South Carolina’s bishop is calling for dialogue and a commitment to shared unity and mission after The United Methodist Church’s top court handed down a much-anticipated ruling on the denomination’s newly approved Traditional Plan. The UMC’s Judicial Council ruled that while seven of the provisions of the Traditional Plan are unconstitutional and invalid, the rest of the plan passed muster and is therefore valid as church law. It also ruled the disaffiliation petition, permitting the “gracious exit” of a local church, is constitutional. By Jessica Brodie.

Just over a month remains until 2,000 South Carolina United Methodists gather for Annual Conference, ready to elect delegates to General Conference, consider three major denominational petitions, pass a budget for ministry efforts in this state and more. But while much time will be devoted to the business matters up for consideration, Conference Secretary the Rev. Ken Nelson is praying people will focus most on the two UMCSC mission initiatives: to provide food and household items for Native American elderly and other people in poverty. By Jessica Brodie.

When it comes to mental illness, the church has a job to do—one modeled by Jesus and carried out in the love, resources, support and programs. That was the key message lifted up at a district-wide mental health conference March 30 at Bethesda UMC, Easley. Called “There Is No Health Without Mental Health: The Role of the Church in Addressing Mental Illness,” the conference was sponsored by Anderson District and District Connectional Ministries and featured a full day of awareness, education and other tools for Christians hoping to reach out to those hurting in the community. By Jessica Brodie.