ECCO honors its founder Monsignor James A. Carter

At East Cooper Community Outreach’s (ECCO) Golf Ball last week, we recognized our founder, Monsignor James A. Carter for his Jubilee Celebration after being in the ministry for fifty years. Recently, our Board of Directors named our donor fund The Monsignor James A. Carter Life Ring Society. Naming this fund in his honor is a nominal recognition for what he has meant in the life of ECCO. His contribution to our community through the works of ECCO cannot be measured or counted. In fact, we have tried to count the number of people ECCO has helped through almost twenty-seven years and determined it was impossible. Carter has been the champion for helping the less fortunate in East Cooper.
Almost twenty-seven years ago, after one of the most devastating disasters in South Carolina history, Carter successfully led his parish to step outside of its box and offer emergency relief to the victims of Hurricane Hugo. The basics were provided - food, clothing and meals. After a few weeks, he realized the same people were returning for assistance. He told his staff and parishioners to continue serving these, the underprivileged. Following the words of Christ, his compassion of helping those with less has involved many others in furthering his quest. That’s the way he operates. He mobilized his parishioners to carry his torch. At the same time, Carter petitioned local churches of all denominations to collaborate and continue the work together which was a feat unto itself!
Sixteen years later, I was chosen to become ECCO’s Executive Director. Carter knew I was a Baptist minister. When we met he told me his grandmother was a member of the historical downtown Citadel Square Baptist Church. So he knew where I was coming from. Through the years, he has jokingly told how truly ecumenical ECCO is since it was founded by a Catholic priest and is being run by a Baptist minister!
Through the twenty-six plus years, Carter has completely supported ECCO, which is why it flourishes today. Since I have been there, his passion has been demonstrated time and time again. He helped us serve the less fortunate in many ways. I am privileged to have worked with him during this time. He has allowed me to work and lead as I saw God leading. He has never watched over my shoulder but has been keenly interested in what is going on. One way this has been displayed is by requiring me or an ECCO staff member to attend the church’s staff meetings. Whenever there has been a financial need, he has reached out to his vast number of contacts, congregation and personal acquaintances, to raise the needed funds to support and grow ECCO.
Through the years, Monsignor Carter’s philosophy of ministry has replicated the words of St. Francis of Assisi, “Preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words.” This has been his mode of operation and as you can see, he deserves an incredible amount of recognition and appreciation.

Daniel Island Publishing

225 Seven Farms Drive
Unit 108
Daniel Island, SC 29492 

Office Number: 843-856-1999
Fax Number: 843-856-8555

 

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