Bishops and Deputies from the 20 Episcopal dioceses in the southeast United States gathered last week at Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, NC, to prepare for this summer's General Convention. The meeting is part of the preparation two the General Convention which meets in Salt Lake City later this month.

The group heard reports from the Presiding Bishop, the President of the House of Deputies, and others including Canon Frank Logue who briefed the gathering on the current draft of the proposed budget for the Episcopal Church. The Rev. Sierra Wilkinson Reyes also addressed the Synod to speak of her experience with the 2003 General Convention, when she served as Youth Representative, and the opportunities that participation opened up for her. Break out sessions during the meeting created an opportunity to discuss the proposed budget, the report from the Task Force on Marriage, and the report of the Task Force for Reimagining the Church.

Actions of the Synod

The Synod passed three resolutions. One calls on the General Convention to establish a day of prayer for recent Christian martyrs. A second affirmed the work of province and would amend the Episcopal Church canons to insert a clearer explanation for the role of provinces. The third resolution endorsed A Memorial to the Church which serves as an open letter to the church. More than 500 Bishops, Deputies, and other Episcopalians have signed on to the Memorial. Province IV is the first Synod to do so.

The Synod elected Canon Frank Logue to a six-year term on the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church. The Executive Council functions as the Board of Directors with the duty to carry out programs and policies adopted by General Convention and to oversee the ministry and mission of the Episcopal Church.

Current and past Youth Representatives to the General Convention included the Rev. Sierra Wilkinson Reyes (at far right) who served in 2003.

Diocesan Office Update

Rebekah Stewart, our new Communications and Event Specialist, started work at Diocesan House on June 1.

On Saturday, Bishop Benhase and General Convention Deputies will be holding the final conversation about the upcoming General Convention prior to the bishop and deputies traveling to Salt Lake City. The meeting is 2 p.m. at Trinity, Cochran.

On Sunday, Bishop Benhase will make his visitation to Trinity, Cochran, in the morning, and St. Andrew's, Douglas, in the morning.

Canon Logue will preside and preach at St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Richmond Hill.

Elizabeth Burns, our Missioner for Youth, is now at Honey Creek working with the camp staff on their training for this summer's season.

Canon Katie Willoughby will be on vacation next week, June 15-19.

Bishop's Visitations

Christ Church, Cordele

Bishop Benhase, The Rev. Larry Williams, Deacon John Lane, and confirmands.

Worship on the Water

Above is Bishop Benhase at Worship on the Water, an outreach program of Christ Episcopal, Cordele

Final General Convention Conversation

The General Convention, which meets in Salt Lake City from June 24th - July 3rd, 2015, is the governing body of The Episcopal Church that meets every three years. Deputies and bishops representing each of 109 dioceses carry out the work of the Church at each Convention. You may see a list of the deputies and alternates of the Diocese of Georgia, find out about issues coming to the convention, and stay current on our deputation once convention is underway at gc2015.georgiaepiscopal.org

The final opportunity to converse face to face with our Bishop & Deputies about issues facing this Convention, then will be held this Saturday, June 13 at 2 p.m. at Trinity, Cochran.

Snack time at St. Patrick's, Pooler's VBS.

Share VBS Photos with the Diocese

We want to share your Vacation Bible School with the Diocese in photo album collecting pictures of our kid-friendly catechesis taking place around the Diocese this summer. Send your congregation's photo to newsandevents@gaepiscopal.org.

The photos will be added to a VBS album and used at the diocesan website. Seven congregations are already represented in the 25 photos in the Summer 2015 VBS Photo Album. Some of the photos will be shared here in From the Field. If you create a Facebook or other online album, you may also just send a link to that album to the address above we will copy a selection of photos to the diocesan album.

Christ Church, Valdosta

St. Paul's, Augusta and Good Shepherd, Augusta held a joint VBS.

St. George's, Savannah

St. Paul's, Albany

Two photos of Vacation Bible School at Christ Church, Savannah.

Register for Summer Camp at Honey Creek

Summer Camp starts this coming Sunday, but it is not too late to register. Act fast as some sessions are nearing capacity and we will have to turn campers away.

Camp sessions
June 14-20 High School Completed Grades 9-12
June 21-27 St. Joseph & Mary I Completed Grades 3-5
July 5-11 St. Peter I Completed Grades 6-8
July 12-18 St. Joseph & Mary II Completed Grade 3-5
July 19-25 St. Peter II Completed Grades 6-8

Tuition for regular session is $430 per camper.
For more information visit HoneyCreek.org.

Click here to register

New Camp for Children in grades K-2!
June 21-23 Parent & Child I Completed Grades K-2 + Adult
July 12- 14 Parent & Child II Completed Grades K-2 + Adult

The Parent & Child sessions run during the Camp St. Joseph & Mary sessions (Sunday through Tuesday). They serve as an introduction to camp culture for both the parent and the child (k-2nd grade). Parent and child are invited to participate fully in all camp activities as much (or as little) as they are comfortable. Tuition for each session Parent & Child session is $320 for one parent and one child ($85 for each additional child). Tuition covers room and board in a private lodge room, special activities, art supplies, camp photo and camp t-shirt.

Creation Care Commission

Green Work Weekend at Honey Creek

The Diocese of Georgia's Creation Care Commission (formally known as the "Green Team") invites you to a work weekend to boost Honey Creek's environmental stewardship efforts. "Green" Work Weekend will be held at Honey Creek from June 12-13.

Participants will help develop a food waste reduction program and composting system at the dining hall. This summer, campers and staff will participate in a food waste challenge to significantly decrease food waste going to the landfill, where it creates methane (a potent greenhouse gas). Paper products and food/liquid waste suitable for composting will be collected and taken to compost receptacles behind the dining hall.

The group will gather around 5 p.m. on Friday and depart around 4 p.m. Saturday. In addition to launching a food waste/composting project, the group will worship and explore Honey Creek together, and will also begin developing environmental education resources for our congregations.

Lodging cost is $12-$82, with tent, cottage, and lodge options available. Meals cost $37, which includes dinner Friday and breakfast and lunch Saturday. Those wishing to come Saturday only can have meals prorated.

To register or for more information, contact The Rev. Deacon Leeann Culbreath at deacon@stannestifton.com.

Deputies on the Road

Some of the deputies of the Diocese of Georgia at the Province IV Synod held last week at Kanuga. See above for more information on the event. From left to right front row, Mary Willoughby, the Revs. Sierra Wilkinson Reyes and Ted Clarkson. Back row A.L. Addington and the Revs. Tom Purdy, Frank Logue, and William Willoughby III.

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Sincerely,

Diocesan Staff

The Episcopal Diocese of Georgia