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Canon Clevenger |
Fr. Bullock |
Bishop Henderson has announced the resignation of Canon to the Ordinary Mark Clevenger and the appointment of the Rev. Michael Bullock, rector of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, Columbia, as his successor. Clevenger has accepted a call to serve as rector of St. Anselm’s in the Diocese of Long Island, beginning January 1. Bullock will join the diocesan staff on February 1.
In announcing Clevenger’s resignation Bishop Henderson said: “Canon Clevenger has had an impact on our diocese that will long outlast his presence here. His redesign of our structure, creating a commission-style organization, is nothing less than brilliant. . . . His ministry with vacant congregations . . . has been both efficient and effective in matching priests with congregations, and the congregations’ vision.
“There’s more, of course,” the bishop continued, “but it would take at least one volume to discuss them in full. But “to file by title” at least a few: (1) implementing the Statement of Mission process “from the pew up”; (2) initiating the Healthy Church Initiative program; and, (3) presenting two leadership conferences.”
It is with “great reluctance,” Bishop Henderson said, “that I accept his resignation from my staff.”
The Right Reverend Dorsey F. Henderson, Jr., Bishop of Upper South Carolina, will institute The Reverend Mamie Elizabeth Morgan as the 3rd rector of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Newberry, South Carolina, on Thursday, the 6th of December, Two Thousand and Seven, The Feast of St. Nicholas, at 7:00 p.m.
Reception will follow.
Your prayers and presence are requested. Clergy: White stoles.
New officers for the national United Thank Offering Committee took office at the October meeting at Stony Point, NY. Regina Duncan Ratterree from the Diocese of Upper South Carolina became president after serving as vice president this past year.
Ratterree served as the Province IV Representative on the 2003-2006 UTO Committee and was elected member at large for 2006-2009. She has responsibilities for grants from Africa, serves on the Executive Committee, Joint Committee ECW/UTO, and the Face to Face Subcommittee for training Diocesan UTO Coordinators. In addition to her work with UTO, Ratteree has served as a delegate from Upper South Carolina to four Triennial Meetings and was a deputy to General Convention in Denver.
She is a past diocesan ECW President and diocesan UTO Coordinator, has served on the Standing Committee, the Diocesan Executive Council and its forerunner Bishop and Council, the Voorhees College Board of Trustees, and was chairperson of the Total Ministry Committee. She currently serves on the Commission for Provincial and National Concerns. She has been a delegate to Diocesan Convention many times and served as senior warden at her parish, All Saints’, Cayce, four times. During the 2003-2006 triennium she served on Province IV Executive Committee.
The United Thank Offering Committee developed a new vision statement “We will significantly impact the lives of women and children because of Christ’s love.” This will provide focus for 2009 UTO grants. Steps leading to this focus provided for support for the Millennium Development Goals with 2006 and 2007 grants and a change in policy that allows dioceses of The Episcopal Church in the USA to use one of their invited grant applications for 2008 for work in official companion dioceses overseas.
Grant applications may be obtained from the diocesan office or from the UTO
Web page www.episcopalchurch.org/uto
(See below.). The deadline for submitting completed applications, prioritized and signed by Bishop Henderson is January 31, 2008. Applicants should adhere to earlier deadlines for review by the UTO screening committee and the bishop. Further information may be obtained from Clara Gillentine,
diocesan UTO Coordinator.
UTO grant application forms are now available. If your church
is applying for a UTO grant, forms can be obtained by calling
the Diocesan Office, 803.771.7800, ext. 23. Completed grant
application forms should be mailed to the Diocesan House (1115
Marion Street, Columbia, SC 29201) by December 14, 2007.
UTO money will be granted in support of programs within Anglican provinces and dioceses that implement actions within the requesting diocese or province to address compelling human needs and/or expand mission and ministry. Detailed information, concerning the type of projects the United Thank Offering supports, can be found on the UTO Web site: www.episcopalchurch.org/UTO.
UTO grants are made possible through offerings received from individual blue boxes. These offerings are presented twice a year during spring and fall ingatherings. The UTO fall ingathering is now underway in churches across the diocese. If your church has missed the opportunity to participate in this outreach ministry, there is still time to schedule an ingathering. For more information, contact Clara Gillentine, UTO Diocesan Coordinator, 803.796.3106, or e-mail: gillentinelc803@aol.com.
For the fourth consecutive year the Diocese of Upper South Carolina has presented the diocesan Awards for Excellence in Communication to those hard-working, behind-the-scenes individuals who devote themselves to getting the word / Word out. The Communications Awards are structured so that churches, institutions, and organizations compete against their peers—those who are similar in terms of membership and resources available.
This year's award winners received a citation plus a gift certificate to Staples to support their ministry.
Honors went to:
Congratulations for a job well done!!
Upper South Carolina received the following note from Home Works, South Carolina, in thanksgiving for the many in our diocese who support this vital ministry:
Thanksgiving will be celebrated far beyond a day of thanks because of you. Over a thousand elderly and disabled homeowners and their families have been blessed with safe homes while thousands of youths have been mentored due to your support.
Thank you and Blessings,
Home Works Board of Directors and Hank Chardos, Executive Director
St. David’s, Columbia, 605 Polo Road., will host a bazaar at the church in Northeast Richland County from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 17.
Everything will be homemade by the church members and friends. A new menu of home-baked foods and frozen casseroles will be offered along with canned foods; sewing, needlework and crafts. Yard and garden items and holiday crafts will be available.
Breakfast and lunch also will be available, and a Grand Southern Tea Room will be open. Raffle items include 2 airline tickets anywhere in the continental US on Delta Airlines, $150 gas powered leaf blower, and a handmade wine rack.
Firefighters from Columbia Fire Station #24 will be bringing their truck and providing information on home fire safety.
Admission is free. For more information, contact the church at 803.736.0866.
All items will be handmade by the women of the church – sausage biscuits, vegetable soup with corn muffins, hot dogs, cakes, pies, cookies and jams. There will also be handcrafted items, Christmas ornaments and much more!
St. Peter’s is located at 30 Hampton Street in Great Falls. Phone: 803.482.6756.
The committee on HIV/AIDS cordially invites the diocese to two healing services for all those affected by HIV/AIDS. The Upstate service will be held Sunday, November 18 at Trinity Episcopal Church, Abbeville, at 3:00 p.m. in honor of Upper Savannah Care Services. The Rt. Rev'd Dorsey F. Henderson, Jr. will be the Celebrant; and The Rev. Deacon Tim Ervolina will be preaching. If you have any questions, please contact Trinity Episcopal Church, Abbeville, 864.366.5186.
The Upstate service will be held Sunday, November 18 at Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community, West Columbia, in honor of Stephanie Williams, HIV/AIDS Advocate and Leader. The newly appointed rector of St. Timothy's, Columbia, The Rev'd Tula Henson, will be the Celebrant. The
Rev. Perry Oliver, Facilitator, Clergy Training, Project FAITH (Fostering AIDS Initiatives That Heal) will be preaching. If you have any questions, please contact
The Rev. Marty Connor at Still Hopes,
803.739.5033.
When looking at your plans for this Advent season, please consider this invitation to attend the Advent Quiet Day on Saturday, December 1, 2007 at
St. Simon & St. Jude's
Episcopal Church in Irmo. We will begin the day with a complimentary continental breakfast at 8:30 AM. The Quiet Day will end around 12:30 PM with the Liturgy of the Table.
We are honored to have Christine Johnson (president of the Diocese of Upper South Carolina Daughters of the King) with us, who will present a program focusing on Contemplative Prayer and the Anglican Rosary.
She has been an active participant in her church and the
Episcopal community for many years.
If you have never been to a Quiet Day with us, please include this program as part of your Advent reflection time. If you have attended before, we look forward to seeing you again. Child care will be available. As your hosts, the Daughters of the King Mary Magdalene Chapter, we are looking forward to spending time with you as your body and soul are fed. Please help us prepare for your time with us by calling Joanne Shepard-Stewart at 803.551.5796 if you plan to attend, require child care, and if you have any questions or concerns.
TheDaughters of the King at Good Shepherd, Columbia, are
offering a quiet day on Saturday, December 1, from 9 a.m. till 1
p.m. Quiet day meditations will be led by the Rev. Scott
Fleischer of York Place. Morning snacks and luncheon will be
served. Please call the church by Friday, November 23 to RSVP:
803.779.2960.
The Rev. Steve Lemons will lead participants in exploring “How do I pray?” The Rev. Mr. Lemons is director of pastoral care at Self Regional Healthcare, Greenwood , SC. He is also a church pastor and has more than nine years' experience as a hospital chaplain. He has his degree in spirituality/ethics from Post Grad Regent College, Vancouver, British Columbia, and his Master's of Divinity from Erskine Theological Seminary.
Schedule
8:30 a.m—Registration and Pastries
9:00a.m.—How Do I Pray: The Rev. Steve Lemons
11:15.a.m.—Holy Eucharist
12:00 p.m.—Lunch
Cost $10 (Includes lunch)
Register by calling the church office at 803.279.4622, Ext 307. Questions or further information, call Mary Wooten at 706.736.6605. All are welcome to attend the Advent Quiet Day.
This year's Advent Quiet Evening at St. James Episcopal Church will feature The Rev. Posy Jackson of The Institute for Servant Leadership. We will begin on December 4 at 6:30 pm with a light supper, then move to the church for a meditation on preparing our hearts and minds for the coming of the Christ Child. After a short break for silent reflection, we will hear another meditation. Space will be available for prayer, silent reading, or journaling. We will end the evening with a simple celebration of the Eucharist.
Jackson says, "We’ll be exploring where we are, where we might want to go and where we’d like to end up in preparation for welcoming Christ into our lives (again) this Christmas." Please consider joining us for this important time apart during a very busy season of the year.
To register: e-mail retreats@stjamesgreenville.org. The suggested cost of the evening is a $15 donation payable at the door.
Sponsored by The St. James Center for Spiritual Development. For more information, contact Janet Atkins, 864.244.6358. Please visit our Web site: http://stjamesspiritualitycenter.org.
December 7-9 – Lo, God Comes! an Advent silent retreat with the Rt. Rev. Charles F Duvall, retired Bishop of the Diocese of Central Gulf Coast. Advent is traditionally a time to consider the first and second comings of Christ. Yet God comes into the history of planet earth and its creatures in other ways as well. Using the narratives of Scripture and the experiences of people of faith, Bishop Duvall will look at many of the ways God comes into the world. The weekend will be structured around four presentations: God coming as creator, coming through a family of faith, coming in person as Jesus, and coming through each of us..
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The Rt. Rev.
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Charles Duvall, a South Carolina native and Columbia resident, emphasized the teaching office while serving as bishop, and he continues to teach and preach on congregational, diocesan, and national levels. Tapes of his Bible stories interpreted for the modern ear have been recorded by the Episcopal Media Center in Atlanta. When the sisters remarked on his wonderful smile, Bishop Duvall replied, "Everyone's looks are enhanced by a smile; and I smile a lot as there is a lot of joy in Christianity."
All programs are $160 for full weekends including meals and lodging. Some scholarship funding is available.
For more information, contact the Episcopal Convent of St Helena by phone at 706.798.5201, e-mail augustaconvent@comcast.net. Online at www.osh.org.
On December 6th, the Jane Bruce Guignard Society will host their annual event to recognize those who have chosen to include Still Hopes in their will or who have made a current substantial gift to Still Hopes. This year the Planning Committee of the Guignard Society plans to host a fundraiser in memory of the Rev. David Stewart, our beloved chaplain who was only with us for a few short months but left a lasting impression on all. Fr. Stewart loved the Shearouse Center.
The Planning Committee felt it worthy and in keeping with Fr. Stewart's spirit to host a fundraiser to name the warm water therapy pool in the Shearouse Center in his memory. For the residents and employees this will, forever, be a reminder of the fullness of life David brought to Still Hopes. The Guignard Society event, while different from years past, promises to be an evening of music, fellowship, exceptional food and beverage and the opportunity to enjoy the competition of a silent auction.
The event will take place at Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community Friday, December 6th from 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. The cost is $50 per person. The program will include entertainment, string quartet and silent auction. Questions can be directed to Still Hopes, 803.739.5033.
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The Rev. Jack Hardaway |
The Rev. John “Jack” Hardaway is no stranger to St. James Church. He grew up at St. James, and his wife, Susan, served there as assistant interim. Fr. Jack will lead the men’s retreat in February, talking about how "real men" can pray. Join him for a time of conversation about prayer, some quiet time for reflection, as well as a little relaxation at Solitude Pointe in Cleveland, S.C. Cost of the retreat is $75.
Questions? Contact Janet Atkins at 864.895.3434.
The Camp Gravatt Staff and Volunteer Reunion is set for April 19, 2008. Please help us locate former Gravatt staffers and volunteers. Send names, mailing addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses and years on staff or served as a volunteer to gravattreunion@gmail.com, and let us know if you'd like to volunteer on the Reunion Committee.
The churchwomen of St. Michael and All Angels, Columbia, continue their long tradition of providing 44 different undecorated styrofoam symbols.
The price is $1.00 per symbol or $40.00 for 44 individual symbols, plus shipping.
Contact Eleonora L. Cox, Christian Symbols Chairperson, 803.782.7805, or St. Michael & All Angels, 6408 Bridgewood Road, Columbia, SC 29206.
The Joint Standing Nominating Committee of General Convention is seeking applications from persons willing to be nominated for five elections that will take place at General Convention 2009, to be held in Anaheim, California, July 8-17. Applications must be received on or before February 1st, 2008. The elections include:
To learn more about what is expected for each assignment, to learn how to apply, and to get a copy of the application form required, visit the Committee's Web site at http://tinyurl.com/2dv9fr. The site is available in French, Spanish and English.
Contact Louie Crew, lcrew@andromeda.rutgers.edu,
secretary of the committee, or The Rev. Ed Godden, egodden@comcast.net,
chair, with questions, comments or concerns.
November 25 has been designated ONE Sunday by ONE: The Campaign to Make Poverty History, the organization charged with rallying people one by one to join the cause of ending extreme poverty and achieving the Millennium Development Goals. ONE Episcopalian (www.episcopalchurch.org/ONE/ ) is our church’s arm of this campaign.
Bishop Henderson and members of the diocesan Commission on International Concerns and the Anglican Communion which he chairs, are asking that on November 25, Upper South Carolina congregations designate the day of worship as ONE Sunday, making global poverty and health and the Millennium Development Goals a focus of the sermon and perhaps an adult education opportunity. It is also the hope of the Commission that you and your congregation will consider becoming a “ONE congregation” by signing the ONE declaration (downloadable from http://www.episcopalchurch.org/ONE/ ).
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer is now available online on the diocesan Web site, www.edusc.org. If you require a hard copy, please contact Peggy Hill, Canon for Communications, 803.771.7800, ext. 18.
Sisters and Brothers, dearly Beloved:
In my address to our recent 85th Convention, I called the diocese to a period of mindful preparation for the transition in episcopal leadership that Upper South Carolina will experience some three years hence.
To help us prepare for that transition, I set forth four goals: 100 percent participation in the diocesan Healthy Church Initiative; development of an effective mission strategy for planting new churches and assisting congregations already in place for assertive evangelism; continuing emphasis on Christian formation “from the womb to the tomb”; and ongoing engagement with the Millennium Development Goals.
As you receive the attached Intercessory Prayer Calendar, which calls us to a corporate life of prayer for the work of our diocese in each congregation and ministry, I make another request: that in our local worship communities we offer prayer weekly for the achievement of these goals and a seamless transition, so that I may deliver into the hands of my successor a vibrant, confident and healthy diocese and episcopacy.
The Rt. Rev'd Dorsey F. Henderson, Jr.
USC VII
The children came back into the sanctuary from children’s church on Sunday. I think it is called the “Gospel Experience.” Most of the kids ages 3-7 or so leave before the lectionary readings for the day and come back right before Holy Communion.
They process (parade?) down the center aisle, one or two of them proudly carrying a kid-size wooden cross and the rest straggling behind, holding the art work or craft they made that day, looking for the familiar face of mom or dad, sometimes of a grandmother or grandfather. Parents wave at them in order to say, “Here I am, honey”. Sometimes a parent steps from the pew and whispers the beloved’s name, and some parents come to the front of the church so as to be easily seen for the few children who are still a bit anxious about leaving them. It’s all done fairly quietly with lots of decorum, the organ usually humming some benign, unrecognizable tune in the background, and the rest of us stand, watch and smile as the little ones, very unselfconsciously, find their way back to their families.
And then there’s the one, there’s usually one, who’s searching the crowd for the face that will mean “I’m home,” and when they find it they yell with total abandon, “MAMA!!!” and they break into a run and leap into the arms of the waiting one. It always catches the rest of us up into a repressed laugh, a few “ah’s” and some big smiles. This past Sunday there was “the one” and then later after communion, there was another. Returning with her parents from the rail, she spotted a familiar face up in the balcony, and from across the church shouted, “I see you, MeeMa!” and jumped up and down and waved.
Hooray for the kids who are willing to love and cherish with that kind of abandon. I feel it, that kind of wild happiness, when I see a loved one I haven’t seen in a while, especially one I am anticipating. When my daughter comes home from college, my whole body is awaiting the sound of her car in the driveway. I am usually keeping watch, and after I shout, “Maria’s home” I rush outside for the first of many hugs. It’s usually a longer hug, and it is always sweet. I even feel that way with friends who I’ve been missing and am happily anticipating seeing. I have a friend in Canada whom I don’t see often, but whom I love to call. If her husband answers the phone, his greeting always makes me smile and even giggle, because he always says, “AMY!!!” like I’ve just made his day by calling.
When we love each other like this, when we call each other’s names and welcome each other with wild abandon, we are, I believe, replicating the kingdom of God. Can you imagine God seeing you from a distance and calling out your name with utter joy, perhaps even waving at you to let you know you’re in the right place? I believe that happens. Now, flip the coin for a moment. Do you call out God’s name, “O HOLY ONE!!!”, with abandon when you get a glimpse of the Divine? When you shut your eyes to pray, or stop to watch a sunset, or eat something scrumptious, or are surprised by some amazing grace in your life, do you call out, “BLESSED GOD!”? Do you love God with enough wild abandon that when you are in creation, hearing the whoosh of a dolphin surface or seeing a rabbit’s nose twitch or silently watching your child sleep, you can say, either silently or aloud, “Surely you, God, are in this place” ?
Hooray for the children, who remind us of the exuberance of God’s love. May we never “shush” them, but rather emulate the way they love with wild abandon!
©Copyright Amy Sander Montanez, 2007
