The Right Reverend Ruth Woodliff-Stanley was ordained bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina on October 2, 2021 at Grace Church Cathedral in Charleston.
A native of Mississippi, the bishop earned a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Psychology from Swarthmore College before continuing her education at Yale Divinity School and Berkeley (Master of Divinity) and Columbia University School of Social Work (Master of Science in Social Work). She was ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Mississippi in June 1991. Her ministry has led her to serve as canon on the staffs of two bishops in the Episcopal Church—serving as canon to the ordinary in the Diocese of Colorado and canon for strategic change in the Dioceses of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York. She has also served at a church-wide level as Interim President and Vice President of The Episcopal Church Building Fund. She has served parishes over the years as rector, priest-in-charge, and assistant rector. In addition, she has served as consultant to several dioceses, including dioceses dealing with schism or serious division, addressing needs including conflict transformation, stewardship of finances and property, and strategic planning. She has a history of activism with a focus on anti-racism work and LGBTQ advocacy. Bishop Woodliff-Stanley was elected on the second ballot to lead the Diocese of South Carolina in May 2021. She is the fifteenth bishop of the historic diocese, and the first woman to serve in the role. She is also the first full-time diocesan bishop of the diocese since 2012. The bishop is married to the Rev. Nathan Woodliff-Stanley and they have two adult sons, George and John. In her free time, Bishop Ruth enjoys spending time with family and friends, creative writing, traveling, swimming, gardening, bicycling, painting, cooking, enjoying freshly ground coffee, and riding great roller coasters. |
The Bishop's Messages
Visit this page for sermons from the bishop's visitations throughout the diocese, as well as other messages and reflections. Click here for information on:
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