September 20, 2023 | Volume 13, No. 38

"Philadelphia Eleven" Screening to be held at Convention

On Friday night of diocesan convention, the diocese will have the opportunity to screen the new feature length film The Philadelphia Eleven. The movie documents the tribulations, the grace, and the courage of the first 11 women to be ordained to the priesthood in 1974, before the Episcopal Church officially allowed women to be ordained as priests. The film will be shown following the convention Eucharist and reception Saint Paul's Church in Augusta.

The eleven women at their ordination to the priesthood in 1974.

As a donor to the production of the film, the Rev. Galen Mirate from St. Paul's in Albany, was given the opportunity to share the film with the diocese. Mirate's decision to contribute stemmed from her desire for others to learn about these women, saying, "As a seminarian, I learned church history from the late Rev. Dr. Don Armentrout; he introduced my classmates and me to the Philadelphia 11. As a person who was raised unchurched, this piece of our Episcopal heritage was quite new to me, so these trailblazers were immediate heroes in my estimation." She continued, "When the opportunity arose to contribute to this documentary, I didn’t hesitate. My clerical colleagues and I owe these women an incalculable debt, and I feel obligated to help spread their story far and wide. May the retelling of their brave journey inspire a new generation of people to step forth boldly onto whatever path the Holy Spirit embosses into their hearts."

July 29, 2024 will mark the 50th anniversary of the ordination of Merrill Bittner, Alla Bozarth-Campbell, Alison Cheek, Emily Hewitt, Carter Heyward, Suzanne Hiatt, Marie Moorefield, Jeanette Piccard, Betty Schiess, Katrina Swanson, and Nancy Wittig by the Rt. Revs. Daniel Corrigan, Robert DeWitt, and Edward Welles II in a service at the Church of the Advocate in Philadelphia. As expected, the ordination brought much turmoil and strife to many in the Episcopal Church, and the women were ostracized. They lost friends, were harassed, and even banned from some church properties. And yet, they still felt a strong dedication to carry out their call.

The ordinations were originally considered "invalid," and later categorized as "valid but irregular" because they followed the ordination service in the Book of Common Prayer and were performed by bishops in good standing. Once it was approved by General Convention in 1976, two years later, the ordinations were validated. We remember these women as trailblazers, light-bearers, and guides to what the Church could be. The first woman ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Georgia was the Rev. Sonia Sullivan Clifton in 1993.

To view the full trailer for the film, click here.

Jesse "Buzz" Yarborough (1939-2023)

The people of the Diocese of Georgia mourn the death of the Rev. Jesse "Buzz" Yarborough. Buzz was born in Miami, Florida, on September 8, 1939, and had just celebrated his 84th birthday. Buzz is survived by his devoted wife of almost 60 years, Kathryne "Kaki" Manheim Yarborough, his loving children Kathy Archer (Bill) and David Yarborough (Amber), and his sister Louise "Sis" Greer and brother Bert Yarborough.



Buzz was a proud graduate of Clemson University, class of 1963. On November 30 of the same year, he married the love of his life, Kaki, and together they embarked on a nearly 60-year journey filled with love, grace, service, and ministry.

"My brother Buzz was such a great gift to me as bishop, not just for his faithful care for St. Richard's on Jekyll Island, but for his phone calls. Buzz would not hesitate to call to discuss something he had read or observed, which led to great conversations that challenged me in all the right ways," Bishop Logue said. "His sharp intellect and deep love of Jesus were always evident."

After a successful career in the corporate world with Exxon Corp. and Xerox, Buzz's heart calling led him to dedicate his life to full-time ministry in the Episcopal Church. He earned his Master of Divinity from The University of the South School of Theology in Sewanee, Tennessee. From then on, he became known as Father Buzz, a larger-than-life figure to many in the churches and communities that he served. Buzz initially served as an assistant priest at St. Peter's By the Sea in Bay Shore, New York. Over the years, he served as the Rector in Brunswick, Georgia, at St. Mark's Christ Episcopal Church, in Little Rock, Arkansas, and in Gonzales, Texas, at the Episcopal Church of the Messiah. Even after retiring in 2005 and returning to Brunswick, he remained active in ministry, taking up part-time and interim roles in various parishes. Most recently he had served for nine years as the Vicar of St Richards of Jekyll Island, finally preaching his last sermon on May 28, 2023.

Buzz truly was a spiritual cornerstone in the communities he served. His work with St. Mark's Towers, Manna House, and the International Seafarers Center stand as testaments to his lasting impact. His ministry, alongside Kaki, was a sanctuary of compassion, care, and hospitality. They welcomed so many people into their hearts and home. Numerous younger adults and teens always felt loved in the Yarborough home, finding in Buzz an example, a mentor, and even a father-figure.

Buzz's personality was as grand as his physical stature. He had a love for Clemson football, reading books, going to the movies, and enjoying the company of other people. Most of all he loved being with his family for visits and holidays and being with his extended family at Peppertree Crossing.

In the final weeks of his life, Buzz continued to uplift and encourage those around him. He had an extraordinary way of making people feel seen and loved. His last interactions were filled with moments of looking friends in the eyes and telling them, "I want you to know that I love you." It was as if he knew his time was coming to an end. Buzz loved others well right up to the end of his life.

Bishop Logue will co-officiate the Celebration of Life service, with David Yarborough to honor Buzz on Friday, September 22 at 11 AM at Community Church, St. Simons, 2700 Frederica Rd., St. Simons Island, GA. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Community Church (2700 Frederica Rd., St. Simons Island, GA 31522) designated to the Benevolence Fund, or to Church on the Hill (P.O. Box 62, Dalton, GA 30722) designated to the Jesus Offering Fund. Both of these funds go to help others in need, which was so close to Buzz's heart.

Pray for Our Presiding Bishop

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will undergo surgery today to remove his right adrenal gland and an attached mass. Please hold hold in prayer Bishop Curry and his family and all who are caring for him.

In an announcement from the Episcopal Church, it was noted that his surgeon estimates his recovery period will be two to three weeks, after which Curry is expected to resume his regular work schedule.

Almighty God our heavenly Father, graciously comfort your servant Michael in his suffering, and bless the means made use of for his cure. Fill his heart with confidence that, though at times he may be afraid, he yet may put his trust in you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Photo: Bishop Michael Curry preaches in a revival tent at Honey Creek in January 2018 as his Canon for Evangelism and Reconciliation, the Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers, looks on. This picture is by Liz Williams.

Honey Creek Silent Auction

To donate to the silent auction, contact Beth Baker at bethbaker@bellsouth.net.

Essential Pre-Meeting for Convention Delegates

We will hold an online meeting for all clergy and convention delegates that will begin the work of our annual meeting, with presentations not repeated as part of the convention. The Canons of the Diocese call for a Convocation Council meeting and in recent years these have met via Zoom. The purpose is to elect convocational representatives to Diocesan Council, but the Bishop and staff has used these meetings for smaller group discussion on matters coming before the convention.

When: October 5 from 5 pm-6 pm

Where: Zoom

Who: All Clergy and Convention Delegates

Participants will hear the presentation of the budget as well as other important convention information that will not be repeated in the convention itself. This change will allow us to shorten the convention in future years.

A Zoom link will be sent out as the meeting date gets closer.

Youth Presence at General Convention

Applications are now open for the General Convention Official Youth Presence 2024!

Episcopal teens ages 16-19 are invited to apply to become part of the 81st General Convention's Official Youth Presence, a group whose members have seat and voice in the House of Deputies and can testify at hearings before and during the summer 2024 convention. Up to two youth from each of the church’s nine provinces will be selected to participate in the Official Youth Presence from June 20-28, 2024, in Louisville, Kentucky. Youth who are selected must also attend orientation and training in Louisville from Feb. 16-19. The Episcopal Church budget covers travel, lodging, and meals for those attending orientation and General Convention.

The deadline to apply is November 17. For more information or questions, contact Liz Williams at lwilliams@gaepiscopal.org. To read the full article from The Episcopal Church, including how to apply, click here.

Convention 2023

Nominations

The following committee positions are open for nominations. To be included in the printed convention booklet, nominations must be submitted by October 10. Nominations are open until they are closed on the floor of convention and will continue to be updated in From the Field and online until November 8.

This year's Nominations Chair is Ms. Katie Grant from Church of the Good Shepherd in Augusta. Photo: Episcopal Day School in Augusta where the convention will meet this year.

Board of Officers of the Corporation – 1 lay person

Church Disciplinary Board – 2 lay persons & 1 clergy person

Diocesan Council – 1 lay person or clergy

Standing Committee – 1 lay person & 1 priest

Trustee of the University of the South – 1 clergy person

To view the full job descriptions, click here.

To make a nomination, click here.

Once nominated, nominees will need to fill out the nominee form that can be found here.

Biographical information and photo must be received by October 10 to guarantee inclusion in pre-conference printed materials.

Additional Information

For lodging information, click here.

To register, click here. *Please note that each delegate needs to be registered individually with separate email addresses and cell phone numbers.*

Job Openings

Saint Paul's Church, Augusta GA  is looking for a Director of Children, Youth, and Intergenerational Ministries. This person will work collaboratively with a dedicated team of clergy, staff, and volunteers to continue to develop a small but vibrant ministry with and for children and youth in the parish. There is some flexibility in how the position may be embodied. But the essentials are to work within a team of people serving God at Saint Paul’s, while taking primary responsibility for ensuring that our ministries with and for children and youth continue to deepen and expand. This is currently a half time position, with an ambition to extend it to full time. 

A job description is available here:  https://saintpauls.org/director-of-children-youth-intergenerational-ministries/

Across the Diocese

St. John's Church in Savannah kicked off their second season of Faith and Fiction discussions in the Green-Meldrim house with Agatha Christie's Murder at the Vicarage. Future books include Charis in the World of Wonders by Mary Youmans and The Towers of Trebizond by Rose Macaulay.

Students from Episcopal Day School in Augusta participate in a weekly prayer breakfast with other

area schools.

Members of St. Thomas Isle of Hope in Savannah prepared over 160 meals for the people of the Union Mission.

Bishop Logue with those confirmed and received at King of Peace in Kingsland.

Staff and participants of Cursillo #127 at Honey Creek.

Boy Scout Troop 10 meeting at Holy Comforter. This is one of the biggest troops in the area!

The Rev. Tom Purdy with one of three stained glass windows that were donated to Christ Church Frederica on St. Simons Island.

Bishop Logue with members of St. Thomas of Aquinas in Baxley after his visitation.

Upcoming Events

St. Anna Alexander Pilgrimage

When: September 22-24, 2023

Where: Pennick, GA

To register, email racialjusticega@gaepiscopal.org.

New Beginnings #60

When: October 20-22, 2023

Where: Honey Creek

Participant registration here

Happening #108

When: November 17-19, 2023

Where: Honey Creek



Candidate registration here



1Book1Diocese

For Advent, we will read and discuss Everything Happens for a Reason (and other lies I have loved) by Kate Bowler

Discussion Guide for Advent

In Lent 2024, we will read and discuss The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz.



Clergy Conference

Fall Clergy Conference: October 2-4

The Fall Conference will be a deep dive into the Gospel of Mark 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. The conference will be held at Honey Creek.

To register, click here.

Diocesan Convention

When: November 9-11, 2023

Where: Augusta

To register, click here.

Lay Ministers' Conference

This conference is intended for any lay person in the Diocese who is in any active ministry in their congregation. Led by Dr. Scott Bader-Saye, the Academic Dean and Professor of Christian Ethics at the Seminary of the Southwest, this conference will focus on the ministry of the laity, including its joys and challenges especially over the past two years. It will frame our various calls in the context living them in a world in which "Christendom" is no longer the dominant culture (if it ever truly was!).

When: December 1-2, 2023

Where: Honey Creek

Click here to register.

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.   

September 24 - 30

In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Swainsboro, Good Shepherd. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Swainsboro, especially Holy Trinity Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for Emmanuel (Emmanuel) in Santiago. 

October 1 - 7

In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Statesboro, Trinity. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Statesboro, especially St. Matthew’s Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for The Annunciation (La Annunciación) in Santiago. 

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)

Bishop Logue is meeting with the House of Bishops this week. On Friday he will co-officiate the celebration of life of the Rev. Buzz Yarborough.



Photo: Bishop Logue with the Rev. Carrie Schofield-Broadbent, and Bishop Bonnie Perry (Michigan) just before the procession into Washington National Cathedral on Saturday. Bishop Schofield-Broadbent asked our bishop to be one of her co-consecrators as she was ordained to become the Bishop of Maryland.

To view Bishop Logue's full visitation calendar, click here. (Updated for 2024 - 6/20/2023)

Canon Lasch will be celebrating and preaching at St. Francis of the Islands in Savannah on Sunday.

Canon Easterlin will be at the Episcopal Business Administration Conference in New York September 25-28.

Canon Varner is on sabbatical.

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.

Clergy and members of Christ Church Frederica on St. Simons Island enjoyed a night of baseball in Jacksonville with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp!