The Right Reverend Michael Curry, Bishop of North Carolina

"This is the Lord’s house, home of all his people, school for the faithful, refuge for the sinner, rest for the pilgrim, haven for the weary; all find welcome.” St. Alban’s Davidson is a friendly, inclusive, and growing Episcopal parish in the Diocese of North Carolina. Whether you are an Episcopalian or a person seeking a new church home, we invite  you to join us in worship as we strive to be faithful disciples of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Bishop of our Diocese, The Right Reverend Michael Curry, proclaims that,             “Our vision as a diocese is to be a community of disciples committed to following Jesus Christ into the dream of God for us and for all creation. The dream of God is a way of talking about God's original purpose and intention for creation, the full expression of loving communion and community between God, human beings and all creation. It is a way of talking about the biblical vision of God's promised blessing for all (Genesis 12:1-3), of God's Shalom or peace (Isaiah 11:1-9), and of the kingdom or reign of God's love (Mark 12:28-34).

To be a disciple is to walk the high road of the Gospel. It is to traverse the royal road of love, to be a person of compassion, to summon forth justice in season and out, to embody the very forgiveness of God and to incarnate the reconciliation which is God's ultimate goal in creation. Thus, discipleship is a journey, following Jesus of Nazareth, through the nightmare that is often our world into the dream that God intends for us and all creation.”

St. Alban’s shares Bishop’s Curry vision to be a people who desire to live God’s dream, walking the high road of the Gospel. We are all pilgrims in this journey who desire to continually add fellow pilgrims to our company.

Come and journey with this community of joyful pilgrims committed to the forward mission of the Gospel of Christ. If we can assist you in your own spiritual journey in any way, please let us know.

April Letter from the Rector:

Hello, Friends in Christ.

Well, our beloved Davidson College Wildcats certainly took us for a joyous ride this past week into the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament--what fun!  Not sure what their team goals were this year, but I suppose they came close or exceeded them.  Thanks for the memories, everyone.

Speaking of the Elite Eight, let me group together and share with you my “Elite Eight 2008” goals for St. Alban’s Parish.   I have shared them with the Vestry recently, though not quite in this form.  What do you think?  How do you respond?  What suggestions do you offer?  This vision for St. Alban’s—to what extent will you help make it happen?

Goal #1:  Encourage and equip all members of St. Alban’s parish to express faith in Christ by applying their “spiritual gift” in at least one area of service inside the parish and in at least one area in the community beyond.  What “niche” of expertise and experience do you feel God calling you to exercise this year?

Goal #2:  Fully upgrade and modernize all aspects of parish communications and networking.   The Vestry has worked hard to diagnose how we can improve an already fine system.  Under Peter’s leadership, they feel determined to make it even better.  What would you like to see?    How would you like to keep informed?  Network with me!

Goal #3:  Establish comprehensive, written policies and procedures, including job and task descriptions and building use, so that we can maximize our efficiency and effectiveness.  Sounds too secular?   Not at all, in my opinion.  How important for us as a parish is good stewardship of God’s bounty?

Goal #4:  Oversubscribe our budget so we can meet “challenge goals” in the way of increased support for Costa Rican missions, music ministry, Children’s & Youth Ministries.   Rich Boughrum has been asked and has agreed to chair our Stewardship Team.  Rich:  “David, how about as a theme for the year, Lift Up Your Hearts?”  Works for me?  Everyone? 

Goal #5:  Replace the staff members who are transitioning out with those of equal caliber, if that’s possible.  Within the past two weeks both Debbie Tschudy (Financial Secretary) and Sara Merritt (Coordinator of Children’s Ministries) have resigned, sad to say.  Debbie’s moving to Mobile, Alabama.  Sara’s plate is full with her first baby on the way. 

God bless you both…and God help us to find capable individuals who can walk in your footsteps, dear friends.

Goal #6:  If we meet Goal #4, then I envision our searching for, praying about, and calling to our staff team a Youth Minister, probably part-time, to work under Pastor Meg’s supervision in coordinating all aspects of our ministry with and for youth.   When was the last time you took the time to express gratitude to all the Youth Sunday School teachers and youth leaders?

Goal #7:  Build a Habitat for Humanity home in this area and do something major in Costa Rica.   Two great all-church team projects! St. Alban’s parish members, about fifty of you, already volunteer regularly and exhaustingly with Our Town’s Habitat.  I think it’s time for us as a parish to take on our own project, perhaps in cooperation with another smaller church in this town.  We’ve already raised $10,000 of the $66,000 needed.  

Plus, we will continue to work with Bishop Monterroso to make some type of major mission contribution in Costa Rica.  

What a great opportunity to work together, get to know each other, and make a genuine difference in this area.  

How many hours and dollars can you contribute?

Goal #8:  Encourage and enable, for all of us, making our life in Christ, the anchoring, foundational, and integrating factor in our lives.  Remember my sermon about the center piece of the jigsaw puzzle?  Faith is not the only dimension to life, but faith development brings enhanced meaning and significance to all other dimensions.  What are your own “Elite Eight” goals for personal spiritual formation in the coming year?  How can I help you achieve those goals? 

The Reverend David E. Buck, Rector

dbuck@gostalbans.org