Welcome
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We are the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina, the historic diocese in the Eastern part of South Carolina in union with The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. As the Diocese, we continue to carry forward the work of our Lord Jesus Christ, just as generations of Episcopalians in South Carolina have done since 1789, confident that by moving forward together in unity and faith, with God's help, we will flourish.
Your participation in the life of our diocese and its parishes, missions and worshiping communities is encouraged. The Episcopal Church always welcomes you! After a schism in 2012, our diocese was briefly known as The Episcopal Church in South Carolina from January 2013 until September 2019, but we have remained a place for faithful Episcopalians, parishes, missions, and worshiping communities to "love and serve the Lord." The powerful words of a beloved bishop of The Diocese of South Carolina speak poignantly to us as we continue to rebuild: “We should strive for unity, not uniformity. Uniformity is mechanical, barren, unfruitful, and unprofitable. Unity is organic, living, and capable of endless growth. If we are to be truly catholic, as Christ himself is catholic, then we must have a church broad enough to embrace within its communion every living human soul.” The Right Reverend William Alexander Guerry (1861-1928) |
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Featured News & EventsJoin our congregations through the Lenten season as we prepare to celebrate EasterAs we prepare to celebrate the resurrection at Easter, the Diocese of South Carolina invites you to join us in the Lenten season, and beyond. Visit our website to find a service or event at an Episcopal Church near you.
Find out more > 231st Diocesan Convention to be a Hybrid Event November 12-13We look forward to the opportunity to "abide" together at our 231st Diocesan Convention this Friday and Saturday at Holy Cross Faith Memorial Church, hosted by the Pee Dee-Waccamaw Deanery. This year's convention is a hybrid event and more than a third of the attendees will participate virtually online.
Find out more > Woodliff-Stanley to be Ordained & Consecrated XV Bishop of DioceseThe Right Reverend Ruth Morse Woodliff-Stanley was ordained and consecrated as the 15th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina on Saturday, October 2, 2021, at Grace Church Cathedral in Charleston, South Carolina. Woodliff-Stanley is the first female to lead the diocese as bishop in its more than 230-year history, and the first full-time diocesan bishop serving the diocese since 2012.
“My deep heart’s desire is that we begin a new season today of resurrection, hope, justice, and love in the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina that will be a beacon for all,” said Woodliff-Stanley during the service. “I give you my heart, and I will give you my best each day, and I seek to walk with you, humbly, and with deep joy.” Find out more > Woodliff-Stanley to be Ordained & Consecrated XV Bishop of DioceseThe Most Reverend Michael Bruce Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church, will lead the Ordination and Consecration of the Reverend Canon Ruth Woodliff-Stanley as the XV Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina on Saturday, October 2, 2021, at 11 am. The service will be held at Grace Church Cathedral in Charleston, South Carolina. Seating is limited and by reservation only, but all are welcome and invited to watch online live at the following link: https://bit.ly/SCBishopXVConsecration.
The service bulletin can be downloaded at this link: https://bit.ly/SCBishopXVBulletin. Find out more > Standing Committee Provides Update on covid-19 GuidanceAfter consulting with medical professionals, other dioceses, and with the consent of our Bishop-elect Ruth Woodliff-Stanley, the Standing Committee President, the Rev. Rob Donehue, shared a letter on Wednesday, August 4, on behalf of the entire committee updating the guidance for our diocese in light of the recent increase in COVID-19 cases caused by the delta variant.
Find out more > The Rev. Cn. Ruth Woodliff-Stanley Elected XV Bishop of the Diocese of South CarolinaThe Reverend Canon Ruth M. Woodliff-Stanley was elected Saturday, May 1, 2021, to be the fifteenth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina during a Special Meeting of Convention held for the purposes of the election. Once consecrated in October, Bishop-elect Woodliff-Stanley will be the first female to serve as bishop in the more than 200-year history of the historic diocese.
Find out more > The XV Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina to be Elected on Saturday, May 1This Saturday, more than 100 lay and clergy delegates will join together virtually to elect the XV Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina. The entire convention will be shared live on the Diocesan YouTube page beginning at 9 am at this link. There are five candidates on the slate for the election.
Find out more > Walkabouts/Candidate Conversations to be Virtual in Search for the XV Bishop of SCThe Bishop Search Transition Committee and the Standing Committee have decided that the Walkabouts/Candidate Conversations held on April 12-14 will be conducted virtually due to ongoing concerns with the COVID-19 pandemic. Traditionally, Walkabouts are a time for the candidates to learn about the diocese, and for the people of the diocese to learn more about the candidates. For more information on the search, visit the Bishop Search website at this link.
Find out more > A Variety of Resources Available for LentThroughout the diocese, churches are offering a variety of services of Lent, leading up to Easter on Sunday, April 4, 2021. Though the continuing pandemic has limited the options for in-person services and other Lenten events, many churches and The Episcopal Church have provided options that may be helpful as we observe this time. Find a listing of services and resources at the link below.
Find out more > Join us to Celebrate Advent and ChristmasChurches throughout our diocese will offer a variety of services throughout Advent, Christmas, and Christmastide. Due to the pandemic, many of the services will be offered online, and some services will be offered in person as well. All churches in our diocese ask that those who wish to attend services in person wear a face covering/mask and follow social distancing guidelines. Some services require registration to limit participants to a number that can be safely accommodated. Find a listing of all service opportunities at the link below.
Find out more > Search Resumes for XV Bishop of the DioceseThe search for the XV Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina has resumed, after pausing the process on April 22, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Standing Committee unanimously agreed during a meeting on July 28 to restart the search. While exact dates will be difficult to firmly establish because of the uncertainty of the pandemic, the search will proceed with the expectation of holding an election in the first half of 2021, followed by an Ordination of the new bishop by year’s end. The committee will receive applications and nominations from August 31 through October 15.
Find out more > 230th Diocesan ConventionThe 230th annual Convention of The Diocese of South Carolina will be held virtually this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event will take place November 20-21, 2020 and more details will be shared soon. The "Call to Convention" was shared in August 2020.
Read more here > Worship Services Offered Online and In Person Throughout the DioceseDue to the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person worship services and gatherings were suspended throughout the diocese from March 16 until June. Since that time, some congregations have begun and slow and cautious return to in-person worship and gatherings, following strict guidelines of social distancing and other public health measures. Many congregations continue to also offer online services for those who do not feel safe returning to in-person gatherings. Learn more about in-person and online services on our website at the link below.
Find out more > A Faith-Based Response to Covid-19The Diocese of South Carolina launched a new webpage to house resources and information related to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on our diocese. The page will be updated regularly and will include resources and links that may be helpful to all.
Find out more > Episcopal Leadership TransitionThe Standing Committee of The Episcopal Church in South Carolina wrote a letter June 11 to the people of the Diocese regarding transition plans for episcopal leadership.
Read more > Two grants programs available for church initiatives, needsChurches in The Episcopal Church in South Carolina now have two grant processes available to seek funding from the diocese thanks to programs and funding approved by the Diocesan Council and the Trustees: Ministry Grants, and Parishes and Missions Support Grants.
Read more > Legal news and updatesFor the latest news on legal matters involving The Episcopal Church in South Carolina and The Episcopal Church, please visit the Legal News category on our news blog.
Read more here > Frequently Asked QuestionsWe invite you to explore our “Frequently Asked Questions” supplement, updated regularly to provide information and share hope for a future that remains grounded in the love of God.
Read, download & share it here. > Church Unity: From the Bishop & ArchdeaconBishop Skip Adams and Archdeacon Callie Walpole of The Episcopal Church in South Carolina have written an article seeking to clarify and explain the status of The Episcopal Church and The Episcopal Church in South Carolina with regard to the outcome of the litigation first brought against The Episcopal Church and TECSC, and the eventual ruling of the South Carolina Supreme Court in August 2017. A hearing is currently scheduled for November 19 in Orangeburg to implement that decision. Their article is a summary of the Church’s stance concerning current realities, as well as a call for the restoration of unity.
Read the article here > |
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