The Venerable Callie Walpole, who has served as archdeacon of the Diocese of South Carolina since January 2013, has written a letter to the diocese regarding her plans to conclude this service and return to Grace Church Cathedral to serve in a full-time capacity as vicar and subdean. Of the transition she noted, "I am looking forward to this opportunity." Read her full letter to the diocese at this link.

The text of the letter is as follows:

​“In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”

Dear Friends,

​It is my pleasure to let you know that beginning in August, I shall be returning to Grace Church Cathedral to serve in a full-time capacity as vicar and subdean and will conclude my service as archdeacon of the Diocese of South Carolina.

I am looking forward to this opportunity. The last time I served full-time at Grace was way back in the year 2011! I invite you to take a brief backward glance with me:

Later that year, and into 2012, an earthquake had driven Grace out of the building for fourteen months; Michael Wright and I were the only two full-time clergy; the winds of diocesan secession were fiercely blowing, and a diocesan division was imminent. Additionally, St. Mark’s Church on Thomas Street found itself without a rector. We and the wardens of St. Mark’s recognized their precarious position, so in addition to duties at Grace, I began serving there as priest-in-charge. St. Mark’s was founded on Easter Day 1865. In the 1870s when the parish petitioned the diocesan convention for membership, such an uproar ensued that numerous parishes seceded over the prospect of full membership for African Americans. The diocese entered a lengthy period of rancorous division.

With division again on the horizon, it was simply too important to risk acquisition of St. Mark’s by a seceding group. “History,” as Mark Twain is reputed to have said, “doesn’t repeat itself, but it does rhyme”—which is why we look back on occasion, to re-member.

In the fall of 2012, Grace returned to her building after a massive restoration effort. Three weeks later, the Diocese of South Carolina was rent by schism. One of the primary aspects of my priestly ministry during these years has been—and continues to be—one of quiet presence among the disaffected and displaced. The suffering of the faithful in scattered corners is not shouted from the rooftops, but it is real and it is deep.

For the last eight and a half years it has been my honor and privilege to serve the people of South Carolina as archdeacon. I am delighted we will be welcoming Ruth Woodliff-Stanley as our bishop who will bring many gifts to our common life together. I am grateful to Grace Church Cathedral for sharing me with the wider diocese for so long—and for being the strength and stay for us all. Once upon a time in Scotland, Queen Margaret, later known as Saint Margaret, believed very strongly in the adage that strength begets strength. She saw to it that her surroundings be only the finest and that her home be open to all to enjoy. If the center were strong, she reckoned, then Scotland would be strong; the people would be strong. Grace Church Cathedral continues to play such a servant role of strength and sacrifice.

Can’t wait to continue the journey!

O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and
rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be
our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray,
to your presence, where we may be still and know that you
are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Yours faithfully,
Callie

Today, the Rev. Cn. Caleb Lee, President of the Standing Committee of The Diocese of South Carolina, has written a letter to the people of the diocese to provide an important update. A copy of the letter can be viewed here.

The text of the letter is below:


June 10, 2021


Dear Faithful People of the Diocese,
 
I write to inform you that because of my new call to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Wilmington, NC, I will be resigning as President of the Standing Committee effective Friday, June 11. The Standing Committee, at its meeting on June 8, elected The Reverend Robertson C. Donehue to complete my term which ends in November. He will assume the duties of President of the Standing Committee beginning Saturday, June 12. I will continue to serve on the Standing Committee until I depart for my new call.

Fr. Donehue is rector of St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Conway and has served on Diocesan Council, the Search and Transition Committees for the Election of the XV Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina, and most recently, the Standing Committee. Most importantly, he is a servant leader and he will serve you well.

It has been a privilege to serve you as President of the Standing Committee during this historic time in our diocese and the world. When I said “yes” to this responsibility a year and half ago, I never could have imagined what we would experience together as a diocese. I will be forever grateful to The Venerable Calhoun Walpole and Chancellor Thomas Tisdale for their friendship and steadfast service to this diocese before and during this period of transition and pandemic.  
 
I am also grateful for all of you, who have done your part in serving on the councils and committees of the diocese, and all who have kept the leadership of the diocese in your prayers.  We truly are the Body of Christ. As this new chapter in the Diocese of South Carolina begins, I will keep you and Bishop-elect Woodliff-Stanley in my prayers and remember fondly what we accomplished together during this time, with God’s help. 
 
God bless the Diocese of South Carolina!
 
In Christ, 
 
Caleb+