May 20, 2026| Volume 16, No. 20

The sustainability committee has worked hard for the past year meeting with each other and partners to examine various options for the future of Honey Creek. The Diocese is extremely grateful for the work Dade Brantley and Georgeanne Youngner are doing to manage Honey Creek but recognizes the workload is untenable for two people. The committee has concluded the present situation is ineffective and unsustainable and that change is inevitable. Options include selling, leasing, and repurposing the property. The group is also considering how best to manage the campus, including staffing, energy, and maintenance expenses. Throughout this work, the committee has been mindful of Honey Creek’s mission of bringing people in community closer to God at this place. 

The committee proposes three options:

1. Continue with the current system understanding that additional financial assistance from the Diocese budget will be required to pay for increased staffing and maintenance expenses. This would be the option with the least change but would most likely only be a short-term solution.
2. Sell the entire property and place the proceeds into an endowment account. The Diocese would look at partnering with other camp and conference centers within our footprint to host our clergy, lay, and youth activities. The endowment account proceeds would assist with expenses of attendees at these events as the fees to utilize other facilities would most likely be higher.
3. Lease about a third of the property to an entity for an approved use that would blend with the habitat, use of the future public boat ramp and dock, and respect Honey Creek’s ethos. Additionally, capital would need to be raised, either by selling additional property at the western side to developers, or “100 for 100” fundraisers, etc. to improve the overall property and assist with startup costs for additional employees. The combination of the startup capital and ongoing income may provide both financial and logistical solutions.

There are several steps to take before any of these can be officially presented. We are working with land developers, engineers, environmentalists, state and county leaders, and other partners, to help us with this evaluation. The committee’s goal is to present details for these three options to the Diocesan Council and the Standing Committee in the next few months. A final decision may be made as early as Convention 2026. Please contact committee chair Susan Shipman or Canon for Administration Andrew Austin with any questions or ideas regarding the future of Honey Creek by emailing aaustin@gaepiscopal.org.

Lay Worship Leaders' Conference: August 28-29

The 2026 conference will take place August 28-29, 2026, beginning on Friday afternoon and ending on Saturday afternoon. During the conference participants will be offered information on the history of Episcopal worship, as well as practical training on how to prepare for and lead worship services effectively. They will also have time to share their challenges and successes with other participants, and the opportunity to make ongoing connections.

In addition, this conference will offer training on how to prepare for and lead Communion by Extension, which is envisioned as a way for congregations without routine clergy presence to receive Communion from the Reserved Sacrament. Congregations that desire to use this Rite must send potential leaders to this conference in order to receive the appropriate training, and must engage in additional discernment involving both the congregation and the Diocesan Office.

Registration for the Lay Worship Leaders’ conference is open! Register at https://bit.ly/LayWorshipLead. Contact Canon Joshua Varner with your questions at jvarner@gaepiscopal.org.

Episcopal Communicators Virtual Conference

The 2026 Virtual Conference is happening, and registration is open! Join us for a dynamic and flexible online conference designed to sharpen your skills, broaden your understanding and connect you with a community of engaged professionals—all without leaving your desk.

Here’s what to expect:

Each day of the conference will center around a specific theme, with three expert-led sessions exploring different facets of that day’s topic, and one session dedicated to breakout rooms to deeper in the day's discussions. Whether you're interested in today’s pressing issues or revisiting the fundamentals that still matter, this event will offer something for everyone.

Why Attend?

• Professional Development: With 12 curated and four breakout sessions across four days, you’ll gain actionable insights on everything from emerging trends to timeless best practices—all tailored for impact.
• No Travel Required: You don’t even have to leave home!
• Ongoing Access: Even if you can’t make every session, attendees will have access to the workshop recordings for six months after the conference.
• Fellowship: Though we’ll be online, it will be a fantastic opportunity to connect, learn, and grow from wherever you are!
• Work-Life Friendly: The daily schedule is intentionally structured so that you can engage with sessions while still preserving half your day for work or other commitments.

Whether you're looking to deepen your expertise, discover new tools, or simply connect with like-minded professionals, this virtual conference is designed with you in mind. We hope to see you there!

The structure (12-5pm ET each day):

• 4-day conference
• 1 topic per day
• 3, 60-minute sessions per topic
• 1 session with breakout rooms to go deeper on the day's three workshops

Daily schedule for June 22-25:

• Session 1:  12 - 1 p.m.
• Session 2:  1:15 - 2:15 p.m.
• Session 3:  2:30 - 3:45 p.m.
• Session 4:  4 - 5 p.m.

Cost

• $200 for members
• $300 for non members

Contact Communications Manager Liz Williams with any questions: lwilliams@gaepiscopal.org.

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, beginning on Wednesday, December 3, 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.

SoulTalk by St. Augustine of Canterbury, Augusta

Thursday, May 21 starting at 6:30pm

Savannah River Brewing Company

Join others at the Savannah River Brewing Company in Augusta for a time to gather in intentional community. It's a space to slow down, have real conversations, and connect-- students, young adults, and whoever needs it. No pressure, just come as you are. 

Music on Madison Square – The North Carolina Baroque Orchestra: Les Élémens: Celebrating Spring

Sunday, May 24, 2026, starting at 5 p.m.

St. John’s Church, 325 Bull St, Savannah, GA 31401

Enjoy music by Georg Telemann, Wolfgang Mozart, and others! This ensemble makes a return to perform for the second time as a part of the Music on Madison Square series with a larger group of performers and more period instruments for you to enjoy.

Ample parking is available in the church’s parking lot behind St. John’s.

To purchase tickets, visit stjohnssav.org/mms.

St. Patricks’ in Albany is looking to hire a part-time (average ~7-10 hours/week) Choirmaster/Director of Music and Organist to develop and lead worship music in consultation with the Rector and other team members, in a manner that is consistent with the mission, values, and theology of the congregation. Duties include playing the organ/piano in order to accompany the congregation/choir during all services and rehearsals; leading and directing effective and productive rehearsals of choirs, musicians, and visiting artists; participate in the creative planning of the Sunday and special services with the Rector and other team members; equip, motivate, supervise and shepherd singers and musicians; be responsible for the care, maintenance and growth of the churches’ music collections; and participate in the life and ministry of the church. If you are interested or know of someone who would be a good fit for St. Patricks’, contact the parish office at office@stpatricksalbany.org.

St. Thomas Isle of Hope in Savannah is seeking a detail-oriented Parish Administrator to support the daily life and ministry of the parish through managing correspondence and social media, preparing bulletins, updating the website, and creating graphics and communications. Strong organizational and communication skills are essential. Proficiency in Microsoft Word is required. This is a part-time position (16 hours/week), Monday–Thursday. To apply, please email your resume to revcolette@stthomasioh.org.

Christ Church Frederica on St. Simons Island held their annual Parish Picnic on the church grounds.

Seniors at Holy Comforter in Martinez are recognized.

The Rev. Kevin Kelly and the children of Christ Church, Valdosta's preschool close out the year.

Youth and adults from Saint Paul's in Augusta volunteered at the Augusta Dream Center.

The Rev. Susan Hill at All Saints' on Tybee Island lead a prayer bead workshop.

The Berry Bonners, who have been working at Honey Creek this week, also toured historic sites in Brunswick during their visit. That included St. Athanasius!

The Episcopal Churches in Valdosta, along with Mosaic Methodist Church, once again provided meals to the medical students from Emory and Mercer who were in town to conduct health clinics for migrant farm workers.

Bishop Logue with those confirmed, received, and reaffirmed at St. Thomas in Thomasville.

Weekly Youth Compline

Where: Zoom

When: Every Wednesday evening

@ 9:00pm

Who: 6th-12th grade youth

Zoom Link

Toil & Sweat

Where: Honey Creek

When: May 18-24, 2026

Register Here

Summer Camp @ Honey Creek



What: High School Camp 
Who: Completed grades 9-12

When: June 7-13

High School Camp registration

What: St. Peter Camp

Who: Completed grades 6-8

When: June 14-20

St. Peter registration

What: Sts. Joseph & Mary

Who: Completed grades 3-5

When: June 21-27

Sts. Joseph & Mary registration

Youth Rafting Trip

Where: Chattooga River

When: July 24-26, 2026

Email Mary Grace

Lay Worship Leaders' Conference

Where: Honey Creek

When: August 28-29, 2026

Register Here

Cursillo #133

Where: Honey Creek

When: October 15-18, 2026

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.    

May 24 - May 30 In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Kingsland, King of Peace. We also pray for our ecumenical partners, especially St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Folkston. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in Jimaní, especially St. Paul the Apostle (San Pablo Apostól), St. Titus (San Tito), and St. Ignatius (San Ignacio). 

May 31 -June 6 In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Louisville, St. Mary Magdalene. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Louisville, especially St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in La Romana, especially The Encarnation (La Encarnación) and All Saints (Todos los Santos). 

31-Day Prayer Cycles - Revised March 31, 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.

Christ Church in Valdosta hosted the South Georgia Classic Car Club Cruise-In.