The MinistryVolume 4, Issue 1 January 2020

Our Public SchoolsA couple months ago I preached a sermon about “insurmountable odds.” The scripture for that Sunday was Jacob wrestling God at the Jabbok River (Genesis 32:22-32) and the parable of the Unjust Judge and the Widow (Luke 18:1-8). These are stories of faithful people prevailing against insurmountable odds.

In the book of Genesis, Jacob is engaged in a struggle against a surprise opponent (God), and they wrestle throughout the night. Neither God nor Jacob prevail, so God strikes Jacob in his hip socket, disjointing his hip, and demands to be released. Yet Jacob, defiant and in His pain, professes, “I will not let go unless you bless me.”

Similarly, the widow in Jesus’ parable, did not let up to a judge who refused to grant her justice. He was unfair because, "he neither feared God nor had respect for people." Though the judge did not respect her, she wore him down by refusing to take a back seat to justice. Every day, she went back to the judge demanding justice..

These stories are important, because they provide not only hope in improbable circumstances, but a plan to achieve victory. In a world of insurmountable odds, where those in authority do not respect the people, or in a world that demands that the weak give up and let go these stories show us that we win by holding on. We win through persistence. We win by demanding justice, by demanding a blessing, by never letting go despite the fact we have already lost and others have claimed victory. We prevail by saying we are still here and you will not get rid of us unless you uphold justice.

I told these stories as the backdrop to a modern day insurmountable odd, our public school system. There is no denying that many of the schools in our community are facing complex difficulties. They are underfunded, understaffed, and often working with children coming from poverty stricken homes. I think it’s easy to simply write this injustice off as too difficult to approach, but like Jacob and the widow, the Mediator is not a church to give up without a fight.

Sundays 8:30 am Holy Eucharist 9:15 am Coffee Hour 9:30 am Choir/Sunday School 10:30 am Holy Eucharist

Wednesdays 9:00 am EfM 12:45 pm Prayer Shawl Knitters 5:30 pm Holy Eucharist 5:45 pm Parish Supper 6:30 pm Choir Rehearsal Little Lights Bell Choir Children’s Bible Story & Activity Youth Bible Study Thursdays 8:30 am Bible Study

Fridays 10:00 am Busy Bees Playgroup

Office HoursMonday - Thursday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Friday: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Contact us 3831 35th Avenue • 39305 601.483.3959

Clergy & Staff The Rev. Morris Thompson, Rector morris@mediatormeridian.org

Katy Watkins, Youth Director katy@mediatormeridian.org

Paige Brooks, Parish Administrator paige@mediatormeridian.org

Lora Tucker, Organist/Choirmaster lora@mediatormeridian.org

Michael Barney, Sexton

January NewsAnnual MeetingMediator's annual meeting will take place Sunday, January 26, during and after the 10:30 am service. We will not have an 8:30 am that day to encourage participation in the annual meeting. We will have our annual potluck following the service. Fried chicken will be provided.

Annual Meeting ReportsThe office is hard at work preparing our annual report. If you are the leader of a ministry at Mediator, please get your report to us by January 17.

Men's Group MeetingAll men of the church are invited to come Tuesday, January 7 at 6:00, pm to discuss the upcoming draw-down. Meal will be provided.

Excess BBQ WoodThe Church has left over wood from the BBQ. Any member is welcome take some of the excess wood.

Christmas Poinsettias Members of the church are encouraged to take home any of the Christmas Poinsettias in the church windows on Sunday, January 12, leave the vases.

Movie NightFriday, January 24, at 5:30pm,we will host a movie night in the Parish Hall. Pizza, drinks, and popcorn will be provided. The movie will be "Toy Story 4." All ages are welcome!

Episcopal Church WomenECW will meet Monday, January 27, at 6:00 pm in the Parish Hall for a White Elephant Bingo Night! All women of the church are invited. It will be $5 to play and a meal will be provided. Stay tuned to Thursday News for more information about White Elephant Bingo.

Morris' Book ClubThe book club will meet Wednesday, January 29, after the Parish Supper to discuss "David and Goliath" by Malcolm Gladwell. Copies of the book will be available in the bookstore.

Adulting Bible StudyOur 20s, 30s, & 40s group is beginning a bi-monthly Bible Study. On every first and third Thursday of the month at 5:30 you and your children are invited to Morris' home for drinks, snacks, and bible study. Please let Morris or Emily know if you plan to attend.

DrawdownThe Men's group annual drawdown fundraiser will take place Valentine's Day Friday, February 14 at 6:30 pm. All proceeds from the drawdown will go to the property improvement fund.

Regular Parish Activities

January Food Pantry ItemsJan. 10 canned or powdered milkJan. 17 canned or dry beans Jan. 24 canned meatJan. 31 peanut butter

Calling all Mediator Cooks!It’s that time again. Get your team together and pick out your preferred Wednesday night. The dates available for January are the 15th 22nd, & 29th. Call the office to reserve your cooking teams’ spot.

Adult Sunday SchoolEvery Sunday the Adults meet in the parlor room to discuss the stories from Edwin Freedman's book, Freedman's Fables. These stories explore the intricacies of family dynamics. We begin each class by reading a story and then have discussion. The stories do not grow on one another, so feel free to pop in and out as you are able!

Our Public Schools cont. Diocesan News193rd Annual CouncilThe 193rd Annual Council of the Diocese of Mississippi is taking place February 7 - 9 in Tupelo. If you have never been to council, we encourage you to come and experience the excitement of the Episcopal Church in Mississippi! We already have over a dozen members signed up to come as our deputation, visitors, and bookstore merchants.

Mediator's Delegation

The church is a powerful institution, not simply because we are people of prayer, but because that prayer leads us to be people of action. I propose that we use our prayer and action to build up our community through a commitment to West Hills Elementary School. I have already been in talks with the principal and many members of this church and I believe we are ready.

On January 22nd during the parish supper, I will set aside a table to talk about how our church can best support West Hills, if you are interested in this endeavor, I hope you join me! Morris+

Ann GlazarBecky GloverWinky Glover

Emma Grace Johnson

Steve OwenLou Rawson

Sarah Paige ShirleyMorris Thompson

CHECK US OUT ONLINE & ON SOCIAL MEDIA

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Vestry HighlightsMembers

Sr. Warden, 2020Bill Scaggs

Jr. Warden, 2021Jim Quick

Class of 2020 Class of 2021 Class of 2022

Alice James, Treasurer Ann Glazar, Clerk

Beth CalderonPat DowneyJames Weems

Brenda EasterwoodRoss Goodin

Fred Wile

Ceil BunyardWinky Glover

Lou Rawson

• The youth pilgrimage was very successful, netting more than $13,000 toward expenses and building community between Mediator and St. Paul’s and their youth

• Jim Quick reported that Mediator has received estimates to replace the church boiler

• Stewardship campaign has reached 98% of its goal with both new and increased pledges.

• Individual parishioners, community members and church groups have contributed ideas to identify Mediator’s core values.

Senior Warden NomineeAnn Glazar has been a member of Mediator since 1978. She is a regular attendee of the 10:30 service, and can be found around the altar as a lay worship reader, clerking the Vestry Meetings, organizing our church membership records and archives, and at our Wednesday parish suppers. Ann was nominated by Barbara Thomas.

Vestry Nominees (3 positions open)Debby Hamm has been a member of Mediator since 2002. She is a regular at the 8:30 Sunday Eucharist, and serves on altar guild, regular in the kitchen, BBQ volunteer. She was a former clerk to the vestry. Debby was nominated by Lou Rawson.

Dustin Hill has been attending Mediator since the Lenten of 2018, he was confirmed as a member this past month. Dustin can often be seen at the 10:30 service, Wednesday parish suppers, and at Busy Bee's alongside his children Sadie (4) and Owen (2). Dustin was nominated by Jim Quick.

Dana Van Veckhoven has been a member of Mediator since 2000. She is currently serving on altar guild and is a Sunday school teacher. She is a former EfM graduate, youth leader and BBQ volunteer. She attends the 10:30 service with her husband Michael and children Billy and Lucy. Dana was nominated by Lou Rawson.

Wednesday Night ActivitiesHoly Eucharist is offered every Wednesday night at 5:30 and is followed by our Parish Supper. Afterward we will have activities for the children and youth.

Little Lights Preschool Bell ChoirWHAT A SUCCESS, and in front of the Bishop no less! Y'all we're soon going to go on tour, but before we do, we will still meet every Wednesday at 6:30 to expand our children's singing talents! Come experience the pandemonium.

Bible StudyCome join our Thursday morning Bible study in the EfM room. This faithful group meets every Thursday morning from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM to read through and discuss scripture.

Choir Mediator is always on the lookout for more members in our growing choir. We are especially in need of men's voices. Practices are Wednesdays at 6:30 pm. Come test the waters by sitting with us every now and again on Sundays! You're always welcome! Wednesday Night SuppersJoin us every Wednesday night at 6 for a parish supper. $5/person or $15 max per family. Activities for children and youth follow the meal.

Busy Bees PlaygroupThe Busy Bees Playgroup meets every Friday morning from 10:00-11:30 AM at the church playground and nursery. Infants through preschoolers and their caregivers are invited. Join us, rain or shine!

Prayer Shawl KnittersAll are invited to experience the prayer, fellowship, and joy of knitting at our weekly prayer shawl knitters' group. The group meets Wednesdays at 12:45 pm in the parlor room. Come join this rowdy crew. Beginners welcome!

CursilloMediator is looking to revive its Cursillo community. The Spring event will take place at Gray Center from April 30 - May 3. Cursillo is a spiritual retreat for adults that takes place twice a year at Gray Center. It is full of fun, reflection, and conversation. Contact Morris or Lori Douglas for more information.

Morris Thompson, Chair

The Ministry (USPS) 984580 Periodical Postage Paid at Meridian, MS 39301 Published by Church of the Mediator PO Box 3400 Meridian, MS 39303 Monthly Postmaster: Send address changes to: The Ministry PO Box 3400 Meridian, MS 39303 Volume 4 No. 1 Issue Date January 2020

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3831 35th Avenue · Meridian, MS 39305 · 601.483.3959

MARK YOUR CALENDARS January 26 Annual Parish Meeting February 7-9 193rd Annual Council Tupelo February 14 Annual Drawdown February 25 Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper February 26 Ash Wednesday April 12 Easter

EYC january

scheduleAlaska Pilgrimage

Fundraising for the pilgrimage has been going well. Our profit from the drawdown was $13,200. Our next big fundraiser will be a golf tournament scheduled for the last Saturday in April.

Jan. 12 - MediatorJan. 19 - St. Paul’sJan. 26 - Mediator

Beginning in January, the youth will be in charge of the Mediator food pantry. This will involve shopping for food, organizing food in the pantry and putting together bags of food for distribution. We will still encourage parishioners to contribute food and/or monetarily. Our first shopping trip will be during EYC on Sunday, January 12th.

Emma Grace Johnson and Sarah Paige Shirley will be attending Annual Council as youth delegates representing the Sowashee Convocation. Jillian Snodgrass and Lauren Kirchhefer will be attending as part of the “youth presence at council.”

Annual Council

Food Pantry

Youth News

Friday, January 177:00 PM

Temple Theater Ballroom

Cheer on your favorite couple while they prove their strengths on the dance floor battling for the mirror ball trophy!! Live music from the Carey Smith Big Band, delicious dinner and dancing the night away and so much more!! Proceeds will go to the Care Lodge and Cancer Benevolent fund- help us Dance for a cause! Tickets are $50 and can be purchased from Wilhelmine Damon

Dancingfor a Cause