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From the Vicar...
Champions for Jesus
I've got a song stuck in my head. Sometimes I hate when that happpens, but right now I'm enjoying it. The song is "Champions for Jesus", our theme song for this week's Bible School. When I sing it to myself, I don't really hear it in my voice - a decidedly good thing - but in the voices of the kids shouting it out.
My favorite part of the ministry of the church is when you see collections of people move from awkward introductions to real Christian community - community of laughter, shared purpose, and love. That community was built this week. It was built with kids and adults not only from different churches, but in a real sense from different worlds. By the end of the week, it was hard to tell which kids came with which group. When recently asked by the Clarion Ledger about what we hoped Bible School would accomplish, I said that I hoped that kids would come to know that God loved them and that there were adults who loved them too. I saw kids experience that. And I learned and experienced the same thing too!
Peace,
Chuck
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Another Step in Ministry
This Sunday afternoon at 5:00 St. Alexis will host the fourth annual Medgar Evers Commemoration service. This service of celebration and remembrance was started by All Saints and St. Mark's Episcopal churches. Last year we joined in for the first time, and this year we are the hosts. The service is set for a date close to the anniversary of the assasination of Medgar Evers in Jackson on June 12, 1963. The purpose of this service is to remember where we have come from as Mississippians and Americans, to examine and celebrate the progress which we have made in combatting racism, and to rededicate ourselves to continue the work of reconciliation and justice to which we are called. Bishop Gray has identified as a principal ministry of the Epsicopal Church is Mississippi the ministry of reconcilation. Moreover, when we started St. Alexis and when we chose our present location, we claimed for ourselves a role in the work of healing, uniting, and redeveloping the city in which we live. This service will be a reminder of and a rededication to that purpose.
We are offering this service, a Holy Eucharist with a liturgy focused on anti-racism, in partnership with All Saints, St. Mark's, and St. Christopher's churches. There will be wonderful music uniting musicians from each of the churches, but still retaining our own inimitable style. Here's some information you need to know about the arrangements for this celebration:
*We won't have church Sunday morning - for this week only. The 5:00 service will be our only worship service this Sunday. We will be gathering at 10:30 Sunday morning to clean and set up our space so will be ready to accomodate our guests. You are invited to come help with this work.
*We will have a potluck supper for all following the service. We have a proud history of fabulous food when we eat together, and we want that to continue. If possible, please bring one or more dishes to share at the meal. Please bring dishes that need neither refrigeration or reheating. Think picnic food! Also please be ready to pitch in as needed in setting up tables, serving food, greeting people, etc. as you see a need. The Mission Committee is taking the lead in this work, but jump in with them. I think that St. Alexis is the most welcoming church I've ever attended. Let's show that this Sunday.
*We may have a really large crowd, maybe even overflowing our space (we've made plans to accomodate that). Come early if possible.
This service and gathering will be inspiring, challenging, and a lot of fun. It is another step on the road we are taking towards making St. Alexis all that we have dreamed it can be. Come take this step with us.
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 Upcoming Events
*Sandwich Ministry on Break
We are going to take a break from the Sandwich Ministry for a while. Several of the people who have been active in this ministry will be tied up this summer. Look for a return of this program in the late summer or fall. In the meantime, we welcome your suggestions of other interactive helping ministries St. Alexis might offer.
No Need to Sugarcoat Donuts - Winning Streak Continues: The St. Alexis Fighting Donut coed softball team continued its winning streak Thursday night, sweeping a doubleheader with a close victory over Cherry Grove and a big win over The Kinfolks. The victory of the Kinfolks was a sign of how much we've improved since the same team easily beat us in the opening game of the season. Our record is now 8-4 with seven straight victories. We play one game this coming Thursday night, facing the league-leading Team S.E.E.D.S. at 6:45. Come cheer us on and join us following the game for pizza and refreshments at the Pizza Shack.
Bible School a Great Success
This week St. Alexis and St. Mark's had a great week of Bible School for kids ages four through seventeen. We had about forty young people. Kids came from each of the two host churches as well as Stewpot Daycamp and Christ the Savior Church. Five St. Alexis kids took part - a first for us. A million thanks to everyone who worked there and to all of you who donated food and supplies. We had a week of fun, music, games, art, and discussion, making new friend and learning more about the incredible love of God.
Soul Food
Soul Food will not meet this coming Wednesday night. We are going to take a break in June and July and resume in August. Check this space for announcements of other activities and have a great summer!
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I Was Hungry and You Fed Me
We are currently having a good many people come by the church every day looking for a warm meal. We have in the past given vouchers for small amounts to purchase fast food at the Conoco. We are going to change that policy and instead have a pot of soup available, along with some bread or crackers. Chuck is willing to be the cook and would like for you to support this ministry by donating likely ingredients to add to the pot. We'll take what we are given and find a good recipe to use it. This week we've had chicken gumbo left over from Soul Food, followed by a Brazilian black bean soup. Check out your freezer and pantry and see what you can add. If you'd prefer, you can also volunteer to cook a pot of soup. This ministry will offer comfort and hospitality while providing more wholeome food and allowing us to cut expenses.
The recent cold temperatures are particularly hard for those who live and sleep on the streets. We also are having people come by the church looking for warm clothing. Please look for things that are still in good shape, but are things you're willing to give away. We can use sweaters, gloves, ski caps, coats and jackets, warm socks. Bring those items to the church, and they will be used to help someone who will be cold tonight.
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How to Join St. Alexis'
St. Alexis' is an open Christian community, welcoming all who want to join us in worship, fellowship, and acts of Christian love in the world. We respect the dignity of all persons, regardless of sexual orientation, national origin, race, gender, or age and encourage all to participate fully in all areas of our common life. You may do all of those things without a formal commitment.
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Learn more about St. Alexis':
www.stalexisjackson.org
Have questions or a pastoral need? Email Chuck Culpepper at chuck@stalexisjackson.org
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