The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina
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CLERGY & STAFF

Clergy and Staff of the Diocese


Diocesan Bishop

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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

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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.​


Executive Assistant to the Bishop and Diocesan Administrator

Cecilia Eaton Photo
Cecilia Eaton
843-259-2016
ceaton@episcopalchurchsc.org


​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.

Office Hours at Grace Church Cathedral (98 Wentworth St.):
  • Monday - Thursday: 9 am to 3 pm
  • Friday: 9 am to 12 pm

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.

Cecilia joined the staff in February 2022 after serving as Executive Assistant to the President/CEO at Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Retirement Community for 12 years. A resident of Charleston since 1997, she has worked in banking/finance, investment/retirement planning, and office management.

Cecilia lives in West Ashley with her husband, Greg, and their daughter.


Diocesan Ministry Developer

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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

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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. 


List of Clergy in Good Standing
Follow this link to find an updated list of Clergy in Good Standing in The Diocese of South Carolina.

Clergy Transitions
Follow this link for a list of churches currently seeking their next priest.

Clergy Transition News
Read news about our clergy on our news blog.

Appointed to serve 

Intake Officer

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​The Rev. Ross Tortora, Deacon at Grace Church Cathedral serves as the Intake Officer for the Diocese of South Carolina. He can be reached at rtortora@gracesc.org.

Intake officers are defined in, and required by, Title IV, the church’s disciplinary canon. Intake officers, designated by the bishop, listen to, document and respond to the complaint. They also serve on the reference panel. Note that this is not, in any way, a role of mediation.

We chose our intake officers because of their history in handling delicate human situations. They are compassionate individuals trained in the art of active listening. Your comfort in this process is of primary importance.




Ecumenical and Interfaith Officer ​and Liturgical Officer

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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

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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.

Copyright © 2022 The Diocese of South Carolina
P.O. Box 20485, Charleston, SC 29413 - ​843.259.2016 - info@episcopalchurchsc.org
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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Our History
    • Our Vision
    • Find a Church
    • Deaneries
    • The Bishop >
      • Messages from Bishop Woodliff-Stanley
    • Clergy & Staff >
      • Clergy in Good Standing
      • Clergy and Transition Ministries
    • Governance >
      • Constitution & Canons
      • Convention
      • Boards and Committees >
        • Standing Committee
        • Diocesan Council
        • Trustees of the Diocese
        • Deputies to General Convention
        • Commission on Ministry
        • Liturgical Commission
        • Visioning Committee
        • University of the South Trustees
        • Other Boards and Committees
    • Historical Timeline
    • FAQ
  • Ministry
    • Prayer Calendar
    • Diocesan Meditations
    • Outreach
    • Grants for Congregations
    • Administrative Resources
    • Clergy Resources
    • Liturgy & Worship >
      • Liturgical Commission >
        • Bishop Guerry
      • Marriage
      • The Lectionary
      • The Book of Common Prayer
      • Brother, Give Us A Word (SSJE)
      • Daily Prayer: Forward Movement
    • Education & Formation >
      • Adults
      • College Ministry
      • Youth
      • Children
    • Church Connections >
      • The Episcopal Church >
        • Province IV
      • The Anglican Communion
      • Anglicans Online >
        • The Society of Archbishop Justus
      • Daughters of the King
      • Episcopal Church Women (ECW)
      • Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross
      • Order of St. Helena
    • Ecumenical & Interfaith >
      • Racial Justice & Reconciliation
      • Fellowship of SC Bishops/Public Education Initiative
      • Charleston Area Justice Ministry
      • Christian Jewish Council
      • Gun Violence Prevention
    • Communication and Evangelism >
      • Carolina Grace
      • Social Media Sunday
      • Mission Matters Videos
  • News
    • News Blog
    • 80th General Convention 2022
    • Events Calendar
    • Upcoming Events
    • Lent 2022
    • Sacred Ground 2022
    • Responding to COVID-19
    • Email Newsletter
    • Episcopal News Service
    • Anglican Communion News
  • Giving
  • Convention
  • Contact Us
    • Get in touch
    • Make a donation
    • Sign up for the newsletter
    • News Submission
  • Bishop Consecration