FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT, FIRST & SECOND SUNDAYS OF CHRISTMAS: DEC. 20, DEC. 27, 2009 & JAN. 3, 2010

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1 The Rev. Paul J. Stephens Rector 608 Jefferson Street Tupelo, MS (662) Fax FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT, FIRST & SECOND SUNDAYS OF CHRISTMAS: DEC. 20, DEC. 27, 2009 & JAN. 3, 2010 CALENDAR SUNDAY-DECEMBER 20 8:30 am Holy Eucharist* 9:30 am Coffee Alley 10:30 am Holy Eucharist* 6:30 pm AA Group MONDAY-DECEMBER 21 7:00 William on Vacation Saints Brew - Friday 12:00 7:00 pm am Intercessory Saints Brew Prayer 12:00 5:30 pm Stewardship Intercessory Prayer Cmt. 5:30 pm Stewardship (Conference Cmt. Room) 6:30 pm Mill (Conference Village (P.H.) Room) 6:30 pm Mill Village (P.H.) TUESDAY-DECEMBER 22 7:00 TUESDAY-DECEMBER am Saints Brew 22 7:00 5:30 pm am AA Saints Group Brew 5:30 7:00 pm AA Adult Group Choir 7:00 pm Adult Choir WEDNESDAY-DECEMBER 23 WEDNESDAY-DECEMBER William on Vacation - Friday 23 7:00 am am Saints Brew 12:05 pm Holy Eucharist With Anointing THURSDAY-DECEMBER 24 Christmas Eve 9:30 am Staff Mtg. 12:00 pm Office Closes 5:30 pm Holy Eucharist* 10:45 pm Midnight Mass FRIDAY-DECEMBER 25 Christmas Day Office Closed CALENDAR THURSDAY-DECEMBER 31 Newsletter Deadline 9:30 am Staff Meeting 12:00 pm Office Closes FRIDAY-JANUARY 1 Office Closed 8:00 am Centering Prayer SATURDAY-JANUARY 2 10:00 am 12:00 pm Angel Food Ministries Food Orders SUNDAY-JANUARY 3 8:30 am Holy Eucharist* 9:30 am Coffee Alley 10:30 am Holy Eucharist* 4:00 pm Catechesis Workday 6:30 pm AA Group MONDAY-JANUARY 4 12:00 pm Intercessory Prayer 12:00 pm Ministerial Assoc. Lunch (Parish Hall) TUESDAY-JANUARY 5 6:45 am EYC Prayer B fast 5:30 pm AA Group SUNDAY-DECEMBER 27 9:30 am Christmas Lessons & Carols* 6:30 pm AA Group MONDAY-DECEMBER 28 Tommie Office on Closed Vacation (Monday) Friday 7:00 am Office Closed Saints (Monday) Brew 12:00 7:00 am pm Saints Intercessory Brew Prayer 12:00 5:00 pm Intercessory DOK (Conf. Prayer Rm.) 5:00 pm DOK (Conf. Rm.) TUESDAY-DECEMBER 29 TUESDAY-DECEMBER Paul on Vacation - Friday 29 7:00 Tommie am on Saints Vacation Brew Friday 7:00 9:00 am am Saints Catechesis Brew Workday 9:00 5:30 pm am Catechesis AA Group Workday 5:30 pm AA Group WEDNESDAY-DECEMBER 30 WEDNESDAY-DECEMBER 30 WEDNESDAY-JANUARY 6 Newsletter Mailout 12:05 pm Holy Eucharist With Anointing 5:30 pm Epiphany Service THURSDAY-JANUARY 7 9:30 am Starkville Study Group 9:30 am Staff Mtg. 6:00 pm Condo Assoc. Mtg. (North Break-out) FRIDAY-JANUARY 8 8:00 am Centering Prayer SATURDAY-JANUARY 9 10:00 am 12:00 pm Angel Food Ministries Food Orders *Nursery Provided

2 FROM THE OFFICE For more information visit our website at The office will close at noon on Christmas Eve and will reopen Tuesday, December 29. We will close at noon on New Year s Eve and reopen Monday, January 4. Father Paul will be on vacation December William will be on vacation December Tommie will be on vacation December Committee budget requests for 2010 are due in the office no later than Sunday, December 20. If your committee does not have a budget but would like to be considered in the budget allocations for 2010 please call Tommie at OPERATING BUDGET PLEDGES Budgeted Received Over/(Under) % Rec d. NOV. 36,000 34,273 * -1,727 95% YTD 422, ,093 * -29,107 93% EXPENSES Budgeted Expended (Over)/Under NOV. 38,608 34,785 3,824 YTD 437, ,748 17,871 *Actual pledge income includes $25,500 from prepaid pledges. Those pledges are also included in the budgeted revenues. There is a balance of $8,386 remaining in prepaid pledges. CAPITAL CAMPAIGN INCOME (Includes gifts received a honorariums/memorials) NOV. Pledges rec d. 6,161 2,203,467 Pledges (2 nd Campaign) 162, ,710 Net Proceeds (5,953) 2,795,594 from Financing Total Income 162,918 5,161,770 EXPENSES CAMPAIGN-TO-DATE NOV. CAMPAIGN-TO-DATE Building Cost 35 4,451,145 & other exp. 2 nd Campaign 27,145 64,957 Interest 12, ,751 Total Expenses 40,017 4,985,853

3 FROM THE PRESIDING BISHOP A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDING BISHOP The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori Presiding Bishop The Episcopal Church The mornings are dark, pitch black until after most of us have begun our days. The hints of dawn in the eastern sky, those streaks of rose and pink that promise more and brighter light, bring hope even in the dark mid-winter. Where do you look for that kind of hope borne on slim rays of light? Jesus is already abroad, even in the darkness. The hungry one fed, the street people who have their feet cared for, the humble and honored guest at your dinner table -- each one offers a glimpse of that dawn, if you look closely enough. What we have waited long for, ages and eons for, has been born among us. He comes among us quietly, almost stealthily, in an obscure barn, long ago. This child holds all our hope for light. This tiny frame seems too frail to bear our yearning. Yet the nations come streaming to this light even before he is weaned. The divine has come to dwell in our midst, and God s eternal promise of peace, restoration, and home is made flesh. Where and how will you seek out this light of the world? In what other frail frames will light expunge darkness? The light grows with our own eager searching, light reaching out to light, divine reflection yearning for its source. May the light of Christ light your way in the darkness, may his light spread through nations besieged by war and hunger, may we continue to search out his light in the dark places of our own hearts.

4 PARISH MINISTRIES To show our appreciation of this ministry, all of the volunteers and guests of Saints Brew are invited to a dinner in your honor WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23 5:30 p.m. Parish Hall ANGEL FOOD MINISTRIES DISTRIBUTION DAY FOR DECEMBER Saturday, December 19 9:00 10:30 a.m. PLACE YOUR ORDER FOR JANUARY ON SATURDAYS: January 2 & 9 from 10:00 Noon or online at: CHRISTMASA EVE LUMINARY If you can help with the logistics of filling the milk jugs with sand and placing them along our sidewalks, please call Tommie at or her at tommie@allsaintstupelo.org Volunteers are needed to help take orders (2 Saturdays per month) and to help with distribution (one Saturday a month). A sign up sheet is located in the back of the church. A nursery will be made available to those volunteers who call ahead to either Mandy Atkins or Kasey McFate.

5 PARISH MINISTRIES All Saints and our friends in the Tombigbee Convocation will host the 183 rd Annual Council of the Diocese of Mississippi on February 5-7, Plans are well underway and it will take a collective effort to host our guests for the entire weekend. Close to 1,000 participants are expected! There are a few areas where more volunteers are needed: Set-up (move furniture, plants and other supplies to the BancorpSouth Arena contact Frank Anger Elections (counting ballots) contact Les Alvis Transportation (van drivers) contact David Sparks Hospitality (servers, cooks, & clean-up) contact Cathy Fitzpatrick Office assistance (light office work) contact Deanna Alford or Rhonda Saunders If you would like to volunteer in any of these (or other) areas, please contact the area chairs or Vicky Vance or David Sparks. NEED A NURSERY?? In order to assess the interest of those volunteers that will need a nursery in order to participate throughout the weekend, please contact Kasey McFate no later than Friday, January 15, so that we may proceed in our planning for that area. A nursery has already been scheduled at All Saints, for the closing service on Sunday, February 7, 9:30 11:30 a.m. COUNCIL REGISTRATION CONTINUES! A special registration rate of $35 per person is being offered to All Saints members and members of the Tombigbee Convocation (excluding clergy, delegates and alternates). Registration forms are available in the church office or on our website at

6 CHRISTIAN FORMATION Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level III Work Sessions Real charity doesn t care if it s tax deductible or not. --Anonymous Tuesday, December 29 9:00 a.m. Sunday, January 3 4:00 p.m. We are continuing our work making materials and transforming the 4th 6 th grade Sunday School classroom into the Level III atrium, which will open on Sunday, January 10! Even if you think you don t have any skills to offer, we have jobs that anyone can help with! We will have all the needed materials along with detailed materials descriptions, so please join us! Sunday School for both youth and adults and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd will not be held on December 20, 27 & January 3. We will resume our normal schedule on Sunday, January 10. SCHEDULE OF MID-WEEK SERVICES Wed. January 6 12:05 p.m. Holy Eucharist w/anointing Wed. January 13 12:05 p.m. Holy Eucharist w/anointing Wed. January 20 12:05 p.m. Holy Eucharist w/anointing Wed. January 27 12:05 p.m. Holy Eucharist w/anointing Please join us for lunch following the service.

7 ALL SAINTS FAMILY December 22 December 23 December 25 December 26 December 29 December 30 December 31 January 1 January 6 January 8 December 31 January 2 Annalise Lewis David Alford Tom Oakes Annaleise Carroll John Thomas Orrick Les Alvis Kamme Riddle Deanna Alford Mary Howard King Sydney Weber Elliot Brown Cliff Brock Zachary Hannigan Butch Bastion Leigh Michael Cannon Mary Wilemon Westmoreland Mary Langford Cindy and Richard Ribble Charlotte and Larry Kelso GIFTS RECEIVED FOR SAINTS BREW: In Honor of: Clients, Staff and Friends of Robinson & Associates, Inc., of Tupelo From: Tom & Fredda Robinson In Memory of: The one-year anniversary of the death of Shelby Wooldridge From: Randy and Tammy Wooldridge In Memory of: Marcia Whipps From: Ray and Shirley Goodman In Honor of: Pat Fauver From: Ray and Shirley Goodman In Memory of: H.R. (Dick) Redwood From: Mary Jo M. Anderson MEMORIALS RECEIVED: For: Van Chaney From: Fran Shutiok (Building Fund) Fred Bush (Building Fund) Lea & Lesca Black For: Jimmy Schott, Van Chaney, & Marcia Whipps From: Betty Lee Marshall (Building Fund) OUR LOVE AND SYMPATHY TO... Chuck Redwood and his family on the death of his father, Dick Redwood. Albert White and his family on the death of his father, Richard White. Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. A Letter of Transfer has been received for Douglas Clinton Strickland from Grace Episcopal Church in Sheffield, Alabama. We welcome him into the fellowship of All Saints. GIVE THANKS CORNER (taken from the pew cards placed in the Alms basin on Sunday) The love of the Body of Christ The Episcopal Church having open doors and open hearts Friends- With thanks for the inspiring presentation of Advent Lessons and Carols, especially Prepare the Way and the wonderful supper following. We appreciated all. Jack & Emilie White, St. Paul s, Columbus The deadline for submitting information for the next newsletter is Thursday, December 31, at 12:00 p. m.

8 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 250 TUPELO, MS 608 Jefferson Street, Tupelo, MS (662) Fax (662) Return Service Requested ALL SAINTS MISSION STATEMENT: To equip ourselves for Christ s service by gathering for worship, fellowship, prayer, and study; To minister to and support each other, and to welcome all who walk through our doors; To act as responsible stewards of God s gifts to us; And to do God s work in the world by seeking and serving Christ in all persons. LOOK WHAT S COMING UP!

9 JR. WARDEN AND VESTRY NOMINATIONS FOR 2010 (in alphabetical order) JR. WARDEN: (for a two year term) CATHY FITZPATRICK: A member of All Saints for 12 years. Cathy teaches youth Sunday School, serves as the Capital Campaign and Stewardship chair and as chair of hospitality for Annual Council She served on the last search committee, as President of ECW, co-chair of the ECW Food Fest, Building Campaign Finance committee and chair of the Connector s committee. She is currently serving as the President of the Church After School Association Board of Directors and the United Way Funds Distribution committee. She has served as the chairperson of the Mississippi Trust Committee, a Faith Haven board member, president and board member of the Tupelo Country Club. Occupation: Director of Trust Sales, Renasant Bank STEPHEN KING: A member of All Saints for 16 years. Stephen is currently serving as chair of the Property committee and as a member of the Stewardship committee and the Capital Campaign Executive committee. He also serves as a lector. He has served as Sr. Warden, a member of the Vestry, Honduras Medical Mission, Budget committee, Nominating committee, youth Sunday School teacher. Stephen served on the last search committee, worked on a HillT.O.P. team and has been an EYC sponsor. He is currently involved in the Bike/Walk Tupelo and Tupelo Dog Park. He has served as a Cubmaster, Scoutmaster and a member of the Tupelo-Lee Humane Shelter Board of Directors. Occupation: Veterinarian owner Tupelo Small Animal Hospital JOELLEN MURPHREE: A member of All Saints for 24 years. Joellen is a member of the Flower Guild, Wedding/Funeral Guild, a certified catechist for levels I & II in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a chalice bearer, lector and Eucharistic Visitor. She has served as a pastoral care family head, parish nurse, and member of the Capital Campaign committee. Joellen is a graduate of EfM (Education for Ministry). She is currently serving on the SAFE Board of Directors and has held many offices on the board over the years. She is a past member of Mississippi Nurses Association, Foundation Board of Directors, many district offices, Mississippi Association for Healthcare Quality, many state offices, and Baldrige National Quality Award Examiner. Occupation: Registered Nurse, North Mississippi Health Services, Director of Clinical Quality (retired) VESTRY NOMINEES (for a three year term) JUDY DESHONG: A member of All Saints for 9 years. Judy is currently serving as a member of ECW, Altar Guild, Neighborhood Life committee, Capital Campaign committee, Newcomer s committee. She serves as a Saints Brew volunteer, greeter, and a Eucharistic Visitor. Judy is an EfM graduate. She has served as a pastoral care family head, a member of Daughters of the King and the Servant Ministry committee. Judy volunteers at the Sanctuary Hospice House and Habitat for Humanity. She has served on the Board of Directors of Sanctuary Hospice House, sorority chapter adviser, University of Mississippi sorority capital campaign chair. Occupation: Commercial real estate developer BERNARD HUFFT: A member of All Saints for 7 years. Bernard is currently serving as a member of the adult choir, chair of the Neighborhood Life committee, a member of the Memorials committee, the Landscape committee, lector and Eucharistic Visitor. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. He has served on the Servant Ministry committee and as a teacher at Vacation Bible School. Bernard serves as Historian for Gamma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Alumni Association at the University of Mississippi and as a member of the Mississippi Hunger Initiative. He has volunteered at the Sanctuary Hospice House Celebration Village. Occupation: Fulltime student-graduates May, 2010 B.A. Liberal Arts with minors in History, English, and Sociology. He would like to teach or work in a position of public service upon graduation. He is currently employed part-time as office manager at Tupelo Wood Products. SUSAN HYATT: A member of All Saints for 18 years. Susan is currently serving as a member of Altar Guild, a Eucharistic Visitor, Angel Food Ministries, the Connector s Committee and greeter. She has Continued on next page...

10 served as chair of the Outreach Committee, a family head, a member of the Capital Campaign committee, the Episcopal Single People and completed 2 years of EfM. She has also been a yoga instructor. Susan is involved in the Historic Downtown Neighborhood Association, and the Tupelo Community Theater. Occupation: Psychologist KEVAN KIRKPATRICK: A member of All Saints for 14 years. Kevan is currently serving on the Property committee. He has served on the Vestry and as a youth leader. He is an Ex-Officio member of the Board of Directors of the Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Kiwanis Club of Tupelo. He is a Community Leadership Institute graduate. Kevan has been a member of CDF Small Business Roundtable, Multi-Racial Committee for the City of Tupelo, member of Board of Directors Gardner-Simmons Home for Girls, member of the Board of Directors Tupelo Neighborhood Partnership, past co-chairman of the Historic Downtown Neighborhood Association, Loan Executive of United Way of North Mississippi and past Cub Scout leader. Occupation: Director of Marketing, BancorpSouth Arena SAM MORGAN: A member of All Saints for 5 years. Sam is currently serving as a member of the adult choir and the Neighborhood Life committee. He has served on the Hospitality committee at All Saints and as a member of the Stewardship committee, Capital Campaign committee and Board of Trustees at Trinity Episcopal Church in Florence, Alabama. He is a member of Rotary, Symphony, Tupelo Community Theater and the Gum Tree Museum. Occupation: Lumber Mill and Pallet Production LYNN NELSON: A member of All Saints for 6 years. Lynn is currently serving as the chair of the Pastoral Care Family Groups and as a member of the adult choir. She has served on the Compensation Review committee. Lynn is currently a board member, director, and actor for the Tupelo Community Theatre, a former board member and current committee chair for the Mississippi Theater Association. She is serving on the board of the Southeastern Theatre Conference and the American Association of Community Theaters. She has served on committees with the Tupelo Symphony Chorus and the United Way. Occupation: Human Resources manager at North Mississippi Medical Center (23 years) ANNIS NEWELL: A member of All Saints for 14 years. Annis is currently serving as a member of Altar Guild and Daughters of the King. She has served as chair of the Hospitality committee, a family head and on the Community Outreach committee. She was a member of the 2004 and 2005 Honduras Medical Mission. Occupation: Medical Sales DEE STREIT: A member of All Saints for 42 years. Dee is currently serving as a volunteer at Saints Brew and the Angel Food Ministry. He has served on the Vestry and the Building committee. Dee has also been involved with Habitat for Humanity and various projects for All Saints involving wood working skills. Occupation: retired PROCEDURES FOR NOMINATING FROM THE FLOOR Nominations from the floor may be made in the following manner as set forth by the By Laws, Article III, Section 4 (Wardens) and Article IV, Section 2 (Vestry): At least fifteen (15) days prior to the annual meeting of the Parish, [until January 2, 2010] any person entitled to vote at such meeting may submit additional nominations in writing to the Rector and the Wardens. The nominator shall certify that the person nominated has consented to the nomination and is willing to serve and faithfully perform the duties of the office. The Rector and Wardens shall confirm that the nominee is qualified under the By Laws. The qualifications are as follows: Confirmed communicants in good standing, at least twenty-one (21) years of age, pledgers of record, canonically resident and actually residing in the Parish, and entitled to suffrage at the parish meeting at which they are elected. If the Rector determines that pastoral considerations actually or acceptably prohibit a communicant from being a pledger of record, then in that event the Rector may confidentially waive the requirement. Persons nominated and certified under these provisions shall be presented at the annual meeting of the Parish on Sunday, January 17, Special thanks to the Nominating Committee for their hard work and effort: Natalie Sparks Bullock, Carole Fraiser, Betty Lee Marshall, Fred Page, and Josh Westmoreland.