CLERGY NEWS

The Rev. Michael E. (Corky) Carlisle has been called as interim rector at St. Thomas' Church, Huntsville.  The Rev. Frank Roth has been called as rector of St. Matthias' Church, Tuscaloosa.

NEW POSTULANTS - Two aspirants, Ms. Katie Nakamura and Mr. Derek Hill were accepted by Bishop Parsley and the Bishop's Advisory Committee on Aspirants for the Ordained Ministry (BACAOM) as postulants for the priesthood. 

CLERGY PASTORAL NOTES

Recently hospitalized persons who are now in recovery include Mrs. June Peeples, mother of the Rev. David Peeples; Mrs. Lilian Jones, wife of the Rev. Vernon Jones; the Rev. Charles McKimmon, who can be reached at 2509 College Street, SE, Decatur, AL 35601; the Rev. Ray Pradat; and Mrs. Rilla Keith, wife of the Rev. John M. Keith.  Also, The Rev. Bob Cook, and the Rev. Bob Lockhard have been ill. Please keep these persons in your prayers.

DIOCESAN CONVENTION

The 177^th Annual Convention of the Diocese takes place February 21-23 in Birmingham.  Information and registration forms are available on the diocesan web site, http://www.dioala.org/.

DIOCESAN JOURNAL UPDATES

Updates for the 2008 Diocesan Journal were due January 31.  If you have not turned one in for your parish, please do so immediately by emailing Nanci Warner, nwarner@dioala.org.

WORKERS' COMPENATION INFORMATION

Payroll & Contractors Information for Worker's Compensation Insurance is due February 15. We need this date to renew insurance coverage and calculate premiums. If your parish has not received the forms, check with your administrator or contact the Rev. Rob Morpeth, rmorpeth@dioala.org, call at the diocesan office, ext. 211. 

ALABAMA FAITH COUNCIL

Please plan to attend the Alabama Faith Council's First Public Forum on February 18.  We are fortunate that Yehezkel Landau, who speaks internationally on building Abrahamic partnerships, will be our Keynote Speaker.  Representatives from the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions will be speaking and leading break out sessions throughout the day. The Rev. Jim Evans, syndicated columnist and pastor at First Baptist Church will offer the closing remarks.  People from all faith traditions are welcome.  The Public Forum is designed to offer an opportunity for us to come together in community, learn from each other, and understand how people of faith can improve the lives of all within the state of Alabama.  Go to http://webmail.law.ua.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://alfaithcouncil.org/Feb08event/publicforumbrochure.pdf to access the brochure and registration form. 

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION TRAINING

Safeguarding God's Children, Child Abuse Prevention Training, will be offered February 28, 5:30 pm-9:15 pm, at St. Andrew's, Birmingham. The fee, $15.00, includes a light meal.  Training begins at 6:15 pm and ends at 9:15. It is most appropriate for Youth Ministers and Advisors, Christian Education staff, Parish Clergy, and Day Care-Day School-Parish Nursery staff.  The training is required for all parish employees (secretaries are exempt) and for volunteers working in youth or people related ministries.  (Sunday school teachers are exempt only if teaching during normal Sunday school hours in an area of the parish building frequented by others).  Registration forms available at http://www.dioala.org/.  

GRIEF RECOVERY GROUP

The Rev. Canon Joe Warren will lead a Grief Recovery Group for eight sessions, February 12-March 18, each Tuesday evening.    For information and registration, please call Laurie Jones, 205-967-7402.

LENTEN RETREAT - SLEEPER, AWAKE!

The Rev. Martin L. Smith, renowned retreat leader and acclaimed author, will lead a Lenten Retreat: Sleeper, Awake! Paul and the Renewal of Prayer, March 7-9, at Camp McDowell. The retreat will begin with supper on Friday at 6 pm, and conclude on Sunday after a noon lunch.  Registration forms have been mailed to parishes, and should be returned to Mrs. Sarah Sartain at the diocesan address. The cost for the retreat is $115 per person double occupancy, $150 per person, single occupancy.  The price includes all meals and accommodations. 

HEALTH MINISTRIES CONFERENCE

National Episcopal Health Ministries (NEHM) announces its first annual conference, ‘Seasons of Health Ministry' to be held at Kanuga Episcopal Retreat Center March 27-29. The conference will feature, as keynote speaker, the Rev. Jean Denton, founder of NEHM and author of "Good is the Flesh: Body, Soul and Christian Faith." There will be a variety of workshops offered throughout the conference to help you start, grow and refresh health ministry/parish nursing. To learn more, visit http://webmail.law.ua.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.episcopalhealthministries.org/ or call 317-253-1277 ext. 34. NEHM is a network of nurses, health ministers, chaplains, and laypeople who promote health and wellness in Episcopal congregations.

EPISCOPAL PILGRIMAGE TO ROME

Join the Reverend Susan Sloan, rector of St. Stephen's, Huntsville, and Dr. Daniel Lesnick, medieval and Renaissance historian and Lifetime Fellow of the American Academy in Rome, for 8 magnificent days on pilgrimage in Rome, Italy - plus the option of adding on 3 fabulous days in either Venice or Florence.  The pilgrimage takes place June 17-24. For registration and information contact Susan Sloan at 256-881-7223 or Dr. Lesnick, 205-243-9982 or dlesnick@bham.rr.com.

ST. FRANCIS' CHAPEL BRICK CAMPAIGN

Camp McDowell is currently in the midst of raising additional funds for the Chapel of Saint Francis (our new chapel up the hill). The Department of Camp McDowell has been granted permission by Diocesan Council to embark on a Brick Campaign that would allow our friends to donate money and have an engraved brick on the walkway or patio area of the chapel.  Each brick is $125, and further information is available from Michael Goldsmith, Director of Program and Development at Camp. You can reach Michael at work, 205-387-1806 or on his cell phone, 205-275-2969. 

HAITI MISSION TRIP

Check the Web page for updates from Haiti: www.dioala.org.

STEWARDSHIP OF CREATION TIP OF THE MONTH

Eliminate Junk Mail - Every year, 4 million tons of junk mail flow through the postal system. What can you do? Send a postcard or letter to Direct Marketing Association Mail Preference Service, P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008. Include your name, address, zip code, and a request to "activate the preference service."  DMA estimates that listing with their mail preference service will stop 75% of all national mailings. For further options for reducing junk mail, refer to the Alabama Environmental Council website: http://www.aeconline.ws/index.php?sn=456 .  

Payroll Headaches:  Did you know the Church Pension Fund can help with payroll processing? http://www.cpg.org/. Click on Payroll Services. 

Clergy Compensation Changes must be reported to the Church Pension Fund.  The form is available at http://www.cpg.org/, click on Forms and Publications. 

Pledge Payments by Credit Card.  Carpenter House has made arrangements to process payments by debit and credit cards in behalf of parishes.  Funds go directly into the parish checking account.  No fees assessed by the diocese.  For more information contact Rob Morpeth, rmorpeth@dioala.org.