May 24, 2023

A Message from Mother Marie

Dear Incarnation Family,

Happy Eve of Pentecost Season! The next two Sundays bring us the birthday of the Church (Pentecost,) a Sunday focused on the Trinity (Trinity Sunday,) and the last two times we'll have liturgical colors (red and white) other than green for a while. Don't forget to wear Red on Sunday!

Most of all, Pentecost brings with it the introduction of the Holy Spirit to the Church and renewed focus on how the Spirit moves in our lives both personally and corporately. The late theologian and minister Frederick Buechner once wrote:

"To you speak of the Holy Spirit is to speak above all, I think, of the power of God, intoxicating, dangerous, world of transforming, irresistible. In his sonnet 'God’s Grandeur,' Gerard Manley Hopkins marvels that although the world has gone stale and everything in it including, I would add, the Church,'wears man’s smudge and share man’s smell,' nonetheless it is never beyond the power of God to redeem and resurrect. And why? Because 'there lives the dearest freshness deep down things, he says. 'Because the Holy Ghost over the bent/World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.'"

Jesus promised an advocate and when that advocate came, it never left. That same Spirit moves in our silent moments, in the fray of daily life, and in the times when the unimaginable happens. While they may not seem as earth-shattering as the first one, the Pentecosts in our lives are still just as powerful.

As we approach Pentecost Sunday, let us reflect on the ways the Holy Spirit has moved and continues to move in and around us. May the mighty wind keep stirring us to life.

All is Grace,

Mtr. Marie+

Tombigbee Convocation Altar Guild Conference

July 15th, 2023

Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 15th, at 10:00 AM, as Incarnation will be hosting our Convocation Altar Guild Conference.

Our Convocation, Tombigbee, is comprised of nine churches: St. John's, Aberdeen; Good Shepherd, Columbus; St. Paul's, Columbus; St. Paul's, Corinth; St. Bernard's Okolona; St. Francis of Assisi, Philadelphia; Resurrection, Starkville; All Saints, Tupelo; and Incarnation, West Point.

Directories Now Available!

2023 Church directories are now available. If there is an error with your address, etc., please let the Church Office know.

SERVICES IN THE COMING WEEK

SUNDAY, May 28, 2023

Day of Pentecost

HE II

The Rev. Marie Smith

10:30 am

Lector: Bill Sugg

Intercessor: Michelle Easterling

Acolyte: Ruth Andrews

Ushers: John Early, Bert Falkner

Services are live-streamed on our Local Live page.

(Go to Incarnation's Local Live page HERE)

Lay Eucharistic Minister Schedule

We're in need of extra support in the form of Lay Eucharistic Ministers during Holy Communion on Sundays. Lay Eucharistic Ministers assist Mtr. Marie by distributing the wine during Communion when Deacon Patricia cannot attend. Training is available for those who are interested but have not served before.

If you are interested in this ministry, please let Mtr. Marie know.

The Search Committee for the 11th Bishop of the Diocese of Mississippi wants to hear from you!

Over the next month, the Search Committee for the 11th Bishop of Mississippi is hosting seven listening sessions and distributing an online survey across the Diocese for all Episcopalians. The survey and sessions serve as opportunities for members to share their stories and experiences of being distinctly Episcopalian in the State of Mississippi, as well as your hopes for the next chapter of our Diocesan ministry.

Sessions will take place on:

• Wednesday, May 24, at 5:30 PM, at All Saints, Tupelo (A potluck supper will be offered)
• Wednesday, May 31, at 6:00 PM, at Church of the Nativity, Greenwood
• Thursday, June 1, at 5:30 PM at St. Timothy’s, Southaven and
• Sunday, June 4, at 3:00 PM at St. Columb’s, Ridgeland (This session will also be streamed and moderated on Facebook live).

In addition to the listening session, the Search Committee encourages all members of the Diocese to take a moment and complete the Diocesan Profile Survey by May 30th. You can find the survey and Listening Session registration on our website, www.msbishopsearch.com.

The Committee knows this work cannot flourish without your prayers, support, and input.

If you would like to carpool to the May 24th session in Tupelo, please let Mtr. Marie know.

Parish Events - May 2023

- 5/24: Listening Session with the Bishop's Search Committee at All Saints', Tupelo (5:30 - Contact Mtr. Marie if you would like to carpool)

- 5/27: Pentecost Sunday

- 5/31: Taize (6:00)

Want to print a copy of the Parish Calendar?

Click the button at the bottom of the email to access the most updated version.

• Office hours are 10:00 am - 3:00 pm, Tuesday through Thursday. If you need to come at a different time, please get in touch with Mtr. Marie or Dianne.
• Mother Marie will be out of the office on the following dates:
• May 31st - June 1st
• June 6th - 7th
• June 12th - 30th

Letter Writing Opportunities

Do you like to write letters and/or send cards? We have an opportunity to send letters and/or cards to our parishioners for much-needed encouragement and support. If you would like to participate, their contact information is listed below.

Greyson Klutts:

Clay County Detention Center

Greyson Klutts

P.O. Box 142

West Point, MS 39773

Eddie Malone:

Clay County Detention Center

Eddie Malone

P. O. Box 142

West Point, MS 39773

Coffee Hour Hosts Needed

The Coffee Hour sign-up for MAY - JULY is now live! Please feel free to sign up for any dates you'd like. We have the following dates open:

5/28

6/4

6/11

6/18

6/25

7/2

7/9

7/16

7/23

7/30



If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to get in touch with Mtr. Marie.

Vestry News

Your 2023 - 2024 Vestry members are:

• Senior Warden: Joe Stevens 
• Junior Warden: Keith Mooney
• Clerk: Susie Walker
• Treasurer: Karen Mooney
• Jamie Andrews
• Kathy Dyess
• Carolyn Jane Hay
• Jeremy Klutts
• Betty Person

Highlights from the May 15th meeting:

• Building and Grounds:
• The Vestry approved a quote to refinish the front doors of the Church.
• Signage discussions are occurring with the Aesthetics Committee regarding signage for directions from the Parking Lot to the Parish Hall, Kitchen, Trulove House, and other possible signs

Next Vestry Meeting: Monday, June 19th at 5:30 pm via Zoom

If you have any questions or items to bring to the Vestry, please talk to Senior Warden Joe Stevens, Junior Warden Keith Mooney, any Vestry member, or Mtr. Marie.

Mtr. Marie will continue having Office Hours at the Coffee Shop at Jubilations from 10:30 - 2:30 on the following Fridays, pending no unforeseen conflicts:

• May: 26th
• June: 2nd and 9th
• NO OHCS June 16th - 30th

Any changes to the schedule will be announced on social media and/or via email.

Food Pantry

The pantry is in desperate need of TOMATO PRODUCTS.

(Tomato sauce, tomato paste, canned tomatoes.)

Please remember those in need, especially during this holiday season, and continue to leave your pantry donations in the wagon outside the Parish Hall!



You may contact Dwight Dyess for more information. 

WINGS (Women in God's Service)

WINGS meets in the Incarnation Parish Hall at 12 noon on the Third Wednesday of the months scheduled below. All ladies are invited and encouraged to bring friends. We enjoy a potluck lunch, fellowship, planning service projects, and a devotion. Ladies that work are especially invited to come on their lunch break. You do not need to worry about a dish, as the rest of us will bring plenty. Typical projects are listed, but we are open to adding others. Bring your donations to the meeting or sometime during the month. Items will be delivered to the designated recipients by one of the members of our group. Volunteer to give the devotional for future meetings if you enjoy this type of sharing. For more information, please contact Kathy Dyess.

The next WINGS meeting is Wednesday, June 21st, at Noon

 WINGS Service Project Schedule

• June 21 - Sally Kate Winters Home. teen pajama bottoms, children’s pajamas, all ages socks, underwear, dental and hair care products, etc.
• Aug 16 - Animal Shelter. newspapers, paper towels, bleach, dishwashing liquid, antibacterial hand  soap, unscented laundry detergent, dog and puppy food, dog treats, cat litter, kitten toys, cat and kitten food, heavy duty garbage bags, plastic grocery sacks
• Oct 18 - Dugan Penny Auction.  Each resident participant receives a bag of 20 pennies (provided by the home) which they use to bid on personal care items, snacks, socks, room décor and more. Dugan residents eagerly look forward to the weekly auction of items donated for this purpose. Suggested items to donate are: Snacks such as bags of chips, cookies, soft candy, packs of nabs, Little Debbie cakes, breakfast bars, etc. Personal care, hair care items, lotions, soaps, Chapstick, perfume, after shave (Dollar Tree size is good.) Kleenex, Glade air fresheners, socks (holiday or other fuzzy ones, too), knitted or crocheted hats, potpourri, drawer sachets, table art, etc.
• Dec 20 - Adopt-a-Family.  purchase and wrap a present for one of the members of the Church’s adopted family.

Christ at Home Meal Ministry

Thank you to the many volunteers who have kept this ministry going during the last two years. It has taken a village!

Chairpersons, dessert baker, and helper(s) needed for June 26th

For more information, please contact Kristen Stevens.

May

Susan Chandler

Dawn Richardson

May

John Early

Bert Falkner

2023 Usher Schedule



Our 2023 Usher Schedule is attached. If you are interested in serving as an Usher or Alternate Usher, please contact Bert Falkner or the church office.

Lay Ministers: 

MAY

SUNDAY, May 7

Easter V

Lector: Kristen Stevens

Intercessor: Kathy Dyess

Acolyte: Trey Andrews

SUNDAY, May 14

Easter VI

Lector: Shurley Sugg

Intercessor: Ron Powell

Acolyte: Jack Easterling

SUNDAY, May 21

Easter VII

Lector: Michelle Easterling

Intercessor: TBD

Acolyte: Day Ivy

SUNDAY, May 28

Pentecost Sunday

Lector: Bill Sugg

Intercessor: Michelle Easterling

Acolyte: Ruth Andrews



If you are unavailable for the date you are assigned, please obtain a replacement and contact us at [email protected] to let us know.

Incarnation Prayer List

Parishioners: Jim, Lucille, Sandy, David, Michael, the Klutts family, Eddie, Betty Rand, Melissa, our homebound members, and those who have unspoken prayer requests.

Family and Friends: Dan, Johnny B., J.R., Miriam, Jim G., Hailey, Cy, J.P., Shirley, Betty, Kenny, Mary O., Susan M., the Craven family, the Hill family, the Houston family, Harold, Jerry Jean, Duane, Melanie B., Jimmy, Kay, Terry, Brandon B., Lori, the Meeks family, Donna B., Jimmy D., Vicki Ray and family, Tyler Oswalt and family, Sue Altman, Mary Claire, Andy, Steve, Shannon, Mike, Aaron, Evan, Vicki and Johnny, Becky, Bryan, Fox, Ouida, Rita, Jeff, Dan, Becky A., Beverly C., the Van Arsdell family, the Matthews family, the Gwin family, Jay S., Sherman, William Mayfield, Sr., the Surkin family, the Herndon family, the Floyd family, Shelley Gay, Joanne, Elena and Ben, Zac, Jordan H., Albert, Jim B., Ashley and Steven, Pete, and those who have unspoken prayer requests.

For all those who serve our country, especially Dylan Bryan, and all members of the Armed Forces, police, fire, and the first responders and others of this nation who are in harm’s way.

We pray for all those who have died, especially those who have passed from illness, disasters, violence, and unrest in the world, and those we love yet see no longer.

Give to the departed eternal rest.

Please call or email the parish office if you know someone who needs to be added to our prayer list.

A Birthday Prayer

Watch over your beloved children, O Lord, as their days increase; bless and guide them wherever they may be. Strengthen them when they stand; comfort them when discouraged or sorrowful; raise them up if they fall; and in their hearts may your peace, which passes all understanding, abide all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Adapted from the Book of Common Prayer)

MAY BIRTHDAYS

7th - Terry Jones

8th - Thomas Easterling    

13th - Karen Powell, Nora Molina

18th -Sarah Jane Hay

22nd -Betsy Lott

29th - Trey Andrews    

30th - Paula Kohut,  Matt Molina

Anniversary of a Marriage

Grant, O God, in your compassion that having taken each other in marriage, and affirming again in the covenant which they have made, may grow in forgiveness, loyalty, and love; and come at last to the eternal joys which you have promised through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(From the Book of Occasional Services)

Please contact the parish office (662.494.1378 or [email protected]) if you would like to add your birthday or anniversary to the parish list.

MAY ANNIVERSARIES

6th -Anne and Will Sutherland    

24th - Michelle & Thomas Easterling

31st - Betsy & David Lott

 If you notice anything in the church that needs attention, please contact

Keith Mooney or Susan Chandler.