How the Diocese of Alabama Has Responded to This Time of Change, and Why We Remain Hopeful About Our Future Together

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NEW WAYS TO LOVE How the Diocese of Alabama has responded to this time of change, and why we remain hopeful about our future together.

1 Dear Friends, At right: Bishop Kee baptzed Rosalee “I can’t Cleveland at St. Michael’s and All Angels, “How’s your transition going?” That’s a Millbrook, on September 27, 2020. question I am asked almost every day. remember As simple as it sounds, the question caus- es me to ask myself how I’m doing. Most a time when Dear Friends in Christ, often I report I am transitioning well. I hope you’re all well, and taking care of But some of the time I don’t know what I’ve seen the yourselves and one another. I’ve said this to say. Some days I really am not sure before, but I don’t think I can express it what to do next. I’m comforted knowing church be enough: I am so proud of how we have that these days, being unsure about what responded to this terrible COVID-19 pan- to do next is pretty common. more creative demic in the Diocese of Alabama. Thank A few days ago, Bish- you all for your love and support, and for op Kee and I found or open.” your patience as we’ve made our way ourselves together -Bishop G through this together, so far. waiting for our turn It hasn’t been easy, and we still have a to greet new clergy ways to go. Most of us know someone in the Diocese at a who tested positive, and many of us knew luncheon. Believe it and loved someone who has died. It’s or not, we’re usually been a scary, difficult and painful time, going in opposite di- and yet, through it all, the Light of our rections. It was a rare Lord Jesus Christ continues to shine, even opportunity when in the darkest moments. I’m proud to we had worked out think that the Episcopal Church in the Dio- “social distancing” cese of Alabama has been loving and wel- safely, so we could coming, adapting to the challenges of the meet and talk togeth- day, and shining the Light of Christ. Even when we haven’t been able to come to- er with others, while gether in worship, we have been together sitting in the same in community, and the work of the Church room. Kee shared that continues. Even when people could have when he was asked cut back on their pledges to their parish, about “his transition”, even when the parishes could have re- Our loving God he usually replied, duced their covenant with the Diocese, “It’s clunky”. I thought you have been faithful and generous. can and does that was a perfect Even when some of the ministries that explanation, really. bind us together as a Diocese had to be bring good The transition we are cancelled, postponed or modified, like the sharing in this strange Bishop G with the congregation of St. John’s, various youth ministries, Cursillo, Camp out of every time of pandemic, Forkland, on September 27, 2020. McDowell, Sawyerville, or Special Session, elections, disappoint- those communities are still strong, and we circumstance.” ments, disrupted life, and unpredictability respond to the pandemic in all sorts of When we emerge from our quarantine, know those ministries will still be there for -Bishop Kee is “clunky”, like walking with one foot on amazing, creative ways, which is why we how will we be different? How has this us when this virus loses its hold on us, or the curb and the other in the gutter. Mer- chose the theme of “New Ways to physical time apart shaped our communi- at least loosens its grip. riam Webster’s dictionary says “clunky” Love”. I can’t remember a time when ties? What needs healing? What needs Now it’s time for the Diocese to look for- So: I’m proud of you, and proud of the Dio- Good News of the love of God using different means “lacking grace in movement or I’ve seen the church be more creative rebuilding? Can I name the gifts and bless- ward to 2021, as we begin to make plans cese of Alabama. Keep up the good work, technologies and capacities. Your Diocesan posture…as in clumsy, awkward, ungainly or open. I’m not sure we’ve ever been ings of quarantine? How will we grieve the and budgets. Some things will change, continue to serve God in the love of Christ, staff and other resources across the Diocese and unwieldy”. So, while sometimes I feel more challenged. The Diocese is in a losses? Hopefully, the stories of our while others stay the same, but as always, loving each other and supporting the minis- are here to help. like I am finding my way awkwardly transition, and likewise our Church. Pas- churches will help us answer these ques- everything depends on the generosity of tries we celebrate together. I believe that I hope when the time comes to decide how through a maze day by day, we’re seeing tor Samuel Wells writes that a child asked tions and more in the days ahead. Thank our parishes and members. Our values in our loving God can and does bring good out much you will give to your parish, or your God working all around us in powerful, life him, “Did God create coronavirus?”. you for your prayers, and your generous, this part of God’s holy Church remain the of every circumstance, even this dratted vi- parish will give to the diocese as an expres- giving ways. We can see the love of Jesus Wells answered, “I don’t believe so. But encouraging support. Please continue to same, as we continue to be a community rus; I believe we are becoming more appre- sion of thankfulness to God and in support of lighting our way. So our movements do God made the ability to change.” We are wash your hands, wear your masks, say of people brought together in love and ciative of our parish and diocesan families the work God has given us to share, you will not lack grace or purpose or inspiration. all changing and being changed by the your prayers, worship, love each other service, respecting the dignity of all the that we have for so long taken for granted. be generous. Thank you all very much, and pandemic, and maybe for the better. and the Lord. Blessings, children of God, and growing in and We have a lot to look forward to as we re- may God bless you and those you love. In this special section of our newsletter, through Jesus Christ. And the work of the sume the ministries we’ve had to set aside, we’ve tried to share some of that inspira- At this stage, I have lots of questions. Church goes on. and as we expand our ability to offer the God’s Peace, tion with you. The Holy Spirit is helping us Maybe my questions are like yours?

2 3 At lef: St. James, Alex City started a new service to the community called “Soup-To-Go”. With support from their Vestry and the Diocese, they plan to contnue the program into the future.

NEW WAYS TO LOVE:

STORIESST. PAUL’S, GREENSBORO withUS the help and guidance of one of our Dex provided us with Sunday Morning happenings of our parish, as well as the We've done our best to stck together very talented parishioners, we have rec- Communion service in our Memorial Gar- happenings of the Diocese. here at St. Paul's. Afer Bishop Sloan orded Wednesday Healing services, Sun- den. We began live-streaming Morning In some ways, the pandemic has been a gave the approval, we resumed out- day School services and Sunday morning Prayer at the beginning of the summer. blessing in disguise. It definitely has afford- door services. These morning prayer Prayer services every week since March. Each Sunday service began at what would ed us time to reflect and appreciate all of services provided an important oppor- These services are led by Father Rob Iler. have been our normal worship time of the blessings the Lord has bestowed upon tunity to see one another in person, Early on, we filmed exclusively at our 10:00 AM. We began face to face church us as a faith community, both far and wide! service September 6th. Now, after each while worshiping together on St. Paul's church campus in Alexander City, but as Liz Wilcoxson, Sr. Warden In spite of all the challenges our beautful grounds. It lifed everyone's the pandemic continued into the summer, service, Father Dex provides drive- through communion for those parishion- parishes have faced during the spirits when Bishop Curry came down we ventured out to various venues to film you. Staff and clergy have grown closer to visit and presided over a full service services around beautiful Lake Martin, ers who are uncomfortable attending the ST. LUKE’S BIRMINGHAM in church service. Father Dex will offer and worked together in a powerful way. last eight months due to COVID- with Communion. including summer Eucharist services at the Saint Luke’s entered the world of COVID- We have held on tight to what we know is outdoor Church in the Pines on the lake. communion to parishioners in their home 19, there have been many We are blessed with large sanctuary if requested. 19 and quarantine much like the rest of true, and we believe Saint Luke’s will relatve to our numbers, which allows As for our outreach mission, a group of the Diocese and churches around the come out of this a stronger, brighter place accounts of parishioners and us to keep family units at a safe dis- parishioners took it upon themselves to Greg Barker, Sr. Warden country: with little understanding of how to worship. tance from one another during the ser- begin a very simple, but very welcomed, and where we would be impacted. In real- Kate Clinton, Dir. of Communications clergy overcoming obstacles in vice. Stll, to try to make sure everyone soup and sandwich supper service to any- ity though, quarantine has provided great ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S, FLORENCE worship, education, outreach, feels they can come regardless of their one who cared to drive through our parish clarity as we move forward from a global circumstances, we are going to begin parking lot on Tuesday evenings. Through We are doing well at St. Bartholomew's! pandemic and desire to come more fruit- GRACE, PIKE ROAD and pastoral care. We reached providing an outdoor opton where our the summer this service was self-funded We have been holding services outdoors ful. From the beginning of the shut-down, The year 2020 has been an adventure as indoor service will be broadcast into by one of the St. James Cursillo reunion in our pavilion every Sunday, weather we jumped head first into utilizing the well as a challenge so far. The shutdown out to all parishes and invited the St. Paul's courtyard. Obviously, none groups and has shown to be a welcome permitting. It has been wonderful to wor- technology available to us. Thousands of in mid-March caused an immediate cessa- ship in nature! We live-stream our ser- them to share their stories. of this has been perfect, but our goal all new service to our community. Named viewers tune in Sunday after Sunday to tion of all face-to-face Grace activities. along has been to try to stick together "Soup-To-Go", the program now has ves- vices on Facebook for those who don't watch church from the comfort and safety Grace is a very social congregation and and to keep in mind that in spite of our try and Diocesan support and will become quite want to venture out. of their living rooms via online streaming. maintaining that closeness was challeng- diferences in circumstance and levels a new and necessary outreach program When the pandemic first began, Rev. Dan- We are blown away each week by the ing, but we were determined to meet of comfort, we all want what is best for supported by St. James. ny Whitehead asked parishioners to vol- generous response we receive to our TEXT this challenge. St. Paul's. John Jung, Sr. Warden unteer to read through the Psalms. Each TO GIVE campaign as we navigate giving in Staying in touch with our parishioners was Dr. John Dorsey, Sr. Warden person read their assigned Psalm and light of coronavirus. an early priority. We have only one indi- recorded it to be "broadcast" on our Face- Saint Luke’s Kitchen has breathed new life vidual in a long-term care facility who ST. PHILLIP’S, FORT PAYNE book page each day at noon. It was an during quarantine serving Wednesday does not always answer the phone. We awesome experience to stay connected ST. JAMES, ALEX CITY During Covid 19 the Vestry was able to Night Supper curbside to parishioners and ended up sending cards, standing on a to each other! Our parish is blessed with a number of conduct its monthly meeting via ZOOM. our community. Organized by our Youth stool in the long-term care facility yard and very dedicated parishioners who stepped Vestry members, with Father Dex, set up a Danny has done a fantastic job keeping and Children’s Teams, volunteers deliv- talking through the window, and organizing up in the past months to support the con- phone tree where each vestry member us all together as we have been distanced ered warm cookies to home-bound sen- a drive-by with members of Grace with tinuation of a number of important mis- kept in touch with an assigned list of pa- from one another. He sends out a weekly iors throughout our community as a way decorated cars. At our request, other resi- sions at the church. Using technology and rishioners every ten days. Early on, Father email keeping everyone informed on the to say we love you and are thinking about dents were able to view the drive-by.

“In some ways, the pandemic has been a blessing in disguise. It defnitely has aforded us tme to refect and appreciate all of the blessings the Lord has bestowed upon us as a faith community, both far and wide!” -Liz Wilcoxson, St. Bartholomew’s 4 5 Church services occur through a live Facebook CHURCH OF THE HOLY COMFORTER, GADSDEN ST. MARY’S ON THE HIGHLANDS, BIRMINGHAM feed. This is a great evangelism tool, as we Since Sunday, March 15, Holy Comforter has broadcast a weekly service On March 13, 2020 when St. Mary’s on the Highlands “shut its doors”, no one have other community individuals following of Holy Eucharist via YouTube each Sunday. We held our first in-person could have imagined how much our doors would actually begin to open in new us. Some of the services had over 120 view- worship service outdoors at our church’s Agricola Day Camp on Septem- ways! In a matter of days, Huey Gardner, Danielle Thompson, and Jeremy Carlson ers. In addition we had audio recordings of ber 13. began to rethink worship, pastoral care, and the way we connect as a parish. Wednesday Evening Prayer and Friday night Keeping up with pastoral care has been a challenge, since some folks Compline. We also use Zoom for Coffee hour They quickly realized that we needed daily communication with as many people expect the priest and others to know by telepathy when a need arises. following the church services as well as Vestry as possible. Our daily information began with emails including comforting and in- So far, all situations where pastoral care has been requested have been and other meetings. formative messages from the clergy. Very quickly our creative team realized that handled as normally as possible. One thing we’ve missed is our weekly a visual message would be so helpful in this crazy time of instant isolation. We all The forced isolation of very sociable individuals Sunday service bulletins, which list names of our sick parish members as began to look forward to the St. Mary’s “3:00 videos”. These videos have served as particularly concerned us. The mechanism we well as their families and friends. We have recently revived that sharing a way to connect all of us in lots of ways. Over the last 6 months, we have been choose was to reestablish a phone tree – not of information via a weekly e-newsletter to the parish. Our vestry has for providing information but to visit. About treated to video updates from parishioners, short Catechesis style lessons, creative divided up the list of parishioners and made a few calls to check on eve- out of the box movie themed videos, updates on our ongoing church renovations, one quarter of the members of the church rybody and see how they feel about returning to face-to-face worship. divided the congregation and called everyone. and musical performances, always the reminder that God is good! We’ve had a virtual Vacation Bible School with the staff packing “project Several individuals called everyone in the con- bags” to send home for children to complete with their families. We are Even though our current audio-visual technology is quite outdated, the clergy have gregation as a personal ministry. At the end of holding weekly Bible Study sessions via Zoom, and we are offering an managed to bring worship services and Sunday school into our homes. Services several months, the callers changed but the online course of Christian Education topics provided by our Rector, who were (and still are) prerecorded while Sunday School classes and other midweek calls continued. is a gifted teacher. educational offerings are in Zoom format. One of the most popular new ways to “Chicken Dinner To Go” was a very successful worship has been our very small “house church” services. These intimate outside I can’t say the pandemic has brought us closer together, but it surely has Benevolence fund raiser. Members grilled services at people’s homes have been a safe way to gather and worship together. not separated us. As much as possible, we are staying in touch. We are chicken, made the “fixings” and plated meals All of these creative solutions have resulted in new ways to interact with each oth- all while socially distancing with masks. Neigh- all looking forward to a more normal kind of worship, but realize that may not be possible for some time yet. Meanwhile, as our Rector re- bors from the community came by and it er, and in some cases bring in people who had previously lost their connection to afforded an opportunity to talk about Grace. minds us, we are being careful and remembering that we are loved. the church. We reached individuals we would not have We are grateful to the Diocesan staff for the work they continue to do When we return to some sort of normalcy and get back to church as we have al- had contact with otherwise. We are providing throughout this difficult time. ways known it, I think we will also find that some of our pandemic “crisis” solutions Breanna Mitchell, Sawyerville's Summer Learn- hearty, nutritious sack lunches for a local hun- Lanny Lancaster, Sr. Warden will continue to be part of our lives. ing Coordinator, carries bags of groceries ready ger program. While maintaining social distanc- to be delivered to campers and students. Allison Manley, Sr. Warden ing and masks we packed the lunches and CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD, DECATUR delivered to the mission. About 50% of our The Church of the Good Shepherd in Decatur has been able to use the members participated. downtime of no face-to face services to work on needed maintenance SAWYERVILLE On August 30, we resumed in-person services of our 25-year-old building and property. We had just rolled out of a with limited attendance, observing all social three-year ordeal of a road construction project affecting access to our In May, it became clear that Sawyerville would distancing. The occasion was the Bishop’s visit- building when the COVID-19 crisis hit. We have utilized existing email not be able to host Summer Camp and Summer ation. We envision continuing the live Face- and virtual presence to provide connection and contact with each other. Learning at Greensboro Elementary School as book streaming indefinitely. This year has been Since the release from the directive to not hold in-person worship, we usual. With the health and safety of our campers, an exciting challenge for us all but I believe we have been able to have outside services of Morning Prayer in our Me- students, and staff in mind, we decided to cancel are growing closer. Pledges have continued. morial Garden. Our folks have wonderfully met the need of the time. both programs and, instead, offer Camp-in-a-Box. Grace is in a good place right now. Josh Bracken, Sr. Warden On July 12, Sawyerville delivered 420 boxes Charlene Roberson, Sr. Warden packed with Bible stories, activities, arts & crafts ST. ANDREW’S, SYLACAUGA projects, and books, plus grocery bags filled with pantry staples and kid-friendly snacks. Creating, ST. STEPHEN’S, SMITH’S STATION St Andrews, as is true for a lot of our Episcopal churches, has an aged congregation, and therefore has not been a rush to come back to a ser- packaging, and sharing Camp-in-a-Box was a great St. Stephen's may have made vice in our building. We have a morning prayer service, conducted by way to stay connected to our supporters, volun- some history, as we had six our priest, The Rev. Marianne D. Stuart, over a Zoom meeting each Sun- teers, and participants. Additionally, Sawyerville day. In the past couple of services, we have had the Holy Eucharist, with also partnered with Alabama Health Education teens confirmed and one Marianne blessing the elements and placing them in our refrigerator in Centers (AHEC) to promote COVID-19 testing in adult received on October 4. individual sealed plastic cups. Each parishioner or a family member Hale County. Twelve of our summer interns made comes to the church between Wednesday and Sunday morning to pick phone calls to every one of our campers, stu- It has been at least 10-15 up their family’s elements. dents, and their families to share information years since St. Stephen's One family, the Bailey’s, have taken this time of isolation to design and about COVID-19 precautions and the importance had a group like this, and install a flower garden around our sign in front of the Church. They have of testing. They also had the chance to talk with provided all the flowers and also lighting now to help draw attention to our campers and students and tell them how we are excited. our location. Parishioners gather for Morning Prayer much we miss them! at Church of the Good Shepherd, Decatur. The Rev. Dr. Larry C. Williams Richard Morgan, Sr. Warden Claire Cotton and Crystal Jones, Sawyerville Executive Directors

6 7 New ways to love love to ways New The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our daily and weekly habits, and our ability to worship to- CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY, LEEDS ST. ANDREW’S, MONTEVALLO THANK YOU gether in person. These changes have generated other changes, including how we give to our church. It is no surprise that plate offerings across the diocese have been impacted. A few active leaders have found ways Rev. Steve DeGweck has done weekly email updates to all mem- for your dedicated service to the Episcopal Church in Alabama to stay connected through calls, notes bers, offering information, encouragement, news, and a spiritual Although most churches have online giving and text-to-give options, the reality is that a real plate and small groups. Our Rector, Monica, “thought” for the moment, usually related to his upcoming ser- during this notable year. We have responded creatively and is not being passed to a real person in a real pew, which means income is down for some churches has been calling parishioners frequent- mon. Our nave remained open 24/7 during the shutdown period, compassionately with many new ways to love our neighbors during this topsy-turvy year. Pledging families have remained generous with many paying ahead of ly. Our Vestry has divided a list and with devotional resources available for those who wished to visit and each other. We hope you will prayerfully consider and schedule, but non-pledging families have missed some chances to give. calls members every 1 to 2 weeks, their church for prayer and meditation. Our Prayer and Care group respond to the request for covenants with a similar generosi- then rotates the lists to add freshness. has kept tabs on pastoral needs within the church, Fr. Steve has Bishop G saw a big opportunity with Governor Kay Ivey’s COVID-19 grants for faith-based organi- ty. You can find this year’s covenant resources online at dioa- tried to make regular phone calls to the sick and shut-ins. zations, including churches. Bishop G urged each church in the diocese to ask for $15,000 to cover We hold Zoom small groups, who re- la.org/finance, and a packet will also be mailed to all rectors, payroll, utilities, and mortgage interest due to in- port any pastoral concerns to our Rec- Bishop Kee’s in-person visit on what would have been our sched- treasurers, and senior wardens. We look forward to receiving come lost, as well as new technology and public tor. We also using Zoom for morning uled Bishop’s Visitation Sunday (3/22) was a valuable boost, in that parish covenants no later than January 20, 2021 and to a new prayer, Christian Formation classes, the service was recorded and broadcast on the diocesan website, FUNDING health supplies needed because of the pandemic. year with new possibilities for serving together. Debbie Donaldson, Danielle Dunbar, Kathy Graham, Bible Stories for children, and commit- which in turn encouraged us to get started with our own service tee and Vestry meetings. We have broadcasts. For more information contact Danielle Dunbar, Director of and Georganne Perrine called every parish in the recorded and posted Sunday services OUR MISSION diocese offering information about how to apply for We began in the spring to record and post services on our Face- Mission Funding at (205) 358-9234 or [email protected]. on YouTube each week. these grants. Danielle worked with 30 parishes to book page, and with the resumption of indoors worship, we have complete their grant applications and assist with fol- We have remained steady with sup- added a Facebook Live transmission to our in-person services, & MINISTRY low up questions; many applied on their own. The port of Leeds outreach, our local food which we plan to continue post-pandemic. Facebook broadcast hope is all who applied will receive $15,000 in funding during this year of uncertain income and bank, and we have opened back up has attracted far larger numbers than is typical of our in-person ASCENSION, BIRMINGHAM our Beans and Rice ministry and add- worship, with our FB page being “Liked” with many names we greatly reduced plate offerings ed bags of groceries. We have just don’t recognize. At Church of the Ascension, we are committed to making Christ known Rev. Candice Frazer and Danielle Dunbar also hosted multiple stewardship workshops this year to built a food Blessings box we will be by our love for all in every facet of our daily lives (at work, at school, at We have continued our food ministry through the outdoor panty home, and in leisure). A recent example of this commitment manifest- ensure healthy annual giving in uncertain times. 90 people have watched the online workshops dedicating soon. with increased utilization during this time. The “little pantry” has and our hope is that stewardship will remain healthy and strong this year. ed itself when the Young Adult Supper Club reached out to at-risk por- Our Rector Monica has been most been shared and communicated about by non-parishioners within tions of the church population at the beginning of the COVID pandem- supportive. She has been patient and our community. ic. In particular, a relationship blossomed between one of our parish- kind and loving to all, accepting each It’s true that we have found new ways to be connected, but while ioners at Episcopal Place and a younger family. Their commitment and where they are. May God hold us we’re grateful for technology’s gifts, and blessed that the virus love is shown in helping with grocery shopping, organizing and the dis- It is my pleasure to serve as the staf ofcer for ministry development and clergy transiton. together until we can all safely be forced us to reach out in new ways, the overall feeling was one pensing of medications, fellowship, pet care (emptying the litter box), During this year of pandemic, clergy transitons have been longer since rectors have focused on together again. of loss and a yearning to be back together. We were excited to and rides to church. This relationship has grown from support to loving caring for their congregatons and helping staf through the unexpected. Rectors have seen their Elizabeth Gregory, Sr. Warden re-start worship indoors. Although we miss seeing each other, friendship. We at the Ascension are all more fully a part of the body of parish through a big pivot from in-person worship to online worship and all that entails. The Dio- we continue to stay in touch. Christ because of it. cese of Alabama has had 12 transitons this year, 4 part-tme and 8 full-tme. Parishes who are in ST. JOHN’S, MONTGOMERY a search process will do so for longer because of the clergy remaining focused on their current Becky Tutwiler, Sr. Warden, and The Rev. Steve DeGweck, Rector The Rev. Jack Alvey parish. One clergy person even decided to postpone retrement due to the challenges COVID-19 In early March of 2019, months of brought to the congregaton. tireless work by the whole parish had us in the teeth of our first rector As the pandemic progressed, Danielle Dunbar and I made personal contact with our clergy on behalf of Bishop Kee to see how they were doing. For September’s College for Clergy, we hosted search in 25 years. Despite fears raised Diana Butler Bass, who gave us language to talk about how difcult the pandemic has been in by the pandemic, the discernment our ministries. It was a tme for clergy and staf to share their challenges and support each other. committee never blinked. With all the tools that Information Technology can As the liaison to the Department of Mission and Outreach, I have witnessed ministry taking place SOME OF OUR provide, committee chairs Charlie all over the diocese through our annual Parish Outreach Grants. Each year the department Harris and Margaret Ann Selman awards grants in the amount of $2,000 to parishes engaging in new and creatve ways of being shepherded the process to the timely Christ’s Church. These start-up funds are designed to launch an outreach project that will be- calling in August of the Rev. John WORK TOGETHER: come self-sustainable within three years. This year we awarded $14,000 to seven parishes. These grants will allow parishes to embark on ministry ranging from Beans and Rice or to set Leach, Holy Apostles, Collierville TN. up to an Alzheimer’s Respite program. Applicatons are due each year in May and the grants are At the same time, the parish settled awarded in June. I urge your outreach commitee to discern whether a Parish Based Grant would into a new and virtual experience of 78 33 $454,250. morning prayer and evening compline enhance Christ’s ministry in your part of God’s Kingdom next year. PARISHES NOW STREAM SERVICES PARISHES OFFERED SOME FORM THE AMOUNT PARISHES RECEIVED throughout the week. In a different EACH WEEK; 20 RECEIVED TECHNOLOGY OF VBS DURING THE SUMMER IN STATE GRANTS TO DATE Sarah Sartain, Staf Ofcer for Ministry Development & Clergy Transiton yet authentic way, the rhythm of HELP FROM THE DIOCESE these daily services became a rule of life, strengthening our connections within the church and among others, some not even Episcopalians. We are, 32+ 40+ 49 Pledged contributions from the churches in spirit and in fact, in this together. PARISHES RECEIVED GRANTS PARISHES BEGAN TO OFFER PARISHES HAD CONSULTS WITH of the diocese in 2020 were $2,628,070. Jimmy McLemore, Sr. Warden FROM THE STATE ONLINE CHRISTIAN FORMATION THE DIOCESAN COORDINATOR OF FOR ALL AGES LIFELONG CHRISTIAN FORMATION Thank you8 9 IN THE LAST 7 MONTHS CAMP MCDOWELL GRACE, SHEFFIELD During those services, parishioners and even a song. We continued our Theology on ments expressing appreciation. We have con- installing special air "scrubbers" for COVID others offer prayer requests in the com- Tap on Zoom and moved it to our park as tinued with our Beans and Rice ministry, but in the ventilation systems in the church, We have supported each other through orga- Camp McDowell has felt the effects of ment section and those prayers are lifted soon as we could social distance. altered the distribution to an outside pickup in parish house, and day school. nized calling of individuals who might need COVID-19 in many ways. The spring and up by name. It has been a really meaning- line with masking and social distancing. The attention or just to hear how it’s going. When Many members of our parish made a point of There are no regular activities except com- summer calendar for our conference ful way of being connected. Our clergy need remains high. Basye Holland-Shuey was in the process of frequently checking in with our older mem- mittee meetings for now, but the morning center was full of groups ready to come began writing Daily reflections based on becoming our temporary “interim,” she visit- bers and those who were struggling with iso- This too shall pass. It might pass like a kidney prayer group still meets daily by conference to Camp. Our education departments the Episcopal Lectionary and over 350 sub- ed a Grace patient in critical care condition in lation. One member decided to write notes stone, but it WILL pass. call. had a well rounded schedule of schools scribe to those daily emails and turned the a Huntsville hospital. She had never met the to every member in our church, and another Rebecca White, Sr. Warden AA has just now been given permission to ready to come and learn. The folk school email into a blog. member of our parish constructed a sign of patient and made a lasting impression upon resume meetings in small numbers in our got a new director and was set to offer that individual - a doctor. We then began to take advantage of other “HOPE” out of plywood and Christmas lights parish hall after a several month hiatus, but all kinds of fun and creative classes. The technological benefits. The use of ZOOM for the front of our church. Early on, we held ST. PAUL’S, SELMA We are practicing pastoral care through are to follow strict guidelines. Magnolia preschool was hiking all over meetings has benefited our Church in a food drive in our parking lot, focusing on Zooming, via virtual “coffee hours,” virtual St. Paul’s new rector, The Reverend Amy Mar- Father Paul’s wife, Maria, travels with him the trails and fields splashing in every many ways; from Vestry, Finance, Out- food needs for school children. We hauled 5 Morning Prayer on Sundays with Basye, tin George arrived in Selma and attended her to Talladega from their home in Birming- puddle along the way. Our summer reach and all the small group Bible Study carloads of food to our local Help Center that and phone calls. first service with us on March 8. She was to ham twice week. She is Father Paul's server camp was gearing up for another won- meetings that use ZOOM to remain in con- day. We held a virtual Vacation Bible School celebrate and preach with us for the first time during Facebook streaming of Morning derful wonderful summer. Then the We have had an on-going relationship with tact. We are now distributing our services that was so successful that many adults on March 15, but the bishop’s initial shut- Prayer each Sunday, and helps with our pandemic hit. All of the schools that the Colbert County Caring Center (food bank through Facebook and YouTube each signed up along with the children. down decree arrived on Friday the 13th. For meal programs. were scheduled to come had to post- and help agency). When COVID-19 hit, a week. The saddest part of our quarantine, however, the next six months Amy served the members physical presence ceased. As a replacement, Kyle Brown, our parish administrator, sends pone their visits, guests had to cancel or Our Associate Rector for Pastoral Care and has been the inability to say goodbye to those of St. Paul’s through daily email letters full of Grace donated $250 a month for that agency altar flowers to our elderly and makes calls reschedule, and after holding out for as Liturgy organized the church into 57 small in our parish who have left us and to nurture faith, encouragement, meditations, poetry, to purchase needed supplies. That relation- from time to time to check in with certain long as we could, we had to cancel sum- groups of 10-12 families and assigned a those left behind. I think that is when we and always an accompanying song. In less ship is about to become more close through parish members. She and Father Paul work mer camp. Shepherd to each group. This has allowed have missed human contact the most. than a week’s time she became a televange- congregational purchasing and provision of together to inform parish members of news us to check in with people, learn more list,” learning to organize, direct and live- assistant volunteers to actively participate in We have also been in a search for a new rec- and offer words of encouragement through Fortunately Camp was able to continue about pastoral needs, and share program- stream a Sunday morning Eucharist. She, as- the Center’s programs. tor the entire time we have been in seclusion, emails. to pay staff through the government’s ming and other information with our com- and that also has been a challenge. Without sociate rector Henry Hudson, members of St. PPP loan, and even though we could not Although our outreach program is at a Daniel Larsen, Sr. Warden municants. the help of our coach, Virginia Monroe, and Paul’s staff and parishioners weathered the continue to pay seasonal staff, they standstill as far as a regular schedule, we All of these actions help to strengthen our Sarah Sartain at the diocese, we would still be trials and frustrations of technology to have a were able to stay safely at Camp until faithful following participating from home in still help families and individuals that seek Church from within and allows us to gather floundering. To the great joy of the parish, we the time that their seasons would have EMMANUEL, OPELIKA our 10:30 AM live-stream. By July 19, we be- help with food, direction, and financial strength so we may better serve our have called our Assistant Rector, the Rev. Dr. ended. During that time creativity ex- While closed, we made phone calls to mem- gan to hold an in-person 8 AM outside service aid. Our monthly beans and rice program is neighbors and all our faithful efforts to Callie Plunket-Brewton, and she has accepted. bers and sent out emails with all the readings in our courtyard in addition to the 10:30am still strong, giving out food monthly by curb- ploded! Camp McDowell created daily benefit all our outreach efforts. for the Sundays we weren’t having a service. Lastly, I would like to share how much I live-stream. Finally on Sunday, September 6, side delivery to anyone in our community. videos that connected with students Father John, Katherine, and all of the SSEC learned from the webinar on stewardship and friends through social media and Our parish house doors remained open for masked, six feet apart and rejoicing but not Kyle, Father Paul, Maria, and volunteers staff have done an incredible job, and we from the diocese. We are using many of the has offered compline and after chapel the 18 recovery group meetings using our singing, forty members gathered together have launched a monthly "free supper" are blessed to have their leadership, dedi- suggestions offered in our stewardship cam- facilities, and a few people continued to meet inside our beautiful church for the first time program along with members of First Pres- music every Wednesday night. A fund- paign this year and I hope it will be very suc- there. cation and perseverance during these un- in six months for a Eucharist that was both byterian Church, St Francis Catholic church, raiser in May brought all kinds of differ- cessful. Our committee is very excited about precedented times. in-person as well as live-streamed. and our daycare teachers and families. Par- ent Camp people together for The Camp Nancy Jonson, Sr. Warden it and this is the first time I know of where Thomas Perrine, Sr. Warden ticipants call in their request ahead of time, In. Though Camp McDowell was unable individuals are actually volunteering to be on We at St. Paul’s are grateful to report that, through the strong leadership of our still and they receive curbside delivery. to welcome guests and campers in its ST. TIMOTHY’S ATHENS this committee! usual way, Family Camps were born as a TRINITY, FLORENCE “new” Amy, and the cooperation and support Another program are "surprise lunches". At Saint Timothy's we have continued our As I said in the beginning I do think God has of our church members, we have had fewer way to offer a place of respite and fel- These last few months have definitely About once a month parish members who Beans and Rice Ministry, however we have been with us. Sometimes we are so busy we than five members to date reporting positive lowship during these incredibly trying been a challenge for Trinity but I do think could really use the help are called to see if moved it outside and curbside. We have also forget his presence surrounds us and I think to COVID-19. times. God has been in the midst of us. When we they would like a lunch delivered, as well as expanded it to be able to give a few more dry we have all been called to see him in the could no longer worship and study togeth- Grace Hobbs, Sr. Warden contacting first responders we can deliver There have been many ways that Camp goods such as pasta and peanut butter. We notes and phone calls and baskets of toma- er, we turned to social media, YouTube, to. McDowell has stretched and grown dur- also were able to host Prayer Stations out- toes that have graced our lives over these Zoom and anything else to connect. Our We are very fortunate that Father Paul was ing this time. Camp staff was reduced side, despite a bit of rain. People were able past months. priests have involved as many different ST. PETER’S, TALLEDEGA able to have Bishop Curry visit the vestry to physically distance while engage in some Mary White, Sr. Warden 75% at the beginning of the summer, individuals as possible in our Sunday ser- We are grateful to have Father Paul Elliott as recently to become more acquainted. We and the remaining staff have gone faith based meaningful activities outside of vices online. Instead of being merely a our interim rector while we are going through had a very fruitful question and answer ses- above and beyond to help keep God’s the church. TRINITY, CLANTON Sunday event, these have become the the search process for our future clergy during sion to help us work through multiple is- Backyard cared for and safe. The Rev. Rosie Veal Eby subject of discussions throughout the We have continued to send out weekly news- this stressful time. sues. The Rev. Corey Jones, Executive Director week. Phone conversations and reunion letters. Fr. Mark sends out weekly links to Father Paul was instrumental in directing us in David Roberts, Sr. Warden groups have reflected on everything from audio recordings of his sermon and Sunday ST. STEPHEN’S, BIRMINGHAM the sermon to the bell ringers! We also morning service. There is a “calling tree” so We have attempted to stay connected to our uploaded “Moments of Hope,” personal that no member feels abandoned during this parishioners in many ways. We immediately videos created by members of our parish time and to help us become aware of any began offering Morning Prayer and Daily on their phones; some were short reflec- needs or concerns. The calling tree has been Prayer on Facebook Live six days a week. tions, others poems or prayers. One was well-received and I have had several com- 10 Stories11 of us

his year has been a busy season for DIOCESAN COMMUNICATIONS. The year began with three major events in January: the Walkabout, Diocesan Convention, and the Electing Convention for the Bishop New ways to love: stories of us Coadjutor. Each of these events was livestreamed and allowed people Tfrom across our diocese (and around the world) to join us for these important CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF THE ADVENT, lar, the service and sermon, music and Vestry meetings, and even virtual com- There has been an outpouring of notes and letters to our moments in our life together. BIRMINGHAM Dean’s class have been a significant source munion which our congregation missed so home-bound and those who have no internet connec- much. But we also recognized that people tions. Along with the Daughters of the King, clergy, and the In March when COVID-19 closed our church buildings, our congregations em- Like every other parish, our primary chal- of encouragement to well over a thousand of those who log on to our worship service needed a personal touch. Our members usual pastoral visitors, a team of volunteers sent notes to braced gathering online and livestreaming worship. By April, over half of our lenge has been our ability to meet togeth- congregations were offering worship online, and by May nearly all of our con- each week. and other volunteers formed a phone tree our parishioners first weekly, and then monthly over the er to both worship and study the Word of gregations were using digital communications for worship or gatherings. Dur- to check in with parishioners, especially past months. They have been a strong link to those who God. The challenges for individuals and In some ways, we are far less connected; in ing this time, diocesan communications curated resources for digital gather- during the most stringent stay at home have been cut off from the church since the pandemic families in our congregation while in isola- others, maybe even more so. Before being ing and consulted individually with over 20 parishes, offering resources for orders. Everyone received multiple calls. began. tion have also been of particular concern. able to gather as a larger body on Sundays, equipment, software, platforms, licensing, and web conferencing platforms. As time went on, we had the usual life Therefore, the Advent leadership felt the we shifted to Driveway Gatherings in the First Stop is a Homeless Community Center in Huntsville As our churches resume in-person worship, diocesan communications contin- need to “lean in” to this opportunity to early evening - smaller groups of 20 or so events-births, deaths, illness. where Rev. Rosie Veal Eby spends a lot of time being an ue to offer support as congregations create plans for ongoing digital and tend to the needs of our flock. who gather outside in one of our clergy’s We continued to provide weekend meals Episcopal presence and building a worshiping community. livestreaming ministries. Please contact Kelley Hudlow, [email protected] In the first days of the pandemic, we divid- driveways, for a time in the Word, of fel- to students at our partner school, Trace This summer it was also a place where three Sewanee for help and resources. ed our entire congregation into smaller lowship, and for prayer. Crossings, and also back to school sup- Clinical Pastoral Education Students were able to acquire groups (“flocks”). Other Adventers Bayard S. Tynes, Jr., Sr. Warden plies. Our Cursillo Groups adopted month- their clinical hours rather than hospitals due to COVID-19. ly meals for Food for the Journey, and our These students were able to be a non-anxious presence stepped forward to serve as Shepherds of these flocks, calling each person to check Meal Ministry stayed very busy making with a population of people that often are overlooked and HOLY APOSTLES, HOOVER contact-less delivery of dinners to aid not listened to in their most vulnerable time. Not only on them, pray with them, and see if there were they given pastoral care but they were involved in were any particular needs. Many are car- Holy Apostles found many ways to remain those who needed our help. worship and outreach still went on due to the efforts of ing for one another and providing pastoral a significant presence in the lives of its pa- We became very creative with our chil- care at several levels. rishioners during the COVID-19 Pandemic. dren, using YouTube Sunday School les- Nativity by utilizing drop off bins at the church. We relied on technology, Zoom, adult for- sons for our children. And at Easter, we We also started a Mask Ministry. To date, a devoted group We’ve continued to stream our services mation, Bible study, EfM, committee and knew our little ones would miss our annu- of women have made 1,200 reusable, cotton face masks, and offer other video content. In particu- al Egg Hunt. Volunteers surprised all our equaling $6,000 which has been donated to Manna House families of young ones by hiding eggs in and First Stop. The masks were initially sold in the Greene their yards and leaving them a "You've Street market store this spring and then sold at the Been Egged" message. We held a record- Greene Street Market every Thursday. breaking VBS virtual program where all CHRISTIAN FORMATION & DEPARTMENT OF LITURGY AND MUSIC Initially our online worship services were clergy only, but supplies were delivered to families and When the pandemic caused us to close the physical church doors in the as our clergy and staff worked together over the months, lessons delivered over Zoom. Our children midst of Lent, the Dept. of Christan formaton quickly connected with our online presence evolved. We were able to add virtual SPECIAL SESSION also had deliveries of prayer tags for their other dioceses and denominatons across the country to brainstorm and choirs and parishioners (of all ages) reading scripture and Special Session serves adult campers with disabilities across the back to school backpacks! share resources, knowledge and skills to move our programming and prayers providing the parish a larger connection. state. Our friends from camp are vulnerable on so many levels: YouTube has also been used for Sunday worship online. We shared resources like webinars, links, documents, some have compromised immune systems, many are over 60 years Services and Midweek Messages from our Wendy Wilson, Sr. Warden, The Rev. Susan Sloan ideas, and books on a FB group, by email newsleters, and our webpage. old, many live in institutions. We realized quickly that having camp Rector, Rev. Blake Hutson. Our Sanctuary and The Rev. Rose Veal Eby The department hosted its annual ONE conference via Zoom with several in-person this year wouldn’t be in the spirit of camp, because put- became a recording studio, with a dedi- great speakers from across the country and workshops that were very tmely and helpful during this tme of transiton. Right now, we are in the ting the safety and well being of our people first is core to who we cated member with audio/visual expertise ALL SAINTS, BIRMINGHAM are. We connect to some of our campers virtually with online ac- donated his equipment and talents to midst of curatng resources for Advent, Christmas pageants, Christmas, On March 15, 2020, Bishop Sloan was scheduled to visit tives. We could connect to others through a pen-pal program and record services that then were posted to and Epiphany. The Department has made sure to keep the resource page All Saints for confirmation. On Friday, March 13, our now personal phone calls. We could make sure that everyone still got a YouTube. As we knew we'd return to in- on the webpage up-to-date with resources for race relatons, as well as Bishop Curry gathered the entire staff to announce that in- camp t-shirt and a camp-in-a-bag care package. person worship, we formed our Transition resources for the liturgical seasons that can be used in small group for- Team to plan safe outside services starting person worship was suspended. There was an immediate mat or virtually. This has been a year of learning for our Special Session community. and overwhelming determination of the entire staff to live We’ve gathered resources to learn more about what leaders in in July and culminating in our first full con- The Department of Liturgy and Music has connected with other dioceses stream the service with Bishop Sloan on Facebook. What and denominatons to create a simple document for best practces for disability justice say about how we do better work with people of gregation inside service in September! now seems the “new norm” seemed a miracle. when we were able to gather for worship or programs again. This docu- abilities. In November we’re hosting a virtual event to learn and Diane Eggert, Sr. Warden From the diocese, Kelley Hudlow and Kathy Graham have ment is on dioala.org. We upgraded our diocesan license for streaming plan together how we can continue our work of honoring the digni- provided invaluable help with online skills at All Saints. and music so parishes would be covered for online services. We have ty of every person, and how we can do better. NATIVITY, HUNTSVILLE The One Conference which was held virtually was also of shared resources that were made available free of charge for worship This has been a year of deepening our roots by remembering who The Church of the Nativity has faced the enormous help. music, liturgies, etc. The department has shared informaton about copy- we are and by listening to the people we serve. COVID-19 challenges during the last seven Ministries throughout the parish have rapidly adapted to rights, streaming, etc. to help educate parishes on these important regu- Lindsey Mullen, Executive Director months with courage, creativity and inno- this new world. In the depths of the initial quarantine, the latons. We have shared webinars about how-to’s for flming worship, vation. Our clergy and staff stepped out of clergy offered online Morning and Evening Prayer and creatng virtual choirs, and ideas for Christmas services and pageants. their comfort zones and found many ways Compline each day. Sunday Worship has included online For additonal help and resources please contact Kathy Graham, Lifelong to overcome obstacles and keep our par- and outdoor services on the green. On Wednesday wor- Christan Formaton Coordinator, [email protected]. ish and community connected. 12 13 ship occurs on the lawn at people’s advantage of the hybrid (Zoom and in- to those parishioners staying safe at our understanding of the body of Christ. The Youth Department (YD) is a group of 10-12 graders that homes. Christian formation has continued person) services and will continue with home. Those attending could choose to We have done nothing extraordinary, but are elected by their peers to represent the youth on the Dioce- via Zoom meetings for adults and chil- them into the foreseeable future. sign or write a message in each card. we have maintained our fellowship-- san Level, and 6 adult advisors. During times before Covid- dren; some classes such as Rectors Bible Two of our parishioners recruited a small Our interim Rector and vestry continue including, as I have been told, an almost 19, the Youth Department’s largest job is to plan events for study and Centering Prayer have grown group and set up a phone tree to check to reach out to parishioners by email and unnoticeable decline in stewardship. Oth- high school youth throughout the year. During this new nor- significantly in size. VBS provided projects on our most vulnerable members, and I phone calls, and our interim Rector set up ers may not know this, but we haven't mal, the YD has been meeting much more frequently to come for children to do at home as they wrote notes. We also sent out a couple of a zoom coffee hour, available for parish- had a stewardship drive, per se, since up with new and creative ways to engage youth across the watched videos produced by the staff. parish-wide mailings to encourage and ioners to visit with one another. St. 2006 (when I became rector here), and diocese. As a diocese, we are part of Province IV, and the youth The music program has continued to pro- remind folks that we are still a communi- Michael’s continues to offer the outreach we have completed at least three major programs in our Province are looked to by other provinces for vide online worship music. ty. We sent the blessed palm crosses out ministry of beans and rice to the commu- projects of improvement of facilities with- ideas and creativity because of the strength that lies within them. Most recently we marked the sixth month by mail, as well as prayer cards and a pam- nity by a drive-thru at the church on a out having to borrow money or engage in of pandemic with a special online liturgy phlet on praying the hours. A faithful pa- monthly basis. The Harvesting Hope Gar- a special funds drive. Our YD is pushing us to new spaces we have never thought of den at the church continues to provide before. As we all navigate this new normal, we ask that you that involved music, spoken prayer and a rishioner has been mailing Sunday sermons As the people of Marion say about us, poem of lament, richly voiced and illumi- to those who couldn’t attend for a long fresh produce and herbs for community pray for all the youth who continue to mourn the loss of milestone events, connections nated by images from our community and time and that has continued during COVID. members, as another way of outreach with friends from across the state, and time at Camp McDowell, which serves as a safe ministry. St. Michael’s will continue to space and place of spiritual growth for all the youth. Please also pray for the minds and world. I would like to commend our members "They may be search for ways to provide parishioner hearts of those elected to the 2020-2021 Youth Department as they continue to find Our vestry has contacted every household who continued to support the church in and community connectedness during new and exciting ways to spread the Good News to all youth in our Diocese. in the parish twice during the past six prayer and in donations. Pledges contin- the pandemic and beyond. small, but they are months to keep in contact and determine ued to come in by mail, and financially, The Young Adults across the Diocese have also been handed a new scenario for gather- needs and elicit input. We plan to do the we have been in very good shape, espe- Jane Newman, Sr. Warden alive and powerful ing together. We offered an online book club to read Inspired by Rachel Held Evans and same with our stewardship drive this fall. cially for a small parish that hasn’t been engaged in conversation with one another about our familiarity with the Bible and the stories that we all know and love. We had a great group for that event and are planning Janet Givhan, Sr. Warden able to meet in person. Our outreach min- ST. WILFRID’S, MARION in the Spirit." istries also continued with a few changes to host another book club in November. We will continue to engage young adults in new We are not blessed with much electronic ways and look forward to the time we can be together again and grow this ministry in procedure. Food pantry groceries are equipment or technological know-how. Not much exciting here, just regular peo- GRACE, WOODLAWN within our diocese! Kathleen Lynch Franklin, Youth & Young Adult Ministries Coordinator handed out at the door and everyone is We began meeting outdoors at the edge ple doing regular things. The spirituality of Grace is very centered masked. Community Kitchens also serves of our cemetery in May, and continued The Rev. Dan Thornton, Rector Through these difficult days, we’ve man- another to make sure everyone is doing around the Eucharist and our Anglo- lunch in take away containers. Our sum- until September 6, when we went indoors aged to turn the barriers into a message of okay. Catholic liturgy is as much a part of our mer volunteers at GraceWorks built a for the first time since before Easter. hope and joy that will continue weaving Along the line of community service, we community identity as is our history of remote handwashing station for the ST. STEPHEN’S HUNTSVILLE At the beginning of COVID, our worship through our parish family and community. assist St. Mary’s by providing space for outreach ministry, and not being able to guests at Community Kitchens. was by mail. We sent the readings for the St. Stephen’s Huntsville is connecting in Katie Sanders, Sr. Warden their GED parent with baby program, and attend services has been extremely diffi- We have certainly been functioning in a week and a short homily to each parish wonderful new ways with our parish, but assist the Boy Scouts. Also, we have cult for many of our parishioners. We reduced capacity but our parishioners family because we did not have the re- also with our community. ST. MARK’S, BIRMINGHAM solved the problem of how to continue decided early on in the pandemic have remained faithful and remarkably sources for electronic worship. Then, we Two days after Bishop Sloan announced We have found at St. Marks that having with our food ministry during this pandem- response to continue to celebrate Mass adaptable under difficult circumstances. began to meet outside, all in family units the closure of churches for in-person wor- our service on Zoom is much more helpful ic period. Parishioners without hesitation from the Church but with a skeleton The Rev. Robyn E. Arnold, Rector and socially distanced and masked, mov- ship, St. Stephen’s was online for Sunday to our connection with one another than volunteered to purchase wagons as well as group. We knew that it would likely be a ing the time to 9:30 as to beat the heat. morning prayer, using a personal mobile the recorded services we earlier tried. agreeing to staff certain new roles in prepa- very long time until we were back to some We discovered that the missing element phone to broadcast over Facebook. That ration for the food distribution. Our recipi- type of “normal”, if at all, so we decided ST. MICHAEL’S, FAYETTE Watching a recording occasionally is good, for us was the Eucharist. So, we devised a was the beginning of our online Daily Of- but sharing in real time, seeing each oth- ents remain in their vehicles, and we to invest in a really good video/sound sys- 'no contact' communion using small, lid- The past eight months of the COVID-19 fice services - four each day - presided by er's faces, and hearing each other's voices transport the foods in the wagons to them. tem to stream our services. ded cups and individually placed wafers pandemic has presented some challenges our parish Priest, Jeff Evans, and a num- has been a greater blessing to us. Every- Heager Hill, Sr. Warden Our folks have said that being able to par- which parishioners came up, single file to to St. Michael’s in Fayette. One of the ber of volunteer parishioners. It’s given us one seeing each other is a part of the ticipate by Zoom has been a comfort. Just take one of the servings. main challenges has been making sure the necessary rhythms we seek through Zoom worship that we believe fosters a seeing inside the Church (Altar, windows, ST. THOMAS , HUNTSVILLE that all parishioners feel connected to Members of the parish carry the elements liturgical worship, yet also a chance for sense of being together in worship as we etc.) and especially our Zoom coffee hour each other during this unprecedented to others who cannot, or for health rea- others to offer their time for prayers - a normally are on Sundays. This tends to Once the Bishop suspended in-person have had great response. During the re- time. One way we chose to bridge this sons or fear of the disease, would not deeply moving experience during these create a sense of community and connec- worship in March, the future was full of mote coffee hour we check in on one an- connectedness was providing good wish- attend the worship services. This method surreal times. tion that is so important in this COVID -19 unknowns. As a congregation, and with other and share news. Even now, as we es/thinking of you cards at the Sunday of reaching out, I think, has been a unify- We’ve slowly begun to re-open our pandemic era. the direction of the Clergy and Vestry, we are beginning to open up we can see the outdoor services, which were then mailed ing act of ministry that has incorporated church for a safely planned Sunday Eucha- During our Eucharist service aside from collectively decided to the best way to rist. Providing these, as well as Sunday our inspiring and soul-searching sermons move forward was to be proactive. Within School and weekly Coffee House Theology by our priest, there are two other aspects a short amount of time we had assembled discussions over Zoom, we have enjoyed of our weekly service - playing the record- a Transition Committee to determine our having new friends join, building a com- ings of the hymns, both by choir and by best course of action. This committee was munity very quickly that in-person would our jazz musicians, and then our virtual charged with developing a re-opening have likely taken much longer. We've ‘Coffee Hour‘ fellowship time following plan for the future, spiritual and theologi- seen our pledges and contributions stay- the service that is well received. The music cal resources, viability of worship options, ing fast, and have been blessed with the has been uplifting and adds flavor to the and a pastoral care plan of action. By April time to initiate a Beans & Rice program Zoom experience of worship. During the we had established a plan to provide a Bishop G at St. Stephen's, Smith Staton, on October 4. for those hurting in our area. virtual coffee hour, we check in with one weekly live stream worship experience. St. Stephen’s is the only parish in our diocese in the Eastern tme zone. 14 15 One of the unexpected blessings from this CHRIST CHURCH, ALBERTVILLE hope to be able to provide an option that need is that we have purchased and in- allows fixed-income members to be able Parishioners and clergy have supported stalled a high quality camera along with to digitally connect with our church. Even each other during the pandemic by in- the equipment necessary to stream video. pre-pandemic, our parish is mostly elderly creasing communication within the parish. This will also allow us to live-stream other members, and poor health and mobility Our church is very small and close-knit, programs that take place in the Nave and frequently inhibit their ability to get to but once we were no longer able to meet also allow some of our members whom church. each week, parishioners have had to make we so easily take for granted to partici- more individual efforts to check on fellow At the beginning of the pandemic, our pate in the life of the parish. members. I have personally seen the in- church was able to partner with various In June we added a once-monthly outdoor crease of young people communicating churches in our city to distribute mass worship service. We also figured out a with older members and vice versa to food donations to local school students way to provide individual communion kits, check in and make sure everyone has through the Blessing in a Backpack pro- which has allowed us to celebrate the what they need. gram. We also combined our Beans and Eucharist together. These kits were indi- Rice ministry with larger churches that Diocesan staff approved the technology vidually and safely prepared with a small distribute food in order to reach more grant that will allow us to purchase some amount of wine and a wafer. Pick-up people in need. By April, we were able to resources to help bridge communication times were established at exterior on-site start hosting our own Beans and Rice with older members who do not have locations at the church and usually staffed again, and have continued serving our internet access. We are currently in the by clergy. This was an excellent way to community through this ministry. Two or middle of pricing and comparing the best have socially distanced face-to-face com- three times large portions of food have way to purchase resources that will be munication with members of the congre- were offered to our church to give out at beneficial for the longest amount of time gation when they picked up their kits. Pa- Beans and Rice, and it has been a blessing that also include ease of use for our older rishioners have been most appreciative of that community organizations have donat- parish members. As far as other re- the opportunity to celebrate the Eucharist ed to it so we can provide more blessings. together. sources, we have utilized various digital meeting platforms to host bible studies, Honestly, COVID-19 brought a struggling While much has changed, many things prayer, and social hours. Facebook live church to its knees. Through the struggle, have remained constant at St Thomas. and recorded sermons have allowed for Christ Episcopal Church of Albertville pa- Weekly bible studies continue via Zoom our parish to continue worship from rishioners and clergy have become more and pastoral care primarily continues via home. connected to each other as we face diffi- phone calls by clergy and lay volunteers. cult decisions about the direction of our Pastoral care is something that we are The Bailey Cove Farmer's Market began church for the coming year. on-site in June and has continued to draw struggling with because many of our older Jennifer Matthews, Sr. Warden large crowds every Saturday (social dis- members who fall into a high-risk category tancing is strongly encouraged and masks won't buy in to using technology to connect with us. Phone calls have are required). This has been a real gift to the farmers as well as the community in been our best attempt at pasto- south Huntsville. A Beans and Rice minis- ral care. Currently, we are re- try was provided from March until May. searching the same type of The Little Free Pantry remains heavily uti- hotspot rentals that the local lized and continues to provide free food to public library has acquired for the local community. And on top of all of public school students. We this, we hired a new curate in June! Brett Tomlin, Sr. Warden

NEW WAYS TO LOVE:

Pictured: Supplies for the Beans and Rice program at THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF ALABAMA 521 20th Street North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203 Christ Church, Albertville.