October 20, 2021 | Volume 11, No. 59

To the Diocese of Georgia Community,

I write to ask your prayers for the people of Brunswick and Glynn County as the murder trial in the case of the slaying of Ahmaud Arbery will start October 18. Following video evidence coming to light, clergy representing all six Episcopal congregations in Glynn County, were part of a joint statement issued by a 29-member group of clergy in the area asking for action. “We join together with one voice to demand that justice be done, justice that is impartial and swift.”

Watching the video was unspeakably hard. I lament that persons of color remain at greater risk than I will ever know. I cannot imagine being a parent, relative, or friend having to see Ahmaud’s death. But without the video, we would not have arrived at this trial where the evidence will have its days in court. 

I have made prayers for Ahmaud Arbery’s family and prayers for the accused killers and their families part of my daily prayers. I ask you to join me in prayer as the case comes to trial, for wisdom for the judge and jury charged with the sacred task of weighing out earthly justice. I offer this prayer for the trial:

Almighty God, whose justice alone is eternal, be present with the judge and

jurors charged with bringing earthly justice in the death of Ahmaud Arbery.

Give them the insight, understanding, and wisdom that come from you alone

as they discern the truth and impartially administer the law. Be with the Arbery

family, with the accused and their families, and all in the Brunswick and Glynn

County Community. Give them your peace as they watch, listen, and hope for

a decision that reflects your judgement and your justice. And give us all the

grace to hunger and thirst for your righteousness that we may work together to

become the Beloved Community where all may know a world without

suspicion, in which the only fear is fear of You, in whose image and likeness all

humanity us made. This we ask for the sake of your Son our Savior, Jesus Christ,

who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns now and forever. Amen.



A verdict in this trial cannot bring about the Beloved Community where divisions have ceased and dignity and abundant life are enjoyed by all people who see themselves and others as beloved children of God. I am grateful to the clergy of Glynn County, Christian and Jewish alike, of many denominations, who used this tragedy to begin anew on working together toward justice. As we join them in prayer, may we join them in a witness against the sin of racism. No matter the outcome of the trial, the work of repentance and amendment of life also means doing the work to continue to grow as reconcilers, justice-makers, and healers in the name of Christ.

In Christ,

+Frank

To view this online, visit gaepiscopal.org/juryselection.

Happening #104 takes place November 19-21, just over one month away, and we’re counting down the days! Even more exciting, we have made the decision to open this Happening weekend to current 9th graders! Now any young person currently in high school who has not previously attended Happening can register as a Candidate.

In order to meet in person with reduced risk, we will adhere to the updated Diocesan policies regarding vaccination and testing for Covid for all participants and staff. In addition, to allow for some spacing, we are limiting the total number of Candidates and Staff to fifty people.

Happening is a retreat led by youth for youth in grades 10-12 and offers participants (called candidates) a chance to explore their faith together, and address deep questions of piety, prayer, grace, reality, and more. The Rector for Happening #104 is Ellie Copeland, from Christ Church, Valdosta.

The Georgia Happening website, georgiahappening.com, is updated and will continue to be updated as we move closer to our Happening date! 

Remember the BEST is yet to come!

The Georgia Happening website, georgiahappening.com, is updated and will continue to be updated as we move closer to our Happening date! 

To register as a Candidate, click here.

To view the new guidelines for overnight youth events, click here.

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

New Beginnings, 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/NBParticipants. 

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, which is scheduled for December 4-5, 2021. The staff application is here: https://bit.ly/NBStaff. 

October 13 - November 3

For those with health insurance through the Diocese of Georgia, please find the details for Annual Enrollment below on prices and resources. You may review plans on the Diocesan website here.

Enrolling for the First Time?

Eligible employees and dependents who are not currently enrolled in a Medical Trust plan may enroll during Annual Enrollment for the 2022 plan year. Please submit an enrollment form to me as this process must be handled by the plan administrator.

For any questions please reach out Canon Easterlin (keasterlin@gaepiscopal.org) or Daniel Garrick (dgarrick@gaepiscopal.org).

Convention information is now sent out in a separate email each week, leading up to convention. For more information on convention, visit gaepiscopal.org/convention.

CORR (Conversations on Relationships and Race) met for the first time at St. Thomas Isle of Hope in Savannah on October 17. This group is the next step from St. Thomas and Isle of Hope UMC’s work done with Sacred Ground last year and has members from six churches across Savannah - St. Thomas, St. Matthews, St. George’s, Christ Church, Isle of Hope UMC and Asbury UMC. 

Happy Birthday Ms. Martha! Members of St. Matthew's in Savannah celebrated the 100th birthday of Martha Avery Day with a drive by birthday party, a proclamation from Savannah State University where she was a professor for 34 years, a proclamation from the Diocese, and St. Matthew's declared it Martha Avery Day. What a great birthday!

Members of St. Anne's in Tifton spent time power washing the the campus for a fall spruce up.

St. Luke's in Hawkinsville celebrated their 150th Anniversary with Bishop Logue and dedicated their garden in thanksgiving for Skip and Harriotte McDannald.

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 2021 one year prayer cycle is online here: 2021 Prayer Cycle  

October 24 – October 30

In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Tifton, St. Anne’s. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Tifton, especially Our Divine Saviour Catholic Church and for Holy Family Catholic Church in Willacoochee. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in Santo Domingo, especially Holy Family (Sagrada Familia).

October 31 – November 6

In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation on Tybee Island, All Saints. We also pray for our ecumenical partners on the island, especially St. Michael’s Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in Santo Domingo, especially St. Andrew (San Andrés).

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 Diocesan Prayer Cycle Cycle and Clergy Clergy Spouses Prayer Cycle Prayer Cycle. (Updated 9/25/2021)

Bishop Logue will visit with the Grovetown Episcopal-Lutheran Mission tonight for their weekly gathering.

On Sunday he will celebrate and preach at St. Paul's in Albany for their 125th Anniversary.

To view Bishop Logue's full visitation calendar, click here. (Updated 10/6/2021)

Canon Lasch will celebrate and preach at Christ Church in St. Mary's on Sunday.

You may reach diocesan staff by phone at (912) 236-4279. Given staff schedules of meetings and travel, 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.

Membership at All Saints' on Tybee Island has expanded during their outdoor services to include some four-legged family members!