Bishop’s Staff Gathers in Retreat; Aligns Job Portfolios with Strategic Vision Initiatives

Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley and all the members of her staff gathered for their annual retreat at St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center March 11-12, 2024. Aside from opportunities for fellowship, prayer, and rest, the team used this time together to take an in-depth look at their collective work.

After time spent in prayer and “checking in,” the staff turned their attention to fine-tuning how each member would contribute to the implementation of the Strategic Vision adopted by the previous diocesan convention. While a great deal has been accomplished already, staff members discussed more nuanced aspects of the plan and what it would take to bring it from paper into reality over the near- and long-term. Because of the Vision’s ambitious and wide-ranging goals for our future, the staff identified ways to better align their own roles and responsibilities. The key job functions of the bishop and each staff member are listed below:

The Rt. Rev. Ruth Woodliff-Stanley, Bishop

  • Chief shepherd and pastor of the diocese
  • Ordinations
  • Visitations
  • Pastoral concerns
  • Leadership of all bodies
  • Strategic leadership
  • Resources and partnership development
  • Councils of the wider church
  • Institutions and Community
  • Working across lines of difference
  • Shaping culture and values

The Rev. Philip Linder, Canon to the Ordinary

  • Transitions
  • Commission on Ministry
  • Returning congregations
  • Property issues and insurance
  • Clergy in good standing and licensing
  • Supply clergy
  • New clergy to the diocese group with Canon Currie
  • Remarriage requests
  • Pastoral concerns
  • Church governance/Constitution & Canons
  • Title IV
  • Trustees’ liaison
  • Chancellor liaison for legal documentation
  • Chief of staff in Bishop’s absence

The Rev. Ryan Currie, Canon for Common Mission

  • Convention
  • Annual and Special Events
  • Gathering/convening groups
  • Christian formation working group
  • Calvary office site management
  • Diocesan Council liaison
  • New clergy groups with Canon Linder

The Rev. Ramelle McCall, Canon for Justice & Future Leaders

  • Social justice initiatives
    • Racial justice
    • Environment Justice/Creation care (in collaboration with St. Christopher Camp & Conference Center)
    • Economic justice 
    • LGBTQ+ justice (in collaboration with Canon Currie) 
    • Anti-gun violence in South Carolina and for the Episcopal Church. 
  • Ecumenical and Interfaith Initiatives
    • Global partnerships 
    • Community partnerships (with organizations such as CAJM (Charleston Area Justice Ministry), SCCAC (SC Christian Action Council), SC Fair Lending, and FSA)
  • Youth Ministry
  • College Ministry
  • Young Adult Ministry
  • Latino Ministry 
  • Congregations of African Descent: Resources for Sustainability and Ingenuity

Andrea McKellar, Canon for Strategy & Vitality

  • Metrics
  • Project management
  • Church planting
  • Congregational development
  • Benefits

Molly Hamilton, Director of Communications

  • Public and media relations
  • Social media content creation
  • Weekly e-newsletter creation and distribution
  • Website maintenance and content creation
  • Maintaining branding/identity consistency
  • Producing messaging consistent with the bishop’s voice and diocesan vision
  • Diocesan communications quality control
  • Communications support, resources, training for congregations
  • Updating the Episcopal Asset Map

Betsy Pritchard, Executive Assistant to the Bishop

  • Staff hospitality 
  • Bishop’s travel
  • Visitation scheduling for the bishop
  • First point of contact
  • Support the Office of the Bishop
  • Support the Office of the Canon to the Ordinary as needed
  • Maintain the bishop’s calendar
  • Maintain records including point of contact spreadsheet
  • Background checks
  • Safeguarding
  • Thriving in Ministry schedule
  • Coordination/scheduling/minuting leadership bodies

Comptroller

  • Accounts payable
  • Accounts receivable
  • Diocesan grants
  • Payroll
  • Audit compliance

Additionally, before the retreat time began, several staff members held a discussion with a special guest of the Diocese, Steve Mullaney, who serves as chaplain and executive director of the University Episcopal Community in Minneapolis, MN. In addition to his long experience in young adult and campus ministry, Steve has been deeply involved in Latino congregations, intentional communities inspired by monastic spirituality, camp and conference center ministry, and several different kinds of church plants. Steve was staying at St. Christopher for a portion of his sabbatical this spring, where he preached in their weekly chapel service and proved a valuable thought partner for the staff of St. Christopher and the Office of the Bishop.

While there was a great deal of work to be accomplished, the chance for members to reconnect with their ministries and with one another in such a sacred and restful place was a true blessing. The bishop and her staff are grateful for the hospitality of the entire St. Christopher team.