October 21, 2026| Volume 16, No. 42

Raising up priests and deacons for the church

Pictured: Third year Sewanee School of Theology Seminarian Wyatt Poe places a gown on first year seminarian Rebecca Segrest.

Priests from the Southwest Convocation will join Bishop Logue this evening in laying hands on the Rev. Pierce Withers as the bishop asks God to “make him a priest in your church.” This is the first of a series of ordinations, with four more expected within the next three weeks. These ordinations are the fruit of several years of work by the ordinands and many lay and clergy leaders across the Diocese.

The Commission on Ministry is charged by the churchwide canons with “design and oversight of the ongoing process for recruitment, discernment, formation for ministry, and assessment of readiness therefor.” This group works in partnership with the Standing Committee throughout the process. The Standing Committee must provide their consent before the bishop may ordain someone. In addition to these two groups, the Diocese of Georgia has five regional committees that meet with those beginning to discern a call to Holy Orders.

“More than three dozen lay people, deacons, and priests have given generously of their time and energy to prayerfully discern with the parishioners whose priests put them forward for this process,” Bishop Logue said. “A lot of dedicated work taking place behind the scenes is shaping the future of this Diocese through those we are raising up to be deacons and priests.”

“The current co-chairs of the Commission, Elizabeth Varner and the Rev. Samantha McKean, together with the current President of the Standing Committee, the Rev. Becky Rowell have offered tremendous support for this work,” the bishop added, “as did the Revs. Melanie Lemburg and David Rose, who have since moved away.”

The Diocese has seminarians studying for a Master of Divinity in six seminaries—General Theological Seminary, Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, Virginia Theological Seminary, The Sewanee School of Theology, The Candler School of Theology at Emory, and the Seminary of the Southwest.

Pictured: Mary Painter (at right) serves at the altar in the chapel of the Seminary of the Southwest where she is in her third year.

Those currently preparing to be priests

Jeff Chandler

David Forehand 

Ben Jones 

Greg Jones 

Amy Lewis 

Rebekah Matthews 

Brandon Medley

Kelley Norris 

Susanne O’Day 

Mary Painter 

Simona Perry 

Wyatt Poe 

Rebecca Segrest

Molly Stevenson

Jim Strickland

John Hogan Trinh

Ethan White

Pierce Withers

Pictured: First year Seminarian Molly Stevenson stands to the right of former Presiding Bishop Michael Curry after a service at Virginia Theological Seminary.

The Diocese has a program of formation for those preparing for the vocational diaconate that includes learning modules and in-person gatherings at Honey Creek.

Those currently preparing to be deacons

Ricky Day

Lauri Fulford

Emily Rogers

David Sandbach

How you can support this holy work

The Diocese of Georgia assists seminarians with $1,000 per semester for those studying for the priesthood and in defraying the cost of the Deacons’ Formation for those studying for the diaconate. With the large number of people in formation, this is beyond what could be supported by the diocesan budget alone. Fortunately, a couple anonymously created the Great and Small Fund with an initial gift of $250,000. This fund not only assists with the support named above, but also allows the Diocese to provide additional need-based support for people during their education program and is an important part of how we can have so many parishioners in formation to be priests.

This fund, held in trust and actively invested by the Board of the Corporation of the Diocese of Georgia, can benefit from additional donations. You can make a donation to this fund by sending a check made payable to the Diocese of Georgia and naming the “Great and Small Fund” to 3101 Waters Ave., Savannah, GA 31404. If you need support in making a donation, please contact Canon Andrew Austin at aaustin@gaepiscopal.org.

Pictured: Seminarian Brandon Medley (front center) serves as an acolyte during a service at General Theological Seminary in New York he is in his final year of the four year hybrid MDiv program.

In person Safe Church training

On Saturday October 24, Canon Joshua Varner will offer an in-person Safe Church Training at Christ Church, Frederica. The program will begin at 9 a.m. and end by 4 p.m. Registration is available online here, or by calling Christ Church at 912-638-8683. There is no cost for the training and lunch will be provided.

The morning session will include the Universal modules, which are required for everyone who needs to do Safe Church. The afternoon session will include the Specialty modules, which are required for those who have greater access to vulnerable populations, but are beneficial for all. If you are unsure about which modules you are required to take, please look at Appendix D of our Diocesan Policies for the Protection of Children and Youth, available at https://bit.ly/GASafeChurch. 

Safe Church, Safe Communities is a program of The Episcopal Church that helps churches provide safer environments for children, youth, and vulnerable adults. The training modules help us to live out Jesus’ command to love our neighbor in both practical and theologically grounded ways. They include information on our organizational policies, healthy boundaries, inclusion, power and relationships, and more. Compliance with required Safe Church training is required for congregational leaders and employees, and those with unlimited access to church property. 

The primary way that most people complete this training is online through Praesidium Academy. Each congregation should have a Safe Church administrator who can help parishioners get set up with an account to complete the training. Canon Varner is also available to offer in-person trainings on an as-needed basis. Please contact him at jvarner@gaepiscopal.org to schedule a training in your area.

Register for the October 24 In-Person Training at Christ Church, Frederica

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

Four upcoming ordinations

The Rev. Pierce Withers will be ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests at St. Thomas in Thomasville on Wednesday, October 21 at 6:00pm. The Rev. Ben Jones will be ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests on Saturday, October 24 at 11:00am. He will also be installed as Rector of St. George's during the ordination liturgy. The Rev. Ethan White will be ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests and John Trinh will be ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons on Friday, November 6 at 5:00pm at St. Mark's in Brunswick.

Morning Prayer offered at the Episcopal Center

Beginning this Friday, October 23, Morning Prayer will be offered at 9:00am at the St. Anna Alexander Chapel at the Episcopal Center in Savannah. All are welcome!

Open Enrollment now open

Open enrollment for church employees began on October 14. For any questions, contact Canon Andrew Austin at aaustin@gaepiscopal.org.

Walking with the Word Resource Guides

Resources for the year of reading the Bible, Walking with the Word, are now up on the project website!

You can find the daily reading guide and information about the Miqra event in the Resources section. Interested in hosting part of the Miqra event? Contact Canon Joshua Varner at jvarner@gaepiscopal.org.

Convention 2026 Information

Those interested in a vendor table need to email Maggie Lyons at mlyons@gaepiscopal.org by October 23.

Nominations for open positions on diocesan committees that will be elected upon during convention are open. There are two forms that are needed for a nomination - a nomination form to be filled out by the nominator, and the nominee form to be filled out by the nominee. A person may nominate themselves for a position. Both forms are linked below.

The following positions are available, with current nominees listed:

Board of Officers of the Corporation – 1 lay person

Scott Marcus

Church Disciplinary Board – 2 lay persons & 2 clergy persons

Diocesan Council – 1 lay person or clergy

Standing Committee – 1 lay person & 1 priest

Lay

Sean Hendley

Elise Miller

Priest

The Rev. Kevin Kelly

Trustee of the University of the South – 1 clergy person

The Very Rev. Tom Purdy

Full biographies and headshots of those nominated can be found here.

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.

Costumes & The Crypt

The Augusta Convocation will gather for a joint youth event, Cornerstone's Costumes & Crypts, THIS SUNDAY, October 25th, from 5-7pm. Students in grades 6th-12th are encouraged to join us at Saint Paul's Church for a fun evening, wear their best costume, and bring a friend! RSVP to Aubrey Hinkson at Saint Paul's by clicking below.

Blessing of the Saint Helena Labyrinth

Saturday, October 24 at 11:30am.

414 Savannah Barony Drive, North Augusta, SC 29841

Join the Sisters of the Order of Saint Helena in North Augusta for the blessing of their new labyrinth. The service will be followed by a reception in the refectory.

RSVP to office_manager@osh.org or (803)846-1616.

50th Anniversary of the Episcopal Church of St. Mary Magdalene

Saturday, October 24 at 5:00pm.

321 W. Seventh Street, Louisville, GA

Dr. Elizabeth Schrader Polezer, professor of New Testament at Villanova University will discuss her research about Mary Magdalene and the Gospel of John. There will be a a reception following the presentation. For more information, email stmmlouisville@gmail.com.

Christ Church Frederica on St. Simons Island is looking for a part-time, detail-oriented and self-motivated Bookkeeper to join our parish staff team. Our bookkeeper manages the day-to-day financial record-keeping processes, and ensures accuracy and compliance with accounting standards. The position requires a working knowledge of bookkeeping and accounting procedures including general ledger, payroll, accounts payable, and contribution management. For more information, contact Emily Mumford at emily@ccfssi.org.

Marius at St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Richmond Hill receives a resounding version of Happy Birthday for his special day.

Our Savior in Martinez hosted their annual Truck-or-Treat after their Sunday service.

Members of St. Paul's in Albany enjoyed a meal celebrating their stewardship season.

Canon Joshua Varner with members of St. Margaret of Scotland in Moultrie.

Bishop Logue with the Rector of Cursillo #133, Robin Bailie, and the Rector of the next Cursillo, Kelley Norris, with the Spiritual Directors for the weekend, the Revs. Kit Brinson, Larry Jesion, and Joe Bowden.

Bishop Logue with those confirmed and received at Christ Church Frederica on St. Simons Island for his visitation.

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

Diocesan Convention

Where: College of Coastal Georgia, Brunswick

When: November 6-7, 2026

Convention Information

Happening #113

Where: Honey Creek

When: November 20-22, 2026


Candidate Registration

Vestry Retreat Weekend #1

Where: Honey Creek

When: January 8-9, 2027

Register here

Cursillo Ultryea

Where: Honey Creek

When: February 5-6, 2027

Walking with the Word Lenten Retreat

Where: Honey Creek

When: February 19-20, 2027


Register here

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.

October 25 - October 31 In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Tifton, St. Anne’s. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Tifton, especially Our Divine Saviour Catholic Church and for Holy Family Catholic Church in Willacoochee. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in Santo Domingo, especially Holy Family (Sagrada Familia).

November 1 - 7 In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation on Tybee Island, All Saints. We also pray for our ecumenical partners on the island, especially St. Michael’s Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in Santo Domingo, especially St. Andrew (San Andrés).



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.