When our diocesan Companion DioceseCommission team was visiting Haiti in earlyOctober, we visited St. Michel’s EpiscopalChurch and School in Thomazeau, a small vil-lage about halfway between Port-au-Princeand the Dominican Republic border.Whilewe were in the fourth-grade classroom, ayoung girl stood up, welcomed Bishop Parsleyand our group, and then asked,“Bishop, willyou, please, help us get water here atThomazeau?” Even though the teacherseemed somewhat surprised by the question,the young girl asked it a second time. BishopParsley thanked her for her request and toldher he would do what he could to help getwater to the school and community.

In December we sent the first $5,000 ofour diocesan Millennium Development Goals(MDG) funds to Haiti for the project.We sentanother $5,000 in April—and we have nowlearned that the well has been dug and a goodsupply of water found at 95 feet. Hopefully bythis fall clean water will be available to all ofthe students and staff at St. Michel’s Episcopal

School as well as the community. Our dio-cese’s $10,000 commitment has brought cleanwater to a community where for years therehas been none.

Thanks to a $5,000 gift from All Saints’ inMontgomery, a second water project hasbegun at St. Marc’s Episcopal Church andSchool in Lilavois under the direction ofFather Valdema; the preparations for that wellhave begun, and we expect water to be foundsoon. Our diocese has made digging wells atthe six church sites under the care of FatherValdema and his wife, Carmel, a prioritybecause of the tremendous impact clean waterbrings to all of the community in terms ofpublic health, quality of life, nutritional care,and everyday life. It also makes it possible forthe church in each of these communities tofulfill a basic need—clean, drinkable water—for the entire community.

Our diocese has also been involved with awater-purification project at St. Simeon’s Schooland Church at Croix des Bouquets.The schoolhad water but it was not potable.Thanks to a

generous gift from St.Thomas’ in Huntsvilleplus part of the offering from our recent dioce-san convention and $2,500 from our diocesanMDG funds, a water-purification system hasbeen installed and the children at St. Simeon’snow have safe, clean drinking water.

For more about how your generosity andcompassion are helping our sisters and brothersin Haiti through our Companion Diocese com-mitment, please see “Elsewhere on our HaitiPartnership Front” on page 5.

May 2007 The Episcopal Diocese of Alabama Vol. 92, No. 4

ApostleTHE

Bringing Clean, Drinkable Water to Thomazeau,Lilavois, and Croix des BouquetsBy the Rev. Bill King

About 130 active and retired clergy of our diocese and many of theirspouses gathered for the annual conference April 25 through 27 at CampMcDowell. For more about the conference please see page 2.

Clergy Enjoy Annual Gathering at Camp McDowell

The Family in the Forest Expedition

Venture Out!Camp McDowell’sVenture Out! sched-ule offers somethingfor everyone—fromriver canoeing andwhitewater rafting tocaving, climbing,canyon-ing, and fam-ily adventures. Pleasesee “Venture Out!2007” on page 7.

The clergy of our diocese gathered at Camp McDowell on April 25-27 fortheir annual conference. In the midst of fellowship, worship, good food, hiking,canoeing, and napping they enjoyed listening to Speed Leas, a senior consultant withthe Alban Institute and a nationally respected speaker on congregational dynamics,speak on the topic “Leading Anxious People.” Bishop Parsley addressed the clergy onFriday morning during the annual “Bishop’s time.” Clergy families with young chil-

dren were especially grateful to Michael and Kana Goldsmith for organizing anexcellent childcare program that allowed spouses to more fully participant in all theevents. Our diocese offers the annual clergy-spouse conference as part of continuingefforts to nurture our clergy in their roles as parish leaders. Many thanks to KennethLewis for providing photos taken at the conference.

The Good Samaritan Health Clinic in Cullman, one of our diocese’s JubileeCenters, is looking for a grant writer who is willing to help as part of his or herministry.The clinic, which is now in its fourth year of operation, has served morethan 7,800 patients and provided $4.6 million in physician/nurse practitioner vis-its, free non-narcotic medications, labwork, and specialist referrals.The operating

budget was $200,000 in 2006, and the clinic received about $325,000 of in-kindservices from the community. For more information about the grant writing posi-tion or the clinic, please contact Executive Director Jerry Jacob at 256/775-1389ext. 6 or jjacob@gshealthclinic.com.

Good Samaritan Health Clinic Needs Grant Writer

Bishop Parsley will ordain the following graduat-ing seminarians as Transitional Deacons.

Christian James von Gal at 6 p.m. on Wednesday,May 23, at St. John’s in Montgomery

Jon David Chalmers at 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 3, atCanterbury Chapel in Tuscaloosa

Joan Miller Henrick at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 9,at Emmanuel in Opelika.

In addition, the Rt. Rev. Frank Neff Powell,Bishop of Southwestern Virginia, acting for BishopParsley will ordain Eric James Liles at 4 p.m. onThursday, May 17, at Immanuel Chapel at VirginiaTheological Seminary in Alexandria.

Four Deacons To BeOrdained

Around Our Diocese The Apostle2

The Rev. Andrew Keyse will begin serving asrector of Trinity in Florence in June.Andrew comesto our diocese from the Diocese of Chicago.

The Rev. Aaron Raulerson will begin servingas rector of Holy Cross in Trussville in June.Aaronpreviously served as rector of Trinity in Demopolis.

Clergy News

It goes without saying that our CampaignCabinet has been working hard this past year culti-vating and soliciting donors as well as introducing theACTS 2 goals. Many other groups throughout ourdiocese—our diocesan leaders, ECW, Daughters ofthe King, Cursillo community, youth and college stu-dents, and clergy—have offered their support, whichhas built a strong foundation for the campaign.Thisgroup support along with your individual pledges areensuring the success of ACTS 2.

We are blessed in this diocese with many graciousdonors who have answered God’s call and made gen-erous commitments, but there is still work to bedone in completing the ACTS 2 campaign. Everydollar raised will help ensure the completion andquality of all six focal projects.

Most importantly, we have not attained one ofour primary missions—our desire to give all of themembers of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese ofAlabama an opportunity to learn about and con-

tribute to ACTS 2.Through the continuing efforts ofour parishes and donors, we hope to attain this goalby the end of May. If you have not heard about theACTS 2 campaign within your parish, please ask your rec-tor about it or visit the campaign Web site, www.acts2cam-paign.org.

Our Diocesan Council has approved contractswith Williams Blackstock Architects PC and BriceBuilding Company for help in finalizing details ofthe new chapel at Camp McDowell.These two com-panies are collaborating with the members of theDepartment of Camp McDowell to maximize thevalue of construction and minimize the cost. Forexample, repositioning the chapel on the site canresult in significant savings without compromisingthe beauty of the location.Working with existingdrawings and using their expertise, architect JoelBlackstock and Brice Construction are moving usever closer to a celebratory groundbreaking.Watchfor your invitation!

Clergy Enjoy Annual Gathering at Camp McDowell

ACTS 2—GivingEVERYONE aChance toContribute

3

Dear Friends in Christ:On July 4, 1857, the bish-

ops of 10 dioceses of theEpiscopal Church met onLookout Mountain,Tennessee, with a host ofother clergy and laity tofound what would be knownas the University of theSouth, Sewanee.The Bishopof Alabama, NicholasHamner Cobbs, was amongthem, and the Diocese ofAlabama was one of the 10original owning dioceses of

Sewanee.Thus began the story of one of the finest universi-ties in America and one of the most visionary ministries ofthe Episcopal Church in the South.

This year marks the Sesquicentennial Anniversary of theUniversity of the South, a year of celebration that willbegin on Lookout Mountain this July 4th with a remem-brance of that occasion in 1857.As Chancellor of theUniversity I will be present, as was my predecessor in 1857,now to give thanks for Sewanee’s extraordinary legacy ofeducation, faith, and leadership in the lives of countless stu-dents and friends over the years. I invite you to join us as

representatives of this founding diocese at 9 a.m. EST in theChurch of the Good Shepherd in Lookout Mountain for ahistoric service of thanksgiving.

The 150th Anniversary will continue with a specialUniversity Convocation on Founders’ Day,Tuesday,October 9, in All Saints’ Chapel on campus. Honorarydegrees will be conferred; Jon Meacham, distinguished edi-tor of Newsweek and a graduate of the college, will give the150th Founders’ Day oration; and a Te Deum composed byRichard Shepard of York Minster, the great cathedral inYork, England, will be sung. Later that day a Sesquicenten-nial window will be dedicated, and in the evening therewill be a gala dinner and celebration.As the celebrationcontinues other festive occasions will take place at Sewaneeincluding a visit by the Presiding Bishop of the EpiscopalChurch at the 2008 Commencement. It should be a mem-orable year on what the Sewanee community affectionatelycalls “The Mountain.”

It was a courageous and farsighted venture to establish anew university of the Church in 1857 as the clouds of civilwar were gathering in our country. In the most difficult oftimes men and women of faith were resolute in workingfor the future, especially for the formation of young lives inthe learning and faith of the ages.After the devastation ofthe war Sewanee was re-founded and became a center oflearning that helped rebuild this region of the country, and

it has continued to become one of the finest liberal arts col-leges and Episcopal seminaries in the country. Sewanee hasone of the highest percentages of Rhodes Scholars of anyinstitution of higher learning in this country, and currentlythe university has the largest enrollment in its history.Sewanee, which is now owned by 28 dioceses of ourChurch and serves students from 42 states and 22 foreigncountries, is the only Episcopal university in America. Its10,000-acre domain ranks as one of the largest academiccampuses in the country and a remarkable natural resource.

I count it an honor to serve as the Chancellor of theuniversity at this time. Bishop Carpenter and BishopStough served as Chancellors in their day, and the Dioceseof Alabama continues to be a vital part of the life ofSewanee. Our diocese contributes financially the most ofany owning diocese to the college and seminary each year,and we are blessed with many gifted Sewanee students fromour diocese. I am always proud to be with the Alabamacommunity on The Mountain and to see the children offriends from across the country continuing the extraordi-nary story of this place of scholarship and enlightenment,worship and service.

The University Prayer that we pray regularly in AllSaints’ Chapel says,“Almighty God, the Father of our LordJesus Christ, we thy servants implore Thy blessing upon theUniversity of the South. Give the Spirit of wisdom to allthose to whom Thou has given the authority of teachingand of government. Let the students grow in grace day byday; enlighten their minds, purify their hearts, and sanctifytheir wills. Bless all who have contributed in any way tothis University, and raise up, we humbly pray Thee, a never-failing succession of benefactors, through Jesus Christ ourLord.Amen.”

Let us join in this prayer and in the continuance ofSewanee’s remarkable ministry as loyal servants of theUniversity in our diocese.Whether we or members ofour family attended Sewanee or not, we Episcopalianscan take great pride in its faithful and outstanding min-istry since 1857.

“Ecce quam bonum” is the University’s motto.“Beholdhow good” indeed—Yea, Sewanee’s Right!

The Rt. Rev. Henry N. Parsley Jr.

May 2007 Salt and Light: From the Bishop

POSTMASTER: Please send address corrections to Denise Servant, Circulation Secretary, The Apostle, 521 North 20th Street, Birmingham, AL 35203.

T H E E P I S C O PA L C H U R C H

In the Diocese of AlabamaAbout 36,000 baptized members in 94 congregations and 7 college campusministries. Established in 1830.

Bishop The Rt. Rev. Henry Nutt Parsley Jr.

Carpenter House521 North 20th StreetBirmingham,AL 35203205/715-2060

In the United StatesA community of about 2.5 million members in 119 dioceses in the Americasand abroad.Established in 1789.

Presiding BishopThe Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori

Episcopal Church Center815 Second AvenueNew York, NY 10017212/867-8400

The Anglican CommunionA 73-million-member worldwide community of 38 provinces.

Archbishop of CanterburyThe Most Rev.Rowan D.Williams

Lambeth Palace, LondonEngland SE17JU

The ApostleNorma E. McKittrick, EditorMiles G. Parsons, Art DirectorDenise Servant,Circulation SecretaryVolume 92, Number 4May 2007USPS 070-910ISSN 1041-3316

The Apostle is published 9-10 times per year, with combined issues July/August and September/October, bythe Episcopal Diocese of Alabama. Previous names for this publication have been The Diocese of Alabama(1892), The Church Record (1893-1922), The Alabama Churchman (1923-1987), The Apostle (1988-1997), and The Alabama Apostle (1998). Periodicals rate postage paid at Birmingham,Alabama.

All editorial submissions should be mailed to Norma McKittrick, Editor, The Apostle, 2156 Kent Way,Birmingham,AL 35226; or E-mailed to Apostledit@aol.com.Please include a self-addressed stamped envelopefor any materials to be returned.The deadline for each issue is the 1st of the preceding month.

All address corrections or additions should be mailed to Denise Servant,Circulation Secretary,The Apostle,521 North20th Street,Birmingham,AL 35203;or E-mailed to dservant@dioala.org.

“Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we thy servants implore Thyblessing upon the University of the South. Give the Spirit of wisdom to all those towhom Thou has given the authority of teaching and of government. Let thestudents grow in grace day by day; enlighten their minds, purify their hearts, andsanctify their wills. Bless all who have contributed in any way to this University,and raise up, we humbly pray Thee, a never-failing succession of benefactors, throughJesus Christ our Lord.Amen.”—The Prayer of the University of the South, Sewanee

Sewanee Sesquicentennial 1857-2007

Bishop Parsley with Associate University Chaplain Annwn Myers

THE REV. DEACON ADELE STOCKHAM Adele came into the diaconate through her work in providingaffordable housing in the Birmingham area.

My work as a deacon comes out of my under-standing of what it means to be a Christian. I canexplain this with great economy and simplicity. Jesusdid so: Love the Lord your God with all your heart,soul, and mind and your neighbor as yourself.

The diaconate concentrates on the second part ofthe great commandment: Love your neighbor as your-self. My job is to find out the needs of the world andtake those needs to the Church. My job as a deacon isnot about “doing” as much as it is about empoweringothers to do.The “world” in my case is the neighbor-hood of the parish in which I serve. Grace Church inWoodlawn (Birmingham) is in a poor inner-cityneighborhood. I talk to people in the neighborhoodand go to neighborhood meetings to find out themost pressing needs.Then I tell the parishioners aboutthese needs, and they respond. For example, many ofthe people in our neighborhood have trouble payingutility bills—they are working poor, but they still needa hand.

Grace has a food pantry, which is run extremelywell by an active committee.They provide groceriesfor 75 to 80 families.Years ago Grace started a thriftshop, 55th Place, which many of the parishioners keepopen. I am also involved with Grace-by-Day, a placewhere people on the street can come in and receivehospitality when it is too cold or too hot outside.Soon we hope to begin teaching English as a secondlanguage—two of our bilingual parishioners will beable to be teachers

THE REV. DEACON LYNN BULLARDLynn works as a financial analyst ata major bank.

I was ordained as a deaconin 2004, and I serve at St.Stephen’s in Huntsville. My

great love is serving the homeless. I do this both as achaplain and an advocate.

I am affiliated with First Stop, a case-managementdaycare center for the homeless. One of the things Ienjoy most is taking part in worship and memorialservices there. I also work with outreach teams to takefood supplies, blankets, coats, and insect repellent to

the campsites where homeless people gather. It maysurprise you to find out how many people live in out-door campsites, even in a major city like Huntsville.They are in the middle of the city, yet out of plainview. Since homeless people are invisible to the rest ofsociety, it is important to bring their needs to theChurch. I have found that people who live on thestreets are a lot like you and me.They are made up ofall ages, races, educational levels, and work experi-ence—from unskilled laborers to physicians.We tendto think of “the homeless” as one faceless group—buteach of them is a child of God, just like you and justlike me.

THE REV. DEACON DR. ROLAND FICKEN Roland, who spent much of his career in education andadministration, is retired from the faculty of the University ofAlabama.

Let me share with you a brief resume of theopportunities I have been blessed with as a deacon inthe Diocese of Alabama and the broader Church. I am

assigned to Canterbury Chapel on the campus of theUniversity of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

Several years ago Bishop Parsley asked me to assistin the Diocese of Alabama’s response to disaster relief.That responsibility included coordinating withProvince IV Disaster Relief volunteers.As everyoneknows, years 2004 and 2005 have required much ofour time and energy. Hurricanes and tornadoes havetaken a significant toll, but our people have beenfaithful and forthcoming.We continue to help in therecovery effort, and much more will be required of allof us. I also serve needs closer to home where I spear-head the efforts of our loyal parish volunteers to servemore than 170 meals one Sunday each monththrough Meals on Wheels.

My role in the liturgy of the parish includes par-ticipating in at least two services every Sunday as wellas all of the expanded liturgies of Christmas andEaster. In addition to these opportunities to serve wehave set aside a time to help our brothers and sisterswho have special needs with the necessities of dailyliving. Help with utility bills is provided from theDeacon’s Discretionary Fund, and help with foodcomes from the Deacon’s Pantry.This office is openone day a week to those in need.A most generouscongregation makes this possible.

Bishop Parsley has given me the opportunity toserve on the Commission on Ministry, and I am hon-ored to participate in this responsibility to our dioceseand the broader Church—it’s a most important min-istry. Serving on the Commission has also led to theopportunity to cochair the Committee on theDiaconate with Nancy Terrell and several other col-leagues to help structure the formation process for thenext class of deacons for our diocese.

Currently, there are 26 deacons who serve activelyin the diocese and 3 retired deacons. In the next fewissues of The Apostle you will hear other deaconsdescribe diaconal ministry in their own words. If youwould like to know more about diaconal ministryplease contact Archdeacon Lou Thibodaux at lthibodaux@dioala.org or 205/969-2323.

The ApostleAround Our Diocese4

Deacons in our MidstBy the Venerable Louise Thibodaux,Archdeacon

I am often asked by people in my parish what a deacon does.There is no singleanswer to this question.A deacon is an ordained person whose role in the Church isintended as a sign and symbol of God’s reconciling love for the world. Sometimesthe word “permanent” deacon is used to describe this order of ministry.What thismeans is that each deacon discerns a specific call to serve the wider Church bybringing the needs of those who are poor, forgotten, or underserved to our atten-tion.Although deacons serve at the altar with the priest on Sundays, most of theirwork takes place as they serve with the laity on college campuses, in prisons, in nurs-ing homes, in soup kitchens, with multicultural ministries, and in countless otherplaces where they can “show Christ’s people that in serving the helpless they areserving Christ himself” (The Book of Common Prayer, page 543).

Rarely are deacons are paid for their work in ministry, which leaves them freeto serve openly and take risks on issues that might be controversial or unpopular.The compensation they receive is knowing that they are living deeply into our

shared baptismal covenant, responding to the promises to which all clergy andlaypeople are called.

The Community of Deacons in our diocese was reactivated shortly afterBishop Parsley became our bishop.After several years of careful planning, theDeacon School for Ministry began in 2000, and through this school deacons com-plete a course of education lasting two years.Their formation combines work inthe classroom and the community.Twelve men and women completed formationand were ordained to the diaconate in 2002, one in 2003, and 14 in 2004. Since2005 the Deacon School has been taking a sabbatical, but in 2008 a new class ofdeacons will be invited to begin the two-year program of study. More informationabout the reactivation of the Deacon School will be forwarded to parishes over thenext few months.

Perhaps the best way to catch a sense of what deacons do is to let them speak forthemselves.

May 2007 Around Our Diocese 5

Anne Kimzey, cochair of our Companion DioceseCommission, and the Rev. Deacon Dave Drachlishave just returned from the biannual HaitiConnection meeting in Miami, where they met withFather Fritz Valdema, Bishop Zaché Duracin, and theRev. Fernande Pierre-Louis, director of Holy TrinitySchool in Port-au-Prince. Plans are being made fortwo mission trips to Haiti this fall—a medical and aconstruction mission trip.The commission has devel-oped a way that everyone in our diocese—individuals,

groups, and parishes—can help ourHaitian sisters and brothers:“The HaitiConnection Catalogue.”The cataloguelists specific items and projects rangingfrom cinderblocks (50 cents each) andclassroom chairs ($5 each) to supporting aseminarian ($100 per month), providing anursing scholarship ($1,300 per year), andfurnishing a simple apartment for volun-teers who come to help the Sisters of St.Margaret minister to elderly, indigentwomen and men in Port-au-Prince($2,500).

To receive a copy of the “updated”Haiti Connection Catalogue, please contact the Rev. David Hall, rector ofResurrection in Rainbow City and cochairof our Companion Diocese Commission,at 256/442-6862 or revdhall@gmail.com.

If you would like to contribute to our ongoing work inHaiti, please send a check made out to the “Diocese ofAlabama” with a notation “Haiti Project” and send itto the Rev.William King at Carpenter House, 521North 20th Street, Birmingham,AL 35203-2682. Formore information or to arrange to have a member ofour diocesan Companion Diocese Commission make apresentation about our partnership with our sisters andbrothers in Haiti, please contact David Hall or e-mailAnne Kimzey at anne.kimzey@arts.alabama.gov.

Fritz Valdema,Anne Kimzey, Fernande Pierre-Louis, and Dave Drachlis

Elsewhere on our Haiti Partnership Front

You can be a vital part of theSawyerville Work Project, June 24-30in Greensboro—without ever leavinghome—by offering your prayers andcontributions of much-needed suppliesand financial resources to support thisdiocesan-wide outreach mission. In1993 our diocesan Youth Departmentmade a commitment to provide aweeklong summer camp for the chil-dren in Sawyerville,Alabama, and now,14 years later, our commitment is justas strong. Members of our YouthDepartment and members of ourdiocesan Black Belt Ministries createdthe “Camp” to meet the needs of thetwo groups—the Youth Departmentwanted to be part of a hands-on out-reach experience, and the Black BeltMinistries wanted to find a way to

keep alive a summer program for the children of Hale County.The groups met, and theSawyerville Work Project Day Camp was born.

To understand the Sawyerville Work Project, it is important to understand HaleCounty. Located east of Tuscaloosa, Hale County is one of the most consistently rated“Third World” counties in America. Racism and poverty are common in this communi-ty.There are few educational, medical, or social resources in place to lift the people from

the stagnate environment, and children born into this culture often stay in this culture.This weeklong “Camp,” as it is affectionately called, helps open the eyes of the childrenand their families to the possibilities and hope of a better life.

The theme for this year’s Camp, which will be held at Greensboro Elementary Westand Greensboro High School, is “Peace.”Together the campers and counselors willexplore the many ways God’s peace can be found in their daily lives through movementactivities, arts and crafts, role-playing, and just good, old-fashioned fun. On Wednesday, thegroup Got Rhythm will provide a drum workshop, and on Friday the campers will travelto Alabama Adventures for a day filled with laughter and excitement. Camp will end onSaturday with a carnival, picnic lunch for the children and their families, and a closingworship service.

People in all 93 parishes of our diocese generously support the Camp with their prayersas well as financial and material contributions. For information on how you can play avital role in this wonderful mission opportunity, please visit sawyervilleworkproject.org orcontact one of the coordinators listed below or Sarah Sartain at Carpenter House,ssartain@dioala.org or 205/715-2060 ext. 314.

Emily Rodgers, Project Coordinator, emily34@knology.netLauren Banks, Staff Coordinator, jlaurenbanks@gmail.comLeslie Bridgers, Upper Camp Co-Coordinator, lbridgers@christcathedral.orgThe Rev. Bill Blackerby, Upper Camp Co-Coordinator, wmblackerby@mindspring.comBrad Landry, Lower Camp Co-Coordinator, brad@stmarysoth.orgEmily Colvin, Meals for Staff Coordinator, colvin.emily@gmail.comPam Phillips, Supply Drive Co-Coordinator, pbphillips@bellsouth.netLinda Kennedy, Supply Drive Co-Coordinator, linda.kennedy@bellsouth.netAndrew Nelson, Saturday Coordinator, andrewlnelson@gmail.com

Last year’s Sawyerville campers made the squares for the“cross” quilt, and Betty Blanton, a master quilter andmember of St. Paul’s in Selma, pieced them together.

As part of our Companion Diocese commitment to the Diocese ofHaiti, our diocese provided $10,000 from our MillenniumDevelopment Goals funds to dig a well in Thomazeau.

Be a Part of This Year’s Sawyerville Work Project By Emily Rodgers, Project Coordinator

Head Counselor—Austin KendrickActivities Director—Allison KendrickArts and Crafts Director—Laura Dixon Waterfront Director—Jennifer HansonRopes Course Director—Stephen SkipperMusic Director—Worth StuartEmily Venglarik—LifeguardsRyan Woodford—LifeguardsMolly Dwyer—Cabin CounselorClaire DeBow—Cabin CounselorEmily Thornton—Cabin CounselorKathryn Kendrick—Cabin Counselor

Lyndsey Mullen—Cabin CounselorGrace Mullen—Cabin CounselorKathleen Hanson—Cabin CounselorJoel Blackstock—Cabin CounselorLee Sneller—Cabin CounselorGraham Mullen—Cabin CounselorMichael Donovan—Work CrewAndrew Cotton—Work CrewAlex Cornett—Work Crew Nick Recio—Work CrewChris Cook—Office Assistant and Fun Director

6 ECW/Camp McDowell/For and About Youth The Apostle

The new diocesan-wide St. Clare’s Needle ArtsGuild held its organizational meeting at St. Stephen’sin Birmingham on March 24.Whether you want tostart/join a group or work alone; whether you are anexperienced “needler” or want to learn; whether youwant to stitch shawls, kneelers, baby caps, or caps forthe homeless, you’ll find helpful information atwww.alabamaecw.org to get started on one of thetimeless rituals of servanthood and community.Youcan also contact guild organizer Sherrie LaDuke at

205/254-1216 (work), 205/970-0573 (home), orsladuke@maynardcooper.com.

Please send information for the 2008 ECWDiocesan Calendar/Handbook to Dee Buzby, 252Welton Drive, Madison,AL 35757 by July 31.Also,each ECW in our diocese receives two calendar/handbooks free, but if your ECW would like to orderextras at $3 each, please send your request to Dee byJuly 31.The theme of the 2008 calendar/handbookwill be “Blessed is she who believes.”

From the ECW PresidentAlleen Cater, alleenc@bellsouth.net

The ECW has given a cross to our diocese inmemory of the late Rt. Rev. Furman C.“Bill”Stough, Eighth Bishop of Alabama.The cross,which now hangs in the center window of thechapel at Carpenter House, was designed andexecuted by artist Cordray Parker.

“The bronze cross and Argentium SterlingSilver Corpus blend two things stylistically,”Cordray notes.“The design of the cross on theoutside of the window repeats natural materials toblend with features of the garden: canes and awreath recalling green spiny vines.The Corpuson the side facing the inside of the chapel is acontemporary figure taken from a drawing for asculpture for a church in Brooklyn.The ‘S’ posi-tioning adds a Gothic element.The hands arecurved down in a welcoming position, sacrificiallyreaching out to us.The silver contemporarypieces give solidity against the glass, but notdetail.” One ECW board member notes that forher it is an image of “The Lord of the Dance.”

In a sermon Bishop Stough preached duringour 165th Annual Diocesan Convention inTuscaloosa on February 10, 1996, he proclaimed,“I am a Christian only because of Jesus Christ—for no other conscious reason. I find Him unfor-gettable. I cannot get Him out of my system. . . . Ido not find it easy to think of God at all exceptin terms of Jesus Christ. . . . Just as the Himalayasare dominated by Everest, so the Scriptures aredominated by Jesus. He is the summit, the focalpoint of attention, the one because of whom Iread the rest. Seeing Him there, as He is, the onlyresponse I can make is one of love and personalcommitment. . . . For in Jesus I find certain reali-ties that may be roughly summed up as: meaning,deliverance from anxiety, the reliability of God,encounter, and final hope.”

Upcoming Events and Deadlines June 2 Spring meeting of the East Alabama ECW Convocation at St. James’ in Alex City

June 4-6 Province IV ECW Conference at Kanuga

July 31 Deadline to send information to be included in the 2008 ECW Calendar/Handbook

October 11-12 118th Annual ECW Fall Conference in Auburn

Please update your convocation coordinator and the ECW board when ECW leaders change at your parish.You can complete an online form at www.alabamaecw.org/2007ParishECWInfoSheet.pdf. For details andadditional events please see the ECW Calendar/Handbook and visit www.alabamaecw.org.

Episcopal Church WomenCompiled by Sally Sinclair, Communications Chairman

We have an amazing summer staff and an energetic and enthusiastic group of counselors ready to giveevery camper an amazing experience at Wonderful,Wonderful Summer Camp McDowell. Please keep theseenergetic and enthusiastic clergy and lay leaders in your prayers as they minister to the children and youngpeople of our diocese.

Camp McDowell AnnouncesSummer StaffBy Michael Goldsmith, Director of Program and Development and Summer Camp Coordinator

Make plans now to come to the 2nd AnnualFather/Son Retreat at Camp McDowell onSeptember 29-30. The Rev. Richard Lawson,rector of St. John’s in Decatur, will lead this year’s

weekend event.Applications will be available soonat your parish office, or you can download one atwww.campmcdowell.com.

Save This Date!

McDowell Environmental Center at Camp McDowell is offering two freeteacher workshops this summer made possible by grants from Legacy Inc. Partnersin Environmental Education,World Wildlife Fund, and Alabama Sierra Club. Bothfree workshops will take place in God’s Backyard at Camp McDowellEnvironmental Center.

Lost Worlds in Alabama Rocks: An Up-close Look at theGeology of Alabama and How To Make it Real in yourClassroom, June 3-6

Alabama’s own Dr. Jim Lacefield, author of Lost World’s in the Alabama Rocks,will teach this workshop, which is geared for middle-school teachers since theAlabama Course of Study emphasizes Earth Science in the 6th grade.The work-shop will involve some hikes of more than a mile to study the ancient sandstonerock layers exposed in McDowell’s canyons.Take-home materials will include acopy of Dr. Lacefield’s book, and teachers will receive CEUs for their attendance.To apply for this workshop please contact Marijean Hadley at marijean@lega-cyenved.org.

Living Streams: Creating a Real Appreciation for the Water onwhich We Depend, July 11-13

This workshop is for teachers interested in bringing water knowledge andinformation to their classrooms as well as taking their students out to explore theirlocal watershed.The primary instructor will be Auburn University’s Dr. BillDeutsch, who founded Alabama Water Watch (AWW), a statewide organization ofvolunteers who monitor rivers and lakes. Randy Haddock from Cahaba RiverSociety will also lead workshop sessions.Teachers will take home a Macro Maniagame and other goodies for their classroom. Participants will receive CEUs fortheir attendance. To apply for this workshop please contact Maggie Wade Johnstonat maggie@campmcdowell.com or 205/387-1806.

7May 2007 Camp McDowell

Free Summer Workshops for Teachers in Earth SciencesBy Maggie Wade Johnston, Director

Venture Out! offers adventure trips forfolks of all ages, and spaces are still availablefor some of this summer’s expeditions. Don’tmiss out on all of the fun! Contact me nowat outreach@campmcdowell.com or205/387-1806 for more information.

Expedition One: Cahaba River CanoeMay 28-June 1For rising 6th-8th graders

Expedition Two: Cave, Climb, CanyonJune 3-7 For rising 7th-9th graders

Expedition Three: Family in the ForestJune 22-24For rising 3rd-5th graders plus one parent

Expedition Four:Week of RiversJuly 7-13For rising 9th-12th graders

Expedition Five: Pack and RaftJuly 25-31For rising 8th-10th graders

Venture Out! 2007Joey Jarrell, Director

La violencia esta presente en medio de nosotros, la violencia esta en cada uno denosotros, la violencia, incluso, esta en cada rincon de la vida humana en todas susexpresiones. La violencia ha salpicado todos los ambitos de la vida humana: familiar,conyugal, social, educacional, economica, etc. Podemos afirmar que la violenciacomienza en casa. Los hijos reciben de sus padres, como esponjas, todo lo positivo ynegativo que constituye sus vidas. Un hogar violento genera hijos violentos.Y jovenesviolentos son los adultos violentos del futuro. De modo que se trata de una cadenainterminable de violencia y de dolor.

Unos pocos dias atras asistiamos a un acto mas de violencia: un joven accionabaun arma para quitar la vida de 32 jovenes. Las investigaciones han afirmado que esteha sido un joven con un todo pasado tragico.Y que durante todo su desarrollohumano habia mostrado caracteristicas violentas.Asi como este joven, millones de per-sonas en el mundo son violentos, agresivos y disponibles a enfrentarse a otros conarmas o sin ellas. Los asesinatos que se cometen a diario en el mundo, son el resultadode mentes violentas que han recibido desde la niñez una fuerte dosis de agresividad yde odio hacia los demas. Incluso, las palabras del apostol Pablo en su carta a los Efesios,capitulo 5, versiculos 21 y siguintes, mal leidas y mal interpretadas, pueden ser unaverdadera causa de violencia domestica, un foco de agresividad del hombre hacia lamujer; de abuso intrafamiliar, de sometimiento, y no, como la lectura biblica lodemanda, signo de redencion y liberacion.

El texto dice: v. 21 “Sed sumisos los unos a los otros en el temor deCristo”; v. 22: “Las mujeres a sus maridos como al Señor”; v. 23: “porque elmarido es cabeza de la mujer, como el Señor es cabeza de la Iglesia, el sal-vador del Cuerpo”; v. 24: “Asi como la Iglesia esta sumisa a Cristo, asi tam-bien las mujeres deben estarlo a sus maridos en todo.”

Yo les invito a que revisemos varias cosas que componen nuestras vidas.Primero, nuestras vidas para descubrir alli toda clase de violencia que permanezca

en nosotros, con el proposito de buscar ayuda y asi erradicarla definitivamente.Segundo, nuestras vidas matrimoniales, nuestras vidas de pareja, para que des-

cubriendo toda clase de dominacion, de abuso, de sometimiento, toda sed de violen-cia, buscando, tambien la ayuda necesaria, erradiquemos toda clase de violencia, paraser pacificos, generosos, mansos de corazon.

Tercero, la relacion, educacion y acitvidades familiares que usamos, vivimos eimplementamos con nuestros hijos, para lograr encontrar con valor y honestidad, todaclase de elemento violento que pueda llevar a nuestros hijos, a ser los adultos violentosdel futuro, y asi, descubriendo lo que es violento, podamos con ayuda, emplear losmetodos y tecnicas que hagan de nuestros hijos personas de bien, respetuosos del otroy de Dios.

Cuarto, nuestro sistema escolar a todo nivel, para que descubramos todo aquelloque pueda lleva a nuestros hijos a ser violentos, de tal manera que la educacion seaformativa, no desinformativa y destrutiva de los valores humanos.

Finalmente, nuestro sistema social, leyes, sistema carcelario, fuentes de trabajo, sis-tema judicial, cuerpos de autoridad (policia, ejercito, etc), medios de entretenimiento,medios de comunicacion, y todo aquello que compone nuestra vida social y la inter-accion humana, para que seamos capaces, junto con nuestro governantes y lideres, dedescubrir todo aquello que contenga violencia y podamos erradicarla para siempre, detal manera que todos crezcamos y nos deserrollemos en paz y en justicia para unmundo mejor.

Violence is present and among us, violence is even in all of us, violence is in everycorner of this world such as family, social, economical, educational, matrimonial, etc.,of our human lives.We can affirm that violence starts at home. In our family lives,young children receive, like sponges, patterns that are both positive and negative.Afamily environment with violence produces violent children, and violent young peo-ple will become the violent adults of the future.This is an endless circle of violenceand pain.

Just a few days ago we were alerted to a dramatic act of violence, a young studentused a gun to kill 32 of his classmates.The investigations have concluded that he hadbeen a person with mental disorders and a violent past. Was his childhood spottedby violence? Like this young fellow, millions of people in this world are violent andaggressive, ready to confront the each other.The crimes and assassinations committeddaily in this, our world, are the result of people with mental problems, spotted withviolence since their childhood, and with a strong dose of aggressiveness and hateagainst others.

Even the words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians, Chapter 5, verses21 to 24, read and interpreted, with malicious intentions, this could be read as a caseof domestic violence with a focus of aggressiveness from a husband to his wife, and afocus of abuse in all its forms, and a focus of all kinds of domination. On the contrary,the reading means redemption and freedom.The biblical text says: v.21: “Submityourselves to one another because of your reverence for Christ”; v. 22:“Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands as to the Lord”; v. 23: “For ahusband has authority over his wife just as Christ has authority over thechurch; and Christ is himself the Savior of the church, his body”; v. 24:“And so wives must submit themselves completely to their husbands justas the church submits itself to Christ.”

I am glad to invite you to look in all things and elements that constitute and makeup our lives.

First, in our personal lives, try to discover in us all kinds of violence with the pur-pose to remove it from us forever. If it is happening, search for professional help.

Second, search in our matrimonial lives and try to verify how much violencethere is in it and find the appropriate support in order to take it out and begin apeaceful and gentle life together.

Third, check and review the relationship, educational methods, and family activi-ties that we are implementing to educate our children at home and with honor andcourage, be able to discover and destroy any kinds of violence to avoid a violentfuture for our family. In this way search for the help and support to give to our chil-dren all the elements to become respectful people of God and each other.

Fourth, at all levels in our school systems, discover all kinds of violence in order toestablish an educational system that is able to influence, form, and educate our chil-dren and young people for the future.And finally, in our social systems, laws, prisons,judicial systems, authorities, like police departments, military, etc., mass media, enter-tainment, and everything else that makes up our lives, to be able, along with our lead-ers, to discover all kinds of violence and to destroy it and to build this our world on abasis of peace and justice.

Let us work together for a better future.

Servicios en Español/Services in SpanishIglesia Episcopal de la Gracia Sábados 6 p.m.901 Kingman Road Saturday 6 p.m.Birmingham,AL 35235205/838-2565

Iglesia Episcopal de Todos los Santos/All Saints’ Domingo 9 a.m.

3rd Avenue NE/PO Box 401 Sunday 9 a.m.Aliceville,AL 35442205/372-4071

Iglesia de la Ascensión/Ascension Ultimo Domingo de Mes315 Clanton Avenue 2 p.m.Montgomery,AL 36104 Last Sunday of the month334/263-5529 2 p.m.

Iglesia Episcopal de la Gracia/Grace Church Domingo 10:30 a.m.5712 First Avenue North (Bilingüe)Birmingham,AL 35212 Sunday 10:30 a.m.(Mrs. Magaly) 205/937-2441 (Bilingual)

English classes are offered at La Ascensión/Ascension in Montgomery every Sunday from 4 to 5:30 p.m. If you would like to serve as a tutor for one or more of the weekly classes, please contact Pam Long at 334/590-1441 or pam@xlanguage.net.

The Apostle8 Around Our Diocese

Domestic ViolenceBy the Rev. Dr. Hernan Afanador, Our Diocesan Missioner for Hispanic Ministries

The Rev. Margaret Rose, director of the Officeof Women’s Ministries of the Episcopal Church, spokeon “Letting God Surprise Us in Repentance:TheEffect of Our Lives beyond the Mountain” at the final

Lenten Wednesday night program at St. Joseph’s on-the-Mountain in Mentone. Margaret grew up in therural South during the early years of desegregation.Her memories of that experience ignited her passionto work on issues of social justice in the communityand through the Episcopal Church.While she was astudent at Wellesley College, she participated in anactivist chaplaincy program and worked as a legal ser-vices volunteer, which connected the nurturing faithof her childhood in the Episcopal Church and hercommitment to work for a just world. She attendedHarvard Divinity School in the 1970s, was ordainedin the Diocese of Massachusetts, and served parishesthere until 1992. Before joining the staff of theEpiscopal Church Center, Margaret served as the rec-tor of St. Dunstan’s parish in Atlanta and worked withthe Ford Foundation on a project to identify innova-tive women leaders in Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.

The Rev. David Peeples, rector of Grace Church in Mt.Meigs, and the members of the parish honored organist andchoirmaster Sandra Allen with an evening of celebration forher 30 years of faithful service. David officiated at theCelebration of Ministry Service, and Sandra selected specialmusic, which was performed by the parish choir accompa-nied by Barbara Bloomers on the violin, Dennis Herrick onthe trumpet, Clay McKinney on the cello, and RobertScott on the flute. In addition to the personal gifts Sandrareceived, a tree was planted on the church grounds in hername in thanksgiving for her past 30 years of dedicated ser-vice and in hope of another 30 years.

Around Our Diocese 9May 2007

Nestled amongpines and hard-woods on 40 acresoutside Pell Citynear Logan MartinLake, the PondHouse RetreatCenter offers anideal environment

for both individual and small group reflection.Meandering hiking trails and a fishing pond enhancethe relaxing atmosphere, and the facility includes achapel, kitchen, dining areas, decks, and meeting areassuitable for overnight as well as multiday stays for indi-viduals and small groups. Hugh and Violet Cort gavethe property to St. Peter’s in Talladega in October1999, and the parish administrates the facility for thebenefit of our diocese.“Our prayer is that all whocome to this place will be blessed with the gift ofGod’s love and restoration so that each may in turnmanifest God’s love to all whose lives they touch,”notes the Rev. Neil-St. Barnabas Lawson, rector of St.Peter’s. For more information or to reserve the PondHouse Retreat Center please contact the parish atstpeters@bellsouth.net or 256/362-2505.

The Rev. Margaret Rose Speaks at St. Joseph’s

David Peeples with Sandra Allen

Gethryn Giles, Margaret Rose, and Darla Tatum

In the summer of 2006 the J2A (Journey toAdulthood) group of St. John’s in Decatur went on ourfirst pilgrimage to Italy, the culmination of our two yearsof work, prayer, study, and fellowship.A pilgrimage, a tra-ditional practice of the Christian faith and other reli-gions, is a journey to a place associated with the holinessof God. For example, our diocese hosts a pilgrimageeach summer to Hayneville,Alabama, where Episcopalseminarian Jonathan Daniels gave his life to protect a young woman during the Civil Rights movement.

We chose to make a pilgrimage to Italy, a place associated with the development of the faith and the Church. Iwas one of the three adults who led our 10 high-school pilgrims on a fun-filled spiritual journey to a country with atremendous history and glorious churches—and delicious food! Our group participated in Morning Prayer as well asCompline each day, and we also offered special prayers in each holy place we visited. One of the themes that severalof our pilgrims discussed was that it sometimes takes going away to a holy place to realize that holiness exists in yourown backyard.

In the J2A program, these young people took on a new standing in the community as Young Adults in theChurch (YAC) after they returned home from their pilgrimage.As YAC at St. John’s, they will spend one or two moreyears together taking on leadership roles within the parish, participating in mission work, and preparing for confirma-tion before they graduate from high school. If you would like to know more about our J2A program please contact me atLawson@pclnet.net.

St. John’s J2A GroupMakes a PilgrimageBy Katherine Lawson, One of the J2A Leaders

Grace in Mt. Meigs Honors Sandra Allen

Katherine Lawson, Lily Puckett, Sarah Miller, Ellie Cole, Katie MacTweedy, Dare Smith, Jake Gray,Tom Gray, Mason Dunn,WilliamSartain, Lauren Browder, and Elisa Faison

St. Peter’s Offers thePond House for Retreats

Holy Cross EpiscopalSchool’s 2nd Annual LowCountry Boil & SilentAuction paid tribute to Mrs.William (Harold) Nicrosi andthe Rev. Robert Wisnewski.Harold along with her latehusband, Bill, and theirdaughters Ginger Nicrosi,Michel Nicrosi, and Dr.Katharine Schull donated theland where Holy Cross now

stands, while the Rev. Robert Wisnewski pulledtogether the generous people who made the buildingpossible.Without the love and dedication of these twoindividuals Holy Cross Episcopal School would still bea dream that someday someone could pursue. Insteadit is alive with the voices of many children and filledwith the love of many in this community as evidenceby the tribute gave “Granny,” as she is affectionatelyknown, and Robert. In addition to honoring thesetwo special people, the event raised more than $68,000for providing the students opportunities to learnthrough daily school lessons as well as fields trips andkeeping up with the technology required for our stu-dents to continue to have the firm foundation theyneed to be the best they can be.

Holy Cross Pays Tributeto Harold Nicrosi andRobert WisnewskiBy Gail Alsobrook, Holy Cross Episcopal School

PROVINCE IV AIDS RETREAT June 8-10 at Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, NorthCarolina

The Rev. Dr. Malcolm Marler, chaplain of the UAB 1917Clinic, will lead this year’s retreat for persons living withHIV/AIDS and caregivers. Limited scholarships are available. Formore information and a registration form, please contact AlanWoellhart, a member of our diocesan AIDS Task Force, at205/648-0452,or your rector or parish office.

PILGRIMAGE TO COMPOSTELAJune 16-29

The Nativity Center for Pilgrimage & Reconciliation, anoutreach ministry of the Nativity in Huntsville, is inviting a smallgroup of pilgrims to walk a short part (80 miles) of the Caminoto Compostela, Spain.The pilgrimage will include backpacking10-15 miles a day while praying for reconciliation amongChristians, Jews, and Muslims.The pilgrims will stay in hostels,giving them the opportunity to meet others from around theworld. For more information please contact Zara Renander, direc-tor of the Nativity Center, at zara.renander@nativity-hsv.org or256/533-2455 or visit www.nativity-hsv.org.

“ONE DESTINATION—MANY PATHWAYS,” ECUMENICALMUSIC MINISTRY CONFERENCE June 28-30 at John Carroll Catholic High School in Birmingham

The nonprofit Foundation for Liturgical Music (FLM) issponsoring its 11th annual music conference (MMS XI) at JohnCarroll Catholic High School in Birmingham on June 28-30.The theme for this year’s event is “One Destination—ManyPathways.” For the past 10 years, FLM has brought topnotchliturgical musicians to the Birmingham area to serve as facultyfor their Music Ministry Series Conferences, which are designedto help improve the quality of music for liturgy by bringingtogether music educators, church musicians, and others involvedin liturgical planning.This year’s outstanding faculty includesrenowned liturgical artists Tony Alonso, John Angotti, JaimeCortez, Gary Daigle, Bobby Fisher, Deanna Light, StevePetrunak, Paul Tate, Janet Vogt, and Bishop Ron Herzog (Bishopof the Roman Catholic Diocese of Alexandria, Louisiana). Inaddition to new sessions that provide a greater variety of choices,a bilingual track has been added especially for participants whoare or want to become more involved in bilingual and multicul-tural ministries. Everyone is cordially invited to a free concert featuringall of the artists at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 29, at John Carroll Catholic

High School. For moreinformation and to register,please contact NancyBrown at Nbrown43@bellsouth.net or 205/995-0527 or visit www.founda-tionforliturgicalmusic.org.

57TH ANNUAL SEWANEECHURCH MUSICCONFERENCE July 9-15 at DuBoseConference Center inMonteagle,Tennessee

Sewanee ChurchMusic Conference, thelargest and oldestEpiscopal Church musicconference in the UnitedStates, will hold its 57thgathering this year. Itoffers continuing educa-tion in liturgy and musicwith a faculty thatincludes some of the finestclergy and church musi-cians in both the United

States and Europe.The curriculum is specifically designed formusicians working in smaller parishes.

Keith Shafer, director of music and organist of St. Paul’s inAugusta, Georgia, will direct this year’s conference. Other leadersinclude Dr. Gerre Hancock, a professor at the School of Musicat the University of Texas, and his wife Judith, who serves assenior lecturer in Music at the university; the Rev. Dr. DennisMaynard, a priest and author from Rancho Mirage in California;Dr. Robert Delcamp, a professor of Music at the University ofthe South; Donald E. Dupee Jr. of St.Thaddeus’ EpiscopalChurch in Aiken, South Carolina; Larry Marchese, educationmanager of Sibelius Software; Susan Rupert of the School ofTheology at the University of the South; Mark Schwelzer of St.James Music Press; and Cecilia Tolar-Bane of St. John’s EpiscopalChurch in Columbia, South Carolina.The curriculum offersclasses in choir training, chanting (both Anglican and Plainchart),hymn playing, organ improvisation, anthem accompaniment,music publishing software, and sessions for music leaders andmusicians who are new to the Episcopal Church. For moreinformation and to register please contact Janet Perkins atjanet@wingnwing.com or 770/498-1678 or Keith Shafer atkshafer@saintpauls.org.

ANNUAL JONATHAN DANIELS AND THE MARTYRS OFALABAMA PILGRIMAGE August 11 in Hayneville

The pilgrimage will begin at 11 a.m. in the CourthouseSquare in Hayneville. More information will be available in May.

CREATIVE MODELS OF SACRAMENTAL LEADERSHIP IN THESMALL CHURCH CONFERENCE October 7-10 at Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, NorthCarolina

This conference will focus on different models of sacramentalleadership in churches with an average Sunday attendance of 70people or less.The presenters will include the Most Rev.Katharine Jefferts Schori (Presiding Bishop and Primate of theEpiscopal Church), the Most Rev. David Moxon (Co-Bishop ofthe Anglican Diocese of the Waikato,Archbishop of the AnglicanDioceses of New Zealand, and Co-Primate of the AnglicanChurch of Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia), the RightRev. James A. Kelsey (Bishop of the Diocese of NorthernMichigan), the Right Rev. Frank Neff Powell (Bishop of theDiocese of Southwestern Virginia), the Rev. Stephen M. Kelsey

(Missioner/Superintendent of the Greater Hartford RegionalMinistry), and the Rev. Mary Jane Oakland (of the Diocese ofIowa). For more information please contact the Rev. SuzanneWatson at swatson@episcopalchurch.org, 800/334-7626 ext.6185, or 212/716-6185.

“THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU ODD” November 9-11 at St. Mary’s Sewanee—A Centerfor Spiritual Development

Bishop Parsley will lead this retreat, whichwill focus on Flannery O’Connor’s stories andthe encounters with grace revealed in her writ-ings.“Their honesty about our human nature,their humor, and their startling rendering of the work of theHoly Spirit make them an evocative centerpiece for reflection,”he notes.Worship and Bible study will enrich the retreat time.For more information please contact St. Mary’s Sewanee at800/728-1659 or StMarysSewanee@bellsouth.net, or visitwww.StMarysSewanee.org.

DREAM WORKSHOPNovember 16-17 at St. Luke’s in Birmingham

Our diocesan Commission on Spiritualityinvites everyone to mark your calendar andsave this weekend to attend a Dream Workshopled by the Rev. Bob Haden, director of the Haden Institute.

10 Around Our Diocese The Apostle

Upcoming Retreats, Conferences, and Special Events

Sewanee’s D.Min. Program Runs June 20-July 11, 2007

The Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) Program of the University of the South (Sewanee),which begins its 33rd year this summer, will run from June 20 through July 11. It is one ofthe few D.Min. programs in the United States that operates only during the summermonths, which means that clergy can work toward completing their degree without majorinterruption in their parish responsibilities.The summer program also affords an opportunityfor students to study in an Episcopal seminary in a university setting.

Sewanee’s D.Min. program consists of 30 semester hours and stresses the relationshipbetween the practice of ministry and biblical, historical, and theological knowledge. Studentsare required to complete a major project, which is a study of some dimension of their ministry or the ministry of the Church.The program usually takes three or four summers tocomplete, and financial aid is available. Sewanee also offers a Master of Sacred Theology program that focuses on research skills.

Courses offered this summer in the Advanced Degrees program will be “MinistrySeminar” by Dr. Donald Armentrout,“The Rhetoric of Jesus and the Rhetoric ofPreaching” by Dr.William Brosend,“The Use of the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL)”by Dr. Reginald Fuller, and “Hymnody of the Christian Church” by Dr. MarionHatchett. For more information please visit http://theology.sewanee.edu or contact Don S.Armentrout,Advanced Degrees Program Director, School of Theology, 335 Tennessee Avenue,Sewanee,TN 37383-0001; 800/722-1974; advdeg@sewanee.edu.

Bishops’ Visitation ScheduleMay 20, Sunday8 and 10 a.m. Bishop Parsley, Nativity,

Huntsville10 a.m. Bishop Miller, Holy

Comforter, Montgomery

May 27, Sunday10:30 a.m. Bishop Miller, St.Alban’s,

Birmingham11 a.m. Bishop Parsley, St.

Andrew’s, Montevallo

June 3, Sunday10 a.m. Bishop Miller, Christ the

Redeemer, Montgomery10:30 a.m. Bishop Parsley, Good

Shepherd, Decatur

June 10, Sunday10 a.m. Bishop Parsley, St.

Barnabas’, Hartselle10:30 a.m. Bishop Miller, St.

Columba in the Cove,Huntsville

June 17, Sunday10:30 a.m. Bishop Miller, St. Joseph’s

on-the-Mountain, Mentone11 a.m. Bishop Parsley, St. Paul’s,

Lowndesboro

June 24, Sunday10:15 a.m. Bishop Parsley,Trinity,

Wetumpka11 a.m. Bishop Miller, St. James’,

Livingston

11May 2007 Around Our Diocese

Guitar Prayer CD by Bobby FisherThis CD offers arrangements offamiliar hymns and songs for sologuitar and C instrument.The collection includes “How Firm aFoundation,”“Lord of AllHopefulness,”“Holy, Holy, Holy,”

“On Jordan’s Bank,”“Sing of Mary,”“Holy Is Your Name,”“Greensleeves,”“I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say,”“AmazingGrace,” and other favorites.

Revised Common Lectionary Episcopal LecternEditionThis large, lectern-sized, hardcover ver-sion of the smaller desktop-sizedRevised Common Lectionary featuresa heavyweight, burgundy-red coverwith a gold embossed Latin cross and

fulfills the rubrical desire that the lessons be read from a book“of appropriate size and dignity” (The Book of CommonPrayer, page 406).The book includes all of the New RevisedStandard Version (NRSV) readings for Sundays in Years A, B,and C, as well as for Major Feast Days and Special Occasions.A scripture index makes it easy to find readings for specialservices.

For information about these and other books or to have astaff member research and special order a particular book,please contact the Episcopal Book Store, 2015 SixthAvenue North, Birmingham,AL 35203; 205/323-2959;e-mail: ebsinfo@episcobooks.com.You can also visit thebookstore online at www.episcobooks.com.The bookstoreis open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.and Sunday from 9:30 to 1 p.m.

What’s New/Noteworthy at the Episcopal Book Store

Heaven edited by Roger FerloEach of the authors included in this book wasasked to write a short personal essay on thesubject of heaven, and the collected writingsgather the hopes and reflections of theolo-gians, novelists, poets, pastors, artists, historians,

teachers, therapists, and spiritual guides.The authors includeMichael Battle, Cynthia Bourgeault, Malcolm Boyd, BarbaraCawthorne Crafton, Nora Gallagher,Alan Jones, Martin L.Smith, Barbara Brown Taylor, Phyllis Tickle, and many others.The poignant writings mix autobiography, storytelling, andtheological reflection and are so wide-ranging that all of uscan find ourselves in them—as well as a starting place fortelling our own stories about heaven.

Hope for Each Day: Words of Wisdom and Faith by BillyGrahamThis book is the latest edition of the DailyInspirations Series by Jack Countryman. InHope for Each Day, Billy Graham offers spir-itual comfort to guide us through our dailylives.The entry for each day presents a verse

from scripture followed by a reflection by Graham. Recom-mended as a graduation gift.

Somebody Is Going to Die if Lilly Beth Doesn’t Catch thatBouquet: The Official Southern Ladies’ Guide to Hostingthe Perfect Wedding by Gayden Metcalfe and CharlotteHaysEven if you’ve never attended a wedding inthe South (which of course all of you have),you’ll find laughter in the pages of this deli-

ciously entertaining slice of Southern life and love, completewith recipes, advice, and a huge dose of that famous charmby the authors of Being Dead Is No Excuse:The OfficialSouthern Ladies’ Guide to Hosting the Perfect Funeral. Metcalfeand Hays write,“In the Mississippi Delta, funerals bring outthe best in people, while weddings, which are supposed to behappy occasions, bring out the worst.” For anyone planning,participating in, or attending a wedding, this book willamuse, entertain, and provide advice for marital bliss.

Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs toKnow—And Doesn’t by Stephen ProtheroStephen Prothero thinks of his book as anexploration of the question “How is it that the United States is one of the mostreligious places on the earth but mostAmericans don’t know anything about their

own religions, much less about the religions of others?” Hetries to answer this question historically, looking back to ear-lier times when learning to read and learning about religionwent hand in hand. But he also offers practical solutions tothe problem of religious literacy today, including mandatoryBible and world religion courses in public high schools.Throughout his book he interprets religious illiteracy as acivic problem. How can citizens understand the war in Iraqwithout knowing something about Islam—debates aboutstem-cell research and capital punishment without knowingsomething about the Bible? We may or may not like the factthat religion is rampaging into the public square, but as amatter of fact it is, so it makes sense to know somethingabout it.

The Lord’s Prayer Beaded BraceletThe beads of this bracelet symbolize thewords Jesus gave us when He taught usall to pray the most perfect prayer, theLord’s Prayer.The beads will help you

remember the Lord’s Prayer and its divine message.

Cursillo Weekends #158 June 14-17, #159 September20-23, #160 October 18-21

Happening Weekends (10th-12th graders) #51 June 15-17, #52 November 3-4

Jonathan Daniels and the Martyrs of AlabamaPilgrimage August 11Province IV Youth Event (10th graders-college freshman)July 17-22

Young People Painting Birmingham (8th-9th graders)June 3-8

May 20-23 Gardens and Grace retreat at Kanuga. For moreinformation please visit www.kanuga.org, e-mail info@kanuga.org,or call 828/692-9136.

June 3 Evensong sung by the Nativity Choir at 5 p.m. atthe Nativity in Huntsville. For more information please contactOrganist/Choirmaster Suzanne Purtee at suzanne.purtee@nativi-ty-hsv.org, visit www.nativity-hsv.org, or call 256/533-2455.

June 4-6 Province IV Women’s Conference at Kanuga inHendersonville, North Carolina. For more information pleasecall 828/692-9136, e-mail info@kanuga.org, or visit www.kanuga.org.

June 10-15 Spirituality Conference with keynote speakerthe Very Rev. Sam Candler, dean of the Cathedral of St.Philip in Atlanta at Kanuga in Hendersonville, NorthCarolina. For more information please call 828/692-9136,e-mail info@kanuga.org, or visit www.kanuga.org.

June 10-15 Christian Formation Conference at Kanuga inHendersonville, North Carolina. For more information pleasecall 828/692-9136, e-mail info@kanuga.org, or visit www.kanuga.org.

June 24-29 “The Power of the Holy Spirit in an Age ofWeakness: Renewing the Church Today” with formerArchbishop of Canterbury George Carey giving thekeynote address and the Advent’s Five O’Clock Band pro-viding music at Kanuga in Hendersonville, North Carolina.For more information please call 828/692-9136, e-mailinfo@kanuga.org, or visit www.kanuga.org.

June 28-30 “One Destination—Many Pathways,” 11thannual Ecumenical Music Ministry Conference sponsoredby the Foundation for Liturgical Music at John CarrollCatholic High School in Birmingham. For more informationplease see the description on page 10, e-mail Nancy Brown atNbrown43@bellsouth.net, or write to FLM, PO Box 530324,Birmingham,AL 35253-0324.

July 9-15 57th Annual Sewanee Church MusicConference directed by Keith Shafer, director of music andorganist of St. Paul’s in Augusta, Georgia, at DuBoseConference Center in Monteagle,Tennessee. Please see thedescription on page 10; for more information and to register pleasecontact Janet Perkins at janet@wingnwing.com or 770/498-1678.

August 11 Jonathan Daniels and the Martyrs of AlabamaPilgrimage beginning at 11 a.m. in the Courthouse Squarein Hayneville. For more information please contact the Rev. BillKing at 205/715-2060 ext. 317 or bking@dioala.org.

August 19-24 “Holy Works for Holy Places” focusing onneedlework, choral singing, and weaving as liturgical arts atKanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, NorthCarolina. For more information please call 828/692-9136, e-mail info@kanuga.org, or visit www.kanuga.org.

September 14-16 “Moving from Loss to Gratitude—withHenri Nouwen As Guide” retreat with presenter SisterMary Mosteller at St. Mary’s Sewanee—A Center forSpiritual Development. For more information please call800/728-1659, e-mail StMarysSewanee@bellsouth.net, or visitwww.StMarysSewanee.org.

September 23-25 “Centering Prayer” retreat with presen-ters the Rev. Geoffrey Butcher and the Centering PrayerStaff at St. Mary’s Sewanee—A Center for SpiritualDevelopment. For more information please call 800/728-1659, e-mail StMarysSewanee@bellsouth.net, or visit www.StMarysSewanee.org.

October 7-10 “Creative Models of Sacramental Leadershipin the Small Church” conference presented by the MostRev. Katharine Jefferts Schori (Presiding Bishop andPrimate of the Episcopal Church), the Most Rev. DavidMoxon (Co-Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of theWaikato,Archbishop of the Anglican Dioceses of NewZealand, and Co-Primate of the Anglican Church ofAotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia), the Right Rev.James A. Kelsey (Bishop of the Diocese of NorthernMichigan), the Right Rev. Frank Neff Powell (Bishop ofthe Diocese of Southwestern Virginia), the Rev. Stephen M.Kelsey (Missioner/Superintendent of the Greater HartfordRegional Ministry), and the Rev. Mary Jane Oakland (ofthe Diocese of Iowa) at Kanuga Conference Center inHendersonville, North Carolina. For more information pleasecontact the Rev. Suzanne Watson at swatson@episcopalchurch.org,800/334-7626 ext. 6185, or 212/716-6185.

Mark Your Calendar

Sustainable Agriculture Caresfor CreationBy Charles Scribner IV andMichael Churchman

The benefits of sustainable agriculture are a trulyresponsible relationship with Creation, and healthyagricultural practices are good for people nutritionallyand environmentally because they prevent chemicalsfrom entering both our diet and our waterways.Utilizing the Internet and other resources, you canfind sound practices to institute in your yard and gar-den including decreasing the use of chemicals, planti-ng native species, and finding ways to conserve water.One of the best ways to add soil fertility and conservewater is composting leaves and grass clippings, whichdecompose naturally into free fertilizer. Organicfarming utilizes these sound practices and more, andtwo organic farms are particularly noteworthybecause of their proximities to our 2007 and 2008diocesan conventions.

Snow’s Bend Farm sits on Snows Bend of theBlack Warrior River just 10 miles outside Tuscaloosa,site of our 2007 convention.The farm’s CertifiedNaturally Grown produce is marketed solely inTuscaloosa and Birmingham through a CSA(Community Supported Agriculture) farmers’ mar-kets, a few restaurants, and small, locally owned gro-cery stores. For more information please visit www.snows-bendfarm.com or call 205/242-1054.

In downtown Birmingham, site of our 2008 con-vention, Jones Valley Urban Farm seeks to enhancethe environmental, economic, and social health of thearea by promoting locally grown organic food andcommunity activism. For more information please visitwww.jvuf.org or call 205/439-7213. Produce fromfarms utilizing sustainable agriculture can be found atmarkets throughout our diocese including PepperPlace Farmers’ Market, just a few streets away fromour diocesan offices in Carpenter House. For moreinformation about sustainable agriculture please visitwww.asanonline.org/index.html or call 256/751-3925.Also please visit www.stewardsforcreation.org.

St. Matthew’s “Tops Out”New ChurchBy Laura Mickels and the St. Matthew’s Vestry

On March 6, Bishop Parsley joined the clergy andmembers of St. Matthew’s in Madison as well asbuilders and local officials for a “topping out” serviceto celebrate reaching the highest peak of their newchurch building.American and Episcopal flags flewabove the new roof on this beautiful spring day, andthe reception following the service featured a beauti-ful cake decorated with a photograph of the render-ing of the completed church.This event marks a sig-nificant milestone in the construction project, whichis expected to be completed before the end of theyear.To view the construction progress please visit theparish’s Web site, www.stmatthewsmadison.org, andclick on the “New Building” link.

ERD UpdateEpiscopal Relief and Development (ERD) is

working with the Dioceses of Western Kansas andKansas to provide emergency assistance in the after-math of the recent deadly tornadoes and flooding inGreensburg and other communities. ERD will con-tinue to support the dioceses in the months to comethrough the newly created Long-Term RecoveryCommittee to provide information and help for dis-aster victims during the recovery process includingpsychological counseling and aid for communitiesthat do not quality for federal assistance. ERD is alsoproviding emergency assistance to the victims offlooding in the Northeast following the recent devas-tating nor’easter, as well as to the victims of floodingin Zambia.

In addition ERD is working with the Diocese ofSouthwestern Virginia to provide critical assistanceincluding counseling to the Virginia Tech communityafter the tragic shootings on the university campus.ERD is also supporting Christ Episcopal Church,which is serving as a pastoral care and counselingcenter, and the Canterbury House Episcopal campusministry.

12 Around Our Diocese The Apostle

MAILING ADDRESSES ANDDEADLINES

Postmaster, parishes, and individuals, pleasesend all address changes to Circulation SecretaryDenise Servant, Carpenter House, 521 North 20thStreet, Birmingham,AL 35203-2682; 205/715-2060ext. 300; E-mail dservant@dioala.org.

Please send all submissions to Editor NormaMcKittrick (205/979-2680). Please E-mail text toApostledit@aol.com; mail photographs and printedmaterials to 2156 Kent Way, Birmingham,AL 35226.

The submission deadline for the combinedJuly/August issue is July 15; the deadline for thecombined September/October issue is August 15.

Young People Painting BirminghamJune 3-8For entering 8th and 9th GradersRegistration Deadline: May 25For more information please contact Susan Oakes, susan@ssechurch.org.

When I was a teenager, my youth group used to go out of town on “work trips” to help repair people’shomes. It was always a great experience for me.Why would a week of work in the hot sun for no pay with mod-est accommodations (including public showers and bunk rooms), and simple food be such a great experience?Well, my friend, it’s because of the feeling of generosity you get when you show God’s love by giving your timeand energy to helping others, the feeling of accomplishment for doing something you may never have tried, thefeeling of God’s love when your friendships and community boundaries are extended through living, working,sharing, and learning together. Last year when I participated in the Young People Painting Birmingham serviceproject, I got all of those same feelings I had felt when was a teenager. It was awesome! I’m looking forward todoing it again, and I’m praying that the teenagers today experience their service to others in a profound way too.

Preparing To Elect a Bishop SuffraganDuring our diocesan convention in February, Bishop Parsley called for and the delegates approved the elec-

tion of a bishop suffragan.The election is scheduled for September 30, 2007, at the Cathedral Church of theAdvent in Birmingham, with the consecration of our new diocesan bishop suffragan on January 12, 2008.TheNominating Committee is currently reviewing the candidates’ resumes, CDO reports, and responses to writtenquestions in preparation to selecting candidates to interview and ordering background checks. On July 15 thecommittee will announce a slate of three to five nominees, and from July 20 through 30 our diocesan StandingCommittee will accept additional nominations by petition from convention delegates.The NominatingCommittee’s nominees and the additional nominees by petition will participate in a Question-and-AnswerWalkabout at St. Luke’s in Birmingham on September 8.The convention delegates will gather at the Advent inBirmingham the afternoon of September 30 to vote. For more information about the election process including thetimetable, job description, and nomination form, please visit www.dioala.org.