march 2010.qdx:Layout 1 2/19/10 11:34 AM Page 1 $2 March 2010 ‘O Lord, we have seen your face shin - Pray for Haiti ning through the dark, wet eyes of Haitian children who are hungry for food and thirsty for clean water. ... ‘May we rediscover the saving powers of a cup of cool water, a loaf of bread, a listening ear, a shared hurt, a gentle touch. ...’ – Prayed at St.John’s United Methodist Church, Anderso n A TIME TO PRAY – Haitian congregant of St. Martin Methodist Church in Port-au- Prince, Haiti, his hands rest - ing on his Bible, prays during an outdoor worship service. See stories, Pages 23-24. (UMNS photo by Mike DuBose) Season of Lent, Emily Cooper retiring; new editor sought Palm Sunday The Advocate’ s editor, Emily “Green Theology” was formed at the possible.” Cooper, has submitted her resignation Advocate last year, awakening the con - Trustees have begun a search for its The Poor to whom effective June 30. ference to the need to be environmen - next editor, Murphy said. An advertise - we are called to Hired by the S.C. United Methodist tally conscious in churches as well as ment appears in this issue. minister Advocate Board of Trustees in October individually. Pages 8, 9 2007, Cooper told the search commit - During Cooper’s tenure, Murphy tee she wanted to show what the said, “the Advocate has received acco - Conference Advocate could be. Trustees believe lades across the conference for being Conference she has shown the Advocate to be the informing, encouraging and challeng - treasurer Basketball key tool for the connection of S.C. ing. ‘It has grown up,’ a reader said. Pages United Methodists. Many articles are used as teaching announced 3,4 Marilyn Murphy, chairperson of the tools and to stimulate growth in our The confer - Advocate board, said Cooper “has been churches. The editor’s depth of ence’s Council an exemplary editor.” Seeking time research and clarity, as well as her on Finance and with her family and personal interests, strong editing skills, have been noted Administration Cooper said, “It’s time for someone to by many. One pastor said the Advocate has announced take the Advocate to the next level.” is a shining, literary light throughout selection of a Under Cooper’s leadership, the the state. Another said the Advocate new treasurer, Advocate quickly took on a new look, now has a great shelf-life.” Anthony with a whiter and brighter paper, larger “It is the boundless United “Tony” print, improved color and design. She Methodists, many with such deeply Prestipino Jr. has opened its pages to local, district rooted faith in action, who have made Following an and conference events, shared with this job so wonderful,” Cooper said. “I extensive readers the stories and talents of have been a United Methodist for most search, Tony Prestipino United Methodists throughout the of my life, but I am more committed to Prestipino will become the new state, and covered a wide spectrum of Methodism than ever because I see Treasurer/Director of Administrative issues. such value in our conference connec - Services effective March 8. Under her leadership, the Advocate tionalism and, most of all, our world - Prestipino’s selection will require has produced its first Web site wide connection. It is unknown in final confirmation and election by the (www.scadvocate-online.org) available other denominations, and we should S.C. Annual Conference session in by subscription. embrace and cherish it every way See Page 10 4 Opinion 15-19 District News 20 Obituaries Issue Index: 5-6 Commentary 18 Classifieds 21 IBS Lessons march 2010.qdx:Layout 1 2/19/10 11:34 AM Page 2 Page 2, March 2010 The South Carolina United Methodist Advocate Basketball tournament teaches more than athletics Top left: Senior Girl Champions are from Mount Horeb. Middle-left: Senior boys of Trinity UMC at Fountain Inn takes the championship. Bottom left: Buncombe wins the Junior Boys championship. Top right: Mauldin UMC’s team takes the Junior Girls’ championship. Mid- right: The Boys Junior championship award goes to Union UMC, Irmo. Jordan Hamill, representing the Mauldin UMC Junior Boys Team A, is handed the tournament’s most prestigious award by William Owens, a member of the tournament committee and a member of St. Paul UMC in Kingstree. Team sponsors add to No-Malaria fund Jr. Girls Hill Buncombe Street UMC A, Trinity UMC, North Myrtle Boone Hill UMC Shandon UMC, Columbia Beach Simpsonville UMC, Gordon UMC Buncombe Street UMC B, Johnston UMC, Johnson Mount Horeb UMC, St. Andrew’s By-the-Sea UMC, Epworth Children’s Home, College Place UMC, Hilton Head Columbia Publisher Union UMC, Emmanuel/St. Matthew Charge Sr. Boys The S.C. United Methodist Advocate Trustees Bethany UMC, Wesley UMC, Columbia Mount Horeb UMC A, Virginia Wingard UMC, Marilyn Murphy, chairperson; Angela Nelson, vice chairperson; Mauldin UMC/Advent UMC, Buford Street UMC, Columbia the Rev. Steven King, secretary; Matt Holycross, treasurer; Gaffney Mount Horeb UMC B, Virginia Wingard UMC, Gayle Arries; Robert Bentley; the Rev. Robin Dease; Carmen Faulkner; Columbia the Rev. Keith Hunter; Gladys Lemon; the Rev. Evelyn Middleton; the Rev. Rodney Powell; the Rev. Thomas Sims; Jr. Boys Union UMC A, 2010 Zimbabwe Mission Team the Rev. DeVere Williams; and Diane Wilson Cumberland UMC, Silver Hill Memorial UMC, Union UMC B, 2010 Zimbabwe Mission Team Editors emeritus Spartanburg Trinity UMC, Fountain Inn A, John Wesley UMC, J. Claude Evans, M. Eugene Mullikin, Maryneal Jones, Epworth Children’s Home, Greene Street UMC, Greenville Willie S. Teague, Allison Askins, Karl F. Davie Burgdorf Columbia Trinity UMC, Fountain Inn B, John Wesley UMC, Editor: Emily L. Cooper Buncombe Street UMC A, First UMC, Marion Greenville [email protected] Buncombe Street UMC B, Beulah UMC, Orangeburg Bethany UMC A, Central UMC, Spartanburg Advertising/Circulation/Assistant Editor: Allison K. Trussell [email protected] Union UMC, Myrtle Beach First UMC Bethany UMC B, Bob and Rometta Fowler Mauldin UMC A, Francis Burns UMC, Columbia Simpsonville UMC A, Loris First UMC The South Carolina United Methodist Advocate (ISSN 1078-8166) continues the Southern Christian Advocate, Mauldin UMC B, Bethel UMC, Oswego Simpsonville UMC B, Loris First UMC authorized by the General Conference of 1836. Bethany UMC A, St. Paul UMC, New Ellenton Buncombe Street UMC A, Asbury Hills Camp Publication began July 24, 1837. The paper is published monthly by Bethany UMC B, Greene Street UMC, Columbia Buncombe Street UMC B, Asbury Hills Camp the S.C. United Methodist Advocate Trustees Wesley UMC (Evans, Georgia) North Georgia Buncombe Street UMC C, Lyttleton Street UMC, at 4908 Colonial Drive, Suite 207, Columbia, SC 29203. Conference Office Camden www.scadvocate-online.org The individual subscription rate is $15 annually. Stallsville UMC Sandy Grove UMC, Irmo Knightsville UMC, Journey UMC, Columbia For information about church plan rates, Asbury UMC /St. John UMC, Harmony UMC, Bethesda UMC Trinity UMC, West Columbia please call (803) 786-9486 or (888) 678-6272. Johnston Wesley UMC, Charleston, Isle of Palms UMC We cannot be responsible for unsolicited manuscripts. Mount Horeb UMC, St. Mark UMC, Columbia Central UMC, Newberr, Washington Street UMC, Please direct all inquiries regarding commentary submissions to: the editor, 4908 Colonial Drive, Suite 207, Columbia Columbia, SC 29203-6070. Sr. Girls Epworth Children’s Home, Conference United (803) 786-9486/FAX (803) 735-8168 Union UMC, First UMC, Winnsboro Methodist Men Periodicals postage paid at Columbia, S.C. Postmaster: Send address changes to: Bethany UMC, Fair Lawn UMC, Columbia St. Paul UMC, Platt Springs UMC, Columbia The South Carolina United Methodist Advocate , Buncombe Street UMC Mount Hebron UMC, West Asbury UMC /St. John UMC. Barnwell-Siloam Charge 4908 Colonial Drive, Suite 207, Columbia, SC 29203 Columbia Stallsville UMC, Windsor UMC, Columbia Epworth Children’s Home,St. Mark UMC, Greenville March 2010 • Volume 174 • No. 3 Canaan UMC /Sandhill UMC, St. Johns UMC, Rock march 2010.qdx:Layout 1 2/19/10 11:34 AM Page 3 The South Carolina United Methodist Advocate March 2010, Page 3 BY MUTUAL CONSENT – Tournament officials and committee leaders voted to make the Mauldin UMC Junior Boys Team A the 2010 Tournament Grand Champions and give them the Mitch Milford Sportsmanship Award. (Photos by Matt Brodie, conference director of Communications) Top left: Bethany UMC was the runner-up in the Junior Girls Division. Bottom left: Boone Hill UMC was runner-up in the Senior Girls Division. Basketball tournament involves 2,200 United Methodists By Bob Fowler, Tournament coordinator because of an early death from this bined scoring of the referees, gym Boys: Buncombe Street UMC Team dreaded disease.” workers and tournament committee C, St. Paul UMC, Kingstree. SUMMERVILLE – Not since the The weekend of basketball also members. The Consolation pool winners inaugural tournament in 1977 has included two well-attended worship Other winners were: Mauldin were Junior Girls: Buncombe Street there been a more impacted tourna - services. The Rev. Bob Howell gave UMC Junior Girls Champion with UMC Team B; Senior Girls: ment that touched so many. a message of how losing sometimes Bethany UMC, Summerville, as Simpsonville UMC; Junior Boys: For this tournament, the word is a better teacher in life than win - runner-up; Mount Horeb UMC, Stallsville UMC, Summerville, and “many” means lives around the ning. Howell conducted the Lexington, Senior Girls Champion Bethany UMC, Summerville; Senior world. The weekend gathered some Saturday morning Communion with Boone Hill UMC, Boys: Asbury/St. John UMC, 700 youth and a combined 2,200 service. On Sunday morning, the Summerville, runner-up; Buncombe Shiloh, Stallsville UMC, Mount S.C. United Methodists. After 174 Rev.