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December 15, 2021 | Volume 11, No. 67

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Funeral plans for the Rt. Rev. Henry I. Louttit, Jr.

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Bishop Logue and the Diocesan Staff have been working with the Louttit family on plans the funeral for the Ninth Bishop of Georgia, the Rt. Rev. Henry I. Louttit, Jr. 


The Office of the Burial of the Dead will take place on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at 10:00 am at Christ Episcopal Church in Savannah. The service will also be livestreamed on the Diocesan Facebook Page. Clergy who attend the service in Savannah are asked to vest in cassock, surplice, and white stole.


On Thursday, December 30, 2021, there will be an outdoor Committal service at 1:00 pm at Christ Episcopal Church in Valdosta. Clergy who attend this service will not vest or process.


Offering two liturgies in two locations provides the opportunity for more people to to pay their respects to Bishop Louttit. All are welcome to attend either service.


Clergy who plan to attend at either service are asked to RSVP by clicking this link.

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Canon Katie Easterlin Reflects on her Sabbatical

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First, I’d like to thank the Diocese for the opportunity to take a sabbatical this past month. February 2022 marks my 7th anniversary working for the Diocese of Georgia. It was an excellent opportunity to reflect on my tenure – the joys, growth, challenges, and future of my role as Canon for Administration, serving our great and diverse congregations and institutions. Katie on Thanksgiving in Madrid with her parents, the Very Rev. William and Canon Mary Willoughby, her husband Travis, and at far right, her sister Colleen.

 

I spent four weeks traveling in Europe during an exciting time. Given our experience and exposure in the US, I assumed how countries in Europe celebrate and prepare for Christmas through Advent. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that a significant emphasis is placed on Advent as a time for preparation for Christmas tide. I visited Christmas markets in Germany, Denmark, Belgium, and Spain. Every market was full of advent calendars, candles, and stunning pieces of artwork for creche scenes. A building in a small German town is converted to a massive advent calendar, with each window marking a day in the season. The window flung open to remind people passing by of the expectation of the One who redeems us all. I witnessed families and friends find opportunities to gather, eat, and prepare, emphasizing that it’s not the hustle and bustle of shopping but for communities to come together in preparation, joy, and anticipation. 

The Episcopal Church each year publishes resources to journey through Advent. This year, the “Journeying the Way of Love” called us to engage in the seven practices that encompass the Way of Love: turn, learn, pray, worship, bless, go, and rest. Instead of thinking about everything I had yet to do or needed to do upon my return, I was encouraged to live in the moment and prayerfully consider what this season of waiting is about. 


Here is how that played out for me during my month: 

 




Turn

Traveling always encourages me outside my comfort zone. It requires me to question my preconceived notions of a place and to open my heart and mind to learning about the things that make a country and its culture unique. This trip was no exception, and learning about the impact of the Advent season in Europe was a joyful revelation.

 

Learn

I love learning the rich history of every place I visit. I enjoyed seeing the city of Cordoba, Spain. Historically, it was a vibrant city that demonstrated a harmonious relationship between Jews, Muslims, and Christians, in a time when this was not common in the world. Now, people of all three faith backgrounds travel to learn about its history. 

 

Pray

Anyone who has had the chance to visit Europe knows about its beautiful churches and cathedrals, but it also has other beautiful spaces to worship and consider praying. I found myself drawn to reflect and pray in the multitude of gardens in Spain. 

Worship

I worshiped one Sunday at the Anglican Cathedral in Madrid with their community. It was my birthday, and they were incredibly welcoming to my family and demonstrated immense hospitality. It reminded me that wherever we are in this world, that our communion is amongst us, and we are united in the body of Christ. 

 

Bless

I had a chance to visit with dear friends who have moved to Europe. We had many conversations about my job and why I feel called to serve the church. The questions helped me reflect on what gifts I can bear through my work. 

Go

This one was easy; I went out each day for weeks and explored. I took planned journeys, unexpected ones and changed plans based on what the day held. I was able to enjoy and open my heart to the unexpected, to loosen my grip on “the plan,” and focus on what God has in store for me during this time. 

 

Rest 

During my time away, I did not read my work email and limited my time on social media (photo posting aside- the photographer in me couldn’t help it). As someone who receives a plethora of work emails, this was first a struggle, but a reminder that time for rest of mind and spirit is essential to energize my role’s work and mission. 

 

I wish everyone a blessed advent season, and I welcome the joy that Christmas brings. I look forward to a new year having a well-rested heart, soul, and mind. Thank you.


Katie

Canon Katie Easterlin, Canon for Administration

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Save the Date for two events in February

Desmond Tutu: A Spiritual Biography of South Africa's Confessor

February 6, 2022 at 4:00pm

A conversation with author the Rev. Dr. Michael Battle, Director of the Desmond Tutu Center



Drawing upon the three-fold stages of Christian mysticism, Dr. Battle’s talk will explore these three mystical stages of purgation, illumination and union for insights both into the life of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and our life today in the church. Tutu’s spiritual legacy is important because in his vision there is a need to redefine new models for being human that go beyond our conflicts today. Tutu’s spirituality moves beyond our culture wars and in so doing guards against the manipulation of religion.


This will be a one hour session via Zoom.

Clergy & Police: A Theological Approach to Policing Policy

February 17, 2022 9:00am-2:00pm


An online conference for the Diocese of Georgia, Atlanta, and the Southeastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, this will feature panelists and experts who will provide context and skills to equip clergy to engage with law enforcement within their community. This online clergy conference meets on February 17 in three Zoom meeting sessions with breaks between from 9 am to 2 pm. The Rev. Guillermo Arboleda will teach the plenary sessions and lead panel discussions with other clergy who are working in various ways with their local police departments.


These two events are sponsored by Racial Justice Georgia and the Diocese of Georgia.


More information about each event, including registration links, will be in later editions of From the Field.

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Diocese Sponsors Broadcast of Lessons and Carols

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The Episcopal Diocese of Georgia will again partner with the Diocese of Atlanta to co-sponsor the Georgia Public Radio broadcast of A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from Kings College Cambridge on Thursday, December 24 at 10 a.m. Find your local station on the radio by going here or listen online here.  


A Brief History of the Service 

In 1918, the then-new dean of King's Chapel, 34-year-old Eric Milner-White, wanted to try something innovative and beyond the standard liturgy of the Church of England. He wove together scripture and song, called on readers of various ages from school and town, and made up this truly magical progression that carries us from prophecy to fulfillment, from Old Testament foretelling to a birthday celebration. 


The service was first broadcast in 1928 and, with the exception   of 1930, has been broadcast annually, even during World War II, when the ancient glass (and also all heat) had been removed from the Chapel. The opening carol is always 'Once in Royal David's City', and there is always a new, specially commissioned carol.


From the Bidding Prayer 

"And because this of all things would rejoice his heart, let us at this time remember in his name the poor and the helpless, the cold, the hungry and the oppressed; the sick in body and in mind and them that mourn; the lonely and the unloved; the aged and the little children; all who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love him not, or who by sin have grieved his heart of love."

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CDI Rebooted: Leading With Grace

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Clergy and laity, especially first-year vestry members, from the Diocese of Georgia are invited to a new diocesan training school called Leading With Grace (LWG) from what was formerly known as the Diocese of Georgia’s Church Development Institute (CDI). This change is much more than in name only. During the pandemic, the CDI team and Diocesan Council collected feedback, reflected on our ten years of service and considered societal shifts. All of this helped to create our new curriculum geared toward equipping clergy, vestry and lay leaders with the tools they need to grow their parishes. 


Leading With Grace comprises the essential components of CDI and some new material based on the team’s ministry experiences. A complete year will be four weekends, each of which will begin on Friday evening at 5 PM and will finish at 3 PM on Saturday, interspersed with prayer, small and large group discussion and practice. LWG will take place in one year cycles in four different regional centers around the diocese. It will culminate with a combined weekend at Honey Creek on August 19-20, 2022. 


  • Augusta (St. Augustine’s)
  • Feb 11-12, 2022
  • March 18-19 or 25-26, 2022
  • May 13-14, 2022
  • Savannah (St. Peter’s)
  • Feb 11-12, 2022
  • March 18-19, 2022
  • May 13-14, 2022
  • Honey Creek (Waverly, GA)
  • Feb 11-12, 2022
  • March 18-19, 2022
  • May 13-14, 2022
  • Western Side of the Diocese 
  • St. Paul's Albany on Feb 25-26, 2022
  • St. Annes Tifton on Mar 25-26, 2022
  • Christ Church Valdosta on May 20-21, 2022

We will:

  • Ensure the time together is worthwhile, using our efficient and practical curriculum
  • Create a welcoming environment to learn and meet new people from across the Diocese
  • Coach each parish team to create a project to help our parishes grow
  • Deepen leadership skills in inclusive group facilitation, leading worship, facilitating planned change and managing conflict
  • Ask each parish team to help provide one meal for the group (excluding the weekend at Honey Creek)
  • Pray and worship using The Book of Common Prayer, 1979
  • Consider together “What does faithful leadership look like at this moment in the life of the church?”


We will not:

  • waste time with models or concepts irrelevant to ministry 
  • assign needless homework
  • force anyone to speak publicly or be vulnerable 


The cost per parish team is:

For a team of four the fee is $ 225              

For a team of three the fee is $ 200                  

For a team of two the fee is $ 175                     

For an individual the fee is $125


Those individuals that started CDI and finished only 2 weekends will be given first priority at registration and will owe 50% of the fees above.


All fees are due upon registration.


Please sign up to participate by Feb 1, 2022. Look for the registration link in a future From the Field.


We’ll consider together, “What does faithful leadership look like

at this moment in the life of the church?”

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There's still time to share your images in

AdventWord Around the Diocese

For the eighth year in a row, #AdventWord will gather prayers via a global, online advent calendar. Forward Movement, the new home of AdventWord, will offer 28 daily meditations and images during this holy season beginning Sunday, November 28. 


Gathering a worldwide community, #AdventWord provides a daily meditation, visual image, and invites your personal reflections via social media to share your own Advent journey. Thousands have participated each year, responding to the words with photos, written responses, crafts, drawings, poems, found art, and Holy Spirit-filled posts.

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We want to share your photos

Each year the diocese participates by sharing photo or videos that invoke the word chosen for the day. This year the diocese is asking for photo submissions from you! If you have a photo you'd like to submit, email them with the word choice to Communications Manager Liz Williams at lwilliams@gaepiscopal.org. The photos will be featured on our Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook pages. The photo above, for the word "exult," was submitted by Priscilla Carrington from Christ Church, Savannah.


Looking for additional Advent resources?

The Society of Saint John the Evangelist in Cambridge, MA are providing a series of six recorded sermons for Episcopal congregations. Interested congregations can find more information here.


The Episcopal Church has curated multiple resources on their website, including Journeying the Way of Love: Advent Curriculum, digital Advent and Christmas invitation kits, and more. To see the full list, click here.

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New Beginnings Participant Registration Open for January Event!

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  • When: January 7-9, 2022
  • Who: Youth in Grades 7-9
  • Where: Honey Creek!
  • Cost: $125 per person


New Beginnings, a retreat for youth currently in Grades 7-9, is open for registration. This event is led by older youth, with adult support. In a time of increased anxiety and uncertainty, New Beginnings offers young people a chance to gather at Honey Creek offers young people a chance to step back from their daily lives and reflect on some of the big issues of life, such as Family, Peer Pressure, Friends, and how the Love God has for all of us is unconditional and everlasting. Participant Registration is available here: https://bit.ly/NBParticipants

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Job Openings Across the Diocese


St. Francis of the Islands Episcopal Church in Savannah, GA is seeking a part-time organist and choir director (approximately 8-10 hours per week) to provide music and direct the choir at the 10:30 am service on Sunday morning and other special services as required. Special services primarily follow the liturgical calendar, to include Principal Feasts of the Church, Ash Wednesday, and the services of Holy Week.  


Candidates are to have proficiency at the organ to lead congregational singing and perform organ repertoire. Candidates should also have a demonstrated ability to rehearse and direct choral music. Knowledge of or experience in the Episcopal Church preferred. The ideal candidate will be interested in teaching and mentoring students in the choir's inaugural class of choral scholars, and also serving as a resource for music education in the parish.


For more information and the full description, click here

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Across the Diocese

Church of the Good Shepherd in Augusta lines up for the procession for Lessons & Carols.

Photo by Jerry Woods.

Children (with their adults!) completed the tree trimming at St. John's in Savannah.

Members of the Episcopal Church Women at St. Patrick's in Albany gave a generous donation to the Giving Tree Clothing Closet, supporting all five clothing closets in the primary, elementary, and middle schools in Lee County.

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St. Nicholas visited Christ Church Frederica on St. Simons Island and, with assistance from the Rev. Tom Purdy, provided quite the fireside chat!

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Bishop Logue, the Rev. Leeann Culbreath, and the Rev. Ri Lamb with those confirmed and received at

St. John & St. Mark's in Albany.

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Prayer 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.  


The 2021 one year prayer cycle is online here: 2021 Prayer Cycle  


The 2022 one year prayer cycle is online here: 2022 Prayer Cycle.


December 19 - 25

In our diocesan prayer cycle, we pray for Honey Creek, for our ministry with homeless persons in Savannah, the Community of St. Joseph, and for our Racial Justice and Healing Ministry. We also pray for our ecumenical partners, especially the Catholic congregations of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Sandhill, San José in Twin Lakes, Holy Redeemer in McRae, and Holy Cross in Pembroke. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for Diocese of the Dominican Republic Parochial Schools.


December 26 - January 1

In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our Bishop, Frank Logue, and our retired bishops, Henry Louttit and Scott Benhase. We pray for our ecumenical partners, especially, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah and their Bishop, Gregory Hartmayer; 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. 


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 Diocesan Prayer Cycle Cycle and Clergy Clergy Spouses Prayer Cycle Prayer Cycle. (Updated 9/25/2021)

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Diocesan Office Update and News

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Bishop Logue is pictured her with the altar party at this past Sunday's visitation to the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation in Vidalia.


He will be preaching and celebrating at St. George's in Savannah on Sunday.


To view Bishop Logue's full visitation calendar, click here. (Updated 12/2/2021)





Canon Lasch will be celebrating at St. Francis of the Islands in Savannah on Sunday.


Canon Varner will be assisting with the 5 p.m. Contemplative Eucharist at St. Luke's, Rincon on Sunday.



Holiday Office Hours

The office will be closed December 23-24 and 30-1. The staff will be working remotely December 27-29. Normal office hours will resume on January 3, 2022.


You may reach diocesan staff by phone at (912) 236-4279. Given staff schedules of meetings and travel, 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.

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New banner says it all

The Rev. Aaron Brewer points out the best part of King of Peace in Kingsland's newest banner.

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