The Rev. Anna Martin Henderson (1942-2015)

The Diocese of Georgia mourns the loss of the Rev. Anna Martin Henderson who died on May 5. Anna was a retired priest, licensed to officiate and serving as she was able at St. Matthew's, Savannah.

Born in 1942 to the Rev. Thaddeus and Eleanora Martin, she grew up at St. Athanasius', Brunswick, where her father was the longtime rector. A 1964 graduate of St. Augustine's College in Raleigh, North Carolina. In 1966, she married Enoch Henderson. She earned a Masters from Rutgers in 1973. In response to a long felt call to the priesthood, Anna attended the General Theological Seminary in New York City where she graduated in 1991. Ordained to the diaconate in 1991 and the priesthood in 1992, she served with the Bayshore Cluster Ministry of Congregation in New Jersey from 1991-1995. She next served as the Vicar of St. Anselm's in Nashville, Tennessee from 1996-2001. And at the time of her retirement in 2005, she had served for four years as the Assistant Rector of St. Edmund's in Chicago.

The Diocese held a Requiem Eucharist on May 11 with Bishop Benhase presiding and the Rev. Joslyn Angus preaching. Parishioners and clergy from other congregations attended including St. Athanasius, Brunswick, and St. Paul's, Atlanta, where Henderson's siblings are members. The gathered clergy are pictured below following the liturgy. 

Community Update 

The Vestry of St. John and St. Mark's, Albany, has called Jonathan Tuttle to serve as their Lay Pastoral Leader while he continues his process toward ordination to the priesthood. Tuttle has an undergraduate degree from Milligan College. He graduated Summa Cum Laude this past weekend from Duke Divinity School with a Masters of Divinity. A Lay Pastoral Leader is provided for in the Canons of the Episcopal Church for a lay person to be in charge of a congregation with the permission of the Bishop. As a seminary-trained aspirant for Holy Orders, Tuttle will preach, teach, and provide pastoral care. Mentorship will be provided by the Very Rev. Lee Lowery, Rector of St. Paul's, Albany, where Tuttle will serve on Sunday evenings and assist in pastoral care when needed. Supply priests will provide a sacramental ministry for the Sunday liturgies. His first Sunday will be June 7. Johnny is pictured at left with his wife, Nicki, and their son, Eli, who was born in March. Nicki is an Occupational Therapist. 

 Above is a group picture of both first and second year participants together with their trainers. Below at right are this year's graduates.

CDI Graduates a Fourth Class

The Church Development Institute (CDI) of the Diocese of Georgia graduated its fourth 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 

Pictured at right, CDI trainers The Very Rev. Denise Ronn and The Rev. Walter Hobgood lead an exercise to explain Force-Field Analysis. 

EYCS College Scholarship Application Due May 31

Education Scholarship for College Applications Due!  Deadline, Sunday, May 31, 2015.  Apply online:  eycs.georgiaepiscopal.org  Scholarships are based on financial need and are awarded for undergraduate education. Scholarships are not available for graduate school.  Applicant must apply ONLINE by May 31st, for the following academic year.  Thank you on behalf of the Episcopal Youth and Children's Services Board. 

Summer Camp

Visit the Wish List to Make this the Best Summer Ever

Honey Creek Summer Camp has a wish list of items online at Amazon.com. The items range from $9 to $188, with most costing less than $50. Your gift from the wish list can go a long way to improving the Summer Camp Program.

Summer Camp Wish List

After 30 years of joyful use, the congregation of St. Anne's, Tifton, processed to "The Bunker" to say their thanksgivings and goodbyes to the facility that housed Christian education, Sunday Schools, nursery, offices, outreach pantry, Vacation Bible Schools, prayer clinics, Bible studies, Vestry meetings, EfM, scout groups of all kinds, and more. The building will be torn down this week as it has been replaced by a new two-story Ministry Center.

Happening #95 will be held at Honey Creek May 29-31, 2015, and is open to those in grades 10 - 12. During a Happening weekend, participants worship, play, sing, and talk about God's place in their lives. They make new friends who share similar concerns and questions - a reassuring discovery. 

A teenager who acts as "rector" leads the weekend with the help of a staff consisting mostly of young people. Melissa Smith of St. Michael and All Angels, Savannah, will serve as the Rector of Happening #95. Some staff members give challenging talks, after which there's time for discussion and activity. Together, the staff and participants share in an exploration of the impact of Christian faith in their daily lives. Happeners who attend a weekend for their first time are called "Candidates." To be a Candidate, one must:

Click here to register