On the road in South Carolina with the Presiding Bishop
Episcopal News Service. March 3, 2008 [030308-01]
Neva Rae Fox, Program Officer for Public Affairs
The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina welcomed Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori during her short visit in February through open forums, open houses, and open hearts.
The Presiding Bishop had not been invited to the January consecration of diocesan Bishop Mark Lawrence, and the February 24-25 visit was an opportunity for Jefferts Schori and the people of the diocese to explore their common areas as well as their points of disagreement.
Through a series of public events and private gatherings, the Presiding Bishop was able to meet and speak with diocesan officials, clergy and lay people, deans, elected Standing Committee and Council members.
Accompanied by her husband, Dr. Richard Schori, and the Rev. Canon Dr. Charles Robertson, canon to the Presiding Bishop, Jefferts Schori expressed enthusiasm about the visit. "It's wonderful to meet and talk to people face-to-face," Jefferts Schori said about her visit. "That's how we learn to know each other and learn about each other."
Evensong in Mother Church
The visit to the Diocese of South Carolina, which includes 70 congregations, kicked off with a standing-room-only Evensong service at St. Philip's, the mother church of the diocese, located in the heart of historic Charleston, replete with tree-lined streets and horse-drawn carriages.
Following the Sunday service, the Presiding Bishop addressed the overflow crowd and was greeted with warm smiles, handshakes and numerous requests to sign her book, A Wing and A Prayer.
Contemporary Worship
Monday morning, February 25, dawned with a contemporary worship service at St. Andrew's, Mt. Pleasant. Drums, guitars and vocals dominated the airy worship space as a seven-piece rock band played prayerful tunes. A large screen displayed images of nature and of the cross as well as the words to the prayers and songs. With voices raised, bodies waving and arms reaching to heaven, the congregation of more than 200 sang along, "Jesus thank you for the cross/For the blood that set us free."
The contemporary worship concluded with a traditional Morning Prayer service.
Charity and Clarity
The private conversation for active clergy at St. Andrew's, called Charity and Clarity, drew nearly 100 active priests and deacons from all areas of the diocese. After a presentation by Lawrence and an invitation to conversation from the Presiding Bishop, Jefferts Schori and the clergy engaged in an open, honest and frank discussion, ranging from biblical interpretation and church politics to congregational growth.
"You've come to one of the few dioceses in the Episcopal Church which is growing," Lawrence said. "In fact, it's one of the few dioceses of the Episcopal Church which is growing faster than the demographic growth in the area."
Noting that "not all are of the same theological stripe," Lawrence stated the clergy share an "unwavering commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ."
Lawrence asked for an "earnest and focused conversation about the things that are so troubling to us."
In the ensuing two-hour discussion, the Presiding Bishop was asked about numbers, about apostolic succession, and about the needs and wants of the Diocese of South Carolina. A dominant concern voiced was that their more conservative views are not heard or represented by the national church leadership.
The Presiding Bishop addressed each comment that was presented. She expressed her appreciation for the conversation and her hope that the conversation won't end when she leaves the diocese. "The gift of this community is our ability to have real conversation and dialogue with each other," she said. "We have need of all parts of the body."
Touring Charleston
A guided tour of the diocese topped Monday afternoon, allowing the Presiding Bishop to witness some models of church growth and renewal.
In the East End of Charleston, St. John's Chapel is an example of the renewed ministry in this predominantly African-American neighborhood. Gutted and refurbished, St. John's Chapel is being transformed into areas for worship, community gatherings, bible study, education, and opportunities for all ages to learn about the church as well as parenting and life skills. There's even a recording studio, bowing to the desires of the community.
The Rev. Dallas Wilson was hoping for a certificate of occupancy that same afternoon to enable the public use of the first floor. The upper floors need access by a yet-to-be-installed elevator before utilization is allowed.
Holy Cross on Sullivan's Island is a flourishing church, boasting 1,800 congregants with a "24/7 ministry here," said the Rev. John Burwell, rector and one of the guides for the Presiding Bishop and her party.
In this site, Holy Cross maintains two distinct areas where, Burwell said, two simultaneous albeit different styles of worship are celebrated to meet the spiritual needs of all ages. The church established another site on Daniel's Island, about 15 minutes away, and a third Holy Cross site is underway.
Christ-St. Paul's on Yonges Island is a successful melding of two historical churches with a new structure currently under construction to expand program space.
The tour concluded with a lively reception in the Presiding Bishop's honor at the Bishop Gadsden Retirement Community, a flourishing seniors' community with 56 cottages and 159 apartments located on a tree-lined campus.
"I am thankful for the warm hospitality and friendliness of Bishop Lawrence and people of South Carolina," Jefferts Schori said.