With sadness we share the news that the Rev. Len Williams died on Monday, May 13. Father Len most recently served as interim priest-in-charge of Epiphany, Summerville, and was chaplain emeritus of the Charleston Port and Seafarers’ Society. A Celebration of Life will be held at Grace Church Cathedral in Charleston on Saturday, May 25, at 11 am. Please keep his wife, Angela, and their family, in your prayers as we remember the blessing he was in the lives of so many. 

"Father Len was a gifted and faithful priest," said Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley. "He served in the Diocese of Mississippi when I was a young priest there. I have respected and learned from his example for my whole ordained life. When I visited him the day before he died, Fr. Len focused the conversation on his gratitude for all God allowed him to do in his ministry. He has blessed countless lives. May he rest in peace and rise in glory."

A native of South Carolina, Father Len was ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Mississippi by Bishop Duncan Gray in 1981. He served as vicar of St. Mary's, Lexington (1982-1986) and St. Timothy's, Southaven (1986-2002)--where he helped shepherd the devoted congregation of a struggling mission church to build a thriving parish. Eventually, he found his way back to South Carolina, becoming the Charleston Port and Seafarers’ Society (ChaPSS) chaplain in 2001. He continued this important ministry, serving the seafarers who called in Charleston for 17 years as chaplain, and continuing even after he officially retired from the role in 2018. In retirement, Fr. Len served as a volunteer, bringing God’s love to all he met at the port. In 2021, ChaPSS dedicated the “The Father Arthur Lenwood Williams, Jr. Center,” its newest dockside seafarers’ center at the Hugh Leatherman Terminal in Charleston, SC, in honor of their beloved chaplain emeritus.

Fr. Len was also a long-time member of the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) and received a NAMMA Distinguished Service Award in 2019. Following the center dedication at ChaPSS in 2021, NAMMA shared an article on their website in which the author noted the following: “In his address at the dedication, Fr. Len told the crowd of his family, friends, and colleagues from the ministry, church, and maritime industry how blessed and thankful he felt for the opportunity to serve as the ChaPSS chaplain. He remarked that when he was first approached to become the ChaPSS chaplain he was a bit hesitant, as he knew nothing about chaplaincy in general or seafarers’ ministry in particular. But looking back on his time of service he now views it as the most rewarding activity that he has ever been involved in during his tenure as an Episcopal priest.” 

It was further noted in the article that during his time as ChaPSS chaplain, Fr. Len served as a mentor, role model, and friend to the volunteers and staff of ChaPSS. Also in his "retirement," during the pandemic, Fr. Len began assisting the Rev. Bob Schwarz at Epiphany, Summerville, and after Fr. Bob's retirement in 2021, Fr. Len stepped into the role of interim priest-in-charge, where he served with a deep love for this congregation.

In addition to his wife, Angela, Fr. Len is survived by two sons, a daughter, stepdaughter, children-in-law, and four grandchildren. Please continue to hold the family in your prayers, as well as the congregation and leadership of Epiphany, Summerville, and all who grieve his death. A full obituary can be found at this link. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Fr. Len’s honor to: The Charleston Port & Seafarers' Society, P.O.Box 2442, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29465 (charlestonseafarers.org), or to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (stjude.org/donatetoday).

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

The Right Reverend Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has appointed Stephenie Benes as Diocesan Comptroller, effective May 7, 2024.

“Stephenie comes to our team with all the skills we need to take us to the next level in the financial management of our diocese,” said Bishop Woodliff-Stanley. “Her work will support churches across the diocese as faithful stewards of their resources and will help us accomplish our diocesan goals in the mission of the gospel. I am thrilled to welcome her as she begins this vital ministry.”
 
As diocesan comptroller, Stephenie will serve on the bishop’s staff on a full-time basis, with responsibility for general accounting duties including day-to-day bookkeeping, preparation of quarterly financial statements, federal and state tax reporting, and annual budget support. In addition, she will handle all accounts payable, accounts receivable, diocesan grants, payroll, and audit compliance. In partnership with our diocesan treasurer, Stephenie will work to ensure the overall financial health of the diocese.
 
A 2004 graduate of Northwood University in Midland, Michigan, with degrees in Banking and Finance and Business Management, Stephenie has worked for more than 20 years in banking, accounting, and insurance.  For the past eight years, she has been managing the financials for multiple companies with an accounting firm.
 
While the role of diocesan comptroller is a new position on the bishop’s staff, Stephenie will assume the majority of the financial duties previously handled by Andrea McKellar in her role as Canon for Finance and Administration. McKellar was recently named Canon for Strategy and Vitality, and she will work with Stephenie through this transition, expecting to hand over the role completely by June 1. Congregations and institutions are asked to continue to contact Canon McKellar for financial needs until June 1. After this time, Canon McKellar will continue to serve as the diocesan administrator for benefits including all medical, insurance, and pensions—in addition to her new responsibilities as Canon for Strategy and Vitality.
 
Stephenie and her husband, Neil, live in North Charleston with their two children, and their dog Ellie.