I started my first FVS and joined a stormcleave and felt woefully inadequate on HARD and i had 769 SP at level 7.... I know clerics can't have anywhere near that, not sure what all the fuss is about, and I have learned (from these sassy forums no less) that at some point the cleric has to realize it is a failed venture and healing would only encourage more terrible play, and that may have been why he stopped. If his bar was empty he may not have brought wands because he was usually in good groups and never needed them, so the thought didnt pass his mind.
I ran Necro 1 on hard last night and not ONE time did I even have to shrine, and we had only one DPS (we had 2 wizards, a rogue and a monk IIRC), they played smart, helped eachother. At one point I was actually a little sad because it was becoming more and more obvious my healing was not needed. THAT's the sign of a good party.
If you are only 3 minutes into Stormcleave and you are all sitting at 0 the cleric is not to blame.