Read the third narrative accepted for publication (this one by the Rev. Amiri Hooker) in the Advocate’s new project to help foster racial awareness, dialogue and reconciliation.

As a first-year student at Candler School of Theology, I’ve been blessed with so many amazing learning opportunities, including the chance to take a polity class on the 2016 General Conference. By Hillary Taylor.

By Bishop Jonathan Holston. “You’ve got to see the bigger picture!” Frankly, I do not know who is given credit for this phrase, but it shares a significant insight...

By Jessica Brodie. This month, The United Methodist Church is gearing up for its quadrennial family reunion: General Conference. Yes, “family reunion” was my takeaway from the 2012 General Conference, when this editor stood...

Read the second narrative accepted for publication (this one by Cindy Curtis) in the Advocate’s new project to help foster racial awareness, dialogue and reconciliation.

Read the first narrative accepted for publication (this one by Anne Bonnette Harmon) in the Advocate’s new project to help foster racial awareness, dialogue and reconciliation.

By Jessica Brodie. The forced solitude and inherent meditation opportunity in my morning commute has become my favorite time of the day to pray. Lulled into a happy, contemplative place by the hum of the car and the beauty of the coming day spread out in a panorama all around me, it’s a special, peaceful time I cherish and a great way to start the day.

By Bishop Jonathan Holston. In June 2015, laity and clergy across the South Carolina Annual Conference accepted the clarion call to end deaths by malaria.

Two South Carolina United Methodist pastors—Dr. Tom Summers and the Rev. Phil Thrailkill—address one of the key issues up for dialogue and vote at this year's General Conference: homosexuality.

By Jessica Brodie. I’m deeply excited to share with you a bold new effort the Advocate is unfurling thanks to the vision of an anonymous donor and the passion this newspaper has for racial awareness and reconciliation: the South Carolina Stories of Racial Awakening Project.

By Bishop Jonathan Holston. It is recorded that the great sage of baseball life, Yogi Berra, stated, “You can see a lot by observing.” Indeed, when we take the time and energy to observe the world around us, we can see quite a bit that helps us understand what we believe. Often we have a tendency to close our eyes to the world around us and miss the opportunity to make a difference.

By the Rev. Elizabeth Murray. I have a song dedication for the South Carolina Annual Conference, and it is ABBA’s “Take a Chance on Me.” Though the 1970s Swedish pop group likely wrote the song about two distant lovers, I imagine myself singing it to the Annual Conference in respect to Hispanic/Latino ministry.