More than 300 Episcopalians from across the Diocese of Georgia will gather this week in Savannah for our 194th Convention. We, the diocesan staff, are looking forward to our time together with y'all this week in Savannah. Registration for convention will open at 2 p.m. on Thursday afternoon at the Coastal Georgia Center and remain open until 5 p.m. Evensong is at St. John's Church at 6 p.m. Bishop Benhase will officiate and the Very Rev. Dr. William Willoughby III will preach. Dinner that evening is on your own as delegations are encouraged to eat together.

Registration opens at 8 a.m. on Friday and Convention opens at 9 a.m. Full information is available now in the Convention Book posted here online: 2015 Convention Book. Inside you will find all of the reports, including the diocesan audit and the proposed budget for 2015. The two proposed resolutions and two canonical changes and the rest of the materials for delegates is in the PDF file. Printed copies are available at registration.

This PDF is offered both to give you a sneak peak at the convention and to permit those using tablet computers (such as the iPad) to load the book on their devices in advance of the meeting. Based on the number of people who downloaded the file last year, we have reduced our printing and will have enough print copies if some of us once more use an electronic version only.

#EDGA194

To share the news of Convention 2015, we will us the hashtag #EDGA194 on social media and encourage those attending to share their convention experience using that hashtag on Twitter, Facebook, and other social media sites.

Diocesan Office Update

The entire diocesan staff is working hard for the start of the 194th Diocesan Convention.

On Saturday, Bishop Benhase will ordain Guillermo Arboleda & Kelly Steele Deacons at The Collegiate Church of St. Paul the Apostle, Savannah

On Sunday, Bishop Benhase will make his visitation to St. Philip's Hinesville.

Canon Logue will leave from the convention close on Saturday to travel to Baltimore for the Episcopal Church's Executive Council Meeting. The Executive Council has the duty to carry out programs and policies adopted by General Convention. It is the job of Executive Council to oversee the ministry and mission of the Church. Canon Logue is beginning a six year term of service on the Board, where he is assigned to the Local Mission and Ministry Committee. He is also a co-chaplain for this meeting.

St. Barnabas, Valdosta

Bishop's Visitation

Bishop Benhase, The Very Rev. Denise Ronn, Deacon Yvette Owens, acolytes and confirmands.

Ordinations

Dale Jones Ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons

Bishop Benhase ordained Dale Jones to the Sacred Order of Deacons at Trinity, Cochran on Friday, November 6, 2015. Jones will, on his ordination to the priesthood, join the Rev. Joy Fisher as a Team Minister at Trinity, Cochran.

Aaron Brewer Ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests

Bishop Benhase ordained Aaron Brewer to the Sacred Order of Priests at St. Luke's, Hawkinsville on Saturday November 7, 2015. After his ordination, the Bishop announced his approving the vestry's unanimous call for Brewer to serve as the Rector of St. Luke's, Hawkinsville. An album of photos from Brewer's ordination is online here: Aaron Brewer Ordination photos

Upcoming Ordinations

Guillermo Arboleda and Kelly Steele - November 14

God willing and the people consenting, Guillermo Arboleda and Kelly Steele will be ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons at 5 p.m. on November 14, 2015, at The Collegiate Church of St. Paul the Apostle, Savannah. Married to one another since May 2014, the couple both serve part time as missioners at Columba House Savannah. Kelly also serves at St. Michael and All Angel's and Guillermo also serves at St. George's. Clergy wear cassock, surplice, and tippet.

The Rev. Deacon John Jenkins - November 24

God willing and the people consenting, The Rev. Deacon John Jenkins will be ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests at 7 p.m. on November 24, 2015, at St. Paul's, Augusta. John is a 2015 Sewanee graduate. He serves as the Assistant to the Interim Rector at St. Paul's. Clergy wear cassock, surplice, and red stoles.

Central Convocation Assists South Carolina

The Church of the Annunciation in Vidalia and Trinity Episcopal Church in Statesboro teamed up to collect and deliver cleaning supplies, paper products and food staples to folks hit by the floods in South Carolina. Donated items included a wheelbarrow, box fans, a shop vac, lots of buckets, brushes, cleaning fluids, bleach, canned goods, and much more. Harry Moses, from Annunciation, is pictured below driving the materials up to Sumter, SC.

Convention 2015

Directions and Addresses for Convention

The Convention will meet at the Coastal Georgia Center at 305 Fahm Street in downtown Savannah. To get to the convention center from I-16:

Exit on Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd (Exit #167A)
LEFT off exit
Continue straight past Visitors Center
Turn LEFT @ 5th traffic light onto West Oglethorpe Avenue
Turn LEFT @ 1st traffic light onto Fahm Street
Straight 2 blocks - end at Coastal Georgia Center
(the parking lot with 150 spaces is to the right)

Thursday Evening at St. John's

The convention worship on Thursday evening is Evensong at 6 p.m. in St. John's Church at 1 West Macon Street in Savannah. Their parking lot is just east of the church on Whitaker Street. There is no charge for parking at a meter after 5 p.m. so those spaces are also available. Clergy will not vest for this liturgy.

Friday Evening at Christ Church

The convention worship on Friday is at 5:30 p.m. at Christ Church at 28 Bull Street on Johnson Square in downtown Savannah. Parking in downtown Savannah is limited. There are three parking garages located in close proximity to the Church; the city-owned Whitaker Street Parking Garage (7 Whitaker Street, Savannah GA 31401), the city-owned Bryan Street Parking Garage (100 E Bryan Street, Savannah GA 31401), and the privately-owned Republic Parking (115 E Congress Street, Savannah GA 31401). Metered street parking is also available. Clergy will vest in cassock, surplice, and tippet.

Saturday Morning at St. Paul the Apostle

The Saturday morning Eucharist will be at 7:30 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle at 1802 Abercorn Street in Midtown Savannah. While the Convention's Saturday morning Eucharist is lightly attended, we find it a meaningful way to start the convention day. Parking is available on the street and in the church lot just east of the parish hall. Clergy will not vest for this liturgy.

Convention 2015

Diocesan Convention Workshop Offerings

On Thursday afternoon, those interested can attend one-hour workshops which will be held in the Coastal Georgia Center. Offerings will include:

Thursday November 12 from 2-3 p.m.

Parish Administration: Sifting through paperwork

led by Canon Katie Willoughby

Session on all required reports, benefits administration, and resources available to congregations to help manage day to day administration. Highlights on Church Pension Group, Diocesan, and National Church resources.

Going Green: Why and How to Get Started

led by the Diocese of Georgia Creation Care Commission

This session will explore theological and ethical foundations for Creation care and review the many energy, soil, waste, and water conservation efforts already under way across our Diocese. Come learn how your congregation can help heal, protect, and restore "this fragile earth, our island home."

Youth Ministry Session: A Workshop on leadership, communication, and self-gratitude

led by Rebekah Stewart, Interim Missioner for Youth

Youth Ministry can be a challenging, rewarding, and often time-consuming, field to pursue a career in. It is important that we not only challenge ourselves to constantly reach towards the next goal, but that we also learn to take time for ourselves and build a strong emotional support system. Join us for a workshop dedicated to dealing with the ups and downs of a position in Youth Ministry. We will focus on how to apply CDI Leadership and Communication skills to your ministry and work environment as well as how to be kind to ourselves and one another.

It's been a busy time for Honey Creek as they recently put the finishing touches on their new rebrand, including a logo redesign and new website. There are stories of personal transformation and images from life around The Creek. We'd love to hear your thoughts, so visit Honeycreek.org and let our team know what you think!

Click above to see one of the stories via video at the website.

Good Shepherd, Augusta

A Month of Service to their Community

Twenty five fourth and fifth graders from the Children's Ministries of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Augusta, conducted a month-long service project to reach the poverty stricken community that Christ Church, Augusta serves. The group collected donations of clothing/shoes, toiletries and Halloween treats over the month of October. Led by Eleanor Smolen, Children's Minister at Good Shepherd, they participated in a service prep day prior to their visit to Christ Church, where the children sorted and labeled clothing, and packaged toiletry and Halloween treat bags.

On Saturday October 31st, the children gathered at Christ Church Soup Kitchen to fellowship with the participants of the Community Meal, and distribute the collected clothing and assembled toiletry and treat bags. The children served their Christian brothers and sisters with joyful hearts and huge smiles! Staff and parishioners from Church of the Good Shepherd provided the fried chicken meal that was served by children, Good Shepherd Staff, and other Soup Kitchen volunteers. Halloween was extra special this year. As the doors opened for the Community Meal at Christ Church, those coming to be served and those who came to serve became one community in the name of Christ.

Convention 2015

Please Bring Your Own

Coffee Cups and Water Bottles

As with recent conventions, we want to reduce the impact on the environment made by our gathering next week. While no one is required to do so, delegates are highly encouraged to bring their own water bottles and coffee mugs so that we do not need to throw away single use containers.

Convention 2015

Clergy Spouses and Partners Breakfast

Bishop Scott & Kelly Benhase invite clergy spouses and partners to annual Clergy Spouses & Partners Breakfast at Diocesan Convention.

Saturday, November 14, 2015

7:45 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.

Coastal Georgia Center

305 Fahm Street

Savannah, Georgia 31401

Youth Programs

Registration for New Beginnings Closes Today

New Beginnings will take place during the weekend of November 20-22, 2015, at Honey Creek. The cost of weekend is $118. The deadline to register is Wednesday November 11.

New Beginnings is a weekend retreat for teenagers in grades 7-9 led by a team of mostly teenagers, with a few adults, and two clergy spiritual directors. The weekend takes participants through a discovery about ourselves, our friends, our families, our faith, and how to live out our faith in our daily lives.

Click Here to Register as a Participant (Youth & Adults)

If you have any questions please contact Jason Peaslee at jason.a.peaslee@gmail.com or Maggie Bloodworth at maroush@cstel.net and 478-892-9373. For information visit youth.georgiaepiscopal.org.

Celebrate Thanksgiving at Honey Creek

In a growing tradition, Honey Creek is offering Thanksgiving at the Creek again this year. There will be a traditional Thanksgiving dinner (turkey, ham, green beans casserole, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, salad bar, pecan and pumpkin pies, and more.

Thursday, November 26 at Noon

Reese Dining Hall

$25 per person

$12 for 8-3 yrs old

Free for under 3 yrs old

If you want to stay the night, lodging is available too. Lodge 1 room $89, Lodge 2 room $78, Chapin or Hunt Cottage (minimum 5 persons) $35 per person.

Prayers for Weekly Liturgies

Our one-year prayer cycle combines prayers for every congregation in the Diocese of Georgia with prayers for our ecumenical partners and for our Companion Diocese of The Dominican Republic. The 52 weekly prayers are available in one document: http://gaepiscopal.org/docs/oneyearprayercycle.pdf

Prayer for November 8-14

In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation on Tybee Island, All Saints. We also pray for our ecumenical partners on the Island, especially St. Michael's Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in Santo Domingo, especially St. Andrew (San Andr�s).

Prayer for November 15-21

In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregations in Valdosta, Christ Church, Christ the King, and St. Barnabas. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Valdosta, especially Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in Santo Domingo, especially St. Philip the Apostle (San Felipe Ap�stol).

15th Anniversary

The Rev. Al Crumpton, Rector of King of Peace, Kingsland, is pictured with much of the congregation in attendance at the November 8 Eucharist marking the 15th anniversary of the church's founding.

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Sincerely,

Diocesan Staff

The Episcopal Diocese of Georgia