December 27, 2023 | Volume 13, No. 52

The joy of Christmas is captured here on the faces of children in the Nativity Pageant at St. Patrick's in Albany.

Joyfully Receive Jesus as Our Redeemer

O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Register for Leading With Grace 2024

The Diocese of Georgia’s Leading with Grace Workshop Series aims to train lay and ordained people to lead graciously in a variety of areas, including congregational development and vitality, group facilitation, prayer practices, forming relations across difference, and transforming conflict. Although the themes for each workshop are related, participants may attend any or all of the standalone, one-day workshops. After each workshop, LWG trainers are available to consult with participants about how to apply what they’ve learned in their home parishes. Registration will cost $35/person per workshop or $100 for all four.

The following link includes descriptions of each workshop: Workshop Descriptions.

To register, click here.

For more information about Leadership Ministries, click here.

1Book1Diocese for Lent

This Lent, we will offer a study using a book written by the directors of a more than eight-decade long study of what makes for a fulfilling life. The Harvard Study of Human Development offers a window into lives of meaning and purpose through the data they have collected. The book also looks at what is gleaned from similar studies around the world. While the book itself does not make connections to our faith in Jesus, the discussion guide from the Diocese will.

As the authors write, "The good life is joyful ... and challenging. Full of love, but also pain." And for those of us who follow Jesus, the good life is one in which loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself is central. We will see how these two greatest commandments connect to the key insights of the study that is the heart of this book. Join Episcopalians around the Central and South Georgia for 1Book1Diocese in Lent 2024.

Christmas Across the Diocese

Candlelight on Christmas Eve at St. Barnabas in Valdosta.

The Nativity Pageant at St. Andrew's in Darien.

Christmas worship by candlelight at Christ Church in Dublin.

A trio offers special music at St. George's in Savannah.

The Nativity Pageant at Our Savior in Martinez.

Children processed baby Jesus in on Christmas Eve at St. Matthew's in Fitzgerald (at left) and St. Anne's in Tifton (at right).

The Nativity Pageant at St. Paul the Apostle in Savannah.

Two pictures of Christmas Eve at St. Andrew's in Douglas with the Rev. Stephen Norris (shown reading the Gospel) as celebrant and preacher.

Celebrating the Nativity of Our Lord at St. Augustine of Canterbury in Augusta.

The Rev. Hal Weidman talks to the children gathered on Christmas Eve at Christ Church in Valdosta.

The cast of the Nativity Pageant at St. Paul's in Albany.

Candlelight on Christmas Eve as Christ the King in Valdosta hosted Mosaic Methodist in a liturgy for both congregations.

The Rev. David Rose preaches by candlelight on Christmas Eve at St. Luke's in Rincon.

The Nativity Pageant at Christ Church in Savannah.

The Rev. Tar Drazdowski leads the altar party in prayer before the Christmas Eve procession at St. John's and St. Mark's in Albany.

Acolytes ready to process for the 4 pm Christmas Eve liturgy at Saint Paul's in Augusta.

The Nativity Pageant at St. John's in Savannah.

The Rev. Donald Holland (at left) celebrated his first Christmas Eve as Rector of Grace Church in Waycross, as he took on that role earlier this month; and (at right) Who wore it better? The Rev. Aaron Brewer or the Christmas Tree at King of Peace in Kingsland.

St. Luke's in Hawkinsville sparkles on Christmas Eve.

The Nativity Scene on the Lawn of Christ Church Frederica on St. Simons Island.

Upcoming Events

Clergy Conflict Transformation Workshop

Who: All clergy

Where: Honey Creek

When: March 4-8, 2024

Contact the Rev. Becky Rowell (browell221@gmail.com) and the Rev. Melanie Lemburg (revmelanie@stthomasioh.org) to RSVP.

Happening #109

Who: 9th - 10th Graders

Where: Honey Creek

When: April 5-7, 2024

Staff Application

New Beginnings #61

Who: 7th-9th Graders

When: February 9-11, 2024

Staff Application

Participant Registration

Summer Camp

High School Camp

June 2-8, 2024

Registration

Middle School Camp

June 9-15, 2024

Registration

Elementary School Camp

June 16-22, 2024

Registration

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 2024 one year prayer cycle is online here: 2024 Prayer Cycle.

December 31 - January 6

In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our Bishop, Frank Logue, and our retired bishop, Scott Benhase. We pray for our ecumenical partners, especially, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah and their Bishop, Stephen Parkes; and for the Evangelical Lutheran Church’s Southeast Synod and their Bishop, Kevin Strickland. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for their Bishop, Moisés Quezada, and retired bishops, Julio Holguin, Telésforo Isaac, and William Skilton

January 7 - 13

In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregations in Albany—St. John & St. Mark’s , St. Patrick’s, and St. Paul’s. We also pray for our ecumenical partner in Albany, St. Teresa Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for St. James the Apostle (Santiago Apóstol) in Angelina. 

31-Day Prayer Cycles - Revised October 1, 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.

Bishop Frank and Victoria have returned from a Christmas visit to New Mexico. This Sunday, Bishop Logue will preach at St. John's in Savannah.



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

Photo: Bishop Frank and Victoria Logue with their friend, the Rt. Rev. Michael Hunn who is Bishop of the Diocese of Rio Grande; their son-in-law, Chaz; and their daughter, Griffin; on Christmas Eve at the Cathedral of St. John in Albuquerque.

Please note that the Diocesan Staff will be spending time with loved ones over the holidays. Vacation dates are noted below.

Photo: The Lasch Family on Christmas Eve at St. Francis of the Islands in Savannah as the Rev. Canon Loren Lasch enjoyed being in the pews with her sons Elias and Ezra while her husband, the Rev. Ian Lasch, celebrated and preached.

The Diocesan Office will be closed January 1.

Canon Varner will be on vacation until January 3.

Communications Manager Liz Williams will be on vacation until January 3.

Canon Lasch will be on vacation until December 29.

Executive Assistant to the Bishop Maggie Lyons will be on vacation until January 2.

Executive Director of Honey Creek Dade Brantley will be on vacation until January 1.

Administrative Assistant at Honey Creek GeorgeAnne Younger will be on vacation until December 28.

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.

We all know the pull parents have on their young children. Here Amelia makes a break for hers, Canon Katie and Travis Easterlin, leaving her fellow cast members in the Nativity Pageant at St. Paul the Apostle in Savannah.