Racial unity and reconciliation through the Body of Christ is the mission of Mission Mississippi, which was brought to the Lions Club by the Rev. Margaret Ayers Wednesday.

Ayers, who preaches at St. James’ Episcopal Church in Port Gibson as well as at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Vicksburg, spoke about the organization as the featured guest speaker at the Lions Club weekly meeting.

“Part of what Mission Mississippi does is work with people and gets people to talk,” Ayers said.

The organization is made up of a group of ministers from multiple churches across Mississippi who are working to cross racial and gender barriers and show God’s grace. Ayers wore a yellow Mission Mississippi band around her wrist that said, “graceism.”

She said relationships don’t prosper when there is no communication, which makes this organization vital in efforts to bridge gaps and come together as Christians instead of being separated by race and gender.

A chapter of the group has been in Vicksburg since 2007, and they meet once a month.

“It’s really made a difference to my ministry and my understanding, especially being a northern girl coming to the south. It’s a different culture for me,” Ayers said.

The Vicksburg branch of the organization is hosting a Day of Dialogue Saturday, April 30, which is scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m.

“It’s a great way to break down barriers, to get to know people and honestly in the breaking of bread….you get to know each other better,” Ayers said.

Ayers announced Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, the first African American Presiding Bishop in the Episcopal Church, is making his first visit to Mississippi this summer and will being making two stops, one in Jackson and one in Vicksburg.  He is scheduled to preach a morning worship and Eucharist service Sunday, June 12 at the Vicksburg Convention Center.

“He is a dynamic speaker. He talks a lot about evangelism and reconciliation and coming together,” Ayers said.

Ayers was the first female member of the Lions Club in Port Gibson. She received a degree in business finance from Montana State University and went to seminary in Austin, Texas in 2004.