AdventurerEpiphany

Cathedral Church of the Advent • 2017 6th Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203 • (205) 251-2324

Vol. 42, No. 3 AdventBirmingham.org Week of January 21, 2018

Annual Parish Meeting Is this SundayThe 145th Annual Meeting of the Church

of the Advent will be held this Sunday, Janu-ary 21, 10:00 a.m. in the Nave (immediately following the 9:00 service). Dean Pearson will deliver his annual address to the par-ish, noting highlights of the past year and thoughts on the year to come. In addition, parishioners will elect 10 persons to serve on the Vestry. See the insert for profiles of the Vestry nominees. See page 3 for more information.

Within the pages of this Adventurer you will read of Deborah Leigh-ton transitioning to a part-time position. She will still be involved in the ministry of the Advent, especially our women’s

ministry, but will be taking more time to be at home with her daughter. From my view, this is a very brave move on Deborah’s part.

The modern world is very unfair to wom-en. I remember research that was done while I was an undergraduate at UVa that asked female students what their life goals were. More than 90 percent said that they aspired to be married, have a family, and serve as the CEO of a Fortune 500 com-pany by age 40. The pressure on young women in our culture is not to be believed. Such pressure is leading to women getting married older (if at all) and having fewer children (if any at all). In a word, it’s unfair.

I say Deborah is brave because she un-derstands God’s call on her life, and we could all benefit by looking to her as an ex-ample. We all serve various roles in our lives

and there is always an order of priority. I am a Christian, a husband, a father, and a pastor, in that order. But if I look at my life, does it demonstrate this order?

I mentioned in a recent sermon that I find it easier to pastor the Advent than to pastor my family. This is because minister-ing to my family is intensely personal and so much more is at stake. As a result, many men simply abdicate this role that they are called to and rely on others to do the min-istering. If we’re honest, many men (and women) don’t know where to begin.

Do I understand that my relationship with the Lord Jesus determines what kind of husband, father, and pastor I am? That the strength of my marriage is determined by my reliance upon a stronger savior? My ability to father my children is to submit to my Heavenly Father? The best thing that I can do for my family and the Advent is to commit myself, body and soul, to the Lord Jesus Christ. This may come at the expense of other priorities, but I pray for the cour-age to be willing to place those in their rightful place that God may have preemi-nence in my life. - Andrew

News & Events A Word from the Dean

The 9:00 a.m. service is broadcast live on WERC 960 AM, 105.5 FM, and AdventBirmingham.org.Sermon and class recordings are available at AdventBirmingham.org.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anx-ious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” - St. Matthew 6:33-34

Children’s & Youth Education:Classes are offered for 3-years and older. See Sunday’s service leaf-let for details. Nurseries are open 8:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. At the 5:00 service, childcare is available for 5-years and younger.

This Sunday:January 21, 2018Third Sunday After the Epiphany

Coat Drive this SundayBring new or gently used coats and jack-

ets to donate this Sunday morning, January 21. See page 2 for details.

Lectionary:Psalm 62:6-14Jonah 3:1-5, 101 Corinthians 7:29-31St. Mark 1:14-20

Services:7:30 a.m. Holy Communion9:00 a.m. Morning Prayer11:00 a.m. Morning PrayerDoug Webster will preachat all morning services.5:00 p.m. Holy CommunionPreacher: Dean Pearson

Adult Education: 10:10 - 10:50 a.m.Adult classes will not meet this Sunday, January 21, due to the annual Parish Meeting. Classes will resume next Sunday, January 28.

Changes for Deborah LeightonIn order to allow Deborah to spend more

time with her family – especially her young daughter Althea – she is scaling back her ministry responsibilities, beginning this month. Her position will move to one that is approximately half-time, as she assumes the role of Director of Women’s Ministries and Clergy Associate. We are grateful for Debo-rah’s ministry at the Advent, and that she will continue to be a very present part of it going forward. See page 3 for more information.

GET INVOLVED! SEE WHAT’S GOING ON!

January 21, 2018

serving & outreach

Advent House: Intercessory prayer is on-going at Advent House. If you would like to schedule a prayer session, call Kathy Logue at 410-4622.

spiritual growth& fellowship

Youth MinistrySr. High “Tailgate” Family Dinner this Sunday

Sr. High youth will gather for the “Tailgate” Family Dinner this Sunday, January 21, 6:57-8:15 p.m. at Cranmer House (2814 Linden Avenue, 35209). Each family will compete to create the best tailgate meal. Go team! For more information, contact Mary Beth Cunningham (MaryBeth@CathedralAdvent.com).

Coat DriveCollection for Sawyerville this Sunday

The Advent will host its annu-al Coat Drive this Sunday, Janu-ary 21. Bring your gently used coats or jackets to Clingman Commons to donate after the 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., or 11:00 a.m. service. Once again, we’ll be partnering with our ministry part-ner Sawyerville Day Camp in Greensboro, Alabama, to provide coats for their campers and their families. Although we need coats of all sizes, children’s coats are especially appreciated.

Women’s MinistryMary Hanson to Speak at Luncheon January 24

The Advent’s Mary Hanson will speak at the Women’s Winter Luncheon on Wednes-day, January 24, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in Clingman Commons. All women of the Advent and their guests are invited to hear Mary’s talk, Feed Your Soul: Turning to the Word for Nourishment. To register and re-serve a spot in the nursery, visit AdventBir

mingham.org/News.A member of the Advent for 40 years, Mary has served in many

roles, including Lenten Lunches Chairman, ECW President, Small Group Leader, and Advent House prayer intercessor. Mary and hus-band Victor have three grown children and six grandchildren.

Come hear an encouraging word and share in fellowship over lunch. Cost is $10 per person. For more information, contact Anne Lynn Langloh (ALangloh@gmail.com, 504-9011).

Lenten LunchesMeet Friends... Serve Others... On Your Schedule

Consider using the gifts God has given you to minister to our community. All of us at the Advent are called to be dis-ciples for Christ, and we cannot do it without the help of our valued and much-needed volunteers. And it is fun! It is also a great way to meet other Adventers. Pick a day and time that works for you and join us. You can chop, cook, drive, clean – we can use all types of skills. Have an hour once a week to help with Lenten Lunches? We would love to have you! Yes you. Get a group or just come alone; you won’t regret it. Email Tanya Cooper (tmcetal@aol.com) about your availability.

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. - 1 Peter 4:10

Deadline to Complete Communications Survey Is this Sunday

As many will remember, one of the tenets of our recent visioning process was communication – we are committed to communicating in ways that effectively enhance and further the ministry of the Ad-vent, from top to bottom. A central part of this is a survey that we hope many Adventers will complete: men and women, from all of our Sunday services, of all ages, and from many different zip codes.

We are working with a communications group called Fishhook that works specifically with churches. They have prepared the survey – would you please consider taking a few minutes to complete it if you haven’t already?

The easiest way is to complete it online:SurveyMonkey.com/R/TheAdvent.

You can also find a direct link to it on our website (AdventBirming ham.org). Or if it is easier for you to complete a paper version, copies of it will be available in Clingman Commons this Sunday morning.

All completed surveys need to be submitted by the end of the day on Sunday, January 21, so the results can be compiled. Thanks!

The ForumGlobal Teams Reps to Speak at Dinner January 28

Representatives from Global Teams, an Advent ministry partner, will speak at The Forum on Sunday, January 28, 6:15 p.m. in Clingman Commons (immediately following the Five O’Clock service). Dinner will be served.

From beatings in tiny shacks to witnessing conversions of tribal leaders in rural Africa, our guests will tell incredible stories of God’s power, faithfulness, and heart for all nations. Sheryl Shaw, North American Director of Global Teams and Francis, Country Coordinator for Malawi, will share stories of their own as well as those from fellow ministry partners. Francis has mobilized more field partners for Global Teams than any other country coordinator. Sheryl works to mobilize North Americans.

Contact Bethany Rushing (Bethany@CathedralAdvent.com, 226-3512) for more information.

Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” - St. Mark 1:14-15

AdventBirmingham.org • Phone (205) 251-2324 January 21, 2018

education

making music

Choral EvensongSung Service Set for January 28

The Cathedral Choir will sing Choral Evensong on Sunday, January 28, 3:00 p.m. in the Nave. Evensong, a sung version of the Evening Prayer service, is drawn almost entirely from the Bible. Its primary purpose is to proclaim in prayer and praise the wonderful works of God through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Join us for worship of our Lord and Savior through prayer and song. Canon Smalley will officiate. Parking will be available in the Financial Center deck.

Midday MusicCharles Kennedy to Play Organ January 26

Our Midday Music Series will continue on Fri-day, January 26, 12:30 p.m. in the Nave, with an organ recital by our own Charles Kennedy, As-sociate Director of Music and Organist at the Ad-vent. His program will feature works by J.S. Bach, Herbert Howells, Leo Sowerby, and C. Hubert H. Parry. You are cordially invited to attend this free, 30-minute recital.

Volunteers Needed!We need some weekday and Sunday volunteers. A new schedule for Sun-

day volunteers will start in February (usually one Sunday per month, 8:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.). New weekday volunteers can start any time. If you can help us, please call Cindy Funderburk at the store (323-2959).

The Bookstore continues its 50 percent-off sale. We’re still pulling items including jewelry to add to the sale. So come in to see what bargains are avail-able!

Regular store hours are Monday-Thursday, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., and Sun-day, 8:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Contact us: 323-2959 or Bookstore@CathedralAd vent.com. Visit us any time: AdventBirmingham.org/Bookstore. We hope to see you in the store!

bookstore

Parish Meeting Is this SundayThe annual Parish Meeting will be held this Sunday, January 21, 10:00 a.m.

in the Nave. This is a great opportunity for parishioners to hear directly from the Dean about “the state of the parish” – looking back over the past year and looking ahead to 2018 and beyond.

Also at the meeting, parishioners will elect 10 persons to serve on the Vestry and Chapter of the Cathedral. (Those entitled to vote in the Vestry election are confirmed/received members of the Advent age 16 and above.) Ballots will be distributed and picked up for teachers, workers, and volunteers in the nurseries and Sunday School classrooms. See the insert for profiles of the Vestry nomi-nees.

If you’re at the 9:00 a.m. service, please stay for this meeting; if you’re at-tending the 11:00 a.m. service, please come early for this 10:00 a.m. meeting. Early service and Five O’Clock regulars will also find it worth their while to make a special trip to attend this once-a-year important parish gathering.

We hope to see you there.

Inquirers’ ClassSpring Series to Begin January 28

The Inquirers’ Class will begin its nine-week spring series during Sunday School (10:10-10:50 a.m.) on January 28. It will meet in the Diocesan Conference Room (entrance in the church gar-den area). This course will give you an idea of what the Advent believes and why we believe it. It is open to anyone, but is designed particularly for newcomers. For more information, please contact Fontaine Pope (Fontaine@CathedralAd vent.com, 443-8562).

Youth ConfirmationClasses for 6th Graders to Begin January 28

Confirmation for 6th graders will begin on Sunday, January 28. That morning during the 9:00 service, students will report to the Coe Con-ference Room as the younger children leave at announcements. That night at 6:00 p.m., we will host a Confirmation kickoff dinner for parents and 6th graders in the Refectory. Please contact Rachel Cain for more information (Rachel@Cath edralAdvent.com).

Deborah Leighton Changing RolesIn order to allow her to spend more time with her family

– especially her young daughter Althea – Deborah Leighton (right) is scaling back her ministry responsibilities, beginning this month. We are tremendously grateful for Deborah’s ministry at the Advent, and that she will continue to be a faithful and very present part of it going forward. Her posi-tion will move to one that is approximately half-time, as she assumes the role of Director of Women’s Ministries and Clergy Associate. Our Missions and Outreach Ministry will continue under the capable leadership of Bethany Rushing.

While adjusting to this transition may take some time, we are grateful that Deborah will continue to provide leadership and guidance to the women’s min-istry of the Advent, while also being very much a part of our worship on Sun-days. Deborah is tremendously grateful to God for her five years of ministry at the Advent, as well as for the opportunity to continue to serve on the clergy team, even if in a more limited way. We are certainly glad to have her.

Please join me in giving thanks for the continued ministry of Deborah and Scott, as well as for this opportunity for her to spend more time with Althea.

- ACP

Cathedral Church of the Advent2017 6th Avenue NorthBirmingham, AL 35203-2701

Periodical Postage PaidBirmingham, AL

Published weekly (except bi-weekly June 15-August 15) USPS 055150 for no subscription fee by the Cathedral Church of the Advent, 2017 6th Ave North, Birmingham, AL 35203-2701. Periodical postage paid at Birmingham, AL POSTMASTER: Send changes to THE ADVENTURER OF THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF THE ADVENT, 2017 6th Ave North, Birmingham, AL 35203-2701.

calendar:SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

Regular Worship scheduleParish Meeting - Nave - 10 a.m.Coat Drive - Cling-manSr. High Family Dinner - Cranmer House - 6:57 p.m.

Allen Ross Bible Study - Cranmer House - 7 a.m.Women’s Bible Study - Cranmer House - 9:15 a.m.Psalms Bible Study - 2900 Cahaba Rd. - 10:30 a.m.

Men’s Bible Study - Cranmer House - 6:30 a.m.

Men’s Bible Study - Living Room - 7:30 a.m.

Women’s Luncheon - Clingman - 11 a.m.

Sunrise Sinners - Refectory - 7 a.m.Women’s Bible Studies - Cranmer House - 7 and 9:30 a.m.Men’s Bible Study - Conf. Rm. - noon

Men’s Bible Study - Cranmer House - 6:30 a.m.

Midday Music - Nave - 12:30 p.m.

Regular Worship scheduleChoral Evensong - Nave - 3 p.m.6th Grade Confir-mation Dinner - Refectory - 6 p.m.The Forum - Cling-man - 6:15 p.m.

Allen Ross Bible Study - Cranmer House - 7 a.m.Women’s Bible Study - Cranmer House - 9:15 a.m.Psalms Bible Study - 2900 Cahaba Rd. - 10:30 a.m.

Men’s Bible Study - Cranmer House - 6:30 a.m.

Men’s Bible Study - Living Room - 7:30 a.m.

.

Sunrise Sinners - Refectory - 7 a.m.Women’s Bible Studies - Cranmer House - 7 and 9:30 a.m.Men’s Bible Study - Conference Room - noon

Men’s Bible Study - Cranmer House - 6:30 a.m.

Concert Series: Brass and Organ - Nave - 7:30 p.m.

23 24 25 26 27

29 30 31 Feb 1 2 328

Jan 21 22

coming up:•Pari h- ide Prayer eeting onday, e ruary 5, ranmer House, 7:15 p.m.

Every Sunday: Breakfast – Refectory, 8:00 a.m.Monday-Friday: AA – Coe Conference Room, noon

•A h edne day e ruary 14 o y ommunion and m-position of Ashes at 7:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 6:00 p.m.; Lenten Preaching and Lunches at 12:05 p.m.

Every Thursday: Praise Service – Nave, 8:30 a.m.

diocesan staff The Rt. Rev. John McKee Sloan, Bishop of Alabama

advent staff The Very Rev. Andrew C. Pearson, Jr., Dean and Rector

The Rev. Canon R. Craig Smalley, Canon Pastor andDay School Chaplain

The Rev. Canon Matthew C. Schneider, Canon for Parish Life andEvangelism

The Rev. Canon Zac Hicks, Canon for Liturgy and WorshipThe Rev. Deborah R. Leighton, Director of Women’s Ministries and

Clergy AssociateThe Rev. Katherine P. Jacob, DeaconThe Rev. Michael Weeks, Assisting Clergy

transitions:Baptism: Charles Cleveland Clark, III, son of Charlie and Mary Coleman, on January 7

memorials:Gifts Were Given In Memory Of:Marguerite Trent Douglass Caddis: (Endow-

ment Fund) by Lockett LaGroueHarold C. Doss: (Endowment Fund) by Sharon

and Ed SprouseJohn Howard Kinner: (Endowment Fund) by

Victor Hanson, III

Andrew W. Stumpf, Sr.: (Endowment Fund) by Louise H. Stumpf

In Honor of Lee and Gray Thuston: (En-dowment Fund) by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Schoenvogel and family; Mr. and Mrs. Wil-liam Thuston, Jr., and family; Katherine Thames

In Honor of Stella Schreiber: (Outreach) by Cindy and Charles Wingard

NOMINEES FOR THE CHAPTER (VESTRY)For election at the annual Parish Meeting on Sunday, January 21, 2018

Each profile contains the answer to the question, “What are your hopes for the Cathedral Church of the Advent for the immediate future?”

FRANk ANdERSON - Member 8 years • Construction • Wife: Mary Bradley • Jr. High Sunday School Teacher, Jr. High Bible Study Leader, Stew-ardship Caller Team Captain, Usher • “My prayer for the Advent is that it will be a place able to meet each person where he or she is and effectively share the gospel message in a truly personal and impactful way. By con-tinuing to emphasize preaching, teaching, and community outreach, I pray that we are able to be a welcoming congregation that

reaches people of all ages and backgrounds with the good news of Jesus.”

FRANklIN BRAdFORd - Member 15 years • Investments • Wife: Stacey • Usher, Stewardship Pledge Caller, Sunday School Teacher • “My hopes for the Cathedral Church of the Advent in the immediate future are that we continue to pro-claim the gospel of Jesus Christ, that we con-tinue and grow our outreach efforts to bring others into a relationship with Jesus, and that we continue to create and support ministries that foster community within the church.”

ANNE-MARIE BROwN - Member 29 years • Corporate Secre-tary/Treasurer - Pratt Brown's Landscapes, Inc. • Husband: Pratt • Lenten Lunches, Abigail Guild, Altar Guild, St. Catherine's Guild, ECW Board • “Encouraging service to our Lord and his church is where my heart is for the Advent. When I was grow-ing up, I read Psalm 100:2, ‘Serve the Lord with gladness,’ and I understood it as a command. However, I have come to learn from Romans 7:6 that ‘we are released

from the law... so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.’ I would love to encourage everyone to experience the amazing joy that is found in serving at the Advent.”

jIM BRYANT - Member 28 years • Physician, UAB School of Medicine Department of Urology • Wife: Tara • Children's Sunday School Teacher, Small Group Leader, Usher • “My hope for the Advent is to continue to offer a varied way of appealing to people to get to know Christ. We can't be totally ‘High Church’ nor can we be a ‘Pentecostal’ church and appeal to a broad group of people. We need to offer a variety of experiences that gets the message of grace to as many people as pos-

sible. We can't ignore the fact that what makes a difference 20 years from now is providing for young adults today. I think that means alternative locations of service and activities that are ap-pealing but get the Word out.”

TRudY EVANS - Member 54 years • Homemaker • Husband: Walter (deceased) • Sunday School Teach-er, Former ECW President, Lenten Lunch-es, Former Vestry Member • “My hope for the Advent is that we will continue in the direction we are currently going: preach-ing the gospel, providing outstanding adult Sunday school, youth programs, Bible studies, as well as many and varied pro-grams of outreach to the Birmingham area, and supporting missionaries abroad. There

is a spirit of welcome and excitement about the gospel at the Ad-vent that the Episcopal Church USA should adopt as a model.”

MIllER gIRVIN - Member 7 years • CEO, Alabama Capital Network • Husband: Josh • Stewardship Cap-tain, Small Groups, Former Acolyte, Towel Ministries Participant • “As someone who lived in DC for many years and saw the value of con-stituent opinion to most of the U.S. Congress, I see the importance of all parishioners feeling rep-resented by the Vestry. Our large church serves a diverse group of parishioners and community members who should easily be able to find their place in our church life and grow in their walk with Jesus Christ. The Advent has always been a

rock in the community and a church with a clergy that its own members and others could depend on for a commitment to the gospel, education of young and old, pastoral care, and outreach/missions. It is my hope that the church will continue to set an example in those areas, growing and thriving in each, and expanding into others.”

FORd HAMIlTON - Member 7 years • Wood Fruitticher Food-service • Wife: Kate • Usher Captain, Stew-ardship Captain, Small Groups, Visioning Process Planning Team • “I hope the Advent continues to preach a message of salvation through grace, and I pray that we not let sec-ular concerns tempt us from focusing on our purpose of proclaiming the freeing power of the gospel of Jesus Christ and making dis-ciples wherever God has placed us.”

TOMMY kITSMIllER - Member 2 years • Self-Employed • Acolyte, Small Group Co-Leader, Lenten Lunch Bus Driver • “Our being located down-town is pure gift. We are well positioned for do-ing God's work, literally, in an area experiencing revitalization with thousands of more souls pro-jected to live and work around us in the future. As all churches do, we exist for those outside the Church. Certainly that includes current and future neighbors in close proximity. What's our next step at simultaneously being satellite of the suburbs and around-the-corner home church to

downtown dwellers? Your guess is as good as mine. But I know that as gospel-people with our Bibles open, God as our guide, and his glory our goal, there's an imperishable wreath at the end of the race set before us. The harvest is ready... it surrounds us! We've received the gift of being a downtown church; let's unwrap it and be good stewards of it.”

ANNE lYNN lANglOH - Member 9 years • Homemaker • Husband: Drew • Sunday School Teacher, Confirmation Table Leader, Five O'Clock Service Hospitality volunteer, VBS volun-teer, St. Elizabeth's Guild, ECW President, Lenten Lunches Co-Chair • “My prayer is for the Advent Church family to make the tenants of our visioning plan a reality, and for this common purpose to energize our membership and broad-en our fellowship. I pray as well that the process will strengthen and invigorate our Children's Ministries and Outreach programs; foster a genu-

ine culture of hospitality at our services; and fortify our mission to spread the good news of the gospel of our Lord to the Birmingham community.”

FRANCES NICHOlS - Member 7 years • Homemaker • Hus-band: Steven • Small Group Leader, Lent-en Lunch Server, Sunday School Teacher, Shepherd to Newcomers, Stewardship Cal-ler • “At the Advent, by God's grace, I first realized that I do not have to stand before the Lord riddled with guilt and shame. Instead, I am God's beloved - made righteous through faith in Jesus Christ and completely approved and accepted by God on that basis. The Holy Spirit has enabled me to experience the joy and freedom of knowing that ‘there is therefore no

condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus’ (Romans 8:1). Thanks be to God! My sincere hope for the Advent is that it will be obedient to God's calling and do all those things which are necessary to share this good news with our neighbors in Birmingham who have never heard the gospel or who have been burned by the church.”

NOMINEES FOR THE CHAPTER (VESTRY)For election at the annual Parish Meeting on Sunday, January 21, 2018

Each profile contains the answer to the question, “What are your hopes for the Cathedral Church of the Advent for the immediate future?”

CRAIg OgARd - Member 8 years • Construction • Wife: Julie • Men's Hike/Men's Hike Bible Study, Advent Bible-in-a-Year Blog Contributor, Sunday School, Habitat • “That God would be gra-cious to strengthen, protect, and empower by his Holy Spirit our leadership to preach this gospel fearlessly and to instruct the people all about this life in Christ. That the church may be equipped to do the works of ministry that God has for the Advent to advance his king-dom and bring him glory.”

dAVId PHIllIPS - Member 3 years • Investor • Wife: Mary Margaret • Small Group Leader, Sunrise Sinners Cook, Usher • “My prayer and vi-sion are to strategically plan and insure that Advent will be able to continue to uphold the authority of Scripture and faithfully pro-claim the uncompromising truth of the gos-pel of Jesus Christ. I want future generations to have opportunities to be nurtured and equipped to serve others as devoted follow-ers of Jesus Christ. ‘Be on your guard; stand

firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong’ (1 Cor. 16:13).”

BOB SCHulER - Lifetime Member • Financial Advisor • Wife: Barbara • Acolyte, Small Group Co-Leader, Breakfast Chef, Men's Hike, Usher, Stew-ardship, Lenten Lunches, Sunrise Sinners, Advent Boomers • “I pray that the gospel message preached by the Advent will spread amongst all age groups but especially among our children and young adults so that the Ad-vent's message will continue for generations to come. ‘Start children off on the way they should go and even when they are old they

will not turn from it’ (Proverbs 22:6).”

CHARlIE SCRIBNER - Member 12 years • Executive Director of Black Warrior Riverkeeper • Wife: Eliza-beth • Advent Facebook and Twitter Admin-istrator, Small Group Leader, Stewardship Volunteer, Planning Team Member, Com-munications Committee Member, Advent's Representative on the Diocesan Task Force for the Stewardship of Creation • “My prayer is that we will continue to proclaim the free-ing power of the gospel, and that we will in-creasingly make disciples wherever God has

placed us.”

STEVE TIlgHMAN - Member 25 years • Consulting • Wife: Cindy • Adult Sunday School Teacher, Small Group Leader, Audit Committee, Usher, Stewardship Caller • “It is my hope for the Advent that the preaching and teaching of the gospel will continue to flourish, and that we would grow in our understanding of the Word and our responding to the Holy Spirit.”

wIll THuSTON - Member 24 years • Insurance • Wife: Gin-ger • Usher • “Since 1872, we have been called to proclaim the gospel in the heart of Birmingham. Today, we are blessed with extraordinary clergy and staff that lead our vibrant congregation as we continue to pro-claim the good news and discern the Lord's will for the Cathedral Church of the Advent. My immediate hope for the Advent, through God's grace and guidance, is that we will continue to implement the ideas of our vi-

sioning plan - Worship, Communication, Shepherding, Outreach, Discipleship, and Ministry Development - while also embracing the opportunity and responsibility to continue serving Birming-ham. ”

BAYARd TYNES - Member 37 years • President, Strickland Companies • Wife: Elizabeth • Former Vestry Member, Finance Committee, Stewardship, Small Group Leader, Sunday School Teach-er • “My prayer is that our beloved Advent will continue to boldly bring glory to God by preaching and teaching the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in this dark and broken world.”

jIM wIllIAMS - Lifelong member • Banking - Oakworth Cap-ital Bank • Wife: Gretchen • Former Vestry Member, Stewardship Campaign Co-Chair-man, Sunday School Teacher, Usher, Break-fast Team, Small Groups • “My hope for the immediate future of the Cathedral Church of the Advent is that we continue to be a thriv-ing church grounded in the saving grace of Christ's death and resurrection for us all.”

jAY wRIgHT - Lifetime Member • Attorney • Wife: Emily • Stewardship, Usher, Small Group Leader • “As a lifelong member with a young family, I pray the Church continues to do an excep-tional job of fostering people's yearning for, and desire to learn about, God's grace.”

RITA wRIgHT - Member 16 years • National Account Direc-tor - Merck • Husband: Drew • Advent Vi-sioning Team, Discipleship Priority Team Co-Chair, Adult Sunday School Teacher, Women's Thursday Morning Bible Study Co-Leader, Small Group Leader • “We have been tremendously blessed by God with solid teaching in line with the gospel and its freeing power. May we continue individu-ally and collectively to understand deeply the gospel's implications, both in terms of

our relationship with our Savior and our outreach to others.”