236th Annual Diocesan Convention – October 29-31, 2026

 From Psalm 77:

“Your way was in the sea, and your paths in the great waters, yet your footsteps were not seen.”

Next Convention

At the end of this year’s convention, the invitation to the 237th Diocesan Convention was extended by the Reverend Ned Mulligan. Our next convention will be held in Hartsville, South Carolina on November 5-6, 2027, hosted by St. Bartholomew’s, Hartsville and St. David’s, Cheraw. We look forward to being in the Pee Dee-Waccamaw Deanery for this gathering!

Convention Election Results

The 236th Diocesan Convention of The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina was held October 29-31, 2026 at St. John’s, Johns Island and St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center on Seabrook Island.

The following were elected to serve the Diocese:

Standing Committee (Three-year terms*)
Clergy: The Rev. Shawan Gillians, the Rev. Ned Mulligan
Lay: John Gilbert, Deb Harris; and *Lori Wohlegemuth Tull was elected to fill an unexpired two-year term ending in 2028.

Alternate Deputies to the 82nd General Convention in 2027
Four clergy alternates were needed due to two deputies elected last year being elected to the episcopate; two additional alternates are being added to the lay deputation to have four alternates for each order.
Clergy alternate deputies (in order from first to fourth): The Rev. Ryan Currie, the Rev. Shawan Gillians, the Rev. Ricardo Bailey, and the Rev. Jenny Newman
Lay alternate deputies: Molly Hamilton (third alternate); and Colleen Condon (fourth alternate)

Trustees, The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina
Clergy: The Rev. Jennie Olbrych
Lay: Lesley Gilbert

Trustee, The University of the South (Sewanee)
Lay: William “Bill” Grimes

Helpful Convention Information

Business Documents for Convention

Diocesan Convention Schedule

Thursday, October 29 – St. John’s, Johns Island (*except optional SmartStart)

10 am     Optional SmartStart: Calvary Icons Altarpiece Viewing & Artist Discussion at Calvary Episcopal Church, Charleston
12 pm     Registration begins at St. John’s, Johns Island
  2 pm     First Business Session: Call to Order
  4 pm     Convention Eucharist, Dr. Beth-Sarah Wright as preacher; reception to follow

Notes on the venue: St. John’s Episcopal Church, Johns Island
3673 Maybank Highway, John’s Island
Most importantly, please note that St. John’s is graciously serving as a location for Early Voting in Charleston County. This is being held in Walton Hall. Please follow diocesan signage directing you to our event–the opening business session and Eucharist will be held in the sanctuary. The reception will be held outdoors under a tent. Please check the weather and dress accordingly. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served and unless you have made arrangements to stay at St. Christopher and you plan to dine there, dinner will be on your own.

Friday, October 30 – St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center

  8 am      Registration continues until 9:45 am
  9 am      Morning Formation
10 am      Second Business Session: Call to Order
                  Keynote Address: Dr. Jenny Te Paa Daniel
12 pm      Lunch
1:20 pm  Workshops *
2:30 pm  Third Business Session: Call to Order
                  The Bishop’s Address
                   Diocesan elections begin
  5 pm      Reception: Seafields by Bishop Gadsden

*Workshop options
  • Dr. Jenny Te Paa Daniel, Chapel of the Palms
  • Dr. Beth-Sarah Wright, Temple Conference Center (Large)
  • The Rt. Rev. Ann Ritonia, Bishop Suffragan of the Armed Forces & Federal Ministries, Kimbel Chapel
  • Dr. J. Herman Blake and Dr. Emily Moore: “Fessa, there’s a road down there: Lessons learned from Grassroots Communities,” Susanna’s House

Notes on the venue: St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center
2810 Seabrook Island Road, Seabrook Island
Lodging accommodations were made separately from convention registration. St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center is on Seabrook Island and there is a gate at the entrance. Please make sure you are in the left lane as you approach the gate and let the attendant know you are there for a convention at St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center. Please obey the speed limit, which is 25 MPH. It is strictly enforced. Also, do not pass bicyclists where there are trees dividing the two sides of the road (signage is posted).

Once you arrive at St. Christopher, commuters should park in the large grass field across from Susanna’s House. Susanna’s House is the central location for most of our events while at St. Christopher; registration will take place on the porch which is on the side of the building closest to parking. For those who have arranged lodging at St. Christopher, please plan to park near where you will be staying, but if you need assistance finding your room, members of the St. Christopher team will be available on the porch of Susanna’s House on Thursday evening (until 6:45 pm). A map of St. Christopher is available on the convention webpage. Golf cart transportation will be provided for those who need assistance. Handicapped parking will be available at the front of the grassy field.

Notes on the venue: Seafields by Bishop Gadsden
200 Farm Lake View, Kiawah Island
It would be helpful to carpool to this event as much as possible. All attendees are asked to enter the Seafields campus via Seabrook Island Road and proceed toward the signs for MUSC, straight ahead. Seafields staff will be on hand to guide you into the ground-level parking garage on the left. After parking, attendees will take the elevator up to the main floor. The reception will take place in several indoor and outdoor spaces around the courtyard and pool area.

Saturday, October 31 – St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center

8:30 am  Registration continues until 8:45 am
  9 am      Morning Prayer led by diocesan youth
9:15 am  Fourth Business Session: Call to Order
                 Panel Discussion with the bishop and our special guests
11:30 am  Box Lunch Pick-up and Deanery Huddles

Documents are being added below and should be available no later than Tuesday, October 27.

Helpful Convention Information

Business Documents for Convention

Detailed Agenda
Convention Committee Appointments
Nominations Report
Proposed 2027 Budget
Report of the Constitution & Canons Committee
Map of St. Christopher
Convention Guest Speakers
Additional Special Guests
Reports of Institutions

Call to Convention Documents

Call to Convention
About our Speakers
Notice of Elections
Lay Delegation Certification (to be completed once by each parish/mission)

Lay Delegation Certification Form

Each Parish and Mission must provide the delegate and alternate names and emails elected at a meeting of the congregation as representatives to the Convention. Parishes are entitled to elect four (4) delegates and two (2) alternates. Missions are entitled to elect two (2) delegates and two (2) alternates.  The Lay Delegation Certification Form must be submitted by the priest or lay person in charge of a congregation no later than Wednesday,  September 30, 2026. This form is available under the Convention Documents on this page. 

Meet the Nominees Session on Thursday, October 22 at 6 pm

The “Meet the Nominees” session is an opportunity to meet the nominees who are standing for the elections that will be decided at this year’s convention. Convention delegates will vote to fill the following positions:

  • Standing Committee (two clergy, three lay)
  • Trustees, The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina (one clergy, one lay)
  • Trustee, The University of the South (Sewanee) – (one lay)
  • 82nd General Convention – Alternate deputies (four clergy, two lay)

Zoom link for “Meet the Nominees”: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88001137133

View the Nominations Report linked below to learn more about the people who are standing for these elections. Read the “Notice of Elections” to learn more about the vacancies.

Convention Documents for Preconvention Meeting

Delegates were asked to attend one of the two pre-convention meetings on Zoom (October 13 and 14). If you were not able to attend, the sessions were recorded so that the material can be shared with you by request. Please email convention@episcopalchurchsc.org to request the recording. Visitors were welcome to attend these pre-convention meetings, but it is not required.