Unanimous Historic Washington Street UMC Votes to Join Reconciling Ministries
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sociation • As U s ni s te e d r P WINNER M . e C t . Writing, h S o Photography and d • i s s r t o A t Overall a s c s i Publication o n c u i a m t i o m n o C o f $2 copy or by subscription September 2019 One year after storm, Day of Service to help Florence recovery In September 2018, Hurricane Florence The combination of the two storms was recovery director to handle Hurricane Register by Sept. 9 barreled down on the coastal Carolinas, brutal for a large part of the state, particu- Florence-related efforts. causing widespread and devastating flood- larly the counties of Dillon, Marion, Marl- Now, as the one-year anniversary of Hur- By Jessica Brodie ing in different communities of the Pee Dee boro, Chesterfield, Darlington, Florence ricane Florence approaches, United Meth- CHESTERFIELD—A year after a double- region from Cheraw to Georgetown as the and Horry. United Methodists were quick to odists across South Carolina are getting the whammy of hurricanes swept through deluge raced to the sea. On its heels came respond both in disaster response and, later, chance to help people rebound even more South Carolina, swamping rivers, dams and Hurricane Michael, sweeping up from the in disaster recovery. In January, the South through a conference-wide Disaster Recov- towns alike, the United Methodist connec- Gulf Coast and impacting South Carolina as Carolina Conference of the United Method- ery Day of Service set for Sept. 21. tion is rallying for recovery. a tropical storm Oct. 11. ist Church hired Tim Whitten as disaster See “Day of Service,” Page 24 Unanimous Historic Washington Street UMC votes to join Reconciling Ministries By Jessica Brodie COLUMBIA—One of South Carolina’s oldest and largest United Methodist churches has joined the Reconciling Ministries Network. Washington Street UMC Church Council voted unanimously July 29 to join the network, an unofficial caucus of United Methodists that promotes full inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and other individuals in the life of the church. The vote makes Washington Street the only reconciling congregation in the South Carolina Conference of the UMC, though there are at least 11 additional reconciling Sunday school classes and other communities in various UMCs across the state. Unleashing their faith in Christ Another church, Dunean UMC, a tiny mill church in Greenville, Asbury Hills looks to a future of growth as it completes its second-biggest summer to-date. This summer saw 1,193 had voted to affiliate with RMN in 2012, but that church closed campers. See article, Page 2. in 2017. “Washington Street has been living out her welcome and affirmation of all people for over a decade,” said the Rev. Patricia Parrish, senior pastor of Washington Street. “This affiliation Cumberland UMC anti-incarceration weekend with Reconciling Ministries Network does not change who we are, but is a public declaration of our deep desire for change in The Book of Discipline and our commitment to seek the change aims to keep young men on right path we desire.” By Jessica Brodie and Dr. Anthony Hodge carceration Weekend, two days filled with honest discussion Washington Street was established in 1803 and was the first FLORENCE—They’ve seen the statistics, seen the toll it’s about real consequences when men choose the wrong path. Christian house of worship in Columbia. As it is a large, thriving taken on families—young men with so much promise mak- Event organizer Dr. Anthony Hodge, Cumberland pastor, congregation committed to both unity and diversity, church ing poor choices and then winding up behind bars. Now, said he envisioned the community coming together to get leaders believe Washington Street can serve as an example of one United Methodist church is doing its part to fight back. to know each other and rallying around younger males by how members can have different philosophies about LGBTQI On Aug. 16-17, Cumberland United Methodist Church, forging collaborative and ongoing nurturing relationships. and other issues and still be a family. in collaboration with community partners, hosted Anti-In- See “Anti-Incarceration,” Page 10 See “Washington Street,” Page 13 Not your typical food ministry St. Andrews UMC goes above and beyond By Allison Redmond Yes, the ministry provides meals and food munity with the resources the Lord provides. ORANGEBURG—From the outside, the Shep- boxes for individuals in their community. In Volunteers with Shepherd Ministry may be herd Ministry at St. Andrews United Methodist fact, they deliver plates of food to 86 people found delivering snacks to a local woman who Church might just look like another church each Tuesday, and offer boxes of various food to hosts around 50 children for a Bible study each food ministry. about 40 people on Wednesdays and Fridays. week. Or they may be delivering birthday cakes However, inside those walls is a ministry that But beyond the weekly routine of provid- to those they serve or bottled water to the local spans beyond any conventional idea of what ing food for those in need, Shepherd Ministry fire department. food ministry is. branches out to meet the needs of its com- See “Food Ministry,” Page 12 South Carolina’s delegates continue preparations for GC2020 By Jessica Brodie Jesus first and fosters authentic Christian fellowship among delegates. COLUMBIA—With two meetings down and a full commitment to prayer “Our meetings are highly undergirded with opening worship service in their hearts, South Carolina’s 16 delegates to next year’s United Method- and Holy Communion, that we may be guided by the Holy Spirit to face the ist General Conference are pressing on in their preparations for the May intensive task ahead and fulfill God’s will as we undertake this great work quadrennial event. before us,” Jenkins said. “Everyone was charged with the task of unceasing Hon. Jackie Jenkins, the first elected among laity, is delegation chair. She prayer for one another.” said she strives to lead these men and women of God in a way that serves See “Delegates,” Page 10 Page 2, September 2019 Advocate Advocate September 2019, Page 3 The ‘Choo-Choo Man’ gets $400K Red Cross grant bolsters UMCSC Florence recovery work By Dan O’Mara disasters,” said Sara Hicks-West, an The American Red Cross has do- American Red Cross Hurricane Flor- nated more than $400,000 in support ence community recovery executive. a new lease on life of the Hurricane Florence recov- “We are excited to support them Because of the distance he was able to walk, ery efforts of the South Carolina as they continue with needed case Man’s miracle after devastating fall solidifies his calling he was allowed to go home after about 48 Conference of The United Methodist management, as well as home repair hours in the trauma unit. However, this did not Church. and rebuild work for those impacted By Allison Redmond w or ke d .” come without great pain. The $410,571 grant is the largest by Hurricane Florence. CLINTON—On Oct. 22, 2017, Joe Fuller lay As feeling began returning to his body, he Although the road to recovery was paved disaster recovery gift the South Caro- “We believe this work will make a Hours/Location on a cement slab after missing his step and fall- began to trace through training he had been with confusion, many doctors’ visits and week- lina Conference has received for its Whitten Hicks-West difference in the lives of many South Open Monday through Friday ing eight feet onto the walkway leading to the through to obtain his emergency medical ly X-rays, Fuller said he can only be described Hurricane Florence recovery work, Carolinians, some of whom have 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. basement entrance of his home. technician license. He was sure he had a head as a miracle. outside of the support it receives from the United Methodist been impacted too many times by disasters.” S.C. United Methodist Conference Committee on Relief. In September 2018, Hurricane Florence brought record Center He noticed a beautiful bronze cross that injury. But that didn’t stop him from devising a “All the doctors do agree that I am a miracle. 4908 Colonial Drive, Suite 207 had almost cushioned his head before it hit plan to get help. There’s no reason for me to be alive,” he said. The grant will allow UMCSC Disaster Recovery to hire rains, caused widespread river flooding, shut down areas of The UMCSC is focusing its recovery efforts in Chesterfield, Columbia, SC 29203 the cement. In the distance, he saw one thing “I knew in order for my wife or somebody His main motivation was to get back to his two more persons to work full time with families whose Interstate 95, and flooded towns and communities across Deadlines: 10th of each month. homes were damaged or destroyed by flooding in the wake of Darlington, Dillon, Marion and Marlboro counties because northeastern South Carolina. It caused more than $1.2 billion very clearly: the train he had used for years to to hear me, I was going to … get myself out,” ministry with the Jesus Loves Me Train. Fuller, there are few resources available in those areas minister to children. Fuller said. who is known as the Choo-Choo Man, said his Hurricane Florence in 2018. in damages. Contacting Us He put his hands and feet on the sides of the reason for surviving was to continue with the “We are so grateful for the generosity of the American The Federal Emergency Management Agency declared Telephone: 888-678-6272 or 803-786- What he didn’t know what this experience Hire a fourth case manager, who will work with potential 9486 walls and slowly moved his head away from train.