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…
With sadness we share the news that the Rev. Len Williams died on Monday, May 13. Father Len most recently served as interim priest-in-charge of Epiphany, Summerville, and was chaplain emeritus of the Charleston Port and Seafarers’ Society. A Celebration of Life will be held at Grace Church Cathedral in Charleston on Saturday, May 25, at 11…
The Right Reverend Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has appointed Stephenie Benes as Diocesan Comptroller, effective May 7, 2024. “Stephenie comes to our team with all the skills we need to take us to the next level in the financial management of our diocese,” said Bishop Woodliff-Stanley. “Her work will support churches across the diocese as faithful stewards…
It was announced at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Charleston on Sunday, April 28, 2024, that on April 26, Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley formally accepted B. Shawan Gillians as a postulant for Holy Orders. Shawan, a practicing attorney, received her juris doctor from the College of William and Mary in 2007 and an MBA from the…
Good Shepherd, Sumter hosted a demonstration by Ukrainian-born, Pysanka folk artist Yevheniia Bazaliy as part of its Easter weekend celebrations. Bazaliy’s two-hour demonstration included an introduction to tools and materials—beeswax, dyes, eggshells and kistka (wax stylus)—and to the process of drawing the design on the egg, applying wax to enhance the design, and dipping the egg…
The Rev. Roy Hills, who has served St. James-Santee, McClellanville as priest-in-charge since October 2020, recently announced to the congregation his plans to retire from this role in the coming months. Fr. Hills has been working with Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley and Canon Philip Linder on the details of his retirement and the transition process, but…
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…
The Right Reverend Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has called the Reverend John Robert Spainhour to serve as priest-in-charge of The Church of the Epiphany in Summerville. While Father Rob most recently served in the Diocese of Vermont, his ministry in The Episcopal Church began in the Diocese of South Carolina and he is grateful to return to…
