Update on Returning Congregations and Property Transitions
Decisions by the South Carolina Supreme Court in April and August of this year initiated the return of at least seven churches, as well as diocesan property and the St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center on Seabrook Island. Below is an update on each of the transitions.
The return of each church requires a tremendous amount of transitional work and negotiation, and since the Orders of the Court, the following churches have returned to the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina: St. John’s, Johns Island (July 2022); St. David’s, Cheraw (August 2022); Christ Church, Mt. Pleasant (September 2022); and Holy Trinity, Charleston (September 2022). Episcopal worship services have resumed at each church, with the exception of Holy Trinity, where diocesan leadership is still in discernment about the best path forward. The Acorn School continues to operate at Holy Trinity and the diocesan office is working with the school’s leadership.
St. Bartholomew’s in Hartsville was scheduled to return at the end of September, but the date of transition has been moved to the end of October to accommodate the departing members of the ACNA congregation and their rector. Due to unforeseen circumstances that resulted in a delay in the ACNA congregation moving to their new worship space, the Episcopal congregation at St. Bartholomew’s graciously allowed them to remain for one more month. St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church is scheduled to reopen on Sunday, October 30. The Rev. Michael Bye, interim priest-in-charge at St. David’s, Cheraw, will be serving St. Bartholomew’s as well, as the diocese continues to search for permanent leadership.
Of the remaining returning congregations, St. James, Charleston is expected to reopen next, with an anticipated date of All Saints Sunday, November 6, 2022, under the leadership of the Rev. Taylor M. Smith. Discernment is in process regarding how best to serve Episcopalians in and surrounding Fort Motte and the best use of returning property there. The diocese is awaiting a further decision of the Court regarding Good Shepherd, Charleston, as well as Old St. Andrew’s, Charleston, and Holy Cross, Stateburg.
Details on a settlement between our diocese and the ACNA diocese regarding diocesan properties were announced by Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley on September 27, 2022. Since that time, St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center was returned to the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina on October 1, 2022, led by seasoned Episcopal Camp and Conference Center executive directors, the Rev. Deacon Helen and Rick Hargreaves. All staff except for the most recent executive director have been asked to continue their employment, and they have been most helpful as we continue through this transition. The camp and conference center, and barrier island programs, continue operating without interruption.
Bishop Woodliff-Stanley has named a strategic Steering Committee, led by the Rev. Laura Rezac, that will report to the bishop and the Trustees regarding the operation of St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center. In addition, the bishop, with the support of the Trustees, has engaged Rob Watson and Stuart Campbell, veteran executive directors and consultants from Episcopal Camps & Conference Center ECCC Ministries, to help the bishop, the bishop’s steering committee, and St. Christopher’s interim executive directors frame the scope of work at the camp and conference center for the coming months.
“While these transitional issues have been taking much of the focus lately, I am thrilled about what the Spirit is doing across our diocese, among all of the congregations of our historic diocese,” said Bishop Woodliff-Stanley. “The returning congregations are a part of this emerging vision, and I am excited for us all to embark on this next season of ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina. I can’t wait for the people of the diocese to learn more at our Diocesan Convention next month.”