April 24, 2019
Volume 9, No. 35
Convention Registration Opens! Book Your Hotel Now!
The 198th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia will be held at 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.

The Diocese of Georgia is opening registration earlier than usual to encourage those who require hotel accommodations to make their 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 two hotels. Make reservations by calling Comfort Inn & Suites, 912-681-2400 or GM.GA380@choicehotels.com; or the Hampton Inn Statesboro, by calling 912-489-8989.

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
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This Sunday's Lections
SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
Acts 5:27-32
Revelation 1:4-8
John 20:19-31
Psalm 118:14-29
or
Psalm 150
Go  here for the full text.

Assistant to the Canons Position Available
Looking for a meaningful job working with a great team? The Diocese of Georgia seeks a motivated individual to serve as the assistant to the Canon for Administration, the Canon for Children & Youth, and the Canon to the Ordinary. This position requires a flexible individual with strong communication and technical skills to support the business operations of the Diocese of Georgia. To find out more, click the link below:


  
Mentor Training
EfM (Education for Ministry) Mentor training will be held at Honey Creek beginning at 3 PM, Thursday, June 6 through 3 PM Saturday, June 8.

To register, go here. For more information, contact Rita Spalding, 912-270-2725 or email rspaldinglaw@bellsouth.net  
ECW Annual Retreat/Daughters of the King Spring Assembly
The Augusta Convocation is excited to announce that this year's Diocesan Episcopal Church Women (ECW) Annual Retreat and The Order of the Daughters of the King (DOK) Spring Assembly will feature an Episcopal priest, social entrepreneur, and author as their keynote speaker, the Rev. Becca Stevens of Thistle Farms. Stevens, founder and president of Thistle Farms, a global community of survivors of trafficking and addiction that includes justice enterprises. For her work as an entrepreneur and justice advocate, she has been named a White House Champion of Change, a CNN Hero, and holds numerous honorary doctorates. Her most recent book, Love Heals, was published by Harper Collins.  The meeting will be April 27th, at St. Augustine's and The Church of Our Savior. The weekend includes a BBQ Banquet and workshops with Diocesan leaders.  For more information, go to  www.ecw.georgiaepiscopal.org

The Great Vigil at St. Thomas' Isle of Hope.
Easter Across the Diocese of Georgia
   
  
At St. Anne's Tifton, the Rev. Leeann Culbreath, Deacon, pours the holy water for baptism, left, and the Rev. Lonnie Lacy baptizes the newest member of the body of Christ.
St. St. Philip's, Hinesville
 
St. Francis helps out with the egg hunt at St. Luke's Rincon; the altar at St. John's Savannah.

The Rev. Bill Bruggerman shares a sermon with the children at St. Patrick's Pooler.  
Christ Church, Savannah
Easter morning at St. Alban's Augusta.

Waiting for the hunt to begin at St. John's Savannah.

Don't see your church here? Be sure to send images to newsandevents@gaepiscopal.org and you will!
Ora et Labora (Pray and Work) with the Creation Care Commission on retreat at Honey Creek, May 17-18. This one-night retreat will include worship, fellowship, and tending to the Ecology Center, rain barrels, and composting system at Honey Creek.

The event kicks off Friday evening with pizza and an inspiring documentary, followed by discussion and Compline.

On Saturday, the group will pray and work, and work and pray, gathering in between for a potluck lunch. Lodging in the cottages is complimentary and meals will be prepared together, so cost will be minimal. For more information or to register, email creationcarecommission@gmail.com.

The Bishop Knocks on the Door
Episcopal Campus Ministry at Georgia Southern University
The Rt. Rev. Scott Anson Benhase made his annual visitation to the Episcopal Campus Ministry at Georgia Southern University yesterday. Summer Sexton, center, to the Bishop's right, was confirmed.
Honey Creek ChapelYouth Ministry
Toil 'N Sweat: Caring for Honey Creek
May 3-5, 2019
Grades 6-12
Cost: $125

As any young person who has ever been to a youth event at Honey Creek knows, Honey Creek is a special place. And like all such places, it needs us to help take care of it from time to time! In one month, youth from across the Diocese are invited to come and give back to Honey Creek. During this weekend event, youth will work on projects to help care for Honey Creek, while still taking time to play, pray, and eat together. During last year's Toil 'N Sweat, participants painted the outside of Lodge One, helped clean the Chapel, and cared for plants outside, accomplishing in a weekend activities that the full time staff at Honey Creek don't normally have time to do.

This weekend, in addition to allowing participants to care for Honey Creek, will have more free time than some of our more scheduled programs are able to offer. Come and spend a weekend hanging out and making a difference at this place that is so important to so many.

Sign up now at http://bit.ly/ToilNSweat2019 !

Time to make your summer plans...which means it's time to sign up for summer camp at Honey Creek. Pull up our website and go to the SUMMER CAMP tab to book your spot. Grab a friend and come to The Creek this summer.
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. 

April 21-27
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Fitzgerald, St. Matthew's, and for our ecumenical partners in Fitzgerald, especially St. William's Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in Haina, especially St. John the Evangelist (San Juan Evangelista) and St. Mark (San Marcos).

April 28-May 4
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Harlem, Trinity, and Catholic churches in Cuthbert and Donalsonville-St. Luke's and the Church of the Incarnation. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for Christ the Liberator (Cristo Libertador) in Hato Mayor.

Additional Prayer Cycles
We also offer 30-day prayer cycles for those who wish to pray daily for the clergy and clergy spouses:  Diocesan Prayer Cycle and  Clergy Spouses Prayer Cycle .
Diocesan Office Update and News
Bishop Scott Anson Benhase will make his annual visitation to St. Mark's, Brunswick at 10 AM April 28. He will officiate at the dedication of the St. Anna Chapel at Diocesan House at 11 AM, Friday, May 3. The Bishop's full schedule can be found here. 

The Rev. Frank Logue, Canon to the Ordinary, is on sabbatical through July 15.

The Rev. Joshua Varner, Canon for Children and Youth, is attending a Musician's Conference at Kanuga in Hendersonville, North Carolina this week.

Anna Iredale, Director of Communications, will be attending the Episcopal Communicator's Conference in Denver, Colorado next week.

The Rev. David Lemburg, Priest-in-Charge at St. George's Savannah, will officiate at the noon, Thursday service at the Chapel at Diocesan House.
Some Bunny's an Acolyte

Holy Comforter, Martinez had an unlikely acolyte at Easter.
Events
Diocese of Georgia Episcopal Church Women Annual Retreat
Daughters of the King Spring Assembly
April 26-27
St. Augustine's and the Church of Our Savior, Augusta
To register, click here.
 
Spring Clergy Conference
April 29 at 5:30 PM to May 1 at 1 PM
Honey Creek Retreat Center
Register here.
 
Dedication of Saint Anna Alexander Chapel
11 AM, Friday, May 3
Diocesan House
18 E. 34th Street, Savannah
 
Toil 'N Sweat
May 3-5
Honey Creek Retreat Center
Register by going here: http://bit.ly/ToilNSweat2019 
 
Ora et Labora (Pray and Work)
with the Creation Care Commission
May 17-18
Honey Creek Retreat Center
Information: creationcarecommission@gmail.com
 
Diocesan Council
Saturday, May 18
St. Paul's, Augusta
 
Ordination to the Priesthood for the Rev. DeWayne Cope, Deacon
St. Matthew's Savannah
6:30 PM, Wednesday, May 22
 
Women's Mid-Life Reset Retreat
May 24-26
Honey Creek
Information and to register, go here .

Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate for Bradley Varnell, Brad Bates, and Kyle Carswell
Collegiate Church of St. Paul the Apostle, Savannah
10:30 AM, Saturday, May 25

Nominations for XI Bishop Close
Friday, May 31
 
Ordination to the Priesthood for the Rev. Arthur Jones, Deacon
St. Thomas' Thomasville
10:30 AM Saturday, June 29

Diocesan Youth Mission Trip to Tennessee with Appalachia Service Project
July 13-20
 
Happening #102
Thursday, August 2 through Sunday, August 4; staff arrives August 1
Honey Creek Retreat Center
 
Ordination to the Priesthood of Samantha McKean
Christ Church, Savannah
10:30 AM, Saturday, August 17th

New Beginnings #55
September 6-8
Honey Creek Retreat Center

Diocesan Council
September 13-14
Savannah
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