St. Alban's Church in Tucson, Arizona, has always made outreach a priority. With new income from a cell tower on its campus, the church has taken a new step with giving to a variety of causes, including 1% giving to the School of Theology
When the vestry of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Tucson, Arizona, realized a new source of funding from the lease of a cell tower to be erected at the church, they made the decision to donate the $1000 month of income to charitable purposes, including participation in the 1% giving program for the School of Theology at Sewanee. The church’s rector, the Rev. Bruce White, T’98, made the modest suggestion for that purpose, and church leaders agreed. “I received plenty of scholarships when I went to seminary, and this is a way to give back. I already give back personally, and I am glad that St. Alban’s is giving back, and that the vestry is more aware of the needs of theological education. "
Even before the idea of a cell tower was broached, St. Alban’s was already a philanthropic congregation, allocating 10% of its income to outreach needs. A significant project for the parish is a partnership with Imago Dei Middle School, an inner city school about 10 miles from the church campus, and one of the Episcopal church’s Jubilee ministries. “Our parishioners volunteer in the school as tutors, and we have a backpack program to make sure that students have the school supplies they need” says White. “And we help make sure the school nursing program is well supplied. Our partnership with Imago Dei is important to us.”
As a point of interest, Imago Dei School has another Sewanee connection. Tim True, T'13, a current DMin student, and a member of the SOT Alumni Council is chaplain at the school. https://www.imagodeischool.org/our-school/staff/.
St. Alban’s parishioners are engaged in other ministries, as well, including a regular bread run for feeding ministries and work with a local men’s shelter.
The cell tower, which is under construction now, is designed to resemble St. Alban’s existing spire. The new spire will be placed near the parish hall, and is architecturally consistent with the existing spire. St. Alban’s has had a vibrant congregational life in spite of the global pandemic. White reports that the church is doing services both live (with proper social distancing) and remote. The congregation has invested in its online presence and has a YouTube channel for Sunday services as well as Tuesday morning services: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4Ti3BFLfd18EKwCvziErQg
Before coming to St. Alban’s in 2011, White served churches in Alabama and Kentucky. He has been an EfM mentor and administrator and currently leads a Christian education program at St. Alban’s entitled Reading with the Rector, a theology discussion group.
To learn more about one-percent giving, visit this website: https://theology.sewanee.edu/giving/one-percent/
