Trinity Tidings July 2017

Networks of The Episcopal Church: A Report From Province IV Synod

Church structure is not the most scintillating topic most would agree. Most of us simply want a church where we can gather, pray, and connect on matters that touch our lives more directly. In fact, eyes often glaze over in confirmation classes when we discuss church polity: vestries, convocations, dioceses, provinces, and such. But do these ever-widening geographical circles serve a greater purpose for the common good? The Episcopal Church asked this question at General Convention in 2015, and Province IV met in June to consider this question, among other topics. Provinces, like dioceses, are a geographical division created to sustain deeper connections in the wider church and to bring strength to the church as a whole. There are nine in The Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Mississippi is in Province IV. Province IV is large. It extends from the Diocese of Louisiana (Baton Rouge/New Orleans area) to the Atlantic, and from the Gulf Coast to Kentucky and the Carolinas. While Province IV is large, it has a deep tradition of friendships, built over time and shared concerns. Members of Trinity attend the provincial meetings of the Daughters of the King. Trinity leadership has also assisted with the provincial retreat for people living with HiV/AIDS. Depending on the efforts of local individuals, we occasionally feel that connection when unified programming filters from the province into our local church and Diocese. I had time to reflect on the vitality of this structure while attending the Province IV Synod meeting in early June. We shared worship, ideas, and table conversations across Diocesan lines. Below are the presentations that I attended:

• Feeding His Sheep—A produce access ministry for the underserved involving three dioceses (Gulf Coast, Southwest Florida, and South Carolina). This church-based program partners with a local hospital and university to offer nutrition instruction, basic medical screening, and access to locally grown produce.

• Reaching Out—The presenter described the Episcopal Diocese of Cuba, their current status, and how we might welcome them.

• Using the Map—The Episcopal Church has an “Asset Map” which helps a person find out what and how other churches are doing various ministries.

• Caring for God’s Creation—A report from the Creation Task Force of The Episcopal Church. Plenary sessions included a powerful presentation called “Lift Every Voice: Meeting Others on the Road,” developed in the Diocese of North Carolina and later involving the Diocese of South Africa. Young people traveled together to civil rights historical sites in both Dioceses as they also learned from each other. The final plenary session presented the work of the Task Force on Province and Diocesan Vitality. Clearly, the work of Province IV is vital and collaborative. Other provinces have challenges that we do not have, such as the harsh winters of the north or the vast territory of the west (California, Arizona, Washington and Oregon), making it difficult to gather. The Task Force will be responding to these challenges in 2018. For now, I came away grateful for the collaborative way in which we operate in our southern province, and I look forward to finding ways that Trinity can become more involved. If any of the above programs interest you, please contact me to find out how you can become more involved.

Yours in Christ,

Marian+

July Commission and Guild Meetings

Finance Committee July 17 5:15 p.m.

Vestry Meeting July 19 5:15 p.m.

Daughters of the King July 16 3:00 pm

Heavenly Hands Wednesdays 3:00 p.m.

Teach Them to Fish Wednesdays 5:30 p.m.

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Choir Notes

The Trinity choir is in desperate need of a few more tenors and basses. And more altos and sopranos are always welcome, too. If you love to sing, please consider joining our wonderful choir. During the summer, we will once again rehearse only on Sunday mornings before the 10:30 service. This is good opportunity to try us out! The anthems will be simple enough to learn quickly, but our main goal is to lead the congregation in hymns and in the responses.

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Summer Reading Group

Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. in the Library The Divine Dance: The Trinity and Your Transformation by Richard Rohr in preparation for Rohr’s December 1-2 event in New Orleans. To register for the event go to www.thesci.net. To join the reading group, get a copy of the

book and simply join us! _________________________________________________________

Heavenly Hands

People have given generously to our yarn supply. We would love to have anyone interested in crochet and/or knitting join us or just contribute completed

shawls or other appropriate items.

Thank you!

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Christian Formation

Sunday School classes will resume in the fall. Trinity Talks is tentatively resuming in the fall, as well.

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Newcomer Tour

July 2, after the 10:30 a.m. service

On July 2, we will have a church tour right after the 10:30 service (instead of the newcomer lunch). We will meet the priests and choir master, tour the

church, Parish Hall, and Sunday school rooms. All newcomers will receive a goody bag full of information about Trinity.

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Congratulations!

The Rev. Marian and Tom Fortner are going to be grandparents!

Congrats to Alley and Alex Samuels who are expecting a baby January 2018!

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Join our email list! We’re going to start sending out the Tidings newsletter each month in color via email and we don’t want you to miss out! We also use our Constant Contact email list to keep you up to date with special events and last minute changes due to weather. Make sure you head to our website at www.trinityhattiesburg.dioms.org, click contact us, then click “Get on our email list”! If you have trouble, just call the church office and we can manually add your email to the list!

New Newsletter Format Coming Soon

In an effort to unify Trinity’s communication endeavors, we are in the process of updating the newsletter format along with exploring the possibility of sending the newsletter via email. If you have any suggestions or ideas to make the newsletter better meet your needs, please email Cindy Blackwell at scottandcindyblackwell@hotmail.com. ______________________________________________________________

Walking the Mourners Path

We will not have Walking the Mourners Path until the fall. Look for more information in the Grail and August Tidings.

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With Our Sympathy

We extend our sympathy to Jerry and Gretchen Grimsley on the death of Jerry’s brother Thomas E. Grimsley. We extend our sympathy to Greg and Anna Laura Brett on the death of Greg’s father Danny Brett. We extend our sympathy to Bill and Betty Denkler on the dealth of Betty’s brother, Luther Holt.

The Weekly News

Our weekly announcements inserted in the Sunday Bulletin DEADLINE each week is Monday.

Email your announcements for “The Weekly News” to:

trinityadm509@aol.com __________________________________________________________

OFFICE HOURS: Monday – Thursday 8:30 to 4:30

Friday 8:30 to 12:30

OFFICE CLOSED: JULY 3rd & 4th for Fourth of July

Web Site: www.trinityhattiesburg.dioms.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/TrinityHattiesburg

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DEADLINE FOR THE AUGUST TIDINGS

Thursday, July 20 at Noon

We will fold the tidings Wednesday, July 26th Email information to: trinityadm509@aol.com

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Next Tornado Relief Work Day

July 22, 2017 9 am - 3 pm

Continuing tornado relief efforts, work days at Trinity will be held

every fourth Saturday. Thanks to all who’ve joined in the relief work!

Hymns for July July 2 718 God of our fathers 655 O Jesus, I have promised 656 Blest are the pure in heart 345 Savior, again to thy dear Name we raise 525 The Church’s one foundation July 9 657 Love divine, all loves excelling 482 Lord of all hopefulness 302 Father, we thank thee who has planted 693 Just as I am, without one plea 544 Jesus shall reign where’er the sun July 16 48 O day of radiant gladness 632 O Christ, the Word Incarnate 593 Lord, make us servants of your peace 440 Blessed Jesus, at thy word 534 God is working his purpose out July 23 392 Come, we that love the Lord 453 As Jacob with travel was weary 601 O day of God draw nigh 623 O what their joy and their glory must be 541 Come, labor on July 30 9 Not here for high and holy things 711 Seek ye first the kingdom of God 635 If thou but trust in God to guide thee 615 “Thy kingdom come!” on bended knee 388 O worship the King, all glorious above

Treasured Trinitarian: Jonee McElhaney

By Susan E. Steadman

Treasure. What image comes to your psyche when you see that word? I envision

something special that is a gift. As I see quickly a rugged box filled with jewels and rare

coins, I know these are transitory. That the true gifts come from within and are unique

to each of us. Owning our gifts gives that sense of being valid and unique.

My goal with these ongoing glimpses in the hearts of Trinity’s treasures is to one day

spotlight each of us and until someone tells me to quit, I hope this is an avenue for us to

know better the person in the next pew or at a different service. It’s my offering to you.

This month’s featured Treasured Trinitarian did the standard, “why me” but graciously

accepted when I told her my goal. My first real encounter with Jonee McElhaney was

when we both were ushering possibly for the first time as a team. Her mother had just

died and my mother had just gotten sick and we both wanted to make sure we “ushered”

correctly. I had seen her often but that was one of those moments that we shared our

hearts.

So, as that is my first memory of knowing Jonee, her first memory of Trinity was how magnificent the choir and the music was. What makes Trinity special? “The sermons, congregation, as well as the many groups,

projects, programs and activities available for us to participate in.”

Her one prayer for Trinity would be continued growth – especially an increase in young

adults and children.

“Crown Him with Many Crowns” and “In the Garden” are her favorite hymns.

What activities have nurtured you spiritually? Jonee quickly answered, “Bread Basket,

Parish Activities, Merry Marthas and the Monday night book club.” I reminded her of

her contributions of working in the office and serving with me as an usher.

Remembering what made Trinity her place to land, she said, “In 1982 a friend urged our

family to visit Trinity. She expressed there was a great youth program for our ninth-

grade daughter. We visited and loved. I’ve stayed because Trinity seems the best place

for me to continue my personal spiritual growth.”

I’m grateful that Jonee said yes to being featured this month. When I come up and tap

you on your shoulder and ask you if I might feature you, please say yes. Trinity would

not be Trinity without you.

Vestry Notes

July 19, 2017

• Boy Scouts had their camp last week. Breadbasket went well this quarter

and parishioners are enjoying the garden

• Vestry approved to direct $12,500 from tornado funds in Marian’s

discretionary account to R3SM for roofing five houses.

• Tom Hardy updated vestry on recent, minor building maintenance

• needs and is getting quotes to fix lack of downspouts/drainage issues.

• Treasurer's report indicates we are slightly behind pledges and may need to

send or reminders with the upcoming quarterly statements

• Vestry approved to hire Linda Trammell part time during Kristin’s 12 week

maternity leave starting sometime in September.

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Congratulations to Gabbie Munn! Gabbie will serve as the Interim Director of Youth Ministries of the Chapel of

the Cross Episcopal Church in Madison, MS.

Excerpt from announcement on Chapel Hill’s website:

“She is a native of Hattiesburg and a 2017 graduate of the University of

Southern Mississippi. She was an active member of Trinity, Hattiesburg and has

served as a counselor and Permanent Staff member at Camp Bratton-Green. She

plans to begin medical school in the autumn of 2018, hence her call as the

Interim. Gabbie says, ‘I could not be more excited and humbled to be joining

the Chapel of the Cross family. I can’t wait to share the next year with the EYC

and explore what it means to walk, lead, and love as a follower of Christ.’

Gabbie will begin her ministry on 1 August.”

Read the rest of the announcement on:

http://chapelofthecrossms.org/2017/06/23/excellent-youth-news/

PRAYER LIST REQUEST FORM Please add the following individual to the prayer list. Date_________________

Name_________________________________________________________________

Submitted, with permission from the above named person, by____________________________________________________________________

Brief explanation (family member, friend, military deployment, etc.) ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

Please return this form to the church office or place in the Sunday collection bas-ket. Names will remain on the prayer list monthly. Those who continue to need our prayers may be resubmitted for one month from the date submitted.