Diocesan News

The 86th Diocesan Convention

Business - Celebration - Leadership

October 17 - 18, 2008

Registration is now online!

Bishop Henderson’s "four goals for a seamless transition," which he set forth in his address to Diocesan Convention in 2007, will serve as the basis for Convention 2008, a three-part celebration of mission and ministry in Upper SC hosted by St. John’s, Columbia, and scheduled for October 17 and 18 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.

On Friday, October 17, from 9 a.m. till 4 p.m., the focus is on the business of the diocese, followed that evening by a special celebration, including dinner and the first annual presentation of Bishop’s Cross awards. Saturday, October 18, is “Leadership Day,” featuring plenary-session reflections by the Rt. Rev. Charles F. Duvall and a variety of breakout session designed for congregational leadership teams.

The honor of your presence is requested at

A special evening of celebration
Friday, October 17, 2008, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.,
Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center

A fabulous dinner and an exciting program, including . . .

The first annual Bishop’s Cross awards, celebrating the life and ministry of Upper South Carolinians who have shared their time, talent, and treasure with uncommon grace

An invitation to all Upper South Carolinians to participate, in a powerful new way, in the ongoing mission of our diocese. (You won’t want to miss this exciting announcement!)

Make your reservation now!

In anticipating his mandatory retirement at age 72, by January 2011, the bishop last year called on Upper South Carolinians to join him in embracing “four goals for a seamless transition” so that he might “deliver into the hands of my successor a vibrant, confident, and healthy diocese and episcopacy.” The task, he said, requires “the faithful commitment of each of you and that of each person in each pew in each congregation.” This year’s Diocesan Convention is being offered as a resource to support us in reaching those goals.

Noting that all elected delegates and clergy should attend all three segments of convention, Bishop Henderson has asked that each congregation assemble a team to participate in the activities of October 18, “Leadership Day.” All are welcome, but the bishop especially encourages wardens, vestry members, and those involved in congregational outreach and formation ministries to be part of the team. And, of course, no one will want to miss the Friday evening (October 17, beginning at 6:30 p.m.) celebration of mission and ministry in Upper SC.

Make plans NOW to attend these exciting events! More information, including info on lodging, is available here.

Your General Convention deputies want to hear from you!

Looking ahead to General Convention '09, your General Convention deputies would like to hear from you. What would you like to know about General Convention—how it works, where the money goes, what deputies do, why it matters?

Philip Linder+

Calvin Griffin+

Fletcher Montgomery+

David Thompson+

Beth Ely+ (alternate)

Click here to let them know. Your feedback will be used to create resources for us Upper South Carolinians, so that when GC rolls around in July '09 we can, it's hoped, listen more and wonder less!

Art Bjontegard

Scooty Burch

Angela Daniel

Belton Zeigler

Reg Brooker (alternate)

Please take a moment and contact your deputies now!

Peer ministers trained for young adult Canterbury Communities

Peer minister training for the Canterbury Communities of Upper SC’s young adults was held at Saluda, NC, August 22-24.

2008-2009 peer ministers pictured are: Diana Rambo, chair, Committee for Young Adult Ministries (CYAM); Kate Klammer (Spartanburg); Spencer Cantrell (Columbia); Jane-Allison Wiggin (Furman); Archdeacon Byrd; Amy Hixon (Clemson and co-chair CYAM); Scott Parnell (Furman); Lockey Powers (Prebyterian College); Michelle Thilges (Presbyterian College).

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