August 30, 2023 | Volume 13, No. 35

Preparing for Hurricane Idalia

The Diocese is using AlertMedia, a system paid for by Episcopal Relief and Development, to be in contact with clergy and wardens during and after a natural disaster.

Volunteer Sign-Ups

In Savannah, St. Michael and All Angels is serving as a shelter, since the possibility of flooding leaves persons who are homeless, and those in flood-prone areas, at risk. Volunteers may sign up to assist at the following sites:

St. Michael's and All Angels, 3101 Waters Ave, Savannah

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508044BA5A82CA1FD0-hurricane#/

Congregations of the Diocese of Georgia are always encouraged to contact our Communications Manager, Liz Williams, when responding to natural disasters, so that we may share that news with others.

The diocesan office will be closed today, August 30, and tomorrow, August 31, in anticipation of Hurricane Idalia and the after effects. You may reach the staff via email. The emails are listed at our website: Diocesan Leadership

A prayer for all in the path of the storm

Almighty God, who calmed the storm tossing the disciples' boat, calm the fears that beset us as we await Hurricane Idalia: Grant us the peace that comes from you alone as we sit with the uncertainty of evacuation and in fear of damage to our homes and our communities, draw us ever closer to you, and give us the grace to comfort and aid others in need; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

Nominations Now Open for Elections

The following committee positions are open for nominations. To be included in the printed convention booklet, nominations must be submitted by October 10. Nominations are open until they are closed on the floor of convention and will continue to be updated in From the Field and online until November 8.

This year's Nominations Chair is Ms. Katie Grant from Church of the Good Shepherd in Augusta. 

To make a nomination, click here.

Once nominated, nominees will need to fill out the nominee form that can be found here.

Board of Officers of the Corporation – 1 lay person

The Board of Officers is charged with the oversight of the investments and disbursements of those funds entrusted to it through wills, deeds, and other trust instruments. The board meets quarterly. The person elected to it at Convention 2023 will serve through the Convention in 2030.

Church Disciplinary Board – 2 lay persons & 1 clergy person

Previously known and “The Ecclesiastical Trial Court,” the Disciplinary Board of the Diocese of Georgia is vested with jurisdiction to hear and determine all proceedings in which a priest or deacon has been charged with one or more offenses specified in the canons of the Episcopal Church. It meets only when necessary. The 2 lay persons and 1 clergy person elected will serve a three-year term through Convention 2026. 

Diocesan Council – 1 lay person or clergy

Council’s responsibilities are to carry out the polices, programs, and directions of Convention; to deal with contingencies as they arise; and to assist the bishop in developing the ministry of the diocese. It carries out the duties of Convention between Conventions. Council generally has four meetings a year, two in person and two online including one or two overnight meetings a year in various parts of the diocese. The person elected will serve a three-year term through Convention 2026.

Standing Committee – 1 lay person & 1 priest

The Standing Committee is the bishop’s Council of Advice. In the absence of a bishop, the Standing Committee would act as the Ecclesiastical Authority for those purposes declared by General Convention. The Standing Committee must approve all ordinations and any financial indebtedness of parishes. It usually meets four times a year at the same time as the Commission on Ministry and in various locations throughout the diocese. The persons elected will serve a four-year term through Convention 2027.



Trustee of the University of the South – 1 clergy person

The board meets in Sewanee, TN, early in October each year. The two laypersons and one priest who serve on the board from the Diocese of Georgia are to represent the university to the diocese. One clergy person will be elected for a three-year term to serve through Convention 2026.

Biographical information and photo must be received by October 10 to guarantee inclusion in pre-conference printed materials.

Convention early bird registration closing soon

Early bird registration for diocesan convention ends soon! Beginning on September 1, and again on October 1, convention registration fees will increase $10.

All delegates and guests must be registered individually with separate email addresses and cell phone numbers. This will assist in electronic voting and in communications for delegates as we approach convention.

For registration link, hotel information, and more, visit gaepiscopal.org/convention2023.

Convocation Meeting

When: October 5, 5:00pm-6:00pm

Where: Zoom

Who: All Convocation representatives

This year there will be one convocation meeting for all convocations to prepare for convention. Convocations will hear the presentation of the budget as well as other important convention information. Each convocation will split into small groups to elect their convocation representatives for Diocesan Council during the meeting. A Zoom link will be sent out as the meeting date gets closer.

Colette Hammesfahr Ordained on Saturday

Colette Hammesfahr was ordained as a Lutheran pastor on August 26 at Messiah Lutheran on Skidaway Island. Hammesfahr has been called to serve as Associate Priest at St. Thomas Isle of Hope in Savannah. Her call to serve in an Episcopal Church as a newly ordained Lutheran Pastor is in keeping with the ecumenical agreement, Called to Common Mission which established full communion between the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Episcopal Church more than 20 years ago.

ELCA Bishop Kevin Strickland ordained Hammesfahr with Bishop Logue presiding at the Eucharist.

Register for the St. Anna Alexander Pilgrimage

Racial Justice Georgia, the diocesan racial justice and healing ministry, invites you to join them on the annual St. Anna Alexander pilgrimage honoring the life of the diocese's lone saint and Black deaconess. It will begin Friday, September 22 at 5:30pm at St. Cyprian's in Darien and conclude on Sunday, September 24 with a 3pm service at Good Shepherd in Pennick.

The pilgrimage will also include visits to Brunswick and Butler, Jekyll Island, and Saint Simon's Island on Saturday. To register email RacialJusticeGA@gaepiscopal.org 

Registration closes tomorrow, August 31.

Icon written by Tobias S. Haller, BSG

1Book1Diocese for Advent 2023 & Lent 2024

Advent 2023 - Everything Happens

Kate Bowler is a professor at Duke Divinity School who specializes in the study of the prosperity gospel, a creed that sees fortune as a blessing from God and misfortune as a mark of God’s disapproval. At thirty-five, everything in her life seemed to point toward “blessing” when she was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer.

Her book Everything Happens for a Reason (and other lies I have loved) will be the 1Book1Diocese read for Advent 2023. We will journey with Kate as she is stripped of the certainty she held only to discover that without it, life is hard but beautiful in a way it never had been before.

As the days shorten and the lectionary considers the Second Coming even as we prepare to celebrate Jesus' first advent in Bethlehem, Bowler brings home the depth of our incarnational faith. The discussion guide for small groups is now online here:

Everything Happens for a Reason Discussion Guide



Lent 2024 - The Good Life

This Lent, we will offer a study using a book written by the directors of a more than eight-decade long study of what makes for a fulfilling life. The Harvard Study of Human Development offers a window into lives of meaning and purpose through the data they have collected. The book also looks at what is gleaned from similar studies around the world. While the book itself does not make connections to our faith in Jesus, the discussion guide from the Diocese will.

As the authors write, "The good life is joyful ... and challenging. Full of love, but also pain." And for those of us who follow Jesus, the good life is one in which loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself is central. We will see how these two greatest commandments connect to the key insights of the study that is the heart of this book. Join Episcopalians around the Central and South Georgia for 1Book1Diocese in Lent 2024.

Across the Diocese

Participants of the icon workshop at St. Augustine of Canterbury in Augusta look on as instructor Peter Pearson demonstrates.

Brandon Medley from St. Anne's in Tifton is taking part in General Theological Seminary's 4-year long Hybrid Master of Divinity program. The program began with the seminary's 201st Matriculation Service at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd on General's campus in New York City.

Students at Saint Paul's in Augusta enjoy Sundae Sunday.

The five Episcopal congregations in Glynn County came together for the Glynn Episcopal Ministries Service and Picnic.

Bishop Logue with the congregation of Christ Church in Dublin after his visit.

Upcoming Events

Daughters of the King

Fall Assembly

When: September 15-16

Where: Honey Creek

Participant Registration

St. Anna Alexander Pilgrimage

When: September 22-24, 2023

Where: Pennick, GA

To register, email racialjusticega@gaepiscopal.org.

Conflict Transformation Workshop for Clergy

When: September 25-29, 2023

Where: Honey Creek

To register, click here.

For more information contact

the Rev. Becky Rowell at browell221@gmail.com.

New Beginnings #60

When: October 20-22, 2023

Where: Honey Creek

Participant registration here

Happening #108

When: November 17-19, 2023

Where: Honey Creek



Candidate registration here

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.

To register, click here.

Diocesan Convention

When: November 9-11, 2023

Where: Augusta

To register, click here.

Lay Ministers' Conference

This conference is intended for any lay person in the Diocese who is in any active ministry in their congregation. Led by Dr. Scott Bader-Saye, the Academic Dean and Professor of Christian Ethics at the Seminary of the Southwest, this conference will focus on the ministry of the laity, including its joys and challenges especially over the past two years. It will frame our various calls in the context living them in a world in which "Christendom" is no longer the dominant culture (if it ever truly was!).

When: December 1-2, 2023

Where: Honey Creek

Click here to register.

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.   

September 3 - 9

In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregations in Savannah, especially St. Thomas Isle of Hope and St. Matthew’s. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Savannah, especially Holy Spirit Lutheran Church and St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in San Pedro de Marorís, especially The Good Shepherd (El Buen Pastor), St. Stephen (San Esteban), and Holy Cross (Santa Cruz).

September 10 - 16

In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregations in Savannah, especially St. Peter’s and Epiphany. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Savannah, especially Messiah Lutheran Church and St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for St. Matthew (San Matías) in Santana. 

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 make his visitation to St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Richmond Hill on Sunday.



Photo: Bishop Frank with Bishop Strickland and the Rev. Colette Hammesfahr after her ordination.

To view Bishop Logue's full visitation calendar, click here. (Updated for 2024 - 6/20/2023)

Canon Varner begins his sabbtical next week.

The office will be closed on Monday for Labor Day.

The office is still in summer office hours of closing at noon on Fridays.

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.

Bishop Frank and Bishop Strickland enjoy a fun moment with Lutheran and Episcopal clergy before processing in for the Rev. Colette Hammesfahr's ordination.