sociation • As U s ni s te e d r P M . e C t . WINNER h S Writing and Overall o d • i s Publication s r t o A t a s c s i o n c u i a m t i o m n o C o f $2 September 2013 Guiding Modern-day campus circuit riders ministries Task force to explore Blueberries plan for growth, funding for missions – Page 3 By Jessica Connor A new task force has begun work this fall exploring the unique and criti- cal needs of campus ministries in South Carolina. Headed by the Rev. Josh McClen- don, associate pastor at Shandon United Methodist Church, Columbia, the task force will examine leadership, oversight, growth, sustainability and financial need, ultimately fleshing out a strategic plan for campus ministries that helps it shift strongly into the future. Post-retirement, Thomas “The idea is what does campus minis- still on fire for Christ – Page 2 try look like going forward?” McClendon said, calling the program “terribly impor- tant” for the UMC as a whole. Index Classifieds ................................34 See “Campus Ministries,” Page 16 Education & Youth ...............13-15 Health & Fitness ..................26-27 History ......................................28 Three S.C. Local & District News...........30-31 Ministries & Missions ...........20-24 Obituaries .................................29 Salkehatchie .............................25 clergy to lead Seniors ................................32-33 Upcoming Events .....................34 major UMC groups By Jessica Connor Photo by Jessica Connor Three of South Carolina’s own – Dr. A group of bikers in the Columbia District hopes to reach the unchurched through Susan Henry-Crowe, Dr. Colleen Keith a new motorcycle ministry called the United Methodist Circuit Riders. and the Rev. Telley Gadson – will assume @AdvocateSC | AdvocateSC.org major leadership roles within the global United Methodist Church. District’s motorcycle ministry Henry-Crowe was elected chief ex- ecutive of the UMC’s General Board of reaches out in Christ Church and Society, effective in February. Keith was named president of the UMC’s By Jessica Connor interest. National Association of Schools and Col- “I relate to people who ride motor- leges. And Gadson was elected president GILBERT – How do we reach out cycles, so I can talk to people who ride of the National Black Clergy Women to the unchurched and bring them to motorcycles,” said John Barnett, an ac- of The United Methodist Church – the Christ? tive member of Beulah United Method- youngest ever to serve in that capacity. For a group of bikers in the Colum- ist Church, Gilbert, who founded the “It’s an honor for the S.C. Conference bia District, you start by revving up the district-wide ministry. “You don’t bring to be represented in so many wonderful engine and hitting the open road. unchurched believers in by staying in ways nationally through the leadership Through a brand new motorcycle the church. You’ve got to get outside positions of our talented clergy,” said ministry called the United Methodist the walls of the church, go out and talk Matt Brodie, conference director of com- Circuit Riders, these open-air riders to people at their level, and you can’t go munications. “The national recognition are hoping to turn biker neighbors say, ‘Hey, have you got a minute to talk they received shows we have some of the into Christian brothers and sisters by best in the country.” relating to them through their shared See “Circuit Riders,” Page 19 See “Three Leaders,” Page 17 Page 2, September 2013 Advocate Advocate September 2013, Page 3 No slowing down Post-retirement, Rev. Thomas still passionately active for Christ By Jessica Connor BISHOPVILLE – He might be officially retired as a pastor, but the Rev. Eddie Thomas is just as active in his golden Hours/Location years as he was during full-time ministry. Open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thomas not only serves as president S.C. United Methodist Conference of the Bishopville-based ministry Good Center Samaritans for All People, but he also 4908 Colonial Drive, Suite 207 Photos by Jessica Connor Columbia, SC 29203 preaches a weekly worship service for The work is time-consuming and arduous; the berries cannot be picked until they are per- For Susan Busby, serving God involves a white plastic bucket, her fingertips and up to six Deadlines: 10th of each month. seniors at the Lee County Council on fectly ripe, and they must be picked individually, never in clusters. hours a day harvesting the blueberry patches on her family farm. Aging, preaches a few times a month Contacting Us Telephone: 888-678-6272 or 803-786- elsewhere on invitation and is active in 9486 his local American Legion, Veterans of Fax: 803-735-8168 Foreign Wars and S.C. Combat Soldiers Blueberries for missions E-mail: [email protected] groups. Submissions Both as a nod to his nonprofit and to The Advocate encourages readers to his lifestyle, many people have dubbed Platt Springs member sells entire crop to benefit missions at church submit for publication items of interest to South Carolina United Methodists. him the “good Samaritan” of Bishopville. By Jessica Connor hatchie team. in clusters. It takes her about an hour to right, spending her mornings and eve- There is no charge for running items “He really does do what he can for “I thought, ‘Well, my goodness, if pick a quart of blueberries, which she nings picking blueberries for the Lord, involving activities or announcements. everybody,” said Pauline Mitchell, chair COLUMBIA – Some people ladle soup John can do that and I have blueber- sells for about $5. and enjoying God’s abundance in the Items should be submitted as far as possible in advance of the event’s date of the Council on Aging. for the homeless. Others organize mis- ries growing in the yard that the birds “They’re not like tomatoes where process. or the date of requested publication. With a Purple Heart from service in Photos by Jessica Connor sion trips. Still others donate thousands are eating, why can’t I do that?’” they continue to ripen,” Busby ex- “It’s something that’s really impor- Since there is no charge for these Rev. Eddie Thomas holds up a just-stuffed food bag, which was given out at one of the give- items, they appear in the newspaper on the Vietnam War, two Bronze Stars and aways Good Samaritans for All People holds throughout the year to help the poor in Bishopville. upon thousands of dollars. Busby said, laughing. “Sure enough, it plained. “When you pick them, that’s tant to my whole family,” Busby said. a space-available basis. Deadlines are numerous other military awards, Thomas But for Susan Busby, serving God worked!” it. They’re like cluster of grapes, and “I’ve heard my brother say that if God the 10th of each month for the following spent 39 years as a United Methodist pas- involves a white plastic bucket, her Busby retired about six years ago, out of the cluster you have to individu- gives you something, there’s a reason, month’s paper. tor in South Carolina. He served under fingertips and up to six hours a day and picking blueberries has become ally pick one blueberry to see if it’ll be and He expects you to give it away.” Advertising five bishops and eight district superin- harvesting the blueberry patches on her somewhat of a relaxing hobby – a time released, and if does not release, then She likens the family blueberries to Display ads, classifieds and inserts can tendents in five different districts. He has family farm. when she can enjoy the sunshine, com- it’s too early.” the parable of talents in Matthew 25. be ordered by contacting us at 888- 678-6272 or 803-786-9486, ext. 338, or made it his life’s work to help others, Busby, a member of Platt Springs mune with God and pray. Birds and deer like to eat the berries, “The blueberries are just our tal- [email protected]. Deadlines are whether through preaching the word of United Methodist Church, Columbia, “While I’m out there picking, I’m and this year, rain was an issue. There ents, and look how many people and the 10th of each month for the following God or through being God’s hands and sells the entire crop of blueberries on able to pray and listen to God, and was so much rain the berries were how many lives can be touched just month’s paper. feet. her property and gives all the money to listen to the birds and the creatures swelling and bursting, she said: “I prob- by figuring out God really gave you Subscriptions He is still passionately active for missions at her church. In years past, that He’s put around, and trust me, I’m ably threw away at least half the crop.” that,” Busby said. “And if He gives you The Advocate is delivered to mailboxes Christ in his so-called retirement – and the funds have supported a church constantly praying when I’m in there, But Busby doesn’t worry about that something, He really means for you to via U.S. mail every month prior to the first Sunday of the month. Subscrip- all of this is after having open-heart sur- mission team that made an annual trip especially this summer,” she said. too much. She just does what feels do something with it.” tions are $15/year for the print and gery back in 2000. to Colombia. This year, the funds are “Snakes live out there, mosquitoes, and online version, and $8/year for the “I love to be involved, and I’m heav- helping Native American ministries at He’s protected me from all creatures.” online-only edition.