Bizarre Bazaar - St. Columb’s Annual Holiday Market



Wednesday, November 20, 2024

4:00 - 7:00 pm

St. Columb's, Ridgeland

550 Sunnybrook Road

Ridgeland, MS 39157

St. Columb’s Annual Bizarre Bazaar holiday market has so many new and returning vendors this year.  We have pottery, food items, clothing, gifts, jewelry, mini Christmas photo shoots, and much more. Our vendors are from the surrounding area, as well as our own parishioners showing their wares. We are starting at 4pm so you can bring the kids right after school. We'll be offering hot chocolate and tea and cookies while you shop. Join us for a fun evening of fellowship and shopping. 

DioMS Creation Care Book Discussion - Saving Us

Beginning Monday, November 25, 2024 , 3:00 - 4:00 pm

Online via Zoom

Join us for a transformative journey of faith and environmental stewardship.

We invite you to participate in the DioMS Creation Care Book Discussion, featuring the inspiring book "Saving Us." This five-week online event is designed to foster a vibrant community of faith-driven environmentalists.

Through engaging discussions, we will delve into the profound connection between our spiritual lives and the health of our planet. We'll explore how our faith calls us to be responsible stewards of creation and to address the urgent environmental challenges of our time.

Why participate?

• Deepen your faith:
• Explore how your faith intersects with environmental concerns.
• Connect with others:
• Join a community of like-minded Episcopalians.
• Learn and grow:
• Gain insights from "Saving Us" and contribute to meaningful discussions.

Small Churches Collaborative



Tuesday, December 3, 2024

10:00 - 11:00 am

Online via Zoom

Get acquainted with our new Canon to the ordinary, the Rev. Canon Gary Meade. The second half of our meeting, we'll talk about our goals as a collaborative for 2025, including the possibility of another Small Churches Conference.

For more information, please email emalphurs@stalbansbovina.org 

Adults Working With Young People Diocesan-Wide Meeting

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

7:00 pm - Children's Ministry

8:00 pm - Youth Ministry

Online via Zoom

What is AWWY? It’s short for Adults Working With Young people.  

All adults who are, or who would like to be, involved with helping the young people of their congregation grow in their faith and be full members of their faith community, are invited to participate.

If you missed one of the area-wide AWWY meetings, or would like to connect with others across the entire diocese, there will be a diocesan-wide AWWY meeting on Zoom.  

Adults Working With Young people are any adults who are, or who would like to be, involved with helping the young people of their congregation grow in their faith and be full members of their faith community, are invited to participate.

You’ll have an opportunity to share and learn from others in the diocese. Updates on resources and diocesan opportunities will also be shared.

From 7-8 pm the focus of the discussion will be on ministry with children, birth through age 12, and from 8-9 pm the focus of the discussion will be on youth, age 13 through 18.  

Please contact Whitney Robinson if you have any questions (wrobinson@dioms.org).

Blue Christmas Service



Wednesday, December 4, 2024

6:30 pm

St. Peter's by-the-Lake, Brandon

1954 Spillway Road

Brandon, MS 39047



Do you sometimes struggle during the holidays to find the joy that others are finding? Do you have a friend for whom the “holiday season” is especially sad or painful due to losses and other challenges?

Then PLEASE mark your calendars for Wednesday, December 4th for our evening “Blue Christmas” service. The service is a Eucharist, a special liturgy to acknowledge the sadness and longing that can be particularly acute during this family-oriented season.

I hope you will come to the Blue Christmas service, either to honor and acknowledge your own losses or to support others who struggle at this time of year. The Blue Christmas service will be at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, December 4th.

Becoming Beloved Community Monthly Gathering

Thursday, December 5, 2024

12:00 noon

Online via Zoom

Join us for our Becoming Beloved Community monthly virtual gathering!

Advent Market at St. Andrew's Cathedral



Thursday, December 5, 2024

5:00 - 7:00 pm

St. Andrew's Cathedral, Jackson

305 E Capitol St.

Jackson, MS 39201

Come take part in an evening of shopping with local vendors in the Cathedral Parish Hall. Local artists and craftspeople of all stripes will be selling high-quality, handmade crafts, artwork, food, and other gifts. Drinks and food will also be served. This event is open to the public - a great opportunity to socialize and get some Christmas shopping done while serving a good cause. A portion of all proceeds go towards the Cathedral's Angel Tree Ministry, providing gifts to children in need throughout the Jackson community. Interested in being a vendor? Sign up at standrews.ms/adventmarket

Christmas in the Country

Thursday, December 5. 2024

Friday, December 6, 2024

Saturday, December 7, 2024

6:00 - 9:00 pm

Chapel of the Cross, Madison

674 Mannsdale Rd

Madison, MS 39110

Christmas in the Country is the Chapel's annual Christmas lights show! This event offers visitors the chance to experience the magic of Christmas from the comfort of their vehicles. The illuminated drive-thru will feature a variety of holiday scenes and appearances from Christmas icons like Santa Claus and Buddy the Elf! Guests can also enjoy hot chocolate and cookies, served by our volunteers, adding an extra touch of holiday cheer to the experience. It will be December 5th, 6th, and 7th from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm. 

150th Anniversary Remembrance of the Vicksburg Massacre



Join us in commemorating this significant historical event. Events include -

Symposium

• When: Friday, December 6, 2024, at 5:30 PM
• Where: Bethel AME Church, 805 Monroe St, Vicksburg, MS 39183
• What: Leading scholars will present on the Vicksburg Massacre and the African American experience in Vicksburg.

Remembrance Ceremony and Wreath Laying

• When: Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 10:00 AM
• Where: Shirley House (Tour Stop #2), Vicksburg National Military Park
• What: A solemn ceremony with music, a libation ceremony, and a wreath laying.
• No entrance fee for those attending the December 7 event in the park.

A Service of Sacred Remembrance and Empowering

• When: Sunday, December 8, 2024, at 11:00 AM
• Where: St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 900 1st North St., Vicksburg, MS
• Hosted by: The Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi’s Racial Reconciliation Task Force

Advent Dean's Forum with Sister Madeleine Mary

Sunday, December 8, 2024

9:30 - 10:30 am

St. Andrew's Cathedral, Jackson

305 E. Capitol Street

Jackson, MS 39201

St. Andrew's Cathedral's Dean's Forum formation series welcomes Sister Madeleine Mary of the Community of Saint Mary, Southern Province, in Sewanee, Tennessee. Sister Mary has done retreat work and programs throughout the United States and Europe, helping people explore the connections between faith, care for creation, and Benedictine spirituality. During this session, Sister Mary will explore the Benedictine lifestyle. For over a millennium, thousands of nuns, monks, and lay people around the world have found the sixth-century Rule of Life a useful guide in their own Christian formation.

Sister Mary will join us in the Parish Hall at St. Andrew's, 305 E. Capitol Street, in downtown Jackson. All are welcome and there is no cost to attend--please join us also for worship either before or after the forum at the 8:30 or 10:30 service.

Advent Festival of Lessons & Carols at the Cathedral



Sunday, December 8, 2024

4:00 pm

St. Andrew's Cathedral, Jackson

305 E Capitol St.

Jackson, MS 39201

St. Andrew's Cathedral welcomes all to join us as we kick of the Advent Season with our joyous Festival of Lessons & Carols. This service follows the traditional format and features the full Cathedral Choir. This year, we will feature music by Orlando Gibbons, John Tavener, Paul Manz, and more. The service is open to all and will be followed by a reception in the Cathedral Parish Hall. Please come take part in this beautiful celebration!

Festival of St. Nicholas



Sunday, December 8, 2024

5:30 pm

St. Peter's by-the-Lake, Brandon

1954 Spillway Road

Brandon, MS 39047



The Festival of St. Nicholas is a family event designed to bring joy and wonder to our youngest members. Join us at 5:30 p.m. in the church to learn the story of Saint Nicholas and perhaps catch a glimpse of the jolly old elf.

Following our story, please join us in the parish hall for more fun decorating cookies, creating crafts and eating supper together.

Please join us on December 8th at 5:30 p.m. All are welcome!

Concerts in the Country:

Amahl and the Night Visitors

Sunday, December 8, 2024

7:00 pm

Chapel of the Cross, Madison

674 Mannsdale Rd

Madison, MS 39110

Concerts in the Country is our concert series at the Chapel of the Cross in Madison! Our next concert will be Amahl and the Night Visitors, a Christmas opera by Carlo Menotti. Bring family and friends for an evening of inspiring music and timeless storytelling!

AWWY Lunch ‘n Learn Dates with Whitney

Recruiting Volunteers

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

12:00 noon

Online via Zoom

Mark your calendar for Lunch ‘n Learn opportunities throughout the semester. The teaching portion will be recorded and shared with those who register. Those who attend live will then be able to ask questions about specific situations or their particular context. This portion will not be recorded or shared.

Please contact Whitney Robinson if you have any questions (wrobinson@dioms.org)

Come to the Light, an Advent Retreat

Saturday, December 14, 2024

9:00 am - 12:00 noon

Morning Session for Adults

St. Christopher's Church of the Ascension

643 Beasley Rd

Jackson, MS

1:30 - 3:00 pm

Afternoon Session for Youth (grades 6 - 12)

COFO Center

Jackson State University

1017 John R. Lynch St., Jackson, MS.

As the Advent season approaches, we invite you to "Come to the Light". This gathering will offer a warm and welcoming space for people of all faiths to come together with a morning session for adults, and an afternoon session for youth.

This retreat will be led by the Rev. Dr. Mark Bozzuti-Jones, the Director of Spiritual Formation at the Trinity Retreat Center in West Cornwall, CT. The Rev. Bozzuti-Jones will lead us in exploring the themes of light, hope, and love.

We believe that each of us brings a unique light to our gathering, and we encourage all to participate, wherever you are on your spiritual journey.

A morning session for adults from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon will be at St. Christopher's Church of the Ascension, 643 Beasley Rd, Jackson, MS, and an afternoon session for youth (grades 6th-12th) from 1:30 - 3:00 pm will be at the COFO Center, Jackson State University, 1017 John R. Lynch St., Jackson, MS.

Another awesome event sponsored by Beloved Community in the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi.

Children's Christmas Program



Sunday, December 15, 2024

10:00 am

Saint Matthews, Kosciusko

317 Saint Matthews Street

Kosciusko, MS 39090

Join us for a joyous Christmas celebration as the Saint Matthew's Youth present their special program!

Ordination of Gabrielle Munn to the Sacred Order of Deacons

Saturday, December 21, 2024

10:30 AM

St. Andrew's Cathedral,

305 East Capitol Street,

Jackson, MS 39201



Join us in celebrating!

By the Grace of God and with the consent of the people, The Right Reverend Dorothy Sanders Wells, Eleventh Bishop of Mississippi, will ordain Gabrielle Annelise Munn to the Sacred Order of Deacons.

Your prayers and presence are warmly welcomed.

Winter Solstice Camp

Wednesday, December 27, 2024 - Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Camp Bratton-Green

Gray Center

1530 Way Road

Canton, MS 39046



Winter Solstice at Camp Bratton-Green is the Winter Edition of summer camp and is intended to provide a safe, fun New Year's opportunity for High School students in the 9th - 12th grades. This year's WS will be Dec. 27, 2024 - Jan. 1, 2025. Tiered pricing is available.

Christmas Lessons and Carols



Sunday, December 29, 2024

10:30 am

St. Peter's by-the-Lake, Brandon

1954 Spillway Road

Brandon, MS 39047



Please join us on Sunday, December 29th for "Christmas Lessons and Carols." Our service of lessons and carols begins at 10:30 a.m.

Creation Care News

Are you ready to dig deep and sow some seeds of change? We invite you to sign up for our diocesan Creation Care Task Force Monthly newsletter, where we share news, ideas, and inspiration from the Diocese of Mississippi and beyond! 

Every month, you'll receive a delightful bouquet of tips and resources to help you nurture our beautiful planet and bring about the Kingdom of God on Earth right here, right now!  

Advent Resources

In Luke’s telling of the Christmas story, startled shepherds are the first to hear that good news of great joy given to all people. Since then, through generations and generations, across the world, we keep sharing this Good News, receiving signs from God that, in the coming of Jesus Christ, we have received the greatest gift of all.  

The Episcopal Church wants to help you and your congregation share that Good News with each other and your neighborhoods, especially this Advent and Christmas. Find our free resources based on invitation, the Way of Love, racial reconciliation, faith formation, and more.

Get Your Diocesan Event News Here!



Friends, in addition to our fabulous The Mississippi Episcopalian magazine, we are introducing the TME-news brief that will allow us to more quickly and nimbly share upcoming events and happenings from around the Diocese every other Wednesday! So watch for it - and get your news here!!



• If this e-newsletter was forwarded to you, or you are reading it from our Facebook page, and you would like to subscribe, please click HERE.
• If you have news about events at your church or school to share with our Diocesan family, please click HERE or on the button below to share your parish's events.
• The Mississippi Episcopalian magazine will still be produced monthly - and will be devoted to features. If you have ideas for inspirational faith stories from our Diocese to share with our Diocesan family, please email Wil Oakes (msepiscopalian@dioms.org). 

We hope that you enjoy this addition to our diocesan communications!