The Rev. David Lemburg accepts call to St. George's

The Vestry of St. George's Savannah announces that the Rev. David Wesley Lemburg has accepted a call to serve as their Priest in Charge. He will begin work at St. George's on September 17. Lemburg has been an active member in the Episcopal church since he was three years old. He served St. Paul's, Fayetteville as a choir member, acolyte, verger, altar guild, Eucharistic visitor, lector, and Eucharistic minister, before receiving ordination to the diaconate in 2004 and priesthood in 2005.

 

Lemburg was born in Houston, Texas and raised in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He is a U.S. Navy Veteran, serving the USS BOXER LHD-4 in the mid-90's, doing Intelligence work. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He has a Master's in Divinity from The General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church, NYC. Lemburg comes to St. George's from St. Patrick's in Pooler, Georgia, where he served for a year as the Priest in Charge. Previously, he was the Rector of the Episcopal Church of the Mediator-Redeemer in Magnolia, Mississippi. He has also served as a Chaplain for retired military, and served in churches in New York, Western Louisiana and Hawai'i. He is married to the Rev. Melanie Lemburg, the Rector of St. Thomas Isle of Hope in Savannah. They have two children - Mary Margaret (14) and Jack (10).

Bishop's Visitation

Shannon Pojedinec, second from left, was received on August 12. She's pictured with from left, the Rev. Donald Holland, Rector, Bishop Scott Anson Benhase, and Brandy Holland.

This past weekend, some 40 acolytes in grades 3-12 and 10 or so adults gathered at St. Anne's, Tifton to participate in the Acolyte Festival. Participants came from 10 different congregations from Jesup, Martinez, Tifton, Albany, Savannah, Valdosta, and Cordele. They learned about worship in the Episcopal tradition, with a special focus on their role as Acolytes. Workshops including learning about the vestments and liturgical colors and seasons, the art of the procession, details of serving at the Altar, and of course, lighting, swinging, and carrying the thurible, filed with coals and incense! Beyond these specific learnings, the Acolytes also had time to play games, worship together, and help lead the Sunday Eucharist by taking part in a Festival Procession. Acolytes who traveled with others of their congre

As I worked with this group of young people, it occurred to me to think about the work "Acolyte." It is often used to refer to someone who "assists a member of the clergy in a liturgical service" (Merriam Webster). However, the word is derived from the Greek word akoloutheó, which is usually translated "follow" in the New Testament. Jesus often invites people to follow him using this word akoloutheó (e.g. - Matthew 9:9). So in a sense, "Acolyte" is another word for a dedicated follower.

But in our liturgy, Acolytes do more than simply follow clergy around. They do not stand at a distance and watch. They lead the procession, serve at the Altar, and by through their ministry they make a difference, positive or negative, on the ability of other participants to enter fully into worship. Of course, I hope the Acolyte Festival helped our Acolytes in this Diocese to embrace the positive side of that equation!

But as we consider our calling to be followers of Christ, perhaps we need to reflect on how me might ourselves be Acolytes. We are not simply standing at a distance and observing Jesus without getting involved. Instead, we have active roles of our own to play. And, like the Acolytes in our congregations, those roles make a difference in how we proclaim the Gospel, and how we seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves.

The Rev. Joshua Varner

Missioner for Children and Youth

Tithe letters have gone out. If you have not received yours, please contact the diocesan office: 912-236-4279.

Prayers for Weekly Liturgies

Diocesan Office Update and News

Bishop Scott Anson Benhase will make his annual visitation to St. Matthew's, Fitzgerald at 10 AM Sunday, August 19. The bishop's  full schedule is available

here. 

The Rev. Joshua Varner,

Canon for Children and Youth, will be working with the New Beginnings Steering Committee this weekend as they prpare for New Beginnings #53, which takes place November 16-18, 2018 at Honey Creek. 

The Rev. David Lemburg, Priest in Charge at St. Patrick's Pooler ,  will officiate at the Thursday noon service at Diocesan House.

Christmas is closer than you think!

The Rev. Michael White, Rector of Christ Church Savannah, said a prayer for the poinsettias that arrived this week--and which will grace the church at Christmas--and those who will care for them in the coming months at Oelschig Nursery.