Transition Committee Update

The Standing Committee is pleased to announce that the slate of five candidates for the 15th Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina, which was announced on January 31, 2021, has become the final slate. The petition process closed on Monday, February 8, and no nominations by petition were received.
 

Information about the five candidates, including a bio, resume, and answers to the essay questions asked during the application process, can be found at this link. The Standing Committee encourages the people of the diocese to participate in the upcoming Walkabouts/Candidate Conversations scheduled for April 12-14, 2021. More details will be coming soon about these events.
 

The Standing Committee has called for a Special Meeting of Convention to be held for the purposes of the Election of the XV Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina on May 1, 2021, at Grace Church Cathedral, Charleston, at 9 am.

Dear Faithful People of the Diocese of South Carolina,  

The Standing Committee is very pleased to announce the following slate of candidates for the XV Bishop of South Carolina (listed in alphabetical order by last name):

• The Reverend Geoffrey M. St. John Hoare, rector, St. Alban's Episcopal Church, Washington, D.C.
• The Reverend Kevin Allen Johnson, rector, St. Alban's Episcopal Church, Arlington, Texas
• The Reverend Canon Terence Alexander Lee, rector, St. Philip's Episcopal Church, New York, New York
• The Venerable Calhoun Walpole, archdeacon, Diocese of South Carolina; vicar and subdean, Grace Church Cathedral, Charleston, South Carolina
• The Reverend Canon Ruth M. Woodliff-Stanley, canon for strategic change, Dioceses of Northwestern Pennsylvania & Western New York; senior vice president for strategic change, Episcopal Church Building Fund

Information about each candidate, including their resumes and the essay questions submitted with their applications, can be found at this link (or by clicking their names above).

This past year has been very challenging, in more ways than one. Through it all, our incredibly talented Search Committee has been steadfast in prayerful discernment. 

They selected, from a large and exceptionally qualified pool of candidates, the names presented to you to stand for election. The Standing Committee is grateful for the holy work that has been underway, and we are very confident in the process that has brought us to this point. 

The petition period is now open and will close on Monday, February 8 at 5 pm EST. Information about the petition process, as well as forms and information about other required documents, can be found at this link. All nomination petitions and all supplemental materials will be directed to the Chair of the Bishop Search Committee. After the completion of all necessary evaluations and accompanying paperwork, any petition candidate will be announced to the Convention no later than March 17. 

Walkabouts and Candidate Conversations will be held in the Second Week of Easter occurring Monday, April 12 through Wednesday, April 14. Participation in these offerings throughout the diocese is highly encouraged. More information about these special events will be forthcoming. Between now and then, more information will also become available from our candidates.

The Standing Committee has called a Special Meeting of Convention to be held for the purposes of the Election of the XV Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina. This Special Convention will take place at 9 am on May 1, 2021, at Grace Church Cathedral. If the Convention is not able to meet in person, the diocese will proceed with a virtual platform.  

We now move into a more public form of discernment. Public discernment requires us to continue our prayers for the Diocese of South Carolina which now includes these wonderful candidates and their families.  Each of them is a beloved child of God.  I pray that we keep this deep truth central as we discern with them. We also must pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide this process. And, not our will, but God’s will be done.

A Prayer for the Election of a Bishop from The Book of Common Prayer

Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a bishop for this Diocese, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

With deep gratitude and excitement,

The Reverend Canon Caleb J. Lee

President of the Standing Committee