Blog Archives

March 29: Online Worship Services for the Fifth Sunday in Lent

3/31/2020

On Sunday, March 29, churches throughout our diocese continued to offer an online service of worship for the Fifth Sunday in Lent. Find the links to the services below:

All Saints Episcopal Church, Hilton Head Island
- Find the Sunday bulletin at this link.
Church of the Good Shepherd, Summerville
The Church of the Holy Communion, Charleston
Church of the Messiah, Myrtle Beach
- View the bulletin at this link.
The Episcopal Church on Edisto, Edisto Island
Grace Church Cathedral, Charleston
- View the bulletin at this link.
Holy Cross Faith Memorial, Pawleys Island
- You can find the bulletin for the service at this link.
St. Anne's Episcopal Church, Conway
- The bulletin is found here.
St. Catherine's Episcopal Church, Florence
St. Francis Episcopal Church, Charleston
St. George's Episcopal Church, Summerville
St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Charleston
St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Port Royal
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Charleston
- Find the bulletin at this link.

Throughout the week, many of the churches are offering online services, meditations, prayers, and more. Find a link to these offerings on our COVID-19 website at this link.

Public Worship Services Suspended Through April

3/24/2020

As the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic continues to evolve, the Rev. Cn. Caleb Lee, President of the Standing Committee of The Diocese of South Carolina, has written an update to the suspension of public worship services in our diocese. A copy of his letter can be viewed here.

The text of the letter is below:

March 24, 2020

Dear Faithful People of the Diocese of South Carolina,

The suspension of all public worship services, meetings, and gatherings in the Diocese of South Carolina has been extended to April 30, 2020. We deeply regret that this suspension extends into and beyond Holy Week and Easter celebrations. However, we are confident that our congregations and worship communities will rise to the challenges and opportunities that come with this unprecedented time.

In addition to the extended suspension of all public worship services, meetings, and gatherings, all Deanery Confirmations with Bishop Parsley and the annual Clergy Conference have been postponed.

The appropriate pastoral response will need to be considered when the need arises for clergy to offer sacramental and pastoral rites. In all cases, consideration and respect should be given to what has been requested by local, state, and federal authorities and the Centers for Disease Control.

We continue to encourage the people of the diocese to use the resources on our COVID-19 Response webpage.

The clergy of the diocese gathered via Zoom on Monday, March 23, to pray together and check in with each other. There was fruitful and holy conversation shared amongst us. It is clear to me that with God’s abiding love and the leadership of our faithful clergy, the diocese is in good hands.

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen.

Faithfully yours,

The Reverend Canon Caleb J. Lee
President of the Standing Committee

Online Worship Services Offered Throughout the Diocese

3/24/2020

After the recent suspension of public worship services through the end of March to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, churches throughout the diocese continued to offer worship opportunities online.

On Sunday, March 22, nearly half of the churches in the Diocese offered an online service. Please find the links to the services below:

All Saints Episcopal Church, Hilton Head Island
- Find the Sunday bulletin at this link.
Church of the Good Shepherd, Summerville
The Episcopal Church in Okatie, Ridgeland
The Episcopal Church on Edisto, Edisto Island
Grace Church Cathedral, Charleston
Holy Cross Faith Memorial, Pawleys Island
- You can find the bulletin for the service at this link.
St. Anne's Episcopal Church, Conway
- St. Anne's joined with Church of the Messiah, Myrtle Beach, for this service. It was offered online through both an interactive Zoom conference and also Facebook Live. Watch the service as it appeared on Facebook through the link above. The bulletin is found here.
St. Catherine's Episcopal Church, Florence
St. Francis Episcopal Church, Charleston
St. George's Episcopal Church, Summerville
- The service is in two videos. The first is in the link of the church. The second video is here.
St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Charleston
St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Port Royal
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Charleston
- Find the bulletin at this link.

Throughout the week, many of the churches are offering online services, meditations, prayers, and more. Find a link to these offerings on our COVID-19 website at this link.

Public Worship Services Suspended Through March

3/16/2020

As the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic continues to grow, and the government asks the public to limit gatherings of groups of people throughout the country, the Rev. Cn. Caleb Lee, President of the Standing Committee of The Diocese of South Carolina, provides an update on how the Diocese will respond to this ever-changing situation. A copy of his letter can be viewed here.

The text of the letter is below:
March 16, 2020

Dear Faithful People of the Diocese of South Carolina,

On behalf of the Standing Committee of the Diocese of South Carolina, I write to address what has come to be an inevitable decision regarding COVID-19. In consideration of the most vulnerable among us and under the newest recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control, it is our judgment that all public worship services in the Diocese of South Carolina should be suspended until the end of the month of March. In addition to public worship services, we are requesting that all in-person parish meetings and gatherings in the Diocese of South Carolina also be suspended until the end of the month of March. We will be providing regular updates as the situation unfolds.

Your Standing Committee has made this decision in consultation with Archdeacon Callie Walpole, Bishop Henry Parsley, and various clergy and lay leaders in our congregations.

We must remember that our collective efforts are to minimize risk, love our neighbor, and continue to be the church. People need the church in times like these, but this is not the same thing as a hurricane. We are in a public health crisis. We continue to discourage all at-risk populations and anyone experiencing respiratory illness (or exhibiting any symptoms of respiratory illness) from leaving home.

During this time, flexible work hours should be given to all church employees remembering that no one is required to be physically present at work during this time, nor should anyone feel pressured into serving in a volunteer capacity.

The situation is changing before our very eyes, but we, the Body of Christ, remain open.

The suspension of public worship will create many challenges, but also opportunities for innovation in liturgy, pastoral care, and evangelism. Many of our congregations are in the process of planning or have already begun online worship, formation, and meetings. Pastoral strategies will need to be developed in each congregation and worshipping community to reach out to members during this time. On top of that, it is important to think about how each of us, in our own context, can serve the most vulnerable in our communities who are outside of our official membership.

A page has been added to the diocesan website dedicated to our response to the COVID-19 outbreak and to online offerings. Find it at this link: episcopalchurchsc.org/covid19. All communications from diocesan leadership will be available on this webpage, as well as continuous updates on resources and information that may be helpful to churches throughout our diocese during this time.

As I said in my letter of December 20, 2019, your Standing Committee, along with Archdeacon Callie Walpole and our dedicated diocesan staff, is charged to ensure that the ongoing work and ministry of the diocese continues not only to function, but to thrive.

The same goes for the ongoing work and ministry of the diocese, the search for our next bishop, or anything else that might come our way. COVID-19 will not defeat the spirit of the Diocese of South Carolina.

A Prayer for All Those Affected by the Coronavirus
Keep us, good Lord,
under the shadow of your mercy.
Sustain and support the anxious,
be with those who care for the sick,
and lift up all who are brought low;
that we may find comfort knowing that
nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Faithfully yours,

The Reverend Canon Caleb J. Lee
President of the Standing Committee

Worship Guidelines in Response to COVID-19 Outbreak

3/14/2020

On Friday, March 13, the Standing Committee, along with Archdeacon Calhoun Walpole and Bishop Henry Parsley, met with Dr. Robert Ball (a parishioner at St. Stephen’s, Charleston, and Professor of Infectious Disease at the Medical University of South Carolina) for a conversation regarding next steps for our Diocese during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The following guidelines pertain to services tomorrow. We are in a rapidly unfolding situation and will be back in touch regarding plans moving forward. As of today, Saturday, March 14, South Carolina state officials have not recommended or mandated that public events be canceled, but the CDC has encouraged the more vulnerable populations to avoid large crowds. Based on this recommendation, all services in the Diocese of South Carolina may take place tomorrow as announced. Clergy serving congregations are also at liberty to decide to suspend services if they deem it appropriate in their own local context.

For churches holding services, please follow these guidelines:

Hand sanitizers should be available at all entrances.
Bulletins should be used only once and then disposed of by the user into recycling receptacles.
The Exchange of the Peace should be with a simple bow.
The distribution of the Cup will be suspended during Holy Communion.
When receiving the Host, the priest will drop the wafer into one’s hand, so please keep your palms flat to receive our Lord’s Body.
The gifts of bread and wine are to be placed on the credence table before the service and not at the back of the church. We will suspend the service of oblation bearers for now.
The Eucharistic ministers should sanitize their hands prior to and after distributing Communion.
Altar guilds should be extra vigilant that all vessels are properly cleaned after each use.
During the Offertory, the alms basins should be placed in visible, stationary locations rather than passed around.
Holy Water should be removed from baptismal fonts.
Practice social distancing by maintaining a distance of at least three feet from one another when possible.

Additionally, the CDC recommends the following actions to protect yourself and others from transmitting the COVID-19 coronavirus:

Stay home if you are sick.
Wash your hands often with soap and water.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue then throw the tissue away. If tissues are not available, cough or sneeze into your sleeve.

A page has been added to the diocesan website dedicated to our response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Find it at this link: episcopalchurchsc.org/covid19. All communications from diocesan leadership will be available on this webpage, as well as resources and information that may be helpful to churches throughout our diocese during this time.

New Webpage for Diocesan Updates on COVID-19

3/14/2020

Today, the Diocese of South Carolina launched a new webpage to house resources and information related to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on our diocese. Find it at on our News tab, or at this link: episcopalchurchsc.org/covid19.html.

If any churches in our Diocese have any information to add to this website, please email Diocesan Director of Communications Molly Hamilton at [email protected].

Addressing a Growing Concern Over Covid-19

3/12/2020

The Episcopal Church has created a page full of resources that can be helpful to congregations and communities as we face the threat of a global pandemic with the COVID-19 coronavirus. It is being continually updated; find it here.

As the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus grows throughout the country and around the world, the Rev. Cn. Caleb Lee, President of the Standing Committee of The Diocese of South Carolina, has written a second letter to the people of the diocese on behalf of the Standing Committee to address this tremendous concern for all of our communities, along with advice and resources for all churches and members of our diocese as to how to respond. The Venerable Calhoun Walpole, Archdeacon of our Diocese, has also included a message of support during these difficult times. A copy of both messages can be viewed here.

The text of the messages is below:

March 12, 2020

Dear Faithful People of the Diocese of South Carolina,

Since last week, the number of people affected by COVID-19 has increased significantly in the United States and around the world. There is still much uncertainty about how widespread the virus actually is and how far it will go; as well as what to do about it. Your diocesan leadership is aware of the kinds of precautions other dioceses and churches are suggesting and practicing in response to this pandemic.

Certainly there are questions about how we continue to be the church in this time. The answer is quite simple. Be the church. Continue to worship God. Continue to love your neighbor. Each community and individual will discern how best to do that. In this current period of time when “social distancing” is recommended to help battle the virus, we trust that your church communities will make appropriate and well-informed decisions that neither feed unnecessary anxiety nor ignore the reality of our social responsibility.

The following are suggestions for worship during this time:

Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Encourage others to do the same. Eucharistic ministers, both clergy and lay, should use hand sanitizer before distribution of Communion.
Refrain from handshakes at The Peace and all other times. Offer creative alternatives that convey the same sentiment for the occasion.
When celebrating the Holy Eucharist, continue with the traditional practice of Communion of Both Kinds, but explicitly offer the following information:
1. Receiving Communion of One Kind in the bread alone is always a valid option for a communicant.
2. As the American Journal of Infection Control (Vol. 26, No. 5, 1998) states, “no documented transmission of any infectious disease has ever been traced to the use of the common communion cup.” Additionally, between the alcohol content in fortified wine, the antimicrobial properties of silver (use your silver, even if it is Lent), and proper technique in turning and wiping the chalice, there is very little probable threat of passing on infectious disease. Intinction is always less safe than drinking from the common cup, unless intinction is performed by Eucharistic ministers.
3. Remind the faithful that it is their choice to receive or refrain from receiving the cup of our Lord.
Morning Prayer is also an option for Sunday morning worship.

The Episcopal Church has created a helpful page (episcopalchurch.org/concerning-covid19) of resources for churches, dioceses, and communities. You may find this information helpful as you seek to make your own informed decisions.

Remember that our action and inaction in all areas of our common life, affects other people. Be smart. Stay calm. Continue with life and worship. Love the Lord with all your heart, mind, and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself.

Faithfully yours,

The Reverend Canon Caleb J. Lee
President of the Standing Committee

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A Note from the Archdeacon:

As we absorb the reality that the coronavirus is now a full-fledged pandemic, we remember who and whose we are. Amid all the changes and chances of this mortal life, we can be assured of the sure and certain knowledge that we are the Lord’s—in this life and in the age to come. No matter what, we are the Lord’s—and our Lord Jesus knows each of us as his very own. He loves us as his own very Body, which we are.

Each year during Lent, we, like Jesus, are thrust into the wilderness—a place of uncertainty, disorientation, fear, and at times, even danger. We now find ourselves cast into a new kind of wilderness, that of our unsteady and confusing world. We can take great heart, though, as we give thanks for the precious gift of one another, and the opportunity to respond in love and with calm and clear-eyed faith in the One who loves us and gave himself for us. As Canon Caleb says: Be smart…Love the Lord, and love your neighbor.

Blessings to you,

Callie

The Venerable Calhoun Walpole
Archdeacon, The Diocese of South Carolina

Deanery-wide Worship and Celebration Services Scheduled with Bishop Parsley

3/10/2020

* The time of the service in the Southern Deanery has been updated to 5 pm.

The Rt. Rev. Henry N. Parsley, who is currently serving as a Visiting Bishop to our Diocese, announced in a letter to clergy last week upcoming occasions for deanery worship and celebration, including the sacramental rite of confirmation. At the invitation of the Standing Committee, Bishop Parsley met with all of the deans and agreed on the following times and locations:

Saturday, April 25 at 4 pm - Pee Dee/Waccamaw Deanery at Holy Cross Faith Memorial
Sunday, April 26 at 3 pm - Peninsula Deanery at Holy Communion, Charleston
Saturday, May 2 at 5 pm* - Southern Deanery at All Saints, Hilton Head Island
Sunday, May 3 at 4 pm - West Charleston Deanery at St. George’s, Summerville

In his announcement, Bishop Parsley stated that "the purpose of these services is to celebrate our common faith and life together in the diocese during the Great Fifty Days of Easter." While these services may include confirmation, reception, or reaffirmation, he hopes all people of the diocese will attend the services to celebrate the life our diocese together. All are welcome to attend any and all services, regardless of deanery.

Responding as Christians to Covid-19 Coronavirus

3/5/2020

Today, the Rev. Cn. Caleb Lee, President of the Standing Committee of The Diocese of South Carolina, sent a letter to the people of the diocese on behalf of the Standing Committee to address growing concerns about the COVID-19 coronavirus and how we can respond at church and in our communities. A copy of the letter can be viewed here.

The text of the letter is below:

March 5, 2020

Dear Faithful People of the Diocese of South Carolina,

On behalf of the Standing Committee I write to remind us all that as the COVID-19 coronavirus continues to spread across the world, we are confronted with an awareness of how we might want to be together as the Church and also work to minimize the spread of disease. At the core of Christian theology and in line with the life and witness of our Lord Jesus Christ, is a care and concern for others beyond our own self interest. That basic tenet of Christian belief and practice reminds us that measures to protect others from the spread of disease ought to equal or exceed the desire to preserve self. That is to say, we don’t just take safety measures to preserve ourselves, but also and more importantly, we take the necessary measures to protect our neighbor.

Our friends at Episcopal Relief & Development have provided helpful resources to calm our fears about the spread of the disease and to remind us of our responsibility as “compassionate Christians.” In their series of guidelines for faith-based response to epidemics they remind us that our role in these times is to:

Combat fear with knowledge in order to encourage preparedness and decrease stigma.
Maintain operational continuity and continue worship life in the case of potential quarantine and disruption.
Show God’s compassion and care to those in our communities who are affected.

The guidelines also include specific information about the virus, as well as resources for church bulletins, liturgical guidelines and resources, advice for churches, and more.

Dr. Robert Ball is a Professor of Infectious Disease at the Medical University of South Carolina and member of St. Stephen’s, Charleston. He offers the following tips: 1) Use common sense as you would with the common flu, 2) Use fist or elbow bump or prayerful nod, 3) Cough and sneeze into your sleeve, not into your hand, and 4) Wash your hands frequently.

As Episcopalians, we make most contact with each other in worship when we share the peace and the common cup. According to the American Journal of Infection Control (Vol. 26, No. 5, 1998), “no documented transmission of any infectious disease has ever been traced to the use of the common communion cup.” Still, if a parishioner desires not to receive the common cup, it is perfectly acceptable to refrain from receiving this element of communion. Likewise, it is appropriate during the peace to acknowledge those around you with a smile, a kind word, and a wave or other non-contact gesture.

As with all health threats, the key is to be prepared, but not panic. The current concern about coronavirus reminds us of our common life and ministry, the importance of watching out for the neighbors around us who may be in need of assistance, and also reducing the risk of spreading the virus through common sense measures of frequent handwashing and staying home if feeling ill. Every precaution recommended for the coronavirus is good advice during every cold and flu season, and always following these precautions is a simple way to follow the second great commandment: to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Faithfully yours,

The Reverend Canon Caleb J. Lee
President of the Standing Committee