August 31, 2022 | Volume 12, No. 34

The StoryBox ministry at St. Augustine of Canterbury in Augusta is an example of the ministries we want to share at this year's diocesan convention.

Share your ministry ideas with diocesan convention

When the Diocese of Georgia meets in Convention this November, we will share ideas and experiences among congregations as one part of our theme: Let Your Light Shine. Shared experiences can be outreach ministries, such as a soup kitchen or laundry love, or an evangelism idea, a particular ministry with children, or anything at your church that you think other congregations might benefit from learning more about.

In past years, we have seen how this type of cross-pollination has helped good ideas spread across the Diocese so that, for example, a school partnership in one congregation leads to others in very different places. Not every good idea is for every congregation, but the more we share, the more we can learn from one another and discover what could work in our own communities and contexts. We also want to learn about some of the hardships you encountered while forming this ministry. What were some obstacles and roadblocks? What were some new learnings for your congregation? The more information we can share, hopefully it can give other congregations a better understanding of the steps taken in order to create a similar ministry in their own community.

Tell us what your congregation is doing

We want to hear from you! Tell us about your ideas and ministries by clicking the "Let Your Light Shine" link below: 

Let Your Light Shine: Ministry Ideas and Experiences

Individuals and congregations are welcome to send in multiple ideas. Complete one form for each idea you want to share with others in the Diocese of Georgia.

The Rev. Tim Burger called to St. Patrick's in Albany

The Rev. Tim Burger has been called to serve as Interim Rector of St. Patrick's Episcopal Church and the Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Albany, Georgia. Burger was educated at the University of Georgia (BA), General Seminary (MDiv), Union Seminary (STM), and Sewanee: The University of the South (MFA). He has served parishes primarily in the Northeast, and is also an author and editor.

Burger, a Georgia native, is excited to be joining St. Patrick’s/Our Savior, and getting to know the Diocese of Georgia and its people.

Baptized for Life at Honey Creek - September 9-10

“Baptized for Life: A Lay Ministers’ Conference” is a conference is for any lay person in the Diocese. "I often have committed parishioners comment on our clergy conferences," Bishop Logue said, "telling me that they would love similar opportunities to learn in community. This is our response to that hope."

Dr. Lisa Kimball, the Vice President for Lifelong Learning and the James Maxwell Professor Chair of Lifelong Christian Formation at Virginia Theological Seminary will serve as the keynote speaker at this conference.

There will also be time to rest, relax, and enjoy simply being together at Honey Creek! The event begins with Evening Prayer at 5:30 p.m. on Friday and ends at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. Registration is available here, and costs are listed in the registration. You may choose to register for a single or double occupancy lodge room. If you choose double occupancy, be sure to name your roommate in the registration.

Contact Joshua Varner, Canon for Program and Liturgy, at jvarner@gaepiscopal.org with any questions about this conference.

Calvary - a congregation planted in war

As we approach the bicentennial of our founding in 2023, we will share the story of the Diocese of Georgia. This week we remember the end of the American Civil War, the founding of Calvary in Americus, and the death of our first bishop.

In fall of 1864, the crushing news of the Fall of Atlanta to the massive assault of General Sherman’s Federal troops was just three weeks old. Sherman’s devastating March to the Sea was underway. The weight of this devastation is revealed in the change of name for our Episcopal church in Americus. In the 1850s, Bishop Stephen Elliott sought to found St. John’s Episcopal Church in Americus with nine communicants. That church start failed. 

When the same bishop founded a church in Americus six years later, he selected the name Calvary, reflecting the suffering he had seen up close.

Bishop Stephen Elliott had visited the Army of the West back in 1863, when they were encamped at Shelbyville, Tennessee. He confirmed ten in a liturgy held at the Presbyterian Church. Elliott wrote “The attention of this large body of soldiers was earnest and like men who were thoughtful about their souls. It gave hope for the future of both the army and the church.”

The fortunes of war turned. The fight came to Georgia. Bishop Elliott again visited the troops as close as he could get to the battle lines. In the summer of 1864, his friend and fellow bishop, Leonidas Polk, died by canon shot when he and other generals were scouting Federal troop positions near Marietta. We get a glimpse of this time in Bishop Elliott’s Diocesan Convention Address of 1866, given eleven months after he founded Calvary which he began saying:

“Brethren of the Clergy and Laity: Another eventful period has passed away—“a period of darkness and of gloominess, of clouds and thick darkness”—during which our Lord has moved among us in awful mystery and in seeming wrath. The tumultuous tide of events has rolled very contrary to our wishes and our anticipations; has been freighted with a heavy burden of sorrow, and suffering, and death, and has brought us together this day with trouble all around us, with cruel anxieties pressing upon us, with grave perplexities entangling us, with very little joy or hope save such as may spring from a divine source.”

With heavy loss of life and destruction close at hand, the Episcopal Church in Americus was named Calvary. As Christians, we have no stronger image to summon in times of darkness. For though Jesus could cry out from the cross, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” We can see the Civil War differently from our first bishop and yet share his conviction that nothing can separate us from the love of God that is found in Christ Jesus.

Bishop Elliott’s choice of Calvary would have felt apt to the congregation. The twenty-one communicates were very aware of the Confederate Hospital in Americus where some served. The most terrible of Prisoner of War camps was just thirteen miles away in Andersonville. Those who knew him said the loss of the Confederacy devastated Bishop Elliott. He died suddenly on December 21, 1866, on returning home from what proved to be his final episcopal visitation.

The pictures above show part of the Battle for Atlanta and Andersonville Prison, just north of Americus.

This is a reminder that audits are due to the Diocese by September 1^st. If your congregation is running into challenges meeting that deadline, please reach out to Canon Easterlin to notify her. Per Diocesan Canon, congregations are required to submit an audit annually. You can review the language here. The referenced language is canon 9, section 4. 

Key considerations when conducting or planning for an audit: Congregations with operating revenue of $500,000 or more shall be reviewed or audited by an independent Certified Public Accountant (CPA); and in addition to submission of the checklist or audited statements, a memoranda should be issued by the auditors/reviewers detailing the internal controls and summary of recommended actions related to the financial protocols of the congregation. 

Please submit questions to Canon Easterlin at keasterlin@gaepiscopal.org. While daunting, this is an important part of governance and helps our congregations each year as they think through their financial health and stewardship. 

The Cursillo Commission met August 11-13, 2022 at Honey Creek for their first in-person meeting after months of Zoom meetings. It was a joyous time seeing and greeting one another with smiles, tears and bear hugs!

Presiding Bishop Curry, a Cursillista himself (someone who has attended Cursillo), said,“The Cursillo Movement is a movement and an effort in the church designed and intended to help us grow in a deeper and more committed relationship with Jesus Christ as our Savior, Lord and friend.”

The Cursillo Commissioners enjoyed a challenging, yet creative, three days together of prayer, worship, fellowship, sharing and planning. The dining table in Hunt Cottage was heavily laden with the collective bounty each commissioner had brought to share. Rob Richardson, President-Elect for the Episcopal Cursillo Ministry, was the facilitator for the weekend.

The Cursillo Movement in the Diocese of Georgia is moving forward with renewed energy and vision. With restored vigor and guidance from the Holy Spirit, your Commissioners are eager to share their plans and vision for the Cursillo Movement, as we walk together to invite new Pilgrims to join Cursillo, activate Reunion Groups and light fires for our Christian walk with Ultreyas.

Mark your calendars for Saturday April 15, 2023, as there will be a Grand Ultreya at the Church of the Annunciation in Vidalia.

Your Cursillo Commissioners are available to you for any questions, comments or suggestions you might have about the Cursillo Movement in the Diocese. They are excited about the future of Cursillo in Georgia!

Diocesan Staff out and about

All three clergy from the Diocesan Office were spread out across the west side of the diocese last Sunday - Bishop Logue in Americus, Canon Lasch in Cordele and Albany, and Canon Varner in Thomasville. 

Bishop Logue and the Revs. Richard and Geri Nelson and Dianne Hall with those baptized, confirmed, and reaffirmed at Calvary in Americus on Sunday.

Canon Loren Lasch celebrated and preached at Christ Church in Cordele and Worship on the Water, a ministry of Christ Church in Cordele, before a vestry meeting in Albany on Sunday.

New Beginnings staff held their lock-in at St. Thomas in Thomasville this weekend. The team led music on Sunday (left) and were commissioned by Canon Joshua Varner who also preached (right).

New Beginnings #58 will meet October 14-16, 2022 at Honey Creek! This conference is for youth in grades 7-9 and is led by youth who have previously attended either New Beginnings or Happening. 

Registration is open for all participants, using this link. If you are not certain that your registration successfully went through, email Canon Varner at jvarner@gaepiscopal.org and ask!

Happening #106 registration for candidates (participants) is now open! Happening, held at Honey Creek, is a weekend retreat for youth, led by youth. The weekend is focused on discovery and learning about yourself and your faith, all while enjoying fellowship and fun with youth from across the diocese. All youth and adults must follow the diocesan guidelines for youth events, which can be found here.

Who: Youth in 9-12 grade

When: November 17-20, 2022

How: Register here!

For more information, contact Happening Coordinator Sarah Brittany Greneker at sbgreneker@gmail.com.

Registration now open!

Each delegate, guest, and clergy spouse must register individually. This is an important and is a necessary step in order to have the appropriate contact information for each person registered. Parish administrators may register a delegation, but will need to use the delegate's cell number and email address in the registration. Early bird registration is open until August 31.

To register for convention, click here. If you are receiving an error message when you click on the link, switch to a different browser.

Vendor Application

All exhibit requests are subject to approval by the Bishop's office. Applications are due no later than September 16, 2022. Vendor applications must be approved before registering for convention.

To fill out a vendor application, click here. 



Convention Reports

Convention reports that are to be printed in the convention booklet are due to Communications Manager Liz Williams by Friday, September 23. Email them to lwilliams@gaepiscopal.org.

Elections

The following committee positions are open for nominations. Please note that we are electing deputies for the next General Convention, which will be held in 2024 in Kentucky. To be included in the printed convention booklet, nominations must be submitted by September 23. 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. We will elect persons to the following:

• Board of Officers of the Corporation – 1 lay person
• Church Disciplinary Board – 2 clergy persons & 1 lay person
• Diocesan Council – 1 lay person or clergy
• Standing Committee – 1 lay person & 1 priest
• Trustee of the University of the South – 1 lay person
• General Convention Deputies – 4 clergy deputies and 4 clergy alternates; 4 lay deputies and 4 lay alternates 

To make a nomination, click here.

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

Resolutions

Resolutions are due to the Secretary of Convention, Canon Katie Easterlin, by September 2, 2022, in order to be considered by the convention. The rules of Convention governing resolutions are found in the Canons of the Diocese of Georgia and are reproduced here for reference:

• Resolutions on non-budget items to be placed before Diocesan Convention, except those from Diocesan Council and Convention Committees, must be submitted to the Secretary of the Diocese in writing at least sixty days prior to said Convention.

• The Secretary will make the resolutions available to the convocations of the Diocese for study and response before the Convention and will provide for their publication in From the Field, at the latest, in the issue next preceding Convention. The Canons of the Diocese are coordinating to visit pre-Convention convocation meetings.

• Any proposed alteration or addition to the Canons proposed on the first day of the meeting of the Convention, shall be submitted in writing to the Chairperson of the Committee on Constitution and Canons at least sixty (60) days prior to the opening of the Convention. No such proposed alteration or addition shall be considered by the Convention until it has been referred to and reported upon by the Committee on Constitution and Canons. Every amendment or alteration proposed on any succeeding day of the Convention session shall be similarly referred and reported upon but may not be adopted without the consent of two-thirds of the delegates present. The Committee on Constitution and Canons may propose alterations on its own volition at any time. Changes approved at Convention shall go into effect immediately following the adjournment of that Convention.

• So that content and intent may be clearly understood, any resolution submitted, except those of a laudatory nature, shall be titled and include a summary of its content and purpose. Said summary shall be read when resolutions are presented for referral or vote.

Mark your calendar for September 16 & 17 and make plans to attend the Celebration of Women's Ministries and the Daughters of the King Annual Meeting at Honey Creek! This will be the first diocesan-wide ECW meeting since 2019 and will be a great opportunity to see old friends and make new ones. The keynote speaker on Saturday morning will be the Rev. June Johnson from All Saints' on Tybee Island. 

There will be lots of time for catching up, lots of time to walk the labyrinth, Bible study, reflection, and sharing sessions. All are welcome to bring knitting, needlepoint, etc for peaceful aids while listening and sharing. 

The price of attending includes all meals and lodging from 3:00pm on Friday through 1:00pm on Saturday. New officers will be installed during the Eucharist at noon on Saturday. Registration forms can be found on the ECW webpage here.

Hosted by the Rev. Kevin Kelly from St. Michael and All Angels in Savannah, this is a retreat for those struggling with addiction or mental health, either their own or with those they love. We offer a safe and holy space to share your own story and to hear the experience, strength, and hope of others facing the same issues. You are not alone.

The retreat is begins on Friday, September 23rd and will conclude on Sunday, September 25th with a closing Eucharist at 11:00am.

For more information, contact the Rev. Kevin Kelly at kevink94@gmail.com. To register, click here.

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.

The Diocese of Georgia's residential seminarians at Sewanee: Shelley Martin (second year seminarian) with first year seminarians Brenda Brunston and Roger Speer on their matriculation day.

Clergy Spouses of the Augusta Convocation met for lunch for the first time since the pandemic.

The Rev. Wallace Marsh baptizes baby Rosalee at St. Thomas in Thomasville on Sunday.

Children and youth at Saint Paul's in Augusta have spent the past two weeks painting pots and planting plants. They have, with their parents, started making "Growing in Love" deliveries to parishioners who are are dealing with illness or loss as a tangible reminder of God’s love and the love shared at Saint Paul’s.

It's easy to be a new acolyte when you have a great team!

The Rev. Samantha McKean stands with a crew of acolytes at Christ Church in Savannah.

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Augusta.

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Darien is seeking a part-time organist for Sunday worship and special occasion services. Hymns and service music are typically from the 1982 Episcopal Hymnal. There is also a Tuesday evening rehearsal requirement with the choir, all to total approximately 3-4 hours per week. Candidates should be familiar with an organ with 2 manuals and a pedal clavier, be music literate, and be willing to work collaboratively with the Rector and Music Director. Pay will be commensurate with experience. Interested parties should email their resume to standrew@darientel.net.

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.   

August 28 – September 3

In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregations in Savannah, St. George’s and St. Michael and All Angels. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Savannah, especially the Catholic congregations of Blessed Sacrament, Resurrection of our Lord, Sacred Heart, and St. James. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for St. Paul and St. Luke (San Pablo y San Lucas) in San Isidro. 

September 4 – September 10

In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregations in Savannah, especially St. Thomas Isle of Hope and St. Matthew’s. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Savannah, especially Holy Spirit Lutheran Church and St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in San Pedro de Marorís, especially The Good Shepherd (El Buen Pastor), St. Stephen (San Esteban), and Holy Cross (Santa Cruz).

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)

Bishop Logue will make his visitation to Christ the King in Valdosta on Sunday.

To view Bishop Logue's full visitation calendar, click here. (Updated for 2023 - 8/30/2022)

Pictured: Bishop Logue with George Hooks after the service on Sunday at Calvary in Americus.

Executive Assistant to the Bishop Maggie Lyons will begin maternity leave on September 8th. 

The office will be closed on Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The office's summer hours of operation include closing the office at noon on Fridays.



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.

The Rev. Wallace Marsh with the newly baptized Rosalee and big sister Elanor at St. Thomas in Thomasville.