November 21, 2023 | Volume 13, No. 47 | |
Unprecedented Flooding in our
Companion Diocese of the Dominican Republic
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Photo: Catholic News Service Photo by Ricardo Rojas (all rights reserved) | |
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We are distressed to read of the historic flooding in our Companion Diocese of the Dominican Republic. Once we know the best way to assist those who are in crisis, we will share that with the Diocese.
We will listen for the needs we can assist with and even as we wait, we pray:
Almighty God, whose son our savior walked upon the waves and calmed the storm tossing the disciples’ boat, be present with our siblings inundated by rain in the Dominican Republic: Comfort all who mourn, guide those lending aid, strengthen the weary, and give those of us far from the storm the grace to provide prayer and aid to those in need; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
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This year's Advent choice for 1Book1Diocese, Everything Happens for a Reason by Kate Bowler, traces her journey from her need for certainty in her life, to learning that life is just as beautiful without it. As we have only three full weeks of Advent, with Christmas Eve on the night of Fourth Advent, you will need to either start this study next week or have a final session in the week before the Epiphany on January 6.
Kate Bowler is a professor at Duke Divinity School who specializes in the study of the prosperity gospel, a creed that sees fortune as a blessing from God and misfortune as a mark of God’s disapproval. At thirty-five, everything in her life seemed to point toward “blessing” when she was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer.
As the days shorten and the lectionary considers the Second Coming even as we prepare to celebrate Jesus' first advent in Bethlehem, Bowler brings home the depth of our incarnational faith.
The discussion guide for small groups is now online here:
Everything Happens for a Reason Discussion Guide
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Episcopal Church Budget Process:
Open Hearing Registrations
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From the General Convention Office:
The Executive Council's Joint Budget Committee has prepared a working balanced budget. The Committee will present a proposed triennium budget to the Executive Council at its January 2024 meeting for approval in order for the budget to be presented to the General Convention for adoption by both Houses at their meeting in June 2024. The Joint Budget Committee invites The Episcopal Church to participate in open hearings that will be held in November and December 2023. During those hearings, the church community will have the opportunity to testify on the budget, as well as highlight any potential funding requests that might arise from upcoming resolutions to the 81st General Convention. This will allow the committee to take those requests into consideration when crafting the final budget that will be presented to the Executive Council and the General Convention. These open hearings will be held via Zoom on:
- December 9 at 2:00pm ET
- December 12 at 7:00pm ET
This will be the only opportunity that the church will have to offer input on the budget before it is finalized and presented to the Executive Council and thereafter the General Convention. It is crucial that the committee hears from the church at this time. Additionally, the committee will hold canonically required hearings on the budget on May 16, 2024, and at General Convention. News, updates, and more information can be found here.
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Sensory Santa this Sunday | |
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Holy Comforter in Martinez is hosting “Sensory Santa” this Sunday, November 26th from 12-5pm. This is the second year that the Sensory Santa program has been conducted at Holy Comforter for special needs children. The time spent with Santa is especially for autistic, handicapped, developmentally delayed, and children with emotional behavioral disorder. Service animals and siblings are welcome. Each visitor will have time with Santa in a safe environment, free family photos, and a sensory gift. This is a time to begin the Christmas season in an environment that is friendly to children’s needs. To reserve a 10-minute private session with Santa, call 706-699-9002. Walk-ins are not available.
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Happening #108 at Honey Creek, led by Evan Ariail from St. Thomas in Thomasville. | |
Bishop Logue with Senior Warden Laquan Smith of Good Shepherd in Thomasville holds the City Council’s Proclamation with other vestry members and Deacon Dennis McGill in the Parish Hall. Good Shepherd was selected by the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation and named to the 2024 List of State’s 10 Places in Peril. Our Savior in Martinez also made the list for Cedar Grove, the historic home now named Stuart Hall. | |
Bishop Logue with those confirmed, received, and baptized at Calvary in Americus. | |
The three Episcopal congregations in Valdosta gathered at St. Barnabas on Tuesday evening for a Thanksgiving service. The Rev. Hal Weidman, Rector of Christ Church, preaches in this photo of the liturgy. | |
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Lay Ministers' Conference
This conference is intended for any lay person in the Diocese who is in any active ministry in their congregation. Led by Dr. Scott Bader-Saye, the Academic Dean and Professor of Christian Ethics at the Seminary of the Southwest, this conference will focus on the ministry of the laity, including its joys and challenges especially over the past two years. It will frame our various calls in the context living them in a world in which "Christendom" is no longer the dominant culture (if it ever truly was!).
When: December 1-2, 2023
Where: Honey Creek
Click here to register.
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1Book1Diocese for Lent 2024
In Lent, we will read and discuss The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz.
Clergy Conflict Transformation Workshop
Who: All clergy
Where: Honey Creek
When: March 4-8, 2024
Contact the Rev. Becky Rowell (browell221@gmail.com) and the Rev. Melanie Lemburg (revmelanie@stthomasioh.org) to RSVP.
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We want to hear from you! | |
If you would like to have your submission considered for From the Field, it needs to be sent to Communications Manager Liz Williams (lwilliams@gaepiscopal.org) by noon on Tuesday. | |
Prayer for Weekly Liturgies | |
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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 2023 one year prayer cycle is online here: 2023 Prayer Cycle.
November 26 - December 2
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Waynesboro, St. Michael’s. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Waynesboro, especially Sacred Heart Catholic Church and our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church in Sylvania. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in Santo Domingo, especially St. Margaret (Santa Margarita).
December 3 -9
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Woodbine, St. Mark’s. We also pray for our ecumenical partners, especially the Catholic congregations of Holy Family in Metter and St. Bernadette in Millen. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in Santo Domingo, especially Holy Trinity (Santísma Trinidad).
31-Day Prayer Cycles - Revised October 1, 2023
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.
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Diocesan Office Update and News | |
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Bishop Logue will make his visitation to Christ Church in Cordele on Sunday.
To view Bishop Logue's full visitation calendar, click here. (Updated for 2024 - 6/20/2023)
Photos: Bishop Logue stands at left as Senior Warden Bardin Hooks holds a piece of paper representing the $403,250 mortgage Calvary in Americus took out in August 2020 to pay for extensive renovations to the church. The project to replace multiple roofs, extensively repair plaster, repaint everything, and more is all completed. After a prayer, they burned the paper signifying the mortgage being paid off in full.
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The Diocesan office will be closed Wednesday - Friday for Thanksgiving.
The best way to reach a staff member is via email as we will always get back with you promptly in many cases and in 24-72 hours when working on more pressing matters. Staff e-mails can be found here with a list of responsibilities so you know who to contact for what.
You may also reach diocesan staff by phone at (912) 236-4279.
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The sunrise over the creek at Honey Creek on Sunday morning. | | | | |
