LGBT Newsletter. Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi Committee on Ministry with LGBT Persons

Transcription

1 LGBT Newsletter Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi Committee on Ministry with LGBT Persons Registration Opens June 18, 2018 Online Registration or Printable Form found June, 2018 Thirteenth Annual Spiritual Renewal Retreat August 24-26, 2018 Gray Conference Center Way Road - Canton, MS Calvary Led Episcopal by The welcomed Very a new Rev. assisting Todd priest Donatelli Todd Donatelli has been the Dean of the Cathedral of All Souls in Asheville, NC since Prior to that he served as Canon at St. Andrew s Cathedral in Jackson, Mississippi and as Priest Associate at St. Bartholomew s Church, Atlanta. Todd was ordained priest in Other church experience has included serving on the Standing Committees of Mississippi and Western North Carolina, the Liturgy and Music Commission of WNC, The Executive Committee of WNC, Delegate to General Convention from WNC, the Diocesan Youth Commission of Mississippi and Atlanta. Todd is married to Becky and they have two daughters. A native of Chicago, Todd is a graduate of the University of Georgia s School of Journalism and a graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary. Todd enjoys cycling, gardening, cooking, photography and blues music. Scholarships and Clergy Discounts Available Information on Registration Forms

2 Summer is Upon us -- Registration Opens Soon! Hello to everyone - trust you are enjoying your summer - and whatever that means for you! For the MS Episcopal Diocese Committee on LGBT Persons it means gearing up for the work to produce the 13th Annual Spiritual Renewal Retreat. This year's retreat speaker / facilitator is the Very Rev. Todd Donatelli, of Asheville, NC. He was on a list you all provided to us (when we asked for future leaders) two years ago. We contacted him then, which he quickly agreed to come back to MS to lead this special gathering. The benefit of this advanced planning is we know well in advance who our next leaders are, and we urge you to continue making suggestions for 2020 and beyond. We welcome your input, as always. The dates of the 2018 retreat are August 24-26, held at the Gray Center, Canton, MS. We plan to open up registration, with no changes in pricing, mid-june. So make your plans accordingly! The committee has also been working on another goal: Educate Mississippi Episcopalians about sexual orientation and gender identity Objective: Accumulate a library of educational materials for use by parishes and other groups This resource list is now compiled and placed on the ministry portion of the Diocesan website. Here is the link for your use: Another method of navigation is to go to the website: Then scroll down to find the Resource List. This is intended to assist laity and clergy alike in LGBT Christian understanding and further study. There are books, blogs, pamphlets, and a couple of documentaries included. If you have something you'd like to add, just me directly and our committee will check it out. Many of these books members or others have read themselves and suggested. It is certainly not all encompassing! Looking forward to seeing all of you in August.

3 The Thirteenth Annual Spiritual Renewal Retreat Led by The Very Rev. Todd Donatelli Dean of the Cathedral of All Souls in Asheville, NC Tentative Agenda Friday, August 24, :00 PM Registration Begins (Gray Center Lobby) 6:00 PM Dinner (Dining Room) 7:00 PM Opening Session & Compline (Gray Center Conference Room) 8:30 PM Social Hour (Gray Center Lobby) Saturday, August 25, :00 AM Breakfast (Dining Room) 9:00 AM Morning Prayer; * Sessions (Conference Room) *There will be a break between 9 and noon 12:00 Noon Lunch (Dining Room) 1:15 PM Session 4 (Conference Room) 3:15 4:15-15-minute time w/ Bishop Brian Seage or the Rev. Donatelli (sign-up sheets available) 3:00 PM Free Time / Committee Meeting 3:45 PM Free Time / Friends of Bill (Conference Room A) 4:30 PM Start Bingo for All / Free Time (Dining Room) 6:00 PM Dinner (Dining Room) 7:00 PM Session (Conference Room) 8:00 PM Eucharist & Healing Service (Gray Center Chapel) After Service: Social Hour & Sing-Along (optional) (Conference Room) Sunday, August 26, :00 AM Breakfast (Dining Room) 9:00 AM Closing Remarks and Dialogue (Gray Center Chapel) 10:30 AM Eucharist (Gray Center Chapel) 12:00 Noon Lunch / Depart (Dining Room)

4 Starkville Pride What an experience to be a part of such a spectacular event for the first time. I worked with the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Starkville as a part of our LGBT inclusive Integrity organization. Our group gave out lemonade and cookies to support our LGBT and Straight allies. This was an event of historical proportions as it was our first pride parade ever. It started out as a vote on shaky ground at first as many of the board of alderman rejected the proposal to have a parade in Starkville. After much discussion and debate, it was approved to go ahead as a public parade event. We were so blessed to be a part of this. I marched some in the parade as it passed by the church. Darrell Vaughn Oxford Pride Oxford pride is in its Third year and I got to be a part of it this time for my first experience at Oxford. My friend and I rode in the golf car right after I arrived and I was so teary eyed in a good way as I saw the support that all of the bystanders gave us as we marched down the streets. I felt like I made a difference and that I mattered in this world. It was an enlightening experience that I will never forget. I was with a student who did a documentary on my experiences in life and she was so excited to hear my story. I told her about our group of Integrity and I mentioned our yearly retreat at the Gray Center and invited her to attend. She said she would invite others that she knew in the oxford area and I am very hopeful of having new people attend our retreat this year in August. Darrell Vaughn

5 The Rev. Deacon Betty Melton Headed to Austin Please keep Betty in your prayers. Betty will be attending the 79 th General Convention in Austin, Texan. Representing our LGBT Community, the Diocese of MS, and St. Paul s Meridian, Betty will be serving as Deacon while attending the convention. Betty will leave Meridian June 3 and return June 14.