The congregation of John Wesley United Methodist Church has a newly renovated sanctuary to enjoy as part of its recently completed renovation project.

Bishop L. Jonathan Holston will stay on as South Carolina resident bishop until late 2022. That’s the word from The United Methodist Church’s Council of Bishops, which approved episcopal supervision recommendations for the Southeastern Jurisdiction May 14.

Here, we talk with the United Methodist Women district presidents about what they are looking forward to, what are the most pressing issues within the local churches, what they would like to look back on as successful a year from now, and a bit about their profession, hobbies or family life. By Jessica Brodie.

By Jessica Brodie. A former English teacher and longtime member of Chapin United Methodist Church has penned her first book, a children’s book featuring a church mouse named John Wesley.

Wesleyan Cove­nant Association members across the globe gathered April 30 and May 1 for their third Global Legislative Assembly and fifth Global Gathering, held at Frazer Church in Montgomery, Alabama. There they affirmed the name for a proposed new denomination and approved other resolutions, plus celebrated all God’s people are doing to rekindle passion and hope for the future.

As this edition of the Advocate arrives, the 2021 session of the South Carolina Annual Conference will be starting. On June 6 and 7, we will gather virtually for a time of giving thanks to almighty God and celebrating the ways in which we have been seeking and fulfilling God’s purpose for the church. By Bishop Jonathan Holston.

By Jessica Brodie. Planning has shifted to the final phase for this year’s Annual Conference, a shortened, mostly online event that will be livestreamed from the Florence Center June 6-7. But make no mistake—while the conference will be online, organizers consider it to be no less of a celebration and opportunity for gathering as traditional, in-person Annual Conference has been.

By Jessica Brodie. About 350 Guatemalan men and women can see more clearly now thanks to the efforts of a United Methodist medical mission there.

By Jessica Brodie. One church opened its arms to the entire Rock Hill community after a mass shooting claimed the lives of a much-loved local physician, his wife and two young grandchildren, and two air conditioning technicians who happened to be working on their home at the time.

By Jessica Brodie. One United Methodist in South Carolina is putting out a cry for help in joining him with aid for Haiti.

This month, the Advocate Press releases its newest book, addressing the need for what the author calls “great Black preaching in the midst of a tri-pandemic of disease, racism and poverty.”

By Billy Robinson. South Carolina Early Response Team members responded to a dire call for disaster help from Alabama after several deadly tornados ravaged their state, killing five, injuring many and reaping havoc on homes, farms and businesses. A 15-member ERT team comprising volunteers from across South Carolina, along with two disaster response trailers, responded to Bibb County April 5-8, 2021. Bibb County is just south of Birmingham. The team worked out of Brent United Methodist Church, in Brent, Alabama.