March 29, 2023 | Volume 13, No. 13

Happening #107

"Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning, for in you I put my trust" - Psalm 143:8

Psalm 143:8 was the guiding inspiration for Happening #107. Together with the image of the sunflower, they provided a way for participants and staff to reflect on the transforming power of God’s love. The theme was selected by Adair Weston from Church of the Good Shepherd in Augusta, who served as the Rector of Happening #107. The rest of the staff came from Savannah, Augusta, Valdosta, Thomasville, and even farther afield! The Rev. Joe Bowden and Bishop Frank Logue served as Spiritual Directors for the weekend.

Left: The Rev. Joe Bowden has some assistance with one of his talks from Mary Grace Wynn, both from Church of the Good Shepherd in Augusta. Right: Bishop Logue talks about grace.

Happening #107 was driven by a dedicated youth staff who were willing to jump in wherever needed. Many of them were Candidates at the previous Happening in November, and were eager to offer the newest Candidates a transformative experience, such as the one they had in the fall. As Diocesan Youth Programs continue to build momentum, we are grateful for the care and love that is passed on from one generation to the next.

Left: Candidates enjoy dancing during one of the songs in large group. Right: Rector Adair Weston of Church of the Good Shepherd, Augusta, and Bobby Yarbrough of Christ Church in Valdosta,

participate in a skit.

The Observing Rector for Happening #107 was Evan Ariail, of St. Thomas, Thomasville. He will serve at the Rector of Happening #108, which will take place in the fall. Applications to serve on Staff for that event are open now, and Candidate Registration will open in the late Spring!

To apply for staff for 108, click here.

The entire congregation of the Closing Eucharist at Happening 107.

Save the Date for Diocesan Convention

The 202nd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia will be held November 9-11, 2023 in Augusta at the Episcopal Day School.

More information about registration and hotels will be in future editions of From the Field.

Last day to register for EYE TOMORROW

1Book1Diocese discussion questions

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 for the week following the 5th Sunday in Lent:

What is the story of your name? If you have gone by a nickname, or shortened version of your name, why did you prefer being called by that name?
We speak of God as a Trinity of persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Does this help or hinder you in seeing God? Are there other names used for God or ways of speaking of God that you prefer?
In this chapter, Bloom works with the insight of Israeli philoshoper Martin Buber, who wrote of moving in all relationships from the attitude of the “I” towards an “It” to that of an “I” towards “Thou,” using the word for a person you know well. For Buber, God is the Eternal Thou. When has prayer moved from the impersonal connection with the wholly other to the personal for you? How might you foster that connection?
Discovering where you stand before God is always an invitation to go deeper? Describe where you stand now in relation to God? What does taking another step look like for you?

RVSP to whaleswatch@gmail.com

Across the diocese

The Rev. Helen White demonstrates the washing of the feet during Children's Chapel at Christ Church in Savannah.

The youngest group of the pastoral care team at Saint Paul's in Augusta made Easter cards to be sent out.

King of Peace in Kingsland reports they are really are enjoying their Book Study with Soup Suppers during Lent for a shared meal and book discussion.

The Rev. Hal Weidman at Christ Church in Valdosta blessed the creative stitching of the Stitchers of Love at Christ Episcopal Church Valdosta on March 19. The Rev. Deacon Patricia Marks and Julia Ariail delivered the 52 bunnies to the Children's Advocacy Center in Valdosta to be distributed to the abused children who are their clients.

Acolytes at St. Paul's in Albany line up for the service.

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.

Upcoming Events

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.

Episcopal Church Women Retreat

When: April 21-22, 2023
Who: ECW & DOK Members
Where: St. John's, Bainbridge

Registration Instructions: Registration for the event is at ecw.georgiaepiscopal.org.

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.

Clergy Conferences

Spring Clergy Conference: April 24-26

Fall Clergy Conference: October 2-4

The Spring Conference will include Mental Health First Aid Training. The Fall Conference will be a deep dive into the Gospel of Matthew with the Very Rev. Cynthia Briggs Kittredge, a New Testament scholar who is Dean and President of the Seminary of the Southwest. This is to prepare us for preaching Year B of the lectionary, with its readings from Mark's Gospel. Both conferences will be held at Honey Creek.

SWGA Clergy Spouse Gathering

Spouses of clergy in the Southwest Convocation will meet for lunch on Saturday, April 15 at noon at the home of John and Rev Marcia McRae at 2701 Green Meadow Dr Valdosta 31602, spouses from other convocations are more than welcome to join. Lunch will be provided. This is meet and greet for new spouses to the convocation.

Please RSVP to John McRae at jhmcae@bellsouth.net or 229-220-5619.

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

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 .

April 2 - 8

In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Douglas, St. Andrew’s and for our ecumenical partners in Douglas, especially St. Paul’s Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for The Ascension (La Ascensión) in El Seibo.

April 9 - 15

In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Dublin, Christ Church, and for our ecumenical partners in Dublin, especially Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for St. Thomas (Santo Tomás) in Gautier.

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)

Diocesan Office Update and News

Bishop Logue will make his visitation to St. Thomas in Thomasville on Sunday.

To view Bishop Logue's full visitation calendar, click here. (Updated for 2023 - 1/2/2023)

Picture: Bishop Logue with DJ, the son of the Rev. DeWayne and Lakeshia Cope, who was confirmed at St. Athanasius on Sunday.

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.