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January 8, 2020
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Volume 10, No. 20
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No Tickets Needed to Attend Bishop's Ordination
The planned May 30th liturgy for the ordination and consecration of the 11th Bishop of Georgia will be open to all who wish to attend. The diocesan staff has received calls and emails with people wanting to know how to get tickets for this event, so we wanted to clarify that no ticket or RSVP is needed.
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Forsyth Park Band Shell will host Bishop Curry on the day after the ordination |
The Johnny Mercer Theater at the Savannah Civic Center has enough seating that we need not use tickets
or any other system to keep down the number attending. The liturgy will
begin promptly at 11 AM. The service is expected to end by 1:30 PM and a reception with the new bishop will follow in the hallway outside the theater.
Likewise, no tickets are needed for the May 31st Eucharist in Forsyth Park, Savannah (shown at right). Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will preach, with the newly ordained bishop celebrating the Eucharist. This liturgy will begin promptly at 11 AM, but choirs will begin singing at 10:30 AM for those arriving for the service. We will be on the grass in the park and seats will not be provided. As with concerts and other events at this venue, participants will need to bring their own chairs. There will be plenty of room and we encourage you to invite friends, family, and co-workers who might want to come to the Savannah for the memorable open air worship service. Food trucks will be on hand for those looking for an easy place to get a good lunch after the service.
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Revised Process for Filing Parochial Reports
Online filing opened on January 2 for the annual Parochial Reports, which are the way the Episcopal Church gains annual insight into its life, ministry, finances, and membership. While the Parochial Report is not the complete portrait of congregational life or vitality, the data you provide is indispensable.
The Episcopal Church no longer uses a Unique Episcopal Identifier (UEID) and PIN as login credentials. That change began with this year's reports, so every congregation will have to create a new login. To change it, you will need to use your previous login (UEID and PIN). If you do not have this information, call the diocesan office at (912) 236-4279 or email Ms. Maggie Lyons, Assistant to the Canons, at mlyons@gaepiscopal.org to get this previous login and pin for your congregation. The new login name will need to be an email address. Use an email address for the church that is likely to remain stable for years to come, such as office@christchurch.com.
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| Beware of email scams seeming to be from the diocese or your church
An insidious email scam is growing increasingly common, which preys on one's concern for their church and helping others. Most recently this has been an email that seems to come from Canon Frank Logue asking for a favor that has resulted in at least one person giving money to the scammers. Previously, a similar email went out on more than one occasion from an account that seemed to be Bishop Benhase. The same pattern has been used as an email from a priest of the Diocese to their parishioners. The scammers are using the instinct of our parishioners to assist others in need as a means of making money.
 We have not been hacked
There is no email hacking taking place when someone creates a false gmail address as done in these cases. The Diocese of Georgia has robust professional security for our email addresses and they have yet to be compromised. But creating a fake email address and sending spurious emails from other addresses harvested from the internet is impossible, at this point, to prevent. There are tell-tale signs, like the recent email coming from Canon Log instead of Logue, reveal these for fakes. Most importantly, the email will come from an unfamiliar gmail address. We do report the gmail address as soon as it happens to shut down the account, but there is nothing else one can do. The world is fallen. The internet no less so.
This is not how we operate
Any email from your priest or the diocese asking for direct money to the person (rather than institution) to aid in some personal or pastoral need will not be legitimate. If you wonder if the email is a real one, phone the Diocese at (912) 236-4279 or email Gayle Dawson at
gdawson@gaepiscopal.org instead of responding to the email you receive. If the potential fake email is from your priest, contact the church office or the priest by phone.
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Youth Programs
Sign Up Now for Happening and New Beginnings
The Diocese of Georgia offers two retreats led by the youth of the Diocese for their peers. New Beginnings is for those in 7-9 grade and Happening for those in 10-12 grade. While the weekends differ quite a bit, each offers a chance for middle and high school students to dig deeper in their faith in a setting apart from their family and home church, surrounded by students going through similar life experiences. While every youth event we offer matters, these retreats are consistently cited by those who attend as helpful in making their faith in Jesus their own.
Happening staff sings together during the staff retreat held at Christ Church, Valdosta, this past weekend.
Happening #103
Grades 10-12, February 21-23, 2020
Happening offers high school youth a chance to consider the deep questions about God, Jesus, the Church, Faith, Prayer, Love, and more. All of this is done in a way that allows youth to learn from each other, and to experience the love of God throughout the weekend. For more information about Happening, visit
georgiahappening.com. In order to register as a Candidate (participant) for Happening, visit
bit.ly/Happening103.
New Beginnings #56
Grades 7-9, March 27-29, 2020
New Beginnings allows high school youth to work with middle school youth as they encounter the daily realities of growing up in the 21st century. Youth reflect on their relationships, with God, with their families and friends, with their peers in school and beyond, and more. They support each other in prayer and worship, through small group work, led by high school staff, and by playing and praying together!
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Click the image above to see a short video introduction to the book and online course for A Spring in the Desert
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A Free Video Course for Lent from Frank and Victoria Logue
In Lent 2020, the people and churches of the Diocese of Georgia are invited to join together for
A Spring in the Desert: Rediscovering the Water of Life in Lent. While there is a book one can buy, there is a no cost option for people to fully participate in a class in their congregation using the online video classes from ChurchNext.
 About A Spring in the Desert
The Diocese of Georgia's bishop-elect Frank and his wife, Victoria, offer a Lenten journey inspired by the many passages of scripture that use images of water in the desert as a sign of the healing and wholeness that come through God alone. To this they add the distilled wisdom of the Desert Mothers and Fathers and the surprisingly rich inspiration of the plants and animals that thrive in an arid land. Along the way, they will share the ways our faith speaks to the barren places in our lives and how those times of drought can be a source of strength.
How to purchase books
How to access the videos at no cost
In addition to the books, the Logues created a series of 20 online videos which are 5-6 minutes long to be watched by a group and discussed. There are four videos each for the five weeks from the week after Ash Wednesday through the week before Holy Week to fit with the pattern most congregations follow with Lenten courses. The class series is at no cost to the congregations of the Diocese of Georgia, but is available to those outside the Diocese at a cost to ChurchNext congregational subscribers of $39.99 while non-ChurchNext congregations pay $79.99. Click here to see the course overview at ChurchNext.
To access the videos one person from each congregation may contact ChurchNext on behalf of the congregation. To facilitate this process, on Tuesday, January 7, Canon Logue sent an email to each priest in charge of a congregation and Senior Wardens of congregation with no priest in charge. Please ask that person for assistance in accessing the course.
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Revised Canons of the Diocese of Georgia available now
The 198th Convention of the Diocese of Georgia made two changes to the canons. The revised canons are now online here:
2019 Canons PDF
and linked in the
Reference Library
at the diocesan website.
The sole changes are convention voted to revise Canon I.13.2 describing the Commission on Ministry and Canon I.13.3 describing the Honey Creek Commission. The previous text alongside the revision remains online at the Convention website here
Canonical Changes.
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St. Thomas gives $60,000 in grants to Savannah organizations
The Thrift Store operated by St. Thomas Isle of Hope, Savannah, awarded $60,000 grants for 2019 to
Savannah and Chatham County based organizations working to improve the lives of children. The St. Thomas Thrift store is located at 1126 East Montgomery Crossroads in Savannah. It is open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM. The store accept donations of all sorts during those business hours.
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A Weekend with Paul and Mary Zahl at Christ Church, Valdosta
 Christ Church, Valdosta, will welcome the Very Rev. Dr. Paul Zahl and his wife Mary the first weekend in February. Paul and Mary will be teaching and preaching on grace in personal relationships and the grace of listening in personal relationships. On Saturday, February 1, Paul and Mary will both speak at a teaching session at 9:30 AM in the parish hall. A Saturday evening gathering at 6 PM at the rectory is another opportunity to spend time with the Zahls. Then on Sunday, February 2, Paul will preach at the 8 and 10 AM and 12 noon services. Mary will teach an adult Sunday School class after the 10 AM service.
 Paul is a retired Episcopal minister who last served as Rector of All Saints, Chevy Chase, MD, just outside of Washington, D.C. Paul received his undergraduate degree from Harvard, his M.Phil. from the University of Nottingham (U.K.), and his doctorate in theology from the University of Tuebingen in Germany. He has served parishes in Silver Spring, MD; New York City; Westchester County (NY); Charleston, S.C.; and was Dean of Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, AL. He was also Dean/President of Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA. He is the author of ten books, his favorite of which is Grace in Practice (Eerdmans, 2007). He also preached the sermon for the ordination and consecration of Bishop Scott Benhase as the 10th Bishop of Georgia.
Mary Cappleman Zahl is a professional garden designer who has done extensive work mostly in the Southeast. They have been married 46 years and have three grown sons, all of whom are in full-time Christian ministry; and seven grand-children.
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Epiphany Around the Diocese
 
The Rev. Amy Bradley, Associate Rector, led an intergenerational Epiphany program at St. Augustine of Canterbury, Augusta, this past Sunday.
The Magi offer their gifts to the infant Jesus in worship on Sunday at St. Paul's, Augusta.
Parishioners of St. Paul's, Albany, hosted a Twelfth Night celebration in their home.
Kids processed statues of the Magi in during worship at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Augusta, on Sunday.
St. Anne's, Tifton, marked the Feast of the Epiphany with a candlelit liturgy in their historic chapel, Little St. Anne's.
The Feast of the Epiphany at the Collegiate Church of St. Paul the Apostle, Savannah.
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Reserve a hotel room now for Bishop's Ordination in May
The planned May 30 ordination and consecration of the 11th Bishop of Georgia will take place the same weekend as graduation for the Savannah College of Art and Design. At present, this presents no challenge for those wanting to book hotel accommodations, but you will want to reserve a room soon. To assist, we offer three blocks of rooms and will be able to secure additional blocks when these are full.
The liturgy will be held in the Johnny Mercer Theater at the Savannah Civic Center. The service starts at 11 AM. On Sunday at 11 AM, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will preach at an outdoor Eucharist in Forsyth Park. The hotels are convenient to both locations.
Critical information: The block for Friday and Saturday night is cheaper per night, but those rooms are only available at that rate when booking both nights.
The hotel will charge the Diocese of Georgia for the additional night for any rooms booked for only one night at that rate.
Rooms for Friday (May 29)
- Hampton Inn, 603 W. Oglethorpe Ave, Savannah GA 31401. Call to reserve: (912) 721-1600 - $219/night
- Embassy Suites, 605 West Oglethorpe Ave, Savannah GA 31401. Call to reserve: (912) 721-6900 - $259/night
Rooms for Friday and Saturday (May 29-30)
- Courtyard by Marriott, Savannah Downtown/Historic District, 415 W. Liberty Street, Savannah, GA 31401
Call to reserve: (912) 644-6880 or click here to register online - $169/night
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Anna Iredale Leaves Diocesan Staff
Anna Iredale resigned from her position as Director of Communications for the Diocese of Georgia effective December 13, 2019. Ms. Iredale leaves with gratitude for the ministry of her co-workers, the opportunity to serve in the Episcopal Church, and a deep love for the people in the Diocese of Georgia.
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Diocesan Office Update and News
T
he Rt. Rev. Scott Anson Benhase,
10th Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia, will make his visitation to St. Luke's, Hawkinsville, this Sunday, January 12 at 10 AM. To see the Bishop's complete visitation schedule, go here:
Visitations Calendar
Canon Frank Logue will be in Montgomery, Alabama, this week preaching the sermon for his uncle's, Fred Hardwick, funeral.
Canon Katie Easterlin is currently on sick leave with a limited office responsibilities. Please direct any inquiries normally made to her to Canon Logue.
Canon Joshua Varner will be leading the Winter Youth Retreat at Honey Creek this weekend.
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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.
January 5 - 11
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregations in Albany--St. John & St. Mark's , St. Patrick's, and St. Paul's. We also pray for the Lutheran Church of Our Savior and and for our other ecumenical partner in Albany, St. Teresa Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for St. James the Apostle (
Santiago Apóstol) in Angelina.
January 12 - 18
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).
Additional Prayer Cycles
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Giving thanks for faithfulness
In this photo, Timothy Hall leads the Christ Church, Savannah, choir in Lessons and Carols on Sunday. As we move past the feasts of the incarnation in the Twelve Days of Christmas and Epiphany, we give thanks for the dedication of choirs, choirmasters and organists, acolytes, altar guilds, vergers, clergy, and all those who graciously gave their time, energy, and skill to the glory of God.
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Events
January 10-12, 2020
Honey Creek
For students in grades 6 to 12
Register
here.
Happening #103
Thursday, February 20 (for staff, participants arrive Friday) to Sunday, February 23, 2020
Honey Creek
For students in grades 10 to 12
Register
here.
EQHR for Clergy Only
5:30 PM, Monday, May 4 to 1 PM, Wednesday, May 6
Honey Creek
Consecration of the XI Bishop, Diocese of Georgia
11 AM Saturday, May 30
Johnny Mercer Theater
Savannah, Georgia
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry preaches at Eucharist in Forsyth Park
11 AM Sunday, May 31
The Bandshell, Forsyth Park
Savannah, Georgia
High School Camp at Honey Creek
Camp St. Joseph & Mary I at Honey Creek
June 14-20, 2020
For those who have completed grades 3-5
Register
Parent & Child session I at Honey Creek
For those who have completed Kindergarten thru 2nd grade
June 21-27, 2020
For those who have completed grades 6-8
Register
here.
Camp St. Joseph & Mary II
July 5-11, 2020
For those who have completed grades 3-5
Register
Parent & Child session II at Honey Creek
For those who have completed Kindergarten thru 2nd grade
Camp St. Peter II
July 12-18, 2020
For those who have completed grades 6-8
Register here
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Episcopal Youth Event
July 6-14, 2020
University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
Participants must be in grades 9-12
Register by going here:
Conflict Transformation, Clergy Only
October 19-23
Honey Creek
Contact:
199th Convention of the Diocese of Georgia
November 5-7
Jekyll Island Convention Center
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