A Note from Peter (July 2015)

Discernment, I’ve been told, is figuring out what is next and what is not next. The fallow time that is summer in the church is a blessing in that it invites us into discernment. Though our farmers are hard at work now, for those of us whose lives are tied to the school calendar, the summer provides a moment to stop and wonder about what it is that God would have us do next.

In our church family, a number of your leaders have been discerning with me the shape our Christian formation programming will take down the road. Christian formation is a term I use to encompass every part of our life together that helps us to grow in the knowledge and love of God. Sunday School is the obvious example, but youth group, children’s chapel, Emmaus small groups, and Mission Mississippi prayer breakfasts are all part of how we do Christian formation. Here are a few of the things your leaders have been working on:

Junior High Sunday School: Two years ago we made an attempt at starting a Jr. High Sunday School class. As we have more and more children in this age range, a number of us discerned it was time to make another go of it. Emily Riser has offered herself as the leader of this new class that will cover the 5th-8th grades. For her curriculum, she’ll be using Sparkhouse’s re:form, a program that invites emerging young adults to tackle questions together about the Bible, the creeds, Jesus, and other topical concerns. You can learn more at wearesparkhouse.org/teens/reform/core.

Adult Forum: Beginning this Fall, our Sunday learning for adults will take a slightly different form. We’ll move out of the current classroom and set up in the parish hall. Want to sit and listen and talk about the day’s topic while eating your breakfast casserole? Great! Want to sit and chat about the weather? Well, you might want to do that in the Bishop’s Hall. In addition to the new space, the teaching burden will be spread around a bit more. Look for programs led by yours truly as well as other Nativity members and friends.

Godly Play: This Montessori-based approach for our 3-6 year olds is off and running. Lindsay Powers, Kim Lassiter, Cindy Wilson, Tish Goodman, Sherrie Peel, and Kathy Whicker have agreed to be our teachers, and most of them will travel with me to Sewanee the last week in July for a four day training in the program. Look inside for ways that you can help fund the startup of this program!

Emmaus Groups: Many members had very positive experiences last year with these small groups that gathered on a monthly basis for fellowship and learning. Look to hear more in August about joining a group for the first time or reconvening last year’s group.

Wednesday Bible Study: Frances Lavelle and I have discussed beginning a simple bible study after the 10am Wednesday service. Would you be interested in that? Let me know!

Peace,
Peter+

New Episcopal Bishop

It was a bittersweet weekend for Episcopalians, who gathered in Jackson for their annual meeting. Members honored retiring Bishop Duncan Gray, III and installed his successor, Bishop Brian Seage. Gray led the denomination for 15 years. He tackled the challenges of rebuilding six churches destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, prevented the diocese from splitting over the issue of same-sex marriage and promoted racial reconciliation. Through it all, it's the relationships Gray says he'll cherish.

"There are quite a few folks that I have met for the first time and those relationships are spread over 93 churches and half a dozen schools and all of that. I was in two or three churches or schools every week." Said Gray.

Bishop Seage said his goals are to listen to the vision of the members, strengthen smaller churches and support youth programs.

"I'm really here in large part because a youth director years ago took a great interest in making sure that a program existed in the church that I grew up in. I really look forward to working with others to strengthen youth ministry and to make sure that we present Christ in young peoples' lives." Said Seage.

A native of Thousand Oaks, California, Seage has served in Mississippi since 1998.

Overstreet, Robertson to wed Oct. 18

Mr. and Mrs. Jimmie Dale DeLoach Jr. of Greenwood announce the engagement and upcoming marriage of their daughter, Brittany Kirsten Overstreet, to Seth Summer Robertson of Belzoni.

The prospective bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Kelly Robertson Jr. of Belzoni. He is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Tom Kelly Robertson Sr. and the late Mr. and Mrs. Sedgie Summer.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Overstreet of Greenwood and the great-granddaughter of the late Gertrude Fitts and the late Merline Overstreet.

Miss Overstreet is a 2006 graduate of Indianola Academy and a 2014 graduate of Hinds Community College, where she received an associate’s degree in nursing. She is employed as a registered nurse at South Sunflower County Hospital in Indianola.

Mr. Robertson is a 2000 graduate of Humphreys Academy and a 2003 graduate of Mississippi Delta Community College, where he received an associate’s degree in precision agricultural technology. He is employed as the manager of Rodgers Flying Service in Belzoni.

The couple will exchange vows at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 18 at the Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Greenwood. A reception will follow at the Historic Elks Lodge in Greenwood. Friends and family of the couple are invited to attend.

Powers, Rutland wed on May 3

Patricia Miller Powers and Justin Ryan Rutland of Birmingham, Alabama, were united in marriage at 6 p.m. on May 3, 2014, at the Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Greenwood.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Miller Powers of Greenwood and Mrs. Hilda Morehead Powers of Greenwood.

The groom is the son of Dr. and Mrs. James Richard Rutland III of Mobile, Alabama.

The Rev. Peter Gray officiated at the double-ring ceremony.

Photo Credit: https://thewhiteroombirmingham.com/real-wedding-millie-and-justin-in-mississippi/

Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a Paloma Blanca sleeveless gown with a scalloped V-neck. The dress featured an Alencon lace bodice with a fit-and-flare Alencon lace skirt and sweep train. The bride wore a silk charmeuse bridal obi sash during the ceremony and a crystal encrusted organza sash during the reception.

Serving the bride as maid of honor was Dr. Laura Ellen Bratton of New Orleans.

The matron of honor was Mary Parker Tribble of Jackson.

Bridesmaids were Leigh Michelle Ables and Jarrett Kincade Schmitt, both of Nashville, Tennessee; Jessica Claire Casto and Jessica Glaze Cox, both of Birmingham; Hallie Marshall Thomas of Oxford and Crystal Lee Odom of Memphis.

Serving as flower girl was Mary Nolan Blake Terrell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Edward Terrell of Birmingham.

Attending his son as best man was Dr. James Richard Rutland III of Mobile.

Groomsmen were Nicholas Littleton Impastato and James Richard Rutland IV, both of Mobile; Jameson Patrick Page and Nicholas Evans Peters, both of Nashville; Charles Pitchford Powers of Savannah, Georgia; William David Everett Turner of New York; and Christopher Robert Wright of Flowery Branch, Georgia.

The ring bearer was Hugh Hollingsworth Haymans, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Stouton Haymans IV of Oxford.

A reception followed at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Miller Powers.

Following a honeymoon in Maroma Beach Riviera, the couple is at home in Birmingham.

The bride is employed as a client experience project manager at BBVA Compass in Birmingham.

The groom is employed as a project manager at Max Foote Construction Company in Birmingham.

Griffin/Thomas Wedding Announcement

Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Robbins Rogers of Oxford announce the engagement and upcoming marriage of their daughter, Ann Carter Thomas of Greenwood, to Flynt Houston Griffin of Coral Gables, Fla.

Miss Thomas is also the daughter of the late William Preston Thomas.

The prospective bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Glenn Griffin of Knoxville, Tenn., and Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Reed Davis III of Scottsdale Ariz.

He is the grandson of  James L. Clayton, Mary Lyta Stephens and Ruth Griffin, all of Knoxville, and the late Albert Houston Griffin.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Ann White Carter of Ruston, La., and the late William Shands Carter and the late Mr. and Mrs. James Talbert Thomas III.

Miss Thomas is a 2003 graduate of Pillow Academy and a 2007 graduate of the University of Mississippi, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in family and consumer sciences and a  minor in business. She is a 2012 graduate of Utah State University, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in communicative sciences and deaf education, and a 2014 graduate of the University of Mississippi, where she received a Master of Science degree in communicative sciences and disorders. She is a full-time student and will complete a clinical fellowship as a speech-language pathologist and is a certified therapeutic riding instructor through PATH International.

Mr. Griffin is a 1997 graduate of Webb High School in Knoxville and a 2001 graduate of Southern Methodist University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in economics and finance. He is a 2005 graduate of St. Thomas University, where he received  a Juris Doctor degree and a Master of Business Administration degree. He  owns Tons of Fun Tours and Rentals and is a commercial mortgage banker for Absolute Financial Resources.

The couple will exchange vows at 6:30 p.m. on June 14 at the Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Greenwood.

Wessman, Stuckey wed on Oct. 19

Robin Wessman and Josh Stuckey were united in marriage at the Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Greenwood at 5 p.m. on Oct. 19, 2013.

The bride is the daughter of Benjamin and Lynn Wessman of Carrollton. She is the granddaughter of Gloria Harding Mattox of Carrollton, the late Stanny Sanders Mattox and the late Mr. and Mrs. Frank Leroy Alexander.

The groom is the son of Waldo and Katherine Stuckey of Greenwood. He is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Waldo Sterling Stuckey, the late Katherine Virginia Hunter and the late Brooks Lewers Pack.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore an ivory  lace A-line gown with beaded motif detail and a chapel-length train.

The Rev. Craig Gates and the Rev. Peter Gray officiated the double-ring ceremony.

Attending the bride were her nieces Larkin McCarthy Price, Sierra Madison Wessman and Ella Mattox Price.

Attending the groom were the bride’s nephew Lucas Dean Davis and Wilkes McLeod Meek.

Program attendants were Ann Deren Meek and Kathleen Harding Mattox.

Ushers were the bride’s brother, Michael Todd Wessman; the bride’s brother-in-laws Brad Oved Price and Paul Garland Davis III; and the groom’s brother, Hunter Sterling Stuckey.

Following the ceremony, a reception was held on the banks of the Tallahatchie River at the Meek Pavilion.

The bride is a 1998 graduate of Carroll Academy and a 2002 graduate of Mississippi State University. She is employed as the manager of Downtown Rental.

The groom is a 1998 graduate of Pillow Academy and a 2002 graduate of Ole Miss. He is employed as a realtor at Montgomery Southern Realty.

The couple reside in Greenwood.

Mr. and Mrs. Kennon wed in November

Ann Grace Eastland of Greenwood and Justin Kennon of Brandon were united in marriage at 5 p.m. on Nov. 10, 2013, at the Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Greenwood.

The wedding was officiated by Father Van Bankston.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hiram C. Eastland of Greenwood.

The bride’s grandparents are Ms. Margie Elmore Carpenter of Greenwood and the late Mr. Kelley C. Carpenter, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Chester Eastland Sr.

The groom’s mother is Sheila May Kennon of Brandon.

The bride was given in marriage by her parents.

The bride’s matrons of honor were Jane Oliver Eastland Dickson and Channing Clausel McPherson.

Bridesmaidswere Lauren Adams, Anna Bush, Jessica Trotter Everett, Brittney Cox Harrison, Anna King, Samantha Prescott, Kaitlyn Roberts and Emmie Strain Daugherty.

The bride’s veil was by Maggie Sottero Gown and Veil.

The groom’s best man was Richard Coupe.

Groomsmen were Hiram C Eastland III, Jacob Eastland, Chris Gaines, Sean Harrison, Jeffrey Huesser, Logan Lynch, Ted Mayfield, Jacolby Tow and Forrest Wilbanks.

Attendants were Carrie Jarrett, Mary Britton Mitchell, Amber Overstreet and Lindsay Walker.

The flower girl was Mary Allyn Eastland and the ring bearer was Hiram C. Eastland IV.

The reception was held at the Confederate Memorial Building.

Following a honeymoon in Antigua, the couple is at home in Omaha, Neb.

Williams, McWilliams wed in spring

Ann Ross Williams and Jack McGregor McWilliams were united in marriage at 4 p.m. on April 30, 2011, at the Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Greenwood.

Dr. Jim Phillips officiated at the double-ring ceremony, assisted by the Rev. Rickey Wheat.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Flowers Williams Jr. of Greenwood.

She is the granddaughter of Mr. William Leon Shute and the late Mrs. Shute, and Mrs. Harry Flowers Williams and the late Mr. Williams.

The bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Holmes McWilliams of Indianola.

He is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Holmes McWilliams Sr. and the late Mr. and Mrs. John Thomas McGregor.

The bride entered the sanctuary on the arm of her father as Paul Hankins played “Trumpet Voluntary.”

The bride wore an Allure designer sleeveless gown of ivory laencon lace with a gold satin ribbon adorning the waist with an organza flower.

The fit-and-flare skirt fell into a chapel length train featuring a scalloped hem of laencon lace. The gown featured covered buttons down the back.

The bride wore a single silk flower in her hair that matched the one at her waist.

She carried a bouquet of confetti roses and variegated pittosporum. Around her bouquet was lace from the mantila worn by her mother on her wedding day and was fastened with the McWilliams family crest.

The bride’s attendants wore black taffeta gowns in similar styles.

Their bouquets were bright pink gerbera daisies and variegated pittosporum.

The bride’s attendants were her sisters, Barra Williams Easley and Jeanne Williams Holland, both of Greenwood, and her sister-in-law, Lena Purvis McWilliams of Memphis.

The flower girls were her nieces, Madeline Alexandra Holland, Mimi Ledet Easley and Elise Catherine Holland, all of Greenwood.

They wore matching French hand-sewn dresses with a wedding ring collar and carried kissing balls.

The ring bearer was Matthew Chase Bradley of Hamilton.

He wore linen short pants and shirt and carried a French hand-sewn pillow made by the bride’s mother.

Serving as program attendants were Amanda Bush and Ragan Brown.

John Holmes McWilliams was his son’s best man, and groomsmen were Mason Holmes McWilliams of Memphis, the bridegroom’s brother; and Christopher Lance Osborn of Hamilton.

Ushers were Haley Thomas Easley of Greenwood and Thomas Forrest Hightower of Jackson.

On the altar of the church, roses, belles of Ireland and greenery were arranged in antique brass altar vases.

Pews were marked with cones tied with ribbon and held arrangements similar to those on the altar.

Ceremonial music was provided by organist Patricia Ethridge, pianist Janice Shanks, trumpeter Paul Hankins and soloist Cissye Gallagher. The wedding was directed by Mary Jo Givens.

The bride’s cousin, Thomas Hightower, read the Scripture from I Corinthians 13.

The bride and groom greeted their guests in the church parish hall and patio.

Pictures of the couple were displayed on the baby grand piano.

The tables were covered with bright green toppers over white cloths and grouped in a clover.

The food was served on McCarty and Peter’s pottery.

Three large arrangements of bright spring gerbera daisies, yellow lilies, belles of Ireland and purple larkspur topped large cylinders filled with goldfish centered on the tables.

Large round tables were set throughout the room for guests.

There were also tables on the patio with large terracotta pots of begonia, ferns and potato vines.

The bride’s cake was a four-layer vanilla cake designed with swirls, dots and the couple’s initial.

Adorning the top were gerbera daisies and purple larkspur. Elizabeth Hightower served her cousin’s cake.

The groom’s cake was chocolate and covered with Reese’s peanut butter cups. Kim MacIntosh served the groom’s cake. Musical instruments belonging to the bridegroom were featured on his table.

Punch was served by the bride’s cousin, Allie Shute, who was also her stand-in bride at the rehearsal the evening before.

The guests enjoyed the music of Dr. Alphonso Sanders throughout the afternoon.

The evening before the wedding, the groom’s parents entertained the wedding party, family and friends at a dinner at The Alluvian. During  the dinner, guests enjoyed a slide presentation of the couple throughout their lives.

After a wedding trip to the Jewel at Dunn’s River Fall in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, the couple resides in Drew.

The groom is employed by the B.B King Museum in Indianola and the bride is employed by Gillbow’s Pharmacy in Drew and the Carlyle House in Ruleville.

Cascio, Green exchange vows

Shelby Smith Cascio and Christopher David Green were united in marriage at 5:30 p.m. May 7, 2011, at the Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Greenwood.

Father Richard Craig Gates officiated at the double-ring ceremony.

The bride is the daughter of Charles Vincent Cascio of Greenwood and Mrs. Norman Frederick White of Carrollton.

She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Faison Heathman Smith and  the late Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Anthony Cascio.

The bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. David Allan Green of Germantown, Tenn.

He is the grandson of Elizabeth Stout Green of Germantown, Tenn, and the late Clifford Green and the late Mr. and Mrs. Charles Granville Dennison.

Given in marriage by her father, Charles “Bae” Cascio, the bride wore an ivory princess A-line Pronovais Malasia gown with horizontal patterns of French lace and tulle. The dress was accented by a Spanish lace bolero jacket.

The bride carried a nosegay of bridal white roses, peach garden stock and white majolica spray roses.

Held with her bouquet, was a Venetian lace handkerchief belonging to her late maternal grandmother and a gold broach worn by the groom’s mother, sister and late grandmother on their wedding day.

The groom wore a classic shadow-stripe two-button notch lapel Calvin Klein tuxedo with a pewter vest and tie.

On the alter in the church, white larkspur, snapdragons, hydrangeas and oriental lilies accented with sprays of dendrodium orchids were arranged in antique brass alter vases.

The flowers were dedicated to the bride’s late uncle, Faison Heathman Smith III.

Attending the bride were her sisters, Kathleen Augusta Cascio of Oxford as maid of honor, and Lindsay White Killebrew of Greenwood as matron of honor.

Bridesmaids were Anna Swider Avant of Memphis, Laure Anne Archer of Greenwood, Lindsay Catherine Doty of St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, and Anna Fortenberry Gregory of Memphis.

The bridesmaids wore different styles of empire waist dresses in pewter crinkle chiffon and carried clutch bouquets of peach stock, white oriental lilies and gold billie balls with Italian ruscus foliage.

Frank Mason of Memphis served as the groom’s best man.

Groomsmen were Robert Anthony Haines of Knoxville, Tenn; Robert Mathew Davis of Atlanta, Ga;  Justin Reed Lindsay of Nashville, Tenn; Derek Adam Johnson of Nashville, Tenn; Zachary Todd Shoemate of Nashville, Tenn; and Jonathan Daniel Green of Germantown, Tenn.

The flower girl was Carly Ann Watson, niece of the groom, and  the ringbearer was Reed Allen Cascio, nephew of the bride.

Serving as program attendants were nieces of the bride, Hayden Francis Hudson and Hally Grace Hudson of Oxford.

Nuptial music was provided by organist David Williams, and the wedding was directed by Cheryl Ewing, aunt of the bride.

Readings for the ceremony were provided by the bride’s brothers, Christopher Heathman Cascio of Madison, and Charles McKnight Cascio of Oxford.

Following the ceremony, a reception was held at The Alluvian.

The hotel lobby was lined with martini tables covered with champagne and ivory tablecloths, with centerpieces of pink stock, white snapdragons, bells of Ireland and enchantment lilies with spiked candleholders.

The Delta room served as the ballroom for dancing by the music of The Players.

The room was decorated with green hydrangeas, white roses and pink stock in crystal rose bowls on mirrored rounds surrounded by tea lights. The tree-lit courtyard fountain was lined with ferns and accented with white calla lilies. 

The three-tiered wedding cake was displayed in the hotel lounge area on an antique silver plateau and served with a family heirloom pearl-handled cake knife.

A newly engraved cake knife, a gift from the groom’s mother, was also used for serving.

The cake table was covered with an Italian embroidered tablecloth and accented with a silver candelabra.

The coconut cake was filled with layers of cream cheese and decorated with peach and white oriental lilies matching the bridesmaid’s bouquets. 

The guests enjoyed an elegant buffet catered by Giardina’s Restaurant.

The bride and groom left the wedding celebration through the romantic courtyard under a canopy of sparklers lighting the night.

On the eve of the wedding, the groom’s parents, David and Dianne Green, hosted a rehearsal dinner at the Tallahatchie Tavern on Money Road.

The tables were covered with lime green cotton cloths with burlap toppers. Each table was accented with mason jars filled with gerber daisies and wild flowers. The tables were decorated with unique place cards handmade by the mother of the groom.

The guests enjoyed a cocktail hour on the Tavern’s front porch surrounded by Mississippi Delta cotton fields.

Before dinner, the brother of the groom, Johnny Green, performed an original song dedicated to the couple.

Following the wedding day, the couple traveled by train to New Orleans for a five-day honeymoon.

The couple is at home in Nashville Tenn., where the bride is employed by Covance as a clinical research coordinator, and the groom is employed by Young and Associates as a building consultant.

Bledsoe, Harris exchange vows in Greenwood

Julia Andersen Bledsoe and Robert Hayes Harris, both of Nashville, Tenn., were united in marriage at 6 p.m. May 29, 2010, at the Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Greenwood.

The Rev. Craig Gates officiated at the double-ring ceremony.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Herr Bledsoe of Greenwood.

She is the granddaughter of Mrs. James Allan Shackelford of North Carrollton and the late Mr. Shackelford, and Ed Jones Bledsoe Sr. of Greenwood and the late Sybil Herr Bledsoe.

The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wayne Harris of Hernando.

He is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Malcom Davis Baxter Sr. and the late Mr. and Mrs. Winfred Iverson Harris Sr.

Nuptial music was provided by vocalists Alice Grafton Boswell and Mary Alice Boswell, both cousins of the bride, and pianist Ray Smithee.

Scripture was read by Ernest Allan Bledsoe, brother of the bride, and Mitchell David Baxter, cousin of the groom.

Mary Key Britt and Neely Elizabeth Young served as program attendants.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore an ivory double silk organza gown designed by Amsale. The layered strapless bodice was accented with a grosgrain ribbon at the natural waistline and adorned with a delicate brooch. The bodice dropped to layers of silk organza in a full A-line skirt drifting into a chapel-length train. Her ivory cathedral-length veil was edged in Chantilly lace.

She carried a bouquet of petite white mini calla lilies nestled with white garden roses, tulips and gardenias. The stem of the bouquet was banded with her maternal grandmother's lace handkerchief and her paternal grandmother's lace chapel cap.

May Shackelford Trezevant, cousin of the bride, attended the bride as matron of honor, and Virginia Arrington Walcott, also cousin of the bride, served as her maid of honor.

Bridesmaids were Jane Gray Bledsoe, sister-in-law of the bride; Libby Harris Crumpton and Martha Harris Maxey, sisters of the groom; Katharine Bledsoe Buford, cousin of the bride; Sarah Rose Buchanan; Kathryn Amelia Burkhalter; Callie Anease Calhoun; Meredith Leigh Coleman; Sloane Porter Fair; Kathryn Anne Flanagan; Tante Falkner Moore; and Jennings Kathryn Whelan Luster.

The attendants wore pale green chiffon floor-length gowns with a pleated bodice and a flower accenting the waist. They carried bouquets of white spring tulips.

Flower girls were Elizabeth Kirkland Maxey and Mary Hayes Maxey, both nieces of the groom.

Robert Wayne Harris served his son as best man.

Groomsmen were Ernest Allan Bledsoe, brother of the bride; Robert Bozeman Crumpton III and Charles Gregory Maxey II, both brothers-in-law of the groom; Edwin Woodfin Cole; John Kenneth Gresham III; Robert Hudson Lomenick Jr.; David Hatton Marbury V; Parker Lowery Moore; Scott Thomas Newell; John Gordon Peter Nunn; Patrick Guider Sadler; William Graham Smith; and Charles Walker Sudduth.

The ring bearer was Harris Bozeman Crumpton, nephew of the groom. He carried a hand-sewn pillow made from the wedding gown of the bride's mother.

Following the ceremony, the bride's parents hosted a reception at their home in Shellmound.

On the eve of the wedding, the groom's parents honored the couple with a rehearsal dinner at The Alluvian.

After returning from their honeymoon in Riviera Maya, Mexico, the couple is at home in Nashville.