88th Diocesan Convention

October 21, 2010

Convention at a glance
The Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina met October 15-16 for its 88th annual convention at Trinity Cathedral, Columbia.  Bishop Waldo invited members of the convention to officially begin with him the journey to grow in mission and ministry as the Diocese of Upper South Carolina.

Day one of the convention began in Trinity Cathedral with the Seating and Welcoming of a Bishop. This was the first liturgy in the cathedral since its closing for restoration on June 15, 2008. The worship service was followed by dinner and the opening business session of mission and ministry. The evening concluded with time to reflect silently and aloud upon the bishop’s sermon. 

Bishop Waldo opened the second day of convention with his address to delegates, followed by business sessions, opportunities for discussion and reflection, and the presentation and approval of the Statement of Mission (SOM).  A highlight of the day was working with Stop Hunger Now to pack over 24,000 meals for people in Haiti.

Don’t wrestle with rocks
The seating of Bishop Waldo on Friday was an acoustic service, officially welcoming the bishop into Trinity Cathedral.  During this symbolic service, Bishop Waldo knocked on the cathedral door three times, was welcomed by the dean and wardens of Trinity, and was then escorted to his cathedra (the Bishop’s chair).   

The bishop's sermon, based on the reading from Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, began with a description of his journey to Upper South Carolina and our "journey in faith, discipleship and service." He expressed his beliefs about the importance of dialogue and continuing to "know each other more deeply, in prayer, in fellowship, and in the stories that shape and guide us."

Bishop Waldo then told a story from his childhood about exploring a "secret cave" and becoming trapped underground.  He described the rich metaphorical meanings of being stuck and wrestling with rocks, getting free, and returning to the cave weeks later.  Bishop Waldo even compared his journey into the cave with his journey into the ordained ministry.  “I had no idea what really lay ahead, but I knew that I had people holding me up in prayer."   He emphasized that “don’t wrestle with rocks” has been an inner discipline for him ever since the cave experience. 

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