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Serving When Called

10/29/2021

1 Comment

 
 
In 2018, I was sitting at Diocesan convention in Columbia when I was approached by a fellow member of the clergy and asked, “Would you be willing to run for Standing Committee? We need one more candidate and you’d really be doing us a favor.” Now bear in mind that I had no intention of running for anything at that convention. I was still getting to know the Diocese and didn’t really feel ready to jump into Diocesan leadership. However, I told my friend that I would do it if they had no other options. Less than ten minutes later, Susan Palmer, an Assistant Dean at the University of South Carolina Law School and President of the Standing Committee, approached me and said, “I hear you’re willing to stand for Standing Committee. As a fellow attorney, I would really like you to be my Vice-President. What do you think? Say yes. Please!”

So began my journey in Diocesan leadership which has taken more than a few unpredictable turns. After serving one year as Vice-President of the Standing Committee in 2019, I was elected President of the Standing Committee in December of 2019. That’s right, December of 2019, just before a world-wide pandemic and financial crisis were about to take hold. Then, in February of 2020, I was called to the Bishop’s house for a private, in-person meeting, told that he intended to retire as of December 31, 2021, and that as President of the Standing Committee, I would have a leading role in the bishop search process. That work began in earnest shortly thereafter. When it came time to elect a new Standing Committee President in December of 2020, the Standing Committee turned to a provision of the Canons that allows the incumbent to serve an additional term should the circumstances require and asked me to stay on as Standing Committee President for one more term. I reluctantly agreed and was re-elected.

My work with and for the Diocese over the past two years has been weighty, frustrating, stressful, time-consuming and fulfilling, all at the same time. Although not without difficulty, it has truly been a joy and an honor to serve, especially when such heavy matters beset us as a Diocese. I feel that the Standing Committee and I have made a real difference in the life of the Diocese and the Church as a whole. The Diocese weathered the initial shock of Covid, we navigated through uncertain financial waters, we formulated and executed a bishop search process that was efficient, canonical, sound, and fair, we had a successful electing convention, and are leaving the Diocese on a firm financial footing, reducing the draw on the endowments while increasing the value of the endowments. I am extremely proud of the work the Standing Committee has done.

However, this success depended on one group of people who were instrumental in my Diocesan leadership over the past two years: you, the staff and people of St. James. You shared your Rector with the Bishop and the people of the Diocese and supported me in my Diocesan service. Your kindness, generosity and understanding when I was preoccupied and distracted with Diocesan affairs has been deeply appreciated.
​
The November 6th Diocesan Convention will be my last convention as a Standing Committee member and as Standing Committee President. Shortly thereafter in December, I will turn over the gavel to a new Standing Committee President and I will lay down my responsibilities with a sense of relief, gratitude and exhaustion. Thank you for your unwavering support. I am proud to have served the Diocese, the Standing Committee and the Bishop, but most of all, I am proud to be your Rector.
 
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1 Comment
Lucie Jones
10/30/2021 06:01:31 pm

Ah, yes! We used to refer to it as"baptism by fire". Say yes to one thing and immediately several more things appear. I'm sure they were very grateful for your wisdom, organizational abilities and support of our parish! Congratulations and "welcome back".

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    Author

    The Rev. Stephen J. Rhoades,
    Rector of St. James

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301 Piney Mountain Road
Greenville, SC 29609
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  • Home
  • What We Believe
  • Welcome
    • Welcome Visitors >
      • St. James Online Visitor Card
    • Who We Are
    • The St. James Story
    • Leadership >
      • Ministry Staff
      • Office Staff
      • The Wardens, Vestry & Delegates
    • Baptism & Membership
  • Worship
    • What to Expect on Sunday
    • The Wednesday Celtic Evening Eucharist with Healing
    • Livestreamed Services
    • Serving in Worship
    • The Sacraments & Sacramental Rites >
      • Holy Baptism
      • The Holy Eucharist
      • Confirmation
      • The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage
      • The Burial of the Dead (Resurrection Liturgy)
      • Reconciliation of a Penitent (Confession)
      • Ministration to the Sick (Holy Unction)
      • Ministration at the Time of Death (Last Rites)
      • Holy Orders (Ordination)
    • Special Services >
      • Holy Week and Easter Services
    • Music >
      • From the Music Director & Organist
      • Advent Lessons & Carols
      • St. James Organ
      • Organ Specifications
      • St. James Choral Scholars
    • Stained Glass Windows
    • Altar Flower Registration
    • Sanctuary Lamp Registration
  • Formation
    • Prayer and Spirituality
    • St. James Day School >
      • 2020 Day School Parent Contact Info
      • From the Day School Director
      • Pay Day School Tuition
      • Camp Fun
      • Weather Conditions and Closings
    • EYC: Episcopal Youth Community
    • Adult Christian Education
    • Adult Ministry >
      • The Gathering - A Senior Adult Ministry
      • St. James Small Group Ministry
      • St. James Men's Group
    • Children's Ministries >
      • Children's Sunday School
      • Easter Egg Hunt
  • Mission
    • St. James Outreach >
      • ECW Attic Sale
      • Blood Drive
      • Meal Packaging Event
      • United Thank Offering
      • Vivancos' Ministry in Ecuador
      • Prayer Shawl Ministry
      • KAIROS
    • Pastoral Care
    • Grief Ministry
    • Restoring Trinity Abbeville
    • Iglesia Episcopal San Francisco
  • Giving
    • St. James Stewardship
    • Online Giving
  • Resources
    • Parish-Wide Calendar
    • St. James Store
    • St. James Facebook Page
    • Servants in Worship Calendar
    • Forms & Documents
    • St. James Enote Archive
    • News Sites >
      • Anglican Communion News Service
      • Episcopal News Service
      • EDUSC News
    • The Anglican Communion
    • The Episcopal Church
    • Daughters of the King
    • Liturgical Resources >
      • The Daily Office
      • Book of Common Prayer Online
    • Galleries >
      • Photo Gallery >
        • Bishop Waldo 2020 Visit
        • Meal Packaging Event - Oct. 2019
        • Burning of the Greens 2019
        • 2018 All Parish and Friends Breakfast
        • Bishop Waldo Visits St. James (2017)
        • Stop Hunger Now Nov. 2016
        • 2016 Fall Festival
        • 2016 Blessing of the Animals
        • 2015 Annual Meeting
        • All Saints Day 2015 Baptisms
        • 2015 Fall Festival at St. James
        • Stop Hunger Now Photos
        • Faith Memorial 2015
        • Bishop's Visit 2015
        • Epiphany 2015
        • Christmas 2014
        • Easter 2014
      • Video Gallery
    • Recorded Sermons