From the Field
News & Events of the Church in Georgia
November 27, 2012Volume 3, Number 15
In This Issue
Diocesan Office Update
Campaign Priority Video
Diocesan Community News
Interfaith Services
Youth Mission Trip
St. Barnabas Valdosta
Christ Church St. Marys
Honey Creek Thanksgiving
Ralston Room
Sewanee Trustees
God's Superheroes
The Loose Canon
Thrift Store Sale
Savannah Music Events
Convocation Councils
Web Links
 
 
 
December 2 Readings
First Advent
Register Now for Summer Camp

Registration is now open for the 2013 season of Summer Camp at Honey Creek. We are coming off a hugely successful 2012 camp season which saw 210 campers take part in the program. One more session of camp will be added as one additional week this summer to accommodate the growing summer camp sessions needed for middle school students. Camp Director Elizabeth Burns is back on board for her second season and has great plans for enhancing the experience for campers.

 

The registration form and all information is online at the newly revised form is online at www.honeycreek.org or your can go straight to the registration form

 

 2012 Summer Camp Schedule


June 16 - 22-High School Camp

completed grades 9-12, not yet started college


June 23 - 29-Camp St. Joseph & Mary I

completed grades 3-5


July 7 - 13, 2013-Camp St. Peter I

completed grades 6-8


July 14 - 20, 2013-Camp St. Joseph & Mary II

completed grades 3-5


July 21 - 27, 2013-Camp St. Peter II

completed grades 6-8

Diocesan Office Update

 Bishop Benhase will ordain Karulynn Koelliker to the Sacred Order of Deacons this Wednesday, November 28, at 6:30 p.m. at St. Andrew's, Darien. 

 

This Sunday, his morning visitation will be at Grace Church, Sandersville. In the afternoon he will make his visitation to Good Shepherd, Swainsboro (pictured here).

 

Canon Logue will celebrate and preach this Sunday at St. Richard of Chichester on Jekyll Island.

Campaign for Congregational Development - Youth and Young Adult Leadership
Youth and Young Adult Leadership

Campaign to Enhance Youth and Young Adult Leadership

Each week in From the Field, one of the nine priorities will be highlighted, accompanied by a video of Bishop
Benhase discussing the details of the priority and its importance to the future of the Diocese. Above is a 3 minute video clip in which Bishop Benhase describes the strategies to deploy youth missionaries and to endow the Canon for Youth and Young Adults position.
  
The priority areas for the Campaign for Congregational Development were generated through listening sessions across the Diocese. Within those areas-Congregational Development, Clergy and Lay Leader Development, and Youth and Young Adults, there are nine sub-priorities; in addition, investments are planned for Honey Creek as a strategic asset. For a complete listing of the priority areas, see A New Era Of Mission 
Diocesan Community News

The Convent of Saint Helena in Augusta announces, "It is with sad hearts and hope in the resurrection that we announce the death of our sister, Sr. Cornelia Ransom, OSH.  May she rest in peace and rise in glory."  The Order of Saint Helena says that services are pending and will be announced at a later date.

 

 

The Rev. Cheryl Parris completes her tenure as the Rector of St. Matthew's Savannah this Friday, November 30. There will be a service of Evening Prayer at 6 p.m. with Parris officiating and Canon Frank Logue preaching. A reception follows.

The Rev. Tony Powell celebrated his final Sunday with the yoked congregations of St. Richard of Chichester, Jekyll Island and  Holy Nativity, Saint Simons Island, this past Sunday. He has accepted a call to Rector of Trinity Church of Melrose, Florida.

Interfaith Services in Savannah and Augusta
 

From left to right, the Rev. White (Episcopal), Rev. George Lee (Baptist), Rev. David Messner (Unitarian), Rabbi Robert Haas (Reform Judaism), Rev. Creede Hinshaw (Methodist), Rev. Enoch Hendry (Methodist), Rev. Carl Yost (Lutheran) and Monsignor William O'Neill, V.G. (Roman Catholic) in front of Christ Church Savannah before the Interfaith service.

 

In Savannah, Christ Church hosted the annual interfaith Thanksgiving service for the city.  With a large crowd and clergy representing Episcopalians, Baptists, Jews, Muslims, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, Unitarians and Roman Catholics, this historic gathering of faiths within the "Mother Church of Georgia." The evening consisted of readings, music, songs of praise, prayer and a sermon by Rabbi Robert Haas of Congregation Mickve Israel and the Rev. David Messner of The Unitarian Universalist Church of Savannah (pictured above together in the pulpit).

  
The Rev. Michael White, Rector of the church, said, "At Christ Church, we have a sign that says 'All are Welcome,' and hosting our brothers and sisters of neighboring communities of faith is a wonderful way to live into our own faith and hope for a world of increased peace and understanding."  He added, "This is a time-honored tradition for the community, but also an experience that is in keeping with the history and mission of our church.  When Christ Church formed as the first organized faith community in Savannah, there were numerous people of other faith traditions who were present in the colony, and the church sought when possible to be of help and service to all the citizens of Savannah."

  
Augusta Trifaith Service

In Augusta, a Trifaith Service of Thanksgiving was held on at the Congregation Children of Israel with the Rev. John West, Rector of Our Savior Martinez leading the service together with Rabbi Robert Klensin, of Congregation Children of Israel and Imam Jamal Daoudi of the Islamic Society of Augusta. This Service of Thanksgiving included readings from the Holy Writings of each faith represented, along with prayers and music. Those attending were encouraged to bring nonperishable food items for the Golden Harvest Food Bank.

Companion Diocese
Plans Set for 2013 Youth Mission Trip
 Details are coming together for this coming summer's diocesan youth mission trip to the Diocese of the Dominican Republic. The team, led by the Revs. Joshua Varner, Loren Lasch, Cynthia Taylor and David Rose, will be going to Mao, a small town north of Santiago. The group will be traveling from June 24 through July 1. The picture at right shows children who will be at this summer's VBS taken by the Rev. Joshua Varner during a site visit in October.
  
The focus of the mission trip will be telling the stories of our faith to children and adult by providing materials and support for a local VBS program.  The trip is anticipated to cost no more than $1,500, with the airfare being the greatest variable. The cost for the trip includes a mandatory weekend event in the spring to prepare the group to work as a team once in the Dominican Republic.
  
Get updated information for a teen mission trip to the Dominican Republic through email by subscribing here.

 

Below is a picture of the area where the mission team will stay. See more of Joshua's photos from his scouting trip online here: Mission Trip Scouting Photos. Contact the Rev. Joshua Varner about this trip at [email protected]

St. Barnabas, Valdosta
Packing Shoe Boxes for Samaritan's Purse
 

Operation Christmas Child - Shoe Box Ministry (sponsored by Samaritan Purse) is under way at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Valdosta. Lynn Crawford, Seraphina Ronn, Bella Stucker and Melissa Stucker prepare to load up over 40 boxes for delivery for Christmas to children all over the world. 

 
Christ Church, St. Marys
Preparing for Community Feast is a Snap 

Members of Christ Church, St. Marys, gather to snap beans to prepare for the community Thanksgiving meal is being served at the Methodist Church in St. Marys.
 
 
Honey Creek
First Thanksgiving at the Creek a Hit
 More than three dozen people took part in the first ever Thanksgiving at our Camp and Conference Center. The midday traditional meal was a success with all involved looking forward to future Thanksgivings at Honey Creek. As participant Rebecca Hummel put it, "It was an absolutely perfect day! So happy to have been part of the first Honey Creek Thanksgiving! Definitely a new Hummel tradition!"
 
"I Can See Music Everywhere"

Conversion in the Ralston Room at Sewanee

 At the time of his death in May of 2003, the Rev. William Ralston had assembled one of the nation's most comprehensive private collections of classical music. In his will, Ralston expressed his desire that a fitting space be created at Sewanee, The University of the South, to house this collection and provide both serious students of music and casual listeners a place to fully appreciate recorded music. The Rector of St. John's Savannah had taught Moral Theology at the School of Theology. His bequest led to the creation of The William Ralston Music Listening Library and Archive, a state-of-the-art facility in duPont Library offers an unparalleled teaching and learning resource.  Equipped with the world's finest audio and video components. this listening room holds over 10,000 records as well as rare scores and books about music.  An adjacent room with high-density storage provides access to nearly 10,000 compact discs, with additional space to expand the collection.  A 3,000 square foot reading room containing duPont Library's music books and scores completes The Ralston Listening Library.
 
 The listening room can reproduce the full impact of concert music without strain or distortion, The William Ralston Music Listening Library and Archive has been described by experts as "unique in the United States and perhaps the world," certainly the finest facility of its kind at any college or university in America." A review for High End Audio summed the room saying, "The purpose of the Ralston Listening Room is to provide students the life-changing experience of a vibrant encounter with the glories of Western musical culture. Between the magnificent room, its state-of-the-art equipment, and its unique collection of recorded music, books, scores, and memorabilia, I know of no finer facility." 

 

What impact does this unique academic facility have on the lives of the current "ear-bud generation" of students? Watch the video above as Ralston's sharing serious music with students grows into a new generation putting on listening sessions for other students through the gift of this collection.

University of the South
Expectations of Sewanee Board of Trustees

The University of the South, at Sewanee, Tennessee, and often referred to simply as "Sewanee," is owned by the Episcopal Dioceses of the southeast United States, including the Diocese of Georgia.  As a partial owner, the Diocese of Georgia sends four members to the Sewanee Board of Trustees.  The Bishop is one member, and the other three, one presbyter and two lay, are elected on a staggered basis for three year terms by the Diocesan Convention at its annual meeting.  One lay position will be filled by election at the forthcoming Diocesan Convention in Tifton on February 7-9, 2013.  The deadline for advance nominations for this position is December 9, 2012, which will allow for distribution of bios and pictures; however, nominations also may be made from the floor.
   
The Board of Trustees sets the policy of the University, and elects its principal officers; there also is a much smaller Board of Regents which makes day-to-day decisions as a sort of executive committee of the Board of Trustees.  The duties and expectations of a Sewanee Trustee include the following:

  • To become familiar with Sewanee's governance, including its Constitution, Ordinances, and other organizational documents.
  • For new Trustees, to attend a Trustee Orientation session, which generally precedes the Annual Meeting.
  • To attend the meetings of the Board of Trustees, usually at Sewanee.  There is an Annual Meeting in October of each year (two or more days), and when required there are special meetings.
  • To participate in at least one of the standing committees of the Board.
  • To make a monetary donation to the Sewanee Annual Fund each calendar year.
  • To participate in and represent the University at the Diocesan Convention and, where appropriate, in other venues.
  • To be a Sewanee booster, including participation in "Trustee-in-the-diocese" programs, hosting or sponsoring Sewanee events in the local community or parish, helping to identify potential students for the University, helping to identify potential donors and friends for the University, becoming active in news promotion of the University in the local community, becoming well informed about the University and its mission, and the like.   

 Neither the Diocese nor Sewanee provides expense reimbursement to Trustees for attendance or participation in Sewanee events.  With regard to financial contributions to the Sewanee Annual Fund each year, Sewanee expects 100% participation by its Trustees, and even has adopted this Board resolution: "Be it further resolved that those who do not financially support the University on an annual basis reconsider their commitment to the University."

     
More Sewanee information is available at http://about.sewanee.edu/
  Trustees are invited to various University events and convocations, which are both fun and instructive.  The Trustees are a key part of the governance of a great University, which includes an acclaimed School of Theology that claims a large percentage of the clergy in the Diocese of Georgia.
  
Respectfully submitted, Bill Bruce, lay Trustee, term expiring 2014

Youth and Young Adults  

Winterblast 2012:

God's Superheroes

 Superheroes, assemble!! Join us at Honey Creek from December 7-9 for Winterblast 2012, coordinated by the Rev. Loren Lasch. We'll talk about some of God's most awesome superheroes, and discover how we have the ability to use their superpowers in our own lives. It'll be a weekend full of fun, worship, relaxation...and maybe some superhero capes. We hope you will join us!

 

$110 per participant in grade 6-12. Starts Friday evening at 7 p.m. and concludes Sunday at 11 a.m. 

The Loose Canon
The Promise of Shoe Leather Evangelism 
It is difficult to imagine something further from what someone thinks of when asked to describe "The Episcopal Church" than knocking on doors. This hit home for me when planting King of Peace in Kingsland. One homeowner opened the door of his impressive home on a golf course, saw me in my clerical collar and laughed out loud. He was a Church of God pastor who saw an Episcopal priest knocking on his door as the surest sign of the End of Times.
  
 To be sure, this work is not for everyone, but before you dismiss the idea of going up to neighbors houses to talk about Jesus, it might be best to discover what you are missing. I recommend the Rev. George Martin's field tested, highly practical guide Door-to-Door Ministry: The Easy Way to Make Friends for Your Church which is available as a Kindle book from Ammazon for $4.99.
  
Martin is an Episcopal priest, best known for having created the Church Ad Project which created such classics as "Jesus Died to Take Away Your Sins, Not Your Mind" or the image of a stuffed bunny with the text "Has the True Meaning of Easter Gotten a Bit Fuzzy?"
  
 George has spent decades working on conversational evangelism and he distills his advice into this one slim volume. Bishop Benhase and I are taking this work seriously enough that we've scheduled to spend a December day knocking on doors in Pooler together with the Rev. Joshua Varner, the vicar of St. Patrick's. We'll split up, and put shoe leather to payment to see if we can make friends for our mission in that city. We'll let you know how it goes. In the meantime, don't wait for us. Download Martin's book, put it into practice and let us know your results. Comparing our growth trends with those of our neighboring Mormon churhes suggests Martin is on to something.
  
The Rev. Canon Frank Logue
Canon to the Ordinary

The Loose Canon columns are archived online at loosecanon.georgiaepiscopal.org
St. Thomas, Savannah
Thrift Store Holiday Sale in Savannah

Thrift Shop The St. Thomas Thrift Store will hold its annual Holiday Sale on November 30 and December 1, 2012 with a treasure of  decorative and useful items as well as festive clothing for the entire family.  Household wares, games, toys, books, gift items, etc. will also be available. 
  
The shop is located at 1226 E. Montgomery Crossroads, and is open from 10:00 am until 2;00 pm.  Run by St. Thomas Isle of Hope, the store encourage fellow Episcopalians to support the ministry so that the church can do more to benefit local and area charities. All merchandise is donated and the shop is staffed by volunteers. 

St. Andrew's and St. Cyprian's, Darien
Half-time Youth Minister Opening

St. Andrew's and St. Cyprian's Episcopal Churches in Darien, Georgia are looking for a half-time youth director (approximately 20 hours per week).  We need an energetic person who will not only minister to our young people, but will help us reach out to youth we are already serving in our afterschool and tutoring ministries but who are not active in any church.  Experience in youth ministry preferred, but energy and desire to reach youth for the Gospel are the most important criteria.  Interested applicants should submit a resume to Rector, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, PO Drawer 929, Darien, GA 31305, [email protected]. (Pictured left to right: St. Andrew's and St. Cyprian's)

                          
Savannah Area Music Events

 

Advent Lessons and Carols at St. Francis of the Islands
 St. Francis of the Islands, Savannah, will present service of Lessons and Carols to kick off Advent. It will be held Sunday, December 2, starting at 4 p.m. with special music by the St. Francis Choir, Lynda Lum on flute, Danny Park on violin, Drew Whitlow, singing tenor and Heather Haskell playing bagpipes. The church is at 590 Walthour Rd. on Wilmington Island.
 
Caroling in the Landings with St. Peter's

St. Peter's Church, Skidaway Island presents the 21st annual Christmas Caroling in The Village on Sunday, December 9 at 5 p.m. The event will be led by the choirs of St. Peter's Church and The Ceremonial Brass ensemble of Savannah.  There is no admission charge for the event which takes place by the clock tower in The Village.  Information: [email protected] or 912-598-7242. Web site: www.StPetersSavannah.org

 

Celtic Christmas at St. Paul's

This year Savannah Celtic Christmas moves to the parish hall of historic St. Paul's Episcopal Church for a traditional "Ceili" -an old-fashioned Irish music and dance party. Fiddler/singer Moira Nelligan of "The Dixie Jigs" and her band mates George Norman on mandolin and Mickey Nelligan on banjo, guitar and fiddle will join Jacquie Berger and the Atlanta Irish Dance Troupe for a lively, interactive performance reminiscent of old style house parties. Ring in the season with joyous Irish fiddle tunes, piano sing alongs with special guest Gabriel Lawrence and step-dancing by champion dancers in traditional costumes. Some easy Irish social dancing that will be taught on-the-spot - no experience required! In addition to Irish jigs, reels and Celtic ballads, The Dixie Jigs will honor their Georgia roots with Appalachian Christmas songs and the traditional North Georgia-style fiddling of Mickey Nelligan.

  

All Savannah Celtic Christmas cast members are veteran performers of the long running Atlanta Celtic Christmas Concert, which premiered on GPTV last December and was awarded the 2012 Southeast Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Arts and Entertainment. Experience the magic as Savannah native Moira Nelligan brings this Irish-in-the-Deep-South music and dance tradition to her own hometown.

 

Tickets $15  under 12 $10

http://moiranelligan.ticketleap.com/savannah-celtic-christmas-/

Tickets also available at the door cash-only. Doors open at 7:45 p.m. Cash-only donations food, beer and wine concessions. 

Convocation Councils Upcoming

Each year, Convocation Councils are held to review the diocesan budget in advance of the diocesan convention and to elect a representative to Diocesan Council. The following meetings are upcoming:

  

The Southeast Convocation Council will be held on Sunday, December 2nd, at 4pm at St. Mark's in Brunswick.

  
The Central Convocation will have its annual Convocation Council Meeting on Sunday, December 9, at 3pm at Christ Church in Dublin. 

Anticipation

 
Terri Bridges captured this moment of anticipation just before
the liturgy started at St. Margaret of Scotland in Moultrie.

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Sincerely,                                      
            

Diocesan Staff                                
The Episcopal Diocese of Georgia