LGBT Newsletter Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi Committee on Ministry with LGBT Persons

November, 2015

I would like to thank the past and current members of the committee for their dedication and effective work over the years. In particular, Betty Melton, for work with the retreat and this newsletter, Dr.Robin Webb, musician for the retreat, Dr. Robert Stewart who takes minutes of committee meetings, and a very special “thank you” to The Rev. Janet Ott, who has been our guiding light and mentor for most of the years the committee has been in existence. Welcome Suzanne: I wish you all success in the future with our very important mission to the Diocese and beyond.

John A. Lever, Chairman

A Message from the Chairman

Just a short message to let you know that I will be stepping down (retiring) as the Chairman of the Diocesan Committee on Ministry with LGBT Persons effective with the 189th Diocesan Council at the end of January 2016. I have been on the committee for a long time and its chairman for the past 14 years. I am so pleased to notify you that Bishop Seage has appointed Suzanne Pepper, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Jackson to succeed me. We are very fortunate to have Suzanne. She is personally well equipped to provide dedicated and dynamic leadership. She and I will are working together to assure a seamless transition. I urge you all to welcome her and give her your ideas and full support.

The Committee on Ministry with LGBT Persons

Welcomes Suzanne "Pepper" Pepper

The Rev. Dr. Lynn Barker - St. Francis' , Philadelphia The Rev. Dr. Susan Hrostowski - St. Elizabeth's, Collins

Mr. John Lever - St. Andrew's Cathedral, Jackson - Chairman Ms. Betty Melton - St. Paul's, Meridian Ms. Lori Mitchell - St. Paul’s, Columbus

Mr. Webb Morgan - St. Andrew's Cathedral, Jackson The Rev. Janet Ott - St. Mark's, Raymond

Mr. AZ (Butch) Rains - St. Andrew's Cathedral, Jackson Mr. Ben Roach - St. Alexis', Jackson

Dr. Robert Stewart - St. Peter's, Oxford Dr. Robin Webb - Calvary, Cleveland

The Rev. Deacon Scott Williams - St. Peter's by-the-Sea, Gulfport

The first retreat I attended was August 2014, led by Dent Davidson. I had recently moved back 'home' to Jackson, after being away from MS since 2000. When I was suddenly thrust back home last year, I was 'afraid' MS had not 'changed' enough for me. The acceptance we can find when we are among 'like-minded' and loving individuals can make all the difference in one's life. The work we are called to do is to "Honor All Persons", and "All are Welcome". I attend St. Philips, Jackson, MS..."All Are Welcome" is our #hashtag. And I truly feel it there, at St. Philips, and among you at our retreats. This committee, led by John Lever, has come so far. The amazing ten years of programs I have heard about were monumental and life-changing for some, and surely inspirational to all who have attended. Whether a LGBT person, or a straight ally, we all assemble to glorify God. Our work now is equally important. We have a lot more work to do to continue to bring our LGBT family to the Episcopal Church and for our ministry within the Episcopal Church. A place where we can worship, and serve, and feel welcomed while doing so. We are called to share our Love for Jesus; we are all part of the Jesus Movement, as our Presiding Bishop Elect (Bishop Curry) so boldly says. Let's work together to share this love with others and encourage others to attend our annual retreat, to continue learning and growing in our spiritual life, and to love one another. Save the Date: Our next retreat dates are August 26 - 28, 2016. Even now, this committee, along with Bishop Seage, is working to bring another top-notch Presenter/Leader for the 2016 weekend retreat. I look forward to serving you. Please message me if there are ideas that have been simmering within you around this work, our annual retreat, or other ideas you have. Here is my contact info: SuzKPepper@aol.com, or 561-307-2903. Reach out. Your committee will be listening for your input. If not before, I'll see you at our next retreat!! Peace, Pepper

Dear Friends, This newsletter contains a letter from John Lever announcing his retirement (January 2016) as the leader of the Diocesan Committee on Ministry with LGBT Persons. It was a huge surprise to me when Bishop Seage recently asked me to lead this committee, after John's retirement. I am honored, humbled. I am grateful. I am blessed. I am ready to serve.

In the midst of all that preparation I’m reminded of what is arguably my favorite “All Saints” story – the one of the little girl visiting the great cathedral with her aunt. As they walked through the big, beautiful church the child was entranced by the stained glass windows. Pointing to one she asked in hushed voice, “Who is that man with the dragon?” Her aunt answered, “That’s Saint George.” Walking a little further she pointed again. “Who is that woman with the baby?” Her aunt answered “That’s Saint Mary.” Again she pointed asking “And who is that man with all the animals?” And the answer came, “Oh, that’s Saint Francis.” The little girl stood for a moment -- taking in the brilliant colors of the beautiful stained glass window -- and then said excitedly to her aunt, “Now I know what a saint is! A saint is a person the light shines through!” Exactly. And we have been so blessed by so many saints in our lives -- and by the light of the love of Christ that has shone through in their lives. And not just the ones who end up in stained glass in a cathedral somewhere. We stand on the shoulders – and in the light – of those who encourage, inspire and support us along our journey. And that – for me – is the abiding impact of our time together at the Spiritual Retreat. It was in the light continuing to shine through the words and witness of Malcolm Boyd. It was in the light shining through all those who worked to create a holy space of hospitality and grace at the retreat center. It was in the stories of those who shared “Where I Am From” and it was in the conversations that happened at dinner tables on porches and in rocking chairs. And it was in the reflections on where we are called to go from here when there is still so much work to make this world a safe and welcoming place for God’s beloved LGBT people. I am so deeply grateful to have been blessed by the light shared by “all the saints” from the Diocese of Mississippi – and beyond – who made up the community gathered at the Spiritual Retreat 2015. And my prayer for all of us as we move forward into God’s future is the grace to continue to let that light of Christ’s love shine through us that others might know and be known by the God who loves them beyond their wildest imaginings.

The Rev. Susan Russell Senior Associate All Saints Episcopal Church Pasadena, CA

For all the saints The time has gone so quickly since Lori and I were with you in August for the Spiritual Retreat that it hardly seems possible the liturgical calendar says it is already time for All Saints Day. As I write this, we are deep in preparation for what will be our rector Ed Bacon’s last celebration of our Feast Day here in Pasadena as the wider church is in deep preparation for a new era of mission and ministry which begins with the investiture of our new Presiding Bishop on November 1 at the National Cathedral.

extended the opportunity for healing through sharing my story, hearing the stories of other people, and acknowledging that each of us have the divine task of loving unconditionally, regardless of our circumstances. THE REVEREND CANON SUSAN RUSSELL was such a lovely addition to the retreat. She shared insight on the power of faith and the strength in reconciling. There were activities and breakout sessions that challenged us to think outside of ourselves and open our hearts and minds to be of more service to those around us. HRC was also given the opportunity to host the opening reception where we engaged with attendees and informed them of work we are doing within our great state of Mississippi. We also informed them of the "First Annual Mississippi Equality Summit" we were having and gave everyone a chance to sign up to get more involved in our volunteer outreach program. The Episcopal Renewal Retreat was so eye-opening and phenomenal. I would definitely recommend that each and every human being attend this retreat so they can experience the power of love, acceptance, and faith to the capacity that I have. I laughed, I cried, I saw life through the eyes of other people and it helped me to develop more of an appreciation for people. I really enjoyed my time at the Duncan Gray Center for the retreat and look forward to reconvening next year. Daniel G. Ball Mississippi Faith Organizer Human Rights Campaign

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The Diocesan Committee on Ministry with LGBT Persons and The Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi present

The Eleventh Annual

Spiritual Renewal Retreat

August 26-28, 2016

Gray Center - Canton, MS

Since beginning my journey as "Faith Organizer" for the Human Rights Campaign, I had always been told that the "Episcopal Renewal Retreat" was something that was life-changing.

Little did I know that this retreat would be nothing short of Extraordinary. Not only did I have an opportunity to worship and congregate with people in the LGBT community, I was able to build relationships with people that I know will last a lifetime. I sometimes have the tendency of seeing life through my own battles and my own perspective but attending the retreat allowed me to hear other people's stories and see that I am not the only person in the world that has been broken. I was

Happy Anniversary October

21 - Beth Gilbert & Ceil Bunyard

December

26 - Martin Jellinek and Bill Branch

Happy Birthday

Please Visit the Committee on Ministry with LGBT Persons' Web site at: http://www.dioms.org/outreach/gay.html

October

6 - Lori Douglas

18 - Betty Melton '45

22 - Gayle Watts

27- Suzanne Pepper

31 - Michelle Rushing '71

November

1 - Suzanne Todd

13 - David Wacaster

26 - Penny Sisson

27 - Charlene Eichelberger

December

28 - Brenda Teague '58

29 - Kay Little '65

Send your anniversary and birth dates to cga39301@att.net so your special day can acknowledged.

All Things are Temporary

Change never stops, never sleeps: it must always keep moving. The good news

is if you hate the way things are, they will change. The bad news is if you love

the way things are, they are certain to change as well. The only thing inevitable

about life is change. Change is here to stay!

A few years ago I had an idea that one thing we needed in the LGBT community

was more communication...thus the birth of the Newsletter. This has been a labor

of love but it is time for a change..."My cup runneth over." This will be my last

Newsletter. I have asked Christopher Alexander to take over this ministry and he

has graciously accepted. If you would like to contribute to the newsletter please

contact Christopher at cga39301@att.net Thank you Christopher!

Hope to see you in January at Council on the Gulf Coast or at the Eleventh

Annual Spiritual Renewal Retreat August 26-28, 2016 at the Gray Center.

Peace and Blessings to All, Betty

....

ANNOUNCING:

THE ADVOCACY AMBASSADORS PROGRAM

My Brother’s Keeper, The Mississippi Center for Justice and Robin Webb, Vice Chair of the Southern AIDS

Coalition, are pleased to announce AIDSWatch Mississippi 2016, a legislative day at the Mississippi State

Capitol to be held February 25th, 2016. This will be a one day event with morning HIV policy briefs, a

luncheon with special guests, legislators and other elected officials, exhibitors for a meet-and-greet in the

Rotunda at the Capitol, a press conference and great opportunities for community advocates and state

legislators to interact.

Accompanying AIDSWatch Mississippi is our Advocacy Ambassadors leadership development program.

Twelve ambassadors from across Mississippi will be selected and trained to be leaders at this event.

Advocacy Ambassadors will be selected in by December 1st, 2015. The application deadline is November

13th, 2015. We need:

- Six People Living With HIV, from all parts of the state

- Six persons appointed by community-based organizations (CBOs) to act as their organization’s

representative. This CBO delegate may be a staff member, board member, affiliate or client of the

CBO.

Each of these 12 advocates will receive a stipend of $500 upon completion of the Advocacy Ambassadors

Program. In addition to the stipend, each ambassador who lives outside the Jackson Metro area will also

receive travel expenses, including hotel, food and lodging for AIDSWatch Mississippi. CBOs may

designate whether the stipend will go to their organization or to the appointed individual.

Here are the participation requirements for completion of the program:

1. Three conference calls, one per month, in December 2015, January 2016 and February 2016.

2. Documented communication with local and state representatives around HIV education and

awareness, as well as other individual and team assignments.

3. Full participation in AIDSWatch Mississippi on February 25th, 2016.

4. Completion of all required post-event reporting and evaluation materials.

Please help us find advocates! To apply, submit application via email (below), fax (601.957.3640) or by

postal mail to My Brother’s Keeper Inc., 710 Avignon Drive, Ridgeland, MS 39157. If you have any

questions please call Robin Webb or Cedric Sturdevant.

ACT NOW! BE AN ADVOCACY AMBASSADOR!

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS NOVEMBER 13TH, 2015.

For more information, contact:

Robin Webb robintwebb@aol.com (662) 545-1000

Cedric Sturdevant csturdevant@aol.com or @My Brother’s Keeper (601) 672-1882