​Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has called the Rev. John West as priest-in-charge of St. James-Santee, McClellanville. Father West was ordained to the priesthood in 2000 and has served as a priest in the Dioceses of Georgia and Virginia before making his way to the Diocese of South Carolina.

“I am delighted and very happy to be the priest-in-charge of St. James-Santee Episcopal Church," said Father West. "It is a lovely, warm, inviting and welcoming congregation. I look forward to getting to know my new colleagues and the many Episcopal Church members in the Diocese of South Carolina.”

Father West earned his undergraduate degrees from the University of Georgia and attended Virginia Theological Seminary. He also attended Saint George's College in Jerusalem, Israel. He has three grown children.

Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley shares a word about the remarkable life of Chancellor Emeritus Thomas S. Tisdale, Jr. who died on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.


January 30, 2025
​

Dear Beloved People in the Diocese of South Carolina,

Thomas Sumter Tisdale, Jr., beloved child of God and Chancellor Emeritus of the Diocese of South Carolina, has gone home to be with our Lord. As the son of the Rev. Cn. Thomas Sumter Tisdale, an Episcopal priest who served for 50 years in the Diocese of South Carolina, Chancellor Tisdale’s roots run deep in this state and diocese. 

Tom’s family has been a part of this diocese and The Episcopal Church for generations. He demonstrated tremendous love and loyalty to the Church and to the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina throughout his lifetime. He was a devoted member of Grace Church Cathedral in Charleston.

An accomplished lawyer, Tom shared his time and his immense talents in the name of service to the Diocese of South Carolina for decades. He served as chancellor from 1970-1985 during the episcopates of Bishop Temple and Bishop Allison, before returning to this role after the schism in 2012 to serve under our provisional bishops, Bishop von Rosenberg and Bishop Adams, and through my early tenure as your bishop. In total, Tom served under five bishops of the Diocese of South Carolina. In November 2022 at the 232nd Convention of The Diocese of South Carolina, it was my distinct honor to present Chancellor Tisdale with the Bishop’s Cross in recognition of his devotion to our diocese, and most notably his tireless efforts to ensure The Episcopal Church would continue to be present in South Carolina for generations to come. 

Tom served as a delegate to multiple General Conventions of The Episcopal Church over the years, beginning in 1972, and most recently in 2015. He also served on The Executive Council of The Episcopal Church and as Chair of the Committee on Program, Budget, and Finance. Additionally, he served on the Board of Trustees at various institutions of our diocese, including Porter-Gaud School, Voorhees College (now University), and his alma mater, Sewanee: The University of the South.

In addition to his legal talents, Tom was a gifted writer and publisher. He authored numerous books about the Lowcountry over his lifetime. In 2013, he wrote the play “Truth in Cold Blood,” which told the remarkable story of the eighth bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina, Bishop William Alexander Guerry, who was shot in his own office by a priest who opposed the bishop’s efforts to advance racial equality. As described on his publishing site, the play attempted to “restore the memory of this tragedy to a place where it can, as all history strives to do, lead people to a better understanding of how to face the future while, at the same time, confronting the past and present.” In 2014, the play was brought to the stage at the historic Dock Street Theater here in Charleston.
 
Like Bishop Guerry, Chancellor Tisdale was also drawn to the cause of racial equality, working as a tireless advocate throughout his lifetime for those who faced discrimination and injustice. During my tenure in South Carolina, people have shared stories with me about countless times Tom provided legal or financial assistance when he saw there was a need, often when he saw a racial injustice that he wanted to make right. In many of these instances, he offered his time and talents without expecting anything in return other than seeing justice prevail and humanity restored. He was a good man and a faithful servant of our God.

His legacy in guiding this diocese through perilous waters is unparalleled. A loving husband, father, friend, and churchman, Tom will be missed dearly by us all. Our hearts are with his beloved wife, Nina, and their family members, including children and grandchildren, as they grieve such a tremendous loss and celebrate a life well lived.

Faithfully yours,

The Rt. Rev. Ruth Woodliff-Stanley
Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina

As we begin a new year, Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley encourages congregational leadership to engage in mutual ministry reviews. To this end, the bishop and her staff have been implementing this process as well. With the help of the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, Bishop Ruth has been the first to undergo this important review. Rev. Jennings spent time talking with each member of the bishop's staff individually, as well as the Standing Committee, Diocesan Council and Trustees, to assess the areas of strength, as well as those needing attention or fine tuning within the bishop’s ministry and office. Bishop Ruth plans to conduct the next phase, implementing a mutual ministry review with each staff member. 

Every congregation in our diocese is expected to engage in the healthy process of ministry review on an annual basis. This expectation is ‘built in’ every Letter of Agreement (LOA) between the congregation and priest.  At a minimum, every three years this review should be with a trained consultant from outside the congregation.
 
What is Mutual Ministry Review, and why should our parish do it? Mutual Ministry Review is a way for every parish to ask, “How are we doing?”  It is a time to celebrate what has been done well and to understand what might be done better.  As Christian people we must always ask:  "What is God calling us to do and to accomplish here in this place?"  And then, "How can we best practice this ministry?"
 
Mutual Ministry Review is meant to help the entire leadership team better accomplish God’s mission.  What is being reviewed is the ministry of laity and clergy working together in the daily life of the community for the glory of God.
 
Mutual Ministry Review is intended to nurture environments where responsibilities are discussed and reviewed regularly and comfortably.  As a result, communities and individuals will understand what is expected of them. Roles will be clarified, and time and energy centered on what is important for the building up of the Body of Christ. Participants are encouraged to remember that the intent of the Mutual Ministry Review is to improve effective ministry. The emphasis is on celebrating the successes and resolving the challenges.  
 
Guidelines for Mutual Ministry Review are available from the Canon to the Ordinary, the Rev. Cn. Philip Linder.
 
What assistance is provided by the Bishop’s Office?
 
Bishop Ruth has asked the Rev. William Coyne ([email protected]) to be available to facilitate the MMR process in each congregation.  Other facilitators are being sought as well, and a congregation may choose to use other experienced facilitators from ‘outside’ the congregation’s ‘system’. Each congregation is expected to cover the cost and should be included in the annual budget.  Diocesan assistance will be made available if needed. 

The 234th Diocesan Convention adjourned on Saturday just before noon after three days of business sessions, inspiring messages, and fellowship with people from across the diocese and special guests. The theme of this year's convention was "Wonders in the Deep" and all of the event was held at the Sonesta Resort on Hilton Head Island, except for the Opening Eucharist on Thursday evening at All Saints, Hilton Head (watch the Eucharist at this link). 

One of the special guests at this year's convention was the presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church, the Most Reverend Sean Rowe. As his investiture service was held earlier this month, this visit marked his very first diocesan visit as presiding bishop. It was an honor for him to preach at the Opening Eucharist on Thursday, where he urged everyone to "get in the boat" as we work together to face the challenges around us and spread the love of Christ (watch Bishop Rowe's sermon at this link).

Additionally, the Convention was grateful to welcome the Reverend Canon Mpho Tutu van Furth as keynote speaker this year. She is an Episcopal priest, an artist, an author, an accomplished public speaker and retreat facilitator. In addition to her keynote address on Friday morning (watch the keynote address at this link), Canon Tutu van Furth also participated in a panel discussion along with Presiding Bishop Rowe and Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley (watch the panel discussion at this link). She also spoke on the third business day following Morning Prayer, where she shared a pertinent excerpt from her book, Forgiveness and Reparation, the Healing Journey (watch the Saturday reflection at this link). 

The Convention was called to order on Thursday, November 21, at 3 pm, and quickly moved through the first matters of business including appointment of convention committees, certification of quorum, election of the treasurer (Barry Ronan), and confirmation of the secretary (Diane Wilson). Bishop Woodliff-Stanley also announced the appointment of regional deans, which included one change due to the upcoming retirement of the Very Rev. Roy Tripp (Southern Deanery). The following were appointed to lead the deaneries:

• The Very Rev. Cn. Wilmot Merchant II (Pee-Dee/Waccamaw Deanery)
• The Very Rev. Michael Shaffer (Peninsula Deanery)
• The Very. Rev. Bill Watson (Southern Deanery)
• The Very Rev. Joseph Smith (West Charleston Deanery)

After the primary business of the first Business Session was accomplished, Bishop Woodliff-Stanley offered her address (watch the bishop's address at this link), which included the sermon she preached at the Service of Lament and Repentance held at St. Mark's, Charleston on November 10. The service was held jointly by the three historically African American churches on the peninsula of Charleston (St. Stephen's, St. Mark's, and Calvary) to offer lament and repentance for the complicity of The Episcopal Church in the transatlantic slave trade. Following her address, Canon Lonnie Hamilton III (Calvary, Charleston) offered a beautiful musical response of "Wade in the Water" on saxophone.

On Friday, there was a full day of business after setting the foundation with Morning Prayer and then the keynote address by Canon Tutu van Furth and the panel discussion noted above. The business of the day included the following:

• Report from the Chancellor (Skip Utsey)
• Elections for diocesan positions (results at the bottom of this article), as well as for amendments to the diocesan constitutions and canons
• Lunch workshops
• Recognition of postulants, and new clergy and leaders
• Recognition of institutions with reports from Voorhees University and Bishop Gadsden
• Report from the Dominican Development Group
• Reports from Standing Commitee, Treasurer, Diocesan Council (on the budget), and on the Strategic Vision and Parish Giving

The day ended with fun and fellowship over dinner at a beachside pavillion. View photos from the second day of convention (including from the dinner) on Facebook at this link.

The final business session convened on Saturday morning (November 23). After Morning Prayer, and the reflection by Canon Tutu van Furth noted above, the Convention quickly turned to business with reports from the Youth Commission and St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center. Gail DeCosta and the Rev. Adam Shoemaker shared a report from the diocesan Racial Justice and Reconciliation Commission about their full year of work, and there was an introductory presentation about the Calvary Icons Project, which was inspired by last year's convention. More will be shared on this project in an upcoming newsletter. View photos from the third day on Facebook at this link.

Before the final items of business for the day, Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley presented the "Becoming Beloved Community" Spotlight Award to All Saints, Hilton Head Island, for their decision to transform their "mother's morning out" childcare program into a full 3-4K program, with a particular focus on serving parts of the community that are under-resourced in the area of childcare options for working parents. Many students at All Saints Child Develompment attend at a reduced cost or no cost at all through the 4K First Steps and ABC state programs. The desire to provide this program as a way to serve the community around them was inspired by participation in the Sacred Ground program offered by The Episcopal Church. Watch the presentation of this award at this link.
The 234th Diocesan Convention adjourned just before noon, right after the Rev. Furman Buchanan, rector of Christ Church, Mt. Pleasant, issued the invitation to the 235th Diocesan Convention on November 6-8, 2025. The convention will be held at Christ Church, Mt. Pleasant, hosted by the Peninsula Deanery. 

Links to recordings of highlights of convention were provided in the text above, but may also be found in the 234th Diocesan Convention playlist on our diocesan YouTube page at this link. Photos from each day of the convention are available in albums on Facebook at the following links:

• Day One
• Day Two
• Day Three

Information about Convention, as well as links to videos has been added to the Convention webpage at this link. Additional information will be added next week.

The 234th Diocesan Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina was held November 21-23, 2024. Thank you to all who stood as candidates for the open positions this year. The following nominees were elected to serve the Diocese:

Diocesan Council (Three-year terms)
Clergy: The Rev. Kevin Sparrow (St. Anne's, Conway), the Very Rev. Roy Tripp (St. Mark's, Port Royal)
Lay: Charlinda Gallant (Calvary, Charleston); Sally Mayse (St. Mark's Port Royal)
​
Standing Committee (Three-year terms)
Clergy: The Rev. Ricardo Bailey (Calvary, Charleston); The Rev. Denise Trogdon (All Saints, Hilton Head)
Lay: Peter Gaillard (St. Mark's, Port Royal); and Diane Wilson (St. George's, Summerville)

Trustees of the Diocese (Six-year terms)
Clergy: The Rev. Rob Spainhour (Epiphany, Charleston)
Lay: Laura Marshall (Heavenly Rest, Estill)

University of the South Trustee (Three-year term)
Clergy: The Very Rev. Joseph Smith (St. Francis, Edisto Island)

November 6, 2024

​​Dear beloved members of the diocese,

Our country has elected a new president. And today, we rise. Our work continues and the Gospel endures.

In these times, no matter our internal disposition, let us be the Gospel we proclaim. May we commit ourselves to continuing the work of race justice, to defending the rights of our siblings in the LGBTQIA community, to supporting immigrants with compassion and kindness, and to protecting the most vulnerable among us. We are called to live our faith and the call of our baptismal covenant to respect the dignity of every human being. This is what Jesus calls us to do.

Today, we rise. Love your neighbor and yourself. Let us continue to pray for peace and unity in Christ. The work continues and the Gospel endures, forever.
​
Faithfully yours,
Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley

On Election Day, Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley offers a word for the diocese. Watch in in the video above. 

In her message, she includes the following prayer:

Collect for our Country: Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 820)