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.

David+

February 18, 2010

Hello, People of St. Alban’s Parish!

Last time I preached I mentioned the Millennium Development Goals. These are eight worthy and Christ-honoring challenges to partner with others in seeking to make God’s world better and better for all people.  The United Nations set the goals.  The  Episcopal Church has adopted them as one of our primary global mission endeavors.  And Bishop Michael Curry of the Diocese of North Carolina has enthusiastically promoted them.

As a reminder, here they are: #1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger, #2: Achieve Universal Primary Education,  #3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women, #4: Reduce infant mortality,  #5: Improve Maternal Health,  #6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria & Other Diseases,  #7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability, and #8: Create A Global Partnership for Development.

Here’s what thrills me.   One family, at my urging in the sermon, went home after church, talked about these issues, and made a family commitment to do something about it in 2010, in their case, in the area of poverty and hunger, MDG #1.  I hope we all will commit, in our own ways, according to our own resources, to do the same.  What a blessing it was to hear their excitement!

In our parish, the Reverend Deacon Rebecca Yarbrough serves as resident “MDG” expert and organizer, through the Outreach Team.  This coming Sunday, she’ll lead the Adult Forum on this subject and sponsor the MDG fair in the narthex.  Be prepared to learn from Rebecca and find your niche of service in the world, for Christ.

In this Sunday’s sermon, from Luke 4:1-13, the Temptation of Jesus in the Wilderness, I hope to further underpin why we commit to endeavors like this, especially when linked with so-called “secular” groups like the United Nations.  Well, the devil essentially tempted Jesus, all three times, to care only about himself, to think only about his personal comfort, to forget about God’s calling on his life.  Jesus refused, this Jesus who later said, “Even the Son of Man came, not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

What is Christ calling you to do this year in response to his gracious working in your life?  How do you believe you can best follow Christ in the world?  How can St. Alban’s help?  Maybe you can ponder those questions while packaging food this coming Saturday at the Davidson College Union, for Stop Hunger Now for Haiti relief, 11:00 – 1:00 p.m.!  God bless you all and see you Sunday.

Father D+