St. Mark’s, Charleston Receives $500,000 Grant
The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, a division of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, announced yesterday that St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Charleston has been awarded a $500,000.00 grant through the organization’s fourth annual Preserving Black Churches program. Grants were awarded to 33 historically Black churches totaling $8.5 million. The $500,000 grant to St. Mark’s will be used…
A Word From the Bishop On Ash Wednesday in Black History Month
February 18, 2026 Dear Diocesan Family, As we approach Holy Lent in the middle of Black History Month, I want to take a moment to remind us all of the courage upon which our diocese is anchored. Our diocesan Racial Justice and Reconciliation Commission has done outstanding work convening conversations and written materials chronicling the lives of…
Youth Enjoy a Wonderful Experience at Happening #8
Happening #8 was a huge success last weekend! Hosted by St. Christopher Camp & Conference Center, the amazing youth staff, led by Rector Addy Lanz, shepherded 11 youth participants in a joy- and music-filled retreat where they enjoyed the mountain top and prepared for the work that awaits all of us when we return to our everyday life….
February 8, 2026: St. Thomas, North Charleston Visitation
Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley visited St. Thomas, North Charleston (Park Circle) on Sunday, February 8, 2026. She preached, celebrated the Eucharist, and confirmed three new members (including a grandfather and his grandson!). The Rev. Matthew McCormick serves as rector at St. Thomas.
Bishop Appoints the Rev. Jordan Trendelman to Lead Peninsula Deanery
Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley has appointed the Rev. Jordan Trendelman, rector of Holy Communion, Charleston, as dean of the Peninsula Deanery. The bishop expressed her gratitude for this transition. “In his short time here, Jordan has quickly become a trusted colleague to Peninsula clergy and lay leaders,” said Bishop Woodliff-Stanley. “I am grateful he has accepted this…
The Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers Leads Conversation About the ‘Nones’ and ‘Dones’
The Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers, who served for a number of years on the staff of former Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, came to Charleston on Thursday, January 29, to share her new book, Church Tomorrow? What the ‘Nones’ and ‘Dones’ Teach us About the Future of Faith. She wrote the book to address the decline of…
A Joint Letter from 154 Bishops of The Episcopal Church: Whose Dignity Matters?
Bishop Ruth Woodliff Stanley was one of 154 bishops of The Episcopal Church that signed a letter concerning recent actions of federal agents in Minnesota and across the nation. The letter is shared below, after a brief statement from Bishop Ruth as to her “why” for joining this effort. January 31, 2026 Dear Friends of…
A Word From Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley Following Troubling Events in Minnesota
Dear Friends in the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina, In his message on Sunday, Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe said “like Jesus, we live in frightening times.” He reminded us of the importance of rooting our lives in “Christ’s ministry of justice, reconciliation, and love.” As events have unfolded in communities across the nation, particularly in…
Liz Alston Racial Justice & Reconciliation Book Study Turns Ten
Submitted by Taylor Skardon The Liz Alston Racial Justice & Reconciliation Book Study was formed in 2016 by the Rev. Callie Walpole in response to the massacre at Mother Emanuel AME Church. The purpose of the study was to better understand the perspectives of those of different races and use that knowledge to promote racial justice…
Deaneries Hold Elections to Fill Vacancies on Diocesan Council
To enact canonical changes made at our last Diocesan Convention that move the election of Diocesan Council representatives to each deanery, elections were held in three of our four deaneries online via SimplyVoting during the week of January 5-12. We were able to achieve a quorum in each deanery and elect those representatives. The results are as…
Special Event with Canon Stephanie Spellers on Jan. 29
If you attended our 232nd Diocesan Convention in 2022, you undoubtedly remember the Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers, who brought her energy and experience to share with us throughout the course of the event (pictured above in 2022). She was a dynamic and memorable speaker (who also sang a little for us while preaching at the…
Clergy News: The Rev. Shawn Griffith Called to Bishop Gadsden
The Rev. Shawn Griffith was called late last year as associate chaplain at Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Retirement Community, serving in the Gadsden Glen Center for Health and Rehab. Prior to his arrival, Shawn served for 20 years as the rector of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Gastonia, NC (in the Diocese of Western North Carolina)….