231st Diocesan Convention, Second Business Session Recap

The recap from the First Business Session is available at this link.

The Rt. Rev. Ruth Woodliff-Stanley called the 231st Diocesan Convention back to order at 9 am on Saturday, November 13 at Holy Cross Faith Memorial Episcopal Church on Pawleys Island. Dan Ennis of St. Anne's Episcopal Church in Conway, led the service of Morning Prayer before the Convention began the day's business.

Mr. Wayne Helmly, chair of the Lay Credentials Committee, offered a second report of his committee to begin the session, reporting that there were 31 clergy and 63 lay delegates present. New clergy and seminarians were recognized before the Bishop offered remarks for the morning, laying out much of her vision for the future of the diocese, previewing the remainder of the Convention, and outlining some first steps we will look to take together as a diocese. View her message at this link.

There were several significant announcements in her message. She announced the reformulation of the Strategic Transition Team, plans to restructure and expand the scope of the work of the Commission on Ministry, and the formation of a Children and Youth Commission, appointing the Rev. Laura Rezac (St. Stephen's, Charleston) and Mr. George McDaniel (Good Shepherd, Summerville) as co-chairs. At the end of her remarks, Bp. Woodliff-Stanley announced that the Rev. Dr. Philip Linder has accepted the call to serve in the capacity of Canon to the Ordinary, a part-time position on diocesan staff. This position will support the diocese's work in healthy governance, leadership and development, and pastoral connections.

View the slides from her Powerpoint about the four strategic areas of focus below:

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After her remarks, Bishop Woodliff-Stanley invited the Rev. Denise Trogdon, to address the Convention about the new formation of the Strategic Transition Task Force, a reformulation of the previous Transition Planning Group, which Rev. Trogdon will chair. Watch Rev. Trogdon's remarks on YouTube at this link. The Rev. Trogdon noted it is incumbent on this group "to formulate and implement plans to move forward for the well being of the diocese, whatever the outcome of the court case." She noted that a pastoral component has been added for plans moving forward, and the membership of the group now involves broader participation, involving representatives all deaneries of the diocese. She announced the membership as follows: Mr. Lenny Blevins, Mr. Thad Daise, Mr. Charles Jordan, the Rev. Michael Shaffer, Ms. Sarah Tipton, the Rev. Denise Trogdon, and Ms. Carrington Wingard, as well as the bishop, the chancellor (Mr. Tom Tisdale), and the president of the Standing Committee, the Rev. Rob Donehue. 

After this report, Ms. Deb Harris, chair of the Nominating Committee offered her report and read the filing of nominations, leading into the first vote to fill all open positions. After voting and a short break, The Rev. Dr. James Taylor presented the financial report of the Treasurer and Finance Committee, before Mr. Josh Bullock presented and moved the 2022 Diocesan Budget as a member of Diocesan Council.

After the motion carried, Bishop Woodliff-Stanley noted she would like to make a special recognition, and she surprised the Rev. Dr. Jim Taylor with the presentation of her inaugural "Bishop's Cross" to recognize his years of volunteer service as Treasurer for the diocese. Watch this presentation on our Diocesan YouTube page at this link.

After making this well-deserved recognition, the Convention returned to business with the first report of the Elections Committee. The Very Rev. Wil Keith noted there would need to be a second ballot for two of the positions, and ballots were issued and completed electronically again.

Next, Dan Ennis, Chair of the Resolutions Committee, offered his first report, noting there were no new resolutions filed this year, but the Convention was tasked with a second reading of a resolution first proposed last year, a change to the Constitution (which must be proposed at two consecutive conventions, requiring a 2/3rds vote by both orders at the second). The resolution proposed a change in the Constitution, allowing all confirmed individuals ages 16 and 17 to be eligible to be elected as delegates and alternates to Diocesan Convention.

After receiving the required votes, Bishop Woodliff-Stanley noted the importance of this vote. "This is a resolution that signals the desire for the inclusion of our youth to be a strong priority of this diocese...This resolution will help us prepare a new generation of leaders to guide the church."

This vote was followed by a report from the Constitutions and Canons Committee, and then Mr. Tommy Bultman came to the podium to announce the results of the election. View these results on our News Blog at this link.

Following a a report from the New Parishes and Missions Committee, Mr. Bill Thornsby and Ms. Shawan Gillians, senior wardens at St. Francis, Charleston, and St. Mark's, Charleston, respectively, were asked to share with the Convention plans for a creative partnership between the two churches. Watch this presentation at this link. 

After a break, the Very Rev. Dr. Adam Shoemaker and Ms. Gail DeCosta, co-chairs of the Diocesan Commission on Racial Justice and Reconciliation, offered a report from their group, outlining immediate plans for the future. Watch this report at this link. 

Next, the Chancellor, Tom Tisdale, offered his report, and then The Rev. Rob Donehue, shared a creative, rhyming report from the Standing Committee. These were followed by a report on the Commission on Ministry from the Rev. Dow Sanderson (previous chair) and the Rev. Courtney Davis-Shoemaker (chair). Watch their report at this link. In addition to offering the report, thanks were offered for those who have served on the COM, as well as thanks for the deacons of the diocese. 

The Rev. Bill Watson (The Episcopal Church on Okatie) offered the Necrology Report for the Convention, remembering those who died in the past year, but whose service to the diocese will always be remembered. It can be viewed at this link.

Courtesy Resolutions were then offered by Mr. Dan Ennis and the Rev. Laura Rezac of the Resolutions Committee. These resolutions recognized the following: the Rev. Dr. James Taylor, the Rev. Caleb J. Lee, the Rev. Cn. Callie Walpole, the Pee-Dee Deanery for hosting the 231st Diocesan Convention, Diocesan Staff, the Diocesan Bishop Search Committee and its chair, the Rev. Dr. Philip Linder, the Rev. Dr. Philip C. Linder as chair of the Bishop Search Committee, Ms. Pat Neumann and Mr. Rick Stall for their roles as co-chairs of the Bishop Search Transition Committee, Kathleen Monoc for her service as vice-chancellor, and the Rev. Dow Sanderson for his service to the diocese and the Commission on Ministry. These presentations can be watched beginning at this link to Diocesan Convention.

As the final event of the 231st Diocesan Convention, a Sending Eucharist was offered for attendees both in person and online. It can be viewed at this link. The text of the bishop's sermon can be viewed at this link.