News & Updates | January 3, 2024 | www.dioala.org

There was a great mixture of laughter and a wee bit of competitiveness in the air. Many of us knew this game from our elementary school days but at some point it became cool to play in high school. The four players are all strategically positioned behind their specific box. The objective is to hit the ball into another player’s box in such a manner that they will not be able to hit the ball, or at least not into another box: Four Square!

FROM SCRATCH: Beginner workshops

February 23 - 25, 2024 

The Alabama Folk School's "From Scratch" weekend is a workshop series designed for true beginners. If you’re interested in learning a new instrument or craft, this is the weekend for you! This year’s offerings include classes with expert musicians, artists, and the return of beginner ceramics. With more than 1,140 acres of forest consisting of breathtaking canyons, waterfalls, miles of hiking trails, and glistening streams, there’s plenty of exploring Camp McDowell to do during your free time. Take a hike, go canoeing, or pick a porch and rocking chair to relax. 

Register here

Questions? Contact AFS Registrar Jordan Hughes.

A Celebration of Epiphany Light

Cathedral Church of the Advent

Thursday, January 11, 5:30 p.m

In celebration of Epiphanytide, the Cathedral Choir will offer A Celebration of Epiphany Light on Thursday, January 11, 5:30 p.m in the Nave. This special service will feature lessons and Epiphany carols in a manner much like our lessons and carols services during Advent season. Following the service, organist Kevin Kwan of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Norfolk, VA will perform a recital as part of the Cathedral Concert Series. We hope you will join us for a beautiful evening of worship and music.

Invitational Singing Leadership Workshop

February 3-4, Birmingham

Paperless singing is an ancient practice that has enabled music to be passed down for generations, without the need for hymnals or bulletins. Today, it is used to encourage faith communities to engage with one another, to spark joy and meditation, and to help people co-create something beautiful.

In this workshop, we will learn practices of effectively leading paperless singing in community. We will also share and learn songs that work well in small congregations, or in settings like house eucharists, feeding ministries and retreats. You do not have to be a paid church musician to attend! We believe that paperless singing can also encourage a community to grow deeper spiritually, in their capacity to invite and connect, and in lay leadership.

Radical Wholeness Weekend Workshop in Birmingham!

February 9 - 10, 2024, (Friday & Saturday) 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

At Trinity Commons

St. Andrew’s is very fortunate to be helping host this workshop by the world renowned author and teacher, Philip Shepherd. The gift of embodiment brings ease, freedom, and security to our lives. But we live in a culture that deems the body to be without intelligence and trains us to live in our heads. We come to accept an anxious, contracted, harried state of being as normal.

This internationally acclaimed workshop helps you gently recognize within yourself the learned patterns that hold you in a divided state, and shows you how to soften beyond them. By coming home to your body, you come home to your life with a renewed sense of grounded spaciousness. And you will carry with you new practices and skills to last a lifetime.

• Early bird pricing ends December 31, 2023!
• For a fuller description of the workshop, please click here
• Workshop is taught by Philip Shepherd and runs from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm each day
• For info on what to prepare for the workshop, please visit Shepherd’s website (https://embodiedpresent.com/)
• Some concessions available
• Please note meals and accommodation are not included

Contact Barbara Sloan or Roger Conville for more information!

Nomination for Diocesan Office

Please use this form to pre-file nominations for available diocesan offices. Nominations will also be taken from the floor at Diocesan Convention. Self-nominations are welcome. If nominating someone else, please ensure that you have spoken to this person and that this person is willing to accept the nomination. If you wish to have a printed nomination form that you may complete and return by mail, please contact Elizabeth Blake at Carpenter House at 205-358-9224. 

Pre-filed nominations will close at 5:00 PM CT on Friday, February 2, 2024. 

Ordination Announcement

God Willing and the People Consenting

The Right Reverend Glenda Sharp Curry

Bishop of the Diocese of Alabama

Will Ordain

Mary Katherine Kirk

To the Sacred Order of Priests

on

Thursday, January 4, 2024

At Half past Six O’clock in the Evening

 St. Andrew's Episcopal Church

Your Prayers and Presence are Requested

The Festal Color is Red

Part-time Clergy Job Positions in our Diocese

St. Thomas, Huntsville is seeking a Parish Administrative Assistant. View the job description here.

Trinity Episcopal Church, Clanton is seeking a part-time Parish Coordinator. View the job description here.

The Episcopal Church of the Holy Apostles seeks a part-time worker for our Little Apostles Infant Care Ministry. View the job description here.

St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Huntsville is seeking an organist. View the job description here.

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