Bishop Calls Ann Fleming as Canon for Congregational Development

Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has called Ann Fleming as Canon for Congregational Development in the Diocese of South Carolina, beginning on June 1. Fleming currently serves as Vice President for Development and Operations at the Episcopal Church Building Fund (ECBF), where she has worked in several capacities since 2020. At ECBF, Fleming has consulted with a number of congregations in our diocese as they strategize and plan for future building. Since 2023, she has been a key consultant to Messiah, Myrtle Beach, skillfully guiding church leadership through the process to create a visioning report and building plan as they work toward building a new church home. As Canon for Congregational Development, Fleming will oversee mission strategy for the diocese, including the development and implementation of resources to raise up and equip clergy and lay leaders for transformative congregational life.

Bishop Woodliff-Stanley is excited to welcome Fleming to her staff. “I am absolutely thrilled Ann is joining our team!” said Bishop Woodliff-Stanley. “The work she has already done with congregations in our diocese as an ECBF consultant has led to much demand for her to be present more among us. Her broad and deep experience in congregational and leadership development will help us manage the rapid growth we are experiencing in our diocese. She has an infectious positive approach to challenges combined with impressive skill and a team spirit. I look forward to welcoming her to the Lowcountry.”

In this new role, Fleming will primarily focus on supporting and guiding individual congregations in their growth and development, often by facilitating leadership training, strategic planning, revitalization efforts, and connecting churches with necessary resources to address specific needs within their communities. In addition to her time with ECBF, Fleming brings a wealth of work experience at the diocesan level, having served as Missioner for Transition and Congregational Development, as well as Regional Missioner, for The Episcopal Church in Colorado.

While Fleming was not looking for a new job, she felt a special call to this opportunity to work with Bishop Ruth and the people of the Diocese of South Carolina. “Sometimes I’m not sure what God wants me to do next,” said Fleming. “And sometimes I can feel a hand in my back and a voice in my ear saying, ‘Trust me. Go.’ This is one of those times. All the doors are swinging open and I am ready to step through and into this new season with Bishop Ruth and all of you in The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina. It is simply a gift of the Holy Spirit, and I am profoundly grateful to be able to say, ‘Here I am, God. Send me.’”

Fleming currently lives in Colorado, but is looking forward to moving to South Carolina in the coming months. She enjoys traveling and good food and is open to recommendations for great places to eat in our diocese! She has two adult children, of whom she is quite proud, particularly “all the ways they are living into their best and most authentic selves,” said Fleming.
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While this role is a new full-time position on diocesan staff, she will assume the responsibility for congregational development and church planting that previously was assigned to Andrea McKellar as Canon for Strategy and Vitality. As was announced at the end of February,  Canon McKellar plans to step back from her role on diocesan staff later this summer. She will work with Fleming for a period of transition once she joins the staff on June 1.

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