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Upcoming Events

2011 Statement of Mission process now under way

Any group seeking funding from Upper South Carolina's 2011 Statement of Mission (SOM) must submit a request by the March 22 deadline. Any new or expanding outreach ministry that is carried out locally, regionally or nationally will use the Matthew 25 grant application form. All others will use the 2011 Statement of Mission Request form. All requests must be submitted to the Diocesan House electronically using the forms available on the diocesan Web site at www.edusc.org/SOM.

Who/what does Upper South Carolina's SOM fund?

While any group may request funds from the diocesan SOM, the goal of the SOM is to fund those ministries that can be carried out most effectively at the diocesan level. Many of our congregations are involved in wonderful ministries and the SOM cannot support them all. It is for this reason that we honor requests primarily from committees, commissions, institutions, mission congregations and other entities that are carrying out ministry at the diocesan level.

Essential in the mind of the SOM Committee, in recommending a preliminary Statement of Mission, will be the four goals: that each congregation assess its current situation and develop a strategic plan for mission and ministry through the Healthy Church Initiative; that the Diocese develop an effective strategy for planting new missions and assisting congregations in effective evangelism; that every congregation will have programs in place that provide "womb-to-tomb" formation; and that we, as the Body of Christ in Upper South Carolina, will fully embrace the Millennium Development Goals, with the effectiveness of our attention to the first three goals being measured by our commitment to the MDGs. The Commissions will be charged to make funding recommendations based on these goals.

Free Winter/Spring Concert Series at Still Hopes, West Columbia, under way

The free Winter/Spring Concert Series at Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community in West Columbia is under way. Here's what's coming up.

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.  

Trinity Cathedral Bookstore to host two exciting events

Tuesday, March 23rd, 5:30 pm, Stirling Room, Trinity Cathedral
Trinity Bookstore welcomes Dr. Earl Burch, Chair of the Bread and Water Campaign for Cange, Haiti, as he presents the latest on the need for the gifts of bread and water, particularly given new circumstances created by the January earthquake in Port-Au-Prince. The bookstore will present a variety of titles for sale concerning conditions in Haiti. Please join us.

Wednesday, April 7th, 5:30 pm, Satterlee Hall, Trinity Cathedral
Trinity Bookstore invites you to join us as Barbara Brown Taylor signs copies of her book An Altar in the World, newly released in paperback. The event will begin with a reception and opportunity to buy books at 5:30, followed by a question and answer session with the Rev. Ms. Taylor from 6:00 -7:00 and book signing at 7:00.

 

St. Thaddeus Home and Garden Tour coming up March 27

The home of Bill and Susan Reynolds, affectionately known as “The House of the Two Crazy Dogs”

The St. Thaddeus Home and Garden Tour has been set for Saturday, March 27, 2010, from 10:00 until 5 p.m. This year’s tour features several of Aiken’s oldest homes and gardens, restored and renewed, as well as newer homes built in a historic setting. Later, visitors may stop by the Heritage Market and choose from a selection of vintage linens and other spring gift ideas while they enjoy afternoon tea in the St. Thaddeus Tea Garden, then tour our historic church and the churchyard.

Tickets will be available March 1, and are $25 for individual tickets and $20 for groups of 15 or more. They will be available in Aiken at Material Things, York Cottage Antiques, Plum Pudding, and The St. Thaddeus Church Office, 129 Pendleton Street, Aiken. For more information, contact the church office at 803.648.5497 or go to www.stthaddeus.org. Tickets may also be purchased from the St. Thaddeus website.

This year’s tour is held in conjunction with Aiken’s year-long175th anniversary celebration, “Celebrate Aiken.” Proceeds benefit local outreach projects.

 

Trinity Cathedral to sponsor couples' workshop, March 27

"The Relationship Project: A Day to Invest 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!  

CADRE presents a lecture by Dr. Will Goins, April 11

CADRE (Columbia Area Dialog on Religious Exploration) will host a lecture on April 11th by Dr. Will Goins, Freedom to Worship: Native American Perspectives. For more than 90 years, Native Americans have sought to overcome societal misunderstandings and laws that have restricted their freedom of religion. This talk explores Indian religious values and controversial issues such as the use of peyote in the Native American Church and the preservation of sacred lands.

Will Goins is a descendant of the Eastern Band Cherokee Indians and Chief of the Cherokee Indian Tribe of South Carolina. He is a folklorist, cultural presenter, storyteller, chanter-singer, dancer, artist, educator, and arts administrator. He has Bachelor's degrees in Communications and Anthropology and a Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University.

The lecture is sponsored by The Humanities Council of SC. CADRE is a joint ministry of St. Simon St. Jude Episcopal Church and McGregor Presbyterian Church.

April 11th, 2:30 PM at St. Simon St. Jude Episcopal Church, 1110 Kinley Rd., Irmo, SC. For more information contact Ann Bright.

St. Margaret’s Silver Anniversary Celebration

St. Margaret’s will be celebrating its Silver Anniversary this year. Anniversary festivities will be held April 17th and 18th with a reception on the 17th starting at 5:30 and dinner at 6:30 followed by guest speakers. All friends of St. Margaret’s including past and present parishioners are invited.

Sunday’s service will see all past and interim rectors participating in the celebration of the Eucharist at the 10:30 service. A coffee social hour will follow.

The church was officially organized February 1st, 1985 under the leadership of the Rev. Thomas Rickenbaker who served as rector until 1998. The Rev Sally Parrot served as interim rector until the Rev Kate Moorehead became the second rector and served until January of 2003. Under her watch the church was expanded with the addition of the connector in 2002.

The Rev Roy Cole III served as interim rector for the next three years until the current rector, the Rev Alan Leonard, began his ministry there.

All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

Farewell to The Reverend and Mrs. Eric Schnaufer

Please join St. Peter’s, Greenville to honor The Reverend and Mrs. Eric Schnaufer on the final weekend of their 25-year ministry at St. Peter's Episcopal Church with a farewell perfomance of All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.

This charming play with music will remind you of what is most important in life.  You will laugh and you will be touched by this production based on the best selling book written by Robert Fulghum.  Children and adults of all ages are invited to attend.  Performances are open to the public and groups are welcome.  

Performances are Thursday April 22nd and Friday the 23rd at 7:30 PM.  There is no charge, although donations to support St. Peter's outreach is most
appreciated.

Please contact St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 864.268.7280, for more information or to make group arrangements.

Ninth annual Kanuga retreat exploring spiritual link with photography, April 25-30

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.  

St. Alban's, Lexington, to coordinate summer mission trip to Quito, Ecuador

St. Alban's is coordinating a short-term mission to Quito, Ecuador, this June, to work with diocesan missionaries Cameron Graham-Vivanco and Laura Jennings Estevez. The exact dates will be determined by the airline schedule, but will be between June 21st and July 1st. The cost will be around $2,000.00, including airfare, all meals and accommodations for approximately eight days, as well as the cost of supplies. There will be volunteer opportunities for all ages and abilities, except very young children.

For additional information, please contact Libba Rhoad at 803.957.5809, zqueen123@aol.com.  

Get ready for summer at Gravatt

Registration for camp is now under way online.

Early registration ensures the spot in the session of your choice and the best discounts. Questions about Camp Gravatt should be directed to Hope Spruell, Camp Director.

Gravatt Bassmaster Fishing Tournament coming up July 31

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. Download the flyer with more info and registration form.

Register early as space will fill up quickly. Keep up-to-date with tournament news at www.bishopgravatt.org or on the Gravatt Environmental Education Program Facebook Fan Page.
 

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