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September 4, 2019
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Volume 10, No. 2
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A Prayer for those along Hurricane Dorian's path
 Almighty God, who calmed the storm tossing the disciples' boat, calm the fears that beset us as we await Hurricane Dorian: Grant us the peace that comes from you alone as we sit with the uncertainty of evacuation and in fear of damage to our homes and our communities, draw us ever closer to you, and give us the grace to comfort and aid others in need; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
Ready and Waiting
As Hurricane Dorian lashes the Georgia coast with rain and wind, we wait, watch, and pray. Our church buildings are as secure as we can make them. Our clergy have
checked in with parishioners to get assistance for those who need it. We are as ready as we can be.
Thanks to Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD), clergy and lay leaders in our six coastal counties have use of AlertMedia, which is a robust communication tool created to coordinate response in times of disaster. Updates for diocesan staff on human needs in communities impacted for the storm as well as updates on church property conditions may be sent via text to . This AlertMedia number will forward that information to the whole staff. Stay safe and we'll take care of one another and our communities as needed once the danger has passed.
Above at left, the Rev. Tom Purdy (foreground) and Rip Graham board up windows at Christ Church Frederica on St. Simons Island. Graham is a member of vestry and Purdy is Rector. Te Turner holds Graham's ladder.
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This Sunday's Lections
THIRTEENTH SUNDAY
after
PENTECOST
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Track 1
Jeremiah 18: 2-22
Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17
Philemon 1-21
Luke 14:25-33
OR
Deuteronomy 30: 15-20
Psalm 1
Philemon 1-21
Luke 14:25-33
Go
here for the full text.
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The Rev. William O. Stewart, Jr. (1948-2019)
We mourn the loss of the Rev. Bill Stewart who died August 30 surrounded by family and friends. St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Albany will host the Requiem Eucharist on Thursday, September 5 at 11:00 am. Bishop Benhase will officiate and the Rev. Joe Bowden will preach. All are invited. A reception will follow.
Clergy are encouraged to attend and to vest in cassock, surplice, and white stoles.
 A native of Cordele, Stewart was active in Scouting, earning his Eagle Scout badge at the age of 13 and becoming the first in his troop earn a God and Country Award. Stewart attended Florida State University and graduated from Valdosta State College. Bill met his future wife Sharon in theater. After marriage, they began attending the Episcopal Church while living in Quitman, becoming active at St. James.
He later moved back to his hometown to
serve as Chief Appraiser for Crisp County. He engaged in a variety of lay ministries at Christ Church, Cordele, and the diocese. This included serving on the team for numerous Cursillo and Kairos prison ministry weekends. In describing serving in prisons, he wrote, "It was a time of an astonishing awareness of the incarnate God breaking into that broken world. I think each of us serving were continually stunned by how God used our fish and barley loaves to feed His people."
During that time he helped to found a Habitat for Humanity Affiliate and the local United Way chapter.
He studied at Sewanee in preparation for the priesthood. Following his ordination to the priesthood, Stewart served at St. Stephen's, Leesburg; Annunciation, Vidalia; and St. John's and St. Mark's, Albany.
The great loves of his life were his wife, his children, and his church family, followed by passions for gardening, music, cooking, and the Florida State Seminoles.
Prayers requested for his wife Sharon and their children Shaun, Ryan, and Rebekah. Memorial gifts should be made to St. John's and St. Mark's, Albany.
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Standing Committee Names Slate
On Sunday at 3 PM, the Standing Committee announced the slate of candidates who will stand for election as the 11th Bishop of Georgia at the 198th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia on November 14-16, 2019.
The Bishop Search Committee, after careful and prayerful discernment, recommended these candidates to the Standing Committee, who have formally approved the slate.
The candidates, in alphabetical order, are:
The Rev. Rob Brown
The Rev. Lonnie Lacy
The Rev. Canon Frank Logue
The Venerable Jennifer McKenzie
The Rev. Canon John Thompson-Quartey
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| Brown |
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| Lacy |
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| Logue |
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| McKenzie |
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"We are excited to put forward a slate of candidates whom we believe possess a firm spiritual foundation along with a variety of gifts and abilities to be considered for the 11th Bishop for the Diocese of Georgia," said the Rev. Al Crumpton, President of the Standing Committee.
The Standing Committee also announced the opening of the Petition Process on Sunday, September 1, 2019, by which nominees may be added to the slate. The Petition Process closes at 5 PM EST on Wednesday, September 11, 2019.
Members of the Diocese of Georgia will have the opportunity to meet the candidates in person at a Walkabout to five locations across the diocese from October 22-25, 2019 before the November election at Diocesan Convention.
Information about the Walkabout, the candidates--including brief bios and an introductory video produced by each candidate--can be found on
the search website.
To download a PDF version of the timeline suitable for posting, go here.
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Clergy Transitions
The Rev. Aaron Brewer served his first Sunday as the Rector of King of Peace, Kingsland, on September 1. A native of Liberty County, Brewer earned a BA from St. Leo University and an MBA from Webster University. He spent 20 years working in information technology at manufacturing facilities. He also served as adjunct faculty for Columbia College teaching technology and business courses at a satellite campus. Brewer earned an M.Div. from Emory University in 2015. He has served since then at the Rector of St. Luke's Hawkinsville. While there, he was Chamber of Commerce President and President of the Rotary Club. He and Kristi Brewer have been married for 23 years. Their daughter Caroline is active in youth programs of the diocese and is currently a student at Georgia Tech. Their son Adam is a junior in high school.
Adam, Aaron, and Kristi Brewer are shown being photographed by Melody Floyd on Sunday at King of Peace
.
The vestry of St. Luke's Hawkinsville has called
the Rev. Judith Ann Jones-Keith to serve as their Priest in Charge. Jones-Keith earned a BA from St. Mary of the Wood College. Our Savior, Martinez, sponsored Jones-Keith for the ordination process. During her discernment, she served internships at St. Mary Magdalene, Louisville, and St. Michael's, Waynesboro. The Diocese of Georgia sent her to Seabury Western Theological Seminary, where she earned an M.Div. in 1997. A trained and gifted interim, she served congregations in New York and Illinois before moving back to Georgia to serve St. Thomas, Thomasville. She married Nate Keith in a ceremony at Diocesan House in Savannah in 2012.
She is pictured blessing a dog during the Blessing of the Animals at St. Thomas.
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Cursillo - what a difference a weekend makes
A reflection from Mitzi McCoy, Church of the Good Shepherd, Augusta
As a cradle Episcopalian, I've had a lifelong love for the Book of Common Prayer and all things liturgical. I attended Sunday School, Bible School, Episcopal Day Camp and EYC as a child. I've served the Church of the Good Shepherd as an adult in a variety of roles. Yet, my Christian experience waxed and waned with the tides of life and I longed for a closer walk with Christ. The opportunity to do so came when I saw an article in
From the Field
about an upcoming Cursillo weekend.
I embarked on Cursillo #125 in October of 2018, expectant but uncomfortable with the music. I love Jesus. I love music. I love guitars. But my Jesus does not own a guitar! Always the student, I expected a syllabus that did not materialize. However, as the weekend unfolded, I let my guard down. I mumbled words to songs to fit in. I listened to short talks about ideals, grace, faith, and piety. I communed with fellow Episcopalians over meals, crafts and skits, under moss draped pines and on the path to the chapel at Honey Creek. I became open to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I drifted along with the flowing current of the experience.
By weekends close, I had established spiritual ties with the team and my table mates. I found the courage to speak to priests and laity about my call to serve Christ in the world. I found myself humming the tune of "Here I am Lord" that I had resisted just days before. "Here I am Lord" became the theme to my call to serve.
Returning to work after Cursillo - The Fourth Day - I expressed a warmth to clients that was no longer perfunctory customer service. I shared Christ's love with my coworkers as I listened to their stresses at the office. I prayed with colleagues during the work week and at holiday luncheons. It would appear I had become office chaplain.
Returning to Good Shepherd on Sunday, I truly came home with love from heart and soul to welcome visitors to our parish. In thanking parishioners who sent notes of encouragement - I became eager for others to have the same experience that I had enjoyed at Cursillo. But that was just the beginning!
I shared my deepened faith by making friends and being a friend, not only with coworkers and parishioners, but also in my community. I continued feeding the homeless at Christ Episcopal Church in Augusta and began working at the Bridge Ministries with my favorite deacon whom I call "Dad." Feeding the hungry became my prayer of gratitude for the time I struggled following unemployment.
Through feeding the physically and spiritually hungry, I brought friends to Christ, realizing I had unconsciously been living the Cursillo motto: "Make a Friend, Be a Friend, Bring a Friend to Christ."
Following Cursillo, I fine tuned my Rule of Life focusing on Piety, Study and Action by:
- Practicing centering prayer as a discipline to complement intercessory prayer for the needs of others.
- Growing through formal study in EFM and informally by reading the works of Richard Rohr, Thomas Keating and Bill Wilson.
- Developing a personal ministry to alcoholics and addicts to bring them into a spiritual relationship with a Higher Power.
My Rule of Life was reinforced through reunion groups in Augusta and throughout the Diocese of Georgia.
My Cursillo experience motivated me to share the love of Christ with everyone: my work family, my church family and my community. My compassion for human need grew with desire to minister to those who thirsted for spiritual awakening.
Though I am still discerning exactly what Christ is counting on me to do, I am certain the Holy Spirit is working through me to touch the lives of others - whether they are coworkers with job stress, the unemployed and the hungry, or addicts and alcoholics. Each day presents a new opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ knowing the spiritual connection I longed for, and now have, is the result of my attending Cursillo.
"Here I am Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart."
Is it time for your Cursillo?
Join us at Cursillo #126 from October 17-20, 2019 at Honey Creek.
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At left, the organ is draped in protective plastic at St. Mark's, Brunswick, while at right, Christ Church Frederica's windows are covered with plywood in advance of the slow moving storm.
Donna and Neil Nilsson cover the organ at Holy Nativity on St. Simons Island as a part of preparing this church in advance of Hurricane Dorian.
Epiphany, Savannah, and the Community of St. Joseph worked together to make sandwiches to take together with lots of potable water to the homeless camp near where the Community worships each Sunday.
The Church of the Good Shepherd, Augusta, is housing Red Cross Volunteer nurses this week.
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Revel in God's Natural Sanctuary at Creation Care Camp-out
 Join the Creation Care Commission (CCC) and friends for a weekend in God's natural sanctuary at the Second Annual Creation Care Camp-out at Reed Bingham State Park in Adel, Georgia - about halfway between Tifton and Valdosta. This weekend camping retreat includes group tent camping, a service project, outdoor worship, delicious camp meals, wildlife observation, and outdoor adventures (hiking, kayaking, fishing, swimming). Come for the whole weekend or just a day or half day. Camp with the group, bring an RV, or stay at a local hotel. ALL are welcome. Park information can be found
here.
All participants will need a $5 park pass or annual pass to enter. Tent camping sites are provided by the CCC. Those staying for supper on Friday and Saturday nights will bring food items to contribute toward a group meal; breakfast, lunch, and snacks are bring-your-own. A shared camp kitchen, coffee/beverage station, and group gathering space are provided. On Saturday, the group will volunteer for Your State Parks Day, assisting park staff and local volunteers with a service project at the park. Last year, the group helped clear park trails.
For details or to register, click here or email [email protected]
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Know Your Delegate Count for 198th Convention
From the Standing Committee
Regarding Delegates to the Diocesan Convention
and Election of the XI Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia:
T
his is a reminder that the new Article III, Sec. 2 of the Canons of the Diocese of Georgia will be in effect at the upcoming Convention and Bishop Election of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia on November 14-16, 2019. This Article states that the calculation of each congregation's READ MORE
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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 annual visitation to St. Anne's Tifton at 10 AM, Sunday, September 8. T
he Bishop's full schedule can be found
here.
The Rev. Frank Logue, Canon to the Ordinary, will preach this Sunday at St. John's, Savannah.
The Rev. Joshua Varner, will serve this weekend at New Beginnings #55 at Honey Creek if the weather permits the the diocese to hold the event.
Due to Hurricane Dorian, there will not be a noon service at Saint Anna Alexander Chapel, Diocesan House this Thursday.
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Daughters of the King (DOK) Assembly Set for September
The DOK Fall Assembly, a gathering of celebration and prayer, will be held Sept 20-21, 2019 at Honey Creek. Diocesan Chaplain Amy Bradley will be the guest speaker.
The Assembly is open to all daughters, with organizers hoping that as many chapters in the Diocese of Georgia can be represented. For an agenda, go
here.
To register, download this
form
.
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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.
September 1-7
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregations in Savannah, St. George's and St. Michael and All Angels. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Savannah, especially the Catholic congregations of Blessed Sacrament, Resurrection of our Lord, Sacred Heart, and St. James. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for
San Pablo y San Lucas (St. Paul and St. Luke) in San Isidro.
September 8-14
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregations in Savannah, especially St. Thomas Isle of Hope and St. Matthew's. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Savannah, especially Holy Spirit Lutheran Church and St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in San Pedro de Marorís, especially
El Buen Pastor (The Good Shepherd),
San Esteban (St. Stephen), and
Santa Cruz (Holy Cross).
Additional Prayer Cycles
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Ready for worship
The Rev. Samantha McKean with the acolytes at Christ Church Savannah ready for the procession this past Sunday.
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Events
New Beginnings #55
September 6-8
Honey Creek Retreat Center
Weather permitting the event will go forward. Those registered will hear directly from our Canon Missioner for Children and Youth, the Rev. Canon Joshua Varner.
Diocesan Council
September 13-14
St. Peter's, Savannah
The DOK Fall Assembly
Honey Creek Retreat Center
For an agenda, go
here.
To register, download this
form
.
Cursillo #126
October 17-20
Honey Creek
Go
here for more information.
Walkabout with Candidates for the XI Bishop
6 PM Tuesday, October 22: Good Shepherd, Augusta
6 PM Wednesday, October 23: St. Thomas, Isle of Hope (with live Spanish interpretation)
11 AM Thursday, October 24: Christ Church, Frederica
6 PM Thursday, October 24: Christ Church, Valdosta
6 PM Friday, October 25: Calvary, Americus
198th Convention of the Diocese of Georgia
November 14-16
Georgia Southern University
Diocesan Convention Youth Presence (for grades 6 to 12)
November 15 (all day) through November 16
Hosted by Trinity Church, Statesboro
Winter Youth Retreat
January 10-12, 2020
Honey Creek
For students in grades 6 to 12
Happening #103
Thursday, February 20 (for staff, participants arrive Friday) to Sunday, February 23, 2020
Honey Creek
For students in grades 10 to 12
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