Various council members, elected officials, religious and community members joined together in Bennettsville, SC, May 18 to pray for the community.

By Jessica Brodie. A white flag hangs outside many of the homes in a remote village outside Chuisajcaba, Guatemala—a town with many already in poverty, their situation exacerbated because of a nationwide coronavirus lockdown. “Help,” the flag cries wordlessly. “We have no food.” Thanks to the efforts of one United Methodist ministry, Healing Guatemala, led by South Carolina pastor Dr. Luke Rhyee, the people are starting to get some much-needed assistance. Still, the needs are great—and grow greater every day.

By Jessica Brodie. For the fourth month running, United Methodists are embracing new ways to be the church in the midst of a pandemic that has shuttered businesses, schools and other large gatherings in the interest of public health and safety.

The South Carolina Conference has created a comprehensive resource to assist churches as they prepare for the resumption of in-person worship and other gatherings, following the lifting of restrictions scheduled for June 14. By Dan O’Mara.

A pledge to be safe and follow Methodism founder John Wesley’s urging to “do no harm” amid the coronavirus pandemic has prompted Asbury Hills to cancel its summer camp plans this year.

By Jessica Brodie. Toni Roberts Norris Taylor has a passion for Christ and helping other people and churches be all that God is calling them to be. Before the coronavirus pandemic, she was already leading a weekly Bible Study class, Sunday school and small groups in-person. But when the COVID-19 lockdown forced churches and other ministries to stop meeting in-person, Taylor stepped out in a new way, taking her faith online.

By Laura Camby McCaskill. One United Methodist Church in Greenville, SC, is getting “messy.” And even though the pandemic is forcing most of that mess online and within homes right now, it’s still doing what it can to make disciples in nontraditional ways.

Bishop L. Jonathan Holston and other leaders are working diligently to discern a plan of action for the 2020 session of the South Carolina Annual Conference, which has been postponed from June 7-10 because of safety concerns associated with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. As of May 22, no new date had been set.

Another United Methodist church in South Carolina has made the decision to join the Reconciling Ministries Network. St. Mark UMC, Columbia, is now the second UMC church in the state to pass a statement of affirmation and join the network, an unofficial caucus of United Methodists that promotes full inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and other individuals in the life of the church.

This month, United Methodists from across the state are invited to Beulah UMC, Gilbert, for a book signing featuring author and pastor the Rev. Tony Rowell. Set for 2-4 p.m. Saturday, June 13, the signing—which will include safety measures—will include refreshments, book sales and a chance to talk with the author and get your copy of the book signed by him. “What Would Granny Say? And Other Somewhat Embellished Memories” is a collection of faith-based essays written over the years by Rowell, an elder in the South Carolina Conference of the UMC.

By Barb Christ. In the midst of the coronavirus self-quarantine, disaster response teams from Tennessee traveled to South Carolina’s Upstate to help after an EF-3 tornado devastated the community. The tornado hit Seneca and surrounding areas April 13, and early estimates report at least $250 million in damages that could take months of recovery efforts.

Churches serve 350+ meals to essential workers in Williamsburg County.