crosswalk the official publication of the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina
November-December 2003
81st Diocesan Convention embraces unity, plots next steps in mission page 7) professed the diocese’s will to remain committed to Christian mission despite profound differences of opinion over issues of sexuality, was adopted by a vote of 249–48, with one abstention. An amendment to the resolution calling for Canon Robinson to step down for the good of the Anglican Communion was
As the season of Advent approaches, Upper South Carolina is embarking on yet another new venture: reaching out to the unchurched in the diocese with billboards in five strategic locations and urging all Episcopalians to become “instant missionaries” by putting Upper SC bumper stickers on their cars. The campaign, the brainchild of the diocesan Communications Committee, is aimed at the many non–churchgoers who, consciously or unconsciously, recognize their longing for God and for spiritual community in acute and unexpected ways as the madness of the secular Christmas season gets under way.
Two bumper stickers, designed by Semaphore, Inc., of Columbia, offer two “looks” and two slogans—”Soul searching?” and “Welcoming all God’s children”—and both include the tag line “The Episcopal Church,” directing the “called,” as well as the merely cu-
EVANGELISM MADE EASY . . . “Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?” “I will, with God’s help.” God’s help might just come in the form of a bumper sticker! Order yours now by going to page 13 or by visiting www.edusc.org!
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rious, to the diocesan Web site, www. edusc.org. No phone numbers or mailing addresses are included, because, in today’s world, the Internet is the preferred information-gathering venue for the vast majority of the unchurched. The “Soul searching?”
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Remembrance of things past: Paper-lace hangings created by Nancy Chinn for Upper SC’s Great Gathering adorn the worship space at the 81st Annual Diocesan Convention. Pictured here before the beginning of Morning Prayer on day one are Bishop Henderson and the Rev. Michael Bullock, rector of the host church, St. Martin’s-in-theFields (photo by Eric Schnaufer).
Upper SC reaches out to unchurched with billboards, bumper stickers By Peggy Van Antwerp Hill
defeated by a narrow margin: 141–159. “We are very closely divided,” Bishop Henderson said, “but we’re going to maintain our unity. It’s our commitment to mission that’s keeping us together.” Emblematic of that commitment, the
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As promised, the 81st Annual Diocesan Convention, held October 25 and 26 at Columbia International University in Columbia, was unlike any of its predecessors in a variety of ways—increased attendance, greater youth participation, Power Point prayers, mission-oriented talks, workshops, and opportunities to brainstorm, and some very serious issues to consider following last summer ’s consent to the consecration of the Rev. Canon V. Gene Robinson as the Episcopal Church’s first openly gay bishop. Day one, devoted to mission leadership training, of fered an orchestrated mix of addresses, resources, and individual and group reflection time, culminating in each congregational delegation’s formulation of an (atleast-three-step) action plan for presentation and implementation on their return home. Mary MacGregor of the D iocese of Texas, Bob Schoor of Twenty-First Insight Strategic Consultants, and the Rev. J. Blaney Pridgen III of St. Mary’s, Columbia, led a trio of m ission-minded workshops, with M acGregor stepping in to oversee progress of the whole day. The Rev. Dr. John Westerhoff, expected to be the keynoter, was unable to attend following emergency surgery the week before convention.
Day two was given to the traditional business of the diocese, including consideration of resolutions proposed by the General Convention Response Committee, appointed by Bishop Henderson to seek “a method of expressing our corporate feelings and convictions (about controversial actions of General Convention).” Also proposed for consideration were two amendments to the diocesan canons prompted by consent to Canon Robinson. Neither proposed amendment to the canons passed. The first, offered by 50 members of various congregations throughout the diocese, requested that ownership of property pass to the individual congregations and organizations, which now hold that property in trust for “this Church and the Diocese of Upper South Carolina.” The amendment was ruled out of order because it was in violation of the constitution of the national Church. The second proposed amendment, seeking to redirect diocesan funding away from the national Church, failed in a vote by orders: 84– 132 (lay order) and 27–51 (clergy). From the work of the General Convention Response Committee, chaired by the Rev. Canon Charles Davis, Jr., of Trinity Cathedral, came the proposed resolution that was adopted to express the diocese’s corporate response to actions of General Convention. The resolution, which in essence (full text on
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By Peggy Van Antwerp Hill