United Methodists in the Midlands are collecting old pairs of glasses so the people of Guatemala can see. By Jessica Brodie.
Read MoreGlasses for Guatemala: Spare pairs collected for UMCSC medical mission
Author Archives: Jessica Brodie
S.C. youth leaders help launch new confirmation experience for jurisdiction
For years, many South Carolina youth ministers longed for a United Methodist confirmation experience that would not only embrace Wesleyan theology, but also include smaller congregations as well as those of all races. Now, thanks to hard work by a jurisdictional design team, plans are coming together for a new confirmation experience for United Methodist conferences across the Southeast. By Jessica Brodie.
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‘More Stories of Racial Awakening’ book features narratives by S.C. Methodists
In light of the ongoing racial justice issues in this state, nation and world, the Advocate Press has released a part two of its popular racial narratives anthology, “More Stories of Racial Awakening: Narratives of Changed Hearts and Lives from South Carolina United Methodists.” The book includes a foreword written by South Carolina United Methodist Resident Bishop L. Jonathan Holston, and it is edited with an introduction by Advocate Editor Jessica Brodie.
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Fresh Paint and Positive Changes
Before you dismiss St. John UMC, Greenville, as a dying congregation, they want you to know what God has doing for the last 18 months—working a miracle in their midst.
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Mount Carmel pastor’s passion for hunger turns into monthly meal giveaways
What does a fisherman pastor do when he finds himself pastoring a small urban church in a poverty-stricken community? He heads out in a boat, catches a bunch of fish and holds a free community fish fry. By Jessica Brodie.
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A good neighbor: Piedmont feeds kids through summer program
For the last six years, Piedmont has been operating a thriving summer feeding program on-site, its members trying to help the surrounding community in the name of Jesus. By Jessica Brodie.
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Friends since preschool, college students pool talents to help local church
By Jessica Brodie. Two college students in Charleston have been heavily involved with their congregation since their youth group days, and since the pandemic, they’ve turned that help into a technological ministry that brings worship right into people’s homes.
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Columbia College welcomes first male residential students
This fall, Columbia College welcomes new students to campus; but it will be far from business-as-usual for the former women’s college. The 167-year-old institution is welcoming its first male residential students.
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Eighth annual Bishop L. Jonathan Holston Golf Invitational celebrates contributions of late Rev. John Hipp
Hundreds of golfers from South Carolina and across the nation are preparing to converge on the Orangeburg Country Club Sept. 27 for the eighth annual Bishop L. Jonathan Holston Golf Invitational benefiting Africa University. Th tournament honors the late Rev. John Hipp and raises funds for the university.
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Francis Burns United Methodist Women help women across globe through Africa Reusable Sanitary Pads Project
This spring, Francis Burns United Methodist Women took on a project to make reusable sanitary pads to be distributed to women and girls across the continent of Africa. By Carrie R. Murray.
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Pleasant Hill UMC Expands to Meet Needs of Growing Community
Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church held a service of consecration for its new $2.6 million Family Life Center on June 27.
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Two Advocate Press books now on Amazon
In an effort to expand its publishing reach to a wider audience, the Advocate Press has launched two of its books on Amazon.
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‘The Oaks is going to be there’ now and in future; sale of retirement community finalized
The sale of the Methodist Oaks retirement community to a private company has been finalized (courtesy of The Times & Democrat).
Read MoreWofford issues justice, equity, diversity, inclusion recommendations
The Wofford College community spent nine months participating in a process that involved reviewing and reflecting on the college’s past, present and future. A 16-member task force consisting of students, faculty, staff and trustees led the college’s justice, equity, diversity and inclusion—or JEDI—process and made 30 recommendations to the board of trustees after the 2020-2021 academic year.
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Hooker releases free companion study to go with his book on Black preaching in the COVID-19 pandemic
The Rev. Amiri B. Hooker has penned a new companion book discussion and Bible study designed to go with his recent published book, “Preaching in the Midst Of: How Black Preaching Has Changed in the COVID-19 Pandemic.”
Read MoreWalter Strawther joins conference team of congregational specialists
The Rev. Walter Strawther has been appointed to serve as the congregational specialist for the Columbia and Hartsville districts of the South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church, as well as the specialist for African-American ministries.
Read MoreWearing a mask as a form of Christian love in action
I don’t like masks… but still. I wear one. By Jessica Brodie.
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Taking the lead
At the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, midshipmen must keep their rooms ready for inspection at any time and keep their uniforms in regulation condition. Demerits can be given for a room or uniform that is not in proper order. A column for the Advocate by Bishop L. Jonathan Holston.
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One-day SEJ unites Tenn-Western Ky conference, hears racism initiatives
Delegates from across the Southeastern Jurisdiction gathered online July 21 for a one-day special session of jurisdictional conference to handle limited but much-needed business postponed by the COVID-19 pandemic. By Jessica Brodie.
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Faith challenge: Woman’s kidney disease helps remind her of importance of prayer, lifestyle change
South Carolina United Methodist Stephanie Ponds Henry has Stage 4 kidney disease and is on the national transplant list and is praying for a living donor. But she’s also seeing her reality as a faith challenge, reminding her of the importance of prayer and lifestyle change. By Jessica Brodie.
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