May 4, 2016
Volume 6, Number 36
In This Issue
Diocesan Office Update
Visitations
Community Update
Nominations for Diocesan Offices
Rogation Sunday
College Scholarships
Community of St. Joseph
Connecting to Campus Ministries
Summer Camp
Prayers
Choristers
Social Media Connections
Send us your news
Web Links
 
 





This Sunday's Lections
Seventh Sunday of Easter
Acts 16:16-34
Psalm 97
Revelation 22:12-14,16-17,20-21

John 17:20-26
 
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Clergy Conference
Sustainable & Missional Ministry
A holistic model for stewardship and congregational vitality, beyond "time, talent, and treasure" energized the deacons, priests, and our bishop as all gathered to learn how to create missional and sustainable ministries at the Spring Clergy Conference. 

The Rev. Dr. Eric Law shared his Holy Currencies model which enables church leaders to understand, develop, and utilize five other kinds of currencies besides money that are essential for creating sustainable and missional ministries. 
The currencies are: Time & Place, 
Gracious Leadership, Relationship, Truth, and Wellness.  
These currencies flow and recirculate to form a Cycle of Blessings which empower congregations to strengthen their internal relationships as well as reach out and connect with the diverse populations in their neighborhoods. (The two pictures above show Law working participants through kinetic demonstration of one of the principles of staying connected while reaching out.)
Meeting at Honey Creek Retreat Center from Sunday evening through Tuesday afternoon, an important part of the meeting is that clergy worship together each morning, afternoon, and evening. Deacons Kelly Steele, Jonathan Tuttle, and the Rev. Jeff Wallace (pictured below) preached during the weekend.  An album of photos is online here: Spring Clergy Conference.
Diocesan Office Update    

Tomorrow, on Ascension Day, Bishop Benhase makes his visitation to St. Paul's, Savannah. 

On Saturday, Bishop Benhase, Canon Logue, and Canon Willoughby will meet with the Diocesan Council at Annunciation, Vidalia.

On Sunday, Bishop Benhase makes visitation to Annunciation, Vidalia. 

Canon Logue is in Charleston, SC, this Sunday assisting the Episcopal Church in South Carolina with a matter at the request of their Bishop, Charles von Rosenberg, as a part of our commitment to our neighboring diocese.
Bishop's Visitations

Christ Church, Frederica

Bishop Benhase with those confirmed and received during his visitation to Christ Church, Frederica.

Celebration of New Ministry - St. Paul's Jesup

On April 28th the parish of St. Paul's Jesup celebrated a new ministry in the Diocese of Georgia and installed The Reverend Dee Shaffer as their Rector.  The church, community and presbyters came together to worship and celebrate.  
Community Update 

Bishop Benhase announces that he has appointed the Rev. Stan White, Rector of Christ the King, Valdosta, to serve as the dean of the Southwest Convocation. He follows the Rev. Denise Ronn whose stepping down as the Vicar of St. Barnabas, Valdosta, left a void to be filled in the role of dean. The six convocation deans fulfill an important role in leading the regional meetings of clergy, known as a clericus, while serving as a council of advice to the Bishop. 
Convention 2016 
Nominees Sought for Diocesan Posts
The 195th Convention of the Diocese of Georgia will elect persons to serve on the Board of the Corporation, Church Disciplinary Board, Diocesan Council, General Convention Deputies and Alternates, the Standing Committee, and a Trustee for the University of the South. Nominations will open July 1, 2016. 

BOARD of OFFICERS of THE CORPORATION - 1 lay person
The Board of Officers is charged with the oversight of the investments and disbursements of those funds entrusted to it through wills, deeds, and other trust instruments. The board meets quarterly. The person elected at Convention 2016 will serve through the Convention in 2023.
CHURCH DISCIPLINARY BOARD - 1 lay person & 2 priests
Previously known as "The Ecclesiastical Trial Court," the Disciplinary Board of the Diocese of Georgia is vested with jurisdiction to hear and determine all proceedings in which a priest or deacon has been charged with one or more offense specified in the canons of the Episcopal Church. It meets only when necessary. 1 lay person and 2 clergy for a term of three years through Convention 2019.
DIOCESAN COUNCIL - 1 lay person or clergy
Council's responsibilities are to carry out the policies, programs and directions of Convention; to deal with contingencies as they arise; and to assist the bishop in developing the ministry of the diocese. It carries out the duties of Convention between Conventions. Council generally has four overnight meetings a year in various parts of the diocese. Person elected at 2013 Diocesan Convention will serve through Convention of 2019.
GENERAL CONVENTION DEPUTIES & ALTERNATES
4 lay deputies, 4 clergy deputies, 4 lay alternates, 4 clergy alternates
The General Convention is the governing body of The Episcopal Church that meets every three years. The next session of the General Convention will be in Austin, Texas, in 2018. All eight deputies and the first alternates both lay and ordained travel to the convention. Additional alternates are elected in case deputies find they are unable to attend prior to the convention's start.

The Province IV Synod is comprised of the General Convention Deputies of the twenty dioceses in nine Southeastern states. Those elected to serve as deputies or alternates must be able to travel to Kanuga each spring for the Province IV Synod.
STANDING COMMITTEE - 1 layperson & 1 priest
The Standing Committee is the bishop's Council of Advice. In the absence of a bishop, the Standing Committee would act as the Ecclesiastical Authority for those purposes declared by General Convention. The Standing Committee must approve all ordinations and any financial indebtedness of parishes. It usually meets four times a year at the same time as the Commission on Ministry and in various locations throughout the diocese. Persons elected will serve a four-year term through Convention 2020.
TRUSTEE of the UNIVERSITY of the SOUTH - 1 layperson
The board meets in Sewanee, TN, early in October each year. The two laypersons and one priest who serve on the board from the Diocese of Georgia are to represent the university to the diocese. One lay person will be elected for a three-year term to serve through Convention 2019.

Diocesan staff will add information on these elections when available to:

St. Athanasius, Brunswick and Good Shepard Pennick 
Rogation Sunday Celebration 
In keeping with their tradition, St. Athanasius and Good Shepard Pennick celebrated Rogation Sunday in a joint service at St. Athanasius this past Sunday. The service was complete with a procession from outside and a potluck repast in the St. Athanasius courtyard. 

In keeping with their tradition, St. Athanasius and Good Shepard Pennick celebrated Rogation Sunday in a joint service at St. Athanasius this past Sunday. The service was complete with a procession from outside and a potluck repast in the St. Athanasius courtyard. 

EYCS
College Scholarship Deadline Approaching
Needs-based scholarships are awarded for post-secondary (undergraduate) education by Episcopal Youth and Children Services. Scholarships are not available for graduate school.  Applicant must apply each year by May 31st  for the following academic year.  Assistance is provided via two disbursements.

Episcopal Youth & Children's Services is a unique organization in the Episcopal Church that provides need-based college scholarships for undergraduates and financial assistance for children who might otherwise not be able to go to Summer Camp at Honey Creek, the Episcopal Camp & Conference Center of the Diocese of Georgia.  To date, the EYCS Trust has provided over $1,000,000 in college scholarships for over a thousand youth of the diocese, and in just the past few years, has given over $40,000 to allow hundreds of children the chance to attend summer camp at Honey Creek.

Please read the following requirements and make certain you understand these guidelines when completing this application. EYCS can not consider applications that are not complete, or do not meet the guidelines. 

All applicants must be an Episcopalian, 22 years of age or under, and legal residents of and members in good standing within the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia.
  • Completed application must be submitted by May 31st  for the following academic year.  A complete application consists of the online application form, your priest's recommendation, a copy of your family's most recent 1040, and a copy of your current year's final grades.
  • Education scholarships are approved for one school year only.  Applicants may reapply in successive years (for a maximum of 4 years), but each application must be received by May 31stto be considered for the next academic year.
  • Applicants must be, or intend to become, a full-time undergraduate students taking and passing at least 12 credit hours per grading period.  Copies of grades must be submitted at the end of each grading period for which assistance is given. If grades not available for inclusion by the application deadline of May 31st , they must be submitted before funds are awarded.
  • Payments for educational assistance will be made directly to the applicant in two installments: August and December.

Episcopal Church College Scholarships
More than 60 additional Scholarships are available through the denomination. For more information, go to http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/episcopal-church-scholarships
Community of St. Joseph
Liturgy for Homeless Persons Now Sundays at 9 a.m.
While a change of time for the Sunday liturgy is not usually new for the Diocese, the Community of St. Joseph is diocesan ministry and Episcopalians across the Diocese are invited to attend when able. This liturgy we offer with and for Homeless persons in Savannah is moving its Sunday liturgy to 9 a.m. near Camp 2, at Old Louisville Road and Pritchard Street near Camp 2 (Four blocks west of Liberty & Martin Luther King Boulevard).

Want to take part?
You are welcome to join the worship on third Friday morning's at 8:45 a.m. in the courtyard of the Christ Church Savannah Parish House at the corner of Abercorn and Bryan Streets. as well as the Sunday liturgy now at 9 a.m. 

Contact the Rev. Jamie Maury at (912) 659-8585 or jamie.maury@gmail.com if you have questions or would like to make a donation in support of this ministry.
Young Adult and Campus Ministry 
Connecting Young People to Campus Ministries 
The diocese would like to connect graduating high school seniors and those already attending college with a campus ministry.

Please fill out the 2016 Campus Connector form. The purpose of this form is only to connect young people with a campus ministry.

Who can fill out the form:
  • Graduating high school seniors and/or their parent/guardian
  • College students attending a college or university
  • Youth Missioner/Minister 
  • Rector/Vicar/Priest-in-Charge

For more information, please contact Program Manager Rudy Reyes at rreyes@gaepiscopal.org or at 912-236-4279.
 Summer Camp is a Month Away
At Camp Honey Creek, we believe that both faith and the natural world go together, hand in hand. Sort of like peas and carrots, only way better. Respect for creation and developing life-long relationships are key in a young person's life. We have multiple camp session to choose from, because we know how busy you are saving the world and stuff. Find a session (or two...live large) that you like, and register...

Spots fill up fast, and by fast we mean pretty quick...or more like a brisk walking pace. If you have any camp questions, contact our Summer Camp Director, Thomas Greneker (thomas@honeycreek.org). And the next time you have peas and carrots, you'll think of Camp Honey Creek, which is pretty cool. 

- Thomas Greneker, Summer Camp Director 

2016 Summer Camp Schedule 
 
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 

Prayers for May 1-7
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Harlem, Trinity, and Catholic churches in Cuthbert and Donalsonville-St. Luke's and the Church of the Incarnation. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for Mount of the Transfiguration Church (Monte de la Transfiguración) in Jarabacoa

Prayers for May 8-14
In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Hawkinsville, St. Luke's. We also pray for our ecumenical partners, especially St. Mark's Catholic Church in Eastman. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in Jimaní, St. Ignatius (San Ignacio), St. Peter the Apostle (San Pablo Apóstol), and St. Titus (San Tito).
Choristers

Christ Church Frederica's Organist and Choirmaster Kathleen Turner shared the photo above on Facebook, writing, 'Choristers led the Communion music for Sunday's 9:15 Liturgy. 2 girls, 6 boys. They were doing a good job, but I knew they had more to offer. So I whispered to the boys-' Pssssst . . . all I hear are the girls voices' . . . BAM!"
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Sincerely,                                       
            
Diocesan Staff                             
The Episcopal Diocese of Georgia