April 12, 2022 | Volume 12, No. 15 | |
New Summer Camp plans include Family Camp | |
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After a two-year break, we are thrilled to have Summer Camp back again! However, because of this disruption, our registrations and our counselor applications are lower this year than in the past. For that reason, we have decided to hold only one session for each age range, rather than two for each younger group, as had been our pattern in recent years. What this means is that the first three sessions of camp will be held as planned, but the sessions that would have taken place in July will not be held. The few campers who had previously registered for those sessions will have the opportunity to either transfer their registration to the first session, or to receive a full refund.
The good news in this is that we now have the opportunity to offer Family Camp again. Last year’s weekend sessions were quite popular, and so during the weekend of July 8-10, we will offer Family Camp for families of all types, grandparents and children, friends coming back to camp together, individuals coming on their own, or any other combinations!
Our updated Summer Camp Schedule is below:
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Update your information for AlertMedia | |
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The Diocese will once again use the AlertMedia system to remain in touch with parish leaders. Clergy, Senior Wardens, and Junior Wardens should always keep the Diocese up to date on email and phone numbers. Send any changes to our Communications Manager, Liz Williams (lwilliams@gaepiscopal.org).
In the case of an incoming hurricane, there are steps you can take to prepare your congregation, both the members and your physical space. For more information, visit our website for the Disaster Preparedness Manual at the bottom of our resources page.
In the case of an incoming hurricane, there are steps you can take to prepare your congregation, both the members and your physical space. These suggestions are not an exhaustive list, but a good start.
Make an Inventory List
Forms like this set of Church Inventory Forms offer a way to get down serial numbers for your more expensive office equipment and other key data that will assist if the church suffers damage. Once forms are completed, make a few hard copies to share among leaders. The best practice is also to scan the forms and place as a Google Doc, in DropBox, or another online storage site so they can be accessible from any computer once the storm has passed. In addition to these paper forms, record a smart phone video of church offices, narrating the equipment, and get photos of the church organ or other high cost items and place these at an online storage site. These will be of invaluable assistance in making an insurance claim.
Identify Potentially Vulnerable Parishioners
Identify senior citizens, disabled persons, single parents, and those living alone. Add any families living in trailers, or in low lying areas prone to flooding. Have a plan for who will contact these persons in order to ensure that they are in safe areas. To the degree we can, the Diocese will assist in identifying locations in safe areas with churches and homes open to those who need assistance. Make sure everyone you assist in leaving their homes has needed medicines.
The above are a few minimal steps you can take now. If a storm path looks like it could impact your congregation and you don't have a plan, we have an 11th Hour Checklist.
Creating a Better Plan
We do have time and every congregation needs a Disaster Preparedness Plan. To help in this process, we recommend this guide from Episcopal Relief and Development: Comprehensive Disaster Preparedness Planning Guide.
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Episcopal Communicators Conference to
come to Savannah
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Episcopal Communicators from across the country will gather in Savannah May 3-5 for the first in-person conference since 2019. With the theme of reflect, refresh, and rejoice, the hope is that not only will communicators walk away with tangible new skills and information, but also been given the chance to reconnect with peers and time to relax.
In addition to workshops that include crisis communications, rebranding, and graphic design for non-designers, there are two keynote speakers, including our own Dr. Bertice Berry from Christ Church Savannah!
This year there is also an online option for participation for those who are unable to attend in person.
To learn more, visit the Episcopal Communicators website or contact Communications Manager Liz Williams at lwilliams@gaepiscopal.org.
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1Book1Diocese - Week Seven | |
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This is the seventh 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?
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Week 7 - Discuss The Sea and Fish Stories
Do you have trouble believing some of the Bible’s miracle stories? Which ones?
How have the Bible’s miracle stories been explained to you? Which explanations did you find compelling or unbelievable?
Rachel writes of getting out of the boat. What does that look like for you? What does it mean to “jump when it matters”?
Rachel says that when it comes to belief, sometimes you have to “fake it till you make it,” and to “move your feet and your heart will catch up”? Have you found this true in your own life?
The full reading guide can be found here.
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Diocesan Convention Hotel Blocks Available | |
Two hotel options for the 2022 diocesan convention have been secured, one in downtown Savannah and one in midtown Savannah.
Both hotel blocks will expire on October 11, 2022.
DOWNTOWN
Courtyard by Marriott - $199+tax + $20 valet
415 West Liberty St. Savannah, Georgia 31401
912.644.6880
Click here to reserve your room at the Courtyard by Marriott (updated link)
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Palm Sunday Across the Diocese | |
The Rev. Tommy Townsend blesses the palms at Holy Nativity on Saint Simons Island with a backdrop of palmettos behind him. | |
Waving palm fronds has zero age requirement, as shown by members at Saint Paul's in Augusta (left). Mary Thomas Greneker looks very pleased with her first Palm Sunday (right). | |
The altar party at Our Savior in Martinez is ready for the procession. | |
The altar party is ready (at left) for the blessing of the palms and the procession at St. John and St. Mark in Albany; Parishioners of St. John's in Savannah (at right) tie palm crosses. | |
Christ Church in Savannah had a hearty procession ready to go. | |
St. Anne's in Tifton make their way inside. | |
The Rev. Karen Barfield leads St. Patrick's in Pooler through the Palm Sunday liturgy. | |
King of Peace in Kingsland began the Palm Sunday liturgy in their memorial garden. | |
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Bishop Logue and the congregation of Christ Church in Cordele are pictured after the
Palm Sunday liturgy.
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Lent and Holy Week Across the Diocese | |
Pam Jesion captured this photo of an ecumenical Holy Week service held at St. Michael's in Waynesboro. | |
All Saints in Thomasville enjoyed an outdoor Stations of the Cross service using crosses created by parishioners for the liturgy. | |
Clergy gather for a group photo at Trinity in Statesboro following Tuesday's Holy Eucharist with the renewal of ordination vows. Bishop Logue also blessed holy oils. | |
Apply for Happening #106 Staff! | |
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Staff applications for Happening #106 are now live!
Youth must have attended one previous Happening as a candidate in order to apply for staff.
There is a required staff lock in for all those who will serve on the weekend.
To apply for staff, click here.
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Sign up for New Beginnings #57! | |
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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.
The Lead Teen for New Beginnings #57 is Jake Diamond, of Christ Church, Valdosta.
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Job Positions Around the Diocese | 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. | |
Prayer for Weekly Liturgies | |
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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.
April 10 - 16
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Dublin, Christ Church, and for our ecumenical partners in Dublin, especially Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for St. Thomas (Santo Tomás) in Gautier.
April 17 – 23
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Fitzgerald, St. Matthew’s, and for our ecumenical partners in Fitzgerald, especially St. William’s Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in Haina, especially St. John the Evangelist (San Juan Evangelista) and St. Mark (San Marcos).
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)
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Diocesan Office Update and News | |
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Pictured above: Bishop Logue with clergy at the Chrism Mass in Tifton (left). Clergy fill the bottles with chrism oil after the Chrism Mass in Statesboro (right).
Bishop Logue will make his visitation to St. Peter's in Savannah on Sunday.
To view Bishop Logue's full visitation calendar, click here. (Updated 4/4/2022)
Canon Lasch will celebrate and preach at St. George's in Savannah on Sunday.
Canon Varner will officiate Maundy Thursday and Good Friday at St. George's in Savannah.
The office will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday.
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.
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An acolyte at St. Anne's in Tifton waits for his cue on Sunday. | | | | |
