Clergy and Staff of the Diocese
Diocesan Bishop
The Right Reverend Ruth Woodliff-Stanley
The Right Reverend Ruth Woodliff-Stanley was elected the XV Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina on May 1, 2021. Her consecration and ordination was held on Saturday, October 2, at Grace Church Cathedral in Charleston. Visit the Bishop's page here. Canon to the Ordinary
The Reverend Canon Philip Linder
plinder@episcopalchurchsc.org 843.259.2016 The Reverend Canon Philip C. Linder was called to serve as Canon to the Ordinary by the Rt. Rev. Ruth Woodliff-Stanley in November 2021. His position is intended to support the diocese’s work in healthy governance, leadership and development, and pastoral connections. Specifically, his areas of responsibility include: the ordination process and the Commission on Ministry, diocesan properties, finance and budget, and Constitution and Canons. A 1982 graduate of Villanova University and a 1985 graduate of the General Theological Seminary, Philip also has a doctorate in ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary and a doctorate in psychology from the Graduate Theological Foundation. In his 36 years as a priest, Philip has led five parishes, including as Dean of Trinity Cathedral in Columbia, SC. Philip and his wife Ellen have three grown children and five grandchildren. They live on Daniel Island. Interim Executive Assistant to the Bishop and Diocesan Administrator
Katherine Smith - interim
843-259-2016 admin@episcopalchurchsc.org ***This position is currently vacant and the roles are being handled on an interim basis by Katherine Smith and other members of staff.*** The Executive Assistant to the Bishop/Diocesan Administrator is responsible for managing the bishop's calendar and travel, and works with staff to plan and execute diocesan meetings and gatherings including Clergy Conference and Annual Diocesan Convention. The position is responsible for Safeguarding Training, maintaining clergy records, clergy licensing and lay licensing. She is the staff liaison to the Diocesan Council, Commission on Ministry, and Standing Committee. As Diocesan Administrator, she is our point person with the Church Pension Group on all pension matters, property insurance, employee benefits and records, as well as records/reports compliance with The Episcopal Church and CPG. Contact the Executive Assistant/Diocesan Administrator about: Scheduling a meeting with the Bishop, Safeguarding training, clergy records, clergy and lay licensing, Bishop's visitations and the Diocesan Prayer Calendar, diocesan meetings and gatherings, donor support, and reports of Diocesan Council or the Journal of the Annual Convention. This position is your contact for employee benefits (life insurance, medical and dental plans), clergy and lay pension, church property insurance matters, and reports to CPG and The Episcopal Church. Diocesan Ministry Developer
Andrea McKellar
843-259-2016 office, 843-412-2411 mobile amckellar@episcopalchurchsc.org Andrea's responsibilities include Transition Ministry (working with individuals and congregations through times of discernment and calling), Leadership Development, Christian Formation, and Youth Ministry. She also continues to assist in administrative and communication duties in coordination with the rest of the staff. Contact Andrea about: Transition Ministry, Youth, Christian Formation, and other Diocesan information. Andrea joined the staff as part-time administrative assistant in January 2014. She currently serves on the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church and on the board of Forma, a grassroots Christian formation organization. She worships at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Charleston. Andrea and her husband Mark live in West Ashley with their two children. Director of Communications
Molly Hamilton
843-259-2016 (office) 843-327-6479 (mobile) mhamilton@episcopalchurchsc.org Molly Hamilton oversees communications within the Diocese and to the wider community as a member of the Bishop's staff, working on a part-time basis. Contact Molly about: The diocesan website, episcopalchurchsc.org, email newsletter, Facebook and other social media. She wants to hear from you when you have photos and stories to share! She is also available to consult with individual churches on websites, email newsletters, social media, news releases and other communication questions. A 1997 graduate of the College of Charleston with degrees in corporate communications and business administration, Molly also earned a master's in mass communication from the University of South Carolina. She has worked collectively for more than a decade in public relations, corporate communications, marketing, public affairs, digital communications, and media relations; and she took off about 10 years in between to work full time as a stay-at-home mom. Molly and her husband, Trey, have two sons and live in James Island. They are members of Grace Church Cathedral. |
Appointed to serveEcumenical and Interfaith Officer and Liturgical Officer
The Very Reverend J. Michael A. Wright, Rector and Dean of Grace Church Cathedral, is Diocesan Ecumenical and Interfaith Officer for The Diocese of South Carolina. He is also Liturgical Officer and chairs the Diocesan Liturgical Commission.
As Ecumenical and Interfaith Officer, Dean Wright followed the Reverend Dow Sanderson, Rector of the Church of the Holy Communion in Charleston, in the important work of building and sustaining relationships with other faith communities. Diocesan Disaster Coordinator
The Reverend Fred Thompson serves as Diocesan Disaster Coordinator for The Diocese of South Carolina. Fred, a priest of our diocese, is responsible for coordinating disaster planning and response at the diocesan level, as well as working with congregations to develop their own disaster plans. Fred also will serve as liaison in times of emergency with relief agencies and with groups such as the Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy and Episcopal Relief and Development.
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