By Jessica Brodie. Imploring the risen God to transform our hard hearts into hearts of love and caring, no matter our trials, Bishop Jonathan Holston preached the opening worship service of Annual Conference, kicking off five days of celebration, fellowship and holy conferencing.
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Conference approves anti-bullying resolution
By Jessica Brodie. Annual Conference approved a resolution to oppose bullying in all its forms and to create a safe space for all children of God regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, culture, citizenship, socio-economic status, gender identity, sexual orientation and physical or mental ability.
Read MoreAC votes ‘no’ to petition General Conference on homosexuality, RCRC
By Jessica Brodie. The South Carolina Conference has voted not to petition General Conference on two issues: deleting language in the denomination’s Book of Discipline on homosexuality as incompatible with Christian teaching and withdrawing two United Methodist entities from the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.
Read MoreSouth Carolina delegates elected to General, Jurisdictional conferences
By Jessica Brodie. Annual Conference has elected its lay and clergy delegates to the 2016 General and Southeastern Jurisdictional conferences.
Read MoreStop Hunger Now: Helping Uganda one meal packet at a time
By Jessica Brodie. Hundreds of meal-packers gathered during Annual Conference for a massive conference effort to fight back against hunger. Donning gloves, hairnets and a passion for hunger relief, the volunteers packed 285,000 meals, which have been sent to Uganda courtesy of international hunger-relief organization Stop Hunger Now.
Read MoreOrdination: Say yes to God
By Jessica Brodie. Even when we’re tired, even when going where He sends us would be difficult to do, keep on saying yes to God. That was the word from Baltimore-Washington Conference Bishop Marcus Matthews, who preached the ordination and commissioning service at Annual Conference.
Read MoreAmazed by God
By Jessica Brodie. Calling on Christians to spark a flame of wonder, love and passion in youth and young adults, the Rev. Jonathan Tompkins preached the Tuesday night worship at Annual Conference celebrating young adults and service.
Read MoreRemembering the ‘balcony people’
By Jessica Brodie. Calling them “balcony people”—the kind of people who affirm, encourage and cause us to be better than we ever could be on our own—Dr. Tim McClendon lifted up the 34 souls who joined the Church Triumphant over the past year.
Read MoreConference awards honor South Carolina UMCs, individuals
The South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church honored the efforts of a host of laity and clergy across the state during its annual awards breakfast.
Read MoreAC licenses 35 as local pastors
Nearly three-dozen men and women were officially licensed as local pastors during the Monday morning session of Annual Conference, June 8.
Read MoreGiving thanks where it’s due
By Bishop Jonathan Holston. At 3:55 p.m., the 2015 Session of the South Carolina Annual Conference came to an end and a new conference year took flight. Our time in Florence was a glorious experience of Christian conferencing and celebration.
Read MoreA way to help all our children
By Jessica Brodie. Every 60 seconds, a child dies of malaria. In the time it takes you to read this editorial, a small, precious, vulnerable child, who Jesus Christ himself charged us to protect, will die from a disease that is preventable, treatable and beatable—if only there were enough money and resources.
Read More39 honored at retirement
By Allison Trussell. FLORENCE—The Annual Conference honored 39 retiring pastors Tuesday afternoon.
Read MoreHarmon Bible study teaches lessons of discipleship
By Allison Trussell. FLORENCE—Dr. Paul Harmon challenged the Annual Conference delegates to become disciples God can use to work with children, with the poor and with strangers during the conference Bible study.
Read MoreReconciling Ministries breakfast looks for place at the table
By Allison Trussell. FLORENCE—Members of the Reconciling Ministries of South Carolina met for breakfast June 8 to share their stories and discuss future events.
Read MoreKnowlin challenges African-American Clergywomen
By Allison Trussell. FLORENCE—“Wade in the water” was the command given by the Rev. Tiffany Knowlin during the African-American Clergywoman’s luncheon June 8.
Read MoreAC2015
By Jessica Brodie. With a passion for “Becoming Disciples God Can Use,” United Methodist clergy and laity are gearing up for an Annual Conference this month that includes a massive Stop Hunger Now meal-packing, election of delegates to General and Jurisdictional conferences, resolutions on highly controversial issues and more.
Read MoreClergy retirees to get private marketplace option for healthcare needs
By Jessica Brodie. Retired pastors will get a little more choice when it comes to healthcare benefits next year. That’s the word from the Rev. David Anderson, pensions and health benefits officer, who said the South Carolina Conference is rolling out the Retiree Benefits Choice plan in 2016 as a replacement for the old economy plan.
Read MoreAnti-bullying resolution to go before AC2015
By Jessica Brodie. More than a hundred United Methodists have submitted an anti-bullying resolution that will go before lay and clergy members of Annual Conference when they gather in Florence June 7-11.
Read MoreAnnual Conference 2015: Becoming Disciples God Can Use
By Jessica Brodie. This year, Annual Conference attendees will have the opportunity to focus on deepening their relationship with God and one another as they do the business of The United Methodist Church in South Carolina.
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