May 24, 2023 | Volume 13, No. 21

Ordination of the Rev. Shayna Cranford

On Saturday, May 20, Bishop Logue ordained the Rev. Shayna Cranford to the Sacred Order of Deacons (transitional). Bishop Logue, in his sermon, made sure that the community of Trinity in Cochran were reminded of what a monumental influence they had in the faith formation of Shayna and her family. "Shayna arrives here on this day of her ordination to the Sacred Order of Deacons having come to know the Episcopal Church very well, but she has only been a member in a church where every priest she has known was lifted up by Trinity to serve this church. She is called to be a minister in this community of ministers."

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St. Peter's outreach fundraiser donates $67,000

The Market at 3 West Ridge, which is the major fundraiser of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church on Skidaway Island, is pleased to announce the donation of $33,750 to each of two non-profit organizations in the Savannah area which benefit vulnerable children and families: Heads Up Guidance Services (HUGS) and People of Action Helping Kids (P.A.C.K.). Checks were presented in a ceremony held on April 23 to representatives of the two organizations. HUGS will use their funds to institute new programs for teens and abused women, while P.A.C.K. will increase the number of schools and community centers in which they can provide assistance.

The Rev. David Wantland, Associate Priest at St. Peter's, remarked that the Market at 3 West Ridge Road has always drawn a crowd, but this year was an exception with a record number of 900 shoppers. "Thanks to that community support, Susan Homar, Market Co-Chair, joyfully announced on a recent Sunday at St. Peter’s that the 2023 Market at 3 West Ridge Road raised $67,000 for HUGS (Heads UP Guidance Services) and P.A.C.K. (People of Action Caring for Kids)! Susan presented checks for $33,500 to representatives of each organization. These gifts could not have come at a more critical time as they will enable each organization to expand and enrich services to Savannah’s most vulnerable children with emotional challenges and food insecurity," said Wantland.

The Market also wishes to acknowledge the parishioners of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church for their generous financial and volunteer contributions, the publications which helped us spread the word, and the enthusiastic shoppers who made all this possible.

Pictured: Representatives from the two organizations receiving a check from Market Chair Susan Homar (top); The Revs. David Wantland and Kelly Steele with representatives from the receiving organizations and Market Chair Susan Homar (bottom).

Upcoming Ordinations

The Diocese of Georgia is pleased to announce the ordination of the following to Holy Orders:

Noelle Raiford will be ordained to the Sacred Order of the Diaconate (vocational) at Trinity Episcopal Church in Statesboro at 11 am on May 27, 2023.

Casey Perkins will be ordained to the Sacred Order of the Diaconate (vocational) at the Chapel of the Apostles at Sewanee at 12 noon on June 12, 2023.

Clergy are invited to vest and process at all ordinations, wearing a cassock, surplice and a red stole.

Register for Summer Camp Today!

If you'd like to support summer camp, visit their Amazon wishlist and send some fun to Honey Creek!

EYCS Education Scholarship deadline May 31

Educational Scholarships are available annually through the Episcopal Youth and Children's Services. College-bound Episcopal youth are encouraged to submit an application by going to www.eycs.georgiaepiscopal.org and selecting the Educational Scholarships tab at the top of the page. All applicants must be Episcopalian, 22 years of age or under, and legal residents of and members in good standing within the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia. Funds are only available for undergraduate (not graduate) study and are awarded based on family need. Applicant must be, or intend to become, a full-time undergraduate student taking and passing at least 12 credit hours per grading period. Education scholarships are approved for one school year only. Applicants may reapply in successive years (for a maximum of 4 years). Completed applications should be submitted and/or postmarked by May 31^st. No exceptions.

Across the Diocese

Parishioners at King of Peace in Kingsland noticed high school graduates taking photos in churchyard. When lightning, pouring rain, and hail started, they brought the students and their parents inside and learned the teens had met at King of Peace's preschool when they were two years old, attended until they were five, and have been friends since then.

The choir at St. Thomas in Thomasville gathered for their end of year party that included celebrating their organist and choirmaster, Mara Valmonte, as she moves on to a new job.

The Rev. Larry Jesion at St. Michael's in Waynesboro surprised his wife, Pam, with a renewal of their marriage vows for their 20th wedding anniversary with Canon Joshua Varner officiating.

Youth at Calvary in Americus enjoyed an end of year pool party.

Saint Paul's in Augusta honored their two graduating seniors, Sean Henson and Gabriella Farmer. Sean gave the sermon and Gabriella served as a lector.

Christ Church in Valdosta held their Parish Retreat at Honey Creek.

St. Luke's in Rincon celebrated Mother's Day with handmade cards and the children making sure parents were served during lunch.

Bishop Logue preaching at Epiphany in Savannah, which meets at Front Porch Improv's theater.

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

Ordinations

Sat, May 27 - Noelle Raiford, Trinity Statesboro at 11:00am

Mon, June 12 - Casey Perkins, Sewanee, TN at noon

Summer Camp at Honey Creek

High School: June 4-10

St. Peter: June 11-17

Sts. Joseph & Mary: June 18-24

Family Camp: July 14-16

Register at gaepiscopal.org/youth.

Clergy Conference

Fall Clergy Conference: October 2-4

The Fall Conference will be a deep dive into the Gospel of Mark 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. The conference will be held at Honey Creek.



Diocesan Convention

November 9-11, 2023

Registration will be open this summer.

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.

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. 

May 28 - June 3

In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Louisville, St. Mary Magdalene. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Louisville, especially St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in La Romana, especially The Encarnation (La Encarnación) and All Saints (Todos los Santos).

June 4 - 10

In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregations in Martinez, Holy Comforter and Our Savior. We also pray for our ecumenical partners, especially St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church in Grovetown. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for Christ Resurrected (Cristo Resucitado) in La Vega. 

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)

Bishop Logue will ordain Noelle Raiford to the Sacred Order of Deacons on Saturday at Trinity in Statesboro. On Sunday he will make his visitation to St. Matthew's in Savannah.

To view Bishop Logue's full visitation calendar, click here. (Updated for 2023 - 5/9/2023)

Picture: Bishop Logue with the Rev. Michael Chaney and Kirsten and Kyle, the two confirmands at Epiphany in Savannah.

Canon Lasch will be attending the ordination of Noelle Raiford on Saturday.

The office will be closed on Monday in observance of Memorial Day.

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.

St. Alban's in Augusta's newest acolytes and usher keep family tradition alive, walking in the footsteps of their great-grandparents who were members of St. Alban's!