February 23, 2022 | Volume 12, No. 8

Last week, The Canterbury Club Augusta was awarded a $2258.00 Young Adult Campus Ministry Grant from the Episcopal Church to support its Coffee and Conversation ministry.

With four colleges located in Augusta, the Rev. Terri Degenhardt and other involved members from St. Augustine of Canterbury brainstormed on a mobile ministry involving coffee and snacks that will invite students to be introduced to the hospitality of a loving community. Augusta University Summerville Campus has been the college focused on in the past, but Degenhardt wanted to include Paine College, a historically black college; Augusta Military College, a branch campus where two clergy from St. Augustine of Canterbury teach; Augusta Technical College, a two-year educational institution; and Augusta University’s Medical College campus. 

Degenhardt is filling in as the Interim Missioner for the college ministry. She says, “Our ministry will be one of evangelism through the hospitality of offering coffee, snacks, and conversation. Our hope is to connect with students in a non-threatening way, make a connection, and get them involved in the Jesus Movement of the Episcopal Church… a movement that is about love and acceptance, promoting peace for one another for the community and therefore the world.” 

“Once we gather our Apostolic core of students, we plan to host a 3-week summer camp this June for children in the Harrisburg area of downtown Augusta. What a great opportunity to have students come together for a mission of love,” Degenhardt added.

The 1Book1Diocese for Lent begins this coming week 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 1 - Discuss the Introduction, The Temple, and Origin Stories

What Bible story do you remember from childhood? Do you see the story differently now?

Rachel names the ways she saw the Bible in her life, as a storybook, a handbook, or answer book, etc. Which of these do you relate to? What differences stood out to you in these two creation stories in “The Temple”—the Babylonian account offered by little Haggai and the biblical one offered by his father?

How have you traditionally understood the nature of the Bible’s creation stories? As scientific, historical accounts? As myths? How does the context of the Babylonian Exile inform understanding?

What are some ways in which you’ve observed the Bible treated as a conversation-ender or a conversation-starter?

The full reading guide can be found here.

As you make plans for a holy Lent, consider a Creation-focused retreat at Honey Creek, led by the Creation Care Commission. The retreat will begin on the evening of Friday, March 25 and end on Saturday afternoon with Eucharist. The theme, “All Things New” (inspired by Rev. 21:5), will be explored through worship, contemplative prayer and conversation, hands-on activities, and earth art.

The Revs. Leeann Culbreath and Nathan Wilson will serve as retreat leaders. The only cost will be lodging and 3 meals at Honey Creek; camping is an option. Stay tuned for more details and registration information!

The Episcopal Church has launched parochial reports for 2021 data. They are due by March 1^st, 2022. The report is one of two mandatory reports due annually, including audits in September. 

The Parochial Report is completed online at: https://reports.dfms.org. Beginning in January 2022, everyone will login into this site with a unique login (usually a church or individual's email) and password. Diocesan Office staff can reset the login information for a congregation if needed. Reach out to Maggie Lyons or Daniel Garrick for support as needed (mlyons@gaepiscopal.org and dgarrick@gaepiscopal.org). 

In order to complete this report, please gather attendance, membership, and financial information. If you are unfamiliar with the process of completing the parochial report, please visit the detailed website here.

There is a helpful webcast available here: https://www.generalconvention.org/pr-screencast-for-parish-users

During the 2021 Diocesan Convention that met in November, delegates considered a package of changes to the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese. After passing two amendments and postponing a third, the Convention passed the resolution on a first reading. The proposed changes will come before the Convention this November.

Bishop Logue is appointing a Task Group to shepherd the process this year, allowing time for due consideration and a a way to propose additional amendments. The Constitution and Canons as voted on by Convention in 2021 can be viewed here.

The Constitution and Canons as voted on by Convention in 2021, with all changes tracked from the previous version, can be viewed here.

Propose amendments online

The Diocese will use a Google Form to facilitate the collection of proposed amendments to the Canons. Any member of the clergy or delegate to Convention (2021 delegates remain in effect until a congregation names new delegates) may propose an amendment using this form: Proposed Amendments to Canons.

If you have any questions, please contact Canon Loren Lasch at llasch@gaepiscopal.org.

Director of Music and Organist Sam McDaniel of St. Luke's in Hawkinsville poses in front of the pipe organ at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Macon after performing at the Third Thursday on Organ Interlude by Mercer University students of Dr. Jack Mitchner.

The Christian Men's Fellowship from St. Andrew's in Darien built a ramp for a community member in McIntosh County.

Bishop Logue confirms Elijah Peterson (left) and marks Bryce Biddle as Christ's own forever after the Rev. José Vilar baptized him (right) at St. Philip's in Hinesville.

Canon Loren Lasch rings the bell at St. Patrick's in Albany on Sunday.

On Sunday, the Rev. Samantha McKean baptized Lochlan Kim at Christ Church, Savannah.

Registration is now open for the Diocese of Georgia's new diocesan training school called Leading With Grace. Please sign up to participate by March 4, 2022. To register, click here.

A complete year consists of four weekends, each of which will begin on Friday evening at 5 PM and will finish at 3 PM on Saturday, interspersed with prayer, small and large group discussion and practice. LWG will take place in one year cycles in four different regional centers around the diocese.

• Augusta (St. Augustine’s)
• March 18-19 or 25-26, 2022
• May 13-14, 2022
• August 19-20, 2022
• Savannah (St. Peter’s)
• March 18-19, 2022
• May 13-14, 2022
• August 19-20, 2022
• Honey Creek (Waverly, GA)
• March 18-19, 2022
• May 13-14, 2022
• August 19-20, 2022
• Western Side of the Diocese 
• St. Annes Tifton on Mar 25-26, 2022
• Christ Church Valdosta on May 20-21, 2022
• St. Paul's Albany, August 26-27, 2022

The cost per parish team is:

For a team of four the fee is $ 225              

For a team of three the fee is $ 200                  

For a team of two the fee is $ 175                     

For an individual the fee is $125

Those individuals that started CDI and finished only 2 weekends will be given first priority at registration and will owe 50% of the fees above. All fees will be invoiced to respective churches. Please sign up to participate by March 4, 2022. To register, click here.

We’ll consider together, “What does faithful leadership look like

at this moment in the life of the church?”

Happening #105 is on the schedule for March 4-6, 2022 at Honey Creek! This event, led by youth for youth in grades 9-12 and offers participants (called candidates) a chance to explore their faith together, and address deep questions of piety, prayer, grace, reality, and more. It is open to any young person in Grades 9-12 who has not yet attended a Happening. The Rector of Happening #105 is Mary Margaret Lemburg, of St. Thomas, Isle of Hope.

Registration for Candidates is available here: http://bit.ly/Happening105Candidates. The event begins on Friday evening and ends with a Closing Eucharist on Sunday afternoon.

More information is also on the Georgia Happening Website: www.georgiahappening.com.

As with all Diocesan Youth Events, we will adhere to the Diocesan policies requiring Covid-19 vaccination and testing in the week prior to the event 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.

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!

• 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.

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 NurseryAttendants. 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.

February 20 -26

In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Blakely, Holy Trinity, and for our ecumenical partners in Blakely, especially Holy Family Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for St. Cornelius (San Cornelio) in Cabarete. 

February 27 – March 5

In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregations in Brunswick, Good Shepherd, St. Athanasius’, and St. Mark’s. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Brunswick, especially St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and St. James Lutheran Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for Church of the Holy Name (El Santo Nombre) in Catalina. 

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 2/23/2022)

Bishop Frank and Victoria Logue will be in Columbia, South Carolina, on Friday and Saturday for the ordination and consecration of the Bishop of Upper South Carolina. On Sunday, Bishop Logue will make his visitation to St. Augustine of Canterbury in Augusta.

To view Bishop Logue's full visitation calendar, click here. (Updated 2/10/2022)

Pictured above: Bishop Logue with those received, confirmed, and baptized at St. Philip's in Hinesville last Sunday. He also installed the Rev. José Vilar as the Rector of the congregation.

Bishop Logue and Canon Easterlin will meet with the Finance Committee on Wednesday.

Canon Easterlin will be out of the office on Friday.

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.

Canon Joshua Varner leads a music workshop at King of Peace in Kingsland. Canon Lasch, Canon Varner, and Bishop Logue were in three different convocations on Sunday!