Article by Harriett Green (member of Good Shepherd, Sumter, and of the diocesan Racial Justice and Reconciliation Commission) On October 18th, about 65 people gathered in the Fellowship Hall at Trinity United Methodist Church in Sumter for Good Shepherd Episcopal Church Learning Day. Learning Day, an educational initiative of the Racial Justice and Reconciliation Commission, provides…
As we look ahead to the Feast of St. Francis on October 4, many of our congregations will be offering special Blessings of the Animals for all creatures great and small, be they live pets or stuffed animals. St. Francis is the patron saint of animals and the environment and worship inspired by this Feast…
Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley presided over the service of worship receiving the Rev. David Hudspeth into the priesthood of The Episcopal Church on Wednesday, August 27, at St. Luke’s Chapel in Summerville (the church where Good Shepherd, Summerville is currently holding their weekly services; located at 208 Central Avenue). The church shared a number of beautiful…
Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has called the Reverend Jenny Newman to serve as the next rector of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Port Royal. Jenny brings a diverse and unique background to this call, most recently serving in Hattiesburg, Mississippi in a dual role as rector of The Episcopal Church of the Ascension and chaplain for…
On Saturday, September 6, Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley installed the Very Rev. Dr. Michael Shaffer as the 23rd rector of the historic St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Charleston. Seminarian Shawan Gillians served as preacher. Father Michael, who also serves as dean of the Peninsula Deanery, was called to serve as interim rector of St. Mark’s in…
Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley hosted members of the Transitions in Ministry group (TiM) for their annual retreat September 7-8, at St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center on Seabrook Island. TiM is comprised of priests who are newly ordained, new to the diocese, or serving in a new role. They meet regularly as a cohort throughout the year,…
Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley recently provided a video update about the ongoing feasilibility study in our diocese, being conducted with the assistance of The Episcopal Church, to consider the possiblity of a diocesan-wide capital campaign. Watch the update by clicking the image above or clicking this link. The bishop outlined the progress over the past few months and…
Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.Isaiah 43:18-19 The Call to Convention has been published for our 235th Diocesan Convention in…
Two special guest speakers have accepted the invitation of Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley to participate in the 235th annual convention of the diocese, November 6-8, 2025 at Christ Church, Mt. Pleasant. The Rev. Luther E. Smith, Jr., PhD, will be our keynote speaker, and the Rev. Carter Heyward, PhD, will preach at the convention eucharist. Both…
The leadership of St. Stephen’s, Charleston and St. Mark’s, Charleston, announced last week that Emmalie Spina will serve as their inaugural Justice Collective Fellow for the 2025-26 academic year. The new St. Stephen’s and St. Mark’s Justice Collective, sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina, has the aim of both establishing a young adult justice fellowship…
As we continue to implement the strategic vision outlined by the people of our diocese in 2023, Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has invited the people of the diocese to attend feasibility forums/focus groups over the past few weeks for a casual conversation that will help identify the areas of focus as we continue to rebuild and strengthen our historic diocese…
The Right Reverend Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has appointed Ted Wingfield as diocesan director of finance and administration, effective July 15, 2025. He will begin the role on a part-time basis (20 hours a week) and is expected to transition to full-time status in early 2026. “Ted brings a wealth of experience to our staff,” said Bishop…
