Bishop Benhase announced Saturday at the Albany Convocation Confirmation that he has named The Rev. Lee Lowery to follow The Very Rev. Bill Stewart as Dean of the Albany Convocation. In making the announcement Bishop Benhase gave thanks for Stewart's good and faithful work as Dean. Stewart is retiring this summer and Lowery will take over as Dean on July 1. Pictured right is Lowery, Stewart, and Bishop Benhase.

 

Lowery is the rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Albany. He grew up in Repton, Alabama. In 1977, he graduated from Troy State University in Troy, Alabama with a bachelor's in Speech and Drama. He received his Master of Divinity from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee in 1990. Lowery grew up Methodist, but later joined the Episcopal Church.

 

Lowery began his ministry at St. Paul's in Mobile, Alabama. While in the Diocese of Central Gulf Coast, he was involved in Diocesan Youth Committee, the Committee on Aging, Cursillo, Happening, and Kairos. Next Lowery served at The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Centerville,Utah. In the Diocese of Utah, he served as president of the Standing Committee, chair of the diocesan Property Committee, and chair of the Commission on Ministry, and helped create the Evangelism and Congregational Development committees.

 

Then Lowery moved to Alabama where he served as a church planter for the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit in Alabaster, Alabama. He started the church in a storefront and today they have their own building on their own land. In early 2013 Lowery began serving as rector of St. Paul's, Albany. 

St. Margaret of Scotland Episcopal Church is located in the heart of rural South Georgia and was founded as a mission of the Diocese of Georgia in 1991.  The original founders were individuals, most from St. John's, seeking a more theologically progressive spiritual home.  This small group met for informal suppers to formulate ideas on what they could do to establish a new worship group. 

           

The ground breaking for St. Margaret's new church building took place on Saturday, January 1, 2000.  This new church was built with the physical labor of the congregation and local contractors.  The first service celebrated in the unfinished building was held on February 28, 2001 - Ash Wednesday.

 

At the Church's annual meeting in 2008, a member of the congregation and the church's nearest neighbor, offer to lease a property his owned to be use by the church until a formal parish hall could be built.  On May 2, 2009 the new space was blessed as a parish house. 

 

In January, 2012, St. Margaret's started a children's service to better meet the needs of young families with children.  By the summer of 2012, it was clear that this was attracting new families with children.  Each child was given a job that would engage them in some way with liturgy and teachings of the church. The growth brought a concern that the house being used for church gatherings and children's activities would limit growth beyond the level we had achieved so far.

 

St. Margaret's was ready to move forward with a leadership gift and proceeds from the sell of Diocesan property in late 2013.  We are very thankful for one individual that donated a large sum of money toward the construction of the parish hall and additional pledges have come from every member of the congregation, we could see our way forward.  The Bishop and Standing Committee approved the plans to begin construction on February 1, 2014.

 

We are excited about the future of the Episcopal Church in Moultrie. With a single vision and mission to serve the needs of population that has changed dramatically in the past 20 years, it is time for a new beginning with a future that will look different from the past. With this future clearly in mind we held a ground breaking service for the parish hall on May 11th with the Right Rev. Scott Benhase, Bishop of Georgia, celebrating.

 

Is this an opportunity knocking?  Is this God calling?  YES!

Bishop Benhase will ordain Sarah Brockenbrough of Christ Church; Savannah, Susan Hill of All Saints', Tybee Island;  Alex Moreschi of St. Patrick's, Albany;  Jamie Maury of All Saints', Tybee Island; to the Sacred Order of Deacons at 11 a.m. on May 31 in St. Paul's, Savannah.

Susan Hill will become a vocational deacons with Sarah Brockenbrough, Alex Moreschi and Jamie Maury to become transitional deacons. Clergy wear cassock, surplice and tippet.

Youth ministry is different in every place and possible in every place.  Every congregation no matter how large or small, no matter how many youth you already have can benefit from this initiate.  Come journey with the Diocese and YP Ministries as we help local congregations vision, plan, and create a stronger youth presence in their church.

 

Participants will leave the Visioning Workshop with a:  

• Plan for developing a youth presence in their congregation
• List of four priorities on which to focus their efforts
• Set of goals to accomplish in 90 days and then in 6 months

 

Phase One: Visioning Training Schedule 

 

May 16 -17 - Tifton

May 30-31 - Augusta

June 6-7 - Savannah 

 

Click Here for more information 

 

Following Jesus is a lifelong journey. Stewardship is a path of discipleship.

 

Are you ready to take the next step in stewardship? Are you looking for ways to help your congregation and diocese discover the joyful path of generosity and giving? Join guides and meet companions who will walk along side in following the Way.

 

Find more information here.