Miller Institution, 9/21/16 The Men's Summit, 9/17/16 Anglican Leadership Institute, 9/16 ALI, Ken Boa, 9/17/16 St. Christopher Staff Regatta, 7/16/16 Ordination of Vocational Deacons, 6/11/16 View additional galleries.
Grateful: Bishop Lawrence Writes the Diocese Following Ruling
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Written by + Mark Lawrence
February 6, 2015
Dear People of God in the Diocese of South Carolina,
“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers….” (Ephesians 1:16)
My last letter to you was shortly after we finished the three-week trial in St. George in order to protect our parish churches, properties, names, diocesan seal and the historic identity of this Diocese of South Carolina.
Now, as many of you have heard, we have prevailed.
In a thorough and closely reasoned order, the Honorable Diane S. Goodstein has ruled in our favor. You can read the diocesan statement regarding this ruling, as well as an additional explanation of its significance, at www.dioceseofsc.org.
I hardly need to tell you how grateful I am for this order! I am also:
SOUTH CAROLINA CIRCUIT COURT RULES DIOCESE OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND PARISH CHURCHES KEEP THEIR HISTORIC PROPERTY
The Episcopal Church has no legitimate claims to diocesan property, names and symbols.
ST. GEORGE, SC, Feb. 3, 2015 – In a 46 page opinion, South Carolina Circuit Court Judge Diane S. Goodstein, ruled that The Diocese of South Carolina, The Trustees of the Diocese and 36 parish churches successfully withdrew from The Episcopal Church in 2012 taking with them all their property, including churches, symbols and other assets. The ruling is the result of a three-week trial last summer in which over 50 witnesses testified.
The historic ruling comprehensively resolves the issues surrounding the more than $500 million in property owned by the Diocese and its parishes, which disassociated from the denomination in 2012 after TEC improperly attempted to remove Bishop Mark Lawrence as head of the Diocese.
Mere Anglicanism Draws Record Crowd to Examine Christian Response to Secularism
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Written by Joy Hunter
More than 900 attend annual event
CHARLESTON, SC, JAN. 28, 2014 – Internationally known scholars and experts in the field of religion and culture drew a record-breaking crowd of more than 900 to the Charleston Music Hall, Jan. 22-24 for the annual Mere Anglicanism Conference which this year looked at “Salt & Light: The Christian Response to Secularism.”
Bishop NT Wright, one of the world’s foremost New Testament scholars and the leading expert on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, said that Christians had colluded with secularism by letting God be pushed upstairs and out of sight, with Christians holding the view that their purpose lay in being heaven-bound. “That’s not it,” he said. “God rescues us to become rescuers.” “We are put right (justified) so we can help right things on earth.”
Mary Eberstadt, senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, a Washington, D.C. organization dedicated to applying the Judeo-Christian moral tradition to public policy issues, argued that the last 15-20 years has seen the emergence in the West of a new intolerance directed at Christians. Increasingly religious believers are the recipients of rage, ridicule and ostracism. “This hateful rhetoric would have been denounced if those on the receiving end were anything but Christians,” she said. She told of Christians losing their jobs or being pushed out of public life for expressing their beliefs.
“In subtle ways intimidation leads to censorship, censorship to self-censorship,” she said. “Free speech intolerance is everybody’s problem. Push back is way over due.”
The 224th Annual Convention of the Diocese of South Carolina will be held March 13-14, 2015 at the Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul and the Charleston Music Hall in Charleston South Carolina.
Convention Registration
Convention delegates must be registered by January 30. The cost per clergy and lay delegate is $60 per person. Visitors are welcome, but seating in the visitor gallery is limited. The cost for visitors is $30 per person.
Register here. Note if you do not have an account, feel free to register as a guest.
On Friday afternoon, March 13 five workshops aimed at “Mission and Ministry” will be held at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. The workshops are:
“What is Anglicanism: Conversations on Affiliation,” led by The Rt. Rev. Mark J. Lawrence, XIV Bishop of South Carolina and The Rev. Dr. Canon Kendall Harmon, Canon Theologian of the Diocese; “Cultural Shifts: What is Christian Marriage?” led by The Rev. Dr. Stephen Noll, Retired Professor-Trinity School for Ministry & former President of Uganda Christian University, Author of Two Sexes, One Flesh
“Personal Evangelism” led by Mr. Langdon Stewart, Evangelism Explosion
“Hands-On Mission Locally and Globally,” led by Mrs. Sharon Steinmiller, Director of New Wineskins, Ambridge, PA
“Christian Faith Formation: Anglican Catechism and Confirmation,” led by the Very Rev. Dr. Peter Moore and Mr. Peter Rothermel, Faith Formation Coordinator, Diocese of South Carolina “Engaging Younger Generations in Smaller Congregations,” led by Mr. Dave Wright, Youth Ministry Coordinator, Diocese of South Carolina
Trial Ends: Highlights from the Trial of the Diocese of SC vs. TEC and TECSC
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Written by Joy Hunter and Jan Pringle
By Joy Hunter, Diocesan Communications Director and Jan S. Pringle, Public Relations Consultant
The three-week trial of the Diocese of South Carolina vs. The Episcopal Church (TEC) and The Episcopal Church in South Carolina (TECSC) ended July 25, with Judge Diane S. Goodstein, who presided, telling the parties what she wanted from them to assist in her deliberations.
Attorneys representing the Diocese, the Trustees and the Diocesan churches were given 30 days to create a three-page document describing the testimony given in court which explained the procedures they followed to legally separate from TEC, (such as amending their by-laws, giving notice of meetings, properly taking votes, etc.) They were then to send those documents to the Court and to TEC and TECSC whose attorneys will have 30 days to respond in a similar fashion.
In essence, the judge’s last words reiterated what she said throughout the trial: The case will be decided on neutral principles of law, which means that the judge must apply the law to this case as it would any other – making no adjustments because it involves a religious organization. TEC and TECSC have opposed the application of neutral principles; essentially arguing that the judge should defer to their view on the issues since they are a religious organization.
Almighty God and Father who wills that people may flourish and have abundance of life, be with us especially on this day when we remember such destruc [ ... ]
Dear People of God in the Diocese of South Carolina,
SOUTH CAROLINA CIRCUIT COURT RULES DIOCESE OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND PARISH CHURCHES KEEP THEIR HISTORIC PROPERTY
CHARLESTON, SC, JAN. 28, 2014 – Internationally known scholars and experts in the field of religion and culture drew a record-breaking crowd of more than 900 to the Charleston Music Hall, Jan. 22-24 for the annual Mere Anglicanism Conference which this year looked at “Salt & Light: The Christian Response to Secularism.”
By Joy Hunter, Diocesan Communications Director and Jan S. Pringle, Public Relations Consultant
