Events for Diocese of Mississippi

Planning For Tomorrow & Enriching Your Retirement Conferences

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 01:00:00 -0400

Planning For Tomorrow (active clergy)
Enriching Your Retirement (retired clergy)

Presented by the Church Pension Fund

These conferences help active and retired clergy, including their spouses, develop the life and financial planning skills they need to meet financial and other goals while they are working and in retirement.

At the planning conference, you can:

Meet privately with senior members of the Church Pension Group and others experienced in financial and life planning.
Hear presentations on pensions, Social Security, Medicare and personal financial concerns.
Consider the challenges and opportunities of life planning and aging.
Explore and discuss your specific financial and life situation.
Begin the process—during the conference—of planning for a healthy and happy tomorrow.

Please click here for access to resources & worksheets from the Church Pension Group.

Bishop's BBQ

Sat, 23 May 2009 10:00:00 -0400

We heard you!

The Bishop's BBQ will be COOL!!!

We have selected a date with a promise of temperatures under 100 degrees!! Please RE-MARK your calendars with this NEW DATE.

May 23, 2009

You will see more on this and the plans to make this BBQ bigger and better than ever. For sure, it will be a child's delight with fun for them like you've never seen.

STAY TUNED!

Honduras Medical Mission

Sat, 14 Feb 2009 01:00:00 -0500

It is time to consider becoming a missionary with the Honduras Medical Mission for the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi. We are looking for people with all kinds of (or no) talent! There is a place for everyone. All we require is a passion to help others. Speaking Spanish is not necessary. Take a look at our website www.hondurasmedicalmission.net

The mission will be Saturday, Feb 14- Saturday, Feb 21, 2009. Each team member is responsible for paying a team fee of $1200.00 which includes airfare, meals and lodging in Honduras. An application is attached. Please download, fill out and return as soon as possible. The team is chosen in August and we want you to be included.

Click here to download an application.

Healthy Congregations Workshop

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:30:00 -0500

6:30 p.m - 9 p.m. - Friday

9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Saturday

How can a congregation recognize and address anxiety before that anxiety fuels destructive conflict within the faith community? What can church leaders do to become more aware of their own emotional reactivity, and the way that their presence influences the ebb and flow of anxiety within a congregation?

Congregational leaders will find help with such questions at the Healthy Congregations workshops provided by the Center for Formation & Mission of the Diocese of Mississippi and presented by The Rev. Chip Davis.

The Healthy Congregations workshop helps clergy and lay leaders understand their congregations as emotional systems in which the functioning of each member has an effect upon the health and well-being of the entire church. Building on the work of Dr. Murray Bowen, Dr. Edwin Friedman, and Dr. Peter Steinke, the Healthy Congregations workshop equips pastors and lay leaders to function as a congregation's immune system, such that anxiety is not allowed to become infectious and, thus, not bring polarization and division to a church system.

The Healthy Congregations workshop is highly interactive using videotapes, case studies, workbooks, and discussion to help participants learn how to prevent destructive conflict and encourage congregational health.

Fr. Davis has been trained by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center (LMPC) to present the Healthy Congregations workshop. Chip has 20 years experience in Family Systems Theory and has served often as a diocesan consultant for vacancies and conflict resolution and is the rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, in Natchez.

* All congregations are encouraged to send a team for the Healthy Congregations workshop. The cost is $30 per individual or a maximum of $100 per team.

Click here to print a registration form.

Healthy Congregations Workshop

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:30:00 -0500

6:30 p.m - 9 p.m. - Friday
9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Sat.

How can a congregation recognize and address anxiety before that anxiety fuels destructive conflict within the faith community? What can church leaders do to become more aware of their own emotional reactivity, and the way that their presence influences the ebb and flow of anxiety within a congregation?

Congregational leaders will find help with such questions at the Healthy Congregations workshops provided by the Center for Formation & Mission of the Diocese of Mississippi and presented by The Rev. Chip Davis.

The Healthy Congregations workshop helps clergy and lay leaders understand their congregations as emotional systems in which the functioning of each member has an effect upon the health and well-being of the entire church. Building on the work of Dr. Murray Bowen, Dr. Edwin Friedman, and Dr. Peter Steinke, the Healthy Congregations workshop equips pastors and lay leaders to function as a congregation's immune system, such that anxiety is not allowed to become infectious and, thus, not bring polarization and division to a church system.

The Healthy Congregations workshop is highly interactive using videotapes, case studies, workbooks, and discussion to help participants learn how to prevent destructive conflict and encourage congregational health.

Fr. Davis has been trained by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center (LMPC) to present the Healthy Congregations workshop. Chip has 20 years experience in Family Systems Theory and has served often as a diocesan consultant for vacancies and conflict resolution and is the rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, in Natchez.

* All congregations are encouraged to send a team for the Healthy Congregations workshop. The cost is $30 per individual or a maximum of $100 per team.

Click here to print a registration form.

"Praying in Color: drawing a new path to God"

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:00:00 -0500

How do you pray when words become barriers rather than possibilities? When thinking in sentences is too linear to express a rainbow of emotions. During a time in her life when close friends and family were sick and in need, Sybil MacBeth was struggling with how to pray. As described in her book, Praying in Color, Sybil MacBeth will teach participants the prayer process that came out of that time—a process she now uses regularly and shares with others in workshops throughout the nation. These prayers use design and color to communicate deep feelings, rather than relying on just the right words.

CLICK HERE FOR A REGISTRATION FORM.

Gathering of Leaders 2008 in Menlo Park, CA

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:00:00 -0500

This event is by special invitation only. For more information, please contact The Episcopal Diocese of MS, 601-948-5954, and speak with The Rev. Debo Dykes.

Licensed Lay Ministry Renewal Conference

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:00:00 -0400

SABBATH TIME: finding rest, wisdom, and delight

“Buried deep in Judeo-Christian tradition is a rhythm of time that needs to be uncovered and offered in fresh forms today. It is a rhythm anchored in an understanding of the Sabbath. The Christian Sabbath, as a practice of receptive time that balances and permeates our active time, has not had comprehensive, serious attention in mainline Christian thought and practice for a long time. “ Tilden Edwards

Sabbath is a time to remember who we are, remember what we know, and taste the gifts of spirit and eternity. Together let us discover the rhythm between work and rest, where contemplation and action are one. Please bring an icon, a symbol, that represents where you are in your journey. This conference is designed for renewal of LEM licensing.

Themes for Sabbath Time

“Letting Go”; “Being With”; “Empowerment”

For a LEM CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM, please click here.

Healthy Congregations Workshop

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:30:00 -0400

6:30 p.m - 9 p.m. - Friday
9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Saturday

How can a congregation recognize and address anxiety before that anxiety fuels destructive conflict within the faith community? What can church leaders do to become more aware of their own emotional reactivity, and the way that their presence influences the ebb and flow of anxiety within a congregation?

Congregational leaders will find help with such questions at the Healthy Congregations workshops provided by the Center for Formation & Mission of the Diocese of Mississippi and presented by The Rev. Chip Davis.

The Healthy Congregations workshop helps clergy and lay leaders understand their congregations as emotional systems in which the functioning of each member has an effect upon the health and well-being of the entire church. Building on the work of Dr. Murray Bowen, Dr. Edwin Friedman, and Dr. Peter Steinke, the Healthy Congregations workshop equips pastors and lay leaders to function as a congregation's immune system, such that anxiety is not allowed to become infectious and, thus, not bring polarization and division to a church system.

The Healthy Congregations workshop is highly interactive using videotapes, case studies, workbooks, and discussion to help participants learn how to prevent destructive conflict and encourage congregational health.

Fr. Davis has been trained by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center (LMPC) to present the Healthy Congregations workshop. Chip has 20 years experience in Family Systems Theory and has served often as a diocesan consultant for vacancies and conflict resolution and is the rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, in Natchez.

* All congregations are encouraged to send a team for the Healthy Congregations workshop. The cost is $30 per individual or a maximum of $100 per team.

Click here to print a registration form.

Safeguarding God's Children: Safe Church Training

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 08:30:00 -0400

Monitoring is essential for safe ministries
Screening is the first opportunity for prevention
Training provides tools to keep children safe
Responding quickly protects children
Interacting should be guided by clear standards

Training will be available at St. Andrew's Cathedral on August 23, 2008 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

A Safe Church is

Everyone's Responsiblity

"Without A Map": SPIRITUAL RENEWAL for gay & lesbian persons & friends

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:00:00 -0400

This year, our SPIRITUAL RENEWAL Conference, "Without A Map", will feature guest presenter, The Rev. Brad Hinton, Rector of St. David’s Episcopal Church, Wilmington, Delaware. The Rev. Hinton originates from the state of Alabama, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of Montevallo, AL, and a Master’s in Divinity from General Theological Seminary in New York.

The quest for the full inclusion of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender folk into the Church has been linked to a "journey without a map". This retreat weekend is designed for participants to consider the ramifications of this ranbling journey. Through personal anecdotes, study of biblical passages, silent reflection, and shared experiences, participants will find room to rejoice in recent gains while considering their own potential status as spiritual landmarks.

CLICK HERE FOR A REGISTRATION FORM.

Sacred Vessels: healing our spiritual wounds

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:00:00 -0400

Our spiritual life is a journey about change. And, possibly the most significant dimension of that journey is the opportunity to draw near to God. Participants, under the guidance of The Rev. Jennifer Deaton, The Rev. Debo Dykes, The Rev. Rwth Ashton, Ms. Becky Williams, Ms. Louise Dillon, Ms. Priscilla Preston, will be invited to experience themselves as "Sacred Vessels" in that journey; full, open, chipped, broken, restored. You will be challenged by your rootedness in God. You will be drawn to depths you may have neve experienced. Your approach to life will be challenged and you will be taken to the edge of your comfort zone, only to be restored in God's fullness. The retreat will be held at The Big House located at The Duncan M. Gray Camp & Conference. Center.

CLICK HERE FOR A REGISTRATION FORM

Gathering Of Leaders 2008 in Denver, CO

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 13:00:00 -0400

This event is by special invitation only. For more information, please contact The Episcopal Diocese of MS, 601-948-5954, and speak with The Rev. Debo Dykes.

"Holy Leisure" Silent Retreat & Spiritual Direction

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 17:00:00 -0400

In early times, those seeking to live a spiritual life went and sought spiritual direction from seasoned desert monastics saying, "Abba...Amma, give me a word." This silent retreat will offer a "word" that will illuminate our "darkening but beautiful world." A licensed trained spiritual director will offer a "word" on holy leisure in hopes of returning balance to our frenzied lives. Those who consider themselves as solitary seekers of God are encourged to attend this silent retreat event.

OTHER DATES FOR "HOLY LEISURE/SILENT RETREAT" are August 8-10, and November 7-9

EfM Basic Mentor Training

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:00:00 -0400

PURPOSE: Training enables the mentor to facilitate and guide the seminar group in all aspects of the program, including its administration. An initial purpose of Mentor Training is to discern with the first-time participant whether he or she has the inclination to become a mentor for the EFM program. This event meets SOTPC’s continuing training requirements for active mentors.

The cost for the training is $225 which includes the workshop fee, room and meals (dinner Thursday through breakfast Saturday). Registration begins at 1:00 PM Thursday with the workshop beginning at 2:00 PM. The event concludes mid-day Saturday. All events will be held in the cottages at Gray Center, Canton MS.

Training Date
August 7-9, 2008 - +Basic Mentor Training

Registration Deadline is June 3, 2008 - please see the Instructions section below

Students who have completed at least two years of EfM are eligible to receive basic training. Please pass on the registration forms if you know of someone interested in becoming a mentor or anyone seeking to gain a deeper understanding of the EfM program. If you already know that you will be attending training at an event other than Gray Center, please contact Dorothy Byrd.

Under the new training requirements established by Sewanee in September 2006, all mentors must return to Basic training after three (3) consecutive non-Basic events (Formation or Alternate training).

Participants in each event will take turns leading worship opportunities; prayer books and hymnals are available. If you think you might need other materials, such as Bibles or commentaries, you should bring them with you. You should bring your copy of the Common Lessons and Supporting Materials as well as your Mentor Manual. If you need these materials, please let me know when you register.

The weekends are intensive training sessions and presence for all 18 hours is required for certification.

Your efforts “in the trenches” with your groups are the backbone of the diocesan program. Thank you for the work you have done and continue to do each year. I look forward to working with you as you carry on your ministry as mentors/co-mentors of EfM.

Click here to learn more about Basic Mentor Training.

Click here to print a registration form.

Click here to be directed to the official EfM site.