The 225th Annual Diocesan Convention
of The Episcopal Church in South Carolina
of The Episcopal Church in South Carolina
See photos from Diocesan Convention Day 1 Workshops, Convention Eucharist, and more Day 2: Morning Prayer and Business Session 
Convention Preacher: Bishop Robert Gillies (above)
Read Bishop Gillies' sermon at the Convention Eucharist WATCH VIDEO OF BISHOP GILLIES' SERMON  Bishop Robert Gillies and his wife Liz Gillies were our special guests, attending both days of Convention.
REPORT ON THE 225TH ANNUAL CONVENTION “The Call to All” Episcopalians from across eastern South Carolina gathered at Holy Cross Faith Memorial Episcopal Church in Pawleys Island November 13-14 to celebrate “The Call to All” at the 225th Annual Diocesan Convention of The Episcopal Church in South Carolina. More than 300 delegates and visitors heard addresses from the Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney in the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Right Reverend Dr. Robert Gillies, and their own Bishop, the Right Reverend Charles G. vonRosenberg. Both talks built on the convention theme, encouraging both lay and clergy to listen for God’s call to ministry. (Video and texts of both addresses can be found here.) Bishop Gillies reminded everyone of the words of 1 John 4:18: “Perfect love casts out fear.” He spoke of the gifts God gives to each individual to serve i n ministry in some way, whether ordained or lay. “God has a calling for everyone here today, and when that is accepted and lived, then we will indeed see his kingdom taking shape around us.” Bishop vonRosenberg said that people who are exercising their gifts in ministry in the diocese often tell him they have never worked as hard, or had as much fun. “As we live and serve as partners with Christ, we find a joy which is as wide as God’s mercy and as deep as God’s love,” he said. The gathering was the annual business meeting for the local diocese of The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion in eastern South Carolina. It was also a time of prayer and reflection, opening with a festive Choral Eucharist on Friday evening. Following the news of the attacks in Paris, the meeting reconvened Saturday for a service of Morning Prayer to offer prayers for the victims and for peace. As part of the diocesan commitment to outreach, the offering at the Friday night Eucharist, totaling $3,478, was designated for two flood relief efforts for South Carolina: the Black River United Way Flood Relief Fund, and Episcopal Relief & Development, the international relief and humanitarian organization of The Episcopal Church. The Convention also unanimously adopted two resolutions aimed at racial reconciliation. Resolution 1 calls for continued prayer for those affected by the deaths at Mother Emanuel AME in Charleston on June 17, and urges congregations in the diocese to follow Mother Emanuel’s example of love and forgiveness. Resolution 2 calls for a renewed commitment to racial justice and reconciliation, and directs the Diocesan Council to develop plans for training, community dialogue, internal examination, and the development of partnerships with other churches and institutions, reporting regularly to the Convention and diocesan leadership. 
New Presiding Bishop, new cathedral, new parish
On Saturday, the church building echoed with applause at the announcement that the new Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church, the Most Reverend Michael B. Curry, will be visiting the diocese April 8-10, 2016.  Bishop vonRosenberg was at Grace on Sunday, Nov. 15 for the announcement that Grace is designated as the Cathedral.
The Convention voted overwhelmingly to designate Grace Episcopal Church in Charleston as the cathedral of the diocese, to be known as “Grace Church Cathedral.” The change in Canon 17 affirms the current arrangement, in which Grace has been serving many of the functions of a cathedral since early 2013. Grace houses the offices of the Bishop and diocesan staff and serves as host for a variety of diocesan events. The word “cathedral” refers to the place where the bishop’s seat is located.
As the rector of Grace, Michael Wright becomes the Cathedral’s dean. He told delegates that the new cathedral looks forward to serving the diocese, and issued an invitation to Grace for the 226th Annual Convention in November 2016. See a photo album of Grace's first Sunday as a Cathedral here. 
Convention-goers also celebrated a milestone for St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Port Royal. After significant growth in membership and resources, this mission church serving the Beaufort area applied for recognition as a parish of the diocese. The Convention approved the change by acclamation, welcoming a parade of St. Mark’s members into the church Saturday with a standing ovation.
Business of the diocese Delegates also adopted a 2016 budget. In a budget hearing on Friday, delegates called for a larger pay increase for diocesan staff than initially proposed. As a result, when the Reverend Dr. Jim Taylor gave the Treasurer’s Report on Saturday it included a recommendation for a 5 percent increase, up from 2 percent. The raise was approved along with the entire spending plan, without debate. Delegates said it was meant as an immediate gesture of support for staff, all of whom are part-time employees. A personnel committee currently is reviewing staff pay and job descriptions as part of future planning for the diocese, and expects to make further recommendations in 2016. The Convention approved Resolution 5, adopting a new Diocesan Alcohol Policy. It reflects changes passed by the General Convention of The Episcopal Church last summer, and lays out the procedures churches must follow if they choose to allow alcohol to be served at events. Nine people were elected to diocesan leadership positions: Standing Committee – Timothy Armstrong of Calvary Episcopal Church in Charleston was elected as a lay member on the first ballot in a five-way race for two seats; Barbara Mann of Grace was elected in a runoff. The two clergy nominees for Standing Committee were elected: the Reverend Mark Brinkmann of All Saints, Hilton Head Island, and the Reverend Dr. James T. Yarsiah of St. Philip’s Chapel and Voorhees College in Denmark. Diocesan Council -- Hillery P. Douglas of St. Mark’s, Charleston, and Pam Guess of Christ Church, Denmark were elected to the lay seats. The Reverend Pam Fahrner of All Saints, Hilton Head Island, and the Reverend Caleb Lee of Grace, Charleston were elected to the clergy seats. Sewanee Trustee -- The Reverend Wil Keith of Holy Cross Faith Memorial Episcopal Church was elected as a clergy member of the Board of Trustees of the University of the South at Sewanee. Bishop vonRosenberg announced the appointment of deans for the four deaneries in the diocese. All four have been acting as conveners for deanery gatherings since 2013:
More Convention business The Reverend Caleb Lee of Grace Church, Charleston reported on Episcopal Campus Ministry. An active college ministry is ongoing at the College of Charleston, with weekly worship and pastoral contacts for local students. Both clergy and laypeople are working to build the campus ministries at The Citadel and the Medical University of South Carolina. The diocese is also coordinating with the Diocese of Upper South Carolina to share information and resources for students at colleges across South Carolina such as the University of South Carolina and Clemson. Fr. Lee reminded the Convention that receiving a call to ministry often happens to someone as a young person. “We need to be on the frontline of faith formation on campuses, and I think we are off to a good start,” he said. “But I think we need to aim high. Dream big.” The Reverend Alastair Votaw, Chaplain to the Retired Clergy, gave a report on the status of the dozens of priests and deacons who, though retired, are actively serving in most of the congregations as priests-in-charge, interims, supply clergy, and in other roles. Updates on diocesan institutions were delivered by Mary Jo Powers of Thompson Child and Family Focus (formerly York Place), and Danny Sanford of Still Hopes retirement community in Columbia. Written reports were received from other institutions of the diocese: Bishop Gadsden, Voorhees College, Porter-Gaud School, Kanuga, and the University of the South at Sewanee. 
Convention-goers also…
Connecting and learning with the wider church On the first day of Convention, more than 100 people attended five different Convention workshops, led by experts from around The Episcopal Church:
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In the news
Grace Church becomes a cathedral Charleston Post & Courier HCFM Pawleys Island hosts Episcopal Convention South Strand News Good News: Charleston gets a new cathedral Charleston Currents 
In the news:
Episcopalians gather for 225th Annual Convention Convention resources Journal of the 225th Convention Convention Agenda Committee Appointments 2016 Budget Nominations Report Constitution & Canons Report Resolutions: Resolution 1 Resolution 2 Resolution 3 Resolution 4 Resolution 5 Reports of Institutions List of Exhibitors Workshop descriptions Social Media information (Convention hashtag: #SC225) Convention Map of the Campus of Holy Cross Faith Memorial Journals of Previous Conventions Did you attend a Friday workshop? Here are some online resources offered by our presenters. The Rev. Jemonde Taylor Spiritual Gifts Workshop (PowerPoint) Kyle Oliver: AM workshop Digital Media & Christian Formation Models and resources for high- and low-tech churches Kyle Oliver: PM workshop Finding Your Niche, Telling Your Story The art of reaching out (from planning to execution) Prayers for Paris
Archdeacon Callie Walpole offered this prayer as the Convention gathered on Saturday, November 14 for Morning Prayer: O God of the universe, Creator of all: In the midst of destruction and violence, mayhem and death, be present with and sustain the suffering; let the whole world see and know that even in the face of indescribable tribulation, your grace and mercy strengthen us. Bring peace, O God, and healing, to the city of Paris, and to the whole world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 
The location for the
225th Annual Convention: Holy Cross Faith Memorial Episcopal Church, Pawley's Island |