November 11, 2026| Volume 16, No. 44

The annual convention of the Diocese met November 6-7 in the new Performing Arts Center at the College of Coastal Georgia in Brunswick. The convention conducted the business of electing persons to diocesan offices and approving of the proposed budgets. But the heart of the meeting was the Convention Eucharist with ordinations and the three sessions led by Dr. Beth-Sarah Wright which offered an opportunity to see challenges we face from new angles.

In two hour-long sessions on Friday and a third one on Saturday, Dr. Wright led delegates through some strategies including aligning our actions with our congregation's purpose, creating an environment of experimentation, telling our story, and setting goals rightly so we can assess our progress with data. By the last discussion, most delegations had a sense of how to follow up on this work within the convention.

Delegates are shown here in discussions facilitated by Dr. Beth-Sarah Wright as part of her three presentations to the convention.

Bishop's Address offers a realistic hope

In his annual address, Bishop Logue connected his hope for the Diocese of Georgia to what he and Victoria see in making visitations and how that tracks with the data. He said, "We have been through a time of decline and, for now, the Diocese has been holding steady for the past three years. When you look at our attendance in worship on an average Sunday, we had been in steady decline from 2010-2016. That trend dipped sharply from 2017 to 2019 when we lost a thousand people in Sunday worship in three years."

Since the pandemic, attendance has gained ground and has now held steady for three years. The bishop said we now have just 600 fewer for in person worship on a Sunday in 2025 compared to 2019. He added, "In this new normal, we have about 4,000 people in worship on a given Sunday. I believe we can build from this level." In the address he named strategies to support that growth in encouraging Latino Ministry, strengthening connections with new events that bring people together, and partnering with what the Presiding Bishop is leading at the church-wide level through a strategic plan for the denomination.

$750,000 Grant to restore the Good Shepherd Schoolhouse

During his address to convention, Bishop Logue said, "Dwala Nobles of Good Shepherd has led the effort to care for the schoolhouse in Glynn County, where our patron saint, Deaconess Anna Alexander served." The Bishop described how members of the diocesan staff worked with Ms. Nobles and RacialJusticeGA to secure a $50,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund.

Pictured above: Members of Good Shepherd in the Pennick Community west of Brunswick received a standing ovation in response to the announcement of a grant to fully restore their historic schoolhouse.

That grant in January of this year, funded work stabilizing the schoolhouse and engaging an architect with expertise in historic preservation to develop a plan for restoration. The detailed plan, together with the $70,000 the Diocese earmarked for this work from funds called for in Bishop Benhase’s last address to convention in 2019 gave essential matching funds to pursue larger grants to complete the work.

Bishop Logue said, "We have just learned that the schoolhouse rehabilitation project has been awarded a $750,000 grant, which will make it possible to completely restore the historic schoolhouse. This was made possible by the African American Civil Rights grant program through the National Park Service, which is funded by the Historic Preservation Fund. We leveraged the money the Diocese committed to get far more resources to create a historic site that will educate future generations using the example of a dedicated deaconess who lifted up the children of the Pennick Community, something that was only possible because of her faith in Jesus. I am so grateful that the congregation of Good Shepherd is with us in this convention."

Restoration of the schoolhouse will take place through a competitive process, which meets federal guidelines. Requests for proposals will be posted on the Diocese of Georgia's Facebook page and at the project website: goodshepherdschoolhouse.org

An update on Honey Creek Sustainability

Bishop Logue also offered a report from the Honey Creek Sustainability Task Group in his Bishop's Address saying, "They did an immense amount of work that made it crystal clear that working harder at our current business model could never work. If we doubled or quadrupled use of the retreat center, the marginal amounts we net from each event would not move the needle enough to make it sustainable."

In May, the Task Group reported in From the Field on the three options they see:

1. Continue as we are now and increase the amount contributed through the diocesan budget.
2. Sell the entire property to create an endowment to assist in putting these events on elsewhere.
3. Lease about a third of the property to a compatible use while raising gifts for upgrades and improvements.

Work on their preferred third option is bearing fruit, though it is still too soon to know for sure if the proposal will prove viable. Two developers responded to our efforts to find partners. Bishop Logue previously reported to Diocesan Council, Clergy Conference, and the Convocation Council this past month, on a promising possibility with a developer with a great track record. He told the convention, "Please know that a lot of deals that look mutually beneficial at this point, don’t come together. But the current concept that has us working with a well-known and respected company whose coastal work several of us know well and trust seems promising. The Standing Committee looked at it and agreed with me that this is the right path forward."

Additional evaluation and study must and will occur before further detail can be officially presented. We will continue to keep the diocesan community fully informed as possible while negotiating the possible lease. In keeping with the canons, the decision falls to the Bishop and Standing Committee.

Clergy spouses are pictured here in a group photo at the conclusion of their annual spouses' breakfast on the Saturday morning of the convention.

Election Results

The following persons were elected to diocesan committees:

Board of Officers of the Corporation

Scott Marcus

Church Disciplinary Board

Lay

Peter Kastner
Katrina Selby

Clergy

The Rev. Susan Gage

The Rev. Rita Spalding

Diocesan Council

The Rev. Shayna Cranford

Standing Committee

Lay

Sean Hendley

Elise Miller

Priest

The Very Rev. Leslie Dellenbarger

Trustee of the University of the South

The Very Rev. Tom Purdy

Convention Awards

Deacons' Award to Julie Andrew

The Deacons’ Award is given each year by the Deacons of the Diocese of Georgia to a lay person who embodies servant ministry. The deacons chose Julie Andrew of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Augusta most notably for her work with the Byllesby Center.

Deans' Award to Willa Valencia

The Dean’s Award is given each year by the Deans of the six convocations of the Diocese of Georgia to a person who has gone above and beyond in serving their congregation. For 2026 the Deans selected Willa Valencia for her long-term Bible Study and other leadership at Christ Church in Valdosta.

Bishop's Award to Elizabeth Varner

The Bishop’s award goes to the lay-person who has offered long term service to the Diocese of Georgia. Bishop Logue gave the award to Elizabeth Varner for her 12 years of work with the Holy Orders process beginning as a member of the Savannah Discernment Committee. In recent years, she has served as the co-chair of the Commission on Ministry with the Rev. Samantha McKean. Bishop Logue noted the work done by the more than 30 people who assist with our discernment procees.

In honoring Elizabeth Varner's service, he said, "We talk about how the Body of Christ benefits from the variety of gifts present in our parishioners. Elizabeth exemplifies this. Highly organized by nature, with an eye for systems that support this type of work, she has worked professionally in supporting executive searches at the highest levels. She understands that details and logistics are not ancillary to the work that God is doing, but are actually the path through which God accomplishes that work among us."

Convention Eucharist & the Ordination

of the Rev. John Trinh and the Rev. Ethan White

Ordination of the Rev. Jim Strickland to the Sacred Order of Priests

Be the Light for Honey Creek

Help Honey Creek purchase two much needed generators for campus! One generator will be used for the dining hall and one for the water well. When the power goes out, these generators will keep food from spoiling, keep clean water flowing, and allow Honey Creek to remain a safe place of refuge for our community.

And right now, every dollar given is being matched 100%. So your gift goes twice as far! Will you consider helping to Be The Light? Click HERE to donate to this very important cause. You can also mail your gift to: Honey Creek c/o Be The Light, 299 GA Episcopal Conference Center Rd., Waverly, GA 31565

Cans for the Creek

If churches are looking for ways to support Honey Creek, start collecting your aluminum cans! Phyllis and Jim Fox from St. Mark's in Brunswick are asking parishes to begin to collect cans in collection bags provided by the Foxes and picked up bi monthly. For more information, email Phyllis Fox at whaleswatch@gmail.com.

Youth Compline Zoom, Wednesdays at 9:00pm

Youth in grades 6-12 are invited to join other youth across the diocese for a weekly Compline service over Zoom. Held each Wednesday evening, youth will be able to gather together to pray the service of Compline. Scan the QR code or click the link below for the Zoom link.

Camino de Santiago Gathering

Saturday, November 14, 2026,

2:00pm-4:00pm

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Darien, GA

Members of Holy Nativity invite those who have walked the Camino, are curious about the Camino, or just want a fun evening of learning about the Camino to join pilgrims who have completed the Camino for a night of conversation and story sharing.

Three Choirs Evensong

Sunday, Nov. 22, 2026 at 4 p.m., Reception to follow

St. Peter’s Espicopal, 3 West Ridge Rd, Savannah, GA

Join the combined choirs of St. John’s Church, Christ Church, and St. Peter’s Episcopal for an evening of choral Evensong, hosted this year at St. Peter's Episcopal Church on Skidaway Island. Now in its second consecutive year, this service brings together singers from across Savannah for a shared evening of sacred music and prayer.

Evensong is a service of evening prayer rooted in the Anglican choral tradition, drawing on centuries-old texts and canticles set to music and sung largely by the choir on behalf of the congregation. Rather than a sermon-centered service, Evensong unfolds through scripture, psalmody, and choral anthems, offering a contemplative close to the day. It remains one of the most beloved musical traditions of the Anglican and Episcopal Church, and this gathering celebrates that heritage while strengthening the bonds between Savannah's Episcopal parishes.

Saint Paul’s Church in Augusta is seeking a passionate, collaborative, and organized Director of Children and Youth Ministries to lead and strengthen our ministries with children, youth, families, and the wider church community.

The Director of Children & Youth Ministry provides vision and leadership for all aspects of programming for children from infancy through high school. The Director cooperates with all church ministries to maintain core values as they relate to the spiritual development and community life of the youngest people at Saint Paul’s Church. Recruitment for this position will remain open until a candidate is selected.

The ideal candidate will be a collaborative and relational leader with a passion for nurturing the faith of children, youth, and families. We are seeking someone who can build strong relationships, inspire and equip volunteers, communicate effectively, and bring creativity and organization to ministry planning.



Full Job Description and Applications will be received via: indeed.com (https://www.indeed.com/job/director-children-and-youth-ministries-7fecff4de18686a2) This posting closes 11/16/26. 

St. Peter’s in Savannah is hiring a Minister of Welcome & Engagement - This part-time position (approx. 20 hours per week at $25/hour, plus pension, life, and disability benefits) will help newcomers feel at home, connect members with meaningful opportunities to serve, and support our ministry teams. We’re seeking a warm, organized, collaborative person passionate about The Episcopal Church’s witness and worship. The schedule includes most Sunday mornings and occasional weekday or evening commitments. To apply, send a résumé and cover letter to the Rev. Kelly Steele at ksteele@stpsav.org. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.

St. Peter’s in Savannah is looking for a warm, dependable Youth Minister to be a trusted adult presence for our young people in grades 6–12. This part-time position pays $20 an hour for about 5–10 hours a week, focusing on acolytes and meeting new youth at the 10:15 Sunday service, coordinating youth gatherings that mix fun, service, and theology, and preparing young people for confirmation. The Youth Minister will serve our 8th–12th grade program, work closely with our Children’s Minister on the 6th–7th grade Bridge Group, support our acolytes, co-lead Youth Confirmation with the Associate Rector, and recruit trusted adults to walk alongside our teens. If you feel called to this work, please send a resume and a brief cover letter to The Reverend Kelly Steele, Rector, at ksteele@stpsav.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

https://www.indeed.com/job/youth-minister-part-time-ce104d33ebf78435

Weekly Youth Compline

Where: Zoom

When: Every Wednesday evening

@ 9:00pm

Who: 6th-12th grade youth

Zoom Link

Weekly Morning Prayer

Where: St. Anna Alexander Chapel, Episcopal Center, Savannah

When: Every Friday morning, 9:00am

Vestry Retreat Weekend #1

Where: Honey Creek

When: January 8-9, 2027

Register here

Cursillo Ultryea

Where: Honey Creek

When: February 5-6, 2027

Into the Wilderness Lenten Retreat

Where: Honey Creek

When: February 11-13, 2027

Register Here

Walking with the Word Lenten Retreat

Where: Honey Creek

When: February 19-20, 2027


Register here

Happening #113

Where: Honey Creek

When: February 19-21, 2027


Candidate Registration

Vestry Retreat Weekend #2

Where: Honey Creek

When: February 26-27, 2027

Register here

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.

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 2026 one-year prayer cycle is online here: 2026 Prayer Cycle.

November 15 - 21 In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Vidalia, the Church of the Annunciation. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Vidalia, especially Sacred Heart Catholic Church and for St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church in Reidsville. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in Santo Domingo, especially St. Peter and St. Paul (San Pedro y San Pablo). 

November 22 - 28 In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Waycross, Grace Church. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Waycross, especially St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in Santo Domingo, especially St. Ann’s (Santa Ana). 



31-Day Prayer Cycles - Revised October 1, 2026

Our monthly prayer cycle and clergy spouse prayer cycle are now out in a revised edition: Diocesan Prayer Cycle and Clergy Spouses Prayer Cycle.