Category : * South Carolina
(Local Paper Editorial) Editorial: On this day, we give thanks for our many blessings
Giving thanks is a central part of most religions. Indeed, the American celebration of Thanksgiving that we trace (accurately or not) to 1621, that was first officially declared by George Washington and made permanent by Abraham Lincoln and later enshrined in law by the Congress was conceived as a religious holiday — although with a far different meaning than the traditional period of prayerful fasting that defined the thanksgiving that the Pilgrims brought with them from England.
But thanksgiving is not exclusively religious. The Mayo Clinic (and pretty much any public health expert) tells us that regularly recognizing our blessings increases our happiness, along with our physical health: “In addition to helping you get more sleep, practicing gratitude can boost your immunity and decrease your risk of disease.”
So today, whether we’re religious or secular or somewhere in between, whether we’re able to be with family or friends or not, we give thanks for blessings that we cannot begin to count.
We give thanks that we are living in a time of tremendous prosperity, when our poorest neighbors live lives that are inconceivably luxurious compared to those lived by the overwhelming majority of people down through the millennia.https://t.co/hOpTpY9HCr
— Cindi Ross Scoppe (@CindiScoppe) November 25, 2021
(The State) South Carolina Covid19 Case Numbers Thankfully Show Improvement
South Carolina added more than 2,300 new COVID-19 cases over the past three days, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control reported Monday For three straight weeks, the state has seen fewer than 1,000 new daily cases. A similar streak of lower numbers hasn’t occurred since July, when daily case totals were at the lowest since the pandemic began. The Palmetto State’s downward trend of cases over the past month shows the spread of the virus has slowed significantly compared to months earlier.
More than 550 people have died in South Carolina from COVID-related issues over the past month. https://t.co/6vB9VbnW5g
— The State Newspaper (@thestate) November 22, 2021
The Latest Edition of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina Enewsletter
December 8 Hearing; Prayer Vigil Organized
The importance, for the Diocese and its Parishes, of the December 8 South Carolina Supreme Court hearing cannot be overstated. For that reason, the clergy and people of the Diocese are strongly encouraged to keep the coming hearing in your prayers as the date approaches. Pray first for the shielding of Mr. Runyan and his legal team as they prepare for this hearing. Pray also that they be granted divine wisdom in preparing their arguments. Pray finally for the Justices (Donald W. Beatty, John W. Kittredge, John Cannon Few, George C. “Buck” James) that they be granted divine clarity in their preparations, in the hearing and, in their final ruling. Read more about the hearing.
The Latest Edition of the #Anglican Diocese of #SouthCarolina Enewsletter https://t.co/FOwrYWcUnP #parishministry #law #religion #lowcountrylife #southcarolinasupremecourt pic.twitter.com/M23kXXkvHv
— Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) November 18, 2021
Information about the Funeral for Bishop Alex Dickson RIP
We give thanks for the life of the Rt. Rev. Alex Dockery Dickson, Jr. who died on Sunday, November 14, 2021. A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at St. Michael's Church, Charleston. (Masks optional). https://t.co/fkPkMZosHm pic.twitter.com/1YPZtZ4hUW
— Anglican Diocese of SC (@anglican_sc) November 16, 2021
Please note it will be livestreamed for those interested.
Kendall Harmon’s Sunday sermon–Do we know how Wonderful our King is (Isaiah 9:1-7)?
Listen to it all and there is more there.
Join us this Sunday, November 14, 2021, as we, in The Anglican Diocese of South Carolina, pray for the work and ministry of Holy Cross, Sullivan's Island & Daniel Island and their clergy. View the full prayer calendar here: https://t.co/ivAZ8qcpfR #CycleOfPrayer #ADOSC pic.twitter.com/1fJhTgL3lC
— Anglican Diocese of SC (@anglican_sc) November 12, 2021
(ADOSC) The Rt. Rev. Alex D. Dickson, Jr. (1926–2021)
From there:
Bishop Dickson was consecrated as the First Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee on April 9, 1983. Prior to his consecration as Bishop, he served 10 years as a parish priest in the Diocese of Mississippi; four years at Rolling Fork and Hollandale; six years in Jackson; and then he served as Rector and Headmaster of All Saints School in Vicksburg for 15 years.
In 1995, after he retired as Bishop of West Tennessee, he began Mission Work in Southeast Asia and Africa. At the time of his death, he was serving as Bishop in Residence at St. Michael’s Church in Charleston, SC. He was also Chairman of a mission to a leprosy colony in Liberia. His greatest passion was to bring people to a deep faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. He loved to work with people in small groups, teaching them to pray the Scriptures. He was working in this ministry until the day of his death.
During World War II, he served on a destroyer in the Pacific during the Battle of Okinawa.
He was born on September 9, 1926, on New Africa Plantation near Alligator, Mississippi. He married Charnelle Perkins of Glen Allan, MS on October 7, 1948. They have three sons: Alex III (now in heaven), Charles in Sylva, NC, and John in Memphis, TN; six grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren. God is good! Charnelle died on October 16, 1995. He married Jane Graham Carver of Charleston, SC on January 2, 1999. Jane has three children and six grandchildren. God is good!
“I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.”
Memorials may be given to G3 Ministry (led by his stepson), The Rev. Graham Schuyler, 76 Westfield Drive, Pawleys Island, SC 29585.
A good man and faithful bishop from Alligator, Mississippi. RIP. https://t.co/jnhPp0Obnx
— Drew — Country Vicar turned City Rector–Collins (@drewcollins) November 15, 2021
(Local Paper) 2 Medal of Honor recipients hail from same small South Carolina town. Here are their stories.
In 2020, a small town in South Carolina unofficially became known as the hometown of living war heroes.
Last year, on Sept. 11, Army Sgt. Maj. Thomas Patrick Payne stood at attention in his pink and green dress uniform at the White House when then-President Donald Trump draped the Medal of Honor across his shoulders for his bravery under fire in Iraq that resulted in the rescue of 70 Iraqi prisoners.
He became the first living U.S. Army Special Operations soldier from South Carolina to receive the military’s highest accolade.
But Payne was the second Medal of Honor recipient who claimed roots in the small South Carolina town of Batesburg-Leesville.
In 2014, Cpl. Kyle Carpenter’s scarred and wounded face was broadcast around the world when he was awarded the Medal of Honor by then-President Barack Obama for his split-second decision to throw his body toward a grenade in Afghanistan to save his fellow Marines.
In 2020, a small town in South Carolina unofficially became known as the hometown of living war heroes.
Kyle Carpenter and Patrick Payne were strangers growing up in their small South Carolina town, but they're now bonded for life by the Medal of Honor. https://t.co/gQINulOzQy
— Thomas Novelly (@TomNovelly) November 11, 2021
(ADOSC) Important Information about the South Carolina Supreme Court Hearing in December on the Dispute Between the brand wew TEC Diocese+The Historical Anglican Diocese
Dear Friends,
The South Carolina Supreme Court will conduct a hearing on Wednesday, December 8 at 9:30 am of the appeal of Judge Edgar W. Dickson’s interpretation of the Supreme Court’s 2017 rulings. On June 19, 2020, South Carolina Circuit Court Judge Edgar W. Dickson granted the motion made by our Diocese and Parishes for clarification and other relief related to the August 2017 ruling of the South Carolina Supreme Court. That clarification was needed because the 2017 ruling had the rare character of consisting of five separate opinions. Judge Dickson’s clarification determined that our parishes and the Diocese are, “affirmed as the title owners in fee simple absolute of their respective parish real properties”. TEC and TECSC appealed Judge Dickson’s decision to the South Carolina Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court Clerk has announced the following parameters for that day’s hearing. The only individuals allowed in the courtroom will be two attorneys representing each side. No other visitors will be allowed. Those wishing to view the proceedings will be able to do so online via the court’s livestream. Legal Counsel for TEC/TECSC will be granted an initial 25 minutes to present their arguments and respond to questions from the Justices. Our counsel (Mr. C. Alan Runyan and Mr. C. Mitchell Brown) will then be afforded 25 minutes to present their arguments. A final 10 minutes is then allocated for TEC/TECSC to make their reply. From that point, the outcome will be entirely in the hands of the South Carolina Supreme Court. As before, there is no timeline for when they will issue an opinion.
The importance of this hearing for the Diocese and its Parishes cannot be overstated. For that reason, the clergy and people of the Diocese are strongly encouraged to keep the coming hearing in your prayers as the date approaches. Pray first for the shielding of Mr. Runyan and his legal team as they prepare for this hearing. Pray also that they be granted divine wisdom in preparing their arguments. Pray finally for the Justices (Donald W. Beatty, John W. Kittredge, John Cannon Few, George C. “Buck” James) that they be granted divine clarity in their preparations, in the hearing and, in their final ruling.
While all are invited to pray wherever they are, the Prayer Center at St. Christopher will be hosting a virtual Prayer Vigil on Tuesday, December 7 from 9 a.m – 9 p.m. and an on-site Prayer Vigil at St. Christopher on Wednesday, December 8, from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Learn more.
In Christ’s service,
The Rev. Canon Jim Lewis in Canon to the Ordinary in the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina
(ADOSC) Important Information about the #SouthCarolina Supreme Court Hearing in December on the Dispute Between the brand wew TEC Diocese+The Historical #Anglican Diocese https://t.co/ScmorZ4S5D #law #religion #realestate #history #churchhistory pic.twitter.com/lUBby2m1dZ
— Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) November 10, 2021
(Local Paper) Charleston County School Board votes to end mask requirement
Charleston County School District decided its mask mandate will end on Nov. 10, allowing students, staff and visitors to go to schools without face coverings.
The district’s school board voted overwhelmingly in favor of ending its mask policy during a Nov. 8 meeting, citing a low spread of the COVID-19 virus and the recent availability of vaccines for children ages 5 to 11.
The district reported only 38 cases among about 50,000 students and staff members over the week of Nov. 1 — the eighth consecutive week cases fell. During its peak the week of Aug. 30, there were 473 cases reported among students and staff members.
The district is following guidance from doctors at the Medical University of South Carolina, which said that it’s reasonable to unmask when spread of the virus is low in the community. The COVID-19 activity in Charleston County is currently rated “low” by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
From P&C: Charleston County School Board votes to end mask requirement https://t.co/JlAejY9CR9 #chsnews
— Sam Tyson (@SamInteractive) November 9, 2021
A Local Paper Profile on the New Bishop-elect of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina, Chip Edgar
The Very Rev. Chip Edgar isn’t sure when he’ll officially assume the role of bishop of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina.
As the newly elected bishop coadjutor, his task for the next few months is to serve alongside the diocese’s current bishop, learning all of the ins and outs of what it takes to lead the growing religious group.
But Edgar, who serves as the planting pastor at Cathedral Church of the Apostles in Columbia, does have some early thoughts about how his experience in establishing new congregations will shape how he leads a diocese during a time when nationwide trends have indicated decline in church membership and religious affiliation.
“I think church planting is at the heart of who we are as Christians,” Edgar said. “Regardless of what sociological statistics are suggesting, the church is obligated to be always out there trying to plant, trying to grow.”
A Local Paper Profile on the New Bishop-elect of the #Anglican Diocese of #SouthCarolina, Chip Edgar https://t.co/Z9dk0iLPmE #parishministry #religion #lowcountrylife #churchplanting #acna
— Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) November 4, 2021
Prayers for the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina This Day
The Local Paper with a very good article on a Prominent MUSC Oncologist, Dr. Robert Stuart
When Dr. Robert Stuart first arrived at the Medical University of South Carolina from Johns Hopkins in 1985, the Hollings Cancer Center wasn’t even a far-flung dream.
That’s because there was no oncology department to speak of at MUSC back then. There weren’t even board-certified oncologists on the full-time faculty. Stuart was the first one the hospital ever hired.
MUSC, he acknowledged, was late to the game.
“Roper had probably four or five (oncologists),” Stuart said. “That aspect of cancer medicine here (at MUSC) was almost non-existent.”
Born in Baton Rouge and raised in rural Louisiana, Dr. Robert Stuart's long oncology career in many ways demonstrates how cancer care has been transformed over the past several decades.https://t.co/1vo3zmJCY3
— The Post and Courier (@postandcourier) October 29, 2021
Kendall Harmon’s Sunday sermon–What can we Learn from the Call of David to be Israel’s Next King (1 Samuel 16:1-13)?
Listen to it all there or there are other options here.
The Latest Edition of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina Enewsletter
This past Saturday, October 16, 2021, during the special Electing Convention held at Christ Church in Mt. Pleasant, the Very Rev. Chip Edgar was elected Bishop Coadjutor of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina. Pending approval by the ACNA’s College of Bishops, who will meet in January 2022, Edgar will be in line to succeed Bishop Mark Lawrence who has served as the Diocesan Bishop since January of 2008….
Today, the Very Rev. Chip Edgar was elected Bishop Coadjutor of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina. Edgar will be in line to succeed Bishop Mark Lawrence who has served as the Diocesan Bishop since January of 2008. https://t.co/sWtfMa8Okl pic.twitter.com/dsz2zpSXht
— Anglican Diocese of SC (@anglican_sc) October 16, 2021
(Local Paper) South Carolina Teacher survey shows educators struggled with school leadership, added work last year
A South Carolina teacher exit survey revealed many of the state’s educators struggled to find reasons to stay in their jobs last year because of concerns with school leadership, their workload and other COVID-related conditions.
Last month, the South Carolina Teacher Education Advancement Consortium released the results of a 2020-21 exit survey revealing why teachers in five school districts across the Midlands region decided to leave their jobs. The survey comes a year after the Center for Education Recruitment, Retention & Advancement found nearly 6,000 teachers left their jobs over the 2019-20 school year.
The survey, which was conducted anonymously, asked 224 teachers about their level of experience, reasons for leaving and plans going forward. Most respondents said a desire to move or take an early retirement were the top reasons they left their jobs. Some 14 percent indicated they were dissatisfied with the school administration and leadership.
The survey also asked teachers how the COVID-19 pandemic factored into their decision to leave. The results showed the consequences of the virus, including added workload, an inability to connect with students and a lack of support from the community, pushed more people out of their jobs than safety concerns surrounding the virus itself.
A South Carolina teacher exit survey revealed many of the state's educators struggled to find reasons to stay in their jobs last year because of concerns with school leadership, their workload and other COVID-related conditions. https://t.co/kowEy0sADt
— The Post and Courier (@postandcourier) October 17, 2021
The Rector of Holy Cross Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina, writes the parish
| Dear Holy Cross Family,
I’m pleased to tell you that the Very Rev. Chip Edgar was elected Bishop Coadjutor of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina today during a special Electing Convention held at Christ Church in Mt. Pleasant. Pending approval by the Anglican Church in North America’s College of Bishops, who will meet in January 2022, Reverend Edgar will be in line to succeed Bishop Mark Lawrence who has served as the Diocesan Bishop since January of 2008. You can read the official announcement from the Diocese HERE. While it stings a bit that I was not selected, I’m thrilled that I will continue with my beloved Holy Cross. It is a joy and honor to be your Rector and I’m very hopeful about what’s ahead for us. The best is surely yet to come. Given that this has been a long and taxing process, I’m excited to say that Catherine and I will be taking a few days vacation to recoup and pray. When we return, we’ll continue making disciples who make disciples of others. –The Rev. Chris Warner is rector, Holy Cross, Sullivan’s Island, SC
Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, * South Carolina, Ministry of the Laity, Ministry of the Ordained, Parish Ministry
Chip Edgar Elected Bishop Coadjutor of the Anglican Diocese of South CarolinaToday, during a special Electing Convention held at Christ Church in Mt. Pleasant, the Very Rev. Chip Edgar was elected Bishop Coadjutor of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina. Pending approval by the Anglican Church in North America’s College of Bishops, who will meet in January 2022, Edgar will be in line to succeed Bishop Mark Lawrence who has served as the Diocesan Bishop since January of 2008. “You have bestowed a trust in me and I promise I will do everything I possibly can to live in to that trust,” said Edgar, following the election. “I am deeply, deeply humbled.” Quoting Second Samuel he said, “Who am I that you have brought me this far? And who is my family?” I trust this is the Lord’s will for the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina and this is the Lord’s will for me and for my family… I covet your prayers. From this point forward I covet your prayers. Thank you very much.” Once consecrated as Bishop Coadjutor, in March of 2022, Edgar will, for a season, serve alongside Bishop Lawrence…. (AP) New wind farms would dot US coastlines, including Carolinas, under Biden planSeven major offshore wind farms would be developed on the East and West coasts and in the Gulf of Mexico under a plan announced Wednesday by the Biden administration. The projects are part of President Joe Biden’s plan to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030, generating enough electricity to power more than 10 million homes. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said her department hopes to hold lease sales by 2025 off the coasts of Maine, New York and the mid-Atlantic, as well as the Carolinas, California, Oregon and the Gulf of Mexico. The projects are part of Biden’s plan to address global warming and could avoid about 78 million metric tons of planet-warming carbon dioxide emissions, while creating up to 77,000 jobs, officials said.
Please pray for the Election Convention of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina tomorrowFrom there:
(Local paper) Inside the delta variant’s attack on South Carolina schools: the first seven weeks of classHundreds of South Carolina schools shut down because of the coronavirus right after the school year kicked off. Students were thrown back into virtual learning, and parents feared for their children’s health as infections skyrocketed across the state. Districts struggled with how to protect the children and their staff from the delta variant, a new coronavirus variant that causes more infections and spreads faster than earlier forms of coronavirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control’s website. Vaccinated people can also spread the delta variant to unvaccinated people. But district’s hands were largely tied: They could not mandate masks.
Posted in * South Carolina, Health & Medicine
The Latest Edition of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina Enewsletter10 Days and Counting…
Pray for the election of our Bishop CoadjutorIn an attempt to allow for social distancing our Electing Convention will look a little different, but we’re meeting live and in-person at Christ Church, Mt. Pleasant, October 16. We will begin at 10 a.m. with a service of Holy Eucharist, followed by the Electing Convention. Watch the Live-Stream here. Find information about each of the candidates on our Diocesan website. In addition to brief bios, spiritual autobiographies, and resumes you’ll find introductory videos and links to the walkabout videos.
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