Episcopal Diocese of S.C. • P.O. Box 20127 • Charleston, SC 29413-0127 • Phone: (843) 722-4075 • Email: [email protected] • Web: www.dioceseofsc.org CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina August/September 2007 Volume CXII, No. 4 Bishop’s Election August 4 No Petition Candidates Submitted he deadline for the submission mediately following the celebration Tof petition candidates for the of Holy Communion the convention Bishop’s Election of the Diocese of will convene to elect the XIV Bishop South Carolina has come and gone. of South Carolina. We request that No petitions were submitted. each mission and parish submit the The special Bishop’s Election, names of their specially elected lay as previously called by the Stand- delegates to the Diocesan offi ce as ing Committee on June 9, will be soon as possible. begin at 10:00 a.m. on August 4, at St. James Church, James Island. The Rev. J. Haden McCormick Registration of clergy and lay del- President, Standing Committee egates will begin at 8:00 a.m. Im- Photo: Bill Murton Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy Serves During Devastating Fire and Its Aftermath By the Rev. Rob Dewey, Senior Chaplain, Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy ave you ever been part of an When I arrived on the scene, I saw event that you knew would chaos. I reported to the Command Post Hforever change your life, the and was informed that it was feared life of your community, and perhaps nine firefighters were missing. As even the life of your country? Most of fi refi ghters continued to fi ght the blaze, us refl ect back to “9-11 experiences,” word and reality of the loss began to such as President Kennedy’s assassi- spread. It was felt that it was important nation, the Challenger explosion, the to notify the families of the missing attacks on the World Trade Center and fi refi ghters ASAP, thus a Chaplain and the Pentagon on September 11, and a police offi cer were dispatched to all Hurricane Katrina. the fi refi ghters’ homes. Some of the The date of June 18, 2007, will families, however, had received word forever be embedded in the hearts and that something was wrong and had minds of many. It is on this date that already responded to the scene. Photo: Sylvia Weeks nine fi refi ghters died in Charleston A Family Command Post was es- while they fought a raging fi re at a tablished at a nearby fi rehouse where Four retired Bishops enjoy fellowship at the called Diocesan Convention at business on Savannah Highway. I we attempted to comfort and support St. James Church, Charleston on June 9. From left: The Rt. Rev’s Edward was at my home when I was notifi ed each family. Several Chaplains were Haynsworth, Alden Hathaway, Alex Dickson and Fitzsimons Allison. of the fi re and that one fi refi ghter was present to assist with this ministry, missing. As I came across the Ravenel including the Rev. Jimmy Gallant of Bridge from Mt. Pleasant, I saw the Christ Church in Mt. Pleasant. Most Anthony Kowbeidu Named smoke from fi ve miles away. Vicar, St. Mary’s, Goose Creek Continued on page 2 he Rev. Anthony Kowbeidu has Christians, and brought him to know been named vicar of St. Mary’s Jesus Christ. “I knew that my life was ERD Funds Come to Charleston Church in Goose Creek. An- changed – there would be no turning T By Harmon B. Person, Diocesan thony is known for his stirring sermons back.” and friendly manner with friends and Anthony is a graduate of Voorhees Representative for ERD strangers. In accepting College with a degree in the call to St. Mary’s, sociology and received hortly after the devastating June Anthony said that he is his divinity degree at Chaplaincy’s efforts to provide chap- 18 fi re in Charleston which cost “looking forward to join- University of the South lains who offer counseling and support the lives ing with the members of (Sewanee). S to Charleston’s of nine fi refi ght- St. Mary’s in providing a St. Mary’s offers ser- fi rst responders, ers, officials at church home for all who vices every Sunday at Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy, families who lost Episcopal Relief are seeking to know the 8:30 a.m. (traditional loved ones, and and Development love of Jesus. I am invit- service) and 10:45 a.m. headed by our own the Charleston (ERD) knew that ing everyone, especially (contemporary service). Rob Dewey, performed community. they wanted to anyone who is searching St. Mary’s is located at Coastal Cri- provide some kind for real meaning in life, 301 Redbank Road in magnificently in the sis Chaplaincy, of help to those af- is hurting, is abandoned Goose Creek. aftermath of the fire. headed by our fected by the fi re. or abused, or is willing to Anthony will also con- own Rob Dewey, Much discussion reach out to others.” currently serve an associ- performed mag- followed, and by Kowbeidu is a living testament to ate rector at St. Andrew’s, Mt Pleasant, nifi cently in the the end of June, agreement had been the love of Jesus. Born in a yellow mud and oversee missions, community aftermath of the fi re. They worked reached on a plan. Essentially, ERD hut in Yapoa, Liberia, a village of 150, outreach and evangelism. nearly around the clock to be of as- is helping fund the Coastal Crisis he was 10 when his family became Continued on page 3 Our Diocesan Purpose Statement: To respond to the Great Commission by so presenting Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit that all may come to know Him as Savior and follow Him as Lord in the fellowship of His Church. Jubilate Deo, August-September 2007, Page 2 Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy Continued from page one. Youth Raise Funds for of the families had their own clergy service, as well. Some 20,000 people Families of Fallen Firefighters support, which was very helpful, as we attended the memorial service. It was By Dorothy Porcher Holland, Youth Minister, Holy Trinity Church all offered support during this diffi cult very emotional, but uplifting, as we time. honored our heroes – honored our n Wednesday, June 27, the diligently, and stayed an hour past our At the scene of the fi re, Chaplains saints. youth group of Holy Trinity advertised ending time to make sure remained available to rescue personnel As the national media descended Church, Charleston, together that every last car was washed and upon Charleston, I was continually O until the last body was recovered and with the youth group from St. George’s every last dollar collected. brought out of the destroyed build- asked how we were doing as a com- Church, Summerville, held a car Thanks to everyone who made this ing around 5:00 a.m. Early into this munity and how I was doing person- wash to raise money for the Charles- event possible. It was important to this tragedy, Charleston Fire Chief Rusty ally. I responded, “This tragic event ton Firefi ghter’s Thomas requested that I stay with feels similar to when I was in New Fund. Due to the him, so I could pray over each body York City after 9-11, and when I was overwhelming before it was taken through the two in Mississippi for Hurricane Katrina. participation and support of the community, we were able to raise over $1,300 for the Fund as well as over $400 in additional do- nations for the Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy. The event was made possible through the generosity of many companies and individuals, most notably the Harborview Car Wash, which was group of young people to be able to do Photo: Bill Murton made available for our exclusive use something tangible to make a differ- at no cost by owner Emerson Read, ence. They learned valuable lessons, lines of honor. This experience is best My heart goes out to all who have lost a member of Holy Trinity. Zaxby’s especially how vital it is for churches described as a devastating privilege, so loved ones and to those who have lost Chicken, Papa John’s Pizza, Staples and individuals to take an active role sad it had to be done, but an honor that their co-workers. For me personally, and Pizza Hut also made contributions in the community. Chief Rusty requested I be by his side it is very depressing, and it called on that eliminated overhead, ensuring that Kudos to the youth group members to perform this sacrament. all the resources I had.” Thankfully, I all donations would go where they and their friends who worked tirelessly To assist in making it through the had a week of vacation scheduled the were intended, keeping the workers and without complaint. Their dedica- following weeks, I deployed some 12 fi rst week of July. energized on a long, hot day. tion was an inspiration to every adult Chaplains from different parts of the All of us have to deal with 9-11 Many adult volunteers including who participated. country, as all of our Chaplains were events at some time in our lives. Some Emerson Read, Martin Scarbrough, We were especially blessed to have exhausted. I would like to thank Epis- of these events will devastate a family, Lisa Ruppert Carroll (all of Holy Trin- a surprise visit from Fire Chief Rusty copal Relief and Development for their some will impact a community, and ity), Kate Kiel (Christ Church) and Thomas who spent time talking with $10,000 grant to assist us with deploy- some will effect a nation.