Diocesan News
The Rev. Harry E. “Pop” Lawhon, rector emeritus of Grace, Camden, dies at 89
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The Rev. "Pop" Lawhon in a favorite rocking chair at Gravatt |
The Rev. Harry Ernest Lawhon, Jr., died in Camden on June 17 following a
battle with cancer. A memorial service was held on June 21 at Grace Church,
Camden, where Fr. Lawhon had served as rector for nearly a quarter century. The
Rt. Rev. Dorsey F. Henderson, Jr., presided; the homilist was the Rev.
William M. “Scotty” Brock of St. Michael and All Angels’, Savannah, Georgia.
Fr. Lawhon, who was born in Birmingham, Alabama, was a graduate of Virginia
Theological Seminary. Prior to become rector of Grace Church, Camden, he
served in Upper South Carolina at the Church of Our Saviour in Trenton and
at Trinity
Church in Edgefield.
Among his many other ministries, he was a fervent and lifelong supporter of
Gravatt, having served as chair of the Camp Gravatt Commission and spent
many summers as chaplain and camp director at Gravatt .
For many, Fr. Lawhon was Upper SC's "most-unforgettable character."
He will be missed, in so many ways..
Memorials to Fr. Lawhon may be made to the Bishop Gravatt Center (Chapel of
the Transfiguration Fund), Grace Church, Camden, or Church of the Ascension,
Hagood, S.C.
James Edward Neuburger ordained to the priesthood at St. Mary's, Columbia, June 25
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On June 25, at St. Mary's, Columbia, Bishop Henderson ordained Upper SC's newest priest, the Rev. James Edward Neuburger. The Rev. C. Christopher Clements, assisting priest at St. Mary's, preached. In the photo at left St. Mary's rector the Rev. Blaney Pridgen receives a blessing from the newly ordained.
Canon George Chassey presides at Air Force memorial service
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Canon Chassey at the 9th Air Force Association Convention, May, 2008 |
In late May, in St. Louis, the Rev. Canon George I. Chassey attended the
Ninth Air Force Association Convention, for which he served as chaplain. On
May 27 he conducted a memorial service for those who had died during the
previous year. He had earlier presided at several such services, including
memorials at National
Cathedral and the Air Force Academy Chapel.
View the order of service and read his remarks in St. Louis
here.
During World War II, Canon Chassey was a crew chief on a P51 Mustang Fighter
plane. After service in World War II, Chassey went to seminary, became an
Episcopal priest, and eventually canon for administration in the Diocese of
Upper South Carolina. Canon Chassey retired in 1989. He and his wife Mary
live in West Columbia.
Upper South Carolinians attend national "Nuevo Amanecer" conference on Hispanic and Latino ministry
[From an Episcopal News Service story by Nan Ross]
An Episcopal Church conference on Hispanic and Latino ministry, from June 30 through July 3, near Atlanta gathered more than 200 people from diverse Spanish-speaking communities in eight countries to share in the challenges and blessings of their ministries and chart a course for continued growth. Among the participants were two of our own, the Rev. Fred Gonzalez and the Rev. Deacon Ann Pilat, both active in the ever-growing Hispanic ministries at St. Mary's, Columbia.
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| Third to the right of the Presiding Bishop is the Rev. Fred Gonzalez; behind him, the Rev. Dn Ann Pilat, both of whom serve at St. Mary's, Columbia. (Photo: Bill Monk/Episcopal Media Center) |
"A New Dawn—Nuevo Amanecer—Together We Grow and Are Strengthened," represents the first time in six years that Episcopalians engaged in Hispanic and Latino ministries have come together. The entire program was offered in Spanish, with English translation available throughout.
Read the complete ENS story.
Transformation on the way—new Upper SC Web site to be launched September 2
Our diocesan Web site, www.edusc.org, will have a whole new look come Tuesday, September 2. Designed to reflect the commission structure of the diocese, the new site will offer information and contact e-mails for every Upper SC group and ministry, along with policies, forms, registration venues, links and resources of many kinds. There'll be a church finder that's cutting edge, and a searchable calendar of everything that's going on in our diocese. And, yes, no more dancing menu! We're betting you're gonna love it!
The road to General Convention '09
Upper SC deputation attends preparatory synod in June
From
June 4 through 6 Upper SC's deputation to General Convention began to
prepare for the big event by attending the Province IV Synod meeting
Kanuga. The theme for meeting was "Partners in the Spirit: Mutually
Encouraged by Each Other's Faith, " and featured speakers included the
Rev. Charles Fulton, president of the Episcopal Church Building Fund (ECBF);
the Rev. Margaret Rose, director of the Center for Mission Leadership; and
the Rev. Isaias Rodriquez, Province IV Hispanic Ministries network
coordinator.
Pictured above are lay deputies Art Bjontegard, Scooty Burch, and Angela Daniel; Bishop Henderson and clergy deputy the Rev. Fletcher Montgomery. Diocesan canon to the ordinary the Rev. Michael Bullock (far right) accompanied the deputation.
Not pictured are clergy deputies the Very Rev. Dr. Philip C. Linder and the Revs. David Thompson, Calvin Griffin, and Beth Ely (clergy alternate); and lay deputies Belton Zeigler and Reggie Brooker (lay alternate).
Celebration of new ministry, July 10, at St. Andrew's, Greenville—Everyone's invited!!
The Right Reverend Dorsey F. Henderson, Jr., will institute the Reverend John Gilbert Garland III as the 13th Rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Greenville, on Thursday, the 10th of July, 2008, The Eve of the Feast of St. Benedict of Nursia, at 7:00 p.m. A reception will follow. Your prayers and presence are requested. (Clergy: White Stoles.)
Still Hopes certified as "Wildlife Habitat" by the National Wildlife Federation
The Still Hopes Retirement Community has been certified as a Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. To receive the certification our campus had to have: plants and feeders as sources of food; clean water source for drinking and bathing; plants and areas that provide shelter from the weather and predators; and places for wildlife to bear and raise their young.
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Three residents who worked on the wildlife certification for Still Hopes—Anne Beazley, Patsy Black, Mary Alice Beck— with Danny Sanford, executive director |
The application also requested a list of plants on the campus, including types of trees and various kinds of plants and wildflowers. Plants that are native to South Carolina are preferred. Also requested was information concerning gardening techniques that help conserve resources.
The application was made by a subcommittee of the Safety / Grounds / Environment Committee, chaired by George Knebel, of the Resident Council. The committee distributed a questionnaire to residents to determine the sources of food and shelter that they provide for wildlife. The totals are not exact, but they show that many of our residents are helping our wildlife.
There are signs at each of the entrances of our campus that designate Still Hopes as a Wildlife Habitat of the National Wildlife Federation.
The committee members look forward to working with the residents and staff in continuing to provide food and shelter for wildlife and in preserving the wet lands area of our campus. One activity that will be sponsored in the coming year is participation in the annual Great Backyard Bird Count of Cornell University.
Milestones in Haiti
An update from our woman on the ground, Jackie Williams
Christ Church parishioner Jackie Williams oversees the Artisan Center, part of out diocesan ministry at Cange, Haiti, and spends most of her time there. Here are her reflections on the recent pre-school and 6th grade ceremonies.
The pre-school graduation was over the top! Each little girl was
outfitted in a gown befitting a bride or debutante. Each little boy was in a
tailored navy suit. They recited, gave speeches, sang like seasoned
performers. Twenty-two years ago Mme Lafontant, wife of Episcopal priest the
Rev. Fritz Lafontant, had as her first "creche" a dozen
or so malnourished youngsters on packed earth under a banana bark shelter
who were just entrusted to some good souls who wiped their noses and gave
them a meal. Now there are three Montesorri-trained teachers and a whole new
civilization.
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Preschool graduation (click to enlarge) |
6th-grade grads |
Sixth grade graduation was equally wonderful. How proud we all are of Raoul Fritz Sauveur, the godson of Grace, Anderson's, Dr. Harry Morse' and me. He was abandoned by his mother at birth. After a year spent in the hospital, a local angel with 5 children of her own adopted him. Then she dropped dead last year, her heart just given out, age 54. With these two strikes against him Raoul has succeeded beyond any expectations. He was the Laureate at graduation!
Seventeen students have passed the extremely difficult French system "Philo" and are prepared for university. This is one generation away from illiteracy. The ceremony was touching: the students marched in one by one to the strains of Pachabel's Canon, each accompanied by a relative. The head of secondary school gave a brief biographical sketch and told of each one's future plans. Here come our doctors, nurses, engineers, agronomists, plus a lawyer and politician (blessings on him if he enters Haitian politics!).
The 86th Diocesan Convention
Business - Celebration - Leadership
October 17 - 18, 2008
The Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center and the adjacent Hilton Hotel will serve as our site for the two days of Mission and Ministry.
Friday, October 17th will be focused on the business of the Diocese. Elections, the Statement of Mission (SOM), possible resolutions and changes to the Constitution and Canons will be the order of the day. In the evening there will be a grand celebration, complete with the Bishop's Awards recognizing Upper South Carolinians who have made extraordinary contributions to the life and ministry of our diocese.
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On Saturday, October 18th, the Bishop invites all those in various leadership areas of our congregations to come and be energized, empowered, and focused to take on the his "four goals for a seamless transition. This will be a time to come together for worship, to share stories of mission and ministry, and learn how each one of our congregations can move forward. Weaving the Story we all share and the stories of our faith communities will be the Rt. Rev. Charles F. Duvall . Throughout the day he will inspire and challenge us to enter into the story, so that in our leaving we will share it with others.
Make plans NOW to attend these exciting events! Hotel rooms are going fast! October 17-18 is also weekend of the South Carolina–LSU football game, at home in Columbia. Three hotels have blocked rooms for Diocesan Convention: Hampton Inn, Rodeway Inn, and Comfort Suites. Although there is no diocesan block of rooms, reservations may also be made at the Hilton Hotel. Full info on making reservations can be downloaded here. Please pay close attention to release and cancellation dates when making your reservations.Keep your eyes on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
Join the Virtual March for the MDGs
On Thursday, July 24, in concert with the 2008
Lambeth Conference, more than 600 Anglican bishops, their spouses and
other faith leaders from around the United Kingdom will march through
central London on a Walk of Witness—a symbolic moment of solidarity for the fulfillment of the MDGs to
reflect to the world
God's desire for justice and concern for the poor.
Now, you can "march" with the bishops—online and in your congregation.
The
Episcopal Public Policy Network
and
Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation
are sponsoring a
"Virtual March for the MDGs" (www.mdgmarch.org)
to coincide with the Lambeth Conference walk. The aim is the same. Only
instead of walking through the streets of London, we'll be sending e-mails
into Congressional inboxes in Washington, D.C. asking our leaders to share
our commitment to the MDGs and making poverty history.
Read more, and get on board!
We CAN make extreme
global poverty history by 2015!