Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley shares a word about the remarkable life of Chancellor Emeritus Thomas S. Tisdale, Jr. who died on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.


January 30, 2025
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Dear Beloved People in the Diocese of South Carolina,

Thomas Sumter Tisdale, Jr., beloved child of God and Chancellor Emeritus of the Diocese of South Carolina, has gone home to be with our Lord. As the son of the Rev. Cn. Thomas Sumter Tisdale, an Episcopal priest who served for 50 years in the Diocese of South Carolina, Chancellor Tisdale’s roots run deep in this state and diocese. 

Tom’s family has been a part of this diocese and The Episcopal Church for generations. He demonstrated tremendous love and loyalty to the Church and to the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina throughout his lifetime. He was a devoted member of Grace Church Cathedral in Charleston.

An accomplished lawyer, Tom shared his time and his immense talents in the name of service to the Diocese of South Carolina for decades. He served as chancellor from 1970-1985 during the episcopates of Bishop Temple and Bishop Allison, before returning to this role after the schism in 2012 to serve under our provisional bishops, Bishop von Rosenberg and Bishop Adams, and through my early tenure as your bishop. In total, Tom served under five bishops of the Diocese of South Carolina. In November 2022 at the 232nd Convention of The Diocese of South Carolina, it was my distinct honor to present Chancellor Tisdale with the Bishop’s Cross in recognition of his devotion to our diocese, and most notably his tireless efforts to ensure The Episcopal Church would continue to be present in South Carolina for generations to come. 

Tom served as a delegate to multiple General Conventions of The Episcopal Church over the years, beginning in 1972, and most recently in 2015. He also served on The Executive Council of The Episcopal Church and as Chair of the Committee on Program, Budget, and Finance. Additionally, he served on the Board of Trustees at various institutions of our diocese, including Porter-Gaud School, Voorhees College (now University), and his alma mater, Sewanee: The University of the South.

In addition to his legal talents, Tom was a gifted writer and publisher. He authored numerous books about the Lowcountry over his lifetime. In 2013, he wrote the play “Truth in Cold Blood,” which told the remarkable story of the eighth bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina, Bishop William Alexander Guerry, who was shot in his own office by a priest who opposed the bishop’s efforts to advance racial equality. As described on his publishing site, the play attempted to “restore the memory of this tragedy to a place where it can, as all history strives to do, lead people to a better understanding of how to face the future while, at the same time, confronting the past and present.” In 2014, the play was brought to the stage at the historic Dock Street Theater here in Charleston.
 
Like Bishop Guerry, Chancellor Tisdale was also drawn to the cause of racial equality, working as a tireless advocate throughout his lifetime for those who faced discrimination and injustice. During my tenure in South Carolina, people have shared stories with me about countless times Tom provided legal or financial assistance when he saw there was a need, often when he saw a racial injustice that he wanted to make right. In many of these instances, he offered his time and talents without expecting anything in return other than seeing justice prevail and humanity restored. He was a good man and a faithful servant of our God.

His legacy in guiding this diocese through perilous waters is unparalleled. A loving husband, father, friend, and churchman, Tom will be missed dearly by us all. Our hearts are with his beloved wife, Nina, and their family members, including children and grandchildren, as they grieve such a tremendous loss and celebrate a life well lived.

Faithfully yours,

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

As we begin a new year, Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley encourages congregational leadership to engage in mutual ministry reviews. To this end, the bishop and her staff have been implementing this process as well. With the help of the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, Bishop Ruth has been the first to undergo this important review. Rev. Jennings spent time talking with each member of the bishop's staff individually, as well as the Standing Committee, Diocesan Council and Trustees, to assess the areas of strength, as well as those needing attention or fine tuning within the bishop’s ministry and office. Bishop Ruth plans to conduct the next phase, implementing a mutual ministry review with each staff member. 

Every congregation in our diocese is expected to engage in the healthy process of ministry review on an annual basis. This expectation is ‘built in’ every Letter of Agreement (LOA) between the congregation and priest.  At a minimum, every three years this review should be with a trained consultant from outside the congregation.
 
What is Mutual Ministry Review, and why should our parish do it? Mutual Ministry Review is a way for every parish to ask, “How are we doing?”  It is a time to celebrate what has been done well and to understand what might be done better.  As Christian people we must always ask:  "What is God calling us to do and to accomplish here in this place?"  And then, "How can we best practice this ministry?"
 
Mutual Ministry Review is meant to help the entire leadership team better accomplish God’s mission.  What is being reviewed is the ministry of laity and clergy working together in the daily life of the community for the glory of God.
 
Mutual Ministry Review is intended to nurture environments where responsibilities are discussed and reviewed regularly and comfortably.  As a result, communities and individuals will understand what is expected of them. Roles will be clarified, and time and energy centered on what is important for the building up of the Body of Christ. Participants are encouraged to remember that the intent of the Mutual Ministry Review is to improve effective ministry. The emphasis is on celebrating the successes and resolving the challenges.  
 
Guidelines for Mutual Ministry Review are available from the Canon to the Ordinary, the Rev. Cn. Philip Linder.
 
What assistance is provided by the Bishop’s Office?
 
Bishop Ruth has asked the Rev. William Coyne ([email protected]) to be available to facilitate the MMR process in each congregation.  Other facilitators are being sought as well, and a congregation may choose to use other experienced facilitators from ‘outside’ the congregation’s ‘system’. Each congregation is expected to cover the cost and should be included in the annual budget.  Diocesan assistance will be made available if needed.