October 4, 2023 | Volume 13, No. 40

Annual St. Anna Alexander Pilgrimage takes pilgrims through St. Anna's life

In September, pilgrims traveled from Augusta, Brunswick, Darien, Savannah, St. Simons Island, Tifton, and Valdosta to participate in Racial Justice Georgia’s 3^rd Annual St. Anna Alexander Pilgrimage. Racial Justice Georgia (RJGA), the diocesan racial justice and healing ministry, created the pilgrimage in 2021 to raise awareness about St. Anna—the only saint from the diocese and the only Black deaconess in the history of the Episcopal Church. The pilgrimage immerses participants in St. Anna’s world, in the coastal counties of Glynn and McIntosh where she was born and grew up, and where she lived and ministered for decades.



There is nothing like being in a place to really feel the power of history. You can read about something or look at pictures of it, but there’s just no substitute for directly experiencing a place, taking in its sights and sounds, getting the distinct feel of it. Moss-draped live oaks, wide vistas across glistening marshes, unpainted wood weathered by a century of sunlight, sturdy tabby walls with shells visible: vivid details like these immersed pilgrims in the particularity of place and conveyed both the dramatic beauty and haunted weight of the racial past.

Born a few years after the end of slavery to parents who had been enslaved to the wealthy Butler family, St. Anna came of age amidst a counterrevolution, as the promise of Reconstruction faded and the new order of Jim Crow coalesced. Despite the shrunken horizon, she established a church in 1894 and a school in 1902, was ordained a deaconess in 1907, and devotedly pursued a ministry of education and social service until her death in 1947. The pilgrimage took participants into her world. Pilgrims had morning prayer at the site of Hampton Plantation on the northern tip of St. Simons Island, where she was born, and evening prayer at St. Cyprian’s in Darien, where she first taught and where she often attended services. They visited the Wanderer Memorial on Jekyll Island, a vivid historical park that tells the story of a sensational 1858 smuggling operation that imported several hundred captives from West Africa—including an orphaned infant who was taken in by St. Anna’s parents and raised as her brother John. They held a special litany at Butler Island, from which over 400 enslaved people were sold in 1859 in the largest slave auction in US history, to settle the debts of their legal owner Pierce Butler.

On Sunday participants had morning prayer at St. Ignatius on St. Simons, a small church where St. Anna worshipped when she was on the island working as a cook at the diocesan Whites-only Camp Reese (predecessor of Honey Creek). They attended worship at St. Athanasius in Brunswick, which has vivid stained-glass murals to the martyrs of the Civil Rights Movement, including White Episcopalian Jonathan Daniels. Pilgrims concluded the weekend with a rousing, packed afternoon service at Good Shepherd in Pennick, the rural community that was St. Anna’s primary home. She is buried there, in front of the weathered building that was the original church/school that she established. (RJGA is actively working to raise funds to restore the building and develop it into a racial justice center. For more information see https://goodshepherdschoolhouse.org/)

The Pilgrimage is always set for the weekend closest to St. Anna’s feast day, September 24. Next year it will be September 20-22.

Essential Pre-Meeting this Thursday!

We will hold an online meeting for all clergy and convention delegates that will begin the work of our annual meeting, with presentations not repeated as part of the convention. The Canons of the Diocese call for a Convocation Council meeting and in recent years these have met via Zoom. The purpose is to elect convocational representatives to Diocesan Council, but the Bishop and staff has used these meetings for smaller group discussion on matters coming before the convention.

When: October 5 from 5 pm-6 pm

Where: Zoom

Who: All Clergy and Convention Delegates

Participants will hear the presentation of the budget as well as other important convention information that will not be repeated in the convention itself. This change will allow us to shorten the convention in future years.

The Zoom link is here: Convocation Council Meeting

Conference immerses clergy in Mark's Gospel

The Fall Clergy Conference concludes today at Honey Creek with a Eucharist and lunch. The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Briggs Kittredge, Dean and President of the Seminary of the Southwest, led the gathered deacons, priests, and bishop in a deep dive into the Gospel of Mark. The coming liturgical year emphasizes the Gospel and this conference is meant to inspire preaching and teaching.

"Dean Kittredge is not just a scholar of the New Testament, but also a gifted preacher," Bishop Logue said. "Her leading us beneath the surface of this first story of Jesus has inspired me and I trust so given new perspective for all of us as we seek to bring everyone we preach to into the presence of the Jesus we meet in this urgent and inspiring Gospel."

The conference also allowed for significant time for the Bishop to lead discussions on our common life in the Diocese of Georgia and the Episcopal Church.

The Rev. Samantha McKean reads the Gospel and the Rev. David Perkins responds during the teaching sessions.

The Rev. Patti Davis offers a brief and inspiring sermon and the Revs. Glenn Palmer and Steve Larson engage with the text of Mark's Gospel.

Leading With Grace announces new

workshop series

The Diocese of Georgia’s Leading with Grace Saturday Workshop Series aims to train lay and ordained people to lead graciously in a variety of areas, including congregational development and vitality, group facilitation, prayer practices, forming relations across difference, and transforming conflict. Although the themes for each workshop are related, participants may attend any or all of the standalone, one-day workshops. After each workshop, LWG trainers are available to consult with participants about how to apply what they’ve learned in their home parishes. Registration will cost $35/person per workshop or $100 for all four. 

Workshop #1: Leading with Grace in Church Ministry, January in Tifton, GA

Workshop #2: Congregational Vitality Workshop, April in Statesboro, GA 

Workshop #3: Building Relationships Across Difference, August in Augusta, GA 

Workshop #4: Conflict Transformation, October in Savannah, GA

The specific dates have not been set and the locations are tentative. Please see the more detailed descriptions of the workshops by following the link below and complete the survey that follows. This will help determine the best Saturday to offer each workshop and whether these locations are best for serving the interested participants. 

Click here for the Saturday Workshop Series Survey

Open Enrollment begins in October

The Episcopal Church Medical Trust (Medical Trust) 2024 health benefits offerings and Annual Enrollment details are public. Premiums have increased from 6-8%, depending on the plan. Most of our participants are in the CDHP 20 Plan, and the rate increases by 8%. The overall national average increase is expected to be 6%. Our Diocesan-wide claim data showed a higher claim year than in years past, leading to a higher loss ratio. The Diocese recognizes that health insurance is one of the most significant costs for our congregation’s budgets. While we’ve been in line or below national averages for several years, our usage and the overall increases across all Med Trust plans are seeing significant growth this year. Additionally, Medical Trust paused substantial increases last year due to the financial impacts of the pandemic. 

Annual Enrollment for 2024 will run from October 11 to November 1.

Important change information for 2024 includes:

• New dental plan for all employees- Medical Trust has ended Cigna plans and will switch to Delta Dental. All employees with dental MUST enroll in the new vendor. 
• Now offering both Cigna and Anthem plans- some in-network providers dropped Cigna coverage in the middle of 2023 (the Augusta area in particular). We are offering both plans so employees can have better access to their choice provider. 
• New enrollments still go through the Diocese- If you employ a new employee between now and the end of the year, submit their enrollment through the Diocese. 

If you are enrolled or need to enroll, read the details on the Diocesan website here and make your changes by November 1^st. If you do not desire to change your existing coverage, you are still required to take action on your dental plan coverage if you wish to maintain it with the new vendor.

If you turn 65 in 2024, you will become eligible for the Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) Plans. It would be best if you shifted into the corresponding PPO plans to speed up the transition to the corresponding MSP plan. However, this is not required. Please be in contact with Canon Easterlin for any questions at keasterlin@gaepiscopal.org.

You can view 2024 rates here. 

For information about eligibility for the Episcopal Health Plan, the Small Employer Exception (SEE) Plan, and the Group Medicare Advantage Plan, refer to the Medical Trust Administrative Policy Manual.

Please note that you can also leverage Health Advocate to assist with Annual enrollment decisions. They can be reached at 866.695.8622. If you need additional support, please reach out to Canon Easterlin (keasterlin@gaepiscopal.org) or Daniel Garrick (dgarrick@gaepiscopal.org).  

Convention 2023

Nominations

The following committee positions are open for nominations. To be included in the printed convention booklet, nominations must be submitted by October 10. Nominations are open until they are closed on the floor of convention and will continue to be updated in From the Field and online until November 8.

This year's Nominations Chair is Ms. Katie Grant from Church of the Good Shepherd in Augusta. Photo: All hold hands for the closing prayer and blessing that ended last year's convention in Savannah.

Board of Officers of the Corporation – 1 lay person

Church Disciplinary Board – 2 lay persons & 1 clergy person

Diocesan Council – 1 lay person or clergy

Standing Committee – 1 lay person & 1 priest

Trustee of the University of the South – 1 clergy person

To view the full job descriptions, click here.

To make a nomination, click here.

Once nominated, nominees will need to fill out the nominee form that can be found here.

Biographical information and photo must be received by October 10 to guarantee inclusion in pre-conference printed materials.

Additional Information

For lodging information, click here.

To register, click here. *Please note that each delegate needs to be registered individually with separate email addresses and cell phone numbers.*

Job Openings

Saint Paul's Church, Augusta GA  is looking for a Director of Children, Youth, and Intergenerational Ministries. This person will work collaboratively with a dedicated team of clergy, staff, and volunteers to continue to develop a small but vibrant ministry with and for children and youth in the parish. There is some flexibility in how the position may be embodied. But the essentials are to work within a team of people serving God at Saint Paul’s, while taking primary responsibility for ensuring that our ministries with and for children and youth continue to deepen and expand. This is currently a half time position, with an ambition to extend it to full time. 

A job description is available here:  https://saintpauls.org/director-of-children-youth-intergenerational-ministries/

Calvary Episcopal Church, Americus, GA is looking for an organist. Duties include Sunday services, choir practice, Holy Week services, Christmas Eve, funerals, weddings, and coordinate with the Choir Director. For more information, please contact the Rev. Richard Nelson at frrichard388@gmail.com.

Across the Diocese

The Very Rev. Al Crumpton and the Rev. Sandy Turner at the pet blessing at Our Savior in Martinez.

The Rev. Richard Nelson at the pet blessing at Calvary in Americus.

The Rev. David Rose at St. Luke's in Rincon blesses one of their pet members.

Members of Christ Church in Dublin gather for a pet blessing.

The Revs. Lynn B. Prather, Joe Bowden, and Bunny Simon Williams after a service at Church of the Good Shepherd in Augusta.

Upcoming Events

New Beginnings #60

When: October 20-22, 2023

Where: Honey Creek

Participant registration here

Diocesan Convention

When: November 9-11, 2023

Where: Augusta

To register, click here.

Happening #108

When: November 17-19, 2023

Where: Honey Creek



Candidate registration here



1Book1Diocese

For Advent, we will read and discuss Everything Happens for a Reason (and other lies I have loved) by Kate Bowler

Discussion Guide for Advent

In Lent 2024, we will read and discuss The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz.

Lay Ministers' Conference

This conference is intended for any lay person in the Diocese who is in any active ministry in their congregation. Led by Dr. Scott Bader-Saye, the Academic Dean and Professor of Christian Ethics at the Seminary of the Southwest, this conference will focus on the ministry of the laity, including its joys and challenges especially over the past two years. It will frame our various calls in the context living them in a world in which "Christendom" is no longer the dominant culture (if it ever truly was!).

When: December 1-2, 2023

Where: Honey Creek

Click here to register.

Clergy Conflict Transformation Workshop

Who: All clergy

Where: Honey Creek

When: March 4-8, 2024

Contact the Rev. Becky Rowell (browell221@gmail.com) and the Rev. Melanie Lemburg (revmelanie@stthomasioh.org) to RSVP.

If you would like to have your submission considered for From the Field, it needs to be sent to Communications Manager Liz Williams (lwilliams@gaepiscopal.org) by noon on Tuesday.

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 2023 one year prayer cycle is online here: 2023 Prayer Cycle.    

October 8 - 14

In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregations in Thomasville, All Saints, Good Shepherd, and St. Thomas and for their work at the Oak Street Episcopal Mission. We also pray for our ecumenical partners in Thomasville, especially St. Augustine’s Catholic Church. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for St. Luke (San Lucas) in Santiago. 

October 15 - 21

In our diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for our congregation in Thomson, Holy Cross, and for our ecumenical partners in Thomson, especially Zion Lutheran Church in Guyton and Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Lakeland. In our companion diocese of the Dominican Republic, we pray for the congregations in Santo Domingo, especially the Cathedral of the Epiphany (La Catedral de la EpifaníaI.

31-Day Prayer Cycles - Revised October 1, 2023

We also offer 30-day prayer cycles for those who wish to pray daily for the clergy and clergy spouses: Diocesan Prayer Cycle and Clergy Spouses Prayer Cycle. (Updated 10/1/2023)

Bishop Logue is wrapping up Clergy Conference at Honey Creek today. On Saturday he will make his visitation to Holy Trinity in Blakely. On Sunday he will make his visitation to St. Paul's in Albany. Monday through Wednesday, he will be in Baltimore serving in his role as Vice Chair of the Episcopal Church's Standing Commission on Structure, Governance, Constitution, and Canons.

Photo: A team acts out the word "marriage" in a game of Heads Up in on Tuesday evening during the Fall Clergy Conference at Honey Creek.

To view Bishop Logue's full visitation calendar, click here. (Updated for 2024 - 6/20/2023)

Canon Lasch is returning from clergy conference today. She will celebrate and preach at Christ Church in Dublin on Sunday.

Communications Manger Liz Williams is returning from Austin tomorrow where she took part in the Episcopal Communicators Board Retreat at the Seminary of the Southwest. She will be in Thomasville this Saturday and Sunday for the Happening Staff lock in at St. Thomas.

Canon Varner is on sabbatical.

The best way to reach a staff member is via email as we will always get back with you promptly in many cases and in 24-72 hours when working on more pressing matters. Staff e-mails can be found here with a list of responsibilities so you know who to contact for what.

You may also reach diocesan staff by phone at (912) 236-4279.

The Rev. Glenn Palmer enjoying a mutual blessing from a furry four-legged member of Holy Comforter in Martinez at their pet blessing