It is almost time for our 198th Annual Council!



The congregations of the Mississippi Gulf Coast are excited to welcome you to the 198th Annual Council of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi! We invite you to join us Friday, January 31st through Sunday, February 2nd, 2025 as we spend a weekend “Telling our Story.” Annual Council will occur at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention Center in Biloxi. We have plenty to share about the mission and ministry of the Church happening in our state. We look forward to welcoming you to our home, celebrating our shared ministry, and hearing how we can love, serve, and follow Jesus together into the future.

Council welcomes delegates, clergy, and visitors. To register or for more information, please visit the council website, https://mscouncil198.org/

Mediation Skills Training Institute



Monday, January 27, 2025 - Friday, January 31, 2025

Wesley Center

Woodworth, LA



Learn to Foster Peace and Harmony!

Equip yourself with the essential skills to navigate conflict effectively. This intensive five-day training, hosted by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, will empower you to address interpersonal, congregational, and other group conflicts with wisdom and compassion.

Work, Play, Life: Vocation

- A Young Adult Retreat



Friday, March 21, 2025 - Sunday, March 23, 2025

Gray Center, Camp Bratton-Green

1530 Way Road

Canton, MS 39046



Adults 18-28 can participate. Adults 29 and older may inquire about serving as volunteer staff! diomsyac@gmail.com

Our 2025 retreat will be centered around the theme of “Vocation” and how we find our calling and purpose in our daily lives through work, service, worship, hobbies, and relationships.

Retreat attendees will participate in talks, activities, and small group discussions relevant to our theme. There will also be plenty of time for rest, games, and connection!

Cursillo

Friday, April 4, 2025 - Sunday. April 6, 2025

Gray Center, Camp Bratton-Green

1530 Way Road

Canton, MS 39046



Exciting news! Cursillo is back! After a period of absence, we are thrilled to announce the return of this transformative retreat experience. Mark your calendars for April 4-6, 2025, as we gather on the Camp side of Gray Center for a weekend of spiritual growth and community bonding.

Leading this year's retreat will be Billy Ray Sigh as Lay Lector and Lester Hailey as Head Cha-Cha.

A dedicated team of clergy and laity have worked diligently to revitalize Cursillo while preserving its core essence as a 'short course.' Expect a weekend filled with enriching experiences, designed to deepen your faith and strengthen your connection to the church.

To participate, you'll need a recommendation from both your Sponsor and your church Priest. Your Sponsor will be a valuable resource, providing guidance and support as you prepare for the retreat. While they may not be present during the weekend, they will be praying diligently for you. If you don't have a Sponsor, please reach out to your church Rector for assistance in finding one.

The Priest's recommendation ensures you are in good standing with the church and emotionally and spiritually prepared for this retreat. Rest assured, all recommendations are held in confidence between the Lay Rector, Spiritual Directors, and the retreat staff.

Space is limited, so don't delay! The registration deadline is Monday, March 3rd. We encourage you to prayerfully consider attending this life-changing weekend.

Spring Registration for Diocesan Youth Events Open!

Registration for the spring diocesan youth events is now open and DOY is $20 off until January 15th!

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!  

For January's special council edition of The Mississippi Episcopalian, we're planning to showcase photos of Christmas services and celebrations from every corner of the Diocese of Mississippi, and we'd love to include yours! Please take photos (at appropriate moments, of course!) during your parish's Christmas events (services, parties, etc.) and send them to us at msepiscopalian@dioms.org. Be sure to include the name of your church and your city in the subject or body of your email, and the name of the photographer if they'd like a photo credit. Multiple pictures are welcome. TME wishes you all a Christmas full of peace, joy, and love.

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!