Diocesan News

Haitians, Upper South Carolinians mourn Mme Lafontant

Mme Lafontant earlier this year

On Saturday, May 29, Mme. Yoland Lafontant, wife of the Episcopal priest at Cange, the Rev. Fritz Lafontant died as a result of a stroke she had suffered the day before. Known as “Manmito,” or Little Mother, she worked tirelessly alongside her husband and the many from our diocese who visited Cange to improve life for her people.

Writing from Cange on the last day of May, Jackie Williams, who manages the Artisans’ Center there, said: “Manmito has been a true mother to all the population and my mentor for the last 25 years.

"The most eloquent quotation from Manmito stays with us always: ‘We would like them to have a better life.’”

Three Upper SC seminarians honored for excellence

Susan Prinz	Tom DiMarco	David Sibley

Susan Moore Prinz, a 2009 graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary ordained to the transitional diaconate by Bishop Waldo on June 3, has been named recipient of the St. George’s College Prize for study at St. George’s College in Jerusalem.

Thomas Edgar DiMarco, a second-year seminarian at Sewanee, and David Sibley, in his second year at General Theological Seminary, were selected to represent their institutions at this year's "Preaching Excellence Program," sponsored by the Episcopal Preaching Foundation at Villanova University, May 30-–June 4.

Are these guys great, or what?

Upper SC ministries in Haiti receive 2010 UTO grant

For the second consecutive year Upper South Carolina’s ministries in Cange and environs on Haiti’s Central Plateau have received a United Thank Offering (UTO) grant from the Episcopal Church Women. This year’s grant of approximately $70,000 is earmarked for the vocational school Upper SC is currently building at Cange. Last year’s award of more than $60,000 went to the ongoing restoration and enhancement of the aging water system that is the foundation of all the life-giving ministries underway at Cange.

The 2010 funding will advance the vocational school project—the first floor of the facility is already in place—by providing classrooms where Haitian women will receive training in the production of Nourimil and Mourimanba, two super nutritional products now being used to combat the ever present problem of malnutrition in Haiti. The training will ultimately create jobs for the women, who will also receive training in home economics and instruction in correct nutrition and hygiene.

Upper South Carolinian elected chair of
the Episcopal Church Foundation Board

Sally Skardon, Christ Church, Greenville

The Board of Directors of the Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF) met May 7-9 in Atlanta, GA, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.  While celebrating the 12 years of service of board chair Dr. Mac McFarling, ECF honored him with the Henry Knox Sherrill Medal for Outstanding Service to the Episcopal Church.  The board affirmed ECF’s leadership initiatives including the Fellowship Partners Program, Vestry Papers, and several pilot and partnership programs. 

The board also elected new officers: Sally A. Skardon, Greenville, SC, board chair; Robin Caldwell, Plano, TX, Vice Chair; Beverly Fisk Kelsey, Darien, CT, Treasurer, and Cecilia A. Mowatt, Esq., Chicago, IL, Secretary. 

Read the complete story.

MDG Grants available for international outreach projects

MDG grants deadline: July 1
Download grant guidelines
Download grant application form

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 a grant application form.