People from across the Diocese of Alabama gather at St. Mary’s-on-the-Highlands Episcopal Church in Birmingham on Sept. 25 for a celebration Eucharist honoring the success of the “Equipping the Saints” capital campaign. Photo: Courtesy of Nana Afia Tenkoramaa
[Diocese of Alabama] The Diocese of Alabama has surpassed its goal of $7.5 million for the “Equipping the Saints” capital campaign, raising $8.2 million for congregational vitality, racial healing & pilgrimage and Camp McDowell programs. Bishop Glenda Curry made the announcement Sept. 25 during a celebration Eucharist held at St. Mary’s-on-the Highlands Episcopal Church in Birmingham.
Delivering the sermon, Curry shared, “We are here together tonight because each of you did a really hard work of talking about, thinking about, praying about your own resources and money and offering yourselves, your souls and bodies to God’s work in this campaign. You did it, and we have come together to thank Jesus for making it possible. Our gifts are signs that we are all aiming for richness in being, and we want to start to share all that we have been given because God has made it possible.”
Launched in January 2024, the campaign was built on three priorities that are closely aligned with the broader strategic initiatives for the future of the diocese: $4 million for congregational vitality, $2.5 million for Camp McDowell, and $1 million for racial healing and pilgrimage. The campaign unfolded in phases, beginning with a private phase from January to late summer 2024, followed by a public phase for parishes and individuals through August 2025, with pledges from more than 350 donors and multiple parishes.
Curry described the effort as “more than a financial endeavor. It is a spiritual pilgrimage, an opportunity to strengthen the collective foundation and build a lasting legacy.”
Work in all three areas is already underway. At Camp McDowell, the campaign focuses on preserving the oldest parts of the camp so that they can continue serving future generations. One significant step has been the repair and upgrade of the septic system, while work is also nearly complete on accessible pool restrooms, which feature updated layouts, fixtures and lighting.
The Church of the Good Shepherd in Montgomery, a historically Black Episcopal congregation, holds a rich and enduring legacy in the heart of Alabama. As part of the campaign’s focus on racial healing and pilgrimage, efforts to preserve and strengthen the church aim to honor its history while establishing it as a spiritual home for pilgrimage, where people from the diocese and beyond will encounter the reconciliation God has given in Christ.
Curry also noted that, in the area of congregational vitality, the diocese has awarded 223 grants to 72 parishes over the past three years, most serving small to medium-sized congregations. “These $2,000–$5,000 grants have inspired parishes to reach more deeply into their communities—whether through renovations that create welcoming spaces or other projects that make the love of Jesus more visible and available. Thanks to the “Equipping the Saints” capital campaign, this grant program is now funded annually, ensuring that our next bishop will continue to strengthen and grow our congregations for years to come,” she said.
Campaign co-chairs Liesel and Will French described their experience as a rewarding journey that connected them to more churches and people across the diocese. “Our people really love their church and are willing to respond positively when you ask them to do something,” Liesel French said. Will said he hopes that “the success of this campaign will invigorate the parishes that need help and inspire other dioceses to do the same for the growth of their people and communities.”
Cornelia and Tom Heflin, also co-chairs, noted that part of their reason for serving on the campaign cabinet was that the initiatives spoke to both practical and pastoral needs. “The campaign addressed tangible projects, like Camp McDowell repairs, and pastoral priorities, including congregational vitality and inclusivity,” they said.
The Rev. Chase Ackerman, rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Decatur, and a member of the campaign cabinet, emphasized that the campaign’s broad scope helped people across the diocese recognize themselves in its goals. “It was fun to engage with people I did not meet with regularly. People could see themselves in this work, and it made them want to contribute,” he said.
Claire Cotten, director of mission funding, and McKenzie Oeder, assistant director, credited the campaign’s success to the commitment of the cabinet, Curry’s leadership and the support of parishes and donors.
“To me, this campaign is a clear sign that God is good all the time and that The Episcopal Church in Alabama is and will be vital to the building of God’s kingdom here in Alabama,” Cotten said. “I will always be grateful for those who made these projects possible with their generosity and love for God and their neighbor.”
The Diocese of Alabama is home to 86 parishes, two worshipping communities and six college ministries stretching from Mobile to the Tennessee state line.