TME | September 2024

Letter from the editor

Thank you for once again taking the time to explore what’s going on in the diocese through this edition of The Mississippi Episcopalian.

Before you dig into this month’s stories, I hope you’ll take a second to let me offer you a reminder and an announcement.

The reminder, in case you missed it last month or have forgotten, is that the submission deadline for the magazine has changed and is now the 20th day of the month prior to the issue being submitted for (or on the next business day should the 20th fall on a weekend or holiday). If you find that confusing, a list of the next six months’ submission deadlines can be found on page 12 of this issue or any time at msepiscopalian.com/submissions.

The announcement is that, unfortunately, this issue will be the last to appear in print in 2024. The rest of this year’s issues will be online-only. We intend to establish a consistent print schedule again in 2025, but budget concerns have prompted us to take a hiatus so we can reassess and determine how to balance our print and online editions to best serve you while remaining good stewards of diocesan resources.

Thank you, as always, for your love of our diocese and for reading The Mississippi Episcopalian.

Wil Oakes, Editor and Art Director

On the cover: The Camp Bratton-Green Permanent Staff of 1974 poses for a photo on a tractor. The Permanent Staff, comprised of college students hired to run the camp during the summer, was established in 1963.

A discipline of gratitude

The United Thank Offering supports mission and ministry

Wells-traveled

Bishop Wells visits 43 churches in 51 stops in her first few months in Mississippi

One hundred years of camp

A history of the origins of Camp Bratton-Green as it celebrates a centennial

Godly Play

New opportunities for creative formation arrive on the coast

Farewell, Canon Ponder

The Rev. Canon Brian Ponder takes his leave from the diocesan office for a second time

Deployment Report/Faithful Departed

Diocesan Calendar