December 12, 2023 | Volume 13, No. 50 | |
St. Matthew's to host Diocesan group for 2024 Savannah Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade | |
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The Episcopal Diocese of Georgia and St. Matthew's Episcopal Church and Day Care invite you to join us for the annual Savannah Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade on Monday, January 15, 2024 at 10:00 AM. The parade route begins at East Broad Street and Liberty Street and ends in front of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, 1401 M. L. King Jr. Blvd, Savannah, GA 31415. We will have a walking group and a trolley-riding group. Marchers and riders may park cars at St. Matthew's beginning at 8:45 AM (enter the parking lot behind the church from Burroughs Street and W Anderson Street) and get dropped off at the parade starting point. The last shuttle will leave at 9:45. After the parade, St. Matthew's will host a brief worship service and a lunch reception.
For other congregations taking part in MLK Day observances in your town, please let us know so that we can share this news with the Diocese. Contact Communications Manager Liz Williams (lwilliams@gaepiscopal.org).
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An update on the flooding in our
companion diocese
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Severe storms have hit central parts of the Dominican Republic in the past two weeks and seriously affected our companions there. The rains have ended, but as Bishop Moises Quezada and churches identify damage and recovery needs, appreciate the magnitude of the storm and its aftermath -- 27 people died and 37,000 people were displaced in the capital city and areas up the central part of the country. There are signs of recovery, but the water supply in the affected areas remains
compromised. Photo of rescue efforts the the DR from Catholic News Service.
We ask your prayers for our companions in the Dominican Republic. The most immediate needs are food, linens and mosquito netting to limit the spread of dengue fever.
Churches and individuals wishing to contribute can make checks payable to "The Dominican Development Group," the Episcopal-sponsored organization that facilitates mission work in the Dominican Republic. Mail checks to PO Box 272261, Tampa, FL 33688. In the memo line of the check please put "DR Disaster Relief".
Any questions, contact Jim and Toedtman (jstoedtman@gmail.com) or
Christy Wallace, executive director of the DDG (cwallace@dominicandevelopmentgroup.org)
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Young Adult Service Corps applications open | |
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From the Episcopal Church Office
Offering a new extended age limit, the Young Adult Service Corps (YASC) invites Episcopalians ages 21 to 35 to consider a year of international mission engagement as their “next faithful step.”
Applications for 2024-2025 placements are being accepted. The deadline to apply online is Feb. 16.
For more than two decades, YASC participants have served in areas of administration/communication, agriculture, community development, education, health care, parish ministry/chaplaincy, social services, youth work, and more, while participating in the daily life and ministry of churches, cathedrals, and dioceses around the Anglican Communion.
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Alumni repeatedly share about the deep, life-changing impact of their year of growth and service.
“YASCers cross boundaries, engage with diverse viewpoints, listen deeply, and have the chance to live like Jesus in new ways and places,” said Elizabeth Boe, Episcopal Church mission personnel officer, and former YASC volunteer in Tanzania from 2008-2010. “As Christians, we are a people of story. Some of the best parts of our faith journeys are the surprises and connections we discover along the way. For those in their 20s and early 30s exploring who they are, where they fit in the church and the world, and what difference they can make, YASC might well be the next faithful step in the story of their lives.”
Applicants invited to continue the process have the chance to attend a discernment retreat as a next step toward determining if they want to participate in YASC. The retreat is an opportunity to continue conversations and discernment with others asking similar questions. Those interested in particular fields of service can potentially be matched to those areas.
Since the start of the corps, volunteers have served in more than 40 countries. Potential placement locations for 2024-2025 include, but are not limited to, the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, England, Ghana, Jerusalem, Kenya, Mexico, Oman, Panama, the Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania.
Learn more about YASC and view videos from participants.
Questions? Contact Elizabeth Boe.
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Health Insurance cards to be mailed soon | |
A reminder that if you participated in open enrollment for health insurance, your new cards will be arriving soon. If you elected for the new dental plan with Delta Dental, that will be a different card than your health insurance card. | |
Ordination of the Rev. Kimberly Dunn to the Sacred Order of Priests on Saturday | |
On Saturday, Bishop Logue will ordain the Rev. Kimberly Dunn to the Sacred Order of Priests at Saint Paul's in Augusta. | |
St. Thomas Isle of Hope in Savannah is hosting a street party in celebration of their centennial! Join parishioners as they enjoy a night of live music, good food, and friends. Hot Spot Pizza Kitchen will have their food truck going, and you can also enjoy a Johnny Harris pop-up! | |
An update on our Presiding Bishop | |
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On December 3, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry was admitted to the hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina, after experiencing a fall in Syracuse, New York, that resulted in a subdural hematoma.
An update on Saturday, December 9:
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has been released from the hospital and will continue recovering at home. His surgeon is happy with his continued progress, and Bishop Curry will be attending follow-up appointments and working from home in the days ahead.
Please continue to pray for Bishop Curry, his family, and his medical team.
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Leading With Grace 2024 registration now open! | |
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The Diocese of Georgia’s Leading with Grace Workshop Series aims to train lay and ordained people to lead graciously in a variety of areas, including congregational development and vitality, group facilitation, prayer practices, forming relations across difference, and transforming conflict. Although the themes for each workshop are related, participants may attend any or all of the standalone, one-day workshops. After each workshop, LWG trainers are available to consult with participants about how to apply what they’ve learned in their home parishes. Registration will cost $35/person per workshop or $100 for all four.
The following link includes descriptions of each workshop: Workshop Descriptions.
To register, click here.
For more information about Leadership Ministries, click here.
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New Year Yoga Retreat at Honey Creek | |
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Honor the new year by releasing the past, tuning into the present, and yielding to an unfolding future. This winter weekend retreat intends to reignite, rejuvenate, and reset the mind, body, and spirit. Professor Emerita of Georgia Southwestern State University, Gabriele Stauf, will use her own poetic voice to lead participants to find their own, while Karen Kinnamon of Just Peace Yoga and Wellness will provide yoga sessions to nurture body, mind, and spirit. Using the inspiration of place and space and the wisdom of yoga, participants will have time for deep inner looking and listening. For more information and details, visit this link: Register here.
Participants can register to secure their spot and can pay retreat fees in January at the time of the retreat. If you have any questions, please email justpeaceyoga.americus@gmail.com.
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This year's Advent choice for 1Book1Diocese, Everything Happens for a Reason by Kate Bowler, traces her journey from her need for certainty in her life, to learning that life is just as beautiful without it.
The Rev. Melanie Lemburg from St. Thomas Isle of Hope in Savannah is working through the book with a group at her congregation and reported after the group's first meeting that it has been very well received. She added that "the questions provoked a gentle thoughtfulness which I really appreciated. We were surprised by a group of [people] who are loosely connected (not all parishioners) who showed up; they are all dealing with some heavy stuff and engaged the conversation whole-heartedly."
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.
Week Three Read chapters 6-7
How did your family observe Advent and Christmas when you were growing up?
Kate confesses that she tried to hide the ugliness of chemotherapy in posting pretty self-portraits on Facebook. To what degree should we share even the harsh reality of our lives with friends and family? Is there harm in curating our self-presentation on Social Media?
Why might Kate cling to the idea that she can save herself? In response to her op-ed for the New York Times, Kate received hundreds of letters from readers expressing fears and grief. Why do you think these readers were compelled to write a stranger? What do these readers seek? What would you have written?
Kate writes, “According to some, compassion can be doled out only by the teaspoon.” How can you dole out more compassion to yourself? To your loved ones? And in what amounts? What makes it hard to be generous with compassion?
The discussion guide for small groups is now online here:
Everything Happens for a Reason Discussion Guide
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Youth acolytes at the ready at St. Paul's in Albany. | |
For the tenth year, Episcopal Church of St. John and St. Mark welcomed neighborhood children and their parents to the St. Nick Party. While the parents enjoy refreshments in the parish hall, the children "shop" for gifts for their parents or caregivers. Then, all presents are gift-wrapped in the sanctuary. Presents, wrapping and refreshments are given freely as an outreach ministry of this parish. | |
Parishioners from St. Michael's in Waynesboro enjoyed a night of caroling followed by a pizza party. | |
At left, Saint Nicholas visits St. Luke's in Rincon. At right, actual Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Paul Lambert, played the saint for those at the Children’s School at St. John’s in Savannah. | |
Parishioners at St. Patrick's in Pooler wrap the gifts for their Christmas family. | |
Don Callahan has their real estate office next to St. Michael and All Angels in Savannah and has been a great partner in supporting the I AM Food Pantry, which continues after the parish voted to close. The Rev. David Lemburg, who oversees this ministry for the Diocese, reports that the real estate office's food drive brought in 5,280 pounds of groceries this week to feed hungry neighbors. | |
George Banks at Good Shepherd in Thomasville gives members of RacialJusticeGA a tour of the old schoolhouse that used to operate on the upper floor of the church. | |
Youth at St. Andrew's in Darien participated in Youth Sunday, taking over the roles traditionally held by adults. | |
Youth at King of Peace in Kingsland brought the joy of Advent in song to residents at Magnolia Manor. | |
Kids from the 24 Choir at St. Peter's in Savannah are pictured with their choirmaster, Kathleen Turner, before singing at First Baptist in Savannah as a part of a Christmas on Chippewa Square event. | |
Bishop Logue with Bill Kitterman with a box of shortbread perfected by the bakers at St. Mary Magdalene and St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Louisville. The parishes sell the boxes of shortbread to raise money for the Louisville Food Pantry. | |
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.
The 2024 one year prayer cycle is online here: 2024 Prayer Cycle.
December 17 - 23
In our diocesan prayer cycle, we pray for Honey Creek, for our ministry with homeless persons in Savannah, the Community of St. Joseph, and for our Racial Justice and Healing Ministry. We also pray for our ecumenical partners, especially the Catholic congregations of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Sandhill, San José in Twin Lakes, Holy Redeemer in McRae, and Holy Cross in Pembroke. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for Diocese of the Dominican Republic Parochial Schools.
31-Day Prayer Cycles - Revised October 1, 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.
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Diocesan Office Update and News | |
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Bishop Logue will ordain the Rev. Kimberly Dunn to the Sacred Order of Priests at Saint Paul's in Augusta on Saturday. He will make his visitation to St. Thomas Isle of Hope in Savannah on Sunday.
To view Bishop Logue's full visitation calendar, click here. (Updated for 2024 - 6/20/2023)
Photo: Bishop Logue is pictured here with the congregation of Holy Cross in Thompson.
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Canon Varner is currently in South Carolina serving on the Council of Advice for the Episcopal Church's Office of Youth Ministry.
Communications Manager Liz Williams will be at the ordination of the Rev. Kimberly Dunn on Saturday.
Canon Easterlin will be on vacation December 18-19.
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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Can't quuuuuiiiiite reach | |
The lighter of the Advent wreath at St. Augustine of Canterbury in Augusta got a little help from the Rev. Thomas Baron. | | | | |
