Inspired by a letter sent by leaders and members of The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Summerville last month, Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley sent a letter to South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster today, on the eve of another scheduled state execution, to advocate for an end to capital punishment in the Palmetto State. With…
The historic African American Episcopal Congregations of St. Stephen’s, Calvary, and St. Mark’s Episcopal Churches will join together on Sunday, November 10, 2024, for a special liturgy of Lament and Repentance for The Episcopal Church’s complicity in the slave trade. The service will begin at 10:30 am and take place at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 16 Thomas…
A message from the Rev. Dow Sanderson, priest-in-charge of Good Shepherd, Summerville Unity & KindnessIn a world where division and discord are daily headlines, the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Summerville is grateful to share a story of unity and kindness. Our Congregation began about 12 years ago, meeting first in houses and…
The Right Reverend Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has called the Rev. Courtney Davis-Shoemaker as priest-in-charge of St. Peter’s, Charleston, a church that was returned to our diocese last year and was most recently known as The Church of the Good Shepherd. Ordained to the priesthood in 2009, the Rev. Davis-Shoemaker has served for the past five years…
The Right Reverend Ann Ritonia, Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Forces and Federal Ministries, visited the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina over the past week. On Sunday, September 22, she preached and celebrated the Eucharist at St. George’s, Summerville, alongside the church’s deacon-in-charge, the Rev. Michael Crandall (whose own service as a military chaplain led…
Last week, the diocese hosted an introductory workshop by Braver Angels on “Depolarizing Ourselves” – an initiative designed to help faith leaders lessen the effects of polarization encountered in political conversations, and engage in conversations that are centered in mutual respect as children of God. Braver Angels is leading the nation’s largest cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement…
On Monday, July 29, The Episcopal Church observed the 50th Anniversary of the ordination of women to the priesthood. On July 29, 1974, 11 women were ordained to the priesthood in the midst of much dissent and disagreement in The Episcopal Church. The trailblazing group of women deacons, who became known as “The Philadelphia 11,”…
Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley and our full diocesan deputation are in Louisville, Kentucky, for the 81st General Convention of The Episcopal Church. Legislative sessions began today after an opening Eucharist, and will continue through Friday. It is a joy to be together with representatives of more than 100 other dioceses of The Episcopal Church, including this…
The congregation of St. George’s, Summerville, welcomed the Rev. Deacon Michael Crandall for his first Sunday on June 2, 2024. He is currently serving as deacon-in-charge until his ordination to the priesthood on October 26, when he will offically become rector of this beloved congregation. Deacon Crandall preached at both services on Sunday, at 8…
After becoming a parish at our diocesan convention in November 2022 and then welcoming their first rector last summer, The Episcopal Church on Edisto began exploring the possiblity of changing their church name. With the help of a Naming Task Force, the possibilities were narrowed down to three options. At their congregational meeting in January, members…
Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has appointed the Rev. Joseph Smith, rector of the Episcopal Church on Edisto (soon to be formally known as St. Francis), Edisto Island, as Dean of the West Charleston Deanery. Fr. Smith succeeds the Rev. Dow Sanderson, priest-in-charge of Good Shepherd, Summerville, who has fulfilled the role with grace and devotion since…
The Reverend Rosario Francis (Ross) Tortora was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at Grace Church Cathedral in Charleston. Father Ross, who was initially ordained to the vocational diaconate, spent many months of discernment about this call to the priesthood. In April, he received final confirmation from Bishop Ruth…
