The people of the Diocese of Georgia mourn the loss of Roy Lilly, who died on August 3. Lilly was a founding parishioner of All Saints, Thomasville, who served on Diocesan Council twice and was three years into his third four-year term on the Standing Committee of the Diocese.

A native of Thomasville, he was a graduate of Emory University and the University of Georgia School of Law. A member of the Georgia Bar since 1974, Lilly practiced law as his Christian vocation. He became a Magistrate Judge who worked closely with law enforcement agencies and gave thoughtful attention to all who came before his bench. At All Saints, he was a lay reader, chalice bearer, and served several terms as Senior Warden. 

"Roy was a thoughtful Christian who thought theologically about matters that came before the Standing Committee as well as a careful listener whose wisdom assisted that body in considering those discerning a call to Holy Orders," Bishop Logue said. 

"I recall that Roy was dismayed when Bishop Benhase was preparing for a diocesan convention on evangelism. Roy said he did not want to wear his faith on his sleeve in that way," Bishop Logue continued, "Yet, Roy did not see, as those around him did, that he lived his life in such a way that his faith in Jesus showed through his actions." 

Roy and his wife Eleanor have two children, Mary Lawrence Lilly Lang and Roy Miller Lilly, III, and one grandson Ashley Pierce Lang, Jr. Bishop Frank Logue officiated his funeral last Friday at All Saints, Thomasville.

The Rev. Sandy Turner was ordained a Deacon on May 31, 2006. She currently serves at the Church of Our Savior in Martinez. The process began for Turner when she was teaching EFM. Deacon John Warner was one of her students and he encouraged her to explore the diaconate because she was also running a free clinic in the rural area and was a lay minister active in the church.

Her primary ministry as a Deacon is working with the underserved in inner city Augusta, the Harrisburg Community, but that ministry has taken a number of forms. She ran a free clinic in the community of Dearing for 20 years and, after closing that, offered her supplies to the clinic in Harrisburg. When they needed a nurse practitioner, she began serving in that clinic. Then when COVID hit, all of the doctors had to leave, so she has been there now for 2 years seeing patients herself. She also works with the food ministry through Christ Church in Augusta, which will soon be operating again with Saturday meals and monthly food pantry in Harrisburg neighborhood.

When asked to describe her ministry, Turner notes that she had been working with the underserved as a community health nurse since the 1970's and became a nurse practitioner in the 90's, opening a clinic in an area that had no health care, and mentoring students in that work.  She has made ten trips to Peru, taking students to help with women's health. These activities have continued as her ministry and Turner has come to see her patients as peers, who bless her as much as her work blesses them. Offering a comfortable place where people can come with health questions and issues has given her purpose, focus, and fulfillment. She also served as the first Archdeacon for the Diocese of Georgia.
            

When asked what she would want people to know about being a deacon, Sandy says, "Bringing good to people in the community just means that you are willing to walk into people's lives even for a short time, to meet them where they are and to see them as equals.  Many times it is as rewarding for you as it is for the people you serve."

Be refreshed by the inspiration of the National Grand Ultreya.  For the first time ever, the secretariat of the Episcopal Cursillo Ministry is presenting a nationwide Zoom Ultreya on line.  You will hear from Presiding Bishop Curry and a few bishops from across the country.  There will be a lay witness talk and responders. You will recognize some of the people participating in the event.  It is easy to register to be invited to watch this National Grand Ultreya.  Go to the website www.episcopalcursilloministry.org, there you will find the link to register your name and email.  Then you will receive an email giving you the link to sign in on August 21st.

The Diocese of Georgia will be better represented than most dioceses of our church as the Rev. Hallock Martin of St. Matthew's, Fitzgerald, and Bishop Frank Logue have also been asked to offer their reflections as a part of this national Cursillo event.

The event happens August 21, 2021 at 1 p.m.  You will hear Cursillo music from groups from around America.  What an awesome way to stay encourage during these times of uncertainty.  God is with us always.  Cursillo and our beloved community can help us stay connected with our Lord Jesus Christ and with each other.