Crosswalk Fall 2016

Post Convention Issue - fall 2016

Crosswalk The official publication of The Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina

In this issue

3 6

The Crosswalk returns Subscribe today in print or electronic form

“It is not so among us” Bishop Waldo’s Convention Sermon

10

Election results from the 94th Diocesan Convention

16

Can Church Governance lead to mature discipleship?

22

Preparing for Lent -order your EDUSC SSJE workbooks today

“It is not so among us” The 94th Diocesan Convention of The Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina

Worship, Prayer and Dialogue

Diocesan Staff The Rt. Rev. W. Andrew Waldo Eighth Bishop of EDUSC

Ms. Mary Sweet Administrative Asst. to the Bishop msweet@edusc.org The Rev. Deacon d'Rue Hazel Canon for Congregational Development and Administration dhazel@edusc.org The Rev. Kellie Wilson Canon for Christian Formation and Leadership Development kwilson@edusc.org

Contents 3 4 6 10 12 14 16 18 21 22

Welcome Letter Leadership Day Sketch "It is not so among us" Convention Sermon Welcome to new DEC Members Supporting our Institutions New General Convention Deputation Can Church Governance Lead to Mature Discipleship?

Diocesan Convention in Pictures Proclamation of Appreciation to St. John's,Columbia Order you EDUSC Society of St. John the Evangelist Lenten Workbooks

Ms. Carrie Graves Canon for Communications cgraves@edusc.org Ms. Anna MacDermut Controller amacdermut@edusc.org

Calendar of events * 2017

Ms. Cynthia Hendrix Diocesan Officer for Health Benefits, Property Insurance and Accounts Payable chendrix@edusc.org

January 19 Fellowhip of SC Bishops'

Mr. Frank Ballard Assistant for Congregational Development and Administration fballard@edusc.org

21 Christian Formation Conference

e-Formation Regional Boot Camp

Ms. Tracy Forman Administrative Assistant for Christian Formation, Finance and Hospitality tforman@edusc.org Ms. Adrienne Graham Interim Administrative Assistant for Christian Formation and Leadership Development

2www.edusc.org 803.771.7800

Ecumenical Prayer Service St. Joseph Catholic Church

Heathwood Hall Episcopal School

February

14 Feast of Absalom Jones

at Voorhees College

17- Partnership Cange Symposium 19 at Holy Trinity, Clemson

March

17- Happening #77 19 at Camp Gravatt cover photo - youth choir members make Convention joyful

The Crosswalk - for our times

In may 2010... The Reverend W. Andrew Waldo was consecrated

the Eighth Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina. Shortly after, the decision was made by Diocesan Executive Council, in an effort to safeguard resources, to discontinue the publication of the diocesan magazine, the Crosswalk. The last issue was that featuring the consecration of our new bishop.

Nearly seven years later, technology has improved immensely. More Episcopalians use computers, phones and tablets to take in daily information than don't. Many of us still love a beautifully printed publication; others prefer to view on the go.

In this Advent season of 2016 and new church year, we are returning your diocesan magazine to you in thanks for the communicants and clergy across our 61 parishes. The love among the components of our larger diocesan family is exceedingly important to us and we want to be connected with you.

Today, everyone who wishes will receive an electronic pdf booklet of the magazine. Those who wish to receive a print copy of each edition may let the diocesan office know by using the form below.

Thank you for your dedication and support of The Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina. We hope you will once again enjoy the Crosswalk as you journey with God and your fellow EDUSC pilgrims.

In gratitude for you and your service, Carrie Graves Canon for Communications

Adjunct Staff Dr. Earl Burch Partnership Cange Coordinator eburch@edusc.org The Reverend Susan Heath Coordinator of the SC Bishops' Public Education Initiative sheath@edusc.org

WELCOME BACK! Look forward to features, mission and faith stories, book reviews and more in upcoming editions of the Crosswalk.

Welcome THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF UPPER SOUTH CAROLINA welcomes you in the name of Christ and of the 61 Episcopal congregations that are members of the diocese.

Our Vision: Making, equipping and sending mature disciples of Christ.

OPT-IN for email and/or print editions of the new Crosswalk

Name: Parish: Home Address: Phone # Email:

I would like to receive the Crosswalk in print by email Please return to EDUSC, 1115 Marion Street, Columbia, SC 29201 or email Carrie Graves at cgraves@edusc.org.

3

The 94th Convention of The Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina Fri. Nov 4 - Leadership Day / Sat. Nov 5 - Business Day

KEYNOTE SPEAKER FRIDAY Dr. John H. Dozier Chief Diversity Officer & Director of Community Engagement Office of Diversity& Inclusion at USC DINNER SPEAKER FRIDAY Dr. Brent Driggers Professor of New Testament Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary

Worship, Prayer and Dialogue

St. John’s Episcopal Church / 2827 Wheat Street, Columbia, SC

Leadership Day - November 4, 2016 Keynotes and a plethora of workshops on how we listen and dialogue to live in community The Rev. Paul Abernathy

Leadership Day Diversity Panel Members, Ms. Monica Rodriguez and Mr. Gordon Smith

Dr. Brent Driggers

The Rt. Rev. Andrew Waldo and Dr. John H. Dozier

The Ven. Callie Walpole Dr. Scott Bader-Saye

Dr. Keith Reeves Barron

The Rt. Rev. Charles F. Duvall

The Rev. Rob Brown The Rev. Canon E. Mark Stevenson and Ms. Kayla Massey

Convention Secretary, Ms. Beth Hendrix DEC VP, Mr. Tom Stepp

DYLC Members Ms. Leigh Poteat and Ms. Madalyne Lawton

Workshop Leaders

Dr. Keith Reeves Barron ~ Lectio Divina The Rev. Rob Brown ~ Liturgy Leading to Mission The Ven. Callie Walpole ~ Roots and Wings; Permitting our SC History to Inform and Serve Today’s Opportunities and Challenges Ms. Kayla Massey ~ Gratitude and Global Mission The Rev. Canon E. Mark Stevenson ~ Asset-Based Community Development Ministry with, and not for, Those around Us Dr. Scott Bader-Saye ~ Courageous Stewardship in a Culture of Fear 5

M

y father and I walked hand in hand along a blazing Montgomery sidewalk. It was high summer in the early 1960’s. Memory’s image is of our two sets of legs, one in suit pants and polished black shoes, the other in shorts with bare feet, calloused and indifferent to the searing concrete. Our shadows moved in sharp contrast to the blinding light of the pavement. Just ahead, a silver glitter caught my eye, and I quickly let go to pick up an old Mercury dime lying face‐up on the ground. This was equivalent to a week’s allowance for me in those days and I was thrilled.

“Look what I found, Dad!” I said. He must’ve been in one his thinking reveries at that moment because he didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he just looked down at the dime in my hands. After a moment, he said, “You know, it may be that somebody who really needs that money dropped it and is looking for it.” I’m sure he had Jesus’ parable of the Lost Coin in mind when he said that, but then he made a shift. “You know, it wasn’t ours before, so it doesn’t need to be ours now,” he gently added. Jesus said that “whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest in much.” He made it clear there was no accusation of me in that saying. He was just making the point that “if something has not been given to you or earned by you, leave it be. Don’t take it. If you do, over time you’ll find yourself taking other, bigger things that don’t belong to you.” “Finders, keepers.

Losers,weepers” can be the tip of an iceberg of temptation.

I put the dime back down and never missed it again. And his object lesson stuck with me.

—I’ve reflected often on that moment over the last 50‐plus years, recognizing again and again that taking something that doesn’t belong to me can involve far bigger things than money or things—e.g., taking another person’s dignity, innocence, faithfulness, honor, or self‐ respect. In an existential sense, we can know that because God confers these virtues they cannot ultimately be taken from us. Over the ages some have managed to survive prolonged degradation and still hold on to their fundamental dignity, knowing that in God’s eyes we are precious no matter what we go through.

History nonetheless offers infinite examples of people stripping other people of their worth and dignity in each other’s eyes—e.g., slavery, rape, abuse, murder, and bearing false witness.

It’s a potentially endless list that occupies a long and gradual continuum from being “dishonest in a very little” to being “dishonest also in much.”

My father’s reference was to a saying Jesus addressed to the twelve disciples and overheard by a group of Pharisees, found in chapter 16 of Luke. It’s related in its intention to some of Jesus’ words in today’s reading from the Gospel according to Mark: You know that among the Gentiles, Jesus said, those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.

He spoke these words in response to a dispute among his disciples when James and John asked Jesus if they could sit at Jesus’ right and left hand “in glory.” Jesus told them instead that greatness comes from servanthood, not from grasping at power. The connection with the saying on honesty in Luke is that lording something over a person is itself a form of dishonesty, of taking something away from someone. It is in fact to take away some of his or her freedom. When two of his disciples tried to get the seats of power on his left and right, Jesus tells them all that “it is not so among you.” He doesn’t say “it should not be so.” He says, “it is not so.”

"it is not so

Episcopal Diocese of U 94th Conven

by The Rt. Rev.W

o among us"

Upper South Carolina ntion Sermon W. Andrew Waldo

We have gone far beyond instances of “dishonesty in a very little” to wholesale dishonesty everywhere we look. Bald‐faced lies, half‐truths, seedy revelations and innuendo have been standard fare. Fact‐checkers are no longer believed and many people have stopped caring even when their own preferred candidates play fast and loose with the truth.

It cannot be so with us. It is not so with us. For this is a Kairos moment. This is an opportunity for us instead to boldly proclaim the love, compassion and joy of life in Christ. “‘Speak the truth to one another, render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace, do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath; for all these are things that I hate,’ says the Lord,” according to the prophet Zechariah.

At last year’s diocesan convention, I preached about the cost of mature discipleship, referencing both the victims of the Charleston massacre and early martyrs who bore ultimate sacrificial witness to faith in the love and mercy of God. I spoke about the SC Bishops’ Public Education Initiative and racial reconciliation as paths to begin untying the huge Gordian knot of issues and history. I asserted that there are no shortcuts to Christian maturity, especially as we address the many complex and difficult issues before us.

Since that convention, the Bishops’ Public Education Initiative has continued to grow across the state. The AME Church has joined what we are now calling the Fellowship of SC Bishops—instead of the old acronym, “LARCUM”—and we are developing our relationship with the AME Zion Church.

Under the auspices of the Diocesan Commission on Mission and International Concerns, we formed a race and reconciliation committee that began its work at the end of August. Forty thoughtful members of the diocese applied for the twelve positions by answering a couple of important questions. One of those questions asked applicants to tell a brief personal story that undergirds their commitment to the work of racial reconciliation. Honest self‐disclosure was critically important, and we got that from most all of the applicants. This work is so delicate and so important that it can only thrive with honesty, however painful.

When we met in retreat at the end of August, we engaged more questions and exercises that introduced us to each other in greater depth. Each question, each exercise tested our personal investment in grace, honesty, forgiveness, and authenticity. We don’t yet know exactly what the extent and nature of our work will be with regard to our common life across the Diocese. We do know that we are on a path that is taking us into important, true and transformational places.

I yearn for that experience in every aspect of my life as a bishop. When I visit your congregations, I want us to share stories of truth and transformation that make us different, that change us. We have already been through hard things together that have tested us. For five years we engaged each other in dialogue on complicated matters of human sexuality, scripture and tradition. It was hard and often painful. It cost us some members, and yet we are one of nine Episcopal dioceses within the United States that grew in overall membership by at least 1% in 2015. More importantly, we have emerged as a people who have agreed to disagree. We recognize that we want to stay together as brothers and sisters in the Episcopal tradition. In this, we have bucked a larger trend in our country that says, “If I’m right, then you must be wrong,” with no shades of gray in between.

This recognition is a gift. A remarkable, if fragile gift. Our place of peace, or truce is still remarkable because we got there through our trust that God wants us to be together as a people of faith. It’s remarkable because from it, we can practice what we’ve learned about staying connected even in disagreement and bring it to bear in other parts of our common life. But our intention to stay together might be fragile when the air around us is so filled with larger political and societal anxieties and unknowns. So we are susceptible unless we replace anxiety with perseverance, endurance and truth with faith, hope and love.

Like many of you, I grew up in another time of widespread anxiety, when the civil rights movement was at its height, desegregation of southern schools was underway, and national unrest about Vietnam and changing cultural norms was growing. Throughout the 60’s, polarization was intense in many places—on race, war and sex. The motto for many young people was “Question Authority.” I think I still have my button that says that somewhere in a box! Many of us said hurtful things about and to others that we would today recognize as unfaithful to any form of Christian discipleship, much less mature discipleship. Some Vietnam veterans have never come to terms with mean things people said to them when they came home.

—Of course, such hurtful things can be said by us in any age at any time in our life.

Just prior to saying that “whoever is dishonest in a very little will be dishonest also in much,” Jesus says that “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much.” It’s a hint that our remarkable, fragile gift of relative diocesan peace on any one hot button issue is the precious “very little” bit of faithfulness upon which we might build much. It’s also a hint that our personal work toward mature discipleship and reconciliation begins with specific acts of faithfulness toward particular people.

This came home to me some years ago when I looked back on a moment of deep hurt I caused during the desegregation of Montgomery’s schools in the mid‐1960’s. I wrote about that moment in materials published before my election as your bishop, I’ve spoken about it in a few sermons since then, and some of you have seen me speak of it in the ETV video, “A Seat at the Table.”

"It’s a hint that our remarkable, fragile gift of relative diocesan peace on any one hot button issue is the precious 'very little' bit of faithfulness upon which we might build much. It’s also a hint that our personal work toward mature discipleship and reconciliation begins with specific acts of faithfulness toward particular people."

For those who have not read, heard or seen my comments on that event, it took place when I was in the 8th grade and I decided, as kids that age often do, to try on hate. I called one of the first African American students in our class, Tessie, the “n” word to her face. Throughout this harrowing year, I have found myself thinking often of Tessie and of that day. God speaks to me even now through that memory. Although I have looked but never been able to find Tessie, I realized I have left an important task unfinished – to imagine what I would say to her if I were to find her. This letter is my attempt:

Reconciliation Sculpture at Coventry Cathedral 8

Dear Tessie, I don’t know if you recall who I am, but I write as a person who owes you more than you can imagine. I apologize for addressing you by your first name, but it’s all I remember from a very long time ago.

We were thirteen and in Mr. Hall’s science class at Bellingrath Jr. High. I had always been the shortest boy in the class and had sometimes been bullied. I often felt powerless. You sat in the desk right across the aisle from me one day. You were new.Y ou were among the first African Americans to integrate Bellingrath. For once I thought there was someone I had more power than. So, against everything my parents taught me, I decided to try on hate. I called you the “n” word to your face.

When you looked back at me, you held my eyes. And I felt overwhelmed by your deep hurt and anger—feelings I knew all too well. In my shame, I wanted to run away and hide. Your eyes were to me as if God herself were holding up a mirror to my soul, and I saw my guilt. What I didn’t see was hate coming from you.

In the many years since, your eyes have reminded me that change for me starts within me. When I’m tempted to express hate or anger about someone else, I realize I’ve taken the old contagious, epidemic poison once again, the poison only love can purge.

I am profoundly sorry, and yet I thank God every day that your courage and defiance still feed my life’s hope: to be with others on a journey to love even those we imagine to be our enemies, to do good to those who we think hate us.

I pray for you daily, and for that time when once again we see each other face to face, in the love, mercy and forgiveness of God. Blessings and grace to you,

AndrewWaldo Child of God and servant of the Lord Jesus.

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit you have bestowed upon us your servants the forgiveness of sin, and have raised us to the new life of grace. Sustain us, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit. Give us inquiring and discerning hearts, the courage to will and to persevere, the spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works. Amen.

9

We welcome new members to Diocesan Executive Council Diocesan Executive Council is composed of the Standing Committee and the full Deans and Lay Wardens of our five Convocations

Clergy order

The Reverend Dorian del Priore, St. Peter's, Greenville Fr. Dorian is the Associate Rector for Children, Youth, and Family Ministries at St. Peter’s in Greenville, SC. Dorian graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary in 2014. As an undergraduate student, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies from the University of South Carolina. Prior to seminary, Dorian was the Director of Youth Ministries at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Columbia.

Dorian is currently a member of the Board of Examining Chaplains, and he has served on the Christian Formation Commission and the Diocesan Youth Leadership Council for EDUSC. He is currently on the Alumni Association Executive Committee at Virginia Seminary and has served with the Board of Trustees at VTS as the Student Body President.

The Reverend Fletcher Montgomery, St. John's, Columbia Fletcher Montgomery was elected rector of St. John’s, Columbia in 1999, having previously served congregations in the dioceses of Central Florida and Pennsylvania. Fletcher’s past ministry with the Diocese of Upper South Carolina includes: a partial term and two full terms on the Diocesan Executive Council - one year as president; three terms on the Board of Heathwood Hall Episcopal School; deputy to General Convention (2009); and spiritual director for Happening (2014). He is currently serving as chaplain-advisor to Canterbury of Columbia. An alumnus of Furman University and Virginia Theological Seminary, Fletcher recently graduated from the University of South Carolina with an Ed.S. degree in Counseling.

The Reverend Patricia Sexton, All Saints', Cayce The Reverend Patricia Sexton was called by All Saints' in 2011 to be their Rector. Being the Rector of All Saints' Cayce has been an opportunity for learning and grace for her. Patricia holds a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy from SUNY /Buffalo, a Juris Doctor degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, and a Master in Divinity degree from Virginia Theological Seminary. Patricia is the Dean of the Midlands Convocation (term expiring in November 2016), a member of the Commission on Ministry, and was previously the Episcopal representative to USC and a member of the Bishop's Task Force on Confirmation. Her volunteer work includes celebrating the Eucharist at the Camille Griffin Graham women's prison and tutoring in the Reading Matters program. As Dean, Patricia has served on DEC for three years.

10

We welcome new members to Diocesan Executive Council The Standing Committee of Diocesan Executive Council is composed of nine clergy and nine lay people, elected on a three-year cycle at Diocesan Convention annually

LAy order

Marie Martin, St. Luke's, Columbia Professor in the Division of Academic Affairs and Director of Library Services at Voorhees College, Dr. Martin is a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Columbia. She currently serves on the Vestry, is a member of the Chancel Choir, DOK, and chaplain of ECW. She is a member of the Capital City Chorale, a volunteer with Big Brothers- Big Sisters, Families Helping Families and with Midlands Technical College Harbison Theatre. At the Diocesan level, Marie serves on the Bishop's Race and Reconciliation Committee.

She joined DEC in 2016 to fulfill an unexpired term and decided to run for a full term. On DEC, Marie serves as the liaison to the Race and Reconciliation Committee, which was formed in 2016 in response to a resolution passed at the 93rd Diocesan Convention.

Larry Moore, Church of the Advent, Spartanburg Larry was confirmed in 1982 at Church of the Advent, Spartanburg by Bishop Beckham. His activities at Advent include EYC leader, serving on vestry twice, participating in the Youth Prayer Breakfast, Men’s Bible Study. In addition, he served as Co-Chair for the Associate Rector Search Committee. At the Diocesan level, Larry has served as the Lay Warden for the Piedmont Convocation twice, and as a member of Diocesan Executive Council & Standing Committee 2007-2009. He also served on the Bishop Search Committee 2009 (Bishop Waldo) and as Co-Chair of the 90th Diocesan Convention, and Bishop Waldo’s Ad Hoc Personnel Committee. Larry believes that as adiocese, we have many opportunities to open our hearts and minds, so that the phrase “no matter who you are or where you are in your walk with Christ” there is a place for you.

Susan Palmer, St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, Columbia Susan Palmer is the associate dean for student affairs at the University of South Carolina School of Law. She is formerly a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Staunton, Virginia. At Trinity, she was a member of the choir and choir librarian; served on and chaired the Christian Education Committee; served on and co-chaired the Programs and Personnel Committee; served on the Long-Range Planning Committee; was a member of the Vestry; and served on and chaired the Architecture Committee, which planned for and oversaw extensive renovations to an 1855 church building on the National Register of Historic Places and its Parish Hall. Now a member of St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields, she is a member of the choir; serves as a lector and Eucharistic minister; served on the Vestry, including a term as junior warden; and was elected parish diocesan delegate for 2016.

11

Camp Gravatt rec to build three outdo

Gravatt Camp and Conference Center is using a $47,000 grant to bu by field trip students, summer campers and retreat guests. The money Church and Episcopal Church Women. The new facilities will be a cov an outdoor farm classroom with a storage shed and camping area, and tree house started November 9. Aiken Electric Cooperative facilitated labor. The poles will be used to support the tree house, which is being

Gravatt staff and volunteers, including 10 members of AmeriCorps N and the other outdoor learning centers. The AmeriCorps team mem coming to Gravatt, they were assisting victims of the floods in Louisian outreach p

did you know that The Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina is a In 1857, ten southern dioceses established The University of the South, fondly known as Sewanee.

It was founded as an institution of The Episcopal Church, as centrally located to all founding dioceses as possible. Many of us have strong ties to Sewanee, whether we attended college there, went to seminary there, or have graduated from the Education for Ministry program. This year, the University has begun plans to move the School of Theology back to the heart of campus, signifying the importance of the Episcopal faith in the operation of the University. If Sewanee has a place in your heart, please visit the campaign website to learn how you can be of support: https://www.sewanee.edu/ stronger-truer/

ceives UTO Grant oor learning centers

uild three intentional outdoor learning centers that will be used y came from the United Thank Offering, a ministry of the Episcopal vered tree house with a composting toilet and an outdoor classroom, a lakeside outdoor classroom with a labyrinth. Construction on the d a donation of materials from the Ace Pole Company and provided g constructed around a tree more than 20 feet above the ground.

NCCC, will complete the remainder of the work on the tree house mbers arrived in November to work at Gravatt for a month. Prior to na. While at Gravatt, they also will work on other environmental and projects.

Diocesan ECW President Whitney Evans presents Gravatt Executive Director Lauri SoJourner with UTO Grant at Convention

visit Camp Gravatt's website www.campgravatt.org

an owning diocese of Sewanee?

Elected at 94th EDUSC Diocesan Convention, Molly Dougall is our new representative on the Sewanee Board of Trustees. Molly earned her undergraduate degree from Sewanee: The University of the South, majoring in chemistry, which led her to earn her Doctor of Pharmacy from Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC. Molly is an active alumnae of Sewanee and loves the opportunity to introduce local high school students to Sewanee at college fairs. Molly has been a member of St. David’s, Columbia, for more than 25 years.

Our deptuation to General Convention 79 #GC79 July 5 - 13 * 2018 * Austin, TX - Lay Order Scooty Burch

As a member of Holy Trinity, Clemson, Scooty Burch is a graduate of EfM and has served on the vestry and the Christian Formation Committee there. Scooty has also been a youth leader and is a Lay Eucharistic Visitor. She has served on DEC and was the Diocesan Coordinator for Episcopal Relief & Development for ten years. In addition, she has served on the Diocesan Commission for Ministry and the Commission on The Episcopal Church. Scooty has served as deputy to General Convention four times and has served twice on General Convention's World Mission Legislative Committee.

Angela Daniel

Angela M. Daniel, is a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Columbia, SC where she has served as Senior Warden, Junior Warden, as well as chair of multiple committees and on many ministries. Angela' s national and provincial experience include serving as lay deputy to General Convention five times; serving on and chairing standing committees and legislative committees for The Episcopal Church. She is currently a member of the Task Force to Study Provinces and the President of Province IV. In the EDUSC, Angela has chaired DEC and served on a broad range of diocesan committees, including Insurance, Finance, Stewardship, and Long-Range Planning. Angela served as a member of the Search Committee for the Eighth Bishop of EDUSC and as Secretary to Diocesan Convention. She indulges her passion for one of our diocesan insitutions, Kanuga Conference Center, by serving on its current Board of Trustees as vicechair and as chair of the Executive Committee.

Norah Grimball

Dr. Norah T. Grimball is a life-long Episcopalian and a member of Trinity Cathedral where she currently serves as Senior Warden, Eucharistic Minister Chair and Worship Leader, part of her many years of service. On the diocesan level, she was a Deputy to General Convention 2015 and has served on DEC and Standing Committee, as Chair of Commission on Ministry, Chair of the Bishop’s Interview and Discernment Committee, Co-chair of the Commission on Ministry of the Baptized and Communications, and Chair of the Bishop Search Committee. She is also an EfM graduate, holds a Doctor of Ministry from the Graduate Theological Foundation, and is a spiritual director.

Mary Anne Park

Mary Anne Park is a life-long, active member of Saint Bartholomew’s. She has served three terms on the vestry, including two terms as Junior Warden and two as Senior Warden. In addition, Mary Anne is the current present of the Order of the Daughters of the King. She is an active Eucharistic Minister, Lay Reader, Lector, Service Schedule Coordinator, Worship Committee Member, and Missions Committee Member, and has served in multiple other ministries over the years, including search committees for both an assistant rector and youth minister. Mary Anne is a 12-time delegate to Diocesan Convention, and has served twice (2012 and 2015) as a deputy from the EDUSC to the General Convention of The Episcopal Church. At the 2015 General Convention, she served on the Committee on Courtesy and Resolutions.

Regina Ratterree - alternate

As a member of All Saints' Cayce, Regina serves on the vestry, as a lay reader and chalice bearer, teller, bereavement chairperson, diocesan convention delegate, and sings in the choir. In past years she has served as Junior Warden and fourtimes as Senior Warden, teacher, President of ECW and on numerous committees. At the Diocesan level for Upper SC, she has served on DEC, Standing Committee, Total Ministry, Bishop and Council, as Diocesan ECW President and alternate deputy to General Convention.

Regina served as Province IV United Thank Offering Representative and on the Province Executive Committee. On the national UTO Committee for six years, she served as President, vice president and member at large.

14

Our deptuation to General Convention 79 #GC79 July 5 - 13 * 2018 * Austin, TX - Clergy Order The reverend Furman Buchanan - head of deputation

The Rev. Furman L. Buchanan is the rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Greenville, SC, a vibrant and growing congregation with an average Sunday attendance of 250. He began serving St. Peter’s in 2010 as priest-in-charge, and was subsequently called by the vestry as the parish’s fourth rector. Beyond parochial ministry, Furman has served on the Diocesan Executive Council, and he has been the diocesan ecumenical officer and liaison to the LARCUM community of bishops since approximately 2008. Furman received his M.Div. with honors from the School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee.

the reverend mike flanagan

Mike Flanagan is the Rector of Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Simpsonville, SC. Ordained in 1991, Mike served as assistant rector at St. Michael and All Angels in Columbia, SC, and came to Simpsonville as Rector of Holy Cross in January of 1995. Mike has served on the Total Ministry Committee, Standing Committee, Building and Renovation Finance Committee, Chair of the Bishop’s Interview and Discernment Committee and a Spiritual Director on Cursillo Council. Currently Mike is currently serving as a Deputy to General Convention and is Chair of the Commission on the Episcopal Church, having served as the head of the deputation to General Convention in the past triennial.

The reverend alan leonard

The Rev. Alan Leonard has been pastor of St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Boiling Springs, SC since December, 2005. He has served the diocese as Dean of the Piedmont Convocation, member of the Bishop's Task Force on the Blessing of Same Sex Unions, and President of the Ecclesiastical Disciplinary Board. Alan was the 1st Alternate Deputy to the 2015 General Conventionand he serves on the diocesan Cursillo Council. He also serves as chaplain for Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9539. Alan is on the advisory boards of Harvest Family Ministries, a nonprofit that assists people in need in the Boiling Springs area and Rose Crest Retirement Community. Prior to moving here, Alan was a U.S. Army Chaplain serving posts in the United States, Germany and Iraq. He received his seminary education at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, California.

the reverend susan prinz

The Rev. Dr. Susan Prinz is Priest Associate for Pastoral Care at St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields, Columbia. Susan graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Va., in May 2010 and was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop W. Andrew Waldo in 2011. She received the St. George’s Award at graduation from VTS for her “commitment to interfaith dialogue,” allowing her to travel to Jerusalem in January 2012. She travels as frequently as possible, having returned as a pilgrim through St. George’s College, Jerusalem, in April 2016. She is trained as a spiritual director. Susan served as a deputy to General Convention in 2015, and seeks a second term in order to continue to serve the church with the additional knowledge and experience provided in her first term. She remains particularly interested in issues of interfaith dialogue and social justice.

the reverend patricia sexton - alternate

The Reverend Patricia Sexton was called by All Saints' in 2011 to be their Rector. Being the Rector of All Saints' Cayce has been an opportunity for learning and grace for her. Patricia holds a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy from SUNY /Buffalo, a Juris Doctor degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, and a Master in Divinity degree from Virginia Theological Seminary. Patricia is the Dean of the Midlands Convocation (term expiring in November 2016), a member of the Commission on Ministry, and was previously the Episcopal representative to USC and a member of the Bishop's Task Force on Confirmation.

Her volunteer work includes celebrating the Eucharist at the Camille Griffin Graham women's prison and tutoring in the Reading Matters program. As Dean, Patricia has served on DEC for three years.

15

Can CHurch Governance Lead to mature discipleship?

Bishops United Against Gun Violence march in the streets of Salt Lake City at GC 78

The EDUSC deptuation and Bishop Waldo deep in discussion on the floor of the House of Deputies at GC 78

EDUSC's table at the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church Salt Lake City, UT 2015 16

A Conversation with The Rev. GrantWiseman For two weeks every three years, our deputies to General Convention travel to do the work of the Church. From nearly dawn to well past dusk, they carefully discern the movement of the Church, listening during lengthy legislative sessions and serving on legislative committees. It may not sound like a lot fun. It may seem too administratively angled to those who haven’t attended and even to some who have. But The Rev. Grant Wiseman, EDUSC’s Diocesan Executive Council President (2016) says that serving as a deputy to General Convention is not just going to sit in meetings and listen to political arguments: “It’s about the relationships with people all over the Church.”

“You learn more about yourself and this wider Episcopal Church that’s so much bigger than your neighborhood,” says Wiseman. He has served as a deputy Wiseman, L, and to General Convention from Nebraska and was then assigned to the Standing Bp Waldo at GC #78 Committee for Stewardship and Development. He then chaired the committee for three years and served as secretary for three years.

Sometimes the work can seem frustrating, somewhat like being in Congress, he says. “It doesn’t work when people are unwilling to listen or attempt to bully their way through. But sometimes we have to stand up to those frustrations, which can be a challenge to our faith and part of the journey to mature discipleship.”

“When it works well, he says, even in disagreement we can walk together to the altar, relationships formed and forming us”. And it so often works well, offering a spirit of transformation to those who take part.

“Worshipping together before we walk in not just to debate but to ponder what God is calling us to be is a powerful experience. It’s amazing to be with that many Episcopalians and to see the quirkiness of the Church as it pertains to different areas of the world.”

At General Convention, you get a wider perspective of what it means to be an Episcopalian. “It’s so easy in a small church to think every Episcopal Church is like my own. When you get to the wider Church you see we have a multitude of ways we worship and express our faith and our ministries.” The question upon returning from General Convention, he comments, is how to share and to make what we’ve become fit with our local community. How do we live into a witness of Jesus Christ that’s very different depending on where we live?

At General Convention there are Spanish-speaking services, English-speaking services, services that feature the Native American culture of The Episcopal Church. The amazing thing is that even if you don’t know the language you seem to know where you are in the service, Wiseman says. “As a deputy to General Convention and member of a legislative committee, you find your ministry and passion in understanding the structure of the Church, find opportunities to share it across the whole Church and get a better understanding of the depth and breadth of that ministry.”

At the 78th General Convention, a vote to focus more on mission and less on administration reduced the number of Standing Committees to two and a few task forces from 24. We lose our shared vision between conventions. We can get distracted about what mission is if we just the members of Executive Council deciding for everyone. The Committees bring diversity and focus to mission. Wiseman comments that it will be interesting to see whether we go back to that model or continue discernment toward a smaller church governance.

In conclusion, yes. Church governance and participation in administration can lead to mature discipleship.

Consider getting involved at the diocesan level. Who knows, you may find yourself called to run for deputy to General Convention in three years.

17

Convention Business

The Head Table

The Rev. Deacon Margaret Jennings Todd and The Rev. Fletcher Montgomery

The Rev. Sally Johnston is recognized for her recent retirement

Day - November 5, 2016

The Procession for Convention Eucharist

Thoughtful theological discussion

Our youth choirs make Convention worship beautiful

The Rev. Deacon Tim Ervolina � and The Rev. Philip Whitehead

Business Day can be fun...

Holy Eucharist

Regina Ratteree, head of resolutions committee, chats with The Rev. Phil Purser

Scooty Burch, deputy to General Convention, and Earl Burch, Partnership Cange Coordinator

Diocesan staff members enjoy a moment of appreciation at the end of Convention

The Rev. Ned Morris invites EDUSC to the 95th Diocesan Convention at Church of the Advent, Spartanburg Bishop Waldo with members of our youth choirs

The Rev. Charles Smith entices the bishops to conduct business in the proper way

THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF UPPER SOUTH CAROLINA 94th DIOCESAN CONVENTION ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA NOVEMBER 4-5, 2016 Submitted by The Right Reverend W. Andrew Waldo, Eighth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina

PROCLAMATION OF APPRECIATION Whereas The Reverend Fletcher Montgomery, Margaret Axson, Michelle Rabon, the staff of St. John’s, Columbia and the people of St. John’s, Columbia who supported the work of Convention have extended radical hospitality to all members of the 94th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina, and Whereas the Diocesan Youth Leadership Committee, Madelyn Smith, Margaret Axson, and the children and youth of St. John’s, Columbia and the children’s choirs of St. John’s, St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields, Columbia and St. Michael and All Angels, Columbia have participated in, assisted with, and energized this gathering with their presence, and Whereas the numerous volunteers at St. John’s, Columbia, under the direction of The Rev. Fletcher Montgomery, Margaret Axson and Michelle Rabon, have given generously of their time and talent in organizing and preparing materials for this convention, and Whereas the Convention Committee, under the direction of our Convention Secretary Beth Hendrix, and the staff of the Diocesan House have worked diligently to make this a well-ordered and efficient convention, and Whereas The Order of the Daughters of the King have held this body in prayer throughout our work and deliberations, and Whereas Dr. John H. Dozier, Chief Diversity Officer & Director of Community Engagement, Office of Diversity and Inclusion at the University of South Carolina, and Dr. Brent Driggers, Professor of New Testament, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, The Venerable Callie Walpole, The Reverend Canon Mark Stevenson, Dr. Scott Bader-Saye, Dr. Keith Barron, Ms. Kayla Massey, and The Reverend Rob Brown, have given generously of their time on our Leadership Day, calling us to dialogue and a more profound understanding of the blessings of our differences and their place in God’s call to us, building up the body of Christ in this place Now, therefore, be it resolved that the clergy and people of the 94th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina do hereby extend and proclaim our thanks, gratitude, and appreciation for their inestimable contributions to our endeavor to serve God in this place and time.

A Curriculum Based on the 5 Marks of Mission

tell

tend

teach

transform Living Life Marked as Christ’s Own

treasure 22

5LOVE Marks of

The Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina

T HE E PISCOPAL D IOCESE OF U PPER S OUTH C AROLINA Th e R t . R ev. W. A ndrew Waldo Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Three years ago at our Diocesan Convention, I presented a vision of what it might look like if 24,000 Episcopalians truly committed themselves to Making, Equipping, and Sending Mature Disciples of Christ. This vision stemmed from a Clergy Conference where we posed the question “What are the characteristics of a mature disciple of Christ?”

During my summer 2016 sabbatical, I continued to reflect on this question. Some characteristics which stand out in my mind include being a person of prayer and a person who hones their skills and knowledge through repetitive practices such as reading and meditating on Scripture; participating in the community, weekly worship, and Formation opportunities; practicing stewardship; and living a life which is able to dwell in the deep paradoxes and contradictions of life through love, mercy, and the deep respect of others.

As a part of my sabbatical, I retreated to the Society of St. John the Evangelist (SSJE) in Cambridge.

SSJE has been known for years now for its Lenten devotionals. This year, I am thrilled to offer their 2017 devotional to our congregations in Upper South Carolina. Whether you use this resource during Lent or during another season, I pray it helps you to continue to grow in maturity as a disciple of Jesus Christ. You may use the devotional individually or with a group. On the inside, back cover of the devotional, you will see additional resources which will help you reflect on the 5 Marks of Love.

I encourage you to engage this devotional at the same time weekly. Go ahead and put this time on your calendar now. Allow yourself the time and space to engage it slowly, practicing silence so that you may let go of those things which fill you and let the presence of God pour into those spaces. Do not become discouraged. This type of engagement takes practice, and growth takes time as it occurs in the unseen depths of our soul.

May this resource be a blessing to you and be a part of you own “making, equipping and sending” as a disciple in Christ.

Yours in Christ,

The Rt. Rev. W. Andrew Waldo Eighth Bishop Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina

The EDUSC workbooks (cover pictured left) are available to you and your parish at no cost. If you are interested in obtaining copies, please contact Adrienne Graham at 803-771-7800 x 105 or formation@edusc.org

1 1 1 5 M A R I O N S T R E E T  C O LU M B I A , S C 8 0 3 - 7 7 1 - 7 8 0 0  8 0 0 - 8 8 9 - 6 9 6 1  8 0 3 - 7 9 9 - 5 1 1 9 (f )

 

29201-3706 W W W. E D U S C .O R G

T HE E PISCOPAL D IOCESE OF U PPER S OUTH C AROLINA 1115 MARION STREET COLUMBIA, SC 29201-3706

Mark Your Calendars!

The 95th Diocesan Convention November 3 - 4, 2017 Episcopal Church of the Advent, Spartanburg

Visit us online - edusc.org facebook.com/eduscnews/ @eduscnews edusc_news edusc_youth