Steve Wood (bishop) explained

Type:Bishop
Honorific Prefix:The Most Reverend
Stephen D. Wood
Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America
Church:Anglican Church in North America
Diocese:Carolinas
Term:2024–present
Predecessor:Foley Beach
Other Post:Bishop of the Carolinas (2012–present)
Ordination:June 1991
Ordained By:James R. Moodey
Consecration:August 25, 2012
Consecrated By:Robert Duncan
Birth Place:Cleveland, Ohio

Stephen Dwain "Steve" Wood (born 1963) is an American Anglican bishop. He is currently serving as the first bishop of the Diocese of the Carolinas, a diocese of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), as well as rector of St. Andrew's Anglican Church in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Since June 2024, he has also been the third archbishop of the ACNA.[1]

Early life and career

Wood was born in Cleveland, Ohio and grew up in Wickliffe, Ohio.[2] He received his B.A. from Cleveland State University in 1986 and his M.Div. from Virginia Theological Seminary in 1991, after which he was ordained to the priesthood of the Episcopal Church. Wood served at Episcopal churches in Ohio until being called in 2000 as rector of St. Andrew's, Mount Pleasant, which was then a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina.

Under Wood's leadership, St. Andrews was described as "one of the Lowcountry’s biggest church success stories", growing to a membership of more than 3,000 and planting new churches in Goose Creek, downtown Charleston, and the Park Circle area of North Charleston.[3] In 2006, Wood was one of three finalists in the election for Bishop of South Carolina; ultimately Mark Lawrence was elected. In 2010, St. Andrew's voted by a large margin to leave the Episcopal Church and affiliate with the Anglican Church in North America.[4]

Episcopacy

Shortly after joining ACNA, Wood became involved with efforts to create the Diocese of the Carolinas, which was formed with 14 congregations with an average Sunday attendance of over 2,700. He served as vicar general of the diocese while in formation and, in 2012, he was elected to serve as its first bishop.[5] Wood was consecrated on August 25, 2012, at St. Andrew's by Archbishop Robert Duncan. Co-consecrators included Archbishop-elect Stanley Ntagali of Uganda and Bishops Roger Ames, John Guernsey, and Alphonza Gadsden.[6]

On June 22, 2024, Wood was elected by the ACNA college of bishops to succeed Foley Beach as the province's third archbishop. He formally took office on June 28, at the conclusion of the ACNA's provincial assembly.

Personal Life

Bishop Wood was married to Jacqueline Elizabeth (Benner) Wood on February 1, 1986. Together, they have four sons and eight grandchildren.[7]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Fodor . Chloë-Arizona . Anglican Church in North America elects Steve Wood as archbishop . 28 June 2024. Religion News Service. June 24, 2024.
  2. Web site: St. Andrew's Clergy Staff. 28 August 2012.
  3. News: Parker. Adam. Steve Wood of St. Andrew's Church to lead new Anglican Diocese of the Carolinas. 28 August 2012. Post and Courier. August 19, 2012.
  4. Web site: Griffith. Greg. South Carolina: Largest Parish in Diocese Votes Overwhelmingly to Affiliate with ACNA. Stand Firm in Faith. 28 August 2012.
  5. News: Witte. Sully. Wood Elected Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina. 28 August 2012. Moultrie News. June 13, 2012.
  6. Web site: Treading Grain. 28 August 2012.
  7. https://anglicanchurch.net/get-to-know-archbishop-wood/