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A Word From the Bishop About Holy Trinity, Charleston

3/30/2023

Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley shares a word about an important decision regarding Holy Trinity, Charleston. Read the letter below, or at this link at this link.

March 30, 2023

Dear Faithful People in the Diocese of South Carolina,

As we move toward the observance of Holy Week, I am reminded of the generations of faithful people on whose shoulders we stand in the ministries that are ours today. The tireless and courageous work of those in generations past has set us on a course to bring the gospel to those who long to know the healing, saving grace of Jesus in our day. The work our spiritual ancestors did required both holding fast to the enduring truths of the gospel and being willing to try new things, to take risks to plant new churches, investing resources for a future yet to be seen.

Such is the case for us today as we turn the corner from a decade of hard division over nothing less than the heart of our faith and cherished history. Now, we must make decisions that reflect our desire to continue their legacy to plant The Episcopal Church in every place where we are called to be across this diocese. We must honestly and accurately assess where we are and develop plans that reflect the most faithful stewarding of the resources God has given us.

Since this past summer, we have been diligently focused on reopening historic parishes that were returned to us last year after a decade of litigation. As I shared at Diocesan Convention in November, we have begun the process of redeveloping our diocese, using our financial resources to support all of our congregations and ministries, while making catalytic investments in three priority areas over the next five years:

Supporting the congregations returned to our diocese after 10 years of litigation.
Planting a new presence in locations where our historic churches were not returned, but where we feel called to have a presence, developing plans to keep a vital presence in remote and rural regions of our diocese.
Providing overdue support for our historically disenfranchised congregations – the beloved and historically African-American congregations of our diocese who for centuries were deprived of the resources afforded to other churches.

Our discernment has also led us to take a hard look at questions of where we may not have capacity to sustain or grow congregations in a responsible and faithful manner. Our diocese is one of the oldest in The Episcopal Church. There have been generations when the growth of our diocese was marked by planting churches in close proximity to one another, but this has not shown to be the most prudent way of sustaining a vibrant and growing ministry in a modern world.

In recent weeks, after significant discernment and heartfelt conversations with diocesan lay and clergy leadership, we have come to the difficult decision not to reopen one of the parishes returned to us, Holy Trinity, Charleston. Located in the South Windermere area in West Ashley, this historic parish has raised up generations of Episcopalians. One of the most notable leaders of this parish was The Rev. Canon George Chassey, who grew Holy Trinity into a vibrant church over decades of wise and faithful ministry. Prior to the diocesan schism in 2012, Holy Trinity had a strong place in the community of Episcopal parishes in our diocese.

When it was returned to us, we promptly began assessing the condition of the physical buildings, as well as considering its proximity to other Episcopal churches, including St. James, Charleston, on nearby James Island, which we had already committed to reopening. As we received estimates on the substantial amount of work needed to bring Holy Trinity back to a reasonable and desirable physical condition, and considered this expense in light of a reasonable assessment of growing two returning congregations in such close proximity to each other, we recognized that to attempt to reopen Holy Trinity would not likely lead to sustainability. We also considered its possible use for other ministries of the diocese, but the cost to restore the facilities to proper condition for any such endeavor would be prohibitive and would take away from other ministries of the diocese where God is calling us to love and serve.

At the same time, we understand that the land on which this parish sits has significant value, which, if realized, could support churches and ministries across our diocese where the need is pressing. As stewards of the gifts of God has given us, we believe the most responsible decision with respect to Holy Trinity, Charleston, is to sell the property and invest the proceeds in the vital ministries underway in our diocese, as well as those that will ensure our long-term vitality and sustainability. For those who are saddened by this decision, please know it has been a very difficult one, where our focus has been on choosing the most prudent path forward for the sake of our diocese as a whole, while also being faithful stewards of the resources in our care.

Some of you may be aware that the Acorn School is currently housed at Holy Trinity. Appreciating their important place in the community, we extended their contract through this school year.

Across The Episcopal Church, there are examples of churches, hospitals, and other diocesan institutions that, after a faithful season of ministry, have become the seed that makes fresh growth in other areas of ministry possible in a new season. As your bishop, I am called by God to help lead this diocese through a new season, sometimes making difficult decisions along the way, with the support of diocesan leadership. It is my strong hope that we will see the fruits of the labor of faithful Episcopalians in years gone by at Holy Trinity seed new ministries in our day.

Please know that as we move forward, I will keep you informed of new developments, and I ask for your continued prayers. Diocesan leadership has begun the process to develop a strategic visioning plan for our diocese that will enable us to sustain our ministries and be a servant of the community for many years to come. I look forward to sharing more about that with you soon, and presenting a final plan at our Diocesan Convention in November.

“I am about to do a new thing;
now it springs forth; do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:9

Thanks be to God, who is doing a new thing among us. May we, honoring our past, step into our future with courage and hope.

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

Camp St. Christopher Hiring Summer Staff and Counselors

3/29/2023

Do you know a young adult (who graduated from high school last year, or later), who might be interested in joining the team at Camp St. Christopher (at St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center) this summer (May 15-August 5)? They are hiring now and looking to add more staff and counselors to the team. Please feel free to share!

What is Camp St. Christopher? It's a summer camp in the Episcopal tradition located on beautiful Seabrook Island, South Carolina. With 314 acres of barrier island property, there's always an adventure to be had! Perhaps you'll sail or swim on the beach, or launch a kayak into the marsh. Maybe you'll lead a hike on one of our trails (we have five miles to choose from!) or have a bonfire under the stars. And at the end of the day, you can watch the sunset from the boardwalk or from one of our beachfront cabins with all of your new camping friends.

Staff need to be at least 18 years old on or before June 1, 2023, and have graduated high school in 2022 or earlier. Staff members are hired to serve for the entire summer (May 15-August 5) and live in cabins for the majority of the summer and facilitate all camp activities and some of the teaching programs. The role of a staff member is to build authentic relationships with campers by providing spiritual leadership and leading activities like swimming, sailing, kayaking, music, arts and crafts, and more! Staff must be able to report to staff training on Monday afternoon, May 15.

Counselors are high school and college-age students who volunteer for one or more weeks over the course of the summer. Counselors stay in the cabins with a group of campers and assist their in-cabin staff member with daily responsibilities. Counselors play a key role in building relationships with campers and being a spiritual leader. Counselors need to be at least 16 years old on or before June 1, 2023.

First Aid, and CPR certifications will be completed during staff training. Lifeguard training will be provided as well for those who are interested in becoming certified. Ten lifeguards are needed this summer!
For more information, please reach out to Renzi Ricketts, Director of Summer Camp, at [email protected].

Job Posting: Part-time Diocesan Administrative Assistant

3/23/2023

The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina is seeking an organized, self-motivated, business professional to serve as a diocesan administrative assistant, providing support for the Office of the Bishop, especially to the ministry of the Canons for Leadership, Common Mission, and Finance & Administration. This position will also serve as the administrator of the Diocesan Health Plan.

This position is part-time, 20 hours per week, generally working 9 am to 2 pm (schedule is flexible), Monday through Thursday mostly at the diocesan satellite office, located at Calvary Episcopal Church in Charleston. Position offers a salary of $25/hour and benefits including life insurance, EAP, and pension. A full job description can be found here. Apply with a resume and cover letter to Canon Andrea McKellar at [email protected].

Betsy Pritchard Named Executive Assistant to the Bishop

3/21/2023

Betsy Pritchard, Executive Assistant to the Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina

The Right Reverend Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has appointed Betsy Pritchard as Executive Assistant to the Bishop, effective March 20.

"Betsy has a great background in administrative work, a warm and welcoming personality, and a deep love for The Episcopal Church, and I am delighted to welcome her as part of the diocesan staff," said Bishop Woodliff-Stanley.

As executive assistant to the bishop, Betsy will be responsible for managing the bishop's calendar and travel, handling all administrative duties of the office, and coordinating with staff to plan and execute diocesan meetings and gatherings. She will serve as the key resource for parish administrators, vestries, and other church personnel who might need assistance from the diocesan office. 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, Trustees, and the Standing Committee.

For more than 10 years, Betsy has served Grace Church Cathedral in a variety of roles, most recently serving as the assistant director of The Little School for the last eight years. This past year she began teaching two afterschool enrichment classes where she found a fun, new passion for preschool science. She will continue leading these classes with the children for at least the rest of this school year. Betsy and her husband, Thomas, live on James Island where they raised their three children Sarah, Thomas, and Harrison. They are members at Grace Church Cathedral.

Betsy succeeds Cecilia Eaton, who resigned to move out of state in February after serving on the bishop's staff for a year. Betsy can be reached by email at [email protected] and by phone at 843.259.2016. She will be working full-time and will maintain office hours five days a week in the diocesan office located on the second floor of Hanahan Hall at Grace Church Cathedral.

Clergy News: All Saints, Hilton Head Island

3/15/2023

All Saints Episcopal Church on Hilton Head Island has called the Rev. Katie Presley to serve as associate rector. Katie is currently serving in the Diocese of Atlanta, where she has worked on staff at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in midtown Atlanta for the past few years. She was ordained to the transitional diaconate by the Rt. Rev. Robert Wright in December 2022 and will be ordained to the priesthood in June 2023.

Katie grew up in Baptist, Methodist, and non-denominational Christian environments until she found her way to The Episcopal Church as a young adult. Captivated by the beauty of the liturgy, the ancient traditions of our Anglican history, and the “broad tent theology” that welcomes and affirms all people as God’s beloved, she embarked upon the journey of discernment for the priesthood and attended seminary at Candler School of Theology at Emory University, where she graduated with a Master of Divinity in 2021.

Katie is also a chaplain in the United States Army Reserves, providing compassionate spiritual care to soldiers and their families. Prior to becoming a chaplain, Katie was enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Reserves for 12 years. Katie is engaged to Aly, a middle school teacher, and they will be celebrating their wedding in May. They look forward to joining the All Saints community, exploring all that Hilton Head has to offer, and creating new and lasting friendships.

Bishop Presents House of Deputies Medal to Janet Dunn Clark During St. David's Visitation

3/8/2023

Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley and Janet Dunn Clark with the House of Deputies Medal

During Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley's visitation to St. David's, Cheraw, on Sunday, March 5, she had the opportunity to present church member Janet Dunn Clark with the House of Deputies medal that had been announced by outgoing President Gay Clark Jennings during the 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church in July 2022.

At that time, President Jennings recognized Janet Dunn Clark as she reflected on the moments that stood out to her most during her 10-year term, which ended at General Convention. She said the following:

“The thing I will treasure most from my time as your president is the trust and confidence that you and Episcopalians from all over the church have placed in me. I’ve been sustained by your prayers from across the church for the last decade, and by no one more than a woman by the name of Janet Dunn Clark, who is not a deputy. I met Janet in South Carolina in 2013 as the loyal Episcopalians in that diocese were reorganizing. She told me that she prayed for me every day. Just think of that. Her church and her diocese were experiencing the turmoil of division and discord, and Janet was praying for me. What a gift that has been….She has been praying for me, not because she had to, but because she knew I needed it. With my love and my appreciation for your love and thanksgiving for your ministry, I am happy to present Janet with the House of Deputies medal.”

As she presented the medal on Sunday at St. David's, Bishop Ruth shared that Janet Dunn Clark was one of the first people of the diocese to reach out to her at the start of her episcopate, as she told Bishop Ruth that she was praying for her. She continued to check in and encourage Bishop Ruth, just like she had done for Gay Clark Jennings during her term as President of the House of Deputies. Janet's family was able to be with her on Sunday for the presentation, and she is pictured with them (and Bishop Ruth) above. Notice also that everyone is wearing wooden crosses, which were prayerfully whittled by Janet as a symbol of her love and friendship, as she has done for hundreds of people throughout her life. We give thanks for her ministry!

In case you missed it last July, watch the presentation by Gay Clark Jennings at last year's General Convention on YouTube at this link.

A Word From the Bishop About Holy Trinity, Charleston

Camp St. Christopher Hiring Summer Staff and Counselors

Job Posting: Part-time Diocesan Administrative Assistant

Betsy Pritchard Named Executive Assistant to the Bishop

Clergy News: All Saints, Hilton Head Island

Bishop Presents House of Deputies Medal to Janet Dunn Clark During St. David's Visitation

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