The “Three Churches United” congregations of St. Stephen’s, St. Mark’s and Calvary Episcopal Churches in Charleston worshiped together at St. Stephen’s on Sunday, June 22, celebrating Juneteenth and honoring the Emanuel Nine, who lost their lives in a senseless act of violence at Mother Emanuel AME Church 10 years ago. The service was attended by…
Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley offers a word to the people of the diocese on this 10th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Emanuel Nine, remembering the victims and survivors of the horrific massacre at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston on June 17, 2015. With gratitude for all the work being done by the people of…
The vestry and leadership of St. Mark’s, Charleston, announced Sunday, May 25, that the Very Rev. Michael Shaffer has accepted the call to serve as their 23rd rector. In September 2023, Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley called Father Michael to serve as interim rector for what was intended to be a transitionary season, during which St. Mark’s would…
The Diocese of South Carolina, through the Diocesan Commission on Racial Justice and Reconciliation, will once again offer a Zoom Sacred Ground Series beginning September 3, 2025. Sacred Ground is a film and readings-based dialogue series grounded in faith. It was developed by The Episcopal Church as a part of the “Becoming Beloved Community” and is designed…
On June 9, 1928, the Right Reverend William Alexander Guerry, the eighth bishop of our diocese, died five days after being shot in his office in Charleston. This year, we invite the churches in our diocese to observe Bishop Guerry Sunday on June 22, 2025. To find more information about Bishop Guerry, as well as the…
The Rev. Denise Trogdon, rector of All Saints, Hilton Head Island announced to her congregation on Sunday, May 4, that she and the vestry have called the Rev. Eric Bash to serve as associate rector, beginning on June 1. Rev. Bash most recently served as curate of St. John’s, Johns Island, and his final service…
Last Thursday, April 24, we were grateful to welcome the Rt. Rev. Rob Wright, bishop of the Diocese of Atlanta, to speak to a group of lay and clergy leaders from across our diocese, including a number of members from our Diocesan Racial Justice and Reconciliation Commission. The event was offered as a “Lunch &…
On the nomination of Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley, at the last Diocesan Council meeting earlier this month, the group voted to fill two vacancies amongst their membership with the Rev. Michael Crandall, rector, St. George’s, Summerville; and the Rev. Deacon James Pecoy, St. Stephen’s, Charleston. The two new members fill vacancies created when the Rev. Mike…
In March it was time for Messiah, Myrtle Beach; and just last week, it was time for St. Francis, Edisto Island to take a turn at purchasing property on which they plan to build their future churches! It’s an exciting time in the Diocese of South Carolina!Messiah, Myrtle BeachWhen members of Messiah, Myrtle Beach learned…
Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has called Ann Fleming as Canon for Congregational Development in the Diocese of South Carolina, beginning on June 1. Fleming currently serves as Vice President for Development and Operations at the Episcopal Church Building Fund (ECBF), where she has worked in several capacities since 2020. At ECBF, Fleming has consulted with a…
View an album of photos from the trip on Facebook at this link. Last week, 45 pilgrims from our diocese traveled together on the “Bending the Arc Racial Justice Pilgrimage” first envisioned by the rectors of the three historic African American congregations on the Charleston Peninsula—Calvary, St. Mark’s, and St. Stephen’s—known between the churches as “Three…
A transcript of the message is below: Greetings, beloved Episcopalians of the Diocese of South Carolina. As we prepare to begin the season of Lent, I wanted to offer some reflections to you about our call in the season in which we find ourselves in our country. As I’ve traveled the diocese, particularly since the…
