August 22, 2018
Volume 8, Number 52
Diocese Opened Doors to New Home August 23rd

The new diocesan offices at 18 E. 34th Street were dedicated on Thursday, August 23rd. Among the guests was 
Bishop Gregory John Hartmayer, the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah. To see more photos from this event, visit the Diocese of Georgia's Facebook page by going here



In This Issue
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This Sunday's Lections
15th Sunday
After Pentecost
Song of Solomon 2:8-13
Psalm 45:1-2, 7-10
James 1:17-27
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
OR
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9
Psalm 15
James 1:17-27
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23


Go  here for the full text.

Front row: Steph Johnson (Director), Annie Lee (Aide), with interns Shelby Coulter, Emily Johnson, Erin Cole, Carter Brogdon
Back row: Kathya Melgar, Alex Jones, Will Sandridge, Wil Brown, Rev. Dave Johnson (Rector). Not pictured: Antonio Scantlebury

9 Interns in Ministry to VSU Students
Nine Valdosta State University students will serve this year in an internship program at Christ Church Valdosta. All of the interns will live on the church property with the four female students in Tomberlin House and the five male students in Louttit Hall. The interns will serve about 20 hours each week in running Grace Café, helping with the Thursday Dinners, and serving in other areas of ministry at Christ Church.

The internship program builds on the solid growth in the congregation's campus ministry experienced during the 2017-2018 school year. Last year, the Rev. Dave and Stephanie Johnson hosted Thursday night dinners in the Rectory. These were moved to the lower level of Louttit Hall, which was named Grace Café. By the spring of 2018, 60 to 80 Valdosta State were attending the dinners. Many students also frequented Grace Café throughout the week. 

Christ Church is also starting a Noon Sunday Service geared toward VSU students that the interns assisting in leadership. These more informal services will use a Rite II Eucharist with the same sermon as the 8 and 10 services on the weekends when the University is in session. 

"We are thrilled to have our nine interns living on the Christ Church property to help run Grace Café, our Thursday Dinners, our upcoming Noon Service-as well as help with other ministries at Christ Church," said the Rev. Dave Johnson, Rector at Christ Church. "They are a gifted and fun group with a wonderful diversity of personalities and gifts.  We remain grateful to the Diocese of Georgia for the generous support of this college ministry-and we bid prayers as we continue to share the grace of God in Jesus Christ with the students of Valdosta State."
Interfaith Trip to Holy Land Planned

From left: t he Rev. Tom Purdy, Rabbi Rachael Bregman and the Rev. Alan Dyer are planning a trip to the Holy Land in the late spring of 2019. (Brunswick News Photo)

An Interfaith Journey to the Holy Lands: Relationship, Understanding and Community Harmony will be led by the Rev. Tom Purder, Rector of Christ Church, Frederica; Rabbi Rachel Bregman of Temple Beth Tefilloh, and the Rev. Alan Dyer of St. Simons Presbyterian Church in June, 2019.  This trip aims to build relationships across cultural and religious lines by exploring together the shared roots of traditions in Israel and Jordan. Additionally, this interfaith journey hopes to begin a longer-term process of continuing to form relationships, deepen understanding, and build community across other faith organizations in Glynn County, Georgia. This trip is open to any and all who would like to participate in this holy work. For more information, go  here. To read an article about the trip published in the Brunswick News, go here.

Join the Creation Care Commission for a Campout!


Join the Creation Care Commission for a camping retreat the weekend of September 28-30 at Reed Bingham State Park in Adel, between Tifton and Valdosta. The retreat will include outdoor fun (hiking, fishing, swimming, campfires, paddling), delicious camp meals, and worship in God's natural sanctuary. Retreatants will also participate in a service project to beautify the park on Saturday and learn about the Creation Care Commission's ministry in the diocese. 

Several adjacent tent campsites have been reserved for the group to share (limit two tents per site), and individuals may reserve their own RV or tent campsites. Cost will be $10-$30 per person total for shared sites, depending on participation, plus a $5 park fee per vehicle. Evening meals will be potluck with a main dish provided by the CCC, and a shared camp kitchen will be available. Hotels are nearby in Adel for those who prefer indoor lodging. Come for the day Saturday or the whole weekend to renew your spirit in the beauty of Creation and fellowship with others interested in Creation care ministry. Families and campers with RVs are welcome but may need to reserve individual sites because of campsite limitations. For more information or to register, email
creationcarecommission@gmail.com
Fall Clergy Conference Set for September 24-26

This year's Fall Clergy Conference will be held at Honey Creek September 24-26. 
In addition to prayer, reflection, worship and fellowship, the retreat will feature three priest-led workshops: the Rev. Kevin Kelly on Developing and Maintaining a Rule of Life; the Rev. Lauren Byrd on Sermon Preparation and Development, and the Rev. Cynthia Taylor on the Role of the Priest Before and After Worship on Sunday.

During Bishop's Time, items on the agenda include new Expansive Liturgies & Other General Convention News; the Project to Commemorate Historic Lynchings in south Georgia; Priest's Handbook Update; Priest Compensation; Canon 12 Proposed Language, and Honey Creek Debt Retirement Plans.

To register for the conference, go here. To download the full agenda, go
From the Field Completes Another Volume
Let Us Know What You Think!
This is the 52nd issue of From the Field in Volume 8. Next week we'll start on Volume 9 but we'd like some input from you, our loyal readers, before we begin.

Here's a quick survey that we developed. It will only take four minutes to complete and with those four minutes you can contribute invaluable information on how we can make From the Field stronger, more interesting and feature news of importance to you.

Thank you for taking the time to fill out this survey!

Anna Iredale
Director of Communications
Around the Diocese
Blessing of the backpacks at St. Paul's Augusta

Blessing of the backpacks at Church of the Good Shepherd, Augusta.

New members welcomed to Holy Comforter, Martinez


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 26-September 1
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregations in Savannah, especially St. Francis of the Islands and St. John's. We also pray for our ecumenical partners, especially the Lutheran congregations of Redeemer and St. Luke's. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in San Francisco de Macorís, especially The Good Shepherd ( El Buen Pastor).

September 2-8
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 the congregations in San Francisco de Macorís, especially St. Stephen ( San Esteban) and St. Matthew ( San Mateo).
Diocesan Office Update and News
Bishop Scott Anson Benhase will make his annual visitation to St. Mark's Woodbine at 11 AM Sunday, September 2. The bishop's  full schedule is available 
here

The Rev. Canon Frank Logue will be on vacation from September 1-10.

The Rev. Canon Katie Willoughby is on vacation this week.

The Rev. David Lemburg, Priest-in-Charge at St. Patrick's Pooler, will officiate at the noon, Thursday service at Diocesan House.
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.  

Reserve Time at Saluda Clergy Cottage Today!
The cottage closes at the end of October. Ch eck the Saluda Clergy Cottage website calendar for availability.  To reserve time, please fill out and email/mail the reservation form found here.
Events 
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
Conflict Management
October 1-5
Honey Creek

Commission on Ministry and Standing Committee
October 5-6
St. Michael and All Angels', Savannah

Cursillo 125
October 11-14
Honey Creek Retreat Center
Contact Rita Spalding, 912-270-2725, for more information.

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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