Lee, Holston to headline Summit on the Black Church focusing on health issues

COLUMBIA—Registration continues for next month’s Summit on the Black Church 2016, “Global is Personal: A Passport to World Health.”

Set for Oct. 13-15 at the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton, the event will featured United Methodist Bishop Linda Lee, Bishop in Residence at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, as keynote speaker.

Other speakers will include Bishop Jonathan L. Holston, resident bishop, South Carolina Annual Conference, along with Dr. Angela Coswer, assistant professor of sociology and religion, Garrett-Theological Seminary; Dr. Joseph Daniels, district superintendent of the Greater Washington District, Baltimore Conference, and lead pastor at Emory UMC; Dr. Daniel Hembree, pastor of Bluff Road UMC; the Rev. Jeanette Jordan, former national spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association; Dr. Caroline W. Njuki, former employee for General Board of Global Ministries with extensive work in global health; and Dr. Paula Dobbs-Wiggins, adjunct professor in the practice of pastoral care, Perkins School of Theology.

The Summit on the Black Church is sponsored by the South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church.

This year’s summit will focus on global health issues facing the church and its people.

“Diabetes, malaria, mental health, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, obesity, stroke, cancer and violence against women and children are some of the chronic conditions that affect many of our parishioners and persons in the communities where we minister,” summit leaders said. “Often, we have been silent on these issues and have failed to address or even attempt to minister to persons with chronic conditions. However, with the alarming statistics on health and well-being in the African-American community, we must become proactive and find ways to bring healing and wholeness to those who cope with chronic conditions in our churches, our communities and in the world as a whole.”

Plenary leaders will challenge participants to focus on chronic conditions that affect the life of the church and its communities. Chronic conditions will be examined on three levels: local, national and global. Participants will have opportunities to explore new and emerging methodologies and strategies to address and help meet the needs of congregants. A special session will focus on self-care among clergy. Lay persons will enhance their understanding of the urgency to help clergy live well in all aspects of life and how optimal health can be achieved through mutual support of one another.

The Summit on the Black Church will help laypersons and clergy find ways to help parishioners and communities lead healthier, safer, and longer lives.

Bishop Holston will speak at a special luncheon set for Friday, Oct. 14, from 12:15-1:45 p.m., “Creating Healthy Spaces for Worship.”

Cost for the Summit on the Black Church is $125; the luncheon featuring Holston is an extra $20.

To register: www.umcsc.org.