The Cornerstone
Volume 3, Issue 2
May 2021
Now you are called to work as a pastor, priest, and teacher, together with your Bishop and fellow presbyters….As a priest, it will be your task to proclaim by word and deed the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to fashion your life in accordance with its precepts. You are to love and serve the people among whom you work, caring alike for young and old, strong and weak, rich and poor….In all that you do you are to nourish Christ’s people from the riches of his grace, and strengthen them to glorify God in this life and in the life to come.”
– BCP Bishop’s Examination of Ordinand to Priesthood
A Tribute to The Reverend Robert G. Riegel
At his own ordination, The Reverend Robert G. Riegel responded to the above: “I believe I am so called.” His dedication to that calling led him to serve as a priest for five years at St. Luke’s in Atlanta; for 27 years as rector of St. James in Greenville, SC; and for 31 years as Canon Missioner and Canon Pastor for Trinity Cathedral. For a man who truly cared “alike for young and old, strong and weak, rich and poor” it probably is no coincidence that he met his Lord face-to-face on a day traditionally set aside to honor another priest known as St. Valentine.
It is also no coincidence that this issue of the Trinity Foundation’s newsletter raises awareness of the Bob Regel Haiti Fund established by Bob to help the people of Haiti. Not too long ago, close friend Buddy Hill and his son, Edward, took a very productive trip with Bob and Keren to Haiti.

Friend and colleague, The Reverend Susan Heath, says that it was “hard to miss Bob’s passion for helping Haiti. He grew and loved the work in Morne Michel, and he knew he was making a difference in the lives of the people there.”

Bob Riegel truly did “love and serve” the people among whom he worked, both parishioners and colleagues. “What I adored about Bob was his spirit,”
writes former colleague The Reverend Michael Sullivan. He said, “It seemed nothing could really get him down. He loved people with all his heart. As a colleague, he was always supportive, willing to lend a listening ear in any situation. His wise counsel helped me on many a day, and his ability to bring levity into the hardest of situations was always appreciated. He made being a priest joyful. I loved him for who he was – a beautiful child of God who helped us all love ourselves.”

Susan says that she learned early on that she could trust Bob and could count on him. “He was a true believer in social justice and was consistent in his practices. There was no back and forth on the issues he fought for, from AIDS, Haiti, to his more recent cause – MORE Justice.” She adds that Bob was “exceedingly kind and cared deeply about his work.” Like Michael Sullivan, Susan is “grateful for all of the years” she served with Bob, “a colleague, a great friend and a true lover of God.”
Trinity Cathedral, his family, his friends, and parishioners will miss Bob Riegel, but what a legacy he leaves behind. “I believe I am so called.” He spoke the truth.
Photos, in order of appearance in the article

First photo: The Reverend Robert Reigel, in his vestments, taken in 1983, the year that he and Keren were married. They moved to Trinity in 1987.
Second photo: Bob and Keren were both delighted
with their joint families as shown in the second picture taken at Buffy’s wedding and reception at Trinity Cathedral and Satterlee Hall in 1998.
Third photo: Bob truly loved his 80th birthday celebration!
A Message from Dean Dane Boston
Simmer, then boil. That’s my plan for Trinity in 2021. Before us stretch those “lazy, hazy days of summer.” But this summer will not be lazy at 1100 Sumter Street in Columbia! We are planning for the year ahead—a year of renewed hope, renewed activity, renewed joy, and renewed life. We cannot be sure of what this summer will bring. But we can be sure of God’s love, joy, and peace present in the Trinity Cathedral community. And we are preparing for a full and glorious reopening in the fall!

Of course, all that we hope and plan for is made possible by the generosity and support of the Trinity Foundation. Indeed, the gifts you make now reach into the coming years and ensure that the vibrant 
life of this place blesses generations to come. The work we accomplish together now is holy work, stretching across time and space to gather the saints of this Cathedral in one common mission of hope and peace. We will seize the present moment, and we will do so through the faithfulness of those who have come before us, and those who follow after.

I am so excited for what we will accomplish, by the grace of God, in the coming days. Thank you to those who have made the Trinity Foundation a part of your regular giving—and all who have taken action to make the Trinity Foundation a major element of your estate planning. I hope and pray that those who are waiting to join our effort will act today, with the full knowledge that your gift will make a difference for generations to come!
Trinity Legacy Sunday Information
Trinity Legacy Sunday was established in 2021 through the cooperative efforts of The Very Reverend Dane Boston and the Trinity Foundation. Please save the date—Sunday, September 12, 2021 at 9:00—for the First Annual Trinity Legacy Sunday service. After the service, the bagpiper will lead parishioners to a joyful celebration for all. It is our hope that Trinity Legacy Sunday (2nd Sunday of September) becomes a tradition that is anticipated, celebrated, and enjoyed. Look for more information about Trinity Legacy Sunday in the next issue of The Cornerstone.
Trinity Foundation Fund Descriptions
Please refer to the Fund Descriptions on the Foundation webpage (trinitysc.org/foundation). Donations may be made to any Foundation fund. Information not included in the Fund Descriptions will be featured in The Cornerstone.

Bob Riegel Haiti Fund. This fund receives gifts in honor of The Reverend Bob Riegel. It supports the Cathedral’s mission activities in Haiti or other mission-oriented purposes. For more than 30 years, the Diocese of Upper South Carolina has been in partnership with the people of Cange, Haiti. In the early 2000s, Trinity adopted the remote village of Morne Michel in Cange and provided resources to build a nine-room school that opened in 2012. Trinity remains committed to provide clean water and operational funding for the school. Trinity sends regular mission trips to Haiti. The long treks up the steep mountain trails to visit Morne Michel have been life changing for some parishioners.

Mission and Ministries Fund. The fund was created to support or enhance the mission and ministries of Trinity. Each year, the Mission and Ministries Fund receives 75% of the spendable amount of the General Endowment Fund. (Page 8 of the Fund Descriptions document explains how the typically 4% spendable amount is calculated.) The Vestry determines the mission and ministries that are supported from the spendable funds. Donors may make gifts to the Mission and Ministries Fund, or they may request that their gifts be used for a specific ministry including outreach Ministries. Many parishioners have asked about Outreach Funds, such as the W.A. Perry Partnership, St. Lawrence Place (Homeless No More), More Justice, the Sunday Breakfast, and other outreach ministries.  
Legacy Builders: Buddy and Helen Hill
Longtime Trinity Legacy Builders, Helen and Buddy Hill, recognize the importance of parish, family, and the collaborative work that family members must undertake to grow the church and to make sure it is viable for the future.

Both native North Carolinians, they moved to Columbia and came to Trinity in 1960. They committed themselves to the life of the parish, and when their three children Ann, John, and Edward came along, the entire family became involved. Lyles Glenn, a cherished family friend, describes Helen and Buddy as “two delightful people to be around; very engaging, happy and informed … generous, giving, and very committed to their family, friends and church.”

Helen and her sister, Caroline Eddy, were regularly active at Trinity. Caroline worked at St. Lawrence Place, and Helen especially liked working with many Bazaars, with the Daughters of the Holy Cross, and in Trinity’s kitchen. Perhaps this was one reason why the Hills were responsible for the new ice maker for the recently renovated kitchen!

As life-long Episcopalians, Helen and Buddy have many memories and anecdotes about clergy in North and South Carolina. In fact, former Bishop George Alexander is a relative on his side of the family.

When Buddy speaks about Trinity’s Restoration Project, he refers to it as an “interesting” experience. That could be viewed as quite an understatement. Mary Belser, who chaired the Restoration Campaign Steering Committee, specifically asked Buddy to head the Building Committee with Wilson Farrell, Project Manager. Lyles Glenn says that he could not count the number of hours that Buddy and Wilson spent in their office going over the
Restoration’s progress and at the church doing walk throughs. Buddy had a picture in his office of himself and Wilson atop the Trinity spires (with scaffolding all around and hard hats on) after the external stucco was finally complete. Although Buddy served on the Vestry and was a Warden, nothing equated to what the Restoration project meant to him.
 When asked what inspired them the most at Trinity, Helen and Buddy said that Trinity’s Music Program and the role that Jed Johnson plays with all of the children in the Choir was truly remarkable. This comment led to a bit of advice from the Hills on getting young people more involved at Trinity: “Don’t just think about giving forward. If you really want young people involved, think about giving back. Look at what things will currently appeal to youth, support those things, and do what it takes for them to get involved – and they will be involved and will stay with Trinity.”

Spoken like true Legacy Builders! Thank you, Helen and Buddy.
Photos, in order of appearance in the article

First photo: Buddy and Helen Hill in their directory photo.
Second photo: Outside Trinity. From left to right: Wilson Farrell, Mary Belser, and Buddy Hill. Photo courtesy of Kathryn Gaiennie.
Third photo: Helen and Buddy in the Daughter's Room at Trinity Cathedral.
Foundation Board Information
Our team approach creates a very strong, knowledgeable, and effective Board. In the October 2020 and the December 2020 Cornerstone issues, many of our elected Commissioners were featured with their skills and qualifications. Overall, our elected members are a great example of the skills needed by the Foundation. Together, we bring to the Foundation extensive knowledge and experience about foundation management, planned giving, legal issues, investment management, development and fundraising, non-profit accounting, financial management, communication and team building skills. In this issue, the skills and qualifications of four additional Commissioners are featured.
BAM GRESSETTE, RETIRED,
FORMER SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AT BB&T ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC. FOR SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND FLORIDA.

Bam was responsible for the Regional Portfolio Managers in those states and also served as Portfolio Manager for individual account holders.

Bam served two terms on the Trinity Vestry, is a former Finance Chairman, and was a Cathedral usher. He is serving his second term on the Trinity Foundation. He, and his wife, Ann, are Trinity Legacy Builders. He is active in the community having served as a Board member of the Central Carolina Community Foundation and EdVenture Children’s Museum.
RITA CAUGHMAN, SHAREHOLDER, SOJOURNER, CAUGHMAN & THOMAS, LLC

Rita is a highly rated attorney specializing in estate planning and probate law. She is in demand for consulting and frequently serves as an expert witness in trust, estate and fiduciary litigation matters.

Rita has a B.S. in Business Administration, magna cum laude from USC and a J.D. from USC School of Law. Rita currently serves on the boards of the USC Educational Foundation, New Morning Foundation, and the SC State Museum Foundation. She has served on many legal, community and non-profit Boards and organizations. Rita is a Trinity Legacy Builder.
READ FOLLINE, CPFAsm (CRPC®)
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND SENIOR FINANCIAL ADVISOR OF THE MERRILL LYNCH FOLLINE KING GROUP.

Following ten years in corporate banking, Read joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2002. 

Read earned a BA in Economics and History from Washington & Lee University. He also obtained the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselorsm (CRPC®) designation from the College for Financial Planning. Read also served on the Trinity Vestry, the Advisory Board of engenuitySC, and he is currently serving as Chair of the Board of Trustees of Hammond School.
WILLIAM HASELDEN, PRINCIPAL

In 2019, William joined Anchor Investment Management LLC as a Senior Relationship Manager. Prior to Anchor, he was a Personal Trust Specialist and Vice President for BB&T. He has over 18 years of experience in the financial services industry.

William earned a BA from The University of The South at Sewanee and achieved the Order of the Gownsmen and then received an MBA from USC. He serves on the Board of the Congaree Land Trust and the Columbia Estate Planning Council. William is currently serving his fourth year on the Foundation and has also served on the Trinity Vestry.