December 26, 2018
Volume 9, Number 18
Christmas Around the Diocese
Shepherds sore afraid at Holy Nativity.
Good Shepherd, Augusta.



The cast for Christ Church, Savannah's pageant  
Holy Nativity, St. Simons Island
Christ Church Frederica, St. Simons Island.









Lighting the candle at St. Anne's, Tifton

The Rev. David Rose, left, at St, Luke's Rincon
The Rev. Johnny Tuttle with daughter Isla at St. John's and St. Mark's.
 

The pageant at St. Paul's Albany.


Ready for the Christmas Pageant at the Collegiate Church of St. Paul's, Savannah.
The Rev. Michael Chaney preaches at the Christmas Eve service for Epiphany Church, Savannah, held at the Wormhole this year.
The Rev. Joan Kilian lights a candle at Trinity Statesboro.

In This Issue
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This Sunday's Lections
First Sunday After Christmas
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7
John 1:1-18
Psalm 147 or 147:13-21

Go  here for the full text.
A Conversation with Matthew Fox 
Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL) will host Theologian Matthew Fox on January 17, 2019 from 10 AM - 12:30 PM at St. Simons Presbyterian Church, 205 Kings Way, St. Simons Island, GA 31522. Order of the Sacred Earth: A Conversation with Michael Fox is meant to inspire environmental champions and people of faith in St. Simons Island and across Georgia.  

Fox will offer a lecture on the Christian, moral obligation to care for all Creation, followed by lunch and casual conversation on how to take action.

An internationally acclaimed spiritual theologian, Episcopal priest, and activist who was a member of the Dominican Order for 34 years, Matthew Fox holds a doctorate, summa cum laude, in the History and Theology of Spirituality from the Institut Catholique de Paris and has devoted 45 years to developing and teaching the tradition of Creation Spirituality, which is rooted in ancient Judeo-Christian teaching.

A schedule of events can be found here. Early bird tickets (through January 10) are $20 and include lunch. Online reservations available through January 15, 2019. For tickets, go here.

For more information, e-mail info@gipl.org or call 404.377.5552. 

The Bishop Knocks on the Door
St. Michael's Waynesboro
Founded in 1894, St. Michael's Waynesboro describes itself on its website: "We are young, and we are old. We are lifelong Episcopalians and we are brand new to the Church. We are from Georgia and we are from New York. We are conservative, moderate, and liberal."

It's a congregation with a long history of outreach to the community, including an affiliation with nearby Edmund Burke Academy, and Helping Hands Breakfast Ministry, begun by members Gail and Rocky Rockwell almost a decade ago.

Youth preparing for Easter.
The members of this Episcopal church in Waynesboro also support a longtime (20 years) community outreach ministry: Wimberly House Ministries, providing after school programs for children, a two-week summer camp for youth; family counseling; education for divorced parents, a 24-Hour Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Service Victim Advocacy, Citizen's Judicial Panel for Children in Foster Care and more for Burke's County's 22,000 residents.

"I would venture to guess that we have one of the most faithful, longtime serving organists in the diocese," said the Rev. Erwin Veale, Priest-in-Charge. Ginger Jenkins began playing at St. Michael's as a 15-year-old and she's continued on for 50 years.  "I don't know of anyone who's been on one bench longer," said Veale. Like many who serve in Episcopal churches, Jenkins takes on many roles, serving on the vestry on and off through the years, helping with the bulletins as well as being the organist and choir director.
St. Michael's confirmands and presenters at the Advent IV Visitation by Bishop Benhase:  from left: Tat Thompson, Howell Thompson, Nancy Minyard, John Warner, Sam Eades, Bishop Benhase, Joe Brady, Cynthia Mann, Lynn White, the Rev. Erwin Veale and Rob White.
Reminder About Tithes
The final tithes are due by the end of this year. Call the office with any questions: 912-236-4279.
Plan Now for CreekFEST this February 15-17
CreekFEST began with a mission to get all those of us around the Diocese who appreciate and love The Creek together. We worship, play games, eat yummy food, sing, tell stories, relax, and enjoy time together, all while celebrating the place that brings us joy and peace. This is still the mission of CreekFEST, and we hope you will consider making this weekend a family event, so mark your calendars! 

Registration includes lodging, meals, a 
t-shirt, and events. 

This year, we'll be entertained by the Dusty Roads Band on Saturday evening.
Winter Youth Retreat at Honey Creek - January 11-13
Jesus said to his disciples, "Come away by yourselves and rest a while" (Mark 6:31). 

Between exams, the holidays, travel, and all the other things that December brings, January is often a time when we truly need a time of rest. Come to Honey Creek January 11-13 to relax, tell stories, gather around the fire, and experience the Light coming into the world.

This retreat, coordinated by the Rev. Amy Bradley and Canon Joshua Varner, will offer time to relax, time to tell and listen to stories, and time to play together. The retreat is for g rades 6-12. The c ost is $115 (after January 4 cost is $125). Contact your priest and/or our Canon Missioner for Children and Youth, the Rev. Canon Joshua Varner for scholarship assistance:
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. 

December 23-29
In our diocesan prayer cycle, we pray for Honey Creek for the Order of St. Helena and all religious order in the Episcopal Church. We also pray for our ecumenical partners, especially the Catholic congregations of Our Lady of Guadelupe in Sandhill, San José in Twin Lakes, Holy Redeemer in McRae, and Holy Cross in Pembroke. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for Diocese of the Dominican Republic Parochial Schools.

December 30 - January 5
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our Bishop, Scott Benhase and our retired bishop, Henry Louttit. We pray for our ecumenical partners, especially, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah and their Bishop, Gregory Hartmayer; and for the Evangelical Lutheran Church's Southeast Synod and their Bishop, Julian Gordy. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for their Bishops, Moisés Quezada, and retired bishops, Julio Holguin, Telésforo Isaac, and William Skilton.

Additional Prayer Cycles
We also offer 30-day prayer cycles for those who wish to pray daily for the clergy and clergy spouses:  Diocesan Prayer Cycle and Clergy Spouses Prayer Cycle.
Diocesan Office Update and News
Bishop Scott Anson Benhase'  full schedule is available 
here

The Rev. Canon Frank Logue will preside and preach at Calvary Americus on Sunday, December 30th.

There will not be a noon Thursday Eucharist at Diocesan House.

Diocesan offices will be closed January 31-1.
Beer and Hymns, um Carols in Albany
The Albany Beer and Hymns Group after their Christmas Carol sing: from left: Bert Baranko, the Rev. Johnny Tuttle, Larry Perkins, Gabriel Lawrence, Lindsey Stewart, Casey Perkins, Brownie Roosevelt, Leah Anglin, Peggy Hamlin and Lawson Swam.
Events
 
Bishop's Bible Study
Wednesdays 10 to 11 AM beginning January 9th and ending February 20th
St. Peter's Savannah or online at
Register for the in-person sessions by going here:   http://bit.ly/BibleStudywiththeBishop

Winter Youth Retreat
January 11-13, 2019
Honey Creek

Diocesan Council 
Saturday, January 12, 2019
Annunciation, Vidalia

Happening #101
January 31 (for staff) through Sunday, February 3
Staff register here , candidates 
Honey Creek Retreat Center

CreekFest
February 15-17
Honey Creek Retreat Center
Register 

Commission on Ministry and Standing Committee Weekend
March 8-9
Diocesan House, Savannah

Happening #102
Thursday, April 11 (for staff) through Sunday, April 14, 2019
Honey Creek Retreat Center

Diocesan Council

May 17-18
Augusta

Diocesan Youth Mission Trip
July 13-20, 2019
Happening #103
Thursday, August 22 (for staff) through Sunday, August 25
Honey Creek Retreat Center

Diocesan Council
September 13-14
Savannah
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