Bishop’s Barbecue Bashes launch with fellowship in midst of storm

By Jessica Brodie

In spite of and even in the midst of the flood, clergy and laity managed to come together for prayer, fun and fellowship as the first Bishop’s Barbecue Bashes launched last month.

On Oct. 3, the Florence District hosted their bash at Central United Methodist Church, Florence, and on Oct. 17, the Charleston District hosted theirs at Bethany UMC, Summerville.

Slated throughout fall and winter, the bashes are a chance for Bishop Jonathan Holston to get to know pastors and members of their lay leadership team better—and for Holston to taste barbecue from every region in the state.

Conference Lay Leader Barbara Ware said the barbecue bashes are off to a good start.

“These gatherings have brought together clergy and lay folks from churches across the district, and we are delighted with the crowds that are attending,” Ware said. “I believe the numbers are a good indication clergy and lay want to work together to make disciples to transform the world.”

Ware said the district committees are doing an excellent job of planning the event and making it fun and fruitful, plus give people the opportunity to connect in conversation with Holston.

“We hope these events will provide useful information to local church leadership groups as they continue to develop and create healthy environments of trust and partnership within their churches,” Ware said. “I am grateful to those who are giving of their time during these fall and winter Saturdays to attend the events. It speaks volumes of their commitment to their local church.”

Attendees spent the morning discussing Vince Molinaro’s book “The Leadership Contract” and what it means to be a leader in the culture and atmosphere we have today in the life of the church, with tangible takeaways for the local church.

Laity interested in attending should contact their pastor. Pastors will receive information about the bashes from their district office.

Upcoming Bishop’s Barbecue Bashes:

Nov. 7—Orangeburg (Beulah UMC, Gaston)
Nov. 14—Anderson (St. Mark, Seneca)
Nov. 21—Rock Hill (St. Johns UMC, Rock Hill)
Dec. 5—Hartsville (Trinity UMC, Darlington)
Dec. 12—Marion (To be determined)
Jan. 9—Greenwood (St. Paul UMC, Saluda)
Jan. 23—Columbia (Shandon UMC, Columbia)
Feb. 6—Greenville (Advent UMC, Simpsonville)
Feb. 13—Spartanburg (To be determined)
Feb. 27—Walterboro (Sand Hill UMC, Ridgeville)