Eric Eaton
I am from…
South Jackson, Mississippi
I have been at the Chapel since…
2015
I do a little bit of everything, honestly. I am a jack of many hobbies; master of none. I went to Ole Miss for my undergraduate in History with a minor in French. I also hold a masters degree of science in communication from Mississippi College. I work for BankPlus and am in the banking center administration area, which helps coordinate the day to day running of our branches. At the Chapel, I am a Diocesan Worship Leader and enjoy assisting our priests several Sundays and other holy occasions throughout the year. My two sons, Banks and Hayes, enthusiastically serve as acolytes many Sundays with me which is a supreme blessing to me.
My favorite thing about the Chapel is…
Our Chapel family. There has never been a moment where I ever felt unwelcomed or considered a “visitor”. Too many folks to thank for that, but maybe it’s just how we are there…..we live up to our slogan: “Welcoming the stranger, nurturing one another……”. Oh, and the priests who truly love God and laugh at themselves is also a plus. Serving the Cup of Christ to friends and family is always a moving experience for me at the Chapel.
My favorite part of the liturgy is…
During the Eucharist and the singing of the Gloria, especially when I am serving with my sons at the altar. I like many hymns, especially the grand and majestic ones we use as Anglican processionals. God is to always be glorified in all that we do, and the processional is just the beginning of the beauty that is the Episcopal form of worship. I also love the use of incense in Episcopal worship. Always use more (unless the door is shut at the Chapel during the 10:30 Christmas Eve service…..we smelled like Frankincense for a week).
Grace Simmons
I am from…
Memphis, Tennessee
I have been at the Chapel since…
2013
I moved to Madison from Memphis, Tennessee. I am a life-long Episcopalian. I attended Calvary Episcopal Church in Memphis before joining Chapel of the Cross. I received my Masters Degree in Education from the University of Mississippi and I have been an educator for over 15 years. I am currently a teacher at Jackson Academy.
My favorite thing about the Chapel is…
Serving at Chapel of the Cross! I completed the work to become a Diocesan Worship Leader and have enjoyed helping out with Sunday services. Chapel is truly a beautiful Church. I particularly love the ‘Blessing of the Animals’ service we have in October.
My favorite hymn is…
‘Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee.’ I also love the Bible verse Proverbs 16:3, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He shall establish your plans.”
Stan Herren
I am from…
Utica, Mississippi
I have been at the Chapel since…
1998
I am a ’69 and ’74 graduate of Mississippi State University. I worked forty-four years as a commercial banker in Yazoo City and Jackson, Mississippi. I was raised on a cattle farm and received my Christian foundation in the Disciples of Christ. I became a member of the Methodist Church upon marriage and began attending the Chapel in 1997, being confirmed in the Episcopal faith in 1998. I have served on the Finance Committee and the Grave Diggers Guild. I also serve as an usher and a licensed Lay Worship Leader. I share responsibility of the “Peanuts and Grilled Corn Tent” at Day in the Country.
My favorite thing about the Chapel is…
That we gather at the altar and receive the Holy Sacraments each week. I also love the fellowship here at the Chapel. I am so blessed that my daughter and her family worship here and that my grandchildren are being raised in the Episcopal tradition.
My favorite Bible verse is…
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart… and your neighbor as yourself,” Mark 12:29-31.
Becky Herren
I am from…
Booneville, Mississippi
I have been at the Chapel since…
1998
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, I was raised in a small town in northeast Mississippi. I graduated from Mississippi State University in Starkville and began teaching in Valdosta, Georgia. In 1981, my family and I moved to Madison where our children were raised. In 1997, my husband and I began attending the Chapel and became members the following year. I have served on the Vestry of the Chapel; I am a past member of the Altar Guild; I am a member of the Flower Guild; I am a “graduate” of EFM; I am a licensed lay worship leader and I also conduct tours of the Chapel.
My favorite thing about the Chapel is…
The people. The people I worship with each Sunday are the Chapel. They are my friends; my confidants; and my brothers and sisters in Christ.
I love the Chapel; I love the Episcopal tradition and liturgy; I love special services here at the Chapel such as the Agape Meal; I love the love we show to one another through giving and fellowship. I love that my children and grandchildren are here to worship and enjoy the richness of this heritage.
My favorite Bible verse is…
Romans 8:38-39, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ.” I love the part of our service when we are commissioned to “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord…” and our response is, “Thanks be to God!”
Margaret Buhner
I am from…
Madison, Mississippi
I have been at the Chapel since…
2009
I grew up in Palatka, Florida and was the youngest of 4 girls. My father was a wholesale grocery salesman and my mother was the secretary to the High School principal. I was raised and married in the Methodist church and was confirmed in the Episcopal church after marring my husband Bill in 1969. I graduated from Florida State University with a B.S. Degree in Nursing. I joined the Navy Nurse Corp and was stationed in Newport, RI, and that is where I met Bill. Bill and I have two daughters, both married. Our oldest, Polly, is a Nurse Practitioner who lives in Olive Branch, MS, and our youngest, Pamela, is an elementary school teacher who lives in North Port, Florida. We have two wonderful grandchildren, Arianna (age 6) and Savanna (age 4). I enjoy sewing, cross stitch, and reading. Bill and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary in 2019 with a vow renewal here at the Chapel.
My favorite thing about the Chapel is…
I love the “closeness” of the Chapel. I felt welcomed the very first time I came there to worship. I love the history and the stories of how the Chapel came to be. Day In The Country is such a fun event, and I love being a part of that.
My favorite Bible verse is…
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me,'” Matthew 25:40. It came to mean so much to me when I worked with AIDS patients at the VA Medical Center in Jackson. I also have far too many favorite hymns to mention, but I love the Navy Hymn and want it sung at my funeral.
Ralph Stillions
I am from…
Jackson, Mississippi
I have been at the Chapel since…
1993
I am a retired Insurance Executive. I have lived in the greater Jackson area my entire life. I am a proud graduate of Mississippi State University, where I attended on a golf scholarship. I have been an Episcopalian since 1975, and am a past Vestry member here at the Chapel. My wife Lynne and I have four fantastic grandboys.
My favorite thing about the Chapel is…
The deep friendships. The beautiful campus. This Holy place.
My favorite part of the liturgy is…
Psalm 91.
Tommy Roberson
I am from…
Greenville, Mississippi
I have been at the Chapel since…
2013
I am a Mississippi State University graduate. After I retired from Kraft Foods in 2002, my wife and I moved to Madison to be with our three children and their spouses, plus our seven grandchildren. We are so lucky that all of us go to the Chapel. I grew up a Baptist, but my wife was a cradle Episcopalian, and I am so glad that I was confirmed in 1972. I love the service and the structure of the Episcopal church.
My favorite thing about the Chapel is…
The people!! There are a lot of young couples with children plus a great variety of middle aged and older people. Great mix. The Chapel just gives you the feeling of being in the country with good people who care and love the Lord. You don’t have to dress to impress but shoes are required….ha ha!
I encourage folks new to the Chapel to get involved with Foyer groups, flowers for events, bringing food for events, some type of Sunday school program (either for your children or yourself), Daughters of the King or Bible Study, men’s groups like Gravediggers, and other things like Day in the Country. Get to know people by being involved. People here want to know about YOU and your family because we are a family with Christ.
My favorite part of the liturgy is…
The Nicene Creed, which to me really says what it’s all about. “He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have NO end.”
Molly Biesemier
I am from…
Greenville, Mississippi
I have been at the Chapel since…
2018
I am a born and raised Episcopalian, but I am new to Chapel of the Cross. My husband, Andrew, and I met at boarding school, Virginia Episcopal School. We have a son together with whom I stay home.
My favorite thing about the Chapel is…
I love the family friendly atmosphere!
My favorite blessing is…
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Morris Reagan
I am from…
Hazelhurst, Mississippi
I have been at the Chapel since…
1994
I have bachelors degrees from Rhodes College, a Ph.D. in chemistry from Johns Hopkins, and an M.D. from the Medical College of Wisconsin. I began my career on the chemistry faculty at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida, and after medical training I practiced radiation oncology in Jackson for 19 years. After my retirement in 1999, I taught chemistry at St.Andrew’s Episcopal School for a year. My greatest passion is fine music. I have thousands of LPs, CDs and music videos. Once a month we have “music night” at my house, when one of our group chooses the program and cooks a meal.
My favorite thing about the Chapel is…
I like so many things about The Chapel. My most memorable experience was an Education For Ministry (EFM) course offered a few years ago. It was so memorable, I would take it a second time if I had the chance. Also, there’s Day in the Country, of course. Plus, even after more than a decade at the Chapel, there are still so many Chapel members to continue getting to know and new friends to be made.
My favorite Bible verse is…
“A good name is rather to be chosen that great riches and loving favor rather than silver and gold,” Proverbs 22:1.
