"RESOLVE DISPUTE" 

--- MEDIATION RESUMES

Mediation resumes tomorrow, December 4, 2017. The first round of mediation lasted a little more than a day and was broken off for a month's recess.

It should be the fervent desire and prayer of everyone involved in this mess that mediation brings a peaceful settlement. All things considered, I am not optimistic, but I am still hopeful that the two sides will do the right thing. 

Everyone should read and ponder the letter to the editor in the December 2 issue of the Charleston Post and Courier by Ed Pendarvis, a communicant of St. Philip's of Charleston, "Resolve Dispute." Find the letter here . He wrote, "We 'little people' in your churches are tired of lawsuits. Charleston has 'Jasper fatigue' and 'Christian church lawsuit fatigue." He added, "Bishop Mark Lawrence and Bishop Gladstone Adams, and all the smart lawyers who are leading us on the way through this, shame on you if you cannot resolve this in Christian mediation. Don't you see the damage that you are causing to our church families?...this church dispute is tearing our community apart...When you find yourself in a hole, first stop digging. More lawsuits are not the answer."

I say a big "thank you" and "amen" to brother Pendarvis. I could not agree more. Enough!

Since the state supreme court reaffirmed its Aug. 2 decision, DSC has announced two new legal actions. It filed a new lawsuit against TEC/TECSC claiming payments for improvments and plans to appeal to the U. S. Supreme Court. These actions could have two motives: pressure in mediation, or a long-term scorched earth strategy. We will just have to wait and see what the reasons are. I am inclined to believe it is a long strategy.

And so I agree with Pendarvis. This schism is shameful. We are all fatigued. We are all disappointed. Be done with the lawsuits! Be done with the scandalous legal warfare. Let us have peace.

I suggest everyone on both sides hold the mediation in prayer today and tomorrow.