You may listen directly here:
Or you may download it there.
Or watch the video here:Category : * South Carolina
The Latest Edition of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina Enewsletter
A Powerful Retreat Weekend for St. Alban’s
The St. Alban’s Retreat, which was held earlier this month, ended, as it usually does, with baptisms in cold mountain water and creekside first communions. Fifteen men and women were baptized this year by the Rev. Dr. Rob Sturdy, St. Alban’s Chaplain. “I’m more than thankful to be able to work with these exceptional young people and to share with them the authenticity, integrity, love, and grace of Jesus,” wrote Rob. “Thanks to everyone who helps make it possible!” Please pray for our new brothers and sisters in Christ as they venture home for Thanksgiving, that their fire for the Lord brings new faithfulness to the people they meet along the way and that their families would notice the changes in their hearts in profound ways.
The Latest Edition of the #Anglican Diocese of #SouthCarolina Enewsletter https://t.co/XimswopSVR (Saint Alban's retreat Photos, Anglican Diocese of SC) #parishministry #lowcountrylife #citadelchaplain #religion #faith pic.twitter.com/qNFyXVgsR9
— Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) November 25, 2025
ADOSC Standing Committee Message Regarding Wood Presentment
(Received by email this morning; KSH) To: The Anglican Diocese of South Carolina
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Yesterday, Bishop Edgar sent a letter to the clergy of our Diocese expressing his support for those who brought a Presentment against Archbishop Steve Wood. Bishop Edgar also sent a letter to the College of Bishops. urging the senior bishops tasked with calling for an inhibition of the Archbishop to do so.
We, the Standing Committee of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina, stand with our Bishop in full support of the victims [of an ungodly and deeply dysfunctional process and allegedly of misbehaviour delineated in the presentment]. We, too, urge the College of Bishops to inhibit Archbishop Wood. While he has placed himself on a leave of absence, such leave can be ended at his discretion. An inhibition—though not a statement of guilt or innocence—protects the integrity of the inquiry and ensures that the process needed to seek the truth can proceed without interference.
Some have asked what the Standing Committee has done so far and what our next steps will be. Below is a summary of our actions:
What the ADOSC Standing Committee Has Done
- Tuesday, November 4: In executive session with Bishop Edgar, Canon Jim Lewis, and our Diocesan Chancellor, Ben Hagood, we reviewed the allegations in the Presentment and heard from Bishop Edgar regarding his role in the process. Together, we affirmed our commitment to support the victims in every way possible.
- During the Clergy Retreat, Bishop Edgar addressed the clergy directly. Because our lay members on the Standing Committee were not present for that conversation, on Thursday, November 13, we met by Zoom to bring all members—clergy and lay—up to date on these matters.
Agreed-upon Next Steps
- Next week: We will meet with the ADOSC clergy involved in the Presentment, to hear firsthand how we can best support them.
- To the Diocese: We issued this letter to express our unified support for our Bishop and for the victims [of an ungodly and deeply dysfunctional process and allegedly of misbehaviour delineated in the presentment].
- To the College of Bishops: We will be sending a letter urging them to correct the false narrative that has circulated regarding the victims, and to not only inhibit Archbishop Wood but to issue a godly admonition.
We ask you to keep all who are involved in your prayers—especially the [alleged] victims, those caring for them, and all who bear responsibility for leadership and discernment in this difficult moment.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all,
The Standing Committee of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina
The Rev. Mary Ellen Doran, President
The Rev. Jeremy Shelton, Vice-President
The Rev. Jamie Sosnowski
The Rev. Corey Prescott
The Rev. Bill Clarkson
Mrs. Lindsay Dew
Mrs. Shirley Wiggins
Mr. Robert Kunes
Mr. Ben Dixon
Mr. Terry Jenkins
Mr. Bobby Kilgo
The Latest Edition of the #Anglican Diocese of #SouthCarolina Enewsletter https://t.co/rkmkTXtE32 #parishmninistry #communication #faith pic.twitter.com/WNcxbnlLzk
— Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) January 21, 2025
South Carolina Bishop Chip Edgar Clarifies Support for Complainants in Charges Against Archbishop Wood, calls for Public Apology by all Bishops and calls for an Inhibition of Archbishop Wood
Bp Chip Edgar of ACNA's Diocese of South Carolina writes: "The frequent charge, heard from the highest levels in the ACNA, that the complainants had gone to the press [first] is not true. … I’ve asked the College for a unified, public apology for these disparaging statements." https://t.co/YjJKIoYVHx pic.twitter.com/fflutyYSj1
— Arlie Coles (@ArlieColes) November 13, 2025
At the Anglican Dioese of South Carolina Clergy Conference
Hope to be back Thursday
A Major Living Church story with YET MORE about the ongoing ACNA leadership crisis story (it includes an 8 page letter at the end which is MUST reading)–ACNA Archbishop Faces Second Sexual Misconduct Complaint
On the evening of November 7, the ACNA announced that Sutton recused himself from the Wood matter “to ensure the utmost objectivity in these proceedings,” and that Sutton had appointed the Rt. Rev. Julian Dobbs to appoint, in turn, a three-member panel of bishops to “review and approve the composition” of the already-selected Board of Inquiry.
“If the Board of Inquiry has already been impaneled, we have every reason to believe that Bishop Sutton was involved, [and] we have no reason to believe that such a board is trustworthy,” Miller told TLC. “As eager as we are to see this move quickly, a new board, organized without the involvement of the archbishop’s staff, nor of Bishop Sutton, will have to be appointed.”
“There’s no good moving quickly if you’re headed in the wrong direction,” he said, adding that Sutton’s recusal and the three-member panel’s future review of board members would be a “step in the right direction” if the panel members were known.
In addition to these new charges, the complainants’ cover letter criticizes communications by the ACNA’s provincial office and by some individual bishops that suggested the complainants took their allegations to the Post before attempting to use the canonical disciplinary channels of the church.
A timeline in the letter outlines the process the complainants say they followed. Claire Buxton, who alleges that Archbishop Wood made continual sexual advances toward her, alerted one priest of her complaint four days after Wood’s election in June 2024, and another priest a month later, who informed the Rt. Rev. Chip Edgar, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina, the document said. Edgar’s diocese overlaps with Wood’s Diocese of the Carolinas.
New for @Livng_Church: Complainants say they tried to canonically advance accusations against ACNA Archbishop Steve Wood for more than a year, and question the possibility of a fair hearing while he retains his powers.https://t.co/pDcdtrUhGE
— Arlie Coles (@ArlieColes) November 8, 2025
(Local Paper) In South Carolina, evictions are the ‘scarlet E’ that never go away
Valerie Ferebee rummaged through the front seat of her car searching for a pack of cigarettes as she sat outside Tanger Outlets. Everything she and her husband Milton own is in their Ford EcoSport, so it took her a few minutes to find them.
The four-door crossover has been their home for more than a year.
Once she found the Newport Menthol Greens in a side pocket, she pulled one out to light. She took a drag and considered their living situation.
“Disgusting. Degrading. Shameful. Humiliating,” she said. “I mean, I don’t know what word to use … I feel sort of stuck.”
Valerie and Milton are just two of thousands who have been evicted in the Charleston area. North Charleston once had the highest eviction rate in the country in 2016 with more than 3,600 tenants being evicted, according to data from Princeton University’s Eviction Lab.
Read it all.In South Carolina, evictions are the ‘scarlet E’ that never go away https://t.co/9OutCBsLNF
— The Post and Courier (@postandcourier) November 2, 2025
Bp Chip Edgar writes the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina about recent ACNA developments
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
~Psalm 46.1-3
To All the Faithful of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina:
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
This past week news has broken about our Anglican Church—about many issues of alleged pastoral neglect by Bishop Ruch of the Upper Midwest Diocese; and, much closer to home, a piece regarding a Presentment (a legal charge) against Archbishop Steve Wood concerning allegations of pastoral abuse of former clergy, unwanted sexual advances towards a lay employee, and other issues, like plagiarism in sermons—in stories published by Ian Shapiro in The Washington Post.
It is important to say two things about the allegations against Archbishop Wood: first, the allegations come from credible sources. They must be taken seriously, and I am confident they will. Second, at
this stage they remain allegations. The Presentment (the charges) must be validated, and, when validated, a Board of Inquiry will be established. If the Board of Inquiry determines there is probable cause to put the accused to trial, two things will happen: the nature of the charges will be made public—with care given to protect anonymity where needed, and then the case will proceed, with discovery, potential motions, and, ultimately, presentation of evidence and argument before the Court for the Trial of a Bishop. The Canons require expeditious handling in accordance with due principles of fairness, due process, and justice. Due to the nature of these proceedings, there will be times that, from our perspective, look like nothing is happening. Please be patient. Finally, like in American civil law, our Canonical Law holds the accused as innocent until proven guilty. And guilt must be established to the standard of clear and convincing evidence.
With these charges, we have entered a season of storms. Storms that seem to threaten the very foundations of our church, and we ask, what in the world is going on? I want to try to give some perspective, to set these events in a context that, as I have prayed, with groaning in my soul too deep for words, through sleepless nights and challenging days, has helped me make some sense of it, and has been helpful to me in my prayers and in my work.
Years ago, I learned that organizations and institutions go through a series of steps as they grow.
Those steps were described as forming, norming, storming, and performing. I thought of that as I
prayed about the storms in which we find ourselves.
I recall being at Plano, Texas in 2009 when the ACNA was formed. I wish I had seen it then, but looking back I see clearly now. There was a troublesome spirit of pride at work as we Constituted the ACNA. Here was our sin: we were so focused on the evil outside of ourselves, that we couldn’t see the sin within us. I’m thinking of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s famous line from The Gulag Archipelago: “If only it were all so simple! If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?”
In our norming, then, we were set to make some serious mistakes. I remember laughing about how the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church ran to the hundreds and hundreds of pages; we didn’t need that, we were righteous, we were mission focused, we were on fire for the Lord! We failed to see that evil lurked within us, each and every one. Our disciplinary Canons were short, not too many details, lots of unanswered questions. Did we think we weren’t going to need expansive Canons to guide us carefully through difficult situations toward just outcomes? While I don’t believe anyone actually thought that consciously, I fear that was the effect of our formative pride: the bad guys were “out there,” not “in here.”
Those flaws in our forming and norming have resulted in the storming that we now face being much more intense than it might have been. I won’t go into details about these storms, I’ll only say that I think their magnitude serves as a judgment on all of us, especially those of us in leadership. In these storms, is God winnowing, sifting, purging? It’s hard for me not to think so; but I also remember that He chastens those He loves. He wants better from us, ultimately, he wants better for us. Those truths aren’t just for the ACNA, they are for all His people.
I hear bandied about that these storms mark the end of the ACNA, that they are a death blow. Are they? I can’t answer that with anymore certainty than anyone else possibly could. But here is what I do know—with certainty: God is calling us to repentance and reform. Not someone out there, us.
Another thing I do know with clear and certain conviction—we are not called to worry about our future. That is not for us, that is in God’s hands. We are not called to make decisions to try to preserve ourselves. We are called to do what is right in this situation, in this moment, in this storm.
I do think, however, that there are real goods in our common life that, focusing on doing what is right, point toward us coming through these storms and into, at long last, a season of performing, or,
in more biblical language, bearing fruit.
All around the ACNA—just like you all around our diocese—are strong, healthy, thriving parishes. Parishes served by good clergy. Our dioceses are led by bishops who love the Lord and are working hard to do what’s right. We’ve made serious missteps in the past, but much has been learned and many changes have been made. Even now, we are making significant changes to our Canons.
In my conversations with my fellow bishops, the need for repentance and change (change being the
mark of true repentance) is a shared commitment. We are working hard to weather these storms as
we remember that God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Brothers and sisters, in this storm season, pray. Pray for the victims. They have endured much up to
this point and will endure more as this process unfolds. Matters like this are fraught with difficulty.
Pray for the Archbishop. Pray for the Church. Pray for repentance and change, wisdom and courage,
and the fortitude to do what is right, no matter the cost.
Blessings,
–The Rt. Rev Chip Edgar is Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina
Chip Edgar Elected Bishop Coadjutor of the #Anglican Diocese of #SouthCarolina https://t.co/gsHql69b1g #religion #lowcountrylife #parishministry #bishops pic.twitter.com/p7c6QBsfsM
— Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) October 16, 2021
The rector of Holy Cross, Sullivan’s Island, SC writes his parish about the major Anglican story about ACNA this week
| An Update Regarding Accusations Against Archbishop Steve Wood |
| October 24, 2025 |
| Dear Holy Cross Family,
By now, many of you have heard of the allegations against Archbishop Steve Wood, which have been reported in the Washington Post and several other media outlets. This difficult situation touches Holy Cross in several ways. Our parish is a member of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) and is under the spiritual authority of Archbishop Wood, who also serves as the Rector of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Mt. Pleasant, just a few miles away. In addition, some of us have personal connections with Archbishop Wood and his family. Finally, the complainants include members of our Diocese and a former member of our staff, Claire Buxton. As discouraging and disorienting as this is, our greatest desire is that God would be glorified through the revelation of truth and grace. Let us remember that “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:5-7). As the church of Jesus Christ, we are called to the relentless pursuit of holiness, truth, justice, and mercy. The church must be a place of refuge and protection from the evils of the world. We need to allow the instruments of justice to work. ACNA has a thorough and Christ-honoring process for investigating and adjudicating claims against clergy. If any member of the clergy, including a bishop or archbishop, is accused of behaving in a way that is not in line with the Gospel (Galatians 2:14; 1 Timothy 3:1–13), including sexual harassment or abuse, there must be a thorough investigation. This process must be fair and truthful, measured by facts, evidence, and patient investigation by people committed to the truth. Furthermore, we are not to treat an accusation as fact but trust that the Lord will uphold justice through faithful witness and wise discernment (Deuteronomy 19:15–21; 1 Timothy 5:19). Many will take advantage of this moment to attack the Church and attempt to discredit the message of the Gospel. Some have already suggested that this accusation and other lamentable events demonstrate that the leadership of ACNA is morally bankrupt. As your Rector, I want to assure you that this is simply not true. In truth, the very fact that a presentment has been brought forward against the Archbishop illustrates our commitment to holiness, transparency, and accountability. So what should we do? First, pray for all involved—the Church, ACNA, our leaders, Archbishop Steve Wood and his wife, Jacqui and their children, and the complainants, including Claire. Second, do not lose heart. It would be easy to become cynical and disillusioned. But Jesus himself said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Third, proclaim the Gospel. Satan would love nothing more than to distract us from God’s mission through rumor, speculation, and gossip. We have a message of grace and freedom to share with a hurting world in bondage to sin. This situation only highlights how desperately we all need Jesus! As followers of Christ, let us all recommit ourselves to lives of grace and truth by the power of the Holy Spirit and be vigilant in our care for every man, woman, and child in the churches entrusted to our care. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me or Dan McNeill, our Sr. Warden, via our church email at info[at]holycross[dot]net. In Christ, –(The Rev.) David Cumbie is rector, Holy Cross, Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina |
David Cumbie of Church of the Apostles, Houston, called to be new rector of Holy Cross, Sullivan's Island #SouthCarolina https://t.co/0ylo4poNBE #parishministry #lowcountrylife #anglican #religion #faith #transition #leadership #marriage #family #children #texas #acna pic.twitter.com/oAsFYduwBZ
— Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) October 18, 2023
The Latest Edition of the Diocese of South Carolina newspaper, the Jubilate Deo
Dear Friends,
Your Fall 2025 Jubilate Deo is here. In this issue you’ll:
- Learn about the Bishop’s new Thrive Together campaign.
- Read the standing-ovation receiving sermon given by 11-year-old Daniel Booman at New Wineskins.
- Get an update on restoration projects at three of our historic properties.
- Discover what one of our rectors, Karl Burns, called “silly & sacred.” And more!…
Take the time to read through all the interesting pieces.
(The latest Jubilate Deo) Surprised, Challenged, Moved by New Wineskins for Global Mission Conference By Brett Kucera, Prince George Winyah Anglican Church, Georgetown https://t.co/laOqoXP1rP #anglican #southcarolina #parishminsitry #missions #newwineskins pic.twitter.com/zZiye16Pnm
— Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) October 21, 2025
The Latest Edition of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina Enewsletter
Trinity Anglican Seminary is offering an in-person and live-stream lecture at 7:00 p.m. on October 30 by Dr. Matthew Barrett, Research Professor of Theology. Part of the 2025 John Rodgers Lecture Series, this year’s lecture, “The Legacy of Nicaea & the Future of Anglicanism,” marks the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea and explores the vital role of creedal Christianity in our time. Register here to receive the live-stream link.
The Latest Edition of the Anglican Diocese of #SouthCarolina Enewsletter https://t.co/NrndEYbzzv #parishministry #anglican #news #southcarolina #lowcountrylife pic.twitter.com/BvRsQ1TKc8
— Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) October 14, 2025
A recent Kendall Harmon Sermon–How Can We the people of God become a people of prayer (Luke 11:1-13)?
You may listen directly here:
Or you may download it there.
“Prayer is like breathing. It is the air in which we survive spiritually.” – Elisabeth Elliot
— Elisabeth Elliot (@EElliotFdn) September 24, 2025
Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice. Psalm 55:17#elisabethelliot #prayer #christianbooks #faithful #spiritual pic.twitter.com/PYl0bzoDrN
Or you may watch it here:
The Latest Edition of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina Enewsletter
Herewith one story–Anglicans Gather to Honor Bishops Allison and Null
Anglicans from across the globe gathered together on September 15 at Prince George Winyah in Georgetown to honor the ministry of Bishop Fitz Allison. His ministry included teaching Ashley Null about justification by faith and ordaining him to the priesthood. During the service, Bishop Allison prayed for Ashley’s new ministry as the bishop of the Diocese of North Africa. Bishop Null’s episcopal ordination was held on May 11 at St. George—an historic Anglican church in Tunis just a few miles from ancient Carthage and St. Cyprian’s original cathedral. As the Anglican successor to St. Augustine, Bishop Null intends to continue the robust legacy of Reformation Anglicanism which Bishop Allison has championed for decades. Please join all who gathered at Prince George Winyah (PGW) in praying for the difficult ministry in North Africa and for the continued biblical focus of Bishop Allison and Bishop Null’s ministries. To God be the glory.
'Anglicans from across the globe gathered together on September 15 at Prince George Winyah in Georgetown to honor the ministry of Bishop Fitz Allison. His ministry included teaching Ashley Null about justification by faith and ordaining him to the priesthood. During the service,… pic.twitter.com/5YdkT8K6r9
— Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) October 1, 2025
Sermon section I preached on the Utah assassination on Sunday
“Now let me say a word to all of us about the importance of Christians being Christians. I want to speak to you from my heart and tell you that you matter not just to God, not just to me not just this Parish, but to this country and the most important thing for the country right now is for Christians to be Christians and to be salt and light.
There’s no question that the last week has been unspeakably difficult for our country. We had a man who was speaking publicly at a university in Utah senselessly murdered in cold blood. It caused terror and shock to the students, to the university, to the state of Utah, to the country and indeed to the world.
Whatever else you can say about this terrible event it represents the symptom of a country that is not well. We need Christians to pray for this country but we need more than that. We need Christians to be Christians in the public sphere in this country and behave in the public Square in a manner that conforms with the person and the teachings of Christ.
This means two things specifically for us. First of all, it means speaking against political violence from any point of view as ever being justified in the public square. Christians need to be people who defend free speech, but also who defend the importance of good disagreement in public and who do everything in their power to pray and speak against any political violence.
There is also something philosophical at stake and it matters. One of the very alarming things that’s happened in the last few decades is that a perspective has emerged, which has moved from arguing that words are bad to arguing that words in and of themselves are violence.
We need to be careful here. There is no justification for using free speech to deliberately incite violence from others or ourselves, but this is different.
What is now being argued is that words of a certain type from a certain vantage point are inherently violent and therefore people who use those kind of words and those kind of arguments are able to be responded to with violence in certain circumstances.
Do not fool yourself that this idea that political violence is justified is somehow hiding anymore in the dark subways or smaller parts of our country. What is so deeply disturbing about what this week represents is how many people in public from various viewpoints are more and more justifying political violence as a means of somehow being a solution to our problems Political violence has never been good. It will never be justified. It can never be condoned. It must always be condemned.
This is true for everyone, but especially for us as Christians. Let us renew our commitment to pray for this country and let us renew our commitment to seek the common good, to defend the importance of the public square and to defend the need to behave properly in the public square. And let us all work for the common good of our country.
Several people have argued that this week could be a turning point—let us pray that it is, in all sorts of ways, a turning point for the better, but let us, especially as Christians, respond by making sure that it deepens our resolve to be people of salt and light who speak the truth in love and who declare to all that speaking the truth in love matters. And let us pray that the God who brought his light into the darkness of this world, somehow brings his light out of this very dark week in Utah and in America.”
(Local Paper) ‘Fiddler crab on steroids’: SC agency on the lookout for a new invasive (and edible) species
A potentially invasive crab species has landed in coastal South Carolina, from Hilton Head, though the Charleston area and up to Myrtle Beach.
State regulators are asking the public to report sightings of blue land crabs, which can cause damage to crops and other animals by digging deep holes in search of water.
Historically found in Brazil, the Caribbean and South Florida, blue land crabs are thicker and bulkier than the blue crabs found in coastal waters and served in local restaurants. Despite their name, they range in shades of blue and purple to orange and have one claw that’s larger than the other.
The burrowing creatures resemble a “fiddler crab on steroids,” said S.C. Department of Natural Resources crustacean researcher Daniel Sasson.
For a long time, it was thought the crabs’ northernmost range was the middle of Florida, Sasson said. That has changed.
‘Fiddler crab on steroids’: SC agency on the lookout for a new invasive (and edible) species https://t.co/WvvYRopXRa
— The Post and Courier (@postandcourier) September 2, 2025
Posted in * South Carolina, Animals
The Standing Committee of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina issues a Response to the Events in the Trial of Bp. Stewart Ruch
To: The Clergy of the Diocese
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In recent days, the people of our Diocese and Province have witnessed unsettling developments related to the ecclesiastical trial of Bishop Stewart Ruch.
Given that two of our own diocesan leaders, Bishop David Bryan and Mr. Alan Runyan, have played major roles in this trial and have issued public and seemingly conflicting statements, this turmoil is being experienced particularly acutely within our Diocese. The discomfort we’re feeling is real and personal.
Before we address that discomfort, we offer this brief sketch of the key events that have led us to this place:
• In 2021, accusations were raised against Bishop Steward Ruch regarding his handling of credible reports of sexual abuse that took place in 2019 by a Lay Catechist of a church within his Diocese, the Diocese of the Upper Midwest. The abuser was convicted in 2022 of multiple counts of child sexual abuse, and he also pled guilty to raping another victim in 2018 and 2020.
• Two presentments were filed against Bp. Ruch, the first by three fellow bishops in December 2022 and the second by lay and clergy in June 2023. A presentment is a list of charges that are formally brought against a member of the clergy. Bp. Ruch was charged with habitual neglect of duties, causing scandal or offense, violating his ordination vows, and contravention of the canons of the church.
• A Board of Inquiry convened in accordance with ACNA canons reviewed the presentments in 2023, and in both cases found probable cause to go to trial.
• After a prolonged delay, the trial began on July 14th of this year with members of our Diocese in key positions: Mr. Alan Runyan serving as the Provincial Prosecutor and Bishop David Bryan serving as the President of the Court for the Trial of a Bishop.
• On July 18th, an incident occurred during the trial that led Mr. Runyan to conclude that the trial process had been irreparably tainted and that he must resign from his position as Prosecutor.
• The Court has ordered the trial to resume on August 11th after the appointment of a new Prosecutor, and on July 23rd it issued a Limited Response to the Public Release of the Former Provincial Prosecutor’s Resignation Letter which was signed on behalf of all seven members of the court by Bp. Bryan as the trial court’s President. This response directly contradicts statements made in Mr. Runyan’s resignation letter, as well as corroborating statements made later by Mr. Runyan’s Assistant Prosecutor.
• On July 25th, the Assistant Prosecutor released a statement bringing further context to Mr. Runyan’s mid-trial resignation and making further claims of inappropriate conduct by Archbishop Steve Wood and members of his staff in the ACNA’s Provincial Office. Her letter also indicates that Bp. Bryan is not the member of the court whose actions led to Mr. Runyan’s resignation.
• On July 29th, after reviewing some of the facts on the previous day, a Joint Statement from the College of Bishops and Executive Committee was released exonerating the Archbishop and Provincial Office staff. On that same day, Bishop Chip Edgar offered a response to the joint statement, clarifying that neither he nor any of the other bishops serving on the Trial Court or the Tribunal were party to it, and therefore it did not speak unanimously for the College of Bishops. The Joint Statement was later revised to include this fact.
• A new Prosecutor has been appointed after the initial replacement for Mr. Runyan stepped down due to a conflict of interest. The trial is currently set to resume on August 11th.
• Further details can be found on the ACNA website. Related material is also posted on Anglican Ink.
The Standing Committee of our Diocese has received numerous letters of concern, as well as requests for explanation and clarification of these events. We are grateful for all those who have reached out to us because it shows genuine care for others and a deep concern for the integrity of our Province. We thank you for sharing your questions, concerns, and feedback.
We recognize several distinct issues that have been raised by these events, including issues of justice, due process, and multiple allegations of misconduct. We note that some of these issues are of particular concern to the churches of our Diocese because of the individuals involved. As we consider these issues, we must also recognize that Bp. Edgar is currently limited in his ability to engage with these matters because he is a member of the Provincial Tribunal which serves as a court of final review for the proceedings against Bp. Ruch.
The issues raised by these events have caused serious alarm and forces each of us to prayerfully consider a proper response. Silence may signal complicity; haste may lead to harm. In this unprecedented moment, we risk either mistake with every decision we make. In our patient, prayerful discernment, we desire to bring clarity to misinformation and to direct what further action may be required by Bp. Edgar or us, if any.
As a council of advice to Bp. Edgar, it is our recommendation that we cautiously seek to navigate a path between these two devastating errors, and with earnest prayer we ask the Lord to guide us, correct us, limit any harm, and magnify any good that may result from our decisions. Lord, have mercy.
To that end, then, we submit to you the following:
In consultation with the Standing Committee, Bp. Edgar has agreed to temporarily suspend episcopal visits by Bp. David Bryan. We think this temporary action is necessary given the significant contradictions between the statement of the court under Bp. Bryan’s signature and the statements of Mr. Runyan and his Assistant Prosecutor. We hope for the day when he can resume visits to our parishes, but we must patiently wait for the trial to conclude and for the facts of the proceedings to be released.
With regards to the accusations made against Archbishop Steve Wood and members of his staff, we recognize that we are not the investigative or disciplinary arm of the ACNA. We are, though, the concerned representative body of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina, and as such, we request an independent, third party investigation into the Provincial Office’s actions during the course of the trial, to begin no later than 60 days after the conclusion of the trial process. We invite other Dioceses of the ACNA to join us in this petition.
We refrain from making any comment on the trial while the proceedings are underway. We continue to pray God’s will be done, and trust his sovereignty in these and all matters.
To the victims of abuse in ACNA churches, especially those in the Diocese of the Upper Midwest who have endured a long and arduous ecclesial court process, we are pained by our Province’s failure in the swift administration of justice and the broken trust that has resulted. We grieve what you have endured, and pray that the love of Jesus made real to you will overcome the bitter failures of his church.
We remain fully committed to the future of the ACNA, yet we cannot ignore the obvious inadequacies in some of our processes or the questions of integrity regarding some of the people responsible for fairly administering them. We feel the outstretched arm of the Lord against our Province, and at the same time we see the mercy his pierced hands offer us in the repeated refrain of the prophet Isaiah: “For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still.” (Isaiah 10:4)
In all of this, we call on the people of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina to lead in acts of mercy and charity, to persist in service to the least and the lost, to be humble in confession of our faults and unsparing in forgiveness for those who seek repentance, in all things striving to build up the body of Christ, the church. Let this be our witness, and may it lead to restoration.
In Christ’s service,
The Standing Committee of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina
The Rev. Jeremy Shelton
The Rev. Mary Ellen Doran
The Rev. Jamie Sosnowski
The Rev. Corey Prescott
The Rev. Bill Clarkson
Mrs. Lindsay Dew
Mrs. Shirley Wiggins
Mr. Robert Kunes
Mr. Ben Dixon
Mr. Terry Jenkins
Mr. Bobby Kilgo
A recent Kendall Harmon Sermon–What happens to us when God is apparently absent without leave (Psalm 73)?
“All right, now let’s look at this particular struggle. It’s an incredible story, this. It goes in four parts, and what’s so powerful about it is it goes in a circle.
So it’s a bit, in a sense, misleading if you read the psalm too quickly, because the beginning verse, look at your text, verse one. Truly God is good to Israel. That’s actually the end of the story.
And it doesn’t feel all that powerful because he’s beginning at the end. So what you need to realize is, if you go to the end of the psalm, verse 28, but for me, it is good to be near God. See, this is a song about the goodness of God.
He’s telling you at the beginning, that’s where he ends up. But what you need to realize is, the journey through which he gets there is absolutely crucial. And it’s a very, very hard one, and it’s a very, very important one for us to understand.
So I’m going to go through it under four headings just to give you a way to follow. So I want to talk about the ledge that he ends up on.
I want to talk about the lift that God gives him while he’s on the ledge so he doesn’t end up staying on the ledge.
I want to talk about the lesson that he learns. And then I want to talk about the liberation that God gives him as a result of this experience. So if you’re with me, ledge, lift, lesson, liberation.
All right, you all with me? Here we go. Verse two, it all starts.
This is very serious stuff, brothers and sisters. This is not some minor struggle. This is a member of the people of God.
He’s been at it for a while, and he’s going through a tough time. How do I know that? Well, look at your text.”
You may listen directly here:
Or you may download it there.
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:26 ESV) pic.twitter.com/Y6zKL1d5Y2
— Joel (@GuitarmanJoel) July 23, 2025
The Theology on Tap Ministry on Daniel Island, South Carolina–giving people who are searching a safe space, not in a church building, where they can ask questions
For the past three years, Church of the Holy Spirit’s Theology on Tap has been a staple in Daniel Island’s social and spiritual life. Hosted at New Realm Brewery, the monthly gathering blends panel discussions with community connection over drinks and shared curiosity.
The intention is to create a relaxed, welcoming space for people to engage in conversations about faith, life, and the questions we all wrestle with, no matter their background.
Open to all inquisitive minds, Theology on Tap brings together people of all ages and walks of life – a melting pot of diverse perspectives that cultivates genuine conversation and a strengthened sense of community.
Each month’s discussion is centered around a given topic, be it economics or the environment.
The laid-back panel structure is more like an open forum where attendees are able to submit their questions anonymously or share their own responses to the panel’s answers. This is no pulpit preaching or a sterilized sermon; it is a chance to come together and navigate different aspects of life as a community.