FOR ALL THE SAINTS

The state supreme court has recognized the Episcopal Church ownership of the 29 parishes and the federal court has recognized the Episcopal Church ownership of the historic diocese. As the legal war is winding down to its inevitable conclusion, on this All Saints Day I am mindful of the saints caught in the schism in South Carolina who did not live to see this day. There were many pilgrims across lower South Carolina, from Georgia to North Carolina, who took the hard road, kept the faith against the odds, and fought the good fight for all of God's creation. They did not cause the war. It was thrust upon them. They were innocent victims who refused to be vanquished. Their names are inscribed forevermore in the golden book of history.

Even though they left this fragile earth, our island home, to join the great cloud of witnesses, somehow I think they know what is happening in their old community of faith. I feel honored today to remember them. They are the heroes in the sad story of the schism in South Carolina.

And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,

Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,

And hearts are brave, again, and arms are strong, Alleluia, Alleluia!

"For All the Saints," v. 8.