The 230th Annual Diocesan Convention
of the Diocese of South Carolina

Election Results from the 230th Diocesan Convention

The first all-virtual online Diocesan Convention of the Diocese of South Carolina was held November 20-21, 2020. Delegates and visitors logged on from all around the diocese to hear annual updates, worship together, and vote to fill various diocesan leadership positions. 
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The following nominees were elected to serve the Diocese:
 
Standing Committee
Lay: Mary Dianish, Carrington Wingard
Clergy: The Rev. Rob Donehue, The Rev. Dr. Jennie Olbrych

The Standing Committee met immediately after convention and re-elected the Rev. Cn. Caleb Lee as its president, and elected Diane Wilson as secretary.
 
Diocesan Council
Lay: Josh Bullock, Earle Phillips
Clergy: The Rev. Fred Thompson and the Rev. Denise Trogdon (3-year terms); The Rev. Mike Szymanowski (2-year term)
 
Trustees of the Diocese
Lay: Bill Beak
Clergy: The Very Rev. Mark Brinkmann
 
Trustee, University of the South
Kirk Battle

​Both Business Sessions, as well as various reports and other videos from Convention are all available for viewing on the Diocesan YouTube page, under the 230th Diocesan Convention "playlist," at this link.

230th Diocesan Convention to be Online

​Did you know that Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will be joining us, virtually, for our 230th Diocesan Convention November 20-21, 2020? We are delighted that Bishop Curry will participate in a Zoom Conversation on Friday, November 20 at 3 pm (Click here to join on the webinar) along with the co-chairs of the new Diocesan Racial Justice and Reconciliation Commission (the Very Rev. Dr. Adam Shoemaker and Gail DeCosta) to discuss important issues facing our diocese (Learn more at this link). Bishop Curry will also preach during the virtual service of Holy Eucharist that evening. Convention components that include Presiding Bishop Michael Curry (including worship) will be open to all and streamed on the Diocesan YouTube page (at this link: bit.ly/DofSCYouTube) and do not require registration. 

Walking Humbly With Our God 
November 20-21, 2020

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The Annual Convention of the Diocese of South Carolina will be held on November 20-21, 2020. Our theme will be “Walking Humbly With Our God.”  Given the challenges surrounding the ongoing pandemic, this year’s Convention will be conducted virtually. 
 
We are delighted that the Most Reverend Michael Curry, the 27th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, will be joining us this year. Bishop Curry served as preacher at our Diocesan Convention in February 2014 when he was serving as the Bishop of North Carolina.   

While Diocesan Convention will look different this year, we have a marvelous opportunity to gather together in a creative fashion to do the work of our diocese.

Three Deanery Meetings are being held prior to Convention, and include all clergy, delegates, and alternates for the Convention.  These meetings are opportunities to discuss proposed resolutions and the 2021 budget, as well as introductions of nominees for diocesan offices.

This year, all pre-convention deanery meetings will also be held online. You are welcome to attend the one that is most convenient for you.
Saturday, September 26 at 11 am
Tuesday, October 6 at 6:30 pm
Sunday, October 11 at 2 pm 
 
Elections at Convention
The Convention will hold elections for the following positions: 
  • Standing Committee:  2 lay members and 2 clergy members, 3 year terms;                  
  • Diocesan Council: 2 lay members and 2 clergy members, 3 year terms; 1 clergy member, 2 year term
  • Diocesan Trustee: 1 lay member and 1 clergy member, 6 year terms
  • University of the South Board of Trustees: 1 lay member, 3 year term 

Nominations were due to the Secretary of Convention by Monday, September 14, 2020, in order to be included in pre-convention materials. Nominators must be members of the Convention (lay delegates or members of the clergy). A Notice of Elections and Nomination Form are located with other Call to Convention materials at the top of this page.

Resolutions
Members of the Diocese are invited to submit resolutions for consideration at the Convention. Please follow the format and guidelines described in the Notice of Submittal of Resolutions. All resolutions are to be received by the Secretary of Convention no later than Monday, September 14, 2020, in order to be included in pre-convention materials. 

Registration Procedures
Each Parish and Mission is asked to register online, and register all their lay and clergy delegates and alternates at the same time. Clergy who are not directly affiliated with a delegation and visitors may register individually. Registration will be available on the Diocesan website starting September 1.

Registration cost is $15 per lay/clergy delegate and $5 per visitor. Payment may be made online or sent to the Diocesan Office by mail. Convention components that include Presiding Bishop Michael Curry including worship will be open to all and streamed on YouTube and do not require registration.

Registration will be open for delegates from September 1 - October 15 and for all visitors from September 1 - November 15. 
Important Links
Convention Offering
Diocesan YouTube Page
Download Diocesan App
​Access Web App Directly
Details on the Conversation with the 
       Presiding Bishop on Friday
Online Registration
Ten Things to Know About Convention

Convention Documents
​Agenda
2021 Proposed Diocesan Budget 
Nominations Report (updated 11.3.20)
Convention Committee Appointments
Constitution & Canons Report 
Proposed Resolutions (updated 11.12.20)
Reports of Institutions of the Diocese
Journal of the 229th Diocesan Convention

Other Reports to Convention
(will be added as they become available)
A Word from Bishop Parsley
​Report from the Archdeacon
Report from the Chancellor
​Report from the Search Committee


Individual Forms:
Call to Convention
Notice of Elections
Nomination Form (online, pdf)
Resolution Submissions​

Visitors

Everyone is welcome to register as a visitor at our Convention! You do not have to be a member of one of our churches. If you'd like to join us online to hear our speakers, share in worship and fellowship, or just learn more about us, we welcome you. Register at the link above.

Download the New Diocesan App for Convention

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This year’s online convention gives us the opportunity to try some new things. One of the technologies that we will be using is a Diocesan app through the company Socio. All of the materials that would normally be in the convention packet, along with additional information, can all be accessed through this one virtual location. The App will contain the bulletins, reports, ways to interact with other attendees, and links to access the convention and voting.

The app can be downloaded to a phone or tablet or accessed through the “Webapp” which is a webpage connecting you to all the same features as the mobile app. The Webapp will also be the easiest way to connect during convention. We encourage you to download it now and check out the features so you can become comfortable with it. There will be more reports and information added as we get closer to convention.

Download the app here for Apple, Android or the webapp. Once downloaded, it will prompt you to setup an account. If you are registered for convention, it is important that you use the same email that you used to register in ACS. If you have any questions, please reach out to Andrea McKellar via email amckellar@episcopalchurchsc.org.

Important Dates to Remember

October 15:   Last day for delegate registration

November 5:   New Delegate Orientation at 7 pm

November 9:   Meet the Nominees at 7 pm

November 10:  Resolution Committee at 6 pm
  Constitution & Canons Committee at 7 pm

November 12:  Technology Help Session with Diocesan Staff at 10 am Finance Committee at 7 pm

November 15:   Last day for visitor registration

November 16:  Technology Help Session with Diocesan Staff at 3 pm

All meetings held on Zoom - Links provided by email to all registered delegates and visitors