Corey Smith Named Dean of the Chapel and Spiritual Engagement and Vicar at Voorhees University6/30/2022
![]() Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley is pleased to announce that Corey Smith has been called to serve as Dean of the Chapel and Spiritual Engagement and Vicar at Voorhees University, beginning July 18. Dean Smith graduated in May 2022 with a Master in Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary and has been in discernment for his ordination with the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina. Until his ordination, Dean Smith will serve St. Philip’s Chapel as lay vicar. At Voorhees University, Dean Smith will hold the rank of Assistant Professor of Theological Studies. Smith was selected for the newly-created position by an interview committee comprised of leaders from the Diocese of South Carolina, Voorhees University, and The Episcopal Church. “Our entire interview committee found our conversation with Dean Smith compelling,” said Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley. “His vision, energy, and background position him well to join the dynamic team that President Hopkins is building for this season of excellence at Voorhees. I look forward to welcoming him to Voorhees and St. Philip’s Chapel as a new key leader of our diocese.” Voorhees University President Dr. Ronnie Hopkins was directly involved in the new hire and believes Dean Smith will help the school continue to thrive and develop future leaders. “Voorhees University is delighted to welcome Corey Smith who will serve as the Dean of the Chapel and Spiritual Engagement and Vicar,” said Dr. Hopkins. “We have every confidence that Dean Smith will be instrumental in advancing the University to the Next Level of Excellence and truly enrich our lives as we seek to uplift the ambition and hopes of all citizens in our beloved community.” Dean Smith has long been inspired by Howard Thurman, who among his many roles as a pastor, activist, and theologian, also served as a chaplain at various institutions of higher learning where he had significant impact on the lives of countless students. “I taught high school for 10 years, and one of the many things I appreciated most about teaching was seeing the success stories of my students,” said Dean Smith. “I see the opportunity at Voorhees as a way to serve God in an academic setting, while also worshipping God and helping to build the next generation of leaders.” With a focus on marketing, media, digital technology, Dean Smith’s experience in ministry has spanned more than 25 years. “Voorhees University has a rich tradition and a story that most people aren’t aware of, and I hope to help raise the visibility and reach of the school and its history,” said Dean Smith. “Before coming to Denmark, South Carolina, I thought it was geographically located in the middle of nowhere, but now I see it's actually in the middle of everything. That's really what it is. It gives you an opportunity to cast a wide net.” This position is being fully funded by The Episcopal Church through the actions of the Executive Council. Voorhees University, located in the Diocese of South Carolina, is one of two historically black colleges and universities affiliated with The Episcopal Church. ![]() A message from Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley concerning today's U.S. Supreme Court decision in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson: View the full statement at this link, or read below. Dear faithful people of the Diocese of South Carolina, I write to you this night with a heavy heart about the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court today in the case of Dobbs vs. Jackson. This decision strikes at the heart of our democracy, overturning a fundamental right we have known in this land for half a century. The Episcopal Church has expressed as a body a clear affirmation of legal abortions since 1967, with carefully articulated parameters about how we engage the painful and important matter of abortion as people of faith informed by the experiences of women. This commitment was reaffirmed in an expanded statement giving theological and practical grounding to our position in this statement from 1976: https://episcopalarchives.org/cgi-bin/acts/acts_resolution.pl?resolution=1976-D095&fbclid=IwAR0g_mF4CPbde8O4yT3BN1F7R4RletsWhNTolP4kLELpgCOjONHl7jVx4gs&fs=e&s=cl Today’s decision unravels decades of hard-won gains for women’s equality and removes fundamental agency for women of this country and impacts women who have the fewest resources, financially and otherwise, and women in the most dire circumstances of domestic violence and abuse, the greatest. We will, as a faith community, join with other people of faith across our country to support women most impacted by today’s decision and work to regain this critically important right for women in our country. Faithfully yours, Bishop Ruth ![]() The Right Reverend Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has called the Rev. Cn. Calhoun Walpole to lead St. John's, Johns Island, which is likely to be the first congregation to return to our diocese and The Episcopal Church since the diocesan schism in 2012. Canon Walpole currently serves as vicar and subdean at Grace Church Cathedral in Charleston and formerly served as archdeacon of the diocese. She announced to Grace Church Cathedral on Sunday, June 19, that she has accepted the bishop's call to serve for a time at St. John's. "Bishop Ruth, with Dean Michael’s encouragement, has asked me to step in to serve St. John’s for a brief season in order to begin the process of rebuilding and restoring the parish as an Episcopal church," said Cn. Walpole. "After much prayer and consideration, I have agreed to serve. It is my home parish. It is St. John’s who first taught me how to serve and who sent me into the world to serve. If I can now serve St. John’s during this tumultuous time, I am willing and ready to do so." Bishop Woodliff-Stanley expressed her appreciation to Cn. Walpole for serving in a such a meaningful way at this important time in the life of our diocese. “I am deeply grateful to Cn. Walpole for accepting the call to serve at St. John’s, Johns Island, for this season, and lead it back to The Episcopal Church," said Bishop Woodliff-Stanley. "St. John’s was Callie’s home parish where her ministry began. She is a native of the Sea Islands and understands the deep and rich history of St. John’s, founded in 1734 and one of the first churches in the Diocese of South Carolina. Callie is gifted and faithful servant of our diocese. Through her wise leadership, informed by her deep love of this place, she has been instrumental in helping so many congregations navigate through the difficult days of the schism, working tirelessly to help Episcopalians who lost their church homes take root in new locations. We are grateful to her for all that she has done and for all that she will continue to do, as she helps to rebuild St. John’s and welcome this treasured community of faith back home to The Episcopal Church.” Plans are still being finalized as to the first Sunday when Cn. Walpole will serve, which could be as soon as mid-July. More information will be shared about her first Sunday at St. John's as soon as it has been confirmed. Continued prayers are requested as the diocese continues into this season of transition and restoration. ![]() The Right Reverend Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has called the Rev. Ryan Currie as Canon for Common Mission. Fr. Currie currently serves as associate rector at Holy Cross Faith Memorial Episcopal Church on Pawleys Island. As Canon for Common Mission, he will help build the body of our reintegrated diocese with a focus on healing; maintain a strategic focus with annual diocesan events to ensure alignment with the mission and goals of the diocese; coordinate gatherings with deans and deanery-level events to strengthen connections and relationships; support and gather deacons and presbyters, including affinity groups of clergy; and develop and oversee opportunities for congregations to strengthen the capacity of leaders to reach our common mission. Bishop Woodliff-Stanley is thankful for the gifts Fr. Currie has to offer our growing diocese. “I am thrilled to welcome Father Ryan Currie to our Diocesan Team,” said Bishop Woodliff-Stanley. “Ryan’s thoughtful approach to organizing systems toward a common purpose was evident to me from the first experience I had of his leadership in our diocese. Ryan brings gifts ideal to help us grow the diocese in this new season.” Fr. Currie expressed joy about the new call. "I can’t wait to get to know Episcopalians from across this diocese and to build up our shared ministry together," said Fr. Currie. While he is excited about this new opportunity, he will miss being a part of the Holy Cross Faith Memorial family. “I could not be more grateful to the people of Holy Cross Faith Memorial: they have formed and nurtured me as a priest and a follower of Jesus,” said Currie. “I know I will carry what they’ve taught me into this new role.” Bishop Woodliff-Stanley shares in his gratitude to his current church home. “I am grateful to Ryan and to the people of Holy Cross Faith Memorial who have nurtured him and raised him up for this ministry,” said the bishop. “I look forward to his joining our team with joyful expectancy and tremendous gratitude.” After being ordained into the priesthood by the Diocese of the Gulf Central Coast while serving in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the Rev. Currie quickly found a home in our diocese, beginning his ministry at Holy Cross Faith Memorial in the summer of 2019. “When I first came to South Carolina three years ago, I said then that I felt a deep sense of call to this diocese,” he said. “The faithfulness of Episcopalians who were so creative and courageous in the face of so much adversity was impressive to me, and I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of. In this role, I am grateful that I will be part of a new and important chapter in our common story.” In addition to serving as associate rector at Holy Cross Faith Memorial, Fr. Currie has served as a chaplain for SUMMA camp in Sewanee, and a priest-in-community at St. Clement’s, St. Paul, Minnesota. “Whether it was with youth as a camp chaplain, with parishioners at HCFM, or with vulnerable LGBTQ+ people and their allies in our region, my ministry has always been about creating and stewarding spaces where I felt like God could be seen and heard and known,” said Fr. Currie. “That is my biggest hope as I enter this new role—that I might play some small role in helping the people of God find a place of welcome, justice, and refreshment as we go about the work of the Kingdom.” Fr. Currie is engaged to be married to his partner, Richard. He will begin as Canon for Common Mission on July 15. The month of June is recognized as Pride Month in the United States, commemorating the Stonewall riots that began in June 1969 that proved to be the turning point for a new generation of political activism. The recognition of this month provides an opportunity to reflect on the long struggle for civil rights and the ongoing pursuit of equal justice under the law for all in the LGBTQ community. Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley takes a moment to offer her gratitude for the LGBTQ community in our diocese, and make known the commitment to stand with them in the journey for true justice. Jesus loves all...no exceptions! View the video message by clicking the image above.
![]() Today, we remember Bishop William Alexander Guerry, the 8th Bishop of our Diocese, who died on this day in 1928, five days after being shot in his office in Charleston by a priest who had attacked the bishop’s position on advancing racial equality in South Carolina, and especially his proposal to install a black suffragan bishop in the diocese. The priest who shot the him believed Bishop Guerry would bring an end to white supremacy in the south. So, overtaken by hatred, and perhaps other mental issues, he fired the shot that killed the bishop and then turned the gun on himself, taking his own life. In 1909, the second year of his episcopate, Bishop Guerry, addressing a meeting of provincial church leaders in Birmingham Alabama, explained his belief about the breadth and depth of the Christian community, “We should strive for unity, not uniformity. Uniformity is mechanical, barren, unfruitful, and unprofitable. Unity is organic, living, and capable of endless growth. If we are to be truly catholic, as Christ himself is catholic, then we must have a church broad enough to embrace within its communion every living human soul.” Before Bishop Guerry died in Roper Hospital, he said of his assailant, “Forgive him, Father, he knew not what he did.” We remember him today as a Bishop, Reformer, and Martyr. This year, we will celebrate Bishop Guerry Day in our diocese on June 26. For more information on this great bishop, as well as the readings and collect for his remembrance, visit our website at this link: http://www.episcopalchurchsc.org/bishop-guerry.html COLLECT FOR THE FEAST OF BISHOP GUERRY: God of truth and sacrifice, we give thanks for your servant William Alexander Guerry, who, like the church's first martyr, gave witness to your liberating gospel and echoed Christ's healing words of forgiveness. May we also seek your truth as we offer ourselves in obedience to the same. All this we pray through him who is forever the bishop and reformer of our souls, Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. SC Supreme Court Grants Partial Remittitur, Requests More Information on Rehearing Requests6/8/2022
In its April 20 decision, the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled that 14 congregations will return to our diocese and The Episcopal Church. Eight of those 14 parishes petitioned the Court on May 5 for a rehearing on a variety of issues. The Court’s rules provide two possible actions in response to these petitions: deny them outright or ask for a response from our diocese and the Episcopal Church before ruling. On Tuesday, June 7, the Court issued an order denying the petition from Christ Church, Mt. Pleasant, as well as some issues raised in the petitions from three other parishes, finding that it had not “overlooked or disregarded” any fact or law related to those issues.
The Court also requested that our diocese and The Episcopal Church respond by June 20 to the remaining issues raised by the petitions. Specifically, those issues involve trust revocation based on South Carolina law and whether trusts were created when language purporting to constitute accession existed in the parishes’ bylaws or constitutions before adoption of the Dennis Canon. Acting Chancellor Skip Utsey and the rest of our legal team will respond by June 20. After that, the Court will decide whether to grant or to deny the remaining aspects of the petitions. In an additional order, on June 8 the South Carolina Supreme Court granted our diocese’s motion for partial remittitur. The effect of this Order is to make the Court’s April 20 decision final with respect to all diocesan properties that are to be returned to our historic diocese (including the St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center) and seven of the 14 churches that are also ordered to be returned. The churches included in the partial remittitur are: Holy Trinity, Charleston; St. Bartholomew’s, Hartsville; St. David’s, Cheraw; St. James, James Island; St. John’s, Johns Island; St. Matthew’s, Fort Motte; and Christ Church, Mt. Pleasant (the Court specifically noted that because this church’s petition for rehearing is denied, they are included in the partial remittitur). In the meantime, conversations continue between diocesan leaders on both sides regarding the return of parish and diocesan properties that are not affected by the petitions for rehearing. ![]() On May 7, the Rev. Rob Dewey, a longtime priest of our diocese, was recognized for his commitment to his church, the local community, and Charleston Southern University with an honorary doctorate of Christian Leadership. The recognition acknowledged the Rev. Dewey’s “dedication as shown through his chaplaincy service throughout the Lowcountry” as well as his ministry that has spanned more than four decades and his numerous honors and awards, including “the Martin Luther King Jr. Picture Award for service to the Lowcountry in 2013; the Innovator of the year in Crisis Response in 2016; and the Ready Communities Partnership National Service Award in 2017.” The school also expressed gratitude for his many contributions to Charleston Southern University (CSU), especially his “generosity and diligence in working to establish the Dewey Center for Chaplaincy” that allows the school to offer academic programming to students seeking to enter the chaplain ministry, as well as training for current chaplains. The centers makes it possible for CSU to provide support for more than 60 forms of chaplaincy careers. Of receiving the honor, the Rev. Dewey expressed his gratitude for the unexpected recognition. “I was very surprised and am honored to be recognized by Charleston Southern University in this way,” said Fr. Dewey. “I also appreciate the support of The Episcopal Church for the past 40 years, and I am particularly thankful to Dean Michael Wright of Grace Church Cathedral.” The Rev. Dewey’s ministry has been anchored by his deep commitment to chaplaincy. In addition to beginning the South Carolina Law Enforcement Chaplaincy, he founded the Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy in 1990, serving to provide chaplains for Lowcountry first responders as well as state and federal agencies, and he created the Lowcountry Community Chaplaincy in 2017 in service of Drug Diversion Courts, the ATF, the Charleston Restaurant and Hotel Association, and the Isle of Palms Public Safety Office, among other institutions. He has also served as chaplain to the FBI and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). ![]() The Right Reverend Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has called the Rev. Ramelle McCall to serve as Canon for Leadership in the Diocese of South Carolina, beginning on September 1. The Rev. McCall currently serves as rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Baltimore, Maryland, and also as urban missioner for the Diocese of Maryland. As Canon for Leadership, he will focus his attention on developing congregational vitality and evangelism, advancing the ministries of justice in the public square (furthering the work of racial, social, and economic justice), working closely with the Commission on Ministry to raise up lay and clergy leaders for our diocese, and developing leaders for the next generation, including serving as the key liaison with the Children and Youth Commission. Bishop Woodliff-Stanley expressed great excitement about the addition to diocesan staff. “Since the first conversation I had with Ramelle, I’ve been excited about the possibility of his joining our team,” said Bishop Woodliff-Stanley. “Ramelle brings great gifts to help us build networks and capacity in our communities to strengthen our voice in the public square on pressing issues where the church needs to be present. His experience both as a parish priest and urban missioner will help us raise up strong leaders to build the Jesus movement now and with the next generation.” The Rev. McCall plans to move to Charleston later this summer and looks forward to hitting the ground running when he starts on staff in September. “I’m excited about engaging the wonderful and gracious people of South Carolina and seeing what God is doing with them and how we can all work together into the future,” said Fr. McCall. “I'm excited about the evangelism side of my role and what that looks like, whether that be church planting or how to reimagine new spaces and worship in a unique setting.” He also looks forward to bringing a voice toward racial injustice and the opportunity to work with the youth of our diocese. Fr. McCall brings a wealth of experience and a strong belief in the importance of building relationships to his new role. “I bring not only parish experience, but also experience in community organizing, bridge building, networking, and simply finding ways to engage people in ministry,” said Fr. McCall. “I like to meet everyone where they are to build a mutual relationship, with God playing a key role.” Relationship building has been key throughout his ministry. “One thing I've learned as a leader is to never underestimate putting in the time and constant intentionality in building relationships,” said Fr. McCall. “In my experience, it doesn’t happen immediately, it takes time to build that relationship and truly build trust and mutual respect—and I know I have to earn that. Once that's earned, then you're able to move forward on the particular work all sides wish to accomplish. I've learned to be very patient and very pastoral in every particular relationship, knowing that while there's an urgency to act, it does take time to discern how you want that action to be done.” A graduate of Wake Forest Divinity School, Fr. McCall is looking forward to returning to the Carolinas. He sees great potential for our growing diocese, and welcomes the opportunity to be a part of the staff Bishop Woodliff-Stanley is assembling in the first year of her episcopate. “It's an honor to join the staff as Bishop Ruth continues to build her team,” said Fr. McCall. Fr. McCall was awarded a Master of Divinity degree from Wake Forest University in 2006 and studied Anglican Studies at Virginia Theological Seminary. He was ordained in 2011 and began his ministry as interim rector at St. Philip’s in Annapolis, Maryland for a year before being called to serve as rector of St. Michael & All Angels in Baltimore, and chaplain to the Maryland Institute College of Art from 2012 to 2017. He has served as rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Baltimore and Urban Missioner for the Diocese of Maryland since 2017. He appreciates good food and enjoys playing pool, exercising, listening to great music, and singing karaoke. We look forward to welcoming him to our diocese in September. |
News BlogThe Diocese of SC Archives
March 2025
Categories
All
|