This summer Columba House has two Duke Divinity seminarians, Guillermo Arboleda and Kelly Steele interning with the ministry. Arboleda and Steele began their summer internship this past week. Arboleda graduated from Messiah College in Mechanicsburg, PA with a B.A. in Christian Ministries and a minor in Mathematics. Steele graduated from Duquesne University in Pittsburg, PA with a B.A. in Theology and minors in Music, and Women's and Gender Studies. Arboleda and Steele are recently married and met at Duke Divinity School. While at Duke Arboleda and Steele became Episcopalians. Prior to interning with Columba House, Arboleda and Steele lived in the Community of the Franciscan Way (CFW) in Durham, NC.  CFW is a mission of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina and a hospitality house to Durham's poor and needy modeled after Catholic Workers Movement.

Arboleda and Steele are engaging in the ministry of Columba House to provide a space for young adults to encounter the Episcopal Church. In addition, Arboleda and Steele are interning with local parishes. Arboleda is interning with St. Paul's, Savannah, where he is engaging in relational evangelism, liturgy, preaching, and working with the Latino community at St. Paul's through the Misa en Español. Steele is interning at St. George's, Savannah, where she is engaging in liturgy, preaching, adult education and relational evangelism. Arboleda and Steele bring unique gifts and insight to Columba House. The Columba House Leadership Team is excited to have them working with Columba House this summer. 

The Church Development Institute (CDI) of the Diocese of Georgia graduated its third class this past weekend. The two-year program equips leaders to facilitate a process of transformation, and to build up the capacities and skills of leaders through self awareness of one's personal impact on others and the organization; to increase knowledge of theories, methods and processes as a way to assess and understand the behavior and development of the congregation; and to give a safe learning environment where one can practice skills in facilitation, feedback, listening and presenting. 

CDI consists of two cycles and each cycle consists of four weekend training sessions, for a total of eight weekend training sessions across two years. The assumption of the program is that every participant is registering for the whole program (both cycles) i.e., 110 hours of workshop; worship with the learning community; required readings and other assignments; and planning, implementing and reporting on congregational development projects. A new class will enter CDI this December. More information on CDI may be found online here: http://gaepiscopal.org/?page_id=4017 

The Vocare Alumni are getting together for our official Annual Reunion! Join us for an overnight beach trip at All Saints' Episcopal Church on Tybee Island on June 21-22. There is a lot of fun and community to be had! A sit down meeting will kick things off, which includes elections for the Vocare Steering Committee and a breakdown of the community's direction. Fellowship on the beach immediately follows.

Who: Vocare Alumni
What: Overnight Beach Trip and Annual Reunion
When: June 21 at 1:00pm - June 22nd whenever you have to leave (preferably after church)
Where: All Saints' Episcopal Church, 804 Jones Ave, Tybee Island, GA 31328
Why: Because we like each other 

Christ Church, Valdosta, is currently accepting applications for the position of Children and Youth Ministries Director. Qualified applicants will have Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university in a related field as well as experience in effectively leading a youth and/or children's group, an ability to effectively relate and interact across age and diversity groups, and a working knowledge of the Episcopal tradition or a willingness to learn about the Episcopal Church. The position description is online here. Apply by sending a cover letter and resumé by July 1, 2014.

The Canterbury Club at Middle Georgia State College (MGSC) in conjunction with Trinity, Cochran held a blessing at MGSC's International Festival, which is the campuses mini-Renaissance Faire. Pictured above from right to left, Dr. Chris Cairney, , Professor at MGSC and Sponsor of Canterbury Club at MGSC - Cochran Campus, The Rev. George Porter - Priest at Trinity Episcopal Church, Cochran, members of Canterbury Club, and Hugh Cairney - Crucifer, Son of Dr. Chris Cairney. 

Recently, parishioners at Holy Nativity on St. Simons Island received and dedicated an icon for their columbarium.  A carved Christus Rex triumphing over the cross and topped by a descending dove of the Holy Spirit was installed behind a free-form altar.  All are hand carved from pecky cypress.  Holy Nativity had commissioned these icons from Sculptor Roger Johnson of Lakeland, Georgia, when the previous Christus Rex could no longer be displayed outdoors. 

    Mr. Johnson told parishioners that in the search for the right log for the figure, the first log he found was the right shape but proved to be hollow on the inside.  When he went back out into the swamp, this particular log seemed to be particularly illuminated by the sun, as it if had been waiting for this opportunity.  Mr. Johnson had patiently listened to committee members, Phyllis Pitner, Dale Anderson and the Rev. June Johnson, as the four stood in the midst of the columbarium waving their arms and painting word pictures from their imaginations.  He then took these diverse ideas and desires and found a way to exceed even these fond hopes in the sculpture. 

    The figure of the risen Christ is turned toward the Father as His body seems to be ascending, leaving the cross behind.  In a blessing from the Father, the dove of the Holy Spirit is descending toward earth to remain with us.  The graceful shape of the altar invites touching as it seems to grow from the earth to celebrate the resurrection.

    Parishioners participated in a service of dedication just before the Easter Eucharist celebrated in the church where new floors and carpeting has brought a fresh new look to the worship space.  "Our prayer," says the vicar, Rev. Johnson (no relation to Roger Johnson, the sculptor), "is that all who drive by or who stop to pray here in this garden, will find that these icons draw their hearts and minds to Jesus Christ.  We are so blessed by the talent that Roger offered to God and to us, and we believe the Holy Spirit will use this icon to reach out in joy and love."

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Valdosta hosted the Valdosta/Lowdnes Retired Educators Memorial Service. A number of educators (retired and active) and their families gathered to remember, honor, and celebrate their friends and loved ones who willingly gave of their lives to serve and educate our children. (Pictured are Alice Devane, past president, Sandra Dickson, president-elect, Rubye Pompey, president, John Rice, treasurer, and the Very Rev. Denise Ronn, vicar.)