April 16, 2015 - Today is certainly an occasion for prayerful thanksgiving to God. Late yesterday, we were informed that the South Carolina Supreme Court has accepted for review the appeal of Judge Diane Goodstein's final Feb. 3 ruling in our favor. More significantly, the Court has said, "Oral argument in this matter will be held on September 23, 2015. No extensions of time will be granted." It is of interest to note that this happens to be the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, in the Jewish calendar (Lev. 16:1-34).

While our motion to expedite the appeal was formally denied, we could not have received a more favorable outcome. A few words about what this means.

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Today, April 15, 2015, the South Carolina Supreme Court agreed to take the appeal of Judge Goodstein's February 3rd ruling in favor of the Diocese of South Carolina and its parishes. We are grateful that the South Carolina Supreme Court acted so promptly to take jurisdiction of this case, just as it did when requested during the attempted procedural delays prior to the trial. The more quickly the case is resolved, the more beneficial it will be for all parties, allowing us to get about the work of ministry without the incessant distraction of courtroom proceedings.

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By The Rev. James Gibson, Vicar of Holy Trinity, Grahamville

In his address to the 224th Annual Convention of the Diocese of South Carolina, Bishop Mark Lawrence outlined a plan for advancing the church's mission through starting new congregations, renewing an emphasis on evangelism, and cultivating a missional approach to ministry and life. It was a bold vision indicative of a diocese determined to move forward after several years of legal battles following its disaffiliation from The Episcopal Church (TEC). Using the acronym CAMEL, Bishop Lawrence mapped out the current landscape of the diocese under the five categories of Consolidation, Affiliation, Missionalization, Education, and Litigation.

Although some local parishes decided to remain with TEC after the diocese disaffiliated in 2012, the losses are being made up through the addition of new congregations. At last year's convention, Lawrence noted, Grace Church, Pawleys Island and Grace Church, North Myrtle Beach were welcomed into the diocese. This year, two more new congregations--Resurrection, North Charleston and St. James, Blackville--were welcomed as missions.

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The following is the written version of the address given by the Rt. Rev. Mark J. Lawrence to the 224th Convention of the Diocese of South Carolina held Saturday, March 14, 2015 at the Charleston Music Hall. Listen to the audio version of the address.

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7

In the opening chapters of 2 Corinthians St. Paul repeatedly contrasts his frailty and weakness with the majesty of Christ and the wonder of the ministry to which he and others have been called. Having spoken of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ which has shone in his heart, he again acknowledges this contrast: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” Similarly, I am struck by a contrast between the wondrous work to which God has called us in this diocese with our frailty and weakness as we gather today in annual convention for the 224th time.

I begin by acknowledging a basic conviction that the most important ministry done by the Diocese of South Carolina is done in and by the congregations—our parishes and missions. Yours is the real work; the important work; the lasting work. The work and ministry of the diocese (that is, what we often call the diocese— diocesan staff, various committees, commissions and councils) exists primarily to help your ministry to be more fruitful. It is we who are here to serve you; not you here to serve us. I believe we serve you best by attending to details which are best handled corporately and by helping to keep the Big Picture before you.

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