relevant, and to this end an outline addressing the issue How is a person defined in Christian Doctrine? is available at the parish (front hall table).
Adult Education: The 5 p.m. Sunday course will not be held this week, but will resume next Sunday, 23 October at 4 p.m. The earlier start time will allow the class session to finish by 5:30, to allow for the 6 p.m. parish dinner scheduled at the Trulove residence.
EYC: This past Sunday EYC visited Mt. Hermon Missionary Baptist Church for worship. EYC members report a very welcoming and positive experience, in which there was evidence of the Holy Spirit at work. EYC will be inviting the members of the Mt. Hermon youth group to join them for the monthly EYC breakfast on Tuesday, 1 November.
Fall clean-up: Fall clean-up is scheduled for Saturday, 29 October, from 8:30 until noon. There will be indoor and outdoor work crews. Please sign up on the list in the kitchen, so that we will have a headcount. This will enable best planning for projects.
Coffee hour sign-ups: We need people to sign up to host coffee hour. Snacks can be very simple. Please sign up on the sheet in the kitchen.
Stewardship: The stewardship campaign is in full swing. Whether or not you intend to pledge, please complete a pledge card and return it to your box captain, or to the parish office.
Please remember that even thought the parish will be without full-time clergy for much of 2012, this does not mean a reduction in budget. Recruiting costs, moving costs, supply clergy costs, and insurance costs for new clergy, all add up to an amount resulting in a 2012 budget that is essentially even with that for 2011.
New to the prayer list: Parker, Gayle Carlisle.
Thanksgivings: Thanksgiving is offered to Christy White for organizing the EYC visit to Mt. Hermon M.B. Church.
Music this week: The choir rehearses on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., and on Sundays at 9:45 a.m.
Psalm96.1-9, A Hymn Tune Psalter
Pro. 391, Before the Lord’s eternal throne
Grad. 594, God of grace and God of glory
Anthem: As the Grains of Wheat (WOV 705)
Rec. 544, Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
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