Jubilate Deo - Diocese of South Carolina

Transcription

Diocese of S.C. • P.O. Box 20127 • Charleston, SC 29413-0127 • Phone: (843) 722-4075 • Email: jhunter@dioceseofsc.org • Web: www.dioceseofsc.org
The Diocese of South Carolina “You Are Not Alone,” Says Primate
Legal Update
No Delays: Oral Arguments September 23
By The Rev. Canon Jim Lewis, Canon to the Ordinary
W
e have much for which to be
thankful to God. On April 15,
2015, the South Carolina Supreme
Court accepted for review the appeal of Judge Diane Goodstein’s final
February 3 ruling in our favor. More
significantly, the Court has said,
“Oral argument in this matter will
be held on September 23, 2015. No
extensions of time will be granted.”
It is of interest to note that this happens to be the Day of Atonement, or
Yom Kippur in the Jewish calendar
(Lev. 16:1-34).
While our motion to expedite
the appeal was formally denied,
we could not have received a more
favorable outcome.
A few words about what this
means.
First, this means that the Court
will hear our case, without fail, on
the date assigned. No further delaying tactics by TEC will prevent that.
This will bless everyone in that it
eliminates needless and expensive
legal maneuvering, brings a speedy
Summer 2015, Volume 120, No.2
conclusion to legal issues that have
clouded parish property titles for
too long (with consequent inconveniences), and settles what has been a
source of anxiety that hinders parish
ministry. For all these reasons and
more, we are grateful for these actions by the Court.
Second, we are prayerfully optimistic that the Supreme Court will
uphold its earlier precedent established by the All Saints case in 2009.
It was on the basis of that case that
Judge Goodstein ruled on February
3 that:
1. We, the Diocese of South
Carolina, are the owners of our real,
personal and intellectual property;
2. TEC and TECSC have no legal,
beneficial or equitable interest in any
of these.
It was also on the basis of the
logic of the All Saints case that
Judge Goodstein ruled that TEC and
TECSC are permanently “enjoined
Continued on Page 7
Presiding Bishop of the Anglican Province of South America
Reassures Diocese It’s Part of The Anglican Communion
By Joy Hunter, Editor
R
epeating the reassurances
spoken by a stream of visiting Anglican bishops during
the past three years, the Presiding
Bishop of the Anglican Province of
South America told Bishop Mark
Lawrence and others from the Diocese of South Carolina, “My brothers
and sisters, you are not alone. You
continue being part of the Anglican
Communion.”
The Most Rev. Hector “Tito” Zavala, Bishop of Chile and Presiding
Bishop of the Anglican Province of
South America, made his comments
in clear English during a meeting
at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke
and St. Paul, Charleston, May 20. He
said that, despite the Diocese’s separation from the Episcopal Church
in 2012, the Diocese continues to
be recognized as Anglicans by the
majority of the worldwide Anglican
Communion.
“I’m here with you with the
consent of the Archbishop of Canterbury,” said Bishop Zavala. He told
Joy Hunter
“I’m here with you with the consent of the Archbishop of Canterbury,” said
Bishop Zavala, shown above (right) with Bishop Mark Lawrence.
those gathered that Justin Welby, the
Archbishop of Canterbury, was with
the Global South Primates Steering
Committee in a meeting in Cairo,
Egypt, in 2014 when “we decided
The Church Under the Bridge
O
By Beth Webb Hart, The Cathedral Church of St. Luke and St. Paul, Charleston
n a balmy Saturday afternoon last
September, a weary but determined
Vietnam War veteran weaved his way
through the open air, make-shift church assembled beneath an overpass on the East Side
of downtown Charleston. He was moving toward a behind-the-scenes man breaking down
the portable sound system because God had
said, “He is the one I want you to pray with.”
For nearly 40 years the veteran suffered PTSD
as a result of severe physical and sexual abuse
he received at the hands of his troop mates.
Though he was a believer and an active member of his hometown church in Georgia, it was
not until this day that the message of forgiveness in Matthew 18:21-25, which had been
preached on beneath the overpass, pierced his
heart. In town for a brief visit to receive treatment at the VA hospital, someone at the local
homeless shelter had mentioned “the church
under the bridge.” Since his medical appointment was the next day, the veteran was glad
to have the opportunity to worship and break
bread with the eclectic group of congregants
who assembled in this rough-hewn locale. He
had not, however, expected the
clear and lifealtering call the
Lord was impressing upon
him by the end
of the service:
the time had
come to forgive.
The sound man
(who is actually
the quiet leader
of this ministry) listened to
the man’s story
and, along with
another active
Tom Hample ministr y participant, prayed
with the veteran long after the worship, meal
and prayer teams had dispersed and the chairs,
altar, instruments and tables had been loaded
and driven away in a trailer. The veteran wept
as he allowed the power of Christ’s sacrificial
love to give him the strength and ability to
forgive those who had harmed him decades
earlier in both body and mind.
Though the details of the veteran’s story
cannot be disclosed, what can be shared is that
it was clear to those who prayed with him that
God, not chance, led him to this particular
intersection of place and time. An immense
inner healing transpired in that moment, and
while the veteran still had much to work out in
his life, he would be walking into his sessions
to confront his PTSD the next day having
forgiven those responsible for his condition.
Similar testimonies of God’s love and forgiveness are shared with increasing frequency
after these Saturday afternoon church services
under an overpass near the Ravenel Bridge.
The church is an ecumenical ministry of the
Cathedral Church of St. Luke & St. Paul called
“Bridge Church.” Each Saturday afternoon a
group of worshipers from several Charleston
area churches gather to break bread, worship,
pray and share the Gospel with anywhere from
five to 100 of their neighbors, many of whom
live on the streets, and for the most part, do
not otherwise attend church.
How It Started
Over five years ago, Tom Hample (the
behind-the-scenes sound man and a parishioner of the Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul)
noticed an abandoned church building on the
East Side of Charleston as he descended the
old Cooper River Bridge on his daily drive to
to establish a Primatial Oversight
Council to provide pastoral and primatial oversight to some dioceses in
Continued on Page 2
Diocesan Night
at the Charleston
Riverdogs, June 19
Joy Hunter
Above, Erin and Brent Cooley enjoy the 2014
Diocesan Riverdogs trip with son, Corbin.
I
t’s not too late to join Bishop Mark and Allison Lawrence along with others from across
the Diocese of South Carolina for a night of
fun Friday, June 19, when the Charleston
Riverdogs face Asheville. The game starts at
7:05 p.m. and ends with a fireworks show.
We’ve reserved a block of tickets. Bring
friends and neighbors. This is a great opportunity to connect with others throughout the
Diocese. It’s red-shirt Friday, but to show we’re
together we’re asking people to wear blue.
Tickets are $10 per person and you can
add an optional meal deal (hot dog, chips and
drink) for an additional $7.
Visit www.dioceseofsc.org and click June
19 on the calendar to purchase tickets.
Continued on Page 2
Our Diocesan Vision: Making Biblical Anglicans for a Global Age
Jubilate Deo, Summer 2015, Page 2
Primate:You are Not Alone
Continued from Page 1
order to keep them within the Communion,”
said Bishop Zavala.
Bishop Zavala is one of 40 primates of
the 80 million member worldwide Anglican
Communion. His province is made up of
Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru and
Uruguay.
The Global South, which makes up 75 percent of the Anglican Communion, emerged
as a way for bishops and primates of the
Southern Hemisphere to encourage one another for mission. Though it is recognized by
the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby,
it is not an official structure of the Anglican
Communion.
During his first South Carolina visit,
Bishop Zavala met with the Diocesan Council
and the Anglican Communion Development
Committee. He also participated in meetings
that were open to the public at St. Matthias,
Summerton and the Cathedral, Charleston.
Bishop Zavala came to the United States to
receive a Doctorate of Ministry from Trinity
Seminary in Ambridge, PA.
During his comments, he repeatedly reassured the Diocese that it has the support of
Anglican leaders from around the world.
“Behind me is the Primate of Egypt and
the Middle East, the Primate of the Indian
Ocean, the Primate of Myanmar, the Primate
of Southeast Asia, the Primate of Nigeria, the
Primate of Burundi and others. We are supporting you,” he said. “In the Global South we
do not want to interfere with any dioceses …
(But) If a diocese has a problem with the Primate or House of Bishops who do not respect
Lambeth resolutions we are ready and willing
to support them, realizing it’s a temporary not
permanent oversight.”
Bishop Zavala also shared at length the
remarkable growth and missionary spirit of
his home Diocese of Chile. As both the first
native-born diocesan bishop of Chile and
Primate of South America he continues to be
an inspiring pioneer for Anglicanism.
“We’re grateful for the strong support we’ve
received from Anglicans around the world and
are especially thankful for this time we’ve had
with Bishop Zavala,” said Bishop Lawrence.
Church Under the Bridge
St. Christopher on Seabrook Island where he
works.
Formerly the home of Saint Matthew’s Baptist Church, the building, which was close to
the entry ramp of the new Ravenel Bridge, had
sat unoccupied for several years. The image of
the decaying sanctuary - its boarded up win-
Bishop Lawrence Challenges Diocese to Aim High;
Encourages Advancement in Convention Address
I
By The Rev. James Gibson, Vicar, Holy Trinity, Grahamville
n his address to the 224th Annual Convention of the Diocese of South Carolina, Bishop Mark Lawrence outlined a
plan for advancing the church’s mission
through starting new congregations,
renewing an emphasis on evangelism, and
cultivating a missional approach to ministry
and life. It was a bold vision indicative of a
diocese determined to move forward after
several years of legal battles following its
disaffiliation from The Episcopal Church
(TEC). Using the acronym CAMEL, Bishop
Lawrence mapped out the current landscape
of the diocese under the five categories of
Consolidation, Affiliation, Missionalization,
Education, and Litigation.
Although some local parishes decided to
remain with TEC after the diocese disaffiliated
in 2012, the losses are being made up through
the addition of new congregations. “At last
year’s convention,” Lawrence noted, “Grace
Church, Pawleys Island and Grace Church,
North Myrtle Beach were welcomed into the
diocese. This year, two more new congregations–Resurrection, North Charleston and
St. James, Blackville–were welcomed as missions.”
“Let us pray that this trend continues in
the coming years,” Lawrence said. “In fact,
it is a worthy goal for this diocese that we
either welcome two new missions each year
or celebrate two new campuses established by
existing congregations each year, or a combination of the two.”
Punctuating that challenge, the bishop
added, “May this become the defining ethos of
the Diocese of South Carolina–advancement
as a method of consolidation. We shall know
who we are by the fact that we are continuously
adding new congregations to our number.”
A further step in this direction is the reconstitution of the Diocesan Council’s Evangelism
Committee, sparked by a renewed interest in
evangelism expressed by numerous clergy
ing to Tom than its dilapidated state. He began
to notice this part of town’s inhabitants in a
way he had not earlier – the teenagers skateboarding beneath the overpasses, the college
kids cycling to and from class and work, and
the men and women, who for a myriad of
reasons, had nowhere to lay their head when
the sun set and the traffic rumbled on above
them.
Kelli Hample
While there is a recognition of the physical needs of many of the attendees of these churches
and of Bridge Church, the primary focus is on the spiritual needs of people, specifically their
need for salvation and to come together as a body in a familiar setting for weekly worship.
dows, scruffy grounds, and vines overtaking
its brick walls - struck Tom as he crossed the
bridge each morning, and somewhere along
the way the vision of a church in that location
surfaced in his mind.
Two years ago the old church was torn
down, its vacancy seeming even more haunt-
A yearning started to grow in Tom’s heart,
though he could not pinpoint it, and when
the Cathedral organized a Christmas Day
outreach to the homeless (under the direction
of Barnabas and Hot Dog Ministry coordinator, Doug Born), Tom was there along with a
Joy HUnter
“It is a worthy goal for this diocese that we either welcome two new missions each year or
celebrate two new campuses established by existing congregations each year, or a combination
of the two,” said Bishop Lawrence during his address to the Convention.
in response to Bishop Lawrence’s sermon at
last year’s Renewal of Vows service. Under
the leadership of chairman Hal Fenters and
lay evangelist Langdon Stewart, the revived
committee held a three-day “Train the Trainers” workshop at Resurrection, Surfside, April
30 - May 2.
Also being reconstituted as a means of
“consolidation through advancement,” is the
Liturgy and Worship Committee under organist Chuck Wilson of Holy Comforter, Sumter.
He and his team “are working with several of
the musicians throughout the diocese eager
to raise the profile of traditional and contemporary music in our common life and will
also take up a variety of liturgical concerns,”
Lawrence said.
Addressing the ongoing discernment
process regarding affiliation, the Bishop expressed gratitude to the Global South Primates
Steering Committee (GSPC) for providing
provisional primatial oversight until the diocese decides on a permanent provincial home.
The Most Reverend Tito Zavala, Presiding
Bishop of the Province of South America
and Bishop of the Anglican Church in Chile,
visited the diocese in May as a representative
of the Global South Primates. (See article on
Pg one.)
Lawrence reported that the Task Force on
Affiliation, established by resolution of the
Convention last year, has determined three
handful of other families who filled their cars
with back-packs and scanned nearby streets
for homeless men and women who graciously
welcomed the sacks filled with simple, daily
essentials: socks, gloves, hats, food, underwear
and toiletries.
After distributing the back-packs on that
frigid Christmas morning, Tom could no
longer quiet the idea of Bridge Church in his
mind and heart, and he sought the guidance
of his priest and the Cathedral Dean, the Rev.
Peet Dickinson.
Right away Peet put Tom together with
other members of the congregation who had
recently expressed a similar longing to reach
out to the unchurched and the homeless in the
area. The idea was in keeping with the church’s
recently crafted mission statement: “Being the
heart of God for the heart of Charleston.”
Cathedralites were in the process of discerning new ways to put their mission into
action in midtown, and many felt a strong call
to take church out beyond the historic walls
and wrought iron gates. They began to sense
that being the heart of God for the heart of
Charleston involved bringing church to people
where they lived, especially to those in need.
Tom and a handful of others from the Cathedral and the Church of the Holy Cross,
Sullivan’s and Daniel Island, began to meet
under the overpass on Huger Street between
King and Meeting every Saturday afternoon to
pray, pick up trash and discuss what bringing
church to that location could look like. During the first meeting at the site, they offered
to pray with a passerby who quickly accepted,
and in the six months of prayer and gatherings
that followed at the location as the vision for
this out-of-the-box church came into focus, it
became obvious that prayer – both corporate
and individual – was a crucial part of the
Lord’s plan.
During these gatherings as well as meetings
with nonprofits and churches offering services
and aid to the folks in this part of town, the
vision for Bridge Church soon aligned with
a church model currently in place in several
cities around the country – to take church to
the many people who for various reasons will
not attend church in church buildings. While
each of the “under the bridge churches” has its
own story, all seemed to originate from a faithful response of followers of Jesus to love their
neighbor and proclaim the Gospel. While
there is a recognition of the physical needs of
many of the attendees of these churches and
of Bridge Church, the primary focus is on the
spiritual needs of people, specifically their
need for salvation and to come together as a
body in a familiar setting for weekly worship.
Under the leadership of Peet Dickinson
and then Associate Rector, Jonathan Bennett,
Bridge Church held its first service on June 7,
2014 and over 100 people from the surrounding area, including many who were homeless
attended. Chili, cornbread and sweet tea was
served and Cathedral member and Regional
Intervarsity Area Director, Willis Weber,
preached about reaching across neighborhood, racial and socio-economic lines to love
and know our neighbors and celebrate the
Good News together. The first night was glorious. Friends were made, bread was broken,
and songs as well as praises and prayers were
lifted up to the Lord.
Within a matter of weeks, several other
churches joined in to help with the music,
worship and food preparation. Bridge Church
became a weekly Saturday afternoon event.
By the end of the summer, a mid-week Bible
study began in the neighborhood as well.
Continued on Page 4
The Inner Workings
Each week volunteers show up 30 minutes
before the service to set up. As the folding
chairs are unloaded from the trailer, another
team quickly assembles the sound system
and portable generator. The team serving the
meal unfolds tables and arranges the food and
drinks.
At 5 p.m. (4 p.m. during daylight savings)
the service starts with a welcome and blessing
Continued on Page 4
Called To Be An Evangelist
What I Learned from My Mother
(About Being A Clergy Wife)
By The Rev. Jimmy S. Gallant, Vicar, St. Andrew’s Episcopal
Missions Church, West Ashley
D
o you have the spirit of an he said, “Now I am ready – I can do
evangelist? Do you find this now!”
yourself going and talking That’s the meeting that I was supto close friends, co-workers, and posed to go to!
family members about your love for Has that ever happened to you?
Jesus Christ? Do you find yourself You’ve been summoned to go and
constantly thinking evangelism? speak with someone, and when you
Perhaps then get there you make a huge difference
you have the in that person’s life? That’s the spirit
spirit of an of the evangelist I’m talking about.
evangelist!
Reflecting on what is happening
Just recently, in urban cities all across America,
I was asked hopelessness is increasing. The joy
t o a t t e n d and love of Christ is the only thing
a c o m m u - that will bring true peace to our bronity meeting ken people – love for our neighbors,
concerning love for those who don’t look like us,
t he sho ot - love for those who don’t live where
ing in North we live. Remember Jesus’ words
Charleston in the scriptures, “All authority in
of an unarmed black man by a heaven and on earth has been given
white police officer. As I prepared to me. Therefore, go and make disto go, I received a phone call from ciples of all nations, baptizing them in
a d e ar f r i e nd i n
the name of the FaGeorgia explaining
ther and of the Son
Reflecting on what is
that her ex-husband
and of the Holy
happening in urban
(my friend Aaron
Spirit, and teachcities all across
here in Charleston)
ing them to obey
America, hopelessness
was about to have
everything I have
quadruple by-pass
commanded you.
is increasing. The joy
surgery. The Spirit
And surely I am
and love of Christ is
of God directed me
you always,
the only thing that will with
to the hospital and
to the very end
bring true peace to our of the age” (Mattold me not to worry
broken people.
about being late for
thew 28:19-20).
the meeting.
Jesus loves you so
When I walked
much that he has
into the hospital room, I saw Aaron. entrusted you with that command.
He was so excited his face lit up and Now its time to go! Love people,
I thought he was going to come bless them and fulfill that command.
out of the bed at me! “I am just so
happy to see you, Father Jimmy!” Be Salt and Light!
he told me. We started reminiscing; talking about how our lives Remember that salt is a preservahave changed over the years from tive. Everything it touches, it seasons
when we were just fun-loving guys – when we pick up the saltshaker.
in middle-school. “You are going The salt is no good in the shaker.
to pray for me, aren’t you?” Aaron It has to come out of the shaker to
asked. “That’s why I came!” I said, season what it touches. When we
and as we began praying his eyes season fish with salt, we don’t say
filled with tears. Aaron’s prayer the salt becomes fishy, we say the
became a prayer of repentance, ac- fish becomes salty. And as salt we
cepting Jesus Christ totally as his
Continued on Page 4
personal saviour. After we prayed
By Chelsea (Lawrence) Hamshaw, Prince George Winyah, Georgetown
Chelsea Hamshaw is a newly-minted
clergy wife, married to the Rev.
Jason Hamshaw who was ordained
a transitional deacon May 26, 2015.
The Hamshaws have three young
sons. Chelsea is also the daughter of
Bishop Mark and Allison Lawrence.
I
1. Obey the Call
I was born and raised in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, and grew up in a
wonderful and loving church family.
However, this small suburb town of
Pittsburgh is hardly a destination
location. A quick Google search will
my dad heard God say. So, off they
went. They packed up their then
three children, my mother seven
months pregnant with her fourth
child, and made their way across the
2,500 miles which separated their
former home from their new one.
They grew to deeply love the people
vividly remember being 12 years
old, standing
i n t he p arish courtyard
with my family just before the service began in the California parish where
my dad was a priest. I
approached my mom,
tired of the week-in
week-out church life,
and asked, “Do I have
to go in to the service? I have the whole
thing memorized!” To
my great surprise, my
mom said “No” I didn’t
have to go in, but she
was quick to remind
Chelsea Lawrence
me that it wasn’t about
whether or not I had “My mother taught me that all the glamour in the world cannot replace the peace and
the service down pat. joy that comes from being in the will of God wherever he may send you,” says Chelsea
It wasn’t long after Hamshaw (above, right) with her mother, Allison Lawrence.
this that the liturgy
came alive to me and began to fill my lead you to several articles, describ- of St. Stephens, McKeesport, and
heart with its deep, poetic prayers, ing it as a town of former glory- one still maintain lifelong friendships
which led me deeper to the heart of that lost its economy and charm with several of its parishioners.
with the closing of the steel mills. In The point here is this: in my
the Father.
And it led me to where I am today fact, years ago Newsweek wrote an fleshly nature, it’s easy to desire the
article, which described Mckeesport glamorous church, in the desirable
a newly-minted clergy wife.
I have had a chance to reflect on as a “center of industrial devastation location, with good schools, good
what it was like growing up in par- and poverty.” But when my parents restaurants, and good views. My
ish life, and more importantly, how heard the call of God one early mother taught me that all the glamthe wisdom, love and example of my morning, driving home across the our in the world cannot replace the
mother prepared me for this next plains of Kentucky, to pack up their peace and joy that comes from being
lovely farmhouse in sunny Califor- in the will of God wherever he may
step.
With that in mind, here are a few nia, and move their three children send you. My young years in McKthings I learned about being a clergy across country, they obeyed. “I’m eesport were some of the happiest of
moving your family to Pittsburgh,” my life, and I am grateful for God’s
wife from my mother.
Continued on Page 14
A Breath of Fresh Air; 224th Convention Emphasizes Moving Forward
A
“
Workshops and Worship
The convention kicked off Friday afternoon
with six workshops open to the public offered
at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church.
The workshop on Anglican Affiliation, led
by the Rev. Canon Dr. Kendall S. Harmon and
the Rt. Rev. Mark Lawrence, drew the biggest
crowd with Harmon addressing the question,
“What is Anglicanism?” and Bishop Lawrence
following up describing some of the history of
Anglican identity and our future options for
affiliation.
Other workshops included one on Christ i an Mar r i a ge
by the Rev. Dr.
St e p h e n No l l ;
Evangelism by
Langdon Stewart;
Local and Global
Missions by Sharon Steinmiller;
Christian Formation by the Very
Rev. Dr. Peter
Moore and Peter
Rothermel, and
Youth Ministry
by Dave Wright.
The Rt. Rev.
Rob Martin,
Bishop of MarsJoy Hunter abit, Kenya, who
ser ved as the
The Rev. David Booman, Assistant Rector at St. Michael’s, Charleston,
guest preacher
prays during the Convention’s opening Eucharist at the Cathedral of St.
Friday evening,
Luke and St. Paul, Charleston.
breath of fresh air,” was how the Rev.
Louise Weld, Associate Rector at St.
James, Charleston, described the 224th
annual Convention of Diocese of South Carolina, which was held in Charleston, March
13-14, 2015. “I felt like there was a big emphasis on evangelism and sharing your story
in the Bishop’s address, in presentations, and
in video clips,” said Weld. “There was a new
thrust - a breath of fresh air. We’ve moved on
and are about the Lord’s work!”
stressed that we in both dioceses face persecution and trials. He asked that our diocese remember them in prayer just as they remember
to pray for us. Several churches in both dioceses have begun to partner with one another.
Two new church buildings have been built
in Marsabit so far for former “tree churches”
with more expected this year. (See article on
pg. 11.) The service of Holy Eucharist, held at
the Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul, featured
music of different genres – with the majority
of the music offered by a full choir with organ,
timpani and brass and communion music
provided by a contemporary music team led
by worship leaders from different congregations.
Bishop Lawrence’s Address
Bishop Mark Lawrence urged clergy and
delegates to focus outward with a missional–
rather than attractional–church model in his
address to the Convention. “As our society
becomes increasingly secular, pluralistic and
multi-cultural, we as the church, the Body of
Christ, can no longer assume that people will
seek us out and join us if we just ‘do church
better.” He said, “As I often tell vestries or parishioners at Bishop’s Forums, ‘Jesus never told
the world to go to church. He did, however,
tell the church to go into the world.’”
The Bishop also outlined plans for developing leaders by investing in education for both
clergy and lay leaders. Read a synopsis of the
Bishop’s address on pg. 2. Read or listen to the
full address online at www.dioceseofsc.org.
Convention Resolutions
The Convention adopted, by an overwhelming majority, three resolutions related
to marriage and sexuality put forth by the
Marriage Task Force. Resolution R-2 asked
the Standing Committee to work with the
Task Force on Marriage to develop marriage
and employment policy recommendations to
be acted upon, as needed, at the 2016 Diocesan Convention. Resolution R-3 charged the
Task Force to develop educational resources
for parishes regarding marriage and gender
identity also to be presented at the 2016
Diocesan Convention. Resolution R-4 called
for the adoption of a clear doctrinal Standing
Resolution regarding the nature of Christian
Marriage as practiced by this Church.
The Convention also updated the canons
regarding the bonding of Treasurers and
rescinded a standing resolution regarding
the University of the South since Sewanee no
longer affords us the privilege of the election
of Trustees.
Welcoming New Congregations/
New Clergy
The convention welcomed two new mission congregations which have joined the Diocese since our last convention: Resurrection,
North Charleston, led by the Rev. Matthew
McCormick, and St. James, Blackville, led by
the Rev. Russell Reed, assisted by Deacon Tom
Cuny.
Are You Called to Be a Vocational Deacon?
By The Rev. Canon Michael Malone, Coordinator of Training for Vocational Deacons
others into
these skills
and ministries. They
are the spark
plugs. In the
o r d i n at i o n
service, the
Bishop exhorts them,
“You are to
make Christ
and his redemptive
love known,
by your
word and
example, to
those among
Joy Hunter
whom you
Above, vocational deacons gather on the porch at the Cathedral of St. Luke and
live, work
St. Paul prior to the renewal of vows service in 2014.
and worship.
You are to
mong others, we in the Diocese of interpret to the Church the needs, concerns,
South Carolina have currently active and hopes of the world.” Our deacons grew
Deacons: Holmes, Tata, Warfuel, Phil- into such ministries, including significant
lips, Davis, Rosenlieb, Simmonite, Fryman, liturgical roles in the congregation, and in the
Berkaw, Rider, Gill, Boutcher, Dyckman, words of an old novel, it became for them a
Hershon, Foster, Sanders, Sheedy, and Drig- “magnificent obsession.” The quiet call they
gers. They are among the total of 36 ordained heard at two in the morning was still there
since 1997. If you know any of these wonderful at noon. They sensed, and their congregadeacons, then you are truly blessed. A current tion agreed, that ordination to the vocational
class of seven aspirants are, even as we speak, diaconate could enhance their ministries and
in the pipeline toward ordination in the spring give important credentialing. The traits of a
of 2016.
promising aspirant are a demonstrated track
Who are these folks? They are a special record of service, energy, mature social skills
breed. They are people with hearts for servant and a thirst for learning and growing in their
ministry. They don’t want to be priests! They faith.
have ministries in their community, in the What is the official status of vocational
name of their parishes, serving as chaplains deacons? They serve directly under the Bishop
and teachers in hospitals and prisons. They are who assigns them to a congregation, usually
theologically articulate, pastorally sharp. And at first to the congregations which are their
in their congregations they lead and guide
A
Bridge Church
of the food. About ten minutes into
the meal a music team begins the
opening worship song. The songs
range from old gospel standards to
contemporary Christian. After the
opening song, the Gospel is read
and a short message delivered. The
preacher then introduces a time
of response following his message
during which the music team plays,
followed by a time of prayer and
confession. Prayer teams are available during the entire service, but
people are especially encouraged to
take advantage of the prayer teams
during the response time. The
prayer time ends with all reciting the
Lord’s Prayer and the service ends
with a blessing and song.
Largely because a meal is served
each week, Bridge Church is well
known by the homeless community
and many who live in the area. Over
the last year it has become a staple
in the community. The ministry’s
ability to plug quickly into the local community is due in part to its
connection to the interfaith Barnabas and Hot Hog Ministry which
provides dinner to the homeless
and anyone else Monday through
Friday on a street corner on upper
Meeting Street near the One80 Place
shelter. The church is, in a way, an
outgrowth of what God has been
doing in Charleston through the Hot
Dog Ministry.
Bridge Church is a collaborative
effort of the body of Christ. On any
given week six or more churches
from multiple denominations serve
and worship along side one another
and alongside those from the local
community. Participating churches
alternate responsibility for providing the meal, a music team to lead
worship and a preacher. Members of
various churches come each week to
setup, greet people, serve the meal
and act as prayer ministers.
“Being part of an interdenominational effort is one of the most
rewarding aspects of the ministry,”
says Tom Hample.
Bridge Church differs from other
similar ministries in a significant
way. Some require people to listen
to a message before they are given a
meal, but at Bridge Church the service begins with the meal. Attendees
are invited to sit and after the blessing, food is served to those seated.
After all have been served volunteers
also sit, share the meal and enjoy
the worship service. Contrary to
the predictions of some that people
would eat and leave, almost all who
come for the meal stay for the entire
service. In fact, there is a growing
number of regular attendees who
are waiting to help set up for church
each week and who also stay to help
break down and load the trailer after
the service.
“By contemporary methods of
measuring church success, it may
not appear that Bridge Church is
‘successful,’” says Hample. “The
services have seen as many as 100
and as few as 10 attend, and averages
around 50 total. However, faithful
obedience to the call is our measure
of success. We believe that we have
been faithful to the call to every
believer to love our neighbor and
to proclaim the Gospel.”
What Others Have to Say
Here is what a few members
of the Bridge Church leadership
team have to say about what Bridge
Church means to them:
“For me, Bridge Church is an answer
to years of prayer. As soon as I heard
home parishes, though as needful, the bishop
may reassign them for strategic reasons. Their
liturgical functions include reading the Gospel, setting the table, leading the Prayers of
the People. They may teach, preach, and on
occasion perhaps officiate at funerals and baptisms. As ordained clergy, they have seat and
voice in diocesan convention but no vote; thus,
they are not a voting block, and they can’t be
politicized. They are non-stipendiary though
reimbursed for expenses—if stretched too
thin they can say “no.” They do “wear collars”
and many do all the time whenever in public,
thus inviting and exhibiting approachability.
And the vocational diaconate might become
a kind of second career, as it has for many of
our diocesan deacons.
The path to ordination begins with serious
local exploratory discussions between aspirants (“I am both haunted and hugely thrilled
that I am feeling a call to this ministry”) and
seasoned congregational leaders. The diocesan
Canon to the Ordinary, Jim Lewis, will engage
with them to structure this local discernment
and help determine whether this will lead to
formal application for ordination. Since there
are layers and consecutive steps of discernment, it could take a year from beginning
before final approvals and commencement of
training. This training is a 24-month course
of study as aspirants read, write and meet
together with faculty all day one Saturday a
month. This means we should be prepared
for timely completion of applications. Faculty
honoraria and other expenses are borne by
the aspirants; sponsoring congregations are
expected to be of assistance in this.
The next class could begin in the spring of
2016. All concerned need to know this time
line and to know that a viable class size is usually a minimum of four or more.
Pray for the increase of this ministry.
about the vision for what is now
called ‘Bridge Church,’ I hoped to be
a part of what the Lord would do in
this place and time…. At my first visit
to the site, a man (and new friend)
made a choice to turn his life over
to the Lord. The love, fellowship and
unity in prayer at Bridge Church has
been so life-giving and encouraging
to me.”
-Peggy McKinney, Hospitality
and Prayer Ministry
“On last year’s mission trip, I mentioned to the guys, ‘Why do we work
all year and come on an international
mission for one-two weeks?’ We all
agreed that there is a lot of opportunity to spread the love of Jesus in our
own backyard... For me it boils down
to seeing folks get ‘undone’ and rebuilt
by the love of their Father…It is better
than any three fingered touchdown
catch I have seen yet!”
- Jack Christie, Hospitality and
Leader of Mid-week Bible Study
As for me and my 14-year old
daughter, Frances, who insisted we
get involved, Bridge Church is the
highlight of our week. So many lives
intersect beneath the underpass,
and my family has been ministered
to more than the other way around
as this body comes together to
greet one another weekly with a
kind word and an embrace before
we turn our eyes, voices, hearts and
minds to the One who chooses a fast
where the oppressed go free, where
every yoke is broken, where bread is
shared with the hungry, and where
homes are shared with the homeless.
Note: Please pray for Bridge Church,
and consider helping with cooking,
greeting people, setting up or breaking down the tables chairs and sound
equipment. Contact Tom Hample at
(843) 810-9592 to find out more.
Called to Be An Evangelist
need get out of the shaker. Now is the time to
come out! We must season the cities all around
us – and our city!
As I have served recently with my colaborers on the Diocesan Evangelism Committee, my Spirit is stirred up! I am watching
a movement of this Spirit of evangelism grow
and increase throughout all the churches in
our Diocese.
In the past few months, I have observed the
priority of Bishop Lawrence, the establishment
of the Diocesan Evangelism Committee, the
profile and interest in evangelism from the
delegates at the Diocesan Convention, and the
interest in the Evangelism workshop in Myrtle
Beach. In my own congregation I am seeing
this Spirit at work in the 600 people that came
to the Easter Sunrise Service at Magnolia Gardens. I see how God is using people like Bruce
Johnson and the men of our congregation to
share the gospel and engage our children and
youth, motivating their young hearts in our
church to go out and share it. I have seen God
move through many of you who are sitting and
just waiting to step out.
Is this speaking to you? Then say YES! It’s
time! We are the front-line soldiers called to
ignite the spirit of evangelism. It is so much
fun to see the lost come to Christ! Let’s get
excited, brothers and sisters; let’s fan the flame
that Jesus may be proud of us.
The world is looking for answers, and we
have it: Christ Jesus and him crucified!
God reminded me that we can go to all the
community meetings, and that has value, but
the only thing that makes a difference in the
world is a heart change – when Christ crucified comes to be the center of a person’s heart.
If you are reading this and you have that
same Spirit, this same stirring – don’t be afraid
to take the lead because when your fire burns,
others will get a light from you! I encourage
you – talk to your priests. Tell them: “I’ve got
a new fire! With your help, send me out into
the trenches – I want to go!”
Aim High: Bishop’s Address
possible options for the diocese:
continue with the provisional relationship with GSPC until a clearer
picture of the future of global Anglicanism emerges, continue with
GSPC but take a proactive role in
shaping the future of global Anglicanism, or affiliate with the Anglican
Church in North America (ACNA).
All three options offer realistic
possibilities for the advancement of
the diocese’s mission, but Lawrence
cautioned against taking a onedimensional view. “A decision on
affiliation,” he said, “should never
be guided merely by what we might
gain from such a relationship, but
also by what we might offer.”
“Missionalization,” Lawrence
admitted, “is a novel word I have
tweaked to fit with the other suffixes
in this address.” It is not, however, a
novel concept. “Indeed,” the Bishop
said, “it may very well be the most
important thrust of our diocesan
life.”
“The attractional church model,”
Lawrence noted, “is no longer sufficient in an increasingly secularized
world. As I often tell vestries or
parishioners at Bishop Forums,” he
said, “‘Jesus never told the world to
go to church. He did, however, tell
the church to go into the world.’”
“On a diocesan level, ‘missionalization’ also means to intentionally
create a culture within the diocese
that cultivates a missional approach
to ministry and life,” Lawrence said.
“Missionalization is to have such an
aroma of Christ that when we go
into the world meeting others we
graciously make the agnostic and
religiously unaffiliated uncomfortable in their unbelief.”
In the area of education, the
Bishop announced that the Anglican
Leadership Institute, an ambitious
initiative which has long been a
vision of his, now has sufficient support for a projected launch date of
January 2016, in conjunction with
the Mere Anglicanism Conference
in Charleston.
Addressing the diocese’s recent
legal victory over TEC, Lawrence
cautioned against the temptation
to see Judge Diane S. Goodstein’s
decision as a sign of divine favor.
“We give thanks to God for this
recent ruling, but to make it God’s
vindication would be to yield to a
false security,” the Bishop said. “We
need to remind ourselves, again
and again, of those apostolic words
of St. Paul, ‘It is not ourselves we
preach, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and
ourselves as your servants for Jesus’
sake.’”
Concluding with several references to Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians, Lawrence challenged diocesan
leaders to “aim high, and while recognizing our frailty as mere jars of
clay, to trust boldly in the God who
judges and raises up as we seek–with
one heart and one mind–to lay hold
of the power of Christ’s resurrection.
May God grant us such grace in our
day!”
St. Christopher Sunday
is June 28, 2015.
Commemorate this day
with prayers for the
ministries of
St. Christopher Camp
and Conference Center.
Update on the
1785 Society
G
od continually blesses this Diocese. The
goal for the 1785 Society was to raise
$300,000 to pay for the cost to defend our
Diocese before the South Carolina Supreme
Court. To date we
have rais e d
$245,000. If
31 more individuals or
families join
the 1785 Society, we will
achieve our
goal. Please
prayerfully
consider
membership in the 1785 Society by a one
time gift of $1,785 or over two years at $900
per year, or over three years at $600 per year.
To learn more about his effort visit www.
dioceseofsc.org and click “Legal Defense
Fund,” or if you prefer, mail your checks made
out to “The Diocese of South Carolina,” noting
“Legal Defense Fund - 1785” to The Diocese
of South Carolina, Legal Defense Fund, PO
Box 20127, Charleston SC 29413.
No Greater Privilege
Newly Retired Rectors John Barr and Mike Lumpkin
Reflect on Decades of Ordained Ministry
O
tears with people. There’s no greater privilege
in the world than what we’ve been able to do.
And we’re not quittin’.
If seminary is all you do in the way of study,
you’re way off track.
Also, I never got used to and felt a degree
of bitterness for losing virtually every weekend
of my life for 32 years. It’s one of those underestimated losses for clergy and their families.
n Friday, April 24, 2015, I had the
privilege of sitting in the quiet,
sun-lit Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Mike: Amen! I feel really strongly about that.
Paul, Charleston, interviewing two We’re priests in Christ’s one, holy, Catholic,
recently retired
rectors: John
Barr and Mike
Lumpkin. Barr
retired seven
months earlier
after 38 years
of ord ai n e d
ministry, most
recently serving as Rector
of Holy Comforter, Sumter. Lumpkin
retired six
months earlier
after 32 years,
most recently
serving as the
Rector of St.
Paul’s, Summerville. The
two are friends.
Their fathers,
who were
both rectors
of churches in
the Diocese of
Upper South
eaders from the Diocese of South Caro- Carolina, were
lina and the Anglican Church in North good friends.
Joy Hunter
America, led by Bishop Mark Lawrence John and Mike
overlapped
a
“Sometimes
we
can
only
see
in
the
rear
view
mirror
what
God
is
doing
in
a
crisis
or
perplexing
time,
”
said
the
Rev.
Dr.
John
and Archbishop Foley Beach, came together
year
attendBarr
(left,
with
the
Rev.
Mike
Lumpkin).
“That’s
the
great
thing
about
the
vocation
we’ve
shared
is
the
entré
into
people’s
not
at St. Christopher Camp and Conference
Center, South Carolina on April 28-29, 2015 ing Sewanee. only joyful times like baptisms and things like that but when the breakdown happens you’re the guy that can point toward the
Their friend- breakthrough and God’s grace.”
for prayer, fellowship, and conversation.
The Diocese of South Carolina was repre- ship began in
sented by Bishop Mark Lawrence, Mr. Wade earnest, though, 30 years earlier through apostolic church until the day we take our last John: It does affect your family. I remember
Logan, Mr. Alan Runyan, the Rev. Craige Bor- their ongoing involvement with the Kanuga breath. Retiring is from being a parish Rector, David was in the Boy Scouts and all the fathers
rett, the Rev. Kendall Harmon, the Rev. Jeffrey Renewal Conference. Here are excerpts from not from ministry, not from the priesthood. were involved. I would have loved to have
gone on the scouting overnights, gone up to
I’m a priest until I die.
Miller, Mrs. Boo Pennewill, and the Rev. Jim our conversation:
Virginia to the camp.
Lewis.
The Anglican Church in North America Joy: What would you say to your younger John: Or beyond.
Mike: I love the line from one of my early
was represented by Archbishop Foley Beach, self if you were entering the ministry now?
mentors; “Don’t sacrifice your family on the
Joy:
What
wisdom
can
you
share
about
Bishop Ray Sutton, Bishop John Guernsey,
John:
I’
d
be
a
better
listener.
I
find
now
that
altar of your own piety.” It’s going to happen,
days
off?
Bishop Bill Atwood, Bishop Terrell Glenn, the
but try to minimize it. You’ve got to at least
Rev. Phil Ashey, the Rev. Jack Lumanog, Mr. I’m retired, I’m such a better listener. My son,
David,
and
I
were
talking
on
the
drive
down
set the ideal.
John:
I
think
Sabbath
time
–
Shabbat
–
is
as
esScott Ward, and Mr. Tad Brenner.
here
about
all
the
places
in
the
Old
Testament
sential
as
anything
in
your
soul
or
week.
Your
Our conversations reflected the mutual
respect and sincere affection that we share where God heard their prayer, and what a life and ministry flows out of a tended heart. Joy: What advice would benefit a newly
I’ve heard some clergy, almost with pride, say, ordained priest’s spouse?
as fellow Anglicans, and we appreciated the listener He was – what a listener He is.
“I’m so busy I can’t take a day off.”
opportunity to speak candidly together about
Mike:
One
thing
I’
d
offer
to
a
young
priest
is
Mike: One of the best things Ellen and I did
topics that affect our common life.
consider
a
long-term
pastorate
as
a
priority.
was we agreed Ellen would have her own
Mike:
I’ve
heard
them
say
that,
too.
We had frank exchanges that examined the
ministry as God called her and not based on
possible compatibility of the ecclesiologies of Aim for a 10-year minimum as a Rector. The
average
tenure
for
a
rector
in
an
Episcopal/
others’ expectations. They weren’t hiring Ellen;
John:
I
think
it’s
prideful.
Shabbat
means
the Anglican Church in North America and
Anglican
church
is
four
–
four
and
a
half
they were calling me to be their rector. She
cease.
It
helps
you
realize
you’re
not
producing
the Diocese of South Carolina.
years—way
too
short.
participated in various ministries as she felt
a
product
–
you’re
dwelling
in
a
relationship.
There is a wide spectrum of polities in the
A young priest may say, “Well, that’s fine, but called by the Lord.
provinces of the Anglican Communion and
these differences affect the ways in which Joy: What do you know now that you wish how do you do it?” I’d say, “The world is not
set up for you to do it the way other people John: And because of the unique pressures on
dioceses relate to their respective provinces. you had known going in?
can – Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Sunday is not clergy families, her primary ministry is really
Provinces such as Nigeria are more hierarchical, while provinces such as South America Mike: God’s in charge of every life and we time to lay things down, but some time during to her husband and kids. I know some clergy
the week, ask God to show you how to find families where the wife – what she plows her
are more conciliar. Our conversations began are not.
time into – is being a wife and mother, and I
time for Sabbath.”
exploring the practical dimensions of how a
John:
Sometimes
we
can
only
see
in
the
rear
say, “Praise God.” So she doesn’t even have a
I
did
a
variety
of
days.
I
did
a
Monday
for
diocese and province relate in the structure of
view mirror what God is doing in a crisis or the last 15 years. I’d get a cup of coffee and just formal church job? I could care less.
the Anglican Church in North America.
Together we openly addressed the chal- perplexing time. One of the things I’d tell a read my Bible and have some time to pray.
lenges posed by the overlapping jurisdictions younger person is the pains are deeper than The big thing about it was I wasn’t preparing Joy: How were you able to protect your
in South Carolina. In some cases the reasons I ever knew. The joys are higher than I ever for anything. I wasn’t trying to think about children from pressures of being a PK
my next sermon. I was just trying to be in the (Preacher’s Kid)?
for this overlap extend from circumstances knew.
Those
very
places
of
breakdown
end
up
Bible and be present to God so He could be
that are less than a couple decades old, and
being
gold
mines
for
people
because
they
present to me – to delight in His presence and John: I think you have to ask forgiveness a lot
in other circumstances the reasons reach back
come
to
the
end
of
themselves.
You
either
go
because they bear things. They’re disciples too,
enjoy His presence, lay stuff down.
over a hundred years. All expressed a desire to
and they need Jesus, and they need to learn
take steps towards addressing these relational bitter and draw away from God or you get your
narcissism
broken.
That’s
the
great
thing
about
how to carry the cross and follow him. You
Mike:
It’s
a
Biblical
imperative
to
rest.
A
regubarriers with the recognition that this work is
the
vocation
we’ve
shared
is
the
entré
into
can’t fully protect them. Nor is it probably even
lar
weekly
rest
is
an
ideal,
at
least
a
24-hour
a necessary precursor to ecclesial order.
people’s
not
only
joyful
times
like
baptisms
a good thing to protect them from everything.
day
off,
which
is
very
hard
to
get.
No
matter
We committed to further prayer and
conversation together as we seek to share the and things like that but when the breakdown what day of the week you pick there will be a When we were driving down today, David
said, “One of the greatest things you ever did
Gospel as fellow Anglicans in North America. happens you’re the guy that can point toward meeting that night you have to be at.
the
breakthrough
and
God’s
grace.
for me, and it meant so much to me in my own
I’
d
also
suggest
having
one
full
day
of
study.
We understand that this is only the beginning
Knowing
His
presence
is
greater
than
faith,” he said, “when I was at Holy Comforter.
We’re
life-long
students
of
the
Word,
and
of a process, the full nature of which, and the
full outcome of which, we do not know. We anything I would ever have dreamed. We’ve it’s far beyond the seminary education. The I really liked the youth group leader there, but
entrust ourselves to the mercy, protection, and got to share that. The two of us got to share seminary education is the deposit on a life- I had a relationship with the PCA youth group
guidance of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. that together through a lot of ministry, a lot of time commitment to growing in knowledge.
Leaders from Diocese
and Anglican Church in
North America Meet at St.
Christopher
L
Talk. Study. Pray.
A Simple Way to Engage Younger Generations with Faith
By Dave Wright, Diocesan Coordinator for Youth Ministries
I
n Judges 2:10 we read, “And there arose
another generation after them who did not
know the LORD or the work that he had
done for Israel.” We see a pattern in the
Old Testament that mirrors the dilemma the
church faces today. When the next generation
does not know the Lord, they become rebellious to the things of God. In the church this
means dropping out or never joining to begin
with. We then see congregations that are aging
and wonder how long until the church must
close its doors. Passing the faith to the next
generation is vital to the present and future
life of the church! The good news is not only
does the Lord command His people to pass
their faith to the next generation, He provides
us with everything we need to do this. So, how
do we pass the faith to the next generation?
Larger parishes use programs to reach
and teach younger generations, yet smaller
congregations often do not have the resources
to sustain these types of programs. What
scripture teaches us does not require programs
though. Deuteronomy 6 instructs parents to
teach their children about God so the next
generations will know Him. Psalm 78 reminds
God’s people that each generation must learn
of the good things God has done so they will
not forsake him. We are currently teaching a
simple model in our diocese and across North
American Anglicanism that enables churches
to engage younger generations without the
need for programs and extensive resources.
Our model revolves around three words.
Talk. Study. Pray. Talk refers to building a relationship with young people, getting to know
them and investing time in their lives. Study
refers to opening the Bible together to read it
and discern how to apply it to our lives. Pray
refers to praying together and helping a young
person develop his or her own prayer life.
This model is simple enough that a church
of any size can implement it. It is sustainable over time
and can serve
the needs of
every generation. Engaging younger
generations in
this way will
enable the
next generation to fulfill
the command
found in Deuteronomy 6.
Resources are
readily available to help
people engage.
D a v e
Wright, Coordinator for
Youth Ministries in our diocese, is available to teach
this model
Jane Wright
to churches
and deaneries. For more information or to
schedule training, contact him at dwright@
dioceseofsc.org or at Diocesan House (843)
722-4075.
Epic
Diocesan Youth Commission:
An Adventure In Leadership! Join us!
By Dave Wright, Diocesan Coordinator for Youth Ministry
T
he Department of Youth Ministries is
seeking high school students interested
in serving on the Diocesan Youth Commission for the 2015-2016 academic year. Our
Youth Commission is comprised of cheerful
servants who demonstrate spiritual maturity
and leadership gifts and desire to develop
skills while serving our Lord. This leadership
group serves on youth events as well as at
Diocesan Convention each year. Their role in
events includes leading small groups, sharing
testimonies, leading activities, and providing
behind the scenes support. They are a vital
part of our ministries! Serving on Youth Commission involves a commitment to several
weekend events as well as two training days.
Students are expected to serve in a leadership
capacity in their church as well.
My experience on Youth Commission has
been one of the most challenging, most rewarding, most incredible experiences ever!
~Ann Claire Gaillard (Church of the Good
Shepherd)
I believe we were called to serve as the fruit
of our belief and with Youth Commission
we are given a safe place to serve and grow
together to help further the gospel. ~ Breezy
Rothermel (St. James Church)
Without Youth Commission, I would not
have had such an amazing high school experience! ~Jessie Baynes (Old St. Andrew’s)
Upcoming
Diocesan
Youth Events
C
ombining quality expository Bible teaching with small group study
and contemplative reflection, Epic provides an opportunity for high school
students to dig deeper into
scripture and hear from
God. Seventy-five students
and their leaders gathered
March 20-22, 2015 at St.
Christopher for this retreat. Kurt Brewer of Cru
ministries led us through
passages of Paul’s Epistle
to the Romans to explore:
Righteousness in the Gospel, Life
jane Wright
O
Photos by jane Wright
in the Spirit, and God’s Heart for
the World. Our
Youth Commission led small
group Bible
Studies and Benjamin and Heidi
Birdsong led
worship music.
A video of this
retreat can be
viewed at http://
w w w.s c yout h.
org/events/epic
ur fall events provide an
amazing opportunity
for youth groups to come together to engage in dynamic
worship, hear from lively
speakers, enjoy energetic
activities, and enjoy time
building relationships with
one another. Our retreats
help students grow together
in their faith and help leaders
build stronger youth groups.
Serving on Youth Commission has given me
a chance to see the body of Christ in action as
we worked together, laughed together, loved
together, served together, and worshiped our
Savior together. ~Madison Bowman (Christ
St. Paul’s, Yonges Island)
For me, one of the best parts of being on Youth
Commission is getting to lead small groups at
Jesus Weekend and Epic. I love seeing people
learn new things and watching someone’s
face light up as they start to understand how
awesome God is. ~Chrissy Hicks (Church of
the Cross, Bluffton)
Our Youth Commission is selected
through an application process that is open
to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. We are
seeking spiritual maturity, demonstrated
leadership gifts, a servant’s heart, and willingness to fulfill all obligations for the year. Our
desire is to have a wide variety of churches
represented on the commission, and we prefer
juniors and seniors on the team. Sophomores
must be exceptionally mature to be accepted.
We ask all churches to consider whether they
have any students in their midst who fit the
description and to encourage them to apply.
For more information or to download applications and reference forms go to http://www.
scyouth.org/about-us/youth-commission.
The Jesus Weekend
O
ver the weekend of February
6-8, 2015 approximately 140
young people and their leaders gathered at St. Christopher to discover
the identity, mission, and calling of
Jesus. Jacob Graudin, a member of
our Cathedral Church, was the primary speaker. Youth Commission
led small group Bible studies and the
Bullard Sisters led worship music.
The Jesus Weekend proclaims the
gospel directly from the words of the
gospel according to Mark. Not only
do teens hear about God’s love manifest in the person of Christ, they dig
into scripture to see where that is.
At the end of the weekend, all are
given a reading plan and encouraged
to read
the entire
gospel
of Mark.
This experience
shapes
y o u n g
p e o p l e’s
understanding of our Lord and Savior.
Aimed primarily at 8th and 9th
grade students, the retreat is used
by many churches as a supplement
their confirmation program. A
video of this retreat can be viewed
at http://www.scyouth.org/events/
jesus-weekend.
Mondo
October 16-18, 2015
(for middle school students)
Re:Generate
November 13-15, 2015
(for high school students)
Photos by jane Wright
Everything In My Life Worshipping in the Wilderness:
Has Changed Because A ‘Mountain-Top’ Experience
Of This Partnership! Tips for Music Worship Leaders
Irish student Isobelle Gorman who
was involved in the partnership between our diocese and that of Kilmore, Elphin & Ardagh, recently shared
with some of our high school students
at re:generate how the partnership
between our diocese and hers affected
her life. Her webcam testimony is
transcribed below.
Dave Wright, Diocesan
Coordinator for Youth Ministry
I
By Isobelle Gorman
got involved in the partnership in 2011. My rector
told me about an upcoming
youth trip to South Carolina
and suggested I join
in. I signed up
not knowing
anything about
what lay ahead
of me. Looking
back, so much
has change d
in my life becaus e of the
p a r t n e r s h i p,
and it started
with that trip. It
has affected my
faith and many
other aspects of my life. I formed a
closer, deeper relationship with God
above all else, and I’ve made some
of my closest friends through this
partnership. To this day, some of my
best friends live in South Carolina.
Every young person that went over
on that trip had his or her faith affected in some way.
For some it was discovering a
faith for the first time, particularly
during our week at Camp St. Christopher. The small group times in
cabins and the worship every evening opened many eyes and hearts
among our group. We were never
exposed to that type of worship
before, so some people discovered
a faith and others in our group had
their faith really strengthened by
the experience. That is what this
partnership is all about! This is what
I have found extremely valuable.
Before I went to South Carolina
I was not able to speak to anyone
about my faith or what I believed
because in Ireland it is very, very
difficult for teenagers to talk about
their faith! It’s sort of an unspoken
topic. Even with close friends you
never have the opportunity to speak
about it and even if you do, you are
very nervous and shy. In going on
this trip I was a bit intimidated.
I thought (American) teenagers
would find it strange that I was so
awkward about my faith. I never
had the opportunity to speak of it
before, and I just was not used to
that. Yet they were so supportive
and encouraged me to be proud of
what I believed in. They encouraged
me to be a lot more relaxed about
it because there is no reason to be
awkward; there is nothing to be
afraid of really. Since coming back
from South Carolina, I have been a
lot more open about my faith. I have
much more confidence in speaking
to other people about it.
I would love to see the partnership grow and be strengthened as
the years go on. It would be great to
see it last beyond our generation.
Annual exchanges between youth
groups would be a great way to expand this family that we are forming
here. The friendships we build–and
keep in touch
with–extend
to our families and can
grow from
t h e r e . Ev e n
though we are
separated by
thousands of
kilometers, we
are all united
in Christ and
are for ming
a family that
I hope is going to expand
as the years go
on. I’d love to see my younger brothers have the chance to go over to
Camp St. Christopher because it was
one of the best experiences of my
life. I know it would strengthen their
faith, as it would any other teenager
who experiences this partnership,
just as it did for me.
Overall, everything in my life
has changed because of this partnership! I hope that other people get to
experience what I have, and I pray
that the relationship between our
dioceses will continue to grow.
Beannacht Dé oraibh (God bless
you).
Isobelle, shown above and in photo
below (front, right with others from
the partnership) was one of 14 students who came to South Carolina
in the second year of the partnership
between our diocese and that of Kilmore, Elphin & Ardagh, She was then
very involved in the third summer
when a group of our teens went to
Ireland to serve alongside Irish teens
in several projects. Her story exemplifies the impact our partnership has
had. Most of those involved have kept
in contact via social media. Several
teen Bible study groups emerged in
Ireland as a result of the partnership.
Our students have been impacted by
the challenges that Irish teens face
and the level of spiritual poverty that
exists on the Emerald Isle. Together
we are building God’s kingdom across
a vast ocean!
jane Wright
By Ben Thompson, Worship Leader, Church of the Good Shepherd, Charleston
P
eople often refer to an excellent
time of worship as a “mountain-top” experience in their
walk in faith. They’re usually describing a spiritual high of praising
God and feeling His presence tangibly, similar to Moses’ mountain-top
meetings found in
Exodus. However,
when you’re actually
leading worship on
top of a mountain,
it’s a far different
exp er ience t han
what you’re used to
on a normal Sunday morning back
home.
Ma ny c hu rc h
c om mu n it i e s i n
my area have started leading treks
through local mountains as part of their
men’s ministry. It’s a
great way to escape
the busyness of life
and focus on listening to God, enjoying
His creation, and
having extended fellowship with other
hikers. Having led
worship for several
of these hikes, here
are some tips I’ve
picked up along the
trail to better equip
others for worshipping in the wilderness:
1) Pack Light
As with any hiking trip, watch your
weight – everything
you bring will be on
your back! Bringing a musical instrument can be a
challenge, but it is
definitely doable. Every time I’ve led
worship for a hike, I’ve taken a small,
lightweight travel guitar. These are
easily accessible online and are relatively inexpensive for a guitar–$150
to $300. Since the body is so much
smaller, you lose a lot of bass and
volume, but it’s worth the loss for
your back’s sake! Bring a travel bag
(to protect it from the elements),
and don’t forget a strap. Keep in
mind this guitar won’t remain as
pristine as your other instruments
back home.
Legal Update
2) Make It Simple
3) Sing Loud
It is crucial to plan music ahead
when leading worship away from
your normal setting, and especially
so when worshipping in the wilderness. Make it simple. Depending on
While you’re on the trail, you won’t
have a mic or amplifier, so your
music – especially your voice – will
need extra umph. You’ll often find,
as in most smaller groups, people are
less willing to sing.
Singing loud will
help others get over
their nerves. Picking easier and better
known songs also
helps people raise
their voices while
out on the mountain. Make sure you
lead strongly, but
keep in mind that
it will be unavoidably quieter than
your normal Sunday
morning.
4) Don’t
Worry About
Perfection
Everyone will be
out of their element
when they’re out in
the woods, including you. Rather than
putting a lot of effort
in being exactly in
tune or playing each
song perfectly, focus
on worshipping God
and leading those
around you into His
presence. Everyone
on the trail foregoes
some “excellency”
in their hygiene or
their cuisine, so it’s
also okay for you
to be a little rough
around the edges
with the music. Do
your best to keep it
Kelann Thompson from being a distraction, but don’t
how many songs and worship sessions your hike leader is planning, let the music keep you from fellowpick a relatively small number of shipping with those you’re leading.
songs. I usually pick enough songs I highly recommend taking your
to fit all the lyrics on one sheet of worship to the wilderness if you get
paper (front and back), and use an opportunity. It’s an incredible
each song about two or three times experience to worship the Lord in
per trip. Bring enough copies for the midst of His creation while on
everyone (paper is light and can be a journey away from the hustle and
stuffed in your guitar’s travel bag). bustle of everyday life. Having an
Talk with your hike leader to get a early Sunday morning Eucharist
feel for the theme of the trip. Bring surrounded by rocks and trees,
a headlamp for night worship ses- hours from civilization, has been
truly one of the best mountain-top
sions.
worship experiences of my life.
from using, assuming or adopting
in any way” the marks of this Diocese, which they were actively doing
when we asked for a declaratory
judgment in the first place.
Both parties will now file written briefs with the Court, prior to
oral arguments before the court on
September 23. If affirmed by the
South Carolina Supreme Court, all
these issues will continue to be the
settled law in South Carolina.
Two further matters also deserve
brief attention. One concerns a case
filed by TEC in Federal Court as
part of its effort to avoid trial in the
state court. In vonRosenberg vs.
Lawrence, TEC argued that Bishop
Lawrence violated Federal trade-
mark law because he claimed to be
the Bishop of the Diocese. That case
was dismissed by U.S. District Judge
C. Weston Houck on August 23,
2013. TEC appealed Judge Houck’s
decision to the 4th Circuit Court of
Appeals, which ruled on March 31,
that the judge had used the wrong
standard in his decision to dismiss
the case. The 4th Circuit was explicit
in its ruling, saying this was a procedural question that had nothing to
do with the merits of the case. The
consequence of this ruling is that the
judge must reconsider his decision,
using this different standard. He
may still reach the same conclusion,
especially given the legal proceedings since that time. Our request
that the 4th Circuit reconsider this
decision was denied, so it is now in
the hands of the local Federal Court.
It is clear that God has remarkably blessed us throughout this
litigation process. We have been the
beneficiaries of God’s providence repeatedly in countless ways that have
brought us to this day and repeated
positive legal decisions. I hope you
will give thanks for these blessings in
your personal prayers and continue
to lift up our cause as this case moves
to its conclusion.
Visit www.dioceseofsc.org and
sign up for the Diocesan
e-newsletter to stay current
with legal news.
“Blessed Camp Saint Christopher”
I
f you’re like me, you may have noticed
that Charleston’s Post and Courier often
refers to St. Christopher Camp and
Conference Center as “blessed Camp
Saint Christopher.” Indeed it is. God has
blessed this hallowed place for over 77 years.
St. Christopher Camp and Conference
Center is arguably the single greatest resource
of the Diocese of South Carolina. While most
easily recognized as a real estate entity, a revenue producing resource, and a location for
gatherings, I have come to recognize and ap-
preciate its most significant value as a resource
where the Kingdom of God is recognized,
realized and experienced.
It is a place where people gather to worship, give thanks and pray. It is a place of
encounter with the living God who calls us
all into relationship with our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ. It is a place of transformation
as the Holy Spirit does work of healing and
restoration. It is a place for community to
be formed, hospitality to be received, and
gratitude to be offered to a gracious God who
By The Rev. Robert S. Lawrence, Executive Director,
St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center
loves us. It is a place where people have come
since 1938 to receive what is offered and take
away savored memories of an experience that
forever touched or changed their lives. It is
indeed blessed.
It is also a resource of the Diocese of South
Carolina that has been used to bless all those
groups we have been privileged to serve across
the generations. While a preference existed for
years to favor only those parishes, missions,
and groups within the Diocese, that preference was expanded almost three years ago to
Daniel Kalshoven
Mark your calendars for St. Christopher Sunday, June 28, 2015. St. Christopher Sunday marks the Sunday closest to the founding anniversary
date of June 24. We encourage you to pray with your local parish for the ministry and fruit of St. Christopher. Be bold in your prayer for this
Holy place and the work of our Lord Jesus Christ.
3rd Annual 5K to Raise Funds to Take
Barrier Island Program into Schools
By Daniel Kalshoven, Director of Communication, St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center
S
t. Christopher Camp and Conference Center is hosting the
3rd Annual Barrier Island 5K
Run/Hike on Saturday, September
19, 2015. St. Christopher will be
The Barrier Island Outreach
Program is one of the ways St.
Christopher is able to minister in
and to the local community. We
bring environmental education to
Daniel Kalshoven
Above, runners enter the woods at the start of the B.I. 5K Run/Hike before
heading out towards Crab Dock and eventually to the beach.
hosting the event once again as a
fundraiser for the Barrier Island
Outreach Program. This school
outreach program in the local tricounty community was previously
funded through chapel offerings and
special gifts. With the success of last
year’s event and the high number of
participants and sponsors, it is now
supported almost entirely through
the Run/Hike.
local schools that don’t have the
resources to send entire classes or
school grades to St. Christopher
for a multi-night field trip. Unfortunately, this group includes far too
many of the schools right near us
on the Sea Islands. David Gardner,
Director of Environmental Education, and several staff Naturalists
pack up the St. Christopher van
with animals and wildlife native
to the barrier island environment
and travel to schools to share with
students. You can only imagine
what taking alligators, snakes, and
turtles into schools looks like. The
Barrier Island Outreach Program
feels it is important to equip future
generations with the knowledge of
their own backyards. We do this at
no expense to the schools visited but
entirely through the help of sponsorship and generous giving.
Since this year’s Barrier Island 5K
Run/Hike continues to promote the
Barrier Island Outreach Program,
the course will follow a similar
path to last year’s. The 5K will be
a moderate trail run through St.
Christopher’s maritime forest and
beachfront property on Seabrook
Island. All proceeds will go directly
to this special ministry to teach
local students. This year’s race has
been moved from the summer to
September for multiple reasons. The
scorching heat and humidity from
the summer event will be slightly
milder than previous races with a
September date. The B.I. Naturalists,
the team that makes local outreach
happen, will also be a part of the
weekend. What a great opportunity
for race participants to get to know
the staff that serves so diligently
during the school year.
We look forward to seeing you in
September for the Barrier Island 5K
Run/Hike!
include all groups Anglican and Episcopalian.
With our diocesan vision of Making Biblical
Anglicans for a Global Age, it seemed appropriate to support all those entities that share an
Anglican heritage and Prayer Book tradition
with this favored preference.
We also recognize that blessings are not
to be hoarded but to be shared. We certainly
intend to do that here at St. Christopher for
as long as we are able. I invite you to do the
same.
While St. Christopher is a hallowed place
that has been used by God to bless so many
lives, each of you reading this article is also
able to bless St. Christopher. You can do that
through your presence here as opportunities
arise for you to visit. You can do that through
your prayers offered on behalf of this special
place. You can do that most especially through
the sharing of your own financial resources to
support God’s work of ministry here.
We need your support. We need folks
willing to invest in a work of ministry that is
building God’s Kingdom every day. We need
to improve our aging infrastructure and to
continue to enhance our existing buildings.
We want to extend our scholarship support
for participants in all of our programs, most
especially Summer Camp and Barrier Island
Environmental Education. We want to offer
affordable programming that meets the needs
of our parishes and diocesan ministries. We
want to do all of these things and more as a
measure of God’s blessing and favor through
the generosity of folks like you.
If you are one that has indeed experienced
St. Christopher as a place of blessing, I invite
you to do the same through your generous
giving in support of this sacred place. It will
indeed bless St. Christopher, and I know that
it will bless you too. For more information
about giving to the Annual Fund, or including
St. Christopher in your will or estate planning,
please contact me at blawrence@stchristopher.
org or (843) 768-0429.
Barrier Island Reunion
35 Years of Enriching Environmental Education
By David Gardner, Director of Barrier Island Environmental Education,
St. Christopher
T
he 2015-2016 school
year marks the 35th
year that the Barrier
Island Environmental Education Program has been
running at St. Christopher.
Over 14,000 students and
chaperones visit St. Christopher to attend the Barrier
Island program every year.
Conservatively, we estimate that over a quarter
million students and parents have been reached by
the Barrier Island staff in
the 35 years of operation.
This program has and continues to provide a fantastic
opportunity to educate the
Marion Lee
students of SC, NC and
farther afield about God’s Come remember the “good ol’ days” as we
creation and how we are celebrate God’s faithfulness at the Barrier
called to care for it. What Island Ministry Reunion on November 7.
is really exciting is seeing
how many of the parents
Directors, we would love to have you
accompanying their fifth graders join us for a trip down memory lane.
have been to the camp before as On November 7 we will hold a
students themselves when they were day of festivities and food. Former
10 to12 years old. Barrier Island has BI staff and their families are intruly become a multi-generational vited to stay at St. Christopher on
program, and we are seeing great Friday and Saturday nights at staff
fruit as a result.
rates. Activities will be dependent
St. Christopher is excited to on the number of participants and
start celebrating our 35th year of the weather. We can guarantee that
“The Barrier Island Environmental we will be taking a tour of our new
Education Program” with a reunion herpetarium and aquarium, and we
for all former and current Barrier may offer a chance for folks to walIsland (BI) staff. Whether you were low in the mud pit to reminisce the
one of the 300-plus naturalists for a good ol’ days.
season or the handful of seasoned
The Count is in!
First-Ever BioBlitz a Success
By David Gardner, Director of Barrier Island Environmental Education, St. Christopher
M
“
Joy Hunter
Spectators wade into the water as regatta sailors near the finish line.
Ninth Annual Summer Camp Staff
Regatta and Reunion, July 11
By Will Klauber, Director of Summer Camp, St. Christopher Camp and
Conference Center
T
hings are heating up here be a skipper’s meeting on the beach
at St. Christopher! We’ve in front of the Sailing Center for
begun to welcome the first all former staff participating in the
of approximately 1500 summer regatta. All former summer camp
campers who will come over the staff are encouraged to attend. You
next several months. do not have to sail to
Each summer we
come. If you have served
If you have
also provide an opportuon summer staff any time
served on
nity for all former sumover the past 77 years we
summer staff would love to have you
mer camp staff to come
out to St. Christopher, any time over join us! If you are intershare time in fellowship,
ested in participating,
the past 77
and have a little competiyears we would contact Will Klauber at
tion in a family-friendly
wklauber@stchristopher.
love to have
environment. For these
org. If you are interested
you join us!
reasons and many more
in staying in a lodge room
we are looking forward
Friday and/or Saturday
to hosting the 9th annual
night, we may be able to
St. Christopher Summer Camp Staff accommodate you. Any open lodge
Regatta and Reunion. rooms and/or cabins will be availOn Saturday, July 11, we will able for personal rental after June
meet at the Picnic Pavilion for a 11. To make a reservation contact
pot luck lunch at noon, so bring Rhonda Myers at (843) 768-0429 or
your favorite dish and be prepared rmyers@stchristopher.org.
to eat. Following lunch there will
By Will Klauber, Director of Summer Camp, St. Christopher Camp and
Conference Center
T
his summer St. Christopher
will offer our 77th year of
Summer Camp. Included in
this summer season is Family Camp.
While summer camp will welcome
over 1400 youth participants in our
summer camp ministry, we look
forward to the additional opportunity to welcome entire families for
Family Camp. Many of the much
loved activities available throughout
summer camp will also be available at Family Camp. Supervised
waterfront activities, sailing, visits
to the Mud Pit, the climbing wall,
campfires, and more all await Family
Camp participants. Scheduled from
Sunday, June 28 through to Sunday,
July 5, families can come for one
day or all seven days. The Rev. Mark
Cooke, our resident Chaplain, will
offer daily opportunities for Bible
Study as well as some evening worship and a special Independence
Day Holy Eucharist. Seabrook Island
offers the opportunity to share in
its annual July 4th Parade as well
as enjoy a Fireworks display. While
there will be much to do for those
that want to stay busy, families can
also come just to rest for a time
of restoration and renewal in the
simple beauty of all that is St. Christopher. Registration is now open so
make your summer plans to include
a summer camp experience for the
entire family during Family Camp
at St. Christopher.
Visit www.stchristopher.org,
click “events” and “Family Camp”
for more information and to make
your reservations.
We still have room for
your family. Reserve
your space today.
y eyes are opened! I want
to learn more!” This is the
precise sentiment I was
experiencing at half-past midnight
on Saturday morning. I was out
wandering the property of St. Christopher, trying to find the elusive
Eastern Screech Owl (which by the
way, I failed to do), and I ran into
the light sheet that Professor Brian
Scholtens (College of Charleston)
had set up near our ponds. There
was a melee of insect activity on
and around the white sheet and
the 160 watt mercury vapor lamp
(specifically chosen because it
emits the most UV light to attract
insects). With the little knowledge
I had gleaned from previous years
as a naturalist and having spent
just 20 minutes with Brian around
11 pm, I could identify numerous
caddisflies, lacewings, and a few
beetles and moths. However, those
that I could identify were just the
tip of the iceberg. I had no idea just
how many species of moth could be
found at St. Christopher (93 species
found that night!). As a naturalist,
I am and will always be learning
about our environment and what
is found out here, but my eyes have
just been opened to just how much
can be learned.
Brian Scholtens was one of a few
professional experts we had join us
for our 24-hour race to document
as many flora and fauna species as
possible on St. Christopher’s property and surrounding waters. He
was joined by Bill Roumillat, a Fish
Biologist from the SC Department
of Natural Resources, Prof. Whit
Gibbons, a Herpetologist professor
from University of Georgia and on
staff at the Savannah River Ecology
Lab, and Kristina Wheeler from
Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission.
With the help of these professionals–and many, many volunteers–we were able to get a healthy
420 species*, but we were not without hurdles and challenges–not least
of those being the awful weather that
came in around 11:30 a.m. I had
just sent out a team of volunteers
and naturalists to drag a 30-foot
seine net through the estuary to see
what else we could find, and then
the thunder came. Clearly, standing
waist deep in salt water holding a
7-foot pole is not a particularly wise
thing to do during a thunderstorm.
David Gardner
This Six-Lined Racerunner is one of the four species of lizard found during
the count. Common, but seen usually only as a blur in the dunes, this lizard
lives up to it’s name.
Needless to say, we had to call that
trip off. Other teams were not so
lucky. We had two teams out in the
forest birding when the weather
rolled in, and as if there was an
unheard challenge in that, the two
teams muscled through for another
30-plus minutes. Another team,
(Bill Roumillat, Scott Marone, Emily
Foy, Cortney Weatherby and Justin Johnson) had no option
but to stay out for
some of the storm.
They were dragging
a small trawl behind
St. Christopher’s 18foot boat when the
storm rolled in. It
took them a good
30 minutes to haul
everything into the
boat, dock, and run
for cover. My thanks
and admiration go to
all who were out in
that weather working diligently to get
as many species as
possible.
Another hurdle
we bravely tackled was the very
noticeable lack of a professional
botanist. I had previously lined
up two botanists to help with the
venture, but unfortunately, another
event occurred that they could
not avoid, and we were left to fend
for ourselves. If it wasn’t for Don
Smith (a resident Master Naturalist
of Seabrook Island) and the many
other volunteers, we would not
have been able to identify half of
the 80 species of flora. However,
we did find numerous species that
we could not identify, and we look
forward to the next BioBlitz, where
a botanist will be on the team and
highly valued.
Might we have gotten more species if the weather
was favorable? Probably. Would we have
gotten more species
if we had had a botanist with us? Definitely. However, this
BioBlitz was the first
that St. Christopher
has ever held, and it
will definitely not be
the last. So, the bar
is set at 420 species,
and we will strive to
better it next time.
(In fact, I still have
“species inquiry fever,” and continue
to note new ones on
this property when
encountered. I simply cannot turn it
off. There is too much to learn, and
I want to learn more!)
If this article sparks your interest and you would like to help out
with our next BioBlitz, email me at
dgardner@stchristopher.org and I
will put you on the list. We need all
the help we can get.
*Original 407 count corrected.
New Gathering Place at St. Christopher
By The Rev. Robert S. Lawrence, Executive Director,
St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center
O
ne of the reasons St. Christopher exists is to provide a
gathering place for people
to come together for rest, restoration and renewal. In my time here
as the Executive Director, I have
recognized that we can’t have too
many actual “gathering places.” The
deck areas of Bishop Temple Conference Center serves this purpose.
The benches on the Crab Slab in
front of the dining rooms serve this
purpose. The deck area of the Prayer
Center, the porches of Jamie’s Lodge,
and numerous benches located all
around the campus all serve this
purpose. Joining these existing
“gathering places” is one newly
repurposed area that was originally
designed to be just such a place. The
large screened area
under Kimbel Chapel
is now appropriately
identified as “Kimbel Bottom.” It was
most likely always
meant to serve as a
gathering place but it
quickly was claimed
as a storage area for
life jackets, paddles and other assorted items used in our waterfront
activities. With these items now
all stored under the Chapel of the
Palms, “Kimbel Bottom” now provides another gathering space for
St. Christopher guests. In the mild
temperatures of these early months
of spring, the staff has also claimed
it for a meeting space for our weekly
Tuesday morning meetings. Feeling the ocean breezes, hearing the
rolling surf and the singing birds,
and doing so away from pesky mosquitoes and gnats inside a screened
enclosure is now an enjoyable option in “Kimbel Bottom.” Come visit
us soon and check out the newest
gathering place at St. Christopher.
You’ll be glad you did.
Serving the Lord With Your Children
Taking an Eight-Year-Old on a Mission Trip to Ethiopia
By Lanier Prescott, St. Paul’s, Summerville
T
his past January, my eight-year-old
daughter, Lucia, and I took a mission
trip to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Having a heart for missions and for
sharing Jesus with others is important to my
husband, Tyler, and me and something we
want to pass along to our children. As a family,
we’ve done outreach activities – volunteering at our church’s food distribution, filling
shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse, picking out
toys and clothes for the angel tree at Christmas – but we hadn’t taken any mission trips
together. I had been interested in taking a family mission trip,
but most trips
I hear about
are limited to
teenagers and
adults.
Then, last
fall, our family began reading Tales of the
Not Forgotten,
by B eth Guckenberger. It
contains four
heartwarming
true stories of
orphans around the world and how God, as
the “Story Weaver,” brings people into their
lives to love them, if only for a short time.
Through these interactions, the orphans know
they’re not forgotten, that the Lord loves them
and cares for them. I loved the book and was
delighted to watch it open my children’s eyes
to children who live very differently than we
do here in Summerville. As we read, Lucia’s
tender heart was touched, and she wanted to
do something to help, to make a difference. As
some of her ideas were easier said than done
– such as going to the trash dump in India,
picking all the children up, and bringing them
home to live with us – she and I searched for
ways we could make a difference.
It was around this time I learned about
America World Adoption (AWA). AWA is an
adoption agency that takes mission trips to
various countries where they have relationships with orphanages, and children can go
on the mission trips, too! On these visits, they
love on the children, play with them, bring
donations, and come home to advocate for
the children and for adoption. Over and over
in the Bible, our Lord commands us to look
after the fatherless and orphaned.
Lucia and I went on a 10-day trip to Ethiopia with a group of six other women and two
other children from Ohio and Las Vegas. We
collected donations of clothes, diapers, wipes,
toothbrushes, toys, coloring books and crayons to bring to the different orphanages we
would visit.
Lucia took ownership in the trip by writing a letter to family and friends requesting
their churches and communities giving back.
Israel, who works for AWA in Ethiopia and
has a huge heart for orphans, went through
Compassion as a child and graduated from
their Leadership Development Program,
which helps children continue their education
into university.
We met Tarikwa on one of our home visits.
She had been raised in an orphanage, aged
out, and turned to prostitution as a way to
support herself. As a result, she–at 19 years
old–has a precious 16-month-old daughter.
She now works as a day laborer (where she
makes $1-$2 a day) when she can find work
and a babysitter for her daughter. Again, I had
read about children aging out of orphanages
with no life skills and turning to prostitution
and crime, but here
I met this beautiful
girl who had lived
this and who had
hope and was trying
to make a better life
for her daughter. She
cried tears of joy as
I spoke a little Amharic I had learned,
“Conjo enesh.” (“You
are beautiful.”)
So, what was it like
journeying to Africa
with an eight-yearold picky eater? Once
we were in Ethiopia,
Lucia was a trooper;
Gail Schantz she quickly made
Eight-year-old Lucia Prescott (shown right in purple pants) loved
friends with Will and
playing with children in the orphanages.
Ella, the other two
children on the trip.
several orphanages and rocked, held and fed She loved playing with the children in the
babies. We colored, played ball, blew bubbles, orphanages; there was lots of ring-arounddid crafts, sang and danced with the children. the-rosy, coloring, and dancing. She was sweet
Lucia was sweet holding and loving on the holding and loving on the babies. She did
babies.
have one blip of not feeling well the second
Again, I felt so privileged to be able to love day, but was able to nap in the van (I think
on these children and pray over them. As I was the exhaustion of not sleeping much on the
praying over these orphans and whispering to 13-hour flight finally caught up with her!).
them, “Jesus loves you. You are not alone. God I think it was on the second day as well that
has a plan for you. He will not leave you nor we discovered the guesthouse where we were
forsake you,” I felt the Lord telling me, “That staying served french fries! She ate that every
message is for you too, Lanier.” What a sweet night for dinner!
reminder of something I needed to hear!
Lucia and I were blessed by our time in
We also were able to spend a day with Ethiopia. As Christians, I would encourage
children from Compassion International, a you to pray about how the Lord is calling you
Christian child-sponsorship program (www. to let orphans around the world know they are
compassion.com). Several of the women on not forgotten. As parents, I would encourage
our trip sponsor children in Ethiopia through you to think and pray about how you can serve
Compassion, and we were able to get together alongside your children. What an honor it is
with the children at a local amusement park. I to be able to serve the Lord with our children
was struck over and over about how the facts and to pass along to them the faith given to
and statistics I hear are true and there are faces us – in word and deed!
and personal stories behind them.
Compassion makes a difference. We met Lanier Prescott is married to the Rev. Tyler
several young adult graduates of Compassion Prescott, acting Rector of St. Paul’s Church in
who love and serve the Lord and are active in Summerville. They have five children.
prayers for us, material donations for the orphanages, and financial donations for the cost
of our trip. Our four other children sweetly
supported Lucia and me, helping us pack our
four 50-pound bags! They are looking forward
to their turn for such an adventure!
Our time in Ethiopia was wonderful; it was
a sweet time serving our Lord with Lucia. We
made home visits to a few mothers with young
children who were sponsored by AWA to help
prevent economic orphans (some children
are given to orphanages for purely economic
reasons; their parents don’t have money and/
or jobs to support them). What a privilege it
was to be able to come into their very simple
homes (about the size of a bathroom), visit
with them, and pray with them. We visited
224th Convention Emphasizes Moving Forward
Need Money to Fund
Outreach Ministries?
Ministry money is available to
help fund events that inspire people
to donate their time, talent, and
treasure to support (a) local outreach
ministry and (b) domestic and foreign mission. Please contact Deacon
Ed Dyckman, Chair of the Diocese’s
Department of Social Ministries at
(843) 367-5647 or dyckman.edward@
gmail.com to find out how easy it is
to receive ministry money.
Eight new clergy have joined the Diocese
since the last convention: the Rev. Gary Beson,
the Rev. Rags Coxe the Rev. Tom Cuny, the
Rev. Stephen Davis, the Rev. Donnie McDaniel, the Rev. Luke Rasmussen, the Rev. Russell
Read and the Rev. Jamie Sosnowski.
Election Results
During Saturday’s business meeting, the
following individuals were elected to serve in
Diocesan offices and positions:
Standing Committee (three-year term):
The Very Rev. Craige Borrett (Christ-St. Paul’s,
Yonges Island); The Very Rev. David Thurlow
(St. Matthias, Summerton); Alonzo Galvan
(Cathedral, Charleston); and Susan McDuffie
(Holy Comforter, Sumter)
Diocesan Council (three-year term): The
Rev. John Burwell (Holy Cross, Sullivan’s Island); The Rev. Jamie Sosnowski (St. Johns’,
Johns Island); Andrew Warfuel (St. John’s,
Johns Island); and Margie Williams (St. Jude’s,
Walterboro)
Diocesan Trustee (six-year term): The Rev.
Marshall Huey (Old St. Andrew’s, Charleston)
Ecclesiastical Court (three-year term): The
Rev. Brian McGreevey (St. Philip’s, Charleston); Ted Guerard (Christ Church, Mt. Pleasant)
Advancement Society (three-year term):
The Rev. Matt McCormick (Resurrection, N.
Charleston); Charles Echols (St. Matthew’s)
2016 Convention Announced
Bishop Lawrence closed the Convention
with a prayer and blessing. The 225th Diocesan Convention will be held March 11-12,
2016, at the Church of the Holy Cross in
Bluffton, SC.
For access to the full Bishop’s address,
resolutions, pictures, election results and other
convention details, visit www.dioceseofsc.org
and click “Convention Archives.”
Transforming Lives One
Conversation at a Time
Next Steps
Opens Johns
Island Office
By the Rev. Ed Dyckman, Chair, Diocesan
Department of Social Ministries
O
n Monday, April 13, 2015, the Department of Social Ministries, working
with 14 Christian congregations on
Johns and Wadmalaw Islands and in the Red
Top Area, opened Next Steps of Johns Island
(NSJI) as the inaugural Affiliate of Next Steps
of South Carolina (NSSC).
NSJI is composed of more than 25 committed volunteers who work together to help
people living in poverty in this community
make positive changes in their lives emotionally by listening to their hopes and fears,
Ed Dyckman
Above, mentors role-play meeting with
participants to set personal goals at the newly
opened Johns Island office.
physically by linking them to employment and
social resources, and spiritually by sharing
with them the Good News of Jesus Christ. NSJI operates out of Walton Hall on the
property of St. John’s Parish Church each
Monday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. St. John’s and
Church of Our Saviour, also on Johns Island,
are among the 14 Cooperative Churches involved with the NSJI Next Step Program.
The Next Step program is a self-help program that promotes change, dignity, and selfreliance in people who are in need. Next Steps
is a “hand-up” not a “hand-out” program.
This involves NSJI mentors meeting regularly
with Next Step Program participants to set
personal goals and then breaking the steps
down so they can pursue them one step at a
time. Participant goals often involve employment, housing, family life, and medical and
addiction issues. Frequent participant/mentor
meetings strengthen their relationship one
conversation at a time, one prayer at a time,
and one step at a time.
The Department of Social Ministries will
work closely with NSJI for the next year to
help it succeed. As structured, NSJI plans to
expand to include as many of the 55 Christian congregations as possible on Johns and
Wadmalaw Islands and in the Red Top area.
Simultaneously, the department will invite
clergy and lay leaders from other communities
(initially North Charleston, West Ashley, and
James Island) to visit NSJI to discern if they
should work with the department to organize
similar ministries in their communities. To
learn more visit www.NextStepsSC.org and
contact Deacon Ed Dyckman, Chair, Department of Social Ministries at (843) 367-5647 or
dyckman.edward@gmail.com.
Are you “up” on the latest
Diocesan News?
Subscribe to the enews today.
www.dioceseofsc.org
Will Your Church Help
Replace a Tree Church?
Christ Church and the Church of the Cross
Have Built Two Churches in Kenya.
Let’s Build More!
The Doctor is Always In
The Church of the Cross
Opens Prayer Chapel
By the Rev. Jason Collins, Assistant Rector, The Church of the Cross, Bluffton
By Robin Quick, Director of Ministry to Children, Youth and Families,
Christ Church, Mt Pleasant
I
n the Diocese of Marsabit, Kenya, many of our brothers and
sisters worship not in church
buildings but under trees or
rocks, unsheltered from the elements.
We learned about this back in
April 2013 when Bishop Rob Martin
of the Anglican Church of Kenya’s
Diocese of Marsabit, along with four
other Anglican bishops in Africa,
spoke at the Cathedral and showed
a slideshow of photos of church
communities in his diocese.
Some of the church communities have temporary or permanent
buildings, but far more are considered “Tree Churches” because
parishioners worship under trees.
Bishop Martin was looking for
partners to help him build church
buildings for these communities.
Christ Church became a partner,
and Bishop Martin paired us with
Convention a few weeks after that
first 5K, he invited other churches
in the diocese to join the project.
The Church of the Cross, Bluffton,
had unallocated outreach funds and
matched the $10,000 bringing the
total to $20,000.
On January 25, 2015, Christ
Church, Game, was consecrated
near Isiolo in the Anglican Church
of Kenya’s Diocese of Marsabit.
The second annual Christ
Church Tree Church Project 5K
Trail Run/Walk was held February 28, 2015 at Laurel Hill Park in
Mount Pleasant, raising $15,000 to
build a second church building for
a Tree Church community. For the
second year in a row the Church of
the Cross, Bluffton joined the effort
and donated $5,000, bringing the
total again to $20,000.
Two weeks later, during our
Diocesan Convention, the Rev.
Shawna Collins
“And Jesus told the Pharisees, ‘Those
who are well have no need of a
physician, but those who are sick
do.’” Luke 5:31
I
the Game community who worshipped beside a tree. Not only did
they have just a tree for worship, but
because it is beside a seasonal river
the tree was in danger of washing
Ted Duvall presented Bishop Martin with the $15,000 check. While
preaching at the three services that
day, Bishop Martin revealed that
the Elebor community would be the
Top Photo: The Game congregation worships under the tree. Photo Above:
That same Game congregation processes into their new building, built with
funds from Christ Church and the Church of the Cross.
away when the next rainy season
came. This is how the Christ Church
Tree Church Project was born. The
project was a church-wide campaign
to raise $10,000 for a church building, and it culminated with the Tree
Church Project 5K Trail Run/Walk
on March 1, 2014.
When the Rector of Christ
Church, Ted Duvall, presented
Bishop Mark Lawrence with a
$10,000 check at the 2014 Diocesan
recipient of the next church building
from the Tree Church Project.
“Elebor is up in the north of
the Diocese of Marsabit in a very
remote area quite literally in the
middle of nowhere. The Christians
there are from the Boran tribe, they
have been chased away by the Gabra
tribes people in conflicts over grazing lands. There is a wonderful great
rock under which they worship, and
they feel safe there. They desperately
t doesn’t take long to figure
out that the Church of the
Cross, Bluffton, is a busy
place. Yes, of course there are
worship services on Saturday
nights and Sunday mornings, but all of the facilities on the
historic campus are used every day
of the week. Docents and tourists
(sometimes as many as 120 tourists
per day) stroll through the church
and across the bluff. Bible study
groups and ministry groups use
all of the rooms in the Parish Hall
morning, noon, and night. The Collins family lives in the Clergy House
on campus, so that building is busy
sheltering the day-to-day activities
of two adults and two teenagers.
Seven Oaks – the church office – is
full of church staff members managing the operations and ministries of
a growing congregation. Even the
garage of the Clergy House is used
as office space by four church staff
members.
There is so much worship and
ministry that happens on the Calhoun Street campus that there is
want to put down roots which is
why they were on the top of the
list to receive the next church from
the funds raised by Christ Church,
Mount Pleasant.”
Father Ted says, “Christ Church
has come to believe that God’s
providence brought Christ Church
and the Diocese of Marsabit’s need
for church buildings together to
bless His Church in both places.
Our vision at Christ Church is ‘Go
therefore and make disciples’ (Mt.
28:19). The Tree Church Project’s tag
line is ‘Building Churches to Make
Disciples.’ And so we’re going to do
it again.”
Christ Church’s main fundraising efforts are centered on a 5K Trail
Run/Walk at Charleston County’s
Laurel Hill in Mt. Pleasant. The
2016, 5K will be held on March 5.
nearly nowhere to sit quietly in the
presence of the Lord. It is difficult
to find a place to pray alone or
with someone. And there was little
private space to receive counsel or
spiritual direction from the clergy or
from another believer… until now.
On April 26, 2015, the Church
of the Cross dedicated and opened
the Chapel of the Great Physician in
a little building behind the church
office. This building was originally
built prior to 1905 and was used
as a doctor’s office by Dr. Ballentine Walker, a local physician in
the Bluffton community. Now this
building is once again being used
to heal the people of the community
through prayer and counseling; but
this time, the doctor is none other
than Jesus Christ: “The Great Physician.” In fact, the building – along
with the Biblical text from Luke 5:31
– has inspired the name of the parish’s new healing prayer ministry:
Great Physician Ministries at the
Church of the Cross.
The Chapel of the Great Physician has a space for a small group
of people to gather for prayer or
spiritual direction and counseling.
Prayer ministers have been trained
to offer healing prayer in the space
as well. There is a prayer desk that
can be used by individuals who need
some quiet time to be alone in the
presence of the Lord. There is an
altar and blessed bread and wine so
someone can give themselves communion. A small library of books
about prayer and healing is also
housed in the chapel. Those books
can be read in the chapel or checked
out and used at home.
Opening the Chapel of the Great
Physician has been a team effort.
Church members funded some of
the renovations, remodeled the interior, and installed an air conditioner.
All the furnishings were donated by
God’s Goods – the church’s awesome
thrift store and outreach ministry.
Are you looking for a quiet place
to pray? Do you need someone to
pray with you? Would you like to
make an appointment to receive
healing prayer or counseling? If
you’re in the Bluffton area, then
please call the church office at (843)
757-2661 and make an appointment
to visit the Chapel of the Great Physician. In this doctor’s office, there is
no loud waiting room; needles are
not involved, and the only prescription is prayer. And by the grace of
God and by the power of the Holy
Spirit, Jesus – The Great Physician
– is always in.
Join With Us
supper, replete with pictures and
information about the project;
4) Have a bake sale the weekend
of the 5K or just sell the T-Shirts.
One of our parishioners has created
an awesome design incorporating
the continent of Africa, a tree, and
a church.
There are a lot of creative ways
to join with us in this partnership.
We would be glad to come and talk
to your vestry, outreach committee
or congregation.I hope you will join
us.
I am grateful for this opportunity
to share the news of the Tree Church
Project with you. May it serve as
encouragement that God brings
unforeseen–yet wonderful–graces
into our midst to build the church
and make disciples.
Might there be one, two, or
maybe four or five churches in the
Diocese for whom a partnership in
the Tree Church Project strikes a
chord and fills an empty space in
their vision and outreach program?
Here are some ways additional
partner churches might participate:
1) For those geographically close
enough, bring a group and come
run/walk (while others at home are
praying for the project);
2) For those not geographically
close enough to run with us, have
your own Tree Church 5K, ideally
on the same date, or one close to it.
Christ Church would be happy to
come and show you the ropes;
3) If putting on a 5K seems
daunting, host a BBQ or spaghetti
Maligned and Misunderstood: The “S” Word
“Submission” Comes Out of Hiding
The Rev. Shay Gailliard Examines Biblical Submission in a Four-part Video
Series Requested by the Diocesan Women’s Ministries
The Rev. Martha
Horn to Lead Two
Diocesan Women’s
Ministries Retreats
September 11-13
November 13-15
By Denyse Steen, Retreat Coordinator, Diocesan Women’s Ministries Board
I
n preparation for presenting
and living out our mission
statement, “Equipping women
to live out a Biblical model of
womanhood from generation to
generation by providing a network
of resources, Biblical studies, prayer
ministry, and mentoring through
the transforming power of our Lord,
Jesus Christ,” we, the council of
Diocesan Women’s Ministries, had
to ask ourselves some tough questions. Perhaps the most challenging
question was, “What does Biblical
womanhood look like?” We
get a glimpse of what the Bible
says about womanhood from
Titus 2:3-5. We could also read
Proverbs 31 and catch a different
perspective of Biblical womanhood. For us on the council, the
most challenging part of Biblical
womanhood came down to one
word: the “s” word – submission.
It was fascinating to hear
how each member of
the council defined
submission. No
two members had
Retired Rectors
guy, and we would go for coffee each week and
read CS Lewis together, and I really wanted to
go to his youth group. You told me, ‘If that’s
where God is calling you to go, I want you to
go there.’”
So he went to the PCA Presbyterian youth
group, and I was the rector of a church trying to have a successful youth group at Holy
Comforter, and I guess I had the good sense to
say, “If that’s what God’s doing in your life, I’ll
bear whatever criticisms come. I don’t care.”
the same definition! Evidently, this
little word carries a lot of emotion
and feelings. It would certainly be
easier to sweep it under the rug and
not pay it any attention!
Obviously there are some very
important connections between
Biblical womanhood and this little
word “submission.” The council
approached the Rev. Shay Gaillard,
Rector at the Church of the Good
Shepherd in Charleston, to see if
he could help us, the members of
the council, understand the Biblical
meaning of submission. Not only
did he agree to teach us, but he also
let us video each of the four teachings so we can share them with you!
These teachings are for all Christians, not just women. We are all
called to submit to our Lord Jesus
Christ. We are all called to live lives
of submission. It is so critical for
us to understand from a Biblical
standpoint what submission means.
Fr. Shay’s teachings take us from
God brings to you in the Word. You don’t need
to guild the lily.
Mike: It’s essential to read Sunday’s Propers at
the beginning of the week to begin the work
of gestation.
Joy: What surprised you the most about
people you ministered to?
John: One of the things that surprised me was
the arrogance I had, particularly in the old
days. Stereotypically the 8 o’clock service was
the “dead” service and the other was “alive.”
As I grew, some of these quieter, older people
Mike: That’s “don’t sacrifice your family on in the 8 o’clock who I thought were “spiritually dead”
ended up being the Annas
and Simeons in
Luke’s (Gospel)
stor y. Their
giving, their
prayer, the sacrificial things
they did – their
low-key ways
of service, put
me to shame.
And sometimes the suffering and pain
that a lot of
people endure
quietly and
Joy Hunter with dignity –
it never makes
“One time in seminary I preached a sermon, and I had too much time to
the newspaper;
prepare...,” said Barr, above right with Lumpkin. “My professor said, ‘Oh
it’s not dramatJohn, that was a great sermon. In fact that was several great sermons.’ When ic; people don’t
everybody quit laughing, he said, ‘A sermon is much more like a 22 bullet than talk about it;
it’s not twita shot gun blast.’”
tered about.
the altar of your own piety.” Imposing re- The way some people endure the heartbreak
quirements on your children because they’re of life with the solid grip of Christ bringing
the rector’s son or daughter is almost always victory into their life through their days is
wrong. Let them be who they are. Let them an amazing witness, but you can miss it. You
can walk by and say, “Well, they’re just an old
find their own way.
person,” or something. It blows me away.
Joy: Any advice on sermon preparation?
Mike: One of my biggest disappointments
John: One time in seminary I preached a with people has been generosity. It’s amazing
sermon, and I had too much time to prepare. how many people put generosity last on their
Everything I knew, everything in every com- list of any checks to write. In the Sermon on
mentary I read ended up in that sermon. My the Mount, the NIV capitalizes Mammon.
professor said, “Oh John, that was a great ser- “You cannot serve God and Mammon.” It’s
mon. In fact that was several great sermons.” an active deity. It’s not passive. You can serve
When everybody quit laughing, he said, “A God or you serve this other God. We need
sermon is much more like a 22 bullet than a to name it.
shot gun blast,” – the honed simplicity of what
submission in the Godhead all the
way through submission in our
relationships.
1. Submission in the Godhead:
In the Beginning
2. Submission in Creation:
Imago Dei
3. Submission in Marriage: In
Everything
4. Submission in Women’s Ministry: God’s Perfect Plan
To learn more email womensministriesdiosc@gmail.com or
visit our Facebook page; Women’s
Ministry of the Diocese of South
Carolina.
The submission videos are
perfect for small groups and
Sunday School classes. Visit
the women’s ministry page at
www.dioceseofsc.org
to download.
John: Another thing that’s surprised me about
people is the dominating relational reality in
the Bible of forgiveness. I know a priest I admired who told me, “I preach on forgiveness
seven times a year.” I would say, having been
a rector for 38 years, that’s not too many times
to preach on forgiveness.
There is more hidden brokenness and bitterness in families and in communities and in
relationships and towards God – subterranean
continents of bitterness – that have had piles of
stuff laid on top of it. It’s there. To be an agent
who brings that up to the Lord who wants to
take that upon the cross and bring freedom
and release is quite possibly the most joyful
thing I did in all those years – to see people’s
chains lying on the ground and forgiveness
happen in families and their delight in their
relationship with the Lord. It’s just something
to see.
Mike: It’s the genius of Jesus’ saying, “How
many times must you forgive? Seventy times
seven.” Don’t be a literalist. He means every
time that bitter remembrance comes to mind
you need to forgive, until every seed of bitterness is weeded out. Forgiveness is a process
more than an event. One of the best things
I heard on forgiveness was from Laura Barr
(John’s wife) who said, “In order to forgive a
person, go to the foot of the cross, look up into
the eyes of Jesus, and realize how much he’s
forgiven you. Then do your hard right turn to
look at the person you need to forgive.
John: Another thing Laura said about that
is, “Forgiveness doesn’t make them right.
Forgiveness makes you free.”
Mike: So we don’t leave out the most important part of this conversation. It’s funny how
we can talk about God and the cross – but not
the person of Jesus. Part of my early discoveries was this wonderful evangelical emphasis
I did not have when I was younger but is
right for all Christians and that is: a personal
relationship with the Lord Jesus. “I no longer
call you servants; I call you my friends.” He
wants us to know him on a first-name basis.
It’s not just essential for every priest but for
every follower of Christ. He wants to know us
personally, and we can speak of him as Jesus.
Not merely “the Lord,” “the Christ,” all these
formal titles – but just - we know Jesus.
And the other person is the Holy Spirit,
which has been so undermined in our age;
he’s quite the mystery, but he’s quite the power
also. Leave room for the Holy Spirit to have
expression through us and in us. This radical
Biblical stuff of speaking in tongues, healing,
T
he Rev. Martha Horn, Chaplain
to the Diocesan Women’s Ministries, will be the speaker at two
Diocesan Women’s Ministries-sponsoredbeach retreats this fall! The
theme is “Shifting Landscapes: From
Mine to His.” The first will be held
September 11-13 at St Christopher
Camp and Conference Center and
the second will be held November
13-15 at the Hampton Inn & Suites,
Myrtle Beach Ocean front. Register
at www.dioceseofsc.org.
miracles or expecting a word of knowledge,
the gift of wisdom and insight – the more you
believe that the more you’ll see it.
Joy: What are you looking forward to in
being retired?
Mike: You know what I’m really looking
forward to? I don’t want to sound pious. I am
really excited – I have another opportunity to
be a full-blown disciple of Christ. I don’t have
the burdens or responsibilities of administration or dealing with staff issues or so on and so
forth. I’m early into retirement and have a renewed commitment to daily Morning Prayer
and Bible reading and prayers. I’m excited I
get another try at being a true disciple of Jesus.
John: I did a preaching mission in Scotland.
I’m going to the Wycliffe College at the University of Toronto to preach up there. I’m taking a service every now and then. I write for
Scripture Union. The other thing I just decided
this week, when Laura teaches at Wilson Hall
in Sumter, I’m going to teach AP English in
the fall – two hours in the morning. I’m going
to teach some great classics; I have a deeper
understanding of how they witness to Christ.
Laura has to work at Wilson Hall another year,
and she drives over there, and I’m by myself so
I figure I’ll do this for a year. We’ll get to drive
in the car together and have our quiet time
and prayer time together. Then I get to open
up Chaucer and Othello and the Screwtape
Letters to AP English kids. I’m excited about it!
Mike: I’m hoping my ministry is going to
be out on the margins – whether it’s Haiti or
another third world environment or here in
rural South Carolina--I don’t know but I’m
looking for something to get my hands into –
hands and heart and less of my head.
John and I both have been in long lifesustaining marriages. We have wonderful
wives, just the value and importance of being
with them more. I’m looking forward to that.
Ellen and I have already enjoyed the kind of
quality time that we never had before in decades – just as John was saying – one of the
blessings of this retirement is time with our
spouses who are our best friends as well as our
wives. We’ve survived all the travails and challenges of marriage that we all go through, but
we’re still together, the four of us – the pairs of
us. I would say “Thanks be to God! Praise the
Lord!” We’re each thankful for our significant
other.
By Mary Frances Ahl, President, Diocesan Women’s Ministries
Ordinations
A
Luke Rasmussen
News from the Diocesan Women’s Ministries
s President of the Diocesan Women’s
Ministries Council, I am blessed and
encouraged by the support we have received
from Bishop Lawrence, Peter Rothermel, the
clergy and leadership of parishes and missions
throughout our Diocese
this past year.
As you may have heard
already, the big news is that
we are preparing for two
retreats this year, which
will make it possible for
more people from all over
the Diocese to participate.
The first one will be held
September 11-13, 2015
at St. Christopher Camp
and Conference Center
with the second one held
November 13-15, 2015 at
the Hampton Inn & Suites,
Myrtle Beach Oceanfront
Resort. Each retreat will
be the same, and our very
own chaplain, the Rev.
Martha Horn will teach on the theme “Shifting
Landscapes from mine to His”. One retreat,
two different locations. Registration is now
open and you can view a video invitation
from Martha as well as sign up by visiting
www.dioceseofsc.org and clicking “Women’s
Ministries.”
Heartfelt thanks go to all of you who have
given to the Diocesan Periodical Fund, which
supports the ministry of the printed word; and
to the Praise and Glory ministry, which this
year and next supports the Hispanic Outreach
Ministry “Church on the
Move.” Your donations
make a difference to so
many lives.
This year we have adopted a new logo, designed by Tess Hughes,
which illustrates our Vision: “Transforming the
hearts of women through
the power of Jesus Christ.”
Many positive comments
have been received about
the logo.
Also, did you know
we have a Facebook page
where you can find all
the latest news from the
Diocesan Women’s Ministries? You will find us at:
www.facebook.com/WMofDSC
Last of all, we are currently looking for
women to join our council. I would encourage
any woman who feels she might contribute to
the Diocesan Women’s Ministries to contact
me or any Council member, we need you!
The following ordinations were scheduled when the newspaper was going to press.
On Sunday, June 7, 2015, the Rev. Luke Rasmussen will be ordained to the priesthood at
St. Michael’s Church, Charleston. The Rt. Rev.
Mark Lawrence, 14th
Bishop of the Diocese
of South Carolina, will
both ordain Rasmussen
and preach at the service.
Clergy from the 53
churches across the Diocese are invited to participate in the procession.
The Rev. David Booman,
The Rev. Mark Avera, the
Rev. Dr. Peter Moore and
the Rev. Jonathan Williams will be participating in the service.
A Pensacola, FL, native, Rasmussen earned
his BA in History from the University of
West Florida and received both his Masters
in Counseling and his MDiv from Covenant
Theological Seminary in Missouri.
Rasmussen first felt a call to ordained ministry while in high school and was involved in
Campus Outreach as well as Army ROTC in
college.
“I feel the pleasure of God when I am living
out his calling on my life,” said Rasmussen. “I
look forward to coming alongside the people
of God and leading them in worship by administering the sacraments, and proclaiming
the gospel.”
He and his wife, Sara Frances, have a
two-year-old son, Hollis, and are expecting a
daughter in September.
Steven Chisholm
On Wednesday, June 10, 2015, Steven Chisholm will be ordained to the transitional diaconate at St. Luke’s Church, Hilton Head. The
Rt. Rev. Mark Lawrence
will ordain Chisholm,
and the Rev. Greg Kronz,
Rector of St. Luke’s, will
preach.
Clergy from across
the Diocese are invited
to participate in the procession. The Rev. Nathan
Bistis, The Rev. Martha
Horn and the Rev. Kathie
Phillips will be participating in the service.
Chisholm is originally from Annandale,
Virginia. He earned his BA in Communications from Virginia Tech and received his
Masters in Theology from Regent College in
Vancouver, British Columbia. He has been
Continued on page 16
People News
The Rev. Jonathan B ennett, who had
been serving
as an Associate Rector at
the Cathedral
of St. Luke and
St. Paul’s, has
joined the staff
at the Church
of the Holy Cross (Sullivan’s Island,
Daniel Island and I’on) where he is
serving under the Rev. Chris Warner
as the Associate Rector and Daniel
Island Campus Pastor. Prior to his
call to the ordained ministry, Bennett served on staff at Holy Cross
as Senior Youth Pastor from 2002
until 2008. “We are really excited to
be returning to The Church of the
Holy Cross, and to Daniel Island in
particular,” said Bennett in a letter
to Holy Cross. “God’s call upon us
to this community has been clear,
and we are fully committed to living
amongst, sharing life with, and ministering to the people of the church
and the Island.”
The Rev. John
Foster, a deacon at St. Bart h o l om e w ’s ,
Hartsville,
(who is also an
associate professor of English at Coker
College) was
selected to participate in the
Teaching Interfaith Understanding
Seminar in Boston. Participants in
the seminar will examine theoretical
questions in regard to teaching interfaith understanding and explore
practical ways of translating the
ideas into their courses, the college
said. Participants will also have
opportunities to develop teaching
resources such as syllabi or course
modules that can be shared online
with colleagues at other institutions.
Jason Hamshaw was ordained a
transitional deacon at Prince George
Winyah, Georgetown on May 26.
Read the story on page 14.
Christ Church,
Florence, welcomed the Rev.
D r. D o n a l d
R . (Donnie)
Hayes as their
new Vicar on
Sunday, May
24, during the
Celebration of
a New Ministry. Bishop Mark Lawrence officiated and the Rev. Dr. Jim Helton
of St. David’s, Cheraw preached.
Hayes accepted the call to be the
Vicar of Christ Church, Florence,
in February of this year. He was
ordained in Richmond, Virginia,
in June 2010 and served in various
Anglican jurisdictions after seminary. He was Curate at St. Paul’s by
the Sea in Calabash, N.C. part of
the Orthodox Anglican Church as
well as Vicar of St. Patrick’s Church
Garden City part of the Anglican
Church in America. For the past two
years he has been priest-in-charge
of Our Saviour Anglican Catholic
Church, Florence. This June, Hayes
will celebrate five years of ordained
ministry. Hayes and his wife, Cynthia, have been married for 27 years.
They have two adult daughters and
six grandchildren.
Andy Hein
has joined the
staff of St. Michael’s Church,
Charleston, as
the Director
of Mi s s i ons
and Ministry
to Men. Andy
was ordained
to the ministry
and served as
a missions and mobilization pastor at Saddleback Church for eight
years, working to ensure that each
of the congregation’s small groups
embraced and engaged in the effort
to combat the “five global giants” of
spiritual emptiness, corrupt leadership, poverty, disease and illiteracy.
Prior to Saddleback, he served for
nine years as the Student Pastor at
Seacoast Community Church. He
joined International Justice Mission
in 2010 to teach and equip churches
to confront biblical injustice by caring for the vulnerable and restraining the hand of the oppressor. He is
driven by the Gospel and believes
every Christian is called by God to
be his witness “as they go” into all the
world. He is married to Kellie and
has two children, Callen and Marin.
Please keep
the Rev. Mars h a l l Hu e y,
Rector of Old
St. Andrew’s,
Charleston,
and his family in your
prayers. Marshall’s mother,
C arol Hue y,
died on Holy
Saturday, April 4, having suffered for
several years with back, heart and
dementia related issues. Marshall
was at her side along with Stewart,
her husband of 59 years. A memorial service was held April 11 at
Cashiers United Methodist Church
in Cashiers, NC. As was printed in
Old St. Andrew’s bulletin, “We love
and serve an Easter Lord and Carol
went to heaven at a holy time. May
God bless her, and may her soul, and
the souls of all faithful departed, rest
in peace.”
Saralyn Ortiz,
who has served
as the Diocesan Receptionist for the past
year through a
temp agency,
was invited to
join the Diocesan staff on a
full-time basis
February 11.
“We are thrilled and blessed to have
her,” said Diocesan Administrator, Nancy Armstrong. As Receptionist/ Administrative Assistant,
Sara greets guests to the Diocesan
House, answers the phones, and is
responsible for updating accounting
data, the Diocesan database, and
overseeing the resource library. “I
consider myself an assistant to the
entire staff,” says Sara, “and I help
whenever I’m needed.” Sara has a
degree in Electronic Media/Broadcasting and Spanish from Appalachian State University. In her spare
time, Sara performs at The Black
Fedora Comedy Mystery Theatre
on Church Street.
Sydney Rogers
is the newest
addition to the
St. Christopher
staff. She is filling a mid-year
need as a Naturalist in their
Barrier Island
Environmental Education
Ministry. Sydney is originally from Canton, GA.
She graduated with a Biology degree
from Georgia Southern University.
Sydney is worshiping with many of
the other naturalists at City Church
in downtown Charleston.
Jamal Smith is
new to the staff
of St. Christoph e r i n t h e
Guest Services
Department as
a Guest Services Associate.
Jamal is a resident of Johns
Island and a
2007 graduate
of Goose Creek High School. Jamal
has worked in the service industry,
most recently as a carpet installer.
He fills a long-needed opening and
is a welcome addition to St. Christopher’s Guest Services ministry team.
S u s a n Wa ring has joined
t h e s t a f f of
St. Michael’s,
Charleston as
their Receptionist/Information Specialist. Susan
and her husband, Charles
Waring are ac-
tive members of St. Michael’s, the
church where Charles and his family
grew up, and where his mother has
been a member for over 50 years. “I
cannot escape the wonderful blessings that overflow from being able
to work at the place where I attend
church with my family and to have
the opportunity to build additional
friendships with those at other
faithful parishes in our diocese,”
said Susan.
The Church of
the Holy Cross,
Sullivan’s Island, Daniel
Island and
Ion, welcomed
the Rev. Chris
Warner as their
new Rector on
Thursday, June
4, during the
Celebration of
a New Ministry. Bishop Mark Lawrence officiated and preached. In his
new role as Rector, Warner says, “I
look forward to seeing how God
changes lives through the power of
His Holy Spirit.” Warner, who has a
BA in English from the University
of North Carolina, Wilmington,
received his MDiv with honors
from Trinity School for Ministry in
Ambridge, PA. He was ordained in
2000. Warner and his wife, Catherine, have three children, Anna,
Caroline and Nathan.
St. Christopher
recently welcomed Chuck
You m ans a s
the newest Facility Technician and ministry associate.
Chuck fills one
of the resident
Facility positions having
moved into the Seabrook Apartment with his dog, Elvis. Chuck is a
lifelong resident of the Lowcountry
and St. John’s Parish Church. He is a
1990 graduate of Appalachian State
University with vast experience in
the construction trades and as a
former restaurateur.
Standing Out for Faith: Bishop’s Son-inLaw, Jason Hamshaw, Ordained May 26
J
ason Hamshaw stands out. It isn’t just the
height of the 6’5”, 31-year-old who was
ordained a transitional deacon in the Diocese of South Carolina at a service in Prince
George Winyah on Tuesday, May 26. It isn’t
his soft-spoken English accent–Hamshaw was
born and raised in London, England. Nor is
it simply his family connections Hamshaw
study groups I was leading and when I was
16 I started three Christian Union groups
in my high school. I was always involved in
evangelistic missions, talking to people on the
streets about Jesus. He’s given me this passion
in the clearest way. It’s a hard world. There’s a
real enemy out there, and the only solution is
Christ.”
is married to Chelsea Lawrence, the youngest daughter of Bishop Mark and Allison
Lawrence.
Hamshaw stands out, and has for some
time, for his out-spoken passion for Jesus
Christ and for leading others into a deeper
relationship with Him.
“I’ve always been fairly visible about my
faith,” says Hamshaw. “God got a hold of me
young. Growing up in England helped in some
ways because it’s not considered a good thing
to be a Christian. I was bullied for bringing my
Bible to recess. Kids would pick on me. But at
the same time my public faith seemed to be a
strength for other Christians at the school.”
At age 11 he began helping with children’s
ministry, and by the time he was 13 Hamshaw
was leading his own Bible Studies.
“By around age 15 I had three or four Bible
While a teenager Hamshaw read the testimonies of Christian martyrs and the Scripture
verse Philippians 1:21 – “To live is Christ, to
die is gain,” made an impact. “I used to think
and pray, ‘Lord, I would die for you!’” says
Hamshaw. “And I would hear Jesus say, ‘Yes.
You’re willing to die for me, but are you willing
to live for me?’”
“When I’ve gone astray I’ve felt God’s
crook bringing me back,” says Hamshaw. “I
have strong convictions and long for deeper
intimacy with God. I know when it’s there,
and when things are not right there’s a deep
emptiness.”
Hamshaw attended seminary at the Oak
Hill Theological College in London and
through a series of mission trips he established
a friendship with the Rev. Andy Morgan who
was, at the time, the youth minister at Prince
George Winyah. When Morgan was transitioning into a job as Assistant Rector, he told
Jason that the youth ministry position would
be opening up. Within two weeks of finishing
seminary Hamshaw found himself interning
and then a year later serving as the youth
minister at Prince George.
Hamshaw bumped into his wife-to-be,
Chelsea Lawrence,
for the first time
when he had taken
the Prince George
y out h g roup t o
Brookgreen Gardens’ “Night of a
Thousand Candles.”
Chelsea was there,
on a separate visit,
with her parents,
Mark and Allison
Lawrence, the Bishop of the Diocese of
South Carolina and
his wife.
“I had heard Allison was praying
about setting me
up with one of her
daughters,” says
Hamshaw. “And her
mother had been
telling Chelsea
about me on that
same trip (to Brookgreen Gardens.)
“We had recently
had our confirmaChelsea Hamshaw tion,” says Hamshaw. “So when the
kids saw the Bishop, they all shouted out to
him. I told them not to bother him, but we
all stopped and talked.
“When I saw her, God put it in my heart –
‘Could this be my wife?’”
Their first date was an arranged group
event with Chelsea’s mother, Allison, the
Fueners (the Very Rev. Paul Fuener, Rector of
Prince George’s and his wife, Becky) and the
Allisons (the Rt. Rev. Fitz Allison, the 12th
Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina, and
his wife, Martha) all attending.
“We dated for six months before becoming
engaged,” says Hamshaw. “We connected and
then pursued each other in front of the youth
group, trying to be role models for how it can
be done.”
Now married for 5 ½ years the Hamshaws
have three sons, Benjamin (4), Mark Peter (3)
Order of St. Luke
Conference
in Charleston in July
T
he International Order of St. Luke the
Physician is a non-profit, non-denominational organization devoted to bringing
the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to all who
are in physical, spiritual, or emotional need.
For more than seven decades, the Order of St.
Luke has sought to provide Christians of every
denomination with the scriptural foundations
for belief in the healing power of Christ. Now
more than 7,000 members strong, OSL continues to work so that the world will be touched
with the love of the Holy Spirit.
The 2015 North American OSL Conference, Send Forth Your Spirit, will be held in
Charleston July 15-18 at Seacoast Church in
Mt. Pleasant. Registration begins Wednesday
afternoon, and the conference opens with
praise and worship at 7 p.m. followed by the
keynote address by Chauncey Crandall MD.
Each day begins with praise and worship followed by addresses from six main speakers.
Between the speaker sessions there will be
workshops and time for ministry and prayer.
The conference will end at noon on Saturday.
On Thursday night, July 16, there will
be a Youth Night. This evening is free of charge
for all youth and youth leaders. The evening
will begin with a special time of praise and
worship led by Robbie Cummings and his
group, “Beyond the Veil.” Chauncey Crandall
MD, will give the young people an inspiring
message about how they can take the healing
ministry of Jesus into their environment and
bring the atmosphere for Jesus into their communities.
On Friday night, July 17, there will
be a special Community Night open free of
charge to the public. This evening will open
with praise and worship led by Cristal Heyward, a noted Charleston songwriter, psalmist and musician. Joanne Ellison, founder of
Drawing Near to God ministries, will give an
inspirational talk on how to bring the healing
ministry of Jesus to our homes, families and
communities.
The Keynote Speaker, Chauncey Crandall MD, FACC, author of Raising the Dead,
is Chief of the Cardiac Transplant Program
at the Palm Beach Cardiovascular Clinic. He
lectures about heart preventive cardiology,
heart transplants, and the healing power of
prayer. He has seen the resurrection power
of Jesus Christ at work in his own practice
and brings a message of hope by combining
conventional medicine with prayer.
Our five guest speakers are: Josh Acton,
Joann Ellison, Hugh Bromiley, Jack Sheffield,
and Bishop Probal Dutta of India.
For more information visit http://www.
osl2015.org or call (919)259-6898.
What I Learned from My Mother
loving provision in calling us there,
and my parents’ willingness to obey.
2. Dig in and do the work
I think it was my father who
described my mother as an ‘action
verb.’ If you know her, you know
you can hardly make it through a
meal without her getting up to do
this or that task. My mother works
hard. And she worked hard for every
parish to which my dad was called.
She never sought out the job that
got her the most attention; in fact,
it was usually just the opposite. She
filled the need wherever it was – in
the baby nursery or the kitchen
cleaning-up.
I recognize that God, in his infinite wisdom, gives each of us different gifts that lead us into different
ministries. However, I don’t believe
that excludes us from filling in gaps
when the work needs doing. My
mother modeled the servant heart
of Christ, and this leads me to want
to serve God in His church, in whatever role that may be. It is true, there
is no one mold for a clergy wife, but
I pray that in as much as I can, I will
serve God in His church, by pouring
out my life for His Kingdom.
3. Forgive and live in grace
If I’ve learned anything growing
up in the church, it’s that parish
life isn’t easy. People are sinful, and
when you put them together, sin
multiplies. You know the saying,
“Hurt people hurt people.” Clergy
wives somehow seem to get stuck
in the middle of every dispute.
Sometimes they are the targets of
judgment and criticism. The easy
and natural thing is to harbor resentment and anger – both in your
role as a clergy wife, and towards the
individuals who make it difficult.
Recently my mother gave a talk
on forgiving yourself and others. As
she spoke and shared wisdom and
stories, it struck me: “This is how
she lives. She shows grace where she
had been shown disrespect, and she
forgives those who hurt her.” If you
asked, she wouldn’t say it was easy.
In fact, she’d say it’s one of the hardest things to do. It is only when we
reflect on the grace of God shown
to us in the face of His son on the
cross, that we can begin to truly
forgive those whose ills against us
are so small compared to our great
sins against God.
“Keep short accounts,” my mom
tells me. “Don’t let the anger settle
in.” For the sake of God’s kingdom,
for the sake of His people, and for
the sake of those who’ve not yet
come to know their Savior, let us
forgive.
4. Don’t rely on your
husband’s job as the basis
for your own faith
No priest in the world can be
a substitute for living in the presence of our one true high priest.
Husbands cannot be the source or
the means for our own personal
faith. We can certainly receive and
stand under their wisdom, their
leadership, and their love of God.
But my mother taught me that it
doesn’t replace the need for a clergy
wife to be responsible for her own
relationship with Christ. “Stay in
the scripture” is a regular reminder
that I receive from my mom. “You
will do infinitely better if you stay in
prayer and scripture, than if you try
to do it on your own.” My mom
will tell you that she has
tried it both ways.
In the demands
of a priest’s
job, and the
stress naturally placed
on his wife,
it is all too
easy to end
up out in
left field, far
from the heart
of C h r i s t . I’m
learning myself, as
someone who has tried for
years to do it on her own, that it just
doesn’t cut it. I need the strength,
love, and sustenance of almighty
God. As Peter says in his first letter,
“Humble yourselves under the hand
of Almighty God.” There is no better place to be than standing under
God, for he is a gracious and loving
Father. Let us stay deep in scripture,
that as His word forms in our hearts,
we might begin to look more and
more like His Son, that at last He
may say, “Well done, my good and
faithful servant.”
I don’t pretend to live up
to these things. I
don’t pretend to
even understand the
depths
of the
struggle of a
clergy
wife.
In fact,
as I write
this I’m not
even a clergy
wife yet! But I do
know that the wisdom
and love of my mother, by the
grace of God, has prepared me for
this next step, from priest’s kid to
priest’s wife. May that same grace of
God, sustain each of us in His call,
wherever He may lead us, leading us
to the servant heart of Christ, that
we may love and forgive His people,
and remain ever close to the heart
of the Father.
Ethiopia: An Evening
with the Vanderbijls, July 10
O
n Friday July 10, at 6 p.m. the Church
of the Good Shepherd, West Ashley,
(Charleston) will be hosting Johann and Louise
Vanderbijl for an evening
of fellowship and informal
questions and answers.
The Vanderbijls, who
are from Greenville, SC,
currently serve in Gambela,
Ethiopia in the Episcopal/
Anglican Diocese of Egypt
with North Africa and the
Horn of Africa. Because of
Johann’s theological training and Louise’s medical
training, Bishop LeMarquand has called them to
work with him and his wife,
Wendy (who is a medical doctor), in Ethiopia.
Bishop LeMarquand writes, “Their gifts are an
excellent fit for some of the
needs that we have here,
especially in the western
part of Ethiopia.” Come take advantage
of this great opportunity to
meet with and hear these
wonderful missionaries
to Ethiopia. The number
of people coming will determine where we will be
meeting so contact the
church office at (843) 5712993) to let us know if you
will be joining us.
The Rev. Dr. Dallas Wilson
Receives National FBI Director’s
Community Leadership Award
O
n May 1, 2015, The Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) honored the Rev.
Dr. Dallas H. Wilson, Jr., Vicar of St.
John’s Chapel, Charleston, for his work creating and implementing ministries and programs to prevent at-risk youths from engaging
in violent activities, spiraling into crime, drug
and alcohol use, and incarceration.
The Bureau has been presenting its Director’s Community Leadership Awards (DCLA)
Agape Ministries of Charleston (Agape), a
major non-governmental provider in the Eastside community. Through Agape, he created
the following programs:
• ELPIS, Inc. – a non-profit corporation
that acquired and revitalized property for
Agape;
• R.E.S.T.O.R.E. – a program where Church
members met with homeless men to help reintegrate them into the community;
• The Innovative Alternatives of Education Program
– established in 1994 to
educate and train at-risk
children through academic
studies, interpersonal skills
training and athletics;
• PCSmarts – an interactive computer program that
trained young people to
make the best use of technology through simplified
teaching of computer restoration and programming;
• The Charleston “Midnight” Basketball Association – which provided
recreational activities for
more than 350 at-risk kids
annually for 20 years.
The FBI flew Wilson and
Provided
his wife, Janie D. Wilson,
FBI Director James Comey (left) presents Wilson with the
President/COO, Biblical
Director’s Community Leadership Award.
Family Center and the newfor more than two decades to ordinary citizens ly established Peninsula Biblical Counseling
and organizations striving to build stronger, Center (PBCC), and the Rev. Rob Dewey,
safer, and more cohesive communities.
founder and Senior Chaplain of the Coastal
Wilson was one of 57 national recipients Crisis Chaplaincy, who has served as an FBI
recognized by Director James Comey in the Chaplain for over 24 years, to the ceremony.
ceremony at FBI Headquarters in Washington Wilson said, “I would love to take this
DC.
opportunity to thank those who nominated
A statement released by the FBI said in me for this honor. Mr. William Nettles (FBI
part, “This year’s honorees have distinguished Retired), Supervisory Special Agent Brian S.
themselves in remarkable ways through Womble, Charleston FBI, the Honorable J.
their hard work, their leadership, and their Al Cannon, Jr. (Charleston County Sheriff ’s
strength of character. They are ordinary Office) and Police Chiefs Eddie Driggers
citizens, but what they have accomplished (North Charleston), Gregory Mullen (City
is nothing short of extraordinary. Time and of Charleston) and Carl Ritchie (Town of Mt.
again today’s award recipients have put others Pleasant). It is a truly wonderful experience
before themselves as they strive to protect the to work with men of this caliber, who are not
innocent and rescue the vulnerable. Today we just incredible law enforcement personnel;
not only recognize your achievements, but we but the “true representation of our Lord Jesus
also offer our sincerest gratitude for dedicating Christ” as portrayed in Apostle Paul’s letter to
yourselves to your fellow citizens and to the the church in Rome (Romans 13:1-5).
principles of fairness, justice and equality. We “It was a wonderful experience,” said Wilat the FBI are proud to partner with you.”
son of receiving the award. “Director Comey
This year’s DCLA honorees, as in past is an extraordinary and very sensitive man. In
years, were selected by FBI field offices and all honesty, no individual deserves an award
represent many different sectors. The Colum- as prestigious as this; I think the Eastside
bia Division of the FBI, and its Special Agent community and its residents won this award,
in Charge, David A. Thomas, selected the Rev. and I’m only the ‘steward’. What I’m truly
Dr. Dallas H. Wilson, Jr. for the award for cre- pleased about is that this award tells some of
ating and implementing programs to prevent the positive stories about what’s happening in
at-risk youth from spiraling into crime, drug our community. There’s a lot of good going on.
and alcohol use, and incarceration.
We need to focus on God’s good rather than
Wilson was the pastor and founder of the focusing on the negative.”
Agape Inner-City Christian Assembly and
Cham’s Story:
Coffee Brings Women Together
— and Saves Lives — in Ethiopia
By The Rev. Charles Treichler, Communications Director, Anglican Relief and Development
C
ham is a member of the Anglican “Cham has a gift for mobilizing women,”
Mother’s Union and received training says the Rev. Durash, Education Coordinator
at the Gambela Anglican Centre where at the Gambela Anglican Center. “Because
Bishop Grant and Dr. Wendy LeMarquand of her, many women are now coming to the
church.”
serve as mission Cham also has
aries.
a deep faith in Je Cham is a
sus. More clearly
hero. An illiterate
than many of the
mother of eight
male pastors we
children whose
spoke to, Cham
husband was imarticulated how
prisoned during
Jesus’ death on
the most recent
the cross demconflict in South
onstrates God’s
Sudan, Cham dede ep love for
votes her “free
people and desire
time” to teachto bring forgiveing women in
ness and comrural villages bafort.
sic family health
One evening
and hygiene.
Cham agreed to
She received her
take our ARDF
health training at
team to her small
the Gambela Anc omp ou n d t o
glican Centre (a
meet her family.
project for which
Thirteen people
ARDF provided
live in a house
seed-funding)
no bigger than
and has a pas10 by 30 feet.
sion for sharing
She offered us
these life-saving
fresh mangos,
lessons with
soft drinks, and
women living in
bottled water.
surrounding vilL au g h i ng i n
lages.
the soft eve The need is
ning light, she
huge: the village
shared her story.
women have an
average of eight Cham has developed an effective way of gathering “I t han k G o d
to 11 children, of women for lessons she finds fascinating. Using the ancient because he has
which only two Ethiopian coffee ceremony, Cham begins to roast beans in given me eight
to four survive the village center and prepare the coffee. “Women cannot c h i l d r e n . My
past the age of resist coming near when I begin to make coffee,” Cham children know I
love them very
five.
says with glee.
much. They are
Cham has dehappy that I work
veloped an effective way of gathering women for lessons she with the Mother’s Union and sometimes they
finds fascinating. Using the ancient Ethiopian say to me, ‘Go! Do the trainings.”
coffee ceremony, Cham begins to roast beans Cham is the reason why aid is still worth
in the village center and prepare the coffee. believing in. By investing in passionate, local
“Women cannot resist coming near when I leaders like Cham, aid organizations can actubegin to make coffee,” Cham says with glee. ally make a real, sustainable impact. And as
“Even if they are not part of the group.” Then, Cham taught us, that kind of impact reflects
when the group has gathered, Cham begins the beautiful grace of Jesus Christ. Join ARDF
her lesson using hand-drawn pictures so the in forming powerful partnerships at www.
women—most of whom are completely illiter- anglicnaid.net.
ate—can understand.
Hamshaw Ordained
and Lawrence Simon (8 months).
Asked if being the Bishop’s son-in-law puts
more pressure on him, Hamshaw laughs. “It’s
more of a privilege,” he says. “It’s a blessing
to have his wisdom (in my life). Mark and
Allison are both great role models for our
children. That’s a great blessing. It’s also a
great blessing to see the fruit of being married
to someone from a godly household, reaping
the benefits of growing together with Chelsea’s
maturity. I hold leadership very highly, and
I greatly respect my Bishop, who also holds
the office of father. Of course there is pressure–good pressure–but none compared with
that of God, my highest authority. I find great
comfort in the verse “perfect love casts out all
fear,” which I have found to be true.”
Though evangelism is a passion for Hamshaw, when he moved to the United States he
sensed a greater call toward pastoral care.
“As God moved me more into a shepherding role in full-time ministry, there’s been
a shift in me. Instead of just going out, I’m
sensing a deep love for his people and for
coming amidst them, caring for these people
and leading them deeper into His Word (the
Bible).”
Ordination Service
The Very Rev. Paul Fuener was the preacher during the ordination and Bishop Mark
Lawrence, ordained his son-in-law.
During the service Hamshaw was overwhelmed with gratitude for his parish family.
“Paul’s sermon was particularly gracious
and touching,” he said,
A significant moment for Hamshaw was
being able to serve Eucharist to his wife and
family for the first time. “It had been on my
heart for some time,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to greater fulfillment
in this journey of God’s call to Christian leadership. The big thing really though is living
into the office that Jesus laid out as the Good
Shepherd and modeling that for people so
we all can be moving toward Christ together.
Seeing God transform lives is an immense
privilege and honor.”
The ordination was an answer to prayer for
one special family member. Hamshaw’s maternal grandmother, Florie D’Souza, who he
describes as a “faithful, prayerful woman,” had
been “praying many, many years for a priest in
the family.” With Hamshaw’s ordination she
saw God’s answer.
DOK Chapter Chartered at Grace Parish Zero Budget/Zero Time
Church Communications
By Laura Bowman, Grace Parish,
North Myrtle Beach
Workshop: How to establish and maintain a
web presence when resources are low
O
n Sunday, April 12, 2015, a
new chapter of “The Order
of the Daughters of The
King” was instituted and received
their charter at Grace Parish, North
Myrtle Beach.
Daughters of the King (DOK)
South Carolina Assembly President
Nancy Barutio, from Charleston,
was on hand to present the new
charter to Vicar Linda Manuel. She
then turned the ceremony over to
past SC Assembly President Elaine
Crafton, of Little River, to install
new members Judy Kessler and
Laura Bowman and to install officers
for the new chapter: Bradley Burnett
Lewis – President, Judy Kessler Vice President, Penny Crawford
– Secretary, and Laura Bowman –
Treasurer. Vicar Linda Manuel was
then installed as Chaplain for the
new chapter.
DOK members from other area
churches, including St. Stephen’s
August 18, St. Paul’s, Summerville
I
Bill Barutio
DOK Daughters from the Grand Strand area gather around members of
the new Daughters of Grace Chapter to offer their support and to welcome
them to the Order.
Episcopal Church, North Myrtle
Beach; St. Paul’s Anglican Church,
Conway; Trinity Church, Myrtle
Beach; The Well By the Sea, Myrtle
Beach; and Church of the Resurrection, Surfside Beach, were present to
participate in the ceremony and to
welcome the new Daughters to the
Order.
The Order of the Daughters
of The King (DOK) has members
worldwide. DOK members pledge
themselves to a life-long program of
prayer, service, and evangelism. The
new chapter at Grace Parish will be
known as the “Daughters of Grace”
chapter.
nvolved in Church Communications? Join the Diocesan
C om mu n i c ators
on Tuesday, August
18 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
for our fall day-long
workshop at St. Paul’s
Church in Summerville.
During the
morning session Greg
S h o r e , C o m mu n i cations Director for
ACNA parish St. Andrew’s, Mt.
Pleasant, will be our guest trainer as
we look at social media - Facebook,
Twitter and Instagram - and hear
not only why we should be using it,
but when and how.
After a delicious catered
lunch with time for conversation
and networking we’ll
reconvene to have David Childs, Director of
Communications for
Church of our Saviour,
Johns Island, show us
how to create a lowcost website using Wix
as well as a brief foray
into other current programming options.
There will be plenty of time
for questions and answers.
The cost of the workshop is
$15 per person, register by visiting
www.dioceseofsc.org and clicking
the event on the Diocesan calendar.
St. Christopher Thanksgiving Retreat
Published by the
Diocese of South Carolina
(843) 722-4075
The Rt. Rev. Mark J. Lawrence
XIV Bishop, South Carolina
Contributions for the next issue must
reach the editor by August 7, 2015. Send
articles to BOTH Editor and the Assistant
Editor. Send photographs to the Editor
only.
Editor
Joy Hunter
109 Arbor Road
Summerville, SC 29485
jhunter@dioceseofsc.org
(843) 696-1757
Assistant Editor
The Rev. Canon Dr.
Kendall S. Harmon
P.O. Box 2810
Summerville, SC 29484
ksharmon@mindspring.com
(843) 821-7254
Diocese of South Carolina
P.O. Box 20127
Charleston, SC 29413-0127
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Charleston SC
PERMIT NO. 330
Subscription Questions/
Address Changes
office@dioceseofsc.org
(843) 722-4075
I
t’s not to o
early to start
thinking
about Thanksgiving!
We w o u l d
love to have you
and your families join us for
the annual St.
Christopher
Thanksgiving
Retreat, Wednesday, November
25, through Saturday, NovemDaniel Kalshoven
ber 28. Already
a tradition for Kids and adults alike join together on the beach during the Thanksgiving
many families, Retreat to enjoy a game of flag football before dinner.
Thanksgiving at
St. Christopher
offers something for everyone: bingo, flag We are set to do it again this year. Make
football on the beach, movie night, worship, your reservations early as space is limited.
and of course, food. Last fall we were at ca- For rates and more information, visit www.
pacity for our dining hall. Our staff lovingly stchristopher.org or contact Rhonda Myers
prepared and served eight turkeys on Thanks- at rmyers@stchristopher.org.
giving Day.
Ordinations
in full-time youth ministry for 18 years – six
years with Young Life and 12 years as a parish
youth pastor.
Chisholm has a heart for youth ministry,
parent ministry and international missions.
For the last three years he has brought groups
of high school students to work with Urban
Promise, an education Christian ministry, in
Copan Ruinas, Honduras. His wife, Veronica,
is originally from Brazil. The Chisholm family is praying about and hoping to find ways
to lead short-term missions and help plant
churches in Brazil in the near future.
Veronica and Steven have two daughters (Ayla,
5, and Zelia, 1).
John Sosnowski
At 4 p.m. on June 13, 2015, John Sosnowski
will be ordained to the Transitional Diaconate
at St. Michael’s Church in
Charleston. The Rt. Rev.
Mark Lawrence will ordain Sosnowski, and the
Rev. Al Zadig, Rector of
St. Michael’s, will preach.
Clergy from churches
across the diocese are
invited to participate in
the procession. The Rev.
Marcus Kaiser, the Rev.
Jamie Sosnowski, Mr. Newman Lawrence,
and Mr. Johnnie Corbett will also participate
in the service.
In Sosnowski’s words, “I am native to the
Diocese of South Carolina having been shaped
in the parishes of St. John’s, Johns Island and
St Michael’s. I had expected to retire in May
of 2012 after a 28-year career in pharmaceutical sales, having had great experiences in
that industry and also having been allowed to
serve the church under strong clergy and lay
leadership in many lay ministry capacities in
those years.
I sensed a call to ordination early in my
professional life and was given the wise advice
to try to be satisfied doing something else. God
in his graciousness continued to make Himself
known to me and to draw me to Him in ways
undeniable. In February of 2011, the Rev Al Zadig
and the Rev. Dr. Peter Moore invited 14 leaders from St. Michael’s to a one-day retreat to
consider what higher calling God might be
holding out to them. This led to a discernment
process for me resulting now in this ordination
to which you are invited. I give thanks and
praise to our God of infinite faithfulness.”
https://www.facebook.com/DioceseOfSouthCarolina
Calendar Notes
To learn more about the
following events, view the
calendar at www.dioceseofsc.org.
Grandcamp, June 15-19 (camp full)
Diocesan Riverdogs, June 19, Pg 1
St. Christoher Sunday, June 28, Pg 4,8
Family Camp, June 28-July 5, Pg 9
Evening with Vanderbijls, July 10, Pg 15
OSL Conference, July 15-18, Pg 14
Cursillo 176, July 23-26
Communicators Workshop, August 18, Pg 16
Women’s Retreat, Sept. 11-13, Pg 12
Barrier Island 5K, Sept. 19, Pg 8
Mondo, October 16-18, Pg 6
Cursillo 177, October 22-25
Clergy Conference, October 26-28
Women’s Retreat, Nov. 13-15, Pg 12
re:generate, Nov. 13-15, Pg 6
Watercolor Prayer
Journaling Retreat
October 2-4, 2015
with Amelia Whaley
J
oin “Mimi” Whaley at St. Christopher in
October for the Watercolor Prayer Journaling Retreat. This recurring event will consist
of basic watercolor instruction, tools, tips,
methods and actual “watercolor journaling.”
Since the retreat is limited to 12 participants,
individual help by the instructor is available
for each participant as they develop their
journal.
What a special time and place to discover
the means to worship through art. Call Rhonda Myers at (843)768-0429 to register.

Jubilate Deo - Diocese of South Carolina

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