A Message from Bishop Mark Lawrence
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Above: Bishop Dobbs and Bishop Guernsey prayed the Great Litany in front of the United States Capitol this morning.
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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I send this communication to you while I am presently attending the ACNA College of Bishops Meeting (via Zoom). The violence at our national capital yesterday took place while we, as bishops, were in deliberations to consent to newly elected bishops (bearing witness to the fact that the church’s work goes on). Nevertheless, we paused our deliberations briefly to pray. Archbishop Foley Beach then issued a call for the church to pray. You will find his call to prayer here.
Bishops Guernsey and Dobbs, ACNA bishops in the DC area, prayed this morning the Great Litany* before the National Capital on behalf of our church. I join with our Archbishop to encourage our congregations and parishioners, as they are able, to pray the Great Litany for our nation and for God’s intervention as our society descends into increasingly aggressive actions and suspicion, and where trust of one another continues to be in short supply.
Yours in Christ,
Bishop Lawrence
*You will find the Great Litany on page 91 of the Book of Common Prayer.
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Opportunities to Stand for Life
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Anglicans For Life Summit Goes Virtual
AFL, will livestream its annual Summit on January 16th and 23rd, 11am – 3pm EST. SUMMIT 2021 features outstanding keynote speakers and workshop leaders, equipping attendees with life-affirming teaching and ministry inspiration.
Learn more.
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SC Citizens for Life to Hold Weekend Events
The Proudly Pro-Life Weekend will be held January 8-9 in Columbia South Carolina. A dinner will be held January 8 and the March and Rally will be held January 9. Both events will feature actress Ashley Bratcher, star of the movie Unplanned. Learn more.
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March for Life in Washington DC, January 29
While the AFL Summit will be virtual, the March for Life will still occur in Washington D.C. on January 29. The Falls Church Anglican in Falls Church, VA is hosting a Pre-March Prayer and Worship Service at 9:30 a.m. on January 29. Learn more.
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World's Largest Advent Wreath?
This past Advent the Habersham community of St. Helena’s, Beaufort, built an Advent wreath in their worship space using lanterns. The goal was to fit the space and to have something people could see amongst the trees. They believe they may have accidentally ended up as challengers for the world’s largest advent wreath in the process.
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McGreevy Serves as Guest Scholar on C.S. Lewis Podcast
Pints with Jack, a popular podcast among CS Lewis fans, invited our own Brian McGreevy, one of the clergy at St. Philip’s, Charleston, to serve as a repeat guest scholar on their show in an episode focusing on Screwtape Letter 13. Listen here.
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BI Family Weekends at St. Christopher
Ready for some outdoor fun? Discover the scientific world using all your senses and spend time exploring and learning about the environment around you at St. Christopher February 19-21 or March 26-28. The days will be filled with discovery while the evenings will be filled with fun activities and making memories. Learn more.
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Healing Retreat, February 5-7
Wellspring of Life, a Healing Retreat with Judith MacNutt will be held February 5-7 at St. Christopher. Who among us remains untouched by loss in this season, unmoved by upheaval in every sphere of our lives? Hear this invitation to gather with brothers and sisters in Christ to drink in His healing Word, soak in the loving presence of our God, and find release and rest for your soul. Learn more.
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Ladies, Don't Give Up on Your Marriage
Join a weekly discussion group for women Tuesdays at 7 p.m. on Zoom, for one hour. A new session begins Jan. 19 - March 16, 2021. Hope & Healing in Marriage: True Stories of Renewed Love led by the author, Pringle Franklin. Contact Pringle to learn more.
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Talks From Women's Retreat Now Online
The talks from our recent Women's Conference with Susan Yates are now available to watch on Vimeo.
Talk 1 - 8 Keys to See Our Almighty God with Greater Clarity ...Keys 1-3
Talk 2 - Continue with Keys 4 & 5
Talk 3 - Keys 6-8 . Learn more.
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Additional Upcoming Events
Anniversary of Bishop Lawrence's Consecration, January 26
Summer Camp Registration Opens, February 1
Learn more.
Christian Men’s Conference Postponed
Due to logistical issues involved in putting the Conference on safely, the Christian Men’s Conference (CMC) Board has decided to postpone the Conference until the fall of 2021. It’s still happening – so continue to keep it in prayer and plan to be there! Stay informed and join their mailing list.
DOK Spring Retreat on Zoom with The Rev. Dr. John Barr, March 5-6
Diocesan Convention, March 12-13
Women's Annual Gathering, April 24
Joanne Ellison of Drawing Near to God will be speaking on "Faith Moving Forward" at this gathering which will be held at Christ Church, Mt. Pleasant. Look for additional details to come.
International Grandparenting Southeast Conference, May 14-15
St. Paul's Church, Summerville, Details TBA
Walkabout for Bishop Candidates, September 11
Election for Bishop Coadjutor, October 16
Consecration and Conv., March 11-12, 2022
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People News
 Please keep the Rev. Rags Coxe, Rector of Saint Matthew’s, Darlington, in your prayers. The last three weeks have brought a convergence of grief and joy-filled experiences. Rags contracted COVID. He and his wife Suiter welcomed their first grandchild. Rag's father, (Thomas Chatterton Coxe III) contracted COVID and died. Rags officiated at the service. He had bi-lateral hip surgery and then their second grandchild was born. In speaking about the experiences he said, "There's been too much grace, too much love, pain, suffering, grief, death and all throughout that God has shown his mercy and love." One bonus of having COVID meant Rags was able to go into the hospital to give his father last rites. The leadership at his parish urged him to take the time he needs to recover from the hip surgery which has been another gift of God's grace. He and Suiter are staying at the beach while Rags recovers from the successful surgery.
 Congratulations to Anthony Royal who celebrated 25 years on staff at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke and St. Paul this past December. Royal, who serves as the Buildings and Grounds Manager, is a native of Charleston, where he graduated from Burke High School. Since accepting the call to serve at the Cathedral in 1995, Anthony has worked hard behind the scenes serving the church. Anthony and his wife, Stacy, have six grown children and two grandchildren.
 Congratulations to the Rev. John Scott, who serves as a Pastoral Associate at St. Paul’s, Summerville. Scott recently received the Summerville Rotary Club’s Paul Harris Fellowship Award. This is the most prestigious award the club can bestow on a non-Rotarian. This award is presented to a person who embodies the Rotary motto of "Service Above Self," while serving in areas of vocational, community, international or youth service. John is the Coordinator, and one of the driving forces behind the Summerville Area Ministerial Association (SAMA). In his own words, “We want to show our Christian unity in the community, by coming together in this interracial, interdenominational service to pray for our community, state, and nation.” Learn more.
 Please pray for retired clergyman the Very Rev. Charlie Walton, Doctors recently found a blood clot in his right leg behind his knee which meant the shoulder surgery, which had been scheduled for January 8, had to be postponed.
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