95th Convention Journal The Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina The Rt. Reverend W. Andrew Waldo, Eighth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina 95th Diocesan Convention Journal Table of Contents Minutes of the 95th Diocesan Convention 03 Bishop’s Address to the 95th Convention of The Episcopal Diocese of 44 Upper South Carolina Journal I 54 Lay Delegates and Alternates to Convention 84 2018 Statement of Mission 99 Bishop’s Reports to the Diocesan Executive Council 109 Official Acts of the Bishops 132 Letters Dimissory 134 Clergy in Order of Canonical Residence 135 Non-parochial Clergy 139 Necrology 140 Postulants, Candidates, and Ordinands 143 Organizational Chart of the Diocese 144 Diocesan Executive Council Directory 145 Actions of the Diocesan Executive Council 148 Convocations Map 150 2016 Diocesan Audit 151 Parishes and Missions 168 2017 Official Clergy Directory (with Parish and Mission Officers) 169 Financial Statistics of Congregations and Missions 214 Vital Statistics of Congregations and Missions 217 Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Diocese of Upper South 219 Carolina Standing Resolutions 274 Minutes of the 95th Diocesan Convention – Business Session Episcopal Church of the Advent, Spartanburg In Christ, God Reconciling the World to Himself Saturday, November 4, 2017 Convention Call to Order: The 95th Convention of The Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina was called to order at 9 a.m. by The Rt. Rev. W. Andrew Waldo, using the “Collect for a Church Convention:” Almighty and everlasting Father, you have given the Holy Spirit to abide with us forever: Bless, we pray, with his grace and presence, the bishops and the other clergy and the laity here assembled in your Name, that your Church, being preserved in true faith and godly discipline, may fulfill all the mind of him who loved it and gave himself for it, your Son Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Welcome from Host Congregation: The Bishop then recognized The Rev. Ned Morris, Rector of the Episcopal Church of the Advent, Spartanburg, who welcomed everyone to the parish and to Spartanburg. The Rev. Morris thanked the membership of Advent for their hard work in preparing for Convention. Bishop Waldo expressed deep gratitude and acknowledged the clergy, staff and lay leadership of The Episcopal Church of the Advent for serving as host of this convention, noting their exemplary dedication to this event, as well as participation in the life of The Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina. Bishop Waldo introduced the theme of the 2017 Convention, “In Christ, God Reconciling the World to Himself.” He thanked the plenary speakers from the previous day’s Leadership Day program: ● The Rt. Rev. Wendell Gibbs, Bishop Diocesan of Michigan who spoke on matters and efforts of racial reconciliation; ● The Rt. Rev. Neil Alexander, Vice-President and Dean of The School of Theology, at the 1 University of the South, who presented the convention dinner keynote address detailing efforts of Sewanee School of Theology and its ministry of preparing leaders for the church, Sewanee’s deep history in regards to issues of race, their continued efforts in restoring peace, and preparing leaders for the ministry of reconciliation in the world. Bishop Waldo also thanked those who provided inspiring Leadership Day workshops that focused on reconciliation and healing: • The Diocesan Racial Reconciliation Committee facilitated an opportunity for participants to explore their own stories of race; • Lift Every Voice Participants who shared their experiences related to racial reconciliation and restorative justice; • The Rev. Canon Chip Davis, Canon to the Ordinary in The Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee who spoke on The Episcopal Church as a welcoming, worshipping community for all people; • Dr. Walter Edgar who spoke on the history of race within The Episcopal Church, specifically in the state of South Carolina; and • Ms. Denise Heimlich and Mr. Danny Sanford of Still Hopes, who shared their experiences with increasing the quality and value of life for the elderly. The Bishop expressed deep gratitude to the workshop speaker for calling all into action. The Bishop told the assembled convention that as the work of governance would proceed during the day, the focus of reconciliation would continue through worship, prayer, and conversation. The Bishop then led the following prayer: “Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Almighty and everlasting Father, you have given the Holy Spirit to abide with us for ever: Bless, we pray, with his grace and presence, the bishops and the other clergy and the laity here assembled in your Name, that your Church, being preserved in true faith and godly discipline, may fulfill all the mind of him who loved it and gave himself for it, your Son Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” The Bishop then recognized The Rev. Alan Leonard for organizing the Veteran’s Eucharist for Healing and Reconciliation, and Mr. Tom Stepp and Ms. Suzi Clawson for their leadership with the Constitution and Canons workshop, both events held the previous day. The Bishop expressed his appreciation for the Order of the Daughters of the King who prayed for 2 us throughout convention. Bishop Waldo recognized the members of the Diocesan Executive Council, asking them to stand, thanking with gratitude for their willingness to serve. The Bishop recognized the Sisters of the Convent of St. Helena for their ministry of prayer, hospitality and service, and for our good fortune for the unique opportunities for retreat and renewal available at their facility within our diocese. Bishop Waldo thanked The Rt. Rev. Charles Duvall and his wife Nancy for their assistance throughout the year. Bishop Waldo noted that only certified delegates and clergy with seat, voice and vote, and those granted seat and voice, were to sit at the tables on the convention floor. Lay delegates wore blue nametags. Clergy with seat, voice and vote wore green nametags. Those with seat and voice wore red nametags. As clergy and lay delegates representing their congregations, they were expected to participate in the convention through the closing gavel. All others were reminded to be seated in the guest area. The Bishop informed lay delegates, lay alternates and clergy that the packets received that morning contained everything needed for the convention, as well as supplemental information on various Diocesan ministries. Bishop Waldo urged everyone to visit and support the exhibitors, located in outside the entrance to the convention floor, remembering that each of them in their own way is calling us to a particular disciple ministry. The Bishop instructed all to silence cell phones and provided direction for speaking from the floor, that during the course of our business day, each person should approach one of the two floor mics and wait to be acknowledged. Once acknowledged the speaker was then to state his/her name and parish before commencing with remarks. And finally, the Bishop noted that the offering received during the Convention Eucharist would be given to Episcopal Relief and Development for their continued efforts in hurricane relief. Certification of Quorum and Acceptance of Agenda: The Bishop then recognized Ms. Beth Prendergast Hendrix, Secretary of Convention, who certified that a quorum was present. Mr. Tom Stepp, President of Diocesan Executive Council, moved the acceptance of the agenda as 3 printed in convention packets. Because the motion came from committee, no second was required, and the motion carried. Report of Committee on Credentials: The Bishop recognized The Rev. Alan Leonard, Chair of the Credentials Committee of the Ecclesiastical Discipline Board, then reported that there were 196 lay and clergy delegates in attendance, with seat, voice and vote in the convention. In accordance with TITLE I, CANON 1, SECTION 3 (a), Rev. Leonard requested that the Convention grant seat and voice to non-canonically resident clergy who are licensed to serve in Upper South Carolina: The Rev. William A. Anderson, Atlanta The Rev. Carol Andrew, OSH, Georgia The Rev. Gail Baldwin, Wyoming The Rev. Alex Barron, The Episcopal Church in South Carolina The Rev. Faith E. Bledsoe (AKA Miriam Elizabeth, OSH), West Texas The Rev. Elizabeth A. Evans, El Salvador The Rev. Alan C. French, New Jersey The Rev. Dale C. Hathaway, Hawaii The Rev. Linda Hawkins, Virginia The Rev. William L. Hills, The Episcopal Church in South Carolina The Rev. Donald S. McPhail, The Episcopal Church in South Carolina The Rev. Mark E. Moline, Arizona The Rev. Gregory C. Moore, ELCA The Rev. Margaret A. Muncie, New York The Rev. James Nichols, ELCA The Rev. Thomas E. Nicoll, New York The Rev. David W. Pittman, North Carolina The Rev. Sara Putnam, The Episcopal Church in South Carolina The Rev. Mark Scott, ELCA The Rev. Valori M. Sherer, Western North Carolina The Rev. Bernadette Sullivan, Long Island The Rev. Arthur W. Turfa, ELCA The Rev. Stephen Bruce Walker, Western North Carolina On behalf of the committee, Rev. Leonard moved for seat, voice, and vote for these clergy. The motion carried. On behalf of the committee, Rev. Leonard moved that the Convention grant seat and voice to the 4 representatives from St. Paul’s, Batesburg: Mr. Robert Dunn Ms. Kimberley Higgins The motion carried. On behalf of the committee, Rev.