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The Blue Sheet

The Diocesan Newsletter for the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama

521 20^th Street North ♦ Birmingham, AL 35203-2682

205-715-2060 ♦ FAX 205-715-2066 ♦ Website www.dioala.org ♦ diooffice@dioala.org

 

CLERGY NOTES:

The Rev Robert T.J. Childers has left Grace Church, Anniston to join the staff of Good Shepherd, Lookout Mountain, TN. As Rector.  The Rev Ray Waldon from Central Gulf Coast Diocese, is serving as Interim Rector, St. Peter's, Talladega.  The Rev David Basinger,  has accepted a call to serve as Rector of St. Timothy's, Athens.  He will begin in August. The Rev Elizabeth Wheatly-Jones has accepted a call to serve as Rector of St. Joseph's on-the-Mountain, Mentone beginning in September.   The following recently ordained Transitional Deacons have begun their ministries in the following parishes:  The Rev Deacon Thomas R. Joyner,  Church of  the Holy Comforter, Montgomery; The Rev Deacon James "Jamie" McAdams, St. Stephens, Birmingham; The Rev Deacon Judith Comer, St. Philips, Fort Payne; and The Rev Deacon Walter "Chip" Broadfoot, Ascension, Montgomery.

 

PASTORAL NOTES

Nancy Averett, widow of The Rev. Ray Averett, died in Portland, OR. A memorial service will be held at St. Stephen's, Birmingham ...

Jim Glor, brother of The Rev. Milt Glor (Priest Associate, St. John's - Decatur), died in Buffalo, NY. Mr. Maurice Kahlmus, father of Terry Childers, died in Meridian, MS. We bid your prayers for these families.  May Nancy, Jim, and Maurice rest in peace. 

 

PARISH AUDITS are due September 1 in the Bishop's office.  For more information or assistance contact: rmorpeth@dioala.org

 

2008 CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT GOLF TOURNAMENT: You are invited to play and/or sponsor a hole in their annual golf tournament at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, August 22, 2008 at Ballantrae Golf Club in Pelham. Format: 4-person scramble, Cost is : $100 per player.  Prizes will be awarded for closest to the pin on all par 3's.  Gifts: Ballantrae will provide each player with a $10 gift card usable on all pro shop merchandise.  Mulligans will be available for $5 each with no limit.  Food will be provided following the tournament.

Hole Sponsorship is $100. A sign with your company's name will be placed on a tee box at the course.  We value your support! Please contact Jim Raines at 205-685-0129 or 205-317-4471 for any questions. Call the golf shop at 205-620-4653 for directions. Donations in any amount welcomed. Phone 205 621-3418 www.holyspirit-al.org

 

ACOLYTE FESTIVAL AT THE WASHINGTON NATIONAL CATHEDRAL OCTOBER 9-13, 2008: Join acolytes from across the country at the magnificent  National Cathedral October 11th.  Gather your acolytes, vergers, clergy and friends and bring processional crosses, banners, flags, and other liturgical items for the festive procession of acolytes.  Alabama's special tour will include: Roundtrip on Southwest Airlines:/Lodging:  accommodations at the National 4H Conference Center, Transfer from the Airport, Tour of the U.S. Naval Academy, Pentagon, Night Light Tour of Washington, and special seating at the Cathedral for Sunday Service. 

 

This year's tour will be extended for an additional day to visit additional sites, Cost of tour $650 pp/quad occupancy  (price adjustment on single, double, and  triple arrangements)  based on a minimum of 20 tour members, with quoted price subject to fuel cost increase.  $100 deposit due August 1. Please send to Bettye Benjamen, Alabama Regional Chairman: National Cathedral Association, P O Box 3, Lowndesboro, Al. 36752. Questions?  Please call 334-278-3381.  Email:  bettyeb@htcnet.net

 

Retired Clergy and Spouses Conference: All retired clergy and spouses in the Diocese of Alabama are invited to meet at Camp McDowell from lunch on Tuesday, October 7, through lunch on Thursday, October 9. Those invited include all retired Episcopal clergy who have moved to this diocese in retirement as well as all who are canonically resident in the diocese. Especially included in this number are all widows and widowers of retired clergy, or of clergy who would have reached retirement by 2008.

 

Cost for the entire conference per person is between $80 and $150, depending on accommodations.  For information contact The Rev. Doug Carpenter, Chaplain for Retirees, at :

3037 Overton Rd., Birmingham, AL 35223, or at carpenter.doug@att.net, or at 205 381 3553.

 

In addition to entertainment, relaxation, and conversation, we will have at least three times for reflection on topics of special interest. We will also have updates on such things as Lambeth and Camp McDowell.

 

Author Nora Gallagher says, "I think people are beginning to sense there's something out there for each one of us, and we need to find it. In that search, there is nothing that isn't grist for the mill."Ms. Gallagher is presenting a talk on this theme at St. Stephens Episcopal Church on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 from 6:30-7:30 p.m with a book signing afterwards. Gallagher will explore what calling might really mean, in the church but most particularly in the world, by exploring images, story telling, comparing our stories with scripture and doing simple listening, and discernment exercises, looking for "the sly, improbable interference of the Holy Spirit." Nora Gallagher's novel Changing Light has received outstanding reviews in the New York Times Book Review, the Boston Globe, the San Francisco Chronicle and the Los Angeles Times. For information contact St. Stephen's Church, Birmingham. 

 

Early Campers Gather at Camp: All who attended Camp McDowell between 1923 and 1953 are invited to a reunion at camp from lunch on Wednesday, November 5 through lunch on Friday, November 7.  Cost for the entire session is between $80 and $150, depending on lodging and you may come for only part of the session, or even for just one meal.  Let the Rev. Doug Carpenter know if you want an application and details. He can be reached at 3037 Overton Rd., Birmingham, AL  35223, or at carpenter.doug@att.net or at 205 381 3553.

 

Task Force on the Stewardship of  Creation Tip: Many of us think of water as an infinite resource.   But the truth is that water is an increasingly limited, and arguably, our most critical resource.  Let's look BY THE NUMBERS: 1.1 billion - that's the number of people worldwide who lack access to safe drinking water (nearly 1/6^th of the planet.); 6,000 - that's the number of people who die every 24 hours from inadequate water supply; 3.7 - that's the average number of miles women in Africa and Asia travel daily to collect water; 5.3 billion - that's the number of people - two-thirds of the world's population - who will suffer from water shortages by 2025; 100-176 - that's the number of gallons of water the average U.S. resident uses every day at home - versus 5 gallons per day for the average African family.

 

A PARISH PROGRAM OF SPIRITUAL FORMATION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE: August 1 - 2, All Saints Episcopal Church, Birmingham.  Training in the Journey to Adulthood program.  Cost is $200.  Training Friday evening and all-day Saturday.  Meals and nursery included.   Trainer is Sarah Carper Morris, Director of Youth Ministries, St. Stephen's Church, Richmond, VA.   WHY: Because you've heard about J2A, but are not sure if it will meet the needs of your parish  ... because you've purchased the curriculum but need to train your leaders ... because you already have the program but need new ideas and energy. More information contact Sarah Sartain at ssartain@dioala.org.

Diocesan Calendar

July-August 2008

 

07/19/2008	Commission on Race Relations	St. Mark's, Birmingham	10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
07/23/2008	Department of Mission and Outreach Meeting	Conference Room / Carpenter House	10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
7/27 - 7/28	Department of Camp McDowell Retreat	Camp McDowell	Sunday 6:00 PM - Monday, Noon
07/31/2008	Department of Parish Development & Evangelism	Conference Room / Carpenter House	10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
7/31/2008	Web Training for Diocesan Ministries	Upper Room / Carpenter House	10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
08/01/2008	Youth Department Overnight Meeting	St. John's, Montgomery	10:00 AM
08/2 - 08/3	Sawyerville Leadership College	Canterbury Chapel, Tuscaloosa	9:00 AM  Sat. - 1:00 PM Sun.
08/05/2008	Task Force for Stewardship of Creation	Conference Room	11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
08/07/2008	Liturgy & Music	Conference Room	11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
08/09/2008	Recovery Ministry Meeting	Conference Room	10:00 AM - 1:30 PM
08/09/2008	Jonathan Daniels Pilgrimage		11:00 AM
8/11/2008	Department of Ministry in Higher Education	Trinity Commons	10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
08/11/2008	Episcopal Day School/Cross & Shield	Resource Center	11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
08/14/2008	Department of Christian Formation	Birmingham St. Stephen's	10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
08/15/2008	Spirituality Commission	Birmingham St. Luke's	10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
08/16/2008	Sawyerville Staff Reunion	Trinity Commons	10:00 AM
08/23/2008	Happening Reunion	Bham Holy Apostles	10:00 AM
08/28/2008	Department of Finance and Trustees	Conference Room / Carpenter House	9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
08/31/2008	Visitation:  Bishop Sloan	St. Michael's, Millbrook	10:00 AM