January 16, 2019
Volume 9, Number 21
15 Congregations Represented at Youth Retreat
The Winter Youth Retreat took place this past weekend at Honey Creek. 45 youth and 9 adults gathered from 15 congregations across the Diocese. They spent time playing, praying, resting, and exploring the Parable of the Mustard Seed from many different points of view.

The Rev. Amy Bradley tells the Godly Play story of the Parable of the Mustard Seed.
"Our young people heard the story in multiple versions, re-wrote the story from different perspectives in their small groups, " said the Rev. Canon Joshua Varner, Canon for Children and Youth, "and then they were considered where they were in the story, whether they were a planter, a seed, a tree, a bird, a nest, or something else, and what was God's invitation to them through their weekend experience of the story."

Participants talked about sheltering others as nests, about spreading the Gospel as birds, about planting new seeds, or being willing to let go of themselves, because they are seeds that need to put down roots and change as they grow. "One young person identified with the sun and water necessary for growth, and they reflected on how the Kingdom of God is all of these things and more together in a living system in which all of us depend on each other," said Varner.

Youth create their own nests in the tree.
Worship throughout the weekend included the visual of an ever growing "tree" on the floor of the chapel which came from the mustard seed that served as the focus on Friday night. Youth used fabric, markers, and other craft materials to create their own nests and place them in the tree, thereby claiming their own space for worship.

The Rev. Amy Bradley, Associate at St. Augustine's, Augusta, and Varner, were the coordinators for this event. Upcoming events include Happening #101, for youth in grades 10- 12 which takes place February 1-3, and New Beginnings #54, for youth in grades 7-9, which takes place March 22-24. Other events include Toil 'N Sweat, May 3-5, and the Diocesan Summer Mission Trip, July 13-20. Young people from all congregations are encouraged to take part in these events! Please contact Canon Varner with your questions at jvarner@gaepiscopal.org.

Morning Worship, body prayer.
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This Sunday's Lections
Second Sunday after the Epiphany
Isaiah 62:1-5
I Corinthians 12:1-11
John 2:1-11
Psalm 36: 5-10

Go  here for the full text.
The Good Book Club - Week 1
Click the image for The Good Book Club - Week 2 on YouTube.
Join Bible Study with the Bishop 
The Good Book Study with Bishop Scott Anson Benhase continues on Wednesdays, 10:30 to 11:30, live on Facebook through February 20 with copies of each session found on Facebook and on YouTube  .

For more information on the series, go here
St. Matthew's Hosts MLK Day Events
Marchers gather in front of St. Matthew's Church following last year's MLK observance.

The Episcopal Diocese of Georgia has a float in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance Day Parade in Savannah, GA, on Monday, January 21, 2019. The Diocese has participated since the event's inception in 1985. Participation in the event includes (1) marching in the parade with a float dedicated to the Diocese of Georgia, (2) holding a service of Holy Eucharist after the march at St. Matthew's Church, and (3) hosting a concluding reception with a light lunch in St. Matthew's Parish Hall. All are welcome to participate in these events.

The parade begins promptly at 10 AM from East Broad Street and East Liberty Street. The Diocese of Georgia's float and marchers will be somewhere in the vicinity of the East Broad Street Elementary School (400 E Broad St, Savannah, GA 31401) in the "middle of the pack." The float will have signs on it and, weather permitting, live musicians to lead those who march in song. For a detailed map of the parade route, go to 


Try to gather there no later than 9:30 AM. Dress appropriately for the weather since the march takes at least one hour. It is difficult to park near the starting point so plan to walk or arrange to be dropped off. Some St. Matthew's parishioners may be able to shuttle people from the church parking lot to the parade starting point.

The parade concludes in front of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, 1401 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, Savannah, GA 31415 with a Holy Eucharist following directly, between 11 and 11:30AM. Immediately following worship, a reception will be held in the St. Matthew's Parish Hall. Those unable to join the march are still welcome to come to worship and the reception.

For up to date information, see the Facebook event. For more information, contact the Rev. Guillermo Arboleda at FrGAA@StMattSav.org.  
The Bishop Knocks on the Door
Annunciation, Vidalia
The first Episcopal service in Vidalia was held in a Presbyterian church when, on December 22, 1954, the Rev. J. Nathaniel Reid of Savannah celebrated a Christmas service in a Sunday School room of Vidalia Presbyterian Church with 27 people in attendance.

The Church of the Annunciation would not hold services in its own building until August 25, 1963. In 1987 it was recognized as a Parish of the Diocese of Georgia. And in 2001, a new sanctuary (above, right) was dedicated.

"It's not a large congregation," said the Rev. Denise Vaughn, Rector, " but we have a good mix of older, middle-aged and younger parishioners. Our newer families are looking to be active in the community."

They've come to the right church. Annunciation supports several local programs such as the Boys and Girls Club of Vidalia, the Salvation Army, United Way and the backpack buddy program at nearby J.D. Dickerson Primary School. This past Christmas parishioners filled 34 shoeboxes with gifts for children (at left). 

Several members of the parish, including Vaughn, serve on the Board of Habitat for Humanity's Toombs County affiliate, and parishioners have been helping build Habitat houses.  

Recently the parish has hosted "Food Talk," a program offered through the University of Georgia's Extension Service, designed to help families eat better for less. "We offer childcare and provide a snack," said Vaughn, "the Extension Agent prepares a meal and it has drawn people from outside the parish to the church, including several new parishioners.

Gathered after the Sunday service at Annunciation, Vidalia, from left: Len Edge, confirmed; Teresa Barrera-Edge,  received; Josiah Perez, acolyte; the Rev. Burt Derrick, Deacon; Matt Norton, Eucharistic Minister; Sarah Solis, acolyte; Miguel Solis, confirmed; Bishop Scott Benhase; Crystal Anderson, confirmed; the Rev. Denise Vaughn, Rector; Matthew Storkcamp, received; Madison Storkcamp, confirmed; Miah Turoski, confirmed; Christina Storkcamp, received; Layla Turoski, confirmed and Danielle Turoski, confirmed
Around the Diocese

Baptism at St. Paul's Augusta on the Feast of the Epiphany.

Three new vestry members at All Saints Tybee for 2019-2021: from left:  Mike McCoy, Nancy Elliott LeeBeryl Brooks and the Rev. June Johnson.

The Rev. June Johnson and All Saints parishioner Julia Pearce gave a presentation on MLK at the Tybee Island Chamber of Commerce.

The youth of St Luke's Episcopal Church Rincon enjoying a painting night last Friday.


The Rev. Thomas and Amanda Barron were married at St. Augustine of Canterbury, Augusta, on Saturday. He is the church planter for the Grovetown Episcopal- Lutheran mission.

The parish hall for St. Andrew's and Saint Cyprian's is taking shape in Darien.

Bishop Scott Anson Benhase addresses the members of Diocesan Council at the January meeting held at Annunciation, Vidalia last Saturday. 

A Requiem Eucharist for The Rt. Rev. John Lewis Said
will be celebrated on
Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
210 South Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce, FL 34950
Reception to follow in Parish Hall
Clergy are invited to vest and process in white stoles.

Please assemble in the St. Andrew's Parish Hall at 12:30 p.m. to line up for procession.
Clergy planning to participate are asked to R.S.V.P. to Carol Armstrong (nativitypsl@comcast.net or 772-343-0401).
In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Bishop Said may be sent to Episcopal Church of the Nativity, 1151 Southwest Del Rio Boulevard, Port Saint Lucie, FL 34953.
Notes of condolence may be sent to Mrs. Ann Said at her home address: 6508 NW Chugwater Circle, Port St. Lucie, FL 34983.
Additional information about Bishop Said's life and ministry may be found on CFE Online.
Give rest, O Christ, to your servant +John. Let light perpetual shine upon him.


The 2019 Missional Voices National Gathering brings together church leaders, seminarians, church planters, entrepreneurs, artists, and everyday innovators to discuss innovative ministries and missional communities both within and outside of the traditional church context. This year's focus will be on what can be learned about God's mission from those engaged in difficult situations. Speakers will include people leading refugee resettlement agencies, campus ministries, a worshiping community inside a prison, parishes after natural disasters, and more.

According to Alan Bentrup, Co-founder and Curator of Missional Voices, it will be a weekend of "thinking, planning, and dreaming about the future ministry in The Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion. It is a place where dynamic incubation of new ideas is the norm - not the exception - and people doing uncommon ministry find support and encouragement."

Register today and join the conversation.

Thursday, June 13
What gifts do our communities offer? What assets exist in our neighborhoods? Where is God already working among us? When individuals and parishes go through disasters, they learn to view their communities in new ways. Leaders from Episcopal Relief & Development will guide participants through some practices to help them do that same work, before a disaster happens.

Friday, June 14
Six innovative voices will share their stories, and then participants will reflect together on where they see God at work in those stories. Speakers include people leading parishes, refugee resettlement agencies, campus ministries, a worshiping community inside a prison, and more.

Saturday, June 15
This is where participants practice what they've learned. On Saturday, leaders from around the church will guide them through hands-on learning sessions where they get to learn tools and strategies to help them in their own communities.

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. 

January 13 - 19
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Americus, Calvary, and for our ecumenical partners in Americus especially St. Mary's Catholic Church and for St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Plains. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in Azua-Reconciliation (La Reconciliación) and St. George (San Jorge).

January 20-26
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregations in Augusta, especially, the Church of the Atonement and Christ Church. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Augusta, especially Advent Lutheran Church, Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, and The Church of the Resurrection Lutheran Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the Church of the Transfiguration (La Transfiguración) in Banî.

Additional Prayer Cycles
We also offer 30-day prayer cycles for those who wish to pray daily for the clergy and clergy spouses:  Diocesan Prayer Cycle and Clergy Spouses Prayer Cycle.
Diocesan Office Update and News
Bishop Scott Anson Benhase will make his annual visitation to St. Michael's and All Angels, Sunday, January 20th at 10:30 AM. The bishop's  full schedule is available 
here

The Rev. Canon Frank Logue
will preside and preach at St. Elizabeth's Richmond Hill, this Sunday.

The Rev. Canon Joshua Varner will preach at St. Matthew's, Savannah.

Canon for Administration Katie Willoughby will be out of the office Monday, Jan 14th to Friday Feb 1. Reach out to the following numbers or contact Canon Logue: 


CPG Medical- (800) 480-9967
CPG Pension- (866) 395-7794
Health Advocate- (866) 695-8622 
EAP- (866) 395-7794

The Rev. Kelly Steele, Associate Rector at St. Peter's Savannah, will serve at the noon, Thursday Eucharist at Diocesan House this week.
It's True...
Register by going here
Events
Bishop's Bible Study
Wednesdays 10:30  to 11:30 AM through February 20th
St. Peter's Savannah or online at
Register for the in-person sessions by going here:   http://bit.ly/BibleStudywiththeBishop

Celebration of New Ministry
The Rev. Guillermo Arboleda
Wednesday, January 30
6 - 8 PM
St. Matthew's Church
1401 Martin Luther King Boulevard
Savannah

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
Register 

Commission on Ministry and Standing Committee Weekend
March 8-9
Diocesan House, Savannah

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

Diocesan Council

May 17-18
Augusta

Diocesan Youth Mission Trip
July 13-20, 2019
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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