The Alabama Episcopalian the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama Epiphany January-February 2011 / Vol
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The Alabama EPISCOPALIAN The Episcopal Diocese of Alabama Epiphany January-February 2011 / Vol. 96, No. 1 2 • The Alabama Episcopalian Around Our Diocese The Alabama Episcopalian On The Cover January - February 2011 Lamb Studios in Philmont, New York, created the University Win- This issue highlights the key role campus ministry has continued dow for Canterbury Chapel in 1992. Donald Simick, the proprietor to play in serving college students throughout our diocese since 1919, of the company, which was established in 1857 and is the oldest when one of the Episcopal Church’s first “student inquiry stations” continually operating stained-glass studio in the United States, de- was established at St. Dunstan’s in Auburn. Continuing St. Dunstan’s signed the background, and artist Hendrick J. VandeBurgt designed 90-year legacy as the Episcopal Church at Auburn University, the Rev. the vignettes in close consultation with then-Rector Dr. Wells Warren, chaplain and rector of the worshiping community, is and Chaplain Jim Woodson. guiding students in experiencing personal and spiritual growth by serv- The University Window includes the Canterbury Cross, music ing others both on and off campus. Please see “Campus Ministry in the and Denny Chimes, a teacher and classroom, the “Gathering of Diocese of Alabama” on page 12 and “Serving in the Year of Mission— Knowledge” (which includes a computer and a microscope), and St. Dunstan’s Commitment to Alabama Rural Ministries” on page 16. a larger student gathering. Another window, also created by Lamb The Rev. Michael Rich and the Rev. Deacon Stan Easton, the Epis- Studios and installed at the same time, parallels the University Win- copal chaplains at Jacksonville State University, are also helping students dow in both location near the altar and theme. learn more about themselves by reaching out to others through a vari- The Biblical Window features angels with musical instruments, ety of hands-on projects. In the past few years they have done every- the young Jesus teaching in the Temple, the Feeding of the Five thing from mucking out and repairing hurricane-ravaged houses to Thousand, and Jesus enthroned and surrounded by the Gospel packaging rice and other staples to be distributed through a local area Tetramorph (four traditional angel-winged creatures). In the initial food ministry. Please see “Experiencing Purpose and Meaning While correspondence between the Rev. Jim Woodson and Lamb Studios Serving Others” on page 17. about the design of the two windows, the overall themes were des- The University Window at Canterbury ignated as “Way-Truth-Life—University Life” and “I Am the Light The Rev. Liston Garfield, rector of St. Andrew’s in Tuskegee, and Chapel in Tuscaloosa; photo by Rachel the members of his parish are continuing their church’s 60-year his- Dobson, a member of Canterbury Chapel of the World—Biblical.” tory of serving the students and faculty of historic Tuskegee University by sharing their parish life and providing welcome holiday meals and quiet places to study. Please see “Sharing Our Christian Faith and Life” on page 15. Search/Nomination and Transition Rector and Chaplain Marc Burnette and the members of Canter- bury Chapel in Tuscaloosa initiated a new program this year to bring University of Alabama students of all faiths together for a meal and Committees Hard at Work discussions. Gathering around a common table has provided a unique Since the close of nominations in October, the Search/Nominating Committee for the election opportunity for respectful interfaith dialogue. Please see “God and of the 11th Bishop of Alabama has been working hard and prayerfully to identify a slate of candidates. Grits at Canterbury Chapel” on page 13. “The process is going very well, and we have identified a rich pool of diverse candidates that we are Chaplain William “Bill” Blackerby Jr. and student leaders at Trin- very excited about,” reported Dr. Drew Clark, Search Committee chair. “We are confident that we will ity Commons at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) fulfill our charge by presenting a slate of excellent candidates. We have a gifted group of candidates planned a retreat at Camp McDowell to provide some time away from who are united in their passion for ministry and commitment to the Episcopal Church,” Clark said. studies to develop stronger relationships through a variety of shared The committee began by reviewing the paper credentials of all of the candidates including resumes, experiences. Please see “Stories, Stars, and Spaghetti—Nurturing letters of support, and the candidates’ answers to a series of essay questions. “We met in October to Community at Trinity Commons” on page 14. screen forward a number of candidates from the original group,” said Clark. Rector and Chaplain John Wesley and the members of St. Andrew’s In November, the committee broke into three sub-teams and conducted in-depth telephone inter- in Montevallo are delighted that their newly completed Canterbury views with the candidates. The committee as a whole met again on December 4 to review the results House is providing a “home” where University of Montevallo students of the interviews and identify a more manageable list of candidates who will be visited for face-to-face can find community and participate in the life of the parish. Please see interviews/discussions in January and February. “All Are Welcome at Canterbury House” on page 15. “The process calls for our best diligence,” said Clark, “but our interactions with the nominees and Bishop Sloan describes campus ministry as “throwing seeds” (please with one another have felt like occasions of joyful discernment and spiritual growth. It’s definitely a see page 4). “In all the ways you do it, with all the plans and pro- job, but it doesn’t feel like work.” grams and dinners and lunches and conversations and guidance and The committee is scheduled to announce a slate of candidates on April 25, 2011. Meanwhile, the sitting with the next generation in their most joyful and most tragic Transition Committee has been working to plan the walkabout, election, and consecration, according moments—just keep throwing the seeds out there. The seeds you’re to Alleen Cater, Transition Committee chair. throwing are nothing less than the love of God, in the grace of our The walkabout is scheduled for June 25 at St. Luke’s in Birmingham. “While open to everyone in Lord Jesus Christ. And you will not run out.” the diocese, the walkabout provides an opportunity for electing convention delegates to see and hear In “Happiness” on page 3 Bishop Parsley explores our natural each of the candidates,” said Cater. Delegates will have an opportunity to submit questions in writing, “quest” to be “outrageously happy.” Noting that happiness tends to be which will be submitted to the candidates as they proceed from one room/group to another.” short-lived and leaves us wanting more, he suggests that it is helpful The election is scheduled for July 16, and the consecration is planned for January 7, 2012. Both of “to make a distinction between joy and happiness.” He also reminds us these events will be held at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham. that “joy is at the heart of our faith. It is always at hand. Kiss it as it flies. Our diocesan Standing Committee has asked all parishioners to join in the work of the committees Live it. Don’t keep it to yourself.” through individual and corporate prayer. “We would like to remind parishes to continue to include the This issue also features information about our upcoming 180th search process in their weekly prayers of the people,” said the Rev. Alison Carmody, Standing Commit- Annual Diocesan Convention, including nominees for office and the tee president. proposed 2011 diocesan budget. Please see pages 6-7. The Standing Committee wrote and offers the following prayer for use: Prayer for the Election of a Bishop Almighty God; Send down upon your Church and the Diocese of Alabama the comfort of your Holy Spirit, Please send stories and photographs (color, if available) for The Ala- that this same spirit may lead us in this time of transition. Guide us as we seek your wisdom, so that we may bama Episcopalian to Editor Norma McKittrick at [email protected] choose a bishop who will walk in your ways, and so draw our hearts to you, that in all that we do we may glorify or 2156 Kent Way, Birmingham, AL 35226. The submission deadline your name. We pray this through your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. for each issue is the 1st of the month prior to publication. The AlAbAmA episcopAliAn • JAnuAry/FebruAry 2011 Salt and Light: From the Bishop The Alabama Episcopalian • 3 Happiness there a secret? It is an ancient question that can be traced as something that is simply there. We can only kiss it as it to the earliest philosophical and theological writings of flies; we cannot “have” it. humanity. Are there any secrets to joy, to living a joyful life? I I have always found it helpful to make a distinc- have a few ideas after living 62 years—let me lay them tion between joy and happiness. It is a subtle distinction out, and see what you think. perhaps, but very important. Our Lord did not exactly The first is seeing all things as gift. Life is gift. Every promise pure happiness, but he did say emphatically that day is gift. The people we love and who love us are gifts. he wanted “my joy to be in you and your joy to be full.” The earth is gift. This is the “winged life” of which the poet wrote.