By Jessica Brodie. A group of United Methodist pastors, including two serving in South Carolina, have started a new podcast they hope will foster authentic conversations about faith and religion while helping people draw closer to God and faith.
Read MoreAuthor Archives: Jessica Brodie
Advocate’s new ‘call stories’ book hopes to inspire those considering a call to ministry
Edited by Jessica Brodie, the book contains stories from 30 men and women of different ages, races and genders. Sometimes their stories are humorous; others are rooted in tragedy. Available now.
Read MoreHonoring Danny Thompson: Disaster volunteers gather to honor longtime service of friend
On Oct. 29, 14 United Methodist Volunteers in Mission, Early Response Team and disaster response personnel gathered at Danny Thompson’s home in Anderson to honor his many years of dedicated volunteer service. By Billy Robinson and Lee McMillan.
Read MoreShandon hosts ‘Blue Christmas’ service
Service recognizes tension between grief and ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ By the Rev. Shannon Bullion COLUMBIA—Personalized Christmas ornaments that mark the year have never been more lamenting….
Read MoreSuccessful Killingsworth Virtual Gala raises more than $8K for women’s home
By Jessica Brodie. Funds are still rolling in, but so far, leaders are saying Killingsworth Home’s virtual gala was a resounding success. As of Nov 18, they’d brought in more than $8,000 for the United Methodist home, which helps women in crisis to transform their lives.
Read MoreChristian love in action: Seeing Jesus through an ERT trip
The motto written on every ERT trailer and many personal vehicles is “Christian Love in Action.” The daily question for meditation and reflection is always, “Where did you see Jesus today?” We had come to work. But where was Jesus? By David Bryant.
Read MoreSt. Andrew By-The-Sea ‘Christmas Grace’ to provide gifts for 70+ families in need
A group of United Methodists in the Lowcountry have revamped their Christmas gift program for families in need because of the challenges presented by the pandemic. This year, St. Andrew By-The-Sea United Methodist Church’s Bridge Builders and Christmas Grace ministries are teaming up to provide Christmas gifts for roughly 70 families within the Hardeeville area.
Read MoreWSUMC honors Transgender Remembrance Day with display on Bull Street
Washington Street United Methodist Church recognized Transgender Day of Remembrance, Nov. 20, with a display of ribbons on its iron fence that faces Bull Street in downtown Columbia.
Read MoreLocal UMCs urged to take ‘urgent action’ regarding potential Scouting liability
The South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church released a call last month for local UMCs that operate or have ever operated Scouting units to take steps immediately to address potential liability from future sexual abuse claims filed against the Boy Scouts of America.
Read MoreUnited Methodist Women hold 48th annual meeting virtually
Although not always welcomed, change is sometimes necessary. And, after months of anticipation, preparation, as well as some anxiety, the members of the South Carolina Conference United Methodist Women gathered virtually on Saturday, Oct. 24, to celebrate their 48th Annual Meeting. By Jacqueline F. Williams
Read MoreNo matter what next year brings
Wherever you are right now, sickness or health, grief or abundance, pause in the now. A column by Jessica Brodie.
Read MoreThe joy of every heart
In every moment, a choice must be made for where to focus our time, talent, gifts, service and witness. A column by Bishop L. Jonathan Holston.
Read MoreNew book launches for trauma and sex abuse survivors
A new book to support survivors of trauma and sexual abuse has launched. Authored by a United Methodist connected with South Carolina, Tambry Harris, the book is called “Awakening the Light: A Survivors to Thrivers Going-Forward Story.”
Read MoreNew ‘call stories’ book available from Advocate Press
The newest book from the Advocate Press is launched just in time for the holidays. “Called By God: 30 Inspiring Call Stories from South Carolina United Methodists” features tales from pastors and a few other church leaders revealing how they were nudged, called, urged or otherwise invited into the ministry—and how they ultimately said “yes.”
Read MoreVirtual Annual Conference goes smoothly, finishes early
South Carolina’s first—and some hope only—all-virtual Annual Conference took less than three hours to complete. But by the end of the day Oct. 17, the conference passed a $16.5 million budget for 2021, elected hundreds of members to non-quadrennial boards and committees, passed three changes to conference Standing Rules, approved a resolution against predatory lending, closed three churches and merged some charge lines, and heard reports from various conference entities. By Jessica Brodie.
Read MorePostpartum in a pandemic: Two new-mom pastors share what it was like
Having a baby can be challenging in typical times. But for the Revs. Meg Cook and Tiffany Knowlin-Boykin, two South Carolina United Methodist pastors with newborns in the midst of a pandemic, those challenges have brought both troubles and great blessings. By Jessica Brodie
Read MoreNew digital archives connects Methodists today with past
For years, if people wanted to dig into the full tomes of South Carolina’s Methodist history, they needed to make the cross-state trek to Wofford College and slide carefully preserved old books and papers from their shelves, or pore through images on a microfilm reader. Now, all they need is available with the click of a button from the comfort of their own home thanks to the leadership of Dr. Phillip Stone. By Jessica Brodie.
Read MoreAynor Feast of Tabernacles a creative way to gather in COVID
A small-town pastor frustrated with COVID-19’s crimp on fellowship opportunities in her community has taken a cue from early Hebrew tradition. The Rev. Kelly Snelgrove, pastor of Aynor United Methodist Church, encouraged her church to embrace old-fashioned outdoor gathering much like the Israelites, holding an on-campus Feast of Tabernacles after church last month. By Jessica Brodie.
Read MoreLay servants: Rising up and moving forward amid change
Lay servants stayed home, yet still gathered together from all over South Carolina on YouTube, Facebook Live and Zoom, for a weekend-long ministry event.
Read MoreGBGM Church and Community worker serving in S.C. virtually itinerates
South Carolina’s resident Church and Community Worker through The United Methodist Church’s General Board of Global Ministries experienced a “virtual itineration” this year. Shirley Townsend-Jones, who has served with the Bennettsville-Cheraw Area Cooperative Ministry since 1991, spent time talking with churches and other interested individuals, including South Carolina Resident Bishop L. Jonathan Holston, about the work she and the ministry do to serve God’s Kingdom.
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