Name: 235th Diocesan Convention
Start: 2025-11-06T16:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-11-08T12:00:00-05:00
Location: Christ Episcopal Church - Mt. Pleasant

The 235th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina will be hosted by Christ Episcopal Church, Mt. Pleasant, on November 6-8, 2025. From the earliest days of the diocese until its most recent, the Spirit has been working in our midst to direct us through the tests and trials of our times toward a more just and more joyful future. Inspired by the words of the prophet Isaiah, we commit ourselves to contemplate the new things of God and to take up the work of this year’s convention theme, “A New Season.”
Diocesan convention presents opportunities to do the necessary yearly work for our diocese and to gather the Episcopal community of eastern South Carolina at our annual “family reunion.” This year’s format continues in an expanded model, including worship, workshops, business, and fellowship.
Guest Speakers
We are delighted to have two very special guest speakers to accompany us in this endeavor. The Rev. Luther E. Smith, Jr., Ph.D., will be our keynote speaker, and the Rev. Carter Heyward, PhD, will preach at the convention eucharist. Both speakers will also offer workshops and participate in a panel discussion with Bishop Woodliff-Stanley. The speakers' latest books will be available for purchase at convention, thanks to the Gifts of Grace Cathedral Bookstore.
Dr. Smith is professor emeritus of Church and Community at the Candler School of Theology of Emory University. He writes, teaches, and speaks extensively on issues of church and society, interfaith cooperation, child advocacy, congregational renewal, Christian spirituality, and the thought of Howard Thurman. He is an ordained minister of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, cofounder of the Interfaith Children’s Movement, cofounder of the International Community School, and Coordinator for the “Pan-Methodist Campaign for Children in Poverty.” His latest book is, Hope Is Here! Spiritual Practices for Pursuing Justice and Beloved Community. Dr. Smith will already be known to many in the diocese, as he was one of the guest speakers at our clergy retreat and his book was commended by the bishop for reading during Lent.
The Rev. Carter Heyward is an Episcopal priest, professor, theologian, activist, and writer, known as a pioneer in the areas of feminist liberation theology. At a time in which neither the Episcopal Church—nor any other part of the world-wide Anglican Communion—would ordain women as priests, Heyward was ordained on July 29, 1974 along with 10 other women at the Church of the Advocate in Philadelphia, a group that would come to be known as the "Philadelphia Eleven." As a professor at Episcopal Divinity School, Heyward’s primary teaching concentrated on 19th century Anglican theology, feminist liberation theology and theology of human sexuality. Throughout her vocation she has sought to transform consciousness, proclaim the possibilities for women to be priests, for LGBTQ+ people to be theological, and make way for new approaches to connecting the divine to intimacy, justice, and activism. Her primary work these days is with her local chapter of the NAACP. Heyward's latest book, her eighteen published work, is The Seven Deadly Sins of White Christian Nationalism, which the bishop also commended for Lenten reading.
Two Preconvention Meetings (formerly known as deanery meetings) will be held prior to convention. These meetings will include all clergy, delegates, and alternates for the convention, as well as other interested members of the diocese. Attendance at one of these meetings is important for all delegates, as they are an opportunity for discussion of proposed resolutions, the 2026 budget, and an introduction of nominees for diocesan offices.
This year, all preconvention meetings will be held online. You are welcome to attend the one that is most convenient for you.
Tuesday, October 21 at 1:00 pm
Monday, October 27 at 6:00 pm