October 14, 2026| Volume 16, No. 41 | | In person Safe Church training | |
On Saturday October 24, Canon Joshua Varner will offer an in-person Safe Church Training at Christ Church, Frederica. The program will begin at 9 a.m. and end by 4 p.m. Registration is available online here, or by calling Christ Church at 912-638-8683. There is no cost for the training and lunch will be provided.
The morning session will include the Universal modules, which are required for everyone who needs to do Safe Church. The afternoon session will include the Specialty modules, which are required for those who have greater access to vulnerable populations, but are beneficial for all. If you are unsure about which modules you are required to take, please look at Appendix D of our Diocesan Policies for the Protection of Children and Youth, available at https://bit.ly/GASafeChurch.
Safe Church, Safe Communities is a program of The Episcopal Church that helps churches provide safer environments for children, youth, and vulnerable adults. The training modules help us to live out Jesus’ command to love our neighbor in both practical and theologically grounded ways. They include information on our organizational policies, healthy boundaries, inclusion, power and relationships, and more. Compliance with required Safe Church training is required for congregational leaders and employees, and those with unlimited access to church property.
The primary way that most people complete this training is online through Praesidium Academy. Each congregation should have a Safe Church administrator who can help parishioners get set up with an account to complete the training. Canon Varner is also available to offer in-person trainings on an as-needed basis. Please contact him at jvarner@gaepiscopal.org to schedule a training in your area.
Register for the October 24 In-Person Training at Christ Church, Frederica
| | The Rev. Pierce Withers will be ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests at St. Thomas in Thomasville on Wednesday, October 21 at 6:00pm. The Rev. Ben Jones will be ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests on Saturday, October 24 at 11:00am. He will also be installed as Rector of St. George's during the ordination liturgy. | |
Magnify: a women's justice retreat from the
Episcopal Church
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All lay and ordained Episcopal women involved in ministries of justice and inclusion are invited to connect, be encouraged, build intergenerational connections, and bolster leadership for future women’s ministries.
Offered by the church’s Office of Gender Justice in partnership with lay and ordained women from several dioceses, Magnify will offer times for worship, prayer, Bible study, and teaching on women’s leadership.
Magnify will take place at Camp MacDowell, an Episcopal camp and conference center in Nauvoo, Alabama—a state long regarded as a crucible for justice ministries both within and beyond The Episcopal Church. For women in particular—especially women of color, immigrant women, women living in poverty, and LGBTQ+ women—Alabama represents not only struggle but also the powerful witness of unsung saints.
“By gathering in the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, we seek to learn from diocesan and community leaders on the ground who are holding the line for God’s inclusive love and Gospel-based work for human dignity and thriving,” said Aaron Scott, the church’s gender justice staff officer.
| | Open Enrollment to begin soon | Open enrollment for church employees begins on October 14. For any questions, contact Canon Andrew Austin at aaustin@gaepiscopal.org. | | Walking with the Word Resource Guides | | | | |
Resources for the year of reading the Bible, Walking with the Word, are now up on the project website!
You can find the daily reading guide and information about the Miqra event in the Resources section. Interested in hosting part of the Miqra event? Contact Canon Joshua Varner at jvarner@gaepiscopal.org.
| | Convention 2026 Information | | |
Nominations for open positions on diocesan committees that will be elected upon during convention are open. There are two forms that are needed for a nomination - a nomination form to be filled out by the nominator, and the nominee form to be filled out by the nominee. A person may nominate themselves for a position. Both forms are linked below.
The following positions are available, with current nominees listed:
Board of Officers of the Corporation – 1 lay person
Scott Marcus
Church Disciplinary Board – 2 lay persons & 2 clergy persons
Diocesan Council – 1 lay person or clergy
Standing Committee – 1 lay person & 1 priest
Lay
Elise Miller
Trustee of the University of the South – 1 clergy person
The Very Rev. Tom Purdy
Full biographies and headshots of those nominated can be found here.
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Youth Compline Zoom, Wednesdays at 9:00pm
Youth in grades 6-12 are invited to join other youth across the diocese for a weekly Compline service over Zoom. Held each Wednesday evening, youth will be able to gather together to pray the service of Compline. Scan the QR code or click the link below for the Zoom link.
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Costumes & The Crypt
The Augusta Convocation will gather for a joint youth event, Cornerstone's Costumes & Crypts, on Sunday, October 25th, from 5-7pm. Students in grades 6th-12th are encouraged to join us at Saint Paul's Church for a fun evening, wear their best costume, and bring a friend! RSVP to Aubrey Hinkson at Saint Paul's by clicking below.
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Hope Haven's Volunteer Training
Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Cranmer Hall, 27 West Charlton Street, Savannah, Georgia, 31401
Free parking available in St. John's Church parking lot.
Hope Haven currently serves 13 families and hopes to welcome even more members, but growing the program depends on expanding its dedicated volunteer team. If you'd like to make a difference in the lives of people living with dementia, consider attending Hope Haven's Volunteer Training on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Cranmer Hall. Attendance does not commit participants to volunteer.
To learn more or register by Oct. 11, visit SavannahRespite.com or call 912-231-7310.
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Blessing of the Saint Helena Labyrinth
Saturday, October 24 at 11:30am.
414 Savannah Barony Drive, North Augusta, SC 29841
Join the Sisters of the Order of Saint Helena in North Augusta for the blessing of their new labyrinth. The service will be followed by a reception in the refectory.
RSVP to office_manager@osh.org or (803)846-1616.
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50th Anniversary of the Episcopal Church of St. Mary Magdalene
Saturday, October 24 at 5:00pm.
321 W. Seventh Street, Louisville, GA
Dr. Elizabeth Schrader Polezer, professor of New Testament at Villanova University will discuss her research about Mary Magdalene and the Gospel of John. There will be a a reception following the presentation. For more information, email stmmlouisville@gmail.com.
| | St. Patricks’ in Albany is looking to hire a part-time (average ~7-10 hours/week) Choirmaster/Director of Music and Organist to develop and lead worship music in consultation with the Rector and other team members, in a manner that is consistent with the mission, values, and theology of the congregation. Duties include playing the organ/piano in order to accompany the congregation/choir during all services and rehearsals; leading and directing effective and productive rehearsals of choirs, musicians, and visiting artists; participate in the creative planning of the Sunday and special services with the Rector and other team members; equip, motivate, supervise and shepherd singers and musicians; be responsible for the care, maintenance and growth of the churches’ music collections; and participate in the life and ministry of the church. If you are interested or know of someone who would be a good fit for St. Patricks’, contact the parish office at office@stpatricksalbany.org. | Christ Church Frederica on St. Simons Island is looking for a part-time, detail-oriented and self-motivated Bookkeeper to join our parish staff team. Our bookkeeper manages the day-to-day financial record-keeping processes, and ensures accuracy and compliance with accounting standards. The position requires a working knowledge of bookkeeping and accounting procedures including general ledger, payroll, accounts payable, and contribution management. For more information, contact Emily Mumford at emily@ccfssi.org. | | St. Barnabas in Valdosta set up their annual pumpkin patch with the assistance of airmen and women from Moody Air Force base. The proceeds of the pumpkin patch go towards St. Barnabas' outreach ministries. | | The Rev. Jim Elliott from St. James' in Quitman blesses a four legged friend for the Blessing of the Animals. | | The Very Rev. Kyle Mackey, with the assistance of seminarian Brandon Medley, welcomed a candidate for the Reaffirmation of Baptismal vows (left) and instituted the Rite of Admission with the Admission of a Catechumen (right). | | King of Peace in Kingsland participated in the annual Scarecrow Stroll in Historic St. Marys. | | The Rev. Wallace Marsh at St. Thomas in Thomasville blesses a very excited pup for the Blessing of the Animals. | | Archdeacon Yvette Owens proclaims the Gospel at St. Philip's in Hinesville during Bishop Logue's visitation. | | |
Weekly Youth Compline
Where: Zoom
When: Every Wednesday evening
@ 9:00pm
Who: 6th-12th grade youth
Zoom Link
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Cursillo #133
Where: Honey Creek
When: October 15-18, 2026
Participant Registration
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Diocesan Convention
Where: College of Coastal Georgia, Brunswick
When: November 6-7, 2026
Convention Information
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Happening #113
Where: Honey Creek
When: November 20-22, 2026
Candidate Registration
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Vestry Retreat Weekend #1
Where: Honey Creek
When: January 8-9, 2027
Register here
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Cursillo Ultryea
Where: Honey Creek
When: February 5-6, 2027
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Walking with the Word Lenten Retreat
Where: Honey Creek
When: February 19-20, 2027
Register here
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Vestry Retreat Weekend #2
Where: Honey Creek
When: February 26-27, 2027
Register here
| | We want to hear from you! | | If you would like to have your submission considered for From the Field, it needs to be sent to Communications Manager Liz Williams (lwilliams@gaepiscopal.org) by noon on Tuesday. | | |
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 2026 one-year prayer cycle is online here: 2026 Prayer Cycle.
October 18 - 24 In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Thomson, Holy Cross, and for our ecumenical partners in Thomson, especially Zion Lutheran Church in Guyton and Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Lakeland. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in Santo Domingo, especially the Cathedral of the Epiphany (La Catedral de la Epifanía).
October 25 - October 31 In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Tifton, St. Anne’s. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Tifton, especially Our Divine Saviour Catholic Church and for Holy Family Catholic Church in Willacoochee. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in Santo Domingo, especially Holy Family (Sagrada Familia).
31-Day Prayer Cycles - Revised October 1, 2026
Our monthly prayer cycle and clergy spouse prayer cycle are now out in a revised edition: Diocesan Prayer Cycle and Clergy Spouses Prayer Cycle.
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Bishop Logue will make his visitation to Christ Church Frederica on St. Simons Island on Sunday. He will spend the afternoon at Honey Creek for the closing Eucharist of Cursillo #133.
Pictured: Bishop Logue with the altar party at St. Philip's in Hinesville.
To view Bishop Logue's full visitation calendar, click here. Updated 5/29/2026
Canon Varner will be out of the office October 10-15. He will be at St. Margaret's in Moultrie on Sunday.
Canon Austin will be at the Cursillo #133 Closing at Honey Creek on Sunday.
Staff Meetings are held on Wednesday mornings from 10:00 am to noon and during this time staff will not be able to answer the Diocesan office phone.
Staff e-mails and who to contact for what can be found here.
You may also reach diocesan staff by phone at (912) 236-4279.
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| All creatures great and small | | The Rev. Jim Elliott blesses a chicken during the Blessing of the Animals at St. James' in Quitman. | |
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