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September 7, 2016
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Volume 8, Number 1
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This Sunday's Lections
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
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Track 1
Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28
Psalm 14
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Luke 15:1-10
or
Track 2
Exodus 32:7-14
Psalm 51:1-11
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Luke 15:1-10
Go
here for the full text.
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Celebrating Latino/Hispanic Ministries
St. Paul's Savannah team of The Rev. Charles Todd, the Rev. Deacon Sue Gahagan, and Francis Stevens.
The Diocese of Georgia was well represented at the Episcopal Church's annual conference for Latino/Hispanic Ministries held at Kanuga--a conference whose attendees come from North and South America. Representing the diocese were St. Paul's, Savannah, which has had an active ministry for the Hispanic community for ten years and St. Paul's, Jesup, which
is in the exploration and prayer phase of seeking God's direction on starting a ministry.
"Panels and breakout groups offered a wide spectrum of wisdom from creative church planting to immigration laws to LGBTQ challenges and needs and everything in between," said the Rev. Dee Shaffer, adding that "also offered is the love of Christ and the sense of us being the One Body of Christ globally."
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Marcia McRae, formerly of the Diocese of Georgia, (left) now serving at St. Francis in the Diocese of Eastern North Carolina, was there! (Shown with Dee Shaffer.)
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Shaffer with The Rev. Canon Anthony Guillen, Head of Latino/Hispanic Ministries for the Episcopal Church.
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Clergy Conference: September 25-27
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The gathering of clergy at this year's conference will be quite different from this one held during Bishop Stuart's tenure.
The Rt. Rev. Anne Hodges-Copple, Bishop Diocesan Pro Tempore of North Carolina, will be our conference presenter for the Fall Clergy Conference to be held at Honey Creek from Sunday, September 25 to Tuesday, September 27. In addition to working in parish ministry, she was the Episcopal chaplain to Duke University for more than a decade. She will share with the clergy of the Diocese on how to engage in effective young adult ministry. For more information and to register, go
here.
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While the Canon's Away
Frank is on vacation at present. He offers in place of The Loose Canon a video on evangelism by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, to vestries and any adult group meeting in our churches (such as a Cursillo Reunion Group.) As Welby unapologetically states it, "The best decision anyone can ever make, at any point in life, in any circumstances, whoever they are, wherever they are, whatever they are, is to become a disciple of Jesus Christ. There is no better decision for a human being in this life, any human being."
His full talk is worthy of a listen and reflecting with others. If you prefer to read it, the full text is also offered at the same link:
http://bit.ly/TheBestDecision
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| The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby |
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Parish Tithes and Parish Reports
Due September 15th
Thank you to all who have sent their parish tithes and reports to the diocesan offices. Both are due September 15th.
Since the canonical change approved by diocesan convention in 2011 each congregation tithes to the diocesan mission and ministry with the amount equal to 10% of the average of the previous three years of normal operating income. That plan reduced the amount assessed for three-quarter of the congregations as the previous system had percentages of 10, 12.5, 15, and 17.5 percent depending on the revenue of the congregation. If you are a Rector, Vicar, or Senior Warden and you have not received a tithe letter for 2017, please contact Gayle Dawson at (912) 236-4279 to have one e-mailed to you.
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Happening: September 16-18
Happening #97 will be held at Honey Creek September 16-18 and is open to those in grades 10 - 12.
During a Happening weekend, participants worship, play, sing, and talk about God's place in their lives. They make new friends who share similar concerns and questions, which can be a reassuring discovery. A teenager who acts as "rector" leads the weekend with the help of a staff consisting mostly of young people. This year's rector is Ashley Walker. Together, the staff and participants share in an exploration of the impact of Christian faith in their daily lives. Happeners who attend a weekend for their first time are called "Candidates." To be a Candidate, one must:
- Have completed the 9th grade and have not begun college.
- Fill out the application.
The cost to attend is $101 and financial assistance is available. To register or for more information, please
go
here.
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| Recognize anyone from Happening No. 95? |
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An Invitation to CreekFEST
CreekFEST will bring us together at the Diocese's "Parish Hall" for food, fun, and fellowship, giving us all an opportunity to make new friends, strengthen bonds with old friends, and enjoy Honey Creek. "Think of CreekFEST as a diocesan version of a parish festival," said Bishop Benhase. "If you haven't experienced what Honey Creek has to offer, this will give you the chance to experience our camp and retreat center."
CreekFEST will offer a variety of fun-filled 'Olympic style' events created for all ages and abilities. To participate in these events, parishioners, friends, and/or family members are encouraged to create teams to compete with other teams. Spread the word in your congregations! Volunteers (who receive a discounted rate) are also needed to help with various tasks.
A highlight of CreekFEST will be a silent/live auction and the planning committee is accepting donations. Any item that you wish to donate may also include information about your congregation, which will give it a personal touch.
Throughout CreekFEST we will have opportunities to pray and worship and give thanks to God for our life together and for the blessing that is Honey Creek.
Please feel free to contact Honey Creek or one of our Honey Creek Commissioners if you have any questions. Go here for more information. We hope you and your congregation will join in on the fun.
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Diocesan Office Update
Bishop Benhase will make his visitation to Holy Comforter, Martinez, this Sunday. He will attend the Fall House of Bishops Meeting in Detroit, Michigan, September 15 through 20.
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Bishop Benhase at his visitation to St. Michael's and All Angels this past Sunday with, from left, Deacon Susan Hill, Acolyte Jack Kelly, Jimmy Richey (who was baptized and confirmed) Bishop Benhase, Kyrsha Allen, confirmand; the Rev. Kevin Kelly and Renee Hood.
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Canon Logue is on vacation in Ireland through September 9th.
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Prayers for Weekly Liturgies
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 52 weekly prayers are available in one document
found here.
Prayers for September 4-10
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregations in Savannah, St. George's, and St. Michael and All Angels. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Savannah, especially the Catholic congregations of Blessed Sacrament, Resurrection of our Lord, Sacred Heart, and St. James. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in San Francisco de Macorís, especially St. Stephen (San Esteban), and St. Matthew (San Mateo).
Prayers for September 11-17
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 Sanchez especially Christ the King
(Cristo Rey), and St. Simon the Apostol
(San Simón Apóstol).
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Sincerely,
Diocesan Staff
Episcopal Diocese of Georgia
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