MISSION MATTERS VIDEO SERIES: 'A GROWING CHURCH' IS A LIVING CHURCH

In the fifth video of our "Mission Matters" series, "A Growing Church," Bishop Skip Adams and Diocesan Ministry Developer Andrea McKellar discuss the visible signs of life in a church and a diocese.

Watch "A Growing Church" at the link above or here. You can find the other episodes in this series on our website, episcopalchurchsc.org, or you can subscribe to our YouTube page for immediate updates when the next video is added. Stay tuned for more to come!

MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND THE 229TH DIOCESAN CONVENTION

You are invited to our 229th Diocesan Convention on November 15-16 at the North Charleston Marriott. Everything you need to know about attending can be found on the Convention Page.

Each church registers lay and clergy delegates together, so if you're a delegate, please check directly with your church leadership about registration, accommodations and other details. 

ELECTIONS AND NOMINATIONS

Convention delegates will be voting to fill several diocesan offices, and the Nominating Committee is inviting everyone's participation in the process, seeking wide and diverse involvement among the many talented people who make up our part of the Body of Christ in South Carolina. Find answers to questions about the nominating process and see the offices that are being filled by clicking the link below.

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR FALL YOUTH RETREAT

Diocesan youth are invited to a Middle & High School Youth Retreat at Camp St. Christopher on October 4-6. This event is open to all students in grades 6-12, and each church should bring at least one adult chaperone for every six youth. 

During the weekend, youth will explore Colossians 3:17 and how it applies to life today. The cost is $125 per person and includes two nights accommodations in cabins, an event t-shirt, all meals and activities. Scholarships are available. Please email Diocesan Ministry Developer Andrea McKellar at amckellar@episcopalchurchsc.org with any questions.

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17

REGISTER TO ATTEND FORMA 2020

Save the date for the 2020 Forma conference, which will be held in Midtown Atlanta. This joint conference, featuring Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and the Rev. Dr. William Barber II, brings together groups from across the Episcopal Church to talk about formation, evangelism, mission, leadership and much more. Many from our diocese attended the 2018 conference that we hosted in Charleston, as well as the 2019 event in Indianapolis.

Registration is open and teams receive a discount. Register online through this link to be part of the TECSC team. Please contact Andrea McKellar at amckellar@episcopalchurchsc.org for more details.

NEEDED: FEEDBACK ON DIOCESAN BUDGET  

As part of a new, more inclusive 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 delberate and discerned ideas and suggestions for the 2020 Diocesan Budget.

Only a few days remain to take this opportunity. 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. 

PRAYER CALENDAR 

Prayer Calendar: This week on our Diocesan Prayer Calendar, we are praying for youth of The Episcopal Church in South Carolina and all who are associated with youth ministry, remembering those who have just graduated, and those on summer mission trips, and celebrating International Youth Day. 

About the Prayer Calendar: The Bishop's calendar of visitations for 2018-2019 have ended, 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. 

The first part of the Bishop's visitation schedule and the 2019-2020 Diocesan Prayer Calendar are now available, with dates through the remainder of 2019. Because of the bishop transition, dates in 2020 will be published as soon as they are finalized. Find the prayer calendar here (August dates are on the 2018-19 calendar). 

GOLF TOURNAMENT SUPPORTS THE LOCAL MYRTLE BEACH COMMUNITY

MOVING THE SPIRIT WITH ZUMBA

UPCOMING PARISH EVENTS 

August 15: Feast of St. Mary the Virgin at the Church of the Holy Communion, Charleston will be celebrated with a Solemn Choral Mass beginning at 6:30 pm. There will be a reception immediately following the mass in the parish hall with light refreshments. All are welcome. For more information, call 843.722.2024 or email office@holycomm.org. 

August 17: Whole Hog BBQ Fundraiser for St. Francis Episcopal Church, to be held at the Holy Spirit Lutheran Church pavilion at 3075 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston from 5-6:30 on Saturday, August 17. Come enjoy a plate of chopped pork barbeque, rice, baked beans, cole slaw, roll, dessert, and a beverage while raising money for outreach efforts. Call 843.284.8838 for tickets. Details here.

August 24: Women's Ministry Pot Luck Brunch at St. George's Episcopal Church, Summerville, at 10:30 a.m. Ms. Sylvia Johnson, a cousin of the late Rev. Dr. Clementa Pinckney, the Mother Emanuel AME Pastor (and SC State Representative) who was killed in the church shooting in June 2015.  She will share her journey of faith, her personal testimony to the goodness of God over the past four years of complicated grief associated with multiple losses beginning with the violent death of her beloved cousin. Bring a dish to share.

September 14: Charleston Pride Parade and Festival. A group with St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Charleston, will participate and gather at Wragg Mall at 8:15. The festival will take place in Brittlebank Park after the parade. Please email  Diane or Pat if you plan to attend. 

September 14: RISE Above The Dark overnight walk at Waccamaw High School (Pawleys Island) from 7 pm to 7 am to bring awareness to mental health issues. Join members of Holy Cross Faith Memorial, Pawleys Island in this worthy cause. 
Click here to learn more and to register.

October 20: Choral Evensong in Thanksgiving for the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Charleston at 5 pm. Featured music will include LGBT+ composers and allies including Leonard Bernstein, Jennifer Higdon, Angela Morley, Elton John, Bette Midler and others. A sermon will be given by Linda Ketner, a founder of the Alliance for Full Acceptance.

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. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT TURNING WHILE TRAVELING THE WAY OF LOVE

In case you missed it, check out this episode of "Traveling the Way of Love," featuring a visit with the Rev. Becca Stevens, founder of Thistle Farms (some may remember this group from our Diocesan Annual Convention in 2018). Like the disciples, we are called by Jesus to follow the Way of Love. In “turning,” we reorient our lives to Jesus Christ, falling in love again, again, and again. Over the years, with Becca’s guidance, the strength of the survivors, and the support of the community, Thistle Farms has changed countless lives, developed justice enterprises, and built a national and global network that helps transform the world into something closer to God’s dream for it.

As you watch this fourth episode of Traveling the Way of Love, take a moment this week to practice “turning.” Pause. Listen. Choose to follow Jesus. Consider the ways that both you and your community will turn to reorient yourselves toward God. Watch through the link above or by clicking this link.

COLLEGE BOUND? GET CONNECTED WITH CAMPUS MINISTRY

Do you know a graduating high school senior who will be headed to college this fall? The Episcopal Church in South Carolina would like to help connect them with a church or campus ministry. Visit our College Ministry Page and fill out the contact form. You'll find information for colleges in our Diocese (College of Charleston, The Citadel, Voorhees, Coastal Carolina and others), as well as the Diocese of Upper South Carolina (which includes Clemson, the University of South Carolina, Furman, Converse, Wofford and other Upstate schools).

UPCOMING EVENTS