November 3, 2021 | Volume 11, No. 61

The convention site has now been updated with the convention book, amendment form, nomination information and more. To find all things convention, visit gaepiscopal.org/convention. Links are provided on the convention page as well as in the drop down menu (pictured above). To access the drop down menu, hover your mouse over the Convention 2021 tab.

You may also watch convention by visiting our YouTube page at youtube.com/georgiaepiscopal.

The Diocesan Council Task Group for Canonical Review have presented their findings to each Convocation Council in preparation for Convention.

To view the presentation and the proposed changes, click here.

Some delegates have asked if they may offer possible amendments in writing in advance of Convention. The answer is, of course, yes. To facilitate this process, we offer this Google Form: https://forms.gle/jNUrBivUubcJVWqs6

Canon Katie Easterlin is taking a sabbatical from November 8th- December 7th. During that time, she will be unavailable and unable to check email. Please reach out to the following:

Health Insurance/Benefits: Daniel Garrick, Assistant Administrator, dgarrick@gaepiscopal.org

Financials: The Rt. Rev. Frank Logue, Bishop, bishop@gaepiscopal.org

General Support: Canon Loren Lasch, Canon to the Ordinary, llasch@gaepiscopal.org

For Payables and Receivables: Daniel Garrick, Assistant Administrator, dgarrick@gaepiscopal.org and Maggie Lyons, Executive Assistant to the Bishop, mlyons@gapepiscopal.org.

Church Pension Group Contact Numbers

CPG Medical- (800) 480-9967

CPG Pension- (866) 802-6333

Health Advocate- (866) 695-8622

EAP- (866) 395-7794

Property and Casual - (800) 293-3525 (client services) (800) 223-5705 (claims)

We wish Canon Easterlin a joyful and restful sabbatical and look forward to her return in December!

The convention book is now available online to view before arriving to Jekyll Island next week. There will be printed versions available on site.

To view the convention book, click here.

Delegations are invited to bring unused liturgical items (such as linens, Eucharistic vessels, vestments, etc.) for our first "Little Free Sacristy." Churches, missions and chaplains are encouraged to visit the Little Free Sacristy to find items helpful to their ministries. Unclaimed items will be sent via Agape Flights to churches in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

The clergy of the Diocese are asked to vest and process for the Holy Eucharist at Honey Creek on Friday. Clergy are invited and encouraged to bring their cassock, surplice, and tippet. Bishops' Hall will serve as the vesting area.

Preparations continue for Diocesan Convention to take place at the Jekyll Island Convention Center. The Convention will be primarily designed as an in-person event with precautions, including vaccinations, masks and distancing, designed to reduce risk. However, for those delegates who are unable to attend in-person for personal or family health reasons, there will be an online option available.

Those who are joining virtually need to send their name, phone number, and email address to Maggie Lyons at mlyons@gaepiscopal.org.

In order to accommodate an individual's level of comfort being back in a large group setting, there will be red, yellow, and green stickers at registration to add to your name tag. Each color represents a person's level of comfort regarding in-person greetings.

Each year, the Honey Creek Commission holds a Silent Auction at Convention. This year, the auction will be online which means Episcopalians from across the diocese have the opportunity to bid on fabulous items from the comfort of your own couch!

The silent auction is now live and bidding will be open until Friday, November 5 at 11:59 pm. To view the auction, visit https://bit.ly/HoneyCreekSilentAuction. We will also offer a raffle for a Yeti Backflip Cooler. Tickets are $10 each.  

In order to purchase raffle tickets or bid on auction items, you will need to register on our secure site. Credit/debit cards will only be charged for raffle ticket purchases, and the highest bidder for each item will be charged once the auction closes.  

Items will be on display at Honey Creek for the Eucharist and Party Friday night, but you do not have to be present at Convention to bid, purchase a ticket, or to win.  

If you have questions, contact Jay Lacy at jaywlacy@gmail.com.

Thank you to the many churches and individuals who have donated to make this event happen! Help us reach our goal of $6,000 for the Honey Creek Future Fund. 

The Diocesan and Honey Creek budgets will be presented and voted on at Diocesan Convention. The budgets have been presented to and endorsed by Finance Committee and Diocesan Council. Prior to convention, we will provide a further detailed narrative budget. For any questions related to the budget or process, please contact Canon Katie Easterlin at keasterlin@gaepiscopal.org.

To view the draft budget for the diocese, click here.

To view the draft budget for Honey Creek, click here.

To view all financial sheets, click here.

Our diocesan convention will be an

in-person event at the Jekyll Island Convention Center. The diocesan staff has set new guidelines for the event in order to mitigate the risk of spreading

COVID-19 during convention. 

Planned Precautions

• All persons attending in person will need to be fully vaccinated.
• Masks will be required when indoors at the convention center and when in your seat for worship at Honey Creek.
• Our tables and chairs will permit distancing.

Our convention will be the only group in the large convention center. We will have sufficient tables to have only 4-5 people at a table which typically seats eight. We will not assign seating so that people traveling together can sit together and not add to their risk. The planned convention Eucharist will be outdoors, which already mitigates risk. As we sit in close proximity and sing in worship, we will stay masked for that liturgy, other than readers and the preacher. Masks are not otherwise required while on the grounds at Honey Creek. 

What about the unvaccinated?

The Diocese will offer a way to participate online for those who can not get or have decided not to receive a vaccination as well as those whose concern for safety will not permit them to be present. Online participation is intended to be the exception rather than the norm as there is much benefit in our being together in person.

It is important to be together

We are better together, and the large convention center and Honey Creek provide a setting to mitigate risk while meeting in person. We look forward to seeing all your smiling eyes on Jekyll!

The following have accepted a nomination to run for a position in the Diocese. To be included in the printed convention booklet, nominations must be submitted by September 24. Nominations are open until they are closed on the floor of convention and will continue to be updated in From the Field and online until November 1.



BOARD of OFFICERS of THE CORPORATION - 1 lay person

Leslie Lambert

CHURCH DISCIPLINARY BOARD - 3 clergy persons & 2 lay persons

Lay

Sam Colville

Mitzi McCoy

Laura Wheaton

Clergy

The Rev. Geri Nelson, Deacon

The Rev. Joe Bowden

The Rev. Katie Knoll Lenon

DIOCESAN COUNCIL - 1 lay person or clergy person

The Rev. Joe Bowden

The Rev. Kelly Steele

STANDING COMMITTEE - 1 lay person & 1 priest

Lay

Skip Jennings

Elise Miller

Clergy

The Rev. Steve Clifton

The Rev. Walter Hobgood

TRUSTEE of the UNIVERSITY of the SOUTH - 1 lay person

Val Crumpton

Cam Mathis

To view all nominees and their bios, click here.

To submit a nomination, click here.

Once nominated, the nominee will need to fill out this form.

The interest in having a shuttle to and from Jekyll Island to Honey Creek was not large enough for the diocese to acquire a bus. Those who are attending will need to provide their own transportation.