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THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF ALABAMA April/May/June 2021 • Vol. 106, No. 2 Beans and Rice Ministries Flourish See page 16 dioala.org
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH In the Diocese of Alabama A community of about 32,000 baptized members in 87 parishes and worshiping communities and 8 college campus ministries. Established in 1830. Bishop The Rt. Rev. Glenda S. Curry Carpenter House 521 North 20th Street Birmingham, AL 35203 205/715-2060 In the United States A community of about 1.9 million members in 109 dioceses in 16 nations. Established in 1789. Presiding Bishop The Most Rev. Michael Curry Episcopal Church Center 815 Second Avenue New York, NY 10017 212/867-8400 The Anglican Communion A community of 80 million members in 44 regional and national member churches in more than 160 countries. Archbishop of Canterbury The Most Rev. Justin Welby Lambeth Palace, London England SE17JU The Alabama Episcopalian Kelley Hudlow, Editor Miles G. Parsons, Art Director Georganne Perrine, Circulation Secretary Volume 106, Number 2 April/May/June 2021 USPS 070-910 ISSN 1041-3316 Periodical postage paid The Alabama Episcopalian is published four times a year (March 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1). For the most current news about recent and upcoming events, please visit our diocesan Web site, www.dioala.org. Please send stories and photographs (full color, at highest resolution possible) to Editor Kelley Hudlow at khudlow@dioala.org or 521 North 20th Street, Birmingham, AL 35203-2682; the submission deadline for each issue is February 1, April 1, July 1, October 1. Postmaster, parishes, and individuals, please send all address changes or additions to Circulation Secretary Georganne Perrine at gperrine@dioala.org or Carpenter House, 521 North 20th Street, Birmingham, AL 35203–2682. Keep up with the latest news from around our diocese between issues of The Alabama Episcopalian on our diocesan Web site, www.dioala.org. If you are not already receiving our “DioAla News Update,” you can sign up to receive a weekly e-mail containing headlines with links to the latest news, photos, and videos about and from around our diocese. Simply send an e-mail with your name and e-mail address to khudlow@dioala.org and put “Headlines” on the subject line. You can “opt out” anytime. dioala.org All address corrections or additions should be sent to Georganne Perrine at gperrine@dioala.org or Carpenter House, 521 North 20th Street, Birmingham, AL 35203-2682. Shawn, a guest at St. Catherine’s in POSTMASTER: Please send address corrections to Georganne Perrine, Chelsea’s April 17 Beans and Rice Circulation Secretary, The Alabama Episcopalian, 521 North 20th Street, ministry, picks up canned goods. Birmingham, AL 35203-2682. Photo by Bill Wheeler. 2 | The Alabama Episcopalian
The Alabama Episcopalian THE MAGAZINE OF THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF ALABAMA IN THIS ISSUE 5 “I hope I see you at church.” NEWS FROM OUR SHARED MINISTRIES 6 The Department of Mission and Outreach 7 Southern District Outreach Meeting 7 Four Graduate the Alabama Integrative Ministry School 8 New Life at Camp McDowell 9 Cursillo and The Great Pause 10 10 Robert Whelan to Become Diocesan Disaster Relief Coordinator 11 Let’s Talk: Family Conversation Starters on Gifts and Psalms 12 Dreams + Faith = Hope 13 EYC Convention Robert Whelan to 13 Young People Paint Birmingham is on for this summer! Become Diocesan 14 Website Offers Resources for Liturgical and Prayer Book revision Disaster Relief 14 Be a Part of Sawyerville This Summer Coordinator 15 Special Session: Outreach and In-reach NEWS FROM OUR PARISHES 16 Beans and Rice Ministries Flourish 18 Yes to GraceWorks and Growth 20 St. Mary’s in Jasper Food Bank 22 Grace Place: An Idea Whose Time Has Come 23 Marion Medical Mission 24 God’s Little Pantry 25 Christ Church Collectibles 26 Soup to Go at St. James Alexander City 27 The Lazarus Ministry at Christ Church Tuscaloosa 23 28 Outreach in the Time of Pandemic 29 CLERGY NEWS Marion Medical BOOK REVIEW Mission 30 Insistent Advocate for the Gospel 31 UPCOMING EVENTS dioala.org | 3
“I hope I see you at church.” The Rt. Rev. Glenda S. Curry Dear Friends: prayers offered to our Lord Jesus, we would remind each other that God was with him and us, in that and in all our I n my first newsletter article to the parish of All Saints in awful times. At his bedside, we were the very best parts of Homewood, I closed with the phrase, “I hope I see you what it means to be “the church.” at church.” I’m not sure why or where it originated. At The Gospels are the story of people who came face to the time, I wrote it as a spontaneous expression of hope to face with the living God in Jesus Christ in their moments my new flock. I wanted to know them, worship with them, of greatest despair and trouble. I have a friend who calls and love them. The most efficient way to nourish our new that moment, when all our powers are exhausted, “coming relationship was to see them consistently each Sunday at to the end of myself.” I believe that’s what we offer each church. Looking back, the blessings of seeing them every other when we remain with others in trouble or when others week at church surpassed all my expectations. remain with us. Like a motto, the phrase became a consistent signature This issue is dedicated to “Mission and Outreach.” on each newsletter I authored. When parishioners began to Traditionally, that has been imagined as a deliberate focus repeat the sentence back to me, I realized it was alive with on organizing and working to take the love of Christ out meaning far beyond my intention. To them it meant rela- of our church walls and into the world. Sometimes doing tionship and promise, community and love. mission and outreach can seem like an opportunity for the Since March 2020, this motto has evolved in ways people of God to do something to fix some problem. But I never imagined. Our church has taken on previously that idea of “outreach” has changed so much these past unimagined new forms, formats, and expressions. Using months that I think it’s more helpful to think about mission Zoom, Facebook, YouTube, and FaceTime, we gathered for and outreach as all the ways we try to love each other and worship. We gathered outside our church walls in yards and be “with” folks in difficult or challenging circumstances. parking lots, in our cars, or under tents and canopies. Wher- Author Sam Wells likes to say that being “with” people ever two or three could gather, we became “the church.” is the foundation of a loving community and where we are Seeing each other at church, whether online or in person likely to see the living Jesus. In the past year, we have en- wearing masks and six feet apart, continues to be a vital part countered many opportunities to be “with” people in loving of our life together. Through it all, “the church” in these service, and there will be more to come. As we return to our many forms has helped us be faithful to love each other and church buildings, I hope the stories in this issue will inspire serve the Lord. you to imagine how we continue to find new ways to be A few weeks ago, I received an unexpected call from the church in the world. At our convention in February, we an old friend who had traveled to UAB from a small town called this “new ways to love.” I am excited, encouraged in Alabama for a special procedure. The procedure did not and blessed to see all the creative ways the Holy Spirit is go well, and he and his family were suddenly facing the end making us new. of his life. I am so grateful he called me to come and pray. The best is yet to come. We are moving through the At his bedside, it was clear, he had already made the hardest hardest times and resurrection is happening. Now is the decisions, so what remained was the holy work of waiting, time to say, “I hope I see you at church!” praying, and being together in that tender time of transition. In those final moments with him, I was painfully Blessings, aware, very sadly, that I could not fix his problems, meet all his need, or extend his life on earth. I did not have magic answers, other than maybe the most powerful one. In our dioala.org | 5
News from Our Shared Ministries The Department of Mission and Outreach Fiona Watts I have the great honor of chairing the Department of Mission and Outreach, a group of people from around the dio- cese, appointed by the Bishop for 3-year terms. We oversee a budget that provides financial support for a variety of ministries in Alabama and in the world. Among the ministries are day camps, race relations, the elderly and aging, healthcare ministry, feeding programs and disaster relief. One of the most exciting things that the Department does is to offer grants to parishes to help them start new out- reach programs. Over 100 of these grants have been awarded throughout the diocese and a recent survey found that a very high percentage of these programs are still flourishing. Grants have been awarded for programs such as Beans and Rice ministries, community gardens, dementia respite care, music programs, tutoring programs, and backpack programs. The criteria and application forms can be found on the diocesan website. The Department also offers education opportunities with workshops both at convention and also at parishes. More recently we have been getting groups of people together in the convocations to talk about what is going on in the parish- es and to see how we can be of help to them. These discussion groups have been very beneficial as it is always good to interact with our fellow Episcopalians. We are very grateful to The Alabama Episcopalian for giving us this opportunity to highlight some of the ministries that we support. Throughout this issue of the magazine you will find stories mission and outreach of our shared and parish ministries. MATCHING GRANTS! The Department of Mission and Outreach has been granted funds to support parishes interested in starting a new ministry that addresses the issues of poverty and hunger along with healthcare access. The department will match up to $5,000.00 The criteria for each area of ministry are as follows: Access to Healthcare – Parishes independently or in partnership with a medical facility provide a means for underserved areas to access healthcare. Examples might be taking children to get vaccinated or covering the cost for healthcare check-ups. Eradicating Poverty and Hunger – Parishes creatively imagine how to reach underserved people with food insecurity issues. Funds would also go towards items needed to provide for the underserved. Examples include starting a community garden or Rice and Beans ministry. These requirements, we ask to be addressed in the proposal: 1. Who is matching the grant? 2. How do you envision funding going forward? After a year of ministry, grant recipients will submit a report to the Department of Mission and Outreach describing who was served by the ministry and how the money was spent. Deadline is SEPTEMBER 30. Please contact Sarah Sartain (ssartain@dioala.org) for questions or further infor- mation. 6 | The Alabama Episcopalian
News from Our Shared Ministries Southern District Outreach Meeting Nelson Smith O n Saturday, March 13, 2021, the diocesan Department of Mission and Outreach hosted an outreach meeting for the clergy and outreach enthusiasts of Southern District parishes. Because of COVID restrictions, the meeting was con- ducted on Zoom, and followed earlier outreach gatherings of the Northern and Middle Districts. The purpose of the meeting was to inform participants about diocesan outreach work, hear Bishop Glenda Curry’s outreach vision and focus, and allow participants to share information about outreach activities in their own parishes. The meeting led off with Bishop Curry sharing her vision for outreach. She expressed her firm belief in and commitment to outreach in the work of the diocese. To that end, she wants outreach funding to better align with our outreach objectives, and closer alignment of diocesan goals with convocational/parish outreach goals. To ensure the best stewardship of outreach funding, goals need to be measurable to know what works and what does not. Bishop Curry also informed the gathering that an additional $5,000 was allocated to the department to address poverty and hunger in the diocese, and a matching grant pro- gram was initiated to encourage parish start-up ministries for addressing issues of poverty, hunger, and healthcare access. Department Chair Fiona Watts followed Bishop Curry by briefing attendees on the activities overseen by the department, including the outreach budget, diocesan-wide outreach education, and administration of parish grants. She noted that 80% of parish grant projects are continuing today, a noteworthy achievement. Deacon Gerri Aston, diocesan coordinator for Episco- pal Relief & Development, provided an update on work in disaster preparedness and world-wide partnering on poverty and women’s and children’s health. Tommy Kitsmiller outlined goals for using social media to make the work of the department more effective. In the informational exchange session, parish participants shared a host of outreach ministries, including drive-thru soup kitchens, beans & rice/pandemic food assistance, Kairos prison ministry involvement, Blessing Boxes, support to elder care caregivers, Loaves and Fishes meals on wheels, and clothes closet ministries. One parish cited participation with an AME church in food assistance efforts. One rector suggested that greater collaboration among churches would be desirable. Four Graduate the Alabama Integrative Ministry School The Rev. Kelley Hudlow, AIMS Coordinator O n March 20, 2021, four students graduated from the Alabama Integrative Ministry School (AIMS). In a service held at St. Mary’s on the Highlands, the graduating students Jose Fernandez, Sally Herring, Lee Wilkins, and Kay Williams received their diplomas and AIMS crosses. The Rt. Rev. Glenda S. Curry offered the homily. This spring, Fernandez and Herring will be ordained to the transitional diaconate, and Wilkins and Williams will be ordained to the vocational diaconate. In January 2021 AIMS began a partnership with the Alternative Clergy Training in Sewanee (ACTS). Students enrolled in AIMS will complete academic formation through the ACTS program, while completing locally administered field placements, mentoring, and formation. The Rev. Kelley Hudlow, who has served in various roles with AIMS, now serves as the program coordinator. In this role she will serve as a mentor to the students, oversee field placements and local formation. To learn more about AIMS and ACTS, please contact the Rev. Kelley Hudlow, khudlow@dioala.org, or visit www.dioala.org/aims. dioala.org | 7
News from Our Shared Ministries New Life at Camp McDowell The Rev. Corey Jones, Executive Director of Camp McDowell N ew life has sprung up everywhere around Camp McDowell. Our education programs have been teaching in schools, baby goats have arrived on the farm, summer camp is going to happen, our conference center guests are eagerly awaiting their time to come and stay, and our pools are ready to welcome all. We’ve been talking, practic- ing, and planning for a long time about how to welcome everyone back safely. We are so excited to welcome campers back to Summer Camp. Missing our time together last year was heartbreak- ing. We are also ready and waiting for our conference center guests to return to Camp. Even though we are still limited by current restrictions, we are doing a lot for everyone to come to Camp safely. Most of our lodging and meeting spaces now have ionizers built into the air units. Our cabins down the hill all have split units for heating and air with ionizers built into them as well. By adding all of this equipment we are making our spaces safer by increasing air flow as well as killing viruses, allergens, and fighting bad smells. Eppes Hall and the chapel in lower camp have added new fans. Not only will they produce better air circulation and cool those spaces more efficiently, but they also have UV-C light built into the fans themselves. By incorporating CDC endorsed UV-C technology the fans will move pathogens through an upper-room disinfection zone, continuously and safely providing clean air for our staff and campers. Our staff have worked diligently to keep Camp McDowell a place of welcome, even in these difficult times. We have worked to weather the COVID storm, and we are hopeful about our new ideas and our beloved traditions. 8 | The Alabama Episcopalian
News from Our Shared Ministries Cursillo and The Great Pause Jamie Parris C ursillo #221 concluded at Camp McDowell on February 23, 2020. Within a month, COVID-19 altered every aspect of our lives. Cursillo would eventually cancel the four remaining weekends in 2020 and all five weekends scheduled for 2021. Cursillo exists to develop servant- hearted leaders for our parishes and the Episcopal church. The weekend retreats are a critical part of this process because they are the first step in a journey of spiritual growth and connection. When new Episcopalians aren’t joining us on the Cursillo journey, our movement risks becoming inward-looking and stale. As a lay-led organization, we take a bottom-up approach to remaining vibrant and connected through reunion and service. Connect with us at Instagram.com/alabamacursillo or visit alabamacursillo.org/pause to read stories about how we’ve maintained connections during The Great Pause. Reunion Groups Maintain Connection “The Fourth Day” is a term we use to describe every day following your Cursillo weekend. Cursillistas meet regularly in Reunion Groups to encourage each other in acts of piety, study, and experiencing God’s love. These face-to-face meetings help us grow in faith and service. During the pandemic, many reunion groups adapted to Zoom meetings. Some groups started meeting in outdoor spaces where they can space appropriately. These meetings have proven to be a vital point of connection as many of us struggle with isolation. These service opportunities have been a tremendous encouragement over the last year. Serving Our Parishes and Communities Serving our parishes and communities helps us maintain perspective during The Great Pause, and there have been numerous opportunities. Some reunion groups have served meals through Community Kitchens and the Community Soup Bowl. Others have visited elderly parishioners for outdoor conversations or to drop off a meal and worked with Sawyerville to support their revised activities. At least one Reunion Group volunteered to help clean up after the recent tornados. Individuals have volunteered to set up for outdoor services. Groups from past Cursillo weekends joined the effort to raise funds to sustain Camp McDowell. How Cursillo Plans to Emerge from The Great Pause The next Cursillo weekend is scheduled for April 2022. We believe this gives the staff and pilgrims that will participate in that weekend the best opportunity to safely enjoy all of the positive aspects of a Cursillo weekend. Are you interested in finding out more or attending a Cursillo weekend? Visit alabamacursillo.org/weekend to find out more. dioala.org | 9
News from Our Shared Ministries Robert Whelan to Become Diocesan Disaster Relief Coordinator B ishop Glenda Curry has appointed Robert (Bob) Whelan to serve as the dioce- san Disaster Relief Coordinator. In this position, Whelan will assess and report local impact from storms and other disasters, serve as the primary contact for relief and response efforts, and coordinate with parishes and ministries to implement diocesan relief and recovery efforts. Whelan brings a wealth of experience to the role. He is a professional engineer and has worked as a forensic engineer for the past 15 years investigating storm and other damage to structures. He is a rescue diver and dive master and worked with the Office of Emergency Management in Nashville, TN. He is a member of All Saints in Homewood and served two terms on the vestry. He is married to Dr. Kimberly Whelan, who is the Clinical Director and Fellowship Director of the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Department at Children’s Hospital of Alabama. They have two daughters who attend Advent School. Whelan is preceded in this role by the Rev. David Whetstone, Deacon. Following the April 2011 tornados across Alabama, Whetstone served as part of the Diocesan Tornado Response Team coordinating volunteer teams, and later transitioned into the role of Disaster Relief Coordinator. In his 10 years of service, our diocese responded to hurricanes, tornados, and flooding. Whetstone coordinated our diocesan disaster response and deployment of resources in Alabama, New Jersey, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Colorado, New York, and North Carolina. He was in the third class of deacons ordained in the diocese and serves as the deacon at Grace Church in Anniston. Whelan has begun his work assessing and coordinating the diocesan response to the recent tornados in our area. He can be reached by email: rwhelan@donan.com. On March 23, 2021, the community of Sawyerville was impacted by a tornado. In the days following our parishes worked to gather supplies to meet the immediate needs of that community. Bob Whelan supported the work of community members in Sawyerville, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Greensboro, and the staff of Sawyerville to meet immediate food needs through the establishment of a food bank. Episcopal Relief & Development provided a $15,000 grant to be used to support the food bank and tree removal and property cleanup. Whelan will continue to support the work in Sawyerville and to coordinate ongoing recovery work by Episcopal volunteers in the area. To support the work of responding to natural disasters, you may make a gift to the Claire Cotton, the Rev. Mary Bea Sullivan, Keehn Berry, Bo Berry, and Bob Whelan take supplies to Sawyerville. Diocese of Alabama marked “Disaster Relief.” 10 | The Alabama Episcopalian
News from Our Shared Ministries Let’s Talk: Family Conversation Starters on Gifts and Psalms The Rev. Gerri Aston, Deacon and Diocesan Coordinator for Episcopal Relief & Development “Let’s Talk.” W ouldn’t it be great if those words were an invitation to a fun time of family conversation rather than a dreaded harangue about some problem or issue? That is in fact the goal of Episcopal Relief & Development’s Let’s Talk conversation-starter activity for fam- ilies. It’s a way for families to deepen their bond as they discover how to better listen, what benefits patience brings and what kind of music, food and experiences each family member really likes. Each card offers a Psalm that relates to the theme of the questions and serves as a prayer. The inspiration for this family activity is “Gifts That Nuture Children” from the One Thousand Days of Love campaign. These Gifts, based on Early Childhood Development research best practices, empower families to help children thrive. These Gifts are woven into the work supported by this campaign in places like Kenya, Zambia, Ghana, Malawi and Mozambique. It is a community-led program partnering with local leaders and faith leaders and includes improving food and nutrition, pre- venting diseases, providing access to clean water, improving hygiene and sanitation and creating economic stability. All these things are necessary for children to reach their full potential. But children, especially those under three years old, also need Gifts of love and nurture to foster their cognitive, social and emotional development. Volunteer Early Childhood Development Promoters teach families and communities how to give these Gifts to children. To better understand how these Promoters interact with and empower families and add another family activity to use at home download Color Our World, an Episcopal Relief & Development coloring book. The pages of this coloring book are the very tools used to promote Early Childhood Development best practices to families in the communities enrolled in the program. It is also, in a condensed form, the basis for the Let’s Talk activity for families in our own churches. It is my hope that many families throughout our Diocese will make use of these family focused activities and find in them a way to strengthen your bond with each other and with God. I also hope that you will better understand the work being done by Episcopal Relief & Development through the One Thousand Days of Love campaign to improve the lives of children, their families and the communities in which they live. To download Let’s Talk and Color Our World go to episcopalrelief.org/1000daysoflove/share/. Please reach out if your parish or group would like a presentation about any of the work of Episcopal Relief & Development or the One Thousand Days of Love Campaign at gerri.aston@gmail.com. dioala.org | 11
News from Our Shared Ministries Dreams + Faith = Hope The Rev. CJ Van Slyke, Deacon I n Presiding Bishop Curry’s book, Love is the Way, he reminds us that dreams are love’s visions, the boundless faith that the world can be remade to look more like what God hoped for his creation. In 2007, our then Bishop, Henry Parsley, met with Pere Valdema and his wife Carmel in Croix des Bouquet, Haiti, at St. Simeon parish. That collision of dreams, faith, and hope led our diocese to plant seeds that sur- vived hurricanes, drought, floods, earthquakes, and cholera through our seven year companion rela- tionship with the Diocese of Haiti. Hundreds of people from our dio- cese and others over the years put in the sweat equity to help sow the seeds that created wells, rebuilt schools, churches, and established a permanent medical clinic called Lepswa Timoun (Hope for the Children). Working alongside our Haitian brothers and sisters, we fueled each other with the presence of God in our lives to create new seeds of hope. These seeds grew into feeding programs for the school children in the mountains, providing nu- trition and medical clinics to remote villages, and prenatal clinics and midwife training to the indigenous midwives living in remote mountain villages at St. Alban’s church in Bouzie’, Crochu. Then in December 2015 our diocesan companion- ship ended, but our relationships did not. Bound by a sense of the Holy Spirit saying, “our work is not finished.” Together with other partner dioceses, the ministries that had begun now became a non-profit, known as “Light from Light.” Lipswa Timoun now serves over 1,600 people a month, many coming after hours of walking to reach the clinic. New remote vil- lages have been added such as Bucon Boye and Marin for the mobile clinics to serve. Like most of Haiti, access to health care, high prenatal and infant deaths, and malnutrition plague these particular areas. In Crochu, the midwife and nutrition programs have drastically reduced death rates. Over the past two years with civil unrest and then COVID, there have been fewer medical teams able to share the load of doing mobile clinics. Dr. Lolo, clinical director and Dr. Tram Jones, resident missionary, along with our Haitian staff, have maintained the monthly prenatal visits and report the Crochu midwives are delivering 50-80 babies a month, and have had no deaths this year. Their hope is to expand these services to others, to build a separate small building on the Lepswa Timoun Grounds to attend to increasing needs of the nutrition program, including education, treatment for malnutrition in children, and follow up. Haitian lives are forever changed, strangers you will never see, yet our brothers and sisters in Christ. By your support, you continue to sow seeds where dreams continue, faith never ceases, and hope is ever present. To learn more about these ministries contact: info@lightfromlight.me. 12 | The Alabama Episcopalian
News from Our Shared Ministries EYC Convention Kathleen Franklin, Youth and Young Adult Ministry Coordinator T he EYC Convention was held virtually on March 27. Congrat- ulations to our newly elected Youth Department for 2021-2022: District Representatives: Southern: Richie Bailey and Parker Roth Central: John Wilson Dorlon and Lauren Jones Northern: Caitlin Martin and Sarah Coleman Hornsby At-Large Members: Annagrace Parmer, Noah David, Lydia Raulerson, Bayley Welborn, and Olivia O’Halloran We know this new group of youth will serve the God and God’s Church through a new year and new normal and we can’t wait to see what they bring for the Diocesan Youth Community. Thank you to all parishes who sent delegates for Convention. We are proud of all of the youth! Young People Paint Birmingham is on for this summer! Y PPB is a work-week event where youth from Birmingham will serve their community by scraping, priming, and painting the exterior of homes in lower-income communities around Birmingham. Due to the pandemic, YPPB will be a series of day events where we meet onsite, serve our community, and head home at the end of the day. YPPB is for rising 7-9 graders and will be held June 12-16 every day from 8:30am – 3:45pm. Because this year will be different than years past, youth will meet and be picked up at the worksite each day. Registration will open April 19 cost of the event will be $150. Youth in grades 11-12 are invited to serve as Youth Staff and will follow the same registration as participants. Adult Staff appli- cations are open for adults and college students who have completed their first year. There is no fee to serve on adult staff! For questions or to apply, please contact Kathleen Franklin, Youth and Young Adult Ministry Coordinator, kfranklin@dioala.org or 205.358.9232. dioala.org | 13
News from Our Shared Ministries Website Offers Resources for Liturgical and Prayer Book revision I n preparation for the 80th General Convention, members of the Diocese of Alabama Deputation attended a webinar hosted by the Task Force for Liturgical and Prayer Book Revision. The Task Force elaborated on their work directed by Resolution 2018-A068 and directed deputies to the website launched in December 2019 to host all authorized liturgical resources of The Episcopal Church. All parishes and individuals are invited to browse the resources and draft documents, and the Task Force invites feedback and encourages submissions. The website also offers a FAQ section that provides an explanation of the authorized liturgies and worship resources. This site is available at www.episcopalcommonprayer.org. If you have questions for our diocesan deputation to the 80th General Convention, please contact the Rev. Candice Frazer at candice@coascension.org. Be a Part of Sawyerville This Summer Provide a Meal We rely on generous parishes and groups to prepare and serve meals to the hardworking staff of Summer Camp and Summer Learning. Dinners are needed for groups ranging in size from 24 to 80 people. Collect Supplies There are certain items we need to make Summer Camp and Summer Learning run smoothly like swimsuits, snacks, and cleaning supplies. All supplies must be collected by May 26th. Pray With Us Loving God, we see and feel your love and grace at Sawyerville. Thank you for this ministry and for the work you do through its programs. We ask for a safe and happy summer, for academic growth and spiritual formation, and for fun and fellowship. May everyone who participates as a camper, student, volunteer, or supporter be brought closer to you. This we ask in the name of Jesus who loves us. Amen. To provide a meal, collect supplies, or teach at Summer Learning, please contact Claire Cotten at claire@sawyerville.org. 14 | The Alabama Episcopalian
News from Our Shared Ministries Special Session: Outreach and In-reach Lindsey Mullen, Director of Special Session I t’s hard to get away from classifications about when we’re “doing church” and when we’re “doing outreach.” When are we serving others and when we are serving us? I recently heard someone describe something as an “in-reach ministry” as op- posed to an “outreach ministry.” I turned this phrase over in my mind in relationship to the ministry of Special Session. I like “in-reach” because we are a faith formation ministry. We are there to serve each other—to give everyone at camp the experience of living with others in a community of dignity, care, and love. We’ve seen the fruit of this aspect of camp over the years as so many volunteers have gone on to work in careers that are shaped by their experience. I asked a few of these folks to share about their journey to the work they do now. Bartlee Linton and Adelaide Cochran are occupational therapists, Hannah Kendrick Oakes is a music therapist, and Graham Mul- len works in a life-sharing community for people with disabilities. Tell us about your current work. How was special session a part of your journey to this work? Bartlee: I work as an occupational ther- ing, art, baking, and cooking for one apist at the Center for Psychiatric Med- another. I just passed my eight-year icine at UAB Hospital. I help people mark here. regain their independence when a disease, Working at Innisfree is almost a illness, or disability has caused them to direct extension of working at Special have to rethink things--my favorite way Session. Both involve a community to describe what I do is to say I ‘help peo- aspect of being with, learning about, ple find new ways to do old things.’ I love and helping each other. my job, and I would never have gone down this path without my experiences at Special Session. I Hannah: I currently work as a love getting to experience life with people and helping to create board-certified music therapist at UAB new opportunities and ways to experience life--that was a love Hospital. As a music therapist I use I discovered because of Special Session. live, patient-preferred music to help people reach non-music goals. Every Adelaide: I am about to start working for day looks different for me depending a hospital in Broomfield, CO. I will be on what each patient needs that day. working with people who are in the hos- Some days I address goals focused on pital recovering from things like a hip re- anxiety, depression, pain, and emo- placement, a stroke, or even COVID-19. tional well-being while other days I My job will be to walk alongside people help people with rehabilitation of communicative, cognitive, as they get stronger and get familiar with & motor function. I love so many things about my job, but my how their body and brain is functioning. favorite is using music to help people through difficult times in I love OT because I get to meet so many their lives. different kinds of funny and interesting people. I get to help Special Session played a huge part in my decision to them figure out how they will be safe and be able to maintain become a music therapist. It instilled within me a deep love the roles that are important to them even though they may have of getting to know people in all walks of life, and it taught me new health barriers to work through. how to listen and care for others that might be different than I had never even heard of OT before I started doing Spe- me. I loved being able to serve as a volunteer and knew that cial Session. My first year, I met a few people on support staff I wanted to have a career where I helped people every day. I who were OTs and I quickly looked up to them. As I learned began playing guitar & singing in middle school but it wasn’t more, I felt a pull until I finally just went for it. until my 2nd year of Special Session that I heard the term “mu- sic therapy” from an older staff member. I did some research Graham: I currently live and work at Innisfree Village, a when I got home & knew I found the perfect career for me. life-sharing community with adults with mental and physical disabilities. Thirty-eight residents and more than twenty-five Special Session needs counselors (ages 16-24) and volunteers staff live and work on site together doing various kinds of for the week of July 24-31. Go to specialsessionalabama.org work, including gardening, farming, weaving, woodwork- to learn more and to register. dioala.org | 15
News from our Parishes Beans and Rice Ministries Flourish Bill Wheeler and the Rev. Gerri Aston, Deacon T he first of the series of remote meetings led by the story. “It was in 1980 that I noticed a brief article in the Pres- Department of Mission and Outreach focused on out- byterian Pastors magazine. It happened to mention a small reach ministries was held March 15. Thirteen parishes Presbyterian Church in southern Arkansas had placed an ad attended and shared how they serve their neighbors during in the local newspaper. The article read, ‘Free Beans and Rice these exceptionally difficult times of COVID-19. Attendees -- Saturday at the Presbyterian Church.’ And then I found out included: Canterbury, Tuscaloosa; Epiphany, Guntersville; that free Beans and Rice were being shared once a month. Epiphany, Leeds; Good Shepherd, Decatur; Resurrection, No questions asked and everybody got two pounds of beans Gadsden; St. Catherine’s, Chelsea; St. Francis of Assisi, and three pounds of rice. It was then that this session of his Indian Springs; St. John’s, Decatur; St. Mary’s, Jasper; St. church, the First Presbyterian Church of Prairie Grove, Ar- Matthew’s, Madison; St. Michael’s, Fayette; St. Simon Peter, kansas added Beans and Rice sharing to their mission work. Pell City; and Trinity, Clanton. Over the years, that little church gave away over 100 tons of The opening prayer was led by the Rev. Bill King. Father beans and rice plus other food items. What is the moral to this Bill then shared his story beginning 2005, when he pastored story? Small town churches can discover that they (we) can the 25 member Trinity Episcopal Church in Clanton. Search- do significant work in the call to ‘Feed the Hungry!’” ing for a ministry, he called his brother, the Rev. John King Father Bill continued Alabama’s story following his in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with the question: “What outreach brother’s advice “with a 50 lb. bag of rice and a 50 lb. bag ministry do you think we should start up here in Clanton?” of beans plus some jars of peanut butter, Trinity, Clanton Without any hesitation Father John replied, “You should start became the first Beans and Rice Church outside of the state a Beans and Rice ministry.” of Arkansas. That first Saturday that we advertised free The Department of Mission and Outreach welcomed beans and rice about 6 or 7 people stopped by. Most of them Rev. John King as a special guest and Father John shared his thought that we were cooking the beans and rice for them. 16 | The Alabama Episcopalian
News from our Parishes Bean Pie Submitted by the Rev. John Stewart, Deacon at St. Matthias in Tuscaloosa Yield Makes one 9-inch pie Ingredients • Pastry for a 9-inch single-crust pie, such as Barry Maiden’s Butter/ Shortening Piecrust • 1 cup sugar • 1 tablespoon flour • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg Mark Lindsay is a volunteer at St. Catherine’s Chelsea. He greets their guests’ • 1/2 cup evaporated milk or half-and- preferred language. He has taught ESL at St. Catherine’s and other parishes. half Month by month, the numbers grew of families stopping for free food • 1/4 cup butter, melted and families coming back month by month. The number of families • 2 eggs has grown at lot over the past 16 years. The late mayor of Clanton • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract always spoke of Trinity Episcopal Church as the ‘Beans and Rice • 1 cup mashed, cooked navy beans Church’. In fact, food sharing has defined Trinity Episcopal Church of Clanton. Now there are 17 Episcopal parishes in north and central Preparation Alabama and in no less than 15 other states, that are also beans and 1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a rice churches.” 9-inch pie pan with crust, then crimp The survey of Beans and Rice parishes completed late last year the edges decoratively. indicated our Diocese is currently sharing 56,000 lbs. of rice and beans 2. In a medium bowl, combine the sugar, annually. flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and stir Parish leaders reported currently serving their neighbors safely with a fork to mix well. Add the milk, outdoors. Some parishes share Beans and Rice monthly on Saturday butter, eggs, and vanilla, and stir to mix mornings. Others have discerned the need for weekly distributions. everything well. Add the mashed beans Sally Marsh reported St. John’s Decatur supplies 1 bag for every 4 and use an electric mixer or a whisk to people in each family. The Rev. Robin Hinkle, Rector of St. Mary’s beat all the ingredients together well, Jasper shared that St. Mary’s is more like a “Food Bank” than a Beans making a thick, smooth filling. and Rice parish. Last year St. Mary’s fed 54,000 people. One of the messages we all heard was that “we can do this. Help is available. 3. Pour the filling into the piecrust. Place All we have to do is ask”. Significant financial assistance is available the pie on the bottom shelf of the oven. for outreach from organizations including Community Foundation of Bake until the edges puff up and the Greater Birmingham, United Thank Offering, United Way of Central center is fairly firm, wiggling only a Alabama, and the State of Alabama through the Cares Act. little when you gently nudge the pan, The discussion touched on sources of supplies like Sam’s Club 40 to 50 minutes. and certain restaurants. Foodbanks were recommended. The food- 4. Place the pie on a cooling rack or a bank price of $.16 a pound is excellent. Demographic information is folded kitchen towel and let cool for 20 required to purchase for USDA food. “Salvage” food can avoid the to 30 minutes. Serve warm or at room demographic information requirement. Publix is a wonderful example temperature. Continued on page 18 dioala.org | 17
News from our Parishes Continued from page 17 of a chain with bakeries that pass along their “day old” bread and sweets to 401-C3 organizations for free. Mission and Outreach Grants of $2,500 are offered this year to parishes wishing to begin Beans and Rice as well as other outreach ministries new to their parish. The forms to submit are available by going to www. Dioala.org and click- ing on what we do, clicking ministries, then Mission and Outreach, finally application for parish-based grant 2021.The deadline is for applications is May 31. Another announcement was that St. Francis of Assisi will be hosting Rise Against Hunger (Formerly Stop Hunger Now) and putting at least 10,000 meals together in the near future in a safe setting. Volunteers from other parishes are invited. For information, please contact Ellen Hamilton, Church@saintfrancisindiansprings.org. The next Mission and Outreach virtual meeting will be advertised to all parishes. Suggestions for outreach Department of Mission and Outreach by emailing Sarah topics important to your parish may be submitted to the Sartain, ssartain@dioala.org. Yes to GraceWorks and Growth The Rev. Kay Williams, Deacon and GraceWorks Director A big part of ministry is being ready and willing to say The program’s activities are structured to nurture the “yes” to the call of the Holy Spirit. In Graceworks whole child through positive character development, spiritual we witness God taking the willingness to say “yes” growth, artistic creativity, encouragement of career interests, and blessing the offering of our labor. In early 2013, Grace and cultivation of a good work ethic. Four days a week the Church, Woodlawn received a phone call from a concerned participants engage in prayer, art, personal growth, work- grandparent who was in need of a safe place for her preteen shops, and attend a service of Holy Eucharist designed for grandchildren, during the summer, while she was at work. their age level. The majority of the activities revolve around After some discussion and prayer, we came to see this need guided participation in community projects. Over the years as an opportunity for Grace Church to share Christ’s love GraceWorks has grown and provides each participant with the with others in our neighborhood to whom we had not directly basic skills needed for competitive employment, cooperative reached out to before. team work, with hands-on opportunities for discovering per- Beginning with a $2,000 grant from the Department of sonal interests, spiritual awareness, and practical abilities that Mission and Outreach, GraceWorks ministry was created to improve educational and vocational potential. serve children ages 10-14 years of age. The summer program Through a simple “yes” God has blessed GraceWorks ran 5 days a week for 7 weeks, and was intended to provide growth. Our staff now includes GraceWorks graduates, Amer- inner city youth with opportunities to participate in service iCorps Vista workers, along with many volunteers from differ- projects, educational enrichment activities, and spiritual ent churches and the community. GraceWorks has doubled its exploration. The program opened without cost to anyone of outdoor space, which has provided the campers the opportu- the appropriate age who completed an application and had nity to amend soil, build an 11-barrel rain catchment system, transportation to the church. God’s abundant blessings was and maintain a rod iron fence erected across the back and shared with all campers, volunteers, and the staff beginning sides of the lot. The campers have found success in the com- with daily hot breakfasts, nutritious lunches, drinks, snacks, pletion of small projects that build on large long-term goals all the tools needed for projects, and the costs covered for all that eventually improve the larger community. Their activities activities and the Friday adventure trips. speak to the teamwork and construction lessons learned as 18 | The Alabama Episcopalian
News from our Parishes participants work to help Woodlawn neighbors address issues the 1920’s neo-Gothic architecture. It will be used as a chapel of food insecurity and contribute to a more productive future. by the GraceWorks staff and youth and will also be made As GraceWorks presence has expanded in the neigh- available to area faith communities in need of physical space borhood the elderly and disabled neighbors have requested to meet and worship. assistance with yard upkeep and small home repairs. The Like so many churches and nonprofits last year we were campers are mentored in how to share Christ’s love through unable to have our usual summer activities due to the pandem- community activities such as repairing porches, refurbishing ic. Our main fundraiser was cancelled. Although our campers furniture to the building of outdoor structures and painting could not participate last summer, we were able to accept two outdoor community murals. As the participants have enhanced Vista workers and a GraceWorks graduate as staff members. neighborhoods their positive impact on the daily lives of the While working outside and helping Community Kitchens, the economically challenged residents has been noticed, respected and appreciated. GraceWorks staff saw the effects the pandemic had on people Several years ago, when GraceWorks responded with experiencing homelessness. With all local businesses and yet another “yes,” God literally opened the doors to provide churches closed, guests at Community Kitchens had no access some much-needed indoor physical space for the growing restrooms. After a little research, GraceWorks built a portable ministry. The “yes” resulted in GraceWorks accepting the handwashing station from a recycled food pantry cart that is donation of a church building that is directly adjacent to the accessible daily from 9 am until 2:30 to anyone walking by green space used by GraceWorks attendees each summer. Community Kitchens. Now unofficially known as “Grace Place,” the building is GraceWorks has decided to say “yes” and have campers well into renovations through the efforts of parishioners of return this summer. We will limit our number of campers to Grace Episcopal Church, St. Stephen’s, St, Luke’s, St. Mary’s 15 and will follow CDC guidelines for gathering. We realize on the Highlands, All Saints, and a number of other churches sharing Christ with the children and community again will and volunteers. Progress so far includes the framing for St. only happen through the prayers, support and generosity of Stephen’s Love Laundry room, a kitchen, several classrooms, our loyal partners such as the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, bathrooms and a vocational shop. The acceptance of the build- many of the Episcopal Churches in Alabama, other faith- ing has broadened GraceWorks vision from a summer youth based organizations, community groups, local businesses and center into a multipurpose building which will host and house individuals. We invite you to say “yes” to GraceWorks. It is a wide range of service efforts and programs for the Wood- lawn neighborhood. Our hope is to eventually offer ministries as easy as adding GraceWorks to your prayer list, gathering such as free laundry service, after school tutoring, a warm- supplies, sponsoring a meal, being a volunteer, being a driver, ing station, and retraining the unemployed in construction donating old tools, or giving individually wrapped snacks or skills when the summer youth program is not in session. Our drinks. Volunteers, building supplies, and financial support are plans also include a place of worship for the community. The always welcomed at “Grace Place.” sanctuary area will be entirely refurbished in a style consistent To learn more about GraceWorks and Grace Place, please with the Episcopal tradition while maintaining the aesthetic of visit graceworksbham.org. dioala.org | 19
News from our Parishes St. Mary’s in Jasper Food Bank The Rev. Robin H. Hinkle T he Food Bank ministry of St. Mary’s in Jasper has a Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. On Tuesday, March motto on our t-shirts, “Serving God and our neigh- 17, 2020, we had a “normal” food bank session, distributing bors.” In 2020 we were blessed abundantly in this approximately 250 bags. That day I attended a meeting of ministry as we were especially called to serve our neighbors community leaders and churches, where our food bank was in need. asked to be a part of the emergency food response in Walker St. Mary`s began a food bank 15 years ago, operating County. We accepted the mission because we realized we from a closet in the Parish Hall. In 2013, the first year for had the logistical experience, the necessary space for food which we have statistical data, we distributed over 600 bags of packing and storage, and the seed funding needed to get this groceries, serving 1,200 individuals. In 2017, we moved from exceptional program running. Our church, like others, was a monthly to a weekly distribution. Our bags include a huge closed due to the pandemic, so we turned our Parish Hall into portion of staples, produce, frozen protein and snacks. We a food warehouse and placed the packed bags in our church also distribute diapers, wipes and formula. In 2017, we also pews and down the aisles. Within two days, St. Mary’s began began serving breakfast to our clients. As they wait to register sending out hundreds of bags to 10 distribution sites across each week, I meet with individual families for prayer, pastoral the county. We utilized 100’s of volunteers working in small counseling and referrals to other resources. In 2019, we dis- teams due to COVID, whom we coordinated through a sign- tributed over 9,000 bags of groceries to about 4,900 families, up app. The teams packed 700 to 1200 bags of groceries per serving over 16,600 individuals. day, which we then delivered to the sites. We also operated a 20 | The Alabama Episcopalian
News from our Parishes daily drive-through distribution site at St. Mary’s. During the term needs and help them define their goals. We have helped 3-week emergency response, St. Mary’s Food Bank gave out multiple people move into affordable housing from home- over 9,900 bags of groceries, including protein and produce. lessness or substandard housing. We have referred hundreds In total for 2020, we gave out over 29,000 bags or boxes of of families, particularly during the COVID pandemic, to food. We spent $197,000 on food, which had a retail value resources to help with utilities, rent and mortgages. We also of over $900,000. We also distributed over 130,000 diapers, assist families in getting long-term treatment and support for along with wipes and formula. addiction and mental health issues. In 2020, this work grew Mike McClendon, Food Bank Director Our food bank director, Mike McClendon is extraor- exponentially, and St. Mary’s has become a go-to resource for dinary. He carefully plans what we order through the Com- families in need in Walker County. We have come to realize munity Food Bank of Birmingham, so that we can keep our the need for an outreach coordinator to help our clients and costs low, while providing a variety of staples, protein and are therefore pursuing grant opportunities for seed funding for dairy. For every $6 we spend, we provide a bag of food worth this new phase of our ministry. at least $30. Mike has an IT background and has written a We are excited to share our experience with our fellow program that we use to register our clients and track every churches across the diocese, in that we believe we are all distribution we make each week. uniquely situated in our respective communities to find and We are a small congregation of about 170 members. We fulfill a particular ministry. Through the prophet Jeremiah, therefore could not hope to fund this mission through our God tells us to “seek the welfare of the city where I have regular church budget. We depend upon our annual ECW sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in fundraiser, grant funding and outside donations to support its welfare you will find your welfare.” (Jeremiah 29:7) That this ministry. We realize the importance of diversifying our scripture defines our attitude toward outreach ministry in our funding base for such a large outreach ministry, so we apply community. We believe that each of our churches can fulfill a for multiple grants each year. This past year we were blessed calling to serve, using its unique gifts according to God’s pur- to receive over $200,000 in grants, and we were able to raise pose. Is God calling you to start a food ministry or a tutoring over $50,000 to fund the building of an addition to our food program or a dementia support ministry? The possibilities are bank building, adding a walk-in cooler and freezer. exciting! St. Francis of Assisi once said “Always preach the We are always looking for better ways to serve our gospel. When necessary, use words.” This applies to churches clients. Since 2017, we have intentionally been increasing as well as individuals, and we have found that outreach is a our efforts to refer our people to resources that can help their beautiful way we are able to shine God’s light in our commu- individual situations. We discuss their immediate and long- nity, in hope that we draw others to him. dioala.org | 21
News from our Parishes Grace Place: An Idea Whose Time Has Come The Rev. Jerry Jacob, Deacon T here is a quote done in an atmosphere of attributed to the 19th acceptance, encouragement, century French writer praise, fun, and most impor- Victor Hugo, “Nothing is tantly, LOVE. more powerful than an idea Prior to the devotion, whose time has come.” That everyone enjoys beverages is the story behind Grace and healthy snacks during a Place, a grace-filled respite time of socialization. There is ministry for people with mild also a lunch provided by the to moderate memory-loss and program or a local restaurant their caregivers. or other church. It took a member of Caregivers, whether Grace Episcopal Church, spouse, family member, or Cullman, a home care consul- friend, have an opportunity tant for a senior care com- to gather together once a pany in Birmingham, about month in fellowship and to a year to finally convince a share parts of their caregiv- few reluctant parishioners to ing journeys with each other. visit a program at Canterbury They have access to literature United Methodist Church in for family caregivers from a Mountain Brook. He had seen lending library, plus publica- their respite program, Encore, tions from national or state- in action. He was certain that wide organizations involved concept could work at his in care for those with demen- home church. tia. Guest speakers are occasionally invited to offer valuable Seven months following that group’s visit to Encore information on other local resources. and with the blessing of the rector and vestry, Grace Place Often, caregivers are not able to access assistance with opened its doors with five participants (people with memo- their caregiving duties. Their “jobs” can become a 24/7 ry-loss) and seven volunteers. seemingly endless task. It is vital for them to understand A respite program has two equally important functions: that they are not alone and there is help in many ways to provide creative engagement activities for participants and a relieve some of the burdens they endure. proactive caregiver support group. A spouse responded to a staff member’s comment Grace Place operates four hours (10 am to 2 pm) every that we were glad to offer her a break from her caregiving Tuesday and Thursday in a portion of the church’s parish duties, that “this isn’t a break, it’s a vacation.” hall. This time is filled with activities designed to stimulate The national organization, Alzheimer’s Association, the participants in body, mind, and spirit. The critical key estimates that currently there are 6.2 million people in the to the program is the socialization the participants enjoy by U.S. with some form of dementia. In Alabama, the num- having a volunteer spend the entire time with them as a one- ber is around 96,000. By 2025, the number in Alabama is on-one companion. expected to be 110,000. For parishes interested in starting Activities include, among others: a devotion and their own respite program, the book Walking with Grace prayer, followed by chair exercises, table-top activities such Revised by Robin Dill is an excellent resource. as word games, jigsaw puzzles, art and/or craft projects, Respite care for dementia sufferers and their caregivers also visits by musicians, dancers, or therapy animals, all is an idea whose time has come. 22 | The Alabama Episcopalian
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