As news, photos and other details surface surrounding the shooting death of an unarmed black man, Ahmaud Arbery—a 25-year-old who was jogging near his home in Brunswick, Georgia—United Methodist church…
Read MorePosts by Category: Guest Views
Viewpoints from other United Methodists in South Carolina
Commentary: Women and domestic abuse
By the Rev. Wallace Culp As a family court lawyer, nothing is more emotionally moving than sitting across the table from a woman whose face is three shades of red,…
Read MoreSt. Andrew By-the-Sea opens second campus in Bluffton
What if there are many congregations in South Carolina who have just the vision, trust and desire to create new ministries in other campuses? As St. Andrew By-the-Sea moves into the next phase, other congregations prayerfully consider following their model. A guest column by the Rev. Sara White, director of congregational development.
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The Rev. Daniel Burbage (left) prays with members about the new SABTS campus.
Griffeth: Homosexuality and the UMC, Part 3
The Rev. James Griffeth on “Homosexuality and the UMC Quadrilateral” in Part 3 of a three-part series on homosexuality and the UMC.
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Photo illustration by Kathleen Barry, UMNS
Griffeth: Homosexuality and the UMC, Part 2
The Rev. James Griffeth on “What is the sin in homosexuality?” in Part 2 of a three-part series on homosexuality and the UMC.
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Photo illustration by Kathleen Barry, UMNS
No hate in our state
In this guest column, the Rev. Richard Reams and the Rev. Keith Ray lifting up a gathering to protest hate and proclaim love for neighbor in South Carolina.
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United Methodist Women and Limitless inspire today’s youth
By Brittany Isaac United Methodist Women and Limitless, its sect for younger women ages 14-30, are devoted to enriching the lives of others spiritually. Knowing God and being a community…
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Griffeth: Homosexuality and the UMC, Part 1
Anticipating the report of the UMC human sexuality commission By James Ellis Griffeth Editor’s note: This is part one of a three-part series on homosexuality and a way forward for…
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Photo illustration by Kathleen Barry, UMNS
GC2016: Scarcity and abundance: a seminarian’s view of General Conference
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.
Read MoreHomosexuality and the church: Two clergy perspectives
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.
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Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS
Hispanic/Latino Ministries: Take a chance on me
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.
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Photo by Jessica Brodie
Hispanic/Latino ministries: ‘You had one job’
By the Rev. Michael Hood. I once had the opportunity to attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. Chips were being handed out to people who’d reached milestones in abstinence. Some received chips for having kept free from alcohol for several years or months, to cheers and shouts of joy…
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Photo by Jessica Brodie
Power in stories
By the Rev. Elizabeth Murray. Brené Brown says, “Courage is to tell the story of who you are with your whole heart.” We know there is power in hearing each other’s stories.
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Photo by Steven Kyle Adair, United Methodist Communications
Who cares? Death and life on the U.S.-Mexico border
By the Rev. Keith D. Ray II. The border between the United States and Mexico is a place where bodies are often lost. Each year hundreds of migrants fleeing violence, economic despair, gang activity and the like perish as they seek to find a better life in the United States.
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Photo by Ronny Perry, UMNS
Espiritu Santo
By the Rev. Kristin Dollar. “Do these people know each other?” I asked incredulously as boisterous, rapid Spanish ricocheted off every wall of the giant house where we were having our retreat.
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Photo by Susan Passi-Klaus
Ministering to all amidst the flood
By Elizabeth Murray. I spent my 27th birthday in a way I never would have expected. I spent my birthday, which was the Tuesday of the week of flood, with the youth and some of the pastors of Mount Hebron United Methodist Church.
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Photo by Matt Brodie
Our own walk to Emmaus
By the Rev. Elizabeth Murray. Have you “lost” something that was right in front of your face?
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Photo by Susan Passi-Klaus
Using our connection to build the Kingdom of God
By the Rev. Elizabeth Murray. I love connectionalism more than Peter loved the Lord, and my friends will affirm this fact about me.
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Photo by Jessica Brodie
A commitment to welcoming the immigrant
By the Rev. Elizabeth Murray. On Sunday, Feb. 8, I had the opportunity to attend a Latino LARCUM prayer service at St. David’s Lutheran Church in West Columbia.
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A UMNS photo by Kathleen Barry
Discomfort leads to good ministry
By the Rev. Elizabeth Murray. Have you ever been in a space where you were not familiar with the traditions, customs, or language? What were the emotions you felt—anxious, stressed, uncomfortable?
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