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Clergy News: The Rev. Dow Sanderson Named West Charleston Dean

2/16/2022

The Very Reverend Dow Sanderson - West Charleston Deanery

With the recent retirement of the Rev. Chris Huff as rector at St. George's Episcopal Church in Summerville, Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has asked the Rev. Dow Sanderson, priest-in-charge at Good Shepherd, Summerville, to serve as Dean of the West Charleston Deanery (a role previously held by Fr. Chris).

In sharing the news with the deans, Bishop Ruth offered thanks for the "steady, pastoral, wise leadership" of Fr. Chris and expressed joy and thankfulness that Fr. Dow has agreed to take on this added responsibility. Many thanks to the Very Rev. Dow Sanderson!

New Dates for Happening #4

2/9/2022

Diocesan youth (grades 9-12) are invited to attend Happening #4 on April 8-10 at St. Christopher Camp & Conference Center on Seabrook Island. What is Happening? It's a spiritual weekend for youth, led by youth, that are commonly held in Episcopal dioceses throughout the country.

As we continue to live through this pandemic, with the health and safety of all leaders and attendees in mind, the Bishop recently shared COVID-19 protocols for youth events in the diocese. View at this link.

The cost for the weekend is $125 per person, and scholarships are available. For more information on this or anything else about Happening, contact Diocesan Ministry Developer Andrea McKellar at [email protected]. Register by Monday, March 21, at this link.

Bishop Gadsden to Formally Recognize New Chaplain

2/3/2022

The Reverend Charles Jenkins, Chaplain at Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Retirement Community

On Sunday, February 13, at 4 pm, the Rt. Rev. Ruth Woodliff-Stanley will officiate and preach at the institution of the Rev. Charles Jenkins as Director of Pastoral Care and Chaplain at Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Retirement Community in a service of Choral Evensong and The Celebration of a New Ministry on the (transferred) Feast of the Presentation. The service will be held in the Chapel at Bishop Gadsden. Special guest choir will be from The Church of the Holy Communion in Charleston. All are welcome to attend and a reception will follow the service. Bishop Gadsden asks that you please wear a mask if you plan on attending the service.

Sign Up For Sacred Ground Preview Informational Session

2/2/2022

Have you heard about the Sacred Ground series offered by The Episcopal Church? Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has shared a message inviting your participation in this worthwhile program (Click here or the image to the right to view the video).

Learn more about Sacred Ground on The Episcopal Church website at this link.

There will be preview informational sessions offered on Zoom in February. Find out more below.

When is Sacred Ground coming to South Carolina?

Our Diocesan Racial Justice & Reconciliation Commission will be offering the Sacred Ground program via Zoom, on Mondays at 6 pm, starting March 7. There will be 10 sessions that take place every other week.

Who can attend?

The short answer – anyone! Clergy or lay, Episcopalian or not, anyone interested in honest discussions about race.

Ready to participate? Want to learn more first?

Sign up for ONE of the three Informational Sessions that will be offered by the Diocesan Racial Justice & Reconciliation Commission in February. Each session will last one hour and will be offered on Zoom on the following dates:
- Wednesday, February 16 at 6 pm
- Sunday, February 20 at 3 pm
- Thursday, February 24 at 1:30 pm
To register, please select which one of the three above sessions you would like to attend and email your choice to Tater Beak at [email protected].

First Meeting of the Children & Youth Commission

2/2/2022

The newly-formed Children and Youth Commission held their first meeting via Zoom on Wednesday, February 2. During Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley's address at Diocesan Convention, she shared her vision for this committee and it's importance in the diocese. She appointed the Rev. Laura Rezac (St. Stephen's, Charleston) and George H. McDaniel (Good Shepherd, Summerville) as co-chairs of the commission. Other members include Nick Kohlmann (Grace Church Cathedral, Charleston), Josh Bullock (Holy Cross Faith Memorial, Pawleys Island), Jesse McIlwre (All Saints, Hilton Head Island), and Andrea McKellar (Diocesan staff liaison). There is an additional member, yet to be named, that is reserved for the Voorhees College chaplain.

The commission met to get to know each other, set a vision, and brainstorm for the future of programming. Their next meeting will be held on March 9.

The Rev. Robert Spencer, 1939-2022

2/2/2022

The Rev. Robert (Bob) Spencer passed away on January 25, 2022 in Boise, Idaho. The Rev. Spencer was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Gray Temple in 1972. He served in the Diocese of South Carolina as an Associate Priest at Church of the Holy Comforter, Sumter, as well as many roles in the Diocese of Upper South Carolina. He most recently served in the Diocese of Wyoming and the Diocese of Idaho. Read his obituary at this link.

Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord; let light perpetual shine upon him. Amen

Clergy News: St. Thomas, North Charleston & Grace Church Cathedral, Charleston

2/2/2022

St. Thomas Episcopal Church in North Charleston has called the Rev. Dr. Matthew McCormick to serve as Interim Rector beginning February 1. Dr. McCormick has been serving as long-term supply since the Rev. Dr. Jim Taylor was called to a parish in Florida in November. He and his family live in Charleston. Dr. McCormick is active in Diocesan Youth Ministry serving as Spiritual Advisor to Happening. He previously served at Calvary Episcopal Church in Charleston.

The Very Rev. Michael Wright announced on Sunday, January 30, that Grace Church Cathedral, Charleston, has offered a call to the Rev. Robertson (Rob) Donehue to serve as Canon Precentor. Rev. Donehue has been serving St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, Conway since graduating from the University of the South in 2016.

St. Anne’s has experienced incredible growth in mission and ministry under his rectorship. Rev. Donehue has also served the diocese as a member of Diocesan Council and now on Standing Committee, currently serving as president. He will be moving to Charleston with his family to begin in the new role on April 1.

Racial Justice Commission Tours Diocese With the Bishop

2/1/2022

Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley and the Racial Justice and Reconciliation Commission traveled to Sumter and Wedgefield on Saturday, January 29, for their regular meeting (held at Patriot Hall in Sumter) and to tour and learn about the history of Good Shepherd, Sumter, and St. Augustine’s, Wedgefield, two of the historically African-American parishes in our diocese. It was also an opportunity to see art exhibits currently on display at Good Shepherd, Sumter, and in the gallery at Patriot Hall featuring the works of South Carolina artist Susan Lenz.

Of the visits Commission Co-Chair Gail DeCosta remarked, "It was clear from both of these visits, that although their congregations are small in number, their churches are sacred spaces, filled with the spirit and dedicated parishioners."

View more pictures from the event on the diocesan Facebook page at this link.

Vestry/Mission Council 101 Begins February 12

2/1/2022

Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley recently announced a new leadership development initiative in each deanery for early 2022 (Watch her recent video announcement at this link or by clicking the image to the left) called Vestry/Mission Council 101. Each deanery will host their own event, and each is open to all clergy, newly elected (& returning) wardens, and vestries/mission councils.

Bishop Ruth outlined at Diocesan Convention in November her focus on creating a culture where we all feel stable and safe, connected to one another, and are able to be courageous and visionary together. To help foster this culture, the Bishop is working to gather and offer resources to equip and further develop our lay leaders and clergy. Vestry/Mission Council 101 is the first such initiative, designed to provide an opportunity for vestry and mission council members to gather together and be equipped for the work ahead, while building connections with one another.

The bishop asked the Rev. William Coyne to be the facilitator for this program, and he has prepared the sessions. Fr. Bill has served as a diocesan congregational development officer and in our diocese as Missioner for Returning Congregations.

The first event, hosted by the Southern Deanery, will be offered virtually on Zoom due to the continued and sustained rate of COVID transmission in their local area and the state. Zoom information will be sent to all who register for this event, and the event (on February 12) is open to anyone in the Southern Deanery, and also anyone who is interested in the training, but would prefer to attend virtually.

Each deanery is scheduled to host their own event on the following dates:
Southern Deanery - NOW VIRTUAL THROUGH ZOOM
Saturday, February 12, 2022, 9 am to 12 pm

West Charleston Deanery
Saturday, February 19, 2022, 9 am to 12 pm
St. George's Episcopal Church, Summerville

Pee Dee – Waccamaw Deanery
Saturday, February 26, 2022, 9 am to 12 pm
Holy Cross Faith Memorial Episcopal Church, Pawleys Island

Peninsula Deanery
Saturday, March 5, 2022, 9 am to 12 pm
Holy Communion Episcopal Church, Charleston

Points of contact at each congregation have been sent information about how to register as a team. Not sure of your deanery? Learn more on our website at this link.

Clergy News: The Rev. Dow Sanderson Named West Charleston Dean

New Dates for Happening #4

Bishop Gadsden to Formally Recognize New Chaplain

Sign Up For Sacred Ground Preview Informational Session

First Meeting of the Children & Youth Commission

The Rev. Robert Spencer, 1939-2022

Clergy News: St. Thomas, North Charleston & Grace Church Cathedral, Charleston

Racial Justice Commission Tours Diocese With the Bishop

Vestry/Mission Council 101 Begins February 12

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