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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 MoreThe 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 MoreLord, this month, help us to slow down. Help us to breathe and rest in You. Help us to honor the centering, holy words offered in the psalms.
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When we are willing to step up and step out in faith, God will lead us beyond the bounds of expectations. A word from Bishop Jonathan Holston.
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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 MoreBy 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 MoreThis 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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