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May 19, 2021
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Volume 11, No. 35
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A Conversation with our Presiding Bishop
"Can I give my life to this Jesus and the way of love?"
This question was, for Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, the question at the heart of almost every conversation he had for a year or so after the Royal Wedding sermon. On Tuesday evening, Bishop Frank Logue had a conversation with Bishop Curry on Zoom as the Diocese of Georgia concludes a 1Book1Diocese read of Love is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times. In that conversation, Bishop Curry said, "My response was, I have seen it in action. I've seen it in my life. I've seen it in people who made a difference in my life but also made a difference in the lives of others. This love is dynamite." That love of God as found in Jesus is what led him to write the very personal book in which he is vulnerable in sharing from his life experiences how this love is real and can guide our lives. During the hour-long discussion, which included questions from those logged in online, Bishop Curry addressed our role as the church saying, "We must see ourselves less as an institution and more as a Jesus Movement, as an Episcopal branch of that Jesus Movement." He then added, "We are not perfect, but the world will not know that we are followers of Jesus by our perfection. It will know that we are followers of Jesus by how much we love, sacrificially, unselfishly, even to the point of doing justice and forgiveness at the same time." Bishop Curry said, "If the Bible is true, as I believe it is, in First John, Chapter four...those who do not love do not know God, why, because God is love. Period. Exclamation point. That's the whole thing...It is love that will help us find our way through even when we can't see in the dark. We are talking about the most powerful reality in the whole universe." In the discussion, he offered insights beyond the book or his sermons to date. In speaking of spiritual practices that draw us into the love of God, he said, "Prayer is not reading the words. That's the start." He then opened up what he meant in saying, "I've got a sermon I have never preached. I don't know why I haven't preached it yet, but it is entitled 'Don't cook the recipe book' that's the Book of Common Prayer. Don't cook the book. Pray with the book. Let the book be your springboard into the spirit. Say the prayer and the sit back and say what's this got to do with Michael? And just sit with it a little bit." The conversation on Zoom was a hopeful one grounded in the reality of the challenges we face, especially as we come out of pandemic and seek to be transformed anew by the Gospel and to draw others in to this love that is the way. Bishop Curry concluded saying, "God has not finished with The Episcopal Church yet. We got work to do and as the poet said, 'miles to go before we sleep.'"
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TWO WEEKS until Family Camp
Session One begins!
"How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!"
- Psalm 133:1
Two weeks from this coming Friday, the first of three sessions of Family Camp will open! There is still space at the first session, but it is filling up fast, so go ahead and sign up now! Registration can be found at http://honeycreek.org/camps.
Family Camp is intended for all families: those with young children, those with teenage children, those with no children or grandchildren, or any other combination. Camp opens on Friday afternoon and continues with supper and evening activities. Saturday includes time for participants to rotate through traditional camp activities such as pool time, arts & crafts, nature programming, and self-guided Chapel stations. Worship for all ages will take place each morning and evening, including a Sunday Eucharist led by Bishop Logue. Camp sessions will conclude after lunch on Sunday.
All activities will be structured in order to minimize the risks associated with COVID-19. These structures will include having open windows, fans to increase air circulation, an increase in outdoor activities, and an expectation that participants will be masked and distanced from those not part of their own household.
Camp will be supported by the Rev. Joshua Varner, Canon for Children and Youth, together with many others from Diocesan Staff, and other youth leaders from around the Diocese. Cost depends on the number of people in your household and the number of rooms required. Please contact Canon Varner at jvarner@gaepiscopal.org with questions about the program, about financial assistance, or anything else related to Family Camp!
For the schedule of the weekend, click here.
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Last week of 1Book1Diocese
This week we wrap up our 1Book1Diocese book, Love is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times.
A book discussion guide for the Diocese of Georgia's 1Book1Diocese read of Love is the Way is now online here: Discussion Guide PDF. Some congregations are holding discussions of the book on Zoom, but you can create your own group as well by asking a friend or two to discuss the book with you each week. Read Chapter Twelve and the Appendix this week Here are the discussions questions for these two sections:
When have you taken part in an experience that you look back on
as a mountaintop, time on holy ground?
Have you seen a church or community offer transformative love for a stranger? What happened?
Have you created and used a Rule of Life? If so, were you able to keep it? How did it change over time?
If not, what are the "rules" that you already follow in terms of body, mind, spirit, relationships, giving back and community?
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EYCS College Scholarship Deadline Is May 31
Attention college-bound students!
 If you are ages 17-22 and headed for college in the fall, you are encouraged to apply for a needs-based EYCS scholarship for the 2021-2022 school year.
About EYCS
Episcopal Youth & Children's Services is a unique organization in the Episcopal Church that provides need-based college scholarships for undergraduates, while also supporting Summer Camp scholarships at Honey Creek. To date, the EYCS Trust has provided over $1 million in college scholarships for more than a thousand youth of the diocese.
Episcopal Youth and Children's Services is the offspring of the Episcopal Home for Girls, a Savannah orphanage established in the early 1800's by fifteen women from Episcopal churches in that city. In the 1960's the orphanage closed as it no longer met the increasing needs and challenges of the time. The proceeds from the sale of the property were placed in a trust by the board of the Home, and Episcopal Youth and Children's Services was established. In addition, an annual Thanksgiving Appeal is in the Diocese of Georgia Canons, requiring each congregation to either take up an offering for EYCS or to provide for this ministry through a line item in the church budget.
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Open Positions Around the Diocese
Pianist/Music Director at St. Patrick's
St. Patrick's Episcopal Church in Pooler, GA seeks a permanent pianist/music director to support and enhance the worship of the congregation. The pianist will need to provide accurate and supportive accompaniment as we sing praise to God, observing the liturgical year. Someone with experience in a liturgical church is helpful, as well as someone who has experience playing service music. Without such experience, those with the desire and ability to learn are also welcome. Extra services include: Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. Please send resumé to the Rev. Karen C. Barfield at kclaybarfield@gmail.com. For the full description, click here.
Part-Time Youth Minister at Church of the Holy Comforter
Church of the Holy Comforter is looking for our next great youth minister. This is a part-time position, mentoring our youth in grades 6 - 12. Previous experience in working with youth or Christian Education or a background in teaching is a plus. Holy Comforter is an inclusive church located in Martinez, GA. We are looking for someone who is a self-starter but can also work collaboratively with others. And a sense of humor is always a blessing! Please send your resume to the rector, The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Taylor at pastor@holycomforterchurch.org.
Full-Time Parish Administrator at St. Thomas Isle of Hope
St. Thomas Isle of Hope in Savannah is searching for a new full-time Parish Administrator. This person would
provide services and oversight for the administrative, financial, and communication activities of St Thomas Episcopal Church, a parish of approximately 190 families. The Administrator reports to the Church Rector. For the full job description, click here.
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Upcoming Retreat for Deacons
 Deacon's Retreat in June
"Being Changed by the Face of Christ"
The 2021 Deacon's Retreat, scheduled June 4-6 at Honey Creek, welcomes the Rev. Becky Rowell and the Rev. Terri Degenhardt to lead us through a weekend of Icon Writing, Meditations and Music.
Bishop Frank Logue will be spending some time with us during the weekend to answer any questions, concerns, or thanksgivings we may wish to offer. Reservations must be made by contacting our Retreat Coordinator, Deacon Geri Nelson at GLNelson609@Gmail.com Please RSVP as soon as possible so that we may arrange all the details for your visit.
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Livestream Calendar Update
 We are collecting updates for our newly organized Live Stream calendar. Please list your updated live stream services including any services throughout Lent and Holy Week. For any future updates to the Live Stream calendar, you can send them to DioGAEvents@gmail.com.
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Across the Diocese
 Christ Church Savannah's newest acolyte! Congratulations to Jacob Reeves, who happens to be the great grandson of Bishop Albert Rhett Stuart, the 6th Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia.
St. Paul's, Augusta celebrated their graduating seniors during Sunday's service.
The clergy gathered at Honey Creek on Monday and Tuesday for a retreat. The Rev. Canon Loren Lasch celebrates Holy Eucharist (left) and the Rev. Canon Joshua Varner leads music for Compline (right).
On Sunday, Bishop Logue confirmed and received parishioners from Annunciation, Vidalia; Trinity, Statesboro; and Christ Church, Dublin; in a Holy Eucharist with confirmations for the Central Convocation. He is pictured above with the whole congregation just after the liturgy.
 135 disc golf players descended on Honey Creek's campus for the Amateur Bash Tournament.
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Worship with the Diocese of Georgia in Martinez for the last livestream
 On Sunday we will stream Holy Eucharist at 10 a.m. from Holy Comforter in Martinez with Bishop Logue as celebrant and preacher and joined by the Rev. Cynthia Taylor and a reader from Holy Comforter.
Find Livestream Worship
There are a lot of options each day for Episcopalians in the Diocese of Georgia to worship online and now they are listed in one place. The Livestream Services calendar tells the time, location, and which liturgy the congregation offers for the whole Diocese. Click the this link to find other liturgies offered by congregations of the Diocese: Livestream Services Calendar.
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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.
May 23 - 29
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Kingsland, King of Peace. We also pray for our ecumenical partners, especially St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Folkston. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in Jimaní, especially St. Paul the Apostle (San Pablo Apostól), St. Titus (San Tito), and St. Ignatius (San Ignacio).
May 30 - June 5
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Louisville, St. Mary Magdalene. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Louisville, especially St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in La Romana, especially The Encarnation (La Encarnación) and All Saints (Todos los Santos).
Additional Prayer Cycles
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Diocesan Office Update and News
Bishop Logue, Canon Lasch, and Canon Varner joined clergy at Honey Creek on Monday and Tuesday for the Clergy Retreat.
The Diocesan Staff will meet with the Diocesan Council on Thursday afternoon. On Sunday morning, Bishop Logue will officiate and preach Holy Eucharist from Holy Comforter in Martinez at 10 a.m. To view the services, visit the Diocese of Georgia Facebook Page or the Diocese of Georgia YouTube page. Canon Varner is working on Family Camp, which starts in two weeks!
Canon Easterlin, Canon Lasch, and Daniel Garrick are participating in the Church Pension Group Benefits Partnership Conference this week. Canon Lasch will be celebrating and preaching at St. Patrick's, Albany, this Sunday. Bishop Logue will be on vacation May 21-28.
You may reach diocesan staff by phone at (912) 236-4279.
Staff e-mails can be found here.
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Let Us Know!
What are you doing to keep community right now? Are you gathering for virtual coffee hours, delivering groceries to your neighbors - let us know! Send any updates or photos to our Communications Manager Liz Williams at lwilliams@gaepiscopal.org. We want to hear from you!
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Say cheese! 
Susan Gage, left, poses with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry after her graduation from Virginia Theological Seminary. She will be ordained as a deacon (transitional) on June 26 at 11 am at St. Thomas, Thomasville.
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