Advocate continues listening sessions across the state to gauge readers’ needs

On the heels of successful February listening sessions in Columbia and Rock Hill, the Advocate newspaper is gearing up for a March 25 listening session in Greenwood. Others will be held throughout the year, once a month until December.

The Advocate community listening sessions are being held in every district in South Carolina this year to gauge the needs and interests of its readers. They will enable Advocate staff and board members to better understand the news needs of the people of the South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church. They are part of a wider effort combining surveying, focus groups, interviews and events so the Advocate can deliver relevant and reliable news and information so people can make important decisions and participate fully in making disciples of Jesus Christ.

All are welcome to attend, and pizza will be served.

“The Advocate wants to make sure we are meeting our readers where they are in their faith journey and helping people stay informed and inspired about what’s happening locally, statewide and globally,” said Advocate Editor Jessica Brodie. “In this process, we are asking questions such as, How can we improve? What do you like and dislike about the Advocate? What would you like to see more or less of? What can we add? We truly want to hear from people.”

The Columbia listening session was held Feb. 24 at Mount Hebron UMC, West Columbia. The Rock Hill session was held Feb. 25 at St. John’s UMC, Rock Hill.

The March session is slated for Tuesday, March 25, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at St. Mark’s UMC, 1633 Rivers Street, Greenwood, SC 29649.

Future sessions are as follows (all from 6:30-8:30 p.m.):

April 29: Anderson, St. John's UMC, Anderson

May 15: Spartanburg

June 24: Greenville, Open Hearts UMC, Greenville

July 15: Florence, Lake City UMC, Lake City

Aug. 26: Hartsville

Sept. 30: Marion, First UMC, 1001 5th Ave, Conway

Oct. 28: Orangeburg

Nov. 17: Charleston, Stallsville UMC, 255 Stallsville Loop, Summerville

Dec. 1: Walterboro

To RSVP or for more information, email [email protected].