Upcoming Events

"Share the Hope": Next Diocesan Leadership Days coming up June 5, 10, 19

Don't miss this opportunity to gather with like-sized churches

Attend the day that's right for your church!

Transitional churches, June 5; Resource congregations, June 10; Family-size churches, June 19

Scenes from the first Leadership Day, April 24. Want to see some more photos?

"Share the Hope," a series of five diocesan leadership days organized according to church size, began April 24 at All Saints', Clinton. The April 24 event was dedicated to program-size congregations, those whose average Sunday attendance (ASA) ranges from 225 to 800. A second event, for pastoral-size congregations (50-140) was held at All Saints' on May 1.

Three more days are on tap, June 5 (transitional churches, ASA 141-224), June 10 (resource congregations, 800+), and June 19 (family-size churches, 1-50)—all to be held at All Saints', Clinton.

All clergy, elected lay leadership (wardens, vestry, and delegates), lay staff, and interested others are encouraged to attend the Leadership Day designed for their congregation.

These events offer time for worship, sharing congregational stories, listening to the stories of other faith communities, participating in interest groups around common topics, and entering into dialogue with our new bishop about the ministry we all share in the Diocese of Upper South Carolina.  For planning purposes RSVP is required.

Visit www.edusc.org/Leadership for more information. An RSVP link is found at the bottom of each day's agenda.

Questions? Contact Sue von, 803.771.7800, ext. 13.

Midlands wine & cheese fundraiser for Haiti, May 16

The Earthquake is Over, but the Crisis is Not

Plan to join Bishop-Elect Andrew Waldo and other leaders of the Midlands Convocation for an update on the critical circumstances of our brothers and sisters in the village of Cange, where the Diocese of Upper South Carolina has had an active presence and ministry since 1980.  Please support

A Wine and Cheese Benefit

for the

 Bread and Water Campaign for Cange, Haiti

a mission of The Diocese of Upper South Carolina

Sunday, May 16, 2010, 4:00 to 6:00 PM

 Speaker:  Dr. Harry Morse

St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields                                                Tickets $15  

5220 Clemson Avenue, Columbia                                  Available at the door

Still Hopes benefit, May 27, celebrates the Guignard Mansion

On May 27 The Guignard Society, which promotes the mission of the Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community, will sponsor "A Night at the Mansion," a benefit celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Guignard Mansion and supporting the Still Hopes Resident Assistance Fund.

The evening begins with a cocktail reception at 6 Dinner follows at 7. The cost is $75 per reservation (of which $50 is tax deductible).

Please contact the Development Office at Still Hopes (803.739.5006; kmoorman@stillhopes.org), for more information. The invitation, including celebration details, is here.  

Safe Church trainings in May

Click here to see who needs Safe Church training.


St. Stephen's, Ridgeway, May 8. Please contact the church for more information, 803.337.2905.

St. Francis of Assisi, Chapin, Saturday, May 15, beginning at 9 a.m. Please contact the church office if you plan to attend, 803.345.1550

Ordinations June 3—All invited!

SC Christian Action Council's "How We Treat One Another," May 20

On May 20, at Virginia Wingard United Methodist Church, Columbia, all are invited to join the conversation on race for engagement and change. At your SC Christian Action Council's Annual Meeting 2010 we will consider "How We Treat One Another: the Good, the Bad, the Future."

The day begins with ecumenical worship, features a keynote on the topic, and includes a fellowship meal and the presentation of this year's SCCAC Ecumenism awards.

Register online. For more information, contact Doty at sccouncil@sccouncil.net.

"Caring for Creation"at Mepkin Abbey, May 20

"Caring for Creation: A Forum for Religious Education Leaders" will be held May 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mepkin Abbey, Moncks Corner, South Carolina.

This interfaith conference, sponsored by the Center for Humans and Nature, Audubon – South Carolina, and Mepkin Abbey is offered without charge to religious education leaders who wish to know more about faith-based environmental education.

Sister Paula Gonzalez, Ph.D., Sisters of Charity - Cincinnati will be the forum leader and present a keynote address: "Spirituality for the 21st Century." Since 1970, she has presented more than 1,600 programs – workshops, retreats, seminars— on various aspects of global futures. She is a dynamic leader who energizes audiences to teach others that we are participants in creation with the Eternal Creator.

Participants will also learn what South Carolina faith communities are doing to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Speakers from the SC State Energy Office, conservation groups, and places of worship will offer advice and information on making the physical place of worship less consumptive (thus reducing costs) and on ways to educate congregants to become better stewards of the Earth.

Lunch will be provided. Because of limited space registrations are required by May 10. To register, or if you have questions, please contact Dr. William Bailey at wbailey@sc.edu.

Province IV Leadership Conference at Kanuga, June 9-11