Bishop’s Diary of 1979-1980

FEBRUARY 1979

1 – Still abed with flu.
2 – More of same.
3 – Still more.
4 – Epiphany V. Up briefly, but wobbly.
5 – Briefly to office, then worked at home.
6 – Office this morning.
7 – Office.
8 – With Adele to Brunswick. Met first with Diocesan Council, then with Ministry Commission-cum-Standing Committee. Annual Diocesan Convention began with Evensong at St. Mark’s Church, at which I delivered the Annual Bishop’s Address.
9- Brunswick. Diocesan Convention. Dinner tonight with Ed and Anne Duskin.
10 – Convention concluded. Services and meetings splendidly arranged by the clergy and people of St. Mark’s and St. Athanasius’, with special thanks to Frs. Daunt and Stone, and Jack Corbett. I felt a splendid spirit thruout. If it burdened on the dull, I prefer that to too much excitement: Dinner tonight with Fr. Sam and Mary West on Jekyll Island.
11 – Epiphany VI – Sephagesima. To. Jekyll Island, where I celebrated the new ministry of Fr. Sam West and the congregation of S. Richard of Chichester. Big congregation. To St. Simons, where at the Church of the Holy Nativity, assisted by Fr. Bob Wright, I celebrated, preached, baptised and confirmed. Back to Savannah, weary.
12 – Office. Bp. Bernard Markham arrived from London to be our guest and to conduct three diocesan retreats. To a Loyalty Dinner for St. John’s Church tonight.
13 – Office. To the hospital to anoint Fr. Robbie Marlow, he quite ill.
14 – Office this morning. Hospital calls on Toni Deaux and Frs. Marlow and Jack McDuffie. George and Susan to dinner.
15 – With Bp. Markham to Honey Creek for a meeting of the Conference Center Commission. Back to the office to meet with the Mission Council of All Saints, Savannah Beach.
16 – Bp. Markham went to Vidalia to do a conference on Spiritual Direction for our clergy. I to the office. This afternoon a meeting with the Mission Council of All Souls’, Garden City. To the hospital to see Fr. Marlow.
17 – To Thomasville (Bp. Markham and Adele holding down the Savannah fort.) I am guest of Buddy and Louise Hines. To a reception for the Vestry at Fr. Charles and Dot Hay’s, then to dinner.
18 – Epiphany VII. Thomasville. At St. Thomas’ Church I spoke to a large adult class. Fr. Hay had only one service today (a good idea), so with a large congregation, I celebrated the Eucharist, preached, baptised one person and confirmed 20 for St. Thomas’, and confirmed six for Good Shepherd. Lunch in the Parish Hall. News of bad weather, so I left soon. Ice and sleet caught me at Jesup, and from there home was slow. To Fr. Dennis & Carol Kuhn’s ‘open house’, then home to hear Bp. Markham’s glowing report on his happy day in Savannah.
19 – By hospital to visit Fr. Marlow, then drove Bp. Markham to Honey Creek where he is to conduct a retreat for clergy. Back to Savannah.
20 – Office this morning. By hospital to see Fr. Marlow and Fr. Cody, the latter recovering from surgery yesterday. Worked at home this afternoon.
21 – Worked at home today. To hospital to see Frs. Cody and Marlow.
22 – Office this morning. Bp. Markham returned this afternoon. Tonight to the Varnedoes to dinner celebrating the end of St. John’s Stewardship canvass.
23 – To St. John’s to conduct a Quiet Day. Bp. M. off to Honey Creek to conduct a Retreat for Men.
24 – Meet this morning with Fr. Mayfield and representatives from his three congregations. This afternoon to Cypress Creek to hunt wild hogs. Didn’t see one – but say six deer – out of season, unfortunately!
25 – Quinquagesima. To St. Thomas’, Isle of Hope. Celebrated and preached at the early Eucharist. Celebrated, preached, and confirmed seven persons, at the later service. This afternoon to St. Francis-of-the-Islands to celebrate, preach, baptise 3, receive 2 and confirm 31 persons (!) Bp. Markham returned.
26 – Bp. Markham off again, with Adele, to conduct a Retreat for Women. Dinner tonight with Bill and Elizabeth Sprague.
27 – office this morning. Conference with Frs. Robert Hamm, S.J. and Joe Way. Hospital calls on Frs. Robert Marlow and Sullivan Bond.
28 – Ash Wednesday. Celebrated the liturgy of the day at St. Michael’s Church. Then to the office. Adele and Bp. Markham returned from Honey Creek.

MARCH 1979

1 – Leaving Bp. Markham here to go to Nashotah House (to receive a D.D.), drove with Fr. Dennis Kuhn to Conyers, stopping en route to talk with an out-of-diocese priest. We settled in at the Monastery of The Holy Spirit, with four other clergy from this diocese, for a long-awaited Ignatian Retreat.
2-9 – Retreat
10 – Left Retreat in one sense reluctantly. A full eight-day, silent retreat, using the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, directed by a Jesuit! – As I am able to judge, the most profound event in my spiritual life. For which I thank God.
11 – Lent II. Having a regular visitation cancelled, I celebrated the early Eucharist at St. Paul’s.
12 – Celebrated the Eucharist at St. Paul’s. Most of the afternoon and evening with Fr. Harry and Marguerite Maloney.
13 – Celebrated Requiem Eucharist at St. Paul’s for Fr. Robert Marlow, most of the Convocation clergy assisting. Office this afternoon.
14 – Office.
15 – Meetings and conferences all day!
16 – Adele left for Florida, I to Augusta for Diocesan Council meeting at St. Alban’s. A superb dinner at the parish house tonight.
17 – Augusta – Council continued and concluded. To Albany, where I am guest of Fr. Michael and Amy Rowell tonight.
18 – Lent III. Albany. At St. Patrick’s, I assisted Fr. Rowell at the early Eucharist. At the late service celebrated, preached and confirmed 12 persons. To St. John’s to baptise 2 and confirm 2 persons, and preach. Reception following. Meeting with Mission Council.
19 – To Tifton. At St. Anne’s Church, a noon Eucharist with a packed Church! Confirmed 17 people! Lunch with the congregation, a visit with Fr. Arnold and Zoe Bush, then to Fitzgerald; another full church for the Celebration of the New Ministry of Fr. Steven Head as Vicar. After a reception, back to Savannah, late.
20 – To Fort Lauderdale. Adele met me, and to her mother’s and stepfather’s, where we are guests tonight.
21 -Lighthouse Point to Miami. We are staying with Cynthia and Karl and the grandsons. Wonderful to see them.
22 – Miami: An all-day meeting of the Bishops of Province IV at Trinity Cathedral. We (with wives) guests at dinner with Bp. & Mrs. Duncan.
23 – Miami and back to Savannah.
24 – To Augusta, where I am guest of Fr. Harry and Marguerite Maloney.
25 – Lent IV. Augusta. At Christ Church I preached at the early Eucharist, Fr. Maloney celebrating. At the late service I celebrated, preached, confirmed 4 and received 1 person. Lunch with the congregation. To the Church of the Good Shepherd to meet with their search committee. A too-fast drive to Swainsboro where at the Church of the Good Shepherd I celebrated the new ministry of Fr. Ray DeLong as Vicar. Supper with the (large) congregation. Back to Savannah.
26 – Feast of the Annunciation (trans.) Office this morning. Celebrated the noon Eucharist at St. Paul’s. Adele returned from Florida.
27 – Office. A long and good conference with Fr. Joe Way about retreats.
28 – Office. Conference with Fr. Cody and Tom Coffey about Holy Week services at St. Michael’s, which I’m helping with.
29 – A day of conferences, one after another!
30 – Office.
31 – With Adele to Dawson, where we are guests of Fr. Richard and Nancy Stephens. Dinner tonight with Frank and Judy Hines.

APRIL 1979

1 – Passion Sunday. Early, with Fr. Stephens to Blakely. Biggest congregation I’ve ever seen at Holy Trinity Church. Fr. Stephens celebrated the Eucharist; I preached and confirmed 3 persons. Back to Dawson; at the Church of the Holy Spirit I celebrated, preached and confirmed one person. Met with the Mission Council, then lunch with the congregation. To Dublin; at Christ Church, assisted by Fr. Eric Schnaufer, I celebrated, preached and confirmed six persons. A reception; then back to Savannah.
2 – Office.
3 – Office. Many conferences.
4 – With Adele to Windfall, stopping en route at the Holy Saviour Priory in Pineville, S.C. to be shriven.
5 – Windfall; much manual labor de-winterizing.
6 – Windfall – more work.
7 – North Carolina to Augusta, where we are guests of Dr. Roderic and Mrs. Murray.
8 – Palm Sunday. Augusta. At St. Paul’s, I preached at the early Eucharist, which Dr. Murray celebrated, spoke to the Church School and the Confirmation Class; at the late service I celebrated, preached, presided at the baptism of one person, confirmed 18 and received one. Lunch with the clergy and wardens. To St. Augustine’s for a superb concert by Nancy Boyd on the new pipe organ, which I dedicated. And to Savannah.
9 – Office. Tonight, at St. Michael’s Church, I celebrated the Eucharist, following an unusual and well-done series of dramatic monologues (“The Men of Judea Speak.”)
10 – Office. Tonight celebrated at St. Michael’s. Another excellent chancel drama.
12 – Maundy Thursday. Celebrated the Chrismal Eucharist at St. Michael’s tonight.
13 – Good Friday. I presided at the Liturgy at St. Michael’s at noon and in the evening. It has been a wonderful, perhaps wistful, also rewarding experience to me in one parish all of Holy Week – like being a happy parish priest again! And a wonderfully responsive congregation.
14 – Easter Eve. At St. John’s Church I baptised four, confirmed 28, and received 3 persons. We lighted the Paschal Candle and had a fine Easter Vigil.
15 – The Feast of the Resurrection. At St. John’s Church, I celebrated and preached: splendid liturgy, beautiful music, full church. To Pooler, where at St. James’ Church I celebrated and preached. Excellent congregation. Large family dinner.
16 – Today fell into the hands of my physician for my annual physical, and my dentist
17 – To Augusta. At the Convent, a long and profitable conference with Fr. Pat Sanders. A long talk with Sister Clare, and a visit with the Shipps. To St. John’s Church, where we installed Richard Horton as Vicar – large and happy congregation. To Savannah late.
18 – Office.
19 – With Adele, early to St. Simons. Meeting of the Conference Center Commission at Christ Church, Frederica. Lunch at the Beach Club, guests of Howard Jones. To Epworth-by-the-Sea for the Annual ECW Convention. Adele and I are guests of Fred and Sarah Freyer, who used to be my parishioners at St. Stephen’s, Coconut Grove.
20 – St. Simon’s. ECW Convention concluded with a celebration of the Eucharist at Christ Church. To the Conference Center for a conference with Fr. Charles Davis. A most pleasant visit with the Freyers, then to Christ Church for the wedding rehearsal for our god-daughter, Martha Gray Fitzgerald; and a rehearsal dinner. Lots of old friends from Sarasota.
21 – To Honey Creek to talk with Ted and Ruth Proctor. Then to Woodbine to talk with Fr. Jacoba Hurst, and to inspect the incredible improvements to the Church and parish hall. Back to St. Simon’s for lunch with the Freyers. The Fitzgerald-Thomason wedding, at which I celebrated the Nuptial Eucharist, was a lovely, happy Alfresco celebration.
22 – Easter II. To Brunswick, where at St. Mark’s Church Fr. Daunt celebrated the early Eucharist, I preached. At the later service I celebrated, preached, baptised one and confirmed seven persons. Lunch with Fr. Frank and Jenny Daunt. Then to Hinesville, where at St. Philip’s Church I celebrated, preached, and confirmed twelve persons. Full Church. Back to Savannah. Noted that I have put over 500 miles on the car since I left Savannah going no farther than Woodbine!
23 – Office. Conferences with Fr. Alfred Sawyer and Walt Nussbaum.
24 – Office all day. By the hospital to anoint Fr. Arthur Cody in preparation for his surgery tomorrow.
25 – To hospital and to St. Michael’s Rectory. Fr. Cody in surgery as I left for Albany. At St. Mark’s Church Fr. Parker celebrated the Eucharist, I presided, preached, confirmed six persons and received two. Dinner with the congregation. I am guest at the Rectory tonight. Dr. Irving Victor phoned to say Arthur Cody is doing well after 8 hours surgery. Thanks be to God.
26 – Albany to Savannah. To hospital. Fr. Cody doing well. To Cypress Creek to spend night with John and Peggy Carswell.
27 – Back to Savannah. To see Fr. Cody who continues to improve. With Adele to Honey Creek for Lay Readers’ Conference which began well, with large attendance.
28 – Honey Creek. Lay Readers’ Conference continued. Excellent. To Albany, where we are guests of Patsy (Mrs. Francis) Wetherbee. Lovely dinner party tonight.
29 – Easter II1. Albany. At St. Paul’s Church I preached at the early Eucharist, Fr. John Jenkins celebrating. At the later service I celebrated, preached, presided at the baptism of 3 persons, confirmed 30 and received 2. Very full Church; superb music. Picnic lunch with Ed and Penny Cooling. To Quitman (via Thomasville, for a pastoral call) to find St. James’ church very full for a happy Convocation Confirmation. Church and parish house looking lovely. A lavish reception. We are guests of Archer and Dorothy Turner tonight.
30 – Quitman to Savannah. Fr. Cody continuing to mend well.

MAY 1979

1 – Office all day. Lunch with Fr. Gus Hemenway.
2 – With Bill Sprague and Dick McHugh to Charleston to confer with Bp. Temple and others about Venture in Mission. By the hospital.
3 – Office. Meeting of the Board of Officers of The Corporation of the Diocese.
4 – Office. And to see Fr. Cody.
5 – Worked at home, in the garden and at my desk.
6 – Easter III. Savannah. At Christ Church I baptised, confirmed, celebrated and preached at the (middle!) Eucharist, and preached at the late one. Lunch with Fr. George and Virginia Maxwell.
7 – Day off. To see Fr. Cody, he doing well.
8 – Office. Meeting of Finance Committee.
9 – 10 – Office.
11 – Diocesan Council met at Christ Church, then continued on a happy boatride-dinner, guests of John and Peggy Carswell and Walt and Stella Nussbaum.
12 – Council meeting continued and concluded. With Adele to Augusta, where we are guests of Fr. Allen and Mary Clarkson, I meeting with Fr. Harry Maloney en route.
13 – Easter IV. Augusta. At the Church of The Good Shepherd I preached at the two earlier services and celebrated, preached and confirmed at the late service. After lunch with the Clarksons, to Windfall. Learned tonight of the death, in an automobile accident, of Fr. Henry Havens.
14 – Windfall. Working.
15 – Back to Savannah.
16 – Picked up Fr. John Chisholm; with him and Adele to Brunswick where
I celebrated a requiem Eucharist for Fr. Henry Havens at St. Mark’s Church. Back to Savannah. Fr. Chisholm to dinner tonight.
17 – Office, with one conference after another, early until late!
18 – Office. Visited Fr. Cody.
19 – With Adele to Augusta. We are guests of Fr. Harry and Louise Shipps.
20 – Easter V. Augusta. At St. Alban’s Church I preached at the early Eucharist, at which Fr. Shipps celebrated. I celebrated, preached, baptised and confirmed at the late Eucharist. Listened to a spirited lecture (to the adult church school) by Fr. Dan Munn. Lunch with the congregation. Back to Savannah.
21 – Office.
22 – Had to cancel an anticipated trip to Nashotah House Trustees meeting and commencement to handle urgent diocesan business.
23 – Office. Visited Fr. Cody.
24 – Celebrated the Ascension Day liturgy at St. Paul’s Church. Office.
25 – To Augusta. An excellent meeting of the Ministry Commission. Guest (again!) of the Shipps.
26 – Augusta. Ministry Commission completed. Back to Savannah.
27 – Sunday after Ascension. Savannah. At St. Paul’s, I celebrated the early Eucharist and preached. Spoke to the adult church school class.
Fr. Kuhn celebrated the late Eucharist; I presided, preached, confirmed 10 persons, received one and heard the Reaffirmation of one. Lunch with the congregation. To Statesboro to meet with the Mission Council of Trinity Church, then celebrated and preached. Blessed the new home of Beth Hardy. Dinner as guest of Fr. Jack McDuffie, Fr. John Howells also enjoying the repast. And back to Savannah.
28 – Memorial Day : off.
29 – Cancelled a Chicago trip (for ECM Council meeting) because of too much work here.
30 – Office.
31 – Office. Several conferences. Fr. Tom and Martha Fitzgerald to dinner and spending the night.

June 1979

1 – Visited Fr. Cody, he thriving. With Adele to Honey Creek. Conference with Fr. Jacoba Hurst. Tonight began meeting of Cursillo leaders.
2 – Honey Creek. Cursillo meeting continued: very productive and every enjoyable. Spending the night here.
3 – Pentecost. Early to Darien. At St. Cyprian’s Church I celebrated the Eucharist, preached, baptised one and confirmed a class of six prepared by John McEvoy. At St. Andrew’s I celebrated and preached. Lunch with the congregation. Back to Savannah.
4 – Office, then to Augusta and the Convent of S. Helena, where I began conducting a Retreat for the Sisters of S. Helena.
5 – 6 – Convent.
7 – Convent – Retreat ended after supper. I enjoyed it very much – hope the Sisters did! Back to Savannah.
8 – Office. To the hospital to see Dr. Irving Victor (he a patient.) Adele departed for New York.
9 – Worked at home today. George in for lunch.
10 – Trinity Sunday. The rare pleasure of sitting in a pew (at St. Thomas’) with George & Susan. This afternoon called on convalescents Arthur Cody & Irving Victor. To St. John’s Church to preside at Evensong commemorating the 430th anniversary of the First English Prayer Book. Georgia and Susan gave me a lovely bon voyage dinner tonight.
11 – Savannah to JFK to meet Adele, then to meet our Holy Land pilgrims and start our journey to the Holy Land. Security extensive!
12 – Arrived in Tel Aviv afternoon, their, time. By bus to Jerusalem. Weary! A splendid view of The Holy City from our balcony.
13 – Jerusalem. visited the Church of S. Peter Gallicantu. Saw the dungeon where our Lord may have been held briefly. Gethsemene. Celebrated Eucharist in the Chapel of St. Jerome at. the Basilica of the Annunciation in Bethlehem. Saw Shepherds’ Field.
14 – Jerusalem. With permission of the Greek Orthodox patriarch celebrated the Eucharist in the Chapel of S. Abrahm. Guided tour of the Old City. To Mt. Moriah, to the site of Solomon’s Temple; then to The Dome of The Rock, and to “Solomon’s Stables.”
15 – Celebrated Eucharist in the Church of S. John Baptist at Ein Kerem. Visited the famous Hadassah Hospital and saw the Chagall windows. Toured Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial and museum; held a memorial service. Made the Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa. Visited Mea Shearin, the Hasidic section. Observed Sabbath services at the Western (Wailing) Wall.
16 – Celebrated Eucharist at the Garden Tomb, then by bus to The Dead Sea (hot), Qumran, and Masada – grim! Back to Jerusalem
17 – A much-needed “free day”. Celebrated Eucharist in our room.
18 – Celebrated Eucharist at St. George’s (Anglican) Cathedral. Saw the model of Jerusalem as it was in A.D. 66, then The Shrine of the Book, to see the Dead Sea Scrolls. Visisted the traditional site of The Ascension on the Mount of Olives, then to Mt. Zion to visit David’s Tomb and (what may have been!) The Upper Room.
19 – Up early to fly to Eilat, on the Red Sea, then by bus to Mount Sinai. Toured the Monastery of Santa Katerina, which houses perhaps the greatest collection of ikons in the world. Back to Eilat – the Hills of Edom in the background – and ‘home’ to Jerusalem.
20 – Another “free day”. Rested!
21 – Checked out of the Jerusalem Hilton and by bus thru Samaria; ascended Mt. Tabor, traditional site of the Transfiguration, where we celebrated the Eucharist and had lunch. Then over Jordan to the Kibbutz Nof Ginnosar on the Sea of Galilee. Here we spend the night.
22 – Cross the Sea of Galilee, visited the ruins of the synagogue where our Lord preached and saw the site of St. Peter’s house. To the Syrian border (many soldiers, tanks and mine fields!) thence to Caesarea Phillipi at the base of Mt. Hermon. Lunch at the Kibbutz Hagoshrim, then to Safed, Judaism’s third holiest city. Ended the day celebrating Eucharist in a Mussolini-build (!) chapel on the Mount of The Beatitudes – Fr. Hurst celebrating the anniversary of his ordination (and birthday).
23 – From our Kibbutz to Nazareth to celebrate the Eucharist at the magnificent Basilica of The Annunciation. Thence to Megiddo, Mount Carmel, Caesarea, and to the Tel Aviv Hilton.
24 – Free day in Tel Aviv. Our final Eucharist together.
25 0 Tel Aviv. Roused at 3 a.m. Arrived Savannah 9 p.m. – thus travelling about 24 hours (I think.)
26 – Jet lag indeed.
27 – Office. A pile of paper:
28 – Office. Conference with Fr. Maxwell and a committee from Christ Church beginning their planning for their 250th anniversary (in 1983!) in St. George’s Chapel, confirmed 3 persons for St. Anne’s, Tifton, presented by Fr. Arnold Bush.
29 – Worked at home. This afternoon to Bill and Peg Fishback’s for St. Michael’s annual Vestry Party.
30 – Day off.

JULY 1979

1 – Pentecost IV. Celebrated a house Eucharist.
2 – Office.
3 – Office. Fr. J. Hunt to dinner.
4 – A safe and sane Fourth at home. Bp. Lessard to dinner.
5 – Office – Venture in Mission Committee meeting. George and Susan to dinner.
6 – Office.
7 – To Windfall.
8 – August 3 – Windfall.

AUGUST 1979

3 – Windfall to Savannah.
4 – To Honey Creek. Camp St. Gregory (“The Music Camp”) as accomplished wonders again, much thanks to Fr. Henry Louttit, Jerry and Marie Meachen, and a splendid staff.
5 – Honey Creek. Celebrated the Eucharist closing Camp St. Gregory: splendid! Back to Savannah.
6 -Office.
7 – Office. Excellent meeting of Venture in Mission Committee.
8 – Office. Long conference and lunch with Fr. Jacoba Hurst.
9 – Office – A series of conferences. We gave George a birthday dinner tonight.
10 – Office. Conference with an aspirant for Holy Order.
11 – At home this morning, then with Adele to Honey Creek to spend the night.
12 – Pentecost X. Honey Creek, Celebrated the Eucharist in the Chapel of our Saviour. Spending the night here.
13 -Back to Savannah and the office.
14 – Office.
15 – Celebrated the early Eucharist at S. Paul’s, then breakfast (good!) with the congregation (large!) To the office. Fr. Jerry and Sylvia Clark in for a visit.
16 – Office.
17 – Dick McHugh and I picked up Fr. Pat Sanders at the airport, then to St. Simons (as guests of Howard Jones) for a lengthy and profitable meeting of the Conference Center Commission.
18 – SATURDAY – Conference with Fr. Arthur Cody; then a conference with Rick Buechner.
19 – Pentecost XI. Celebrated the Eucharist and preached at All Souls’, Garden City. Then, with Adele, to Windfall. A call tonight notified me of the death of Fr. Al Rogers. May he rest in peace.
20 – At Windfall.
21 – To Augusta.
22 – Augusta. At Christ Church I celebrated a Requiem Eucharist for the repose of the soul of Fr. Al Rogers. Frs. Maloney, DeLong and Parker assisted. Hospital call on Fr. Chafee Croft. By to see Sylvia Rogers then back to Windfall.
23 – Windfall.
24 – 25 – Windfall.
26 – Pentecost XII. After Church, back to Savannah.
27 – Office.
28 – To Savannah Beach to meet with Frs. Hoornstra and Bond. Venture in Mission Committee met – but lacked a quorum.
29 – Conferences at office all morning. To Tybee where at All Saints’ Church I celebrated the Eucharist, then net with the Mission Council.
30 – 31 – Office.

September 1979

1 – At home.
2 – Pentecost XIII. Off early. With Adele, to Woodbine. At St. Mark’s Church (chairs in the aisle!) assisted by Fr. Jacoba Hurst, I confirmed 5 persons, celebrated the Eucharist, and preached. Bounteous lunch with the congregation. Then met with Mission Council. Took The Sacrament to a shut-in. To Ted and Ruth Proctor’s for supper, then back to Savannah. What has happened at St. Mark’s in the past eight months is beautiful to behold!
3 – Labor Day. Adele and I with the Carswells to Cypress Creek.
4 – Hurricane David descended upon us.
5 – Savannah pretty well littered with downed trees and bits thereof. Chaplain Bob Tarbet, USA, in to say Good-bye. Constitution and Canons Committee met this afternoon.
6 – To Albany for a meeting of The Board of Officers of The Corporation of the Diocese. Jo Jones gave us a lovely lunch. Back to Savannah.
7 – A busy odds-n-ends day.
8 – With Adele to Denver Colorado for the Sixty-sixth General Convention of the Church.
9 – Denver to Boulder where I celebrated the Eucharist and preached at St. Aiden’s Church. Back to Denver for the Opening Service of Convention.
10 – 19 : General Convention.
20 – Denver to Savannah.
21 – At home.
22 – With Adele to St. Simon’s, where we are guests of Fred and Sarah Freyer. To a party at the home of Gen. s Mrs. Albert Watson.
23 – St. Simons. At Christ Church, Frederica I assisted at the early (& late) services; at 9:30 celebrated, baptised 4 and confirmed 22 persons. Lunch with the Whittles. To Savannah, thence to St. James’, Pooler, to celebrate the Eucharist and preach.
24 – Office.
25 – Conference with Fr. Mayfield this morning. Meeting of Venture in Mission Steering Committee this afternoon.
26 – With Adele to Honey Creek for the Fall Conference of the E.C.W.
27 – Honey Creek. ECW Conference ended – back to Savannah.
28 – Office.
29 – St. Michael and All Angels. Made my Communion at St. Paul’s. To Cordele. Dinner at the home of the Leo Mercer’s.
30 – Pentecost XVII: also the tenth anniversary of my Consecration as Bishop. At Christ Church, Cordele, I met with the Vestry, then celebrated and confirmed. Lunch with the congregation, and back to Savannah.

October 1979

1 – Office.
2 – Office.
3 – Office.
4 – St. Francis of Assisi. Office. Met with diocesan Finance Committee. This afternoon, to Jekyll Island to celebrate the Eucharist with the congregation of St. Richard of Chichester. Dinner with the congregation, then back to Savannah.
5 – To Waycross for meeting of Diocesan Council. Major Business: Recommendation to Diocesan Convention that we go into Venture in Mission. The ladies of Grace Church gave us a splendid dinner.
6 – Waycross. At Grace Church I celebrated the Eucharist. The men of the church laid on a grand breakfast. Council worked on 1980 budget. To Jesup, where I an guest at the Rectory tonight.
7 – Pentecost XVIII. Jesup. At St. Paul’s Church I celebrated the Eucharist, preached, and confirmed three persons. Lunch with Fr. Birt and Betty Sams, then to Savannah, via Honey Creek.
8 – Blake and Jackie Ellis picked me up at the airport and we flew to Asheville, where Adele net us, and thence to Windfall.
9 – At Windfall.
10 – Back to Savannah, with Adele.
11 – Participated in the Pulaski Day Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. Lunch at the Rectory. Office this afternoon. Tonight Adele and I were guests of Bishop Lessard at the Pulaski day banquet.
Two speakers – John Cardinal Krol of Philadelphia, and Zbigniew Brzezinski (yep: I had to look up spelling!)
12 – Office.
13 – The Long Drive to Bainbridge, with Adele. We are guests of Clayton and Berry Penhallegon.
14 – Pentecost XIX (Also my natal day) Bainbridge. At St. John’s I celebrated the Eucharist, preached and confirmed three persons. Lunch in the parish house. Back to Savannah, and to hospital to anoint Fr. Ed Porter who will undergo surgery tomorrow.
15 – Early to hospital to see Fr. Porter, then to a hectic morning at the office – the (proposed) leader of Clergy Conference is ill and can’t come. With Adele to Honey Creek, to begin a play-it-by-ear Clergy Conference.
16 – Honey Creek. Officially ended Clergy-cum-Wives Conference after lunch, business being finished; many of the clergy and wives staying over for recreation. Back to Savannah, and to see Fr. Porter, who is doing well after brain surgery.
17 – Office. At hospital, Fr. Porter thriving.
18 – St. Luke’s Day. Office this morning. After lunch to Hawkinsville. At St. Luke’s Church I baptised one and confirmed three persons presented by Fr. Ed Sellers, celebrated the Eucharist and preached. Dinner with the congregation; then back to Savannah.
19 – Office this morning, then to Honey Creek to begin a well-attended Lay Readers Conference.
20 – Honey Creek. Lay Readers’ Conference excellent, and as usual enthusiastic.
21 – Pentecost XX. Honey Creek. I celebrated the closing Eucharist for Lay Readers, then to St. Mary’s where at Christ Church I celebrated, preached, and confirmed two persons. Lunch with the congregation, then back to Honey Creek for the Fall meeting of the Brunswick-Waycross Convocation. After dinner there, back to Savannah.
22 – This afternoon to Dawson, where I am guest of Jimmy Raines. Tonight met with the congregation of the Church of the Holy Spirit.
23 – St. James of Jerusalem. Dawson to Quitman, where at St. James’ Church I celebrated the Eucharist, preached, had dinner with the congregation, and met with Mission Council. I am guest of Archer and Dorothy Turner tonight.
24 – Quitman. At St. James’ an informal meeting with Fr. Bob Carter and parishioners. Then to Savannah.
25 – office. Many conferences.
26 – office. This afternoon to Douglas.
27 – Douglas. Special Diocesan Convention met in the Student Union Hall of South Georgia College, beginning with the Eucharist. Presentation of Venture in Mission (a specially good address by Bp. Gray Temple on what VIM has meant to the Diocese of South Carolina.) Convention formally approved our going ahead. Excellent arrangements for this Convention by the Rector and people of St. Andrew’s Douglas. Back to Savannah.
28 – Pentecost XXI. Savannah. At St. Michael’s Church I preached at the early Eucharist, which Fr. Cody celebrated. At the later service I celebrated, preached, baptised and confirmed. Then to Fitzgerald; at St. Matthew’s Church I celebrated, preached and confirmed. I am guest of Fr. Steve and Madge Head.
29 – Long visit with Fr. Head, then to Augusta. At St. Augustine’s a meeting of the Augusta Convocation. Back to Savannah.
30 – Office
31 – All Hallows’ Eve. office.

November 1979

1 – All Saints’ Day. Office this morning. This afternoon to Savannah Beach, where at All Saint’s Church I celebrated the Eucharist and preached. Dinner with the congregation.
2 – All Souls’ Day. Celebrated the Eucharist at St. Paul’s, then to the office.
3 – A conference at the office this morning.
4 – Pentecost XXII. An unexpected cancellation of a visitation, so I celebrated the early Eucharist at St. Michael’s Church. With Dick McHugh to Albany, where we are guests of Fr. James and Mary Alma Parker. Meeting of the Albany Convocation at St. Mark’s Church.
5 – Albany to Thomasville, where we are guests of Buddy and Louise Hines. Tonight, at St. Thomas’ Church, Evensong, dinner, and meeting of the Thomasville Convocation.
6 – Off early to Savannah. After lunch I attended a meeting of the Canons Committee. Tonight to St. Thomas’ Church for a meeting of the Savannah Convocation.
7 – Office all day. Tonight with Adele to join Fr. Reginald and Mary Lu Gunn,, then to the home of Admiral and Mrs. F. R. Furth for a house Eucharist for the Episcopalians on Skidaway Island. A large congregation: To dinner with the Gunns.
8 – A day mainly with physicians and dentists, happily broken by lunch with Fr. Dan Munn. Hospital visit.
9 – Office. Hospital visit. Guest tonight of Dr. Jules Victor at a dinner for the Vestry of St. John’s Church – very festive:
10 – A hospital visit, then to Martinez. I am guest of Carroll and Marion Broome tonight.
11 – Pentecost XXIII. Martinez. At the Church of Our Savior Fr. Deneke celebrate the early Eucharist, I preached. At the later service, I celebrated, preached, baptised 3 and confirmed 6 persons, blessed a new altar and pulpit. Brunch, then to Dublin where at Trinity Church we had the last of the Fall Convocation Meetings. Back to Savannah.
12 – By hospital to see my secretary, Evelyn Hunt, just out of surgery. Office.
13 – Long meeting with representatives of Ward, Dreshman & Rinehart concerning Venture in Mission.
14 – Office. Lunch with Murray Marshall. To hospital – Evelyn Hunt doing well.
15 – Office. Tonight to the Church of The Holy Apostles for dinner and a congregational meeting. Much improvement to the fabric of the building and to the spirit of the congregation.
16 – To Fitzgerald for meetings of the Program Planning Committee and Diocesan Council. Back to Savannah.
17 – This afternoon to Brunswick, where I am guest of Fr. Herman and Enid Stone. They had in the Vestry of St. Athanasius’ and Mission Council of Good Shepherd, Pennick.
18 – Pentecost XXIV. Brunswick. At St. Athanasius’ Church, assisted by Fr. Stone, I celebrated, preached and confirmed. Lunch, then to Pennick, where at the Church of the Good Shepherd I celebrated, preached, baptised and confirmed. A reception, then with Alfred Nobles to visit Hofwyl Plantation (State Park). Back to Savannah, and to dinner with George and Susan.
19 – Office.
20 – With Adele to Windfall.
21 – Windfall. My sister, Grace, and Brother-inlaw, George, joined us.
22 – Thanksgiving Day at Windfall.
23 – Winterized Windfall, then to Savannah.
24 – With Adele to Louisville, where we are guests of Fr. dud and Dorothy Mayfield.
25 – Last Sunday of Pentecost. Louisville. The Congregation of The Holy Trinity (St. Mary Magdalene, Louisville; Grace Church, Sandersville; and Good Shepherd, Swainsboro) net together to celebrate the new ministry of Fr. Joe Boulet (mainly at Sandersville), celebrate the Eucharist, baptise and confirm. A lunch for the (large) congregation at th’e home of Mrs. James Abbott. And back to Savannah.
26 – Office. Hospital call.
27 – Office
28 – Office. Hospital call.
29 – Office. Conference with Bill Eager III. Lunch meeting of The Board of Officers of the Diocese. Tonight Adele and I hosted dinner for the Holy Land Pilgrims. Fr. Kuhn showed 750 (I think) slides of our pilgrimage. Much fun.
30 – St. Andrew’s Day. Celebrated the Eucharist at St. Paul’s. Office. Tonight, guest of Jack Altman at the Annual Banquet of St. Andrew’s Society.

December 1979

1 – With Adele to Waycross where we are guests of Fr. Jack and Jeannie Gilmore.
2 – Advent I. Waycross. At Grace Church I preached at the early Eucharist. At the later service I celebrated, preached and confirmed
9 persons. Lunch with Bill and Mae Allen, then to Honey Creek, then home.
3 – Worked at home this morning. And in the office this afternoon.
4 – To Chicago, and the Church of the Ascension, for a meeting of the E.C.M. Council.
5 – Chicago. ECM Council meeting continued and concluded. To Charlotte, N.C.
6 – Charlotte. Attended a splendid World Vision Seminar.
7 – Charlotte. Seminar all day, then home to Savannah.
8 – To the office to confer with a prospective postulant. Then to Camilla.
9 – Second Sunday in Advent. Camilla. At St. Francis’ Church I celebrated the Eucharist and preached, assisted by Fr. Dick Walkley. Lunch with the congregation, then to Tifton. At St. Anne’s Church a large congregation out for Confirmation and Eucharist. Supper in the parish house, then to Savannah, late:
10 – Office.
11 – Office this morning. With John Carswell to Cypress Creek this afternoon. Got my deer!
12 – Office this morning. This afternoon to Brunswick where at St. Athanasius’ Church we celebrated the New Ministry of Fr. Herman Stone as Rector of St. Athanasius’ and Vicar of Good Shepherd, Pennick. A reception in the parish house, then home.
13 – Office.
14 – Office. To St. Michael’s this afternoon for Confirmation.
15-Worked at home today – and the unusual luxury of a Saturday night at home!
16 – Advent III. Off early to Dublin. At Christ Church I celebrated, preached and confirmed, assisted by Fr. Eric Schnaufer. Lunch in the parish house, then to Augusta. Conferred with an aspirant for Holy Orders. At St. Alban’s Church a splendid liturgy for Convocation Confirmation. Spending the night with the Shipps.
17 – Drove (Fr. H. Shipps with me) from Augusta to Dublin for a meeting of the VIM Steering Committee. Then to Savannah.
18 – Office today. Celebrated our wedding anniversary tonight.
19 – A day of conferences at the office.
20 – As yesterday.
21 – St. Thomas’ Day. Celebrated the Eucharist at St. Paul’s. Then a day of one-appointment-after-the-other: Adele’s mother and stepfather arrived this afternoon.
22 – At home.
23 – Advent IV. To St. Matthew’s to preach at the early Eucharist, which Fr. Hoskins celebrated. I celebrated the later Eucharist, baptised one person, confirmed 16 and received one. Afternoon at home. To George and Susan’s for dinner tonight.
24 – Christmass Eve. Celebrated the Midnight Eucharist at St. John’s. A splendid liturgy, enhanced for me by having son George as my chaplain.
25 – Christmass Day at home, many family and friends to dinner.
26 – St. Stephen’s Day. Celebrated the early Eucharist at St. Paul’s.
27 – To Honey Creek to begin the annual joint meeting of the Standing Committee and the Ministry Commission with aspirants, postulants, candidates and seminarians.
28 – Honey Creek. Celebrated the Eucharist of Holy Innocents. Meeting ended this afternoon, then to Savannah.
29 – At home.
30 – Sunday after Christmass. To St. George’s to celebrate, preach, and confirm. Brunch with the congregation.
31 – Celebrated New Year’s Eve by going to hear George play. Good: and loud!

January 1980

1 – A quiet New Year’s Day at home.
2 – An exceptionally busy day at the office.
3 – As yesterday. Conferences with Frs. Cody and Cowling. To hospital Fr. Gus Caution in ICU.
4 – Office this morning. Worked at home this afternoon. A hospital visit.
5 – To Augusta, where I am guest of Fr. Neal and Chris Phelps. A call in interest of VIM this afternoon. Dinner tonight with the Wardens (& the Phelps).
6 – Feast of The Epiphany, Augusta. At St. Augustine’s Church Fr. Phelps celebrated the early and late Eucharists, I preached. At the ‘middle’ service I celebrated, preached, confirmed 19 and received one. Lunch with Red and Ann Boardman. To St. Mary’s, where, assisted by Fr. Richard Horton, I celebrated, preached, confirmed 7 and received 1 person. Reception in the parish house, a pleasant visit with Fr. Horton, then to Savannah.
7 – A very long day at the office. Hospital call.
8 – Office this morning. A hospital call. Worked at home this afternoon.
9 – To Vidalia; at the Church of the Annunciation a meeting of diocesan clergy in the interest of Venture in Mission. Back to Savannah.
10 – Annual meeting of the Board of E.Y.C.S. at our home this morning. We celebrated the Eucharist (Fr. Tom Fitzgerald assisting, he present to speak about the Dodge Fund.) Adele gave us a great lunch. Then to the office.
11 – To Valdosta, with Adele. Met with the Vestry of Christ Church. Then to dinner with Vestry-and-wives at the Carrolls’-in-the-country. We are guests of A.L. and Sue Addington.
12 – Valdosta. Fr. Louttit arranged a full day for me that was pleasant and, I hope, profitable. A coffee this morning with “long-time” parishioners. Lunch with the Louttits. Met with Blake Ellis to discuss work at Honey Creek. A tea this afternoon at John and Marcia McRae’s for new parishioners. Then to the church to meet with the confirmation candidates. Dinner with the adult confirmation candidates at the home of Walt and Jan Carter.
13 – Valdosta. I preached at the early Eucharist, which Fr. Louttit celebrated; I celebrated, baptised, confirmed and preached at the two later services. Then to Honey Creek, then home.
14 – Office.
15 – Office. Conferences with Frs. Steven Head and Henry Stokes. Hospital calls on Frs. Gus Caution and Herman Huff.
16 – Office this morning. This afternoon with John Carswell to Cypress Creek for an unsuccessful but relaxing wild hog hunt. (Needless to say, saw many – eight – out-of-season deer.)
17 – Office. Conference with Fr. Gunn.
18 – Celebrated the Eucharist at St. Paul’s for the Confession of St. Peter (and beginning of week of prayer for Christian Unity.) Office.
19 – To Americus, where I am guest of Fr. Jerry and Deen Crook tonight.
20 – Americus. Fr. Crook celebrated the early Eucharist, at which I preached. At the late service I celebrated, preached, and confirmed twelve persons. Lunch with the Crooks, then to Cochran. At Trinity Church I celebrated, preached, and confirmed eight persons, assisted by Fr. Robert South. The entire congregation to dinner at the Fisher’s. Mission Council meeting. I am guest of Dr. Ben McClary tonight.
21 – Cochran. An Anglophile breakfast – mixed grill ! Then home.
22 – Office. Tonight to Garden City to meet with the Mission Council of All Souls’ Church.
23 – Office.
24 – Office.
25 – Office. Called on Margaret Caution, having learned of the death of Fr. Gus Caution, long-time rector of St. Matthew’s, Savannah, now retired. May he rest in peace.
26 – This afternoon at St. Matthew’s I concelebrated a Requiem Eucharist with Frs. Charles Hoskins and Harry Nevels for the repose of the soul of Fr. Gustav Caution. Packed church. A group from St. Bartholomew’s, Burroughs, sang some of their unique spirituals: movingly authentic.
27 – Epiphany III. Off early to Darien. At St. Cyprian’s Church a large congregation for the Eucharist. After a reception there, to St. Andrew’s to celebrate and preach. Lunch with the congregation, then back to Savannah.
28 – Office this morning. Luncheon meeting of Diocesan Finance Committee hosted by John Carswell. Worked at home this afternoon on my Convention address. Tonight to Christ Church to eat and meet with the confirmation candidates, their parents and sponsors.
29 – Office this morning. Worked on Convention address this afternoon.
30 – As yesterday.
31 – As the past two days