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Dear Friends,
I rarely go through a day without hearing several stories about our church. People usually say something like, “I want to tell you about my church…” or "about your church…". But in the end, they wind up telling me about something wonderful and loving that someone who worships here has done for someone else — a kindness, a visit, a hug, a listening ear, a meal shared…and although I wasn’t there, didn’t know about it, ‘we’ all get credit. In this case, good credit for someone else’s act of love. Because we’re not in this “Church” alone.
We’re the collective Body of Christ by God’s design. We’re individuals, yes, but it’s our life together that makes us Christ’s body. We come together for worship, and we form a new, mysterious being that has community identity, a new address, and a life of its own. For good or bad, we also have a community mandate and reputation, so we get credit for the good or blame for the bad actions of anyone who calls a particular parish their home. We call it church, and it’s more than its individual members. Rather than the building, “church” is the people formed into the Body of Christ. So maybe we should always be asking, "How are we following Christ? Do we resemble Jesus more now than last year?"
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From The Desk of Bishop Curry: Ordination Announcements
The Commission on Ministry has met and endorsed the following individuals for ordination:
To The Sacred Order of Priests
Mawande Mzongwana | April 8, 2026| Grace Church, Pike Road| 6:00 p.m.
Jeanne Randall | April 15, 2026| St. Thomas Church, Huntsville | 6:00 p.m.
Taylor Franklin Johnson | April 15, 2026| St. Thomas Church, Huntsville| 6:00 p.m.
DeQuincy Deshawn Hall| April 29, 2026| Christ Church, Tuscaloosa | 6:00 p.m.
Lucian Cronkite | May 7, 2026 | St Michael’s Church, Fayette | 6:00 p.m.
Kristin Hanson Blackerby | May 23, 2026| All Saints Church, Homewood|
10:00 a.m.
To The Sacred Order of Deacons
Mary Ann McCarty | April 12, 2026 | Cathedral Church of The Advent| 5:00 p.m.
Josh Vacik | April 16, 2026| Grace Church, Sheffield| 6:00 p.m.
Lisa Beatty | May 9, 2026| St. Stephen’s Church, Vestavia Hills|
10:00 a.m.
Let us pray:
Almighty God, the giver of all good gifts, in your divine providence you have appointed various orders in your Church: Give your grace, we humbly pray, to all who are [now] called to any office and ministry for your people; and so fill them with the truth of your doctrine and clothe them with holiness of life, that they may faithfully serve before you, to the glory of your great Name and for the benefit of your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
| Introducing Mrs. Sarah Banks Bosu as Director of Mission Funding | | |
We are excited to announce that Bishop Curry has appointed Mrs. Sarah Banks Bosu as Director of Mission Funding, effective March 16, 2026. As a part of her role, Sarah will provide strategic leadership for all philanthropic initiatives of the Diocese and develop and execute comprehensive annual and long-range fundraising plans that advance the mission of the Church.
Sarah is a nonprofit development leader with nearly a decade of experience helping mission-driven organizations grow through thoughtful fundraising and meaningful relationships. She is a lifelong member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Eutaw, AL, where her faith and love for the Episcopal Church were nurtured.
In response to her appointment, Sarah said, "I am excited about the opportunity to serve the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama as Director of Mission Funding because it brings together my professional calling and my lifelong faith community. Supporting the Church that has shaped my life is both meaningful and deeply personal, and I would be honored to support the bishop, parishes, and diocesan ministries in advancing the Church’s mission through generosity and faithful leadership."
She can be reached at sbosu@dioala.org or (205) 358-9237. Please join us in welcoming Sarah to Carpenter House.
| The First Quarter Issue of The Alabama Episcopalian is Available Online | |
We’re excited to announce that the first 2026 issue of The Alabama Episcopalian is now available online.
This issue highlights stories from both our Electing Convention and the 195th Diocesan Convention, while also capturing the vitality of our parishes across the Diocese. It offers a glimpse into what Bishop Curry describes as a “holy adventure”.
We invite you to explore this issue and take a few moments to complete the online survey on the back cover to help us improve this magazine
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Calling all Vestry Members, Clerks, and Treasurers
Come learn about best practices for church governance and strategies for growing your church's witness, mission, and engagement.
Topics will include - the keys to parish growth and congregational vitality, faithful and effective stewardship, the essentials of parish governance, and how to embody gospel hospitality.
Also, learn from fellow vestry members and parish leaders from across the diocese and leave with more connections and friendships to aid in your service to the Lord through your ministry on the vestry.
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You are invited to join the Rev. Cameron Nations, Canon for Vocations and Community Engagement, and other leaders for the Episcopal Parish Network's webinar on the theme: From Easter Guest to Belonging: Turning One Sunday into a Spiritual Home happening on Thursday, March 26, at 3:00 pm ET.
Together, they'll share practical, field-tested strategies for turning the energy of Easter Sunday into lasting connection and discipleship: how to prepare your congregation to welcome well, how to follow up in ways that feel genuinely personal rather than programmatic, and how to create clear pathways that move newcomers from a single visit into real belonging.
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Join St. Mary's Church in Jasper for a Community Prayer Walk at Gamble Park | April 3rd, 5:30 p.m., 1225 Gamble Avenue, Jasper, AL 35501
This is the second year that St. Mary’s, Jasper, will take the Stations of the Cross service off campus and invite the local community to walk the “way of the cross.”
A homemade cross, made by Clay Cabes, the son of the Rev. Corrie Cabes, is carried by a variety of folks along the path, as people stop, reflect, and pray. This year, St. Mary’s, Jasper First Methodist, Covenant Church of the Nazarene, The Trace Church, Cornerstone Church, Long Memorial United Methodist Church, and other people of faith in the community will participate.
Contact Corrie at rector@stmarysjasper.org for more information.
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Saint Stephen’s, Birmingham, invites clergy, therapists, and spiritual directors to a retreat on the theme Nourish: A Contemplative Retreat for the Caregivers of Souls.
Led by Charlotte Donlon and Gisela Kreglinger, this retreat offers a sacred pause for those who spend their days tending to others’ spirits.
Through guided yet spacious time, gentle silence, and creative stations designed to nourish mind and soul, you are invited to rest, reflect, and receive.
Date: April 15, 2026
$30 Registration includes coffee, snacks, and lunch.
Click HERE to sign up. Detailed information about this retreat available in this document.
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Episcopal Place calling all Gumbo Teams!
Sign your parish up to compete in the 20th Annual Gumbo Gala, Episcopal Place's beloved fundraiser where local chefs, backyard cooks, and gumbo lovers go head-to-head for gumbo glory!
Team sign up: Email aburgess@episcopalplace.org to click here to sign up.
| | | CLERGY NEWS AND JOB OPENINGS | | LAY JOB OPENINGS ACROSS OUR DIOCESE | | |
Founders Place is seeking a Director of Administration, Operations & Community Engagement. This mission‑aligned leader will provide administrative infrastructure, operational coordination, social program and event leadership, and community engagement support for a growing, relationship‑centered ministry. Founders Place is a ministry of Saint Luke’s Church in Birmingham. Contact the Rev. Becca Walton at bwalton@saint-lukes.com to apply. Click here for the job description.
St. Peter’s Episcopal Day School in Talladega is now accepting applications for part-time positions working with 3- and 4-year-old preschool students for the 2026-2027 school year.
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Day School Director/Teacher (Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood preferred, but experience will also be considered.)
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Day School Teacher (mornings)
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Extended Day Teacher (afternoon)
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Extended Day Teacher Assistant (afternoon)
Experience will be considered for all positions. Application deadline is March 25, 2026. Interested applicants should email a resume to stpeterseds@gmail.com and include the position title in the email subject line.
Saint Stephen’s Church, Birmingham, is seeking to hire a Nursery Director to support its ministry with young children and families. This position primarily works at the church on Sundays during worship services and when the nursery is open for a few special services and events throughout the year. The Director is also responsible for coordinating and scheduling the nursery staff. This planning can be done at the Director’s own discretion. Check out the full job description here.
| | All articles placed in the e-news run for a period of two weeks upon submission. | | |
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