In the spirit of loving their neighbors, Lawrence Chapel United Methodist Church, Central, has expanded its drive-up food pantry. The new, larger structure—dubbed the Goodness Grocery—was officially opened with a blessing from the Rev. Mollie Bame Reddic on March 13.

The South Carolina United Methodist Advocate has selected Susann Breazeale, a rising freshman at Wofford College, as the newspaper’s 2022 college scholarship recipient.

Two historic and long-connected churches in South Carolina’s Holy City are joining this Lenten season for weekly luncheons to help foster unity and relationships. By Jessica Brodie.

Another church in the Upstate, Advent UMC in Simpsonville, is opening its arms—and its doors—to people with mental illness through a new support group called Fresh Hope. By Jessica Brodie.

Yet again, the pandemic has forced S.C. conference leaders into an all-virtual Annual Conference. Normally a multi-day event held in person with nearly 2,000 attendees from every church in South Carolina, this year’s Annual Conference will be an abbreviated online session slated to begin June 5.

Salkehatchie Summer Service is poised to open online registration March 1, though with fewer camps and a mostly outdoor experience planned. By Jessica Brodie.

On Nov. 11, 2020, the Lynnwood United Methodist Church Council voted to begin discussions with its sister church, Grace UMC, regarding a future merger. That vote became reality in October, as the two churches gathered as one: Grace-Lynnwood UMC. But the Grace-Lynnwood story goes back with generations of a shared history. By the Rev. Matthew Alexander.

An 80-year-old great-grandmother in the Upstate has published her third children’s book, and she’s hoping this newest story of Merry Mouse will help children understand the meaning behind Easter. By Jessica Brodie.

The Outreach Committee of the Walterboro District Connectional Ministries solicited each United Methodist church in the Walterboro District and collected nonperishable food items and feminine products from clergy, laity and friends. They were able to fill a dump-trailer and a car trunk with non-perishable food items and collected enough items to support the food pantries at both campuses: Allendale and Walterboro. By the Rev. Adrienne Elaine Stokes.

Bethel United Methodist Church, Spartanburg, does what it can to help youth, families with mental health concerns. By Erica Whitt.

The Healthy Minds Team at Travelers Rest UMC is one way churches are beginning to support their members with awareness and supportive environments to foster conversation and healing around mental health. By Jessica Brodie.

South Carolina United Methodist churches paid more than 91 percent in apportionments for 2021, exceeding not only pandemic levels but pre-pandemic levels and the annual conference’s goal for the year. By Jessica Brodie.