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!