Diocesan News

"Equipped for Action: Changing Lives"—Diocesan Leadership Conference coming your way, October 18

On Friday evening, following the business of Convention, there will be a grand celebration, complete with the Bishop's Awards recognizing Upper South Carolinians who have made extraordinary contributions to the life and ministry of our diocese.

Make plans NOW to attend these exciting events! Hotel rooms are going fast! October 17-18 is also weekend of the South Carolina–LSU football game, at home in Columbia. Three hotels have blocked rooms for Diocesan Convention: Hampton Inn, Rodeway Inn, and Comfort Suites. Full info on making reservations can be downloaded here, www.edusc.org/e-DUSCNewsletter/022108/Images/86thConventionHotels.pdfPlease pay close attention to release and cancellation dates when making your reservations.

SOM information for Convocations

The 2009 SOM information is now available on the web. Visit, www.edusc.org/Diocese/Commissions/Convocations.shtmlto view and print the 2009 Statement of Mission materials.

These documents are the first stage in the development of the 2009 SOM and will be discussed at Convocation meetings. (Find out the date of your convocation's meeting on the diocesan calendar, www.edusc.org/Calendar) A consolidated version of the SOM compiled requests will also be posted to the web site soon. If you have any questions regarding the 2009 SOM materials or process, please contact Canon Julie Price, jprice@edusc.org, 803.771.7800, ext. 23.

A look at Gravatt's first "Golden Day,"
March 28—next one on tap for June 16

See the photo gallery here: www.edusc.org/e-DUSCNewsletter/040308/Images/Gravatt Golden Day

Gravatt's "Golden Days" are special events with special programs for adults age 55 and older.

The first Golden Day was held March 28. Participants enjoyed music, Bible study, a hike led by Roy Stewart, birdhouse building, and keynote speaker Patrick McMillan from SCETV's popular show, "Expeditions." The next Golden Day is scheduled for June 16, and registration materials will be available in mid-April.

UTO news from the March Executive Council meeting in Ecuador

By Regina Ratterree

[Okay, so this is really national news, but did you know that the author of this update, our own Regina Ratteree, is national president for the Episcopal Church's United Thank Offering?? ]

Since this is the middle year of the triennium, the president of the United Thank Offering Committee was scheduled to make the annual report in person at the Executive Council meeting in Quito, Ecuador. Regina Ratterree, from All Saints', Cayce, was accompanied by Connie Coindet-Segura, from Honduras and the Province IX Representative on the UTO Committee.

The presentation to Executive Council highlighted the granting of $2,439,342.46 for funding mission work across the Anglican Communion in 2007. Work supports the Millennium Development Goals, especially grants that help achieve universal primary education for children and grants which promote gender equality and empower women. In addition projects are identified that support the budget priorities of The Episcopal Church and need for Theological Education as identified by the primates.

In 2007 the UTO Committee had several changes, including selection of a new president, vice president and staff coordinator for the UTO office in New York. At the fall meeting in Stony Point, NY, the Committee spent two days with consultant, Mary MacGregor, and developed a new Vision Statement: WE WILL SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT THE LIVES OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN BECAUSE OF CHRIST’S LOVE. Several members of the committee traveled to work with mutual ministries in Africa, the Philippines, Panama, Spain and the US. They continued work with Diocesan UTO Coordinators, the Joint ECW/UTO Committee, EPGM, GEM and others. Training was provided to new diocesan coordinators at Face to Face in August at the Roslyn Center in Richmond, Virginia. As a new, creative way to work with companion dioceses, the grant criteria were revised for 2008 applications, allowing dioceses in the US to use one of their two applications for work in an official companion diocese. Grants for 2008 will be approved in April.

A copy of the 2007 Annual Report may be obtained from the UTO office or from President Regina Ratterree by e-mailing rd2ra@aol.com.

In addition to the presentation to Executive Council, Regina and Connie met with the International Concerns sub-committee and made several visits to UTO grant sites.

UTO expresses its heartfelt thanks to the bishops, clergy, and all the people who provided such wonderful hospitality. Many folks in Province IV (for example mission teams from the dioceses of Atlanta and Tennessee) have experienced this same great hospitality. The church is growing in Central Ecuador, Ecuador Litoral and all of Province IX.

Keep your eyes on the Millennium Development Goals

The Millennium Development Goals, www.edusc.org/MDGs/index.shtml, (MDGs)—eight in all aimed at reducing by half extreme poverty in the developing world by half by the year 2015—are, by resolution of General Convention,  a priority of The Episcopal Church, and, by resolutions of our Diocesan Convention, of Upper SC. ("Extreme poverty" is defined as living on less than one dollar a day.)

For updates and wonderful ideas for implementing the Millennium Development Goals and home and at church, stay in touch with the  Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation, www.e4gr.org/index.html, (E4GR) Web site or contact our diocesan liaison, Angela Daniel, daniela@heathwood.org.

Here's another great proposal from E4GR—Be an EGR mission mentor

Have you traveled or worked ... even for a short time ... in the developing world?

Are you willing to share what you learned ... from helpful tips to profound experiences ... with other young people wanting to do the same thing?

Then sign up to be an EGR mission mentor! Here's the scoop:

We get lots of requests from young people who want to do short- or long-term MDG work around the world but don't know where to start. This initiative will create a database of "mission mentors" they can contact for advice, experience and anything else to help them out—both in terms of location and type of mission.

Interested? Here's what you do:

*Send us e-mail to the Rev. Mike Kinman, executive director of Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation, at MKinman@gmail.com with information about where in the developing world you have traveled/lived/worked; when you were there; what kind of work you did/organizations you worked with: your e-mail address.

*E4GR will create an online map where people can click on a country or search by keyword (e.g., AIDS orphans) and insert your information into it.

*When your experiences match someone's queries ... you'll get an e-mail from them and have the wonderful opportunity to pass on what you've learned— and maybe make a friend.

Questions? E-mail Mike Kinman (MKinman@gmail.com). Please pass this invitation on to everyone you know who can participate. E4GR will let you know when the online map is ready to launch!
 

We CAN make extreme global poverty history by 2015!

Church News

Easter at your cathedral—photo op!

Alleluia, Christ is risen!

St. Andrew's, Greenville, welcomes new rector

We rejoice with the good people of St. Andrew's, Greenville, as they welcome their new rector the Rev. Trey Garland. Fr. Garland celebrated his first Mass as rector at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1, on the Feast of the Annunciation of Our Lady. A reception in the Parish House followed the celebration.

Garland comes to St. Andrew's from his ministry as assistant to the rector at Trinity Church, Marble Falls, in the Diocese of Texas. Click here to read about "Fr. Trey" from the Texas parish who sent him our way!

New sanctuary consecrated at St. Mary's, Columbia

Photo gallery here: www.edusc.org/e-DUSCNewsletter/040308/Images/StMarys (so many thanks to St. Terry Henshaw!)

The new sanctuary at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Columbia, was consecrated amid glorious celebration on Sunday, March 30.  The Rt. Rev. Dorsey F. Henderson, Jr., presided; the Rev. C. Christopher Clements preached.

On the day prior to the dedication Columbia's State newspaper, under the headline "Two cultures under one (new) roof," published a substantial, illustrated article (www.thestate.com/faith/story/359502.html) about the church, its long history of local and international outreach, and its rapidly expanding Hispanic membership. Also in anticipation of the consecration and dedication of the new building the Web site midlandsbiz.com posted a wonderful interview with St. Mary's rector, the Rev. J. Blaney Pridgen III. (Who knew that a course in Victorian literature at USC was "the single greatest thing that inspired [him] to seek holy orders in the Episcopal Church"!)

On Saturday, April 12, from 11 a.m. till 2 p.m. St. Mary's will host an open house for the community.

Upcoming Events

Gravatt to break ground for new chapel,
April 19

Everyone's invited to the celebration!!!

DOK to sponsor women's retreat, April 18-20

All women are welcome to the 2008 women’s retreat sponsored by the Daughters of the King, April 18-10, at the Bishop Gravatt Center, Aiken. The theme of the retreat is the power of prayer, and retreat leaders are the Revs. Ann Heinemann &  Nancy Kenney.  Ardy Rankin and Renee LeDuc will provide music.
The retreat begins with Registration at 5pm on Friday, April 18, and ends after Holy Eucharist, before noon on Sunday. The cost for the weekend is $90.00.
Saturday only is $25.00 Please make your checks payable to DOK—DUSC, and send with your registration form to: Cindy Hanlon Parrott, 9 Ashton Avenue, Greenville, SC 29609. Registration deadline is April 8, 2008. Download flyer (www.edusc.org/e-DUSCNewsletter/032008/Images/DOKFlyer.pdf) and registration form (www.edusc.org/e-DUSCNewsletter/032008/Images/DOKRegistration.pdf).

St. David's golf tournament, May 15, to benefit homeless ministries

A golf tournament to be hosted May 15 at the Golf Club of South Carolina at Crickentree by St. David’s, Columbia, will donate proceeds to local organizations serving the homeless. Deadline for entry is May 9.

Proceeds from The Brian Ewing Memorial Golf Tournament will go to His Hands Ministry and Pure Light Ministry, which are 501 c(3) organizations that serve an average of 125 meals to the homeless in downtown Columbia on Saturdays and Wednesdays.

The tournament begins at 1 p.m. with a shotgun start. Four-person team captain’s choice scores will be determined using the Peoria scoring system. Prizes will be awarded to the first three place finishers, the longest drive, closest to the pin, most water balls, most tree balls, and best dressed female and male. Eighteen to 30 four-person teams can be accommodated.

Beverages and snacks will be provided on the course and an awards banquet will be held immediately following the tournament at the Crickentree residential club house. Crickentree is located at 1084 Langford Road, Blythewood, S.C.

Cost for 18 holes plus cart is $50 per person. Hole sponsorships are $100. Call St. David’s, 803.736.0866, to request a registration form, or download one from www.StDavidsColumbia.org.

The tournament, organized by the St. David’s Men’s Club, is named for Brian Ewing, a St. Davidƒs member who loved golf. Ewing was director of the master of international business studies program at the University of South Carolina, following a distinguished leadership career in business.

Annual Family Weekend picnic celebrations at Still Hopes, West Columbia, May 3 and 4

Still Hopes’ Annual Family Day has now grown to be Family Weekend! The Annual Family Picnic began in 1984 when a small gathering of folks had a picnic on the grounds to celebrate the dedication of “Dean’s Walk”, the walkway around Polly’s Pond given by Bishop and Mrs. Ralph Dean, former Still Hopes residents. It was such a delightful occasion that it was then decided to make it an annual affair.

The 2007 Family Day committee of residents all agreed on the need to broaden the event to encompass two days to adequately and comfortably prepare for the number of residents and guests who wish to attend. Spreading the fun over two days makes it easier for all to invite as many family members as they wish.

This year’s Family Day will be Saturday, May 3rd for the residents residing in the Rosalie Bomar Special Care Center, the Sanders Guignard and Jane Bruce Guignard Nursing Care Centers, and the Lowry Assisted Living Center. Sunday, May 4th, is designated Family Day for apartment and cottage residents. The hours are 12 noon until 3:00 p.m. with lunch being served from 12:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. on the beautiful grounds of the Guignard Mansion.

There will be fun for the children with balloon artists, face painters, the Jamil Choo Choo Train, Moon Walk and Fun Slide. Everyone will enjoy the delicious South Carolina barbecue provided by Shealy’s of Batesburg. Residents and guests bring their favorite desserts to share. Music will be provided by the Southern Rose Band Organ.

For more information on this or other activities at Still Hopes contact Sherry French, Director of Activity Services at 803.739.5015, sfrench@stillhopes.org.

Coming up at York Place

May 4: Founders' Day

June 6: The Gene Knight "Play for the Child" Golf Tournament

Please mark your calendars for two very important events coming to York Place.

On May 4, York Place will be celebrating 158 years of ministry to children and their families. Founders' Day is held annually for former residents, friends, community, Episcopalians, children and staff. The day’s activities will begin at 10:00 a.m.

For more details please visit the Web site, www.yorkplace.org. An alumni event is being planned. Special invitations will be sent with more details. All former residents are urged to contact York Place’s Development Office at 803.684.4011, ext. 1009 to make sure we have correct information. We look forward to a day of fellowship with friends of York Place. To make reservations, please call 803.684.4011 ext: 1014, by April 25.

Then, June 6, the 26th Gene Knight “Play for the Child” Golf Tournament will take place. Proceeds from this annual event go directly to benefit the children at York Place. For more details or an entry form, please contact the York Place Development Office 803.684.4011, ext. 1014.

Godly Play teacher accreditation & reaccreditation training, April 24-26, Danville, Ky.

Godly Play  is a unique child-centered program of Christian nurture for children ages 3 through 5th grade. There are a lot of things you can learn from a lecture, but Godly Play has to be learned from the inside out. This accredited teacher training event will enable that to happen. You will experience Godly Play stories as both teacher and learner and have the chance to analyze them with your peers in a collegial,, nonjudgmental setting. You will learn how to build the Godly Play classroom and strengthen your classroom management skills. You will deepen your understanding of children's spirituality. Prior experience with Godly Play is helpful but not necessary for accreditation.

Kanuga offers many choices...spring, summer, fall

Springtime choices at Kanuga include the Kanuga Photography Retreat, April 27-May 2; Kanuga Fly-fishing Retreat, May 4-8; Kanuga Garden Conference, May 18-21; and the Province IV Women's Conference, June 2-4.

Summer conferences are: "Spirituality," with Bishop Donald Hultstrand, June 8-13; Christian Formation, June 15-20 (see the box at right); Youth Week, June 22-27; Renewal Conference with Paul Zahl, June 29-July 4; Liturgical Arts XI, Aug. 24-29; and Solo Flight XVII for single adults, Aug. 29-Sept. 1.

For autumn and early winter, consider Icon Writing, Sept. 20-26 and Nov. 15-21; Latino/Hispanic Ministries Conference, Nov. 9-12; Lansing Lee Conference with Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan, Nov. 15-17; Advent Retreat with J. Philip Newell and Barbara Brown Taylor, Dec. 7-11; and Winterlight 33 youth conference, Dec. 27-Jan. 1.

For information about these and other programs, including summer camps, guest periods in several seasons and the Mountain Trail Outdoor School, visit www.kanuga.org or call 828.692.9136.

At Augusta's Convent of St. Helena in April

Download, www.edusc.org/e-DUSCNewsletter/032008/Images/StHelenaScheduleThruOctober08.pdfSt. Helena's schedule through October 2008

April 17: Interactive reading and facilitated discussion of Dancing Naked Under the Moon: Uncovering the Wisdom Within, by the author, Mary Bea Sullivan

Thursday evening, April 17, 7:00-8:30 p.m. RSVP if you plan to attend! 706.798,5201, X1; augustaconvent@comcast.net.

Mary Sullivan was a typical suburban housewife until the death of her best friend led her to question her religious roots, marriage, and values. Her compelling and at times humorous journey through grief, divorce, anger, sabbatical, love, and healing will inspire all who struggle for authenticity and a greater connection to the Sacred.

Join Mary as she leads us in an interactive reading from her spiritual memoir as well as a discussion about the universal themes many of us experience on the winding road toward wholeness.

From the book's cover . . .  "This beautifully written and beautifully honest account of one woman's journey of transformation gives me hope. With sincerity, commitment, and a sense of humor like Mary's, we can all get there! [The Rev Cynthia Bourgeault, Director, Aspen Wisdom School; author of The Wisdom Way of Knowing and Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening]

April 18-20: "Praying with the Desert Mothers," with the Rev. Mary Earle, Ph.D.

Mary Earle's newest book, The Desert Mothers: Spiritual Practices from Women of the Wilderness, has been named a "best book" by Spirituality and Health magazine. Her retreat will explore the unique spirituality of these women from the early centuries of Christianity who went into the deserts of northern Egypt and the Holy Land to grow in love of God, neighbor and self. Come and learn from the wisdom of our desert mothers and discover practical ways to apply this wisdom to your life.

Mary Earle is a writer, poet, retreat leader and Episcopal priest. Her ministry focuses on spiritual direction, contemplative prayer, and interfaith dialogue. She has also written Broken Body, Healing Spirit: Lectio Divina and Living With Illness; and Holy Companions: Spiritual Practices from the Celtic Saints. She is co-creator of Sofia's Table, a CD of poems and songs celebrating the divine feminine. Earle is a member of the associated faculty at the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest in Austin. She was awarded the Durstan McDonald Award for Excellence in Teaching by ETSS in 2003.

$160 includes program, lodging and all meals. Please pre-register ($60) with the convent by phone or email. Visa and MasterCard welcome. Scholarship funding may be available. Episcopal Convent of St Helena 3042 Eagle Drive, Augusta, GA 30906; phone: 706.798,5201, X1;  www.osh.org; augustaconvent@comcast.net.

Dallas Benedictine Retreat June 18-22

The 11th annual ecumenical Dallas Benedictine Experience Retreat will take place at The Catholic Conference Center in Dallas from Wednesday, June 18, to Sunday, June 22, 2008. This retreat is presented by The Friends of St. Benedict, www.benedictfriend.org, Washington, D.C., and endorsed by The Benedictine Community of the Holy Savior, which meets at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Cathedral.

Participants will live at the conference center for five days, forming a temporary monastic community to experience the balanced way of life of the Rule of St. Benedict as it divides each day into private and group prayer, study, work, and leisure. Four Benedictine Offices (Lauds, Sext, Vespers, and Compline) will be sung each day in Gregorian chant. There will also be two classes each day on Benedictine spirituality. Please e-mail dallasbenedictine@yahoo.com or call 214.339.8483 for more information.

The retreat will be led by two nationally-known religious figures. Bishop Nicholas Samra is a bishop of the Melkite (Byzantine) Catholic Church, one of the Eastern Churches in the Catholic Communion in union with the Pope of Rome. Bishop Nicholas has published numerous articles on Christian leadership, catechesis, ecumenism, and stewardship, and has given numerous clergy and laity retreats, parish missions, leadership formation weekends, and stewardship formation weekends in the U.S. and Canada, including the Dallas Benedictine Experience in 2006.

Sister Mary Donald Corcoran, O.S.B.Cam., is the Prioress of Transfiguration Monastery (Roman Catholic) in Windsor, New York. She  holds the Ph.D. in Theology from Fordham University. She has directed the M.A. program in spirituality at St. Louis University and has taught in the summer spirituality program at Fordham. She serves on the Board of Directors of In the Spirit Foundation, and is a well-known teacher, writer, and leader of Benedictine retreats all over the country.

This interdenominational retreat is open to anyone interested in learning Benedictine spirituality. The Dallas Benedictine Experience Retreat is part of a worldwide movement which was founded more than a quarter-century ago at Canterbury Cathedral by Dr. Esther de Waal, a noted Benedictine scholar.

Opportunities

SC Christian Action Council calls for ecumenism awards nominees

The SC Christian Action Council is looking for a few great models of ecumenical life and action in South Carolina. The SCCAC Board plans to present the following awards at the SCCAC Annual Meeting on May 15, 2008 at Zion Canaan Baptist Church, 7820 Farrow Road, Columbia.

*The Christian Action in Ecumenism Award recognizes a SC individual or group providing significant leadership or action in ecumenical or interfaith
relations effecting understanding, respect, and cooperation within the faith community.

*The Christian Action in Service Award recognizes a SC individual or group making a significant contribution of advocacy and service in grassroots social ministry rendered as an expression of faith in Jesus Christ, as a contribution to the community and reflecting the command of Jesus to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and visit the sick and imprisoned.

*The Howard G. McClain Christian Action in Public Policy Award recognizes a SC individual or group providing significant leadership or action in the
area of Church and Society rendered as an expression of faith in Jesus Christ, as a contribution to the community, and which effects societal, systemic and structural change.

*The Youth Ministry in Improving Race Relations Award recognizes a SC individual or group providing significant leadership or action in the area of Race Relations effecting understanding, respect, and cooperation within the community.

Click here for more information and to download the nomination form. Nominations will be accepted until April 14.

In the Moment—One Pilgrim's Attempt to Be Present

By Amy Sander Montanez, D. Min.

Holding sacred space #1 (more to come)

It was cold yesterday morning, and I pulled my hood up as I walked along the streets in my neighborhood. I was focused on the silhouettes of the budding dogwoods against the dawn sky, and the newly opened azaleas and bulbs in the yards of so many caught my attention, too. Spring in Columbia is beautiful. I was breathing it in. It was a prayer, this gratitude for God’s created world. I like paying attention to the Holy One like this in the early morning hours. Sometimes I get answers to questions or concerns just by walking and breathing and paying attention. Mostly, though, I just like to rest in the lap of God’s creation.

Looking ahead, I could see her walking toward me. I know her gate and her shape, and I crossed the street to say good morning to my friend. We hadn’t planned on meeting. I know sometimes I don’t want to be interrupted when I am walking/praying. But she waved and said hello, turned off her headphones and we started walking side by side. We’ve met like this before, and our conversations always seem to be a special time of sharing. Today was no different.

The last time we walked I had been sharing some about a friendship, some old wounds I had incurred, and the state of their healing. Like a patient with an open sore, I was reporting the condition of things. “It’s better, I think. Oozing less, scabbing up pretty nicely. It doesn’t hurt so much anymore, unless I accidentally bump it and then, ouch, I sure know it’s not completely healed. But it’s better, and I am grateful. Most important, I know it will heal. I believe that. And, "Please, don’t let me whine," I implored. I hate whining. She assured me that there is a difference between sharing and whining.

Today she was sharing. I am accustomed to listening as I do it for a living. It is a gift, and it brings me joy. I was aware immediately that I was honored by her trust in me and our developing trust in each other. We had both shared stories that leave us vulnerable, stories that hint at the essence of who and what we are. At the end of the walk, we hugged and she said, “This is sacred space. Let’s hold our talks in our hearts.” As I left her on the corner and headed home, I thought, “This is prayer, another kind of prayer. Creating sacred space with another, holding another’s heart in our heart, is prayer.”

This is what God must do. Our hearts are held in the heart of the Holy One. And in that Heart of Hearts, all the hearts of the world live together. I can even imagine holding the heart of God in my heart, as I did this morning on an early walk with a friend. What a precious and sacred way of praying.

© Amy Sander Montanez