The Standing and Search Committees of the Episcopal Church in Alabama have begun the sacred journey to call our 13th Bishop — a leader who will guide, inspire, and serve our faith community in the years ahead.
The Search for our Thirteenth Bishop
A PRAYER FOR THE ELECTION
OF A BISHOP
Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a bishop for the Diocese of Alabama,
that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer
The Search For Our Next Spiritual Leader
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
With prayer and specific inspiration from the Holy Spirit, your Standing Committee has selected the following to serve on the Search Committee for the Thirteenth Bishop of Alabama. In making each selection, the Standing Committee solicited input from Carpenter House and many others across the Diocese. The Search Committee includes clergy, laity, men, and women, with attention to racial, geographic, LGBTQ, and political diversity. All of our first choices accepted. Please pray deeply for the Search Committee members as they begin their work.
Maibeth Porter
President of the Standing Committee
Members of the Search Committee:
Todd Hollifield (Chair) – All Saints, Birmingham
Cornelia Heflin (Co-Chair) – Grace, Sheffield
Rev. Kaki O’Flinn (Chaplain) – St. Mary’s-on-the-Highlands, Birmingham
Rev. Pete Burgess – Holy Trinity, Auburn
Rev. John Burruss – Saint Stephen’s, Birmingham
Rev. Sarah DiCarlo-Watts – St. John’s, Decatur
Rev. Carolyn Foster – St. Mark’s, Birmingham
John Hargrove – Cathedral Church of the Advent
Linda Kennedy – St. Mary’s-on-the-Highlands, Birmingham
Rev. Jane Major – Saint Paul’s, Greensboro
Jace Nixon (Youth) – Canterbury, Huntsville
Richard Norris – Ascension, Montgomery
Patricia Pinchback – Good Shepherd, Montgomery
Rev. Mark Waldo – St. John's, Montgomery
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Timeline for the Bishop Search
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January 30, 2025 – February 1, 2025 – Diocesan Convention in Decatur – Bishop Curry calls for election of Thirteenth Bishop of Alabama.
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February 2025 – March 2025 – Standing Committee appoints Search Committee and Transition Committee.
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May 9, 2025 – May 10, 2025 – Standing Committee, Search Committee, and Transition Committee meet with Consultant at Camp McDowell.
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June 2025 – July 2025 – Six or more Listening Sessions conducted in Diocese to gather information for Diocesan Profile.
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June 20, 2025 – Bishop Curry’s 72nd birthday. Bishop Curry resigns. Presiding Bishop establishes “Designated Date.”
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August 20, 2025 – Diocesan Profile completed.
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August 28 ‐ September 22, 2025 – Search Committee receives applications and nominations. Upon the Designated Date, with approval of Presiding Bishop, Standing Committee requests that Bishop Curry serve as Assisting Bishop to support the Standing Committee, in its role as Ecclesiastical Authority, until Bishop‐Elect chosen and seated.
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October 2025 – Search Committee interviews applicants.
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November 21‐23, 2025 – Search Committee Discernment Retreat with potential Candidates at Camp McDowell.
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On or before November 24, 2025 – Search Committee gives names of 3 to 5 Candidates to Standing Committee.
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On or before December 10, 2025 – Candidates provide completed Psychological Evaluations to Standing Committee.
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December 17, 2025 – Standing Committee announces slate of Candidates to Diocese.
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December 17‐21, 2025 – Standing Committee receives nominations by petition.
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December 22, 2025 – Petition Candidates announced to Diocese with caveat that they are still awaiting final review and background checks prior to Walkabout.
2026
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January 3, 2026 – Walkabout at St. Luke’s Birmingham.
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January 24, 2026 – Electing Convention at Cathedral Church of the Advent.
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June 26‐27, 2026 – Ordination of Bishop‐elect by Presiding Bishop at Cathedral Church of the Advent as soon as all Consents received and in accordance with Presiding Bishop’s approval and schedule.