236th Diocesan Convention Navigates the Unseen Path With Courage

The 236^th Annual Convention of The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina was held October 29-31, at St. John’s, Johns Island and St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center on Seabrook Island. In addition to being a wonderful time of collective worship and fellowship, delegates to the convention elected new leadership and handled important business for the diocese. With a theme of “Courage for Navigating the Unseen Path,” the convention welcomed multiple special guests, including the keynote speaker, Dr. Jenny Te Paa Daniel, a scholar and a teacher, a public theologian and professional consultant in higher education; and the preacher for the Convention Eucharist, Dr. Beth-Sarah Wright, an Atlanta-based author, dynamic speaker, and strategic thought partner who also serves acting director of the Absalom Jones Episcopal Center for Racial Healing. These two guests also led workshops and participated in a panel discussion with Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley on the final day of the convention. Additional special guests who also hosted workshops were the Right Reverend Ann Ritonia, bishop suffragan of Armed Forces and Federal Ministries of The Episcopal Church; and Emily L. Moore, Ed.D. and J. Herman Blake, Ph.D., husband-and wife professors, scholars, administrators and teachers providing leadership and service to higher education, foundations, local communities, corporations and civic organizations.

The people, staff, and leadership at St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center and St. John’s, Johns Island were fantastic and welcoming hosts, along with Seafields by Bishop Gadsden who hosted a lovely reception on Friday evening.

Key moments from convention are summarized below:

First Business Session – Thursday, October 29, at St. John’s, Johns Island
After a kind welcome from the Rev. Callie Walpole, rector of St. John’s, the session began just after 2 pm. Committee appointments and positions were announced and elected as necessary, and Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley welcomed delegates and special guests. The bishop announced the appointment of regional deans, which included one change: the Rev. Eunice Dunlap, vicar of St. Catherine’s, Florence, will succeed the Rt. Rev. Wilmot Merchant, following his election as bishop suffragan in The Episcopal Church in Liberia, his home country. Delegates heard a number of reports including the following: Commision on Ministry, Transitions in Ministry (TIMS), Chancellor, and Standing Committee. Bishop Ruth also recognized our postulants, new clergy, and new church clergy leaders. After a brief recess, everyone gathered for the Convention Eucharist, with Dr. Beth-Sarah Wright serving as preacher. A recording of her sermon will be available soon on the convention webpage. After worship, a lovely reception was held under a tent on the grounds of St. John’s.

Second and Third Business Sessions – Friday, October 30, at St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center
On Friday morning, the day began with wonderful weather and an outdoors time of worship with a beach labyrinth. Many thanks to Grace Church Cathedral parishioners Jack Case and Chris Tindal for facilitating the labyrinth liturgy. Jack is a Veriditas-certified advanced labyrinth facilitator whose ministry is to create and hold space on this ancient archetype so that soul seekers may walk into a deeper connection and relationship with the Holy Spirit.

When the morning business session convened, delegates heard from the Constitution and Canons Committee and voted for the first readings of proposed updates to our diocesan constitution which offer to clarify governing documents and Standing Committee membership rules. The delegates then heard about our diocesan institutions and listened to reports from Bishop Gadsden and Voorhees University. After a brief break, Dr. Jenny Te Paa Daniel shared her keynote address (which will soon be available to view on the convention webpage). As Bishop Ruth noted, she “brought the wisdom of the Māori to the shores of the Lowcountry—the juxtaposition took us deep into reflection on our own calling.” Before lunch, delegates heard an update on the diocesan capital campaign and were entertained by the Voorhees University choir during lunch. After lunch, four workshops were offered across the St. Christopher campus.

During the afternoon session, Bishop Ruth delivered her address (which will be available on the webpage soon) and delegates heard reports on the Calvary Icons Project, Episcopal Eco-Fellows, Treasurer and Board of Trustees, and Diocesan Council. Elections for diocesan positions were held with the following results:

Standing Committee (Three-year term*)
Clergy: The Rev. Shawan Gillians, the Rev. Ned Mulligan
Lay: John Gilbert, Deb Harris; and *Lori Wohlegemuth Tull was elected to fill an unexpired two-year term ending in 2028.
Alternate Deputies to the 82nd General Convention in 2027
Clergy alternate deputies (in order from first to fourth): The Rev. Cn. Ryan Currie, the Rev. Shawan Gillians, the Rev. Ricardo Bailey, and the Rev. Jenny Newman
Lay alternate deputies: Molly Hamilton (third alternate); and Colleen Condon (fourth alternate)
Trustees, The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina (Six-year term)
Clergy: The Rev. Jennie Olbrych
Lay: Lesley Gilbert
Trustee, The University of the South (Sewanee) (Three-year term)
Lay: William “Bill” Grimes

To close out the session, Canon Ann Fleming offered her report on Congregational Vitality, and then she and the bishop announced a new social enterprise model involving a partnership with SOS Care at St. Peter’s, Charleston to build a community for neuro non-typical adults. At the end of a video provided by SOS Care introducing the community, everyone quickly rose to their feet in an emotional ovation. As the bishop noted, we have a ways to go before we can cut a ribbon and open doors, but a plan is being developed.
For the evening reception, delegates made the short trip to Seafields, the newest community of Bishop Gadsden, for a reception with delicious food and fabulous live music provided by Ann Caldwell with the support of a band.

Fourth Business Session – Saturday, October 31, at St. Christopher Camp & Conference Center
Youth of the diocese led our worship to begin the session with Morning Prayer before youth ministry leaders shared the report of the Diocesan Youth Commission. Bishop Ann Ritonia then called the leaders of The Citadel Episcopal Cadet Fellowship to the podium to recognize the tremendous growth and impact of the campus ministry group with an inaugural award from her office in the Episcopal Armed Forces and Federal Ministries. She also gave them a $1,000 gift to support this ministry, which is the largest campus ministry in The Episcopal Church. The Rev. Laura Rezac and Barbara Christie shared a report from St. Christopher, and commission co-chairs Gail DeCosta and Vermelle Simmons provided a report from the Racial Justice and Reconciliation Commission. Bishop Ruth announced the formation of a new diocesan LGBTQ+ Justice Commission as an important step forward in our shared commitment to building a church that reflects the beloved community of God. After a short recess, Dr. Beth-Sarah Wright and Dr. Jenny Te Paa Daniel joined Bishop Ruth for a panel discussion (which will be available soon by video), and then the final reports were offered (Courtesy Resolutions and the Necrology Report). The Rev. Ned Mulligan (St. Bartholomew’s, Hartsville) and Tom Welch (postulant for Holy orders at St. David’s, Cheraw) then came to the podium to announce that next year’s convention will be held in Hartsville, SC on November 5-6, 2027, hosted by their two congregations. Convention was officially adjourned at 11:59 am!

Over the next week, videos and photos will be added to the convention webpage. Photo albums from each day have been added to the diocesan Facebook page at these links:
Day One
Day Two
Day Three