Deep Roots, New Growth

DEEP

ROOTS, NEW GROWTH Priorities for the Future of the Diocese of Alabama

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Dear friends: By the end of 2022, Bishop Prior and I will have visited 77 parishes. We’ve worshipped with thousands of you, we’ve had countless conversations, and we’ve witnessed many, many moments of grace and healing.

Our diocese is a special place where the love of Jesus is tangible and real, and I am honored to be your bishop.

Through our travels and our work with all the various Diocesan departments, commissions, and ministries, a vision for the future of our diocese has taken shape. No matter where I go, I see four areas that represent both our strengths and challenges all at once. These four focus areas are: congregational vitality, leadership

development, racial healing, and Camp McDowell.

Within our 87 parishes and three worshiping communities, most places are thriving with active Christian formation, significant outreach, and beautiful worship. Yet others struggle to balance the budget, attract new members, maintain their building, or hire the best clergy. I believe there is room for all our parishes to grow, and I want the diocese, meaning the staff at Carpenter House and each of our parishes, to work together to ensure that all parishes will thrive for the next 100 years.

Leadership development is a key aspect of congregational vitality. We must continue to recruit the best lay and ordained leaders and we must give them the skills they need to succeed. Early on in my ministry, I learned from so many wonderful clergy like Doug Carpenter, Bill Yon, Maggie Taylor, and Francis Walter.

I hope the young clergy would say they too are learning from their more senior peers. Who will come next?

Who will lead our parishes in 30 years? The church is always adapting, and I believe that church leadership

will look differently in the future. Some parishes will be led by full-time clergy, some will be led by parttime retired clergy, and some will be led by well-trained lay people. I want to see our parishes become nimble enough to respond to whatever may come because they have the right people at the helm.

I’m excited to welcome Breanna Mitchell into her new leadership role as the Diocesan Missioner for Racial Healing and Pilgrimage. Hiring a full-time missioner, someone entirely dedicated to this work, is a significant step for our diocese. I’m proud of this growth, and I can’t wait to see where this new path will take us.

With racial healing as one of the four focus areas, I hope we will learn from our past, seek out education and transformation, and diversify our parishes.

Camp McDowell is our own little piece of God’s great backyard and a place where many of us have experienced life-changing worship and fellowship. McDowell has recovered well from the lowest point of the pandemic. Now is a wonderful time for us to dream together about what Camp might look like for the next two 2 Covenant Appeal 2023

No matter where I go, I see four areas that represent both our strengths and challenges all at once. or three generations. How can it become even better, so that we can welcome more and more people into life with Jesus in this

These four focus areas are:

important place.

congregational vitality,

I invite each member of our diocese to find ways to engage with congregational vitality,

leadership development,

leadership development, racial healing, and Camp McDowell. Our deep roots in these four areas give us grounding and strength. If

racial healing,

we use the gifts God has given us wisely, we will grow in ways that allow us to more fully become the people and the church God creat-

and Camp McDowell.

ed us to be.

Thinking about our ministry together brings me great joy. I hope you feel the same way, and I hope you approach your parish covenant with that joy in mind. Each gift is important, and each will be used to build God’s church. If you or your vestry would like to speak with me about your gift for 2023, I welcome the opportunity. Please send me a note at gcurry@dioala.org.

I am, as always, grateful for the parishioners, clergy, and parishes that make up the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama. I thank God for you in my prayers, and I hope I see you at church, soon.

Blessings, 3 Dioala.org

Dear friends, Staci and I feel so blessed to be with you in Alabama.

Thank you for your gracious welcome and warm hospitality! It is wonderful to be near family and a place that is familiar, all the while enjoying almost daily new adventures.

As many of you know, Bishop G and I first met through my long-time soul brother Fran McKendree at AwakeningSoul.

Subsequently, I was blessed to walk with Bishop G as her coach during her onboarding as a new Bishop Diocesan.

Our time together has served us well as we have a number of similar professional experiences as leaders and complimentary working styles.

My work thus far is in full alignment with Bishop G’s four areas of focus:

Congregation Vitality: I am enjoying using my experience working with Bishop G and Canon Geoff Evans in clergy leadership transition and congregational development.

Leadership Development: I have had the blessing of being on retreat with both the diocesan staff and the governing bodies working on greater collaboration around the four focus areas.

Racial Healing: I have the privilege of walking with Bishop G and other leaders on our work of racial healing in our parishes, dioceses and serving as a host for those coming to Alabama on pilgrimage.

Camp McDowell: I am excited about the future of Camp McDowell as I continue to work closely with Bishop G, the camp staff, camp department and soon with the rest of the diocese on discerning the next season for camp.

I also have the good pleasure of sharing in the parish visitation schedule. It is wonderful to gather with so many faithful Episcopalians across Alabama who love Jesus and are sharing His love both in their parishes and in their community.

It truly is a blessing to serve as your Assisting Bishop!

-Bishop Brian

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Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.

They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream.

It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious,

and it does not cease to bear fruit.

Jeremiah 17:7-8

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Pictured: A group from the ARC of Jackson County meet daily at St. Luke’s, Scottsboro, and pack dozens of farm fresh eggs for the St. Luke’s food pantry. The eggs are donated by a parish member, and are from her farm.

Congregational vitality: Cultivating churches and Christian communities Deep roots: Our diocese is home to 87 parishes, worshipping communities, and college chaplaincies. Since 1830, our clergy and members have worked towards the mission of the church, “to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ” (BCP pg 8.55).

This work takes a different form at each of our parishes and reflects their unique circumstances. Some parishes welcome hundreds on Sunday mornings and others have the greatest impact at a contemplative prayer or healing service.

Some seek to serve a specific population like local students while others support those who are food insecure.

Some depict Biblical scenes in beauti-

ful, ornate stained-glass windows and others offer clear windows to God’s creation. There is a place for everyone in the Episcopal Church in Alabama, and the diocese wants to support parishes as they proclaim the Gospel, equip the saints, and comfort those in need.

New growth: Let’s work together to ensure that the Episcopal Church in Alabama thrives for the next 100 years by striving for congregational vitality in every parish. Congregational vitality is achieved when your parish grows by becoming vital to your community. This may look different across our diocese.

What does congregational vitality look 6 Covenant Appeal 2023

like for your parish? No matter your context, the diocesan staff is here to help you discern your answer to that question, and we’re more committed than ever to finding ways to work with each parish to support its people and ministries. You can call on a diocesan staff member or a diocesan department or commission if you need support in creating a strategic plan; strengthening your children, youth, or young adult ministries; engaging in racial healing; enhancing stewardship; or modernizing communications—by God’s grace your congregation can grow by becoming vital to your community.

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Trinity Commons students at RevivAL 2022 in May. Several of these students helped lead prayer stations!

St. Paul’s, Selma held a Lenten Lunch series this year.

A Cursillo reunion group from Nativity, Huntsville served lunch to the Veterans at First Stop.

Ascension, Montgomery hosted their annual Lobster Fest in August. Proceeds benefited Ascension Day School and the FUMC Respite Ministry.

Cathedral Church of the Advent collected coats in October to support the children and women of Pathways, a ministry partner of the Women of the Advent.

Supported by funds from a diocesan outreach grant, St. Michael’s, Fayette has started a monthly Eucharist celebrated in Spanish.

Parishioners at Trinity, Clanton passed out beans and rice in August. Their Beans and Rice ministry has been feeding families for over 14 years.

St. Catherine’s, Chelsea held a Monster Mash for children with disabilities in their community, partially funded by a grant from the diocese.

A delicious "dinner on the grounds" was held at St. Andrew’s, Gallion (Prairieville) in October to welcome members and visitors following the morning service. (Photo courtesy of Tommy Campbell.)

“I believe there is room for all our parishes to grow, and I want us to work together to ensure that all parishes will thrive for the next 100 years.” -Bishop G 7 Dioala.org

Congregational vitality by the numbers: A total of 30,500 members in 87 parishes 854 new members in the diocese* 228,625 total Sunday attendance in 2021* 3,262 communicants under 16 years of age* 332 confirmations, receptions, and reaffirmations in 2021*, a 25% increase from 2020 15 parishes have had either clergy or lay people trained to lead Being With courses. Developed by the Rev. Dr. Sam Wells, Being With is a short course designed for those exploring Christianity for the first time or those returning to church after a break.

10 parishes and ministries received a Diocesan Department of Mission and Outreach grant in 2022: the total given out was $35,500.

*Data is from the 2021 parochial report, filed with The Episcopal Church in May of 2022.

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying,

“Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”

And I said “Here am I; send me!”

- Isaiah 6:8

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Leadership development: Raising and empowering leaders

Deep roots: For over 190 years, the Diocese of Alabama has nurtured and empowered lay and ordained leaders who have pastored our parishes with grace and faithfulness. This legacy of deep roots gives us the strong foundation on which we now stand. However, we are not immune to the changes in The Episcopal Church that are leading to a shortage of qualified ordained and lay worship leaders.

We need an infusion of new life.

New growth: We are responding to this challenge proactively and creatively. We’re recruiting postulants for holy orders by hosting Explorer’s Day for those interested in considering a call to ministry, and offering a short course for clergy on the discernment process so that they can better guide their parishioners. We’re also committed to supporting and strengthening our current clergy. Leading in Hope, a class for clergy who are newly ordained or new to our diocese, builds off our tradition of peer learning by incorporating new lessons on adaptive leadership and church growth and vitality.

The leadership of lay people is vital to a parish’s health. We continue to engage lay people in our diocesan departments and councils, and we’re working to offer new training on leading worship as a lay person. If you feel called to serve, either in an ordained capacity as a priest or deacon, or as a lay person, we encourage you to speak with your rector about possible leadership roles.

Pictured: Clergy from across the diocese joined Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, Bishop G, and Bishop Brian for breakfast before the revival on May 14, 2022. Hosted by Saint Stephens, Birmingham, the Alabama Diocesan ECW welcomed clergy and served breakfast at the event.

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Leadership development by the numbers: 41.5 clergy training hours in the last 12 months 11 clergy in Leading in Hope, a program to develop adaptative leadership skills; they will receive 33 hours of training 18 postulants and candidates in formation for ordained ministry in 2022 24 hours of local formation for AIMs students in 2022 15 parishes have had 30 clergy or lay people trained to lead Being With courses 55 clergy and seminarians attended the clergy breakfast with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, held in conjunction with Revival 2022 32 people from 24 parishes attended Explorer’s Day, a gathering for lay people to learn more about the discernment process in the Diocese of Alabama. The next Explorer’s Day will be held on Zoom on Dec. 6 at 6:00pm. Please contact The Rev. Kelley Hudlow, khudlow@dioala.org for more information.

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Racial healing: Creating Pathways to Reconciliation

Deep roots: Alabama is home to many sacred and historically significant spaces connected to slavery or the civil rights movement. More and more, people from inside and outside the diocese are looking to explore these important sites. For many years, the Committee for Truth, Justice, and Racial Reconciliation has hosted Seeing the Face of God in Each Other trainings and the Jonathan Daniels Day Pilgrimage. Daniels was detained in the County jail in Hayneville, Alabama, after being arrested in Fort Deposit for picketing white-only businesses. He was released, then shot and killed in front of a small grocery store in Hayneville. Every year in August, hundreds gather to walk the path that Jonathan walked, and to pray where he died.

Experiences like the pilgrimage crack open the toughest parts of our history so that we can learn, heal, and grow.

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New growth: All around the diocese, individuals and parishes are digging into the work of racial healing. Many have held book studies or Sacred Ground groups, a film- and readings-based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith. Some have pilgrimaged to Montgomery to see the Legacy Museum or the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. These are signs that we want to heal our divisions because we believe in unity, and we want to be one in the body of Christ. God is calling us into life together in a new way, and this is the time to learn from our history, look at our strengths and weaknesses, and find new ways to diversify our parishes and create beloved community.

Racial healing by the numbers 187 youth from across the diocese and from Hale County staffed Sawyerville Summer Camp, which aims to improve race relations in Alabama

29 youth participated in Person2Person, a pilgrimage to Montgomery for high school students over Martin Luther King weekend Seeing the Face of God in Each: This is an anti-racism training offered to church leaders in the spirit of hope and a positive vision of the unity that can only be achieved through Christ.

2021 – Seeing the Face of God in Each Other trained 31 people through 2 virtual events 2022 - Seeing the Face of God in Each Other trained 11 people through 1 in person event. Another is planned for December at St. Mark’s, Prattville.

5 parishes participated in Sacred Ground groups 25th Anniversary Jonathan Daniels and Martyrs Pilgrimage: - Approximately 250 people participated this year at the first in-person event since 2019 - Postulants from Seminary of the Southwest attended the pilgrimage - 12 students and four staff participated at the Young Pilgrims Overnight Retreat

First Missioner of Racial Healing hired for the diocese 12 Covenant Appeal 2023

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Camp mcdowell: Welcoming all to God’s backyard Deep Roots: Camp McDowell, this place we lovingly call “God’s back yard” has a long and rich history as a thinspace where we can experience the beauty and wonder of God’s creation. As one of the largest Episcopal Camp and Conference Centers in the nation, Camp McDowell has formed leaders across our diocese, this state, and the nation. Camp McDowell has also served as an entrance to the Episcopal Church for many guests over the years. This makes it one of our greatest evangelical assets.

Camp McDowell’s director’s salary is furnished by the diocesan budget and thus by parish covenants. While Camp is funded by fees for housing and meals, it is nonetheless a vital part of our greater church, as Episcopalians from across the state come together to worship, work, and play.

New Growth: Camp is a beloved resource for parishes and the diocese, serving as a place where the young at heart can come together to build relationships, strengthen faith, practice stewardship, and have fun.

A team of staff and volunteers worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to keep Camp McDowell in peak shape both physically and financially. Thanks to their excellent stewardship, Camp is even more financially stable than it was pre-pandemic. This solid footing allows Camp to focus on providing camper scholarships. In Summer 2023, we’ll celebrate 100 years of summer camp!

Camp McDowell is a vital aspect of our diocesan identity, and what better way to celebrate it than by making camp accessible to all? Camp has instituted several changes in its fee structure in order to provide guests, and parishes in particular, with a broader range of price options. One such change in 2022 was the addition of discount pricing for parish retreats over particular weekends. This resulted in 62 Episcopal group bookings in 2022. As one of the largest Episcopal Camp and Conference Centers in the nation, Camp McDowell is excited to announce that we hosted the Province IV House of Bishops and the CREDO retreat for the first time in CY22. Both of these groups will be returning in the future, and we are scheduled to host the House of Bishops in the year ahead.

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Camp welcomes groups of 1 to 800 guests. All parishes are encouraged to consider wonderful, wonderful Camp McDowell for their next parish retreat, vestry meeting, or youth ministry event.

Camp mcdowell by the numbers: Camp has an annual budget of $3.8M Camp received over $93K in grants/gifts that enabled over 457 children and special-needs guests to bless Camp with their unique gifts and talents.

1,112 campers participated in 13 summer camp sessions in 2022 144 non-Episcopal groups booked space at Camp in 2022 62 Episcopal-connected group booking, including four Cursillo weekends, plus at least four additional planning events. Additionally, Vocare, Rites of Spring, Rite13, Christmas conference, the Commission on Ministry and several other groups meet at Camp each year.

Camp hosted more than 20 parish retreats last year Camp has 87 buildings on 1,140 acres, 770 beds , and 3 dining areas that can seat 800 The Environmental Center hosts approximately 9,000 guests per year in the 3 day/2 night residential environmental education program

We are blessed with deep roots in the Diocese of Alabama.

In 2022 and 2023, we’ll celebrate several important milestones: 50 years of St. Stephen’s in Birmingham, 150 years of the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, 20 years of deacons serving in our diocese, 30 years of Sawyerville, and 100 years of summer camps.

Thanks be to God! Let’s celebrate these good works and look to the future together. It’s time to nurture new growth.

We hope your parish will prayerfully consider the request for covenants and respond generously. You can also find this year’s covenant resources online at www.dioala.org/finance.

We look forward to receiving parish covenants no later than January 20, 2023 and to a new year with new opportunities to serve God and our neighbors.

For more information, contact Claire Cotten, Director of Mission Funding at ccotten@dioala.org or (205) 410-1247. You can learn more about the diocese by scanning the linktree QR code on the right.

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