By Jessica Brodie. When Stephanie Robinson lost her young daughter, Saylor, this summer, she received an unexpected gift in the form of a “butterfly cart”—something she never could have imagined, but something that made her child’s passing a bit more bearable. Now, inspired both by a desire to help other grieving parents, and by a way to honor the beautiful impact of Saylor’s short life, the Robinson family has spent the last several months purchasing all the items needed to supply the pediatric intensive care unit at The Medical University of South Carolina Charleston with a butterfly cart of its own.
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GC2020 delegation to host listening sessions across S.C.
By Jessica Brodie. What do South Carolina United Methodists want to know about General Conference, and how can the South Carolina delegation help? That’s the purpose of four 2020 General Conference Delegation Listening Sessions, being scheduled for January and February in districts across the state.
Read MoreHoly City Mission: Charleston church uses space to host ministry teams, serve God in new way
By Jessica Brodie. Using their building to host mission teams was not part of Aldersgate UMC, Charleston’s, ministry plan. But God had other ideas. It all started a few years ago when the South Carolina Conference of the UMC needed a place for a disaster recovery volunteer to stay while he coordinated construction efforts in the area. Aldersgate UMC had the empty space, said pastor the Rev. Erik Grayson, so they offered it on a short-term basis. It was just supposed to be temporary. Now, the church has decided to fully embrace this new plan God has for them, launching what they have called Holy City Mission.
Read MoreUMCSC apportionments even with last year, so far
By Jessica Brodie. Year-end apportionment giving is looking good for The United Methodist Church in South Carolina. As of Nov. 15, the apportionment collection percentage is running close to 2018 with 69.7 percent collected this year compared to 70.4 percent this time last year. That translates to $12.4 million collected so far of the budgeted $17.8 million for 2019.
Read MoreAnother lease on life: Old country church now thriving after fears it would close
By Jessica Brodie. Eighteen months ago, many thought Bramlett UMC, Gray Court, was like an hourglass quickly running out of sand. Once thriving and filled with large farming families who lived nearby, the small rural church in the Upstate had dwindled to 20 people on Sunday mornings. But now the church has more than 100 active members—including a children’s and youth group. “It went from a flatline on the operating table to being a church that’ll survive,” said the Rev. John Fahrney, Bramlett’s pastor. “A lot of country churches are dying, but this one is growing.”
Read MoreShiloh expansion helps church break barriers, reach new people
By Jessica Brodie. It took building new walls for one church—Shiloh UMC, Gilbert—to realize tearing down walls is really what God’s church is all about.
Read MoreMount Zion UMC runners raise funds for two Upstate causes
A group of United Methodist runners in the Upstate laced up recently to raise funds for two local charities. The team, comprising people from Mount Zion United Methodist Church, Central, plus a few others outside the church, participated in the Spinx Run Fest in Greenville Saturday, Oct. 26.
Read MoreTrinity UMC gets wheelchair ramp thanks to ‘labor of love’ by volunteers
On Friday, Nov. 15, volunteers gathered from across the state to build a special love project in the form of a wheelchair ramp for Trinity United Methodist Church in the Orangeburg District. This was no ordinary project. It was inspired by Robert Jackson of Trinity UMC, who has been remodeling much of the interior at Trinity from major termite and water damage for more than one and a half years, doing the work basically by himself with some help from a Baptist pastor. By Billy Robinson.
Read MoreSt. Paul fall block party reaches out to community
This year, St. Paul United Methodist Church, Greenville, gave its former fall festival a makeover, transforming it into a Fall Block Party designed to serve as an outreach to families all over the community. The festival had been designed primarily for families and kids inside of the church, but the block party is designed for families outside of the church.
Read MoreDry bones come to life
We’ve heard the stories time and again: once-thriving country churches whose numbers dwindled as their communities folded, until eventually the churches themselves closed their doors. I picture these country churches as they likely were long ago, bustling with activity and chatter, their doors spilling open after worship with people who’d picnic on church grounds or under a nearby shade tree. But once in a while, I hear stories of the reverse: a small church suddenly flourishing again with new life, filled with people and ministry doing all they can the name of the Lord. A commentary Jessica Brodie.
Read MoreA habit of hope
Shalom. The Hebrew word for “peace.” Shalom is not the absence of tension, but rather this peace exists in the midst of tension. We sometimes fall into thinking that if we have God’s peace then there will be no tension, no conflict, no issues to face. However, the truth is that God’s peace is present in the midst of all this, despite the circumstances around us. A column by Bishop L. Jonathan Holston.
Read MoreTrinity’s Prayer Quilt Ministry: How a prayer quilt affects the heart
By the Rev. Clyde Scott BLYTHEWOOD—Two years ago, Janet Clark came to me and discussed the possibility of establishing a quilt ministry at Trinity United Methodist Church. She explained how…
Read MoreGod called, women answered: United Methodist Women celebrate 150 years of pressing against limits, pushing toward tomorrow
By Jessica Brodie. One step, one boundary, one risk at a time. For 150 years, United Methodist Women have been at work, pressing against limits and pushing toward the future. Now, a century-and-a-half after they began, those small steps have resulted in transformative, significant achievements for women, children and youth across the world. “God called, and women answered!” That was the resounding word from Harriett Jane Olson, general secretary and chief executive officer of National United Methodist Women, who spoke to hundreds who gathered for the South Carolina United Methodist Women’s 47th annual meeting Oct. 25-26.
Read More‘Pleasing in God’s sight’: United Methodists build ramps for people in need
By Jessica Brodie. When Harry White learned one of his fellow church members could not go home from assisted living because the man couldn’t access the house in his wheelchair, his heart was stirred. Immediately, White and other church members knew what had to be done. “We need to build a ramp for him if we’re ever going to get him back home again,” said White, a member of St. John United Methodist Church, Lynchburg. Now, White and others in the district have a drive to build even more ramps for people with accessibility troubles.
Read MoreConnect Church reaches the unreached
By Laura Camby McCaskill. One pastor has a passion to reach the unreached with new options for those who come to worship. Dr. Clay Faulk and his wife, the Rev. Beth Faulk, have been serving Lee Road United Methodist Church, Taylors, since 2017. Now, with the help of the Greenville District and other community and church support, they and a team of others have raised the funds to convert a gym next door into a new worship space they call “Connect Church.”
Read MoreFrom ‘Fresh Expressions’ to ‘Ministry Lab,’ S.C. pastors learn new ways to reach unchurched
By Jessica Brodie. South Carolina church leaders eager to dig deeper into what church truly is and discover new ways to bring others into the flock will gather again this month, Nov. 16, to take their ideas to the next level.
Read MoreWashington Street celebrates Soup Cellar’s 40th anniversary
COLUMBIA—Washington Street United Methodist Church recognized the 40th anniversary of its Soup Cellar Oct. 20. The recognition was held in the fellowship hall of the church immediately following the 11…
Read MoreThe Lord uses everything: S.C. pastor hopeful to continue call after charges dismissed
By Jessica Brodie. A United Methodist pastor, the Rev. Walter C. Ballenger III, has had his charges dismissed and his record expunged after spending the last four years fighting to clear his name. Now, he is hopeful his clean record will help him get reappointed as a pastor.
Read MoreGolf tournament raises more than $22,000 to benefit Africa University
The recent Bishop L. Jonathan Holston Golf Tournament held at the Orangeburg Country Club Sept. 30 raised more than $22,000, which will benefit Africa University and students throughout the African continent. By William Hamilton.
Read MoreLord’s Ladle soup kitchen still strong after 13 years
It’s been 13 years, and The Lord’s Ladle Café soup kitchen at Goose Creek United Methodist Church is still going strong.
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