April 5, 2023 | Volume 13, No. 14

Blessed Holy Week

Canon Lasch to go on Sabbatical

Canon Loren Lasch will be away on a sabbatical pilgrimage to the Holy Land from April 13th through May 3rd, 2023, made possible by an incredibly generous gift given to the Diocese for this purpose. She will be taking part in a study pilgrimage through St. George's College, Jerusalem. The course, "The Palestine of Jesus" focuses on the Scriptures, sites, and landscapes associated with Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. This once in a lifetime opportunity is made even more special by the fact that she is taking part in the pilgrimage with her sister, the Rev. Leslie Hague. Canon Lasch is incredibly grateful to the kind donor for this gift, and to the Diocese for the ability to take this time apart in study and prayer. She will say special prayers for the people of the diocese of Georgia while she is in the Holy Land, and looks forward to sharing stories and photos with you upon her return!

If you would like to learn more about the pilgrimage, visit: https://www.saintgeorgescollegejerusalem.com/palestine-of-jesus/

While Canon Lasch is away, please contact Canon Katie Easterlin or Canon Joshua Varner with any needs.

1Book1Diocese discussion ends this week

The 1Book1Diocese read for Lent is a classic work, Beginning to Pray by Anthony Bloom. This simple and powerful book, gets at the vital importance of encountering God in prayer.

The 1970 book is readily available both in a new edition and in used copies. You can find the reading guide for the Diocese of Georgia here.

The guide offers questions for groups to use for the weeks following the Sundays in Lent with an optional meeting in Holy Week.

Optional Discussion Questions for Holy Week:

1. Whether giving money to a person who is homeless or starting a ministry at your church, our actions can be enacting what God wants to happen. When have you taken an action, whether small or big, that on reflection you think was God’s will for you to do? 
2. How do you view Jesus’ Mother, Mary? Have you seen a work of art that captures her rightly? Who is she for you? 
3. Have you known someone that brought out the best in others?
4. How has praying for the needs of someone else changed you?

Palm Sunday Across the Diocese

The kids at St. Patrick's in Albany love waving their palms!

The Rev. Mike Gumalaukas stands outside at St. Andrew's in Darien.

The congregation of St. Thomas in Thomasville gather outside before the service (left), and Bishop Logue with those confirmed and received, long with their sponsors and clergy (right).

The Palm Sunday procession at St. Patrick's in Pooler begins at the outdoor altar.

St. Francis of the Islands in Savannah enjoys the shade for the beginning of the liturgy.

An acolyte at Christ Church in Savannah takes his Palm Sunday attire seriously with the liturgical color themed shoes (left), while the ushers enjoy handing out palms to parishioners (right).

Our Savior in Martinez gathers at the front of the church before the service.

The Revs. Gary Abbott and Ri Lamb at the altar at St. John's & St. Mark's in Albany.

St. Anne's in Tifton is ready for the festive procession!

Christ the King in Valdosta gathers outside for the beginning of the liturgy.

The King of Peace choir in Kingsland is ready to go!

The procession at St. Augustine of Canterbury in Augusta.

The congregation is ready for the procession at St. John's in Bainbridge.

The congregation spreads out under the live oaks at Christ Church Frederica on St Simons Island to hear the Palm Gospel.

Update your parish information

The Diocese is requesting that each parish fill out the form linked below with updated information on those in leadership roles at the church. The staff uses this information to make sure that critical communications are directed to the correct person in each parish.

To fill out the form, click here.

Upcoming Events

Diocesan Cursillo Ultreya

Where: Church of the Annunciation,

Vidalia

Who: All Cursillistas & Guests

When: April 15, 2023

Contact the Phylis Sartin for more information at whaleswatch@gmail.com.

Episcopal Church Women Retreat

• When: April 21-22, 2023
• Who: ECW & DOK Members
• Where: St. John's, Bainbridge

Registration for the event is at ecw.georgiaepiscopal.org.

Clergy Spouse & Family Retreat

Rediscovering Joy with

Dr. Bertice Berry

Where: Honey Creek

Who: Clergy Spouses & Family

When: May 5-6, 2023

Contact the Rev. Helen White

for more information at helen.white@ccesavannah.org. Scholarship assistance is available.

Clergy Conferences

Spring Clergy Conference: April 24-26

Fall Clergy Conference: October 2-4

The Spring Conference will include Mental Health First Aid Training. The Fall Conference will be a deep dive into the Gospel of Matthew with the Very Rev. Cynthia Briggs Kittredge, a New Testament scholar who is Dean and President of the Seminary of the Southwest. This is to prepare us for preaching Year B of the lectionary, with its readings from Mark's Gospel. Both conferences will be held at Honey Creek.

Register for the Spring Clergy Conference here.

SWGA Clergy Spouse Gathering

Spouses of clergy in the Southwest Convocation will meet for lunch on Saturday, May 20 at noon at the home of John and Rev Marcia McRae at 2701 Green Meadow Dr Valdosta 31602, spouses from other convocations are more than welcome to join. Lunch will be provided. This is meet and greet for new spouses to the convocation.

Please RSVP to John McRae at jhmcrae@bellsouth.net or 229-220-5619.

If you would like to have your submission considered for From the Field, it needs to be sent to Communications Manager Liz Williams (lwilliams@gaepiscopal.org) by noon on Tuesday.

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 2023 one year prayer cycle is online here: 2023 Prayer Cycle. 

April 9 - 15

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 16 – 22

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). 

31-Day Prayer Cycles - Revised February 28, 2023

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 2/28/2023)

Pictured: Bishop Logue with clergy at Church of the Annunciation in Vidalia (left) and Christ Church in Cordele (right) after the Chrism Mass and Renewal of Vows

Bishop Logue will make his visitation to St. Paul's in Savannah with three liturgies on Sunday, including the Vigil and the Spanish language Mass. In the afternoon, he will make his visitation to St. Bartholomew's in the Burroughs area on the south side of Savannah.

To view Bishop Logue's full visitation calendar, click here. (Updated for 2023 - 1/2/2023)

Canon Varner will be leading worship and music at St. Thomas Isle of Hope in Savannah on Saturday for the Easter Vigil.

The office will be closed for Good 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.

No small acolytes, just big palm fronds at St. Mary Magdalene in Louisville!