Posts by tag: umcsc

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.

Homeless men in Rock Hill, South Carolina, now have a place to stay year-round thanks to a group of United Methodists. By Jessica Brodie.

As United Methodists continue to wrestle with what happened at General Conference 2019 and how to be God’s church from here, districts across South Carolina are gathering in groups large and small to dialogue about the denomination, sexuality and how to be in purposeful mission during uncertain times. By Jessica Brodie.

In an effort to seek forgiveness for and show love after the actions taken at the called special session of General Conference held in St. Louis in February, more than 600 clergy and laity of the South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church signed an Open Letter of Repentance recently. By Jessica Brodie.

The Blessing Boxes Ministry at First United Methodist Church, Winnsboro, has just celebrated its two-year mark, tripling its number of boxes while shining the light of Jesus throughout the community. By Jessica Brodie.

Is a physician in a position of power such that any reference to her religion is imposing on the family of her patient?  How does a doctor deal with his own grief and empathy for poor outcomes in his patients? These questions and many others are addressed in the Faith and Medicine small group held every other week, sponsored by the Methodist Student Network at the University of South Carolina.

The Rev. Darlene Kelley on an ashes-to-go offering at her church, Langley UMC, to kick off Lent.

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.