National News

First in new bulletin insert series on MDGs set for use January 7

[ENS] The first in a 10-part series of Sunday bulletin inserts the United Nations' eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and ways in which the Episcopal Church is committed to their realization is suggested for use this coming Sunday, January 7. The series has installments for the Sundays from January 7 to March 11.

The inserts, which may be downloaded and duplicated for insertion in parish bulletins and service leaflets, are available on the ENS Web site, www.episcopalchurch.org/ens, under the Weekly Bulletin Inserts button on the right side of the page. The inserts continue the "Episcopal Life This Week" sequence, and are a joint project of ENS and the Episcopal Life newspaper.

First among the mission priorities that the Episcopal Church adopted at its General Convention in June 2006 is justice and peace work, framed by the MDGs— an eight-prong declaration that has at its core the eradication of extreme poverty by the target date of 2015.

At both its 83rd and 84th conventions the Diocese of Upper South Carolina pledged to support the MDGs, with annual reports to convention at least through the 87th, in 2009. Read Upper SC's most recent MDG resolution here (after scrolling down!).

Diocesan News

From Bishop Henderson

As, in the words of an ENS report (enclosed for snail-mail subscribers), a "second meeting of self-styled 'Windsor Bishops'" got under way on at Camp Allen in the Diocese of Texas, Bishop Henderson offered the following remarks:

Eleventh Day of Christmas, 2007
January 4

Beloved, perhaps you know that a group of bishops is convening this week at Camp Allen in Texas to continue efforts to ensure that The Episcopal Church and the remainder of the Anglican Communion are faithful to the requests of The Windsor Report.

I continue my commitment to be a Windsor Bishop of a Windsor Diocese. However, I am not meeting with the group in Texas for two reasons: (1) Long before the dates of this meeting were announced, I had made commitments to the retired clergy and spouses of the diocese to spend time with them today (Thursday), and to consecrate the new chapel at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School Friday evening. (2) An heavier than usual travel schedule during recent months has weighed on me to the point that I need what my former law school roommate and his wife call “nesting time”—for me, time at home to tend to “domestic” diocesan matters as well as some self-care. As things stand, I will be “in diocese” until the middle of this month, but then return to New York for three or four days for work as member and President of the Title IV Review Committee.

I have informed the bishops who called the Texas meeting about the reasons for my absence, and have arranged to be personally briefed on their deliberations. Consistent with my work over the past three years locally and as a bishop of the whole Church, I shall be involved in as many of these meetings—and whatever other efforts would seem to be helpful—as possible.

Please share this information with any and all who may be puzzled that my name is not among those participating in the Camp Allen meeting.

I continue to covet your prayers, and that of the entire diocese, for the unity of the Church, the mission of the Church, and the faithfulness of the Church.

And, on this Eleventh Day thereof, Merry Christmas to you all! 


Ordinations to the priesthood, January 20, January 24—All invited!

God willing, the Right Reverend Dorsey F. Henderson, Jr., Bishop of Upper South Carolina, will ordain  Furman Lee Buchanan, Karen Flynt Humbert, and (for the Right Reverend James L. Jelinek, Bishop of Minnesota) Mary Catherine Enockson  to the sacred order of priests,  Saturday, January 20, 2007, The Feast of Saint Fabian, Bishop and Martyr, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Columbia,  11:00 a.m. Your prayers and presence are requested. Clergy: Red stoles.

And

God willing, The Right Reverend Dorsey F. Henderson, Jr., Bishop of Upper South Carolina, will ordain Ann Patterson Willett to the sacred order of priests, Wednesday, January 24, 2007, The Feast of Saint Francis DeSales, Bishop, Christ Episcopal Church,Greenville, 6:00 p.m. Your prayers and presence are requested. Clergy: White stoles.

 

Upcoming Events

SC Christian Action Council Advocacy Day to be held February 13

The theme of this year's day is immigration. The event will take place at Reinartz Hall, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary,
4201 N. Main St., Columbia, 803.786.5150(directions or emergency number only, please)

For a detailed discussion of Immigration, finding out what is happening in South Carolina and how we—the faith community—can join the discussion, THIS is the place to be on February 13, 2007!

Pre-registration is $15, including lunch. Registration must be received by February 6, 2007. Registration form available on line at www.sccouncil.net. Registration at the door: $10—no lunch.

AGENDA
11:30 Registration/pick up materials/box lunch
12:00 Welcome/opening prayer/lunch
12:05 Plenary: The State of Immigration in SC
1:30 Short Break
1:45 Break-out Sessions (see below)
3:15 Plenary: Theological Reflections on the day and "What are we called to do? Elizabeth O'Donnell Gandolfo, Hispanic Ministries Program Coordinator, St. Francis, Greenville
4:00 Adjourn

Break out Session Choices:

  • Advocacy and Immigration
  • The Face of South Carolina's Immigrants
  • Exploding the Myths and Preparing to Help

    • Upper SC's Clay+ and Jane Turner to offer marriage enrichment retreat at Kanuga, February 15-18

    Kanuga Conferences will sponsor a Marriage Enrichment Retreat February 15-18 to provide opportunities for committed married couples to enhance their lives together. Led by the Rev. Clay and Jane Turner of Spartanburg, S.C., certified marriage enrichment specialists, this Thursday-Sunday retreat will enable couples to nurture their invaluable yet constantly changing relationships.

    Couples will learn to dream new dreams together, improve communication, process conflict effectively, increase their sense of humor, deepen their intimacy and develop new insights, while in the company of other couples who also want to improve their marriages.

    Here's the link to registration info. For more information on the Marriage Enrichment Retreat or other Kanuga-sponsored conferences, guest periods and camps, visit www.kanuga.org or call 828.692.9136. 

     

    Next Upper SC Vocaré Weekend coming March 9-11

    Upper SC will offer its next Vocaré weekend March 9-11. Vocaré is an instrument of renewal in the Church for young adults ages 19-30. It encourages participation in one's home congregation and offers an experience that gives those who attend the desire to understand and serve the Church. What's more, it provides a means to continue Christian formation. Vocaré is, first and foremost, an encounter with Christ.

    Visit Upper SC's new Vocaré Web page, where you'll find lots of information and downloadable registration forms for Vocaré #2, March 9-11.

    Got questions? Contact Casey Elliott, EDUSC Vocaré lay director, 864.224.2280, or Meggen Mitchell, Vocaré #2 Rector, 803.238.7030.

     

    St. James Celtic spirituality pilgrimage, June 18-28

     Join hosts Fr. Timothy Dombek of St. James Episcopal Church, Greenville, and Janet Atkins of the St. James Center for Spiritual Development on a tour through many of the famous holy sites of Celtic Spirituality in Scotland and England next June. Spend a day each visiting the holy islands of Iona and Lindisfarne, the isle of Mull near Glasgow. We will be joined by renowned UK storytellers Angela Knowles and Simon Airey, whose tales will entertain us and make these places come alive. Other stops include Kilmartin, Edinburgh, Durham, York, Cambridge, and London, and an optional side trip to Canterbury.

    The color brochure is available online here. With questions, contact Timothy Dombek or Janet Atkins at 864.244.6358. Join us June 18-28, 2007, as we explore some of the "thin places" of Anglican and Celtic Christian history.

     

    SC State Day at National Cathedral coming July 15

    July 15, 2007, is South Carolina State Day at the Washington National Cathedral. It's not too early to make plans for your congregation and acolytes to attend this special celebration in our national capital! Be sure to appoint a person in your congregation to coordinate this event.


    Our last State Day, which occurs every four years, was November 14-16, 2003. At that time we had some 300 (!) people attend with two choirs and 80 acolytes in procession. July is a good time for families with children to visit Washington, DC. Please contact Nell Barr(803.796.0981) with questions.
     

     

    Opportunities

    Columbia Oral Health Clinic hosts fundraiser January 19

    Columbia Oral Health Clinic provides free dental care to uninsured / underinsured HIV positive adults. If you're unsure just how important this ministry is, check out this recent New York Times at article on HIV/AIDSand the uninsured in South Carolina (at www.nytimes.com/2006/12/29/us/29drugs.html?ex=1168059600&en=f786bcbbd297c168&ei=5070&emc=eta1), and then let's go bowling for a good cause!

    Trinity Episcopal Cathedral presents "Visions of Flowers" February 10

    Trinity Cathedral, Columbia, is offering a one-day workshop, "Visions of Flowers," on February 10, from 9 a.m. till 3 p.m., with presenters Carolyn Yarborough and Terry Ritchen of Grace Episcopal Church Flower Guild in Charleston. Come one, come all for ideas, inspiration, and tips on flower arranging for church and home. Visit the Trinity Cathedral Web site, www.trinitysc.org for more information or contact Allison Lee at Trinity Cathedral,803.771.7300.

    Sewanee professor publishes new book on parables

    The Rev. Dr. William F. Brosend II, associate professor of homiletics at the University of the South's School of Theology, Sewanee, Tenn., has written a new book, Conversations with Scripture: The Parables. Issued by Morehouse Publishing, this 129-page book is the third publication in the Anglican Association of Biblical Scholars Study Series.

    Brosend is a prolific writer who bridges the academy and the church with a particular sensitivity to preaching. Describing the subject of his book, Brosend notes: "First, the parables were Jesus' favorite way to preach and teach. Better understanding how Jesus taught will help us better understand what he taught. Second, I have found that the Gospel of Mark is correct in saying that parables are the way the people of God best hear the Word of God (4:33-34). In a variety of settings, from seminary to Sunday school, classes on the parables of Jesus are consistently appealing. Finally, as I explain in the last chapter, I also believe that learning how to interpret the parables helps us in our interpretation of the whole of Scripture."

    The Anglican Association of Biblical Scholars Study Series has been developed as a resource for churches and parishioners bringing the finest Anglican biblical scholarship to bear on topics of importance in a readable and accessible fashion. Each volume consists of six chapters and a study guide, ideal for short-term adult study groups and formation classes. In addition to Brosend's book on the parables, the series has published a study of Revelation by Fred Schmidt and of the Law by Kevin Wilson.

    Clergy News

    Clergy Calendar for 2007

    January 20 Ordination to the priesthood (Furman Buchanan & Karen Humbert), Trinity Cathedral, 11 a.m. (Red stoles)
    January 24 Ordination to the priesthood (Ann Patterson ["Patti"] Willett), Christ Church, Greenville, 6 p.m. (White stoles)
    January 28 LARCUM service, Columbia, 3 p.m.
     January 31-February 2  Catawba residency
     February 10  ECW Convention
     February 12–14  Clergy pre-Lenten retreat
     March 7—9  Midlands residency
     April 18–20  Gravatt residency
     April 21  Diocesan Continuing Ed Training day
     May 19  Leadership Conference (Diocesan Convention, Part I), Christ Church, Greenville
     May 31  Clergy Business Day
     June 20–22  Piedmont residency
     July 15  SC State Day, National Cathedral
     September 10–12  Fall clergy retreat
     September 22  Training the trainers day
     October 13  Diocesan Continuing Ed training day
     October 26–27  85th Diocesan Convention, Christ Church, Greenville
     November 14–16  Reedy River residency

    Center for Clergy and Congregations to offer emotional intelligence workshop

    "Increasing Your Leadership Capacity through Emotional Intelligence: An Interactive Training Event for Congregational Ministers" to be offered February 22 and March 1 (two sites). Click here for brochure and registration info.

    Sewanee D. Min program begins 33rd year

    The Doctor of Ministry Program of the University of the South begins its 33rd year this summer. The Doctor of Ministry program is one of the few in the U.S. which operates only during the summer months. The program stresses the relationship between the practice of ministry, and biblical, historical, and theological knowledge. A Master of Sacred Theology program focusing on research skills is also available. The program usually takes three or four summers to complete. The D. Min. program consists of 30 semester hours. Students are required to complete a major project, which is a study of some dimension of one’s ministry or the ministry of the Church. Financial aid is available. The dates for the advanced degree summer course of 2007 are June 20-July 11. Financial aid is available.

    Inquiries about the Advanced Degrees summer courses should be addressed to Don S. Armentrout, Advanced Degrees Program, School of Theology, 335 Tennessee Avenue, Sewanee, TN, 37383-0001. Telephone: 800.722.1974 for all of the above courses. The e-mail address is advdeg@sewanee.edu, and the Web site is http://theology.sewanee.edu.