May 17, 2023 | Volume 13, No. 20 | |
Register for Summer Camp Today! | |
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The Diocese of Georgia is pleased to announce the ordination of the following to Holy Orders:
Shayna Cranford will be ordained to the Sacred Order of the Diaconate (transitional) at Trinity Episcopal Church in Cochran at 11 am on May 20, 2023.
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.
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Hurricane season prep begins now | |
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As we inch closer to to hurricane season, the diocese encourages all parishes to be prepared in the case of an incoming hurricane. There are steps you can take to prepare your congregation, both the members and your physical space. These suggestions are not an exhaustive list, but a good start.
Make an Inventory List
Forms like this set of Church Inventory Forms offer a way to get down serial numbers for your more expensive office equipment and other key data that will assist if the church suffers damage. Once forms are completed, make a few hard copies to share among leaders. The best practice is also to scan the forms and place as a Google Doc, in DropBox, or another online storage site so they can be accessible from any computer once the storm has passed. In addition to these paper forms, record a smart phone video of church offices, narrating the equipment, and get photos of the church organ or other high cost items and place these at an online storage site. These will be of invaluable assistance in making an insurance claim.
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Identify Potentially Vulnerable Parishioners
Identify senior citizens, disabled persons, single parents, and those living alone. Add any families living in trailers, or in low lying areas prone to flooding. Have a plan for who will contact these persons in order to ensure that they are in safe areas. To the degree we can, the Diocese will assist in identifying locations in safe areas with churches and homes open to those who need assistance. Make sure everyone you assist in leaving their homes has needed medicines.
Update AlertMedia Contacts
The Diocese will once again use the AlertMedia system to remain in touch with parish leaders. Clergy, Senior Wardens, and Junior Wardens should always keep the Diocese up to date on email and phone numbers. If you have not already updated your information for 2023, please fill out this form.
The above are a few minimal steps you can take now. If a storm path looks like it could impact your congregation and you don't have a plan, we have an 11th Hour Checklist.
Creating a Better Plan
We do have time and every congregation needs a Disaster Preparedness Plan. To help in this process, we recommend this guide from Episcopal Relief and Development: Comprehensive Disaster Preparedness Planning Guide.
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EYCS Education Scholarship deadline May 31 | |
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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 31st. No exceptions.
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Congratulations to Dr. Adair Blackwood and Andrew Austin on graduating from four years of Education for Ministry (EFM) training at Church of the Good Shepherd in Augusta. | |
Christ Church in Dublin held a lunch after their service on Mother's Day. | |
St. John's in Savannah dropped off donations for a local summer camp on Tybee Island. | |
Christ Church in Valdosta held their Youth Sunday service on Mother's Day. | |
At Saint Paul's in Augusta, the kids drew pictures of their moms and made gifts for them. | |
Bishop Logue with those confirmed and received at Christ Church Frederica on St. Simons Island. | |
Tsharre Sanders from Georgia Interfaith Power & Light visited St. John & St. Mark's in Albany. | |
The children of Holy Comforter in Martinez take part in "Knocking Down Jericho's Walls" and make their offering as part of the Capital Campaign to eliminate the mortgage debt. | |
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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SWGA Clergy Spouse Gathering
Spouses of clergy in the Southwest Convocation will meet for lunch on Saturday, May 20 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 jhmcrae@bellsouth.net or 229-220-5619.
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Ordinations
Sat, May 20 - Shayna Cranford, Trinity Cochran at 11:00am
Sat, May 27 - Noelle Raiford, Trinity Statesboro at 11:00am
Mon, June 12 - Casey Perkins, Sewanee, TN at noon
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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 honeycreek.org/camps.
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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.
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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.
May 21 - 27
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Kingsland, King of Peace. We also pray for our ecumenical partners, especially St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Folkston. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in Jimaní, especially St. Paul the Apostle (San Pablo Apostól), St. Titus (San Tito), and St. Ignatius (San Ignacio).
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).
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 ordain Shayna Cranford to the Sacred Order of Deacons on Saturday at Trinity in Cochran. On Sunday he will make his visitation to the Church of the Epiphany in Savannah.
To view Bishop Logue's full visitation calendar, click here. (Updated for 2023 - 5/9/2023)
Picture: Bishop Logue with clergy at Christ Church Frederica on St. Simons Island.
Canon Lasch will be attending her nephew's graduation at the College William & Mary this weekend.
Canon Varner and Liz Williams will be attending the ordination of Shayna Cranford on Saturday in Cochran. On Sunday, Canon Varner will be celebrating and preaching at St. Michael's in Waynesboro.
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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Children at Christ Church Frederica play the part of the servers at the Mother's Day lunch. | | | | |
