September 6, 2023 | Volume 13, No. 36

Hurricane Idalia Makes its Mark

Hurricane Idalia made its way across southwest Georgia and left a moderate amount of destruction in her wake. Thankfully only a small amount of our parishes were affected by the storm. As it stands now, no buildings are beyond fixing, and most of the damage came in the form of downed trees.

Valdosta was hit harder than other cities in Idalia's path, which resulted in multiple downed trees and power outages across the city. All three of the Valdosta parishes, Christ Church, Christ the King, and St. Barnabas reported that no damage was done to the church buildings, but Christ Church and St. Barnabas both had major trees down around their property. We have received reports of homes of both clergy and parishioners enduring significant damage. Thankfully no one reported bodily injury.

Honey Creek

Our retreat center sustained damage to the Griffeth dorm when a downed power line caused a small fire on the roof. The pool screen lost 8 panels, fence rails and posts were demolished, freezer items were lost, and the dock is visibly twisted and sunk lower into the creek.

Executive Director of Honey Creek Dade Brantley reached out to local groups and congregations for assistance in clearing out debris around campus, and 38 volunteers showed up Monday morning ready to work.

Despite the damage, Honey Creek remains fully operational and is ready to host a Cursillo Retreat this weekend.

A Shelter in Savannah

During the storm, St. Michael and All Angel's in Savannah operated as a shelter for those who were in need. Volunteers from the Savannah parishes stayed with the neighbors and made sure that needs were met. Lunch was provided by volunteers, and dinner was cooked and donated by a local restaurant.

Pictured: Tree down in front of Christ Church in Valdosta (top); parishioner at St. Barnabas in Valdosta clearing tree debris (middle left); Brantley with some of the volunteers at Honey Creek on Monday (middle right); the fire Griffeth dorm in the news (single photo); the Rev. David Lemburg with a volunteer at St. Michael's (bottom).

Full-time Priests Salary Survey

A survey of the compensation for priests serving in full-time positions in a single parish is posted here and on the diocesan website to assist vestries as we enter the time of year to plan congregational budgets. When we began publishing surveys in 2011, better compensation in other dioceses led to frequently losing priests after their first call. Providing this information has been part of assuring appropriate compensation to assist in clergy retention. Rising costs have been driven by inflation and benefits costs. 2011 salaries would have needed to rise by 35% in order to have the same buying power in 2023, making a $50,000 salary in 2011 comparable to $67,650 today.

The twenty-six rectors and priests in charge of a congregation and the six associates on the two charts are only a portion of those serving our 67 congregations. These priests work full time in a single parish. The number of priests in the survey has gone down slightly over time as many of our congregations are served by part-time priests, who are often bi-vocational or retired. 

Comparing to Churchwide Data

The churchwide data offered from the Church Pension Group (CPG) lumps full and part time together to create median incomes for their survey. This data makes it look as if our priests are paid less than other dioceses, with women clergy lagging even further. This is misleading as we have more men working part-time in retirement, who do not appear in the data, with two women working part-time prior to retirement bringing down the median incomes listed by CPG. For comparison purposes to previous years, the archived surveys from 2011-2022 each remain online in the Reference Library at the diocesan website.

A Note on Priest's Compensation

The salary listed will appear 15% higher than pay for most other individuals as priests must pay that amount for SECA (the self-employment version of FICA or Social Security) out of the listed compensation in addition to state and federal taxes. The compensation data in the chart reflects the combined total of salary, housing, and an offset for half of SECA. For clergy in a rectory or vicarage, the value of that provided housing (per a calculation set by CPG) is included in the compensation figure and can lead to a figure that seems out of line with other priests in similar calls. 

Comparing to Educator Compensation

To assist in setting salaries, the diocesan staff works with vestries in a new call to consider salaries in neighboring dioceses around the Diocese of Georgia. We also consider other salaries in the town by comparing to salaries in the school system (available at www.open.georgia.gov). Depending on the complexity of the congregation, the salaries of teachers, assistant principals, and principals with a master’s degree is instructive as these are local salaries with similar benefits.

A Note on Benefits

The biggest factor in determining a congregation's ability to pay a full-time priest is the cost of health insurance and other benefits. The clergy salary survey does not reflect the great range from a priest whose insurance is covered fully by the spouse's employer to those receiving full family coverage through the congregation. The Diocese moved to a standard of a high deductible insurance plan with a Health Savings Account to contain costs as much as possible.

Here are the charts showing this year's survey:

2023 Full-time Rector or Priest in Charge Salary Survey

2023 Full-time Associate Rector Salary Survey

Youth Presence at General Convention

Applications are now open for the General Convention Official Youth Presence 2024!

Episcopal teens ages 16-19 are invited to apply to become part of the 81st General Convention's Official Youth Presence, a group whose members have seat and voice in the House of Deputies and can testify at hearings before and during the summer 2024 convention. Up to two youth from each of the church’s nine provinces will be selected to participate in the Official Youth Presence from June 20-28, 2024, in Louisville, Kentucky. Youth who are selected must also attend orientation and training in Louisville from Feb. 16-19. The Episcopal Church budget covers travel, lodging, and meals for those attending orientation and General Convention.

The deadline to apply is November 17. For more information or questions, contact Liz Williams at lwilliams@gaepiscopal.org. To read the full article from The Episcopal Church, including how to apply, click here.

Dominican Republic exploratory trip

For 20 years, parishioners from Georgia have traveled to the Dominican Republic, joining brothers and sisters there to build churches and schools, to conduct vacation Bible school, to provide medical care, to improve vision, to build water purification systems, to provide veterinary care and to finance scholarships. These inspiring projects have been conducted as part of the Episcopal Church’s Companion Diocese program, an initiative that has linked Episcopal churches in Georgia with the Episcopal Church in the Dominican Republic. Photo: The Gift of Sight team from St. Peter's in Savannah was back in their eye clinic in the DR earlier this year.

In that period, missions from Georgia Episcopal churches have involved several thousand missionaries, all with great enthusiasm and energy, rich experiences and unforgettable and inspiring memories. Now it’s your turn.

As we recover from the pandemic, the Companion Diocese program is also moving forward. One valuable first step is to participate in an Exploratory Trip hosted by the Dominican Republic’s Episcopal Bishop Moises Quezada. This year’s trip, from November 13 to 18, is for those interested in coordinating a mission to the Dominican Republic or those who think they might be interested in a mission trip. You – the explorers – will cross the country and will introduce you to the range of opportunities. You’ll visit past mission projects and you will also see new possibilities. Photo: This church building in Azua was completed with the sustained support of St. Anne's in Tifton.

Details of the trip are being arranged by the Dominican Development Group, an organization of the seven diocese with a Companion Diocese relationship with the Episcopal Church in the Dominican Republic. If you’re interested, contact Christy Wallace, (cwallace@dominicandevelopmentgroup.org) or Jim and Haydee Toedtman (jstoedtman@gmail.com), our diocese representatives to the DDG and leaders of the Gift of Sight mission team from St. Peter’s in Savannah.

Let us know where you have mission trips

For those already planning mission trips in the next 18 months, please let us know what you’re planning and how we can help. We are anxious to rebuild our calendar of mission activity for the Georgia Diocese and for Christy Wallace who is also our representative to the Global Episcopal Mission Network. There is much to celebrate as we look back over the relationship with the Dominican Republic. But, with God’s help, there is also much to do.

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.

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.

Across the Diocese

New chairs were delivered to the parish hall at Calvary in Americus.

The EpiscoPals at St. George's in Savannah gathered for their monthly meal together after their Sunday service.

The Very Rev. Bill Alford with baby Emma and her proud parents after Emma's baptism at Christ Church in Dublin.

Christ Church in Savannah had a Choir for a Day Sunday this past week when the organist-choirmaster George Fergus invited parishioners of all ages and levels of singing experience to arrive early to learn the anthem, psalm, and hymns. No robes or procession, but a chance to try being in the choir.

Bishop Logue with those confirmed and received at St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Richmond Hill.

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



1Book1Diocese

For Advent, we will read and discuss Everything Happens for a Reason (and other lies I have loved) by Kate Bowler

Discussion Guide for Advent

In Lent 2024, we will read and discuss The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz.



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 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. 

September 17 - 23

In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregations in Savannah, especially St. Paul the Apostle and St. Bartholomew’s Chapel. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Savannah, especially the Catholic congregations of St. Frances Cabrini and Saints Peter and Paul as well as St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for Christ the Savior (Cristo Salvador) in Santiago. 

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 Holy Nativity on St. Simons Island on Sunday. He will spend the afternoon at Honey Creek for the Cursillo Closing.



Photo: Baby Mae, daughter of Canon Easterlin, sits in Bishop Logue's office ready to talk about church governance as she holds the rubber duck bishop with a blue mitre that the bishop brought back from the Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops.

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

Canon Lasch will be attending the Province IV Canons/Transitions Ministers' Meeting in Mobile, Alabama, Sunday-Wednesday.

Canon Easterlin is on vacation until September 13.

Executive Assistant to the Bishop Maggie Lyons and Executive Director of Honey Creek Dade Brantley will be on vacation Monday and Tuesday.

Canon Varner is on sabbatical.

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.

Ezra was very excited to throw the downed pine straw into a larger pile while doing his part to clean up Honey Creek after Hurricane Idalia.