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June 23, 2021
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Volume 11, No. 42
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Apply for Happening #104 Staff &
Steering Committee
Happening Returns In-Person September 17-19, 2021!
Happening #104 is scheduled to be IN PERSON at Honey Creek September 17-19, 2021, and we are so excited!
Staff Applications are currently being accepted online and we are also receiving nominations for the Happening Steering Committee. Links to each form are below. In order to apply to serve on staff you must have attended Happening at least once. Remember that applying for staff does not guarantee selection. In order to allow for some spacing, especially in the dorms, we are limiting the total number of Candidates and Staff to fifty people. In addition, as we ease back into the in-person aspect of youth events, we strongly recommend that everyone who wishes to participate receive a Covid vaccine if eligible. Applicants who are selected for either Steering Committee or Happening Staff will be contacted via email by Happening Coordinator Sarah Brittany Greneker ( sbsandbach@gmail.com). Candidate Registration will open soon, and we look forward to greeting the newest group of Happeners. We are so excited to finally be able to meet again and hope will help us take the necessary precautions to continue to do so. The Georgia Happening website is updated and will continue to be updated as we move closer to our Happening date!
Remember the BEST is yet to come!
To nominate someone for Happening Steering Committe, click here.
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The Rev. Wanda Lucas (1938-2021)
 The people of the Diocese of Georgia mourn the loss of The Rev. Wanda Lucas, a beloved deacon of the Episcopal Church, who died at St. Joseph's hospital on June 20, 2021, surrounded by family. Wanda Beth Lucas was born on January 5, 1938. She married Michael Arthur Lucas on December 21, 1958 and was married to him for 51 years before he passed away.
"Wanda always had the heart of a deacon, as she was concerned for all who would otherwise be lost or left out of the love of God that she experienced in Jesus," Bishop Frank Logue said. "But beyond her service on behalf of the church, Wanda and Mike's generosity of spirit was best seen in their home as they fostered more than 25 children."
Wanda spent the first years of her marriage raising her four children and helping her husband with his veterinary practice. In 1985, they retired and moved to Savannah where they became involved in the Episcopal Church and started a ministry to children. In addition to fostering children, the Lucases adopted five of them while providing support and baby equipment to other children in need. She expanded her ministry in 1995 when she was ordained a deacon in the Episcopal Church. She served God as a deacon for many years at St. Francis of the Islands. After retiring, she joined St. Peter's where she continued to serve God through singing in the choir. Wanda touched many lives through her ministry, art, and loving spirit and will be greatly missed.
The burial liturgy that celebrates and gives thanks for God's work in Wanda's life will be on June 24, 2021 at 11 am at St. Peter's Episcopal Church at 3 West Ridge Road, Savannah, GA 31411. Due to the pandemic, masks will be required during the service for unvaccinated individuals. The family requests that those attending the funeral please wear pink in honor of Wanda's hair which reflected her radiant joy.
For cards, the family's mailing address is 422 Suncrest Blvd, Savannah, GA 31410. In lieu of memorial flowers, the family requests donations be sent to St. Peter's Episcopal Church (3 West Ridge Road, Savannah, GA 31411).
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The Revs. Bob and Jeannette Reese appointed Chaplains to Retired
 The Chaplains to Retired Clergy and Spouses are now the Revs. Bob and Jeannette Reese. The couple are working in retirement as the priest-in-charge and deacon assigned to St. Mark's in Woodbine. The Reeses served previously at St. Mark's, Brunswick, and St. Andrew's and St. Cyprian's in Darien. They follow Zibi Davidson who is stepping down from serving as chaplain as she moves within the bounds of the Diocese of Atlanta in order to be closer to her children and grandchildren.
"This ministry to clergy and their spouses in retirement is an essential part of the pastoral care of the Diocese," Bishop Frank Logue said. "I know that Bob and Jeannette have experienced the benefit of this ministry and look forward to providing that care for others."
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Back to the Creek Retreat for Youth!
Grades 6-12
Cost: $125
Registration Opens Next Week!
At the end of July, after a hiatus of almost 17 months, the Diocese is excited to start offering in-person gatherings for youth at Honey Creek! Our first event will take place Friday, July 30 - Sunday, August 1 and will be for youth in Grades 6-12. This "Back to the Creek Retreat" will allow our young people to take a break before their school year begins. Because Covid-19 is still a risk, participant numbers will be limited for this event. Smaller numbers will enable everyone to spread out in the dorms and during worship and other activities. Sign up quickly when registration opens next week!
Please contact Canon Varner at jvarner@gaepiscopal.org with questions about this event! We strongly encourage all participants who are able to do so to get vaccinated before the event!
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COVID-19 Impact Assistance Grants
In response to the impacts of the global pandemic, the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church offered grants of up to $40,000 to assist with either diocesan financial shortfalls or congregational needs. Knowing the immense emotional and financial impact the pandemic has had on our communities, the Diocese applied for a grant and will dedicate all funds received to our congregations through an internal grant process.
Looking at the immediate needs of our congregations, the purpose of the funds are for the following:
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Church budget gaps due to reduced giving
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Small capital improvement needs
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Installed or improved internet or streaming infrastructure
Grants will be approved based on need and availability and will be distributed for no larger than $3,000. Applications will be reviewed in July and we hope to get the approved funds out quickly.
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Susan Gage to be ordained to Transitional Diaconate
God willing and the people consenting, Bishop Logue will ordain Susan Gage to the Sacred Order of Deacons at 11 a.m. on June 26 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Thomasville. She graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary in May.
The ordination will comply with the guidelines set forth in Phase 2. You can still participate in the service by watching the livestream. To view the ordination of Susan Gage, visit the St. Thomas Facebook page.
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Hotel and Delegate Information for Convention
The 200th Convention for the Diocese of Georgia will be held at the Jekyll Island Convention Center on November 4-6, 2021. Registration for the Convention will be available soon.
We have had a few questions about number of delegates per parish, so we have linked the chart below. The amount of delegates should remain the same as the previous convention.
To know the number of delegates allotted for your parish for convention, click here.
 Hamton Inn & Suites Jekyll Island
200 S. Beachview Drive
Jekyll Island, GA 31527
(912)635-3733
Group Name: Episcopal Diocese of GA
To book online, click here.
Holiday Inn Resort Jekyll Island
701 Beachview Drive N
Jekyll Island, GA 31527
(912)635-2211
Group Name: Episcopal Diocese of GA
Group Code: EDG
To book online, click here.
Stay at Honey Creek
Rooms are also available at Honey Creek. For rates and reservation information, contact GeorgeAnne Youngner at georgeanne@honeycreek.org or call at (912)265-9218.
To prepay for your island pass, visit https://www.jekyllisland.com/visiting/parking or call (912)635-3636.
The group rate for hotels is only available for a limited time, so we encourage you to make reservations as soon as possible.
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Family Camp Session Three in July
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There is more space still available for Session Three, July 16-18. Sign up now and join us at Honey Creek for a Family Camp weekend!
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Need a member of diocesan staff?
As a reminder, the best way to contact a staff member with non-emergency correspondence is via email.
A reply will be sent within 24-72 hours.
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Open Positions Around the Diocese
Pianist/Music Director at St. Patrick's
St. Patrick's Episcopal Church in Pooler, GA seeks a permanent pianist/music director to support and enhance the worship of the congregation. The pianist will need to provide accurate and supportive accompaniment as we sing praise to God, observing the liturgical year. Someone with experience in a liturgical church is helpful, as well as someone who has experience playing service music. Without such experience, those with the desire and ability to learn are also welcome. Extra services include: Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. Please send resumé to the Rev. Karen C. Barfield at kclaybarfield@gmail.com. For the full description, click here.
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Across the Diocese
A beach gathering of The Episcopal College Ministry of the College of Coastal Georgia; "Conversations & Compline". Students and their angel mentors from St. Athanasius, St. Mark's, and Holy Nativity Episcopal Churches - Brunswick and
Saint Simons Island.
 Members of the Education for Ministry program at King of Peace in Kingsland, including seven members who completed the four years of study. Congratulations to Sam Coville, Peni Coville, Charles Babb, Ginger Babb, Tami Suzor, Roberta Lindau, and Katie Sherer.
Youth from St. Augustine of Canterbury in Augusta enjoyed a sunset kayak down the Augusta Canal.
Bishop Logue blesses the new building where Christ the King will meet (left). The Rev. Galen Mirate enjoys the prayer of Bishop Logue as he asks God to take the new building that lacks outward character and fill it with a lively group of characters (right).
Lucy Pearson (left) reads for Saturday morning worship, and Keith Meade (right) holds down third base during water games on Saturday afternoon at Family Camp.
"Let's do a silly photo!" Group photo of Family Camp Session Two after Sunday morning Eucharist.
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Prayers for Weekly Liturgies
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.
June 27 - July 3
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Pooler, St. Patrick's. We also pray for our ecumenical partners, especially Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Garden City and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Port Wentworth. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for St. Mary, Full of Grace (Santa María Llena de Gracia) in Mao.
July 4 - 10 In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Richmond Hill, St. Elizabeth of Hungary. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Richmond Hill, especially Spirit of Peace Lutheran Church and St. Anne's Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for St. Mary the Virgin (Santa María Virgen) in Monte Llano.
Additional Prayer Cycles
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Diocesan Office Update and News
Bishop Logue will officiate the Rev. Wanda Lucas' funeral on Thursday at 11:00am at St. Peter's in Savannah. On Saturday at 11:00am, Bishop Logue will ordain Susan Gage to the Sacred Order of Deacons at St. Thomas in Thomasville. Canon Easterlin and Daniel Garrick are working with the auditors this week for the annual audit.
You may reach diocesan staff by phone at (912) 236-4279.
Staff e-mails can be found here.
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Let Us Know!
What are you doing to keep community right now? Are you gathering for virtual coffee hours, delivering groceries to your neighbors - let us know! Send any updates or photos to our Communications Manager Liz Williams at lwilliams@gaepiscopal.org. We want to hear from you!
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Newest member
The Rev. Joe Bowden greets Kenzo, Lily Swanson's service dog-in-training, at Church of the Good Shepherd in Augusta. Also pictured are Lily's parents, Mark and Nicole Swanson.
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