February 19, 2020
Volume 11, No. 25
Purchase Friday Dinner Tickets for Ordination and Consecration
The Charles H. Morris Center in Savannah 
On Friday, May 29, the Diocese of Georgia will host a dinner and you are invited to take part. The dinner at the Charles H. Morris Center in Savannah offers an opportunity for the people of the Diocese of Georgia to gather on the night before the ordination and consecration on Saturday. 

Chef John Benhase, eldest son of Bishop Scott and Kelly Benhase, will cater the dinner, which costs $45 per person. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and bishops from across the Episcopal Church in town for the liturgy will also be in attendance. Thanks to a generous donation from St. Augustine of Canterbury, Augusta, we can provide the dinner for those guests. We have a maximum capacity of 200 persons for this event. Any Diocese of Georgia persons wanting to be a part of the festivities may  click this link to purchase tickets

All of the details on the Ordination and Consecration weekend including hotels and an invitation to join the Mass Choir are at  consecration.georgiaepiscopal.org 
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Diocese of Georgia 
Receives $60,000 in Grants
Epiphany, Savannah
At its most recent meeting, the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church approved new grants of $30,000 each for the Episcopal-Lutheran Mission in Grovetown and the Church of the Epiphany in Savannah. These grants are part of the work of the  Task Force on Church Planting and Redevelopment which invests in innovative new ministries in our church. 

Grovetown Mission
The Council approved fifteen grants for new ministries across the 112 dioceses of the Episcopal Church in amounts from $2,000-$30,000. Epiphany and Grovetown specifically received growth grants designed to assist these congregations as they move toward financial self-sustainability. These ministries are each potentially eligible for two more grants from this program. The  New Episcopal Communities grants are intended to support operating/program expenses such as salary and benefits, insurance, rent, educational materials, and other operating needs, and are open to any New Episcopal Community with a sponsoring Episcopal diocese.

The Episcopal-Lutheran Mission in Grovetown also receives significant assistance from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), which committed $120,000 for the first three years of that new mission.
Please welcome Daniel Garrick to the Diocese of Georgia
Daniel Garrick  is now working on a temporary basis for the Diocese of Georgia while Gayle Dawson is on short-term disability. He is a graduate of the Westminster Choir College of Rider University with a performing arts certificate in Princeton University's graduate program in music. Daniel enjoys singing Anglican choral music and composing music for films.  He has served as a General Manager of a United Methodist Church-owned coffee shop ministry in Savannah. 

When you call or visit the Diocese, please welcome Daniel who is making room for Gayle to take it easy until her upcoming knee surgery and through her recovery.
Bishop's Visitation to Our Savior, Martinez
Bishop Benhase Confirmed, Received, or Reaffirmed a large group on Sunday, during his final visit to The Church of Our Savior, Martinez, in his role as the Tenth Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Georgia.

 
Above: the Staff of New Beginnings #56 after the Holy Eucharist at Trinity, Statesboro on Sunday, February 9

Register now for New Beginnings #56
Grades 7-9, March 27-29, 2020
Cost: $115 before March 6, $125 after March 6

On February 8-9, the staff for New Beginnings #56 met together at Trinity, Statesboro in order to plan their upcoming retreat! New Beginnings allows high school youth to work with middle school youth as they encounter the daily realities of growing up in the 21st century. Youth reflect on their relationships, with God, with their families and friends, with their peers in school and beyond, and more. They support each other in prayer and worship, through small group work, led by high school staff, and by playing and praying together! The cost is $115 and scholarships are always available.

Clergy: Please save these dates
Plans are coming together for both the Spring and Fall Clergy Conferences at Honey Creek as well as for two Chrism Masses in Holy Week. Priests and Deacons will want to mark their calendars for these upcoming dates.

Clergy Conferences
This year, the Spring Clergy Conference will meet May 4-6 and the Fall Conference will be held September 28-30. Registration information will follow.
 
Two Chrism Masses
On Monday, April 6, St. Anne's, Tifton, will host the liturgy at 11 a.m., with lunch following. Then on Tuesday, April 7, Trinity, Statesboro will host the liturgy, also at 11 a.m. with lunch following. At the Chrism Mass, the clergy renew the vows they made at their ordination. The liturgy takes its name from the holy oils which the bishop blesses for use in the congregations of the diocese during the coming year. There is no cost for attendance, but we will want to get a head count. Look for a registration link in From the Field closer to Holy Week.
 
Diocesan Convention
These dates are, of course, for all the leaders of the diocese. The 199th Convention of the Diocese of Georgia at the Jekyll Island Convention Center on November 5-7.  The Southeast Convocation will host the convention, which last met at this conference center in 2014. More information on the convention will follow. 
Around the Diocese
    
Sextons Hillary and Greg at St. Paul's, Augusta, take on the delicate task of changing lights
on the sanctuary chandeliers 

  
Episco-Chicks of St. Paul's, Albany, celebrate Janet Goodyear's 90th birthday.

  
Glynn Episcopal Churches were out in force for the Bridge Run to benefit Southeast Georgia Health System.
At left, the Rev. Tommy Townsend offers a blessing before the First Responder's race and
at right the first  Christ Church Frederica crew is ready to run the bridge.

    
St. Augustine of Canterbury, Augusta, has a new set of playground equipment.
Parishioners of all ages took part in assembling the new set.
Clergy Spouse Retreat 2020:  Deep Roots and Strong Branches
Clergy Spouses gather at the 2019 Retreat
All Clergy Spouses across the Diocese are encouraged to come together March 13-15 for our annual retreat at the beautiful Honey Creek! The Clergy Spouse Retreat is a time of fun, rest and renewal. Our theme evokes the image of a tree - reflecting the spirit of the clergy spouse community here in the Diocese of Georgia. We are deeply rooted in our families and faith, but we also have strong branches connecting us one to another.  There is always plenty of free time in the schedule! Come strengthen your roots and grow your branches as we enjoy time together (and give thanks Kelly Benhase, too).


Single room rates are $288 in Lodge 1 and $266 in Lodge 2.  Double room rates are $195 per person in Lodge 1 and $184 per person in Lodge 2.  Commuter rates are $120 per person. 

Please email  [email protected]  to request a scholarship.

Join us on Friday, April 17th for a celebration honoring Bishop Benhase and Kelly Benhase. The Starland Yard is a food truck park in the historic Starland District of Savannah with rotating food trucks, a pizzeria, and yard games. This is a self-funded event.   Please let us know you are coming by clicking  here .

Parking is free but limited in the Starland neighborhood, so please plan to carpool or Uber/Lyft if you are able.  Contact Maggie Lyons ( [email protected] ) with any questions. 
Diocesan Office Update and News
T he Rt. Rev. Scott Anson Benhase,  10th Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia, will make his visitation to  St. Paul's, Augusta, this Sunday. To see the Bishop's complete visitation schedule, go here:  Visitations Calendar

Canon Frank Logue will be in Albany this weekend for a meeting with the St. Paul's Vestry on Saturday and to preach on Sunday morning.

Canon Joshua Varner will be on staff for Happening #103, which takes place Thursday, February 20 through Sunday, February 23. 

Maggie Lyons, our Assistant to the Canons, will serve as a "Mom" for Happening #103, together with her husband, Andrew, who will be a "Dad" for the weekend.

Gayle Dawson is on short-term disability leave until her upcoming knee surgery. Please forward all requests to Maggie Lyons at the Diocesan House.

The Rev. David Rose, vicar of St. Luke's, Rincon, will preside at the noon service at St. Anna Alexander chapel, Diocesan House, on Thursday, February 20, 2020.
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 2020 one year prayer cycle is now online here:  2020 Prayer Cycle

February 16 - 22
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Baxley, St. Thomas Aquinas and for our ecumenical partners in Baxley at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in Bonao, especially St. John the Baptist ( San Juan Bautista), and St. Nicodemus ( San Nicodemo).

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 .
Sunday Evening Baptisms
    
St. Paul's, Augusta, has held a candle-lit Celtic Evening Prayer and Communion service on Sundays to
emphasize the contemplative side of worship, with music by some of Augusta's best Celtic musicians.
This past weekend, that service had its first baptisms.
Events

Happening #103
Thursday, February 20 (for staff, participants arrive Friday) to Sunday, February 23, 2020
Honey Creek 
For students in grades 10 to 12

Clergy Spouse Retreat
March 13 to March 15, 2020
Honey Creek

New Beginnings #56
March 27 to March 29, 2020
Honey Creek
For students in grades 7 to 9

Chrism Mass in Tifton
Monday, April 6
St. Anne's, Tifton
11 a.m. with lunch following. 

Chrism Mass in Statesboro
Tuesday April 7
Trinity, Statesboro
11 a.m. with lunch following. 

Toil 'N Sweat: Caring for Honey Creek
April 24 to April 26, 2020
Honey Creek
For students in grades 6 to 12
Register  here or at  http://bit.ly/ToilNSweat2020 

EQHR for Clergy Only
April 27 to May 1
Honey Creek

Spring Clergy Conference
5:30 PM, Monday, May 4 to 1 PM, Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Honey Creek
11 AM Saturday, May 30
Johnny Mercer Theater
Savannah, Georgia

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry preaches at 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
June 14 - June 16, 2020
For those who have completed Kindergarten thru 2nd grade
Register here .

Camp St. Peter I 
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
July 5-7, 2020
For those who have completed Kindergarten thru 2nd grade
Register  here .

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:

Happening #104
Thursday, July 30 (for staff, participants arrive Friday) to Sunday, August 2, 2020
Honey Creek
For students rising into Grade 10 through Grade 12

Conflict Transformation, Clergy Only
October 19-23
Honey Creek 
Contact:  the Rev. Walter Hobgood

199th Convention of the Diocese of Georgia
November 5-7
Jekyll Island Convention Center
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