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/

The Journey Series "Writing Into the Light"



Saturday January 25, 2025

9:00 am - 2:00 pm

St. Andrew's Cathedral, Jackson

305 E. Capitol St.

Jackson, MS 39201



A writing workshop of discovery and delight into our hidden, shared life that makes us fully human, led by Ellen Gabardi, Marion Barnwell, and Beth Foose. No writing experience necessary! Get more info and sign up at standrews.ms/journeyseries.

Ellen Gabardi, beloved teacher and spiritual director, and author of So You Will Know, has been convening circles and guiding retreats for over 30 years. Marion Barnwell, writer, teacher of writing, editor, and author of All the Things We Didn’t Say, has created and inspired writing groups for many years. Beth Foose, Rector at Grace Episcopal Church, teacher, and flower farmer, leads study groups of all kinds.

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.

Sunday Seekers



Sundays, beginning February 2, 2025

9:15 am

Trinity, Natchez

305 South Commerce St.

Natchez, MS 39120

Look at what is coming up in February at Trinity!

On February 2nd, the Sunday Seekers class that meets in the Trinity parish hall at 9:15 on Sunday mornings will begin a new class study facilitated by Kathleen Bond.

The focus will be Nijay K. Gupta’s book, "Tell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Early Church."

This book shines a light on stories from the New Testament that may be unfamiliar to us because our upbringing has not focused on them.

The book does not tell a new story but helps us to see the story as it has always been. It helps us see biblical women as they have always been – faithful leaders called by God and recognized by the early church.



Participants are encouraged to buy the book online or to place an order with Tracy Killen in the parish office (call 601-445-8432) before January 15th.

All are welcome to join this warm Sunday morning community. You do not have to be a Trinity parishioner to participate.

Camp Bratton-Green Summer 2025!



Registration for all CBG summer camp sessions

will open at 8 a.m on February 4.

Second Sundays at St. Mary's, Bolton



Sunday, February 9, 2025

3:00 pm

St. Mary's, Bolton

209 E. Madison Street

Bolton, MS 39041

Pass Parade Parking Ministry



Parade rolls on Sunday, March 2, 2025

Trinity, Pass Christian

125 Church Ave.

Pass Christian, MS 39571



Trinity Episcopal Church hosts a one-day fundraising parking ministry during the Mardi Gras parade that takes place in Pass Christian, MS the Sunday before Fat Tuesday, each and every year. Beginning in 2024 we've added technology to this ministry. Parking spots are now sold on a first come first serve basis and online only. New pricing and event rules apply to everyone. Parking spots are much larger than years past, as there are fewer available. Flags and political signage are prohibited on church grounds. No camping, overnight parking or early admittance on church grounds. No trash cans will be available as this is a NO TRACE left behind event. Take your trash off premises. Porto-let restrooms will be available on the grounds. RVs, campers and trailers are prohibited. Limited ticket availability. Tickets are non-refundable. Parking for cars, golf carts, pickup trucks, SUV's and non-commercial vans is available for purchase ONLINE ONLY through the church website: www.trinityinthepass.com. Ticket window opens January 15th at 8am.

Mardi Gras Parade



5:30 pm

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Nativity, Water Valley

609 N. Main St.

Water Valley, MS 38965



The Krewe of Crappie will march down Main Street from Nativity Church to This Is Noteworthy. TIN will host a party featuring the funk band P Rex. There will also be a Gumbo Cookoff along with yummy treats.

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!

Province IV Altar Guild News

You can check out the January Sacristy Sense HERE

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!  

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!