Statement on Supreme Court Decision

Today the U.S. Supreme Court made its ruling on same sex marriage, making a way for same sex couples in all states to marry. I rejoice in this decision in that it grants a basic civil right to all couples under our civil law. The Court has determined that our Constitution requires that the government must treat all couples equally, regardless of sexual orientation. A civil right, nonetheless, is not the same as a sacramental rite. Our General Convention is currently discussing how we will respond as The Episcopal Church.

Until our Church discerns how we will proceed, the guidelines I put forward in the fall of 2012 are still in effect, but with a few changes. Same sex couples may now get legally married by the local civil authority and then come to the Church for a blessing upon their relationship. In my previous guidelines, I required each congregation's vestry to endorse these blessings if they were to be done on church property. Presbyters, however, were free to provide such blessings without vestry endorsement if they were to be offered elsewhere. This guideline is still in effect. My rationale for maintaining such endorsement is the basic reality that faithful people can and will come to different conclusions about the Church's role in blessing same sex marriages. However, creating divisions among clergy and lay leadership in a congregation serves no useful purpose for God's mission.

After General Convention is over, I will write more to the Diocese of Georgia on the decisions that we make here. I continue to hope that faithful Georgia Episcopalians can view whatever differences we have in light of the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ, who died for the sins of all, and whose resurrection promises eternal life for all who place their trust in him.

The Rt. Rev. Scott Anson Benhase, 10th Bishop of Georgia

Marcie Cherau Elected UTO Vice President

The United Thank Offering Board elected Marcia Cherau as its Vice President during a meeting held in conjunction with the 78th General Convention of the Episcopal Church. Cherau, who divides her time between a home in Florida and on Tybee Island where she attends All Saints, has been active with the UTO in the Diocese of Georgia and was serving as the Province IV UTO Coordinator at the time of the election. The General Convention Eucharist on Sunday, following a long-standing tradition, included the official ingathering of the UTO. Representatives from each diocese (and several non-diocesan ministries) came forward to present the funds that had been collected in the famous "blue boxes" over the past three years. Cherau announced the Province IV dioceses and the total amount, of more than $800,000 gathered in the Province. Suzanne Harrow of Atonement, Augusta, represented Georgia at the ingathering. 

Known worldwide as UTO, the United Thank Offering grants are awarded for projects that address human needs and help alleviate poverty, both domestically and internationally. Recent grants to the Diocese of Georgia assisted the Oak Street Episcopal Mission in Thomasville in hiring a part-time coordinator for its community garden and in assisting St. Andrew's and St. Cyprian's Churches in Darien in hiring a youth minister to start their community youth group.

The Rev. Deacon Marty Meuschke Retires 

On June 28th St. Paul's, Jesup reluctantly said good-bye to Deacon Marty Meuschke. Meuschke retired as a Deacon, but will continue to attend St. Paul's along with his wife Paula. He said, "After a year of prayer and discernment, and discussion with Bishop Benhase, I decided it was time to take retirement-I'm 70-to pursue another diaconal ministry. We tell people about God's love, but I feel called to photograph and write about the many ministries within the Church which show God's love in action. Retirement will allow me to focus on this ministry."

Baptized and confirmed at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Brunswick, at the age of 56, Bishop Louttit ordained Meuschke to the diaconate on April 24, 2007, at St. Mark's. HIs diaconal ministry was Kairos Prison Ministry, serving first at D. Ray James State Prison and later at Smith State Prison. He also served for many years as an Education for Ministry (EfM) Mentor. He also served at the Seafarer's Center in nursing homes, and assisting Roxanna McGovern with Therapy Dogs. Currently, he is working with others to establish a rape crisis and sexual assault service in Wayne County.

The Celebration of Marty's ministry included a blessing of a quilt from the Quilting Guild (pictured at left) plus he received a love offering from the congregation. Also, the Body of Christ known at St. Paul's, laid hands on Marty and prayed Marty would experience God's presence and joy in in the next chapter of his life. A church wide reception followed the service. 

Summer Camp is now underway, but it is not too late to register for upcoming camp sessions. 

Remaining Camp sessions
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

Parent and Child Summer Camp

There is still room in the July 12-14 Parent and Child Camp.  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. For more information, or to register, go to honeycreek.org