The Episcopal Church

in Alabama

News & Updates | August 2, 2023

www.dioala.org

The 193rd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama will be held in Montgomery, Alabama, on Feb. 8-10, 2024. The meeting will be held at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Montgomery.

Blocks of rooms have been reserved at the Renaissance Montgomery, Staybridge Suites Downtown, and the Doubletree Downtown. More information will be sent to parishes and included in diocesan publications in September.

I could tell as I came into the parking lot that the semi was in trouble. Cab going one way and trailer in another… classic jackknife! As I got out of my car and walked closer I could see two legs sticking out from underneath the trailer. Cause for concern initially, but as I got closer I could see the legs kicking around, and the sound of ‘colorful’ language was aplenty. “Hey there – need a hand?” I asked. 

Jonathan Daniels Pilgrimage 2023 

Please join us on Saturday, August 12, 2023, for the 26th Annual Jonathan Daniels Pilgrimage. We will gather in the courthouse square in Hayneville, Alabama, and begin our pilgrimage procession at 11 am. The procession will travel from the square to the old County Jail where Daniels was among those detained for a week after being arrested in Fort Deposit for picketing white-only businesses. The procession continues to the site of the old Varner’s Cash Store, where Daniels was killed. The procession ends in the Lowndes County Courthouse, where a service of Holy Communion will be celebrated in the courtroom where the man who shot Daniels had been tried and acquitted by an all-white jury. Register for the pilgrimage here.



Jonathan Daniels

Youth Pilgrimage

The youth pilgrimage is a weekend of service and remembrance for youth grades 9th-12th grade. We will gather at Episcopal Church of the Ascension (315 Clanton Avenue Montgomery, AL 36104), with registration from 5:30-6:30pm, on August 11th. The weekend will conclude on August 13th around 2:00pm.

Youth register here

Adults register here



Spread the word! Pilgrimage flyers you can print or share:

• Pilgrimage information with QR registration code
• Youth Pilgrimage flyer with QR registration code for youth and adults/staff
• Youth Pilgrimage "what to pack"  

At the Parish Growth Conference, church leaders will learn strategies for fostering a vibrant and thriving parish. Participants will leave inspired and equipped to take action. We strongly encourage clergy in charge and vestry leaders to attend this free event. Bring as many people from your parish as you like! Please register online by August 9. 

Led by The Rt. Rev. Henry Parsley

St. Mary’s Sewanee

Where are the wellsprings of hope for you? For us together? Such questions haunted T.S. Eliot as Europe hurtled into the darkness of World War II. They continue to face us in our lives and in our time. Eliot’s response was writing Four Quartets, his last and finest poems, which take us on a spiritual journey through the dark chaos of experience to a vision of unconquerable hope. In this retreat we will listen to these four poems, with the help of Ralph Fiennes’ recent reading of them. Through lecture and the contemplative practice of lectio divina we will engage with the Quartets and enter into their spiritual wisdom and transformational power.

Register here

Artists Wanted!

Do you do see yourself as an artist or artisan who is currently doing work in the textile, visual, pottery, jewelry or other art medium? Would you consider sharing your experience and craft with a group of exceptional women and men who participate in an arts-based day program because of cognitive or neurosensory divergencies? 

We are seeking artists from around the diocese who would be willing to spend 2-3 days with us in Montgomery. Participating artists will be able to stay in a fully furnished cottage in Lowndesboro (about 20 min from Montgomery) free of charge. They will be asked to spend 2 or 3 mornings doing a demonstration of their artwork and coaching our Artists in Residence as they explore doing the art demonstrated by the Visiting Artist Mentor.  The rest of the time, the visiting artist will be free to visit the area, do an art project of their own, or spend time with our arts collective. For further information, please contact Rosa Lindahl at exdir@manycolorsarts.org or by visiting our webpage at www.manycolorsarts.org.

St. John's (Montgomery) Hosts The Union of Black Episcopalians

On July 24, 2023, St. John's Episcopal Church of Montgomery, Alabama, hosted the Union of Black Episcopalians ("UBE") for its 55th Annual Business Meeting. The UBE had its opening IMANI ("faith" in Swahili) Worship Service in the early evening at St. John's. This service of prayer, music and Holy Communion was attended by the Rt. Rev. Dr.  Glenda Curry of the Diocese of Alabama, the Rt. Rev. Diane Jardine Bruce of the Diocese of West Missouri and the Rt. Rev. Smitha Prasadam  (Area Bishop of the Diocese of Leeds, England). The sermon was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Mauricio J. Wilson, Rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Oakland California. After the service, the nearly 200 attendees, including attendees from the Montgomery area Episcopal Churches, gathered in St. John's "Hall of Bishops" for home-made sweets and treats.

Free Godly Play materials available

Does your parish have a Godly Play program or want to start one? Ascension, Vestavia Hills has some duplicate Godly Play supplies they would like to give to a parish. It's not quite a full Godly Play set, but it is a good amount. To learn more contact Amanda Austin, Children's Minister at Ascension.

Clergy Updates

• The Rev. Cn. Massey Gentry has been called to serve as the Interim Rector of Holy Spirit in Alabaster, beginning in September. 
• The Rev. Jennifer Riddle has been called to serve as Rector of St. Simon Peter in Pell City, beginning in September.
• The Rev. Becky Bridges has been called to serve as rector of St. Aidan’s in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, beginning in September.
• The Rev. Cn. Tom Murray has been called to serve as Vice Dean at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, and began in July.
• The Rev. Adam Young has been called to serve as Canon Missioner at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, and began in July.
• The Rev. Michael Weeks has accepted a call to serve at The Falls Church Anglican in Falls Church, Virginia. 
• The Rev. Paul Elliott has been called to serve as the Interim Rector for St. Mary’s in Jasper.
• The Rev. Donna Gerold has been called as Associate Rector for St. John’s in Memphis.  

Holy Cross Trussville is in need of a part-time Parish Administrator. View the job description here. Resumes can be submitted here.

St. Timothy's, Athens seeks an Administrative Assistant to work 12 hours per week, including Wednesdays from 9-1 in the parish office and the additional 8 hours in a flexible location. For more information or to submit a resume and references email The Rev. Mary Catherine Akamatsu.

Holy Spirit, Alabaster seeks a part-time Director of Formation for Children and Youth. View the job description here.

St. John's, Decatur seeks a full-time Director of Communications. You can view the job description here.