DEPARTMENT OF PARISH DEVELOPMENT AND EVANGELISM  | | MAP OF THE DIOCESE | |
WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN THE DIOCESE OF ALABAMA WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT OUR DIOCESE? There are 91 parishes and worshipping communities within the diocese with a total of almost 35,000 baptized members as of December 31st, 2005. Since 2000, two new metro parishes have been established: St. Columa's in the Cove, Huntsville in 2000 and Holy Spirit, Alabaster in 2003. In addition, two new worshipping communities have been started: La Gracia Hispanic Church in eastern Birmingham and Calvary Church in Oneonta (Blount County), both in 2001. Baptized membership within the diocese has increased at a rate twice that of the total population growth in the 48 county area between 2000 and 2002. For more demographic information on the Diocese of Alabama, contact the Rev. Bill King via email (bking@dioala.org) for a copy of the most recent Diocesan Data Book.
WHERE WILL CHURCH PLANTING TAKE PLACE IN OUR DIOCESE DURING THE NEXT 10 YEARS?
| In 2005, the diocese helped restart and expand St. Michael/All Angel's, Millbrook (Elmore County just north of Montgomery) into a program sized parish to respond to the rapid growth of that suburban county. The Rev. Mark Waldo, Jr. was as the new rector, effective mid-April, 2005. In late 2006, St. Michael/All Angel's contracted with ArchitectWorks of Birmingham to begin planning for new worship space. From 2006 through 2010, the diocese will establish a new parish in the northern sector of Madison County (greater Huntsville area) and in the Chelsea area of Shelby County (greater Birmingham area. The Chelsea Church will be organized in 2007 with a website up and running before the end of 2006. Land is already available for the new Chelsea Church. Beginning after 2010, the diocese will initiate planning for additional parishes in the Springville area of St. Clair County (metro Birmingham); the greater Tuscaloosa area; Lincoln in Talladega County along the _20 corridor; and a new parish between Birmingham and Cullman (along the I-65 corridor in the area of Gardendale/Warrior). In addition, the development of Hispanic/Latino worshipping communities will be developed in existing parishes in the Alabaster area of Shelby County, Albertville in Marshall County, Tuscaloosa, Huntsville, and Montgomery. WHAT ABOUT OUR LAND NEEDS IN THE DIOCESE? In many ways, our diocese is land poor. We have very little land in reserve for the planting of new parishes throughout our diocese. If you would like to make a gift of land to the Diocese of Alabama, we are ready to work with you.If you are interested in exploring such a gift, contact the Rev. Bill King at 205-715-2060, ext. 317 or email: bking@dioala.org . There is a need for additional land in the following areas of the diocese: Springville (in St. Clair County) Northeastern Montgomery County Calera (in Shelby County) Lincoln (in Talladega County) North of the river, Tuscaloosa Monrovia area (in northern Madison County) HOW DO WE ADVERTISE AND PROMOTE THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH? Over 1/3 of all people living in the 48 counties of our diocese are "unchurched" or are not currently active in any church. That means that 1,110,000 people are available to be invited to enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ through the Episcopal Church. What a great evangelism opportunity we have at this point in time...... Here are a few advertising evangelism suggestions you might try along with a name or two of clergy who have already tested this form of evangelism: Plan an "Invite a Friend Sunday" in your parish. For more information, contact the Rev. Bill Winters, Epiphany Church, Guntersville. Advertise your parish in Public Radio. It may cost as little as $50 each week. Contact the Rev. Marc Burnette, St. Andrew's Church, Birmingham. Hold a Lobster Feast and invite the entire community. Don't forget to offer tours of your worship space with tour guides to be available. Contact the Rev. Kee Sloan, St. Thomas, Huntsville or the Rev. Polk Van Zandt, St. Paul's, Selma. Write a regular article for the local newspaper's "Religion Page".Contact the Rev. Jim Elliott, Holy Comforter, Gadsden. Rent a Billboard for a month with a message of invitation to your parish. Contact the Rev. David Hall, Resurrection Church, Rainbow City. Maintain and regularly update a creative and spiritual Web Page. This is very important in connecting with persons under the age of 40. Contact the Rev. Lee Lowery, Holy Spirit Church, Alabaster.
DEPARTMENT OF PARISH DEVELOPMENT MEMBERSHIP
The Rev. Lee Lowery - Chair
1-205-482-7749(c) or email: lowe7599@bellsouth.net Membership until 2005:
The Rev. Bill Winters
The Re. Margaret Shepard
The Rev. Bruce White
The Rev. Polk Van Zandt
Mrs Joyce Ladd
Membership until 2006:
The Rev. Steve Gruman
The Rev. Lee Lowery
The Rev. Steve Bates
Mrs. Claire Black Wilson
Membership until 2007:
Mr. Wayne Hoar
Mr. Joseph Gribbin
Mrs. Doris Attaway
Mr. Brad Landry
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