A Word From the Archdeacon: Returning to Grace

The Venerable Callie Walpole, who has served as archdeacon of the Diocese of South Carolina since January 2013, has written a letter to the diocese regarding her plans to conclude this service and return to Grace Church Cathedral to serve in a full-time capacity as vicar and subdean. Of the transition she noted, "I am looking forward to this opportunity." Read her full letter to the diocese at this link.

The text of the letter is as follows:

​“In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”

Dear Friends,

​It is my pleasure to let you know that beginning in August, I shall be returning to Grace Church Cathedral to serve in a full-time capacity as vicar and subdean and will conclude my service as archdeacon of the Diocese of South Carolina.

I am looking forward to this opportunity. The last time I served full-time at Grace was way back in the year 2011! I invite you to take a brief backward glance with me:

Later that year, and into 2012, an earthquake had driven Grace out of the building for fourteen months; Michael Wright and I were the only two full-time clergy; the winds of diocesan secession were fiercely blowing, and a diocesan division was imminent. Additionally, St. Mark’s Church on Thomas Street found itself without a rector. We and the wardens of St. Mark’s recognized their precarious position, so in addition to duties at Grace, I began serving there as priest-in-charge. St. Mark’s was founded on Easter Day 1865. In the 1870s when the parish petitioned the diocesan convention for membership, such an uproar ensued that numerous parishes seceded over the prospect of full membership for African Americans. The diocese entered a lengthy period of rancorous division.

With division again on the horizon, it was simply too important to risk acquisition of St. Mark’s by a seceding group. “History,” as Mark Twain is reputed to have said, “doesn’t repeat itself, but it does rhyme”—which is why we look back on occasion, to re-member.

In the fall of 2012, Grace returned to her building after a massive restoration effort. Three weeks later, the Diocese of South Carolina was rent by schism. One of the primary aspects of my priestly ministry during these years has been—and continues to be—one of quiet presence among the disaffected and displaced. The suffering of the faithful in scattered corners is not shouted from the rooftops, but it is real and it is deep.

For the last eight and a half years it has been my honor and privilege to serve the people of South Carolina as archdeacon. I am delighted we will be welcoming Ruth Woodliff-Stanley as our bishop who will bring many gifts to our common life together. I am grateful to Grace Church Cathedral for sharing me with the wider diocese for so long—and for being the strength and stay for us all. Once upon a time in Scotland, Queen Margaret, later known as Saint Margaret, believed very strongly in the adage that strength begets strength. She saw to it that her surroundings be only the finest and that her home be open to all to enjoy. If the center were strong, she reckoned, then Scotland would be strong; the people would be strong. Grace Church Cathedral continues to play such a servant role of strength and sacrifice.

Can’t wait to continue the journey!

O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and
rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be
our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray,
to your presence, where we may be still and know that you
are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Yours faithfully,
Callie

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