Equipping the Saints Capital Campaign Booklet

Equipping Saints

the

ATransformativeCampaign fortheEpiscopalChurchinAlabama

Our Mission

The Episcopal Church in Alabama will proclaimby 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.

DearfriendsinChrist,

Perhaps you’ve heardpeoplesaythe churchis dying. My years as your bishop have revealeda different truth one filled withhopeanddivine grace. Thechurch isn't fadingaway; it's thriving, sustainedbytheboundless grace of Godandthepower of theHolySpirit. Everywhere I go, I meet faithfulpeople andhear their stories of revival.

WhileGod's unwaveringlovesustains us andour parishes, thereis important workfor us todotohelp ensurethat our churchthrives for the next 100 years here inAlabama. Through discernment andprayer, I'veidentifiedthreepivotal areas of focus: congregational vitality, Camp McDowell, andracial healingandpilgrimage. I believetheseareas will laythe foundationfor a diocesethat leads peopletoChrist for generations tocome.

I hopethat you will join me in “Equipping the Saints.”This campaignsupports our Godsized dreams, and we will need everyone’s best gift to makea lastingimpact. Together, let us builda futurefilled with hope, faith, andboundless opportunity, a futurewherethe Episcopal Church inAlabama continues toshineas a beacon of God's loveandgrace.

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

OurVision

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

Equipping the Saints for Growth

$4 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 ensurea legacy of faith for future generations.

Camp McDowell

Racial Healing and Pilgrimage

Equipping the Saints for Formation

$2.5 Million

Each year, thousands of campers, students, teachers and guests visit Lower Camp at Camp McDowell. They come fromour diocese and fromacross the state to grow in discipleship and connect with neighbors, nature, and God. Byattending to essential maintenance, we enhance opportunities for Christian formation and meaningful relationships.

Total: $7.5 Million

Equipping the Saints for Reconciliation $1 Million

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 fromour diocese and across the country will experience the reconciliation given to us by God in Christ.

Growth

CongregationalVitality - 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 forestablishing new churches and communities rooted in our Episcopal heritage and tailored to their specific surroundings.

Thegiftshegavewerethatsomewouldbeapostles,someprophets,someevangelists,somepastorsandteachers,to equipthesaintsfortheworkofministry,forbuildingupthebodyofChrist.

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.

Cometome,allwholaborandareheavyladen,andIwillgiveyourest.Takemyyokeuponyou,andlearnfromme,forIam gentleandlowlyinheart,andyouwillfindrestforyoursouls.Formyyokeiseasy,andmyburdenis

Reconciliation

Racial Healing and Pilgrimage - Encourage Reconciliation

Good Shepherd inMontgomery 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 serveboth parishes and develop and coordinate our efforts around racial healing and pilgrimage.

Collecting oral and written stories aboutracerelations will allow us to preserve our history, learn fromthe past, and share different perspectives.

Opportunities for training will equip leaders to support their congregations inaddressing racial issues, fostering inclusion, and building relationships among people from diversebackgrounds.

ThereisnolongerJeworGreek;thereisnolongerslaveorfree;thereisnolongermaleandfemale, forallofyouareoneinChristJesus.Galatians3:28

the Equipping Saints

Lord,youhaveblesseduswithachurchthat connectsustooneanotherandtoyou. Wethankyouforthisgiftandaskfor yourguidanceaswestewardit. Empowerustoequipthesaintsforthework ofyourkingdom.Mayourgiftstothis campaign,areflectionofyourlove, findfavorinyoursight,andmaywewalk inthefootstepsofJesus,wholovesus.Amen.