March 16, 2022 | Volume 12, No. 11

The Honey Creek Commission, a group appointed annually by the bishop to serve as ambassadors and advisors for Honey Creek, met for retreat February 25-26. After welcoming new members and sharing personal stories of holy encounters at Honey Creek, the Commission quickly got to work. Over the course of the weekend, the group strategized how best to support Honey Creek’s mission, leading to short and long range goals for facilities, fundraising, budget, communications, and alumni connections.

To gain a better understanding of Honey Creek’s physical needs, the commission took a tour of the entire campus and its facilities, led by Executive Director Dade Brantley. Brantley emphasized that the Creek is a church retreat center, not a hotel service, which makes it ideal for groups seeking a spiritual focus. Family reunions, denominational groups, youth activities, parish gatherings, adult retreats, summer camps, weddings, and even funerals are all part of the annual life cycle of Honey Creek.

While Honey Creek is a deeply spiritual place, like any of our parishes it requires constant physical attention to facilitate our spiritual experiences effectively. “Our project list is long for both operational and future necessities,” said Brantley. Jay Lacy, chairperson for the commission, agreed: “When it comes to our care of this beloved place, our mindset has to be focused not just on the current moment, but on future generations as well.”

In looking toward that future, the Commission plans to take full advantage of Project Resource, a training program of the Episcopal Church designed to deepen connections with current stakeholders and foster relationships with potential donors. Lacy says, “We have a good understanding of what Honey Creek needs to pursue its mission to its fullest now and in the decades to come. We plan to begin inviting many others more deeply into that vision, including Honey Creek alumni, parishes, and donors near and far.”

The commission asks your continued prayers and invites your suggestions. Plan a visit to Honey Creek soon, and make a donation any time at honeycreek.org.

Top: Members of the Honey Creek Commission take in the state of the creek bank.

Middle: Newest member, Noah Lacy, takes a rest in between sessions.

Bottom: Members get an overview of facilities from Executive Director Dade Brantley.

This is the second week of 1Book1Diocese for Lent as we read Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again by Rachel Held Evans.

Questions for every week of the study

Each week, the group may use the following prompts as an icebreaker:

• How have you seen or experienced God’s love in the previous week?
• Put another away, what has been Godly or what was your moment closest to Christ?

After working through the questions for the week, close with the following questions as time permits:

• What stood out to you in the section you read?
• What reinforced your existing opinions of the Bible and what challenged them?

Week 3 - Discuss The Wall and War Stories

Which story from the Bible would you make disappear if you could?

What sort of justifications and explanations have you encountered over the years regarding Israel’s conquest of Canaan? Have you found these explanations satisfying? Why or why not?

Rachel finds perspective in 1) paying attention to the experiences of biblical women, 2) keeping humble about her own culture’s violent tendencies, 3) seeing in Jesus a God who “would rather die by violence than commit it.” Which, if any, of these perspectives do you find most helpful or challenging?

What are some hard questions you have about the Bible that perhaps you’ve been afraid to confront? What might it mean to continue in your faith, even if your doubts are not fully resolved?

The full reading guide can be found here.

Pictured above, the diocesan staff take part in the second week's discussion of Inspired in the conference room of Diocesan House in Savannah.

The Women of St. John's in Savannah are hosting their annual Quiet Day, held at the Green Meldrim House.

Held on March 23 from 9:30-2:30 the day will include prayers and meditations led by the St. John's clergy. A light lunch will be served.

For more information, contact the church office at (912)232-1251.

• When: May 6-8, 2022
• Who: Youth in Grades 7-9
• Where: Honey Creek!
• Cost: $125 per person

New Beginnings #57, 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/NB57Participants. 

Applications to serve on New Beginnings Staff are also available! Any youth who has attended either New Beginnings or Happening is eligible to serve on staff. Serving on staff includes a commitment to attend the entire weekend, and to attend the staff lock-in. The staff application is here: https://conta.cc/3IT3C0C.

The Lead Teen for New Beginnings #57 is Jake Diamond, of Christ Church, Valdosta.

As you make plans for a holy Lent, consider a Creation-focused retreat for adults at Honey Creek, led by the Creation Care Commission. The retreat will begin on the evening of Friday, March 25, and end late Saturday afternoon with Eucharist. 

The theme for the retreat is “All Things New,” inspired by Rev. 21:5 (“See, I am making all things new”). Christ’s redemptive work began as an angel announces to Mary that she would give birth to the Savior, and it will be completed in the New Creation when Christ makes all things new. God has graciously invited us who live between these two events to participate by planting seeds that Christ will bring to fruition. Join us as we explore these themes through worship, contemplative prayer and conversation, hands-on activities, and earth art. The retreat will also include fellowship with others in the Diocese of Georgia who are interested in the care of God's Creation, and conversation with Bishop Logue. 

The retreat will be led by Creation Care Commission members Rev. Leeann Culbreath (St. John & St. Mark's, Albany), Rev. Nathan Wilson (St. Paul's, Jesup) and Laura Walker (St. Paul's, Savannah). 

There is no registration fee. Meals (Dinner on Friday, Breakfast and Lunch on Saturday) cost $45. Lodging options include Hunt Cottage (women), Lodge rooms, and camping (with dorm access). Commuter rate is $10 + meals. Weather and gnats permitting, the bulk of the retreat will be centered out of the Ecology Center, near the dock.  Please fill out this form first https://forms.gle/2UHSvEwuZLLUFGFb7 which includes information on completing your registration with Honey Creek. 

The local AmeriCorps chapter assisted Holy Nativity on Jekyll Island with their food program.

St. John & St. Mark in Albany held a baking retreat wit the Rev. Leeann Culbreath. Cinamnom rolls for everyone!

Church of the Holy Comforter in Martinez enjoyed some Shrove Tuesday pancakes.

Sunday School for the younger members of Saint Paul's in Augusta has been a little different lately. In the church's "Meet Saint Paul's" series, representatives from various ministries have been making the rounds, including finance committee!

Bishop Logue at St. Luke's in Rincon on Girl Scout Sunday.

The Rev. Aaron Brewer (right) at King of Peace in Kingsland was joined by his daughter Caroline (left) for worship on Sunday.

Sewanee's School of Theology is hosting a free,Thursday-night webinar conversation between members of the student Creation Care Committee at Sewanee's School of Theology and the Center for Religion and Environment. One panelist will be our own seminarian Gabriel Perkins-Lawrence.

The event will focus on what the connections are between the Season of Lent and the practice of ecological discipleship, and between the church's forty-day fast and the rest of the Earth Community.

The Creation Care Committee is a student group at the School of Theology that facilitates hands-on environmental ministry experiences and ideas with an aim to inspire future clergy and lay church leaders for the work of environmental stewardship. The committee provides educational programming and encourages discussions of sustainability, environmental justice, ecotheology, and green ministry in all aspects of life at Sewanee's School of Theology.

The Center for Religion and Environment is a resource for the church housed within Sewanee's School of Theology; it offers free monthly webinars, tuition-based short online courses, resources and materials, a certificate program in nature contemplation, and consulting for creation care ministries. 

To register, click here.

As each day gets a little bit longer, our thoughts turn toward summer, even while it’s still cold. And this coming summer we are planning to return to our traditional Summer Camp Season! Registration is now open! Visit honeycreek.org/camps to register for the appropriate camp sessions!

• High School Camp (Completed Grades 9-12, & graduated seniors): June 12-18
• Camp St. Peter I (Completed Grades 6-8): June 19-25
• Camp St. Joseph & Mary I (Completed Grades 3-5): June 26-July 2
• Camp St. Joseph & Mary II (Completed Grades 3-5): July 10-16
• Camp St. Peter II (Completed Grades 6-8): July 17-23

We are actively recruiting college students and others who have completed high school to serve as Summer Camp Counselors. If you are or someone you know are interested in a summer experience that can be life-changing both for yourself and for the campers, apply now! The Staff Application is available online here: https://bit.ly/HoneyCreekSummerStaffApp

Have questions about camp? About serving as a counselor? Contact Summer Camp Director Karen Bell at karenmackenziebell@gmail.com or Canon Joshua Varner at jvarner@gaepiscopal.org.

St. Thomas in Savannah is looking to hire a part-time facilities administrator. The Facility Administrator provides maintenance and upkeep for the buildings and grounds of St Thomas Episcopal Church, consisting of 4 buildings, a memorial garden, and various other gardens.  The Administrator reports to the Church Rector and Parish Administrator. This is a non-exempt salaried position, part-time, expected to be 10 – 15 hours per week on average, not to exceed 780 hours per year. Rate of compensation begins at $15 per hour commensurate with experience. To see the full job posting, visit the St. Thomas Facebook page. Interested candidates should email a resume to Amy Washabaugh at amyjo@stthomasioh.org.

Christ Church in Savannah is seeking an Administrative Assistant. This will be 12-16 hours per week, and includes the following:

• helping to develop and coordinate docents and the docent program
• Coordinate, train, and supervise the bulletin assembly team
• Meet parishioners or workers in the church as needed
• Assist with other administrative tasks as needed

This position will report to the Director of Administration. For more information, contact Catherine Gussler at cmgussler@gmail.com.

St. Peter's in Savannah is seeking Nursery Attendants. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church is a group of Christians enthusiastic about making a difference for others on Skidaway Island, in Savannah and abroad, which you can read about at www.saintpeterssav.org. If you are interested, please submit a resume and cover letter to The Rev. Kelly Steele, Priest-In-Charge at St. Peter’s at ksteele@saintpeterssav.org or 912-598-7242.

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

March 13 - 19

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).

March 20 - 26

In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Dawson, the Church of the Holy Spirit. We pray for our ecumenical partners, especially St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Camilla, and St. Christopher Catholic Church in Claxton. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for St. Michael’s (San Miguel) in Doña Ana and The Grand Commission (La Gran Comisión) in Doña Lila. 

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 Prayer Cycle and Clergy Spouses Prayer Cycle. (Updated 3/1/2022)

This week Bishop Logue is in Texas for the House of Bishops meeting. He will have limited availability while away.

To view Bishop Logue's full visitation calendar, click here. (Updated 2/25/2022)

Pictured here: Bishop Logue at St. Luke's in Rincon with the Rev. David Rose on the drums.

Canon Lasch will be participating in the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center's Mediation Skills Training Institute from March 14-18. She will have limited availability during the training.

The office will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, March 17, in observance of

St. Patrick's Day.

Maggie Lyons will be out of the office on Friday.



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.

The House of Bishops are meeting for the first time since 2019 in Texas this week.

Can you spot Bishop Frank?