April 17, 2012
From the Field
is a weekly eNewsletter of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia sent out each Tuesday.
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General
Convention 2012
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Our eight elected clergy and lay deputies and their alternates will meet together with Bishop Benhase in six sessions, one in each convocation. These listening sessions will take place in Eastertide from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on the following dates at the following locations:
April 21
St. Thomas'
Thomasville
April 28
St. Paul's
Albany
May 5
St. Mark's Brunswick
May 12
St. Matthew's Savannah
May 19
Christ Church Dublin
The Bishop will be joined by as many deputies and alternates as can be present with reports on each meeting conveyed to our entire deputation. All of this information and more is at the Georgia Deputation website
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Honey Creek in the Black Six Months Straight
For the second consecutive quarter, our camp and conference center at Honey Creek has operated in the black. The very modest profit reveals that the operation was able to cover its costs from its earned revenue while donations to the center were used for needed enhancements. "No bond proceeds have been used to cover operations," notes Executive Director Dade Brantley, "those funds all went to restructuring the longterm debt and making capital repairs and improvements to the facilities."
"At this time last year, we were well on our way to a six-figure deficit for the year," said Mary Willoughby, Canon for Administration. "So far this year we are break even on operations while maintaining a modest reserve for improvements...it's amazing, it really is."
The target for breaking even remains 2013, but the operations remain ahead of schedule for the turnaround of the camp. A key difference from 2011 to 2012 has been the increased usage of the conference center by parishes and the Diocese as a whole. Continued support of Honey Creek by using its facilities is essential to meet the goal of a self-sufficient operation.
One new initiative in 2012 has been the Hundred for Honey Creek. This donor-initiated fundraiser calls on those who could not take part in the Bond Sale to consider a monthly donation of $100 to Honey Creek. These undesignated gifts play a central role in the financial stability of the center on a month to month basis. So far, 10 of the anticipated 100 total donors in the program have stepped forward to provide $1,000 per month. Contact Executive Director Dade Brantley at Honey Creek, 912-265-9218 and say, "I want to be one of the Hundred For Honey Creek". |
Diocesan Office Update
Bishop Benhase's eCrozier from last Friday "'Connecting Personal Spiritual Practices to the Larger Mission of the Church" is online here: eCrozier #131
This Sunday, Bishop Benhase will make his visitation to Christ the King, Valdosta, in the morning and Good Shepherd, Thomasville, in the afternoon.
Pictured here, Bishop and Kelly Benhase and Canon Willoughby are pictured with the Rev. Peter and Happy Ingeman after last week's tour of the construction site for Christ Church, Valdosta's new education building.
Canon Logue will be in Thomasville this Saturday for the listening session in advance of the General Convention this summer, where Logue will serve as the chair of the Georgia Deputation. On Sunday, he will celebrate and preach at All Saints' Thomasville, on this first Sunday following the retirement of the Rev. Rick Buechner.
Canon Hall is back from a successful Acolyte & Youth Leadership Festival (see below for photos) and will travel to the Episcopal Campus Ministry at Georgia Southern University this afternoon with Bishop Benhase. On Thursday, she will attend an EYCS luncheon and will attend the Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry during April 23-26.
Convocational Confirmations in Eastertide
Southwestern | April 21st | St. Thomas' | Thomasville | 4 p.m. Albany | April 28th | St. Paul's | Albany | 4 p.m. Southeastern | May 5th | St. Mark's | Brunswick | 4 p.m. Savannah | May 12th | St. Matthew's | Savannah | 4 p.m. Central | May 19th | Christ Church | Dublin | 4 p.m.
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Acolyte & Youth Leadership Festival a Huge Success
Acolytes from across the Diocese gathered at St. Anne's, Tifton, for the annual Acolyte and Youth Leadership Festival. Third through twelfth graders took part in workshops such as "The Colors and Costumes of the Church, or, How to be an Awesome Acolyte!"
Participants met other young acolytes and church leaders and learned about other liturgical practices while sharing their own church experience. All that being true, the goal was to have fun! See below for more photos.
Acolyte Festival Coordinator, the Rev. David Rose, and Canon Leigh Hall give crosses to two acolytes from Good Shepherd, Thomasville, during the Sunday morning Eucharist at St. Anne's.
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Honey Creek
Register Now for Summer Camp
Honey Creek Summer Camp offers incredible opportunities for exploration, adventure, learning about God and building relationships! As always, there will be great music and worship every day. You'll enjoy spending time in the activities in which you are interested including swimming, arts & crafts, campfires, archery, singing, exploring nature, kayaking, ropes course, disc golf, and more. Camp sessions are based on age groups. All camps include special opportunities to explore nature and music in a more in depth way.
More Information Summer Camp Brochure Frequently Asked Questions Camp Application Honey Creek Website Summer Camp Page Summer Camp dates High School / June 17-23 Camp St. Joseph & Mary I / June 24-30 Camp St. Peter / July 8-14 Camp St. Joseph & Mary II / July 15-21
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Blessed Ruth Byllesby
Recognize a Saint of Georgia April 25
Deaconess Ruth Byllesby (1865-1959) served Christ Church, Augusta, from 1927 to 1943 where she ministered to all in the mill town community of Harrisburg. It was there at her beloved church that she was named a Saint of Georgia in a liturgy celebrated by Bishop Benhase as part of his visitation to the church. The feast day has been set for April 25, the day of her death in 1959. Next week will be the first opportunity for congregations in the Diocese to take part in a local observance of this newest Saint of Georgia. If you would like to observe the feast day in an already scheduled mid-week liturgy, place contact Canon Logue at the diocesan office for the propers. Information on her life and ministry is online here: Deaconess Ruth Byllesby
The other Saints of Georgia were named by Bishop Henry Louttit in 1999. They are online here: Saints of Georgia. One locally observed saint, Deaconess Alexander, is being considered for the calendar of The Episcopal Church. By resolution, the Diocese of Georgia has asked the Standing Committee on Liturgy and Music to add Deaconess Alexander to the calendar through inclusion in Holy Women, Holy Men.
The icon of Deaconess Bylesby shown above was written by Sr. Ellen Francis of the Order of Saint Helena. |
A Low Sunday High
A Reflection by the Rev. David Somerville Those of us who returned to the Eucharist on "Low Sunday" after Easter Day, encountered an unexpected high. We were reminded once again that Easter is more than a day. It is a life. The gospel reading, John 20:19-31, is about Thomas, whose week of being alone with his doubt came to a dramatic end. His doubt was confronted by the unimaginable: He was confronted by his mortally injured but conquering Lord. Thomas learned an important truth about the Easter reality. It cannot be grasped by living in isolation. But when it is brought to one through life in shared community, people like Thomas, you, or I, for that matter, are saved from the great separation we call death. As we meditate on Thomas, we shall see that this reality can build our readiness to live out our baptismal promises, just as it built Thomas' readiness to minister in the broken world God calls us to embrace without ourselves becoming broken in the process.
The Christians of India tell us that Thomas successfully travelled to their ancestors and founded their church. Without his spiritual readiness from being an eyewitness, the success of such a mission would never have been possible. Using the experience of Thomas, we can see how our success in ministry requires our staying quite literally in touch with Jesus' wounds so that our lesser wounds may be healed -- something that can only happen if we stay connected to one another as the body of Christ. Radio commentator, Earl Nightingale was really onto something about how our readiness for service is sustained by contact with one another in community. He mused that "Everything in the world we want to do or get done, we must do with and through people. [By living this way, one can] maintain an attitude that says 'yes!' to life...."
The real presence of Christ almost always happens among people in togetherness as the surviving disciples were together in the room behind closed doors. They were a mutually supportive group in retreat, grieving an unimaginable loss. Then Christ appeared to them in their shared togetherness -- All except, of course, Thomas. He chose to spend that week alone with his grief, his confusion about the empty tomb, and probably perplexed by some strange rumors that he must have thought preposterous. I invite you to continue looking at this year's Low Sunday Gospel. Then ask yourselves, What do you think Thomas was doing in his absence? What was he able to get done? Try this little exercise. See where it goes. |
Savannah Clericus
Wardens/Treasurers Workshop April 28
Canons Willoughby and Logue will offer a workshop specifically designed for church wardens and treasurers on April 28 at St. Paul's, Savannah. While designed for wardens and treasurers, any vestry member, however, is encouraged to attend. The workshop will cover the nuts and bolts of the work of the vestry. Included will be the basics of Episcopal Church business with time for questions from participants and sharing best practices from church to church. The workshop will meet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The cost of this meeting is $10. Lunch will be provided. For any questions on the workshop, please call Diocesan House at (912) 236-4279 to speak with one of the canons. |
OSH Convent, Augusta
Upcoming Retreats and Workshops
Ascension Day Festivities
May 17, 11:00 am
On Ascension Day each year, the Sisters of St Helena enjoy the presence of so many of you who have traveled with us over our 65 years of existence. Ascension Day 2012 marks the 46th anniversary of the dedication of our "Chapel of the Ascension." Celebrate with us on Thursday, May 17, at 11:00 for Holy Eucharist, with OSH Sisters, the Rev Ellen Francis presiding and the Rev Carol Andrew preaching. As you know, a mighty fine buffet lunch follows the service. We will take up an offering that day, which will be dedicated toward building the new guest house in North Augusta. As always, we ask your presence and your prayers, the mutual gift we share with one another.
Saint Helena Series for Spiritual Growth Sponsored by OSH and St Augustine's Episcopal Church
Rabbi Rami Shapiro Biblical Wisdom for Post-Biblical Times - Learning to Read the Bible Like a Mystic October 12 and 13, 2012, at St Augustine's Episcopal Church October 14, 2012, at the Convent of St Helena Program cost: $135 with $65 deposit; register through the convent
To learn more see St. Helena Series for Spiritual Growth flyer.
A Special Offer to Clergy
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The Digital Intern
Continued Navigation
In last week's Digital Intern I covered the first three best practices of the Social Media and the Episcopal Church (SMEC) guide for navigating the waters of social media. The first three cover the generating of content for a dynamic web presence. The last three cover the maintenance and management of your digital presence.
Best Practice # 4: Put Someone in charge of your online strategy
Put someone in charge. Having a strong and engaging social media presence requires ongoing management. Most churches have volunteers helping with online communications and in others it falls on a priest or a member of the staff. It is important to have one person that oversees your online strategy, even if you have multiple people contribution to your churches online communications. This person should not be seen as a gatekeeper, but someone who manages and gets other engaged in your online strategy.
How to: SMEC recommends write a job description for the volunteer or paid position, including how often your website will be updated and what will be posted to Facebook and other social media accounts.
Important to this practice is tapping into the resources within your community and the diocese. You have a wealth of resources in your own congregation and community. You can find more resources for navigating the waters of social media at the digital toolbox on the diocesan website.
Best Practice # 5: Don't be too controlling
You cannot control the universe of social media.
How To: Establish guidelines for your engagement with social media.
The Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut has published a set Safe Church Guidelines for Social Media, which can be helpful in crafting your own social media guidelines. The Episcopal Church's Facebook page includes guidelines for conduct on their Facebook page. You can find these on the diocesan Facebook page. Also check out SMEC section on handling blowback.
Best Practice # 6: Don't reinvent the wheel
There is no need for you to reinvent the wheels of social media when they are already out there.
How To: SMEC recommends that before you start to create something new or from scratch do some research to see if someone has already created it.
Look at other congregations' websites, Facebook pages, twitter pages or blogs. If you see something you like ask them how they did it.
Let this guide be a blueprint in creating a more digital hospitable space for those seeking deeper engagement.
Rudy Reyes
Administrative Intern
The Digital Intern is a periodical column in From the Field focused on sharing tools and resources for developing a strong and hospitable digital presence for congregations and ministries at thedigitalintern.georgiaepiscopal.org/
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Youth & Young AdultsHometown Missions 2012
Hometown Missions 2012 is slated for May 4 - 6 at Christ Church, Augusta, and is open to 6th through 12th graders. The cost to attend is $40, and the registration deadline is May 1, 2012. Participants will be housed at the Episcopal Day School/Church of the Good Shepherd.
Hometown Missions is a weekend event that allows participants to engage in small-scale, mission-focused projects in and around a selected church in the diocese. Participants are divided into work groups according to ability/age, and after a long work day, are treated to a fun event on Saturday night. On Sunday morning, participants worship with the congregation they have served.
This year, participants will arrive at the Church of the Good Shepherd between 7p and 8p Friday evening, May 4. After spending the night there, they will travel by bus to Christ Church, Augusta, for a full work day on Saturday. The Rev. Dr. Robert Polglase, Vicar of Christ Church, and his wife, Amanda, will host a cookout and pool party at their home on Saturday night. Participants return to Christ Church on Sunday morning for worship and depart from Good Shepherd around lunchtime on Sunday.
For more information on Hometown Missions 2012, please email Canon Hall or consult the Youth and Young Adults website: www.edogyayas.org.
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Legacy Society
1st Annual Legacy Seminar Series
Rich Where It Counts The Legacy Society of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia is pleased to welcome nationally known Charles V. Douglas to lead the 1st annual Legacy Society Seminar series. Charlie believes that 'true wealth' requires more than financial assets but rather the harmonic blend of both financial capital and spiritual capital.
Please come, visit with Charlie, welcome him to our faith community and listen as he shares his thoughts on how to put together a 'principled legacy', a true prescription to prosperity, one that's good for the soul.
The first event will be: * All Saints', Thomasville * Tuesday, April 24th * 5pm to 5:30 pm light refreshments * 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm discussion
PLEASE JOIN US! Charlie Douglas is a Senior Trust and Fiduciary Specialist at Wells Fargo Private Bank. He has over 25 years of experience in financial, estate, corporate, tax and charitable planning, guiding clients in growing, protecting and transferring their wealth. He has published numerous articles on the subject in NAEPC Journal of Estate and Tax Planning, CCH Journal of Practical Estate Planning, Wealth and Retirement Planner, NAEPC Journal of Estate and Tax Planning WealthCounsel, and others. Charlie's book titled Rich Where it Counts addresses the importance of understanding one's real wealth with an eye on abundance, not scarcity and thus empowering 'real wealth' transfer.
For any questions, please contact the diocesan office on 912-236-4279 or via e-mail [email protected]
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Spring Clergy Conference
Meeting to Focus on Peer Coaching
The Spring Clergy Conference will meet at Honey Creek from May 6-8. Sunday evening will offer Bishop's Time following supper as we talk about our mutual concerns. This is particularly important as we approach General Convention. On Monday and Tuesday, the Rev. Chris Holmes and other senior trainers who work with peer coaching and mentoring for clergy will help us learn how to assist one another in ministry. The conference will end Tuesday by 5 p.m.
Conference Rates
$97 Commuter
$147 Cottage
$167 Double
$257 Single
Register online here:
Spring Clergy Conference Registration
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Acolyte Festival in Photos
The full album is online here: Acolyte Festival Photo Album
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so we can feature them in upcoming issues of From the Field.
Sincerely,
Diocesan Staff The Episcopal Diocese of Georgia |
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