Episcopal Diocese of S.C. • P.O. Box 20127 • Charleston, SC 29413-0127 • Phone: (843) 722-4075 • Email: [email protected] • Web: www.dioceseofsc.org The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina November/December 2009 Volume 114, No. 5 Strong Support “When Foundations are Being Destroyed...” for Leadership’s Convention Called to Act; The Clock is Ticking Loudly Direction Bishop Lawrence’s Address to Four of Five Resolutions the Special Convention Overwhelmingly Passed at October 24, 2009 Special Diocesan Convention “When the foundations are being destroyed, our of the five resolutions proposed by what can the righteous do?” Ps 11:3 the Diocese of South Carolina’s Standing Committee were passed at the Special begin this morning’s address with FConvention held October 24 at Christ Church this verse from the eleventh Psalm in Mt. Pleasant. All resolutions were drafted of the Psalter. The Hebrew Bible cites in response to Bishop Lawrence’s address to this as a Psalm of David. There is the clergy of the Diocese on August 13, which some discussion as to whether these called the church to fight the “false gospel of are David’s words or the words of his indiscriminate inclusivity.” advisors. Certainly what precedes The first four Resolutions, presented as this verse was spoken by the king’s counsel- “guiding principles for engagement,” passed ors—for they suggest he “flee like a bird to the overwhelmingly. Collectively, they represent Imountains.” Everything is lost. Seeking refuge a comprehensive new strategy for addressing is all there is left to do. But the psalmist has the future of The Episcopal Church and the begun his prayer by declaring that the only larger Anglican Communion. refuge he is interested in is God; and God has Resolution 1, “The Lordship of Christ not moved to the mountains. So the psalmist and the Sufficiency of Scripture” was passed will stand tall and trust. Nevertheless, this verse from the psalm has haunted me for some by 86.7% of those present. It establishes the Over 300 attended the Special Convention at Christ Church in Mt. Pleasant, JOY HUNTER Diocesan commitment to these priorities and time now. “When the foundations are being October 24. Above clergy and lay delegates listen as resolutions are discussed. particularly how they will be affirmed in the destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Ordinations conducted in the Diocese. No one can fail to acknowledge that this attention of the secular and religious world resistance have helped in getting the word out, Resolution 2, “Godly Boundaries,” was Special Convention—this synodical gather- around us. Even before we take up the work even if fraught with fear and misinformation. voted on by orders with 87 clergy voting “yes,” ing of the Diocese of South Carolina—is of this gathering, it can hardly be suggested I am thankful that along with the lay delegates 17 voting “no,” with one abstaining. Of the lay being carried out before watching eyes. The the rank and file members of the diocese have and the clergy of the diocese, we also have vote, 39 parishes voted “yes,” eight voted “no;” resolutions that are before us while seeming not been apprised that at least something of three bishops of the Church present; The Rt. 13 missions voted “yes,” three voted “no,” two tepid to some, have to others the feel of haste, significance is going to take place today. This Rev. C. FitzSimons Allison, 12th Bishop of were divided and one mission abstained. The even imprudence. Whatever can be said in is not another ho-hum ecclesiastical meeting. South Carolina, The Rt. Rev. George Edward resolution commits the Diocese to clearly support or detraction, they have caught the To that end, even those who would mount expressed boundaries where bodies within Continued on Page 8 The Episcopal Church have assented to actions contrary to the Faith as we have received and Continued on Page 2 Partners in the Gospel Celebrating the Rich History and Relationship Between the St. John’s Chapel Diocese of South Carolina and the Diocese of the the Dominican Republic Consecrated By Peg Eastman By Joy Hunter, Editor n October 19, Bishop Julio Cesar to host the meeting. Holguin arrived in Charleston to cel- The meetings, held ebrate the forty year partnership be- October 20-21, were Otween the mission Diocese of the Dominican capped by services Republic and the Diocese of South Carolina. at Grace Episcopal South Carolina has been instrumental in the Church where Bish- development of the Dominican Development ops Lawrence, Skilton, Group (DDG). This affiliation has created Holguin and Smith a unique missionary approach. Instead of (from Southwest Flor- complete dependency on the resources of the ida) joined in the Holy national Episcopal Church, the DDG hopes Eucharist and Bishop to create self-sufficiency in the Dominican Holguin preached. Republic. The celebrant was the As a mission church, the Dominican Rev. Callie Perkins; diocese does not have the resources needed two clergy from the to maintain its rapid growth rate. They are Dominican church supported both financially and with mis- assisted. Dinner in sionaries from a number of dioceses including the parish hall was HOLLY BEHRE JOY HUNTER six companion dioceses: Central Gulf Coast, followed by fellow- Above, Bishop Mark Lawrence, left, joins members of the Dominican The Rev. Dallas Wilson, (left) Vicar of St. Georgia, South Carolina, Southeast Florida, ship celebrating the Development Group, (from left) Bishops William Skilton, Dabney John’s, and the Rt. Rev. Mark J. Lawrence, Southwest Florida, and Western Louisiana. ongoing work in the Smith and Julio Holguin prior to a celebration of Holy Eucharist at Bishop of South Carolina gather on St. John’s Work teams have built new churches, schools, Dominican Republic. Grace Episcopal Church, Charleston. Portico prior to the service of Consecration. and children’s shelters; medical teams have On October 22 treated thousands in some of the poorest areas Bishops Holguin and Skilton attended an Bishop Holguin is the third bishop of t was a celebration of hope, reconcilia- of the country; others have conducted sum- informal luncheon at Porter Gaud School “Iglesia Episcopal Dominicana” (diocese of the tion, resurrection, restoration and repen- mer Bible schools. Much of the mission work to introduce Bishop Holguin to the students Episcopal Church) and the second Domini- tance – the dedication and consecration has been accomplished at a grass-roots level, who helped with the installation of a water can-born Bishop. The Dominican Episcopal of St. John’s Chapel, on the Eastside of congregation to congregation. purification system from Water Missions Church is one of the fastest growing dioceses Charleston, October 12, 2009. The Rt. Rev. The DDG meets twice a year: once in the International. Afterwards the Bishops visited in the Episcopal Church and now has 65 plus I Dominican Republic and once in a companion Water Missions headquarters. missions and preaching stations through- Mark J. Lawrence, Bishop of the Diocese diocese. This year it was South Carolina’s turn Continued on Page 2 Continued on Page 2 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, November/December 2009, Page 2 Strong Support for Leadership’s Direction Continued From Page One St. Stephen’s, North Myrtle Beach, share them with Christendom past and pres- practice on the other. As a result of these con- ent. cerns, the Standing Committee presented it to Acquires Property, “Loris Vision.” Resolution 3, “Domestic Engagement for Convention in amended form. Soon thereaf- Missional Relationships,” passed with 85.1% ter a layman from Saint James, James Island, t . S t e - voting in support, 14.6% voting “no” and 0.3% offered an amendment to the amendment. p h e n ’ s abstaining. Where like-minded Dioceses and After more discussion it became apparent that Epis c o- parishes will join us, we will pursue relation- the Convention was heading toward rewriting Spal Church in ships that strengthen the Body of Christ. the entire amendment as a Convention which North Myrtle Resolution 4, “Emerging 21st Century was neither wise nor useful. The Resolution B e a c h h a s Anglicanism” passed with 87.5% voting in was therefore postponed until the next March recently pur- favor, 11.5% opposing and 1% abstaining. This Convention of the diocese so it could be care- chased 15.6 strategy begins with the endorsement of the fully reworked before again coming to the acres of land on Ridley Draft of the Anglican Covenant as an floor. the west side of important expression of what will be needed Having dispatched all the proposed resolu- the City of Lo- to restore health to the Communion. tions, the Convention was closed with prayer ris. The parish Resolution 5, “The Rubric of Love,” was by Bishop Lawrence and adjourned. is grateful to considered problematic in its wording, as a the Diocese of balance was sought between upholding the The text of the Resolutions may be found on South Carolina church’s standards for all on the one hand, and page 10. for the gener- the need for pastoral application and love in ous grant that helped to make this possible. The site will be- PHIL OLSON come the loca- Acquiring the property and plans for facility development on the west side of tion of outdoor the city of Loris comprise St. Stephen’s, “Loris Vision.” Above, from left, Art activities and a Perry, The Rev. Dr.