ERT disaster volunteers and three ERT trailers were deployed to zones 1 and 2 of the tornado’s path. Crews focused on clearing debris out of driveways, making access routes into people’s homes and placing tarps on damaged roofs.

By Jessica Brodie. A county with one of the highest unemployment rates in the state is now getting much-needed food assistance throughout the year thanks to the efforts of a small, rural United Methodist church in Blenheim, SC.

By Jessica Brodie. Southeastern Jurisdiction lay and clergy delegation heads signed a statement affirming the work done on the “Protocol of Grace and Reconciliation through Separation." South Carolina was not among the signers, citing not enough time to fully consider—or share with rest of the S.C. delegation.

By Jessica Brodie. What does a congregation do when they have three pieces of unused property next to their church parking lot and no plans to use it? They shine the light of Christ by donating it to Habitat for Humanity so people in need can have a place to live.

The deadline has been extended to April 3, 2020, for submissions for a book, to be published by the Advocate Press. The title is “Testify: How I Came to Know Jesus.” The book will focus on how South Carolina United Methodist individuals came to know the Lord. All people, lay or clergy, are invited to share their story for possible publication. Stories should be 500-1,000 words in length. You should be a South Carolina United Methodist to participate.

To help spread awareness about the dangers of anxiety, depression and suicide, one United Methodist Church, Bethesda UMC, Easley, is hosting a mental health conference Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020, called “Let’s Talk: Ending the Silence.” By Jessica Brodie.

What are your hopes for The United Methodist Church? What are your main concerns? What do you want South Carolina delegates attending General Conference 2020 to know? Nearly 200 United Methodists headed to Indian Field UMC Jan. 5 for the first of several “listening sessions” being held across the state, addressing these questions and more. The next sessions are Feb. 9 in Florence and Feb. 16 in Mauldin. By Jessica Brodie.

A diverse group of United Methodists—including bishops, traditionalists, centrists and progressives—released a proposal Jan. 3 to gracefully split The United Methodist Church. The proposal is one of several to be considered by the General Conference in May. By Jessica Brodie.

The South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church closed 2019 with 90.02 percent in apportionment giving of the church’s $17.8 million total budget for the year. That percentage translates to nearly $16 million for church ministries, missions, programming and more across the conference’s 12 districts in South Carolina. By Jessica Brodie.

One United Methodist has returned to her family’s home church—this time, as its pastor. Dr. Laura Canine Parrish has been appointed back to her home church, First United Methodist Church, Isle of Palms. By Laura Camby McCaskill.

United Methodists joined with other social justice advocates in South Carolina’s Holy City Jan. 11 and 13 to rally, march and pray to spread awareness about the issue of poverty. The event was part of Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, which included a neighborhood voting drive and poverty testimonies designed to help people understand the plight of the poor and what all people can do to help. By Jessica Brodie.

MARION—Sixteen months after Hurricane Florence battered the coastal Carolinas, devastating homes and towns alike, more than 50 United Methodists gathered for a weekend designed to rebuild and repair homes in the McColl, Lakeview, Dillon, Latta and Mullins communities of South Carolina. The service project was held over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, Jan. 18-20, both as an opportunity to give volunteers a long weekend to help, as well as to honor the legacy of King, one of the civil rights movement’s greatest heroes and servant-leaders. By Jessica Brodie.