As our diocese prepares to elect a full-time diocesan bishop for the first time since 2008, the Rev. Dr. Adam Shoemaker, Transition Committee Member, talked with the Rt. Rev. Henry N. Parsley, Jr., Visiting Bishop for our diocese, about the role of a Diocesan Bishop and what it will look like in our diocese in the near future. Click on the video to hear the conversation.
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):
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
During the 230th Convention for the Diocese of South Carolina November 20-21, 2020, the Rev. Dr. Philip Linder, Bishop Search Committee Chair, provided a video update about the search. Click on the video to view the message.
December 1, 2020 - The Standing Committee of the Diocese of South Carolina recently announced the formation of the Transition Committee that will serve in the search for the Diocese’s XV Bishop. Read more at this link.
August 31, 2020 - After a brief pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the search for the XV Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina has resumed. The Bishop Search Committee is now receiving nominations and applications through October 15, 2020. Read more at this link.
August 19, 2020 - The search for the XV Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina has resumed, after pausing the process on April 22, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more at this link.
April 22, 2020 - As the COVID-19 coronavirus continues to impact our daily lives and immediate future, the Rev. Cn. Caleb Lee, President of the Standing Committee of The Diocese of South Carolina, has written an update regarding the current search for the XV Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina. Read more at this link.
February 5, 2020 - In a letter, the Rev. Dr. Philip Linder, Chair of the Bishop Search Committee, shared a message about the Listening Sessions planned as part of the search for the XV Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina. Read more at this link.
February 5, 2020 - The Standing Committee of the Diocese of South Carolina has appointed a Bishop Search Committee chaired by the Rev. Dr. Philip Linder. Read more at this link.
January 23, 2020 - In a letter to all the faithful people of the Diocese of South Carolina, the Rev. Cn. Caleb Lee, President of the Standing Committee, announced today that the Standing Committee has voted to move forward with the process that will lead to the election and consecration of the 15th Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina. Read more at this link.
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