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

Diocesan Executive Council (DEC)

The Diocesan Executive Council (DEC) consists of the Bishop, 18 elected representatives (nine clergy and nine laity), convocation deans and lay wardens, the diocesan chancellors, and diocesan treasurer. Functioning as a "Diocesan Vestry," Council's responsibilities include service as the Council of Advice to the Bishop and as the Long-Range Planning Committee.

The work of the Council is most clearly expressed in and through the actions of the DEC Commissions. There are seven Commissions, by which the DEC expresses its strategic leadership ministry. They are:

  1. Commission on Ministry
  2. Commission for Congregations
  3. Commission on Convocations
  4. Commission on the Diocese
  5. Commission on The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion
  6. Commission on Mission and International Concerns
  7. Commission on Christian Formation

Each commission is responsible for implementing effective ministry in these areas, based upon the Bishop's and Council's priorities.


Members of the Diocesan Executive Council

Term ending in 2021

Ms. Mary Ellen Haile
Trinity Cathedral, Columbia

Ms. Rebecca Ann Kenner
All Saints’, Cayce

Ms. Melissa Langford (Assistant Secretary of Standing Committee/DEC)
Grace Church, Anderson

The Rev. Grant Wiseman
St. Thaddeus, Aiken

The Rev. Stephen Rhoades (President of Standing Committee/DEC)
St. James, Greenville

The Rev. Mitchell Smith
St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields, Columbia

Term ending in 2022

Mr. Ethan Cashwell (Vice-President of Standing Committee/DEC)
St. Andrews, Greenville

The Rev. Suz Cate
Holy Trinity, Clemson

The Rev. Gary Eichelberger
St. Andrews, Greenville

Ms. Janet Rippy
Grace Church, Anderson

Mr. Steve Johnson
Church of the Advent, Spartanburg

The Rev. Pickett Wall
Grace Church, Camden

Term ending in 2023

The Rev. Mary Balfour Dunlap
Resurrection, Greenwood

Ms. Suzi Clawson
Good Shepherd, Columbia

The Rev. Paula Griffin
Church of the Advent, Spartanburg

The Rev. Charles Jenkins
Christ Church, Greenville

Dr. Joseph Ray
St. Luke’s, Columbia

Mr. Frank Wideman
Resurrection, Greenwood

Ex-Officio

Mr. Kirby Shealy (Chancellor)
Trinity Cathedral

Mr. J. P. Lee (Vice Chancellor)
Trinity Cathedral

Dr. Bill Sandberg (Treasurer)
St. Timothy’s, Columbia

The Rt. Rev. W. Andrew Waldo

Convocation Deans

The Rev. Jane Wilson
Catawba Convocation
Our Saviour, Rock Hill

The Rev. Christine Gregory
Gravatt Convocation
Church of the Ridge, Trenton

The Rev. Scott Fleischer
Midlands Convocation
St. John's, Columbia

The Rev. Paula Griffin
Piedmont Convocation
Church of the Advent, Spartanburg

The Rev. Mike Flanagan
Foothills Convocation
Holy Cross, Simpsonville

Convocation Lay Wardens

Mr. David Dudley
Catawba Convocation
St. Paul’s, Fort Mill

Currently Vacant
Gravatt Convocation

Mrs. Whitney Evans
Midlands Convocation
St. Timothy's, Columbia

Mr. Danny Shelton
Piedmont Convocation
St. Matthew’s, Spartanburg

Mr. Frank Boineau
Foothills Convocation
St. Peter’s, Greenville

Share this page: Diocesan Executive Council (DEC)
Governance Diocesan Convention Standing Committee Diocesan Executive Council (DEC) Commissions Constitution & Canons

Diocesan Calendar

Saturday, 2/6 at 6:00 PM
High School Connect Virtual Gathering
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

High School Connect Virtual Gathering

Saturday, February 6, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Upper South Carolina is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81005373443 Meeting ID: 810 0537 3443 One tap mobile +13126266799,,81005373443# US (Chicago) +16468769923,,81005373443# 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: 810 0537 3443 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kegkOc0T9P

Add to My Calendar

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

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