As part of a new process for developing the budget for our Diocese, Bishop Skip Adams and the Diocesan Council are asking members of The Episcopal Church in South Carolina to offer their ideas and suggestions for the 2020 Diocesan Budget.
An online form is available now through August 15 for providing input on what should be in the spending plan that will be proposed and voted on at the 229th Diocesan Convention in November. Please read more about this process and get ready to share your ideas!
VISION AND BUDGET
A key feature of the new process will be to tie spending feedback and ideas to the Diocesan Vision Statement. As people offer suggestions, they'll be asked to reflect on what aspects of the Vision Statement will be supported or enhanced through their ideas. You can also review the current year's budget online here.
SC SUPREME COURT SAYS LOWER COURT WILL RESOLVE ENFORCEMENT
OF PROPERTY DECISION
Saying it is “confident” that the 1st Circuit Court will act "in an expeditious manner" to resolve the case, the South Carolina Supreme Court has denied a petition from The Episcopal Church in South Carolina (TECSC) and The Episcopal Church that asked the court to order enforcement of the 2017 decision to return control of diocesan property and 29 parish properties to The Episcopal Church and TECSC.
In an order signed June 28, the Supreme Court denied a Petition for Writ of Mandamus that asked it to require Circuit Judge Edgar W. Dickson to take action on the decision that the high court remitted to Judge Dickson for enforcement nearly 2 years ago.
Molly Hamilton will join the Bishop's staff as Diocesan Director of Communications effective July 8. "Molly has strong professional experience in communication as well as knowledge and love of The Episcopal Church," Bishop Adams said in making the announcement. "We are blessed that she will be bringing these gifts to the vital ministry of communication for our Diocese." Molly will serve on a part-time basis overseeing the Diocese's website, social media, Diocesan Newsletter and more. Learn more about her at the link below.
NEXT WEEK: 'OPEN CONVERSATION'
COMING TO BEAUFORT AREA
On Thursday, July 11, an Open Conversation for the Beaufort area will take place from 6-7:30 pm at St. John's Lutheran Church, 157 Ladys Island Drive, Beaufort SC 29907. Read more here.
Bishop Skip Adams and The Episcopal Church in South Carolina invite you to this listening and information session, a time to hear concerns and to engage in an open dialogue about the life and ministry of our Diocese and faith communities. Come join in conversation with the Bishop and other clergy and lay leaders, including our Missioner for Returning Congregations, the Rev. Bill Coyne, and Archdeacon Callie Walpole.
Like our previous Open Conversations, this is an opportunity to invite people you know who have questions about The Episcopal Church in South Carolina. Use this flyer to spread the word.
QUESTIONS?
CHECK OUR FAQ
The Episcopal Church in South Carolina has just published a newly updated "Frequently Asked Questions" supplement. The FAQ provides information about our diocese and sharing our hopes for a future that remains grounded in the love of God. It includes background and factual information to assist parishioners of churches who face decisions as a result of recent court rulings involving the diocese. Read it here.
PRAYER CALENDAR AND BISHOP'S VISITS
This week we are praying for the Trustees of the Diocese on our Diocesan Prayer Calendar. Our six Trustees, elected at Diocesan Convention, meet quarterly and are responsible for managing the investments, assets, and endowments of the Diocese. Lay members are Bill Beak, Barbara Mann and Doug Billings; clergy members are the Rev. Mark Brinkmann, the Rev. Dr. Philip C. Linder, and the Rev. Donald S. McPhail.
Visitation this Sunday: Bishop Skip Adams will visit St. Francis, Charleston to celebrate and preach at the 8:30 am service on July 7. Severe weather last October caused the Bishop's regular visitation to be canceled, so this visit has been added to the calendar. St. Francis worships at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church at 3075 Bees Ferry Rd. in Charleston. All are welcome!
About the Prayer Calendar: This concludes the Bishop's calendar of visitations for 2018-2019, but through the summer we continue to pray weekly for institutions of our Diocese. We also continue to pray for our fellow Anglicans worldwide on the Anglican Cycle of Prayer. Find the calendar here.
The 2019-2020 visitation calendar is being developed now. Congregations have been contacted for requested dates.
A PRAYER FOR
INDEPENDENCE DAY
This Thursday, The Episcopal Church observes Independence Day as a feast day with prayers remembering the birthday of the United States of America.
For the Nation: Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (The Book of Common Prayer)
HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS
The Diocesan Office will be closed July 4 in observance of Independence Day, and will return to the regular summer schedule the following week. Summer hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 9 am-3 pm. As always, the staff monitors phone and email messages in case of emergencies.
'MISSION MATTERS' IN NEW SERIES
OF SHORT VIDEO CONVERSATIONS
Have you seen the new "Mission Matters" videos from The Episcopal Church in South Carolina? These are short conversations (about 1 minute) about life, energy and growth — the movement of the Spirit all around our Diocese. Watch the first two episodes below: “Singing the Lord’s Song" and "Rooted in Our Communities". You can also watch – and share with others – on our diocesan Facebook page. Watch for a new episode next week!
'Singing the Lord's Song'
'Rooted in Our Communities"
COMMISSION ON MINISTRY APPOINTMENT
The Rev. Courtney Davis-Shoemaker has been appointed by the Bishop to serve on the Commission on Ministry. A native of Asheville, NC, she attended Dickinson College in Pennsylvania and the General Theological Seminary, and was ordained a priest in 2009. She has served parishes in North Carolina and Massachusetts, and was campus minister for Lutherans, Episcopalians, and Friends (LEAF) at Elon University. Her husband, the Rev. Adam Shoemaker, is rector of St. Stephen's, Charleston, where they are raising their three young children.
CLERGY TRANSITIONS
Bishop Skip Adams has named the Rev. Fred E. Thompson, Jr. as Priest-in-Charge of The Episcopal Church on Edisto, effective July 1. Fr. Thompson received his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Newberry College in 1988 and his Master’s degree in Religion from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in 1994. He was ordained as an Episcopal priest on January 17, 2016. He has served as a Chaplain at the Medical University of South Carolina since September 2005, and since 2016 has served as a supply priest or assisting clergy at several congregations, including Edisto. Fr. Thompson and his wife, Alicia "Lish" Thompson" live on Wadmalaw Island.
OKRA SOUP SUPPER AND SPEAKER
The Okra Soup Supper at Grace Church Cathedral on June 25 brought out a big crowd to hear Daniel Brook, author of 'The Accident of Color: A Story of Race in Reconstruction,' who was the featured speaker and signed copies of his book (above). Archdeacon Callie Walpole says participants included Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg and Police Chief Luther Reynolds, and the evening included music from the mayor and Lonnie Hamilton. The event was sponsored by Blue Bicycle Books, the Episcopal-AME Book Study, Grace, and Mount Zion AME Church.
NEW BOOK FOR TUESDAY BOOK STUDY
The Episcopal-AME Book Study at Grace Church Cathedral has begun a new book, Stony the Road by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., a profound new rendering of the struggle by African-Americans for equality afterthe Civil War and the violent counter-revolution that re-subjugated them, as seen through the prism of the war of images and ideas that have left an enduring racist stain on the American mind. This study meets Tuesdays from 5-6 pm as a collaborative discussion fostered by participants from Grace Church Cathedral, The Episcopal Church in South Carolina, and Mount Zion AME Church. For more information, contact cwalpole@episcopalchurchsc.org.
ST. CATHERINE'S BIKES IN THE NEWS
St. Catherine's, Florence played a big role in a heartwarming story in the Florence Morning News/SCNow.com last week (shown in a screenshot above). Church members donated 8 of the 22 bicycles that were needed to make sure every child in a local summer reading program got a bike. Read the article here.
UPCOMING PARISH EVENTS
July 14: "Music for the Seasons" Old Fashioned Gospel Hour at St. Stephen's, North Myrtle Beach, 4 pm. This summer installment of the parish concert series will feature Curt Harper & Roberta Rowland-Raybold. All are welcome.
July 27: Crab Crack at Calvary, Charleston, 2-5 pm Saturday, July 27. Offered by the Episcopal Church Women of Calvary, this fun day with games and music includes crabs, chicken, hot dogs and drinks. A $20 donaton is requested. Details here.
October 30-November 3: Fall Flower Festival at Grace Church Cathedral. Registration is now open for three seminars by floral designer Lee Berrill of England offered October 30-November 1. Displays of the dozens of flower arrangements at the cathedral will run through All Saints weekend (November 2-3). Find details here. A printable form is here.
June of 2020: "Christian and Anglican England and Scotland," an 11-day pilgrimage led by the Very Rev. Wil Keith and Amanda Keith of Holy Cross Faith Memorial, Pawleys Island. The itinerary includes Canterbury, London, Iona and much more. The pilgrimage will depart June 21, 2020 from Charleston or other major airports. See the details here. For more information, contact Fr. Keith, wkeith@holycrossfm.org.
November 2020:St. Mark's, Port Royal and the Rev. Roy Tripp will lead an educational and spiritual pilgrimage to Rome November 9-16, 2020. The program will help participants meet the first generation of Christians by bringing to life the people, events, and context of earliest Christianity in the Roman capital. Find details here.
'SEERSUCKER SUNDAY' AT ALL SAINTS
Interim Rector the Rev. John Stonesifer (left) and members of All Saints, Hilton Head Island got a group photo on the front steps as they celebrated southern summer sartorial style with "Seersucker Sunday" on June 19.
'ALL FAITHS NIGHT' AT THE JOE
The Very Rev. Adam Shoemaker, rector of St. Stephen's, Charleston and dean of the Peninsula Charleston Deanery of the Diocese, threw out the first pitch at the Charleston RiverDogs' game on June 30. A group from St. Stephen's was in attendance for "All Faiths Night" at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park. See more photos here.
DOCTORATE DEGREE AWARDED
Congratulations to the Rev. Dr. Matthew McCormick, Priest-in-Charge of Calvary, Charleston, on receiving his Doctor of Ministry degree from The Sioux Falls Seminary in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. His thesis was titled Evangelical Absolution: Spiritual Growth in Faith and explores the resurrection power of God’s unconditional absolution for sinners and its positive effects on a Christian’s spiritual growth.
REPORT: GROUP FOCUSES ON UNITY
IN CHRIST AND COMBATTING RACISM
The Episcopal Church is a founding member of Churches United in Christ, a covenant organization of 11 US denominations and communions who have pledged to live more closely together in expressing their unity in Christ and in combating racism. The organization holds a conference every three years, most recently June 6-9 in Montgomery, Alabama. Read about how the churches are recommitting to their mission in this report.
VIDEO EXPLORES RELATIONSHIPS OF EPISCOPALIANS & UNITED METHODISTS
The relationship between The Episcopal Church and the United Methodist Church are the topic of this new video shared by The Episcopal Church. Hear our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and United Methodist Bishop Gregory Palmer discuss those relationships, as well as a full communion proposal entitled "A Gift to the World." Watch by clicking on the image above.
September-October
Pre-Convention Deanery Meetings Times and locations
to be announced
October 4-6
Diocesan Youth Retreat at
Camp St. Christopher
November 15-16
229th Diocesan Convention
in North Charleston
Is your church planning a special event? Do you have a great photo to share?
Please send your information to the diocesan office so we can include you in upcoming communications! Use our online news submission form, or email Holly Votaw, Diocesan Director of Communications, athvotaw@episcopalchurchsc.org.
