Bishop-Elect E. Mark Stevenson has announced his intention to call the Reverend Deacon d’Rue Hazel to be Canon to the Ordinary following his consecration as Bishop in December. Hazel currently serves as Archdeacon for the Diocese of Upper South Carolina. Among her many duties, she oversees clergy continuing education, training, conferences, and transition ministry.
Archdeacon Hazel will begin her new ministry in the Diocese of Virginia in January 2023. In her role as Canon to the Ordinary, she will support congregational development, work with congregations in conflict, oversee the work of congregational consultants, manage the Title IV process, and work with diocesan teams to identify and embrace new opportunities for the Church.
“I have known d’Rue for more than fifteen years,” said Bishop-Elect Stevenson, “and she is one of the most talented, good-humored, straight-forward, well-read, lovers of Jesus that I have ever come across. Her diaconal focus – to inspire and support the people of God in their vocational calling – has enriched the ministry of the episcopate in the Diocese of Upper South Carolina and across the whole of the Church.”
Since 2003, Archdeacon Hazel has served in a variety of roles in the Diocese of Upper South Carolina, including Dean of the Diocesan School for Ministry (2003-2005), Director of Ministry Development (2005-2010), and Canon for Vision and Ministry Development (2010-2021). Prior to that, she served as a lay professional at St. Mary’s Church, Columbia, SC.
Archdeacon Hazel holds a certificate in Education for Ministry from the University of the South and has completed graduate courses at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C.
“While engaging in discernment with Bishop-Elect Stevenson,” said Archdeacon Hazel, “the potential of serving in a diocese that embraces the ministries of reconciliation, evangelism, and stewardship affirmed this call. I am personally excited to work in a place that has such a strong sense of history and mission and that has provided, over many years, the love of Jesus to its people and a prophetic vision to the church at large. It is with profound gratitude that I accept his invitation to serve with the people of God in the Diocese of Virginia.”
Archdeacon Hazel will succeed the Rev. Canon Abbott Bailey who has served as Interim Canon to the Ordinary since 2021. Canon Bailey will continue to serve through the first quarter of 2023 to assist with the transition.