Equipping the Saints Capital Campaign Booklet

Equipping the Saints A Transformative Campaign for the Episcopal Church in Alabama

Our Mission The Episcopal Church in Alabama will proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ; to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves; to strive for justice and peace among all people; and to respect the dignity of every human being.

Dear friends in Christ,

P

erhaps you’ve heard people say the church is dying. My years as your bishop have revealed a different truth—one filled with hope and divine grace. The church isn't fading away; it's thriving, sustained by the boundless grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. Everywhere I go, I meet faithful people and hear their stories of revival.

While God's unwavering love sustains us and our parishes, there is important work for us to do to help ensure that our church thrives for the next 100 years here in Alabama. Through discernment and prayer, I've identified three pivotal areas of focus: congregational vitality, Camp McDowell, and racial healing and pilgrimage. I believe these areas will lay the foundation for a diocese that leads people to Christ for generations to come.

I hope that you will join me in “Equipping the Saints.” This campaign supports our Godsized dreams, and we will need everyone’s best gift to make a lasting impact. Together, let us build a future filled with hope, faith, and boundless opportunity, a future where the Episcopal Church in Alabama continues to shine as a beacon of God's love and grace.

Please pray with me: Lord, you have blessed us with a church that connects us to one another and to you. We thank you for this gift and ask for your guidance as we steward it.

Empower us to equip the saints for the work of your kingdom. May our gifts to this campaign, a reflection of your love, find favor in your sight, and may we walk in the footsteps of Jesus, who loves us. Amen.

Faithfully,

Bishop Glenda Curry

Our Vision The campaign, Equipping the Saints, is a bold vision for a future where all churches flourish as thriving congregations, led by excellent leaders, that proclaim the Gospel and share the love of God with all people.

Together, we will faithfully invest in three key areas: Congregational Vitality, Camp McDowell, and Racial Healing and Pilgrimage.

Congregational Vitality

Camp McDowell

Racial Healing and Pilgrimage

Equipping the Saints for Growth

Equipping the Saints for Formation

Equipping the Saints for Reconciliation

$4 Million

$2.5 Million

$1 Million

Jesus calls us to go and make disciples. We will expand our capacity to share the Gospel by making transformational investments in parishes, forming new Episcopal communities, and strengthening lay and clergy leaders. Through innovative strategies, we will secure a vibrant future for the Episcopal Church in Alabama and ensure a legacy of faith for future generations.

Each year, thousands of campers, students, teachers and guests visit Lower Camp at Camp McDowell.

They come from our diocese and from across the state to grow in discipleship and connect with neighbors, nature, and God. By attending to essential maintenance, we enhance opportunities for Christian formation and meaningful relationships.

We will create pathways to racial healing by preserving and strengthening The Church of the Good Shepherd in Montgomery, encouraging the spiritual practice of pilgrimage, and training our leaders to guide individuals and parishes toward healing. People from our diocese and across the country will experience the reconciliation given to us by God in Christ.

Total: $7.5 Million

Growth

Congregational Vitality - Catalyze Parish Growth A new grant process will enable the diocese to support parishes with financial resources and come alongside them to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in familiar and new ways.

Quality leaders are needed to grow and inspire congregations and substantially increase the impact of ministry. We will create an environment of clergy excellence by: Supporting parishes in offering competitive salaries to attract and retain talented leaders Offering meaningful training and development opportunities that enhance congregational vitality and ministry effectiveness Promoting partnerships between parishes to provide sustained ordained leadership We are actively seeking leaders and locations for establishing new churches and communities rooted in our Episcopal heritage and tailored to their specific surroundings.

The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. - Ephesians 4:11-12

Formation

Camp McDowell - Make New Believers Eppes’ Hall is the heart of Lower Camp. Improvements to Eppes’ Hall will meet the needs of the next generation of campers. Renovations include: Replacing the roof Remodeling and expanding the dining room, kitchen, and restrooms Adding HVAC Adding an audio/visual system Creating usable space in the basement Remodeling the restrooms under the pool will modernize our facilities and improves accessibility.

Replacing the outdated septic system will protect the natural environment and ensure a comfortable stay for all guests.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

Reconciliation

For reconciliation

Racial Healing and Pilgrimage - Encourage Reconciliation Good Shepherd in Montgomery holds a rich history that makes it uniquely suited as the home for racial healing in our diocese. Updating the kitchen, bathrooms, and common spaces will help meet the existing demand from pilgrims and expand its capacity as a space for holy experiences and conversations that lead to racial healing.

The diocese, Good Shepherd and St. John’s, Montgomery will join together to support a full-time priest-incharge. This person will serve both parishes and develop and coordinate our efforts around racial healing and pilgrimage.

Collecting oral and written stories about race relations will allow us to preserve our history, learn from the past, and share different perspectives.

Opportunities for training will equip leaders to support their congregations in addressing racial issues, fostering inclusion, and building relationships among people from diverse backgrounds.

There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

Equipping the Saints Lord, you have blessed us with a church that connects us to one another and to you.

We thank you for this gift and ask for your guidance as we steward it.

Empower us to equip the saints for the work of your kingdom. May our gifts to this campaign, a reflection of your love, find favor in your sight, and may we walk in the footsteps of Jesus, who loves us. Amen.

521 North 20th Street, Birmingham, Alabama 35203 www.dioala.org