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ENS articles on national, international, and regional news can be found
online at http://episcopalchurch.org/episcopal_life.htm.
The Rev. W. Andrew Waldo has received the requisite number of consents
from diocesan bishops and Standing Committees. Next step is his
ordination and consecration as the eighth bishop of Upper South Carolina
on May 22 at Christ Church, Greenville.
While bishops in The Episcopal Church are elected on
the local level, they are not approved to serve as bishops until after
the completion of a consent process by the leaders of rest of the
Church, followed by ordination.
Upon election, the successful candidate is a Bishop-Elect. Following
some procedural matters including examinations, formal notices are then
sent to bishops with jurisdiction (diocesan bishops only) with separate
notices to the standing committees of each of the dioceses in The
Episcopal Church. These notices require their own actions and
signatures.
In order for a Bishop-Elect to become a bishop, Canon III.11.4 (a) of
The Episcopal Church mandates that a majority of diocesan bishops AND a
majority of diocesan standing committees must consent to the
Bishop-Elect's ordination as bishop. These actions - done separately -
must be completed within 120 days from the day notice of the election
was sent to the proper parties.
If the Bishop-Elect receives a majority (at least 50% plus 1) of
consents from the diocesan bishops as well as a majority from the
standing committees, the Bishop-Elect is one step closer. Following a
successful consent process, ordination and celebration are in order.
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The Episcopal church at Cange serves as a hospital ward for many in need of care following the recent earthquake. |
The crisis in Haiti has not passed. The need immediately to complete our work to replace the worn-out water system at Cange has become even more critical as those in need of emergency health care due to the earthquake, children left orphaned, and other refugees from Port au Prince have flooded into Cange, putting a tremendous strain on an already inadequate and contaminated water system.
Additionally the need
for the vocational school to begin classes has been accentuated by the
population growth and the lack of employment. The demand for the
increased production of our nutritional products to fight malnutrition
has also grown dramatically.
You now have a chance to make a tremendous difference in the lives of
our friends in Haiti, thanks to the generosity of one Upper South
Carolinian who has offered to match your contributions to the Bread and
Water Fund, up to $200,000. You now have the opportunity to double the
effect of your gift by contributing now.
Donations can be made online at www.edusc.org or by snail-mail
(to EDUSC, 1115 Marion Street, Columbia, 29201).
Please designate checks to the Gifts of Bread and Water and make
them to the Diocese of Upper South Carolina. God has given us this unique
opportunity to "act in the world as the body of Christ" and to change
lives.
For more information, please contact Bread & Water Fund
chair, Earl Burch, eburch@innova.net.
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Invite a speaker to your congregation to talk about diocesan work in Haiti. Presentations can be tailor-made for any
group, special interest, or timeframe. Topics might include the history of our
relationship with Cange; info on
medical, agricultural, and other ministries; the recent
earthquake and after effects; the diocesan
Gifts of Bread and Water Campaign. Talks will be informative, entertaining,
interesting and inspirational, and can be scheduled for any day
of the week at any time. |
Matthew 25 grants support outreach in local communities; MDG grants focus on international projects
Matthew 25 grants
Matthew 25 grants support outreach programs in congregations and
convocations of the diocese that are serving these least of Jesus’
family in our own communities. The programs supported and nurtured by
Matthew 25 grants are the work of Upper South Carolinians striving to
manifest the reality of God’s kingdom in their local communities.
Congregations and convocations are invited to apply for grants to be
made during 2010. Information,
guidelines, and
application forms are available on the diocesan Web site www.edusc.org,
under "Ministries," "Mission & Outreach," "Matthew 25."
For additional information on the grant process, please contact Matthew 25 chair, the Rev. Timothy Ervolina, 803.929.1000.
The Matthew 25 Committee, which administers the grants, draws its name and vision from the words of our Lord in the Gospel of Matthew 25:40: "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me." The committee is made up of the Council of Deacons, who serve on it as part of their diaconal ministry, along with the lay wardens of each diocesan convocation.
MDG grants
Congregations in the Diocese of Upper South Carolina are invited to
apply for funding to support projects that focus on one or more of the
Millennium Development Goals devoted to international outreach. Funding will come from a portion of the
0.7% set aside by the Diocese in the Statement of Mission (SOM).
The
diocesan Commission on the Anglican Communion and International
Concerns, charged with oversight of the grant process, encourages
proposals inspiring the participation of congregations in the diocese in
long-term projects that can ultimately be sustained by the community
served. Particularly encouraged are projects that serve to nurture and
promote self-sufficiency.
Applications should be submitted to the diocesan Commission on the
Anglican Communion and International Concerns and will be referred to
the MDG subcommittee for review and recommendation for final approval by
the Commission as a whole.
General guidelines:
• Project must address one or more of the Millennium Development Goals
• Fiscal accountability of organization with which funds may be shared
• Yearly report of project and progress
• Timeline and desired outcomes
The Commission will oversee two grant cycles. All application material
must be submitted by January 1 or July 1. Applicants are urged to submit
requests well ahead of the time the money will be needed. Grant award
will be announced in March and October by the Commission.
Applicants may be asked to provide additional information after
submission. Written notification of grants awarded or denied will be
made following final evaluation of the proposal. All materials are
promptly acknowledged upon receipt, and become the property of the
Diocese of Upper South Carolina. More information and grant application forms
are available on the diocesan Web site, www.edusc.org, by following links to
"Ministries," "Outreach," and "Millennium Development Goals."
Training for Eucharistic Visitors will be offered at Church of the Cross, Columbia, on Saturday, February 27. Please contact the church for additional information, 803.238.0206. Please note that in order to serve as a Eucharistic Visitor Safe Church Training is also required. Contact Roslyn Hook, 803.771.7800, at Diocesan House for information on scheduled Safe Church Trainings.
Grace Church, Camden, will offer a Wednesday evening Lenten lecture series on the theme of transformation, February 24 - March 24. Each session begins at 6:30 p.m. with a light supper, and childcare is available. Topics and guest speakers are as follows:
February 24: The Rev. Dr. Virginia Barfield, Dean, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia. Topic: Forgiveness.
March 3: The Rev. Charles Duvall, Bishop Retired, Diocese of Central Gulf Coast. Topic: Guilt/Shame.
March 10: The Rev. Eugene C. Rollins, Liberty Hill Presbyterian Church. Topic: Joy.
March 17: The Rev. Dr. Philip Whitehead, Rector Emeritus, St. Michael & All Angels', Columbia. Topic: Anger.
March 24: Amy Montanez, D. Min. Topic: Surrender
Please call Grace Church to
reserve a seat for dinner,803.432.7621.
The free Winter/Spring Concert Series at Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community in West Columbia will begin on Thursday, February 5, at 7:30 p.m. The complete schedule is as follows.
| Charles Fugo, piano Thursday, February 25, 7:30 p.m. |
| Marina Lomazov & Joseph Rackers, piano duo Thursday, March 4, 7:30 p.m. |
| Jacob Will, baritone & Charles Fugo, piano Thursday, March 18, 7:30 p.m. |
| Catherine Hazan, violin & Sharon Rattray, piano Thursday, March 25, 7:30 p.m. |
| Peter Kilkay, bassoon Monday, March 29, 7:30 p.m. |
| Tina Stallard Voice Studio Recital Sunday, April 11, 4:00 p.m. |
| Laury Christie, soprano, Christin Owens, soprano & Elisa Moskovitz, piano Thursday, May 6, 7:30 p.m. |
All concerts are held in the Susan G. Robinson Garden Room. A reception will be held following each evening concert.
For more information contact: Sherry French, Director,
Activity Services,
Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community, 803.739.5015, sfrench@stillhopes.org.
The St. Mary Magdalene Chapter of the Daughters of the King at St.
Simon & St. Jude, Irmo, will host a Lenten Quiet Day on Saturday,
February 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. A Continental breakfast and
lunch will be served. Please call Donna Newton (803.407.0879) or the
church office (803.732.0153) to register.
The program for the day is "Art as Innerwork: Kinesthetic Spirituality,"
led by Mary How and Carrie Graves. This experiential workshop will use
finger painting as a method of prayer and meditation and will also
explore how bringing mindfulness techniques to your art can enhance your
creative process, allowing for a deeper connection in prayer.
Mary How, MA, ATR-BC is an art therapist specializing in the treatment
of survivors of trauma and people living with mental illness. Her
experience includes teaching mindfulness techniques, helping others heal
from the past, and uncovering the creative spirit that lives inside each
of us. She believes her greatest gift is inspiring others to embrace
their own creativity while uncovering blocks to the creative process.
Carrie Graves is a lifelong Episcopalian and graduate of the Sewanee
School of Theology's Education for Ministry program. She is the director
of Trinity Cathedral Bookstore in Columbia, as well as office manager of
a psychotherapy and spiritual direction practice in Columbia. Her experience
includes co-mentoring the Education for Ministry program at St.
Martin's-In-The-Fields, Columbia, and attending the Haden Institute's
Summer Dream Conference annually since 2003. Believing that inner work
is essential to the soul's journey, she is passionate about bringing
dream work, creativity, and theological education into church life to
help others understand, develop, and live honoring the Christ within
themselves and others.
The Mary & Martha of Bethany Chapter of the Daughters of the King at
St. Timothy’s, Columbia (900 Calhoun Street), will sponsor its 12th
Annual Lenten Quiet Day, "Praying with the Saints," on Saturday,
February 27, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Beverly Ingram leads the program about prayer and saints, including St.
Francis, Julian of Norwich, Benedict, Teresa of Avila, and others. Lent
is a time for reflection, introspection, and spiritual growth. This
Quiet Day can be an important part of our spiritual discipline for Lent.
The $10.00 fee provides a continental breakfast and a box lunch.
Vegetarian lunches are available. Registration deadline is Monday,
February 22. For more information, please contact the church at
803.765.1519 or e-mail daughters@sainttimothyscolumbia.com.
Grace Church, Camden, is sponsoring a Centering Prayer Workshop, led by the Rev. Tom Ward, on March 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The workshop will serve both as an introduction to Centering Prayer for those who know nothing of this practice and as a refresher course for those who have been praying this way for some time. Four Conferences give shape to the day: Prayer as Relationship, the Method of Centering Prayer, the Place of “Thoughts” in Centering Prayer, and Centering Prayer and the Fruits of the Spirit. Two sessions of Centering Prayer are part of the design.
The Rev. Tom Ward been an Episcopal priest for over thirty years, serving parishes in Mississippi and Tennessee; from 1994 through 2005, he was University Chaplain at Sewanee, the University of the South (the one university owned and operated by the Episcopal Church in this country). Tom now focuses on the contemplative dimension of the gospel, teaching centering prayer and leading retreats. He has a special interest in fostering this practice in local congregations in general and in Episcopal parishes in particular. For the past fifteen years Tom has worked closely with Thomas Keating and Contemplative Outreach Ltd, a network which seeks to foster contemplation.
For more information or to register, please contact the church, 803.432.7621. Registration deadline is March 15.
At 7 p.m. on March 21, at St. Mary’s, Columbia, assistant rector the
Rev. George Roberts will perform his one-man show on the life and
ministry of Paul entitled Blessed: An Expression of Faith. The
play is approximately forty-five minutes in length and covers much of
Paul’s life in flashback, from his persecution of the Church through his
conversion to his final journey to Rome as prisoner, before being
martyred. Roberts, before entering Holy Orders, was a theatre educator,
most recently at the University of South Carolina Upstate. He has been
acting professionally since 1990.
The performance is being sponsored by the Christian Formation Ministry
at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. A light soup and muffin supper will be
held from 5 to 6:30 p.m., with the performance following. All are
invited. Donations will go to the EYC of St. Mary’s planned mission
trip, summer of 2011. St. Mary’s
is located at 170 St. Andrews Road,
Columbia. Please call 803.798.2776 for directions.
A Spirituality of Joy and Sorrow
A Quiet Day with The Rev. Barbara Crafton
March 20, 2010
9:00-4:30 at St. James Episcopal Church, Greenville
Join the St. James Center for Spiritual Development on March 20 from
9:00-4:30 for a Lenten Quiet Day led by The Rev. Barbara Crafton.
Barbara is an Episcopal priest, spiritual director, and author of many
books as well as the celebrated “Almost Daily eMo.” The day will begin
with registration and coffee from 8:30-9:00. During the day, we will
hear several meditations from Barbara and have quiet time for prayer,
reflection, or spiritual direction. Lunch is provided as part of the
$75 registration as is a copy of one of Barbara’s books. We will end our day
with a celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Please register by completing
a registration form on the St. James Center website
(http://saintjamescenter.org).
"The Relationship Project: A Day to Invenst in a Healthy, Vibrant, Conscious Connection"
Trinity Cathedral is sponsoring a fun and exciting opportunity for couples! On Saturday, March 27, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bonnie Montgomery, Ph. D., from St. John’s, Columbia, and Amy Sander Montanez, D.Min, from Trinity Cathedral will lead couples in a day-long workshop exploring the keys to positive, successful relationships.
Couples will take the PeopleMap personality inventory which is designed to increase self-awareness and awareness of one’s partner, and to foster productive communication. Following this, couples will learn research-based habits that create and support successful relationships.
Both Bonnie and Amy have been in private practice for over twenty-five
years and have extensive experience in working with couples. The cost
for the day, $125 per couple, includes tuition, morning coffee, and
lunch. You can have a lot of fun while gaining tools that will increase
the health of your relationship. This workshop is not therapy and is not
designed for couples in crisis.
To register, please mail your check for $125, made out to
Trinity Cathedral and marked at the bottom for Couples' Workshop, along
with your names and a phone number by March 21. Trinity Cathedral’s
address is 1100 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29201. If you have any
questions, please call 803.254.5650 and ask for Amy or Carrie. This workshop
will be limited to 25 couples so register early!
Explore a spiritual link with photography amid the Blue Ridge
Mountains in spring bloom during the ninth annual Kanuga Photography
Retreat April 25-30.
Students can examine the close-up world of macro photography, learn to
use color like a painter, combine photography with hiking, “see the
holy” and transform those insights into digital photographs or explore
documentary photography in natural light.
Students will get hands-on lessons from professional photographers Kathy
Eyster of Missoula, Montana.; Lydia Goetze of Southwest Harbor, Maine;
Jon Kral of Boone, North Carolina.; Robin Smith of Columbia, South
Carolina; and Beth Reynolds and Thom Burden of Northfield,
Massachusetts. The Rev. Janet Tarbox of Edgefield, South Carolina, will
serve as chaplain.
Participants pick one instructor to study with for the week. Class size
is limited for individual instruction and lessons can be tailored to all
levels of experience. Evening programs allow photographers to network
and learn from other instructors.
For more information, visit www.kanuga.org or call 828.692.9136.
Sign
up your two-person team for the first annual Gravatt Bassmaster Fishing
Tournament. This event is a family-friendly so take this opportunity to
share the outdoors with youth you care about. Choose to fish from the
bank, from a Gravatt canoe, or your own canoe, or you may bring your own
boat (trolling motors only). This tournament will be catch and release
only. Awards will given in many exciting categories.
Register early as space will fill up quickly. Keep up-to-date with
tournament news by calling 803.648.1817 or visiting www.bishopgravatt.org
or the
Gravatt Environmental Education Program Facebook Fan
Page.
piscopal Relief & Development (ERD) Sunday is coming up on the first
Sunday in Lent, February 21.
To help your congregation prepare for this day and for the Lenten
journey, ERD is offering a 2010 Lenten Meditations booklet. Developed by
Sister Claire Joy of the Community of the Holy Spirit in New York City,
the devotional’s theme is “Healing ourselves and a hurting world.” These
daily meditations will encourage, challenge and inspire Episcopalians to
reflect on their lives and on what steps they might take to help those
who live in need.
Copies of the devotional and additional materials may be ordered for
everyone in your congregation by phone or online at www.er-d.org. Please
note that orders must be placed by February 8 to ensure they will arrive
in time for Ash Wednesday, February 17. Lenten materials are free. All
orders are charged a minimum fee for shipping and handling. Large orders
or overnight and second-day delivery will incur additional shipping
costs. Call Episcopal Books and Resources (EBaR) at 1.800.903.5544.
Good Shepherd, Columbia, offers terrific cookbook!
Looking for that perfect gift? Then you need What Episcopalians Do After Dinner: 500
Favorite & Fabulous Desserts (Second Printing).
We know. We know: You think all church cookbooks are the same -- quaint
little collections of Cream of Chicken soup and Cool Whip. Not this one.
The gourmets and gourmands of The Church of the Good Shepherd have
produced a decadent collection of desserts you'll wonder how you ever
lived without,
smartly arranged to help you find just the right thing.
You want a chocolate cake? Go to pages 1-30. Got a hankering for a fruit
pie? Check out pages 164-184. Or how about something good and gooey?
We've
got an entire chapter on that.
The chapters are marked by bright, cheerful photographs of desserts
lovingly prepared by Good Shepherd parishioners. The book was edited by
Good Shepherd's own Cindi Ross Scoppe, associate editor at The State
newspaper, who tracked down clarifications for all those
not-quite-clear directions and culled more than
600 submissions to eliminate duplicates and near-duplicates, explaining
slight variations in notes with the combined recipes.
You'll buy our cookbook for its yummy collection of sinfully delicious
delights. You'll treasure it for the notes that accompany most recipes,
including Good Shepherd rector Father Lyon's story of the apple pie
recipe he developed using fruit that was "borrowed" from the residence
of one of his seminary. And no, that's not a typo on the purchase price:
We really are offering 343 pages of fabulous recipes for just $10.
Pick up copies of the cookbook at Good Shepherd, 1512 Blanding Street,
Columbia, or mail checks for $10 plus $3 shipping and handling for each
book.
Mail order to:
The Church of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church Women
Att: Betty Prudence
1512 Blanding St
Columbia, SC 29201-2907
Phone: 803.779.2960
Fax: 803.771.7227
E-mail: gsepiscae@aol.com.
St. Barnabas expands
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The project is fully funded. Although contributions have come from several sources, an out-of-town member, Ms. Annie R. Baten, and her sister, Ms. Dorothy Baten McRae, have given most of the necessary resources. These faithful women have never forgotten the mission school where they received their education. St. Barnabas is extremely grateful for their generosity.
By Standing Resolution of the Diocese, and in concert with the custom of the Episcopal Church, the first Sunday in Lent has been designated as Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday. Congregations and individuals are encouraged to support Episcopal Relief & Development's life-saving work through prayer and a special offering that will help heal a hurting world.
Learn more about ERD and ERD Sunday and find resources (including a bulletin insert) for celebrating ERD Sunday at www.er-d.org/erdsunday/.
| February 21 | ERD Sunday Piedmont Convocation meeting |
| March 4 | Fresh Start, All Saints', Clinton, 9:30 a.m. |
| March 9 | Catawba clericus, Harmony House, noon |
| March 12-144 | Happening #63 |
| April 2 | Good Friday offering to the Church in Jerusalem |
| April 11 | Reedy River Convocation meeting Catawba Convocation meeting |
| April 12 | Catawba clericus meeting, Harmony House, noon |
| April 9-11 | Vocare #5, Gravatt |
| April 15 | Fresh Start, All Saints’, Clinton |
| April 18 | Gravatt Convocation meeting Midlands Convocation meeting |
| April 23-25 | Jr. High Spring Retreat |
| April 25 | Piedmont Convocation meeting |
| May 6 | Fresh Start, All Saints', Clinton |
| May 8 | Mother's Day Offering (to Still Hopes and Finlay House) |
| May 11 | Catawba clericus, Harmony House, noon |
| May 22 | Consecration of the 8th Bishop of Upper SC, Christ Church, Greenville |
Years ago I was motivated to start a theatre troupe here in Columbia. It
was called “Theatre of Dreams” and was structured after the NYC Theatre
of Dreams which I saw perform at the Spoleto Festival in Charleston. Bob
Paton, the conceiver and director of the NY troupe agreed to train a
local group to be actors in this theatre. Our job involved hearing the
nighttime dreams of audience participants and, by using improvisation,
acting the dream out as the dreamer watched.
Our first week of training involved predominately acting exercises. A
cardinal rule of improv is “just say yes”! When someone starts a motion,
movement, or invitation you are to receive it and keep the action going.
In other words, if someone hands you a ball, you are to accept it and do
something with it. If someone drapes an arm around you, you are to
accept it and keep going. If someone calls you Bob, you are to go with
that and not stop and say, “Wait, my name isn’t Bob, it’s Susie!” Just
say yes, and that keeps the action moving.
Just saying yes, of course, has the potential of taking us out of our
comfort zones. I wasn’t planning on going in that direction. You
couldn’t mean me accepting that offer, could you? I don’t know how to do
that. I am not qualified/certified/trained/educated to do that. Wait,
that’s not right, you must have made a big mistake. You’ve got the wrong
person.
Several times in my life friends that I love and trust have pulled me
out of my comfort zone. One time a friend called me and asked me to
perform her wedding ceremony. “ I can’t do that. You need an ordained
minister,” to which she quickly responded, “No I don’t. You just need to
be a notary and I will pay the $25 for you to become one. I want you to
marry us!” The experience was memorable and affirming.
Another time a good friend asked me to do some speaking that I felt was
out of my comfort zone. “Are you sure? I’ve never done anything like
that before!” I quickly countered. “I wouldn’t be asking you if I wasn’t
sure” was the reply. I had a wonderful time and met some amazing people.
The Holy One used me in ways I never expected. The day was a grace and a
blessing.
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