As the UMC debates over issues of human sexuality, Advocate Editor Jessica Brodie reminds us to keep our focus more on God and being united in Christ than on any distractions sent our way.

Advocate Editor Jessica Brodie reflects on her new spiritual discipline—morning quiet time with God—and how prioritizing God's way (not our way) awakens infinite possibilities.

By Jessica Brodie. Forty days. It’s a powerful period. Moses was on Mount Sinai for 40 days. Noah and his family saw 40 days of rain while they were on the ark. Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness for 40 days, preparing himself for his ministry.

By Jessica Brodie. One of the best things about being a mom is the chance to see the world through the unique and innocent eyes of my children. It’s amazing to me how they view the world, whether it’s the simple beauties of nature to how our nation dialogues about politics. And one of the most rewarding of these fresh perspectives has been the way I have come to look at friendship—courtesy of my 9-year-old daughter, Avery.

Advocate Editor Jessica Brodie announces the newspaper will continue another 10 months with something that has been one of her personal favorite projects since she became editor six-and-a-half years ago: the South Carolina Stories of Racial Awakening Project.

Our family lost the best dog in the world yesterday afternoon, the day before the Advocate went to press, and we never saw it coming. And as I muddle through grief, I’m left with one key thought that won’t let me go: Treasure what you have while you have it, because life is painfully, tragically short, and those you love can be gone before you can even say goodbye. By Jessica Brodie.

A column by Advocate Editor Jessica Brodie on seeking God in the midst of our devastation and pain.

Mass protests. Riots. Tear gas. Violence. Pain. Our nation is hurting. What are we, as followers of Christ, going to do about it? An editorial by Advocate Editor Jessica Brodie.

By Jessica Brodie. It doesn’t matter how many years I’ve been out of school—I still celebrate back-to-school season. There’s something about the freshly gleaming pads of paper and neat little boxes of pencils at Target stacked carefully next to rows of neon-colored highlighters and binders that make my heart go pitter-patter.

We need to remember that the most important thing about our faith is who we follow: Christ. An editorial by Jessica Brodie.

Advocate Editor Jessica Brodie on racism, building bridges and Annual Conference.