You can #ShareTheJourney of three participants from the Diocese of Georgia participating through March 15 on a pilgrimage with Episcopal Migration Ministries to the Great Lakes region of Africa. The Rev. Canon Frank and Victoria Logue were selected for the eight-person team. Also among the pilgrims will be Spencer Cantrell. Though participating in the trip from Diocese of Washington, Cantrell grew up at St. Michael and All Angels, Savannah (

Read Spencer's first reflection online here).

The hope for this journey is that pilgrims will give the wider Episcopal Church an experience of refugee camps, processing, transition, and resettlement through written, video, and photographic storytelling. So you will be able to follow the trip here in From the Field and at the Diocese of Georgia's Facebook page and the Episcopal Migration Ministries Facebook page.

The group will travel to Nairobi, Kenya and Kigali, Rwanda. Among the planned visits are the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre and the Gihembe Refugee Camp in Rwanda as well as operations supported by Church World Service's Resettlement Support Center (RSC)-Africa, and the UN refugee agency UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees). The pilgrimage is funded through a Constable Fund grant.

Canon Logue writes, "I don't know what the trip will bring. I do know that travel like this brings change. I am open to being changed and I ask those who journey with us to likewise be open to change. For to encounter the stories of others is to be open to them in a different way." You can read his full reflection online here: #SharetheJourney

Diocesan Office Update

Canon Logue, and his wife, Victoria, arrived Nairobi, Kenya today and will visit a Refugee Resettlement Center there tomorrow as they begin the Episcopal Migration Ministries Pilgrimage to Kenya and Rwanda. They will return on March 14.

Bishop Benhase will be at Christ Church, Savannah this Friday and Saturday for Commission on Ministry and Standing Committee.

This Sunday, Bishop Benhase makes his visitation to St. Elizabeth's, Richmond Hill.

Elizabeth Burns will be at New Beginnings this weekend at Honey Creek.

Rudy Reyes will be at Church Development Institute this Friday and Saturday at Honey Creek.

Diocesan Staff Changes

Libby Thoni, our Diocesan Capital Campaign Coordinator, has accepted an exciting opportunity to move back to Tennessee to take on a new position. Libby has served the Diocese for the past 3 years aiding the Campaign for Congregational Development and the Legacy Society. She also planned and coordinated special events and oversaw the development of information systems and other support operations for the campaign.

Libby has an exceptional gift for hospitality and organization and brought those skills to every project she worked on in the Diocese. We thank Libby for all her hard work and dedication and know that she will be sincerely missed. We all wish her well as she embarks on this new journey.

For all questions related to the Campaign for Congregational Development and the Legacy Society, please contact Canon Katie Willoughby, Canon for Administration. Additionally, the Diocese is looking for someone to serve as a new part-time Communications and Event Specialist. For inquiries, position description, and application details, please email Canon Willoughby at kwilloughby@gaepiscopal.org.

Christ Church, Dublin

Bishop's Visitation

Bishop Benhase, The Rev. Jim Johnson, and acolytes.

Reflecting on the 2015 Clergy Spouse Conference

Our annual clergy spouse retreat of 2015 was a huge success! We had a record breaking attendance of over 30 participants and enjoyed the peacefulness of Honey Creek and the wonderful hospitality of the Honey Creek staff. This was my first spouse retreat in the Diocese of Georgia and there is just something very special about gathering with other people who share this particular journey. We arrived on Friday evening that began with food and fellowship and ended the night with bonds already formed with old and new friends. As the weekend continued, we had times of sharing our stories within the holy walls of the chapel during our worship times and reminiscing together around a table during a meal. Free time was also beneficial to gather around a deck, walk the grounds or take a much deserved nap. (Pictured above from left to right: Kristi Brewer, Christine Kelly, and Allison Clarkson).

By Saturday afternoon, we were all well rested to play games, venture out on a nature walk and for those who were up for a little challenge took on the zip line at the high ropes course. Saturday evening was a wonderful time to get creative and participate in a Bottles and Brushes painting party. As our weekend came to an end by Sunday afternoon, we all agreed that our gatherings are very beneficial to all in many different ways. If you haven't joined us for this retreat, I bid you to consider joining us next year, so mark your calendar for May 13-15, 2016. It is an event you do not want to miss!

- Christine Kelly

Summer Camp

Camp Nurses Needed

Trained medical professionals (those who have certification by an accredited agency or association) are needed to serve on a volunteer basis as camp nurses during Honey Creek Summer Camp. Primary responsibilities would include first aid administration and medication distribution during the one-week camp sessions. Below is a list of some of the medical professionals who might qualify. Those interested in serving the diocese in this way should contact Elizabeth Burns, at eburns@gaepiscopal.org.

Certified First Responder (CFR)
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Paramedic
Registered Nurse (RN)
Wilderness First Responder (WFR)

Stacy Connected to Cursillo

We are working on a newsletter for those who have already participated in Cursillo. If you have participated in Cursillo in any diocese and would like to be kept informed about dates, pilgrim lists, and Ultreyas please follow the link below and give us the information we need to keep in touch. Our next Cursillo begins March 19.

http://eepurl.com/be0bPj

The Loose Canon

Free Resource for Getting Kno w Your Community

The Episcopal Church offers some helpful information online for free to assist any size congregation in strategic planning. The Studying Your Congregation and Community page allows permits anyone to easily download customized MissionInsite demographic profiles based on a 3-mile radius around their congregation. These community profiles include 2010 Census data, demographic estimates through 2014, and projections through 2019. http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/studying-your-congregation-and-community

In addition, each congregation's 11-year Participation and Giving trend charts, called Church Charts online, have been updated with 2013 Parochial Report information. You may also enjoy discovering the Transforming Churches Case Studies at the Research and Statistics Page. I find this data and these resources very helpful in my work around the Diocese and want to make sure everyone knows how to access this resource.

-The Rev. Canon Frank Logue, Canon to the Ordinary

Hometown Missions

Youth to Serve in Thomasville & Augusta

Hometown Mission's 2015 will be hosted on April 17-19, 2015. This year we will host one event taking place in two locations, with one in Augusta and one in Thomasville. The work will take place at Christ Church in Augusta and Good Shepherd in Thomasville. Participant's will engage in projects including gardening, painting, food ministry, working in both Churches and in the local community. The cost for the week is $50, all inclusive. Financial Aid Available. This is a weekend the teens will never forget!

Register Here

For more information go online to youth.georgiaepiscopal.org. You will also find a bulletin insert for your congregation online here: Hometown Missions Bulletin

Kamp PHUN Issues Parish Challenge

Kamp PHUN needs your help! Kamp PHUN is a camp for children who have a parent who is or has been incarcerated. It is a ministry of the Diocese of Georgia and provides a "Honey Creek" experience for qualified children each summer. This year's camp will be held from Sunday, July 26 through Friday, July 30 for children ages 9-11. The camp has been offered for seven summers and serves approximately 15 children each summer. The camp is offered at no cost to the child's family and transportation to and from Honey Creek is provided free of charge.

How can your parish help this critical ministry? We are currently looking for campers, raising money, and doing program and staff planning for July 2015. Can your parish identify children that might qualify for the camp? Can you donate monies for the camp? Can you provide experienced adults who can help work with the campers?

Join the Kamp PHUN Challenge! St. Margaret of Scotland in Moultrie is currently looking for several children. Please contact Deacon Cathy Henderson (catherinehenderson@comcast.net) or Cindy Coward (goofycindy@gmail.com, 912-355-0398) with your response

I Have Called You by Name

Young adults from around Georgia attended Vocare #24 at Honey Creek this past weekend.Vocare in Georgia is an Episcopal young adult ministry serving both the Diocese of Georgia and Diocese of Atlanta. Through weekend retreats and community building, Vocare in Georgia provides opportunities for self discovery and the beginnings of spiritual discernment. God is calling each one of us into deepened faithfulness and more clearly defined ministries. The weekend was filled with fun and games, serious reflection and discussion, and familiar, relaxed worship.

Kyle Mackey of the Diocese of Atlanta served as Rector. The Rev. David Rose, Vicar at St. Luke's, Rincon, served as Spiritual Director.

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Sincerely,

Diocesan Staff

The Episcopal Diocese of Georgia