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This Sunday's Lections
12th Sunday
After Pentecost
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2 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14
Psalm 111
Ephesians 5:15-20
John 6:51-58
or
Proverbs 9:1-6
Psalm 34: 9-14
Ephesians 5:15-20
John 6::51-58
Go
here for the full text.
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Register Now for 197th Convention!
Registration is open for the 197th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese slated to be held November 8-10 at Albany State University - West Campus in Albany, Georgia. In addition to general registration, sign up for one of the following workshops:
Down to the Woods to Pray
Facilitated Prayer Walk
2 to 4 PM
Join the Creation Care Commission for a meditative prayer walk through the woods behind Willson Hospice House. Along the peaceful one-mile trail, the group will pause for guided prayer and reflection. The walk will conclude with Eucharist at an outdoor chapel. Gather at the registration area at [time] for a short carpool to the trail head. The trail is not paved but is accessible by most wheelchairs.
Communications Round-table
2 to 4 PM
Director of Communications Anna Iredale will head up a communications round-table where participants can address the challenges of current parish communications and garner some new ideas for the coming year.
Godly Play in the Congregation
2 to 4 PM
In this workshop, led by the Rev. Joshua Varner, Canon for Children and Youth, participants will hear and reflect upon a Godly Play story together and as individuals. They will then have the opportunity to discuss both the theological underpinnings of Godly Play and some practical aspects of working with Godly Play in individual contexts. Come to hear a story, to listen for the Spirit, and to find out more about this particular approach to Christian Formation.
Invite, Welcome, Connect
2 to 4 PM
The Rev. Canon Frank Logue will lead this workshop, offering an introduction and overview of Invite, Welcome, Connect, the ministry of hospitality.
Go here to register for the Convention and Workshops.
The apostles and the other followers in the early years of the Jesus Movement referred to themselves as "The Way" as they followed Jesus who was and is "the way, the truth, and the life." When the Diocese of Georgia gathers for its 197th convention, the theme "The Way Forward" signals that we too see the only way forward is along that same way of our crucified and risen Lord. Alongside passing a budget, electing persons to diocesan committees, and the rest of the business of the diocese, we will consider how to be faithful to the way in our worship and through our stewardship of all that God has entrusted to us.
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The Rev. David Lemburg accepts call to St. George's
The Vestry of St. George's Savannah announces that the Rev. David Wesley Lemburg has accepted a call to serve as their Priest in Charge. He will begin work at St. George's on September 17. Lemburg has been an active member in the Episcopal church since he was three years old. He served St. Paul's, Fayetteville as a choir member, acolyte, verger, altar guild, Eucharistic visitor, lector, and Eucharistic minister, before receiving ordination to the diaconate in 2004 and priesthood in 2005.
 Lemburg was born in Houston, Texas and raised in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He is a U.S. Navy Veteran, serving the USS BOXER LHD-4 in the mid-90's, doing Intelligence work. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He has a Master's in Divinity from The General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church, NYC. Lemburg comes to St. George's from St. Patrick's in Pooler, Georgia, where he served for a year as the Priest in Charge. Previously, he was the Rector of the Episcopal Church of the Mediator-Redeemer in Magnolia, Mississippi. He has also served as a Chaplain for retired military, and served in churches in New York, Western Louisiana and Hawai'i. He is married to the Rev. Melanie Lemburg, the Rector of St. Thomas Isle of Hope in Savannah. They have two children - Mary Margaret (14) and Jack (10).
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Bishop's Visitation
Shannon Pojedinec, second from left, was received on August 12. She's pictured with from left, the Rev. Donald Holland, Rector, Bishop Scott Anson Benhase, and Brandy Holland.
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From the Canon for Children and Youth
We're All Acolytes
This past weekend, some 40 acolytes in grades 3-12 and 10 or so adults gathered at
 St. Anne's, Tifton to participate in the Acolyte Festival. Participants came from 10 different congregations from Jesup, Martinez, Tifton, Albany, Savannah, Valdosta, and Cordele. They learned about worship in the Episcopal tradition, with a special focus on their role as Acolytes. Workshops including learning about the vestments and liturgical colors and seasons, the art of the procession, details of serving at the Altar, and of course, lighting, swinging, and carrying the thurible, filed with coals and incense! Beyond these specific learnings, the Acolytes also had time to play games, worship together, and help lead the Sunday Eucharist by taking part in a Festival Procession. Acolytes who traveled with others of their congre
As I worked with this group of young people, it occurred to me to think about the work "Acolyte." It is often used to refer to someone who "assists a member of the clergy in a liturgical service" (Merriam Webster). However, the word is derived from the Greek word akoloutheó, which is usually translated "follow" in the New Testament. Jesus often invites people to follow him using this word akoloutheó (e.g. - Matthew 9:9). So in a sense, "Acolyte" is another word for a dedicated follower.
But in our liturgy, Acolytes do more than simply follow clergy around. They do not stand at a distance and watch. They lead the procession, serve at the Altar, and by through their ministry they make a difference, positive or negative, on the ability of other participants to enter fully into worship. Of course, I hope the Acolyte Festival helped our Acolytes in this Diocese to embrace the positive side of that equation!
But as we consider our calling to be followers of Christ, perhaps we need to reflect on how me might ourselves be Acolytes. We are not simply standing at a distance and observing Jesus without getting involved. Instead, we have active roles of our own to play. And, like the Acolytes in our congregations, those roles make a difference in how we proclaim the Gospel, and how we seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves.
The Rev. Joshua Varner
Missioner for Children and Youth
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Tithe Letters
Tithe letters have gone out. If you have not received yours, please contact the diocesan office: 912-236-4279.
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On Saturday morning, over 50 people attended the "Loving Our Immigrant Neighbor" workshop hosted by St. Paul's, Savannah. Presenters were Dr. Marie Marquardt (Emory University and El Refugio Ministry) and Rev. Dcn. Leeann Culbreath (Diocese of Georgia and South Georgia Immigrant Support Network). The workshop explored U.S. immigration history, immigration myths & realities, immigrant detention, and how communities of faith can respond to those who are suffering. If you are interested in offering this workshop in your congregation or community, contact Deacon Culbreath 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. The 52 weekly prayers are available in one document
found here.
August 12-18
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Sandersville, Grace Church. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Sandersville, especially St. William Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in San Francisco de Macorís, especially The Good Samartian (
El Buen Samaritano) and Jesus the Nazarene (
Jesús Nazareno).
August 19-25
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregations in Savannah, especially Christ Church, the Mother Church of Georgia. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Savannah, especially the Catholic Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and Ascension Lutheran Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the Church of St. Paul and St. Luke (
San Pablo y San Lucas) in San Isidro.
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Diocesan Office Update and News
Bishop Scott Anson Benhase will make his annual visitation to St. Matthew's, Fitzgerald at 10 AM Sunday, August 19. The bishop's
full schedule is available
here.
The Rev. Joshua Varner,
Canon for Children and Youth, will be working with the New Beginnings Steering Committee this weekend as they prpare for New Beginnings #53, which takes place November 16-18, 2018 at Honey Creek.
The Rev. David Lemburg, Priest in Charge at St. Patrick's Pooler
,
will officiate at the Thursday noon service at Diocesan House.
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Share your news in From the Field
Send your news, events and photos to
so we can feature them in upcoming issues of From the Field. Deadline for submissions each week is Monday at 4:30 PM.
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Love God, Love Neighbor
Training for Refugee Resettlement Ministry
Registration is now open for "Love God, Love Neighbor," a three-day training course for clergy and laity that is designed to equip Episcopalians to be advocates, allies, and ambassadors for refugees and the ministry of refugee resettlement.
Sponsored by Episcopal Migration Ministries, "Love God, Love Neighbor" will be held Wednesday - Friday, October 11-13 at Christ Church Cathedral, Louisville, Kentucky.
The training provides an in-depth exploration of the global displacement crisis, the United States refugee policy, how refugee resettlement works, faith-based advocacy for refugees, and organizing to welcome and support refugees in your home community. The gathering brings together people not only from across The Episcopal Church, but also from ecumenical and lay partners to learn from one another as we explore different local contexts as they relate to refugee resettlement. The result is an invaluable opportunity to build community and relationships that continue on after the training ends.
Information and registration are available here. Registration is $150, and includes all training programming and materials, a light breakfast and hearty lunch each day, and a reception on Wednesday. Beverages and snacks will also be provided throughout the day. Registration does not include housing or transportation to the conference.
Registration deadline is Friday, August 31 at 5 PM. Please contact Allison Duvall, Episcopal Migration Ministries Manager for Church Relations and Engagement, [email protected] with questions related to this training.
"Love God, Love Neighbor" is offered by Episcopal Migration Ministries with funding from the Constable Fund.
Episcopal Migration Ministries is the Episcopal Church's foremost response to refugee crises. Working in partnership with offices and groups within the church as well as with governments and non-government organizations (NGOs), Episcopal Migration Ministries assures safe passage and provides vital services for thousands of refugee families upon their arrival in America: English language and cultural orientation classes; employment services; school enrollment; and initial assistance with housing and transportation. For each family, the goal is self-reliance and self-determination. After years of living in limbo, refugees now have the opportunity to begin again on a strong foundation that honors their stories and dignity, thanks to Episcopal Migration Ministries.
The Constable Grants were named for Mary Louise Constable, who was a visionary Philanthropist. In 1935, in the midst of economic catastrophe known as the Great Depression, Constable made a monetary gift to the Episcopal Church to establish the Constable Fund. Her desire and intent to add periodically to the fund during her lifetime was realized and culminated with a very generous final gift at the time of her death in 1951. The language of Constable's will states that the fund exists "in perpetuity ... to apply the net income for the purposes of the Society, preferably for the work in religious education not provided for within the Society's budget.
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Reserve Time at Saluda Clergy Cottage Today!
To reserve time, please fill out and email/mail the reservation form found
here.
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Open House and Blessing
Diocesan House
4 PM, Thursday, August 23
18 E. 34th Street
Ordination to the Priesthood
The Rev. Bunny Simon Williams
August 25 at 11 AM
Church of the Good Shepherd, Augusta
Diocesan Council
September 14-15
St. Luke's, Hawkinsville
Happening #101
September 14-16
Honey Creek
Grades 10-12
For information, go
here.
Project Resource Training with the Bishop
Southeast Convocation
Holy Nativity, St. Simons Island
September 22
9:30 AM to noon
Fall Clergy Conference
September 24-26
Honey Creek
To register, go here:
http://bit.ly/FallClergyConference2018
Conflict Management
October 1-5
Honey Creek
Commission on Ministry and Standing Committee
October 5-6
St. Michael and All Angels', Savannah
Project Resource Training with the Bishop
Albany Convocation
Christ Church, Cordele
Saturday, October 27
9:30 AM to noon
To register, go here:
http://bit.ly/AlbanyProjectResourceWorkshop2018
Project Resource Training with the Bishop
Augusta Convocation
St. Augustine's of Augusta
November 3
9:30 AM to noon
To register, go here:
197th Convention of the Diocese of Georgia
November 8-10
Albany, Georgia
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Christmas is closer than you think!
The Rev. Michael White, Rector of Christ Church Savannah, said a prayer for the poinsettias that arrived this week--and which will grace the church at Christmas--and those who will care for them in the coming months at Oelschig Nursery.
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