Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina

The Community of Hope training program is a 14 week, 42-hour curriculum that begins in September and concludes in April. Classes for the 2008-2009 program are set to begin September 13 and conclude April 18, 2009. Classes meet every other Saturday from 9 AM - 12 noon with a break during Christmas. Once course work is complete, students will be commissioned as Community of Hope chaplains.

Diocesan Training Days are offered each spring and fall in several locations around the diocese. Safe church and anti-racism training is offered at both training days. These events are always announced in Crosswalk, on the web site, e~DUSC and through email announcements. Individual churches, clusters of churches, and convocations can make arrangements for additional events to be held at their chosen location throughout the year. For more information, please contact Roz Hook. To register for an upcoming training event, please click here.

Lay Ministry Licensure: These ministries, becasue of their importance to the life and minsitry of the Church are defined by the canons of the national church. This means that tehy carry with them common standareds and guidelines for all of us throuighout the diocese. A license to exercise the ministry is issued by the Bishop's office. In the diocese, our licensed lay minsitries are Worship Leader, Eurcharistic Minister, and Eucaristic Visitor. All licensed lay ministers must be a confirmed adult (16 years of age and over) communicants in good standing in one of our parishes or missions.

The School for Ministry provides lay adult, diaconal, and priestly formation, education, and training to equip disciples for servant ministry. In the fall of 2003 a School for Ministry was established in the Diocese of Upper South Carolina as an avenue for providing lay, diaconal, and priestly formation, education and training.

It is a collection of 12 individual courses for study that can be taken by anyone at anytime. It is a full core curriculum for preparation for those in the ordination process. It is a systematic offering of major content areas for those who may require instruction in some areas but not others. It is important to note that completion of this curriculum is not in and of itself preparation for Ordination. Participants who are enrolled in the school meet with an advisory committee to assess other areas for spiritual growth and development. 

Click here to view all upcoming continuing education dates.