March 9, 2022 | Volume 12, No. 10

Romans 12:2 was the guiding inspiration for Happening #105. Together with the image of the butterfly, they provided a way for participants and staff to reflect on the transforming power of God’s love. The theme was selected by Mary Margaret Lemburg, from St. Thomas, Isle of Hope, Savannah, who served as the Rector of Happening #105. The rest of the staff came from Savannah, Augusta, Valdosta, Thomasville, and even farther afield! The Rev. Canon Brian Ponder, came from the Diocese of Mississippi to serve as one of the Spiritual Directors at the invitation of the Rector ( who is also his godchild). The Revs. Sonia Sullivan-Clifton and Steve Clifton who have been part of the life of youth in this Diocese for several generations of youth also served as Spiritual Directors at their first Happening since returning to the Diocese of Georgia.

This particular Happening also received a surprise bonus, because Bishop Logue’s schedule permitted him to come not just for the Closing Eucharist, but for all of Sunday, from morning wake-up, including an “ussie” with the Bishop, all the way through the conclusion of the event.

Happening #105 was driven by a dedicated youth staff who were willing to jump in wherever needed. Many of them were Candidates at the previous Happening in November, and were eager to offer the newest Candidates a transformative experience, such as the one they had in the fall. As Diocesan Youth Programs continue to build momentum, we are grateful for the care and love that is passed on from one generation to the next.

The Observing Rector for Happening #105 was Jake Diamond, of Christ Church, Valdosta. He will serve at the Rector of Happening #106, which will take place August 12-14, 2022! Applications to serve on Staff for that event will be available soon, and Candidate Registration will open in the late Spring!

This is the second week of 1Book1Diocese for Lent as we read Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again by Rachel Held Evans.

Questions for every week of the study

Each week, the group may use the following prompts as an icebreaker:

• How have you seen or experienced God’s love in the previous week?
• Put another away, what has been Godly or what was your moment closest to Christ?

After working through the questions for the week, close with the following questions as time permits:

• What stood out to you in the section you read?
• What reinforced your existing opinions of the Bible and what challenged them?

Week 2 - Discuss The Well and Deliverance Stories

Have there been times in your life when God has “made a way where there seems to be no way”? What did you learn from those experiences?

In what ways has the Bible been used to harm and oppress people? How has it been used for liberation? Do these examples shake your faith in scripture, strengthen it, or a little of both?

When you hear reference to “the Law” in Scripture is your impression positive or negative? Has that changed?

Rachel says that for those who count the Bible as sacred, interpretation is not a matter of whether to pick and choose, but how to pick and choose. Do you agree or disagree with this?

The full reading guide can be found here. Pictured above, the diocesan staff take part in the first week's discussion of Inspired on the front porch of Diocesan House in Savannah.

As you make plans for a holy Lent, consider a Creation-focused retreat for adults at Honey Creek, led by the Creation Care Commission. The retreat will begin on the evening of Friday, March 25, and end late Saturday afternoon with Eucharist. 

The theme for the retreat is “All Things New,” inspired by Rev. 21:5 (“See, I am making all things new”). Christ’s redemptive work began as an angel announces to Mary that she would give birth to the Savior, and it will be completed in the New Creation when Christ makes all things new. God has graciously invited us who live between these two events to participate by planting seeds that Christ will bring to fruition. Join us as we explore these themes through worship, contemplative prayer and conversation, hands-on activities, and earth art. The retreat will also include fellowship with others in the Diocese of Georgia who are interested in the care of God's Creation, and conversation with Bishop Logue. 

The retreat will be led by Creation Care Commission members Rev. Leeann Culbreath (St. John & St. Mark's, Albany), Rev. Nathan Wilson (St. Paul's, Jesup) and Laura Walker (St. Paul's, Savannah). 

There is no registration fee. Meals (Dinner on Friday, Breakfast and Lunch on Saturday) cost $45. Lodging options include Hunt Cottage (women), Lodge rooms, and camping (with dorm access). Commuter rate is $10 + meals. Weather and gnats permitting, the bulk of the retreat will be centered out of the Ecology Center, near the dock.  Please fill out this form first https://forms.gle/2UHSvEwuZLLUFGFb7 which includes information on completing your registration with Honey Creek. 

On Sunday, March 6, members of Racial Justice GA participated in McIntosh County's commemoration of the Weeping Time, at St. Cyprian's in Darien. The event honors the enslaved people--over four hundred--who were sold from the Pierce Butler plantations in 1859 in the largest single slave auction in US history. Descendants of the enslaved, members of St. Cyprian's, and local community leaders crafted a poignant event. St. Cyprian's was built in the 1870s by formerly enslaved people. St. Anna Alexander, whose parents had been enslaved on the Butler plantations, served the church for decades.

The Choir at Trinity in Statesboro offered the Fauré Requiem through the leadership of their Music Director and Organist, Dr. Jonathan Murphy.

The Rev. Galen Mirate, Rector of St. Paul's in Albany, is with Boy Scouts and their leaders from Troop 15 on Scout Sunday.

The Revs. Jim Said and Kurt Miller of St. Augustine of Canterbury at their Ashes-to-Go site.

St. Cyprian's in Darien celebrates Black History Month.

The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Savannah served up pancakes at the local Fork and Dagger (left) for Shrove Tuesday, and the Rev. Michael Chaney, Priest-in-Charge at Epiphany, gives Ashes-to-Go with Monastic Eli Irvin outside of Sentient Bean (right).

St. Patrick's in Pooler enjoys some Shrove Tuesday pancakes.

Emmaline McNicoll sings for the Mardi Gras Celebration at St. Thomas Isle of Hope in Savannah.

• When: May 6-8, 2022
• Who: Youth in Grades 7-9
• Where: Honey Creek!
• Cost: $125 per person

New Beginnings #57, a retreat for youth currently in Grades 7-9, is open for registration. This event is led by older youth, with adult support. In a time of increased anxiety and uncertainty, New Beginnings offers young people a chance to gather at Honey Creek offers young people a chance to step back from their daily lives and reflect on some of the big issues of life, such as Family, Peer Pressure, Friends, and how the Love God has for all of us is unconditional and everlasting. Participant Registration is available here: https://bit.ly/NB57Participants. 

Applications to serve on New Beginnings Staff are also available! Any youth who has attended either New Beginnings or Happening is eligible to serve on staff. Serving on staff includes a commitment to attend the entire weekend, and to attend the staff lock-in. The staff application is here: https://conta.cc/3IT3C0C.

The Lead Teen for New Beginnings #57 is Jake Diamond, of Christ Church, Valdosta.

Sewanee's School of Theology is hosting a free,Thursday-night webinar conversation between members of the student Creation Care Committee at Sewanee's School of Theology and the Center for Religion and Environment. One panelist will be our own seminarian Gabriel Perkins-Lawrence.

The event will focus on what the connections are between the Season of Lent and the practice of ecological discipleship, and between the church's forty-day fast and the rest of the Earth Community.

The Creation Care Committee is a student group at the School of Theology that facilitates hands-on environmental ministry experiences and ideas with an aim to inspire future clergy and lay church leaders for the work of environmental stewardship. The committee provides educational programming and encourages discussions of sustainability, environmental justice, ecotheology, and green ministry in all aspects of life at Sewanee's School of Theology.

The Center for Religion and Environment is a resource for the church housed within Sewanee's School of Theology; it offers free monthly webinars, tuition-based short online courses, resources and materials, a certificate program in nature contemplation, and consulting for creation care ministries. 

To register, click here.

As each day gets a little bit longer, our thoughts turn toward summer, even while it’s still cold. And this coming summer we are planning to return to our traditional Summer Camp Season! Registration is now open! Visit honeycreek.org/camps to register for the appropriate camp sessions!

• High School Camp (Completed Grades 9-12, & graduated seniors): June 12-18
• Camp St. Peter I (Completed Grades 6-8): June 19-25
• Camp St. Joseph & Mary I (Completed Grades 3-5): June 26-July 2
• Camp St. Joseph & Mary II (Completed Grades 3-5): July 10-16
• Camp St. Peter II (Completed Grades 6-8): July 17-23

We are actively recruiting college students and others who have completed high school to serve as Summer Camp Counselors. If you are or someone you know are interested in a summer experience that can be life-changing both for yourself and for the campers, apply now! The Staff Application is available online here: https://bit.ly/HoneyCreekSummerStaffApp

Have questions about camp? About serving as a counselor? Contact Summer Camp Director Karen Bell at karenmackenziebell@gmail.com or Canon Joshua Varner at jvarner@gaepiscopal.org.

St. Thomas in Savannah is looking to hire a part-time facilities administrator. The Facility Administrator provides maintenance and upkeep for the buildings and grounds of St Thomas Episcopal Church, consisting of 4 buildings, a memorial garden, and various other gardens.  The Administrator reports to the Church Rector and Parish Administrator. This is a non-exempt salaried position, part-time, expected to be 10 – 15 hours per week on average, not to exceed 780 hours per year. Rate of compensation begins at $15 per hour commensurate with experience. To see the full job posting, visit the St. Thomas Facebook page. Interested candidates should email a resume to Amy Washabaugh at amyjo@stthomasioh.org.

Christ Church in Savannah is seeking an Administrative Assistant. This will be 12-16 hours per week, and includes the following:

• helping to develop and coordinate docents and the docent program
• Coordinate, train, and supervise the bulletin assembly team
• Meet parishioners or workers in the church as needed
• Assist with other administrative tasks as needed

This position will report to the Director of Administration. For more information, contact Catherine Gussler at cmgussler@gmail.com.

St. Peter's in Savannah is seeking Nursery Attendants. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church is a group of Christians enthusiastic about making a difference for others on Skidaway Island, in Savannah and abroad, which you can read about at www.saintpeterssav.org. If you are interested, please submit a resume and cover letter to The Rev. Kelly Steele, Priest-In-Charge at St. Peter’s at ksteele@saintpeterssav.org or 912-598-7242.

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 2022 one year prayer cycle is online here: 2022 Prayer Cycle.

March 6 – 12

In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Cochran, Trinity and for our ecumenical partners, especially St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Cairo. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for St. Gabriel (San Gabriel) in Consuelo. 

March 13 - 19

In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Cordele, Christ Church and for our ecumenical partners in Cordele, especially St. Theresa Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in Dajabon, especially Holy Spirit the Comforter (Espíritu Consolador) and Holy Word (Verbo Divina).

Newly Revised 31-Day Prayer Cycles

We also offer 30-day prayer cycles for those who wish to pray daily for the clergy and clergy spouses: Diocesan Prayer Cycle and Clergy Spouses Prayer Cycle. (Updated 3/1/2022)

This evening, Bishop Logue makes his visitation to St. Mary Magdalene in Louisville.

On Sunday, Bishop Logue will make his visitation to St. Luke's in Rincon.

To view Bishop Logue's full visitation calendar, click here. (Updated 2/25/2022)

Pictured here: Bishop Logue with the Rev. Sonia Sullivan-Clifton at the Happening 105 Closing Eucharist.

Canon Lasch will be participating in the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center's Mediation Skills Training Institute from March 14-18.



The best way to reach a staff member is via email as we will always get back with you promptly in many cases and in 24-72 hours when working on more pressing matters. Staff e-mails can be found here with a list of responsibilities so you know who to contact for what.

You may also reach diocesan staff by phone at (912) 236-4279.

The diocesan staff gathered for lunch yesterday to celebrate the retirement of Gayle Dawson. She retired at the beginning of the pandemic after serving on staff for more than 20 years, but the staff hadn't had the opportunity to give her a good send off.