Today (October 2, 2026) marks the fifth anniversary of the consecration and ordination of our beloved bishop, the Right Reverend Ruth Woodliff-Stanley. And as she begins her sixth year with us, she has a very exciting announcement to make. We invite you to watch the video below. (A transcript is posted below the video).

Also, please scroll down for a letter from the capital campaign co-chairs as well!

Video transcript:

Five years ago today, bishops from across the church gathered at Grace Church Cathedral to make me a bishop in God’s church so that I might take up the call of God and the call that you gave me to serve as your bishop. It’s hard for me to believe that it’s been five years. Every day, I wake up and give thanks to God for this call. It is my deepest joy. I am so grateful for you. 

I want to say to you, thank you. Thank you so much for the work you are doing all across our diocese, to make sure that we are sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with those who are hungry for his message, for his redeeming love. Together, we are building The Episcopal Church for those who need us now, and for those who will long for Jesus in the years to come. I want to say to you that your work is bearing so much fruit. Building on such a rich heritage from our ancestors, in all the places where you minister, you are changing lives. 

I have some news to share with you on the work we have done together to convene a capital campaign to serve initiatives across our diocese in every deanery. I am so thrilled to announce that today we have met our primary goal! You have done this! You have done this by your faithful and courageous response to the Gospel. Thank you so much. 

And now let’s press on toward our stretch goal. Our stretch goal is really important because it allows us to seed the same kind of development work in a campaign for Saint Christopher (Camp and Conference Center), which will reach other stakeholders who are eager to support us in the ministry of that holy place.
 

So please continue with me to reach in faith and in courage. I believe we can reach our stretch goal together and I’m excited to try to do that. Thank you for who you are. Thank you for all of the ways that you support the work of The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina. This is a bright, bright season, and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us.
God bless you, and I’ll see you soon.

The Right Reverend Ruth Woodliff-Stanley, Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina

Letter from Capital Campaign Co-chairs

Our capital campaign co-chairs have shared a letter. Read it at this link, or view the text below:

October 2, 2026

We did it! It is with great joy that we announce that the Rising Together capital campaign for The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina has achieved its primary goal of $3,318,777. We give thanks for the individuals, the congregations, and the bishops who have supported the campaign with prayers and generous contributions. Guided by the Holy Spirit and under the inspirational leadership of Bishop Ruth, we have now secured the funding for the projects selected during the discernment process in our diocese.

As campaign co-chairs, we are grateful for the faithful work of the entire campaign team. Securing advanced gifts, organizing congregational and community gifts and events, inviting participation in the campaign, and coordinating the entire effort required the devotion of many individuals. This team effort exemplified our campaign theme — “Rising Together.”

This campaign has always been about supporting our sisters and brothers who were most impacted by the schism and about restoring justice for generations to come. As Bishop Ruth said in her address to the 235^th Annual Convention of the diocese in November 2025: “We are agents of the new thing God is doing. We must run to catch up with what God is up to, bringing redemption from all the broken pieces of this world. You are taking all the broken pieces and making them whole again.”

With the resources generated by the campaign, we can repair the broken pieces by supporting building upgrades and safety requirements for the Three Churches United, the historically black churches on the peninsula of Charleston, and St. Peter’s Church in the West Ashley area. We can also begin to strengthen the presence of The Episcopal Church in the fastest growing areas of the state — Myrtle Beach and the Bluffton-Hardeeville corridor.

Although we have much to celebrate, our work is not finished. The Rising Together campaign includes a stretch goal to support St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center, which is located on 314 acres of Atlantic coast beach, maritime forest, and undisturbed salt marsh on Seabrook Island about an hour south of Charleston. St. Christopher is the perfect destination for groups, families, and those looking to step away from life’s demands for a few days.

While the primary campaign goals touch those faith communities most impacted by past challenges, the stretch goal for St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center would touch the entire diocese as the camp’s varied programs support youth of all ages. The mission of the camp and conference center is “to offer guests a place for rest, restoration and renewal and to provide a space to encounter the Living Christ.” This mission is accomplished through the offerings of summer camp, the barrier island environmental education program, outdoor encounter programs, and retreats.

We give thanks for everyone whose prayers and generous contributions allowed us to achieve our primary campaign goal so quickly. May we continue to “rise together” to meet our stretch goal in order to support St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center in the future.

With grateful hearts,

Herbert Drayton, Barney Forsythe, and Ray Sabalis

Rising Together Campaign Co-Chairs