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THE BISHOP

Picture
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:
  • Bishop Gladstone B. "Skip" Adams (Bishop Provisional 2016-2019)
  • Bishop Charles G. vonRosenberg​(Bishop Provisional 2013-2016)
  • History of the Episcopate


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P.O. Box 20485, Charleston, SC 29413 - ​843.259.2016 - info@episcopalchurchsc.org
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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Our History
    • Our Vision
    • Find a Church
    • Deaneries
    • The Bishop >
      • Messages from Bishop Woodliff-Stanley
    • Clergy & Staff >
      • Clergy in Good Standing
      • Clergy and Transition Ministries
    • Governance >
      • Constitution & Canons
      • Convention
      • Boards and Committees >
        • Standing Committee
        • Diocesan Council
        • Trustees of the Diocese
        • Deputies to General Convention
        • Commission on Ministry
        • Liturgical Commission
        • Visioning Committee
        • University of the South Trustees
        • Other Boards and Committees
    • Historical Timeline
    • FAQ
  • Ministry
    • Prayer Calendar
    • Diocesan Meditations
    • Outreach
    • Grants for Congregations
    • Administrative Resources
    • Clergy Resources
    • Liturgy & Worship >
      • Liturgical Commission >
        • Bishop Guerry
      • Marriage
      • The Lectionary
      • The Book of Common Prayer
      • Brother, Give Us A Word (SSJE)
      • Daily Prayer: Forward Movement
    • Education & Formation >
      • Adults
      • College Ministry
      • Youth
      • Children
    • Church Connections >
      • The Episcopal Church >
        • Province IV
      • The Anglican Communion
      • Anglicans Online >
        • The Society of Archbishop Justus
      • Daughters of the King
      • Episcopal Church Women (ECW)
      • Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross
      • Order of St. Helena
    • Ecumenical & Interfaith >
      • Racial Justice & Reconciliation
      • Fellowship of SC Bishops/Public Education Initiative
      • Charleston Area Justice Ministry
      • Christian Jewish Council
      • Gun Violence Prevention
    • Communication and Evangelism >
      • Carolina Grace
      • Social Media Sunday
      • Mission Matters Videos
  • News
    • News Blog
    • 80th General Convention 2022 >
      • 80th General Convention Blog
    • Events Calendar
    • Upcoming Events
    • Lent 2023
    • Sacred Ground 2022
    • Responding to COVID-19
    • Email Newsletter
    • Episcopal News Service
    • Anglican Communion News
  • Giving
  • Convention
    • 232nd Diocesan Convention
  • Contact Us
    • Get in touch
    • Make a donation
    • Sign up for the newsletter
    • News Submission