October 17, 2018
Volume 9, Number 6
ERD Awards $15,000 for Post-Hurricane Relief
A $15,000 grant from Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) was awarded to the Diocese of Georgia to help those affected by Hurricane Michael. To date, funds were distributed to churches in Albany, Americus, and Bainbridge. 

"We are thankful for the support and generosity of ERD during times of crisis and need," said Katie Willoughby, Canon for Administration. "Immediate funds on the ground can enable people in those communities affected to get much needed supplies quickly."

The Rev. Scott Mithen, Deacon at St. Thomas' Thomasville acknowledged how quickly the funds came through and that they were immediately put to use purchasing gift cards from stores like Home Depot and distributing them to those in need. [The Grant} "expanded the scope of what we can do to help," he said.

"I don't know anyone who is untouched, the devastation and the power outages are so widespread," 
said the Rev. Ri Lamb, Deacon at St. John and St. Mark's in Albany, whose twisted tree is shown in the image below. Hurricane Michael was supposed to be a Category 2 hurricane by the time it reached Albany, a city that is still recovering from tornadoes in 2017. "We had no idea it would be a hurricane when it reached us," Lamb continued, "We have multiple trees down. Two parishioners from St. Paul's  had to be cut out of their house with a chainsaw." The church is fine and for the most part, so are the parishioners. "We called and made contact with all of them," said Lamb.

The biggest problem was the lack of water according to the Rev. Johnny Tuttle, Rector at St. John and St. Mark's. The city lifted the water advisory Sunday night but many people had no water pressure. After the storm, the local hospital lost water pressure, a dire situation for patients. "The church had no damage, " Tuttle said "but the churchyard is a mess," adding that "the church got power back relatively quickly on Saturday."

The Diocese is continuing to work with congregations and clergy to assess the needs of the community. "We pray for the safe and speedy recovery of the areas affected," said Willoughby.

To donate to the Bishop's Discretionary Fund in support of those affected by the hurricane, text to give: EDOG to 73256 and choose Bishop's Fund and then write Relief in the comment.  Standard text messaging rates may apply.

To read Episcopal News Service's latest update on Hurricane Michael and its aftermath, go here
The sign for St. John's Bainbridge tilts toward a mountain of debris in this photo by the Rev. Leeann Culbreath, Deacon, who brought supplies to those in the affected area earlier this week.
In This Issue
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This Sunday's Lections
22nd Sunday
After Pentecost
Job 38:1-7 (34-41)
Psalm 104:1-9, 25 37b
Hebrews 5:1-10
Mark 10:35-45
OR
Isaiah 53:4-12
Psalm 91:9-16
Hebrews 5:1-10
Mark 10:35-45

Go  here for the full text.
To download a copy of this flyer to post in your church, click here. 
Honey Creek and Camden Disc Golf Club have collaborated on an an amateur and beginner-friendly tournament on Saturday, December 1 to benefit both both Honey Creek's course as well as Camden Disc Golf's club. With your support and attendance it will be possible to improve the Honey Creek course with new tee posts (many are fallen or damaged due to past hurricanes) and much-needed course maps.

"We encourage you to find a friend or two, or bring your family, and join us in this fun day, " said Dade Brantley, Executive Director of Honey Creek. Registrants  will receive three discs (one with the Honey Creek logo). Lunch is also included with registration.  

Registration is limited, as is lodging. Campers, lodge dwellers, and dorm dwellers (10 or more) are welcome, just call George Anne Younger (912-265-9218) to reserve lodging and sign up for the tournament.  

"We would love to have the support of all of our Honey Creek family for this new, annual event," said Savannah Young, Director of Operations and Program at Honey Creek, "not just the seasoned disc golf players! And if you cannot play, please get in touch with us about how to volunteer!"
Annual Enrollment Goes Live!

Annual Enrollment for Health Insurance is now live and runs through November 2nd with n ew plans effective January 1st , 2019. A memo was distributed earlier this week informing clergy and administrators of  the Diocesan move to Cigna Health Insurance. This move requires that every participant log in and enroll in a plan for 2019.

Please note: The switch to Cigna plans is only applicable to active clergy and lay employees. The provider remains the same for retired clergy.

As a reminder:

* Question about your unique health insurance needs? Please reach out to a  Health Advocate to ask specific questions about your providers and the impacts of the move. They can help bring a doctor in network or identify a Cigna doctor in your area

* Enrollment occurs through your MyCPG account. If you haven't already, please create an account at www.cpg.org

* All participants should have received a green envelope with information on enrollment. If you haven't, you can still log into your CPG account to enroll

* A webinar can be viewed here. Health Benefits 101 here

* To view plan arrays, visit here

Please note, that most employees are currently enrolled in Anthem BCBS CDHP 20 plans, therefore, the same plan to select is the Cigna Open Access CDHP 20 plan. If you have specific questions about plan comparisons from Anthem to Cigna, visit here.

En roll Now:  CLICK HERE
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry preaches on the Way of Love at the Executive Council meeting of the Episcopal Church.


Loose Canon
Discover the Life-Giving Way of Love
A woman leaving church, shakes the priest's hand at the door and ask, "How many services do I have to attend before I start seeing results?" This cartoon both amused me and, if I am honest, haunted me when I was a parish priest. I wanted the people who worshiped with us to experience the joy and freedom of a life transformed by the power of the Good News of Jesus. Yet, I knew that the ability for any given sermon or Eucharist to change someone's life was something the Holy Spirit could do, but was beyond my ability to make happen.

I knew that in my own life some individual sermons really got my attention. Real change, however, came as I made more room for my faith in my daily life through taking up spiritual practices of intentional prayer, reading the Bible and more. That's what led to real results for me.

I am in Minnesota this week for a meeting of the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church, which serves as the Board of Directors for our denomination. In his sermon for our opening Eucharist Presiding Bishop Michael Curry called Council back to the Way of Love. This summer, Curry introduced the Way of Love, Seven Practices for a Jesus Centered Life. Rather than a new program, this is a renewed focus on practices that have been tested through the centuries by millions of Christians. 

"Everything we do must flow from a relationship with Jesus," Bishop Curry reminded us. And then he pointed to how turning back to God, reading the Bible, praying daily, gathering to worship with others, passing on the blessings we have received, going out beyond our comfort zones, and having times of intentional rest are life giving. These are the practices of Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, and Rest that are the Way of Love. 

How you can engage with the Way of Love
Rather than one set program, this is a challenge that 10,000 Episcopalians can enter into in 15,000 life-giving ways. In fact, he told us that more than 10,000 different computers have already downloaded the materials. I write this to encourage you to go to http://episcopalchurch.org/wayoflove. Watch the short video introduction from the Presiding Bishop. Download the materials and find a Bible study or other discussion group at your church to discuss these with.

If you don't set your own priorities, others will set your priorities for you. Nowhere is this truer than with your spiritual life. If you don't set your own agenda, life will overtake you and leave no time for God. The Way of Love is a challenge to set your spiritual priorities. Begin by assessing truthfully where you are now. Then consider the one, or at the most two small changes you wish to make. You can always revisit the rule in six months. For now make small changes.  You will be better off to start too small. You don't want to overwhelm yourself only to end up making no changes at all.

Don't look for an individual sermon or Eucharist to change your life, just keep returning to the altar. I have no doubt that God can use the Way of Love to transform lives by the power of the Gospel of Jesus.

Frank
The Rev. Canon Frank Logue, Canon to the Ordinary

Blessing All Creatures Great and Small

P eaches stands with the Rev. Martin during the reading of the gospel at St. Matthew's, Fitzgerald on the Feast of St. Francis.

A variety of animals were brought to be blessed at Christ Church Valdosta.
New Beginnings #53 Staff Retreat: Loving Your Neighbor

The staff of New Beginnings #53 met this past Saturday and Sunday at the
Church of the Annunciation in Vidalia to prepare for their upcoming retreat, November 16-18 at Honey Creek. The group consisted of more than 20 teenagers and seven adults.  The gathering included time spent in prayer for the participants of the upcoming  retreat, logistical preparations, skit rehearsals, and of course, time
Porter Fettes (left) of  St. Elizabeth's Richmond Hill, Collin Parker of St. Paul's Savannah and Brooke Steinhauserof St. Michael and All Angels, Savannah.
playing together! 
The group attended Sunday worship at Annunciation and were commissioned as the  New Beginnings #53 Team during the service.  Sarah Bianco, from St. Thomas, Isle of Hope, is the Lead Teen for New Beginnings #53. 

This retreat, for youth in grades 7-9, takes place November 16-18 at Honey Creek. The  cost for the weekend is $115 if registered before November 1! After November 1, the  cost goes up to $125. Register early at http://bit.ly/NB53SignUp
Around the Diocese

Four new members of the Daughters of the King at St. Paul's, Albany

The servers for the Community Meal at Church of the Good Shepherd, Augusta.

Did your church do something that should be highlighted in From the Field? We want to know about it!
Send photos and/or story to newsandevents@gaepiscopal.org
Youth at the 2018 Convention
Join us November 9-10 in Albany, Georgia!
The 197th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Georgia takes place November 9-10, 2018, and our youth are encouraged to be part of all the action! Participation in Convention can be transformative, both for our youth, as they experience both the vision of the Church gathered together from across the Diocese and the down-to-earth realities of how God's Dream is made a reality both within and beyond the Church. The Youth presence also adds an additional dimension to table discussions and prayerful consideration of the best ways to move forward, and perhaps helps those who are no longer teenagers to consider the Church we want to help create for those who come after us.

There are several ways that youth can participate in Convention.

First, Youth who are elected by their congregation can serve as full voting delegates to Convention. The canonical requirements for serving as a delegate are that the young person be Confirmed and be at least sixteen (16) years of age. These youth are expected to participate just as all other delegates do, but they are also invited to be part of the afternoon and evening activities that the other youth will be involved in. They register as delegates.

Second, Youth in grades 6-12 are strongly encouraged to participate in the full Convention, beginning on Friday morning, November 9 and lasting through the conclusion of Convention, on Saturday, November 10. These youth will serve in multiple ways throughout Friday and Saturday, including functioning as pages, assisting with balloting, and providing 'tech support' for anyone who would like to make sure their information is correct in the Diocesan database! They will also assist with preparations for the Convention Eucharist, and will sit together for that worship service. After worship, they will relocate to St. John's & St. Mark's, Albany, to spend the night there, play games, process the day, and prepare for Saturday morning's worship. The youth will lead morning worship at the Convention on Saturday, and will continue to serve throughout the rest of Convention. Cost for this level is only $10 per person, since the youth will be working to support Convention throughout the day! Register at http://bit.ly/2018ConventionYouth.

Third, Youth in grades 6-12 who cannot come to the Convention on Friday morning can join the Youth Presence at the Friday afternoon Eucharist and participate in the Lock-In and Saturday morning at Convention. Cost for the Lock-In only is $30 per person. Register at http://bit.ly/2018ConventionLockIn .

Please contact the Rev. Joshua Varner, Canon Missioner for Children and Youth at jvarner@gaepiscopal.org or (336) 317-0371 with questions.
Honey Creek will host Thanksgiving lunch on Thursday, November 22 at noon in Reese Dining Hall. Mealtime is almost a sacrament at Honey Creek so let us serve your family and friends this year. The staff at Honey Creek will do the cooking and cleaning up so that families can have quality time together. To register, click 
Change of Address
We are still receiving mail from parishes at our old address. As the forwarding order has expired, we ask you to please ensure that you are sending mail to the Diocesan House at 18 E. 34th Street, Savannah, GA 31401-7433. Thank you!
Prayers for Weekly Liturgies
Our one-year prayer cycle combines prayers for every congregation in the Diocese of Georgia with prayers for our ecumenical partners and for our Companion Diocese of The Dominican Republic. The 52 weekly prayers are available in one document  found here. 

October 14-20
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregations in Thomasville, All Saints, Good Shepherd, and St. Thomas and for their work at the Oak Street Episcopal Mission. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Thomasville, especially St. Augustine's Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the Chapel of St. John the Evangelist ( Capilla San Juan Evangelista) in Santo Domingo.

October 21-27
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Thomson, Holy Cross, and for our ecumenical partners in Thomson, especially Zion Lutheran Church in Guyton and Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Lakeland. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in Santo Domingo, especially the Cathedral of the Epiphany ( La Catedral de la Epifanía).
Diocesan Office Update and News
Bishop Scott Anson Benhase will make his annual visitation to Church of Our Savior, Augusta at 10:00 AM Sunday, October 21.  The bishop's  full schedule is available 
here

The Rev. Canon Frank Logue will be in Chaska, Minnesota through Thursday for a meeting of the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church. He is serving a six-year term on the Council, which is the Board of Directors for our denomination. 

The Rev. Canon Joshua Varner will be at St. Andrew's and St. Cyprian's, Darien this Sunday.

The Rev. Lauren Byrd, Rector of St. Francis of the Islands, will officiate at the noon, Thursday service at Diocesan House.
Breaktime

The staff for the upcoming New Beginnings #53 tale a break from planning to play a game of ultimate frisbee.
Events 

Albany Convocation Meeting in Advance of the 197th Convention
3 PM, Sunday, October 21
Christ Church, Cordele

Southeast Convocation Meeting in Advance of the 197th Convention
2 PM, Sunday, October 21
Location: TBD

Southwest Convocation Meeting in Advance of the 197th Convention
3 PM, Sunday, October 21
Christ the King, Valdosta

Savannah Convocation Meeting in Advance of the 197th Convention
3 PM, Sunday, October 21
The Collegiate Church of St. Paul the Apostle

Project Resource Training with the Bishop
Albany Convocation
Christ Church, Cordele
Saturday, October 27
9:30 AM to noon
To register, go here:  http://bit.ly/AlbanyProjectResourceWorkshop2018

Augusta Convocation Meeting in Advance of the 197th Convention
4 PM, Sunday, October 28
St. Alban's Augusta

Project Resource Training with the Bishop

Augusta Convocation
St. Augustine's of Augusta
November 3
9:30 AM to noon
To register, go here: 
197th Convention of the Diocese of Georgia

November 8-10
Albany, Georgia

Diocesan Convention and Lock-in for Youth
November 9-10
Lock-in at St. John's and St. Mark's, Albany
For full convention: http: //bit.ly/2018ConventionYouth
For lock-in only:  http://bit.ly/2018ConventionLockIn

New Beginnings#53
November 16-18
Honey Creek
Register at  http://bit.ly/NB53SignUp

Diocesan Council 
Saturday, January 12, 2019
Annunciation, Vidalia

Happening#101
January 31 (for staff) through Sunday, February 3
Staff register here, candidates here
Honey Creek Retreat Center

CreekFest
February 15-17
Honey Creek Retreat Center
Registration Opens at Convention

Happening #102
Thursday, April 11 (for staff) through Sunday, April 14, 2019
Honey Creek Retreat Center

Diocesan Council

May 17-18
Augusta

Happening#103
Thursday, August 22 (for staff) through Sunday, August 25
Honey Creek Retreat Center

Diocesan Council
September 13-14
Savannah

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