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September 2, 2020
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Volume 10, No. 52
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Thriving in the Vine - Convention 2020
Connection is what all humans need and what the pandemic has made so difficult. Jesus taught through the image of a vine that the abundant life all of us wish for flows out of being in communion with him. He is the vine and we are the branches, connected to one another through our connection to him, the true vine.
For those who feel more like they have been pruned or are even wilting on the vine, this image of the vine remains vital. For Jesus gave this image to followers on the night before he died as he knew they would face tremendous hardships and he wanted them to see how life-giving connection is for each of us.
In our Convention this November 6-7, we will share the ways the congregations of the Diocese of Georgia have responded to the pandemic in pastoral care, worship, and serving our communities to learn from one another the varied approaches that are bearing fruit. The stories will be from churches of every size. These are the adaptations that are not all about technology, but finding ways to remain connected. Through this shorter, online gathering, we hope to inspire even as we reconnect more fully.
Starting tomorrow, the Diocese will share more news about how the 199th convention will meet and how you can take part. For today, we wanted to share our theme of Thriving in the Vine which is guiding the planning.
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We've Got a New Look!
After 10 years we decided that it was time for our website to get an upgrade! Our Communications Manager Liz Williams worked with Summerhill Creative to design a cleaner feel, along with some new streamlining efforts on site organization.
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The Rev. Louis O. Miller, Jr. (1940-2020)
The Diocese mourns the death of the Rev. Louis Oleman Miller, Jr. who died August 25, 2020.
He leaves his beloved wife, Mary Anne, of 45 years; his three children; two children in-law; nine grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
 Born July 18, 1940 in Portsmouth, VA, he served four years in the US Army where he graduated from Officers' Candidate School. He left the service with a rank of 1st L ieutenant. Miller graduated from the University of South Carolina, class of 1970, and did post graduate studies at the University of South Carolina in Mass Communications. He worked for five years in radio and television, journeyed through 24 years in Chamber of Commerce Management. He graduated from the University of the South, St. Luke's School of Theology in Sewanee, TN in 2005, earning his Masters in Divinity Degree. Miller was ordained a Deacon in May 2005 and a priest that December at Christ Episcopal Church in Dublin, where he served as Rector. He then served as the Vicar of Calvary Episcopal Church in Glenn Springs, SC, and as Vicar of the Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Union, SC.
While serving in Dublin, he began his prison ministry, sharing the Gospel and Holy Communion in the Dodge State Prison in Chester. Miller was a licensed private pilot and he enjoyed the peace, beauty, and adventure of flying. A private funeral service will be held at a later date with the Rev. Rob Brown officiating.
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Diocesan Staff Plans for the Future
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|  | | Liz Williams with her small group's tagline after a team building activity. | |
On Sunday and Monday, the Diocesan staff took time away from Savannah to be at Honey Creek for a time of reflection, dreaming, and planning for the future of the Diocese. The retreat provided time for the staff members to dive in as a new, fully formed team. Because of the pandemic and the staggered hiring and arrivals of Canon Lasch and Liz Williams, the staff haven't had a dedicated opportunity to vision and plan for the Diocese. These two days gave the staff the chance to be in fellowship together and envision what they can do for and with the Diocese.
The team not only spent time in discussion, but also completed a few projects around the property. Signs were painted, birdhouses were posted, and new hand sanitizer dispensers were mounted. Fun and sweat was in abundance! Bishop Logue (left) worked on getting birdhouses up while Canon Varner used his white board to do some creative doodling (right)
Taking headshots took some real teamwork (left), and Canon Easterlin facilitated the business sessions (right)
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Livestream Update
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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Upcoming Ordinations
As we have seen across the board, despite changes in how we worship, the Church remains one.
In that spirit, we announce the following ordination:
Vocational diaconate September 26, 2020, 11:00am - Rita Spalding
All ordinations will comply with the guidelines and recommendations of public officials and healthcare professionals. You can still participate in the service by watching the livestream. To view the ordination of Rita Spalding, visit the St. Mark's, Brunswick Facebook page.
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Bishop Logue Virtual Visit Schedule
Bishop Logue will continue to do virtual visits to churches across the Diocese in order to officiate and record Sunday worship.
To see the calendar for the remainder of 2020, click here.
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Worship with the Diocese of Georgia in Rincon on Sunday
This Sunday, we will stream Morning Prayer at 10 a.m. from St. Luke's, Rincon with music from other Episcopal Churches in the diocese.
These liturgies are stored on both
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. |
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Around the Diocese
The Rev. Ann Heinemann blesses the backpacks of members of St. Paul's, Albany.
Seminarian Gabriel Perkins-Lawrence and his spouse Casey Perkins-Lawrence,
who is also studying for a Masters in Theology at Sewannee.
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| | The Creation Care Commission held it's first Down to the Park to Pray at Mistletoe State Park outside of Augusta. Participants created mandalas from objects found in the nature around them. The next event will be Saturday, September 26 at George L. Smith State Park near Statesboro. To register, click here. |
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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.
September 1-7
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregations in Savannah, St. George's and St. Michael and All Angels. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Savannah, especially the Catholic congregations of Blessed Sacrament, Resurrection of our Lord, Sacred Heart, and St. James. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for St. Paul and St. Luke (San Pablo y San Lucas) in San Isidro.
September 8-12
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregations in Savannah, especially St. Thomas Isle of Hope and St. Matthew's. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Savannah, especially Holy Spirit Lutheran Church and St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in San Pedro de Marorís, especially The Good Shepherd (El Buen Pastor), St. Stephen (San Esteban), and Holy Cross (Santa Cruz).
Additional Prayer Cycles
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Diocesan Office Update and News
This Friday, Canon Katie Easterlin and Bishop Logue will meet with the Diocesan Finance Committee.
This Sunday, Bishop Logue will officiate and preach Morning Prayer from St. Luke's, Rincon for the livestream on the Diocese of Georgia Facebook page and YouTube Channel.
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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The Sun Still Rises
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| | The sunrise over the Chapel of Our Savior at Honey Creek during the Diocesan staff retreat. |
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