Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has called the Rev. Jeffrey Wallace to serve as priest-in-charge of St. David’s, Cheraw, beginning Sunday, October 1. Father Jeff most recently served as associate priest of St. George’s, Summerville, and as chaplain to the Charleston Port and Seafarers’ Society and the South Carolina Port Authority.
 
The Rev. Mike Bye had been serving St. David’s, Cheraw and the Episcopal Worship Group of Cheraw for the past five years. When St. David’s, Cheraw, and St. Bartholomew’s, Hartsville, returned to our diocese in 2022, Father Mike answered the call to serve as interim priest-in-charge of both congregations. As Father Jeff answers this call to St. David’s, Father Mike will focus his ministry as priest-in-charge of St. Bartholomew’s.
 
“The Rev. Mike Bye, working with outstanding lay leaders laid a solid foundation for a new season of ministry at St. David’s, Cheraw,” said Bishop Woodliff-Stanley. “Now, as Father Bye moves his full-time attention to St. Bartholomew’s, I am delighted that the Rev. Jeff Wallace has accepted the call to serve as priest-in-charge at St. David’s. Father Wallace is well known and loved in this diocese and in the community, particularly for his pastoral experience ministering to seafarers. His passion for the care of our front-line workers has been a particularly important part of his ministry. His pastoral and administrative skills will be a gift to St. David’s.”
 
With more than 40 years of experience in parish work at Lutheran and Episcopal churches (including St. Paul’s, Bennettsville), Wallace was ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of South Carolina in 2007. Earlier this year, after ending his season of ministry with the Charleston Port and Seafarers’ Society, he founded Grace-based Grief Resources for Children (GGRC), a Christian community of volunteers whose mission is to help the “helpers” of traumatized and bereaved children. The organization provides the services of an ordained chaplain or of a certified grief counselor to first responders, children's ministers, crisis chaplains, hospice caregivers, hospital staff, foster parents, funeral directors, and house parents of group homes. Fr. Jeff hopes to extend the reach of GGRC to the Cheraw area and plans to be visible in the community in other ways. 
 
Fr. Jeff and his wife of 45 years, Stephanie, have four adult children and eight grandchildren.

As five churches have returned to The Episcopal Church and the Diocese of South Carolina over the past year, ministries both old and new have continued to grow and thrive, including the Order of the Daughters of the King. First instituted in 1920, the Daughters of the King (DOK) chapter at Christ Episcopal Church in Mt. Pleasant was reinstituted on Sunday, September 17, 2023 with a reaffirmation of vows by 11 members of Christ Church who are existing DOK members from previous chapters, known as daughters-at-large. By reaffirmation of the promises made at baptism and confirmation, Daughters of the King pledge themselves to a lifelong program of prayers, service, and evangelism, dedicated to the spread of Christ’s kingdom and the strengthening of the spiritual life of their parish.

Christ Episcopal Church was reunited with The Episcopal Church and the historic Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina in September 2022 after nearly a decade of division. Sunday’s event was a joyous occasion led by the church’s rector, the Rev. Furman Buchanan and the Rev. Brooks Boylan, associate rector. The President of the South Carolina Daughters of the King Assembly, Ms. Kester Heaton, also participated in the service.

“I am thrilled to be able to restore the Order of the Daughters of the King at Christ Episcopal Church,” said Father Buchanan. “These 11 women who had been faithful in congregations on both sides of the diocesan schism now serve as an outward and visible sign of the unity, love, prayer, and service to which we are fully committed at Christ Episcopal Church.”

Ms. Bonny Collins and Ms. Tricia Elliott have led the efforts to restart this ministry at Christ Church, where it was last reinstituted in 1996 and remained active until 2021. In a statement, Collins and Elliott shared that they are “grateful for the opportunity to reestablish this chapter.” Now that the chapter has been reinstituted, the members will work to install permanent leadership and provide opportunities for new members to join.
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The Order of the Daughters of the King is open to women and girls ages seven and older who desire a closer walk with Lord. Daughters follow a daily Rule of Life, fulfilling the vows of prayer and service. Learn more about The Order online at www.doknational.org.

With excitement for the continued growth and development of Voorhees University, Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley is thrilled to share that the Reverend Marie-Carmel Chery has been called to serve as Dean of the Chapel & Spiritual Engagement at Voorhees University, effective September 1, 2023. In this role, Dean Chery will also serve as vicar of St. Philip’s Chapel on campus, as well as an assistant professor of Theological Studies at the university.

Dean Chery earned a bachelor’s degree in religious science from the Episcopal University of Haiti, and she graduated from the Episcopal Theological Seminary in Port-au-Prince, Haiti in 2011. She was ordained to the priesthood in Haiti in 2014. Prior to coming to the United States, Dean Chery served several parishes across Jeremie, Cap-Haitian, and Leogane and also as a faculty member at the Episcopal Nursing School in Leogane. She served internships in the Diocese of Upper South Carolina.

Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley shared her joy about this new season of ministry at Voorhees University. “The Rev. Marie-Carmel Chery’s appointment is truly the work of the Holy Spirit,” said the bishop. “Her ministry in both church and university settings equips her to be an outstanding dean, chaplain, and vicar at Voorhees and St. Philip’s Chapel. Dean Chery’s deep walk with Jesus, her spiritual maturity and grounded leadership style, and her gracious spirit are gifts that will benefit students, faculty, and parishioners alike. With much joy, and with gratitude to the church in Haiti and in the Upper Diocese of South Carolina, I welcome Mother Chery into our Diocese and look forward to her leadership among us.”

In an announcement shared last week by Voorhees University, the school’s president, Dr. Ronnie Hopkins, expressed happiness about the new hire. “We are excited to welcome Dean Chery to Voorhees University,” said Hopkins.”  He noted that her rich background, unwavering commitment, and extensive experience make her an outstanding addition to the Voorhees community.  “Her leadership is set to provide invaluable guidance, inspiration, and spiritual direction to the university’s diverse student body, faculty, and staff. With her strong academic foundation and deep-rooted faith, Reverend Chery is poised to foster an environment where intellectual growth and spiritual development harmoniously converge.”

In the announcement, Voorhees University acknowledged the positive impact Dean Chery will bring to the institution and the broader community, noting: “Her appointment reinforces Voorhees’ commitment to providing a holistic education that nurtures the mind, body, and spirit.”

Dean Chery succeeds Dean Corey Smith in her new roles; Dean Smith stepped down in early 2023 due to health reasons. This position is being fully funded by The Episcopal Church through the actions of the Executive Council. Voorhees University, located in the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina, is one of two historically black colleges and universities affiliated with The Episcopal Church.