Province IV Synod...Sweet, sweet spirit in this place

Update by The Rev. Dr. Wilmot Merchant, clergy deputy from The Episcopal Church in South Carolina

The General Convention Deputation from South Carolina

Friday, June 9th, the conclusion on Province IV Synod 2017.

Just like any other conference or meeting, you arrive and then you are on your way home; but between arriving and leaving a lot do happen. Unlike General Convention, at Synod, we do not gather as two Houses, we are all together for the entire time; which allows for conversations to take place between Bishops, clergy and lay. There are more interactions between deputies and Bishops during Synod which helps build community.

Synod, in a way, is a reunion of Deputies old and new. Bishops who have come or had been ordained since our last gathering and deputies who are here for the first time. We are all together again in preparation for General Convention 2018. While the workshops, presentations and meetings, are taking place we are reconnecting with one another. The evening social allows for more interactions between diocesan deputies and bishops, and we from the Episcopal Church in South Carolina did spend some quality time with our bishop.

One of the highlights for me during Synod is the welcome and roll-call. Each diocese has a different way of answering when they are called. For the Episcopal Church in South Carolina, our answer was: Still here, still Faithful, still Episcopalians. We are still a part of this denomination that continues to follow the Jesus Movement. Even though we do not all agree about some things and issues at times, we are still brothers and sisters in Christ following the Jesus Movement; worshiping, eating, fellowshiping and seeking God's direction. There has been indeed a Sweet Sweet Spirit in this Place, and it is the Spirit of Pentecost.

Now, we conclude and head back to our various mission post to keep on ministering in the Name and for the sake of Jesus Christ.

Province IV Synod...more on Kanuga Toast

Update by The Very Rev. Wil Keith, clergy deputy from The Episcopal Church in South Carolina

Our mornings here at Province IV Synod begin with a Kanuga tradition: the “Kanuga toast.”  I know what you are thinking, being so close to Pentecost and all.  No this isn't us raising our glasses at breakfast, proudly assenting with a hearty, “here, here!”  Contrary to what you may hear, we are not filled with new wine, for it is only 9 o'clock in the morning. 

Now, if you know about Kanuga Toast, feel free to skip ahead.  If you love Kanuga toast and feel that it is a cornerstone of not only a healthy breakfast, but of the entire Episcopal Church, (and neither is complete without it,) I entreat you, skip ahead.  

The dessert, as arid as Kanuga Toast

For, I find the stuff a mystery.  It is less “toast” and more “giant crouton” to me.  I'm led to believe that it is not toasted, but left out in the sun for at least 48 hours so that it may dry to something that is both rigid and allegedly throwable like a frisbee.

One other facet of this mysterious breakfast staple here at Kanuga is that it doesn't exist back home.  If fact, with our elevated humidity, I'm not convinced it could exist in our diocese.  And so, for good or bad, we must come to this magnificent, peaceful, and holy place to find it.

The same goes for the community that we find here at Province IV Synod, where we are joined by Episcopalians from throughout the Southeast.  Unlike Kanuga toast, I find that it is this community that is a cornerstone of our denomination. 

Today, after the aforementioned toast and morning prayer, our day began with the tradition of the “roll-call.”  Ms. Angela Daniel, Province IV president, calls out each diocese’s deputation by name and they respond as only they can.  For instance, the Diocese of East Tennessee sings “ rocky top, you’ll always be home sweet home to me!”  Western North Carolina gives a hearty “Hey Y’all!” And, when it was our turn we stood and in a unified voice said, “Still here! Still faithful! Still Episcopalians!” And the assembled responded with applause and cheers that our deputation will gladly carry home to our churches.

The community of Province IV Synod is singular.  In many ways it can only be found here, like Kanuga toast.  In truth, we are very lucky to have a strong Provincial Synod as many provinces do not.  This gathering encourages us to collaborate across diocesan lines though ministries that are to large and important to confine in one neighborhood.  We find encouraging words and deeds that reignite the passions that brought us here. And perhaps most important to me, we are reminded that we are not alone in the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement; that we are prayed for; that we are loved.

I'll gladly endure the toast, for it comes with great blessing.

Province IV Synod...A Homecoming

Update by Andrea McKellar, lay deputy from The Episcopal Church in South Carolina

Last night was the first evening of the Province IV Synod at Kanuga. This is a time for all of the 20 dioceses of Province IV (the Southeast area of the country) to come together to prepare for General Convention.

The altar at the outdoor chapel at Kanuga

When we arrived 3 years ago, I didn't know what to expect and certainly didn't know many people. Yesterday felt like a homecoming, a family reunion. There were hugs and lots of questions about how things are going in South Carolina. People were happy to hear the stories of joy from our diocese. That we are proud to be Episcopalians and are continuing to do good work.

In support of that good work, we were overjoyed to hear that the Executive Committee voted yesterday to do 2 things to support us.

1. They designated the offering at the Opening Eucharist to go to our diocese.
2. They are giving a $10,000 Roanridge Grant to The Episcopal Church in South Carolina to support rural churches.

After Eucharist, we spent time together as a deputation getting to know each other and planning for General Convention. Our main order of business was to elect our deputation chair. The Rev. Rick Lindsey, rector of All Saints, Hilton Head was unanimously chosen. His duties will include convening meetings of the deputation and transferring credentials between deputies and alternates. Rick was also a deputy in 2015 at Salt Lake City.

Today will be a series of meetings and workshops so we can learn from each other. I am off to find some Kanuga toast!