Bishop Frank Logue – Daily Journal 2021
A note about this journal. What follows captures much of my work done in service to God as the Chief Pastor of the Diocese of Georgia. To preserve confidentiality, I don’t even mention many concerns my staff and I address this year as in a small diocese it is difficult to even characterize a concern without revealing more than is appropriate. I use names when the information was otherwise made public. In looking back over this journal at year’s end as I am about to make it public, I see how uneven the entries are in capturing this call. I offer what follows as I have enjoyed time exploring the history of this Diocese and wish I had a similar record from my predecessors.
This Journal may also be viewed as a PDF that has photographs of the year as well as the text below: Bishop’s Journal 2021
January 1, 2021
The year began with news of a death. The Rev. John Lane, deacon at Christ Church, Cordele, and his wife Beth learned this morning that their son died today in a car accident. I cannot imagine the death of a child. I am so sorry for these two dear people.
I finished the Very Rev. Stan White’s eulogy today. Rather than crafting words for the sermon, I read back through his writings and used Stan’s own words to preach the occasion.
January 2, 2021
I woke to news that Chris Phelps was taken to the hospital last evening and within a couple of hours learned that she had died at home of a heart attack. Chris was serving as our Chaplain to Retired Clergy and was so good at writing our retired priests and deacons, widows and widowers. She hosted a Church Pension Group conference in Savannah a few years ago for others in that same role in their dioceses. She was such a kind woman with a luminous smile. I met her as the wife of the Rev. Neal Phelps, then Rector of St. Augustine of Canterbury, Augusta. We traveled together to a couple of General Conventions of the Episcopal Church at which Neal was a deputy. He was my predecessor as Canon to the Ordinary. This was a hard loss as it was such a surprise. I made phone calls, to those who needed not to discover this news on Facebook, as I drove in the rain to Valdosta.
We held the Very Rev. Stan White’s funeral on the lawn of the Lowndes County Courthouse, which is across the street from the church Stan founded, Christ the King, as he moved most of his evangelical church into the Episcopal Church en masse in 1991. His brother, the Rev. Michael White and Christ the King Senior Warden Greg Moore were huge helps in setting this up and it was great to serve with Archdeacon Yvette Owens, who was raised up by and serves that congregation. Heavy rain fell all morning and it looked like we would need to move the liturgy indoors. That would create a much greater risk, even with masks and distancing, as COVID cases are spiking in Valdosta and the hospital system is past capacity. Canon Joshua Varner was a real blessing once again as he brought a sound system and set it up on the top of the courthouse steps, singing before the funeral and twice during it, including with Stan’s nephews, Ethan and Jay. The whole White Family are such talented musicians, and Stan was so gifted at music. It matters so much that even with the pandemic we found a way to offer music. There were more people than the 50 we wanted to keep the crowd down to, but everyone spread out and the service in what turned out to be a drizzling rain was touching. Ambulances and fire trucks went past. Christmas music played continuously but softly on the Courthouse grounds and we could not shut it off. Stan moved Christ the King to a four-story building across the street to put the Gospel at the nexus, the crossroads, in order to bring the good news to people who might not otherwise hear it and helping revitalize the downtown. I then went to the cemetery with a small family group for the committal and burial. I learned along the way that the planned livestream did not work. We didn’t get a recording online until much later, which was a real failure. I so wish more people could have attended in real time. In many ways, today’s funeral was not what I would have wanted to offer, but it was what was possible today. I arrived back home just after 7 pm.
January 3, 2021
Victoria and I took part in worship by watching the Holy Eucharist from St. Augustine’s on Facebook and commenting with others. Then we took part in a coffee hour on Zoom with the parishioners. When we recorded the service on December 29, I wore vestments that were Bishop Louttit’s. They have the Book of Kells designs on the chasuble and cope and they match the mural in the parish hall at St. Augustine’s. Between that recording and today’s premiere, Bishop Louttit died as did Chris Phelps, who had been the rector’s wife at St. Augustine’s and then a dedicated parishioner after Neal’s death. She was a faithful attender of diocesan online worship through last Sunday’s Lessons and Carols.
In the afternoon, Victoria and I drove to Dublin to spend the night to get ready for another full day tomorrow.
January 4, 2021
Victoria and I drove from Dublin to Americus to record worship from 9-11 a.m. working with the clergy, staff, and a reader. Calvary, Americus, is a beautiful brick and wood church designed by Cram. The congregation is doing so well with the Rev. Richard Nelson serving as Priest in Charge in retirement. His wife, the Rev. Geri Nelson, is a deacon and the two make a great team working together with the Rev. Dianne Hall a deacon who is recently retired from Habitat for Humanity. The organist for this recording is Donna Becton and the reader is Ross Chambliss, both of whom were very helpful to me (along with many others here) when the congregation went through a split when I was Canon to the Ordinary and an Anglican congregation was founded. It is good to be back and to see them doing so well even in pandemic.
We drove to Vidalia to record at the Church of the Annunciation from 2-3:30 pm. The Very Rev. Denise Vaughn is their gifted Rector. She was able to be with family and made arrangements for us to record with a lay reader and their two organists, Dr. David Paine and Hughes Threlkeld, to meet us. They expanded their organ from a manually controlled 200 pipe, four rank 1948 Moller to that of a manual/computer controlled analog/digital hybrid instrument with the equivalent of approximately 3300 pipes or about 54 ranks, including a 32 foot pedal stop. All of this is powered by the combined processing of seven control and soundfield environment computers working together in real time. Incredible, right? The music was glorious as always.
January 5, 2021
A full day in the office. I met with the Canons on the spiking virus cases and a new strain of the virus that is more easily transmissible led to a plan to talk to the Deans and Archdeacon and then hold meetings on Zoom with each convocation’s clergy in order to create a plan. I appointed two new deans, the Very Rev. Leslie Dellenbarger was Interim Dean of the Southwest Convocation since the Dean, Stan White, went on short term disability and the Very Rev. Tom Purdy takes that call in the Southeast Convocation.
January 6, 2021
A full day in the office. Staff Meeting and Finance Committee Meeting in the morning. Met with the deans and archdeacon in the afternoon on a proposed revision to our guidance when case counts are above 25 per 100,000 as a seven-day average. The day was punctuated by news of an angry crowd forcibly entering the US Capitol and troubling images of the chaos there.
I learned of a possible COVID exposure and had to cancel my celebrating and preaching at St. Paul’s Savannah for Epiphany. I will quarantine at home until I can get COVID test results back from a scheduled test on Monday.
January 7, 2021
I recorded myself praying The Great Litany and a prayer for our country and posted it on Facebook and YouTube. Following the disturbing scenes of the capitol being infiltrated yesterday, what I know to do is pray and to lead others in prayer. Canons Loren Lasch and Joshua Varner and I met in three Zoom meetings with clergy from the Augusta, Savannah, and Albany to discuss using levels, based on the number of cases for 100,000 persons in a county, to have differing guidance on in-person worship based on the severity of pandemic in an area. The meetings were very helpful in shaping our evolving plan and included adding hospital capacity as a factor. When hospitals are at greater than 85% capacity, the proposal that arose today would move to offering worship online only.
I also met with Canon Loren Lasch, my Executive Assistant Maggie Lyons and the Chair of the Commission on Ministry, the Very Rev. Tom Purdy, and the President of the Standing Committee, the Rev. Kevin Kelly. We discussed a process to bring the Commission on Ministry and Standing Committee members together online to identify the areas of the process of discernment and formation for Holy Orders that we can and should address as we seek to overhaul our current practice. We would like to have greater uniformity in how we go about this work of discernment. It is not easy to stay focused on these larger issues that do not relate to the pandemic, but we are doing what we can to keep that bigger picture in mind.
January 8, 2021
Met with the clergy of the Southeast, Southwest, and Central Convocations in three Zoom meetings and further shaped the guidance. We ended the day with a plan to stay the course on the current guidance for indoor and outdoor worship when cases of COVID-19 are fewer than 25 per 100,000 in a country. We added revised guidance when cases are 25-34.9 per 100,000 to be stricter indoors and out. Then we offer worship outdoors only when cases per 100,000 are between 35 and 59.9. Finally, we will offer online worship only when either cases are 60 or more per 100,000 persons in the county or the hospitals are at greater than 85% capacity.
January 9, 2021
I worked at home from morning through mid-afternoon on a PowerPoint I sent out as a pdf making the case for changes and a pdf of the guidance document for the new COVID-19. I was working on Zoom and Microsoft Teams with Canon Joshua Varner and Loren Lasch and looping in other staff as we worked on the language and getting the details right. I emailed two documents, one making the case and the other offering specific guidance depending on case counts and hospital capacity, to clergy and senior wardens by afternoon. This all takes effect on January 17. We wanted to give a full week’s notice.
January 10, 2021
Took part in online worship from Annunciation, Vidalia, otherwise enjoying a day off at home. Yesterday, we removed my sermon which I preached before the unrest at the capitol and replaced it with a sermon video Presiding Bishop Curry sent out to the church.
January 11, 2021
A busy day began with an early morning text about a priest in the Emergency Room and an early email from another clergy person metaphorically hitting a wall and one from a Junior Warden needing guidance. I got a COVID test at 10 am and hope to end working from home by Wednesday. A meeting online with my three canons assisted as we worked through a busy day. We also rolled out the revised COVID guidance in a special email to the From the Field to a list of 3,681 addresses. Calls from two bishop colleagues included news of a retired priest, canonically resident in Georgia starting an Anglican Church in North America congregation and seeking members from the church where he had been serving. The afternoon included Canon Loren Lasch and I on a Zoom check-in with the House of Bishops and Episcopal Relief and Development and a meeting held online with two vestry members of a church facing some serious issues made more difficult by the pandemic.
January 12, 2021
Went into the office at 6:30-7 am to catch up on the mail as I continue to need to work from home. Microsoft Teams kept me connected with staff. Spent a good part of the day in several phone meetings with Canon Loren Lasch and I both on the phone with another person as we met with priests and a senior warden.
January 13, 2021
My test results had been sent out around midnight. I am positively negative for the virus and so spent my day working in the office. I started face-to-face meetings with staff to discuss their 2020 staff evaluations.
January 14, 2021
Victoria and I drove to Rome, Georgia, so I could officiate and preach at the funeral for Emily Barba. Her kids Elisa and Anthony really wanted me to be able to do so. They were both in a youth group Victoria and I led at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Rome in the mid 1990s. Emily, together with Jane Cunningham and Elaine Smith, started a Bible Study at the church that was very influential in my feeling called to ordained ministry. I was grateful the week could be arranged so I could offer this last gift to Emily. Traffic in Atlanta was as tame as I recall it and we made it up and back today, even though we had packed to need to spend the night on the road on the return trip.
January 15, 2021
Working in the office included more face-to-face staff evaluations, emails, phone calls, and work on two sermons for Monday. Canons Easterlin and Lasch and I also met with the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor to get legal advice on a matter for next week.
January 16, 2021
A day off at home.
January 17, 2021
Victoria and I took part in the worship of the Diocese in watching the liturgy at Calvary, Americus, and interacting with people on Facebook. After lunch, we drove to Bainbridge, going a slightly longer route on backroads to enjoy the scenery. We love driving GA 122, a two-lane road that stretches from Waycross through Lakeland and Hahira to Thomasville.
January 18, 2021
We recorded worship at St. John’s Bainbridge where the Very Rev. Leslie Dellenbarger serves as Priest in Charge and is now the Dean of the Southwest Convocation. She is a bi-vocational priest raised up by this congregation. When then drove to Quitman to record worship with the Rev. Jim and Susan Elliott. Jim is a bi-vocational priest who is an attorney and also serves as the Chancellor of the Diocese. I took part in a two-hour vestry meeting that started about ten minutes before I walked in the door at 5:30 pm after a day on the road. We needed to go into Executive Session and I saw a group of lay people working together for the good of their church, asking good questions and faithfully thinking through the right response. They ended up taking a break for the night to reconsider a matter more after some time to for thought. Such good, faithful work on behalf of their congregation.
January 19, 2021
Worked in the office. A priest who serves part time and the wardens came in to explore the idea of their congregation (of 50 persons in worship on Sunday) might offer a significant gift to support Good Shepherd Pennick in restoring the school building where Deaconess Alexander taught. Diocesan Council met online in the afternoon. They gave permission for me to establish four working groups to assess: the leadership development (Church Development Institute, peer coaching, and the five-day intensive workshops on emotional intelligence and conflict management) to see how we might change and strengthen these offerings; another to consider our companion diocese relationship with the Diocese of the Dominican Republic; one to work with the Commission on Ministry and Standing Committee on a thorough review of our ordination process; and finally a working group to do a canonical review to discover where we should better follow our canons or where we should revise the canons. A lot is working well and yet I look forward to stopping to reflect on what we have been doing. We might continue in some areas unchanged, such as continuing with the Diocese of the Dominican Republic, but even then we would do so with a fresh vision. At least, that is my hope.
January 20, 2021
Worked in the office. At 11 a.m., I joined the women of the Episcopal Youth and Children Services Board via Zoom for a Holy Eucharist from the Anna Alexander Chapel at Diocesan House and inducted the new members. My daughter and half of the diocesan staff benefitted from the more than $1 million in college scholarships the group has given as well as the $40,000 in summer camp scholarships granted in more recent years.
January 21, 2021
Worked in the office. The day began with a Clergy Zoom call, the first this year with all deacons and priests invited to the same meeting. Canon Katie Easterlin spoke on a new round of paycheck protection loans that will likely become grants, the parochial reports for 2020 and how they will handle the pandemic (average Sunday attendance is only count January 1-March 1 for example), and information on vaccinations. Canon Loren Lasch took questions on our guidance on in-person worship. I talked about the proposed guidance we are looking at on Ash Wednesday whether outdoors, indoors, or online that emphasizes giving out containers of ashes and persons sprinkling or imposing ashes on themselves and/or others in their household. The traditional imposition is possible without saying the words “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return” to each person.
January 22, 2021
Worked in the office. This included a meeting in the afternoon with a college senior discerning a possible call to the priesthood.
January 23, 2021
A day off at home.
January 24, 2021
A day off at home that included taking part in diocesan online worship from St. John’s, Bainbridge.
January 25, 2021
Worked in the office. The day included Canon Loren Lasch and I getting to be in a Zoom briefing (thanks to the Presiding Bishop and Episcopal Relief and Development) with Francis Collins, Director of the National Institutes of Health. He said we are well on track to have 100 million vaccine doses around the country within a few months. In 4-6 weeks, we will have the data on how we might take vaccinations into account with regard to masks, distancing, and numbers gathered. But he stated clearly to not take vaccinations into account yet while studies are underway and we do know the potential for spread remains as we don’t have the facts.He is a committed scientist who converted to Christianity in his 20s and misses his church family. He encouraged us not to gather in person for worship now, as the more we are together, the less safe we are at present. He was very upbeat about where we will be in 90 days and strong in encouraging us to stay the course on mitigating risk now so we all get there together.
I finished the day with an hour-long 5:30 pm vestry meeting via Zoom. As was my practice while Canon to the Ordinary, I don’t stay in a vestry meeting through final discussion and a vote if a given matter is being acted on in the meeting. In this meeting, I was present with Canon Loren Lasch and with the Revs. Becky Rowell and Melanie Lemburg, who work with conflicts in a congregation, to present an option for engaging with a conflict through an intentional listening process leading toward a plan. We presented, answered questions, and left so the vestry could speak freely and vote without a sense of the bishop or staff hovering over their decision.
January 26, 2021
Worked in the office. This included planning Saturday’s meeting with the Commission on Ministry and Standing Committee on revising our discernment process toward Holy Orders.
January 27, 2021
Worked in the office. Our weekly staff meeting, a Zoom meeting with Southwest Convocation Clergy, starting a sermon for Sunday, and assisting with a church whose priest is on short-term disability after a seizure and a fall were all part of a full day.
January 28, 2021
Worked in the office. Part of today was writing an introduction and Easter Sunday reflection for a daily Lenten devotional Liz Williams is putting together as Communications Manager. She has almost fifty devotions from lay people and clergy around the Diocese. We are also working on an Eastertide Book Study with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s new book Love is the way: Holding on to hope in troubling times. The book discussion guide and plans for an online event with Bishop Curry are coming together.
January 29, 2021
Worked in the office. I met via Zoom with a group of staff on Honey Creek planning for what we can do this year given where we remain in the pandemic and finding potential ways to serve. We will poll interest in family camp weekends and a clergy conference, being clear how different these events will need to be to mitigate risk. A second Zoom was with Canon Lasch and a senior in seminary about her first call.
January 30, 2021
A 9-11 am Zoom meeting with the Commission on Ministry and Standing Committee began work on a reevaluation of our discernment process. The rest of the day was a day off at home.
January 31, 2021
A day off at home other than attending worship on Facebook with the Diocese from St. James, Quitman.
February 1, 2021
Began the day at 9 am recording the Holy Eucharist at St. Thomas Isle of Hope, Savannah, that will be for this coming Sunday. The Rev. Melanie Lemburg is the Rector who works closely with the Rev. Aimee Baxter, a deacon in the United Methodist Church licensed to serve with the approval of the Presiding Bishop. They have been innovative and kept things fun in their mix of online and (when possible) in person options for worship in pandemic.
February 2, 2021
Worked in the office. At 6:30 pm, I celebrated and preached at a Holy Eucharist on this Feast of the Presentation in the yard at the Episcopal Campus Ministry at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro. We had pushed back two confirmations from 2020 and looked at moving them again as by our guidance, we can’t meet in person for worship. But, we do permit recording crews of 10, with fewer preferred. So, the Rev. Charles Todd, our Campus Missioner who recently became the Rector of Trinity and I held the liturgy outdoors ringed by a string of lights with a small table altar and a total of eight of us in worship well-spaced apart and wearing masks. It was a beautiful and moving liturgy.
I confirmed Kat and Harvey. Kat grew up Orthodox in Augusta because it was the faith of her Romanian grandmother and she arrived in Statesboro looking for an Orthodox option and discovering that the Episcopal Church was close in theology and practice. She told me that the Episcopal Church was a much better fit for her. She was so joyful about finding encouragement for her faith in the campus ministry. Harvey is 30 and attends Trinity and takes part in the campus ministry. Harvey told how church bumper stickers had always seemed dumb as no one would go to a church because of a sticker. Then Harvey saw the words “All are welcome” with a rainbow flag on a Trinity sticker and decided to give the church a try. Harvey said, “I thought there would be a little ‘inclusive’ group in the corner” and discovered the whole church was welcoming. After the liturgy, the group gathered around fire pit to enjoy a meal the Rev. Charles Todd had cooked. A lovely evening.
February 3, 2021
Worked in the office. We had a noon meeting of the Board of the Corporation via Zoom to review changes made to our investment policy statement and look at earnings of funds invested by the Diocese on behalf of congregations and the Diocese. I received an email and then had a phone call with another priest resigning a call. This is a priest serving part time in retirement for a county seat church. He named that the pandemic led to the decision. I have not stopped to count how many total priests have told me that. Canon Loren Lasch and I are struggling to see how we can keep services going, as the pandemic permits, with so many transitions in taking place.
February 4, 2021
Worked in the office with a handful of meetings by phone and Zoom including a delightful conversation with a woman feeling called to the priesthood. Received a long, angry letter in the mail from a parishioner of a congregation. I don’t write of these in this journal often, but upset emails, Facebook messages, Instagram messages, Twitter direct messages, and letters are not frequent, but steady. Receiving them are part of this call as Chief Pastor. There are, to be sure, positive messages as well, but those are much less frequent.
February 5, 2021
Worked in the office including a Zoom meetings with the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, and Canon Katie Easterlin on a new lease for an existing cell tower on the grounds of a congregation. I also had a check in Zoom meeting with Karen Cote and John Hayes, the two lay persons who co-chair our Racial Healing and Justice Ministries. Also finished my sermon for Sunday.
February 6, 2021
In the early morning, I wrote a sermon for February 14 that I will preach on Monday. This is the fourth of four sermons I will have preached in eight days from last Monday to this coming one on different texts and for very different occasions. I actually preach less frequently than my predecessor as in non-pandemic times at this time of year, he would preach on most Sundays at two different congregations, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. He also would have fit in a visit like I did to Georgia Southern this past week. Preaching, as my training in the Living Our Vows training for new bishops (what is humorously called “Baby Bishop School”), is a significant part of the teaching role of a bishop. With the sermon written, I enjoyed the rest of the day off in Savannah.
February 7, 2021
Began the day preaching for an 8 a.m. Holy Eucharist at St. John’s, Savannah, with just a few of us in the church and the congregation watching at 11 a.m. on Facebook. Then I preached the sermon again down in the chapel to be posted as a stand-alone video. I took part in diocesan worship watching the liturgy from St. Thomas Isle of Hope at 10 and took the rest of the day off at home.
February 8, 2021
On this, my daughter Griffin’s 30th birthday, I worked in the office.
February 9, 2021
In the morning, Victoria and I drove to Hinesville to work with the Rev. José Vilar, lay readers, and their organist to record worship at St. Philip’s. I worked in the office in the afternoon.
February 10, 2021
For the first time in recording worship, Victoria and I had to go back to Hinesville, to record my parts of the service. We had failed to plug in a camera and the batteries died in filming. I failed to notice. We usually check what we are getting after we record each part in order to prevent this. Thankfully this wasn’t a liturgy recorded four hours away. I was back in the office by 10:30.
February 11, 2021
I started the morning with an appointment that turned out to be a serious allegation against a priest. I then moved to the conference room and invited Canon Loren Lasch and Maggie Lyons in as Intake Officers for Church Discipline. The canons expect a bishop to pass along concerns in this way. This prevents past practice of sweeping issues under the rug. I will stay in touch with their investigation and then will meet with the Reference Panel which is the President of the Disciplinary Board, Church Attorney, Bishop, and Intake Officers.
I then confirmed one person at St. Paul’s, Savannah, at their daily mass with seven of us in the nave of the church and others watching on livestream. It was such a lovely service. Paired down to the essentials, I still find confirmation so meaningful as someone publicly reaffirms their faith in Jesus. I first met the confirmand in the MLK Parade in Savannah a couple of years ago as he was just discovering the Episcopal Church. I was grateful to see his spiritual journey progressing. I then worked in the office including three hours with four back-to-back online meetings via Zoom including a meeting with all the clergy, sharing updates and praying together before Lent.
February 12, 2021
I worked in the office. Today we finished proofing and sent out a PDF file of Lenten Devotions written by lay people and clergy around the Diocese of Georgia. Our Communications Manager, Liz Williams, did an excellent job at project managing this and creating the final book. The reflections will also be posted each day on our social media. While I have seen some congregations offer such daily reflections from parishioners, I don’t know of this Diocese taking on a project like this previously and I find it especially important as we enter Lent still in pandemic to provide such a resource.
February 13, 2021
A day off in Savannah.
February 14, 2021
A day off at home that included taking part in diocesan online worship from St. Philip’s, Hinesville. Victoria and I drove to Augusta in the afternoon.
February 15, 2021
Recorded worship at Our Savior, Martinez, in the morning. We had the opportunity to walk around the church and grounds on a cold, rainy day with the Rev. Al and Val Crumpton and see first-hand so many positive changes in catching up on differed maintenance and making room for a small school catering to those who are homeschooling to add income while offering ministry with a partner in the community. They are happy to be there and the church is doing well. After lunch, we recorded worship for the Second Sunday in Lent at St. Michael’s in Waynesboro. Once again, we had the chance to see some improvements to facilities made in pandemic as we toured the church with the Rev. Larry and Pam Jesion. The storage space made back into the chapel it had been previously was a highlight, but the foundation work underway even as we toured is equally important. While Victoria and I can’t have visitations in any traditional sense, getting to be in our churches and seeing them with their leaders is a gift.
February 16, 2021
A very full day in the office included Canon Joshua Varner officiating and Canon Loren Lasch preaching for tomorrow’s Ash Wednesday liturgy from the chapel at Diocesan House. The day ended with my iPhone crashing and an early evening trip to Verizon. I had been continually bumping up against a full phone with no room for more files. I delete files and then shoot more. Today, the phone maxed out with one last phone message even as I was telling Victoria I needed to delete some files. The phone got locked in a cycle of trying to reboot and unable to do so. It was pronounced dead on arrival at Verizon and I got an upgraded phone. This seems a not so subtle metaphor for my life that I need to pay attention to in Lent.
February 17, 2021
Ash Wednesday. Lent begins again even when it feels in so many ways like the Lent we started last year never ended. Vaccines are getting out to ever more folks over 65 and medical workers and the case counts are dropping from the scary climb after Christmas to now match the surge in cases last summer. I am hoping we will be back to the more relaxed guidance we had in place for Christmas by the time we get to Holy Week.
February 18, 2021
A very busy day of phone calls and Zoom meetings included one with Bishop Kevin Strickland of the Evangelical Lutheran Church’s Southeast Synod, who is an excellent partner in ministry. We checked in on what life is actually like for us and on several ways we are seeking to work together. This week has also involved a lot of work time on a matter of church discipline. Canon Loren Lasch, my Executive Assistant Maggie Lyons, and our Vice Chancellor, Mills Fleming, have done a lot of work on this and we got some assistance from the Presiding Bishop’s Chancellor, Mary Kostel, and I checked in with a bishop colleague. The President of the Church Disciplinary Board, Bill Bruce, remains a godsend. I am so thankful to not face this work alone.
February 19, 2021
I started the day checking in by phone with a priest facing major surgery and then drove to Brunswick to be with a deacon at home in Hospice Care. On the drive down and back I had several check in calls with clergy. I feel there is never enough time for this and am concerned about folks I can’t seem to get to as urgent matters overtake the important ones. I had a check in Zoom meeting with Jim and Haydee Toedtman who are our diocesan representatives with our Companion Diocese of the Dominican Republic.
February 20, 2021
A day off at home in Savannah.
February 21, 2021
Victoria and I joined in worshipping with the Diocese online from the Church of the Holy Comforter in Martinez and otherwise enjoyed a day off at home.
February 22, 2021
The day began with a flat tire. Thanks to an air compressor, I was able to get it in to be worked on. Work meant a full day with a variety of matters at home and then, after the car was fixed, in the office. These included approving a cell tower lease agreement that the Standing Committee will then need to okay and a Zoom meeting with the deacons of the Diocese. Phone calls continued into the early evening on some urgent matters to make for a productive day, but an 11-hour one.
February 23, 2021
Working in the office included an afternoon Zoom meeting for the bishops of Province IV, a group that typically meets in person.
February 24, 2021
Working in the office included an afternoon Zoom meeting with the Standing Committee of the Diocese. I so appreciate this committee comprised of four priests and four lay persons. The Standing Committee in every diocese in the Episcopal Church has a role to advise the bishop and consent (or not) to certain actions. Their role is a check against a bishop acting alone in matters of church property, church discipline, and more. How we speak and act when no one will know about the inner workings of decisions matters greatly. This group of faithful followers of Jesus is the thoughtful committee everyone would hope the church would have engaged in this work. They are good to ask questions, my staff and I may not have considered and are willing to make hard decisions for the best of a congregation and the Diocese.
February 25, 2021
Today was a very full one for Zoom meetings, with Canon Loren Lasch and I meeting with some clergy in smaller groups, we met in the afternoon with the Rev. Lauren Byrd as the new Chair of the Commission on Ministry and the Rev. Kevin Kelly as the President of the Standing Committee to plan our next interviews with those in the process for Holy Orders, and in the afternoon held a Zoom meeting with all the clergy. Today, the main topic was new guidance in place through Easter that eases pandemic restrictions on in person worship. Because of falling case counts and hospitalizations, we will be back to what was permissible at Christmas with 50 people indoors (masked and six feet apart) or 75 people outdoors (with 12 feet between households) and some singing outdoors or soloists or a household group singing indoors with restrictions. A record seven Zoom online meetings today. I hope to never exceed that number (or repeat it).
February 26, 2021
Worked in the office on a variety of catch-up tasks. The day also included the weighty responsibility of talking to a priest I reached an Accord with three days ago to depose him from ordained ministry. I signed the order in the presence of Canon Loren Lasch and Canon Joshua Varner. There are really just a few ways clergy tend to fall. I hate to see a good priest end up doing harm. I can see that slippery slope, but there are lines that none of us can cross and sexual misconduct with a person you knew through pastoral care is a clear one. The Church has got to do better and in this case, that means me making sure the consequences match what occurred.
February 27, 2021
In the morning, I confirmed Christy Deal, a member of St. Luke’s, Hawkinsville, in the Chapel at Diocesan House, with Donald Johnson, who recently rotated out of his role as Senior Warden, presenting her. Then I enjoyed a day off at home.
February 28, 2021
My wife, Victoria’s, 60th birthday began with me taking her to the airport to fly to see our daughter, Griffin, who turned 30 on the 8th. They will celebrate their joint 90th birthday this week. Lots of checking on airlines and their practices to make this decision. As is now the norm, Victoria travelled wearing two masks—with a KN95 (that stops 95% of the virus) under a three-layer cloth mask. Double masking, together with the other protocols should keep her safe on the trip. I then preached live on Zoom for the Church of the Epiphany in Savannah. Canon Lasch and I finished the day with a 6 pm vestry meeting on Zoom with a vestry whose previous Rector I deposed on Friday.
March 1, 2021
I began the day meeting Canon Joshua Varner at St. Peter’s, Savannah, to record worship for this coming Sunday. The Rev. Hunt Priest who recently resigned as Rector and the Rev. Kelly Steele, the incoming Priest in Charge worked with us on the liturgy. In the afternoon, I worked in the office working including agonizing over a letter to clergy to notify them I deposed a priest for sexual misconduct. I know much more about all of this than I can say and am grateful that the canons provide me the Reference Panel who knows everything and can think it through with me prayerfully. The Church has failed to listen to victims too many times and allowed persons to be revictimized in the process. We are seeking to provide care for all, not leaving the deposed priest by the roadside, but talking with injured parties and protecting them from further harm.
March 2, 2021
A day working in the office included a Zoom meeting with clergy on deposing a priest. I was being too vague about what happened and was called on it. I then offered clarity on a pastoral relationship becoming a sexual one. I do appreciate deacons and priests naming when my words or actions fail to give them what they really need. It is so much better to have clergy willing to speak up so that I can respond in the moment rather than holding back in the meeting and talking in “parking lot” conversations.
March 3, 2021
A rainy morning for a solar panel ribbon cutting. Bishop Scott and Kelly Benhase were in town to enjoy an evening at their son John’s new restaurant, Common Thread. John is an impressive chef. We planned the ribbon cutting for when they would be in Savannah as Bishop Benhase had the vision for solar and got a grant that paid completely for the panels and installation. Even with the small footprint on the top of the building, the panels have reduced our electric bill by 20%. Our Assistant Administrator, Daniel Garrick, managed the livestream with a camera and mic setup similar to last year’s diocesan convention, which allowed him to put drone footage of the panels on the roof into the feed as I prayed and then as I spoke briefly about the project. Getting that right helped as other than diocesan staff and the Benhases, everyone else attended the event online.
March 4, 2021
Canon Joshua Varner and I drove separately to St. Marys to record worship at Christ Church. As Victoria returns tonight from traveling to Arizona, I needed to get this recorded for use ten days from now. Once Victoria got home, I had to act as if I had been exposed to COVID-19 as we have no way to yet know if she got the virus in her travels. I was able to be masked and distanced for two face-to-face check ins to get more out of the road trip. Given the time it takes for the virus to infect and then to be able to give it to others, I will fit in one more in-person meeting in the morning.
March 5, 2021
Canon Loren Lasch and I had a morning meeting with a priest and spouse at the office and then I went into quarantine. Canon Katie Easterlin and I had a Finance Committee in the afternoon that was already going to be on Zoom. We were looking at the 2020 financial as we close the books on 2020. A number of factors had us close the year with $273,000 more in income than expenses. Bishop Benhase took retirement a month early; I did not take a pay raise for my first two months as bishop; we had the communications position unstaffed for three months; and staff travel was minimal. This leaves us in a strong position headed into a year where financial uncertainty remains.
March 6, 2021
A day off at home.
March 7, 2021
Worshipped with the Diocese online in the morning. In the afternoon, Victoria and I took part in a podcast recording with the Revs. Hillary Raining and Jane Gober who produce content for The Hive, a wellness and spirituality website that Hillary created. We prayed with them Stations of the Cross that Victoria and I wrote more than a decade ago when we were at King of Peace in Kingsland. We also prayed The Way of Light, that are Stations of the Resurrection available from Church Publishing. As that recording session online ended, I headed into two back-to-back parish meetings on Zoom. Two were needed as the 100 login limit was not enough to get everyone in as a church learned their retired rector had been removed from ordained ministry.
March 8, 2021
Working from home included check in calls with clergy and a couple of Zoom online meetings with the House of Bishops, one the usual every other Monday call in pandemic, the other a table facilitators’ gathering in advance of this week’s House of Bishops meeting.
March 9, 2021
Working from home included the start of the House of Bishops meeting online. One year ago, this group changing an in-person meeting in Texas to a Zoom meeting, was the start of the pandemic impacting my schedule.
March 10, 2021
Working from home included a staff meeting online and then an 11am to 5 pm meeting of the House of Bishops.
March 11, 2021
Working from home included an 11am to 3 pm meeting of the House of Bishops.
March 12, 2021
The day began with news that Victoria and I both tested negative for COVID-19 and so I returned to work in the office. The day included an 11am to 3 pm meeting closing out the House of Bishop’s meeting.
March 13, 2021
A day off at home.
March 14, 2021
Took part in online worship from Christ Church, St. Marys, by engaging with others in comments in the Facebook feed during and just after the liturgy. After lunch, I met via Zoom with a diocesan-wide Cursillo Ultreya. Given the rising vaccinations and the falling case counts, we hope to have a Cursillo this fall at Honey Creek. But even with the drop in cases of COVID-19, the count remains high.
March 15, 2021
Victoria and I drove to Brunswick to record worship at St. Athanasius. The Rev. G. DeWayne Cope became the Rector last summer in pandemic. I was asking how the church usually does readings, and he pointed out that he has yet to serve with them for in-person worship. Their norm for his whole tenure to date is to meet on Zoom with him in the chancel and the congregation in their homes. I met with two college students in the afternoon about each of them feeling a possible call to the priesthood. I have known them both for years and wondered about this call and heard the same from other clergy, so I contacted them and asked if we could meet. We talked about how they could each further discern this possible call.
March 16, 2021
The day started at Savannah Toyota for routine service. The Camry has 16,500 miles on it since June 2020. That is less than is typical for a Bishop of Georgia (as 30,000 miles a year is more normative). Sometimes recording worship in two churches on a single trip and no in-person meetings for Diocesan Council and Commission on Ministry has reduced my travel. In the afternoon met via Zoom with a person feeling called to be a deacon.
March 17, 2021
Victoria and I both received a first dose of the Pfizer vaccine today at a pharmacy as the criteria in Georgia changed from 64 and older to 55 and older as well as those who work in health care, first responders, and now teachers. The only reaction we experienced was a sore vaccination site, like someone punched our arms hard. We are scheduled to receive the second does on April 7. By that time, the first vaccination will already be 80% effective at keeping us from getting COVID-19 and nearly 100% effective at preventing serious illness or death.
Today for the state of Georgia there were 1,251 newly reported cases and 70 newly reported COVID-19 deaths. 70 deaths across the state is a low percentage of the population but the tragedy of one death that would not have occurred otherwise is immense. A widow whose husband died from the virus was lamenting to me today how close they were to getting vaccinated when he got sick. A few weeks later, she received her first dose of the vaccine. Instead, she is bereft, having lost her husband of 62 years. Heart breaking.
March 18, 2021
I worked in the office in the morning, but from home in the afternoon as we had a tornado. By 3 pm, sirens were blaring as I met with Trustee Bishops of the University of the South following another incident of racism at the school. A few students shouted racial epithets at an opposing team during a lacrosse match causing the referees to halt the game. The Vice Chancellor, Rueben Brigety, is the first African American to lead the University of the South. He previously revealed that he and his family have endured several acts of vandalism at his home since he was named to the position in February 2020.
March 19, 2021
Work in the office included a couple of 30 every 30 conversations. I have not been consistent in meeting with the three canons for 30 minutes each month to talk about how work is working for them and any changes that would assist them, but even with missing some months, the practice is helpful. They then each meet with three staff members to have everyone who works in the diocesan office reflecting on our work routinely.
March 20, 2021
The Commission on Ministry and Standing Committee met via Zoom from 7:45 am to 2 pm. This was a very full more than six hours on a Saturday. I so appreciate the lay leaders and clergy who give their time generously to discerning with others how the Holy Spirit is calling them.
March 21, 2021
A day off at home included taking part in diocesan online worship from St. Athanasius, Brunswick.
March 22, 2021
Victoria and I met Canon Loren Lasch at Trinity, Statesboro, to record the Palm Sunday liturgy. The Rev. Charles Todd is newly the Rector at this congregation that sponsored me for seminary. My Mother-in-Law, Laura Campbell, (she would note that I am to call her Dreaded Mother-in-Law ™ in what is a very longstanding joke) is an active member and the long-time clerk of the vestry. I was back in the office in the afternoon.
March 23, 2021
Worked in the office through the day, including a Zoom meeting with the leaders of the Commission on Ministry and Standing Committee to debrief on our work process as we aim toward another meeting in May. In the evening, Canon Loren Lasch and I met with the Vestry of St. Peter’s, Savannah.
March 24, 2021
Worked in the office. This included signing a letter of agreement for the Rev. Kelly Steele to become Priest-in-Charge of St. Peter’s, Savannah.
March 25, 2021
Working in the office included pastoral conversations with two priests who needed a priest of their own and each came to see me. Ministry is so much more demanding on this one-year anniversary of going into lockdown. People have let their hair grow longer as they don’t want to risk getting a haircut, yet we have all seen our tempers get shorter and harsh words come more quickly.
March 26, 2021
Some days this call is wonderful, joyful. While others are just impossibly difficult, demanding, depressing. The day began in the dark as Victoria and I went to the chapel at the office to record Good Friday worship before sunrise. I was back in the office just after 9 am working in my office and Canon Loren Lasch and Maggie Lyons as Intake Officers for our church disciplinary board were interviewing a witness who lives in Savannah on behalf of another diocese. While they listened to a report of a priest breaking their ordination vows, the rest of the staff worked from home to provide anonymity. Within two hours, I received word of a person posting on a congregation’s Facebook page comments of the clergyperson having an affair with their spouse and the member of clergy was distressed, wanting assistance in clearing their name. A second call came in alleging significant, intentional fraud in another congregation. As their interview concluded, we thought through possible approaches, their pros and cons and drafted a way to uncover the truth, as best we can in each of the matters. I looped in the president of the disciplinary board and the church attorney to get their feedback on how we will go about the next phase in two new cases. I have served on this diocesan staff for nearly eleven years and never experienced a day like this one or a year like this one. It is the pandemic and it is not the pandemic at all.
Between the two reports coming in, I spoke to a member of a bishop search committee from another diocese calling to check a reference on a priest who is in consideration for a bishop election there. I spoke as clearly as I could of the priest and the gifts I have observed over time by naming examples of where I had seen God at work, the tangible ways I could see the fruit of ministry. Right after that, I spoke with the chair of a discernment committee that will work with a woman feeling called to the priesthood and we discussed her briefly, trying to see how we could balance the time needed to prayerfully consider this call to ordained ministry those around her all see already. A little later in the morning, I got a call back from an attorney who is assisting me in working with estate planning for a couple looking to make the largest bequest ever to this diocese to support ministry with homeless persons. I see ways we can work with ecumenical and secular partners here in Savannah for something truly transformative to happen. And we are not waiting for the bequest, but are working to establish a new structure to support the ministry we are already doing. This all transpired before I went home at noon for lunch. Such a distillation of the challenges and the grace in being a chief pastor.
March 27, 2021
I worked at home on this Saturday, first drafting a sermon for Easter and then attempting to record Stations of the Cross for Good Friday at noon, but the noises of Savannah cars and trucks made it impossible to record in the diocesan chapel in the middle of the day. Victoria and I gave up on recording and took the afternoon off at home.
March 28, 2021
Palm Sunday morning, I worked on my Easter sermon and then participated in diocesan worship online from Trinity, Statesboro. In the afternoon, Victoria and I drove to Augusta.
March 29, 2021
Victoria and I bought some Easter Lilies and then met Jan Swearingen at Christ Church, Augusta. She brought more flowers and we prepared the church for Easter and then recorded worship. Christ Church has been declining in attendance for 20 years, but remains an important center of ministry in the Harrisburg area of Augusta with a feeding ministry and more that residents in the area depend on. Just before the pandemic, I met with the vestry and discussed the possibility of the church becoming a parochial mission so that another church oversees the property so that the ministry may continue. The Church of the Good Shepherd’s Vestry is considering this possibility. Christ Church had ceased being able to offer any worship in pandemic and it seemed right to bring the Diocese to the church for Easter in our pre-recorded worship. The Senior Warden, Amie Swearingen, arrived later from work to serve as a Lay Reader for the liturgy. We drove home in the afternoon.
March 30, 2021
In the morning, I met with the deacons and priests online via Zoom for a Renewal of Ordination Vows liturgy. I found the prayers particularly moving as Canon Joshua Varner played music while Canon Loren Lasch read out the petitions which clergy typed into the chat. I felt powerfully how we are united in prayer even while physically distant. Working in the office included checking in with Dr. Catherine Meeks of the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing on our common work in this area. In the evening, Victoria and I met Loren and Joshua to record the Maundy Thursday Eucharist and the outdoor portions of the Great Vigil of Easter.
March 31, 2021
I worked in the office during the day and then from 6-9 pm, Victoria and I worked with Loren and Joshua to finish recording the Good Friday Liturgy by reading the Passion Gospel in parts, we recorded the footwashing, and then the indoor portions of the Great Vigil of Easter. Loren singing the Eucharist was glorious and as odd as it sounds, these two evenings of recording have not just very much felt like worship; they have been worship.
April 1, 2021
On Maundy Thursday, I worked from home doing video editing while keeping up with phone calls and emails. Liz had been doing the editing, but two health needs with family members has her out of pocket, doing some holy work this Holy Week and I took on editing duties. Victoria and I took part in the diocesan worship online that evening with Canon Joshua Varner celebrating and preaching.
April 2, 2021
Good Friday was a difficult fast day for me this year, but a holy day. Victoria and I led Stations of the Cross at noon using a set of stations we wrote while at King of Peace in Kingsland, Georgia. We took part in the diocesan worship online that evening in which Victoria and I were the ones praying and preaching for the liturgy.
April 3, 2021
Holy Saturday is always a significant day for me theologically as our faith acknowledges the loss to the first followers of Jesus as he was truly dead, trusting in God the Father, even as those who loved him were bereft, with no hope of his resurrection.
I had a bad night’s sleep last night and then Joshua, Liz (who is back from family duties) and I worked each from home on getting the last of the liturgy’s online with an almost two-hour Easter Vigil with readers in ten congregations assisting in leading the worship and a lot of special music from some really talented folks around the diocese and then an hour-long Easter liturgy. Tech challenges seemed to abound and it took the three of us to think it through and get it done. That evening, we had folks worshipping online from churches that are neither in person nor online this Easter together with those who will go to Easter at church, but did not have a Vigil to attend. It really felt like the Diocese coming together in worship, at least for those who needed this option.
April 4, 2021
Easter Sunday, Victoria and I drove across the Diocese to Thomasville on one of our favorite backroad drives.
April 5, 2021
Monday in Easter Week we recorded worship at St. Thomas, Thomasville with the Rev. Rick Buechner, who is the interim, and the Rev. Scott Mithen, Deacon. Rick was the long-term Rector of All Saints, Thomasville, who is enjoying being at St. Thomas. They are doing good work in addressing some differed maintenance in their large physical plant. We then drove to St. Barnabas, Valdosta, to record worship for the Third Sunday of Easter. It was good to meet with a few leaders at each church and to be in those spaces.
April 6, 2021
Tuesday in Easter Week, I passed off the recordings to Liz Williams, once again not needing to work with editing. A mix of in person meetings and phone calls filled the day in the office.
April 7, 2021
Wednesday in Easter Week, meant a busy morning in the office, including a staff meeting. These are still online meetings, though half of us were in our offices in the same building. In the afternoon, Victoria and I received our second COVID Vaccination in the two-dose regimen with the Pfizer vaccine. I then headed straight to Camden County, to be with Martha Dickman who was just home on Hospice Care. She is the grandmother of our daughter Griffin’s best friend, Kalyn, and has been like a grandmother to her too. It was good that I could make the time to be with her and her family.
April 8, 2021
Thursday in Easter Week, I took the day off to rest from the vaccination other than meeting with the diocesan staff for a book discussion. We have a 1Book1Diocese read with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s book, Love Is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times. Picking up on the theme from his sermon for the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Bishop Curry grounds his teaching in scripture and offers experiences from his own life to challenge the reader to make the ethic of love a guiding principle for their lives. Our discussion delved into who has been an icon of that love for us in our lives and when have we seen love as an intentional ethic and not just a sentiment make a difference in the world. It was a deep and good discussion. I do so appreciate the team we have on our diocesan staff. By afternoon, I was very tired and Victoria was exhausted from the vaccine. We also both ran a slight fever.
April 9, 2021
Friday in Easter Week, I was still so tired from the vaccination and all the work of recent weeks that I worked the morning and then took off in the early afternoon.
April 10, 2021
Saturday in Easter Week was a full day off, that included a nice walk at Pinckney Island Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina.
April 11, 2021
The Second Sunday of Easter, Victoria and I took part in diocesan worship online from St. Thomas, Thomasville. We had a big group from St. Matthew’s, Savannah, watching and commenting on Facebook, together with their Rector, the Rev. Guillermo Arboleda, as a way of his getting a Sunday off from preaching. St. Matthew’s then followed the diocesan liturgy with a coffee hour in an online Zoom meeting. Victoria and I took the afternoon off at home.
April 12, 2021
I worked in the office, getting caught up on mail, email, and phone calls. Canon Varner led a planning meeting for upcoming Summer Camp weekend sessions, where Victoria and I will serve on the team. Canon Loren Lasch and I also worked on revised COVID guidance based on new recommendations as cases are lower and vaccinations up. We will get input from the Deans and Archdeacon and then the clergy in two upcoming meetings. Loren took part in the camp planning as she drove to Cordele for a vestry meeting after having an online search committee meeting last night. I note this as this record of my work only ever captures part of what is happening in the life of the Diocese as the canons carry out work of the staff and key committees, such as Task Groups of Diocesan Council, meet without me.
April 13, 2021
Working in the office including meeting with bishops from the southeast U.S. online as we plan toward a meeting this fall on bi-vocational priests and how we raise them up and form them for ministry.
April 14, 2021
Wednesday included our staff meeting where we began more intentional planning for a largely in person diocesan convention on Jekyll Island in November. The staff agreed with the theme I had been working on, God Gave the Growth. This is from the First Letter to the Corinthians with Paul reflecting on his experience of starting the church in that city, I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. This emphasizes God’s actions in our ministry. We are to be faithful. God uses our faithfulness. This is not solely about numeric increase in attendance, though that is part of it, but all the ways in which God causes us to grow in faith.
April 15, 2021
On Thursday, the President of the Standing Committee, the Rev. Kevin Kelly, came in for a conversation in the morning and to offer some feedback. After lunch, I met with him, the Chair of the Commission on Ministry, Canon Loren Lasch, and Executive Assistant Maggie Lyons as we worked through the schedule for a May meeting with six persons in the process of discerning or being formed for Holy Orders. Then I met with the six convocation deans and the Archdeacon via Zoom to go over the draft changes to the COVID guidance. We made two changes based on their input.
April 16, 2021
I sent the draft guidance to clergy with an explanatory email about the changes. We will discuss them via Zoom next Thursday. Friday’s meetings by Zoom and phone included a priest moving to Savannah and a person in the Deacons’ School for Ministry.
April 17, 2021
A day off at home in Savannah.
April 18, 2021
An early morning call from Martha Dickman’s daughter, Karen, awakened me with news of her death. On speakerphone, I prayed last rites with family gathered with Martha as they awaited the coroner and the funeral home. Victoria and I took part in diocesan worship online from St. Barnabas, Valdosta.
April 19, 2021
Victoria and I drove to Jesup in the morning. I officiated and preached Morning Prayer at St. Paul’s with the assistance of the Rev. Nathan Wilson, which we recorded for Sunday’s worship. Nathan started at St. Paul’s in COVID, one of four priests and one bishop for whom that is true. We will record worship just four more times, ending with recorded worship on Pentecost Sunday.
April 20, 2021
Worked in the office. In the evening, I met via Zoom with youth from St. Augustine of Canterbury, Augusta, and the Canterbury House ministry at Augusta University. They were outdoors and masked by the firepit in the backyard of the Rev. Jim and Kim Said with me on a TV screen. It was great to talk with them. I look forward to being with them in person.
April 21, 2021
Worked in the office. This included planning worship for the Episcopal Church Women and Daughters of the King meeting online this Saturday. I worked with their chaplain, the Rev. Terri Degenhardt and checked in with Keynote Speaker, the Rev. Kelly Steele to make sure it would all work together. Today is two weeks exactly after my second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Victoria and I are now “fully vaccinated” as those doses have had the needed time to teach our immune systems how to respond effectively to the virus.
April 22, 2021
Worked in the office. In the morning, I spent an hour with the diocesan staff in discussing the Presiding Bishop’s book as part of our 1Book1Diocese read. In the afternoon, I met with clergy online to get feedback on the revised guidance for COVID-19 followed by a meeting with the Standing Committee for them to offer feedback on the ministry of me and my staff.
April 23, 2021
Victoria and I started the day in Jacksonville, Florida interring Martha Dickman. Then I preached at her funeral outside at King of Peace, Kingsland, before returning to the office.
April 24, 2021
On what was otherwise a day off at home, I met online with the Episcopal Church Women and the Daughters of the King in the afternoon.
April 25, 2021
Victoria and I took part in diocesan worship online from St. Paul’s, Jesup. In the afternoon, we drove to Augusta.
April 26, 2021
Monday began at St. Alban’s in Augusta with the Revs. Billy Alford, Rector, and Roslyn Panton, Deacon, their organist, Judy Ruffin, and two lay readers to record Morning Prayer for May 2. The congregation shares its priest with Atonement and one reader was present from that congregation. At 1 pm, we met the Rev. Ray and Janice Whiting at Holy Cross, Thomson, to record Morning Prayer for May 9, then we returned home to Savannah.
April 27, 2021
I hosted a meeting with Bishop Rob Wright of the Diocese of Atlanta and Bishop Kevin Strickland of the Lutheran (ELCA) together with Dr. Catherine Meeks and Chaplain Donna Mote of the Diocese of Atlanta. The Rev. Guillermo Arboleda presented to us on his research into how we can partner with police officials and departments as well as city and state government to be a part of the solution as too much has been asked of police, to say be the front line with issues of homelessness and mental health. We are looking to create a combined webinar style clergy conference on these issues of public safety where we have folks on the front line, such as with our Community of St. Joseph ministry with homeless persons in Savannah.
April 28, 2021
Working in the office included meeting with the Board of the Corporation to get a report of diocesan investments both for the diocese and those invested in trust on behalf of congregations.
April 29, 2021
A full day of phone and in person appointments included some work with the canons on mapping out how diocesan committees interrelate. Canon Katie Easterlin will use this mapping out authority of groups create by our canons with the Diocesan Council Task Group working on our diocesan Constitution and Canons and diocesan policies.
April 30, 2021
Part of the day working in the office was a phone call with a Senior Warden at a congregation without a priest who needed some counsel on a matter the vestry is facing. I so appreciate the many people I have worked with who are in this position. The role of a Senior Warden in a congregation without a priest can be demanding.
May 1, 2021
A day off at home until 4 pm. I was at St. Thomas Isle of Hope, Savannah, for an outdoor Eucharist with 22 confirmations and receptions, a group of all ages. This nearly doubled the total number of confirmations since I was ordained. We were masked and distanced. This was the closest to normal worship I have led since my ordination 11 months ago as we had live music and congregational singing. Canon Loren Lasch assisted me and we had the funniest moment when, after the confirmations, we were moving to the altar. I had put my mitre in a chair by me and I wanted to make sure I had it at the altar for the blessing at the end of the liturgy. I looked in the chair. No mitre. I asked Loren, “Where is my hat?” She looked just above my eyes and said, “It’s on your head.” I had, of course, put the mitre on for the confirmations. I am, clearly, still learning the ropes and am thankful I am not doing so alone.
May 2, 2021
I took part in worship at St. Alban’s by first watching their livestreamed Eucharist with a good sermon by the Rev. Billy Alford, who is back at work after medical leave for surgery. Then those at St. Alban’s moved to the parish hall to watch our diocesan worship recorded on Monday. Victoria and I then took part in that liturgy online. In the afternoon, I started the Living Our Vows “residency” by watching two excellent videos on conflict by a psychologist who is teaching about the arc of psycho-spiritual engagement with losses, worries, and joys and the internal transition from Priest to Bishop.
May 3, 2021
This week is a full one with the Living Our Vows program online each day from 10:45 am to 2:30 pm. I am in year two of the three-year program that is often referred to as “Baby Bishop School.” The psychologist whose videos I watched taught a helpful class and then I was in a small group with two other new bishops and an experienced bishop to each share a critical incident in recent ministry and to have the group help one another in reflecting on it.
May 4, 2021
The Living Our Vows program continued with social media training for bishops. I worked in the office in the afternoon.
May 5, 2021
The Living Our Vows program continued with work on creating an open environment in which unpopular opinions can be heard and valued as dissent is voiced.
May 6, 2021
The Living Our Vows program continued with a very full day of media training (newspapers, TV, and radio) online from 10:45 am to 4:15 pm.
May 7, 2021
I met with Canon Katie Easterlin and the Finance Committee in the morning. I finished up the Living Our Vows Program for this session with a meeting from 6:45-9 pm. We had participants from Uruguay to Taiwan for a spread of 13 hours. It was a helpful session led by Bishop Jennifer Baskerville Burrows, Bishop of Indianapolis, on aligning staffing and key committees for vision and mission, which was more grounded and practical than that description sounds.
May 8, 2021
A day off in Statesboro with Victoria’s family for a fully vaccinated get together.
May 9, 2021
Took part in diocesan worship from Holy Cross Thomson in the morning. At 3 pm, I confirmed and received 17 persons at Christ Church Frederica on St. Simons Island. This is the largest group they have presented for confirmation in 16 years. The liturgy was in a tent on the lawn with masks and distancing among households. Spent the night on St. Simons Island.
May 10, 2021
Victoria and I started the day at Honey Creek working on a prayer path for upcoming Family Camp Sessions in place of Summer Camp. Then we recorded worship at St. Mark’s, Woodbine. They did not offer any online worship in pandemic, but as soon as in person gatherings were possible, they stared offering lay-led Morning Prayer. Then the Revs. Bob and Jeannette Reese approached me last year about a possible call in retirement and I strongly recommended St. Mark’s. The priest and deacon team landed in a congregation already working together to worship safely in pandemic. They are coming out of pandemic stronger than they entered it thanks to their faithfulness. In the afternoon, I was back in the office and Canon Lasch and I met with the Revs. Becky Rowell and Melanie Lemburg who are working with a congregation in conflict. I am grateful for the gifts for this work the two share and the progress they are making at uncovering the long-term issues.
May 11, 2021
Worked in the office during the day and met online in the evening with members of the Commission on Ministry and Standing Committee in preparation for seeing persons in the Holy Orders process on Friday and Saturday.
May 12, 2021
Working in the office included an online meeting with Canon Lasch and I meeting with ELCA Bishop Kevin Strickland and a member of his staff on a joint Interim Ministry training we are planning for this fall.
May 13, 2021
The day included a Zoom meeting with two Church Pension Group staff members and Canon Katie Easterlin as we assist with an issue with life insurance, pension, and the death benefit for a clergy family. While in that meeting, I received an email and had a follow up phone call about a member of clergy who seemed incapacitated at a vestry meeting. I changed plans for tomorrow and will be driving to a face-to-face meeting to address this new concern.
May 14, 2021
The day began with a meeting with Canon Easterlin and our Chancellor, the Rev. Jim Elliott, followed by the staff gathering online to continue our discussion of Presiding Bishop Curry’s book. I then drove across the diocese to make one pastoral call, and then met with a member of the clergy who seemed incapacitated in a vestry meeting together with another member of clergy. The pressures of the pandemic have been so difficult. The meeting did intervene in the situation in time to provide grace rather than law, allowing for a pastoral solution that I trust God will use to bring healing. The day ended with a two-hour Zoom meeting of the Commission on Ministry and Standing Committee to interview two persons for ordination.
May 15, 2021
A full and taxing day of online meeting with the Commission on Ministry and Standing Committee to meet with four persons in the process for Holy Orders. The two bodies did good, faithful work. This task is never easy as the answer is not always the one the people coming to us hope for their future. After the meetings ended, I called all the people we met with and gave the sometimes joyful and sometimes painful news.
May 16, 2021
Victoria and I took part in diocesan worship on Facebook from St. Mark’s Woodbine and then drove to Vidalia. At the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, I confirmed a group from that congregation, some from Trinity in Statesboro, and one from Christ Church, Dublin. It was an excited group enjoying being together masked and distanced—singing, receiving communion in both kinds and praying together for those being confirmed and received. After lots of pictures and a brief reception, we drove to Augusta.
May 17, 2021
Victoria and I went to the Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter to record the final diocesan worship, online liturgies that began with Bishop Scott Benhase celebrating and preaching in a livestream at St. Michael and All Angels, Savannah, March 22, 2020 and that I took up last Pentecost with recorded worship from the historic chapel at St. Thomas on Isle of Hope in Savannah. After recording worship, we drove back to Savannah. I repacked and went alone to Honey Creek for a Clergy Retreat. 24 of us were at Honey Creek and as all of us are fully vaccinated, we did not need to wear masks, except when singing in worship as that is in the current guidance for COVID-19. After dinner, we discussed the further changes to the guidance needed to respond to changing information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We prayed Compline in the chapel and then enjoyed some time just talking in the Dining Hall. It was a refreshing change to be together with clergy. I have needed this.
May 18, 2021
The Clergy Retreat went through lunch with Morning Prayer, appointment times with clergy for conversation with me, some time for me to talk with the whole group with more thinking on COVID guidance and discussion of my visitation schedule. Canon Lasch celebrated, I preached and Canon Varner provided music for the Eucharist. After lunch, I drove to a meeting with a candidate for the diaconate and a priest to let the candidate know we are dropping her from the process toward Holy Orders. A short, but difficult meeting.
From 6-7 pm, I was on a Zoom meeting with our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry to facilitate a Q&A with people from around the Diocese closing out our 1Book1Diocese read of his book Love is the Way. It was a lot of fun, a good conversation that included questions from participants. I really have enjoyed working with Bishop Curry over the years and am grateful that I could bring the diocese into a conversation with him that revealed more of our denomination’s leader than a sermon allows, especially as the book itself is vulnerable in telling stories from his life.
May 19, 2021
I worked with staff to get out revised COVID-19 guidance that now takes vaccination status into account so that those who are fully vaccinated do not have to wear masks in worship and we also increased the number of people who can attend. Meetings included a planning meeting with Canon Lasch and I meeting with our counterparts in the ELCA (Lutheran) Southeast Synod as we continue to plan an interim ministry training for the fall.
May 20, 2021
I worked to wrap up several matters ahead of vacation. The day ended with a 4-6 pm Zoom meeting of the Diocesan Council. In addition to hearing reports from Task Groups working on the canons, assessing our leadership training programs, and revising our Holy Orders process, the Council decided that the funds from the government grants last year in the Paycheck Protection Program do count toward the assessment to the diocese (currently 10% of the average of the previous three years of normal operating income plus a special 2% additional for 2020-2022 to pay off Honey Creek debt). We have an appeal process already in place that can take any special situation into account.
May 21-31, 2021
Vacation. Victoria and I rented a house on the beach on Oak Island near Wilmington, North Carolina. We attended Trinity in Statesboro on May 30, which was Trinity Sunday and the first anniversary of my ordination and consecration as bishop.
June 1, 2021
Back in the office catching up from vacation and getting ready to serve at Family Camp at Honey Creek this weekend. I took part in an online training for new bishops from 11 am to 2 pm. Bishops Rob Wright of Atlanta and Laura Ahrens of Connecticut led a helpful session on leadership is inquiry and the importance of arriving with questions and not just answers (despite the temptation). Bishop Wright’s question that stuck with me is “What does fidelity to Jesus look like in this moment?” It seems to me not a question, but The Question to continually use in our church. Also, set December 29 for Bishop Louttit’s Memorial Eucharist in Savannah and the 30th for interring his ashes in Valdosta.
June 2, 2021
Working in the office in the morning, then Canon Lasch and I met on site at a church with the priest, finance committee chair, and senior warden who are leading through changes needed as they face serious financial issues. The problems pre-dated the pandemic and are getting more challenging sooner than they likely would have without COVID-19. Canon Katie Easterlin had a similar meeting today with another congregation facing the same.
June 3, 2021
Worked in the office.
June 4, 2021
A few phone calls and a meeting in my office took up the morning. After lunch, Victoria and I drove to Honey Creek for the first session of Family Camp. With uncertainty in January of what might be possible for summer camp, we did not move forward on hiring a staff for a typical summer. Instead, we planned three weekends for individuals, couples, and families to stay in lodge rooms at Honey Creek and enjoy lots of elements of a typical camp. For this first session, we have 24 of us present, including Canons Lasch and Varner working with Liz Williams and Victoria and me as staff. The Deacons of the Diocese are also on retreat at the same time. The Revs. Becky Rowell and Terri Degenhardt are leading them in an icon writing workshop.
June 5, 2021
We enjoyed a fun, full day at Honey Creek. Victoria and I offered a Prayer Path beginning outside and continuing in the chapel with Victoria doing the real work and me assisting. Rain in the afternoon moved some activities indoors, but by the time of s’mores by the campfire ahead of Compline, all was well. I met in conversation with the deacons. I so feel for this group who have been impacted by the virus more than any of us. Often their ministries in the community got shut down without fully coming back even now. Our meeting felt like we were in holy ground as we sat spread out around Stuart Hall. They are writing icons and I found it so apt as deacons serve as icons of servant ministry to their congregations. I am so grateful to be able to serve as bishop with these deacons.
June 6, 2021
We concluded the first camp session with some morning activities and then a closing Eucharist and lunch before heading home. A very satisfying camp session, thanks to Canon Joshua Varner working hard to bring the elements of a summer camp session into a weekend with the right mix of hanging out, activities, games, and worship. We drove home for an afternoon and evening off.
June 7, 2021
A day off at home.
June 8, 2021
Meetings with individuals clergy today via Zoom, telephone, and in person. This including coaching a priest through conflict that began with posting a quote on a personal Facebook page that was taken over by comments going back and forth between clergy from elsewhere and parishioners of the church. Anger rises to the surface so much more quickly with nerves frayed by month after month of disagreement over restrictions due to COVID-19.
June 9, 2021
Worked in the office largely planning with staff and following up on emails and mail.
June 10, 2021
A day in the office with Zoom meetings with candidates for Rector of St. Paul’s, Augusta. Also wrote a sermon for tomorrow morning.
June 11, 2021
I began the day with a 7 am Eucharist at St. Paul’s Savannah to mark the 25th anniversary of the Rev. Liam Collins reception as a priest in the Episcopal Church. Tomorrow marks the 50th anniversary of his ordination in the Roman Catholic Church. For 21 years, Liam has been a great colleague in ministry for me. Victoria and I enjoyed working with him on spirituality retreats at Honey Creek. Liam and his wife, Mary, have been such a blessing to our Diocese. I also worked on a eulogy for tomorrow’s funeral.
June 12, 2021
Preached at the Episcopal Church in Okatie, South Carolina, for Memorial Eucharist for the Rev. Richard Patrick McDonnell, III who died of COVID-19 on February 5th this year. The funeral was held off until restrictions on gatherings permitted a more typical funeral. Many churches are holding funerals now or in the next month or so, oftentimes not for someone who died from the virus, but whose funeral was postponed due to COVID restrictions.
June 13-14, 2021
Two days off at home on this Memorial Day weekend.
June 15, 2021
I started the day visiting with a retired deacon, the Rev. Wanda Lucas, in ICU and praying with her. She was responsive and thanked me for praying with her. Then I was back in the office after a long weekend included six hours of meetings, with only an hour-long meeting via Zoom and the remainder in person.
June 16, 2021
A lighter day on scheduled meetings with more time for email, mail, and phone calls.
June 17, 2021
The day of working in the office included a Zoom meeting with the Deans and Archdeacon considering my letter to clergy and Senior Wardens moving all COVID-19 restrictions from required to encouraged in order to permit each priest and vestry to assess their local situation and decide how best to mitigate risk from the virus, while returning as close to the old normal as their context allows. The Phase 1 Guidance on returning to in-person worship launched last June 30 for use beginning as soon as July 1, so I know it was less than a year of diocesan rules for how to gather for worship, yet it has felt like much more than 12 months. With the encouragement of the Deans and the Archdeacon, I did not get further input from clergy and hit send on the letter.
June 18, 2021
I visited St. Joseph’s Hospital in the morning to pray with the Rev. Wanda Lucas, whose health has deteriorated rapidly. I spent time talking with a daughter of hers as well and then went into the office briefly. After lunch, Victoria and I went to Honey Creek for the second session of Family Camp. This is a larger group with more than 40 people taking part.
June 19, 2021
Spent the day at Family Camp, with Victoria and I setting up a Prayer Path around and in the chapel and a labyrinth in Stuart Hall. I slipped out after lunch to officiate the funeral for the Rev. Ed Williams, deacon emeritus at St. Mark’s, Brunswick. It was the largest indoor liturgy in my episcopacy with more than 60 family members joined by a good group of clergy and parishioners. Ed has been such a strong, loving presence in our diocese, and a prime example of the ministry of a deacon. He and his wife, Bobbi, have for years reflected the light of Christ, I was grateful for the turnout online and in person. I then went back to Honey Creek for field games, the campfire, and compline.
June 20, 2021
Family Camp ended with a Eucharist moved up by 15 minutes to offer plenty of time for me to get to Valdosta. So as that liturgy ended around 11, I said my goodbyes at Honey Creek and drove to a 2 pm Holy Eucharist at Christ the King. This was their final service in the four-story building across the street from the Courthouse, that has been their home for more than two decades. As a long-term sustainability plan that leaves them situated well for the future, the congregation sold that four-story building on which they carried debt and are buying outright a one-story building just 1.5 blocks away. The Rev. Galen Mirate offered a wonderful sermon. I prayed in their worship space on and then outside the building giving thanks for that place. Then we followed a trumpeter playing When the Saints Go Marching In and arrived at the new building and I offered prayers there and we dismissed. It was a joyful, hopeful liturgy as the congregation left a building they loved.
June 21, 2021
In the morning, I learned that Deacon Wanda Lucas died the night before. I met with a deacon and then a priest each on the west side of I-75, taking advantage of already being in Valdosta to keep a couple of meetings face to face. I arrived back home in Savannah just after 5 pm.
June 22, 2021
I took a day off at home that included some work in planning the funeral for Deacon Wanda for this Thursday morning.
June 23, 2021
The morning began recording a video for a clergy retirement, a staff meeting, and interviews then being interviewed by the auditors who are on site working through the finances for both diocesan operations and Honey Creek. After lunch, I had one phone appointment and a face to face meeting with a priest considering a call in the Diocese and a woman discerning a possible call as a deacon.
June 24, 2021
The funeral for the Rev. Wanda Lucas was this morning at St. Peter’s, Savannah. This is the third clergy funeral in three weeks, which is well more than any other time serving on diocesan staff. Wanda and her husband Mike had been married 51 years before he died. Over the years they fostered over 25 children and adopted five of them, while providing support and baby equipment to other children in need. They were an amazing team and we were blessed to have her serve as a deacon. I worked in the office in the afternoon.
June 25, 2021
Worked in the office in the morning, then drove to Valdosta.
June 26, 2021
I ordained Susan Gage to the Sacred Order of Deacons at St. Thomas, Thomasville. She will serve a transitional time as a deacon in further preparation for her ordination to the priesthood. Susan and her wife, Isabelle, live in Florida, but Susan became active in the Diocese of Georgia years ago as the Diocese of Florida is not generally welcoming to LGBT+ persons and does not consider someone in a same sex marriage for ordination. She will serve at Christ the King, Valdosta, assisting the Rev. Galen Mirate and at St. Barnabas, Valdosta, as deacon in charge. I fielded calls on several issues while driving home including lining up clergy for two funerals at a church without a priest and speaking with a vestry member at a church whose call process has gotten stalled.
June 27, 2021
A day off at home.
June 28, 2021
Spent the morning at home. Drove to Valdosta alone for a late afternoon vestry meeting.
June 29, 2021
I had a morning meeting in Cochran and then drove back to Savannah. In the afternoon, I did an in-home confirmation for a home-bound parishioner in Hospice care with 20 friends gathered in her living and dining rooms. It was a touching liturgy that clearly meant a lot to the confirmand and so was beautiful for those of us joining with her in the prayers and Eucharist.
June 30, 2021
Dade Brantley came up to the office for our first all in-person staff meeting since sheltering in place in March 2020. We surprised him with a cake and lunch as tomorrow is the tenth anniversary of Dade starting work as Executive Director of Honey Creek.
July 1, 2021
Worked in the office during the day and in the evening Victoria and I joined parishioners from St. George’s, St. Peter’s, and St. Thomas Isle of Hope at a Savannah Bananas baseball game in Grayson Stadium.
July 2, 2021
A quiet day in the office for correspondence and phone calls. In the afternoon, FedEx delivered a new laptop and I started moving files and programs to get it set up.
July 3-5, 2021
We enjoyed the Fourth of July weekend off at home.
July 6, 2021
The day began with my first visit to my physician since he filled out my paperwork for the Episcopal Church on my election as bishop. All is relatively well, though lowering my cholesterol matters and needs more work. Afterward, I worked in the office.
July 7, 2021
Worked in the office. An appraiser was in to determine the value of Diocesan House on behalf of the bank loaning us $750,000 so we can pay off the Honey Creek Bonds even as funds continue to come in through the end of 2022 (unless the debt is paid off sooner).
July 8, 2021
Began my morning by gathering online for the first two-hour small group meeting with bishops from across the Anglican Communion in advance of next year’s Lambeth Conference. I am grouped with bishops from England, Scotland, India, South Africa, Canada, and the United States, including the Primates of the Church of Scotland and the Church of Canada. This same group will meet monthly through December and then in person at Lambeth. We broke into smaller groups of 3-5 several times so it was not just a conversation among 16 bishops.
July 9, 2021
I began the day filling in for a priest who is sick, celebrating the 7 am Holy Eucharist at St. Paul’s, Savannah, then worked in the office.
July 10-11, 2021
A weekend off at home.
July 12, 2021
Worked in the office in the morning. In the afternoon, I met Communications Manager Liz Williams in Richmond Hill at the home of Dr. Bertice Berry. We interviewed her for a video we will show in the Diocesan Convention in November documenting how she started telling stories online in pandemic and then created a large and growing online community where others share their stories. This will be one way to share the theme God Gave the Growth.
July 13, 2021
Worked in the office, catching up on phone calls, emails, etc.
July 14, 2021
I was in the office in the morning and then went to the office of the Catholic Diocese of Savannah to meet with the Most Rev. Stephen D. Parkes, the 15th Bishop of that Diocese. We enjoyed getting to know one another and plan to meet from time to time both to support one another personally and to see what our dioceses might do ecumenically. We already partner in ministry in some places and each have a congregation meeting in a building owned by the other. Late in the afternoon, I met with an aspirant for ordination to the priesthood.
July 15, 2021
A morning in the office included meeting with a Baptist minister who is considering becoming an Episcopal priest. I also met with the Rev. Tim Burger, a priest from Western Massachusetts who has moved with his daughter to Richmond Hill to live with his mother. Then after lunch, I drove to Winterville, just outside of Athens, Georgia, to spend the night at my Mom’s house. After a recent diagnosis of dementia, she is now at 84 looking to move to assisted living. I am looking into possibilities in Savannah.
July 16, 2021
My Mom and I drove to Honey Creek for the third and final session of Family Camp. Twenty-nine of us were at the camp, including Victoria, who met me at Honey Creek. It was fun to have my mother, and her dog Joe, with us at Honey Creek.
July 17, 2021
A full day of Family Camp went very well. Canon Joshua Varner and the team he put together did a great job at having a taste of summer camp in a weekend. All of the elements such as worship, crafts, field games, pool time, making s’mores on a bonfire, and more came together effectively.
July 18, 2021
Family Camp concluded at lunch and my Mom and I drove back to Winterville.
July 19, 2021
Drove from my Mom’s house to meet Liz Williams at St. Anne’s, Tifton. We interviewed the Rev. Lonnie Lacy for another video we will show in the Diocesan Convention in November documenting how he created a Hamilton Musical parody video for St. Anne’s Got Talent. The video has so far had 1.6 million views on YouTube and landed him on the Today Show. The point we wanted to capture was the flood of messages he received from people who the video gave hope to about our eventual return to in person worship. This will let us talk about how difficult the pandemic has been while showing what the Holy Spirit did with our faithfulness as another way to share the theme God Gave the Growth. Liz has been such a huge help in thinking through the convention and the theme and getting these videos recorded, especially in her interviewing skill. Drove home to Savannah.
July 20, 2021
A full day in the office with meetings and not enough time to catch up fully on emails, letters, etc. In the evening, I met online with the Commission on Ministry and Standing Committee to consider an aspirant for the priesthood.
July 21, 2021
Worked in the office during the day and then met briefly by Zoom in the evening with the Commission on Ministry and Standing Committee to receive their report in approving an aspirant for the priesthood to become a postulant. Shelley Martin has been our Campus Missioner for Augusta University. She is enrolling as a seminarian at Sewanee’s School of Theology.
July 22, 2021
I took the morning off to begin the day at home researching assisted living for my Mom. In the afternoon, Canon Katie Easterlin and I met with the Finance Committee, then we met with the Treasurer and Chancellor on grants to congregations to distribute fairly the $40,000 we received from the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church. The funds were to assist a diocese or diocesan institutions, but could go to congregations in need due to the pandemic. We are putting all of the money to our congregations.
July 23, 2021
A morning of meetings in person and by phone. In the afternoon, Victoria and I checked out more assisted living options for my Mom.
July 24-25, 2021
A weekend off at home.
July 26, 2021
My Mom and sister, Leigh, were in Savannah to look at assisted living options together. This is difficult emotionally for all of us.
July 27, 2021
Worked in the office.
July 28, 2021
Working in the office included a hybrid meeting of the Board of the Corporation as cases of COVID-19 are spiking due to low vaccination rates and the more contagious Delta Variant becoming the dominant strain of the virus in Georgia. That variant is 225% more transmissible than the original strain and capable of creating breakthrough cases in those vaccinated, though vaccinated persons tend to have milder cases. In the afternoon, Victoria and I drove to St. Athanasius’ Church in Brunswick for a Celebration of New Ministry for the Rev. DeWayne Cope, who has served the congregation in pandemic for 13 months. I spoke to DeWayne about a possible call to the priesthood some years ago and have been grateful to be a part of the journey for him and his wife Lakeshia, and their children, Zariyah and DJ. There was good representation from his home congregation of St. Matthew’s, Savannah, and, given pandemic, from diocesan clergy. A joyful celebration.
July 29, 2021
A very full day of work in the office.
July 30-August 1, 2021
A three-day weekend off at home as we recharge after busy workdays while researching assisted living for my Mom. I wanted to keep pushing, but had a Canon to the Ordinary and Executive Assistant who got my attention on the toll the previous two weeks had taken.
August 2, 2021
Worked in the office in the morning. After lunch, Victoria and I went to Christ Church, Savannah, to record a video for an upcoming nationwide Cursillo gathering. This will be the first Grand Ultreya for Episcopal Cursillo across the country and it is made possible by online meetings becoming more common in pandemic. I will offer a five-minute talk on how study plays a part in Becoming Beloved Community, sharing my own journey of increasing my empathy through reading of those with very different experiences from me.
August 3, 2021
A full day of meetings and phone calls that ended with a Zoom meeting with the Search Committee for St. Andrew’s and St. Cyprian’s in Darien. I learned today that Roy Lilly died last night. It was quite a shock. He has been such a faithful member of the Standing Committee, a lay leader whose insight I depend on. He is an attorney, magistrate, and a dedicated parishioner at All Saints, Thomasville. Following news of Colonel Ed Duskin’s death the night before just adds to the loss. Duskin was a longtime Chair of the Constitution and Canons Committee and the founder of Holy Spirit, Dawson. They have each been important leaders for the Diocese of Georgia.
August 4, 2021
Our weekly staff meeting and some time to catch up on email and sending thank you notes.
August 5, 2021
The day began with a 9-11 am Zoom meeting in advance of next year’s Lambeth Conference in England. In the afternoon, I made a number of phone calls while driving to Thomasville.
August 6, 2021
I officiated the funeral for Roy M. Lilly, Jr. An attorney and magistrate judge, Roy was a beloved parishioner at All Saints, a congregation he helped to found. He has also served eight years on the Standing Committee out of the last dozen. We have depended on his wise counsel. I was not just the officiant, but also among those mourning his death. I returned to Savannah in the afternoon.
August 7, 2021
A morning off at home, then I drove to Martinez in the afternoon.
August 8, 2021
I celebrated and preached at the Church of the Holy Comforter in Martinez. Their founding pastor, the Rev. Dr. Cynthia Taylor, had surgery for cancer this past week. She also announced her plans to retire in January. Founded a year to the day before Victoria, Griffin, and I started King of Peace, this church has long been an inspiration for me and Cindy a gifted colleague on the church planting journey. I was serving as a supply priest and will later make a visitation.
August 9, 2021
A Monday off at home.
August 10, 2021
I worked from home while awaiting a COVID-19 test on Wednesday morning due to having been in large indoor gatherings in two cities that each were experiencing high case counts of the virus. Phone calls and Zoom meetings were going to fill the workday anyway and those are done as well from home. I had a planned call in the evening with a Senior Warden at a parish whose priest of many years is experiencing significant issues with memory. Many do not see the weight of responsibility that goes with being a church warden in times when a priest is incapacitated or there is no priest in a time of transition. I see firsthand the way parish leaders rise to the challenges their congregation’s face and am so appreciative of the thoughtful leadership of Senior Wardens.
August 11, 2021
I started the day with an 8:30 am rapid COVID test, my sixth since the pandemic arrived in Georgia in early March 2020. By 9 am, I had confirmed I was COVID free. Canon Loren Lasch and Communications Manager Liz Williams also received negative tests, so we are all clear from a full weekend with the three of us in five congregations as case counts are rising even among those who are fully vaccinated. The afternoon of a full day in the office included a Zoom Meeting in with Canon Lasch and I were with ELCA Bishop Kevin Strickland and two of his senior staff. We all agreed to postpone a planned interim ministry retreat set for September as gathering people from a lot of locations into one place for a retreat is less prudent given the case counts of the virus.
August 12, 2021
Worked in the office finalizing a letter to go out to congregations letting them know the amount of their diocesan assessment for 2022. This is determined by the rate set by convention. Currently, the 10% tithe has an added 2% for the Honey Creek Bond Debt. This assessment for 2022 will be the third and final year of that debt repayment plan.
August 13, 2021
Worked in the office.
August 14, 2021
A morning off at home. Then Victoria and I drove to Statesboro. I met with the vestry in the evening as part of my first visitation to a church. After 11 years of working on the Diocese of Georgia staff, this was my first meeting with a vestry that was not about a transition, conflict, or some other specific situation. We talked about how they came to Trinity, their response to the pandemic, and the questions and challenges they are facing now. I really enjoyed the meeting and look forward to more of these.
August 15, 2021
Victoria and I took part in the Celebration of New Ministry at Trinity, Statesboro, for the Rev. Charles Todd. We also had the baptism for Granger Johnson, whose mom, Jamie, I know from Honey Creek when she was a teen, and whose dad, Grayson, and brother, Jamison, I have enjoyed getting to know in recent years. I also confirmed one person and received one. This was my first visitation as a bishop, though I have enjoyed some services of confirmation that have been similar. But this was the first time I met with a vestry and presided at the principal Sunday service in person as a bishop, now 443 days after my ordination. Serendipity led to it being Trinity. This was the church that sponsored me for seminary in 1997 and the congregation where in the 1970s, Victoria was their first female acolyte.
August 16, 2021
Working in the office including meeting with the Rev. David Perkins who will serve as Interim Rector of Christ Church, Valdosta.
August 17, 2021
A full day of meetings included meeting in person with someone considering a call as a deacon.
August 18, 2021
The morning began with the Very Rev. Richard Nelson accepting, by phone, my appointment of him as Dean of the Albany Convocation following the Rev. Galen Mirate moving to serve only in Valdosta at Christ the King. Then a clergy Zoom offered an opportunity for clergy to break into small groups to discuss what has been giving them joy as well as other things they are facing for which they could use support from one another or me and my staff. The Delta Variant of COVID-19 has thrown a monkey wrench into fall plans and sent most congregations back to requiring masks and some back to online worship only. This is so difficult.
August 19, 2021
Working in the office included a lot of time with staff as I prepare to be away. Part of this was working through a first draft of the 2022 budget with Canon Katie Easterlin.
August 20-27, 2021
Vacation in Colorado. It was great to be with our daughter Griffin for some hiking and hanging out time. On the 26th, I took a rapid COVID test to assure I had not contracted the virus in traveling out. I was negative for the virus and will check again after my return.
August 28, 2021
First thing in the morning, I took a rapid test for COVID-19, my second time using one of the new home test kits. I was negative for the virus. I finished my sermon for tomorrow next and then I drove to St. Paul’s, Savannah to ordain the Rev. Victor Moreno to the Sacred Order of Priests. Victor grew up in Mexico City, where he spent his first 17 years before his family moved to Chicago in 1988. After moving to Savannah in 2012 to work for Mitsubishi, Moreno found his way into the Episcopal Church through St. Paul’s, Savannah, where he worshipped in the Spanish language liturgy. He was prepared for ministry through the Alternative Clergy Training at Sewanee (ACTS) program offers theological training for part-time or non-stipendiary priests. In the afternoon, Victoria and I drove to Valdosta in heavy rain.
August 29, 2021
I made my visitation to St. James, Quitman, which is the congregation that has gone the longest time without a visit from a bishop. While Victoria and I recorded worship at St. James for online worship on January 31 of this year, Bishop Benhase’s visit on December 18, 2018 was their most recent liturgy with their bishop with them for in-person worship. 986 days later, we were able to join them for worship. Twenty of us were present, including their priest, the Rev. Jim Elliott who is our diocesan chancellor, and Pam Guice, long-time director of our Honey Creek Summer Camp program who I had not seen in some years since she retired from that role. The music was glorious, sung by an all-masked congregation. We had a nice discussion in the parish hall after, still masked and with more distance among us. Victoria and I returned to Savannah, enjoying an audio book on the drive, Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary.
August 30, 2021
Getting into the new habit of Monday as my usual day off, though, I did have a thorough, post-vacation check in call with Canon Loren Lasch as she will be headed out tomorrow to be with the vestry of St. Anne’s, Tifton.
August 31, 2021
The first day back in the office after vacation and a weekend of liturgies was full of meetings, mail, and email, as well as checking in with staff and lay leaders. As Maggie Lyons and Daniel Garrick are usually the ones to answer the phone, they are our front line contact with the Diocese and sometimes that is difficult. Daniel field a very angry phone call today from a parishioner who wants me to issue strong diocesan wide guidance anew as case counts rise. Their spouse is a health care worker and know how demanding working in a hospital is now and are furious that their church is not responding to limit the spread of the virus. Canon Loren Lasch followed up with a call back and it is clear that Daniel handled well a very upset parishioner.
September 1, 2021
Working in the office included our every Wednesday morning staff meeting, today via Microsoft Teams as Canon Easterlin was headed to Valdosta to assist a congregation with financial issues and Canon Lasch was returning from a meeting last evening with the vestry at St. Anne’s, Tifton. Yesterday’s angry phone call was followed up by an email from the parishioner asking us to thank Daniel for what the caller said was his “calm response to my considerable anger, a definite asset in his position.” How nice to hear.
September 2, 2021
Worked in the office in the morning and then went to Okatie, South Carolina, to look through papers and memorabilia from Bishop Albert Rhett Stuart at his daughter, Isabella Stuart Reeves’ home.
September 3, 2021
A full morning of meetings in the office included a check in with Bishop Scott Benhase, who with his wife, Kelly, was in town to visit their son, John, and daughter-in-law, Sarah. John is an amazing chef with a new restaurant, Common Thread, near our office in Savannah. In the early evening, I drove to Dublin to spend the night, cutting in half tomorrow morning’s drive.
September 4, 2021
Met with a priest in Albany, then presided and preached the funeral for the Rev. Freeman G. Cross, Jr. at St. Paul’s. Then drove to Holy Spirit in Dawson to inter his cremains alongside his wife, Emilie, who died in March of this year. They had been married 59 years. Freeman was a West Point grad who served 21 years in the Army, including tours in Korea and Vietnam. He worked for the Georgia Port Authority before going to Sewanee and after ordination serving congregations in southwest Georgia. He served Holy Spirit for 20 years. After a reception at the Cross’ home in Dawson, I drove to Bainbridge and recorded video of Cathy Stevens telling about St. John’s Little Free Food Pantry, which they started in pandemic.
September 5, 2021
Made my visitation to St. John’s, Bainbridge, with a Holy Eucharist on the lawn with a masked and distanced congregation due to COVID-19 cases spiking in the area with the Delta Variant of the virus being more transmissible. One reaffirmation of faith, a vestry meeting, and dinner on the grounds made for a lovely morning, then I had no trouble on the 4.5-hour drive home listening to a book in the car.
September 6, 2021
Labor Day off at home.
September 7, 2021
Back in the office on our 36th wedding anniversary. Meeting with diocesan canons in the morning and two meetings each with priests who are discerning their next calls.
September 8, 2021
Worked in the office. In the afternoon, I met with the Deans and Archdeacon on Zoom to plan ahead for Convocation Council meetings to take place via Zoom and to check in on their convocations. Then Canon Katie Easterlin and I met with the Standing Committee who I asked to offer counsel related to financial concerns at one congregation. As always, they were thoughtful and caring and I am grateful for the insight of the group as we decide best how to work toward appropriate accountability.
September 9, 2021
In the morning, my small group for next year’s Lambeth Conference of Bishops met via Zoom. I took part in the first hour, which included my leading a small group Bible discussion for a group of five bishops, with me and a bishop from Texas and a bishop each from England, South Africa, and India. Then I met with the three diocesan canons and the Task Group of Diocesan Council that has worked on a thorough review of our Constitution and Canons. They have done excellent work and we were strategizing how best to educate clergy and delegates to convention, so we have an informed debate and decision at that November meeting.
September 10, 2021
Spent the day in Winterville, Georgia, to be with my Mom who is facing decisions as her 85th birthday nears and her needs for additional support increase.
September 11, 2021
Drove back to Savannah and finished my sermon for tomorrow.
September 12, 2021
Victoria and I were at St. Philip’s in Hinesville this morning where the principal Sunday liturgy was a Memorial Service for the Rev. Chad Chaffee, a deacon raised up from this congregation. He was born to a storied military family with a grandfather who has an Army base named for him. He served two tours in Vietnam. Chad rose to the highest enlisted rank, Sergeant Major, before his retirement. He turned the hurt of a country that did not welcome back those who served in combat into a passion for any whom others might overlook, and he did so out of a steady faith in Jesus Christ who was the deacon’s model servant ministry. Deacon Chad’s concerned for those who might have been forgotten went well beyond his fellow Vietnam Veteran’s to all the otherwise lost and left out in the community.
September 13, 2021
Back in the office on a Monday, working with Canons Lasch and Varner on planning the upcoming clergy retreat. We will have five sermons between Tuesday morning and Wednesday at noon. Using the daily offices and a closing Eucharist, we will have the Sunday readings for Advent and Christmas. Today, I contacted the preachers and officiants to line up that retreat worship. Though the Delta Variant surge continues, cases are dropping in the worst hit counties, which include Camden where Honey Creek is located and Glynn, which has the hospital for the area. I am grateful that deacons and priests will be able to gather in person this fall.
September 14, 2021
I began the day at Savannah Toyota for routine service on the Camry Hybrid I use for diocesan work. It now has more than 28,500 miles after 15 months of diocesan travel in pandemic. The day included working with Canon Loren Lasch and the Rev. Becky Rowell to support a congregation in conflict, meeting with a priest on Zoom, and planning a follow through that will involve all three of us.
September 15, 2021
A day of work in the office included our weekly staff meeting and a Zoom meeting of Sewanee’s bishops who are Trustees of the University of the South. During that meeting, I received a text letting me know that Victoria and I were possibly exposed to COVID-19 on Sunday. I drove home to quarantine until a test on Friday morning.
September 16, 2021
Today was one of those days when a lot is flying around via emails, phone calls, texts, and Facebook messages, with a variety of issues and tasks needing tending. I worked from home in quarantine, meeting on Teams with Canon Easterlin on getting the budgets for the Diocese and Honey Creek ready for the Finance Committee tomorrow. I drafted an email to clergy about the convention being primarily in person and created a draft agenda for our online Diocesan Council meeting and posted them in a Google Document for the canons to perfect together. Then I had phone calls and Zoom meetings with clergy which included checking in with Canon Loren Lasch and the Rev. Becky Rowell as we continue to support a congregation in conflict. Then I followed up with the Rector on a plan for next steps in constructively addressing the conflict. During this, I was getting messages about our diocesan training programs, creating a task group of Council on our Companion Diocese relationship, and other matters. Days like today reveal how much I need and rely on my staff. Passing off concerns, knowing they will get handled well eases my load.
September 17, 2021
Began the day with a COVID test at the Savannah Civic Center, then spent a less intense day following up on the issues and tasks raised and not completed yesterday.
September 18-19, 2021
Because the House of Bishops moved its meeting online for this coming week and I no longer have to arrive early for the Living Our Vows Program, I ended up with no visitation this weekend and enjoyed a weekend off at home. This worked out well as I await the results of the COVID test, which came back negative.
September 20, 2021
I met on Zoom from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm for the Living Our Vows formation for bishops in the first three years of ministry. I feel the real lack of not meeting regularly with this group in person. Victoria and I enjoyed the face to face gathering in Richmond, Virginia in early 2020 because of the informal time spent with “our class” of bishops elected the same year. Today’s online meeting was fine, certainly not a waste of time, but so much less than the community building that happens in person.
September 21, 2021
A full day of work before and after the 11 am to 2 pm online meeting of the House of Bishops.
September 22, 2021
Another full day around the 11 am to 2 pm online meeting of the House of Bishops as I work with the staff to prepare for Diocesan Council, the clergy conference, and convention. They are doing a lot of work, some of which requires input from me to move forward.
September 23, 2021
The House of Bishops wrapped up with the three-hour online meeting today. I really enjoyed the time spent with my small group in discussion each day. Colleague groups are important and hearing my own concerns for our deacons, priests, and lay leaders echoed by others matters. We all see how being a bishop in pandemic is so very difficult and yet not near as taxing as it has been for our deacons and priests.
September 24, 2021
The day began with a Zoom meeting with a priest accepting a call to serve as an associate at St. John’s Savannah and another online meeting with Canon Loren Lasch and the Rev. Becky Rowell with a priest whose congregation is in conflict. Diocesan Council began with a 3-5 pm meeting on Zoom. We had an initial conversation about the six congregations appealing their diocesan assessment as well as looking in detail at the 2022 budgets for the Diocese and Honey Creek. Finally, we shared the extensive work on the canons done by a Task Group of Council. Our pattern, which I introduced in 2010 when becoming Canon to the Ordinary is to introduce and discuss matter one day and come back to them for further discussion and vote the next. We practice this for diocesan council and convention as it allows room for additional thoughts and questions prior to a decision.
September 25, 2021
Diocesan Council concluded with a 9 am to 12 noon meeting online granting at least in part all but one appeal and approving the budgets with a slight change to account for the lesser income. Council also approved that the package of changes to the canons move on with some rough spots noted to address as it goes to Constitution and Canons. Took the rest of the day off at home.
September 26, 2021
I drove to Pennick in the morning for the Feast Day of St. Anna Alexander, Deaconess. The attendance was limited, in order to reduce chance of spreading COVID-19, so we offered the liturgy via livestream. In a first for me, I preached a tag-team sermon with the Very Rev. Billy Alford starting and then passing it off to me to conclude. That worked well as we mapped out what he would cover, about her life and ministry, and then I would conclude with why it matters to the church for her to be recognized as a saint.
September 27, 2021
Monday morning, I took time off at home, then drove to Honey Creek after lunch. Clergy Conference began with dinner, continued with bishop’s time, Compline, and a reception. Fifty-five deacons and priests are registered for all or at least part of the retreat, which is more than twice the number present for the retreat we offered in May. How awesome to be together in this way again! We are all fully vaccinated and wearing masks when indoors and have a slower paced schedule for more time between any activities to take advantage of not needing to wear masks outdoors, giving people time with one another.
September 28, 2021
The Clergy Conference met all day with sermons at Morning Prayer, Noonday Prayer, and Evening Prayers on the readings for the upcoming Advent Season, Advent 1-3. Through an afternoon off from 1-5, I met with seven deacons and priests who wanted time to talk. I always find those face-to-face conversations an important part of our conferences. Canon Loren Lasch also meets with clergy during that time. This evening, as dinner ended, I offered question cards at every table from the Diocese of Texas’ Sharing Our Faith Dinners. These ask each person to tell of experiences with God using a variety of questions coming at these experiences in varying ways. The person answering can select from among questions for something that resonates. That discussion went very well. I sat in the corner of the dining hall after it was well underway and could see the laughter and the tears as each person spent five minutes or so telling of how God has been active in their lives. The reports were overwhelmingly positive. We then offered a “Blue Christmas” liturgy that is designed for people who are alone or grieving at Christmas. I was able to offer healing prayers to clergy who wanted them in that liturgy and it was powerful. Another reception closed out the night. Everyone is enjoying this time apart from our daily ministry to be together and renew.
September 29, 2021
The Clergy Conference concluded with Morning Prayer and an Advent 4 sermon, another session together to talk as a body then Canon Loren Lasch celebrated and I preached for the Holy Eucharist with the Christmas readings. Deacon Dianne Hall served as the deacon for the liturgy. The liturgies were all planned by Canon Joshua Varner, who did a superior job in putting them together and including some beautiful hymns and special music offered by clergy. After lunch, I drove home and then had a 5-6 pm Zoom meeting with our Racial Healing and Justice Team to discuss how we will engage with the upcoming racially-charged trial for the three persons who chased down Ahmaud Arbery and shot him in the street in early 2020 in Brunswick. We will offer a statement as the trial starts to call for prayer for all and then I will make a statement drawing on our faith to respond to any verdict for this criminal trial.
September 30, 2021
A planned very full day got more so when a new complaint came in against a clergy person. Plans sometimes get diverted by a phone call. We have an obligation to handle these matters well for the good of all involved as well as the health of the church. That takes time.
October 1, 2021
I started the day with a Friday off at home. After lunch, I drove to Charleston in advance of the Saturday consecration of the Rev. Canon Ruth Woodliff-Stanley as Bishop of South Carolina.
October 2, 2021
My first time as a bishop to take part in the ordination and consecration of a new colleague in the House of Bishops. The Diocese of South Carolina has been in a lengthy liminal time after a schism divided the diocese leaving a remnant with few church buildings. I have assisted their two provisional bishops from time to time at the request of the Presiding Bishop and my predecessor. It was very meaningful to be with them on this glorious day. After that beautiful ordination rite, I drove to Honey Creek to join the Clergy Spouse Retreat already underway. I ate dinner with them and took part in their gift exchange that fit with their Christmas party theme. Having this group matters so much and I appreciate Jay Lacy’s ongoing shepherding of it with Cissy Bowden and others as well as the Rev. Helen White serving as their chaplain.
October 3, 2021
On Sunday morning, I drove back to Savannah for my visitation to St. Francis of the Islands on Wilmington Island. As with many congregations, I have a history here that comes from assisting in transitions and in this case with a priest having to be removed some years back. They are one of the churches I have been with on their worst day and, on their worst day, St. Francis was pretty amazing. I was overjoyed to officiate the celebration of new ministry with their Rector of 14 months, the Rev. Ian Lasch.
October 4, 2021
A Saint Francis Day off at home other than needing to engage with the complaint against a member of the clergy in the afternoon as we need to move forward with the intake officers’ report now complete. I appointed an advisor as required by canons.
October 5, 2021
Tuesday was a full day back in the office, beginning with checking in with the Canons on staff and ending with a meeting with the Standing Committee on Constitution and Canons on a comprehensive set of changes to our canons. The canons’ meeting was a real Holy Spirit moment of finding consensus on a path forward to recommend passage of the whole package of changes on a first reading, and as amendments to the constitution take passage at two consecutive conventions in identical form. We will offer more time for consideration by not having any canonical changes go into effect until that second reading on the constitution is approved. This allows an additional year of study and then a possibility of amendments ready to consider immediately on approving the second reading (if convention does so).
October 6, 2021
Staff evaluations began today as I seek to move the annual review ahead of the budget in which any changes in compensation are part of the budget. In the afternoon, Maggie Lyons and I began working on the second half of my 2022 calendar of visitations, which also includes setting the dates for lots of diocesan meetings and events.
October 7, 2021
I met again online with my small group of 15 bishops having conversations in advance of next year’s Lambeth Conference for all the bishops of the Anglican Communion. Then I moved into the Trustees meeting for the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. In the afternoon, I had to miss part of the Trustees Meeting as the Reference Panel of the Church Disciplinary Board met on a complaint against a member of clergy. The Panel agreed on the appropriate pastoral response. Canon Loren Lasch will share what we are doing with the complainant, who has the right to appeal if they do not see the response as sufficient to address the concerns.
October 8, 2021
A day in the office included working with two priests and Canons Easterlin and Lasch on how to support a priest’s widow as she is experiencing the beginnings of dementia. The priest did not serve long enough to get vested in the Church Pension Fund and so receive typical benefits of a widow. We will be working with the clergy in the convocation to offer some ongoing support through the Bishop’s Fund and their discretionary funds.
October 9, 2021
A day off at home.
October 10, 2021
I preached twice this morning at St. John’s, Savannah, once for Family Worship at 9 and then a significantly different version of the same sermon for Morning Prayer at 11. This is the first visit there with a congregation present since I became bishop. St. John’s has what is called Designated Episcopal Pastoral Oversight and I asked the Rt. Rev. Paul Lambert, retired Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of Dallas, to confirm on my behalf earlier this fall. The relationship between me and the rector and vestry is good at a personal level, but impaired at the level of Bishop and Congregation because of serious theological disagreement over how women and LGBT persons may take part in the sacraments of the church. This morning shows how we have found a healthy balance in the midst of these issues. As long as all the clergy of the Diocese of Georgia cannot serve sacramentally at St. John’s, neither will I as bishop. I am also not insisting that the clergy or congregation of St. John’s change their beliefs or actions.
October 11, 2021
Victoria and I drove to Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia, enjoying listening to Amor Towles’ new novel, The Lincoln Highway during the 9.5-hour drive. We could have flown but, wanting to remain flexible on plans due to COVID and to limit possible exposure to the virus in our trip there and back, we decided to drive. It is great to be back at my alma mater.
October 12, 2021
I received a Doctor of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary. This granting of an honorary doctorate to alumni who are elected bishop is common among the seminaries of the Episcopal Church. Being back at the seminary that was so good for me and my family and so good to us was quite lovely. Just my third visit since I graduated in 2000. I saw professors who were so critical to my formation and was reminded anew of how well those three years prepared me, not just through course work, but also field education and through worshipping and eating together and so on. The seminary’s support making sure I graduated debt free was also integral to our being to take a risk on a low-paying and unsure call as a church planter on graduation. So while the practice of an honorary doctorate for alumni bishops is customary, I did feel honored to be back now in this new call within the church.
October 13, 2021
Victoria and I left VTS early and were back in Savannah at 1:30 pm having finished a novel on the trip and having some afternoon time for emails and other catch-up work. From 5-6:30 pm, I met online with the Commission on Ministry and Standing Committee, hearing reports from Task Groups looking at the Holy Orders process with the timeline divided into five segments from talking to one’s priest about a possible call through two years after ordination. There are places of easy consensus that I can see will improve this work of discernment even as we work more on how to further reform our work.
October 14, 2021
A day mostly working with staff along with continuing to catch up on emails and phone calls. From 5-6:30 pm, I met with the Commission on Ministry and Standing Committee via Zoom, as we finished the review of the Task Group work. Tonight included where and how we form persons for ministry and how we support them in their first two years after ordination. There is less ready agreement in this area where every option has pros and cons and some have strong preferences at odds with one another. In any case, the conversation is very helpful and engaging with this difficult work matters. I am grateful for the time and care everyone is putting into this effort.
October 15, 2021
A very full day of meetings ended with an afternoon appointment for Victoria and I to get a COVID booster shot on doctor’s advice as well as to get this year’s flu shots. Boosters are not needed for all, but the many large meetings I attend in various communities add greatly to my risk pool and make us more of a risk to others.
October 16, 2021
I cut the grass and did other at-home chores, wrote tomorrow’s sermon, and drove to Dublin. I am moving slow today, I think because of yesterday’s shots, but other than that and a sore left shoulder, I had no reaction to either injection.
October 17, 2021
Made my visitation to St. Luke’s, Hawkinsville, on the 150th anniversary of their lovely church building. It was also the first Sunday for their new Rector, the Rev. Craig Dolack. We dedicated a garden in thanksgiving for Skip and Harriotte McDannald, followed by a lunch in the parish hall, and a vestry meeting back in the church. This church benefitted greatly from two priests—first the Rev. Judy Jones Keith and then the Rev. Leeann Culbreath—who served in the interim before this call. Judy, and her husband Nate, drove up from Thomasville and Leeann from Tifton. Even with the distances traveled in order to serve, I hear from parishioners how their faithful service kept this congregation connected before and during the pandemic.
October 18, 2021
A day off at home. Our Communications Manager, Liz Williams, posted a letter with a prayer from me written earlier on our website and social media. This was a call to prayer as jury selection starts today in a highly publicized trial getting of three white men who chased down a black jogger, Ahmaud Arbery, in Brunswick in 2020 and in the confrontation that followed shot and killed him. They saw him as linked to an earlier series of thefts in the neighborhood. Video of his shooting came to light shortly before my ordination as a bishop and was followed soon after with news of police killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. The three deaths led to protests around the globe as the pandemic began.
October 19, 2021
Worked in the office in Savannah.
October 20, 2021
A very full day began with news of the birth of Jasper Lawton Deal, son of Rachel and Adam. Rachel was our daughter, Griffin’s, roommate for her junior and senior years of college at Armstrong University in Savannah. They had known each other from summer camp and youth events at Honey Creek for much of their lives. I was overjoyed to drop by the hospital to offer a blessing to this longed-for child. After a staff meeting focused largely on our upcoming diocesan convention, I went to a studio here in Savannah to record two podcast episodes. Dr. Bertice Berry is a postulant preparing for ordination as a deacon who is partnering with Susan Landrum, a Presbyterian seminarian on a Podcast called Mysteries of Faith. They asked me to talk about a Rule of Life for one episode and how the practice of seminarians writing Ember Day Letters to their bishop could inform ways of staying connected that go well beyond those preparing for ordination. I spoke on the second topic by sharing how our diocesan staff meetings where we begin by sharing what has been Good, Bad, and Godly in the week. Sharing in this way as a staff week by week is so helpful to know what is going on outside our work as well as in what we do for the diocese.
After lunch, I drove to Grovetown, just west of Augusta, and en route made a succession of work phone calls. I met on Zoom from 4-5 pm with our Racial Healing group. They are assisting me in thinking through communication to the diocese when there is a verdict in the case of those accused of killing Ahmaud Arbery.
Finally, from 5:30-8:30 pm, I was at Liberty Park in Grovetown for a community Fall Festival put on by our Grovetown Episcopal-Lutheran Mission. It was a lot of fun to be with the Rev. Thomas Barron, his family, and parishioners and to see the event succeed in bringing others in the community out for a pumpkin carving contest, a meal, and games. This use of a bishop visitation to connect to their outreach was an innovative way to connect with this mission and gave me a chance to assist a little with set up and take down. As a church planter myself, I know how hard every parishioner works to make church happen and it was good to be with them as they put on the festival.
October 21, 2021
I drove back to Savannah early and spent the day in the office.
October 22, 2021
Worked in the office with two in-person meetings with priests, sermon writing, and various emails, and phone calls.
October 23, 2021
Victoria and I drove to Albany where I had an afternoon meeting with the vestry of St. Paul’s Church. We met on the patio of their garden on a beautiful evening, so we did not need to wear masks. This vestry has done hard work during a long period between Rectors. This followed two hurricanes and two tornados in recent years that left the roof damaged, with the insurance not covering full replacement. So much is going well thanks to their steady lay leadership with the assistance of the Revs. Galen Mirate, Reed Freeman, and Walter Hobgood who have all done stints as interim.
October 24, 2021
Sunday at St. Paul’s, Albany, was a grand occasion on the 125th anniversary in their beautiful building and 170 years as a congregation. They had a large group of confirmands and I got to bless the cross knocked off the top of the church that took three years to get properly repaired. It will go back to its perch within the next two weeks. Victoria and I have been with them in difficult times and were so grateful to be back on a glorious day with a garden reception following our worship.
One fun moment came just before the liturgy when I was able to briefly meet with the Rev. Jim Morrow out in the middle of Flint Avenue in Albany. A friend of many years, he is pastor at First Methodist across the street from St. Paul’s. We almost led worship 100 yards apart without seeing each other, but instead coordinated a meeting via text.
October 25, 2021
A day off at home.
October 26, 2021
Time for me to focus more fully on the upcoming diocesan convention. The whole staff has been working hard to prepare in meetings that I have not needed to attend, assisted by former staff member MJ Harris who is project managing the Convention Eucharist at Honey Creek. We all see a real opportunity to offer an in-person event that we all long for as the pandemic has stretched on.
October 27, 2021
Working in the office and catching up still to all the details of the convention, I also had an in person and a Zoom meeting unrelated to that event.
October 28, 2021
I finished a first full draft of my Bishop’s Address for convention in the morning before coming into the office. I got it out to the staff for input and changes. Then I worked in the office during the day. In the evening, I met in person with the vestry of St. Francis of the Islands, Savannah. We were spread apart around their parish hall unmasked as we are all vaccinated. This is another vestry I was with in difficult times as Canon to the Ordinary when a previous Rector was arrested and convicted of downloading child pornography. Years have passed with first the Rev. Lauren Flowers Byrd serving them after that tragedy, then an interim with the Rev. Beverly Braine, and in pandemic the Rev. Ian Lasch started as Rector. I loved being back with the vestry while all is going well and they are focused on building back after the same losses as other congregations have experienced in pandemic with lesser attendance as many lost the habit of routinely attending church in person.
October 29, 2021
Friday in the office with a mix of convention work, writing a sermon for Sunday, and tending to matters unrelated to our upcoming annual meeting. Three more videos for convention are now done. These are all from congregations that have typically fewer than 25 people in worship on a Sunday before the pandemic. The Rev. Ray Whiting shares how Holy Cross, Thomson, went all in on offering online worship and found renewed energy. Then Senior Warden Ken Worthing and the Rev. Bob Reese, Priest in Charge, at St. Mark’s, Woodbine, describe how that congregation did not offer any online worship, but came back to in person worship in July 2020. Following diocesan guidance in pandemic, they offered in person options whenever possible, starting with Morning Prayer as they had no priest when COVID-19 hit. Then Bob Reese and his wife, the Rev. Jeannette Reese, a deacon, arrived at St. Mark’s. They found renewed energy in these in-person options in pandemic. Finally, Cathy Stevens describes starting a Little Free Food Pantry planned ahead of time and coming to fruition in pandemic. That first step led to Free Produce Fridays, partnerships with other churches, and new connections to neighbors at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Bainbridge, Georgia. These 3-4 minute videos are intended to show faithful responses and how they can be different from each other, but faithful to their context.
October 30, 2021
A Saturday off at home.
October 31, 2021
A joyful Sunday with St. Michael and All Angels, Savannah. The Rector baptized one person and I confirmed three with six persons reaffirming their faith. Fellowship at this congregation now includes service with room to prepare food that goes to those picking up food from their pantry. They moved worship to livestream online in pandemic, but never stopped providing food for their neighbors in need! I was able to help make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches while visiting with parishioners after the liturgy. They had been facing a serious financial shortfall and the Diocese assisted in the small ways we could getting them relief from four months of pension payments and offering a small grant. Parishioners also stepped up and a financial cliff is no longer looming. The Rev. Kevin Kelly has them focused on the fundamentals of formation, worship, fellowship, and service with a new emphasis on small groups that has been helpful.
November 1, 2021
A busy All Saints Day in the office ahead of convention. Canon Katie Easterlin has almost all of the slides done for the PowerPoint. Canon Joshua Varner has bulletins printing. Maggie Lyons is printing name badges. Lots more is coming together.
November 2, 2021
The printed convention books arrived giving lots of reports to delegates as well as info on those standing for election, the proposed budgets and audit reports, etc. This is our last full day in the office before the convention. I finished writing my convention sermon.
November 3, 2021
A busy morning getting packed and on the road with a carload of vestments for Evening Prayer and the Convention Eucharist. Victoria and I arrived at Honey Creek as we will stay at Jonnard Cottage through the convention. While the meeting is mostly at the Jekyll Island Convention Center, the first night is in Brunswick and the second night ends at Honey Creek.
Soon after we arrive, I learn that Canon Katie Easterlin fell in Savannah as she was leaving the office to head to the convention. She broke her foot. Katie is getting the orthopedic care she needs and the rest of us keep moving toward convention. Canon Varner, Canon Lasch, and I run through the Convention Eucharist planned for Chapel Park, the area in front of the Chapel at Honey Creek. The weather forecast is looking like this is increasingly unlikely with cold rain moving in. The evening ends with a beautiful sunset meal at The Wharf on Jekyll Island for the seven of us, five staff and two spouses, able to be on hand. Maggie and Andrew Lyons marked their third wedding anniversary at dinner with us.
November 4, 2021
I learn first thing in the morning that the jury in the racially charge trial for the three accused of murdering Ahmaud Arbery will have only one black juror. Our clergy in Glynn County need to be with their colleagues for a press conference tomorrow morning, so Canon Loren Lasch and I make some changes to the agenda for convention to offer time for them to call for calm together with their ecumenical partners without missing any critical parts of the meeting. During the day, Communications Manager Liz Williams works with an Episcopal New Service reporter doing a story on the clergy being a non-anxious presence in the midst of what could otherwise be a divisive trial. I also visit with a deacon in his home as he is going through some serious health issues. Even in the midst of delegates arriving at the convention center to check in, convention is not the only matter we are tending to today.
One innovation for an in-person convention: delegates picked red, yellow, or green stickers for their name tags. Red means, “I’m excited to see you, but would rather not hug/shake hands.” Yellow means, “I’m excited to see you, but I’m only comfortable with a handshake.” Green means, “I’m excited to see you, and I’d love to have a side hug!”
The day concludes with Evening Prayer at St. Mark’s, Brunswick, and the Rev. Tom Purdy, Dean of the Southeast Convocation and Rector of Christ Church Frederica, giving a fine sermon with the readings from the Feast of Blessed Richard Hooker. He challenged us saying in part, “We must reclaim the via media, the middle way between the various polarizing and competing forces that seek to divide and destroy. This middle way is not a hiding place, nor is it an easy place, and it won’t make everyone happy. In fact, it’s more like to make people quite unhappy because they won’t find cover for the wisdom of this age to grow in their hearts unchallenged.” The church was full. The organist and choir offered beautiful music for the occasion.
November 5, 2021
A full, rewarding, and fun day of convention. Daniel Garrick had to move into Canon Katie Easterlin’s role as Secretary of Convention, assisting in running the meeting from the front of the room and he handled the change beautifully. A key moment came when we introduced Poll Everywhere as our means of voting via text or computer. Having thought through teaching the convention how to use it with early test questions, we all remained calm when some were having trouble getting the system to work for them. Yet our plan worked as Daniel moved through the test votes like, “What is your favorite Eucharistic Prayer” and we soon had everyone able to use the voting system. I am so sorry that Katie could not be here in person, but she watched the livestream and provided good feedback such as, “Bishop, even when you talk low to those at the head table, they can’t hear you in the room, but you are audible to the livestream.” And between Daniel as Acting Secretary and Canon Lasch presenting parts of the financial reports and budget, the team was able to bring off the day’s meeting without a hitch.
The biggest item for this meeting is full revision of the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese. Today that was presented briefly in the morning and then a few proposed amendments were discussed in the afternoon. 11 years ago I brought a practice to our conventions to have time overnight between introducing resolutions and initial discussion and the next day’s final debate and decision mean that delegates have time for due consideration, which I hope will assist here. I gave my Bishop’s Address with a report on the state of the Diocese followed by a video with the Rev. Lonnie Lacy describing the difficulty of serving in pandemic with no in person worship. The video was powerful and a helpful follow up to my address. This is one of seven pieces in an intended arc that brings home the convention theme of God gave the growth. Looking at financial reports and budgets and giving awards, etc. were part of the day. Then a video with Dr. Bertice Berry telling of how she started an online ministry of storytelling assisted in connecting our faithfulness to the convention theme. The day was cold, windy, and rainy with news reports saying the flooding was near hurricane levels thanks to a high tide. By the time we broke for the day to travel to Honey Creek, it was not clear how many would make the trip, but more than 200 people did. We were all damp and cold arriving for the Convention Eucharist in a tent in the field at Honey Creek. But the service was all the more meaningful for it. With everyone in, we dropped the sides, cutting back the wind and the tent warmed.
The music was gorgeous with Canon Joshua Varner working with musicians and singers from Christ Church Frederica. My sermon on how when the path is not clear, we are to take the next faithful step seemed to really connect. The question Bishop Rob Wright of the Diocese of Atlanta gave me was the key: What does fidelity to Jesus look like in this moment? Answering that question the best we can provides the way to discern that step and then results are not ours to worry about as we trust God to give the growth, whatever that may look like. We enjoyed some good southern cooking with chicken (fried or baked), collard greens, and macaroni and cheese from Grandy’s. After supper, a DJ provided music and lots of us danced away together as the rain continued. Watching the lay persons and clergy from around the Diocese delighted to be with each other was a real treat. The Rev. David Wantland (Associate at St. Peter’s, Savannah) and I taking over the dance floor as all gathered around watching us dance to Abba’s Dancing Queen was an unanticipated delight. What a joyful evening in a hard cold and windy rain.
The big news of the convention was that the bond holders who had secured $1.25 million in debt ten years ago were all paid off earlier in the week and we are on track to be debt free at the end of next year. This evening’s combination of the worship, a meal, and the dancing was everything we had hoped for even as we did not have pleasant weather for time together outdoors.
November 6, 2021
The convention ended with a shorter than anticipated morning session. Two amendments to the canons passed with a third postponed for further consideration. A near unanimous decision passed the package of canonical changes. As the resolution passed includes changes to the constitution as well as the canons, the motion for passage has all canonical changes waiting on the required second reading and passage of changes to the constitution. That gives an additional year to consider the proposed changes that only impact the canons.
I came down to the middle of the convention floor and we all held hands for a closing prayer and blessing that I offered. I could feel how much gathering in person mattered. While a few dioceses are meeting in person, as we did, most are still meeting solely online this year. I am relieved that we stayed the course and grateful to a diocesan staff that did the immense work needed to pull it off. The delegates are all fully vaccinated and we wore masks indoors, getting to be unmasked for the event under the tent at Honey Creek. As I said in my address to convention, while I am the chief priest and pastor, I find myself still just glad to be on this team. Victoria and I had to finish getting packed at Honey Creek in a driving, cold rain. We were home by 2 pm with everything unloaded at the office and the car packed with other vestments for tomorrow.
November 7, 2021
Victoria and I enjoyed an audio book on our drive to and from Martinez today, listening to half of Allen Eskins, The Shadows We Hide. The visit to Holy Comforter was bittersweet. The liturgy itself was wonderful as I had the joy of baptizing Jack Milburn and confirmed his parents and sister; I also baptized Beth Smith; confirmed seven more; received five (including one couple from Saint Paul’s, Augusta); and Jo Rayfield a solitary monastic reaffirmed her vows. Yet, the Rev. Dr. Cynthia Taylor, their founding pastor, was home with an infection picked up as she goes through chemo following cancer surgery. There is so much going well here as they look toward Cindy’s retirement at end of the year for this church whose first liturgy was Christmas Eve 1999. Earlier this week, Canon Loren Lasch gave the vestry two candidates for interim rector. Now we all pray for Cindy’s full recovery as we work toward the future for the congregation well prepared to thrive as their founder leaves, thanks to her good work as planter. Home after a nine-hour day.
November 8-9, 2021
A Monday and Tuesday off at home.
November 10, 2021
Everyone on the staff had off since convention and we were back in the office. The staff debriefed and made notes on convention for next year, to learn from places that could have gone better as well as what went particularly well. We also worked together to get out a From the Field email newsletter covering the convention and a survey to delegates and guests.
November 11, 2021
A few check ins with clergy as I mostly dug out of emails and mail that built up last week.
November 12, 2021
The day included time with the Very Rev. William Willoughby, III as the incoming President of the Standing Committee. We discussed how we can best work together in the coming year with that important body that provides me counsel as well as oversight of ordinations and approval of property changes for the Diocese and our congregations.
November 13, 2021
Victoria and I drove to Valdosta and I barely had time for an early hotel check in to get to a meeting with the Vestry of Christ Church, Valdosta. They are working well with the Rev. David Perkins as interim and with attendance in the 120s across three Sunday services, the congregation is further along toward recovering pre-pandemic attendance than most. They have also been using a food pantry to support Valdosta State University students as their previous weekly meals and ongoing snacks are not yet possible due to COVID concerns. At 5 pm, a good crowd of parishioners from the three Episcopal Churches in Valdosta—Christ Church, St. Barnabas, and Christ the King—gathered outdoors for an Order of Worship for Evening during which I preached. They are marking 150 years of the Episcopal Church in Valdosta. A meal under tents on the church grounds completed a lovely evening with perfect weather.
November 14, 2021
I have such a full heart after this morning’s visitation to Christ Church with two baptisms—Brooks and Jasper—one in the Wisenbaker family and the other in the Greneker family, both I know from years of their involvement in their church and in diocesan youth programs. Jasper is the son of our daughter’s college roommate, Rachel, and her husband, Adam. Such a joyful morning. Talking with a group after the liturgy during what would have been Sunday School time was also quite meaningful with great questions and time to reflect with them on my vocation and our diocese.
November 15-19, 2021
I flew to New York City in order to take part in recording video for a new course the Episcopal Church will launch at next year’s General Convention. The filming schedule was full, but allowed breaks for me to continue to handle phone calls, Zoom meetings, and email for the Diocese. The course, called Centered, will guide participants through sessions on creating a rule of life and committing to a small group for accountability. The video series will be free for any Episcopal church to use.
November 20, 2021
Victoria and I drove to Augusta in the afternoon.
November 21, 2021
A full morning with liturgies at 8, 9, and 11:15 am at the Church of the Good Shepherd, followed by a meeting with the vestry. There is a contagious positive vibe in this interim period for Good Shepherd with the Rev. Ted Clarkson as the interim rector. His Dad was the longtime rector when Ted was growing up and ed later served on the vestry and the board of Episcopal Day School. More than 300 people took part in the worship in person with one baptism at 9 and 17 confirmed and 3 received at 11:15. Victoria and I had sandwiches with the vestry in the conference room and were on the road starting back for Savannah at 2.
November 22, 2021
Mostly a day off, I did go into the office for a couple of hours to synch up with staff, sign checks as Canon Katie Easterlin is on sabbatical, and tend to mail, especially some letters of agreement.
November 23, 2021
A full morning in the office and then my Executive Assistant, Maggie Lyons, came to our house after lunch so that Victoria and I could work with her on scheduling visitations through Pentecost 2023. We were able to make it work, as planned, where I will visit every congregation between August 2021 and Christmas 2022.
The jury deliberations began this afternoon in the trial of the three men accused of killing Ahmaud Arbery. The verdict earlier this week, that found Kyle Rittenhouse not guilty in killing two persons and shooting a third after his mother drove him from two states away to protect businesses in Wisconsin during Black Lives Matter protests, has added to tensions here. His assertion of self-defense was upheld in that Wisconsin case and is the same defense for those who killed Arbery. The facts in the cases are very different, but that verdict has even more eyes on Brunswick, Georgia, this Thanksgiving week. In the evening, I hear from clergy in Brunswick saying a verdict is expected around lunchtime tomorrow and to expect verdicts of murder for at least the father and grown son who were armed and serious charges for the person who took the video.
November 24, 2021
I was in the office early working on a draft statement on the verdict with the assumption of a verdict likely to satisfy those calling for justice. I began anew starting with the feedback I received from our Racial Justice Georgia group on key points they thought were important to name while also making sure that a main focus was to move from gratitude for the judge and jury, through naming work left to do on racism, and then to highlight the way the interfaith clergy group in Glynn County has pulled together amidst possible divisions and to close with prayer. I received staff questions and assistance and then sent the letter out to the Revs. DeWayne Cope and Tom Purdy who are very involved in that Glynn County clergy group. They recommended deleting a paragraph and were right and I did so. The letter also went to the Racial Justice GA group and a suggested small change proved helpful. This is not a consensus document, but a letter from me, yet I find seeing what others see or read into it is helpful to sharpen my writing. I had been emailing and texting with Bishop Rob Wright of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta and Bishop Kevin Strickland of the ELCA (Lutheran) Southeastern Synod about writing a letter and they both signed on as written by me. I am so pleased to speak with one voice with them. I was also texting Presiding Bishop Michael Curry last evening and this morning and he will share our letter in his statement.
At 1:30, which was just after the break for lunch, the jury found the shooter guilty of malice murder and eight other charges, his dad guilty of felony murder and other charges, and the man who recorded the video guilty of felony murder and other charges. Our letter went out to Diocese of Georgia clergy, and then to Diocesan Council, before posting it on our website and sharing on social media. Episcopal News Service shared the letter in an article for which the reporter also interviewed the Rev. DeWayne Cope. I outline the process here just to show the behind-the-scenes work. This is not a statement from the Diocese of Georgia as the diocese as a body has not met and considered this trial and verdict. This is a letter from three bishops with oversight of Episcopal and Lutheran churches in Georgia. One of the men convicted was a friend since third grade of a good friend of mine. Each of the three had attended an Episcopal Church at some point, one as an active member for years. I found it important to name what they had done as evil while also needing to guard against demonizing anyone or denying their basic humanity.
I really appreciated the constant assistance and thoughtful work that our Communications Manager Liz Williams brought to our response to this trial and verdict. We were, of course, concerned that it could reach an outcome seen as injustice and lead to protests, perhaps even violent ones as armed protestors had already stood on the courthouse steps during the trial. None of those contingency plans were needed.
In the evening, Victoria and I learned that our daughter, Griffin, accepted a marriage proposal today from her boyfriend, Chaz Schaefer. We are quite fond of him and his family and so pleased for them both. We have much for which we are thankful this year.
November 25-28, 2021
Thanksgiving Day and after, first with Victoria’s family and then a trip to Winterville, Georgia, to see the beautiful results of my Mom decorating her town for Christmas again with the assistance of the Mayor and Fire Department. Likely her last year to do so.
November 29, 2021
Drove to New Orleans with Victoria listening to Rachel Kadish’s novel, The Weight of Ink.
November 30, 2021
A very helpful meeting for bishops, canons to the ordinary, and commission on ministry chair persons for the dioceses in Province IV of the Episcopal Church. We were considering bi-vocational ministry, including how we discern this call to vocations both in and outside the church, form people for this ministry, and support them once in a call. A presentation from the Church Pension Group started us off, showing that only 44% of active priests in the church are working full-time in a call to one congregation.
December 1, 2021
The meeting continued at Christ Church Cathedral. I took part in a panel discussion with Bishops Phoebe Roaf of West Tennessee and Greg Brewer of Central Florida. I shared the experience of almost 30 years of the Diocese of Georgia raising up priests for bi-vocational ministry with the admission that we have more to learn in formation and support, while sharing some of how bi-vocational ministry has benefitted the Diocese. Of the 102 active clergy in the Diocese of Georgia today, 85 are priests and 17 are deacons. 64 of the priests graduated from a 3-year residential program at a Seminary with 21 taking part in another process, usually a low residency program at Sewanee. 13 of the locally-formed priests are bi-vocational with two seminary trained priests working part-time in the church and part-time at another call. This meeting ended just after lunch. In the evening we began the Province IV House of Bishops meeting with a dinner for bishops and spouses.
December 2-3, 2021
The Province IV House of Bishops meeting continued with a check in from each bishop and then an agenda of shared concerns including Sewanee going through a change in Vice-Chancellor and preparation for next year’s General Convention. We concluded on Friday with a Eucharist in the chapel at the cathedral. After that liturgy, Victoria and I drove to Crestview, Florida to start back toward home.
December 4, 2021
Victoria and I drove up through the far southwest corner of the Diocese, crossing the state line five hours from the office in Savannah. We made it to St. John and St. Mark in Albany where I played the part of Bishop Nicholas of Myra for the St. Nick Party. The congregations that joined together to form this parish after the flood of 1994 are a single racially-diverse congregation reflective of their area. They connect well to their community in events like this Advent gathering to assist kids with picking out and wrapping presents for their parents.
December 5, 2021
At St. John and St. Mark in Albany for my visitation, I presided, preached, confirmed one, reaffirmed another, and assisted in the baptism of Lynsey Roberson, blessed the annual pledges, blessed underwear and sock donations, blessed an accessibility ramp, and presented an award on behalf of the deacons of the diocese to Marvin Griffin. He was given the Deacons’ Award at the 2020 convention, but as that was an online only meeting, giving him the certificate waited until today. It was such a joyfully full and fulfilling morning. We drove back to Savannah, getting home just before 5 pm from a full week on the road.
December 6, 2021
I got an oil change for the diocesan car, now with 35,600 miles on it, first thing in the morning and then went into the office for a few hours to catch up. My Mom is having some health issues in addition to dementia and I want to make sure I can cut loose if need be. An afternoon off at home followed.
December 7, 2021
Worked in the office mostly on mail, email, and phone calls.
December 8, 2021
A full day of meetings in person and on the phone.
December 9, 2021
In the morning, I had the final meeting of my Lambeth Conference small group with bishops from the Yukon to northern India. We start in February with a different set of meetings as we prepare from the meeting of bishops from across the Anglican Communion. After that meeting, I was interviewed for a Bible Love podcast telling of my view of scripture and how I engage with it. An afternoon of in person and online meetings completed the day.
December 10, 2021
A more low-key day in a full week other than the noon Board of the Corporation meeting to look at the investments of the Diocese and those we make on behalf of congregations.
December 11, 2021
A Saturday off at home.
December 12, 2021
I drove to Vidalia for a visitation to the Church of the Annunciation. The Very Rev. Denise Vaughn was called here in 2015 and she has been such a gift to this Diocese. All is going well at Annunciation and she brings a helpful perspective to meetings of the Deans and Archdeacon as someone newer to the Diocese as she brought fresh eyes to our common life. After church, I drove to Winterville to be with my Mom.
December 13, 2021
A day off in Winterville with my Mom on what would have been my parent’s 60th wedding anniversary (my Dad died in 2008).
December 14, 2021
Back in the office. The plans for Bishop Louttit’s funeral are coming together. Catching up on mail and email.
December 15, 2021
Worked in the office.
December 16, 2021
Worked in the office for most of the day. Canons Lasch and Varner and I met with the Rev. Michael White at Christ Church, Savannah, in the afternoon to work through in more detail the upcoming funeral for Bishop Henry Louttit.
December 17, 2021
Worked in the office writing a Christmas Message to the Diocese in the morning. Then we enjoyed a staff Christmas Party at lunch. Dade Brantley and GeorgeAnne Youngner came up from Honey Creek so that we had Diocesan House and Retreat Center staff together for lunch and an Christmas ornament swap. It was a great time of little camaraderie as we close out a difficult year that included work and accomplishments that make us all proud. I love this team.
In the afternoon, I worked with staff on honing the Christmas Message. While it remains what I wrote, the process results in a text that is clearer in stating the case with better flow and without digressions.
December 18, 2021
A day off at home. I finished a graffiti-style painting of the Holy Family that I started on December 6 when I designed the art I would use to create the stencil. Today I made the main stencil, cutting it into plastic and then painted the six-color art in spray paint on a piece of plywood.
December 19, 2021
My visitation to St. George’s, Savannah, was lovely. Victoria and I spent Ash Wednesday through Easter with them in 2018 when the Rev. Jim and Leslie Parker needed to step aside as Rector sooner than anticipated due to his health. We enjoyed being back with them this morning. Unfortunately, their Rector, the Rev. David Lemburg, could not be with us as his daughter tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week. She had been fully vaccinated (though not yet had her booster shot) and is doing well. David’s wife, the Rev. Melanie Lemburg, is Rector of St. Thomas Isle of Hope in Savannah. Canon Joshua Varner served there this morning to fill in for her. Canon Loren Lasch had already been scheduled to serve at St. Francis of the Islands in Savannah this Sunday. We are often serving at three churches on the same day, just not all in Savannah. The rise of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is rapidly changing the case counts. The variant is as transmissible as measles, though thankfully it so far seems no worse for the vaccinated people who contract the virus than earlier variants.
December 20, 2021
My last day at work before vacation. I wrapped up a variety of matters and made some check in calls with clergy.
December 21-27, 2021
Victoria and I flew to Phoenix, Arizona, to be with our daughter, Griffin, and her fiancé Chaz and his family for Christmas.
December 28, 2021
Back in the office after vacation. At Christ Church, Savannah, in the afternoon, getting everything we need in place and rehearsing the liturgy for tomorrow’s funeral for Bishop Louttit.
December 29, 2021
This morning we held the funeral for the Rt. Rev. Henry I. Louttit, Jr., who served as the Ninth Bishop of Georgia from 1995-2010. It is difficult to overstate what a significant mentor Bishop Louttit was for me and so many other deacons and priests. He supported my move down from the Diocese of Atlanta to enter the Holy Orders process in the Diocese of Georgia as Victoria and I were interested in church planting and yet preferred to serve in a smaller setting than in a suburb of Atlanta. He made room in the diocesan budget for me to leave Virginia Theological Seminary on graduation in 2000 to start what became King of Peace Episcopal Church in Kingsland. During that time of church planting, his pastor’s heart was so helpful to me. And in this support of call, I am far from alone among the clergy of the Diocese. The Rev. Lonnie Lacy, who offered the sermon, grew up at Christ Church, Valdosta, when then Father Louttit served for nearly 30 years before becoming Bishop of Georgia. The sermon was so well written and delivered, capturing how in a funeral we hold out the sure and certain hope of Easter even in Lent or Christmastide. Lonnie kept us between the crèche and the cross as he preached the Gospel, honoring Bishop Louttit’s life in a sermon that was centered of Jesus. Just right.
Bishop Louttit ministered pastorally to the people of the diocese during a time of continuing change and dissent in the life of The Episcopal Church, speaking frequently in meetings and in his convention address of the need for tolerance of a variety of theological positions. Though serving in a time of divisions, he left the Diocese of Georgia a closer-knit community than when the Diocese elected him to serve as our Chief Pastor.
Bishop Louttit died on December 31, 2020. We waited for the vaccine and reduced risk. Nonetheless, today’s funeral saw 488,000 new COVID cases in the US as the more easily transmissible omicron variant continues to spread. While many cases are now mild, thanks to vaccinations, we are still averaging 1,500 deaths each day due to the virus. We emphasized wearing masks for the liturgy as a means of mitigating risk of spreading COVID.
December 30, 2021
Victoria and I drove to Valdosta in the morning. After a brunch at the Rev. Marcia and John McRae’s house with members of the Louttit Family, we went to Christ Church for the burial in the Memorial Garden.
Gathered on a gray day by the church he loved so, with people who loved him so, the procession of mourners coming forward to take turns adding dirt to the grave was moving. These two days of liturgies have offered a fitting tribute to a beloved bishop.
December 31, 2021
Having some of Victoria’s family with us on a day off closed out a challenging and rewarding year. Reading through a year of journal entries reveals how much being a bishop is teamwork as I depend on those around me in this vocation.
