National News

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

Diocesan News

Diocesan Leadership Days call forth "ONE THIING"

“What is the ONE THING you or your congregation can achieve to strengthen the ministry of Christ’s Church in Upper SC?”

Participants in “Share the Hope,” the Diocesan Leadership Days from April through June that brought Upper SC congregations together from April to June in groups organized according to church size, returned home to ponder the question, accept the challenge of discerning the "ONE THING," and sharing their good news with others in the diocese by e-mailing their stories to Canon for Communications Peggy Hill (phill@edusc.org) for inclusion in diocesan publications. Just imagine if 26, 000 Episcopalians in Upper SC realized just ONE THING, as individuals and as congregations, for the Body of Christ!

Ask the question, take the pledge, and share the good news. ONE THING really does make a difference.

Goldsmith, Hill to retire from diocesan staff

Jane Goldsmith, executive assistant to the bishop, and Peggy Van Antwerp Hill, diocesan canon for communications, have announced plans to retire at summer’s end. Goldsmith and Hill both joined the bishop’s staff in 2001, within weeks of each other. They are both members of St. Simon & St. Jude, Irmo.

Goldsmith

“It has been a great blessing and privilege to serve on the bishop’s staff and to have a ministry that has made it possible for me to get to know so many people in the diocese and throughout the Episcopal Church,” Goldsmith said. “The work of the bishop’s office can be demanding and the pace can be hectic, but the rewards are many, and great.”

The good news is that Goldsmith will not be a stranger but will be taking on some part-time tasks at Diocesan House. In her leisure time she plans to spend more time in the North Carolina mountains.

Hill

Hill sends "heartfelt thanks to all those Upper South Carolinians —writers, photographers, artists, and readers—who have made our diocesan publications so special and the editor’s job such an uncommon pleasure. I leave my post," she says, "with a warm and grateful heart. It has been challenging, rewarding, and a gift indeed to be in ministry with you."

Hill says that, although she will miss colleagues and friends from all over Upper SC, she’s looking forward to traveling with her husband in the U.S. and beyond and having more time to work as a freelance editor and consultant.

Two ordained to the transitional diaconate

On June 3, at St. Mary's, Columbia, Bishop Waldo ordained his "firstborn," Susan Moore Prinz and Richard Kent Galloway, to the transitional diaconate. The Rev. John Nieman, rector of Holy Trinity, Clemson, preached.

Prinz, from St. Timothy's, Columbia, is a 2010 graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary, where she was recipient of the St. George’s College Prize for study at St. George’s College in Jerusalem. Galloway, from St. Peter's, Greenville, is a 2010 graduate of General Theological Seminary.

Does your congregation have an international outreach project?

Funding is available!

Consider submitting an application for a diocesan MDG grant

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

Summer Concert Series at St. Timothy's, Columbia

St. Timothy's, Columbia, is offering a summer concert series. Concerts begin at 12 noon in the church (900 Calhoun Street) and are approximately 30 minutes.

The schedule is as follows: July 13, Humphries/Isley duo; August 3, Christopher Berg, guitar.

Lunches are available in Bennett Hall for eat in or take out. Lunches are $10.00 and payment must be received by the Friday before the concert. Call the church office for reservations, 803.765.1519, or contact John Dent, 803.252-1994.

Mail checks for lunch to:
St. Timothy's Episcopal Church
900 Calhoun Street
Columbia, SC 29201

First annual Bassmaster Tournament at Gravatt July 31

Sign up your two-person team for the first annual Gravatt Bassmaster Fishing Tournament at the Bishop Gravatt Center, July 31, beginning at 9 a.m.

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.

Registration is online at bishopgravatt.org or call 803.648.1817.

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.

National Episcopal Cursillo Conference coming to Myrtle Beach, October 28-31

This year's National Cursillo Conference, co-hosted by our diocese and the Diocese of  South Carolina, will take place in Myrtle Beach, according to National Cursillo president Thom Neal, who is a member of St. John's, Congaree.

Keynote speaker is the Rev. Frank E. Wismer III, a priest currently serving in the Diocese of Connecticut and author of two published meditation guides for the Cursillo community.

More information, including workshop information and registration form at http://images.acswebnetworks.com/1/1227/NECConf2010Brochure.pdf.

Spiritual Renewal Weekend, August 27-29

Thus Far, By Faith: A Conversation on Partnering with God

The retreat will be led by The Rev. Dr. Sam Portaro from The Episcopal Diocese of Chicago. It is presented by The Committee on Ministry with LGBT Persons and
The Center for Formation & Mission of The Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi.

The retreat will be held at The Duncan M. Gray Camp & Conference Center in Canton, MS. For more information, please visit http://www.dioms.org/ digital_faith/events/396. 

Cost ranges from $80 - $210 depending on room preference and length of stay. Scholarships are available by contacting John Lever, 601.362.2792.

Holy Land 14-day study tour, December 20-January 2, 2011

Episcopal seminarian Gwin Hanahan, who is a student minister at St. Michael & All Angels', Columbia, and Dr. Monte Luker, professor of Hebrew Scriptures at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, will lead a 14-day study tour of the Holy Land from December 20 to January 2, 2010. Detailed information and a brochure are available online at http://jcbs.org/find_trip/detail.aspx?tour=JC10/H&d=12-20-2010&group=52711

Opportunities

From the Diocese of Central Gulf Coast

Gulf of Mexico oil spill updates, cleanup information, pastoral resources available at www.diocgc.org

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.

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  

Calendar

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

By Amy Sander Montanez, D. Min.

Loafing with God

Recently as I prepared to enter thirty-six hours of silence, I cried my way through these words of a longer meditation entitled "Prayer of the Empty Water Jar" by Macrina Wiederkehr.

“ I am too full.
I am full of things that block out your golden grace.
I am smothered by gods of my own creation
I am lost in the forest of my false self.
I am full of my own opinions and narrow attitudes
full of fear, resentments, control
full of self-pity, and arrogance...
I am so full there is no room for you.”

Knowing that this silence has come at a perfect time, I am holding on to the words I heard at a recent lecture. “Spend some time loafing with God.” It is not something I do very often. Oh, I pray, meditate, do yoga, walk labyrinths, read, and even spend extended times in silence. But loaf? Do nothing? I can feel my German blood curdling right now at the thought of being, what? Lazy? The worst sin, right up there with whining. Perhaps I can rest in God. I do allow myself to rest. Relax with God. Let God support me. I am trying all kinds of re-writes to not have to loaf with God. This is the first morning.

On my walk to the dining hall this first silent morning something did catch my eye. About five feet in diameter with a hole almost as big in the center was the base of what once was a large pine tree. Growing out of the hole was a mass of light green ground cover. I peeked into the hole to see how the plant was growing, where it was coming from. All I could tell was that it was coming right up through the middle of the hole of the use-to-be pine tree.

God, if I empty myself like that pine tree and create a hole right in the middle of me, will you fill it with something that vibrant and beautiful? If I am no longer who I am now, will you make me something else? Can I become a container for a new creation to grow? And God, what if you are like the hole? Right out of the middle of you, God, a new creation is forming. What if I could be a part of that?

Perhaps with a little more loafing I can make the space to find out.

Later in the day I focus on these words from Wiederkehr’s mediation.

“Finally,
I sit with my empty water jar,
I hear you whisper,
You have become a space for God
Now there is hope
Now you are ready to be a channel of life.
You have given up your own agenda.
There is nothing left but God.”

I am beginning to have a new appreciation of loafing with God. Thanks be to God.

©2010 Amy Sander Montanez, D.Min.