~87th Convention, cont'd~
This same attitude has hindered the passion for “changing lives” that is
often reflected in church growth. “[W]e need,” the bishop said, “to
recapture a dynamic sense of being spiritual entrepreneurs. To put it in
blunt terms, the Episcopal Church in Upper South Carolina must grow.” “Now
is the time,” he said, “to take what we believe to heart and put it into
action. God-in-Christ has given us what we need; say ‘thank you’;
and—and—share the gift!”
Reflecting on “some of the things—only some—that we have accomplished,”
Bishop Henderson celebrated our “remarkable sense of stability as a
diocese”; the development of a commission-based infrastructure which
“encourages, supports, and strengthens mission at every level of the Church,
starting with the individual”; a “dependable and sustainable commitment” to
our established priorities of health, formation, mission, and outreach, all
grounded in our ongoing diocesan Healthy Church Initiative devoted to
“developing congregations as places where more and more people come into
relationship with God.”
Looking ahead
 |
|
Search Committee chairs Bill Thomason and Suzi Clawson announce the slate of five nominees |
“Tip-toe anticipation”—thus Bishop Henderson described the atmosphere as
convention-goers awaited the announcement of the final slate of nominees for
eighth bishop of Upper South Carolina, which was made at the end of business
day by Search Committee co-chairs Suzi Clawson and Bill Thomason.
Five nominees, representing, in Clawson’s words, “a spectrum of choices . .
. largely in balance with the results of the diocesan survey,” were put
forth by the Search Committee. They are: The Very Rev. John B. Burwell, rector, Church of the Holy
Cross, Sullivan's Island, Daniel Island and I'on, South Carolina; The Rev.
Canon Dr. Neal O. Michell, canon to the ordinary, Episcopal Diocese of
Dallas, Texas; The Reverend Jerre Stockton Williams, Jr., rector, St.
Peter's, Kerrville, Texas; The Rev. David F. O. Thompson, rector, St.
Bartholomew’s, N. Augusta, South Carolina; and The Reverend W. Andrew Waldo,
rector, Trinity Episcopal Church,
Excelsior, Minnesota.
Clawson and Thomason told convention that additional information about the
nominees, including resumes, written responses to questions posed by the
Search Committee, and brief video presentations, is available on the Bishop
Search Web site, www.bishopsearch.edusc.org.
They said also that there is in place for submission of
nominations by petition
on the diocesan Web site. The election will take place on
December 12. Clergy, delegates, and other interested parties are invited to
meet the finalists at the “walk-abouts” scheduled for November 21 and 22.
Visit www.edusc.org/nextbishop to register for a walk-about.
