March 1, 2023 | Volume 13, No. 9 | |
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This past weekend, approximately fifty youth and adults gathered for New Beginnings #59, a youth retreat for youth in grades 7-9 led by youth in grades 9-12. The Lead Teen for this weekend was Jackson Beckham, from St. Anne’s, Tifton. During the weekend the participants heard staff give talks on topics that directly impact them in their daily lives. These included questions most of us have, such as “Who am I” and how do I deal with changes that are happening in my life? Talks also included our relationships with Siblings and Parents, and theological topics such as God is Love, and Who is Jesus. On the final morning, staff offered reflections on The Church and Me, Prayer, and Sharing Gifts. During each of these talks the staff discussed their own lives in ways that the participants could relate to. Small group time included projects, creating skits, and lots of laughter! There was also plenty of time for games, worship, and music!
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When asked to reflect on their favorite parts of the weekend, some participants discussed being nervous about their first experience at Honey Creek, but loving it once they settled in. Returning participants talked about how good it was to be back in a place and with a community in which they felt safe and accepted for who they really are. Staff discussed how great it felt to serve participants, and see them come together as small groups, and as a large group! Overall, the weekend was an amazing experience for all who were there, and we’re already looking forward to the next one, at which Garrett Grant, of the Church of Our Savior in Martinez will be the Lead Teen!
Below are a few photos from the weekend. To look at more than 400 of them, follow this link to our Flickr album!
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Bicentennial Celebration held in Augusta | |
On Saturday, February 25, clergy and members of the Diocese of Georgia gathered at Saint Paul's in Augusta for the celebration of the Bicentennial of the founding of the Diocese of Georgia. You can view the Eucharist online: Video of the Bicentennial Eucharist.
Joining Bishop Logue was the Rt. Rev. Robert Wright from the Diocese of Atlanta and the Rt. Rev. Scott Anson Benhase, the 10th Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia. Bishop Benhase read a letter of congratulations on this milestone were read from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Bishop Logue read the one from Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, who is an Episcopalian.
This liturgy culminated a year of reviewing significant people and events in the history of the Diocese through a series of articles in From the Field. All of those articles remain archived online: Bicentennial History Series.
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Elena Gregory from St. Alban's, Augusta, reads the lesson from Genesis and Paul Salter from Christ Church Frederica on St. Simons Island reads the lesson from First Peter. | |
The Venerable Yvette Owens, Archdeacon of the Diocese, proclaims the Gospel. | |
The Rt. Rev. Rob Wright from the Diocese of Atlanta preaches as Canon Loren Lasch looks on. | |
The Rt. Rev. Scott Benhase reads the letter from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry (left); and the view behind the scenes of the live stream (right). | |
Katie Grant of Church of the Good Shepherd in Augusta (left) enjoys the reception after the service with Mary Thomas and Sarah Brittney Greneker (right) from Calvary in Americus. | |
2022 Parochial Reports due today | |
The Episcopal Church has launched parochial reports for 2022 data. They are due TODAY, March 1st, 2023. The report is one of two mandatory reports due annually, including audits in September.
The Parochial Report is completed online at: https://reports.dfms.org. Beginning in January 2023, everyone will login into this site with a unique login (usually a church or individuals’ email) and password. Diocesan office can reset the login information for a congregation if needed. Reach out to Maggie Lyons or Daniel Garrick for support as needed (mlyons@gaepiscopal.org and dgarrick@gaepiscopal.org).
You’ll need to gather attendance, membership, and financial information to complete the report. If you are unfamiliar with the process of completing the parochial report, please visit the detailed website here.
There is a helpful video available here: https://www.generalconvention.org/pr-workbook-and-instructions
You may also find a walk through of how to file here: https://www.generalconvention.org/pr-screencast-for-parish-users
Please know that there have been changes to this year's report, which may mean more time will be needed to fill it out appropriately.
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Clergy Spouse and Family Retreat | |
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All Clergy Spouses and Clergy Families (including the ordained member) are invited to an overnight retreat at Honey Creek. Our special guest will be Dr. Bertice Berry, who is a member of Christ Church in Savannah and a postulant for the diaconate. Dr. Berry is an incredible public speaker, and she will inspire us to rediscover joy, despite the challenges of our lives. We will also have time for relaxing together and enjoying the gifts of our community. Childcare will be provided during Dr. Berry’s presentations, and other activities will be intergenerational.
When: Friday, May 5th (arrive after 3:00) to Saturday, May 6th (ending after lunch)
Where: Honey Creek (register at Honeycreek.org by April 21st)
Cost: meals - $76 per adult
Children 0-3 no charge
Children 3-8 half price $38 per child
Lodge One $104 per night.
Lodge Two $92 per night. (contact Helen White for scholarship information)
Who: Clergy Spouses or Clergy Families
Questions: The Rev. Helen White, helen.white@ccesavannah.org
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1Book1Diocese discussion questions | |
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The 1Book1Diocese read for Lent is a classic work, Beginning to Pray by Anthony Bloom. This simple and powerful book, gets at the vital importance of encountering God in prayer.
The 1970 book is readily available both in a new edition and in used copies. You can find the reading guide for the Diocese of Georgia here.
The guide offers questions for groups to use for the weeks following the Sundays in Lent with an optional meeting in Holy Week.
Discussion Questions:
- Have you reconnected with a friend after many years? How did that renewed connection come about?
- Read Luke 18:9-14 together. Bloom asserts that the publican or tax-collector has had moments of extending mercy that do not fit with his usual behavior. Have you felt a pull to do better, a tug to act in what is, in retrospect, a more godly way than you might?
- Bloom describes the stages a woman he knew went through after knowing her disease was incurable. Have you walked with a person who was dying? How did that person relate their experience of the presence of absence of God?
- What has been your experience of God’s absence and God’s presence?
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The Rev. John Warner, Deacon, with the imposition of ashes during St. Augustine of Canterbury's Laundry Love. | |
The Rev. Larry Jesion (back) and the Rev. Glenn Palmer (front) distribute the Eucharist during the Ash Wednesday service at the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home. | |
The Revs. David Wantland and Kelly Steele at St. Peter's in Savannah bury the Alleluias in the Memorial Garden to be dug up at Easter. | |
The Rev. Leeann Culbreath provided Ashes-to-Go on the ABAC Campus in Tifton. | |
The Revs. Katie Knoll Lenon and Ron Nikkle at Christ Church Frederica on St. Simons Island provided drive thru ashes for Ash Wednesday. | |
The Rev. Karyl Miller, Deaon (left), Susan Borchert (center), and the Rev. Susan Gage at St. Barnabas. | |
Update your parish information | |
The Diocese is requesting that each parish fill out the form linked below with updated information on those in leadership roles at the church. The staff uses this information to make sure that critical communications are directed to the correct person in each parish.
To fill out the form, click here.
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Happening #107
- When: March 24-26, 2023
- Who: Youth in Grades 9-12
- Where: Honey Creek
- Cost: $145 per person
Registration for Candidates is available here: https://bit.ly/HappeningParticipants.
The Rector for Happening #107 is Adair Weston, form the Church of the Good Shepherd, Augusta. More information is also on the Georgia Happening Website: www.georgiahappening.com.
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Episcopal Youth Event
- When: July 4-July 8, 2023
- Who: Youth currently in Grades 9-12
- Where: University of Maryland, College Park, MD
- Cost: $800 per person
Cost should never be prohibitive to participate in diocesan youth events. Contact Canon Varner for any questions regarding the event fee.
Registration Instructions: Registration for EYE is now open through the Diocese. Once youth and adult advisors are registered, Canon Varner will take their information register and register the group with the Episcopal Church.
To register, visit https://bit.ly/GeorgiaEYERegistration.
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Chrism Mass
During Holy Week Clergy will have an opportunity to renew their ordination vows at two Chrism Mass services in which Bishop Logue will also bless holy oils. Services will take place on
Monday, April 3 at 10:30 am
at Annunciation in Vidalia
Tuesday, April 4 at 10:30 am
at Christ Church in Cordele.
Lunch will be provided. Please register online using this Google Form so that appropriate plans can be made: Click here to register.
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Clergy Conferences
Spring Clergy Conference: April 24-26
Fall Clergy Conference: October 2-4
These conferences offer a mix of retreat time and training. The heart of every clergy conference is time spent together in worship, in meals, and in fireside and other casual conversations that assist us in staying connected to one another. Both conferences will be held at Honey Creek.
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We want to hear from you! | |
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. | |
Prayer for Weekly Liturgies | |
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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.
March 5 - 11
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Cochran, Trinity and for our ecumenical partners, especially St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Cairo. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for St. Gabriel (San Gabriel) in Consuelo.
March 12 - 18
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Cordele, Christ Church and for our ecumenical partners in Cordele, especially St. Theresa Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in Dajabon, especially Holy Spirit the Comforter (Espíritu Consolador) and Holy Word (Verbo Divina).
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)
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Diocesan Office Update and News | |
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Bishop Logue will make his visitation to St. Francis of the Islands in Savannah on Sunday.
To view Bishop Logue's full visitation calendar, click here. (Updated for 2023 - 1/2/2023)
Picture: Bishop Logue leading a Sunday School class at Saint Paul's in Augusta.
Bishop Logue, Canons Lasch and Varner, and Liz Williams will be at St. Anne's in Tifton on Saturday for the Diocesan Council meeting.
Canon Katie Easterlin remains on maternity leave.
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.
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Bishop Frank enjoys talking with kids at Saint Paul's in Augusta, who have been learning about the role of a bishop in the Episcopal Church. | | | | |
