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November 11, 2020
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Volume 10, No. 62
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Sweet, Sweet Spirit
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| | Canon Lasch's convention set up at the Diocesan House |
One of the things I've most looked forward to about coming home to the Diocese of Georgia is joining with the diocesan family at Convention. It's so good to see lay leaders and clergy from around the diocese, to share stories and reminisce, to worship and pray together. So, of course, I was so disappointed when it became apparent that physically being together for the 199th Convention just wasn't safe, and we needed to find a way to meet virtually. I figured we'd be able to handle the business parts of Convention, but we wouldn't have the sense of "togetherness" that we so look forward to each year.
But, Convention ended up being a moment where you could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit binding us together in community, even from the farthest corners of the diocese. It was such a joy to see the names of delegates and guests as they signed into Convention. The morning greetings, while not over coffee, held the same sense of happiness as people "saw" each other after a long time of being apart. The peace, shared during the virtual Eucharist, didn't include hugs, but was full of love and care for one another. The sense of community was palpable, because the people of this diocese don't need to be physically in the same space in order to be united in Christ. Your Diocesan staff is so grateful to all who took part in Convention, for your patience and good humor, and for your deep dedication to the ministry of this Diocese.
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Offering thanks and praying on Veterans' Day
 On this Veterans' Day we give thanks for all who have served in the Armed Forces. Our country depends on their sacrifice and the sacrifices made by their families. We pray this day for those who serving at home and abroad: Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Pictured above is a church service in a fire support base in Vietnam taken by Julius Ariail of Christ Church, Valdosta, while serving there 1971-1972.
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Convention Award Recipients
During each convention, awards are given to those who have demonstrated dedication to their community, parish, and Diocese.
 Deacon's Award: Marvin Griffin, The Episcopal Church of St. John and St. Mark, Albany, GA
Marvin and his brother, Andrew, began a prison ministry and began to invite their inmate brothers to write down prayer requests that would be brought to the Morning Prayer group that would then be incorporated during the Intercessory offering. Each person present prayed for an inmate and their particular needs. Soon Marvin and Andrew began observing changes in the inmates who now felt a connection to the outside world and they shared how it changed them. Marvin brings a message of grace and mercy in a very dark and difficult environment. But more, he continually shows us how to look into the eyes of another and see Jesus.
 Dean's Award: Pat Burau, St. Augustine's of Canterbury, Augusta, GA
Pat was instrumental in developing the Saturday Community meals feeding ministry at St. Augustine's, and when COVID prevented the ministry from continuing as planned, she partnered up with Starbucks to receive food to distribute to the Saturday guests and more in need. She also participates in the St. Augustine's reading and tutoring program at A. Brian Merry Elementary School and the StoryBox Ministry that makes sure that each child receives a book to keep. Pat is constantly looking for ways to serve others and the church.
 Bishop's Award: Teresea Martin, Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Swainsboro, GA
Known as "Mother Teresea," she embodies every warm feeling that comes to mind with that name. She is the mother that reads books to her children as she has done so many times at New Beginnings. She is the mother that comforts her children when they need pillows, blankets, or a warm hug of reassurance for a child's first time away from home at Honey Creek. She is the mother that brings peace by being organized when chaos comes creeping in. Mother Teresea is amazing in so many ways and it is an honor to recognize her work with youth and leaders in our Diocese.
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Convention Elections
Many thanks to Kate Templeton for serving as our Elections Chair.
The following have been elected to positions in the Diocese:
Board of the Corporation:
Becky Cheatham, Christ Church, Savannah
Diocesan Council:
Sarah Eubanks, St. Thomas, Thomasville
Disciplinary Board:
The Rev. David Lemburg, St. George's, Savannah
Bill Bruce, King of Peace, Kingsland
Phillip Davies, St. Augustine of Canterbury, Augusta
Standing Committee:
Dave Cranford, Trinity, Cochran
The Rev. David Rose, St. Luke's, Rincon
Trustee to the University of the South
The Rev. Tom Purdy
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Happening Virtual Reunion Group Next Week!
 When: Monday, November 16 & Tuesday, November 17 in the evenings on Zoom. Who: For All Happeners from any time! How: Register now at http://bit.ly/GAHappening Happening, for youth in grades 10-12, is one of the Diocese of Georgia's most successful and long-running youth programs. Many adults in this Diocese and beyond its borders have been deeply impacted by their experiences of Happening weekends. Often groups of youth from the same area have formed Reunion Groups for renewal, to touch base, and to support future weekends. As with all other Diocesan youth programs this fall, Happening has had to pause in-person gatherings. While we are sad that Happening #104 will not take place in November, several of the staff of Happening #104 are coming together to offer an online Happening Reunion experience instead! The virtue of being online, in this case, is that all Happeners (i.e. - those who have attended a Happening as a Candidate), regardless of their age or physical location, are able to join! While there is no cost for the Happening Reunion, registration is required. This lets the staff know approximately how many participants to expect and what ages. |
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Two more opportunities for Down to the Park to Pray
The final two Down to the Park to Pray gatherings will be held on Nov. 21 at Georgia Veterans State Park
(near Cordele) and Dec. 12 at Reed Bingham State Park (between Tifton and Valdosta), both beginning at 11am. Episcopalians and friends gather at a picnic shelter for outdoor Eucharist, followed by the prayerful practice of creating earth altars/nature mandalas (optional). Participants can bring a lunch and enjoy a picnic and park amenities in the afternoon. Group size is limited, so advance registration is required. All diocesan pandemic precautions are observed. Find more information and register here or email [email protected].
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Diocesan Online Godly Play on Zoom this Sunday 
Godly Play is a Montessori-based curriculum that focuses on telling stories using physical materials and allowing participants to play and work with the stories at their own level.
This coming Sunday, November 15, Canon Joshua Varner will tell the story of the Exile and the Return at 11:00am on Zoom. This story was shared on Sunday on the Diocesan Facebook Page, and can be viewed at any time! These sessions are appropriate for young people of all ages, and many adults find that the Godly Play method allows them to think about stories they have known for a long time in new and different ways.
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Disc Golf Fundraiser for Honey Creek
 Spots are beginning to fill up for the Honey Creek Open for December 12, 2020! Honey Creek joined forces with Innova and Camden Disc Golf to provide an excellent event that will also serve as a fundraiser for Honey Creek and Camber Disc Golf's club. To kick off the event, on Friday, December 11, you'll get to enjoy Glow Disc Golf!
For more information about the event and how to participate, contact Executive Director Dade Brantley at [email protected]. If you'd like lodging information, contact Georgeanne Younger at [email protected].
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Thriving in the Vine 2020: The View From Afar
We've seen some great shots of your experience of Diocesan Convention!
The Rev. Leeann Culbreath and Brookie (left) and Fred (right) are ready for their first convention!
The delegation from St. Patrick's, Albany is ready to go!
Computers and drinks at the ready for Diocesan Communications Manager Liz Williams (left) and
the Rev. Tom Purdy at Christ Church, Frederica. (right).
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Worship with the Diocese of Georgia in Savannah on Sunday
This Sunday, we will stream the Liturgy of the Word at 10 a.m. from Christ Church, Savannah with Bishop Logue officiating and preaching.
Find Livestream Worship
There are a lot of options each day for Episcopalians in the Diocese of Georgia to worship online and now they are listed in one place. The Livestream Services calendar tells the time, location, and which liturgy the congregation offers for the whole Diocese. Click the image above or this link: Livestream Services Calendar.
Have you adjusted your livestream schedule? Let us know! We have a running calendar that you can find here. Check to see if your schedule is correct, and if there are any changes, email Administrator Assistant Daniel Garrick at [email protected]. |
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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.
November 8 - 14
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregations in Valdosta, Christ Church, Christ the King, and St. Barnabas. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Valdosta, especially St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in Santo Domingo, especially St. Philip the Apostle (San Felipe ApoĢstol).
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).
Additional Prayer Cycles
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Diocesan Office Update and News
Sunday, Bishop Logue will officiate and preach the Liturgy of the Word from Christ Church, Savannah offered online at 10 a.m. To find the service, visit the Diocese of Georgia Facebook Page Facebook page or the Diocese of Georgia YouTube page.
Throughout the remainder of 2020 Bishop Logue will continue to record Diocesan worship from different congregations across the Diocese. To see the calendar for the remainder of 2020, click here.
In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Diocesan staff are not all in the office at the same time with some working remotely. Email will be the quickest way to get in touch with the staff, although you are still welcome to call us on the phone! If we miss your call, please leave a voicemail with a detailed message. Staff e-mails can be found here.
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Let Us Know!
What are you doing to keep community right now? Are you gathering for virtual coffee hours, delivering groceries to your neighbors - let us know! Send any updates or photos to our Communications Manager Liz Williams at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!
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Compline, But With More Cords...Er....Chords
Canon Varner assists with Compline with the help of Assistant Administrator Daniel Garrick Friday evening to close out the first day of convention. Compline was led by youth Verity and Fiona Sullivan of the Collegiate Church of St. Paul, Savannah.
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