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The Advent Pageant at St. Michael's, Waynesboro, on the Fourth Sunday of Advent. The photo in the From the Field
header above is of the altar at St. Michael and All Angels, Savannah, decorated for Christmas.
Wishing you a most joyous Christmas
Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to
take our nature upon him, and to be born this day of a pure
virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made
your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed
by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom
with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and
for ever.
Amen.
We hope that those worshiping this Christmas in the churches of the Diocese of Georgia all experience the joy and wonder of the king tossing his crown in the air in the Nativity Pageant at St. Thomas, Thomasville.
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Christmas Day 2019
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Volume 10, No. 18
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| Consent Process Underway for Bishop Election
The process to permit the majority of the dioceses of the Episcopal Church to consent to the election of the Rev. Canon Frank Logue as 11th Bishop of Georgia began last Thursday. On that day, the Episcopal Church's Office of Pastoral Development reported to the President of our Standing Committee, the Very Rev. Ted Clarkson, that with the required reports in hand, we could send packets out to the other 109 diocesan standing committees. On the same day, the General Convention Office staff contacted the bishops with jurisdiction in the 110 dioceses of the Episcopal Church via email to likewise request their consent.
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Clergy and delegates sign the testimonial to the bishop election at the 198th Convention in Statesboro.
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The packets included a brief biography and resume for the bishop-elect. Clarkson and Logue also answered ten questions verifying some specifics about the way the Diocese conducted the nominations and election and certifying that the bishop-elect will
uphold the Oath of Conformity (BCP page 513),
recognize and respect the office of the Presiding Bishop
and the authority of General Convention, and be
willing to participate fully in the councils of the Church.
Canons allow 120 days for this consent process, which often concludes sooner. Once the General Convention Office receives consents from more than half of the bishops and standing committees, we will move from saving the date for the ordination and consecration to making final plans and sending invitations. Pending consents, the liturgy will begin at 11 AM on May 30th at the Johnny Mercer Theater in Savannah's Civic Center.
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Bishop's Visitation
St. Matthew's, Fitzgerald
On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Bishop Benhase made his visitation to St. Matthew's, Fitzgerald. At left, the bishop is pictured with the Rev. Ri Lamb, deacon at St. John's and St. Mark's, Albany, and the Rev. Hallock Martin, Priest in Charge of St. Matthew's. The church building is shown at right.
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Advent Around the Diocese
Three photos from the Christmas Dinner Eucharist and gift exchange at Grovetown Episcopal-Lutheran Mission.
The Advent Pageant at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Augusta, on the Fourth Sunday of Advent.
At left, the Nativity Pageant in St. Andrew's, Darien. At right, The Joy of Christmas: Carols with a Cause
was a community wide benefit concert hosted at Christ Church, Savannah. The free Fourth Sunday of Advent concert collected donations for Emmaus House's feeding ministry.
Lots of food and fun for the Choir Christmas Carol Sing-a-long at St. Augustine of Canterbury, Augusta.
Every year, a group from Grace Waycross serenades local nursing homes and home-bound members with Christmas carols. After spreading their holiday cheer, the group then enjoys a meal of Brunswick stew as they finish assembling Christmas gifts for families that the church sponsors.
At left, the Rev. Aaron Brewer, rector of King of Peace, Kingsland, donates toys to the Department of Family and Children Services which meet the wishes of children in foster care. At right, St. Peter's, Savannah, added wish lists from teachers at Hesse K-8 School to their angel tree so they could give back to those who give so much to their students.
Youth and adults at St. Paul's, Albany, joined with First Methodist Church to put on a spaghetti dinner for homeless persons in their city.
The annual gingerbread house extravaganza at St. Luke's, Rincon.
  At left, long-time parishioner Calvin Isom assists the Rev. Ri Lamb, deacon, in hanging a wreath at St. John's and St. Mark's. Albany. At right, Emma and Claire Gray look for Christmas after decorating for the feast at Church of the Holy Comforter.
At left, Calvary, Americus is ready for Christmas liturgies, while at right parishioners at St. Alban's, Augusta, decorate a Christmas tree in the parish hall.
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Brad Bates ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests
Bishop John Bauerschmidt of the Diocese of Tennessee ordained the Rev. Brad Bates to the Sacred Order of Priests on December 18 at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Cookeville, Tennessee. Bates went to seminary from St. Mark's, Brunswick. He graduated from Sewanee in the spring and has been serving since at St. Michael's. With his ordination, Bates takes on the role of Rector for the parish.
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There is still time to register for Winter Youth Event
 Registration remains open for Winter Youth Event. For many of us, the holiday season can be filled with busyness and stress, both within and beyond the life of the congregation. There are so many things to do! In this context, the Winter Youth Retreat, for young people in Grades 6-12, offers them a chance to "come away by yourselves and rest a while" (Mark 6:31). While the program, including large group and small group gatherings, is part of the weekend, there are also significant amounts of free time built into the schedule, so that our youth can pause and reflect.
We will take an honest look at our lives, and how the cracks in them can sometimes let the light shine through. There will be opportunities for healing prayer
, music, laugher, and play, all built into our time together.
And of course, our young people will have the chance to gather with one another and seek and serve Christ in each other.
The Rev. David Rose, of St. Luke's, Rincon, and the Rev. Joshua Varner, will co-coordinate this weekend. The event begins at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 10, 2020 and concludes at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, January 12.
January 10-12, 2020
Grades 6-12
Cost: $115 (after January 3, $125)
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Diocesan Office Update and News
T
he Rt. Rev. Scott Anson Benhase,
10th Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia, has completed his visitations for 2019. To see the Bishop's complete visitation schedule, go here:
Visitations Calendar
Your diocesan staff is taking off today and tomorrow. Between now and December 31, we will be working on year end tasks including checking in with churches who have not completed their tithe payments.
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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.
December 22-28
In our diocesan prayer cycle, we pray for Honey Creek for the Order of St. Helena and all religious order in the Episcopal Church. 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.
December 29 - January 4
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our Bishop, Scott Benhase, our Bishop-elect, Frank Logue, and our retired bishop, Henry Louttit. We pray for our ecumenical partners, especially, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah and their Bishop, Gregory Hartmayer; and for the Evangelical Lutheran Church's Southeast Synod and their Bishop, Kevin Strickland. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for their Bishop, Moisés Quezada, and retired bishops, Julio Holguin, Telésforo Isaac, and William Skilton.
Additional Prayer Cycles
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O Holy Child of Bethlehem
It can be easy not to miss seeing Jesus amidst the busy-ness that now occupies much of this feast of the incarnation. Yet through our worship we focus back on the joy and wonder of God with us. As O Little Town of Bethlehem
asks, "O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel."
Shown above is the Advent Pageant at St. Paul's, Augusta, on the Fourth Sunday of Advent.
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Events
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.
EQHR for Clergy Only
5:30 PM, Monday, May 4 to 1 PM, Wednesday, May 6
Honey Creek
Consecration of the XI Bishop, Diocese of Georgia
11 AM Saturday, May 30
Johnny Mercer Theater
Savannah, Georgia
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry Presides Over Eucharist in Forsyth Park
11 AM Sunday, May 31
The Bandshell, Forsyth Park
Savannah, Georgia
High School Camp at Honey Creek
June 7-13, 2020
Register
here.
Camp St. Joseph & Mary I at Honey Creek
June 14-20, 2020
For those who have completed grades 3-5
Register here.
Parent & Child session I at Honey Creek
(Completed Kindergarten thru completed 2nd grade)
June 21-27, 2020
For those who have completed grades 6-8
Register here.
Camp St. Joseph & Mary II
July 5-11, 2020
For those who have completed grades 3-5
Register
here.
Parent & Child session II at Honey Creek
(Completed Kindergarten thru completed 2nd grade)
Camp St. Peter II
July 12-18, 2020
For those who have completed grades 6-8
Register here.
Episcopal Youth Event
July 6-14, 2020
University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
Participants must be in grades 9-12
Register by going here:
199th Convention of the Diocese of Georgia
November 5-7
Jekyll Island Convention Center
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