Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

By the time the September MSE was printed and mailed, I had become so highly involved in the Hurricane - first preparing, now responding, that I have not had the time to get the photos posted to this website. I will tackle that project soon.

Many Peaces

Lauren Auttonberry
Coordinator of Communications
Diocese of Mississippi

 

Schedule
8:00 - 10:00	Arrival, parking & registration at Gray Center If your church is chartering buses (or borrowing from other denominational neighbors!) please contact Mike Flannes, parking@thetentmeeting.dioms.org, so that appropriate parking arrangements can be made! Carpooling and caravanning are HIGHLY encouraged ! ! !
10:00 - 12:00	Liturgy of the Word, including the Bishop's message 1:00 p.m. an optional, but very special presentation by John Maxwell of a NEW WORK commissioned especially for this event...
12:00 - 2:00	Lunch and watermelon cutting
2:00 - 4:00	Liturgy of the TABLE with Eucharist
4:00...	an optional High-tea, Mississippi style to ease congestion during departure

 

Bishop Reflects on the upcoming Tent Meeting
by the Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray, III

What can I say to you about the Tent Meeting that has not yet been said?

I've spoken to you about the need to begin to think in new, and sometimes very ancient, models of being the church. An Episcopal Tent Meeting is meant to suggest the church's willingness to think outside the box, though I'm not suggesting that we shift our moment of deepest devotion from Holy Week to the heat of August! For those literalists among us, it's meant to be a symbol!

I've spoken to you about the need to have a church that is deeply rooted in its tradition, but able to see God revealing the Divine presence in unexpected ways. What is more unexpected than the Episcopal Church having a Tent Meeting in August?

I've shared with you my intention to announce new initiatives that will impact every part of our common life in this diocese. Will they bring in the Kingdom of God? Will they solve all of our problems? Of course not. But these initiatives will change some of the ways we do things. They will point toward priorities of time and financial resources; and I pray that they will be the catalyst for new and creative thinking in each local congregation. If we can take even small steps toward reclaiming our calling as missionary people, God will be pleased.

I hope to see you on August 20. My goal is to have 20% of the average Sunday attendance from every congregation in this diocese. I dream big dreams! I do believe we are called by God to be transforming and reconciling agents in this world. Let's not be afraid to be bold in imagining what this old church would look like if we dared to be faithful!

Water Bearers and Clergy
WBNewsInfoUpdated071305.pdf