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 & EventsWorship This Lenten Season/Easter at an Episcopal Church Near YouBeginning with Ash Wednesday on March 5, and continuing throughout Lent and Holy Week, Episcopal churches throughout our diocese will offer events and services as we prepare for Easter. Visitors are always welcome.
Click here to learn more> Call to Convention Issued for 234th Diocesan Convention; Registration openThe Call to Convention has been published as we prepare for our 234th Diocesan Convention in November. Read it on the diocesan website at this link. This year's event will be held November 21-23, 2024, on Hilton Head Island, hosted by the Southern Deanery. We are especially excited to announce that we will have two very special guest speakers at Convention this year: our new Presiding Bishop-elect, the Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, will be with us on Thursday evening to preach at our Opening Eucharist; and the keynote speaker will be the Reverend Canon Mpho Tutu van Furth, an Episcopal priest, artist, author, accomplished public speaker and retreat facilitator.
Click this link for the Convention webpage > 233rd Diocesan Convention Provides Opportunity to Testify to Life & VitalityThe 233rd Diocesan Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina adjourned on Saturday just before noon on the third day of this year's annual gathering. This year's convention was held at the historic St. James Episcopal Church, Charleston, on James Island. It was a joy to be with people from all corners of the diocese in this beautiful location. Click this link >
Bishop Offers Lament for the Holy LandFollowing the horrific events that have unfolded since Hamas began attacking the people of Israel on Saturday, October 7, Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley offers a lament for the people of the Diocese of South Carolina.
Click this link > The Rev. Jeff Wallace Called as Priest-in-Charge of St. David's, CherawBishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has called the Rev. Jeffrey Wallace to serve as priest-in-charge of St. David’s, Cheraw, beginning Sunday, October 1. Father Jeff most recently served as associate priest of St. George’s, Summerville, and as chaplain to the Charleston Port and Seafarers’ Society and the South Carolina Port Authority.
Find out more > The Rev. Marie-Carmel Chery Called to Voorhees UniversityWith excitement for the continued growth and development of Voorhees University, Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley is thrilled to share that the Reverend Marie-Carmel Chery has been called to serve as Dean of the Chapel & Spiritual Engagement at Voorhees University, effective September 1, 2023. In this role, Dean Chery will also serve as vicar of St. Philip’s Chapel on campus, as well as an assistant professor of Theological Studies at the university.
Find out more > The Rev. Dr. Matthew McCormick Called as Rector of St. Thomas, North CharlestonBishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has called the Rev. Dr. Matthew McCormick to serve as rector of St. Thomas, North Charleston (Park Circle), effective August 1. Father McCormick has served the congregation as interim rector since February 2022.
Find out more > Bishop Appoints the Rev. Fred Thompson as Chaplain to Retired Clergy & SpousesBishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has appointed the Rev. Fred Thompson as Chaplain to Retired Clergy and Spouses for the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina. In this role, Rev. Thompson will provide systematic and intentional support for retired clergy, their spouses, and surviving spouses. Working collaboratively with regional deans, he will convene a team of clergy from across the diocese to provide local pastoral support and assist him in the development of programs for retired clergy and spouses.
Find out more > The Rev. Joseph Smith Called as Rector of the Episcopal Church on EdistoBishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has called the Rev. Joseph Smith to serve as the first rector of The Episcopal Church on Edisto (Edisto Island), beginning on Sunday, August 20, 2023. Currently, Father Smith is the rector of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, Pennsylvania, where he has been for almost nine years. A native of Columbia, South Carolina, he looks forward to returning to the Palmetto State.
Find out more > Bishop Calls the Rev. Laura Rezac to St. Christopher Camp & Conference CenterBishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has called the Rev. Laura Rezac as executive director of St. Christopher Camp & Conference Center on Seabrook Island, succeeding the Rev. Helen and Rick Hargreaves, who have been serving as interim directors for the past seven months. The Rev. Rezac currently serves as associate rector for Children & Youth Formation at St. Stephen’s, Charleston, and she has been serving as chair of the Steering Committee at St. Christopher Camp & Conference Center, leading the transition of the property back to our diocese since it was returned in October 2022. She will begin this new role in June, serving alongside the Hargreaves through the end of August.
Find out more > The Rev. Ricardo Bailey Called as Seventh Rector of Historic Calvary Episcopal ChurchCalvary Episcopal Church in Charleston has called the Rev. Ricardo Bailey to serve as rector beginning on Ash Wednesday—February 22, 2023. Currently, Father Bailey serves as priest-in-charge of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Decatur, Georgia, as well as chaplain to the House of Bishops of The Episcopal Church, and president of the Atlanta Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians.
Find out more > Bishop's Crosses Presented to Lonnie Hamilton III and Thomas TisdaleAt our 232nd Diocesan Convention in November, Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley recognized Lonnie Hamilton III and Thomas Tisdale for their decades of faithful service to the diocese with the Bishop's Cross. The Presentation of The Bishop’s Cross is a tradition observed across the Church, and it is presented each Convention, by the diocesan bishop, to a person whose outstanding service to the diocese has changed the course of history for the diocese for good, helping the diocese in a significant way to proclaim and live out the gospel of Jesus Christ. The bishop bestows this cross to a person whose manner of sacrificial giving so exemplifies Christ-like love as to be set forth to the entire Diocese as an example of exemplary Christian leadership. To learn more about why these two men were honored with this special recognition, watch the Bishop's presentation at Diocesan Convention at this link: https://bit.ly/EDSCBishopsCross22
Unfortunately, neither gentleman was able to attend Diocesan Convention, so on Sunday, December 18, Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley was able to present the Bishop's Crosses to these remarkable individuals at two separate parish events. Find out more > Renzi Ricketts Called as Summer Camp Director of Camp St. ChristopherBishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley and the interim executive directors at St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center, Rick and the Rev. Helen Hargreaves, are pleased to announce that Renzi Ricketts has been called as Summer Camp Director for Camp St. Christopher. Ricketts brings tremendous enthusiasm and years of summer camp experience to Camp St. Christopher on Seabrook Island, where the camp has provided children, youth, and young adults with a transformative summer experience rooted in Christianity for more than 80 years.
Born and raised in Missouri, Renzi has spent the entirety of her life being molded by the unique and sacred experiences of camp. Renzi graduated from Culver-Stockton College with a degree in Communications and a minor in nonprofit management in 2015 and is currently enrolled in a Youth Development Leadership master's program at Clemson University. Renzi has spent the past decade mentoring summer staff and directing youth programs in Arkansas and Colorado. Find out more > Two Dioceses Agree on Terms of a SettlementToday, September 26, 2022, the Bishops of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina (EDOSC) and the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina (ADOSC) announced their respective dioceses have reached a final settlement agreement resolving numerous outstanding legal issues between their respective dioceses.
This settlement is the result of self-guided mediation in which the two bishops and their chancellors have engaged over the past four months. It has the unanimous support of their diocesan leadership as well as the full support of The Episcopal Church. Find out more > St. David's Episcopal Church Reopens in CherawSt. David’s Episcopal Church in Cheraw added to its deep history in The Episcopal Church on Sunday, August 7, with a service of Holy Eucharist led by the Rev. Michael Bye, interim priest-in-charge. The church, founded in 1768, returned to our diocese on August 1, nearly 10 years after a schism divided the congregation. The church also has a new website at: stdavidsepiscopalcheraw.org
Find out more > The Rev. Furman Buchanan to Lead Christ Episcopal Church, Mt. PleasantThe Right Reverend Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has called the Rev. Furman L. Buchanan as priest-in-charge of Christ Episcopal Church in Mt. Pleasant, which will likely be the second church returning to the Diocese of South Carolina and The Episcopal Church as a result of the SC Supreme Court decision in April 2022. Fr. Buchanan will lead the first services reopening Christ Episcopal Church, currently planned for September 18.
Find out more > St. John's Episcopal Church Reopens on Johns IslandThe Rev. Cn. Callie Walpole led two services of worship on Sunday, July 17, to reopen St. John's Episcopal Church on Johns Island as part of The Episcopal Church and the Diocese of South Carolina once again. More than 200 people attended the two services in total, at 8 am and 10:30 am. A few dozen also attended a 9 am service at Grace Chapel, a chapel of ease for St. John's, in Rockville on Wadmalaw Island.
Find out more > Transition News: Episcopal Church on Edisto Seeks Priest-in-Charge; Calvary, Charleston, Continues to Receive NamesThe Episcopal Church on Edisto (Edisto Island) is now receiving names for a full-time priest-in-charge. In other transition news, Calvary Episcopal Church continues to receive names in their search for a full-time rector to lead their historic congregation in downtown Charleston.
Find out more > Corey Smith Named Dean of the Chapel and Spiritual Engagement and Vicar at Voorhees UniversityBishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley is pleased to announce that Corey Smith has been called to serve as Dean of the Chapel and Spiritual Engagement and Vicar at Voorhees University, beginning July 18.
Find out more > The Rev. Cn. Callie Walpole to Lead Returning CongregationThe Right Reverend Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has called the Rev. Cn. Calhoun Walpole to lead St. John's, Johns Island, which is likely to be the first congregation to return to our diocese and The Episcopal Church since the diocesan schism in 2012.
Find out more > Bishop Calls the Rev. Ryan Currie as Canon for Common MissionThe Right Reverend Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has called the Rev. Ryan Currie as Canon for Common Mission, beginning July 15. Fr. Currie currently serves as associate rector at Holy Cross Faith Memorial Episcopal Church on Pawleys Island.
Find out more > Bishop Calls the Rev. Ramelle McCall as Canon for LeadershipThe Right Reverend Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has called the Rev. Ramelle McCall to serve as Canon for Leadership in the Diocese of South Carolina, beginning on September 1. The Rev. McCall currently serves as rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Baltimore, Maryland, and also as urban missioner for the Diocese of Maryland.
Find out more > Chancellor to Retire After Decades of Faithful ServiceThomas S. Tisdale, Jr., who has served the Diocese of South Carolina under five bishops, is retiring from his role as chancellor. He will continue to remain available as outside counsel on all legal matters with which he has been involved to date.
Find out more > Bishop Calls Barry Ronan as Diocesan TreasurerBishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has called Barry Ronan to serve as treasurer to the Diocese of South Carolina. After a 46-year career in healthcare, of which 24 years were as a chief executive officer, Ronan retired in March 2021 and moved to South Carolina to be closer to family.
Find out more > SC Supreme Court Orders Return of 14 Churches to the Episcopal Church & The Diocese of South CarolinaAs 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 > Join 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 > 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 > 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 > 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.
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