October 23, 2024 | Volume 14, No. 43

Prepare for Diocesan Convention

Note the change in schedule

The schedule for this year's convention is quite different from recent years as we begin on Friday morning at 10 am with the Holy Eucharist and end at noon on Saturday. The schedule allows the same amount of time in session while permitting some on the western side of the Diocese to commute and others to limit their overnight stay to Friday night. We plan for the convention to meet in Statesboro in 2025 so we will share that same ability to spend only one night away from home with those on the eastern side of the Diocese.

Your voice needed in strategic planning

You still have the opportunity to share in further shaping the strategic plan for the Diocese of Georgia through our Vision Survey. We are seeking feedback from all, even if you have already participated in a listening session.

The goal of this survey is both to dig deeper into the feedback provided so far and to allow those who were not able to participate in a listening session to contribute. The survey is, of course, voluntary and you also may choose to skip any item you do not wish to answer. Your feedback is important and will remain anonymous unless you share contact information for possible follow-up. The survey will likely take 15-30 minutes to complete.

Click here to complete the online survey

We need all feedback by October 31.

Draft 2025 budgets go to Convention

The Diocesan Council met last evening on Zoom instead of the in-person meeting scheduled for Vidalia the day after Hurricane Helene swept across Georgia. Council members received the budgets for the Diocese and Honey Creek from the Finance Committee. After discussion, the Council unanimously approved both budgets, which shall be presented to the convention for consideration:

Proposed 2025 Diocese of Georgia Budget

Proposed 2025 Honey Creek Budget

New respite program at St. John's in Savannah

St. John's Church is excited to announce the development of a respite care program for people experiencing memory loss. 

Located downtown in Cranmer Hall (pictured here), Hope Haven will offer a safe and supportive environment where participants can engage in activities that stimulate cognitive and emotional well-being, such as music therapy, art, and gentle exercise. By creating a compassionate space, our participants can enjoy purposeful engagement while their caregivers have time to rest or tend to other responsibilities. 

"We are called, in the words of St. Teresa of Ávila, to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world and the eyes with which Christ looks compassion on the world" Bishop Logue said. "We know the needs of caregivers in our community and that through Hope Haven we can provide a vital resource for those who long to have this caring space for their loved ones while they get a respite. I look forward to seeing the lives improved by this new ministry.”

Monthly caregiver support groups have already begun, and we invite you to join the next one at 11:00 on November 5th. 

We also encourage engagement through volunteering! We will be working with healthcare professionals in the industry to provide a well rounded training course for all who are interested. 

For more information please visit our website: savannahrespite.com or call Cathy Baxter: (912) 231-7310.

St. John's Church's fellowship building, Cranmer Hall, is located at 27 West Charlton Street.

Annual Enrollment now available for clergy and lay employees

Annual enrollment for clergy and lay employees of the diocese is open from October 16-November 15. For more information, click the button below.

Youth Presence at Diocesan Convention

Youth arrive in Tifton at St. Anne’s on Friday morning, attend Convention at the UGA Center, spend the night at St. Anne’s, and return to the UGA Center for Saturday morning. They will be picked up from the Convention center no later than noon on Saturday. 

Our Youth will be active participants in Convention. They will take part in small group discussions, assist with convention logistics as needed, and have a chance to observe as the business of the Diocese takes place. They will also have the opportunity to lead Saturday morning worship as a group. Any youth who have been selected as delegates from their congregation are also welcome to participate. 

The registration link for the Youth Presence is here. Contact Canon Joshua Varner at jvarner@gaepiscopal.org with your questions! We’re looking forward to welcoming our young people back to Diocesan Convention!

To donate items or have questions about the auction, contact Beth Baker at bethbaker@bellsouth.net.

Register for Happening #110

Happening #110, a weekend retreat for high school youth, will be held at Honey Creek November 22-24, 2024.

Across the Diocese

The Rev. Jim Strickland at St. Luke's in Hawkinsville with Wyatt Strickland and Sonya Popkin, who just received their LEM licenses and crosses.

The Rev. Glenn Palmer at Holy Comforter in Martinez blesses a furry friend during the pet blessing.

Members of Calvary Episcopal Church, the Georgia Historic Trust, the Sumter Historic Trust, local leaders and representatives from the Georgia Department of Transportation paused traffic on Lee Street in Americus to celebrate the collaboration that led to the completion of the new bridge. Mayor Lee Kinnamon, a parishioner and local historian spoke of the history of the bridge and shared that the bridge has been a source of controversy among the community since the bridge's origins at the end of the 19^th century. 

Members of St. Paul's in Albany gathered with other community members to participate in the NAMI Walk to help raise awareness of mental health needs and resources.

Youth at Church of the Good Shepherd revealed their summer pilgrimage destination to the congregation on Sunday with a bake sale representing Greece.

Job Openings

The Episcopal Church of St. John and St. Mark in Albany is seeking to hire a song leader for the weekly 11:00 a.m. service. The song leader would initially work with the current music team, gradually assuming additional roles. Must be able to read music, and a proficiency with a keyboard or guitar is a plus. For more information, contact Rose Dunnum at rdunnum@yahoo.com.

St. Patrick's in Pooler is seeking a a pianist to play hymns and service music for Sunday morning services and Holy Days. For more information contact Senior Warden Karla Davis at (301)667-8744.

Upcoming Events

Diocesan Convention

Where: UGA Tifton Conference Center

When: November 8-9, 2024

Happening #110

Where: Honey Creek

When: November 22-24, 2024

Participant Registration here

Conflict Transformation Training

Where: Honey Creek

When: January 27-31, 2025

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 2024 one-year prayer cycle is online here: 2024 Prayer Cycle.   

October 27 - November 2 In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Tifton, St. Anne’s. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Tifton, especially Our Divine Saviour Catholic Church and for Holy Family Catholic Church in Willacoochee. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in Santo Domingo, especially Holy Family (Sagrada Familia).

November 3 - 9 In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation on Tybee Island, All Saints. We also pray for our ecumenical partners on the island, especially St. Michael’s Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in Santo Domingo, especially

St. Andrew (San Andrés).

31-Day Prayer Cycles - Revised August 1, 2024

We also offer 31-day prayer cycles for those who wish to pray daily for the clergy and clergy spouses: Diocesan Prayer Cycle and Clergy Spouses Prayer Cycle.

Today Bishop Logue will make his visitation to Grace in Sandersville. On Sunday he will make his visitation to Holy Nativity on St. Simons Island.



Picture: Bishop Logue with the acolytes serving during his visitation to St. Matthew's in Savannah.



To view Bishop Logue's full visitation calendar, click here. Updated 10/9/2024

Communications Manager Liz Williams will be out of the office on Friday.

Executive Assistant to the Bishop Maggie Lyons will be out of the office on Monday.

Canon Varner will be at King of Peace in Kingsland on Sunday for their Consecration Sunday.

Staff e-mails can be found here.

You may also reach diocesan staff by phone at (912) 236-4279.

Youth at St. Thomas in Thomasville enjoyed carving pumpkins together.