Equipping the Saints Devotional

EquippingtheSaints

A14-DAYDEVOTIONAL FORTHEEPISCOPALCHURCH INTHEDIOCESEOFALABAMA

AsweembarkontheEquippingtheSaints campaigntogether,Iamfilledwithgratitudeforthefaithandcommitmentthat defineourcommunity.Thiscapitalcampaignismore thanafinancialendeavor;itisaspiritualpilgrimage, anopportunityforustostrengthenourcollective foundationandbuildalastinglegacy.

Inthepagesofthisdevotional,youwillfindreflectionsandprayerstoguideyouthroughatimeofdiscernment.Aswecontemplatethewaysinwhichwe cansupportthefutureofourdiocese,maythese momentsofreflectiondeepenourconnectiontoGod andeachother.

Mayourgenerositybeatestamenttotheloveof Jesusthatbindsusasadiocesanfamily.Withopen heartsandsteadfastfaith,letusstepforward,knowingthattogether,wecanaccomplishgreatthings forthegloryofGod.

-Rt.Rev.GlendaCurry, BishopofAlabama

WeAlabamaEpiscopaliansareblessed tobelongtoawonderful,vibrant, healthychurch.Ourchurchtodayis thrivingandstrongbecausesomanypeoplehave providedgreatleadershipandgenerousfinancial supportthroughoutthelonghistoryoftheDioceseof Alabama.ThroughtheEquippingtheSaintscampaign, wehaveanopportunitytocontinuethattradition. WecanensurethatthefutureoftheEpiscopal ChurchinAlabamacontinuestoshinebrightly, sharingGod’sloveamonggenerationsstilltocome.

Thisdevotionalwaswrittenbysomeoftheleadersof ourdiocese—nameswhichmanyofyouwillrecognize.Wehopethatyouwillbeinspiredbytheir thoughts.AndwehopethatyouwillprayerfullyconsiderhowyoucanparticipatewithusinEquipping theSaints.

-WillandLieselFrench&TomandCorneliaHeflin, CampaignChairs

DAY1

“Cometome,allwholaborandareheavyladen,andIwillgiveyourest. Takemyyokeuponyou,andlearnfromme,forIamgentleandlowly inheart,andyouwillfindrestforyoursouls.

Formyyokeiseasy,andmyburdenislight.”

MATTHEW11:28-30

Mygrandfatherwasakindandgeneroussoul.MuchofwhatIknow abouthomeandautorepairsandworkingwithfolksIlearnedfrom mygrandfather.Heconsistentlyinvitedmeintowhateverprojecthewas workingonorwhateverconversationhewasengagedinwithhisfriendsand neighbors.Hisinfluencedeeplyingrainedinmetheimportanceoflivingalife ofinvitation.Mysenseisthatspiritofinvitationthatmygrandfathersofreely sharedwasamanifestationofhisfaith.

ThroughoutoursacredstoryweseeourlovingGodinvitingusintorelationship.Yetmaybenomoreclearlyisthatspiritofinvitationmorepronounced thaninthewordsfromMatthew,“Cometome,allwholaborandareheavy laden...”Jesusisinvitingusintoalovingrelationshipwithhimthatwillprovide uswithbothnourishmentandrestforoursouls.Oneofthegreatestblessings ofservingasyourAssistingBishopistoexperiencethatspiritofinvitationin ourparishesweekafterweek.

Infact,inmyexperiencethemoreinvitationalthecongregationthemorethe

communityisthriving.Excellentclergyandlayleadersknowthatthesecret saucetohealthy,growingcongregationsistounabashedlyshareJesus'Gospel messagethatweareallinvitedintoadeeperrelationshipwithGod.Thesameis truewithourbelovedCampMcDowell.MayweshareGod’slovethatwehave beeninvitedtowithallthosewemeet.

-BishopBrianN.Prior,AssistingBishopfortheEpiscopalChurchinAlabama

-QUESTIONSTOCONSIDER-

Howdoyouexperiencethespiritofinvitationinyourparish?

HowdoyouexperiencethespiritofinvitationatCampMcDowell?

HowdoyoushareGod’sinvitationtoothers?

GraciousandlovingGod, wegiveyouthanksandpraiseforconsistentlyinviting usdeeperanddeeperintorelationshipwithyou.InspireuswithyourHolySpirittofollowintheWayof Jesus,thewayoflove,throughinvitingothers intorelationshipwithyou.Amen.

DAY2

ThenMosessaid,“Imustturnasideandseethisgreatsightandseewhythebush isnotburnedup.”WhentheLordsawthathehadturnedasidetosee, Godcalledtohimoutofthebush,“Moses,Moses!”Andhesaid,“HereIam.”

EXODUS3:3-4

Oncountyroad195thatleadstoCampMcDowell,there’sbeenachurch named“IAMChurch.”Irememberseeingitfirstwhenmyparentsdrove ten-year-oldmetocampyearsago.WhythenameIAMchurch?God’ s Church,Isupposed,knowingthestoryofGodspeakingtoMosesfromthe burningbush.

GodiscallingMosestonoticehim whichaburningbushwilldo!Godis callingMosestocome,tohelp,toleavehiscomfortablelifeandtakeonalife ofGodlypurpose.Moses’firstreplyis,“HereIam.”AfterGodexplainswhathe wantsfromhim,Mosesturnshiswordsaroundsaying,WhoamItodothis thing?Mosesisarguinghemaynotbetherightguyforthejob.Finally,Moses’ heartissoftenedandanswersGodsaying,“WhoshallIsaysentme?”Godreplies,“IAM.”

God’sreplydoesnotmerelysuggestthatMosestellthemGodexists,butalso thatGodispresent.IAMPRESENT.Iamcallingthemoutofsorrowintoa new,fruitfulfuture.“Thisismynameforever,andthismytitleforallgenerations.”

-Rev.PollyRobb,RectorofSt.Luke’s,Scottsboro

Howdoyourespondwhenourever-presentGodinvitesyoutodo somethingbiggerthanyouimagined?

HaveyoueverfoundyourselfaskingNOTWhoamI,butWhyme?

Whatifourheartswereopenedand,likeMoses,wesaid,“Yes,Iam readytoequipthesaints?”

GraciousGod, youarewithusatalltimes,inallplaces,givinguslife andcallingustoloveinbig,boldways.Grantusgratefulheartstorecognizeyourgraceand presenceinourlives,inmomentsofsorrowandofjoy,in momentsofsharedfellowship,journeysmade,lives loved.Allthatwehaveisfromyou.Drawusevercloser toyou,thatwemaybeinspiredtoofferourselves,the fruitsofourlaborandourlove,forafutureasbrightas youimagine,forthesakeofyourSonoursavior, JesusChrist. Amen.

DAY3

Wewantyoutoknow,brothersandsisters,aboutthegraceofGodthathasbeengrantedto thechurchesofMacedonia;forduringasevereordealofaffliction,theirabundantjoyand theirextremepovertyhaveoverflowedinawealthofgenerosityontheirpart.

2COR.8:1-2

TheseversestakemebacktoatimewhenaclosefriendinmyCursillo reuniongroupwasdiagnosedwithterminalcancer.Ourreuniongroup becamethecareteamforourfriendandourprayersdroveustoamuchdeeper relationshipwithGod.Duringourfriend’sordeal,mymotherdiedafterbattlingAlzheimer’sforsevenyears.Insteadofbeingdownanddepressed,Iwas filledwithGod’sloveandevenjoyfulthatmymotherwasnowoutofpain… andthatmyfriendwouldbesoon.

PaulemphasizestheimportanceoffindingcomfortandstrengthinGodduringtimesofsuffering.HeshareshowGodcomfortsussowecanbeacomfort toothers.Thisremindsusthatourtrialscanbeopportunitiestodeepenour relationshipwithGodandministertothoseinneed.

Duringhisthirdmissionaryjourney,PaulhadcollectedmoneyfortheimpoverishedbelieversinJerusalem.ThechurchesinMacedonia-Philippi,ThessalonicaandBereahadgivenmoneyeventhoughtheywerepoor,andtheyhad givenmorethanPaulexpected.Thiswassacrificialgiving;theywerepoor themselves,buttheywantedtohelp.Thepointofgivingisnotsomuchthe amountwegive,butwhyandhowwegive.Goddoesnotwantgiftsgiven

grudgingly.Instead,hewantsustogiveasthesechurchesdid outofdedicationtoChrist,loveforfellowbelievers,thejoyofhelpingthoseinneed,aswell asthefactthatitwassimplythegoodandrightthingtodo.

-HankPoellnitz,PresidentofCursilloinAlabama

-QUESTIONSTOCONSIDER-

Doyourecallatimewhenabadordealresultedinyoufeeling closertoGod?

Doyoufeelabundantjoyfromyourgiving?

Howdoesyourgenerositycomparetothestandardsetbythe Macedonianchurches?

HowmighttheexampleoftheMacedonianchurchesinspiremore joyfulgiving?

DearHeavenlyFather,

wecomebeforeyouwithheartsfilledwithgratitude. Wethankyouforthecomfortandstrengththatyouprovideintimes ofsuffering.Maywealwaysturntoyouforsolace,andinturn, beinstrumentsofyourcomforttootherswhoareinneed.Helpustobe peopleofforgivenessandreconciliation,showingthesamelove andmercythatyoubestowuponus.InChrist’snamewepray.Amen.

DAY4

Theysaidtoeachother,‘Werenotourheartsburningwithinuswhilehewastalkingtous ontheroad,whilehewasopeningthescripturestous?’

LUKE24:32

Whentwofriendssharethattheir‘heartswereburningwithin’them onaroadtoEmmaus,thereisaninherentgapintimeinthestory. Twofriendshaveadeeplymeaningfulconversationwithastranger,butit takessometimeandamealbeforetheyrealizejusthowspecialthatstranger trulywas.Wemightsaytheyhadan‘aha’momentastheylookbackhourslater,toknowthatthepersontheyweretravelingwithwasinfacttheirfriend, JesusChrist.Afterbreakingbreadtogether,aftergatheringaroundatableand praying,theireyesareopened,andtheyrealizetheirheartshadbeenburning astheyreflectedonGod’sword.

Whenwebreakbreadtogether,theeyesofourcommunityareopenedtosee theprofoundwaythatGodisalreadyatworkinourlives.Thismeansthesacramentalwaywegatherframestherestofourlives.Godiscertainlyapartof allthings,andweshowuptochurchnottoescapethepresentrealityofour lives,buttoseethewayGodisalreadyshapingus,toseehowthestrangersand friendsinourmidstaretheincarnationofJesusChrist,andtolearnhowwe mightfaithfullyrespond.

-Rev.JohnBurruss,RectorofSt.Stephen’s,Birmingham

-QUESTIONSTOCONSIDER-

Whenhasyourheartbeenburningwithinyou?

Howhasyourchurchlifeenabledyoutoseetheworlddifferently?

WhoarestrangersyouhavelearnedtoseeasJesusChrist?

GraciousandlovingGod, openoureyestoseeyourpresenceintheworldaboutus, andkindleinourheartsaburningdesiretoknowyou andtoloveyoumore,inJesus’sname.Amen.

DAY5

“Bestill,andknowthatIamGod;Iwillbeexaltedamongthenations, Iwillbeexaltedintheearth.”

PSALM46:10

“

Post-ApocalypticHorrorhasbeenmovedtotheCurrentAffairssection.”Thatwasthewittysignoutsideabookshopbackin2020,when thingsjustcouldn’tgetanyworse.

Rememberthatawfulyear?Itseemedthateveryweekbroughtnewfears, threats,andsuffering.Well,justwhenwethoughtwewereoutofthewoods andsafelysippingteaatgrandma’shouse,therecomesanominousknockat thedoor.Somewolvesarejustneversatisfied.

There’snothingquitelikeafull-blownconflictintheMiddleEasttocauseglobalanxiety.AsIwrite,thedepthofhumansufferinginIsraelandPalestineis indescribable.Ican’timaginewhatitwillbelikeonthedayyoureadthis.

Psalm46:10isafamousandinspiringverse.Oftensomeonewillquoteitwhen theyareurgingpeopletodeveloptheirdevotionallife.Drawasidefromthe noiseandrestinGod.That’stheticket.

Ofcourse,thatencouragementisalwaysrightandhelpful.ButPsalm46isnot aboutcontemplativeprayer.It’sabouthumanresponsetodisaster.Itbegins withthissoberingperspective:“Godisourrefugeandstrength,aneverpresenthelpintrouble.Therefore,wewillnotfear,thoughtheearthgiveway

andthemountainsfallintotheheartofthesea.”Wow! Thingsonplanetearth rightnowarenotgood,butwehaven’t(yet)watchedthemountainsfallinto thesea!

Thepoet’spointisthis:Imaginetheveryworst themountainsfallingintothe sea andthentakeheart,beencouraged.Evenifthatweretohappen,wewill trustinGod.SobestillandknowthatGodisincharge.Heisloving,good,and powerful.WecanaffordtorestsecurelyinGod,nomatterwhatwolfknocksat thedoor.

-Rev.DuncanJohnston,St.John’s,Montgomery

-

QUESTIONSTOCONSIDER-

Whathardshiporsufferingareyouexperiencingtoday?

HowdoestheknowledgeofGod’sgoodnessandpowerhelpyou?

IsGodleadingyoutodevoteregulartimetoprayerandmeditation?

Howcanyouorganizeyourlifesothisbecomesareality?

Whatadvicewouldyougivetoafriendwhoisanxiousaboutthestate oftheworld?

LovingGod,

thankyouforyourlordshipoveralltheearth.Helpmetoknowdeep inmyheartthatyouareinchargeofallthathappensandthatyour plansaretheflourishingofalllife.Keepmefaithfulinthishope, andbringittocompletiononthegreatdaywhen Christreturnstocompleteyourreign.Amen.

DAY6

“IwaitfortheLord,mysoulwaits,andinHiswordIhope”

PSALM130:5

Oneofthemostdifficultaspectsoffaithispatience.Waitingforsomethingthatisunseen,somethingthatisunheard,ischallenging.Sometimes,allthatisneededisadirectanswertoaprayeroranundeniablesignthat Godislistening.However,theworldwouldbealltooperfectifthatwerethe case,soleaningonthewordoftheLordisimportantforus.

Inaway,thechallengeofbeingunabletohearorspeaktoGodisablessing. Beingabletobelieveinsomething,towaitforsomethingthatisunseenis calledfaith.Therefore,havingpatiencethroughoutthespiritualjourneyis beneficial;itallowsustoremainhopefulandnotfrustrated,astheverseabove tellsus.AsconveyedbythePsalm,theattitudetowardwaitingfortheLordis anattitudeofhopefulnessandtrust,atypeoftrustthatrequiresone’sfullbeing,one’ssoul.

Anotherthought:oneofmyfavoritesongstosingatCampMcDowelliscalled “WaitingForLightning”byStevenCurtisChapman,latercoveredbyFran McKendree.Inthesong,Chapmanasks,“Areyouwaitingforlightning?Asign thatit'stimeforachange?Areyoulisteningforthunder?WhileGodquietly whispersyourname?”Theversethathasbeenselectedforthisdevotionwas thefifthverse.Inthefirstthroughthefourthverses,thepsalmistisinabad

place.HecriesouttotheLordwiththehopeofbeingheard,andinordertohear theLord,thepsalmistmustbepatient.Justinthematterofafewverses,he findsthatpeace.TheLordanswershim.So,Iaskthequestion:Areyouwaiting forlightning?Areyoulisteningforthunder?WhileGodquietlywhispersyour name?

-

LillieHartley,ChairoftheYouthDepartment

-QUESTIONSTOCONSIDER-

Hasthereeverbeenatimewhereyouhadtopracticepatience inyourfaith?

Wasmaintainingthatpatiencedifficult?Ifso,why?

HowcanyouimproveyourpatiencewhenwaitingfortheLord?

Whataresomethingsyoucandowhileyouarewaiting fortheLord?

AlmightyandmostmercifulGod, grantthatwehavepatiencewhenlisteningforyour answers,thatwemayremainhopefulinourfaith. Thankyouforchallengingustostrengthenourtrust inyou;throughJesusChristourLord.Amen.

DAY7

NowtoHimwhobythepoweratworkwithinusisabletoaccomplishabundantly farmorethanallwecanaskorimagine,toHimbegloryinthechurchandinChristJesus toallgenerations,foreverandever,Amen.

EPHESIANS3:20

TherearetwowordsfromtheoutsetofPaul’slettertotheEphesiansthat indicateeverythinghaschanged:“ButGod…”(Ephesians2:4).Godhasintervenedintheworld,thehumancondition,breakingdownthedividingwallof hostilitythatwemightbeknittogetherwithGodandoneanother.Becauseof ourmerits,performance?No,becauseGodisrichinmercy,extravagantinlove. Thewordsabovearearesponse,aprayer,awordofpraise.Thewordscome tumblingoutinthewaytheydowhenwearedelightfullyoverwhelmed,blessed andgiftedinawaywedidnotexpectandyet,blessedallthesame.Theyarethe wordsthatcometumblingoutwhenwe’vebeenloved.Notcontingentlove,but onewaylove,savinglove,pouredrecklesslyoutuponus,thetypeoflovethat wouldblessJeworGentile,youorme.

-VeryRev.CraigSmalley,DeanandRectoroftheCathedralChurchoftheAdvent

-QUESTIONSTOCONSIDER-

Canyourememberatimewhenthistypeoflovecameuponyou?

Whatdidthisloveandgracecreate?

WhatdoesitlooklikeforChristtodwellinourheartsthroughfaith, toberootedandgroundedinhislovethroughtheSpirit?

AlmightyGod

youareworthyofpraise,richinmercy,youdisplayyour saving,reconcilingloveinJesusyourSon.Plantinourhearts wepray,byyourSpirit,newlife,generouslife,alifeofpraise; throughJesusChristourLord.Amen.

DAY8

Thethiefcomesonlytostealandkillanddestroy. Icamethattheymayhavelife,andhaveitabundantly.

JOHN10:10

Sometimeagoinanothercommunitythathasinformedmyjourney,Iwas toldIneededtoworkonlivingmylifefromtheinsideoutratherthanthe outsidein.WhenIaskedforanexplanation,IwastoldthatIlookedatpeople andthingsthatresidedoutsideofmyselftodefinewhoIwas.Ireallyneededto startontheinsideandbecomfortablewithme.OnlythenwouldIseeeverythingoutsideofmyselfinamuchdifferentway.Simplyput,IwouldstopcomparingmyselftoothersandfocusmoreonallthatIhavebeenblessedwith,the abundanceinmyownlife.

Iwouldliketosaythatwasallittook,butthetruthisImustworkatitdaily. ThesenseofcommunityandaccountabilityIfindinchurchhelpsmetorememberthatimportanttruthandsupportsmeinmakingitarealityinmylife. TheexperiencesIhaveatChristChurchandthroughouttheDiocesesharpen myvision.Sundayworship,Parishretreats,DiocesanCouncil,SummerCamp atMcDowellareallopportunitiesthathelpmerealizehowtrulyblessedIam andpointmetowardthatabundantlifeJesusspokeof.

-Rev.PaulPradat,RectorofChristChurch,Tuscaloosa

-QUESTIONSTOCONSIDER-

Whatmakesmylifeabundant?

Whatkeepsmefromrecognizingmyabundance?

WhatmightIaddtohelpmeliveanabundantlife?

Lord, Iamfartoomuchinfluencedbywhatpeoplethinkofme. WhichmeansIamalwayspretendingtobeeitherricheror smarterthanIreallyam.Pleasepreventmefromtryingto attractattention.Don’tletmegloatoverpraiseontheonehand andbediscouragedbycriticismontheother,norletmewaste timeweavingthemostimaginarysituationsinwhichthe heroic,charming,wittypersonpresentismyself.

Showmehowtobehumbleofheart.Amen.

-12StepPrayerBook

DAY9

ThenJoshuasaidtothepeople,“Sanctifyyourselves; fortomorrowtheLordwilldowondersamongyou.”

JOSHUA3:5

ThefirstchaptersofJoshuaarecharacterizedbyexcitementandfear.The Israeliteshavejourneyedforfortyyearsinthewildernessmeaningthat thegenerationwhowereslavesinEgypthavediedandtheIsraeliteswhopreparetocrosstheRiverJordanintothePromisedLandhaveonlyknownlifein thewilderness.Addtothat,theyhaveonlyknownoneleader,Moses,whohas justdiedonMt.Nebo.NowtheIsraeliteslookacrosstheriverwithanewleader andanewlifeknowingthatthisnewlifeentailsdangeranduncertainty.Inthe midstofuncertaintyJoshuacallstheIsraelitestorelyonwhattheyknow whichisthesteadfastloveofGod.ThesameLordwhodeliveredtheirparents fromslaveryinEgyptandwhonurturedthemwithmannaandwaterfromthe rockinthewildernessisthesameGodwhowillprovidefortheminthisnext phaseoftheirlives.

ItistemptingtothinkthattheEpiscopalChurchinAlabamafacesauniquely uncertainfuture,butthatisnotthecase.ThepeopleofGodarecalledinevery generationtolookacrosstheriverintothefuturethatGodpromises,anditis onlybythepowerofGodwhichweknowthroughfaiththatweareabletofollowafterwhatGodpromises.ThisCapitalCampaignisourtimetolookinto theuncertainfutureandputourtrustinGodinthebeliefthatGodwilldowonderfulthingsthroughus.

-Rev.GeoffEvans,CanontotheOrdinaryfortheEpiscopalChurchinAlabama

-QUESTIONSTOCONSIDER-

Whenhaveyoubeenbothfearfulandexcitedforthefuture?

HowhasGodledyouthroughuncertainty?

WhatdoyouhopeforthefutureoftheEpiscopalChurchinAlabama?

Lord, anointusforyourpurposeshereinAlabama.

AswetreadthevergeofJordangiveusfaithinyourability toworkwondersamongus.Amen.

DAY10

“ButtheywhowaitfortheLordshallrenewtheirstrength; theyshallmountupwithwingslikeeagles;theyshallrunandnotbeweary; theyshallwalkandnotfaint.”

ISAIAH40:31

Sooften,adversityseemstowaitforusateveryturn.Wethinkthingsare supposedtogoacertainwayonlytohavetherugpulledoutfromunder us.Inmycase,thishadtodowithahealthcrisiswhenIwasdiagnosedwith MultipleSclerosis.Thisledtomehavingtogiveupmycareerasanobstetrician/gynecologist somethingIhadworkedmywholelifetobecome.ButI realizedGodwasworkinginmylife,plantingseedsalongthewaythathelped topreparemeforsomethingevengreater becomingafull-timemotherto ourtwoyoungsons.

ThisverseofIsaiahcontainsagreatpromiseofstrengthforthewearyand promisesusarenewedstrength.GodisourendlesssourceofstrengthandHe givesittousgenerously.Byacknowledgingwedon’thavethestrengthweneed onourown,weplaceourtrustinGodbecauseonlyHecanprovideuswiththis strength.AllwehavetodoiswaitonHimwithhopefulexpectation,andbecauseHeisthere,Heprovidesuswithallthatweneedbecauseofhowmuchwe areloved.Inthemidstofhardship,allwehavetodoislooktoHimastheone whoworksallthingstogetherforourgood.IntheNewTestament,thispromiseisfulfilledthroughJesuswhosaid,”Cometome,allwholaborandare heavyladen,andIwillgiveyourest.”(Matthew11:28).Allwehavetodoistrust andGodtakescareoftherest!

-Dr.LoriSmith,ECWPresident

-QUESTIONSTOCONSIDER-

Whenisatimethatyoufoundyourselfinacrisisandinneedof strength?Whathappenednext?

Lookingback,canyouseehowGodwasatwork,providingyouwith thestrengthtoovercomethischallenge?Wasthisoutcomebetteror worse?

GraciousandlovingGod, thankyouforalwaysbeingthereforustohelpguideusand strengthenusthroughthechallengeswealltoooftenarefaced with.Thankyouforlovingussomuchthatyouarealwaysthere tobethatsourceofstrengthforus,believinginusandatthesame timeforgivinguswhenwestumblealongtheway.

Yourunendinglovehelpstostrengthenusinwayswedon’t alwaysseeorunderstand,butbyplacingourtrustinyou,the outcomeisoftensomuchmorethanweevercouldhavehoped for.Giveustheeyestoseehowyoucontinuetoblessusandguide usandhowwecanusethistointurnloveandserveothersin yourkingdomhereonearth.Amen.

DAY11

ThereisnolongerJeworGreek;thereisnoslaveorfree; thereisnolongermaleandfemale,forallofyouareoneinChristJesus.

GALATIANS3:28

InGalatians3:28,theapostlePauldeliversapowerfulmessageofunityand onenessinChristJesus.HeproclaimsthatwearealloneinChrist,unitedin Hisloveandgrace.Thisverseisaprofoundcalltoaction,amessagethatresonatespowerfullyinourworldanddiocesetoday.

Inaworldoftenmarkedbydivisions,themessageofGalatians3:28servesasa beaconofhopeandaroadmapforracialhealing.WhenPaulsays,"Thereisno longerJeworGreek,thereisnoslaveorfree,thereisnolongermaleandfemale"it’saninterestingdichotomybecausetherearecleardifferencesinthe world.Wecannamehundredsandhundredsofwaysinwhichwearedifferent,theuniquewaysinwhichGodcreatedus.

So,thequestionis,howareweoneinChrist?Ephesians2:10tellsus,“[W]eare God'smasterpiece.HehascreatedusanewinChristJesus,sowecandothe goodthingsheplannedforuslongago.”WeareGod’smasterpiece.Whata beautifulpictureoftheBodyofChrist!Aswithanypieceofart,notwostrokes arethesame.Thereissomethinguniqueandspecialabouteveryaspectofthe masterpiece,andwhenit’sallputtogether,it'sbeautiful.

AsChristians,itwouldbediminishingtosuggestweareallthesame.Weare one,notbecausewearethesame,butbecauseGodhascreatedusuniquelyto livetogethersowecandogoodthings.IbelieveGodcallsustoappreciateour

differences,whilealsorecognizingweareallchildrenofGod.Itchallengesus toembraceandcelebrateourdiversity,understandingthatourdifferencesenrichthetapestryofoursharedfaith.

-BreMitchell,MissionerforRacialHealingandPilgrimagefortheEpiscopal ChurchinAlabama

-QUESTIONSTOCONSIDER-

Whatdoesonenessandunitymeantoyou?

WhatgiftsanddifferencesdoyouoffertotheBodyofChrist?

Inthemidstofsomanydivisionsanddifferences,whatdoyoubelieve willbringunityandharmonytoGod’schildren?

WeprayforunityandonenessinChrist amongallyourchildren.YourWordremindsusthatweareall onebodyinChrist,andjustaseachpartofthebodyhasa uniquerole,wearecalledtoworktogetherinharmony. FilluswithyourHolySpirit,thatwemaybeinstrumentsof peaceandreconciliation.Letusbeknownforourloveforone another,asyoucommandedus.Mayweliveinawaythat reflectsyourloveanddrawsothersintoyourfamily.Amen.

DAY12

Youwillbeenrichedineverywayforyourgreatgenerosity, whichwillproducethanksgivingtoGodthroughus; fortherenderingofthisministrynotonlysuppliestheneedsofthesaints butalsooverflowswithmanythanksgivingstoGod.

2COR.9:11-12

Whennewsbrings detailsofwhatseemtobeinsolubledisasters,Iam gratefulforplaceswecangotofindpeaceandhelpinhowtodealwith thechaos. Twoplacesareone'sparishandCampMcDowell.Inthoseplaceswe canfindcomfortandsafety as wesearchfordeeperpurpose,hopeandmeaning.Therewecanalsofindthatallarewelcomedtothetable.

CampMcDowellwasextremelyimportantinmyformationaswellasmany othersthroughouttheDioceseofAlabama.MyexperiencesatCampMcDowell havebeencriticaltomydevotionoftimeandenergytoestablishinganddevelopingourparishes.ItmaybesaidthatIhavebeenenrichedineverywayand, forthat,IamoverflowingwithgratitudetoGod.

Theword"saints"isused167timesintheNewTestament.“Saints”includeall ofuswhoarepartoftheJesusMovement.OurparishesandCampMcDowell arecriticalinequippingsaintstocarrythewordofGodandinviteotherstojoin intheJesusMovement.

Asweseekto“equipthesaints,”wewillgrowourfaithcommunity,strengthen ourabilitytohelpourselvesandothersdealwiththechaosoflife,andloveeach otherasJesuscommanded.

-Rev.DougCarpenter

-QUESTIONSTOCONSIDER-

Wherehaveyouseen“saints”inyourparishorintheDiocesehelp ourcommunitiesandnation cometogetherinlove?

HowhasCampMcDowellhelpedinyourfaithformationorthose youlove?

DoyouknowofamoreappropriateplacethanJesus'tabletoproclaim thatallarewelcome?

Jesushelpme tobeaninstrumentofyourpeace.Amen.

DAY13

ZacchaeusstoodthereandsaidtotheLord,"Look,halfofmypossessions,Lord, Iwillgivetothepoor;andifIhavedefraudedanyoneofanything, Iwillpaybackfourtimesasmuch." ThenJesussaidtohim,"Todaysalvation hascometothishouse,becausehetooisasonofAbraham.FortheSonofMan cametoseekoutandtosavethelost."

LUKE19:8-10

ItiseasytooverlooktheriskyfaithofZacchaeusbecauseweknowhimbest throughachildren’sSundaySchoolsong.ZacchaeusneededtoseeJesus andsoheriskedhisreputationandsocialstanding.Heran,pushinghisway throughthecrowds,andclimbedatree.Zacchaeuswaslost,buthewaseagerto befound.TheresultwasnotonlydidheseeJesus,buthewasseenbyJesus.

Zacchaeusrespondswithoverwhelminggratitude.Hepromisestogivegenerouslyandtorightwrongs.Hemighthavelostsomerespectability,buthisrisky actionsandoverwhelminggratitudeledtohissalvation.Hewasseen,named, andsavedbyJesus.

Today,Jesusisstillseekingoutandsavingthelost.TodaytherearepeoplewillingtotakeriskstoseeandbeseenbyJesus.Todaytheresponseofthosefound byJesuscontinuestobegratitude.Todaywecontinuetogathertogivegenerously,torightwrongs,andtoliftpeopleupsothattheycanseeandbeseenby Jesus.

-Rev.KelleyHudlow,CanonforVocationsandCommunityEngagement

-QUESTIONSTOCONSIDER-

WhoorwhatismakingithardforyoutoseeJesus?

Whoorwhatisliftingyouabovethecrowdssothatyoucanseeclearly?

Whatareyouwillingtorisk?

Today,howwillyourespondtobeingseen,named,andsavedbyJesus?

SearchingGod,

Iwanttobefoundtoday.Givemecouragetopushthrough thecrowds,sothatIcanbetterseeyou.Helpmetobegrateful, sothatImayliftothersuptoseeyoutoo.Iaskthisinthe nameofJesus,whoseeksandsavesthelost.Amen.

DAY14

Thegiftshegavewerethatsomewouldbeapostles,someprophets,someevangelists, somepastorsandteachers,toequipthesaintsfortheworkofministry,forbuilding upthebodyofChrist

EPHESIANS4:11-12

IhavetwoGoddaughters,agesthreeandfive.Ilovespendingtimewith them,becauseIneverknowwhattheywilldonext.Theyarefullofsurprises,because,intheschemeofthings,they’restillprettynewtothisworld.They havealottolearn,andIhavealottolearnaboutthem.Godisstillformingand shapingwhotheywillbe,anditisawondertobehold.

Godformsandshapeseachofus,givingusgiftsofthespirittohelpbuildupthe bodyofChrist.Iamprofoundlyhumbledbyandthankfulforthespiritualgifts Godhasgivenmethatallowmetobeyourbishop.Iprayoftenfortherightuse ofthesegiftsandforthewisdomtoseeandempowerthegiftsofothers.

Ourcapitalcampaign,EquippingtheSaints,isanopportunitytodojustthat, onlyonamuchgranderscale.Throughthiseffort,wewillbuilduponthe strengthsofourdiocese ourpeopleandparishes,CampMcDowell,andour desireforreconciliation sothatourchurchwillbemadestrongerandmore vibrant,nowandforthegenerationstocome.Myhopeisthatthiscampaign willsetourdioceseonapaththatwillleadAlabamianstoChristforthenext 100years.

Ifthatsoundsdaunting,itshouldn’t.Godhasalreadyprovidedallthatwe needtoachievethesegoals.WehavebeenformedandshapedbyGodto dothiswork,andwehavemany,manygiftstoshare.

Aswelookaheadtoourcapitalcampaign,praywithmeforourdiocese, thattheloveofJesuswillsoinspireanduniteus,wewillgrowourchurch beyondourwildestdreams,welcomingstrangers,comfortingthosein anyneedortrouble,seekingthefaceofChrist,andalwaysgivingthanks andpraisetoGod.

-Rt.

QUESTIONSTOCONSIDER-

WhatspiritualgiftsdidGodgiveyou?

Howdoyoushareyourspiritualgiftswithyourfamily,yourparish, yourdiocese?

Whatdoyouhopeourchurchwillbelikein100years?

OGod,

ourCreator, youknitmetogetherinmymother’swomb.Ipraiseyou, forIamfearfullyandwonderfullymade.Helpmetouseall thegiftsyouhavegivenmetothegloryofyourname. Remindmetorecognizeandempowerthegiftsofothers. Mayourworksfindfavorinyoursight.Amen.

Rev.GlendaCurry,BishopofAlabama