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

Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina
  • COVID-19 Response
    • Financial Support
    • Technology Resources
    • Worship Resources
    • Formation Resources
    • Pastoral Care Resources
  • Bishop Search
    • Nominating Committee
  • About EDUSC
    • 98th Diocesan Convention
    • Find a Church
    • Bishop Waldo
    • Diocesan Staff
    • Governance
    • Diocesan Convention
    • Executive Council
    • The Episcopal Church
    • Events Calendar
  • News
    • Stories from EDUSC
    • Submit a Story Idea
    • Email Newsletter
    • Podcast
    • Events Calendar
    • Communications Resources
    • Available Jobs in the Diocese
    • Submit Job Listing
  • Discipleship
    • Gathering in New Ways
    • Find a Church
    • Formation
    • Mission
    • Evangelism
    • Vocation & Ministry
    • Bible Love podcast
    • Daily Prayer
  • Congregational Vitality
    • Find a Church
    • Stewardship
    • Congregational Resources
    • Clergy Resources
    • Financial Administration Resources
    • Liturgical Resources
    • Communications Resources
    • Safe Church Training
    • Reporting Misconduct
    • Vocational Discernment
    • Disaster Preparedness
  • Clergy

Feast of Absalom Jones

Today marks the Feast of Absalom Jones, an African American abolitionist and clergyman and the first African American ordained a priest in The Episcopal Church. Students and faculty at Voorhees College, along with clergy and lay persons from throughout our diocese and the Diocese of South Carolina, honored the life and legacy of Blessed Absalom Jones earlier this week in the historic St. Philip’s Chapel at Voorhees College.

6_600

Bishop Waldo served as celebrant, and Deacon Dianna Deaderick (St. Luke's, Columbia) served as deacon. The Rev. Robert Jemonde Taylor from St. Ambrose Episcopal Church in Raleigh, N.C., preached a powerful sermon on "undivided faith."

Drawing on the legacy of Blessed Absalom Jones and Voorhees College founder Elizabeth Evelyn Wright, Father Taylor called on us to live a life of faith in a world of division.

Ms. Wright recently earned posthumous induction in the South Carolina Hall of Fame.

After graduating from the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute in 1894, Wright tried several times to start schools in South Carolina. Three of her schools were burned down.

In 1897 she found Denmark, South Carolina, and a philanthropist Ralph Voorhees from New Jersey willing to donate $5,000 to buy land and build a high school for black students.

That school began a relationship with the Episcopal Church and it later became Voorhees College decades after Wright died at age 34 in 1906.

On April 7, 2020, Voorhees College will hold its 123rd Founder's Day Convocation. The Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, is the featured speaker.

2_792

7_414

8_850

About Voorhees College
Voorhees College is a private historically black four-year liberal arts college located in Denmark, SC. Voorhees was founded as the Denmark Industrial School by Elizabeth Evelyn Wright, a young black woman, in 1897. Voorhees students today combine intellect and faith as they prepare for professional careers. They learn to thrive in a diverse global society while pursuing life-long learning, healthy living and an abiding faith in God. They aim to improve their communities, society and themselves.

About Blessed Absalom Jones
Absalom Jones was born enslaved to Abraham Wynkoop in 1746 in Delaware. Jones moved to Philadelphia after his master sold his plantation along with Absalom’s mother and six siblings. Jones bought his wife Mary’s freedom and later his master granted Absalom’s emancipation in 1784.

In 1787, with his friend Richard Allen, they founded the Free African Society, a mutual aid benevolent organization that was the first of its kind organized by and for black people. Bishop William White ordained Jones a deacon in 1795 and a priest on September 21, 1802. Jones faithfully served the people at the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas in Philadelphia, a church which remains a vibrant congregation.

Set us free, heavenly Father, from every bond of prejudice and fear; that, honoring the steadfast courage of your servant Absalom Jones, we may show forth in our lives the reconciling love and true freedom of the children of God, which you have given us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.


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

Add to My Calendar

Presidents' Day

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



Add to My Calendar

DEC Executive Committee

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



Add to My Calendar

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

Add to My Calendar

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

Add to My Calendar

Diocesan Executive Council

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



Add to My Calendar

Standing Committee

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



Add to My Calendar

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

Add to My Calendar

Episcopal Diocese of
Upper South Carolina

1115 Marion Street
Columbia, SC 29201

Tel: (803) 771-7800

Quick Links:

Diocesan Staff
Diocesan Events Calendar
Resources for Clergy
Submit Story to EDUSC News
Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Connect with EDUSC

Join EDUSC on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube

  View Entire Post

Service Times

Find a Church

803-771-7800

Newsletter Signup

Liturgical Congregational Financial Administration Clergy & Spouses

This section includes the Bishop's Visitation schedule, Confirmation guidelines, Cycles of Prayer and other resources.

Liturgical Resources

Resources related to administration, communication, development, discernment, transition, grants, Safe Church Training, same-sex marriage and more.

Congregational Resources

Find the Statement of Mission, Business Manual, notes on Parochial Reports and more.

Financial Administration Resources

Resources for current clergy, retired clergy and clergy spouses.

Clergy & Spouse Resources