http://www.edusc.org/Crosswalk/Post%20GC%202009%20Crosswalk

Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina

SPECIAL ISSUE: 76TH GENERAL CONVENTION, AUGUST 2009

Crosswalk

Upper SC makes presence known at General Convention

By Peggy Van Antwerp Hill

W

hile hot-button issues were grabbing headlines in the secular press, Upper South Carolinians were making news in a gentler way at the 76th General Convention, held July 8-17 in Anaheim, California.

Often finding themselves in the limelight, people from our diocese helped shape high-profile resolutions, spoke on behalf of the youth of the Church, represented one of the Church’s bestknown mission initiatives, the United Thank Offering, and performed key duties in a number of other arenas.

Be it resolved . . .

Both Bishop Henderson and deputation chair the Very Rev. Dr. Philip Linder, dean of Trinity Cathedral, had a hand in crafting the controversial resolution D025, “Commitment and Witness to Anglican Communion,” offered as a successor to B033, which, in 2006, urged restraint in consenting

to the consecration of bishops whose “manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church.”

Linder, as a member of the World Mission legislative committee (WMC), participated in the intense and time-consuming work of developing a single resolution for presentation to the House of Deputies from a group of 13 resolves submitted in response to B033.

D025 The resolution brought forth, D025, endorsed by Linder and others from the floor, affirms the openness of the ordination process in the Episcopal Church, “in accordance with the Constitution and Canons,” and reaffirms the Church’s “abiding commitment . . . to the fellowship of churches that constitute the Anglican Communion.” It passed by a 2 to 1 margin in the House of Deputies.

The resolution, Linder said, is “a truthful acknowledgement of what is, a

Bishop & deputies: (back row, left to right) Art Bjontegard, Angela Daniel, Scooty Burch, Calvin Griffin+, David Thompson+, and Phil Purser+; (front row) Fletcher Montgomery+, Bishop Henderson, Philip Linder+, and Belton Zeigler

way forward that is not perfect but nonetheless a way for us to state boldly that we . . . are now recommitting to our faith and love in Jesus Christ with a desire to focus fully upon mission and ministry Deputation chair the Very Rev. Dr. Philip Linder listens intently during a World in his name. I Mission Committee meeting (photo: GC Media Hub 09). believe,” Linder resolution passed, again by a margin of continued, “that we have turned a 2 to 1. major page in going forward . . . and In a statement issued following the we have done so in a most Anglican vote, Bishop Henderson regretted that way that respects the worldwide some would use the language of the Anglican Communion.” resolve “to advance an agenda for which I believe neither we nor the other churches of the Anglican Communion are ready to endorse,” The work of Linder and WMC colbut concluded by noting that “the conleagues paved the way for presentation tent of the resolution, taken as a whole, of the resolution to the House of is more helpful than not.”

Bishops, where Bishop Henderson proposed an amendment that would —continued on page D soften the assertion of the original resolve, which states that God calls partnered gays and lesbians in “lifelong, committed relationships,” “like any other baptized members, to any ordained ministry.” The amendment, affirming “that God’s call to the ordained ministry . . . is a mystery which the Church attempts to discern for all people through our discernment processes,” was written, Bishop Henderson said, to “reassure Episcopalians and other Anglicans more than the original language” would. However, a second amendment, incorporating the original lanBishop Henderson consults with a guage, along with language the bishop colleague in the House of Bishops. had proposed, was adopted and the

Hoping to reassure

VISIT WWW.EDUSC.ORG/GC FOR MORE ON UPPER SOUTH CAROLINA AT GENERAL CONVENTION

Bishop & deputies blog ■ Bishop Henderson’s statement on D025 ■ Photo galleries & more

76th General Convention

Crosswalk

Around the Diocese

Bishop Search Committee moving forward Survey results, profile published; nominations accepted

Crosswalk

Official Publication of the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina 1115 Marion Street Columbia, SC 29201 803.771.7800 800.889.6961 803.799.5119 fax dioceseusc@edusc.org Crosswalk E-mail Address phill@edusc.org Bishop The Rt. Rev. Dorsey F. Henderson, Jr. Executive Assistant to Bishop Henderson Ms. Jane B. Goldsmith jgoldsmith@edusc.org Canon to the Ordinary The Rev. Michael A. Bullock mbullock@edusc.org Director of Ministry Development The Rev. d’Rue Hazel dhazel@edusc.org Assistant Dean of the School for Ministry Ms. Roslyn Hook rhook@edusc.org Canon for Finance and Administration Ms. Julie Price jprice@edusc.org Director of Finance and Insurance Ms. Cynthia Hendrix chendrix@edusc.org Canon for Communications, Editor of Crosswalk Dr. Peggy Van Antwerp Hill phill@edusc.org Canon for Liturgy, Leadership Development, and Formation The Rev. L. Sue von Rautenkranz suevon@edusc.org Director of Information Technology Ms. Bethany Human bhuman@edusc.org Archdeacon and Senior Pastoral Assistant to the Bishop The Ven. Frederick C. Byrd fbyrd@edusc.org Assistant to Archdeacon Byrd Ms. Bonnie Blackberg bblackberg@edusc.org

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S

ince Bishop Henderson announced his retirement, effective December 31, the Search Committee appointed to present candidates for Upper SC’s eighth bishop has moved steadily ahead.

Co-chairs of the committee are Ms. Suzi photo: John Bethell Clawson (Good Shepherd, Columbia) and Mr. Bill Thomason (Christ Church, Greenville).

With the Rev. Canon Richard H. Callaway from the Diocese of Atlanta serving as consultant to the committee, a diocesan survey was conducted from April 19 through 24, and a profile drawing on survey data was published online on June 6. Regular updates and materials relevant to the search are available on the Bishop Search Web site, www.bishopsearch.edusc.org.

Describing Upper South Carolina as a “very stable institution, secure in its traditional approach to Anglicanism” despite “occasional areas of disagreement,” the profile notes that “a substantial majority of survey respondents supported a conservative approach to theology, culture and liturgy.” “We deeply value unity as a diocese,” the profile asserts, “and commitment to The Episcopal Church and The Anglican Communion.”According to the survey, the five most important issues for the diocese are “programs for children and youth”; “programs that minister to multiple generations”; “declining membership”; “evangelism and outreach with sensitivity to our changing demographics”; and “recruiting, training, developing, ordaining and retaining clergy.”

Upper SC is searching, the profile says, for a bishop who has “the highest integrity,” possesses “sound judgment and wisdom,” is a “visionary,” “flexible, open-minded,” with “a sense of humor.”

He or she should have “a strong theological background” and be committed to keeping the diocese “part of the wider Anglican Communion.” The eighth bishop should also be “an effective administrator” and “a pastor,” as well as a leader who maintains “unity and focus on the mission and outreach goals of our diocese.”

The Search Committee will announce its slate of candidates on October 16 at the 87th Diocesan Convention. The episcopal election, by clergy and lay delegates to convention, is scheduled for December 12. Consecration of the eighth bishop will take place on May 22, 2010.

SOM revised to reflect economic times In response to Episcopal pledge commitments received from churches that were lower than expected, due in part to current economic conditions, at its summer meeting Diocesan Executive Council (DEC) approved significant reductions to the 2009 Statement of Mission (SOM) to compensate for an anticipated 15 percent shortfall. The reductions were those recommended by the diocesan SOM Committee after a thorough, line-by-line review of the SOM accepted at last October’s 86th Convention and consideration of expenses already paid as of the committee’s April meeting.

Although as a total dollar amount pledge acceptances from churches were considerably lower than anticipated, 36 of the 61 diocesan missions and parishes accepted their full pledge commitments for 2009, including two churches that accepted the higher Episcopal pledge of the two options available (Advent, Spartanburg, and St. Mark’s, Chester), one church (St. Martin’s-inthe-Fields, Columbia) that accepted an amount higher than the

larger of the two pledge options, and one church (St. Alban’s, Lexington) that accepted its full asking plus an additional $12,000 that the church was unable to pay in 2008.

Reporting to DEC on recommended cuts, diocesan treasurer Ms. Leslie Buzzell emphasized the difficult nature of the decisions made. “Please know,” she said, that “these recommendations were guided by our commitment to the mission and ministry priorities set forth by the Bishop and the Diocesan Executive Council.”

Bishop Henderson made changes to staff salaries and benefits and diocesan house administration before the SOM Committee met. These reductions included the return of all salaries to 2008 levels, reduction of the mileage reimbursement rate, and elimination of staff travel for continuing education and professional development. Staff members have also been asked to contribute $50 per month toward health insurance premiums, beginning with May. The same has been asked of all active clergy.

Among the largest line-item reductions are a 15-percent decrease in our diocesan pledge to the Episcopal Church, reflecting the downturn in our own SOM, and a $25,000 reduction in funding for diocesan communications. Although funding for World Mission remains at the level approved by convention, no additional domestic outreach grant proposals will be considered by the Matthew 25 Committee. To date in 2009, Matthew 25 has awarded grants in support of Hispanic ministries at St. Mary’s, Columbia, and St. Francis’, Greenville, and outreach programs at St. Matthew’s and St. Christopher’s, both in Spartanburg. Our commitment to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), mandated by two successive diocesan conventions, will remain at the designated 0.7 percent, with the actual expenditure reduced in proportion to the decline in income.

Should “more income . . . be received than currently expected,” Buzzell said, “ restoring our [Episcopal Church] pledge should be our first priority.” Here’s hoping for better times ahead.

Haiti Bread & Water project receives UTO grant More funds needed to avoid disaster, nurture growth On July 14, delegates to the 2009 national ECW Triennial Meeting voted to approve a $63,000 United Thank Offering (UTO) grant proposal submitted Working on the water system at Cange by our diocesan World Mission Committee on behalf of the people of Cange, Haiti. The grant, co-sponsored by the Diocese of Haiti, will help underwrite the repair of the local water system, designed and built in 1985 by Upper SC volunteers as an initial step in what has become a 30year partnership with our brothers and sisters in Haiti’s Central Plateau.

Constructed to serve 800 people, the water system—now old, worn out, and insufficient to meet current needs—is relied upon to serve 8,000. It is, however, the very foundation of the many thriving, life-saving ministries that have grown up around it—hospital, clinics, schools, and more. If the system fails, the result will be a humanitarian crisis of monumental proportions.

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Upper SC is now on Twitter!

What’s Twitter anyway?

Twitter is a social networking and micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read other users’ updates known as tweets.

Visit WWW. TWITTER . COM / EDUSCNEWS to read Upper SC updates and headlines, or become a “follower” and have updates delivered to you on your cell phone or in your inbox.

Crosswalk UTO grant awarded

—continued from page B

Capital campaign under way Although the UTO grant will help prevent this catastrophe, more is needed to secure the future. To this end, the 1.6-million-dollar Bread & Water Capital Campaign, endorsed by Bishop Henderson and spearheaded by Mr. Earl Burch of the World Mission Committee, has been launched in our diocese. Funding raised will help shore up the water system and pay for the development of a sanitation system that is essential to avoid pollution of the water, for the construction of a vocational school in the area, and for expansion of a program already producing peanut- and grain-based nutritional supplements that address the critical problem of malnutrition.

Upper SC’s partnership with Haiti has a long history. A prosperous future now depends upon you.

Here’s how to make a gift to the Bread & Water Campaign. Please send contributions to: The Episcopal Diocese of Upper SC, Attn. Canon Julie Price, 1115 Marion Street, Columbia, SC 29201; For: Haiti Bread & Water.

If you would like further information or would like to arrange a speaker for your group please contact Earl Burch at 864.356.9804 or e-mail eburch@innova.net.

Diocesan young vocations program gets under way

By Linda Gosnell Very few 20-somethings have been sent to seminary from our diocese in the past 15 years. One of the canonical responsibilities of the Commission on Ministry is the identification of young persons for ministry, both lay and ordained.

The Commission on the Ministry of the Baptized was asked by Bishop Henderson in late fall 2007 to create a young adult vocation task force (YAVTF) to “evaluate the current programs available; to discern avenues for program implementation in the diocese, and to make recommendations to the Commission on the Ministry of the Baptized.” The Rev. Linda Gosnell chaired the task force.

The YAVTF began meeting in April 2008, and in June of this year presented Bishop Henderson with their report, outlining a new initiative entitled Diocesan Recruitment for Young Vocations, or DRYV. DRYV is a program designed to identify, recruit, and engage college students in a one- to two-year process of discernment for ordained ministry. It is structured to take into consideration college schedules, the need for formation in a peer community, and a structured process of exploration and formation with both lay and ordained leadership and mentors.

DRYV’s Pilot Year begins in August 2009. College juniors, seniors, and grad students who are asking, “What is God calling me to do in my life?” and who feel they may be discerning a call to ordained ministry are invited to participate. Meetings will be held monthly from August to November and January to March, generally on Saturdays, but with three FridaySaturday sessions planned. DRYV will afford an opportunity in a small-group setting to explore self, spirituality, and God’s call. It may be possible for a participant in DRYV to complete canonical requirements for the ordination process leading to postulancy while taking part in the program.

Contact the Rev. d’Rue Hazel at the Alexander Diocesan House for more information, 803.771.7800, ext. 24, dhazel@edusc.org.

The Rev. Linda Gosnell is assistant to the rector at Holy Cross, Simpsonville.

Bruce Marshall named School for Ministry dean Bishop Henderson has announced the appointment of Mr. Bruce Marshall, a member of Church of the Ascension, Seneca, as dean of the diocesan School for Ministry.

Dean Bruce Marshall’s “enthusiasm for the Marshall school, his experience in this particular ministry, and his involvement in advancing a creative vision for its future,” Bishop Henderson said, “have persuaded me that he is the gifted and appropriate person for this critical task.”

The School for Ministry was established in 2003 to provide formation for lay persons seeking personal growth, clergy engaged in lifelong learning, and individuals preparing for ordained ministry. Beginning in the fall 2009, the School will take on new responsibilities for training applicants for lay licenses.

In Marshall’s words, “My primary goal as dean will be to respond effectively to the needs of congregations for licensed ministers by bringing training to the several convocations on a more flexible schedule. He also hopes “to develop more consistency across the existing classes that are required of candidates for ordination”; promote existing courses as advanced-formation opportunities for clergy and lay leaders; and “provide more specialized training to both lay and clergy who have responsibility for financial management at the parish levels.”

Marshall has been in the Episcopal Church since 1957 and a member of several Upper South Carolina parishes since 1967. He has had experience in a number of different aspects of Christian formation, including as leader of adult classes and trainer of Worship Leaders and Eucharistic Visitors.

Marshall, who holds B.A. and Ph.D. degrees in International Relations from Yale University, retired from the University of South Carolina as Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Government and International Studies. Ms. Roslyn Hook, on Bishop Henderson’s staff, has been named assistant dean.

Visit the School for Ministry on the Web, WWW. EDUSC . ORG /SFM .

76th General Convention

Familiar book-lover bringing life back to Trinity Cathedral Bookstore The Trinity Cathedral Bookstore’s summer hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

All proceeds go to outreach projects.

To contact Graves, call 803.771.7300, ext. 251, or e-mail her at bookstore@trinitysc.org

By Allison Askins Book lovers throughout Upper South Carolina have two reasons to celebrate the reopening of the Trinity Cathedral Bookstore. First is the store itself. A treasured part of the Trinity Cathedral campus since 1982, the store closed its New Trinity Cathedral Bookstore director doors this winter with the retire- Ms. Carrie Graves ment of former director Ann Sypolt.

The second reason to celebrate is the new director, Ms. Carrie Graves, 37, a lifelong Episcopalian and the former co-owner of the Happy Bookseller in Columbia, which also closed last fall, bringing heartbreak to devoted customers across the state.

With its reopening in May, the Trinity bookstore is poised to step into a new era of service to the diocese, which Graves is thrilled to be a part of.

“This is the perfect situation,” Graves said, sitting in the children’s corner of the newly opened store. “It’s using my skills as a bookseller to do what I love”—sell books in a community that values the power of the written word to change lives.

That written word, of course, takes on deeper meaning in an Episcopal bookstore, and few people are as well suited to the challenge as Graves.

An acolyte, chalice bearer, lector, EFM mentor and experienced bookseller, Graves brings her passion for the Church to the task along with her understanding of the changing landscape of book publishing.

In addition to providing the latest great theological read—many are situated on a large table that greets customers entering the store—the store’s focus will be to serve as a resource for the diocese and its congregations as well as other denominations such as area Lutherans. Graves intends to host author events and hopes Christian educators will turn to the store for materials to enhance their work. She also plans to feature the work of local artists, to offer a variety of quality gift items and a small amount of clergy supplies that typically must be ordered from out of town.

“I want people to know that I am here for them,” she said.

Children’s books also will figure prominently, shored up by Graves’s experience as the mother of two young boys, Henry, 3, and Joe, 1. Children’s books, she emphasized, help growing minds learn the importance of story in their lives. “Stories are good examples of life. They teach children to use their imagination, which leads to a connection to God,” Graves said.

Ms. Allison Askins is director of Children and Family Ministries at St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields,Columbia.

Connecting people and jobs Upper SC is hosting "Job Connection," an interactive resource launched this spring to connect employers and job-seekers throughout the diocese YAVTF chair the Rev. Linda K. Gosnell presents Bishop Henderson with the group's report. To the Bishop's right are Ms. Mary Anne Park and the Rev. Mary Cat (Enockson) Young; back row: Mr. Nicholas Roosevelt and the Revs. Joseph Whitehurst and Jack Hardaway.

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Visit WWW EDUSC ORG JOBCONNECTION to post info on positions available, offer resumes, and review a blogroll featuring useful resources.

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76th General Convention

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“Sacramental display” A highlight of the inspiring and exuberant Convention Eucharist on July 12 was, in the words of an ENS report, “one of the clearest sacramental displays of the Church’s mission: the acknowledgement of the $6.7 million collected by the United Thank Offering (UTO) over the past triennium.” At the center of the celebration was our own Regina Ratterree (All Saints’, Cayce), who is currently serving a term as UTO president for the Episcopal Church.

At the offertory the UTO coordinator from each diocese was introduced as she greeted Ratterree and House of Deputies president Bonnie Anderson and then presented the Presiding Bishop with an accounting of the dollar amount raised over the past triennium. Every one of those dollars will go toward funding grants to meet “compelling human need” and support “new or expanding ministries” in the coming three years. “It was wonderful,” Ratterree remarked, “to be at the altar to receive the offerings for this triennium, as well as the $28,000 given in the plate that Sunday.”

Closer to home, Ratterree, and all Upper South Carolina, rejoiced on hearing the news that our diocesan World Mission Committee was the recipient of a $63,000-grant to be used in revitalizing the water system at Cange, Haiti. (See the story on page B.)

“We are the Church”

UTO president Regina Ratteree (right), Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, and House of Deputies president Bonnie Anderson prepare to receive offerings presented by diocesan UTO coordinators (photo: GC Media Hub 09).

Eighteen youth from each of the Church’s nine provinces make up the Official Youth Presence at Convention and enjoy seat and voice in the House of Deputies. Among them is Upper SC’s Zach Brown, a member of St. Matthew’s, Spartanburg.

During his time at Convention, Brown had the opportunity to meet with the Archbishop of Canterbury, speak to proposed resolutions, and give a special presentation to the House of Deputies—an

Members of the Official Youth Presence meet with Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. Directly behind the archbishop is our man in Anaheim, Zach Brown (photo: ENS / Matthew Davies).

articulate and heartfelt talk in which he reminded his elders that he and his generation are the Church, not, as they are so often called, “the future of the Church.”

The Church cannot truly move forward, he said, without the full participation of young people.

Serving with the Official Youth Presence, Brown said, enabled him to see the Church “in a whole new way—its wide variety, with so many cultures and nations.” Looking to the future, Brown remarked: “We are diving into a new time in the Church. I feel somewhat cautious but God is in it no matter what, and we can all approach what comes in a Christ-like way and move on.”