Today, Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley writes to the diocese with concern for those who lead our congregations through this prolonged pandemic, and encourages clergy and lay church leaders to take a week of respite between now and Pentecost. The Bishop writes to the diocese to help support this important initiative. 

Read the text of her letter below, or read the full letter at this link.
 
January 27, 2022
 
Dear Diocesan Family,

During my folding chair conversations this past fall and winter, I became keenly aware of the toll the pandemic has taken on our clergy and church workers. Already, leaders in our congregations have labored under circumstances that have contributed to exhaustion and burnout in the long season of uncertainty since the schism. The added challenges that COVID-19 has presented have only added to the burden. In a vocation that relies heavily on face-to-face interactions to carry out pastoral, liturgical, and leadership responsibilities, these leaders have faced a long season of carrying out duties in ways for which they were not prepared—ways that often do not allow them to rely on their natural strengths and gifts. Data reflects many clergy across the country are taking early retirement, and clergy are often silent about their fatigue and depression. Our clergy and church workers have been stoic and practical, taking these realities in stride and leading with creative new approaches, despite how this added time and effort has affected them and their families. 

I am concerned not only for our clergy and lay leaders but for all our members who have labored under these conditions. I realize present conditions impact all parishioners in far-reaching ways. And, pastoral care for clergy and lay leaders is among the special responsibilities I am privileged to have as your bishop. With that in mind, I am asking our diocesan family to come together to support our clergy—both priests and deacons—and lay church workers to offer them a week of respite. I am inspired by the recent decision of The Rt. Rev. Chilton Knudsen in The Diocese of Chicago. Following her lead, I am asking that we embrace a week of “mini-sabbatical” for our clergy and lay church workers. I believe such an action reflects the collective care we have for our clergy and lay employees and will offer time to combat exhaustion and prevent burnout. 

I am asking that each congregation work with your clergy and/or lay church workers to choose a week between now and Pentecost when meetings, office hours, and non-essential activities are deferred or cancelled and when clergy and lay church workers are also away for a Sunday from worship. I am also asking available retired clergy to consider helping out by offering your services for the Sunday the active clergy will be away. I encourage each congregation to consider either offering the Daily Office with special prayers of gratitude for these leaders on that Sunday or, where feasible, to invite a local retired clergy person to cover for the Sunday. If you are a lay led congregation already offering the Daily Office on many Sundays, I ask you to invite your usual worship leader to take this time away and have another member of the congregation offer the Daily Office on the appointed Sunday.

I hold with deepest, prayerful concern the health and well being of our clergy and lay church workers and pray that this initiative will be one helpful piece in our collective care for them.

Christ’s Blessings,
 
The Rt. Rev. Ruth Woodliff-Stanley
Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina

Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has shared an update to COVID-19 guidance for our diocese. Read text of the letter below, or view the letter at this link.

January 20, 2022

Dear faithful people of the Diocese of South Carolina,

As we approach the end of our second year living through this COVID-19 pandemic, the overwhelming surge of the highly contagious Omicron variant has caused an alarming rate of transmission in communities throughout South Carolina and the nation. Just as we were beginning to return to something closer to normal toward the end of last year, we now find ourselves returning to the protocols that help slow the spread, including strict masking, social distancing, and re-evaluating the necessity of in-person events. As we continue to live with this reality, I am mindful that we are all weary of restrictions in our daily lives, yet these precautions are a vitally important means by which we love one another.

The protocols I shared with you in December remain in place. Should a congregation choose to worship virtually while the current spike in cases continues, know that you have my full support in making that decision. For congregations that continue to worship in person, I want to emphasize that I have a firm expectation that all of those attending worship and in-person events be vaccinated and masked when indoors. I also strongly encourage you to hold virtual meetings and events in lieu of in-person events whenever possible. I, along with the Standing Committee, remain in regular contact with our medical advisors, keeping the safety and health of all as our first priority. While we hope that we will soon see a leveling and decline of the rate of transmission, we are not there yet. We must remain vigilant and cautious to keep people safe.

For specific information about your county, please see this link. Keep in mind that the CDC initially recommended indoor gatherings only when the positive test rate fell below five percent. Over the past week, the positive test rate for the state has been more than 30 percent.

I remain grateful for your prayers and patience, and especially for your care for others, as God calls us to do. We will get through this pandemic together.

Faithfully yours,

​+Ruth

The Rt. Rev. Ruth Woodliff-Stanley
Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina

As we prepare to honor the historic contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 17, the Rt. Rev. Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has shared the following message with the diocese:

Greetings Diocesan Family,
 
As we remember the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and countless other civil rights leaders who risked and, in many cases, gave their lives to create a world where we can all live together in true peace and harmony with one another, I invite us to consider what our work will be in this new year to continue building God’s peaceable kingdom here in South Carolina.

"True peace,” as Dr. King once said, “is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.” In the weeks ahead, we will talk more about how we can take next steps together in the critically important work of racial justice. Our Presiding Bishop will address the nation on Monday at the King Center in Atlanta. I share the link here for you to listen.
 
With gratitude for your leadership and work in justice and with hope for our future,
​
+Ruth

Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has appointed Cecilia Eaton as Executive Assistant to the Bishop and Diocesan Administrator effective Tuesday, February 1, 2022.
 
“Cecilia brings a wealth of experience to this position and an eagerness to continue her service in The Episcopal Church,” said Bishop Woodliff-Stanley. “I am delighted she will be joining us and invite you to join me in welcoming her in February.”
 
Cecilia will be responsible for managing the bishop's calendar and travel, and will coordinate with staff to plan and execute diocesan meetings and gatherings including Clergy Conference and Annual Diocesan Convention. Additionally, she will be responsible for Safeguarding Training, maintaining clergy records, and clergy and lay licensing, and will serve as the staff liaison to the Diocesan Council, Commission on Ministry, and the Standing Committee. As diocesan administrator, she will be the diocesan liaison with the Church Pension Group on all pension matters, property insurance, employee benefits and records, as well as records/reports compliance with The Episcopal Church and CPG.

A resident of Charleston since 1997, Cecilia has worked in banking/finance, investment/retirement planning, and office management, with more than 25 years of experience as an executive assistant. Since 2012, Cecilia has been the Executive Assistant to the President/CEO at Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Retirement Community.

Cecilia succeeds Lauren Kinard, who served in this role since 2013 and ended her employment on December 10. Lauren will continue to provide limited consultation and support for Cecilia as needed during the transition. Katherine Smith, who has been handling some of the duties of this role since the first of the year on an interim basis, will also provide assistance as Cecilia becomes familiar with her new position.
 
Cecilia lives in West Ashley with her husband, Greg, and daughter, Madison. 

Katherine Smith continues on an interim basis until Cecilia begins. If you need assistance from the Diocesan Office or need to schedule time with the bishop, please call Katherine in the office at 843.259.2016 or email her at [email protected]. ​