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.
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.
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.
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.
Beulah’s All Day eLearning Childcare Program serves church members and the community, focusing on the parents and children of Sandy Run K-8 School, who are largely 5 to 12 years old.
South Carolina’s Early Response Team continues to respond to the continuous desperate request for help along much of the Gulf Coast after hurricanes Laura, Sally and Delta.
Two South Carolina United Methodist pastors—the Revs. Angela Marshall and Hillary Taylor—initiated a book study over Zoom to discuss a Christian response to racism in the United States.
The Rev. Sh’Kur Francis, senior pastor of New Hope United Methodist Church, Anderson, is joining a network of more than 2,300 leaders committed to creating social and economic progress in South Carolina. Francis joins other distinguished leaders from across South Carolina to participate in the Diversity Leaders Initiative, an award-winning program of Furman University’s Riley Institute now in its 17th year.
By Allison Trussell. COLUMBIA—Election of quadrennium conference officers—secretary, treasurer and statistician, parliamentarian and chancellor—are typically held every four years during the Annual Conference following General Conference.
By Allison Trussell. COLUMBIA—The South Carolina Annual Conference approved the ad-interim closures of three churches and charge line changes during its meeting Oct. 17.
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.
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.