Men in Church
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WINNER h S Writing and Overall o d • i s or give a gift Publication s r t o A t a s c See page 3 s i o n c u i a m t i o m n o C o f $2 January 2014 Men in A fresh church S.C. redesigns what it means to be a United Grace UMC runs for start mission to Bolivia – Page 17 Methodist man By Jessica Connor Concerned that men’s minis- try groups in S.C. are becoming little more than meet-and-eat fellowship “clubs,” United Methodist Men across the state are launching a massive men’s movement to re-ignite and re- invigorate discipleship—all for the glory of Jesus. “I want men’s ministry to be Three from S.C. serve as about discipleship and less about long-term missionaries a group of men who meet at the – Page 3 church and cut grass and bar- becue chickens, but these men are also vital to the church,” Index said Herman Lightsey, president Classifieds ................................30 Education & Youth ...............14-16 of the conference UMM. “It’s Health & Fitness .......................20 about putting godly men back History ......................................25 into the church and doing what Local & District News...........22-24 God intended us to do.” Ministries & Missions ...........17-19 Global news stories are citing Obituaries .................................27 Poverty Awareness ..............10-11 what is termed the “feminization Seniors ................................28-29 of the church,” where given that Photo by Jessica Connor Upcoming Events .....................30 The Rev. Mark Williams stands in front of the newly framed sanctuary of Lebanon UMC, which had to there are generally more women be razed. The experience prompted the church to turn outward instead of inward, generating new zeal. than men in church, and thus the church’s music, décor and min- Lebanon thrives after termites force demolition istries often appeal to women more than men, many Christian By Jessica Connor its sanctuary in August after learning it had men are coming to view church- massive termite infestation because of long- es as “women’s clubs” and don’t EASTOVER—Some churches get dealt a term water damage. With 400 members and go—or go just to please their blow and sink to their knees, frozen. Some an average worship attendance of 165, the wives. Men’s church attendance tuck into their shells until the storm passes. country church is situated downslope in an is declining rapidly. @AdvocateSC | AdvocateSC.org But one United Methodist church in S.C. area with few trees, so it was fully exposed But while what women and has allowed what could have been a crippling to the elements. women’s groups do is critically experience to become an utterly transforming The Rev. Mark Williams said the 89-year- important to the church, Light- one. And two years later, they are achieving old church “got clobbered anytime it rained.” sey said Christianity cannot the kind of membership, missions and out- Structural engineers told the congregation afford to lose its men, who are reach growth they’d always prayed for. just as vital. Lebanon UMC, Eastover, had to demolish See “Lebanon’s Fresh Start,” Page 8 See “Men,” Page 9 Apportionment payments climb toward 92% goal By Jessica Connor get to 92,” said Conference Treasurer United Methodist programs and agencies Tony Prestipino. across South Carolina, from campus min- S.C. United Methodist churches are in As of Dec. 17, churches had paid nearly istries to clergy development to ministries the homestretch when it comes to paying 75 percent of the $17.6 million total S.C. such as Salkehatchie, youth Revolution apportionments, and as of press time, the Conference budget—about 4 percent more and the Summit on the Black Church. If conference appears poised to come close than they had paid this time last year. they pay 89.75 percent, that translates to to its 92 percent goal for 2013. Churches have until Jan. 10 to pay their about $15.8 million. “I’m projecting 89.75 percent for 2013, 2013 apportionments. If churches pay 92 but I’m still hopeful we can 90 and even percent, that translates to $16.2 million for See “Apportionments,” Page 7 Page 2, January 2014 Advocate Advocate January 2014, Page 3 Generation Transformation S.C. young adults among many serving in long-term mission across globe Anonymous Angels Next deadline Jan. 15 First UMC adopts elderly ‘lambs’ through good-cheer ministry By Jessica Connor By Jessica Connor South Carolina young adults are part of EASLEY—A few years ago, Sandra Hours/Location Open Monday through Friday a growing movement of passionate, glob- Bandy’s elderly mother turned to her 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ally minded United Methodist mission- and sighed. S.C. United Methodist Conference aries, and they’re hoping more of their “Oh, you know, I never get any kind Center 4908 Colonial Drive, Suite 207 peers will join them. of mail except bills and junk mail,” Columbia, SC 29203 At least three from S.C. are doing Bandy’s late mother said. Deadlines: 10th of each month. hands-on mission work in destinations That one innocent statement worldwide: Hillary Taylor is serving launched a large-scale ministry at First Contacting Us in South Africa, Erica Oliveira in the United Methodist Church, Easley, that Telephone: 888-678-6272 or 803-786- Ukraine and Jay Knudsen in the Philip- now shines light, love and good cheer “Angel” Judy Daughtvidge gives a gift to her 9486 “lamb,” Wayne McCracken. Fax: 803-735-8168 pines. into the lives of dozens of homebound E-mail: [email protected] They encourage any young adult feel- elderly year-round. to know you’re helping someone else ing the call to oversees mission to visit Now called Anonymous Angels, the to have a better day and let them know Submissions The Advocate encourages readers to The United Methodist Church’s Genera- ministry pairs an older or ill person— the people at the church are thinking of submit for publication items of interest tion Transformation website, www.umc- dubbed a “lamb”—with an “angel” who them and they’re not forgotten.” to South Carolina United Methodists. mission.org/GT. There, seekers can find commits to send thoughtful, handwrit- First UMC’s pastor the Rev. Rod There is no charge for running items Ophelia involving activities or announcements. information on the UMC’s programs for ten notes from January to December, Brewer, one Powell said he is proud of his congrega- United Methodist missionary Hillary Taylor (center, holding the baby) goes on a home visit as Items should be submitted as far as global mission fellows (long-term mis- effectively “adopting” them for a full of the tion’s love and concern for all people. field education and ministry coordinator for Seth Mokitimi Methodist Seminary in SouthAfrica. possible in advance of the event’s date “Anonymous sion, ages 20-30), global justice volun- Taylor is one of three S.C. young adults doing long-term mission work through the UMC. year. Some of the angels spoil their “I appreciate most of all their inten- or the date of requested publication. Angels” at Since there is no charge for these teers (short-term mission, ages 18-30) and lamb, buying gifts and other surprises, tionality,” Powell said. “They are mak- First UMC, items, they appear in the newspaper on wakes you up, that connects you to other ing that intentional effort to make sure individual mission volunteers (ages 18+). while others stick to sweet cards and Easley, a space-available basis. Deadlines are people, that reminds you of what really the 10th of each month for the following Those interested in immediate consid- heartfelt letters. Some stay anonymous, writes a that no one is left out—that the care and month’s paper. eration need to act fast; the deadline for matters most, and that’s relationship.” while others choose to reveal them- note to her ministry of the church reaches those the next phase of global mission fellows Taylor, who is from Columbia and selves. “lamb.” who are all too often ‘out of sight and Advertising and global justice volunteers is Jan. 15. graduated from Furman in 2012, grew When she first was inspired to start out of mind.’” Display ads, classifieds and inserts can Knudsen, who grew up in Columbia at up on Salkehatchie and thinks mission- the ministry, Bandy was doing all the Bandy said the recipients really ap- “It’s a small thing that we can do to Bandy said it’s important to remem- be ordered by contacting us at 888- 678-6272 or 803-786-9486, ext. 338, or Shandon UMC and then attended Furman minded young adults like herself should card-sending herself. She asked her preciate the simple cheer they get in brighten someone else’s day,” Dean ber all people in the church and reach [email protected]. Deadlines are University, now serves in Davao City, strongly consider the UMC program. church for a list of all members who receiving some unexpected sunshine in said. “These are shut-in people who out in sisterly care. the 10th of each month for the following Philippines, working with an organization “I became a missionary because I was were in nursing homes or couldn’t get the mail—particularly in this fast-paced don’t get out, lots of times they don’t “I think God works in mysterious month’s paper.