The Standing Committee is comprised of six clergy and six lay members. The Standing Committee’s responsibilities are: 1) Act as the Standing Committee of the diocese in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church, the Constitution of this Diocese (Article IX), and its Canons, including giving consents to Episcopal elections elsewhere in The Episcopal Church; 2) Act as a council of advice to the Bishop; and 3) Act as Ecclesiastical Authority in absence of the Bishop.

Standing Committee Members

Term Expires 2026

The Reverend William Coyne
St. Stephen’s, Charleston

The Reverend Cn. Wilmot T. Merchant II
St. Stephen’s, North Myrtle Beach

President
Vermelle Simmons
Calvary, Charleston

​Rick Stall
Messiah, Myrtle Beach

Term Expires 2027

The Reverend Ricardo Bailey
Calvary, Charleston

Christine Jennings
Holy Communion, Charleston

Vice President
The Reverend Denise Trogdon
All Saints, Hilton Head Island

Secretary
Diane Wilson
St. George’s, Summerville

Term Expires 2028

Barney Forsythe
St. Mark’s, Port Royal

Jane Hart Lewis
St. Catherine’s, Florence

The Reverend Julia Madden
St. Stephen’s, Charleston

The Reverend Fred Thompson
St. John’s, Johns Island

Ex Officio Member

Bert “Skip” Utsey, Chancellor