June 3, 2010

e~DUSC Print Version

Consecration photo gallery, web cast video and worship booklet now available

www.edusc.org/Consecration

National News

ENS articles on national, international, and regional news can be found online at http://episcopalchurch.org/episcopal_life.htm.

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. 

MDG Grants available for international outreach projects

MDG grants deadline: July 1
Download grant guidelines  and application from edusc.org, "Ministries"

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.

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

"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.

Safe Church Trainings, June 12

• St. James, Greenvile
  Call 864.244.6358 to register
  
• The Bishop Gravatt Center, Aiken
  Call 803.648.1817 to register
  Registration deadline: June 8; Cost: $10; Refreshments served

For more information on upcoming training events, please visit www.edusc.org/SFM.Contact Roz Hook, 803.771.7800 x 20, to schedule a training in your church or institution.

Summer Concert Series at St. Timothy's, Columbia

• June 8
  Charles Fugo, piano
  
  
• July 13
  Stephen Humphries, hammered dulcimer
  
  
• August 3
  Christopher Berg, guitar

For more information about the upcoming concert series, please contact St. Timothy's, at 803.765.1519.

First annual Bassmaster Tournament at Gravatt July 31

Save the date: Reedy River Convocation Chili Cook-off set for October 3

Proceeds to benefit the diocesan Bread & Water Campaign

The Reedy River Convocation Chili Cook-off is set for Sunday, October 3, at the
Holy Cross Picnic Pavilion in Simpsonville.

Two entries of chili are invited from each of the 11 churches in the convocation. First and second place trophies awarded by judges +Andrew and Mary Waldo.

And it's all for a good cause: proceeds benefit the Bread and Water Campaign to support our diocesan ministries in Cange, Haiti.

Make your plans to attend now!

Save the date: October 22—A great evening to benefit Gravatt

Sponsors, hosts, volunteers, donations sought

Get out your dancing shoes - Gravatt is having a party. A BIG party in Columbia!

Mark your calendar for "Under the Tent... an evening benefiting Gravatt Camp and Conference Center" on October 22, 2010. The great sound of Heart 'n Soul Band will be at The Hall at Canal and Senate with Dupre's delicious food. Don't miss the opportunity to see old friends, pick up great items—including camper art—and dance the night away.

Sponsors, hosts, volunteers, and auction donations are being sought. For a list of volunteer needs and descriptions, sponsor opportunities, and host responsibilities, please visit www.bishopgravatt.org. If you are interested please contact Christine Koutrakos, Event Chair, at 803-608-0714 or ckoutrakos@aol.com.

Tickets for this adults-only event will be available beginning in July for $45 per person, $55 after October 1, and $65 at the door, which includes great food, adult beverages, and dancing. Look for information soon and purchase your tickets early.

Dallas Benedictine Experience, June 23-27

The 13th annual multi-denominational Dallas Benedictine Experience Retreat will take place at The Catholic Conference Center in Dallas from Wednesday, June 23, to Sunday, June 27, 2010.

This retreat is presented by The Friends of St. Benedict, Washington, D.C. 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.

Retreat leaders are Sister Mary Donald Corcoran, O.S.B.Cam. and Father Dwight Longenecker. 

For more information,  e-mail dallasbenedictine@yahoo.com, or call 214.339.8483.

Opportunities

Gulf Coast prayer resources

News

A lesson from the Gulf Oil Spill: We Are All Connected
The Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bishop-katharine-jefferts-schori/lessons-from-the-gulf-oil_b_591160.html

Episcopal Relief & Development Supporting Gulf Coast Communities after Oil Spill
Contact: Tyla Fowler, (800) 334-7626, ext. 6311
http://www.er-d.org/GulfCoastOilSpill

Prayers

Written by The Rev. John Widdows, Episcopal Diocese of Maine

As the catastrophic oil accident in the Gulf continues, O God, for the wonders of technology, we give you thanks.

For the limits of technology we pray for awareness.  
For the arrogance of technology, when it harms your Creation, we pray for humility.  
For the victims of this technology, we pray for forgiveness.  
For the recklessness which prevents careful preparation for accident, we pray with repentance and for enlightenment. 

And for our capacity to learn from this huge mistake and to minister compassionately as a society to those harmed by it, we give you thanks.    

Amen.

Prayers of the People
http://www.nccecojustice.org/downloads/Gulf Spill Resource May 2010.pdf

Litany

From the National Council of Churches' EcoJustice program
http://www.nccecojustice.org/downloads/Gulf Spill Resource May 2010.pdf

From the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast
http://www.diocgc.org/forms/SAK_Litany_for_gulf_crisis.pdf

Church News

Trinity, Abbeville to present "Blessed", July 18

Join the people of Trinity, Abbeville for a special performance of "Blessed", a one-man play, written and performed by The Rev. George Roberts, which follows the life and ministry of the apostle Paul. The play will be held at Trinity, Abeville at 3 PM on July 18.

Trinity Abbeville is located at 200 Church Street, Abeville, SC 29680. Contact senior warden, Cynthia Jeffries, 864.942.2850, or the church at 864.366.5186 for more information.

About The Rev. George C. Roberts
Priest Assistant, St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Columbia

George Roberts was born in Raleigh, NC in 1963, one of five children.  He graduated from Campbell University where he earned a degree in social work. Roberts then attended graduate school at the University of Mississippi and earned a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre.

George had just moved to Spartanburg to teach at USC Upstate when he began to
experience a renewed call to ordained ministry.  After a lengthy, yet wonderful period of discernment at St. Matthew's in Spartanburg, I entered Virginia Theological Seminary in the fall of 2006. Roberts was ordained to the diaconate in May of 2009 and to the priesthood in December. He serves as curate to St. Mary's in Columbia and work with our youth, as one of my duties there. 

George and his wife, Tracey, have four children, ranging in age from 21 to 6, three
girls and one boy.  Tracey is a school nurse in the Columbia area.

Clergy News

E-mail scam alert

If you have recently received an e-mail purporting to be from Bishop Ramadhani (retired, Diocese of Zanzibar) soliciting funds for a project to bring safe water to Zanzibar, please delete it. It is an e-mail scam.

If you have any questions, please contact Bethany Human, 803.771.7800 x 19.

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