EDUSC at the Installation of the 27th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church

by Carrie Graves 

All Hallow’s Eve was a clear-skied, cool day in Washington, DC. The National Cathedral stood out against the sky like a “castle,” as one DC Uber driver put it. The Cathedral was ready for a big event to take place on her grounds and in her sanctuary the next day on All Saints’. Her noonday bells began to clang with Beethoven’s 9^th, followed by Lift Every Voice and Sing, hinting at the cycle of the Good News to take place over the next 24 hours.

All Hallow’s Eve is the time when we, as Christians, can recognize, act out and even laugh at the darkness inside and outside of ourselves, knowing that the next day, we celebrate the community of saints. On the third day, we recognize the redemption of All Souls and the notion that, as Presiding Bishop Michael Curry would say, “All Lives Matter.”

The evening of October 31^st in Georgetown was one of welcome, joy and celebration. Families came out in droves to trick or treat, and the stranger was greeted happily at every door in the neighborhood of Glover Park. The diverse community – students, parents, people of faith from several religious denominations, and an international families– gathered to be together and have fun, laughing at the darkness that separates us during the day.

The next morning brought light rain, a good sign, perhaps, as is told to a bride on her rainy wedding day? By 10:30 am, hundreds of people stood in a semi-circle in front of the Cathedral, excitedly awaiting their turn to enter. The rain had let up, a cool breeze blew, and the international family that comprises The Episcopal Church greeted each other with joy, hinting at what it might be like in the kingdom of heaven, where we are all together, feasting in love as one.

Scotty Burch and Angela Daniel
photo credit Episcopa Diocese
of Upper SC 

As I approached the enormous line with anticipation, I did not expect to see anyone I knew. I heard my name. It was Mary Waldo. I walked a few more feet and saw Scooty Burch and Angela Daniel (Province IV President), two of our deputies to General Convention, at which we elected our new Presiding Bishop this summer in Salt Lake City.

Scooty’s husband, Dr. Earl Burch, had traveled across the sea to Haiti the day before in his role as EDUSC Partnership Cange Coordinator. Yet the Bishop of Haiti was just across the driveway from us in Washington, DC, perhaps having crossed Earl in the air on Saturday? Father

Father Casseus
photo credit
Episcopal Diocese of Upper SC

Casseus, Canon to the Ordinary to the Diocese of Haiti, stood in line in front of the Cathedral. The web of connection was almost tangible. The line continued to grow into what was “one of the longest lines in Cathedral history,” according to a staff person.

Looking to the center I saw a straight line of bishops making a cross through the semi-circle of congregants. Bishop Waldo came scooting up to his place in line with an excited air. Getting permission from Cathedral staff, I ran over to greet him. Seconds later Bishop Gene Robinson walked up to greets us both – all together for this happy occasion, regardless of doctrinal position.

Bishop Waldo
before the service
photo credit
Episcopal Diocese of Upper SC

It was time for me to head to the east end of the Cathedral, where I could enter the South Balcony for my press seat. And then... it was time to get up and run back to the front of the Cathedral to await Bishop Curry’s knock for entry to the Cathedral.

By this time the sun was shining brightly on the Presiding Bishop’s head.

Bishop Curry seeks entry to the Cathedral
photo credit Episcopal Diocese Upper SC

(According to the Canons of The Episcopal Church, Bishop Curry became our Presiding Bishop on November 1, which began at midnight the night before.) He waited peacefully on the Cathedral steps for the sign to request entry to the Cathedral where he would be installed (an installation is literally the sitting of a bishop in the bishop’s seat in his or her cathedral).

Bishop Curry enters the Cathedral
photo credit Episcopal Diocese
of Upper SC

After the knock the seconds ticked by timelessly, Bishop Curry jovially wondering if he might be granted entrance after all. The time finally came. The Great West Doors opened, and the Presiding Bishop, mitre on his head and staff in hand, entered. Those of us with cameras and a press pass ran back around the east end and plunged into the medieval-style winding stone staircase to the south balcony, still blinded by the sun, trying not to fall on our faces.

Words echoed from the back of the nave:

Dear friends in Christ, we bring before you this pastor and bishop who has served among us faithfully. With gratitude in our hearts, we send him forth to be Chief Pastor and Primate of this Church.

Tell us who you are.

I am Michael Bruce Curry, a child of God, baptized in St. Simon of Cyrene Church on May 3, 1953, and since that time I have sought to be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.

Our 26^th Presiding Bishop, The Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori, blessed water. She and Bishop Curry practically danced up the nave to Wade in the Water, asperging the congregation. Approaching the Great Choir, Bishop Curry was led to the Presiding Bishop’s stall:

Bishop's Stall at WNC
photo credit Episopal Diocese of Upper SC

On this historic day we extend to you the hospitality of the Cathedral Church for the exercise of your ministry, and invite you to take your seat in this chair, which is symbolic of the office of Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church and Primate.

After kneeling and praying, Bishop Curry joined Bishop Katharine in front of the altar to receive the Pastoral Staff, symbol of his authority and ministry as Chief Pastor and Primate of The Episcopal Church.

Bishop Curry accepted, and Bishop Katharine

Bishop Katharine
hugs Bishop Curry
photo credit Episcopal Diocese of Upper SC

threw her arms around him in a gesture of love and gratitude for his service and ministry.

The Liturgy of the Word was filled with prayers, songs and lessons read and sung in different languages and styles, representing the worldwide presence of The Episcopal Church and connecting us across all cultural traditions within the Church.

And then, the moment you’ve all been waiting for… the preaching! Michael Curry doesn’t preach without exclamation points. You can watch his sermon here:

Bishop Curry’s faithful love of all people rang through in his words, sharing the love of Jesus with ALL people. He urged us to care for Mother Earth and every person that dwells here with us, letting no child starve, enivisoning "a new heaven and a new earth." This is the Jesus Movement, Curry announced. We are his disciples. We are all part of the Jesus Movement.

Perhaps the most moving part of the sermon is the story he told about a black couple, she an Episcopalian, he studying to be a Baptist minister. They attended worship one Sunday in the 1940s at an Episcopal Church – before Rosa Parks sat down on the bus and while Martin Luther King was still in seminary. They approached the rail for communion. Bishop Curry, in his traditional humor-filled preaching style (see the list of Top Ten Things Most Likely to Be Heard in a Michael Curry Sermon here), acted out the role of the priest bearing the wine who had only one cup. What to do?!

That couple were served from the one cup. (Equipped with hyper-zoom vision it’s likely we could have seen goosebumps on the arms of the people in the Cathedral in that moment.) The man decided right there that any church where black and white could be served from one cup was a church he wanted to be a part of. He hadn't thought that could happen in America. Spoiler Alert: Bishop Curry stated that the couple were the parents of your Presiding Bishop. Silence followed…

This story is perhaps most powerful to those of us in the South, who also probably cannot imagine this event occurring in America before desegregation. Bishop Curry used the story to highlight that his ministry in the next nine years will be about reconciliation of all people, but that a key stepping stone to the coming of the kingdom is racial reconciliation in the United States. (If you haven’t watched A Seat at the Table, an ETV documentary on race reconciliation, you may view it here.)

The Cathedral Choir of Men and Girls
photo credit Episcopal Diocese of Upper SC

The Cathedral Choir of Men and Girls sang Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory as the offertory hymn. The sounds of loud singing, timpani and drums filled the Cathedral.

Bishop Curry began to celebrate his first Holy Eucharist as Presiding Bishop. After his blessing the bread and wine, all sang the Lord’s Prayer (Albert Hay Malotte 1895 – 1964). 

Holding hands in the north transept
during the Lord's Prayer
photo credit Episcopal Diocese of Upper SC

In the north transept, clergy and communicants held hands across the aisle. Midway down the nave, the acolytes held hands. On either side of the nave, bishops, communicants, and staff held hands. At the doxology (For thine is the kingdom…) the people raised their held hands, gently lowering them back down to land with the Amen. It was a Kairos moment.

Hands raised and held during the doxology in the nave
photo credit Episcopal Diocese of Upper SC

For the closing hymn, all sang a joy-filled rendition of Lift Every Voice and Sing. It was three hours after the procession began. 

And then the people exited to wait in line. For nearly three more hours Bishop Curry stood, guarded by police officers and surrounded by a near mob, greeting and loving and hugging and blessing everyone who came into his presence. One young police officer stated, “This is like the Pope came back!”

At one point during the receiving event, a tall priest came rambling up beside the line saying “I gotta cut to the front of the line. I got a plane to catch.” As he got closer he began shouting, “That’s MY son! That’s MY son!” Again, goosebumps all around as people scrambled to get out their cameras and phones to capture a proud mother and father with their son.

Bishop Curry with his father
photo credit Episcopal Diocese of Upper SC

Bishop Curry with his parents
photo credit Episcopal Diocese of Upper SC

On All Saints' Day, the National Cathedral looked down to her front lawn to see people from all cultures, countries, and even religious traditions gathered together to celebrate their common bond in the love of God, just a few blocks away from historic Holy Rood Cemetery. The night before, that cemetery was the perfect scene for a Halloween story. The next day, it was the burial place of saints, 1,000 of whom are African American, slave and free. Burials no longer take place in this cemetery that stands at the highest point in Washington, DC. May we no longer bury our bonds with all people as the children of God.

The people of EDUSC welcome the one who is sent, The Most Reverend Michael Bruce Curry, first among equals. We look forward to our shared ministry with you as the people of The Episcopal Church.

EDUSC Flood Narrative October 6th - 8th

During the day Wednesday, water distribution continued at St. Simon and St. Jude, Irmo; St. Michael and All Angels, Columbia; Trinity Cathedral, Columbia; and All Saints, Cayce. Holy Cross, Simpsonville delivered 1700 gallons of water to St. Simon and St. Jude and to Trinity Cathedral on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, October 7th, All Saints' had a successful water day. The Reverend Patricia Sexton, Rector of All Saints' Episcopal Church, reports they distributed 300+ cases of bottled water. It was collected and delivered by St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church in Aiken, site of our Diocesan Convention only next week. Deacon Jane Hostetter brought a 24-by-24-foot horse trailer from Aiken to Cayce and arrived at about noon. Volunteers from All Saints' unloaded the trailer and distributed the water in several ways: "We gave water to people who came to All Saints', and we also delivered water to AC Flora High School, the Red Cross site at Mt.Tabor Lutheran in West Columbia, and Forest Heights Elementary School, which was running out of water. We were happy to help people in so many different places," says Sexton. Many thanks to the people of All Saints' for participating in the water drive. Below are some photos from their day Wednesday.

Wednesday night began with a prayer service at St. Michael and All Angels, Columbia. St. Michael's has been distributing water since Tuesday and received another shipment on Thursday, October 8th. 

St. Michael's continues to provide water to those in need - they are dedicated to offering water for parishioners but have also delivered water to many place with folks who cannot get out, including St. Lawrence Place, Christopher Towers, Wardlaw Apts., Marion St. Lower and Oak Reed Apts, AHEPA (Pelham Dr.), Medical Clinic, Finlay House, and the South Kilbourne area.

St. Michael's thanks St. Peters and Church of the Redeemer, both of Greenville; The Spartanburg County Sheriff's Dept., Church of the Advent, Spartanburg; Grace Church, Anderson; and Movement Mortgage Co. (Columbia) for delivering water. Also for volunteers from Camden Military Academy; St. John's, Shandon; and Trinity Cathedral, Columbia. If you see the St. John's, Shandon bus driving around town, you know what's on it!

By Wednesday morning, EDUSC had received a very kind and generous offer from The Episcopal Church in South Carolina to come to Columbia next week 

EDUSC and TEC in SC enjoying some time together at General Convention this summer
in Salt Lake City, Utah

to help us with prep for our Diocesan Convention, which will take place October 16th and 17th. Many of us are engaged in disaster relief in the Diocese and yet our 93rd Diocesan Convention will go on next week to ensure the future of our many ministries. We are very much looking forward to working with our friends from Charleston next week.

Teen volunteers ready to go in the "movie room" at St. Martin's

On Wednesday, St. Martin's-in-the-Fields offered Childcare for 1st- through 5th-graders. The Parish Hall was open and staffed to care for up to 50 first- through fifth-graders. The children made banners for first responders, played games and watched movies. This opportunity allowed parents to work despite area schools' being closed.

The St. Martin's Drop-In Nursery was also available as usual for infants who are eight weeks old through kindergarten but offered extended hours to allow families in this hard-hit area to get difficult tasks done.

By Wednesday afternoon we had also received an offer from Forma (Episcoforma), the national association of Episcopal Christian educators, to help our churches in any way possible. Many thanks to Forma for connecting with our deacons organizing relief efforts.

More relief came Wednesday in an offer from McDonnell Tax Services to help anyone in need with tax returns: To anyone who has been displaced by the 2015 flood or suffered property damage: McDonnell Tax Services, LLC will amend 2014 returns or file 2015 returns free of charge. When you are safe and ready, call Rick McDonnell at 803-397-2884 to discuss which option is best for you. Rick's wife, Michelle, is the Director of Children's Ministries at St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, Columbia.

Church of the Advent, Spartanburg collected water until Thursday morning. The water arrived on Thursday afternoon. They wrote to their parish: We are planning to pick up a U-Haul truck at 10 am and anticipate being ready to load at 10:30 am. Our destination will be St. Michael and All Angels' in the Forest Acres neighborhood of Columbia - about 100 miles away. 

Here is what we had at 2 pm after a van had made a morning pickup: gallon jugs (220), cases of 24 and 40-pack bottles (165), and 24 of the 37 50-pound boxes of gallon containers generously donated by St. Matthews, Spartanburg. Thank you, St. Matthew's!

Trinity Cathedral has continued its efforts at providing water, as well as aid to parishioners and those in the community in need. Trinity parishioners, as well as those of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields and St. Michael and All Angels living in Forest Acres suffered devastating damage from the flood. Dean Timothy Jones wrote to his parishioners on Thursday:

The Men of Trinity developing strategies for flood relief at the home of Dr. Walter Edgar

Dear Trinity Family:

I continue be moved by the response of our parish to those whose homes have been flooded. As I've walked among the households that have been severely affected, I have witnessed sadness, weariness, great compassion, deep faith, and glimpses of hope. 

Trinity Youth on the way home from their youth trip to Awanita Valley Christian Retreat Center in Marietta, SC. They were delayed coming home until Monday, and decided to pick up water at Ingles on the way home.

We have come together in an outpouring of compassion. At least 100 of our parishioners, youth and adults, have worked as volunteers on site. Others have helped in behind-the-scenes ways. Thank you. Continue to pray and reach out. If someone comes to your mind, consider at least making a phone call. Note these developments:

• Along with the immense and immeasurable help being giving informally, we have also been organizing. Thanks to the leadership of Walter Edgar, 600 Trinity families living in or near flood areas have received a check-in call. The calls were made by volunteers from Daughters of the Holy Cross and the Men of Trinity... 

• We are in touch with lawyers who can offer legal advice relating to insurance and FEMA paperwork. Please call or email as mentioned just above. Trinity member Walker Williams of The Cavalry also can offer clean-up and restoration advice at 454-8200.

Trinity Youth writing messages
of hope and love on the water
they purchased at Ingles.

• Get the word out to those who may need help. We are here to serve! Trinity comes together to do remarkable and magnificent things. We've seen it again in these last few days.

Warmly in Christ, Dean Timothy Jones

Holy Innocents', Atlanta

Holy Innocents', Atlanta, of which EDUSC's own (fomerly) Michael Sullivan is the rector, got right to work when they became aware of the disastrous flooding in SC. Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School is a parish school, founded in 1959 by Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church in Atlanta, near Sandy Springs. They are the largest Episcopal day school in the country, serving 1,364 students ages three through 12th grade. Michael gathered his student community, who worked very hard on this endeavor of love. In addition, his post on FB about getting a truck mobilized the church and school community, resulting in two large trucks and a bus filled with bottled water for SC. The water arrived in Columbia on Thursday, October 8th, delivered from Grace, Anderson to St. Michael's, Columbia. Many, many, thanks to Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church and school. We are grateful beyond measure for your support, love and hard work.

Loaded up in Atlanta. Michael Sullivan, Rector of Holy Innocents', Atlanta
is pictured second from the left. Others pictured are students from Holy Innocents' Episcopal School, as well as volunteers from both the school and the church

The crew after unloading at Grace Church, Anderson. A job well done!

Jay Reid unloading at Grace Church, Anderson

Final destination - St. Michael and All Angels, Columbia!
The Reverend Deacon Margaret Jennings Todd is coordinating
deliveries of water to so many in need.

On Thursday evening we received a lovely picture from our Charleston friends of a banner in the undercroft of Trinity Church, New Orleans. It was sent to them and they sent it to us in the hope of giving us all a smile.

EDUSC Flood Narrative

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

The Deacons of EDUSC are coordinating efforts to get clean water to residents of Columbia in need from the severe flooding that began early Sunday morning. Several of our churches are serving as drop-off points. At this time, only water and money are needed, as these serve the immediate need. Once the efforts to provide as much clean water as possible are accomplished and once the water has receded in the city streets, Deacons Al Hipp and Fergie Horvath will assess the needs of the community regarding shelter, clothing, furnishings and other needs and will make information available on how we, as the Church, can help.

Please note – Governor Haley has declared it unsafe for you to be out on the roads today. Also, there is no water available in most stores at this time. Please do not venture out in an effort to help, but instead share this on Facebook, tell your friends and neighbors who are in need and give them the following contact information. The Deacons have arranged for trucks of water to be delivered to our drop-off points. Information regarding the availability of emergency supplies at our drop-off points will be updated periodically on the EDUSC website and via social media.

The Reverend Deacon Fred Walters was swept off the road early Sunday morning on his way to church. Fortunately, he rolled down his windows before the power went out in his car. He was able to swim and received help from folks in the neighborhood.

The video below is of the Forest Acres neighborhood where many communicants of EDUSC live. Businesses were ruined and homes badly flooded. One of our churches very nearby, thankfully, is safe but for a few leaks.

Forest drive#SCFlood
Posted by Christopher Aakjer on Sunday, October 4, 2015

Drop off points for clean water are as follows:



COLUMBIA/FOREST ACRES - St. Michaels and All Angels – please contact The Reverend Margaret Jennings-Todd at 803-414-4582. WATER AVAILABLE NOW - 12:30 pm, Tuesday - 6408 Bridgewood Road, 29206. www.smaae.org.

COLUMBIA/DOWNTOWN - Trinity Episcopal Cathedral - WATER AVAILABLE NOW - please contact Rusty Miller at 803-466-0702. The church office is open now and has coffee, power and availability to charge phones and laptops. There is plumbing, but no drinking water until the shipment arrives this afternoon. All are welcome. Trinity Cathedral is helping with home clean up, as well.


IRMO - St. Simon and St. Jude, Irmo – please contact The Reverend Mark Abdelnour at 803-315-2084 or The Reverend Deacon d’Rue Hazel at 803-603-1510.

WEST COLUMBIA - All Saints', Cayce - please contact The Reverend Patricia Sexton, Rector, at 803-318-0833 or The Reverend Deacon Dianna Deaderick at 803-622-6509. Water available on Wednesday. More details to come.

For congregations (in and outside of the diocese) that want to send disaster relief assistance, please contact The Reverend Deacon Al Hipp at 864-449-6362 or The Reverend Deacon Fergie Horvath at 864-316-4333. They will be working with local authorities to schedule pick-ups, drop-offs, etc.

Churches in the Foothills Convocation, please contact Al Hipp at 864-449-6362. Piedmont and Catawba Convocations, please contact Fergie Horvath at 864-316-4333 .

Notice - if you are on social media, please LIKE us on Facebook and on Follow us on Twitter @eduscnews. Information about the #scflood is flowing rapidly on social media, often with minute-by-minute updates from our local news reporters and our churches. 

Heartbreaking scenes from the home of Trinity parishioners

The Reverend Canon Bob Riegel and his wife, Keren, posted a plea for help on Facebook early Sunday morning and were rescued by boat from their home in one of the flooding Columbia neighborhoods.

The Riegel's flooded neighborhood after water had receded. Photo credit Buffy Farnsworth

From Bishop Charles vonRosenberg and The Episcopal Church in South Carolina 

Prayers For Those Affected by Storms and Flooding

As people continue to experience the devastating effects of record rainfall and flooding, please continue to pray for all those who are being affected in South Carolina and beyond. Here is a prayer suggested by Episcopal Relief & Development for times of natural disaster. 

O God, our times are in your hand. In the midst of uncertainty lead us by your never-failing grace as we seek to be agents of healing and hope. Walk with us through difficult times; watch over us in danger; and give to us a spirit of love and compassion for those who suffer and mourn. And finally, remind us that you have promised never to leave us so that even in the valley of the shadow of death your love may be felt, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

From EDUSC - Bishop vonRosenberg and The Episcopal Church in South Carolina have been in touch with their parishes and have found, blessedly, that very few communicants were affected by the #scflood other than suffering minor damage in their homes. TEC in SC are now in the process of reaching out to other denominations. Bishop Waldo and Bishop vonRosenberg are in communication on how we can be of help to each other. Many thanks to Holly Behre, Director of Communications of TEC in SC, for sharing the word on social media about the water collection work of the Deacons of The Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina.

The First Water Arrives - St. Simon and St. Jude, Irmo, 5 pm Monday

Many Thanks to the Deacons and Communicants of Upper SC for Their Efforts (update as of 9 pm Monday night)

An update from Deacon Fergie Horvath, St. Christopher's, Spartanburg

We have just pulled out from St. Michaels and All Angels. Today, the Spartanburg Co. Sheriff's deputies, head chaplain, deputy trainees, and New Spring Church volunteers have delivered approximately 6000 bottles of water.

• St. Simon and St. Jude: ~1800 bottles (And they had more from another source)

  

  From St. Michael and All Angels

• St. Michael and All Angels: ~2300 bottles 
• EOC (Emergency Operations Center):~ 2500 bottles

Al Hipp is collecting water from the Foothills convocation. The Piedmont convocation will be collecting this week as well. Please continue to pray for these churches and their ministries and for first responders, Chaplains being part of that group. Pray for the people of Columbia. Pray for the low country. Pray for SC. Pray.

Rockbridge Road bridge completely washed out, just around the corner from St. Michael and All Angels, one of our distribution sites. Photo credit Patterson Graham.

Upstate Churches Collecting Water for Columbia: (update as of 12 pm Tuesday afternoon)

• Many, many thanks to St. Peter's, Greenville, who collected 988 gallons of water that is already on its way to Columbia.
• Also to Christ Church, Greenville, who collected water that has been delivered to Trinity Cathedral.
• And - to the Episcopal Church of the Advent, Spartanburg who is collecting water today and tomorrow to be shipped to Columbia Thursday.

Water from St. Peter's, Greenville. From request, to truck, to arrival at St. Michael and All Angels, Columbia. Photo credits The Rev. Dorian del Priore, St. Peter's, and Morgan Lee, St. Michael's

We are so very grateful to everyone.

Bishop Waldo spent time at today at the St. Michael and All Angels and Trinity Cathedral collection sites after struggling to get back into town Sunday night and Monday morning after being away.

USC Flood Relief Offers to Help EDUSC via Twitter - (update as of 12:30 pm) Tuesday

We received a direct offer from The University of South Carolina relief team to help us! Deacons coordinating efforts will be in touch as needed. Many, many thanks to USC!

Forest Acres Neighbors and WLTX Offer us Volunteer Help - (update as of 12:50 pm)

Prayer Services Begin Tuesday