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July 24, 2019
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Volume 9, No. 48
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From the Canon for Children and Youth
Summer Mission Work creates relationship (and builds things)
 Last week ten missioners from the Diocese of Georgia journeyed to Tennessee, to work with the Appalachia Service Project (ASP). Seven youth and three adults from Georgia met three youth and two adults from the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri at an ASP center just outside of Newport, Tennessee. The Missouri contingent was led by the Rev. Canon Loren Lasch, who grew up and served in the Diocese of Georgia, while the Georgia group was led by the Rev. Canon Joshua Varner and Hugh Brown.
The combined group of 15 people made up two work crews. One crew worked on the completion of a six week project to add two small rooms to a home for two young children. They painted, laid flooring, installed windows and A/C units, and prepared those rooms for the two children, ages seven and five. The other group rebuilt both front and back porches on a trailer, making them both sturdy and safe for the grandmother who lives there, and for her grandson, age four, who is often with her.
 ASP describes its work as "Relational, with construction on the side" and this was certainly true for our youth! Mary Margaret Lemburg, of St. Thomas', Savannah, spoke of the trip this way:
I loved getting to bond with other youth members of our diocese and getting to meet those from Missouri. I will never forget the hospitality and love shown by our homeowner. Also, her thankfulness for what we were doing for her was amazing. I know I will always cherish the memories from this trip and remember how others haven't grown up as fortunate as I have.
Molly Grace Lindsey, of St. Paul's, Augusta, wrote this:
Our group learned so much about love, peace, and the generosity of the community in Cocke County. I had the pleasure of building two new, much needed, decks for a sweet lady. One of my favorite moments this week was when our project was finished, her four-year-old grandson ran out the front door and begged me to climb  the stairs on his Mawmaw's new back deck. I brought him around to the back and walked with him up the stairs, and at the top his face lit up. He was so happy to be able to walk out the back door without fearing a five foot drop off the stairs, which he couldn't climb before. And then it started to rain, and of course we had to build a rain castle out of old lumber!
Hugh Brown, adult from Christ Church, Frederica said:
The biggest thing for me was the generosity of the people in Cocke County. We were welcomed by everyone with open arms. I will always remember the look of joy on our homeowner's face as she stood on her new deck.
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This Sunday's Lections
SEVENTH SUNDAY
after
PENTECOST
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Track 1
Hosea 1:2-10
Psalm 85
Colossians 2:6-15, (16-19)
Luke 11:1-13
Track 2
Genesis 18:20-32
Psalm 138
Colossians 2:6-15, (16-19)
Luke 11:1-13
Go
here for the full text.
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Update from the Search Committee
The Search Committee will meet via video conference call on Tuesday, July 30th to put the finishing touches on planning the Discernment Retreat, to be held at Honey Creek, August 11-15.
During the retreat, the committee will meet with each candidate for small group interviews, and candidates will also make presentations to the committee as a whole. Bishop Benhase, Canon for Administration Katie Easterlin, and Chancellor Jim Elliot will also meet with the candidates at the end of the retreat. In the meantime, Oxford Documents are conducting the canonically-required background checks for each candidate.
When the retreat concludes, we will submit a slate of potential nominees to the Standing Committee for their approval and expect to publish that slate on September 1. Thank you for your continued prayers for us, the candidates and for our diocese.
The Search Committee
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2020 Tithe Letters
The tithe letters for parishes for 2020 were mailed today. Please be sure that one arrives in the coming week and if it doesn't, call the Diocesan House: 912-236-4279.
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Learn Something New at This Year's Acolyte Festival
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Use the QR code to play "The Order," a puzzle adventure that introduces students to the concept of a Rule of Life and the foundational concepts upon which "I Serve at God's Altar" is built.
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Acolytes from across the Diocese will gather at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Augusta for
the
Acolyte Festival on Saturday, August 24 through services on Sunday, August 25. The time together will be framed by formation, music, and play. A highlight this year will be Acolyte Lead Training and workshops for Acolyte Masters presented by Roger Speer, Good Shepherd's Director of Student Ministries and the co-author and illustrator of "I Serve at God's Altar," the new Acolyte Training manual by Church Publishing. Participating churches will each receive a copy of "I serve at God's Altar" for their libraries.
There will be multiple workshops led by local leaders for acolytes of every age from grade three through 12. Workshops take place Saturday in the early afternoon and include instructions on how to swing a thurible, how to serve at the altar, what all the different vestments are and mean, and lots more! A highlight will be a late afternoon fun activity, and joining the Church of the Good Shepherd's worship service on Sunday, August 25.
Participants arrive on Saturday morning, August 24 from 9-10:30 AM. Bring your vestments for Sunday and a congregational banner for Sunday's festival procession. Come prepared to sleep on the floor Saturday night by bringing a camp mattress or an inflatable mattress, sleeping bag, toiletries, and clothes to change into for Sunday morning.
Congregations who send a group of acolytes also register and send adults who are willing to engage with the activities and with the acolytes throughout the weekend!
Please contact Canon Joshua Varner at jvarner@gaepiscopal.org for more information, or to request scholarship assistance. Click this link to register now at http://bit.ly/AcFest2019
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Vacation Bible School at King of Peace Kingsland, left and kids learning to bake at St. Anne's Tifton, right.
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A counselor at Honey Creek asked to be baptized during the last week of camp. The Revs. Melanie Lemburg and Lonnie Lacy officiated at the creek-side ceremony.
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The Collegiate Church of St. Paul the Apostle, Savannah, held a reception after church on Sunday in honor of member Millie Dimock's 100th birthday. The honoree is at right with the Very Rev. William Willoughby III, Rector and Dean.
The Sexton's Garden (left) honoring long serving Sextons (above) at the Church of the Good Shepherd has been enhanced with a gift of antique iron fencing from Al Cheatham. John Albert of Greenville restored and installed the fencing which adds to the beauty and safety of the South Transept door.
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Ready Your Reports!
Annual Reports for
the year 2018 published for the 198th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia, November 14-16 2019 are due by August 15th.
We collect reports from the leaders of the following ministry and groups:
- Board of Officers of the Corporation, Canon Katie Easterlin
- Honey Creek, Dade Brantley, Executive Director
- Honey Creek Camp, Karen Bell
- Campus Ministry -Savannah colleges and universities, the Rev. Michael Chaney
- Campus Ministry - Georgia Southern University, the Rev. Charles Todd
- Campus Ministry - Valdosta State University, Stephanie Johnson
- Chancellor, the Rev. Jim Elliott
- Commission on Ministry, the Rev. Canon Frank Logue
- Companion Diocese, Julius and Julia Ariail
- Creation Care Commission, the Rev. Leeann Culbreath, Deacon
- Cursillo, Rose Wilson
- Deacon Formation Committee, the Rev. Ri Lamb, Deacon
- Diocesan Council, the Rev. Canon Frank Logue
- Education for Ministry, Rita Spalding
- Episcopal Church Women, Cristy Jordan
- Episcopal Relief and Development, the Rev. Canon Frank Logue
- Episcopal Youth and Children Services, Cathy Baxter
- Integrity GA, Clayton Gagne-Thomas
- Standing Committee, the Rev. Al Crumpton
- Treasurer, Beth Robinson
- United Thank Offering, Cristy Jordan
- University of the South, Sewanee
- Youth Programs, the Rev. Joshua Varner
Reports are typically two to three paragraphs in length about the prior year, in this case, 2018. When submitting reports, please include your name, position on your council , commission, or committee, the name of your predecessor (if applicable), and any financial reports (if applicable). Examples from last year may be found
here.
If you feel that you are listed in error above, or for more information, please contact Anna Iredale,
airedale@gaepiscopal.org
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Run for Office!
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.
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.
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 see what specific offices are open and to submit a nominee or nominator's form.
Register for Convention!
Cost for registration is $75 now through August 15; $85 regular registration until October 31 after which registration is $95. 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:
http://bit.ly/Registerfor198thConvention
Attendees are also encouraged to car pool to GSU from hotels or area churches.
Book Your Hotel!
Registration opened earlier than usual this year to encourage those who require hotel accommodations to make reservations as soon as possible, as several other events are being held on the college's campus, including a home football game.
The Diocese has reserved a block of rooms at several hotels. Make reservations by calling Comfort Inn & Suites, 912-681-2400 or
GM.GA380@choicehotels.com; or the Hampton Inn Statesboro, 912-489-8989.
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'Way of Love' Free, Digital Invitation Kits Available
Continuing the invitation to connect
The Way of Love, Practices for a Jesus-Centered Life more deeply to the seasons of the year, The Episcopal Church is developing additional free and downloadable resources for congregations, dioceses, and communities of faith. A Back-2-School Digital Invitation Kit and the Back to Ministry Digital Invitation Kit is available now.
Each of these kits include: a customizable poster and postcard; a social media-ready graphic; and a Facebook cover image. Each kit also includes a video prayer message from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry which can be embedded on a church's website. These resources are themed both with and without Way of Love graphics. All evangelism resources are available
here and
here.
"The kick-off of a school year or a new ministry year may not be liturgical seasons, but they are incarnational as they signify new beginnings and fresh starts - they represent the opportunity that we always have through our baptismal identities to start again with God's help" said Jerusalem Greer, staff officer for evangelism for The Episcopal Church, "These new digital invitation kits and resources provide congregations with an easy way to invite both members and their community to celebrate the gift of new beginnings."
More than a program or curriculum, The Way of Love is an intentional commitment to a set of practices -Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, Rest - that form us into the likeness of Jesus. Congregations have engaged with Way of Love practices by organizing ministry fairs around the seven practices, setting up semi-public prayer stations with one station per practice, and organizing inquirer's classes around each topic.
"The Way of Love is one pattern of living an intentional baptized life no matter your age." says Greer. "Everyone, ages 5 to 95+, can live these practices in their own way in their everyday lives - not just on Sundays, which is one reason that Way of Love is a great fit for celebrations such as Back-2-School and Back to Ministry. These events remind us that following Jesus is a daily practice, rooted in each person's unique story."
In addition to the back-2-school, ministry fair, and previously-released Easter Digital Invitation Kits, similar resources are planned for the seasons of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. They will be offered in Spanish and English.
If your ministry has developed a seasonal Way of Love offering, please share it
here.
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Diocesan Office Update and News
Visitations by the Rt. Rev. Scott Anson Benhase, 10th Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia, will resume on August 18th. Weekly delivery of eCrozier will resume that week also. The Bishop's full schedule can be found
here.
The Rev. Canon Frank Logue will preside and preach this Sunday at St. John's and St. Mark's Albany.
The Rev. Joshua Varner has returned from the Youth Mission Trip and is preparing for Happening #102 in early August and the Acolyte Festival, later in August.
The Rev. June Johnson, Priest in Charge at All Saints Tybee, will officiate at the Thursday, noon service 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.
July 21-27
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in St. Marys, Christ Church. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in St. Marys, especially Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for
San Timoteo (St. Timothy) in Nizao.
July 28-August 3
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation on St. Simons Island, Christ Church and Holy Nativity. We also pray for our ecumenical partners on the island, especially Lord of Life Lutheran Church and St. William's Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for
San Bernabé (St. Barnabas) in Pizarrete.
Additional Prayer Cycles
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Events
Diocesan Office Closed
At noon Fridays during the summer.
Search Committee Meeting for the XI Bishop of Georgia
7 PM, Tuesday, July 30
Via Conference Call
Happening #102
Thursday, August 2 through Sunday, August 4; staff arrives August 1
Honey Creek Retreat Center
Ordination to the Priesthood of the Rev. Samantha McKean, Deacon
Christ Church, Savannah
10:30 AM, Saturday, August 17th
Bishop Search Transition Committee Meeting
St. Anne's Tifton
Wednesday, August 21
Acolyte Festival
Saturday, August 24 (morning) to Sunday, Augusta 25 (after worship)
Church of the Good Shepherd, Augusta
Grades three to 12.
Go here to register.
Constitution and Canons Meeting
September 4
Diocesan House
New Beginnings #55
September 6-8
Honey Creek Retreat Center
Diocesan Council
September 13-14
St. Peter's, Savannah
Search for the XI Bishop Walkabout
October 22, 23 and 24
Cursillo #126
October 17-20
Honey Creek
Go
here for more information.
198th Convention of the Diocese of Georgia
November 14-16
Georgia Southern University
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