Bishop’s Journal
November 2025
1 | “For all the saints who from their labors rest…”
On this All Saints Day (and every day…!), I’m grateful for all of the saints in my life who have surrounded, supported and shaped me: a great-aunt who taught me so much through her selfless service of others; a college professor who helped me learn that my first God-language is music; a WWII glider pilot who has taught us all so much about lovingkindness; a friend who taught me the true meaning of forgiveness; another friend who taught me that God’s humans have so much more in common than meets the eye; and still another friend who made me family. I am so profoundly grateful.
Almighty God, you have surrounded us with a great cloud of witnesses: Grant that we, encouraged by their good example, may persevere in running the race that is set before us, until at last we may with all your saints attain to your eternal joy; through Jesus Christ, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Travel to Tupelo
2 | What a wonderful All Saints’ Sunday at All Saints’ Church, Tupelo! So grateful for today’s baptism and confirmations – and asking God’s blessing on the Columbarium Garden!!! So much lovely hospitality – and more faith stories: One of the confirmands first came to All Saints’ as part of this church’s amazing Saints’ Brew weekday breakfast ministry, and after a time of not being housed, has just recently been able to move into an apartment. Giving thanks for All Saints’ continued faithful ministry in Tupelo!
Preached, confirmed 13, and baptized 1
Travel to Jackson
3 | Bishop’s sabbath
4 | Province IV Bishops’ Call
Staff Meeting
Meetings with Staff Members (3)
Small Church Collaborative meeting
5 | Meetings with staff members
Mid-week visitation this evening at All Saints’ Church, Jackson! It was wonderful to be with the All Saints’ family, and be joined by communicants of St. Mark’s Church, for worship, confirmations and a delightful dinner following!
Preached, confirmed 2
7 | Virtual meeting re: changes in TEC staff
Meetings with clergypersons (2)
9 | A full Sunday!!! Today’s visitation was with St. Mary’s Church, Enterprise – where we had beautiful worship and a wonderful time of fellowship over a delicious lunch! So grateful for the warm welcome and hospitality!
Preached
Then it was off to Meridian for a meeting with Vestry and a search committee, followed by dinner with a clergyperson. Methinks it’s now time to call it a day!! #grateful
Meeting with Clergyperson
10 | Travel to Jackson
Bishop’s sabbath
11 | Staff Meeting
Meetings with staff members
12 | Reference Panel
Budget Meeting
CPG Meeting
Meeting with Chancellor
13 | A wonderful evening at Trinity Church, Hattiesburg, as we enjoyed an interfaith dinner with the worshiping community of Temple B’Nai Israel Synagogue. Rabbi Debra Kassoff gave me a tour of the Synagogue and a bit of its history before dinner. Grateful to be part of an evening of thoughtful conversation!
14 | Travel to Jackson
15 | Pre-Advent Retreat (Invite, Welcome, Connect)
So very thankful to Mary Foster Parmer for leading our Pre-Advent Retreat, to the people of St. Philip’s Church for hosting us, and for everyone who took time to join us for this tremendous experience! Now we go forth to #InviteWelcomeConnect!!!!!
16 | So very grateful to be with the parish family of St. Matthew’s, Kosciusko, today! Beautiful worship, with confirmations/reception, and a delicious lunch following. Many thanks to all who were with us today, for all who helped with hospitality, and to the Rev. Lynn K Barker, longtime supply priest.
Confirmed 4, and received 1
Travel to Jackson
17 | Bishop’s sabbath
18 | Staff Meeting
Meetings with Staff Members
20 | Finance Committee Meeting
Meeting with Clergyperson
21 | Meeting with Downtown Partners
23 | Humbled to have been invited to preach at the Yazoo Ministerial Association City Wide Thanksgiving Service! What a beautiful glimpse of the Kingdom – as all ages, all races, all conditions came together to worship. The Rev. George Woodliff has been President of the Ministerial Association since its founding in 2002. Tonight’s service included sharing food boxes given by the Association’s churches to neighbors in need (including persons whose SNAP benefits may have been delayed, seniors and others). So very grateful to have been part of such a wonderful experience of sharing God’s love with neighbors tonight.
Preached
24 | Bishop’s sabbath
25 | Staff Meeting
Meetings with Staff Members
26-28 | Allin House closed for Thankgiving