This month, South Carolina United Methodists will gather for a virtual Annual Conference—the first time lay and clergy members have not gathered in person as a body for their yearly business meeting. Health and safety concerns because of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the conference to shift to the all-virtual gathering, set for Saturday, Oct. 17, at 2 p.m.
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The congregation has adopted a new post-fire slogan, “New Hope Strong,” making T-shirts and a big sign to proclaim their hope. Instead of feeling destroyed, they are holding fast to hope and faith. By Jessica Brodie.
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Two disaster response teams from South Carolina headed to the Alabama-West Florida Conference to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Sally. The Rev. Mike Evans led an Early Response Team there Sept. 21-25 from South Carolina’s Edgefield area, and Billy Robinson led a team on its heels Sept. 28-Oct. 2 from South Carolina’s North community. By Jessica Brodie.
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What do you do when a pandemic has shifted schools online, yet you know parents need to work and have no one to stay home and care for their kids—or help with schoolwork? If you’re Clemson United Methodist Church, you open your doors to those kids and offer help the best way you can. By Jessica Brodie.
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Since 1981, Virginia Wingard Memorial United Methodist Church has been supplying food and other assistance to its neighbors. But when COVID-19 hit this spring, and unemployment and furlough rates began to rise, the need became tremendous.
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On Aug. 22, Asbury Hills welcomed board members, campers, camper families, summer staff alumni and friends of the camp safely on property to celebrate the completion of this part of Phase One in the Asbury Hills Master Plan: a new pool and amenity building.
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One church in South Carolina launched a community-wide effort to pack hygiene bags and provision kits to help people in need.
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South Carolina’s lay servants might not be able to gather in-person this year, but they are hoping their online weekend academy will feel just as intimate, thoughtful and relationship-oriented. The annual South Carolina Lay Servant Ministries Academy will be held Friday through Sunday, Oct. 9-11, featuring empowering worship, intelligent learning and practical training designed to help lay servants know and do all they can for the Lord. By Jessica Brodie.
Read MoreSouth Carolina United Methodist pastor the Rev. Murray Snow has figured out how to turn a frustration into a solution, and now he’s sharing it with others so they can find relief, too. By Jessica Brodie.
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A church in the Ladson community hosted an informative question and answer session, “Navigating Fears with Facts about the Coronavirus,” Sept. 8.
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A committee is taking a closer look at the college’s history and present while taking part in a new visioning process that’s focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. The committee will make recommendations by the end of the academic year.
Read MoreSpartanburg Methodist College has exceeded a goal to grow its student body to 1,000 by 2020. 1,025 full-time new, returning and transfer students are enrolled at SMC this fall, and they comprise the largest student population in the college’s 109-year history.
Read MoreWesley United Methodist Church, Ladson, held a Voter Registration Drive-In Sept. 12.
Read MoreIt’s been a hard year—but also a good year. Good, for light is being shined into racial problems and discrimination in important new ways. Good, for in spite of a pandemic, communities and families are coming together. Good, because churches are stepping up in new and innovative ways to help. By Jessica Brodie.
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Bishop L. Jonathan Holston on the coming 2020 Annual Conference.
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The 2020 South Carolina Annual Conference will convene Oct. 17 as an all-virtual session to ensure the health and safety of lay and clergy delegates amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It will be our first Annual Conference that does not involve gathering in person.
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By Jessica Brodie. Coastal residents took a collective breath last month after a brush with Hurricane Isaias. Now, ERTs stand ready for the next storm.
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By Jessica Brodie. A church in the Midlands is celebrating with two families this summer as they reached a long-awaited milestone: home ownership.
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With masks, social distancing and limited attendance, the South Carolina Annual Conference’s Service for Ordination and Commissioning looked a bit different this year. Nevertheless, 20 men and women were commissioned or ordained as provisional members, deacons and elders at a service filled with powerful preaching, music and prayer Aug. 8. By Jessica Brodie.
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Before the pandemic, a group of children’s ministers in the Upstate were already gathering to exchange ideas, brainstorm and support each other. But when COVID-19 hit this spring, they evolved to an online group that has been a lifeline for many, as well as a practical way to keep doing new and effective ministry for God’s Kingdom. By Jessica Brodie.
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