A 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.”
Read MorePosts by Category: News
This is the category for Advocate news and feature articles.
New ‘call stories’ book available from Advocate Press
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.”
Read MoreVirtual Annual Conference goes smoothly, finishes early
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.
Read MorePostpartum in a pandemic: Two new-mom pastors share what it was like
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
Read MoreNew digital archives connects Methodists today with past
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.
Read MoreAynor Feast of Tabernacles a creative way to gather in COVID
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.
Read MoreLay servants: Rising up and moving forward amid change
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.
Read MoreGBGM Church and Community worker serving in S.C. virtually itinerates
South Carolina’s resident Church and Community Worker through The United Methodist Church’s General Board of Global Ministries experienced a “virtual itineration” this year. Shirley Townsend-Jones, who has served with the Bennettsville-Cheraw Area Cooperative Ministry since 1991, spent time talking with churches and other interested individuals, including South Carolina Resident Bishop L. Jonathan Holston, about the work she and the ministry do to serve God’s Kingdom.
Read MoreBeulah offers all-day eLearning childcare to help local families
Beulah’s All Day eLearning Childcare Program serves church members and the community, focusing on the parents and children of Sandy Run K-8 School, who are largely 5 to 12 years old.
Read MoreS.C. ERTs continue disaster response to Gulf Coast
South Carolina’s Early Response Team continues to respond to the continuous desperate request for help along much of the Gulf Coast after hurricanes Laura, Sally and Delta.
Read MorePastors create Zoom book study to discuss a Christian response to racism
Two South Carolina United Methodist pastors—the Revs. Angela Marshall and Hillary Taylor—initiated a book study over Zoom to discuss a Christian response to racism in the United States.
Read MoreRev. Sh’Kur Francis selected to become Riley Fellow
The Rev. Sh’Kur Francis, senior pastor of New Hope United Methodist Church, Anderson, is joining a network of more than 2,300 leaders committed to creating social and economic progress in South Carolina. Francis joins other distinguished leaders from across South Carolina to participate in the Diversity Leaders Initiative, an award-winning program of Furman University’s Riley Institute now in its 17th year.
Read MoreAC2020 reminds body of extension of quadrennial positions
By Allison Trussell. COLUMBIA—Election of quadrennium conference officers—secretary, treasurer and statistician, parliamentarian and chancellor—are typically held every four years during the Annual Conference following General Conference.
Read MoreAnnual Conference approves three church closures
By Allison Trussell. COLUMBIA—The South Carolina Annual Conference approved the ad-interim closures of three churches and charge line changes during its meeting Oct. 17.
Read MoreOne-day virtual AC to feature short schedule, key business
This month, South Carolina United Methodists will gather for a virtual Annual Conference—the first time lay and clergy members have not gathered in person as a body for their yearly business meeting. Health and safety concerns because of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the conference to shift to the all-virtual gathering, set for Saturday, Oct. 17, at 2 p.m.
Read MoreNew hope for New Hope: Charred Bible, prayer ignite faith after blaze destroys sanctuary
The congregation has adopted a new post-fire slogan, “New Hope Strong,” making T-shirts and a big sign to proclaim their hope. Instead of feeling destroyed, they are holding fast to hope and faith. By Jessica Brodie.
Read MoreSouth Carolina sends two ERT teams to Alabama after Hurricane Sally
Two disaster response teams from South Carolina headed to the Alabama-West Florida Conference to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Sally. The Rev. Mike Evans led an Early Response Team there Sept. 21-25 from South Carolina’s Edgefield area, and Billy Robinson led a team on its heels Sept. 28-Oct. 2 from South Carolina’s North community. By Jessica Brodie.
Read MoreSanctuary Kids: Church opens doors to K-8 kids on all-virtual learning weeks so parents can work
What do you do when a pandemic has shifted schools online, yet you know parents need to work and have no one to stay home and care for their kids—or help with schoolwork? If you’re Clemson United Methodist Church, you open your doors to those kids and offer help the best way you can. By Jessica Brodie.
Read MoreLongtime food pantry converts to drive-thru in pandemic
Since 1981, Virginia Wingard Memorial United Methodist Church has been supplying food and other assistance to its neighbors. But when COVID-19 hit this spring, and unemployment and furlough rates began to rise, the need became tremendous.
Read MoreAsbury Hills dedicates new pool
On Aug. 22, Asbury Hills welcomed board members, campers, camper families, summer staff alumni and friends of the camp safely on property to celebrate the completion of this part of Phase One in the Asbury Hills Master Plan: a new pool and amenity building.
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