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April 10, 2019
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Volume 9, No. 33
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Ordinations Set for Spring and Summer
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THIS SUNDAY'S LECTIONS
Sunday of the Passion:
Palm Sunday
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The Liturgy of the Palms
Luke 19:28-40
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
The Liturgy of the Word
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Philippians 2:5-11
Luke 22:14-23; 56
or
Luke 23:1-49
Psalm 31:9-16
Go
here for the full text.
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Ask the Bishop This Friday!
Ask the Bishop, an informal conversation with the Rt. Rev. Scott Benhase will be held once again this Friday, April 12th at 11 AM and we're looking for your questions!
Submit questions on theology or the teachings of Jesus or the mission and ministry of the Episcopal Church in Georgia to newsandevents@gaepiscopal.org and get your answers live on Facebook on Friday. It will also be possible to post questions in the comments on the day of the livestream.
Go here on Friday at 11 AM to participate:
https://www.facebook.com/georgiaepiscopal/
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The Loose Canon
Sabbatical - 12 Weeks of Renewal
On Easter Monday, I begin a 12-week sabbatical as a time of renewal after nine years in the Diocese of Georgia as Canon to the Ordinary. Sabbaticals are intended as a balanced time of rest and renewal often with a given focus or purpose. As one serving in church leadership, I plan for this time to assist me in preparing anew for serving the church at this present moment. That means I will balance times of rest with both immersion training in Spanish language and time reading and reflecting on sharing the Good News in the context of central and south Georgia today.
I will have times of just ceasing to work, so Victoria and I have taken Kanuga up on their generous offer to for free room and board in Easter Week so that we can begin with a pause. We also look forward to studying in a language school in Heredia, Costa Rica and then our daughter, Griffin, joining us in Panama for a week in which we will get to further use our Spanish. I have also set aside reading to do during the sabbatical and will be writing on evangelism as I look toward a more realistic way of discussing how Episcopalians can share the Good News of Jesus with those we already know well.
This is my first opportunity for a sabbatical after 19 years of ordained ministry. I look with hope to the example of colleagues who have taken this time of rest and renewal and returned ready to engage in some of the same problems with new perspective and energy. I give thanks to the Diocese for this benefit of my work on your behalf and especially for Bishop Benhase who has made sabbatical provisions normative for full-time priests.
In the meantime, we enter Holy Week, which seems the perfect preparation for a sabbatical. For in Holy Week, we see how the grace of God we enjoy is not because of what we have done or can do for God. The grace, love, mercy, forgiveness, and joy we share is because what God has done for us. So the life of faith is not about earning or deserving that love, but embracing it more fully.
The Rev. Frank Logue
Canon to the Ordinary
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Time to make your summer plans...which means it's time to sign up for summer camp at Honey Creek. Pull up our website and go to the SUMMER CAMP tab to book your spot. Grab a friend and come to The Creek this summer.
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ECW Annual Retreat/Daughters of the King Spring Assembly
The ECW Annual Retreat and The Order of the Daughters of the King's Spring Assembly with the Rev. Becca Stevens is just a few weeks away--April 26-27. Register online or by mail for this exciting event. To register by mail please go to
www.ecw.georgiaepiscopal.org
. Under the Events tab find the registration form and the schedule of events. Both can be copied, pasted, printed, filled out and then mailed. Or follow the link on the homepage to register online.
Bring along any gently bras or new bras to donate to Free the Girls (more info on website).
Thistle Farms will be bringing many of their products, skin care, oils, bath products, and books for sale too. Don't miss this fun and nurturing weekend!
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The Bishop Knocks on the Door
Church of the Atonement, Augusta
 The Church of the Atonement in Augusta began in a cafeteria at the Gracewood School on Sunday, November 2, 1980 when the Rev. Lucien Lindsey celebrated Eucharist there. Within two years property was purchased on Tobacco Road and a double-wide trailer installed for worship and Christian education. The congregation petitioned the Diocese for approval of a building project in 1987 that would provide a worship facility. Bishop Shipps dedicated the sanctuary in 1990.
The Church of the Atonement led the way in bringing a ministry to the incarcerated in Georgia when parishioner James Cheatham spearheaded the beginning of the Kairos Prison Ministry. The first weekend was held at Stone Mountain Correctional Institution in May 1985.
Host to Girl Scouts and 12-step programs, the parish's main ministry is its Food Pantry. At Christmas they also provide Christmas gifts to the families who utilize the Food Pantry.
"Atonement has been blessed in sharing worship space with two Hispanic congregations over the years," said parishioner Suzanne Harrow. "It has been a joy to learn about special cultural celebrations." A third Hispanic congregation has began sharing worship in March.
Front row, from left: Abby Belangia, Alice James, Rebba James, Jason Cooper, Trayvon Johnson, the Rev. Larry Jesion, Priest-in-Charge, and Kejon Perry; back row: Nanette Hayes, the Rev. Sandy Turner, Archdeacon, and Bishop Benhase
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The Bishop Knocks on the Door
Christ the King, Valdosta by the Numbers
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Christ the King is located in the heart of Valdosta.
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Christ the King (CTK) is a member of the Diocese of Georgia which, in turn, is one of 110 Dioceses which comprises The Episcopal Church in the United States of America and abroad. The Episcopal Church is a constituent member of the World Wide Anglican Communion.
CTK was organically established in August of 1988. (See more on their history in this
Living Church article)
CTK became a mission of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia in January of 1990.
CTK achieved Parish Status in February of 2002.
CTK purchased the McKey Building in Historic Downtown Valdosta in the Fall of 2002, placing itself in the heart of the city. This move was rooted in the congregation's common values of diversity, ecology, stewardship, and integral thought. The McKey Building was constructed in 1906.
CTK is known for 5 things: its radical inclusion, deep ecumenism, and its emphasis on spirituality, social justice and the inter-connectedness of all things.
CTK has been featured in articles, books, text books, the Encyclopedia Britannica Year Book of 1990, and the PBS / BBC Documentary "My Eyes Have Seen The Glory".
Fourteen CTK Parishioners have been ordained and now serve The Episcopal Church and other traditions around the country.
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The congregation gathers with the Rt. Rev. Scott Benhase following his visitation.
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Youth Ministry
Toil 'N Sweat: May 3-5 at Honey Creek
As any young person who has ever been to a youth event at Honey Creek knows, Honey Creek is a special place. And like all such places, it needs us to help take care of it from time to time! In one month, youth from across the Diocese are invited to come and give back to Honey Creek. During this weekend event, youth will work on projects to help care for Honey Creek, while still taking time to play, pray, and eat together. During last year's Toil 'N Sweat, participants painted the outside of Lodge One, helped clean the Chapel, and cared for plants outside, accomplishing in a weekend activities that the full time staff at Honey Creek don't normally have time to do.
This weekend, in addition to allowing participants to care for Honey Creek, will have more free time than some of our more scheduled programs are able to offer. Come and spend a weekend hanging out and making a difference at this place that is so important to so many.
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Around the Diocese
Diocesan youth helped clean up the grounds at St. Thomas' Isle of Hope during their one day gathering there in advance of the summer mission trip.
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The Rev. Bill Dolen baptizing the newest member of St. Paul's Augusta.
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Clean up at Our Savior Martinez
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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.
April 7-13
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Douglas, St. Andrew's and for our ecumenical partners in Douglas, especially St. Paul's Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for The Ascension (
La Ascensión) in El Seibo.
April 14-20
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Dublin, Christ Church, and for our ecumenical partners in Dublin, especially Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for St. Thomas (Santo Tomás) in Gautier.
Additional Prayer Cycles
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Please
download a copy of this flyer to post in your parish hall and alert youth to the possibility of scholarships.
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Diocesan Office Update and News
Bishop Scott Anson Benhase will make his annual visitation to St. Andrew's Darien and officiate at the dedication of the new Parish Hall for St. Cyprian's and St. Andrew's starting at 5 PM Saturday, April 13. He will make his annual visitation to St. Elizabeth's, Richmond Hill at 10 AM Sunday, April 14. He will officiate at the Chrism Masses: Monday at 11 AM at Christ Church, Valdosta and Tuesday at 11 AM at Trinity Statesboro.
The Bishop's full schedule is available here.
The Rev. Frank Logue, Canon to the Ordinary, is in Augusta today meeting with representatives of the Lutheran Church's Southeastern Synod and our missioner, the Rev. Thomas Barron, for the first annual review of our joint church plant the Grovetown Episcopal-Lutheran Mission.
Canon Logue
will serve at Trinity, Statesboro Palm Sunday through Easter Day.
Canon Katie Easterlin will be out of the office through Thursday, April 11
The Rev. David Lemburg,
Priest in Charge at St. George's Savannah will officiate and preach at the 12 noon service Thursday at Diocesan House.
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MJ Harris Leaves Diocesan Staff
MJ (Mary Jane) Harris, Office Administrator at the Diocese of Georgia, has left her position to pursue doctoral studies full-time. In her two years with the Diocese, MJ re-organized the systems around the ordination process, served as the Title IV Intake Officer, and was instrumental in the success of the past two conventions.
"We are thankful for MJ's two years serving along side of us in the Diocesan office," said the Rt. Rev. Scott Anson Benhase. "She has been an invaluable partner in the ministry we all share. We wish her well as she pursues her doctoral studies full time."
The Diocese of Georgia will be posting the job description for a new staff position shortly. |
New Liturgical Resource: The Book of Occasional Services 2018
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The Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music (SCLM) is pleased to announce the release of
The Book of Occasional Services 2018. The availability of this liturgical resource is the result of action taken at last summer's 79th General Convention of The Episcopal Church.
The Book of Occasional Services 2018,
a companion volume to
The Book of Common Prayer, is a collection of liturgical resources related to occasions which do not occur with sufficient frequency to warrant their inclusion in
The Book of Common Prayer. Designed to give congregations resources that form our members in the Episcopal faith, the rites and ceremonies contained in this book are to be understood, interpreted, and used in light of the theology, structure, and directions of
The Book of Common Prayer.
The material included in this collection comes from a variety of sources, generally arising out of the specific use of worshipping communities engaged in the process of creating liturgical responses to particular occasions in the life of the church. Included are St. Francis Day animal blessings and rites for December 12, Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe.
Where it seems appropriate, instead of complete rites, the
Book of Occasional Services 2018 includes paragraphs of stated principles and guidelines for crafting liturgies in particular contexts. For instance, the resources for Día de Muertos are offered in outline form. A part of the outline format is an expressed desire that those congregations wishing to develop and use the rite will do so in collaboration with communities for whom the celebration is already a culturally significant event, creating opportunities for deeper appreciation and love in congregations.
This material included in
the
Book of Occasional Services 2018
is authorized by the General Convention for use throughout The Episcopal Church.
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Youth at St. Michael's share some peeps with their peeps.
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Events
Parish Hall Dedication
St. Cyprian's and St. Andrew's, Darien
5 PM, Saturday, April 13
Holy Week Chrism Mass
11 AM Monday, April 15
Christ Church, Valdosta
Holy Week Chrism Mass
11 AM Tuesday, April 16
Trinity, Statesboro
Diocese of Georgia Episcopal Church Women Annual Retreat
Daughters of the King Spring Assembly
April 26-27
St. Augustine's and the Church of Our Savior, Augusta
Spring Clergy Conference
April 29 at 5:30 PM to May 1 at 1 PM
Honey Creek Retreat Center
Dedication of Saint Anna Alexander Chapel
11 AM, Friday, May 3
Diocesan House
18 E. 34th Street, Savannah
Toil 'N Sweat
May 3-5
Honey Creek Retreat Center
Diocesan Council
Saturday, May 18
St. Paul's, Augusta
Ordination to the Priesthood for the Rev. DeWayne Cope, Deacon
St. Matthew's Savannah
6:30 PM, Wednesday, May 22
Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate for Bradley Varnell, Brad Bates and Kyle Carswell
Collegiate Church of St. Paul the Apostle, Savannah
10:30 AM, Saturday, May 25
Nominations for XI Bishop Close
Friday, May 31
Diocesan Youth Mission Trip
July 13-20
To register:
Happening #102
Thursday, August 2 through Sunday, August 4; staff arrives August 1
Honey Creek Retreat Center
Ordination to the Priesthood of Samantha McKean
Christ Church, Savannah
10:30 AM, Saturday, August 17th
New Beginnings #55
September 6-8
Honey Creek Retreat Center
Diocesan Council
September 13-14
Savannah
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