Florence District Newsletter
The
United Methodist Church
September-November
2005
Superintendent's Message
From one servant to
another
Janice
L. Frederick-Watts
This summer, I had the honor
of being invited to the Haley Farm in Clinton, Tennessee. Haley Farm is a
retreat Center of the Children’s Defense Fund.
Begun in 1973, the Children’s Defense Fund has as its mission “to Leave
No child Behind and to ensure every
child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, and a Moral
start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring
families and communities.” More over,
the Children’s Defense Fund(CDF) “provides a strong, effective voice for all
the children of America who cannot vote, lobby, or speak for themselves.” The needs of poor and minority children and
children with disabilities are a priority.
At Haley Farm, I was surrounded
by persons from across this country who work on behalf of children in a variety
of capacities. As members of a faith
community, our common task is to work with sisters and brothers of other faith
communions to stand up for our children – to work for justice on their behalf. The statistics are startling. 12.9 million children in our nation live in
poverty, lack health insurance and thousands are homeless each day. Abused and neglected children, victims of
gun violence are some of the challenges that children face. Our children face them. We face them.
The Children’s Sabbath is an
annual observance, the third weekend of October every year, which through
worship and education moves us to action on behalf of all of our children. It is a special way for communities to come
together to reinforce their commitment to children.
One of the joys of our time
together was listening to the testimonies of young adults who “survived the
odds.” Young adults who were mentored and encouraged have risen beyond
difficult childhoods to stand on their own and now reach out to children to
give them a hand as it was given to them.
As United Methodists, our Social
Principles remind us, “Once considered the property of their parents, children
are now acknowledged to be full human beings in their own right, but beings to
whom adults and society in general have special obligations…” Our children depend on us to love them,
value them, nurture them, protect them and be a voice for them.
God of mercy,
strengthen us to help shape a nation
…where compassion
is common, life’s poetry realized,
suffering lightened through sharing, justice attended, joy pervasive, hope lived,
the hum of the Universe heard, and together
with you and with each other we build
what is beautiful, true, and worthy of your generosity
to us, an echo of your kingdom.
With the
passion of the prophets, and in the insistent spirit of Jesus, we say,
Amen and Amen
(Excerpt
from My Heart in My Mouth by Ted Loder)
LET
US PRAY FOR…
The families of those who have died recently:
Dozier T.
James, Jr. ,brother of Rev. Franklin D. James,
St. Paul, Morrisville
William
Driggers, brother-in-law to Earline Deese, Mt. Vernon,
Greeleyville
John
Erikson, uncle of Rev. Elise Erikson Barrett, Associate
Pastor at Central UMC in Florence.
Those who are dealing with health concerns:
Ruth
Adams, spouse of Reverend Gary B. Adams, Hebron Charge
Rev.
Edward J. Stiltz, Pastor Tabernacle-Dawsey,
who will be having knee surgery October 3rd.
Harry
Chew, Jr., father of Rev. Barbara L.
Reid, Mt. Zion, Timmonsville, recently hospitalized Tri-Regional Medical Center,
Orangeburg
Reverend
Joe Poston, retired pastor, who was recently in the hospital
Van Wright Scott,
father of Vastine Graham, father in law of Rev. Benjamin Graham, who is the
hospital,
Congratulations To:
Reverend Michael Turner on His Acceptance into the First Parish Project
Michael Turner, one of our very own pastors in the
Florence District, has been accepted into the First Parish Project at Hinton
Rural Life Center. He is one of 25
young clergy from all denominations across the nation selected to participate
in this continuing education course.
The First Parish Project
is designed to be an ongoing peer support and learning community for clergy 35
years old and under serving smaller membership churches. Meeting for six one week long sessions over
the course of the next two years, the FPP will cover topics which include: the
spiritual life of the pastor, family systems in smaller membership churches,
pastoral skills and identity, church boards and spiritual leaders, visioning
and planning and many more.
Let us all lift Michael up to receive the most from this
endeavor and that he be able to share the best from this endeavor to all he
serves.
St. John United Methodist Church, Scranton on the Consecration of their new Sanctuary on
September 11, 2005. Bishop Taylor joined in the celebration .
Trinity United Methodist Church, Lynchburg Charge, on their 100th Anniversary in
Ministry.
Bishop Taylor’s Plea For Hurricane
Katrina:
Pray Unceasingly
Give: Send donations to UMCOR ADVANCE #982523, Hurricane 2005 to: Conference
Treasurer, P.O. Box 3787, Columbia, SC 29230(100% goes to the relief effort(no
administrative cost are involved in donations)
Send: Collect Items for Health Kits, Flood Buckets, bottled water, and new
blankets (see list of contents below
or online)
GO: Volunteers needed. 2 week deployment. The first two training dates are
full, the next training date TBA.
For More Information umcsc.net/disasterresponse
Florence District Collection Center: Central UMC, Corner of Irby & Cheves
Street Florence 843-662-3218
Pack Health Kits
in sealed one-gallon plastic bag with the items wrapped in the towel & tied
with ribbon: 1 hand towel, 1 comb, 1 bath-size bar of soap, 1 toothbrush &
1 tube of toothpaste, 4-7oz., 1 washcloth, 1 metal nail file or nail clipper, 6
band-aids
Pack Flood Bucket
items in a resealable 5 gallon bucket: (All liquids in plastic containers)7
sponges,assorted sizes; 1 scrub brush; 18 reusable cleaning wipes; 50 oz. Dry
laundry detergent; 50 clothes pins; clothesline two 50ft or one 100 ft.; 2 pair
latex gloves; 24bag roll heavy duty trash bags (33-45 gallon size); one 6-14
oz. Bottle insect repellant (drops or lotin, not aerosol); 12 oz. Bottle of
household cleaner; 28 zo bottle disinfectant dish soap; 5 packages of dust
masks(like Benchtop); 1 pair work gloves
OTHER ITEMS: Cases of Bottled water; new
blankets packed in large plastic bag
Some of our local churches efforts:
Johnsonville Area- Vox Community Center, will accept
donations to be shipped on Tuesdays and Thursdays & Saturdays through
October.
Trio Charge has dropped 35 Flood Buckets, 77 Health
kits along with assorted supplies.
FUND RAISER FOR KATRINA on September 30th,
in Andrews, BBQ Chicken Plate from 10-1 $6 plate. All proceeds go to Katrina
Relief. For more information call
Pastor Bob Huggins, 221-7778, 386-2541.
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February 23-25, 2006
Holiday Inn 415 S. Ocean Boulevard, Myrtle Beach, SC
Call our District Conference Representative
The Word on Wesley at Francis Marion
College campuses are rarely recognized as mission fields, but
they are. The college years are an
amalgam of immaturity and maturity, challenge, change, and searching for most
students. Amidst a barrage of new ideas
and the unsettling of long-held convictions, many students struggle to figure
out how to hand onto or retool their faith.
If we – as the Church, and more specifically The United Methodist Church
– are not present to guide and help them with this process, then they will find
guidance elsewhere.
It always surprises me when United Methodist pastors are
unaware that we have such a presence within our district. The Francis Marion Wesley Foundation is your
United Methodist Campus Ministry in the Florence District. Through weekly worship and fellowship,
student-led small group Bible studies, retreats, service projects, mission
trips, and fun activities, we seek to build a community where students can find
support, encouragement and guidance to become more faithful disciples of Jesus
Christ. But we need your help. We can make a difference
·
First, we ask for your prayers—for the students,
leaders, and campus minister.
· Second,
we ask for your help in communicating to current and prospective students what
the Francis Marion Wesley Foundation is and how we are in ministry to students
through a variety of worship, mission,
retreat and fellowship
opportunities. We also ask that you
help us identify United Methodist students at Francis Marion who are a part of
your congregations by contacting the campus minister. This will allow us to be in contact with more students and spread
the word about Wesley.
· Third,
we ask that groups within your church (UM Men, UM Women, Sunday school classes,
etc.) consider providing a meal for us on our regular meeting nights. We meet every Tuesday during the academic
year. Or, those same groups could
choose to fund Wesley as a mission item.
· Fourth, we ask for your financial support so that this ministry may continue to grow in size and spirit. We receive $1,500 per year from the Annual Conference, but, as you might imagine, this does not go very far with programming retreats, mission projects, food, etc. We hope that you might find room for Wesley in your church budgets.
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INPUT FROM SIP PARTICIPANTS AT LIGHTHOUSE MINISTRIES
THIS SUMMER
A Part of My Journey
The Summer Investment Program (SIP) is a project of
the SC Annual Conference that places college students in specialized ministry
sites throughout the state. As a
Wofford College junior from Pomaria, SC, this summer Florence, SC became home
to me. I lived with a host family. I worked at Lighthouse Ministries, an
organization that seeks to be a helping hand on the journey to self sufficiency
for those who are in emergency situations by providing financial
resources. In addition, I was involved
with Central UMC and Highland Park UMC.
This summer I learned more about our call as
Christians – to love. Often we do not
know our neighbors. In spite of this,
our love must be freely given to them, even if we never see the fruit. Many times it’s hard to love, because
things get in our way, usually our selfish desires. But, we can’t give in. As
we daily grasp how much God loves us, we will be more enabled to love
others.
At Lighthouse Ministries, there was never a decrease
in the number of people calling in seeking assistance. As procedures were explained, participants
either exploded in hostility, carefully listened, thankful for what was being
offered, or a lukewarm mixture of the two.
This summer, I, along with Lighthouse Ministries, didn’t even put a dent
into the poverty that exists. But, it’s
not a hopeless cause. It is by God’s
great power and grace that any change is and will be occurring. When the world would say go ahead give up,
just watch out for yourself. I would
counter with the Spirit, finding worth in the individual cases in which assistance
is treasured and gratefully received, in offering myself to work to bring help
to individuals who need it, in not expecting anything in return, and in not
becoming hard and numb to surrounding inequalities.
Encouragements came from those I worked with. Some I worked with are themselves striving
to break free from the situations that had been dealt to them and the cycle of
poverty, in order to increase their potential and be more than what they were
labeled. I also worked with those who
were committed to living out their faith socially and to striving for peace and
justice their whole life. Though I will
not be able to enact change and be expertly knowledgeable about every area that
has needs, this fight is worth it and I am only in the beginning.
Peace, Sharon Rawls
August 2, 2005
(
San Quetta Rivers is a native of Bennettsville, SC. A rising junior at Claflin
University in Orangburg, SC. Majoring in Sociology and Minoring in Psychology.)
After I graduate from Claflin University, I plan to attend graduate school
to become a clinical psychiatrist or a counselor. I am a member of Shiloh
United Methodist Church in Bennettsville, SC where Rev. Robert L. Malachi
is the pastor. My philosophy in life is to put God first, and all things are
possible. By having a religious development, by growing up spiritually I
believe that God is the way. The mission of the Summer Investment Program has
given me an idea of what I would like to do with my career in the future.
The Summer Investment Program mission program has helped me experience new things and people. The
program has given me a deeper understanding of the mission of the church, and a
glimpse of living a Christian life. I was referred by my pastor. I received a pamphlet about the program. I
was delighted to know that the South Carolina Annual Conference has a wonderful
program for college students, which is inspirational. I appreciated
participating in such a wonderful program. I was excited to know that
there was a program to help me experience working in a different
environment. The Summer Investment Program has given me a chance to learn
about different cultures, opportunities to meet new people and develop
friendships and to have fun. It gave me an opportunity to meet people's needs.
I lived with Mr. and Mrs. Hank &
Vickie Leeke Family , members of Central United Methodist Church. I felt right at home, just like family. By
working at Lighthouse Ministries, Central United Methodist Church and
Highland Park United Methodist Church, I felt welcomed and appreciated every
time I went to work, church services and church activities.
My
working at Lighthouse Ministries has been a major experience, supporting the
ministries of local congregations to assist people in emergency crisis
situations. I was glad to be apart of the staff and volunteers at Lighthouse
Ministries. I participated at Lighthouse Ministries by doing data entry,
answered the phone, assisted participant check-in, assisted with mail outs, sat
in on interviews, typed letters, made copies of paperwork, sent faxes, worked
on special projects, typed acknowledgments, and posted contributions which was
a major very aspiring for the experiences. We enhanced the ministry by
putting data into the computer, transferring data from paper
records to computer files. On alternate Sundays I attended Church
services and Sunday School at Central United Methodist Church and
participated in the college class on Monday nights. I was also delighted to eat
with different families from Central United Methodist Church on Thursday
Nights. I talked about myself, the Summer Investment Program, and about what I
do while working at Lighthouse Ministries. I had the opportunity to read
the Psalter Reading at Highland Park United Methodist Church and I
received many wonderful comments. On Wednesday nights at Highland Park,
we helped with the children's ministry by enjoying Wacky Wednesdays by
eating pizza and participating in activities and field trips. The opportunity
to eat with different families from Highland Park on Tuesday nights was
an experience to interact with others.
I really enjoyed meeting people
and being appreciated and welcomed.
We were delighted to have a ‘Thank You Luncheon’ at
Highland Park United
Methodist Church July 21, 2005. I would like to thank Sharon
Rawls for
working with me this summer. I would also like to thank my family
who was
present along with Mrs. Vicki Leeke, Volunteers and Staff of
Lighthouse
Ministries, Highland Park Church Staff and other guests. I would like
to thank
everyone for your prayers, gifts, and support which was greatly
appreciated. I would also like to thank the South
Carolina
United Methodist Church Conference for giving me an opportunity to
participate
in a wonderful program. It was a special opportunity to discover what I
want to
with my career in the future. I am happy that I was apart of this
program
and I hope to be apart of this again next
summer.
Thanks in Christ, San Quetta Rivers
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Upcoming Events:
OCTOBER
9 & 16 Lay Speaking Training: Lake City UMC,
Lake City. Registrations need to be in early in order to receive a book before
class begins. Send $30 payable to the Florence District Office P.O. Box 408,
Florence, SC 29503-0408
10-12 “Convocation
& Pastors’ School: Building a Ministry of Reconciliation: Speakers Dean
L. Gregory Jones, Dr. Willie Jennings, Dr. Ellen Davis and Duke Chapel Dean Samuel Wells. Duke Divinity School. To register visit www.divinity.duke.edu/newcreation
17 UMM RALLY, 6:00 p.m. Central UMC Sexton Camp $5 Fish Fry at door. No RSVP.
All
District UMM are encouraged to come on out!!
The District Meeting on 8/9/05 was a success with 45 men in attendance
representing 25 churches. Let’s keep it
growing!!!
22 LOVE DOES NO HARM A Church’s Response to Family Violence. Virginia
Wingard UMC 10:00 a.m. Keynote Speaker:
Peggy Halsey. Look for brochure. The Bishop will join us for this seminary
sponsored by the SC Conference of UMW & UMM & The Commission on
Religion & Race.
22 2005 UMC Youth Fellowship Day at
Wofford College. Football game. Youth Ministers, call Pam White 864-597-4050 or
email whitepk@wofford.edu
for more details
22 Florence District
Annual UMW Meeting, Elijah UMC, Kingstree 10:00a.m.
30 Pastors
& Lay Leaders, pass this to your Coaches & Youth Coordinators:
An Organizational Meeting for the upcoming Area
III Basketball United Methodist Tournament- Hartsville, Florence, Marion
Districts, will be held on Sunday, October 30, 2005 at 3:00 p.m. at Mt.
Zion United Methodist Church, 701 Saint John Street Lexington Avenue,
Kingstree, SC. The tournament will be
held in Summerville, SC, March 10-12, 2006.
The same format will be used this year as last year. For more information call William Owens, Sr
(843)382-5945 or Ameilia N. Fulton (843)382-9847
NOVEMBER
23-25
District Office Closed
for Thanksgiving
DECEMBER
1 DEADLINE
for Evaluations to be received in District Office
1 Florence
District Advent/Christmas Clergy Gathering, Methodist Manor, Florence, 6:30
p.m., mark your calendar now, registration forms to be mailed later.
3 District Parsonage Drop In, 9:00am-11:00 a.m.
15 SC
Conference Meeting of the Clergy Orders 10 am Trenholm Road UMC, Columbia, Joy Melton presenting.
22-30 District
Office Closed for Christmas
JANUARY
17 Semi
Annual Pastors Meeting, Details TBA
TBA S/PPRC TRAINING
22 Soul
Feast: Christian Spiritual Development, Lake City UMC, Registration 2:30pm.
Sessions 3:00-7:00 p.m. (See Article below)
Spread the news & mark your calendars now for this very important training
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SOUL FEAST:
CHRISTIAN SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
Sponsored by the Florence District Ministry Table
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Registration 2:30 p.m. Sessions 3pm-7 pm
Lake City United Methodist Church, Lake City
In addition to
training for
the following Leadership Positions:
Council Chair Finance
Lay Leader Stewardship
Nuture Adults
working with Youth
Witness Lay
Member to the Annual Conference
Outreach
Trustees
There will be a Bible Study
open to all Laity focusing on Christian Spiritual Development The day will conclude with Worship.
More details will be upcoming
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Youth Annual Conference YAC JULY 2005
The Florence District had the most participants: 67
If you haven’t sent your youth to the YAC before, listen
to comments from some who went YAC 2005
and start making plans NOW!
Some scholarships are awarded
Gabby Garrison: “It was fun, but I missed the water games & the firetruck.” Collin Denmark: “It was fun” Kirby Ann Jordan “Very fun & I liked meeting all the new people” Preston “I loved the gospel choir, it was very fun & Mrs. Michelle is the best” Christina Poston “It was a great experience. I loved my family group.” Alaina Novak: “I had a great week, meeting tons of new people.” Lindsey O’Cain “It was a funfilled experience! I enjoyed the games & the speaker, she really influenced me.” Detwain Scott: “ YAC was spiritfilled & a funfilled event.” Meghan Jiunnies: “YAC was so wonderful! I enjoyed every moment. I LOVED the speaker”. Blake Lehmans “I have one word to describe that week: FANTASTIC!” Jenna Banbee” I really like
FLORENCE DISTRICT 2005 YOUTH RALLY
13 Churches represented, 250 people
attended.
$1041 was collected for YSF. Feedback from attendees was positive.
Thank you to Wesley
Chapel UMC, Lake City for hosting our YOUTH RALLY on September 18, 2005.
Pastors & Lay Leaders
A mailing has gone out from the Chair of the SC Conference Council on
Ministries
Requesting each congregation to join in an eight month weekly group
reflection on pre-set Bible Study
verses and asking for prayerful discernment about the state of our church and
the direction God is leading us to provide ministry opportunities that will equip
persons for discipleship
Daily Scripture
Personal Devotion
Group Reflection
Look for it and start planning now
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Birthdays
SEPTEMBER
9 Tracy Harper
9 Sharon Hughes
10 Richard C. Jayroe
12 Dorothy Olds
15 Larry R. Brown
15 Joshua Gaskins
15 Audrey G. Ritter
15 Cynthia C. Taylor
16 Thelma DuBois
20 Roosevelt Geddis
22 Ebbie S. Abraham
23 Marsha Bentley
30 Jewel Floyd
OCTOBER
1 Bernice Carter
3 Ron Bentley
4 JoAnn Poston
6 Alberta McClary
7 G.W. Farrell Cox
9 Robert C. Faulkner
13 Lathian Brookshire
14 Thomas Reid
16 Margie Altman
20 James R. Cannion
23 Vernon F. Deese
25 Carrie
Singletary
27 Gary McCain
28 John C. Smiley
30 Thurmond Williams
NOVEMBER
7 Charles R. Conner, Jr.
7 John A. Sellers
4 Geraldine Graham
8 Mary Snowden
9 O. Julius Hadden
9 Lou Truluck
11 Joan Griffin
12 Willie Dicks
14 Matthew C. Brown
15 Hazel Gaskins
20 Delores J. Giles
20 Miriam G. Hadden
22 Mary Brown
25 Samantha Williams
30 Ruth Adams
30 Charles N. Brookshire
Wedding Anniversaries
SEPTEMBER
2 Carina & John Sellers
7 Sharon & Edward Stiltz
14 Jeannettè Cooper Dicks
& Willie Dicks
16 Minnie & Charles Branch
19 Sheila & Franklin James
OCTOBER
6 Harriett & Farrell Cox
7 Joan & Alfred Griffin
28 JoAnn & Joseph Poston
NOVEMBER
6 Yvonne
& Franklin R. Garrett
10 Nellie
& James Bradley
14 Barbara
& Thomas Reid
23 Peggy
& Jimmie Dunc