The final GC follow-up meeting will be on August 19 at 10:30 p.m. at the Episcopal Church in Okatie on Highway 170. The Southern Deanery is having a barbecue lunch afterward, so participants are asked to RSVP by August 12: stmarksc@gmail.com or (843) 379-1020.
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Follow-up meetings and information
Tonight at 7:00 p.m. is the Peninsular Charleston Deanery's post-General Convention follow-up meeting. Everyone is welcome – it's at Calvary Episcopal Church, 106 Line St. in Charleston. You don't have to live in the deanery to attend.
The final GC follow-up meeting will be on August 19 at 10:30 p.m. at the Episcopal Church in Okatie on Highway 170. The Southern Deanery is having a barbecue lunch afterward, so participants are asked to RSVP by August 12: stmarksc@gmail.com or (843) 379-1020.
The final GC follow-up meeting will be on August 19 at 10:30 p.m. at the Episcopal Church in Okatie on Highway 170. The Southern Deanery is having a barbecue lunch afterward, so participants are asked to RSVP by August 12: stmarksc@gmail.com or (843) 379-1020.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
A Message from the Bishop
Dear Friends,
Some time now has passed since General Convention, and perhaps some further reflection on that event will be helpful now. I am so very grateful to the deputies from our diocese and to Holly Behre for the helpful ways that information from Salt Lake City was shared “back home.” In fact, if you took advantage of such resources, you were kept quite up-to-date about news from the General Convention of The Episcopal Church. Nevertheless, I do want to add a few current words and reflections about subjects that have been raised since Convention’s adjournment.
Of course, the marriage canon and liturgies received a good deal of attention, and they will continue to do so. I call your attention to what I wrote soon after the Convention took action. (The Bishop's Message of July 2 can be found here.) I will ask the diocesan Liturgical Commission to spend some time and energy in studying the rites and in helping me formulate policies for our diocese, in response to Convention action. Corresponding to understandings from Convention, our current policy involving “blessings” remains in place until Advent I (November 29, 2015). At that point, the liturgies for marriage will be appropriate to use, as authorized rites of the Church.
Discussion about formulating a policy on alcohol use in churches has been ongoing in Diocesan Council meetings for several months. There was a resolution passed on such policies at General Convention. Therefore, that resolution will become part of the considerations at our next Council meeting, in September. I imagine that we will be prepared to publish and publicize a diocesan policy soon after that time.
Anti-racism training for clergy has been mandated by General Church canons for a number of years, and such training also has been directed for those laity in positions of church leadership as well. Once again, training in anti-racism was a matter of discussion and support at this General Convention. This is a timely topic for us in South Carolina for many reasons, and it represents an appropriate subject for special training. Prior to General Convention, we had arranged for Dain and Constance Perry to offer initial training here, in September. Information about those opportunities is available on our website, and I encourage your attention to this matter. In this regard, though, we all need to be aware that such training will not complete our responsibility to deal with personal and systemic racism in our world. Indeed, this is a life-long journey.
Finally, a matter of local interest involves a new canon dealing with a process of reinstating clergy who previously had left The Episcopal Church. We had a particular interest in this matter, because of our experiences in this regard while there was no canon yet in existence. The canon that finally came out of committee for consideration was greatly influenced by experiences in South Carolina. Indeed, the process which we formulated and put into practice here is now followed pretty closely in the canons for the whole Church.
Much of the work of General Convention – requiring a great deal of the time of many people – may seem remote and somehow removed from the experiences of the local church. Indeed, a concern I always have at General Convention is the need for links and connections between the work done in such a large setting and the people in the pews on Sunday mornings. General Convention, at its best, meets, prays, deliberates, and makes decisions on the part of the whole Church … and in service to the Church.
As I look over the topics I have mentioned in this communication, I certainly am aware that each one of them has particular, local interest and application – not just the final one listed. The General Convention has the responsibility to consider matters of local interest and concern and to formulate policy – or decide not to formulate policy – that makes sense for the Church at large. This particular Convention, perhaps more than any other I have attended, did an excellent job in valuing the local experience, while also appreciating the distinctions among us. For this reason and for many others, it was an honor to attend the Convention, representing Episcopalians from South Carolina!
Faithfully,
The Right Reverend Charles G. vonRosenberg
Some time now has passed since General Convention, and perhaps some further reflection on that event will be helpful now. I am so very grateful to the deputies from our diocese and to Holly Behre for the helpful ways that information from Salt Lake City was shared “back home.” In fact, if you took advantage of such resources, you were kept quite up-to-date about news from the General Convention of The Episcopal Church. Nevertheless, I do want to add a few current words and reflections about subjects that have been raised since Convention’s adjournment.
Of course, the marriage canon and liturgies received a good deal of attention, and they will continue to do so. I call your attention to what I wrote soon after the Convention took action. (The Bishop's Message of July 2 can be found here.) I will ask the diocesan Liturgical Commission to spend some time and energy in studying the rites and in helping me formulate policies for our diocese, in response to Convention action. Corresponding to understandings from Convention, our current policy involving “blessings” remains in place until Advent I (November 29, 2015). At that point, the liturgies for marriage will be appropriate to use, as authorized rites of the Church.
Discussion about formulating a policy on alcohol use in churches has been ongoing in Diocesan Council meetings for several months. There was a resolution passed on such policies at General Convention. Therefore, that resolution will become part of the considerations at our next Council meeting, in September. I imagine that we will be prepared to publish and publicize a diocesan policy soon after that time.
Anti-racism training for clergy has been mandated by General Church canons for a number of years, and such training also has been directed for those laity in positions of church leadership as well. Once again, training in anti-racism was a matter of discussion and support at this General Convention. This is a timely topic for us in South Carolina for many reasons, and it represents an appropriate subject for special training. Prior to General Convention, we had arranged for Dain and Constance Perry to offer initial training here, in September. Information about those opportunities is available on our website, and I encourage your attention to this matter. In this regard, though, we all need to be aware that such training will not complete our responsibility to deal with personal and systemic racism in our world. Indeed, this is a life-long journey.
Finally, a matter of local interest involves a new canon dealing with a process of reinstating clergy who previously had left The Episcopal Church. We had a particular interest in this matter, because of our experiences in this regard while there was no canon yet in existence. The canon that finally came out of committee for consideration was greatly influenced by experiences in South Carolina. Indeed, the process which we formulated and put into practice here is now followed pretty closely in the canons for the whole Church.
Much of the work of General Convention – requiring a great deal of the time of many people – may seem remote and somehow removed from the experiences of the local church. Indeed, a concern I always have at General Convention is the need for links and connections between the work done in such a large setting and the people in the pews on Sunday mornings. General Convention, at its best, meets, prays, deliberates, and makes decisions on the part of the whole Church … and in service to the Church.
As I look over the topics I have mentioned in this communication, I certainly am aware that each one of them has particular, local interest and application – not just the final one listed. The General Convention has the responsibility to consider matters of local interest and concern and to formulate policy – or decide not to formulate policy – that makes sense for the Church at large. This particular Convention, perhaps more than any other I have attended, did an excellent job in valuing the local experience, while also appreciating the distinctions among us. For this reason and for many others, it was an honor to attend the Convention, representing Episcopalians from South Carolina!
Faithfully,
The Right Reverend Charles G. vonRosenberg
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Following up on GC78
The convention is over, but the blog continues
Thanks to all who have followed this weblog through General Convention. We'll be continuing to post here periodically with reflections and information.
Want an overview?
Follow this link for an Episcopal News Service article that provides an excellent overview of the major business that was completed at General Convention. Within each section is a link you can follow for more details.
Post-General Convention deanery meetings
Each deanery in the diocese is organizing a get-together with deputies to offer information and answer questions about General Convention. Here are the ones that have been set up so far; a date for the Peninsular Charleston deanery will be announced later.
July 23, 1:00 pm
Pee Dee/Waccamaw Deanery (location TBD)
July 26, 2:00 pm
West Charleston Deanery, at St. Thomas, North Charleston
August 19, 10:30 am
Southern Deanery, at the Episcopal Church in Okatie on Highway 170, with Deputies Rick Lindsey and Mary Ann Foy. A barbecue lunch is being served afterward, so participants are asked to RSVP by August 12: stmarksc@gmail.com or (843) 379-1020.
On the op-ed page
The election of our first African American Presiding Bishop is evidence of a revival in The Episcopal Church, according to this article by the Rev. Donald Fishburne
Friday, July 3, 2015
Deputy Diary: Our next Presiding Bishop
Lonnie Hamilton:
In February 2014, Bishop Michael Curry came to preach at the Diocesan Convention of The Episcopal Church in South Carolina at All Saints', Hilton Head Island. I remember shaking Bishop Curry's hand and saying to him, "Bishop, if the opportunity should present itself, I hope you would consider running as a candidate for Presiding Bishop."
Bishop Curry said, "I will pray on that."
On June 27, 2015, I received a powerful lesson on the power of prayer when Bishop Curry was elected as the first African American Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church.
The margin of the votes he received was an indication of what a superior candidate he was for the office.
On June 27, 2015, I received a powerful lesson on the power of prayer when Bishop Curry was elected as the first African American Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church.
The margin of the votes he received was an indication of what a superior candidate he was for the office.
All of us should put on our Jesus garments and get ready for an exciting new religious journey.
- Lonnie Hamilton
- Lonnie Hamilton
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| Presiding Bishop-Elect Michael Curry preaching at the final Eucharist of General Convention on July 3, 2015 |
Deputy Diary: Daily Eucharists
From Charles Geer:
As an Episcopalian in the Anglocatholic tradition I am naturally drawn to the daily Eucharists. It has been invigorating to go to mass daily and see and hear the different presentations. Psalmody in its various chants, hymns of praise (many old favorites) for the Gloria, multiple settings for the Sanctus, and the different Eucharistic prayers which are robust in meaning and wording.It was particularly thrilling to go the service on Thursday morning where the Bishop of the Dominican Republic presided and the music of the DR accompanied. I can't imagine what today's service will bring!
All of this in the setting of traditional ceremonial and vestments (including mitres). I missed the bells and incense, but that is acceptable for a daily mass given the excitement of the variety.
Sermons were centered in one way or another on the Five Marks of Mission in the Episcopal/Anglican tradition. If you don't know the Five Marks of Mission, look them up.
Preludes, communion music, and postludes included: gospel music by the Voorhees and St. Augustine college choirs, the Kenshin Taiko Drummers, Lux Singers singing a capella, native American drumming and flute, and a jazz ensemble which, with organ, presented and unforgetable Widor postlude following a jazz mass.
All of this, and communion served to over a thousand in less than an hour.
Thanks be to God,
Charles
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| Charles Geer at the June 26 daily Eucharist at General Convention. |
Thursday, July 2, 2015
A Tale of Two Perspectives - The Rev. Dr. Jim Taylor
For the past
twelve years, specifically since coming to South Carolina, I have heard how
awful General Convention was to attend. As I get ready to depart the 78th
General Convention, I want to say this has NOT been my experience. Attendees
from other dioceses have been courteous, encouraging and welcoming to our deputation. They have wanted to hear our stories, and learn about the ministries we are
performing in the diocese. The one comment, I have heard from other deputies
the most, “We in the Church have much to learn from South Carolina.” When
individuals have made this statement, I believe they are genuine, and are ready
to stand in unity and partnership with us. For me, it has been good to see the
larger Church at work. Certainly not everyone agreed on all resolutions that
were proposed but the House of Deputies discussed these resolutions with
respect and Godly graciousness, so the work of the House could be performed. For
this experience in Salt Lake City, I am grateful, blessed and renewed.
The Legislative
Committee that I served on was Stewardship and Development. The Chairs of the Committee
were the Rev. Andrew Green, Palm Springs, CA and the Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge,
West Texas. I served as Vice-Chair. We had numerous resolutions before our
committee. Specifically, we discussed Donors Bill of Rights, Rates for Diocesan
Apportionment Asking, Encourage the Ministry of the Development Office in the
Episcopal Church, Worship Offering at General Convention and Non-Participation
Pertaining to Stock Purchase of For-Profit Prisons. Once again, Committee
members respected differing opinions, and edited resolutions that we believed
would be good for the House of Deputies. Not all of the resolutions passed once
presented, which was fine, but the work of the Committee was faithful and dutiful. "We are not leaving!"
 |
| The House of Deputies rises to applaud for the South Carolina deputation. |
(Watch this on streaming video here... the presentation starts at about 24:00 minutes in the video titled "HOD 07-02-15 Morning")
"Please allow me to invite the Deputation of South Carolina to please stand," he said... and then added quickly: "We are not leaving!" That drew some laughter, as well as applause that became a standing ovation for our deputies. Fr. Merchant went on to explain that in 2012, nearly all of the South Carolina deputation left General Convention.
He then thanked The Episcopal Church, the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies for their continuing support of our diocese in its reorganization. "We appreciate your support and prayers as we continue our journey," Fr. Merchant said. "We know that the road is long ahead, but with God's help, we will continue to be present" at General Conventions.
The Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, President of the House of Deputies, recognized both Lonnie Hamilton (our one South Carolina deputy who stayed at GC in 2012) and Tom Tisdale, who is here this year after a hiatus for his fifth General Convention.
"We commend you for your courage, your perseverance, your faithfulness and your love for The Episcopal Church and the prayers of this House are with you every day," she said.
 |
| Fr. Merchant holds up a TECSC tote bag and pins as a thank-you gift for the President of the House of Deputies and the Presiding Bishop. |
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