Presiding Bishop visits South Carolina
Episcopal Life Online reports on the Presiding Bishop's visit to the Diocese of South Carolina:
The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina welcomed Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori during her short visit in February through open forums, open houses, and open hearts.The Presiding Bishop had not been invited to the January consecration of diocesan Bishop Mark Lawrence, and the February 24-25 visit was an opportunity for Jefferts Schori and the people of the diocese to explore their common areas as well as their points of disagreement.
Through a series of public events and private gatherings, the Presiding Bishop was able to meet and speak with diocesan officials, clergy and lay people, deans, elected Standing Committee and Council members.
Accompanied by her husband, Dr. Richard Schori, and the Rev. Canon Dr. Charles Robertson, canon to the Presiding Bishop, Jefferts Schori expressed enthusiasm about the visit. "It's wonderful to meet and talk to people face-to-face," Jefferts Schori said about her visit. "That's how we learn to know each other and learn about each other."
The Presiding Bishop was present for Evensong and the following day for Morning Prayer. The overflow crowds came to see and hear the Presiding Bishop and many stayed to have her sign her book A Wing and a Prayer. Clergy were invited to a private meeting with the Presiding Bishop:
The private conversation for active clergy at St. Andrew's, called Charity and Clarity, drew nearly 100 active priests and deacons from all areas of the diocese. After a presentation by Lawrence and an invitation to conversation from the Presiding Bishop, Jefferts Schori and the clergy engaged in an open, honest and frank discussion, ranging from biblical interpretation and church politics to congregational growth.
Read it all here.
UPDATE: Tuesday evening - Links to the audio of the Presiding Bishop's visit are here.
How exciting that she went and was welcomed. How sad that it didn't include sharing together at the Lord's Table. I imagine that choice was made to avoid confrontation, and that Bishop Jefferts Schori understood and agreed. We do not always have to share in Eucharist to express communion. Still, it would have been a wonderful symbol.
Marshall Scott
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March 4, 2008 8:43 AM
A note from the Rt. Rev. Mark Lawrence:
"I have read the recent article from the ENS regarding the Presiding Bishop, The Most Reverend Katherine Jefferts Schori’s visit to the Diocese of South Carolina. It was a gracious and accurate description of much of our time together. Indeed, there was a warm hospitality which we were most intentional in cultivating through our prayers and our hearts. What the article failed to convey, however, is the depth of the theological chasm that lies between many of us in South Carolina (and others within the church for that matter) and the trajectory of so much of the leadership of The Episcopal Church. To explore these cavernous depths is indeed the great work that lies before anyone in leadership today. Along with showing hospitality and witnessing to God’s work among us, the earnest exploring of this chasm was and remains one of our chief objectives."
–The Rt. Rev. Mark Lawrence
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March 4, 2008 3:13 PM
Link to the visit will be posted at this blog.
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March 4, 2008 3:14 PM