This is the category for Advocate news and feature articles.
As of Nov. 13, the conference treasurer reports total paid apportionments of $10.9 million of the $17.6 million budget for the year, or 61.97 percent. That’s a drop of 6.98 percentage points from this time last year, which saw $12.2 million collected, or 68.95 percent. By Jessica Brodie.
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By Jessica Brodie. Two churches in Abbeville, SC, one a black nondenominational and the other a white United Methodist, have partnered with a goal to unify their community and stop division and an undercurrent of hate.
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By Jessica Brodie. One woman’s personal journey with mindfulness in nutrition is impacting her faith, and she’s penned a book to help others share that, too.
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By Jessica Brodie. A group of United Methodist pastors, including two serving in South Carolina, have started a new podcast they hope will foster authentic conversations about faith and religion while helping people draw closer to God and faith.
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Edited by Jessica Brodie, the book contains stories from 30 men and women of different ages, races and genders. Sometimes their stories are humorous; others are rooted in tragedy. Available now.
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On Oct. 29, 14 United Methodist Volunteers in Mission, Early Response Team and disaster response personnel gathered at Danny Thompson’s home in Anderson to honor his many years of dedicated volunteer service. By Billy Robinson and Lee McMillan.
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Service recognizes tension between grief and ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ By the Rev. Shannon Bullion COLUMBIA—Personalized Christmas ornaments that mark the year have never been more lamenting….
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By Jessica Brodie. Funds are still rolling in, but so far, leaders are saying Killingsworth Home’s virtual gala was a resounding success. As of Nov 18, they’d brought in more than $8,000 for the United Methodist home, which helps women in crisis to transform their lives.
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The motto written on every ERT trailer and many personal vehicles is “Christian Love in Action.” The daily question for meditation and reflection is always, “Where did you see Jesus today?” We had come to work. But where was Jesus? By David Bryant.
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A group of United Methodists in the Lowcountry have revamped their Christmas gift program for families in need because of the challenges presented by the pandemic. This year, St. Andrew By-The-Sea United Methodist Church’s Bridge Builders and Christmas Grace ministries are teaming up to provide Christmas gifts for roughly 70 families within the Hardeeville area.
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Washington Street United Methodist Church recognized Transgender Day of Remembrance, Nov. 20, with a display of ribbons on its iron fence that faces Bull Street in downtown Columbia.
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The South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church released a call last month for local UMCs that operate or have ever operated Scouting units to take steps immediately to address potential liability from future sexual abuse claims filed against the Boy Scouts of America.
Read MoreAlthough not always welcomed, change is sometimes necessary. And, after months of anticipation, preparation, as well as some anxiety, the members of the South Carolina Conference United Methodist Women gathered virtually on Saturday, Oct. 24, to celebrate their 48th Annual Meeting. By Jacqueline F. Williams
Read MoreA new book to support survivors of trauma and sexual abuse has launched. Authored by a United Methodist connected with South Carolina, Tambry Harris, the book is called “Awakening the Light: A Survivors to Thrivers Going-Forward Story.”
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The newest book from the Advocate Press is launched just in time for the holidays. “Called By God: 30 Inspiring Call Stories from South Carolina United Methodists” features tales from pastors and a few other church leaders revealing how they were nudged, called, urged or otherwise invited into the ministry—and how they ultimately said “yes.”
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South Carolina’s first—and some hope only—all-virtual Annual Conference took less than three hours to complete. But by the end of the day Oct. 17, the conference passed a $16.5 million budget for 2021, elected hundreds of members to non-quadrennial boards and committees, passed three changes to conference Standing Rules, approved a resolution against predatory lending, closed three churches and merged some charge lines, and heard reports from various conference entities. By Jessica Brodie.
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Having a baby can be challenging in typical times. But for the Revs. Meg Cook and Tiffany Knowlin-Boykin, two South Carolina United Methodist pastors with newborns in the midst of a pandemic, those challenges have brought both troubles and great blessings. By Jessica Brodie
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For years, if people wanted to dig into the full tomes of South Carolina’s Methodist history, they needed to make the cross-state trek to Wofford College and slide carefully preserved old books and papers from their shelves, or pore through images on a microfilm reader. Now, all they need is available with the click of a button from the comfort of their own home thanks to the leadership of Dr. Phillip Stone. By Jessica Brodie.
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A small-town pastor frustrated with COVID-19’s crimp on fellowship opportunities in her community has taken a cue from early Hebrew tradition. The Rev. Kelly Snelgrove, pastor of Aynor United Methodist Church, encouraged her church to embrace old-fashioned outdoor gathering much like the Israelites, holding an on-campus Feast of Tabernacles after church last month. By Jessica Brodie.
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Lay servants stayed home, yet still gathered together from all over South Carolina on YouTube, Facebook Live and Zoom, for a weekend-long ministry event.
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