VOLUME 8, ISSUE 10 NOVEMBER 2017

Sundays 8:00 am Holy Eucharist

9:15 am Sunday School/Coffee Hour

10:30 am Holy Eucharist

Newsletter Deadline The deadline for the December issue of

Grace to You and Peace is

December 15. Email submissions to

evievidrine@stpaulscolumbus.com

or drop submissions off at the

church office.

Office Hours 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Monday - Friday

(662) 328-6673

Clergy and Staff The Very Rev. Anne Harris, Rector

Mr. Len Bobo, Organist/Choirmaster

Mrs. Becky Brett, Office Administrator

Mrs. Kimberly Brown, Director of SPES

Mr. Ronnie Clayton, Sexton

Mrs. Evie Vidrine, Publications and Youth

From the Rector This would usually be the time of year that I would have my annual Advent versus Christmas rant! But this year I will instead write about a wonderful book I have been reading. The book is “The Great Spiritual Migration: How the World’s Largest Religion is Seeking a better way to be Christian,” by Brian McLaren.

McLaren believes, as do I, that a profound change is taking place in the shape of Christianity throughout the world. There is a current restlessness within the church and a deep thirst for a new way to be authentically Christian, connected by the desire to engage in the problems of the world, not to move away from them, and to be able to engage in honest discussions about our current theology and practices.

The migration McLaren speaks of is one that leads away from a religion organized for self-preservation and privilege, to a religion organized for the common good of all, because where we are now is not leading us forward to that holy mountain where all nations will be gathered in the light. Where we are now is not a place where love and faithfulness meet together and righteousness and peace kiss each other. Instead we are too often in an angry and conflicted place where we argue over trivial things, and hang on to a theology that divides instead of unifies.

Advent marks the beginning of a new year for the church. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of the Christ child, I urge you to take some time to think about how we at St. Paul’s can become the most loving and welcoming church in Columbus. Come and experience our midweek service of prayer, music and candle light. Bring your neighbors. Dinner and child care are provided.

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord will rise upon you…Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawning.” Isaiah 60: 1, 3.

Reverend Anne

ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

GRACE TO YOU AND PEACE

Christmas Pageant

It is already time to begin

preparation for our annual

Christmas Pageant, which will be

held on December 17. The practice

dates are December 3, 10, 16 and 17

at 9:00 a.m. We will only need the

younger children, the ones

planning to be animals, on

December 17. If your child is

comfortable memorizing lines and

would like to participate, please

contact Tiffany Killian.

Plate lunch and Bake Sale

The EYC will be having a baked

goods and plate lunch sale after the

Christmas Pageant on December 17

in the Parish Hall. The EYC will be

baking, but if you would like to

donate baked goods for the EYC to

sell, please bring them to the

church office no later than

December 16 so that we may

package them accordingly. Enjoy

some Christmas treats with your

family and help support our youth

ministry.

Women’s Bible Study

Women’s Bible study will begin

January 8, and continue on

Mondays at 5:30 p.m. We are

completing the study “Twelve

More Women of the Bible.” This

study relates women of the Bible to

women in our current society. Free

childcare and light snacks are

provided. Please contact Evie or

Kelly Overstreet for more

information.

Prayers by Candlelight

The Advent midweek service,

Prayers by Candlelight, will be

offered at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday,

December 6, 13, and 20. A meal in

the parish hall will follow each

service. Childcare will be provided.

Office Closed

The Office will be closed December

25-27 for Christmas, and January 1

for New Year.

Junior Daughters of the King

Junior Daughters will be held

December 13th at 4:00 p.m. All

girls, 2nd grade and up, are

invited to join. Please contact Rose

Crowe at 251-0468 for more

information.

Loaves & Fishes

Loaves and Fishes needs 15 cooked

pie crusts, packages of Bear Creek

chicken noodle soup, and fruit pie

filling (no pumpkin). We will be

serving December 11 and 13 at

11:00 a.m. If you would like to join

St. Paul’s Loaves and Fishes lunch

ministry, please contact Ann

Sparkman at 328-2133.

Home for the Holidays

The third annual Silent Auction of

Nativity scenes began November

19, and will end at the Advent

Event on Sunday, December 3. The

money raised will go to the Golden

Triangle Homeless Coalition.

Christmas Party

The EYC Christmas Party will be at

4:00 p.m. on December 16.

Stewardship Update

We are really close to reaching our

goal for 2018. Your vestry led the

way by increasing their pledges by

amounts varying from 4% to 100%!

We have received a total of 93

pledges for $395,388, and we expect

to receive other pledges to bring

the total to 100. Thank you for

your continued support of our

presence and our ministries!

Christmas Flowers

All donations for Christmas flowers

should be made to the office by

Wednesday, December 20.

SPES Gift Cards

We are currently collecting $25 gift

cards to Kroger and Wal-Mart for

our St. Paul’s Episcopal School

staff. These women work very hard

every day to educate the children

of SPES, and to make them feel

loved and appreciated. Let us do

the same by spreading some

Christmas cheer with these gift

cards. Donations should be brought

to the office on or before December

20.

Christmas Eve Services

This year, we will have one

Advent IV service at 8:00 a.m. on

December 24. We will then have

the children’s service at 4:30 p.m.,

and the evening service at 10:30

p.m. The brass quartet from

Mississippi State will play at both.

Annual Reports Due

All annual reports are due by

Sunday, December 31, in

preparation for our Annual

Meeting on January 14.

Choir Practice

Due to the Wednesday night

service and dinner, choir practice

will be held at 6:30 p.m. during the

month of December. We encourage

the choir members to attend the

candlelit prayer service and dinner

before practice.

Lessons and Carols

Our annual Lessons and Carols program will be Sunday, December 17 at 5:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.

Supper Club

On Sunday, December 10, at 5:30 p.m., supper club will meet at the church in the Parish Hall. We will be having a potluck Christmas dinner. A list will be emailed to all current recipients. Free childcare is provided. All adults 21 and older are welcome.

Melinda Barr & family

Pinky King

Dan Freeze

Dan Thompson

Norlene

Bill

Bertha Henfling

Geraldine Law

Walter Lee Law

Katie and Levi

Mickey Gavin

Marian Chancellor

Breland Starr

Luther Bufford

Jeffrey Harris

Josh

Dave Horton

Rebeckah Hamric

Cami Harris

Beverly

Carlisle

Jerry Riley

The Weathers family

Lulu Carlstrom & family

Jes Hendrix

Krista Madison

Pam Lantry

Robert Stoner

Lellar Smith

Drew

Katie

Barbara Lowe

Nancy Johnson

Wendy Beneke

Savannah Kirk

Gloria

Walter Ham

Danny Roy Tucker

Alice Harvill

Bobbie Davis

Richard Duggin

Ralph Johnson

Sharon Bransetter

David & Ginia Croker

Melanie Snow

Eric & Rachel Wiegman

Stewart

David

Matt

Arlana Rice

Sam Chesnut

Lt. Col. Dan Kearney

Henry & Jody Weiss

Jack H. White

Frank Burris

Jimmy Galloway

Peggy Glover

Anna

Mason

B. J. Montgomery

Rev. Bryant & Frances

Benton

Chip Billups & family

Kathy

Barbara Yarborough

Birthdays

December 1 Elizabeth Stoner

December 2 Terry Freeze

December 3 Fred McCaleb

Howard Sharp

Taylor Smith

December 4 Katie Fenstermacher

December 5 Pam Rhea

December 7 Shelby Phillips

December 8 Izzy Poros

December 11 Becky Scott

December 12 Carole Knie

December 13 Beth Easterling

December 15 Rachel George

December 16 Richard Thomas

December 18 Mollie Carter

December 19 Lindsey Noto

December 20 Sid Caradine

December 24 Gail Laws

December 25 John Knie

December 27 Elizabeth Easterling

December 29 Marian Hazard

December 30 Caroline Clay

Anniversaries

December 1 Keith & Barbara Miles

December 5 Ron & Kathy Foster

December 8 John & Eulalie Davis

December 14 Frank & Sandy Imes

December 18 Powe & Sam Chesnut

December 19 David & Sarah Lee

December 29 Tom & Sunny Whitaker

December 31 John & Carole Knie

Intercessions

For the welfare of Residents of nursing homes

Trey Atkins, Joy Clay, Doris Crowe, Eileen

Newbold

For the departed

Jimmy Galloway, Bettye Jane

Kerby, Jeff Montgomery,

Kate Roberts

Nominees for Junior Warden and Vestry

Junior Warden

Kenny Frye: I have been a member of St. Paul's since 2007. In the parish, I have worked on or been: usher, sous chef for

Mark Grisham, on the How Firm a Foundation Committee, and been a member of the Men's Group. In the coming years, I

would like to help the church by working in these areas: preservation of our church facility for future generations and

youth involvement/growth. I am married to Karen Frye, step-father to Shelby and Taylor Phillips, and proud grandfather

to Jackson Frye. In my spare time I enjoy riding bikes, lifting weights, crappie fishing with my grandson, and spending time

with my wife.

Vestry

Dawn Barham: Dawn has been a member of St. Paul’s since 1996. She has been involved with Vacation Bible School

and was St. Paul's Youth Choir director. Dawn serves as a volunteer musician for St. Paul's Choir, Lessons and Carols,

Advent services and Christmas services. She is a part of the Christian Formation team serving as a Sunday School teach-

er. In addition, Dawn was instrumental in fundraising efforts for St. Paul’s through guitar classes and has been an active

participant in the spring luncheon activities. Dawn would like to increase St. Paul’s community presence and spread

our message of Christ's love. She strives to walk in love daily using a favorite passage from John for strength and guid-

ance: "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

318 College Street

Columbus, Mississippi 39701

Return Service Requested

Mary Ann Hardy: I have attended St Paul's since 1986. In the past, I have helped with Vacation Bible School, been on

the board of St. Paul's School, been on the finance committee and helped with children's Sunday School. Most recently I

was on the Stewardship Committee. In the coming years, I would like to help the church in any capacity that I can and

specifically with the youth since that area was so influential on my older children. I am an accountant by profession and

a taxi driver to my youngest twin girls. Hanna and Emma are 14 years old and are active in the Junior Daughters of the

King and EYC. They play the violin, basketball, and soccer, and both are scholars at Heritage Academy. Boyd is in his final

semester of vet school at Mississippi State and my oldest daughter, Madeline, is married and is a flight attendant with

United Airlines in Houston Texas. I love to bake and travel whenever I can.

Richard Thomas: Richard Thomas has been a member since 1999 and was on the vestry from 2002-2005. He is a

lay eucharistic minister, verger, and an usher, and he is on the Altar Guild. Richard would like to help with church

services, help to run and develop new and current church programs, and work in any way to help make our church

a better place for all.

Leigh Yarborough: Leigh Yarborough and her husband Chuck arrived in Columbus and at St. Paul’s in 1995, coming from

St. Peter’s in Oxford. At St. Paul’s, Leigh has been involved with the EYC, served on an informal priest’s advisory com-

mittee, and volunteered with Junior Daughters of the King, St. Paul’s Episcopal School, and the May Luncheon committee

in various roles. In the coming years, she would like to help St. Paul’s grow in its community impact and outreach, shining

brightly as the light of Christ through all of us as members of this one body. She will work to make our church a home for

those seeking a place to belong as children of God. Leigh and Chuck have three children, India, Laurel, and Sam, lifelong,

active members of St. Paul’s, involved with the church, school, and youth groups throughout their lives. Leigh has been an

active member of the local community and local public schools. In addition to working with the Columbus Convention and

Visitors Bureau and managing the Tennessee Williams Home and Welcome Center, Leigh enjoys family, travel, cooking,

reading, and sailing with her husband.

The Nominating Committee continues to take nominations from the congregation at large for junior warden and vestry. The deadline

for making such nominations is Tuesday, December 19. If you would like to nominate someone, you must first get his/her permission and

then contact Junior Warden Tom Whitaker or Becky Brett. Information regarding duties, responsibilities and obligations for Junior Warden

or Vestry can be obtained by contacting Tom Whitaker. The 2019 Council delegates are Evans Dawson, George Hazard, and Jennet Lacey

with Anne Freeze as alternate.