Honey Creek is a holy place, connected to each of our congregations in the Diocese of Georgia. With its majestic views and simple setting centered on the chapel, Honey Creek has deepened the spiritual lives and enlivened the faith of generations of Episcopalians, even some who have never been there.
Gatherings at Honey Creek help youth and children fall in love with Christ and the church, raise up and train lay and clergy leaders, and connect thousands of the faithful to God. Such transformational experiences include Summer Camps, Happening and Cursillo retreats, the Church Development Institute, Clergy Conferences, and more. Those touched by their Honey Creek experiences, in turn, touch others well beyond its campus.
Honey Creek is vital in:
Creating Community
At Honey Creek Episcopalians from across the Diocese (and beyond) gather together and form new relationships with Christ and with each other.
Building Leaders
Through training programs and personal connections, leaders are formed to support our Diocese and our communities.
Transforming Lives
When we encounter the Risen Christ in our experiences at Honey Creek, our lives are strengthened as we follow Christ into the world.
We want to ensure that Honey Creek’s ministry continues for generations to come. In order to
do so, we have a two-part plan to retire our debt and create a reserve fund. Seven years ago, we were in danger of losing Honey Creek to pay mounting debts, but no longer. We have transformed Honey Creek’s operations with a business plan that has kept the Center in the black for seven years in a row.
In 2010, our Bond Sale restructured our debt while allowing Honey Creek to address deferred maintenance issues. We have saved Honey Creek. Now we are called to secure its future. We must eliminate the remaining debt and provide for the future. What follows are the details of our plans.
The two-part plan to retire debt and create reserves
At the 197th Convention in Albany, the delegation approved a two-part plan to both retire the existing debt and establish a Honey Creek Future Fund.
Part 1 – Debt Retirement
The strategies to retire the initial $1.23 million debt are a combination of:
Giving
Giving will include: bond-holder forgiveness, special offerings, and other gifts.
Assessment
Diocesan Convention voted and approved an additional temporary assessment on every congregation of not more than 2% for not more than 3 years. The total assessment will be not more than 12% starting in 2020 and ending by 2022.
As of October 2018, these strategies have reduced the debt to just under $1 million.
Part 2 – Future Fund
The second part of the plan is to establish a Honey Creek Future Fund, creating a long-term reserve for maintenance and capital improvement. This additional reserve, beyond the debt retirement, will be raised through traditional campaign strategies:
Pave the Way Forward
Contributions to the Future Fund can be made by purchasing pavers that will be used to create a walkway from the Chapel to Bishops’ Hall and the Dining Hall. This path will greatly increase accessibility to the Chapel, and will be used by all those who visit this sacred space. Pavers will be engraved with the names of donors, or those in whose memory or honor their donation is given, and will provide a lasting memorial for future generations. Complete the form found HERE order form and submit it with payment to:
Honey Creek
c/o Dade Brantley
299 Episcopal Conference Center Rd.
Waverly, Georgia 31565
Sustaining Gifts
Recurring gifts make a difference in Honey Creek’s ability to perform ongoing maintenance, make needed improvements, and continue to offer the campus as a place for transformation. To start a sustaining gift, text “honeycreek” to 73256.
We will recount to generations to come
the praiseworthy deeds and the power of the Lord,
and the wonderful works he has done.
Psalm 78:4