Posts by tag: bishop holston

By Jessica Brodie. Rural Mission’s longtime director Linda Dingle Gadson was one of the first of four African-American females to graduate from the College of Charleston, and she has spent the last five decades in service to the rural poor.  And now, less than a month after her beloved Rural Mission has closed its doors, citing a “time of transition,” Gadson is holding tight to faith, counting her blessings—and figuring out how she and others can continue to support the people of the Sea Islands. On Feb. 28, the 50-year-old Rural Mission announced the ministry would be entering an “indefinite time of closed operations” as leaders determine the best way to address a sustainable future. Gadson has been at the helm of Rural Mission since 1972, most of the ministry’s existence.

The called special session of General Conference might be over, but much of what happened is still uncertain more than a month later. Here, with help from United Methodist News Service articles, as well as resources offered by the general church on UMC.org, the Advocate explores what did happen, what has happened since and what’s coming next. Compiled by Jessica Brodie.

By Jessica Brodie. South Carolina United Methodists are gearing up for this summer’s Annual Conference—finalizing plans, embracing new mission initiatives, preparing for delegate voting and finessing legislation.

By Jessica Brodie. It might be 2019, but many people in South Carolina still don’t understand what Native Americans have contributed to this state and this nation—or the turmoil they’ve been through. That is why Native American United Methodists and the Advocacy Committee of Conference Connectional Ministries are hosting a Native American Pilgrimage this spring in Rock Hill.

By Jessica Brodie. As mental illness, substance use disorders and suicide numbers climb, some churches in South Carolina are stepping up to learn how they can help address the problem. On March 30, Bethesda United Methodist Church, Easley, will host a daylong mental health conference to dialogue about how the church can play a big role in helping people.

By Laura McCaskill. One United Methodist church is demonstrating how far you can go by working together, partnering with two additional churches to help more children and provide more beds.

By Jessica Brodie. A passion for global health took a United Methodist pastor from South Carolina, Rev. Beverly CroweTipton, to the nation’s capitol recently, where she joined other faith leaders as they spoke to congressional representatives about funding concerns.

South Carolina United Methodist Volunteers in Mission’s Early Response Team responded in the aftermath of an EF-1 tornado that hit a neighborhood on Saluda River Road in March. Billy Robinson has the story.

The buses pull up, and they disembark. First, the able-bodied—those who can manage to step down and place their feet firmly on the asphalt of the parking lot—then the disabled, those who need a wheelchair or a walker or a ramp. All of them soldiers, men and women who served and sacrificed, all of them victims of the aftermath of war. By the Rev. Darlene Kelley.

Despite the cold and rain, approximately 100 people came to hear Dawn Smith Jordan’s testimony at Mount Horeb United Methodist Church Feb. 19. By Jacque Godwin.

The South Carolina United Methodist Advocate has been honored with another four journalism excellence awards, bringing their total to 108 wins since 2010.

From its nascent beginnings from eight women gathered in a cozy church room to what it is today—a mission organization comprising 800,000 members around the world—United Methodist Women are celebrating 150 years strong this month. Jessica Brodie has the story.

One pastor has taken up the call to feed the hungry through missions. The Rev. Darrell McNeill, of Spartanburg Urban Mission, has been involved with feeding programs since 2015. Now, thanks to a significant grant from the South Carolina Association for Community and Economic Development, they are partnering with Foodshare. Laura Camby McCaskill has the story.

A closed United Methodist church—First UMC, Kershaw—is now thriving in its new life: as an outreach enrichment camp for local children. Laura Camby McCaskill has the story.

It might have been scaled down, but for the hundreds of men who gathered last month for the men’s ministry spiritual retreat, the movement of the Holy Spirit was strong. Jessica Brodie has the story.

Forget “simply trying to survive.” It’s time to help children know their worth—that they are loved by God, loved by us, and important enough to raise our voices loud enough to help. That was the message brought by the Rev. John Holler, president of Epworth Children’s Home, who brought a keynote message for hundreds of South Carolina women gathered Feb. 12 for the annual United Methodist Women Legislative Advocacy Day. Jessica Brodie has the story.