Dear Friends:
Recently I read a story about an amazing scene in a busy, crowded airport. The writer, tired and grumpy, gets off a plane after a long flight, and rushes through the crowd, anxious to make his next connection. Suddenly he’s stopped in his tracks by the sight of six couples dressed in elegant gowns and tuxedos, waltzing to the music of a string quartet. Everyone is stopping to watch. People let their luggage slide down their legs to the floor, memorized by the dancers. Faces beam with delight. A man standing near the author has tears streaming down his cheeks.
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The Episcopal Church in Alabama is engaging with Camp McDowell in a broad visioning project, and we would love your input. What are your favorite camp memories? What ideas do you have for the future of Camp McDowell? Join us for an informal Camp McDowell listening session led by Bishop Prior! We would love to hear your favorite memories of camp and ideas you have for the future. Another session is being planned for those in the Montgomery area.
Can't make it to a listening session? Take a listening survey!
Please take a few minutes and fill out a short survey by January 20. Your responses will be shared with the discernment team as they begin the process of hiring a new Executive Director, making improvements, and imagining new possibilities for camp. You can take the survey HERE.
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Dear friends:
Last week I wrote about the four areas that represent both our strengths and challenges in this diocese. These four focus areas are: congregational vitality, leadership development, racial healing, and Camp McDowell.
Over the next few weeks I will talk in more depth about each of these areas, and I invite each member of our diocese to find ways to engage with them. Our deep roots in these four areas give us grounding and strength. If we use the gifts God has given us wisely, we will grow in ways that allow us to more fully become the people and the church God created us to be.
-Bishop G
Congregational vitality:
Cultivating churches and Christian communities
Deep roots: Our diocese is home to 87 parishes, worshipping communities, and college chaplaincies. Since 1830, our clergy and members have worked towards the mission of the church, “to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ” (BCP page 855). This work takes a different form at each of our parishes and reflects their unique circumstances.
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Camp lodging is full except for bunk rooms; you can still sign up for meals even if you are not staying at camp.
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Deadline extended: nominations to Diocesan Council, Standing Committee, Disciplinary Board, and General Convention delegates are now due by January 22
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Save the date for the annual diocesan Warden's and Treasurer's Workshop, which will be held on Saturday, February 18. This event will include workshops specifically designed to support parish leadership in their various roles, and also give them time with Bishop Curry.
More information will be available soon. Questions? Contact the Rev. Rob Morpeth. |
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Updated Diocesan Cycle of Prayer Now Available
The most current version of the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer is now available here. As a reminder, during the year the document occasionally has changes made to it, so please download a new version on a regular basis.
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Metagem Institute Now Accepting Applications for the Next Cohort!
If you have experienced the transforming power of soul-caring conversations, you are invited to apply to Metagem Institute’s 2 year certification program for the formation of spiritual directors/companions. Applications are open now for the 2023-2025 cohort, which begins in March of 2023. You can find our more information and discern if this program is for you by visiting
http://metageminstitute.org/spiritual-direction-training-program/ for more information about spiritual direction in general and this program in particular. Metagem Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded for the purpose of teaching spiritual and integrative practices that all may be transformed in our risen life in Christ.
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We are excited to announce our 2023 weekends that are available for Parish Retreats at 25% off our regular pricing for lodging and dining hall meals! We are making efforts to offer pockets of time when any parish can book space at camp and receive a substantial discount on pricing for their parish retreat. We hope you will take advantage of this amazing offer and book your church now!
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YOUTH LOCK-IN AT CONVENTION:
REGISTER NOW!
Registration for the Diocesan Convention youth lock-in at Camp McDowell is now open! 9th-12th grade youth are invited to join us February 3-4 to see how our Diocese functions, play together, and have a voice at the largest gathering of Diocesan clergy and laypeople. Students participating will spend time together for fun and fellowship and lead Morning Prayer at our Convention. Click here to register.
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What has Christianity got to do with a teenagers world today? How can the church speak to today's youth?
Happening is a personal encounter with the living Christ as expressed in the traditions of the Episcopal Church. Hopefully, those who attend a Happening will join those who have gone before them in their desire to serve the Church, to continue in their commitment to Christ and to look for further opportunities to share with others what they have lived and learned.
10th-12th grade youth can
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What is Vocare?
“Vocare” is a form of a Latin word meaning “to call.” The Vocare weekend is a renewal weekend addressed to young adults in the time when they face many serious decisions that set the direction for much of their adult life.
Registration and staff applications are now open for Vocare #23, March 3-5, 2023 at Camp McDowell. Vocare is a FREE spiritual renewal weekend addressed to young adults (ages 18-30ish) in the time when they face many serious decisions that set the direction for much of their adult life.
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Full-time Clergy Job Postings in our Diocese
For more information about clergy jobs in the Diocese of Alabama please contact The Rev. Geoff Evans, Diocesan Deployment Officer.
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Part-time Clergy Job Postings in our Diocese |
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Lay job openings in the Diocese
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By using the "SafeUnsubscribe" feature below you will automatically and permanently remove your email address from all Diocese of Alabama mailing lists. If you wish to unsubscribe only to this mailing list please email communications@dioala.org. and type the word "Unsubscribe" in the subject line. You can submit articles to Debbie Donaldson at communications@dioala.org. The deadline for submissions is each Tuesday, and our newsletter is emailed each Wednesday.
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