1115 Marion Street, Columbia, SC 29201  ·   803-771-7800  ·       Clergy

Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina
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A Back to School Message from Bishop Waldo


As we approach another school year, Bishop Waldo discusses the opportunities that this time of new beginnings provides. And don't forget to stick around until the very end...

For information on diocesan youth retreats, visit: https://www.edusc.org/youth-formation-and-mission/

For information on the Bishop Gravatt Camp & Conference center, visit: http://www.campgravatt.org/

For information on young adult and campus ministry opportunities, visit: https://www.edusc.org/young-adult-formation/

For information on the Fellowship of South Carolina Bishops' Public Education Initiative, visit: http://bishopseducation.com/


Back to School message

In just a few weeks, the rhythm of our lives be marked once again by the beginning of a new school year.

For those of you in middle school or high school , this beginning includes new opportunities for worship, fellowship, and leadership. Youth groups and other gatherings offer a great way for you to build friendships and deepen your faith. Through the coming year, Upper South Carolina will offer several diocesan retreat opportunities for 5th graders and up—many happening right here at Camp Gravatt.

For those of you in college or just beginning your young adulthood, this new beginning might include looking for a worshipping community you can call home during this important time of your life. The Episcopal Church has a ministry presence on almost every campus in our diocese, and we want to walk with you as you make some of the most important decisions of your life.

For those of you among the countless educators across our diocese, this new beginning includes a new group of students and colleagues.

For those of you not attending school, this new beginning might include connecting with a local school—to tutor a child, to support a teacher, to advocate for legislative changes that will help all students, and all of us.

This new beginning can be filled with prayer. And I encourage all of us to pray for students, teachers, and administrators at the schools in our neighborhoods. I encourage us to pray for our Episcopal institutions: for Heathwood Hall, Mead Hall, Christ Church School, Voorhees College, and the University of the South in Sewanee.

Please know that my prayers – and the prayers of many across our diocese – are with all of you this year. There’s a prayer For Schools and Colleges in the Book of Common Prayer. I commend that prayer to all of us:

O Eternal God, bless all schools, colleges, and universities, [and especially those across this diocese], that they may be lively centers for sound learning, new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom; and grant that those who teach and those who learn may find you to be the source of all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

And, of course, in the midst of all this teaching, learning, supporting, and praying, no matter what our new beginning may be, there’s one more thing we need to remember. Have fun!


Tags: Stories from EDUSC

Diocesan Calendar

Wednesday, 2/10 at 6:30 PM
Ordination to the Priesthood
Monday, 2/15 at 12:00 AM
Presidents' Day
Thursday, 2/25 at 2:00 PM
DEC Executive Committee
Sunday, 2/28 at 2:00 PM
Piedmont Convocation Meeting
Sunday, 2/28 at 3:00 PM
Midlands Convocation Meeting
Saturday, 3/13 at 9:00 AM
Diocesan Executive Council
Saturday, 3/13 at 1:00 PM
Standing Committee
Sunday, 3/14 at 1:00 PM
Gravatt Convocation Meeting

Ordination to the Priesthood

Wednesday, February 10, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Noah Stansbury Caitlyn Darnell

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Presidents' Day

Monday, February 15, 12:00 AM - 12:00 AM



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DEC Executive Committee

Thursday, February 25, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM



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Piedmont Convocation Meeting

Sunday, February 28, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

The Diocese of Upper South Carolina is divided into five geographical areas called convocations. Each convocation is made up of specific congregations, and each has a dean (clergy person) and a lay warden. The convocation deans are appointed by the bishop, and lay wardens are elected by each convocation. A Convocation meetings, the clergy and lay leadership of each congregation are invited to come together and discuss shared ministry and mission opportunities. Staff Liaison: d’Rue Hazel Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82403756438?pwd=Y2htUDhteVdxbFdEUUFSTHRheWd5QT09 Meeting ID: 824 0375 6438 Passcode: 390263 One tap mobile +13126266799,,82403756438# US (Chicago) +16468769923,,82403756438# US (New York) Dial by your location +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 876 9923 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) Meeting ID: 824 0375 6438 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kIdtoBNkO

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Midlands Convocation Meeting

Sunday, February 28, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

The Diocese of Upper South Carolina is divided into five geographical areas called convocations. Each convocation is made up of specific congregations, and each has a dean (clergy person) and a lay warden. The convocation deans are appointed by the bishop, and lay wardens are elected by each convocation. A Convocation meetings, the clergy and lay leadership of each congregation are invited to come together and discuss shared ministry and mission opportunities. Staff Liaison: Alan Bentrup Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89525787088?pwd=cWwxNHdsVUVxWjRiWWUwWEtPclFqZz09 Meeting ID: 895 2578 7088 Passcode: 696960 One tap mobile +16468769923,,89525787088# US (New York) +13017158592,,89525787088# US (Washington D.C) Dial by your location +1 646 876 9923 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) Meeting ID: 895 2578 7088 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/ktdcYSnzK

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Diocesan Executive Council

Saturday, March 13, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM



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Standing Committee

Saturday, March 13, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM



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Gravatt Convocation Meeting

Sunday, March 14, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

The Diocese of Upper South Carolina is divided into five geographical areas called convocations. Each convocation is made up of specific congregations, and each has a dean (clergy person) and a lay warden. The convocation deans are appointed by the bishop, and lay wardens are elected by each convocation. A Convocation meetings, the clergy and lay leadership of each congregation are invited to come together and discuss shared ministry and mission opportunities. Staff liaison: Jimmy Hartley Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89363616498?pwd=NmdHQlZkdEFZWm90Z1V4NGxmNFhxUT09 Meeting ID: 893 6361 6498 Passcode: 911478 One tap mobile +13017158592,,89363616498# US (Washington D.C) +13126266799,,89363616498# US (Chicago) Dial by your location +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 876 9923 US (New York) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) Meeting ID: 893 6361 6498 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kDqh5liZ8

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Episcopal Diocese of
Upper South Carolina

1115 Marion Street
Columbia, SC 29201

Tel: (803) 771-7800

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