Deacons Gather in Retreat at Bishop Gadsden

On December 8, the deacons of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina gathered for a retreat at Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Retirement Community. After several years in which the deacons had not been regularly meeting, the retreat was an opportunity for reconnecting, introducing newcomers, and discerning the future for the diaconate in our diocese. 

Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley led the retreat, beginning with a service of Holy Eucharist in the chapel. The Book of Common Prayer assigns certain pieces of the liturgy to deacons. Some of those portions—including the reading of the Gospel lesson and leading the Prayers of the People—were expanded in this worship service. The Gospel was read several times to prompt a session of "lectio divina," an exploration of where God’s voice in scripture might be speaking to the current moment. That exploration led into a meditative form of the Prayers of the People, in which the specific concerns of the church and the world were raised by our deacons. 

The Rev. Charles Jenkins, Chaplain at Bishop Gadsden, gave opening remarks on the ministry and community life of the chapel. During lunch, Bishop Gadsden’s President and CEO, Ms. Sarah Tipton, spoke about the importance of service to her own work. 

“It was such a pleasure to host the Deacons’ Retreat at Bishop Gadsden, as we all share a common purpose of service,” said Ms. Tipton. “This call is foundational to our mission at Bishop Gadsden. We honor the broad and varied diaconal ministries and gifts of our deacons throughout the Diocese. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to serve them in their time of reflection and refreshment.”

In the afternoon session, Bishop Woodliff-Stanley led a discussion of the various ways in which deacons are engaged in ministry in South Carolina and in the wider church. Attendees shared stories from their own pasts and the history of the diocese as they discerned together what the future might hold for the diaconate in this time and place. 

In his role on the bishop’s staff, Canon for Common Mission Ryan Currie assisted in planning the retreat and was present for the day’s events. Canon Currie said, “I think the feeling was unanimous—this retreat was a great chance for reconnection and reengagement, but there’s already an appetite for more. More time together, more opportunities for communication and sharing in ministry—this group is already looking forward to future retreats.”

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