One church in South Carolina launched a community-wide effort to pack hygiene bags and provision kits to help people in need.
Read MorePosts by Category: News
This is the category for Advocate news and feature articles.
S.C. lay servants to gather virtually for weekend academy
South Carolina’s lay servants might not be able to gather in-person this year, but they are hoping their online weekend academy will feel just as intimate, thoughtful and relationship-oriented. The annual South Carolina Lay Servant Ministries Academy will be held Friday through Sunday, Oct. 9-11, featuring empowering worship, intelligent learning and practical training designed to help lay servants know and do all they can for the Lord. By Jessica Brodie.
Read MorePastor offers solution to ‘dreaded combo’ of hearing aid, glasses, COVID mask
South Carolina United Methodist pastor the Rev. Murray Snow has figured out how to turn a frustration into a solution, and now he’s sharing it with others so they can find relief, too. By Jessica Brodie.
Read MoreWesley hosts COVID Q&A to help dispel myths, share facts
A church in the Ladson community hosted an informative question and answer session, “Navigating Fears with Facts about the Coronavirus,” Sept. 8.
Read MoreWofford college embarks on new visioning process focused on diversity, equity, inclusion
A committee is taking a closer look at the college’s history and present while taking part in a new visioning process that’s focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. The committee will make recommendations by the end of the academic year.
Read MoreSMC exceeds 2020 goal to grow to 1,000 students
Spartanburg Methodist College has exceeded a goal to grow its student body to 1,000 by 2020. 1,025 full-time new, returning and transfer students are enrolled at SMC this fall, and they comprise the largest student population in the college’s 109-year history.
Read MoreChurch helps community register to vote
Wesley United Methodist Church, Ladson, held a Voter Registration Drive-In Sept. 12.
Read MoreAnnual Conference goes virtual Oct. 17
The 2020 South Carolina Annual Conference will convene Oct. 17 as an all-virtual session to ensure the health and safety of lay and clergy delegates amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It will be our first Annual Conference that does not involve gathering in person.
Read MoreERTs on standby, ready for next storm after Isaias
By Jessica Brodie. Coastal residents took a collective breath last month after a brush with Hurricane Isaias. Now, ERTs stand ready for the next storm.
Read MoreComing home: Church partners with Habitat, CIRCLES® to help two families become homeowners
By Jessica Brodie. A church in the Midlands is celebrating with two families this summer as they reached a long-awaited milestone: home ownership.
Read MoreLife giver: UMCSC commissions, ordains 20 in limited-attendance service
With masks, social distancing and limited attendance, the South Carolina Annual Conference’s Service for Ordination and Commissioning looked a bit different this year. Nevertheless, 20 men and women were commissioned or ordained as provisional members, deacons and elders at a service filled with powerful preaching, music and prayer Aug. 8. By Jessica Brodie.
Read MoreOnline gathering helps Upstate children’s ministers exchange ideas, stay connected during COVID
Before the pandemic, a group of children’s ministers in the Upstate were already gathering to exchange ideas, brainstorm and support each other. But when COVID-19 hit this spring, they evolved to an online group that has been a lifeline for many, as well as a practical way to keep doing new and effective ministry for God’s Kingdom. By Jessica Brodie.
Read MoreVirtual Clergy Session completed ‘smoothly’ amid pandemic
The Clergy Session of the 2020 South Carolina Annual Conference convened Aug. 1—the first time ever in virtual session because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. More than 500 pastors and other UMCSC clergy members participated through a secured Zoom Webinar and a separate secured voting platform, all facilitated by the conference’s media partner, Good News TV. By Dan O’Mara.
Read MoreAdvocate wins three more journalism awards from SCPA
The Advocate newspaper has won three more journalism excellence awards this year, these latest from the South Carolina Press Association. This bring the newspaper’s total to 118 awards for journalism excellence in the last decade from groups such as the SCPA, the United Methodist Association of Communicators and the Religion Communicators Council.
Read MoreChurch partnership helps feed more than 100 families
One local church continues to help hungry neighbors while continuing to keep its congregation safe and socially distant.
Read MoreTen more stories needed for Advocate’s second racial narratives book
The Advocate needs abut 10 more narratives before it can begin work on its second racial narratives compilation. Your story is welcome.
Read MoreNelson Smith appointed as new director of Connectional Ministries
The Rev. Millie Nelson Smith is South Carolina’s new director of Connectional Ministries.
Read MoreSpartanburg District holds ‘Celebration of Education’ with prayer, support
The Spartanburg District hosted a Celebration of Education on Sunday, Aug. 9, at the seven school district offices in Spartanburg County. The groups met in the parking lot of each office, practiced safe distancing, wore masks and prayed for teachers, students, administrators, support staff and volunteers. By Rev. Walter Cantwell.
Read MoreUMVIM team repairs home in midst of pandemic
The week of July 20, following strict COVID-19 protocols including wearing masks, social distancing and frequent hand washing, a United Methodist Volunteers in Mission work team was able to complete the needed repairs on the home of a mother and her three children damaged in the April 12 EF-3 tornado.
Read MoreWARMahatchie: Grace UMC works on several home repairs this summer
Grace UMC offered what they called WARMahatchie 2020. This mission was a joint ministry between the youth of Grace, their WARM (Winterization and Repair Ministry) project volunteers, the United Methodist Men, local church Salkehatchie volunteers, the church’s Missions Committee, The United Way and Grace’s local leadership.
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