April 26, 2023 | Volume 13, No. 17 | |
Safe Church Training for Summer Activites | |
As summer approaches, many congregations are planning for Vacation Bible School and other volunteer-intensive summer activities for children. These events are often transformative for children and adults. They allow for an intentional time of formation, play, and prayer for congregational communities. | |
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As part of VBS preparations, please remember that all volunteers who will be on site with children (including teenagers) should comply with the Diocesan Policies for the protection of children and youth. This includes both completing background checks for adults who do not have one on file from the past three years and ensuring that adults and teenage volunteers complete the online Safe Church Safe Communities training modules that are required based on their role in the congregation. To find the Diocesan policies you can visit the Diocesan website or follow this link: https://bit.ly/GASafeChurch. Appendix D has a table of roles in the congregation and the different modules required for training for each of them.
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In order to begin the process for running background checks, please contact Maggie Lyons, Executive Assistant to the Bishop at mlyons@gaepiscopal.org. For general questions please contact Canon Joshua Varner at jvarner@gaepiscopal.org.
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The Very Rev. William Willoughby III retires after 40 years of ministry | On the occasion of his retirement, the Diocese of Georgia gives thanks for the ministry of the Very Rev. William Willoughby III who has served the Church for forty years in parish work and education. | |
He has served as the Rector of St. Paul's for the last 35 years , as the longtime Dean of the Savannah Convocation, and has been named by Bishop Logue as Dean Emeritus. He was born in Anniston, Alabama and grew up in Columbia, South Carolina. He earned a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Chicago, a certificate in theology from St Stephen’s House Theological College, Oxford University, a Master of Divinity from Nashotah House Theological Seminary, and a doctorate in Education and Theology from Graduate Theological Foundation, South Bend, Indiana.
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Over the years Willoughby worked with his congregation to develop a strong witness of creative outreach and partnership with other organizations and parishes to address the needs of the community and the diocese. He has served the Diocese of Georgia as a member and President of the Standing Committee, Ecumenical Commission, the HIV/Aids Committee, the Diocesan Council, and the Savannah Convocation Anti-Racism Committee. During his tenure St. Paul’s the parish has established a cooperative food pantry supported by community organizations, a development corporation to provide affordable housing, which to date has built 112 units and ministries that address various issues related to chemical dependency. With the help and leadership of the Rev. Liam Collins, St. Paul’s started a Sunday evening Celtic Mass and a Chaplaincy to the Savannah College of Art and Design. At the same time, they began a ministry to Spanish speakers, initially led by the Rev. Charles E. Todd, and continuing under the leadership of the Rev. Leonel Palanco de la Cruz, with the assistance of the Rev. Victor Moreno. His community work in Savannah includes serving as a Director for the Chatham County Department of Family and Children Services and as a participant and leader in numerous projects addressing homelessness, and nutritional, medical and pharmaceutical needs.
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Willoughby has also served beyond the boundaries of the Diocese of Georgia. He has been a Deputy to General Convention, a Reader of General Ordination Exams for the Board of Examining Chaplains and the Secretary General of the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament. As Secretary of the Board of the American Friends of the Anglican Centre in Rome, an Officer Brother of the Most Venerable Order of Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem and a guest instructor for the Lacoste School of the Savannah College of Art and Design in France there has also been an international component to his vocation.
“Dean Willoughby has provided significant leadership in this Diocese for decades,” said Bishop Logue. “Retirement for a priest does not mean the end of ministry, but a new chapter. I am deeply grateful for his witness to the Gospel, and I look forward to continuing to work with him for years to come.”
“Dean Willoughby has provided significant leadership in this Diocese for decades,” said Bishop Logue. “Retirement for a priest does not mean the end of ministry, but a new chapter. I am deeply grateful for his witness to the Gospel, and I look forward to continuing to work with him for years to come.”
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Time to apply for EYCS Education Scholarship | |
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. | |
New form for Administrators | |
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Administrators: please see the updated CPG New Employee Information Form. This will replace the various intake forms we currently use, to collect the necessary information required to enroll lay and clergy persons into our benefits system.
You can also find it on the diocesan website in the Resource Library under "Various Documents."
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Forum for Faith Leaders on
addiction and recovery
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Join the Revs. Tommy Townsend and Kevin Kelly as they present a forum about dealing with addiction, recovery, and what we can (and can't) do as faith leaders to help. They will present stories from their own experiences both as priests and as people in recovery, stories of success and heartbreak, in the hopes that those who participate will leave that day with tools in their hand to respond when someone reaches out for help.
The forum will talk place at First African Baptist Church at 23 Montgomery Street in Savannah on May 1, 2023 from 11:30am-1:30pm. For more information, including how to RSVP, contact the Rev. Kevin Kelly at padrerkk@gmail.com.
To sign up visit sbhc.tech/springiarcforum.
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Hotels Available for Diocesan Convention | |
Three hotels have set aside small blocks of rooms for the 2023 Diocesan Convention in Augusta. As these blocks fill, more rooms will become available. Look for updates on room availability in future editions of From the Field. | |
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Home2Suites
3606 Exchange Lane
Augusta GA 30909
$119 +tax and fees
(706) 733-8787
To book online click here.
(Updated April 25, 2023)
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Springhill Suites
1110 Marks Church Road
Augusta GA 30909
$129 +tax and fees
706-396-6600 x 0 and ask for the Episcopal Diocese group rate.
To book online click here.
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St. Patrick’s in Pooler had their annual yard sale, featuring a number of treats and treasures that raised funds for various church activities and ministries. | |
Statesboro's newest Little Free Library, thanks to Trinity! | |
One of the Foyer Groups at Christ Church in Valdosta enjoying dinner. | |
Clergy at the Spring Clergy Conference at Honey Creek play a fun round of trivia. | |
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Clergy at the Spring Clergy Conference learn about Mental Health First Aid from
Katrina Robinson-Wheeler.
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Youth from Church of the Good Shepherd in Augusta partnered with Tabernacle Baptist Church for the Turn Back the Block neighborhood clean up. | |
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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Clergy Spouse & Family Retreat
Rediscovering Joy with
Dr. Bertice Berry
Where: Honey Creek
Who: Clergy Spouses & Family
When: May 5-6, 2023
Contact the Rev. Helen White
for more information at helen.white@ccesavannah.org. Scholarship assistance is available.
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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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Clergy Conference
Fall Clergy Conference: October 2-4
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.
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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.
April 30 - May 6
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Hawkinsville, St. Luke’s. We also pray for our ecumenical partners, especially St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Eastman. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for Jesus the Messiah (Jesús Mesías) in Imbert.
May 7 - 13
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Hinesville, St. Philip’s. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Hinesville, especially St. Stephen’s Catholic Church . In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for St. Matthew (San Mateo) in Jalonga.
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 returns from Clergy Conference today and will make his visitation to All Saints' in Thomasville on Sunday.
To view Bishop Logue's full visitation calendar, click here. (Updated for 2023 - 1/2/2023)
Picture: Bishop Logue with members from St. Mark's in Brunswick at their picnic and service at Honey Creek.
Canon Lasch is on sabbatical and will return on May 4. Canons Katie Easterlin and Joshua Varner are working with Bishop Logue to cover her areas of responsibility.
Communications Manager Liz Williams is at the Episcopal Communicators Conference at Camp Allen in Texas this week.
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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Newest Acolyte on the Block | |
Elijah at St. Mary's serves his first service at St. Mary's in Augusta. | | | | |
