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October 31, 2019
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Volume 10, No. 10
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The candidates for the XI Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia, from left: the Rev. Lonnie Lacy; the Rev. Canon John Thompson-Quartey, the Rev. Canon Frank Logue; the Venerable Jennifer McKenzie, Archdeacon, and the Rev. Rob Brown.
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Post Walkabout Reflection and Photos
 Thank you to all those who joined us on the Walkabout! Over the course of last week our five bishop candidates, the Rev. Rob Brown, the Rev. Lonnie Lacy, the Rev. Canon Frank Logue, Archdeacon Jennifer McKenzie, and the Rev. Canon John Thompson-Quartey were able to meet approximately 700 members of the Diocese of Georgia, with many more tuning into the live streaming of two of the stops,
St. Thomas' Isle of Hope and
Christ Church Frederica, St. Simons Island. Those events are now available as videos on the diocesan Facebook and YouTube pages. If you didn't have a chance to attend a walkabout stop in person, or if you want to review the candidates again, we hope you'll watch one of the videos.
The Transition Committee and the Walkabout Committee wish to thank the leaders and people at each of the
 parishes that hosted a stop during the walkabout, and those who greeted our candidates as they made their way around our diocese. So many people invested their time and energy into preparations, and we are very grateful for the hospitality and generosity on display at every turn.
If you are wondering what comes next, it's not the electing convention; not yet anyway. While that is the next public event in about two weeks, this time that remains before the first ballot is cast is immensely important. Our prayerful discernment continues, and it is essential for the success of the process. We no longer cast lots, as the disciples did when they chose a twelfth apostle to replace Judas. Instead, we trust the indwelling of the Spirit among the gathered body, knowing that when we listen, the Spirit guides us.
 The election of a bishop is not based on resumes, nor is it ultimately determined by sound bites from a walkabout; we don't choose a candidate based on electability either. It's more than such quantifiable human measures. God equips the called, which is why we don't seek the perfect candidate; no such candidate will ever exist. Instead we listen to hear how the gifts of those called align with the opportunities and needs of this community at this point in time. God will lead us to the person God is calling to shepherd the Diocese of Georgia through its next chapter.
The Spirit led the Search Committee to produce such a fine and gifted group of candidates, who were themselves led by the Spirit into this process. The Spirit is still leading us. In the days that remain before we gather in Statesboro, we give thanks for God's faithfulness as this search process has unfolded. Please continue to pray for our candidates, our diocese, and those who will vote at our diocesan convention. As the hymn says, God is working God's purpose out - thanks be to God!
The Rev. Tom Purdy
For the Transition Committee
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This Sunday's Lections
TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY
after
PENTECOST
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Track 1
Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
Psalm 119:137-144
2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12
Luke 19:1-10
Track 2
Isaiah 1:10-18
Psalm 32:1-8
2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12
Luke 19:1-10
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The 198th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia will be held at the Nessmith-Lane Building on the campus of Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, from 2 PM Thursday, November 14 through 11 AM Saturday, November 16th. This convention will serve as
an electing convention for the 11th Bishop of Georgia, while also conducting the usual business of the annual meeting including approving budgets and electing persons to diocesan offices.
AGENDA RELEASED!
Click
here to see the agenda for the 198th Convention!
NEW: Visitor's Gallery
To access beverages, snacks and meals, please register here:
http://bit.ly/Registerfor198thConvention
Workshops
Presenters: Creation Care Commission, Georgia Interfaith Power & Light (GIPL), Botanic Garden at Georgia Southern University
Location: Botanic Garden at Georgia Southern University, 1503 Bland Avenue, Statesboro. The workshop will begin at 2 PM at the Heritage Pavilion and will be mostly outdoors. Arrive early to explore the gardens; admission is free!
One of the best ways to heal and restore God's creation is to plant trees. This hands-on workshop will explore how trees heal creation and teach successful tree planting and tending techniques. Experts from the Botanic Garden will demonstrate tree planting, and participants will go home with a tree to plant on church grounds or in their community. The workshop will conclude with a brief prayer service and refreshments. Sign up for
Planting Trees to Heal Creation
here.
Godly Play is one of several Montessori-based ways to approach Christian formation. Godly Play assumes as its starting point that children have their own spirituality, defined as "an initially natural capacity for the awareness of the sacred quality to life experiences" (Rebecca Nye, Children's Spirituality: What it is and Why it Matters. Church House Publishing, 2009, p. 6). The task of adults and children together, then is not to implant spirituality, but to enable that spirituality to grow and develop, in both children and adults, by learning to experience and use "classical, Christian language" (Berryman, Jerome, The Spiritual Guidance of Children. Morehouse Publishing, 2013, p. 1). Godly Play approaches this challenge through the medium of story, play, and wonder. Godly Play stories come from the Bible, from Christian history, and from our liturgical tradition.
In this workshop, participants will hear and reflect upon a Godly Play story together and as individuals. They will then have the opportunity to discuss both the theological underpinnings of Godly Play and some practical aspects of working with Godly Play in individual contexts. Come to hear a story, to listen for the Spirit, and to find out more about this particular approach to Christian Formation.
Canon Varner has been working with Godly Play since 2006, and has attended both Core and Advanced Trainings offered by the Godly Play foundation. He has experience with Godly Play in both large and small congregations, and has had success using Godly Play stories and methodology outside of congregational settings.
Sign up for Godly Play in the Congregation by going
here.
Opportunity to learn about the structure of the Board of the Corporation and current investments through Private Bank (formally USTrust). The session will include highlights on administrative components, sub fund accounting,and the Private Bank's investment practices.
Led by : Canon Katie Easterlin and Private Bank Representatives
Church Communications 101
Don't let the size of your congregation prevent you from getting the message out about your church!
Often it is a matter of figuring out your audience and the best way(s) to reach them. We'll briefly cover the basics of church communication, including social media, bulletins, websites, and media outreach and help determine which tools belong in your church's toolbox. It is hoped that participants will leave inspired and enthusiastic about this important ministry!
Led by: Director of Communications Anna Iredale
Stand for Election
In addition to electing the 11th Bishop of Georgia, the 198th Convention of the Diocese of Georgia is charged with electing persons to serve on the Board of the Corporation, Diocesan Council (at large), Disciplinary Board, Sewanee Trustee, Standing Committee, and delegates and alternates to the 2021 General Convention of the Episcopal Church.
While nominations for all offices remain open, by the canons of the Diocese, until the floor of convention,
the deadline to be included in the official printed book was Tuesday, October 8.
Bios and photos will be still available on the website after that date, but not in the book.
Liz Williams of All Saints Thomasville is the Nominations Chair and will oversee the nominations for the offices up for election other than diocesan bishop.
Nominations so far include:
For Board of the Corporation
Edward Field, St. Peter's, Savannah
Mary Willoughby, Collegiate Church of St. Paul the Apostle, Savannah
For the Disciplinary Board
Neal W. Dickert, Good Shepherd, Augusta
The Rev. Dr. Donald Hands, St. Peter's, Savannah
The Rev. Becky Rowell, Christ Church, St. Simons
For Diocesan Council at Large, Lay Person, Priest or Deacon
The Rev. Ashton Williston, Christ Church, St. Simons Island
For Sewanee Trustee, Lay Person
Ned Murray, Good Shepherd, Augusta
Isabella Stuart Reeves, Christ Church, Savannah
For General Convention Deputy, Lay Person
Cissy Bowden, Good Shepherd, Augusta
Dade Brantley, St. Mark's, Brunswick
Katie Easterlin, Collegiate Church of St. Paul the Apostle, Savannah
Jody Grant, Our Savior, Martinez
Molly Stevenson, Christ Church, Valdosta
Elizabeth Williams, St. Thomas', Thomasville
For General Convention Deputy, Deacon or Priest
The Rev. Ted Clarkson,
St. Andrew's and St. Cyprian's, Darien
The Rev. Tom Purdy,
Christ Church, St. Simons
The Rev. Nicholas Roosevelt, St. Patrick's, Albany
The Rev. David Rose,
St. Luke's, Rincon
The Rev. Dee Shaffer,
St. Paul's, Jesup
The Rev. Kelly Steele,
St. Peter's, Savannah
The Rev. Cynthia Taylor, Holy Comforter, Martinez
The Very Rev. William Willoughby III, Collegiate Church of St. Paul the Apostle, Savannah
For Standing Committee, Priest
The Very Rev. Tar Drazdowski,
Christ Church, Cordele
The Rev. David Lemburg, St. George's, Savannah
The Rev. David Rose, St. Luke's, Rincon
The Rev. Jim Said, St. Augustine's of Canterbury, Augusta
The Rev. Kelly Steele
,
St. Peter's, Savannah
For Standing Committee, Lay Person
Pat Leslie,
St. George's, Savannah
Mary Stimmel, St. Andrew's, Darien
Hughes Threlkeid,
Annunciation, Vidalia
While nominations for all offices other than bishop remain open, by the canons of the Diocese, until the floor of convention, submitting a nomination as soon as possible will assist the Diocese in publicizing the nominees in advance of the meeting. Go
here
to read more about specific offices and to submit a nominee or nominator's form. Go here to see current rosters for offices.
Almost 300 people have registered for the 198th Convention! Have you?
Registration now costs $95 with the early and regular registration periods ending October 31. The registration fee covers the cost of audio-visual and print production; excellent coffee along with breakfast on Friday and Saturday morning; a catered lunch on Friday, and more. Go here to register:
It's in the Details
Attendees are encouraged to car pool to GSU from hotels or area churches.
Creation Care Commission suggests attendees bring their own water bottle and mug, label it!
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Know Your Delegate Count for 198th Convention
Here's a handy two-page chart which lists the number of delegates each congregation has for the 198th Convention. Click
here
for a full size PDF.
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Diocesan Office Update and News
T
he Rt. Rev. Scott Anson Benhase,
10th Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia, will ordain Nathan Wilson and Kevin Veitinger to the diaconate at 2 PM Friday, November 1 in Reynolds Square, Savannah. He will make his annual visitation to St. Patrick's Albany at 9:30 AM, Sunday, November 3. To see the Bishop's complete visitation schedule, go here.
Canon Frank Logue will preach this Friday for the ordination to the diaconate for Nathan Wilson and Kevin Veitinger at 2 PM in Reynolds Square, Savannah.
The Rev. R. Kevin Kelly, Rector of St. Michael and All Angels, Savannah, officiated at the Thursday, noon service this week at Saint Anna Alexander Chapel, Diocesan House.
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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.
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).
Additional Prayer Cycles
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His Spidey Sense
Spiderman removes his mask and reveals who he really is at the Trunk or Treat event held at St. John and St. Mark's Albany. To see a video compilation of photos from the event, click on the image below!
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Events
198th Convention of the Diocese of Georgia
November 14-16
Georgia Southern University
Diocesan Convention Youth Presence (for grades 6 to 12)
November 15 (all day) through November 16
Hosted by Trinity Church, Statesboro
Register
here.
Winter Youth Retreat
January 10-12, 2020
Honey Creek
For students in grades 6 to 12
Register
here.
Happening #103
Thursday, February 20 (for staff, participants arrive Friday) to Sunday, February 23, 2020
Honey Creek
For students in grades 10 to 12
Register
here.
Consecration of the XI Bishop, Diocese of Georgia
11 AM Saturday, May 30
Johnny Mercer Theater
Savannah, Georgia
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry Preaches in Forsyth Park
11 AM Sunday, May 31
The Bandshell, Forsyth Park
Savannah, Georgia
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Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
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YouTube Channel
where you can watch past videos and subscribe to get updates when new videos are posted.
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