 Nancy Amis of Grace Church Cathedral recently returned from attending a three-day training sponsored by The Episcopal Church to equip Episcopalians as advocates, allies, and ambassadors for refugees and the ministry of refugee resettlement.
"Love God, Love Neighbor" was sponsored by Episcopal Migration Ministries. Nancy says she had a wonderful time meeting with fellow Episcopalians at the training in Atlanta May 2-4. In 2017, EMM and its network of local affiliates welcomed more than 3,000 refugees and 900 SIV’s (Special Immigrant Visa) from 34 countries in 30 communities in 26 dioceses. At Grace Church Cathedral, Nancy and others have organized a group to explore ways to help resettle a refugee family in the Charleston area. However, Nancy says that under the current government climate, it is uncertain whether that can happen anytime soon. "Until that time, what we can do is to raise awareness of the dire need to resettle families who are stricken by the atrocities of their homeland," she says. World Refugee Day is on Wednesday, June 20, making June a good time to remind Episcopalians about the work done by Episcopal Migration Ministries. Please visit EMM on their website, and follow them on Facebook. To learn more about Grace's refugee ministry, contact Nancy Amis at [email protected]. Nancy Amis, left, with the Rev. Canon E. Mark Stevenson, Director of Episcopal Migration Ministries, in Atlanta.  Dr. Rosalie J. Wyatt (left), the Rev. Rob Dewey, and Mayor Will Haynie
The Rev. Rob Dewey of the Lowcountry Community Chaplaincy has been presented with a national award from the Corporate Crisis Response Officers Association and its ReadyCommunities Partnership. Dr. Rosalie J. Wyatt of the CCROA and and Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie presented the award at a recent Mount Pleasant Town Council meeting. Since 2006, CCROA and the ReadyCommunities Partnership have engaged Charleston-area public-private and community stakeholders in a critical mission to strengthen America's response capacity in the first 72 hours of a large-scale crisis, through cross-sector collaboration and innovation. Rob, an Episcopal priest in our diocese who founded the LCC, received the National Service and Sacrifice Award for Community Ministering in Crisis, recognizing him for more than three decades of service to the community through ministry and crisis counseling for victims, responders and their families. "He envisioned a ministry that other community leaders and stakeholders grew to recognize and would eventually integrate across the Charleston area's response to crises. Today he moves forward to further develop the ministry and crisis counseling services for corporate leaders impacted by natural disaster, attack or other threats," Dr. Wyatt said in presenting the award.  (St. Mark's Episcopal Church press release)
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and the Town of Port Royal have signed an agreement for St. Mark’s to purchase historic Union Church from the town. The church is located at 1011 11th Avenue. St. Mark’s, the only Episcopal Church north of the Broad River in Beaufort County, has been meeting at Union Church, a space rented from the Port Royal Historical Society, for the past nine years. During the past two years, the congregation has seen record growth with attendance at Sunday services in 2018 more than double the attendance for the same period of 2017. “We are happy to be part of the Port Royal community, and with this purchase our presence will be permanent,” said the Rev. Roy Tripp, Rector at St. Mark’s. “Port Royal is poised for growth with the revitalization of the port property and the prospect of new development on Paris Avenue and in other areas of the town. St. Mark’s will be good stewards of a part of Port Royal’s history, while at the same time continuing to be a strong part of the community now and in the future.” Union Church will continue to be an important historical site for Port Royal and Beaufort. Built during the Reconstruction era, the building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Over the years the building has been a museum and has been used for various community events, including the site for an acting company. “We believe this is a wonderful situation for both Port Royal and St. Mark’s,” said Tripp. “Union Church has been a gathering place for a variety of events in the community, and we intend to continue that tradition. With St. Mark’s purchase of the building, the community is assured that the building will continue to be used as a house of worship as well as a venue for the arts.” Contact the Rev. Roy Tripp at [email protected] or 843 379-1020, Visit the church online at stmarksc.org and follow them on Facebook.  Congratulations to five Grace Church Cathedral members who were awarded certificates of completion from the Education for Ministry program on May 20: Kathee Dowis, Jackie Bracewell, Lark Rawlings, Mac Magee and Dorothy Amis.
(This article has been updated to provide additional information about EfM groups in our diocese.) Spring marks the end of the academic year for adults in our diocese who are part of the Education for Ministry (EfM) program, a study and group reflection process for the formation of Christian ministry. If you have had an interest in EfM, now is a good time to explore opportunities to join EfM in September. Learn more at our Education for Ministry page. All Saints Episcopal Church on Hilton Head Island has an active EfM group, and two of its participants graduated this spring: Pam Cooper and Babs Knapp, both parishioners at All Saints. The group meets on Wednesdays at 11 am during the academic year. The new year will begin in September and All Saints will have participants in all four years of EfM. New members are welcome. Grace Church Cathedral in Charleston has five openings in an EfM group that will resume weekly meetings in September, according to EfM Mentor Dorothy Carter. Holy Cross Faith Memorial in Pawleys Island also has a thriving EfM program and is signing up participants for September, according to Mentor Michael Cureton. EfM is a program of theological education-by-extension offered by the School of Theology at the University of the South at Sewanee. Seminar groups of 6-12 members meet weekly for 36 weeks during the academic year. It takes four years to complete the EfM course; participants commit to only one year at a time. Over the four years, the course encompasses the Hebrew scriptures (Old Testament), the New Testament, Christian history, theology, ethics, and interfaith encounter. EfM is not only a program of study, but an opportunity to learn, grow, and experience the Christian faith and faith traditions. If you are interested, please contact one of the following people for information. All Saints, Hilton Head Island: Marilyn Roper, 843-363-6696 or [email protected]. Grace Church Cathedral, Charleston: Canon Jean Bender, 843-723-4575 Holy Cross Faith Memorial, Pawleys Island: Michael Cureton, 843-236-2525.  UPDATED MAY 22 with new links... scroll down
Whether you woke up early Saturday to watch the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle live, or you didn't tune in at all, chances are you've heard people talking about Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's passionate wedding homily, heard by billions around the world on Saturday, May 19. Response to the sermon has been overwhelming. Neva Rae Fox, Public Affairs Officer for The Episcopal Church, compiles a daily digest of news coverage involving The Episcopal Church, and the 40 she has shared are "just a small sampling." In case you missed them, here are a few highlights and must-see links. We'll add more links to this list as they come in. The sermon: video and text The order of service, a great resource to learn about the prayers, music and other aspects of the liturgy. Episcopal News Service's complete coverage RADIO NPR's Weekend Edition interview with Presiding Bishop Curry VIDEO “It just blew the place open!” – Archbishop Justin Welby and Presiding Bishop Curry have a conversation after the wedding about the sermon, the service, and talking with the newlyweds. The Presiding Bishop shared a message of joy after the wedding: "Every once in a while we need to be happy and joyful and thankful. Even in the midst of the trouble of fthe world, it's important to stop and give God thandks, and we were able to do that today." NBC's 'Saturday Night Live' spoofed it on their ‘Weekend Update' parody news segment. MORE REACTIONS Scott Gunn of Forward Movement on Fox News: "Don’t let this moment pass you by. Don’t let love be reduced to a fleeting feeling. Let love sweep into your life and change you. Come to church. Meet people who, like Bishop Curry, are serious about love." Esquire Magazine writer Dave Holmes: “At this point in history, when the world seems to be getting crueler by the minute, an impassioned plea for self-sacrifice, a call for a life centered on love for one’s neighbor, is exactly what we need to be hearing. .. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I am going to join the Episcopal Church.” NEW LINKS, added Tuesday, May 22 Follow-up TV interviews with the Presiding Bishop NBC's Today Show, May 22 ABC's Good Morning America, May 22 ABC's The View, May 22 TMZ interview, May 21 More reactions The Rev. Mike Michie, Staff Officer for Church Planting for the Episcopal Church, writes: "A movement involves movement. How will the church take this 'real power' outside of our doors? Who needs to hear of this love? How will you share it with them? Do we really want to 'make of this old world a new world,' or do we just really like hearing Michael talk about it? If we do, we can’t stay home." The New Yorker: An American energy at the royal wedding Anglican News: World's media applauds Medium: Why Bishop Curry's royal wedding message is a game-changer  Memorial Day Weekend and the start of the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston will offer some special opportunities involving local Episcopal churches. Here are a few (listed chronologically): Tesoro Friday, May 25 at 4 pm at The Chapel at Bishop Gadsden Tesoro is a gypsy jazz duo specializing in music of 1920’s, 30’s, and 40’s. The music is upbeat and festive. Tesoro performs in period attire to enhance the performance experience. Tesoro is truly a “step back in time” to Charleston’s Golden Age. Free admission. Small Opera Sat., May 26, 1 pm at The Chapel at Bishop Gadsden Small Opera Small Opera (SMOP) is a no-frills company bringing pop-up opera to the community. SMOP loves making this classic art form, fun, fresh, and accessible for all with interactive audience games and a variety of beautiful music. SMOP uses intimate casts, minimal costumes, stripped sets, simply Nomadic Vocal Drama! Free admission. The Choraliers Music Club of Charleston Saturday, May 26 at 8 pm at St. Mark's, Charleston One of Charleston's most seasoned choral groups, the Choraliers will present a dynamic one-hour Gullah-Geechee performance of Gullah Folklore including both arranged and unarranged spirituals, gospel, blues, and excerpts from Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. Tickerts are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, and free for children 6 and younger. Get tickets online here. Evensong: St. Gregory Choir & The King's Counterpoint Sunday, May 27 at 4 pm at Grace Church Cathedral Grace's St. Gregory Choir and guest choir The King's Counterpoint of Charleston will offer this sung service of Evening Prayer on Trinity Sunday. The service includes Dyson's Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in D, Henry Balfour Gardiner's Evening Hymn, and more. All are welcome. Atlanta Schola Cantorum Monday, May 28 at 2 pm at Grace Church Cathedral Atlanta's oldest independent chorus, Atlanta Schola Cantorum, specializes in the performances of Renaissance choral music. The chorus has performed at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival for more than 20 years. Beautiful harmonies, creative repertoire, and engaging performances are hallmarks of Schola concerts. Their program will feature the extraordinary and timeless beauty of sacred church music and later choral masterpieces. Admission is free. This is also the first day of Grace's Tea Room, so come early for lunch! Kondra Duo Friday June 1 at 4 pm at The Chapel at Bishop Gadsden The Kontra Duo has been described as “Energetic, sassy, graceful, and muscular.” Comprised of harpist Kristina Finch and saxophonist Dannel Espinoza, the duo is dedicated to the exploration of both traditional and contemporary music and works tirelessly to create programs that showcase the color and expressive capabilities of this unique ensemble. Free admission. Charleston Symphony Orchestra Brass Saturday, June 2 at 3 pm at Grace Church Cathedral Charles D. Frost, organist, and The Charleston Symphony Brass perform works by Bach, Gabrielli, Strauss, Debussy, and Bernstein. Admission is $21 adult, $18 senior, $11 student; tickets are here. The Choraliers Music Club of Charleston Saturday, June 2 at 8 pm at St. Mark's, Charleston One of Charleston's most seasoned choral groups, the Choraliers will present a dynamic one-hour Gullah-Geechee performance of Gullah Folklore including both arranged and unarranged spirituals, gospel, blues, and excerpts from Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. Tickerts are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, and free for children 6 and younger. Get tickets online here. The Lucia Ensemble Sunday, June 3 at 4 pm at The Chapel at Bishop Gadsden The Lucia Ensemble, a young women’s ensemble of 10 singers from Augusta, Georgia who range in the age from 15 to 23 years old, is honored to return to Bishop Gadsden’s beautiful chapel for the sixth year in a row. They are accompanied by string quartet, presenting music that ponders the concept of “home”. The program will move between classical composers, contemporary composers writing in the classical tradition, and folk songs. Free admission. Evensong: The Carolina Festival Treble Choir Saturday, June 9 at 5 pm at Holy Communion, Charleston The Carolina Treble Festival Choir will sing Evensong as part of the Piccolo Spoleto Festival of Synagogues and Churches. This choir includes young choristers from Episcopal churches in the Carolinas who gather once a year for rehearsal and fellowhsip, leading liturgy for an Evensong service. They have sung at Washington National Cathedral and Virginia Theological Seminary. The conductor will be Dr. David Arcus, former organist for Duke Chapel and currently serving at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Hillsborough, NC. Admission is free. The Choraliers Music Club of Charleston Saturday, June 9 at 8 pm at St. Mark's, Charleston One of Charleston's most seasoned choral groups, the Choraliers will present a dynamic one-hour Gullah-Geechee performance of Gullah Folklore including both arranged and unarranged spirituals, gospel, blues, and excerpts from Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. Tickerts are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, and free for children 6 and younger. Get tickets online here. A reply has been filed with the United States Supreme Court, marking the final legal step before the justices meet to decide whether to grant a hearing on the South Carolina Supreme Court decision involving our diocese.
The reply brief was filed today with the U.S. Supreme Court by attorneys representing the breakaway group and parishes affected by the August 2017 state court decision. The group petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court for a writ of certiorari, asking the high court to hear the case. The U.S. Supreme Court receives thousands of petitions for certiorari each year, and hears only a small fraction of them. The nine justices regularly hold conferences to determine which cases merit further review; four of the nine must agree to hear a case for certiorari to be granted. A decision on the South Carolina petition is expected to come before the end of June. If the court chooses not to grant certiorari, no further appeals are possible. (Voorhees College news release) – Voorhees College recently was approved to serve as an official sponsor of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The institution will hold an informational session on Tuesday, May 15 at 6 p.m. in Massachusetts Hall for campus and community members to learn more about the program.
Additionally, Voorhees will hold two site supervisor trainings on Saturday May 19 and Saturday, May 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Massachusetts Hall Auditorium. The USDA Summer SFSP, also known as the Summer Meals (Feeding) Program, provides kids and teens from youth up to age 18 who are from low-income areas, free meals when school is out. Voorhees will now serve as a sponsor for several community feeding sites this summer. The full program will run for three weeks from June 11-June 29 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and again for four weeks July 2-July 31 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., closed in observance of Independence Day July 5 and 6. Meals are first come, first served between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. SFSP director Menia Lee said Voorhees was approved by the State Department of Education to serve as a USDA sponsor and serve area feeding sites. “This opportunity is exciting because while there are many feeding sites across the Bamberg and Barnwell areas, there are currently no sponsors within what are deemed the “strike force counties” across the Promise Zone,” Lee said. “We are pleased to serve the community in this very important capacity.” The South Carolina Promise Zone consists of Allendale, Bamberg and Hampton counties and a significant part of Barnwell, Colleton and Jasper counties. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, “The Promise Zone designation will catalyze an effort across the South Carolina Lowcountry to meet identified goals essential to increasing the quality of life and accelerating efforts to create comprehensive community revitalization in the region.” For more information, please contact Menia Lee, SFSP director, at 803-780-1239 or Carolyn Jenkins, director of Aladdin Foods, at (803) 780-1361. The City of Charleston held its first Blessing of the Bikes on Saturday, May 12, and several Episcopal clergy spent the morning in Hampton Park offering blessings for bicycles and those who ride them.
A brief service was led by the Rev. Laura Everett, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Council of Churches and author of the recent book, Holy Spokes: The Search for Urban Spirituality on Two Wheels. (Read about it here) A minister in the United Church of Christ, Rev. Everett was a classmate of the Rev. Adam Shoemaker, who is rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Charleston. St. Stephen's co-sponsored the event with Charleston Mayor John Tecklenberg, the Charleston Recreation Department, and the Mayor's Clergy Advisory Council. Rev. Everett exchanged a bike helmet given by Boston's Mayor Marty Walsh with Charleston's Mayor Tecklenburg. The two mayors are hoping to bike together in Boston during the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting there in June, Fr. Shoemaker said. From 10:00 am until noon, the clergy offered blessings on bicycles in the park, a popular biking spot with a paved loop that is closed to traffic every Saturday morning. Other Episcopal clergy participating included the Rev. Bill Coyne of the East Cooper Episcopal Church (who formerly served at St. Stephens), the Rev. Rob Dewey of Lowcountry Community Chaplaincy, and the Rev. Greg Smith, a deacon who will be serving at St. Stephen's soon after several years at St. Francis Episcopal Church in West Ashley. Rev. Everett also preached at St. Stephen's on Sunday, May 13. Fr. Shoemaker said organizers of the bike blessing are hoping to make it an annual event. May is National Bike Month.   Updated on May 19, 2018:
Watch the Presiding Bishop's sermon here Watch Presiding Bishop Curry and Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby speaking together before the wedding: Video People in our diocese are joining with Episcopalians across the Church in excited anticipation of hearing Presiding Bishop Michael Curry preach to a worldwide audience this Saturday at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. News of the invitation came out Saturday morning, and the resulting rush of clicks on the Anglican Communion News Service article temporarily overwhelmed the site. Several TV networks are planning live coverage of the wedding starting around 5 am, and online streaming also will be widely available. The service begins at 7 am Eastern Time at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, conducted by the Dean of Windsor, David Conner. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby will officiate. The 2011 royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton was watched by an estimated 3 billion people worldwide, including 23 million US viewers. "I'm thrilled that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have asked Bishop Michael Curry to preach at their wedding," Archbishop Welby said via Twitter, calling him "a brilliant pastor, stunning preacher and someone with a great gift for sharing the good news of Jesus Christ." Presiding Bishop Curry has visited our diocese four times in the last 5 years, preaching electrifying and inspiring sermons to standing-room-only congregations. He was the preacher at TECSC's 223rd Diocesan Convention in February 2014 at All Saints, HIlton Head Island, when he was still Bishop of North Carolina. In April 2016, months after his 2015 election as Presiding Bishop, he visited five of Charleston's Episcopal churches to worship and preach, and was the keynote speaker at a special conference on racial reconciliation, evangelism and justice sponsored by the Episcopal Forum of South Carolina. In January 2018, he was the preacher at the national Forma conference at Grace Church Cathedral (video). |
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- Home
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About Us
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Ministry
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- Outreach
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