Anticipation abounds in uncertain times. We want to know what to expect, what the prognosis will be—and we want to know now. In the face of the unknown, we can find ourselves overcome with fear and helplessness. By Bishop L. Jonathan Holston.

God is still the God of the universe—and the head of this denomination. And God has the power and authority to do whatever God wishes—including change our hearts and minds and push through whatever plan God intends, whether this one or another entirely. An editorial by Jessica Brodie.

Followers of Christ are often called to walk by faith and not by sight as we live in the in-between times modeled through Scripture. To walk by faith, not by sight, requires you to go to places God will reveal to you even if they are not familiar and to cling to the dreams God has planted in your heart. A column by Bishop L. Jonathan Holston.

But what does "2020 vision" really mean for me as a woman of faith, and what does it mean for The United Methodist Church as we prepare to embark on yet another difficult and tumultuous year? A column by Editor Jessica Brodie.

Once again, it is a new year, a time of listing the things we will resolve to do in the coming months. Some of these resolutions will be new, but much of the list contains “carryovers” from years gone by. Maybe the one resolution to make sure is on your list is to live beyond expectations. A column by Bishop Jonathan Holston.

We’ve heard the stories time and again: once-thriving country churches whose numbers dwindled as their communities folded, until eventually the churches themselves closed their doors. I picture these country churches as they likely were long ago, bustling with activity and chatter, their doors spilling open after worship with people who’d picnic on church grounds or under a nearby shade tree. But once in a while, I hear stories of the reverse: a small church suddenly flourishing again with new life, filled with people and ministry doing all they can the name of the Lord. A commentary Jessica Brodie.

Shalom. The Hebrew word for “peace.” Shalom is not the absence of tension, but rather this peace exists in the midst of tension. We sometimes fall into thinking that if we have God’s peace then there will be no tension, no conflict, no issues to face. However, the truth is that God’s peace is present in the midst of all this, despite the circumstances around us. A column by Bishop L. Jonathan Holston.

By Jessica Brodie. As the mother of preteens, I hear the word “entitled” bandied about a lot. My kids are in Generation Z, which is the first generation to grow up in an entirely digital world, and they are fully accustomed to all things electronic and adapt to new technologies quickly and easily. Entitled is a funny word...

It is said that the first feast was a traditional celebration of the plentiful harvest to which the Wampanoag were invited as an act of gratitude for the ways they had helped the Pilgrims acclimate to their new environment. The two groups joined together for these few days. Yet we know that this temporary time of friendship and feasting did not last. Now, even as we prepare for traditional celebrations with family and friends, the complexity of our history must be acknowledged. While we are thankful, we need to remember that reconciliation is still needed. A column by Bishop L. Jonathan Holston.

This month, October, is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. And sadly, South Carolina ranks fifth in the nation in the rate of women murdered by men. Your silence and your inaction could be deadly. Together, we can do something to help.

Marie Curie said it this way: “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more so that we may fear less.” A column by Bishop L. Jonathan Holston.

Keeping people out of prison is not about being “soft” on crime or altering laws. It’s about coming together as a responsible and loving community before crimes occur. It’s standing with our young people before they walk down the wrong path or begin to make poor choices. It’s coming alongside them with accountable mentoring relationships that expose them to positive life models and high expectations. A column by Jessica Brodie.