​Earlier this week, St. Stephen's, Charleston announced that with the blessing of Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley and the support of the church's rector and vestry, the Rev. Deacon Greg Smith will retire before the end of the year. His last service at St. Stephen's will be Sunday, December 3, after 24 years of ordained ministry. 

Though he will step away from the role of deacon assisting in liturgy and parish life, he will continue to serve the final two years of a six-year term as trustee on the Bishop Gadsden Board of Directors and he will continue to serve on the Diocesan Racial Justice and Reconciliation Commission. In his announcement to the congregation, Deacon Greg said, "My hope is to be less busy, to spend 'less time doing and more time being.' I want to enjoy time with my wife Lyn and our family and open my heart finding God’s spirit in Creation as I spend time in nature."

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.

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.

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.

Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has called the Rev. Gregory Hodgson to serve as interim rector of St. George's, Summerville as they continue to search for their next rector. 

In a note to the congregation shared in their last newsletter, Father Greg expressed gratitude about the call. "First, I am delighted and overjoyed to have been offered and to have accepted the call to serve as the Interim Rector here at St. George's," said Fr. Greg. "In the short time that I have served as Sunday supply, I have come to know you as a community with a strong heart to grow in the knowledge and love of God, of one another, and your engagement with the needs of the world around you."

Hodgson has served as a parish priest for almost 40 years serving congregations in South Carolina, as well as in the Dioceses of Southern Virginia, Massachusetts, and Long Island (in New York, where he was raised). ​

​Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has called the Rev. Dr. Matthew McCormick to serve as rector of St. Thomas, North Charleston (Park Circle), effective August 1. Father McCormick has served the congregation as interim rector since February 2022.
 
“I am grateful the Rev. Matthew McCormick has accepted my call to serve as rector of St. Thomas,” said Bishop Woodliff-Stanley. “Father Matt brings a pastor’s heart, a love of preaching, and energy to grow the church to this historic North Charleston parish. I look forward to working with him and with the people of St. Thomas to build a strong Episcopal presence in this vitally important area of our diocese.”
 
A graduate of Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry, Luther Seminary (St. Paul), and the Sioux Falls Seminary, Father McCormick was ordained to the priesthood in 2008. He is looking forward to continuing to serve the people of St. Thomas. “I am deeply honored and humbled to be called to serve as Rector of the wonderful and incredible St Thomas Episcopal Church, Park Circle,” said Father McCormick. “I am immensely grateful to the search committee, the vestry, and our Bishop. All praise, honor, and glory be to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
 
The Vestry of St. Thomas announced the news to their congregation during their Sunday service, and sent an email as well, noting that the Vestry unanimously accepted the recommendation of the rector search committee to call Father McCormick. “We are confident that St. Thomas will thrive under his tenure, and we are excited to have him serve as our rector,” said the Vestry in their announcement.
 
St. Thomas, North Charleston, is located at 1150 East Montague Avenue, just off historic Park Circle. It is the only church affiliated with The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion in the growing city of North Charleston. The church recently celebrated its 102nd birthday.

Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has appointed the Rev. Fred Thompson as Chaplain to Retired Clergy and Spouses for the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina. In this role, Rev. Thompson will provide systematic and intentional support for retired clergy, their spouses, and surviving spouses. Working collaboratively with regional deans, he will convene a team of clergy from across the diocese to provide local pastoral support and assist him in the development of programs for retired clergy and spouses.

“I am grateful that Father Fred has graciously accepted my invitation to serve the diocese in this role,” said Bishop Woodliff-Stanley. “His experience, particularly as a hospital chaplain, will be especially helpful in providing pastoral care to beloved members of our diocese, while also creating opportunities for engagement and involvement.” 

The Chaplains to the Retired Program is a Church Pension Group (CPG) program designed for every diocese in The Episcopal Church. Each diocesan bishop is encouraged to appoint a Chaplain to the Retired, who provides important pastoral care and resources for retired clergy, their spouses, and surviving spouses in a variety of ways, including:

• Providing local pastoral care and support for spouses and beneficiaries,
• Hosting gatherings, and
• Keeping in touch through regular communication.

From its inception, the program’s goal has been to promote wellness and a pastoral presence among clergy when they leave active ministry. The bishop’s appointment is for a two-year period.
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Reverend Thompson has been serving as interim priest-in-charge at St. Mark’s, Charleston since June 2021. He will complete his service at St. Mark’s on Sunday, July 30, to begin this part-time role. He will continue to serve as chaplain at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). 
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The Rev. Dr. Adam Shoemaker, rector of St. Stephen’s, Charleston, has joyfully called the Rev. Will Berry to serve as associate rector, with the blessing of Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley. As a member of the clergy team at St. Stephen’s, Rev. Berry will share the pastoral and liturgical leadership of the parish, with special oversight for the ministry to children, youth, and college students. He will join the staff on August 15, and preach at all services on Sunday, August 20.
 
Rev. Shoemaker shared the news by email with the St. Stephen’s congregation on Monday. “Will’s call comes at the conclusion of a nationwide search where his gifts and heart for justice clearly distinguished him amongst several qualified applicants,” said Rev. Shoemaker of the call. “He has my full confidence and the unanimous support of both a small search committee of parishioners I formed to assist me in this process and our vestry.” Read the full announcement at this link.  
 
Rev. Berry and his wife, Catilin, look forward to moving to the Charleston area with their 20-month old son, Thomas. “I’m so excited to serve the community at St. Stephen’s and to join the Diocese of South Carolina,” said Rev. Berry. “I immediately felt a connection with St. Stephen’s passion for inclusion and justice, and with their commitment to spiritual formation for all ages. As a parent of a little one and as someone with a background in youth and young adult ministry, I know how vital ministry is to the next generation. I also love the creativity that comes with supervising and engaging with those ministries, and I’m excited to join St. Stephen’s and to serve in that capacity!”

Ordained to the priesthood in 2019, Rev. Berry currently serves as priest-in-charge of the Church of the Resurrection in Lexington, Kentucky. His prior experiences in ministry were as the associate for young adults and families at Christ Church Cathedral in Lexington and as the ministry assistant and missioner at St. Mary’s House, the Episcopal chaplaincy to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In his announcement to St. Stephen’s, Rev. Shoemaker spoke highly of Will, noting that “he is a warm, outgoing, compassionate soul and a lover of music who plays multiple instruments.”
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While St. Stephen’s has been looking to fill this position on their staff, the Very Rev. Dr. Michael Shaffer has served as interim associate rector since June 1. He will continue to serve in that role through September 3.

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church was founded in 1822 as a racially-integrated congregation that to this day strives to be “a house of prayer for all people.” The congregation believes strongly in partnering with justice-minded organizations and with groups of people who offer empowerment, care, and dignity, as well as comfort and safety, to vulnerable individuals and families in the community. The church is located at 67 Anson Street in downtown Charleston where they offer weekly services each Sunday at 7:45 am (Holy Eucharist), 9 am (family-friendly Holy Eucharist), and 11 am (Choral Eucharist). 

With the blessing of Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley, the Rev. Furman Buchanan, rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Mt. Pleasant, has called the Rev. Brooks Boylan as associate rector for congregational life and growth. In this role, Father Brooks will assist in the sacramental, preaching, pastoral, and teaching functions for Christ Church, with a special focus on ministries among children, youth, and families.

Rev. Buchanan announced the joyful news on Friday, June 16, in a letter to the congregation. “We are fortunate to welcome such a faithful, gifted, and joyful priest who also brings a wealth of experience in youth and children’s ministry,” said Fr. Buchanan.

Currently serving as associate rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Arlington, Virginia, Father Brooks is looking forward to joining Christ Church in mid-July along with his wife, Dr. Sarah Stonesifer Boylan, and their young son, Red. “My family and I are very excited about this new adventure with the Diocese of South Carolina,” said Father Brooks. “Becoming a part of the Christ Church, Mount Pleasant community is an incredible opportunity, and the work ahead will be truly amazing. I am looking forward to get to know this parish and to grow with them.”

A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Father Brooks earned both a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts and master’s degree in education from the University of Mississippi. He then served for 10 years as a youth and family minister in the Dioceses of Alabama and Western Louisiana before following the call to ordained ministry, earning a Master of Divinity degree from Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS) in May 2019. Father Brooks was ordained to the priesthood in the Episcopal Diocese of Western Louisiana in June 2019. Upon graduation from VTS he served as curate at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Lafayette, LA, and then in December 2020, he joined St. Peter’s, Arlington.  

​Originally built in 1708, the historic Christ Church Parish was one of the first churches in the Diocese of South Carolina. In addition to the smaller, historic church building, the more than 20-acre campus includes a larger and more modern sanctuary, dedicated in 1996, and Christ Church Day School, which welcomes children ages 12 months to five years. Christ Church, Mt. Pleasant, is located at 2304 Highway 17 North.

Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has called the Rev. Joseph Smith to serve as the first rector of The Episcopal Church on Edisto (Edisto Island), beginning on Sunday, August 20, 2023. Currently, Father Smith is the rector of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, Pennsylvania, where he has been for almost nine years. A native of Columbia, South Carolina, he looks forward to returning to the Palmetto State.
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“We are delighted to welcome Father Joseph Smith back to South Carolina,” said Bishop Woodliff-Stanley. “Beloved in his present diocese, Father Joseph brings the experience, skill, vision and care that will help The Episcopal Church on Edisto build a compelling next chapter in their ministry. We look forward to welcoming Father Joseph, his wife Sharon, and their family to our diocese.”
 
Ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Upper South Carolina in 2008, Father Smith served two congregations in Spartanburg, South Carolina, before moving to Pennsylvania for the call to St. Mary’s in 2014. Though he is grateful for his time in Wayne, Pennsylvania, he is very much looking forward to the move to Edisto Island, along with his wife, Sharon. “I knew right away that it was the right place for me to be at this time in my life,” said Father Smith. In a letter shared with his current church congregation on Sunday, he referenced his sermon on that day saying, “Some of you may have noticed that today’s sermon was all about answering God’s call. I believe that by accepting this new challenge, by taking this leap of faith, Sharon and I are saying ‘yes.’”

Father Smith is a graduate of the College of Charleston (1987) and received his Master of Divinity from the Sewanee School of Theology in 2007. He and his wife, Sharon, are the parents of three adult children, Lindsay, Patrick, and Connor. They are also parents to Sam, an adult refugee from the Republic of the Congo.

The Episcopal Church on Edisto was founded after the diocesan schism in 2012 by faithful Episcopalians on Edisto Island who wanted to maintain a presence of The Episcopal Church on their beloved barrier island. This devoted group, committed to being a loving and inclusive congregation, began worshiping together wherever they could find the space—first living rooms, then a BBQ restaurant, before finally finding a home in the historic church building of the New First Missionary Baptist Church at 1650 Highway 174. They founded The Episcopal Church on Edisto, which was recognized as a mission of our diocese in 2014 and as a parish in 2022. 

Over the years, The Episcopal Church on Edisto has been served by a number of priests-in-charge and supply clergy, but they are grateful to call their first rector. James Gettys, who currently serves as the church’s senior warden, noted that the congregation is “joyful and excited” to welcome Father Smith to Edisto Island.

Pat Neumann served as the chair for the church’s Rector Search Committee. “From the time that our Search Committee first reviewed the application materials from the Rev. Joseph Smith until the moment we took the vote to send his name to our Vestry, we could feel the Holy Spirit moving among us,” said Neumann. “Father Smith is the perfect priest for The Episcopal Church on Edisto.  We have truly been blessed by God.”
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Father Smith will complete his service at St. Mary’s on July 30 and will start at The Episcopal Church on Edisto on Sunday, August 20.

T​he Rev. Bill Coyne completed a year of service as interim priest-in-charge at The Episcopal Church on Edisto at the end of May. Though he originally committed for a period of six months, he graciously agreed to double that commitment as the church continued their search for their next rector. The church is hopefully nearing the end of that search and hopes to call their first rector soon.

Father Bill shared a message with the congregation, that concluded with his wishes for their future: "I see a bright future for this parish. May the new Rector continue to find you resilient, prayerful and mission-minded," said Rev. Coyne.

The Episcopal Church on Edisto will be served by a number of supply clergy over the coming months as they hope to soon call their new rector.

​Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has called the Rev. Laura Rezac as executive director of St. Christopher Camp & Conference Center on Seabrook Island, succeeding the Rev. Helen and Rick Hargreaves, who have been serving as interim directors for the past seven months. The Rev. Rezac currently serves as associate rector for Children & Youth Formation at St. Stephen’s, Charleston, and she has been serving as chair of the Steering Committee at St. Christopher Camp & Conference Center, leading the transition of the property back to our diocese since it was returned in October 2022. She will begin this new role in June, serving alongside the Hargreaves through the end of August.
 
“It is with much joy that I announce my call of the Rev. Laura Rezac to serve as the executive director of St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center,” said Bishop Woodliff-Stanley. “With a background as an educator, a skilled outdoor and camping guide, and an experienced youth leader and program developer, Laura combines her love of conference and camping ministries with the skill set we need to support our vital camp and conference center ministries.”
 
“As chair of the Steering Committee for the past six months, Laura has provided leadership for the transition of St Christopher back to the diocese,” said Bishop Woodliff-Stanley. “In this role, Laura has worked with staff, the steering committee, our consultants, our chancellor, and other leaders on a range of issues we have needed to address to insure the successful transition to a new season. She has skillfully navigated detailed financial, personnel, legal, pastoral, spiritual, and insurance matters in a way that has won the confidence of staff and diocesan leaders. I am thrilled Laura has accepted this call and look forward to a great future for St Christopher’s under her leadership. She will begin her work in June, providing intentional overlap with our wonderful interim directors, Helen and Rick Hargreaves, to support a strong camping season and a seamless leadership transition.”
 
Located on 314 acres of beach, maritime forest, and undisturbed salt marsh, St. Christopher Camp & Conference Center was first created through the gift of land to the Episcopal Church and the Diocese of South Carolina beginning in 1938. Initially created as a summer camp for disadvantaged boys, St. Christopher has grown into a year-round camp and conference facility. In addition, the Barrier Island Environmental Education Program has operated since 1981, providing an amazing outdoor education experience for school children.
 
Ordained to the priesthood in December 2020, Rev. Laura began serving at St. Stephen’s, Charleston, in October 2020. She looks forward to this next step in her ministry. “I am both humbled and honored by the bishop's call to serve as executive director at St. Christopher Camp & Conference Center in this new season for their ministry and for our diocese,” said the Rev. Rezac. “Through my work on the Steering Committee, I have come to know and deeply appreciate the hardworking people who serve this beloved institution with such grace, and I have come to love the land itself as a 'thin place' where generations of South Carolinians have experienced the presence of God in nature and in community. I am both thrilled and grateful to accept this call from our bishop.”
 
With a lifelong love of the outdoors, Rev. Laura grew up spending summers as a camper, and later as a counselor, at Camp Pisgah, a Girl Scout Camp in western North Carolina. She received a bachelor’s degree from Agnes Scott College and a Master of Science in chemistry from UNC Chapel Hill. While in graduate school for chemistry, and later as a visiting lecturer at UNC, she discerned a call to ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church. She graduated from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific with a Master of Divinity in 2020. She formerly served as a youth minister at the Chapel of the Cross in Chapel Hill, NC, where she oversaw the Episcopal Youth Community, taught confirmation classes, and led mission trips, outdoor adventures, pilgrimages, and retreats of all kinds.
 
Prior to joining St. Stephen’s, Rev. Laura served as a seminarian and transitional deacon at St. Andrew’s On-the-Sound in Wilmington, NC. She also has extensive teaching experience as a university lecturer, middle school teacher, and informal educator, with a keen interest in Christian formation of children and adolescents. Originally from western North Carolina, Rev. Laura studied in Japan for three semesters during college, and spent time in South Africa as a seminarian. She is married to Chris Rezac and they have one four-legged child, a gangly Doberman named Ichabod Crane. Laura and Chris enjoy exploring state parks, sea kayaking, camping, taking fun expeditions, and cooking for friends and family.
 
Rev. Laura’s final day with St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Charleston will be Sunday, June 4. She will begin working full time at St. Christopher Camp & Conference Center on June 5, 2023, serving alongside the Rev. Helen and Rick Hargreaves (interim directors) through the end of August. View the announcement from St. Stephen’s, Charleston, at this link.