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August 7, 2019
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Volume 9, No. 50
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The Answer is Love for Happening #102
 More than 70 adults and youth came together for Happening this past weekend at Honey Creek for what Callie Cranford of Trinity Cochran described as
"A weekend full of love, joy, compassion, and friendship." Happening is a retreat weekend for those in 10-12 grade with many of the talks presented by teens for teens.
Those attending Happening listen to thought-provoking and challenging talks given by members of the teen staff and one or more spiritual directors. These talks are designed to help the Happeners deepen their relationship with God. After each talk, the opportunity is given for questions and discussion in small groups. The Happeners are encouraged to make their renewed faith a part of their everyday lives. As Cranford put it,
"I know I can reflect on the ways God's love was shown to me at Honey Creek and apply that in my everyday life."
 Ellie Watkins of St. Simons Island said, "This weekend is life changing. Whether you were raised an Episcopalian or non-denominational like me, you are welcomed with open arms here." Ruby Buckingham of St. Thomas Isle of Hope, Savannah, told those gathered for the closing Eucharist, "I truly felt the presence of God here this weekend, especially during confession, which I did for the first time this weekend."
Canon Frank Logue served as the Spiritual Director for the weekend. He used Sarah's theme "I have loved you with an everlasting love" to show how for many of life's most pressing questions, the answer is love, for God is love. His six talks and sermons considered how we can know there is a God and how a sacramental understanding helps us see the outward signs of God's inward and spiritual grace.
 Sarah Bianco of St. Thomas Isle of Hope in Savannah served as the Rector for the weekend. She said, "The amount of work, energy, excitement, and love that was put into the weekend payed off in the end. God's love was so present in each and every activity that took place, making it such a spiritually renewing weekend."
Happening #103 will be February 21-23, 2020 with J.D. Greneker of Christ Church Valdosta serving as the Rector.
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This Sunday's Lections
NINTH SUNDAY
after
PENTECOST
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Track 1
Isaiah 1:1, 10-20
Psalm 50:1-8, 23-24
Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16
Luke 12:32-40
Track 2
Genesis 15:1-6
Psalm 33:12-22
Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16
Luke 12:32-40
Go
here for the full text.
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Next up in the Search for the XI Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia: a retreat with the candidates beginning this Sunday, August 11 and concluding on Thursday, August 15, after which the Search Committee votes on who the finalists will be. Once the slate is submitted to and confirmed by the Standing Committee and the candidates, names of candidates from the XI Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia will be published with the stated goal of September 1, 2019 for release of that information. Go
here
for a downloadable copy of the timeline.
Please keep the Standing Committee, the Search Committee, the Transition Committee, the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia, and the Candidates in your prayers:
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Changes come to St. Thomas Aquinas, Baxley
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The congregation of St. Thomas Aquinas gathers after the de-commissioning service of their building in Baxley.
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More than 14 churches and organizations benefited from the de-commissioning of furnishings at St. Thomas Aquinas in Baxley. "It was quite a task to distribute 30 years of contents in one month but we got it done," said Lynn Carter who headed up the distribution of inventory. "We were blessed by many people during this process and we like to think that many congregations were also blessed, a total of 14 congregations/religious organizations and several individuals."
Everything was donated or re-purposed--even the front doors and ceiling light fixtures, bathroom vanities and toilets were given to a home being built for a homeless family. Some of the congregations receiving donations were St. Rose of Lima in Baxley, St. Paul's Jesup, St. Mary Magdalene Louisville, St. Matthew's Savannah; Grovetown Episcopal Lutheran in Grovetown; Trinity Statesboro; Called to Love, Baxley; St. Michael's Waynesboro, Battle Ready Ministry in Baxley, St. Frances of Roma, Alma, First Methodist in Baxley and several others.
St. Thomas Aquinas is grateful for their new home at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church.
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The congregation worships in its new home at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church.
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Revival Coming to Christ Church, Dublin
 Christ Church, Dublin, will hold a weekend revival in its garden August 24th and 25th with the Rev. Patrick Hunt (left) presiding. Services will begin at 8:30 AM Saturday with an instructed Morning Prayer and conclude Sunday at 6 PM with Solemn Evensong featuring members of the St. John's Savannah Choir.
In between will be three address/sermon/meditations sessions conducted by Hunt at 9:15 AM, 11 AM, and 1:15 PM on Saturday.
Saturday's activities will conclude at 3 PM with Evening Prayer. Sunday morning's regular Rite II Eucharistic Service will begin at 10:30 with the Rev. Gary Abbot celebrating. Revival services with Hunt will resume at 1:30 pm Sunday and conclude with another service at 3:15 PM. Solemn Evensong at 6 PM will conclude the Revival activities. "The parishioners of Christ Church invite all to attend and, most of all, Jesus invites you here," said Steve Price, Interim Chair of the Mission/Evangelism Committee at Christ Church.
The Rev. J. Patrick Hunt, left, was raised in Ohio, and educated at Otterbein University, General Theological Seminary, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Union Theological Seminary. He served as a priest in a number of parishes in the dioceses of Long Island, New Jersey and Albany. On his retirement, he settled in Savannah, and serves as a non-stipendiary assisting priest at St. John's Church, Savannah. He is a member of the Society of the Holy Cross (SSC).
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Around the Diocese
Blessing of the backpacks and educators at St. Paul's Church, Augusta.
Freyja Ruth Fleming being baptized by the Holy Spirit through Assistant Rector the Rev. Amy Bradley at St. Augustine's of Canterbury Church, Augusta, right.
Backpacks and educators blessed at Our Savior, Martinez by the rector, the Rev. Al Crumpton.
Hands On St. Anne's saw bathrooms painted, woodwork oiled, sidewalks washed, bushes and limbs trimmed, and most importantly, a great time of friendship and fellowship was had by all in the Tifton parish.
At left: the banner dedicated by the St. Anne's Chapter of the Order of the Daughters of the King at All Saints Tybee Island. Above: Don and Marilyn Reif, members of St. Augustine of Canterbury celebrated their 67th anniversary. Congratulations!
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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
Visitations by
the Rt. Rev. Scott Anson Benhase,
10th Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia, will resume on August 18th. The Bishop's full schedule can be found
here.
The Rev. Frank Logue, Canon to the Ordinary, will serve this Sunday at St. Francis of the Islands, Savannah.
The Rev. Joshua Varner, will be at St. Patrick's Albany on Saturday and Sunday and making preparations for the Acolyte Festival on August 24-25.
The Rev. David Lemburg, Rector at St. George's Savannah, will officiate at the Thursday, noon service at Saint Anna Alexander Chapel, Diocesan House.
Diocesan House closes at noon on Fridays in the summer.
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Transitions
Discerning a call away from full-time parish ministry,
the Rev. Lauren Flowers Byrd
resigned as rector of St. Francis of the Islands with thanksgiving for this loving parish, effective July 31.
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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.
August 4-10
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation on Jekyll Island, St. Richard of Chichester. We also pray for our ecumenical partners on the island, especially Jekyll Island Methodist Church and St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in Puerto Plata, especially Cristo Rey (Christ the King), San Francisco de Asís (St. Francis of Assisi), and San Simón Apóstol (St. Simon the Apostle).
August 11-17
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Sandersville, Grace Church. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Sandersville, especially St. William Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for
Divina Providencia (Divine Providence) in San Antonio de Guerra.
Additional Prayer Cycles
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Every Vote Counts!
Parishioners at St. Paul's Albany voted on a new name for the congregation's soup ministry. Stay tuned for results!
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Events
Candidates for the XI Bishop Retreat with Search Committee
Sunday, August 11 to Thursday, August 15
Honey Creek
Ordination to the Priesthood of the Rev. Samantha McKean, Deacon
Christ Church, Savannah
10:30 AM, Saturday, August 17th
Bishop Search Transition Committee Meeting
St. Anne's Tifton
Wednesday, August 21
Acolyte Festival
Saturday, August 24 (morning) to Sunday, Augusta 25 (after worship)
Church of the Good Shepherd, Augusta
Grades three to 12
New Beginnings #55
September 6-8
Honey Creek Retreat Center
Diocesan Council
September 13-14
St. Peter's, Savannah
Search for the XI Bishop Walkabout
October 22, 23 and 24
Cursillo #126
October 17-20
Honey Creek
Go
here for more information.
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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