Diocese of South Carolina News, May 22, 2015

May 22, 2015,

Presiding Bishop of Anglican Province of South America Reassures Diocese It’s Part of Anglican Communion
“You are not alone,” says Bishop Zavala, speaking for primates of the Global South, which represents two-thirds of the world’s Anglicans

Bishop Mark Lawrence with Bishop Tito Zavala

“I'm here with you with the consent of the Archbishop of Canterbury," said Bishop Tito Zavala. He told those gathered that Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, was with the Global South Primates Steering Committee in a meeting in Cairo, Egypt in 2014 when "we decided to establish a Primatial Oversight Council to provide pastoral and primatial oversight to some dioceses in order to keep them within the Communion," said Bishop Zavala. ”

Read the full story. View photographs .

Missions: The Heart of the Church
Missions Conference Sponsored by the Diocese of South Carolina and the Parish Church of St. Helena's, Beaufort, June 6

Heart with flags of nations

The Diocese of South Carolina and the Parish Church of St. Helena are presenting a half-day conference titled “Missions: The Heart of the Church” on Saturday, June 6 from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., in the Parish Hall of the Parish Church of St. Helena located at 507 Newcastle Street, downtown Beaufort. The speakers and topics are: Two missionaries working in Asia, the Rt. Rev. Alden Hathaway (The Work of the LaMarquand’s in Ethiopia), and the Rt. Rev. Mark Lawrence (Mission Vision for the Diocese). The speakers will be followed by a Panel Discussion and lunch. If you are interested in participating, R.S.V.P. by Wednesday, June 3 to Melba Thomas or call her at (843) 522-1712, ext. 202

Hayes Institution; Christ Church, Florence, May 24

Christ Church, Florence, will welcome the Rev. Dr. Donald R. (Donnie) Hayes as their new Vicar on Sunday, May 24, during the Celebration of a New Ministry. The service of Institution will begin at 5 p.m. Bishop Mark Lawrence will officiate at the service and the Rev. Dr. Jim Helton of St. David's, Cheraw will provide the homily. Read more.

The Rev. Chris Warner

Warner Institution; Church of the Holy Cross, June 4

The Church of the Holy Cross, Sullivan's Island, Daniel Island and Ion, will welcome the Rev. Chris Warner as their new Rector on Thursday, June 4 during the Celebration of a New Ministry. The Service of Institution, which will be held at their Sullivan's Island campus will begin at 6:30 p.m. Bishop Mark Lawrence will officiate and preach. Clergy are to wear red stoles. Look for a story on Warner's institution in the next enews.

Bishop Lawrence Ordains Son-in-law, Jason Hamshaw
Prince George Winyah, May 26

Jason Hamshaw stands out. It isn’t just the height of the 6’5” 31-year old, who is set to be ordained a transitional deacon at a service in Prince George Winyah on Tuesday, May 26 at 6 p.m. It isn’t his soft-spoken English accent. Hamshaw was born and raised in London, England. Nor is it simply his family connections. Hamshaw is married to Chelsea Lawrence, the youngest daughter of Bishop Mark and Allison Lawrence. Hamshaw stands out, and has for some time, for his out-spoken passion for Jesus Christ and for leading others into a deeper relationship with Him. Read more.

Memorial Day Observance

The Diocesan Office will be closed Monday, Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day. We will reopen on Tuesday, May 26.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, in whose hands are the living and the dead: We give thee thanks for all thy servants who have laid down their lives in the service of our country. Grant to them thy mercy and the light of thy presence; and give us such a lively sense of thy righteous will, that the work which thou hast begun in them may be perfected; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen. (BCP 1928)

Affordable Care Act Compliance
Important Tax Reporting Instruction Meeting, June 11

The Affordable Care Act requires a tax document be generated for all full-time employees starting with the 2015 tax season to report on their insurance. The Benefits Committee of the Diocese is working with our consultants, The Hays Co. to find a group to help us with the reporting. To help each church start to understand the information needed for reporting, the Diocesan staff along with our benefits consultant’s at Hays, will conduct a webinar/meeting with the churches regarding their ACA requirements at St. James on James Island, 1872 Camp Rd., Charleston, on June 11, at 1 p.m. It is important that each church send at least one person responsible for payroll tax reporting to the webinar/meeting. Please RSVP to Saralyn Ortiz by June 8. Read more.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game! June 19
Diocesan Night at the Charleston Riverdogs

Diocesan Family at Riverdogs

Join Bishop Mark and Allison Lawrence along with others from across the Diocese of South Carolina for a night of fun Friday, June 19 when the Charleston Riverdogs face Asheville. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. and ends with a fireworks show.

We've reserved a block of tickets - all together. Bring friends and neighbors. This is a great opportunity to connect with others throughout the Diocese. Just to show we're together wear red.

Tickets are $10 per person and you can add an optional meal deal (hot dog, chips and drink) for an additional $7.

Purchase your tickets here. Tickets will be available at will-call. Questions? Contact Joy Hunter.

Clergy and Lay Leaders Conference on Addiction Awareness
Thursday, June 11, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
St. Matthias Church, Summerton

New Bulletin Inserts Available

Bishop Lawrence requests that all clergy attend the Clergy Conference on Addiction Awareness which will be held Thursday, June 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Matthias in Summerton. Mr. Mike Znachko of St. Luke's, Hilton Head, who is the Chair of our Diocese's Addiction and AIDS Recovery Commission, will conduct the conference. Clergy are invited to bring with them one or two lay leaders from their congregation who are interested in learning about addiction and helping launch addiction awareness ministries in their congregation and community. Learn more.

Family Camp 2015, June 28- July 5

Family Camp at St. Christopher will offer your family quality time at the beach while making memories they’ll talk about for years! And what better place to celebrate the 4th of July than St. Christopher! Bring the whole family and let St. Christopher do all the cooking and plan all the activities while you enjoy an affordable and fun beach vacation. The rates are all inclusive…lodging, meals and all the activities are included. Stay one night or all six! Learn more.

Diocesan Youth Commission is Accepting Applications

"My experience on Youth Commission has been one of the most challenging, most rewarding, most incredible experiences ever!"

Ann Claire Gaillard (Church of the Good Shepherd)

"I believe we were called to serve as the fruit of our belief and with Youth Commission we are given a safe place to serve and grow together to help further the gospel."

Breezy Rothermel (St. James Church)

"Serving on Youth Commission has given me a chance to see the body of Christ in action as we worked together, laughed together, loved together, served together, and worshiped our Savior together."

Madison Bowman (Christ St. Paul's, Yonges Island)

The Diocesan Youth Commission is currently taking applications for the upcoming school year. Our Youth Commission is selected through an application process that is open to high school sophomores through seniors. We prefer juniors and seniors on the team. Sophomores must be exceptionally mature to be accepted. We ask all churches to consider whether they have any students in their midst who fit the description and encourage them to apply. For more information or to download applications and reference forms go to http://www.scyouth.org/about-us/youth-commission. Applications are due June 30. Contact Dave Wright with any questions.

St. Christopher Sunday, June 28

Celebrating God's Grand Provision as a Diocese

Mark your calendars for St. Christopher Sunday, June 28. St. Christopher Sunday marks the Sunday closest to the anniversary date of June 24. We encourage you to pray with your local parish for the ministry and fruit of St. Christopher. Be bold in your prayer for this Holy place and the work of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Plant and Bake Sale, Church of the Holy Apostles, Barnwell, May 30

There will be a plant and bake sale at the Church of the Holy Apostles in Barnwell on Saturday, May 30th, in the garden. For more information, contact Jane Embler,

An evening with Missionaries: The Rev. Johann and Louise Vanderbijl, July 10

Louise and Johan Vanderbijl

On Friday July 10, at 6 p.m. the Church of the Good Shepherd, West Ashley, will be hosting the Vanderbijls for an evening of fellowship and informal questions and answers. Come take advantage of this great opportunity to meet with and hear these wonderful missionaries to Ethiopia. Space is limited so contact the church office (843) 571-2993) to let us know you are coming.

Johann and Louise serve in Gambela, Ethiopia within the Episcopal/Anglican Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa. Because of Johann's theological training and Louise’s medical training, Bishop LeMarquand has called them to work with him and his wife, Wendy (who is a medical doctor), in Ethiopia. He writes, “Their gifts are an excellent fit for some of the needs that we have here, especially in the western part of Ethiopia.” They are from Greenville, South Carolina.

Considerations for Your Upcoming VBS Session

Christ Church VBS

The summer months are upon us, and for many organizations, this means it’s time to plan and prepare for Vacation Bible School (VBS). VBS is a fun-filled week of activities and ministry for children. However, there are many factors to consider in your planning, including staffing and volunteers, outside activities and first-aid. Make sure your church is prepared to handle the excitement of children and the risk factors associated with those events. Read more.

Mark Your Calendar
Upcoming Ordinations and Institutions

•   May 24 at 5 p.m. The Rev. Dr. Donald Hayes becomes Vicar of Christ Church, Florence
•   May 26 at 6 p.m. Jason Hamshaw will be ordained to Transitional Diaconate at Prince George Winyah, Georgetown
•   June 4 at 6:30 p.m. The Rev. Chris Warner becomes Rector of Holy Cross, Sullivan’s Island
•   June 7 at 6 p.m. The Rev. Luke Rasmussen will be ordained to Priesthood, St. Michael’s, Charleston
•   June 10 at 5 p.m. Steve Chisolm will be ordained to the Transitional Diaconate, St. Luke’s Hilton Head
•   June 13 at 4 p.m. John Sosnowski will be ordained to the Transitional Diaconate, St. Michael’s, Charleston

Additional Upcoming Events

Cursillo Picnic, May 23
Learn more.

Clergy Family Picnic, May 25
Learn more.

Next level Leaders' Initiative, May 31-June 1
Learn more.

Christian Golfers Outing, June 6
Learn more

GrandCamp, June 15-19
This camp is filled.

St. Christopher Sunday is Coming, June 28
Learn more.

Send Forth Your Spirit Healing Conference to be Held in Charleston in July, 2015
Learn more.

Barrier Island 5K, September 19

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Joy Hunter, Editor