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CLERGY NEWS & PASTORAL NOTES: Earl Shahan, father of Rev. Mary Anne Akin, Nativity-Huntsville, died Jan. 29. The Rev Sarah Gaede's father-in-law, Henry Gaede, died Monday, February 4^th. The Rev. Robert R. Cook, Retired, died March 1. May they rest in peace.

The Rev. Stephen McWhorter, is serving as Interim Rector for St. Thomas, Birmingham, AL.

On Sunday, February 24 an EF3 tornado touched down in Prattville destroying 150 homes, significantly damaging many more and injuring 29 people. Two homes of parishioners at our St. Mark's parish received damage. St. Mark's is now asking for assistance in the repair and restoration of the homes of friends and neighbors in the community. If teams from your parish can help, please call St. Mark's to arrange a time when your people can be scheduled. St. Mark's can be reached at Ph. (334) 365-5289 or Fax at (334) 365-5277.

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.

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. 

Trinity, Florence is seeking a Youth Director: The position will be  full-time, salaried, with benefits.  This person is to be a member of, or have a working knowledge of, the Episcopal Church, and will serve as a Christian leader and minister to the youth of Trinity Episcopal Church.  More information is available at www.dioala.org, select the "Deployment" tab or from The Rev. Andrew C. Keyse, Trinity Episcopal Church, P.O. Box M, Florence, AL  35631.  Deadline for applications is March 15, 2008.

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 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.

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. 

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. 

"Choosing a Curriculum" Workshop: When  Sat, May 10, 9am - 12pm / Where  St. John's Episcopal Church - Montgomery, Alabama / Description  "One Size Doesn't Fit All: How to Select Curriculum for your Congregation" A free workshop to learn about the different types of curricula for use with children, youth and adults, how to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses; how to determine the needs of your congregation in helping select a curriculum that best fits your needs. Led by Sharon Ely Pearson, Christian Formation Specialist. Sponsored by Morehouse Education Resources / Church Publishing and hosted by St. John's Episcopal Church. Contact: spearson@cpg.org for information

A Lenten Retreat, "The Process of Forgiveness", with Fr. Carl Arico, Vice President of Contemplative Outreach, Ltd., will be held at St. Mary's Sewanee, Sewanee, TN., March 7-9, 2008.  The Cost is $250 which includes housing.  More Information is available from St. Mary's, Sewanee at (800) 728-1659 or (931) 598-5342; or http://www.stmaryssewanee.org/

St. Francis, Indian Springs (Birmingham area) is seeking a Director of Religious Education for Youth.   This person is responsible for facilitating and supervising all children's ministry programs and activities. This is a 20 hour per week position.  More information is available at www.dioala.org, select the "Deployment" tab or by contacting the parish at 205-988-4371.

DIOCESAN CONVENTION INFORMATION is available at www.dioala.org - click on "Diocesan Convention."  Listen to the addresses by Bishops Parsley and Sloan; listen to the address by the Rt. Rev. Mark MacDonald focusing on the environment; listen to Bishop Sloan's sermon; watch a slide show; read and review the resolutions adopted.  While you are there read the Apostle online and in color. 

PAROCHIAL REPORTS should be filed on line by the end of March.  Information from the reports will be included in the Diocesan Journal which forms the archival record for the year.  We would like the information on your parish to be current.

PLTE (Parish Leadership Training Event), an annual training event for parish leaders is scheduled for Saturday, April 5 at St. Luke's, Birmingham.  The theme this year will be Stewardship, however, a wide variety of workshops will be offered.  Information will be mailed shortly and will be posted on the diocesan web site when available.   

BORROWING OF FUNDS AND REFINANCING OF EXISTING DEBT requires review and action by the Department of Finance and the Diocesan Council.  Be sure to allow time for these groups to make appropriate reviews and decisions (at least one month).  For more information contact Rob Morpeth at Carpenter House, rmorpeth@dioala.org and read Canon 9, Section 6 and Canon 7.

CLERGY & SPOUSE CONFERENCE is scheduled for Wednesday, April 23 through Friday, April 25.  The conference at Camp McDowell begins in the late afternoon on the 23^rd and continues through lunch on the 25^th.  More information and reservation cards will be mailed in late March.  Child care will be available during the sessions of the conference.  Registration, lodging, meals, and child care costs are born by the diocese through parish covenants. 

CONTRACTORS must either provide a copy of their Certificate for Worker's Compensation Insurance or their labor cost must be included in the annual payroll of the parish when reporting payroll for calculation of the premium for Worker's Compensation Insurance.  Be sure to keep records during the year.  Payroll information is requested in January of each year. 

  

Diocesan Calendar

March 2008

2	Visitation: Bishop Parsley	Tuscaloosa, Canterbury Chapel	10:30 AM
	Bishop Sloan	Birmingham, Ascension	10:30 AM
4	Fresh Start	Carpenter House Conf. Room	10:00AM - 1:30 PM
5	Christian Formation Department	Birmingham St. Stephen's	10:00 AM
	Visitation: Bishop Parsley	Greensboro, St. Paul's	7:00 PM
5-6	Province 4 Christian Formation Committee	Carpenter House Conf. Room
7	Spirituality Commission	Camp McDowell	1:00PM - 4:00 PM
7 -12	House of Bishops: Bishop Parsley and Bishop Sloan
12	Clergy Book Study (God & Gold)	Carpenter House Conf Room	10:30AM - 12:00 PM
13	Diocesan Council	Carpenter House Conference Room	10:00AM - 3:00PM
16	Visitation: Bishop Parsley	Florence, Trinity	10:30 AM
	Bishop Sloan	Sheffield, Grace Church	9:30 AM
21	Good Friday - Carpenter House Closed
22	Easter Eve: Bishop Parsley	Birmingham, St. Andrew's
	Bishop Sloan	Birmingham, Grace Church
23	Easter Day: Bishop Parsley	Birmingham, St. Thomas	10:30 AM
	Bishop Sloan	Selma, St. Paul's	10:00 AM
24	Easter Monday - Carpenter House Closed
27	Parish Development & Evangelism	Carpenter House Conf. Room	10:00AM - 2:00 PM
27	Department of Camp McDowell	St. Stephen's, Birmingham	10:00AM - 2:00 PM
28-30	Deacon's Retreat	Camp McDowell	5:30 PM Fri - Noon Sun.
30	Visitation:  Bishop Parsley	Birmingham, St. Mary's	10:00 AM
	Bishop Sloan	Demopolis, Trinity	11:00 AM

 

Urban Ministries Prayer Calendar: MARCH

Care for those living with HIV/AIDS and all

care givers for Agape House, Birmingham

Remembering the children of our cities; for

all Day Care and Day School ministries and

Head Start programs