By Jessica Brodie. This June, lay and clergy members of the South Carolina United Methodist Annual Conference will consider five issue-based resolutions ranging from affirming the Discipline’s current language on human sexuality to supporting equal rights for Israelis and Palestinians living in the Holy Land.
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UMC top court to consider what petitions can be submitted to called General Conference
By Jessica Brodie. The United Methodist Church’s Judicial Council will hold a special session in May to consider what petitions—other than the report by the Council of Bishops—can be submitted to the called special session of General Conference in 2019. The special 2019 General Conference will only address issues surrounding the church divide over human sexuality.
Read MoreAdvent Strong: One year after fire, Advent UMC breaks ground on expansion
By Jessica Brodie. A little more than a year after fire destroyed its building, Advent United Methodist Church, SImpsonville, has broken ground on a new sanctuary. And while it’s been a tough year, members and leaders say the church has managed to thrive and continue God’s work in spite of their challenges.
Read MoreSpace-sharing shows UMC connection at work
By Jessica Brodie. Catastrophic flood devastation turned out to be a blessing in disguise for two United Methodist churches, teaching them lessons about Christian hospitality, flexibility—and what it really means to “love thy neighbor.”
Read MoreAdvocate wins four more journalism awards
These latest awards, in addition to the six the Advocate claimed last month, bring the total to 104 awards the Advocate has achieved for journalism excellence since 2010.
Read MoreRock Hill Hulapalooza helps United Methodists focus on Abundant Health
By Jessica Brodie. Rain thrummed against the roof and sloshed through the parking lot outside St. John’s United Methodist Church. But all that water didn’t dampen the festive mood inside, as hundreds of people from the community and beyond gathered to embrace Abundant Health through hula-hooping, dance-fitness, health booths and more. On April 7, in Rock Hill as well as in New York, Berlin and locations throughout Zimbabwe, United Methodists gathered for the denomination’s Hulapalooza, a morning dedicated to embracing health and wellness—and the kickoff for the Abundant Health Initiative in South Carolina and across the globe
Read MoreLed by Holston, 21 from UMCSC visit South Africa and Africa University in Zimbabwe
The Rev. J. Elbert Williams shares about his recent trip to South Africa and Africa University with Bishop Holston and others from South Carolina..
Read MoreCentral UMC gives downtown Spartanburg a new two-acre park
Spartanburg’s oldest church, Central United Methodist Church, has given the downtown a new two-acre park with the intent to strengthen the sense of community that has been gaining momentum for the past few years.
Read MorePastor reunites with daughter after 49 years of searching
The Rev. Edmond Daniel shares about his experience reuniting with his daughter after searching for her for 49 years.
Read MoreLet’s go slowly
The proverbial writing is not on the wall. In fact, as people guided by the Holy Spirit, I would argue anything can happen. God has this in His hands, my friends. His will is going to be done. Advocate Editor Jessica Brodie on the denominational models to be considered by General Conference.
Read MoreA time to remember
I have found that to know what really matters in life is to eliminate all the things that distract you from what really matters. Even though our minds are filled with other thoughts, preoccupied with schedules and not always thinking about heavenly things, the Easter message reminds us that what we do with our lives matters to Jesus. A column for the Advocate by Bishop Jonathan Holston.
Read MoreWhat’s the way forward? UMC bishops consider two models for church unity
By Jessica Brodie. A plan to keep The United Methodist Church united despite difficult differences over human sexuality will go before the denomination’s bishops this month.
Read MoreSouth Carolina team helps Puerto Rico rise
By Jessica Brodie. Driving through San Juan and into the mountains of northern Puerto Rico, it’s hard to tell what is hurricane damage versus storm-exposed poverty. Two-story concrete houses and mural-painted businesses stand strong alongside half-tattered rubble and buildings with blue-tarp roofs. Still others are just a crumpled shell of iron bars and decay. Litter-strewn patches of grass share space with grazing cows, horses and goats; a giant crushed-metal structure fills the next field over. And everywhere, amid the wreckage and the rebuild, Puerto Rican flags wave proudly.
Read MoreHappy birthday, UMC: Denomination marks 50 years since merger
By Allison Trussell and Dr. Phillip Stone. The United Methodist Church turns 50 years old this month. On April 23, 1968, Bishop Reuben H. Mueller of the Evangelical United Brethren Church and Bishop Lloyd C. Wicke of the Methodist Church joined hands over symbolic items and said, “Lord of the Church, we are united in thee, in thy Church, and now in The United Methodist Church.” With that pronouncement, The United Methodist Church became the second-largest denomination with nearly 12 million members worldwide.
Read MoreMission project, speakers, meal plans finalized for AC2018
By Jessica Brodie. In two more months, June 3-6, 2,000 United Methodists will head to Greenville for Annual Conference ready to worship, serve God and vote on a host of business items concerning the denomination in this state. Details are still finalizing for the gathering, but the conference has released plans for the 2018 Annual Conference Mission Project, as well as information on speakers, pre-conference trainings, offerings, resolutions, meal plans and more.
Read MoreSalkehatchie celebrates 40 years of service
By Allison Trussell. Forty years ago, the Rev. John Culp came face to face with the severe poverty that existed and remains in South Carolina and was determined to do something about it. On March 10 at Union United Methodist Church, Irmo, the South Carolina Conference celebrated 40 years of Salkehatchie, the result of Culp’s determination. Since 1978, youth and adults have crisscrossed the state repairing homes in weeklong camps.
Read MoreAdvocate wins six more journalism awards
The Advocate has claimed six more awards for journalism excellence this spring, bringing its total to 100 awards since 2010.
Read MoreHulapalooza! Rock Hill to host huge health celebration April 7 to kickoff Abundant Health Initiative
By Jessica Brodie. South Carolina is jumping through a huge hoop for health this month as one United Methodist church gears up for an Abundant Health Hulapalooza. Held at St. John’s UMC, Rock Hill, April 7 from 10 a.m. to noon, the Abundant Health Hulapalooza is a morning dedicated to embracing health and wellness and is the kickoff for the Abundant Health Initiative in South Carolina.
Read MoreNew Salkehatchie camp forms to help eastern Williamsburg County
By Jessica Brodie. One of the poorest counties in South Carolina will get some much-needed housing repair assistance this summer thanks to a newly launched Salkehatchie Summer Service Camp. Hemingway Kingstree East Salkehatchie, based out of Mount Seal United Methodist Church, Hemingway, will handle housing needs in that city and the eastern portion of Williamsburg County
Read MoreS.C. engineer, pastor named director of national scouting ministry
Steven Scheid, a licensed local pastor in the South Carolina Annual Conference, will assume the post of director of scouting ministries for the General Commission on United Methodist Men June 1.
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