November 17, 2022 | Volume 12, No. 46 | |
Convention 2022: Let your Light Shine | |
More than 250 Episcopalians from South and Central Georgia gathered together, in person and online, for the 201st Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia last weekend. The light of Christ shone brightly through those gathered at the Armstrong Center in Savannah! During our gathering we attended to the work of the Diocese, passing the diocesan and Honey Creek budgets and hearing reports about ministry across the Diocese throughout the past year. Convention also approved a second reading of the Constitution which put into effect the largest package of changes to our Constitution and Canons since 1967. After approving the package of changes on a second reading, the convention took up an amendment to the canon concerning bishop elections which was tabled in 2021. After discussion on Friday and an amendment to the amendment on Saturday, the new Canon I.1.8 passed. The updated Constitution and Canons, with the amendment, can be found here: Diocese of Georgia Constitution and Canons 2022
We had the joy of recognizing three remarkable lay persons through the Deacons’, Deans’, and Bishop’s Awards. Through videos shared with Convention we saw how in our congregations and individual lives, the people of the diocese of Georgia are letting their light shine.
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We were also blessed by beautiful and uplifting worship throughout Convention! On Thursday we gathered for Evening Prayer at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Savannah, with Spirit-filled music and an inspiring sermon from the Very Rev. William Willoughby III of the Collegiate Church of St. Paul the Apostle. On Friday evening we gathered together for a glorious service of Holy Eucharist at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church on Skidaway Island, with encouraging words from Bishop Logue about how the God who made us, loves us, and wants better for us always meets us in reality. The service rang with joyful music from musicians and choir members from across the Savannah Convocation. We capped off the evening with a delicious dinner and spirited dancing!
Convention ended with Bishop Logue sharing a helpful list of ideas and tools to encourage holy experimentation across the Diocese, along with words of hope for the next season of our diocesan life: “My deepest conviction as we embark on a time of holy experimentation is that the Holy Spirit will use our faithfulness.”
The full text of Bishop Logue’s closing presentation can be found here: Let your light shine closing
The list of tools and ideas can be found here: Ideas & Tools 2022
We are so grateful to all who helped make this a fantastic gathering and we look forward to seeing how the people of the Diocese of Georgia continue to let their light shine!
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Bishop's Address: State of the Diocese | |
The Canons of the Episcopal Church require a bishop's address be given at each diocesan convention, which gives the convention a report on the State of the Diocese. In his address, Bishop Logue shared some of the faithful experimentation we are planning in the coming year. He said: “Throughout our history, we find evidence of the Diocese of Georgia having creativity and resourcefulness deep in its DNA. More importantly when I study writings from my predecessors, I see how our primary response has been to be prayerful as we seek to remain faithful to where God is leading us. This is still our call.”
The full Bishop’s Address is online here: Bishop's Address
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Reality - Canon Loren Lasch | |
Convention business on Friday began with a presentation from Canon Lasch which shared the reality of the Church in 2022, including data on lower average Sunday attendance across the diocese since 2019, an increased number of churches in transition, and a priest shortage across the Episcopal Church. She also shared that, though our reality is different than what it has been in recent years, the people of the diocese are continuing to let their light shine, spreading the Good News of God in Christ in ways large and small.
The text of Canon Lasch’s presentation, with an accompanying video about a wonderful ministry at Grace Episcopal Church in Waycross, can be found here: Reality by Canon Lasch.
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God meets us in reality - Convention Sermon | |
In his sermon for Convention Eucharist, Bishop Logue shared a poignant reflection from his own personal life and reminded those gathered that God meets us in reality. “The God who made us, loves us, and wants better for us is with us now and in every moment of our very real, sometimes glorious, sometimes messy, lives.”
Pointing toward the appointed text from Isaiah, God’s word to God’s people during exile, Bishop Logue said “Our reading from Isaiah was a word from God to remind them that they were always God’s people, no matter where they lived. Then they could trust that God would be faithful, without yet knowing whether they would ever return to their homeland. God instructed Israel to put their faith into practice if they wanted to find light anew in the darkness all around them.”
Bishop Logue’s words of hope and comfort to the Diocese of Georgia as we face a new reality echoed that call. “When we put our faith into practice, we remember who we are, which is to know whose we are.”
The full text of the sermon can be found here: Convention 2022 Sermon
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Evening Prayer at St. Matthew's | Convention began on Thursday with Evening Prayer at St. Matthew’s in Savannah. Bishop Logue officiated and the Very Rev. William Willoughby III, Dean of the Savannah Convocation preached. In his sermon, Dean Willoughby emphasized the importance of a return to our sources in the Daily Office, the Eucharist, and the other patterns of prayer found in the Book of Common Prayer. These nourish our souls in every season, but especially as we face uncertainty. | |
Bishop Logue names Deans Emeriti | |
Two faithful, longstanding Convocation Deans announced are retiring: The Very Rev. Billy Alford of the Augusta Convocation who retired earlier this year and the Very Rev. William Willoughby III of the Savannah Convocation who retires after Easter 2023. In gratitude for their dedication in these important roles, Bishop Logue named them Deans Emeriti.
“We have long depended on the faithfulness of these two senior priests of the Diocese” Bishop Logue said, “and it is only fitting that they each be honored in this way.” He added, “Retirement is not the end of ministry for a priest, but a change that opens new opportunities. I look forward to continuing to serve with the Very Revs. Billy Alford and William Willoughby!”
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Diocesan Convention Feedback Requested | |
Thank you to everyone who was able to attend Diocesan Convention either in-person or online. The generous spirit shown by so many allowed us to have a wonderful gathering, and we are already looking forward to next year’s Convention!
As we prepare for the 202nd Convention of the Diocese of Georgia, we’d like to take a moment to pause and learn from this year’s event, and for that, we need your feedback!
If you attended Convention please fill out this survey to help us better plan for next year: 2022 Survey.
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Convention Award Recipients | |
Since 2011, the Diocese has honored three persons in convention. The deacons of the Diocese present a Deacons’ Award, honoring a lay person with exceptional service to their community. This year, the deacons selected Lynn Stacy, a parishioner of St. Luke's, Rincon, whose ministry at Manna House, a food pantry and thrift shop in Rincon, has been without parallel. Since 2006, the earliest records that could be found, Lynn has volunteered 10,900 hours to Manna House. In addition to serving on the Executive Board and her regular volunteer duties, she also picks up other volunteers and drives them back and forth from their homes to Manna House, has recruited 10 regular volunteers from St. Luke’s, and cooks a weekly lunch or schedules others to provide lunch for the volunteers who are doing the weekly food distribution.
The Deans of the six convocations present the Deans’ Award to honor a lay person for exceptional service to their congregation. This year the Deans selected Cathy Stevens of St. John’s, Bainbridge. A member of the congregation for over thirty years, she has been involved in many ministries, and her signature ministry has been serving as the coordinator and promoter of the parish’s Free Little Food Pantry. Begun as a small box in the parking lot of St. John’s, it has now grown into an entire room and then some, along with a small freezer and half of the Parish Hall’s refrigerator. Through Cathy’s dedication and connections, other area churches contribute food and financial gifts to the program, and the pantry has received $20,000 in combined grants and financial gifts.
The Bishop’s Award honors a lay person for exceptional service to the Diocese of Georgia. This year, Bishop Logue honored Jay Lacy, who spent years passionately and energetically serving as Chair of the Honey Creek Commission and leader among the Clergy Spouses of the Diocese of Georgia. In speaking of all she has done in the Diocese, Bishop Logue said “...Jay let the light of Christ so shine through her, that we were all enlightened.”
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Pictured left to right: Lynn Stacy, Cathy Stevens, and Jay Lacy | |
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The following persons were elected by convention.
BOARD of OFFICERS of THE CORPORATION
Carolyn Eager
CHURCH DISCIPLINARY BOARD
Lay
Pat Burau
Clergy
The Rev. Eric Biddy
The Rev. Mike Gumulauskas
DIOCESAN COUNCIL
The Rev. Ri Lamb
STANDING COMMITTEE
Lay
Charlotte Blue
Clergy
The Rev. Becky Rowell
TRUSTEE of the UNIVERSITY of the SOUTH
Whit Davis
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GENERAL CONVENTION DEPUTIES AND ALTERNATES
Lay Deputies:
- Liz Williams
- Molly Stevenson
- Madison Cook
- Cissy Bowden
Lay Alternates:
- Jody Grant
- Eli Irvin
- Andrew Austin
Clergy Deputies:
- The Rev. Kelly Steele, Deputation Chair
- The Rev. Leeann Culbreath
- The Very. Rev. Tom Purdy
- The Ven. Yvette Owens
Clergy Alternates:
- The Rev. David Rose
- The Rev. Ted Clarkson
- The Rev. Al Crumpton
- The Rev. Michael Chaney
A list of all of those in Diocesan Leadership can be found here: Closing Presentation 2022
A Visual Map of how the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Georgia carries out the shared oversight is online in an interactive webpage where one can click on any part of the governance to learn more: Governance
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Three videos provided examples of simple ideas with a big impact. Below are the videos about the StoryBox Ministry at St. Augustine's in Augusta and the Hospitality Meals at King of Peace in Kingsland. | |
Maternity Leave Contacts for Canon Easterlin | |
Canon Easterlin is now on maternity leave. While she is out of the office, utilize the contacts and resources below: | |
We want to hear from you! | |
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. | |
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.
November 13 - 19
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Vidalia, the Church of the Annunciation. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Vidalia, especially Sacred Heart Catholic Church and for St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church in Reidsville. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in Santo Domingo, especially St. Peter and St. Paul (San Pedro y San Pablo).
November 20 - 26
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Waycross, Grace Church. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Waycross, especially St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in Santo Domingo, especially St. Ann’s (Santa Ana).
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 7/1/2022)
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Diocesan Office Update and News | |
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Bishop Logue will make his visitation to Christ Church in St. Marys on Sunday. He is currently in Baltimore where he is serving as Vice Chair for the Episcopal Church's Committee on Structure, Governance, Constitutions, and Canons, per assignment by the Presiding Bishop and election by the committee. He and Victoria will then be in Louisiana on Friday evening and Saturday morning for the ordination and consecration of their next bishop.
To view Bishop Logue's full visitation calendar, click here. (Updated for 2023 - 8/30/2022)
Pictured above: Bishop Logue with the four adults baptized and those confirmed and reaffirming their faith at the Church of Our Savior in Martinez this past Sunday.
Canon Joshua Varner and Communications Manager Liz Williams will be at Honey Creek serving on staff for Happening #106 Thursday through Sunday.
Canon Loren Lasch will be celebrating and preaching at St. George's in Savnnah on Sunday.
Executive Assistant to the Bishop Maggie Lyons and Canon Katie Easterlin are on maternity leave.
The office will be closed next Wednesday though Friday in observance of Thanksgiving.
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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The clergy gather together after the Convention Eucharist at St. Peter's. | | | | |
