Than Just Business’ Annual Conference 2013 to Embrace Better Ways to Serve, Give, Live
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$2 April 2013 ‘More than just business’ Annual Conference 2013 to embrace better ways to serve, give, live By Jessica Connor FLORENCE – This June, when 2,000 South Carolina UMM walk in the light United Methodists gather in – Pages 18-19 Florence for Annual Confer- ence, they’ll be doing far more than the business of the church in this state. They’ll be engaging in a true mission opportunity: help- ing to put a dent in hunger. Set for June 9-12 at the Florence Civic Center, clergy and lay representatives from every church across South Carolina will pray, fellowship and ultimately vote on key church legislation for the com- ing year. This year’s theme, “A More Excellent Way: A Story of Serving, Giving and CROP Walk in Easley Living,” will feature preach- – Page 14 ing from new S.C. Resident Bishop Jonathan Holston, in Photo by Jessica Connor Index S.C. United Methodists will pack meals to help Stop Hunger Now at AC2013. See “AC2013,” Page 6 Classifieds ................................34 Local & District News...........28-30 Education & Youth ...............20-23 Global News .............................27 Work begins on S.C. disaster response plan History ......................................24 Ministries & Missions ...........12-15 By Jessica Connor United Methodist Church respond? with well-trained, well-prepared and Obituaries .................................31 Disaster response team members well-equipped volunteers who can be as Seniors ................................32-33 Upcoming Events .....................34 If a hurricane, tornado, nuclear ex- are fleshing out just that as they draft a helpful as possible no matter the situation plosion or terrorist attack were to strike comprehensive plan for the S.C. Confer- at hand. South Carolina tomorrow, how would The ence that will help the church respond See “Disaster Plan,” Page 9 Press association taps Advocate as ‘best paper’ in division Newspaper honored with three other awards The newspaper won first place in the press association’s an- @AdvocateSC | AdvocateSC.org nual news contest, Associate/Individual Member Division, as The Advocate has been named the best newspaper publication well as three other writing and photography awards. in its division by the S.C. Press Association. See “Advocate Awards,” Page 9 Going solar UMs, others champion new S.C. bill to allow third-party sales of solar energy By Jessica Connor legal to buy solar energy from non-utilities. A coalition of church, busi- Retired United Methodist ness, environmental and other pastor the Rev. Wiley Cooper groups across South Carolina and other United Methodists Photo courtesy of Columbia College – including a handful of United are among those advocating Methodists – are champion- Columbia College has used these solar panels (pictured) since 2011. the bill, which would enable Many are turning to alternative energy sources like solar, both to be ing state legislation to make it See “Solar Energy,” Page 8 more eco-friendly and to control costs. Page 2, April 2013 Advocate Advocate April 2013, Page 3 Dease to be new Hartsville DS WaterRock reaches out to Upstate through The Cabinet will awesome way,” Dease said. “I pray that In 2012, she became interim chair of welcome its newest through my ministry and service, the the Department of Philosophy and Reli- holistic wellness, coaching center member this sum- church’s mission will be the driving factor gion at Claflin University, Orangeburg. By Jessica Connor mer when Dr. Robin for all I do.” Dease has held a number of district Learn more Dease becomes the Dease felt the call to ministry while and conference positions: chair of the SPARTANBURG – United Methodists 864-764-0608 or www. S.C. Conference’s a student at Claflin University majoring Committee on District Superintendency- in the Upstate now have easier access WaterrockInstitute.org new Hartsville Dis- in elementary education. With a Master Charleston District, Conference Board to a place for Christian wellness and trict Superintendent. Dease of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry in of Ordained Ministry, District Board of Hours/Location leadership development. WaterRock is actively seeking board Bishop Jonathan stewardship from Wesley Theological Ordained Ministry-Greenville District Open Monday through Friday WaterRock Institute, a nonprofit members from the S.C. Conference, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Holston appointed Dease to the position Seminary, Washington, D.C., Dease joined (2008-2012), Conference Connectional S.C. United Methodist Conference center for life enrichment in Western and is hoping to secure grants and other effective June 26. She replaces the Rev. the S.C. Conference in 1992 and was Table Task Force (2012-2012), chair of Center North Carolina with an appointed funds to establish a financial assistance 4908 Colonial Drive, Suite 207 Lillian Washington in Hartsville, who ordained an elder in 2001. She first served Continuing Education Covenant Groups United Methodist pastor at its helm, has fund so a wider variety of people in Columbia, SC 29203 completes her eighth year of service as as pastor of Wesley United Methodist (2008-2012) and District Study Task Force Deadlines: 10th of each month. opened a second office in Spartanburg. need can use their services. district superintendent in June. Church, Johns Island (1998-2008), fol- (2011-present). She represented S.C. at The office is housed in Central “This integration of leadership “I am humbled and most grateful lowed by John Wesley UMC, Greenville Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference Contacting Us United Methodist Church, which is development and wellness and bringing Telephone: 888-678-6272 or 803- for the opportunity to serve in such an (2008-2012). and General Conference 2012. 786-9486 providing the space free for Water- spirituality on board is really my life’s Fax: 803-735-8168 Rock’s ministry. Those involved say it passion, and it’s very exciting to be able E-mail: [email protected] gives the church a new, different way to to birth this organization,” Campbell- Submissions Let’s talk about sex … in church minister to people wherever they are in Robinson said. The Advocate encourages read- their lives: emotionally, spiritually and Dr. Paul Harmon, Spartanburg Dis- ers to submit for publication items Central UMC, Spartanburg, is providing free space for the newest office of of interest to South Carolina United Local congregation gets some ‘Courage for the Conversation’ physically. It is WaterRock’s first office WaterRock Institute, a nonprofit center for life enrichment run by United Methodist trict superintendent, said he thinks the Methodists. There is no charge for outside its headquarters in Asheville. WaterRock Spartanburg location will be By Jessica Connor and sexuality. pastor the Rev. Heidi Campbell-Robinson. running items involving activities WaterRock offers programs and a valuable resource. or announcements. Items should Sometimes those questions – and an- Conversation curious? Congregations considering holding services that address the whole person, “There is more recognition of the body connection, all through Jesus. “I hope we can use her skills and be submitted as far as possible in LUGOFF – Talking about sex can be swers – aren’t easy, Hiers said. advance of the event’s date or the similar Courage for the Conversation informed by the teaching and love ex- holistic nature of healing, and one of Beyond wellness, Campbell-Robin- experience to develop some training uncomfortable for many teens. So many “As is sometimes the case in the UMC, date of requested publication. Since discussions for their youth are encour- pressed in Jesus Christ. Those services the things I say in our mission is our son often works with clergy who want opportunities in the district in the focus there is no charge for these items, questions swirl: Should I wait? Is this as the Book of Discipline states, some- aged to check out the conference they appear in the newspaper on a include wellness, coaching, pastoral services address the whole person,” to further develop their time manage- areas offered by the WaterRock Insti- safe? What does the Bible say? Am I a bad times we have to in Christian love agree website. Go to www.umcsc.org, scroll space-available basis. Deadlines are down and click on the “Courage for the counseling and spiritual direction, as Campbell-Robinson said. “There has ment, hold more effective meetings or tute (creativity, leadership, wellness the 10th of each month for the follow- person for thinking this? to disagree,” Hiers said. “As long as we’re Conversation” box. well as leadership development for been a lot of growth and increased enhance some of their other skills. She and spirituality),” Harmon said. “More ing month’s paper. But getting those answers can come at all seeking God’s will and God’s grace To talk further, email Joens at cljo- clergy and others. understanding that there isn’t just one also does a lot of pastoral counseling immediately, though, it’s great to have a price. and making choices we hope are pleasing Advertising [email protected] or Hiers at youth@ “As somebody who offers spiritual segment to wellness.” dealing with the variety of issues, from a place to which I and our pastors can “It can be awkward for some teenagers to God, I think those respectful disagree- stjohnslugoff.org. Display ads, classifieds and inserts direction and spiritual counseling, I Dr. John Simmons, physician and life direction to marriage issues, depres- refer people who need help in those can be ordered by contacting us at to talk about it with their parents, and in ments are OK.” 888-678-6272 or 803-786-9486, ext. thought it would be a good opportunity member of Central UMC who is an sion and anxiety. Also, WaterRock areas; it has been a few years since we health class we only learn about (sexually Several of the teens say they really One happy revelation was that youth 338, or [email protected].