Hand-in-Hand in the Rock Hill District

Transcription

1 SOUTH CAROLINA UNITED METHODIST CONFERENCE July 2012 Hand-in-Hand in the Rock Hill District Message from the District Superintendent It catches your attention when a local congregation sends you word of a new ministry that will make a difference in people s lives. The word that came to me from Grace, Lancaster was an eye catcher. They are partnering to start an after-school literacy program in Lancaster. It s an awesome undertaking in every sense but what a joyful beginning. They are planning to make a difference in Jesus world. Every now and again some word reminds us that new life is possible for individuals and local congregations. The Bishop s Five Star Award is awarded every Annual Conference. Many of us watch these local congregation representatives receiving the award without any real idea of what is involved in qualifying. This year only one Rock Hill District congregation applied for the award, and India Hook qualified and was awarded the Five Star. The award was started during the tenure of Bishop Joseph B. Bethea and focuses on five areas of growth. To qualify a congregation must: begin a new ministry with youth or children, have an increase in Sunday school attendance 2 of 5 percent, pay 100 percent of apportionments or increase by 25 percent apportionment payment; have a 1 percent increase in professions of faith and start a On the Inside Page new ministry that impacts evangelism. District Events Welcome Gathering Welcome to Chris Lynch New Winthrop Wesley Director Church Happenings Aldersgate UMC July 4th Celebration 5th Sunday Singing Clover First UMC Family Picnic Salkehatchie Food Project Friendship UMC Barry Byers Fund Raiser Good Samaritan UMC VBS Osceola UMC Craft/Yard Sale Results Farewell to Pastor Item Correction Welcome These may sound familiar. They may sound a lot of like this year s Vital Congregation requests. They may sound an awful lot like Natural Church Development. Imagine. Twenty years ago we knew what impacted our ability to be healthy in ministry. Ten years ago we knew what impacted our ability to be healthy in ministry. In 2012, we know what impacts our ability to be healthy in ministry. My takeaway moment from Gil Rendle s words to us at Annual Conference was his account of working with the congregation trying to be the Church for the youth of their community. In a conversation with a grandparent in the congregation, Rendle asked, What would you do for your grandchild? And the reply was Anything. In a series of questions that involved (continued on next page)

2 Page 2 Hand in Hand in the Rock Hill District July 2012 various scenarios of doom, Rendle pushed the gentleman who always affirmed his intention to do anything for his grandchild. Finally, Rendle asked, Would you bring a set of drums into the worship service? The answer came clearly, No. The grandfather understood peril but did not associate it with bringing people to know Jesus Christ. I wanted to look at the work of the Rock Hill District and see if we qualified for the Five Star Award. We did not pay 100 percent of our apportionments as a district we were around 86 percent and it was not a 25 percent increase. We did begin a new ministry with youth or children in several congregations and in the district with Rock Thrills. Several congregations have moved into evangelism programs that have them working with people, not simply for people. I haven t crunched the numbers for professions of faith or Sunday school attendance. It looks like we have starting places for our next steps in transforming the world for Jesus Christ but still a journey to reach where we want to be. We are living with Jesus and one another in some new ways. They bring blessing to us and to others. Thanks be to God for the grace to share life in Christ and the grace to be a part of transformation in the world. Blessings, Sara DISTRICT EVENTS Welcome Gathering for Clergy Families Wednesday, July 11 5:30-8:00 p.m. Philadelphia UMC 1691 Highway 160 West Fort Mill, SC Pastors please RSVP by July 9 rhdist@umcsc.org or Newsletter information: We want to know all there is to know about your church s activities, news and upcoming events. So send your articles, announcements, pictures, etc. to Teresa Glass, tkg278@carolina.rr.com by the 25 th of each month.

3 Page 3 Hand in Hand in the Rock Hill District July 2012 Welcome to Chris The district welcomes Chris Lynch who will be serving as the Congregational Specialist for Rock Hill & Spartanburg districts beginning Monday, July 2. His contact information will be available at a later date. NEW WINTHROP WESLEY DIRECTOR Ricky Howell has been named new director of Winthrop Wesley. Upon graduating from West Florence high school in 1998, Ricky attended the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Savannah, GA, where he began work on a degree in Sequential Art (a fancy way of saying drawing cartoons and comic books ). As is often the case, though, God s plans for Ricky s life and Ricky s plans for his life were rather different. While involved as a leader and founding member of SCAD s Wesley Foundation, Ricky realized that God was calling him into ministry. So, after graduating college in 2002 and receiving a degree that he promptly tucked into his back pocket, Ricky pressed on to begin his seminary education at Duke University s Divinity School that same year. Ricky s time at Duke was both challenging and formative (they don t let many cartoonists in evidently), but his most impressive achievement as a seminarian was meeting his wife, Shawn, and somehow convincing her to wed a future pastor. Regardless of her questionable judgment, Shawn and Ricky were married in 2003, and both graduated from Duke with Masters of Divinity degrees in Ricky and Shawn s first appointment following graduation was to the St. Matthew Circuit in Bishopville, SC, a threepoint charge that they served for four years. During that time their son Ethan was born in Ricky also completed the final steps of the United Methodist candidacy process and was subsequently ordained as a Full Elder in the South Carolina Conference in That same year Ricky and his family were appointed to serve Tabernacle and Dawsey UMCs as well as the Wesley Foundation at Francis Marion University in Florence, SC. Aside from causing Ricky to lose a good bit of his hair, that appointment allowed him to reconnect with his roots in campus ministry and to rediscover a passion for discipling college students. Ricky has been extremely excited for the opportunity to pursue that calling full-time as the new director of the Winthrop Wesley Foundation. (continued on next page)

4 Page 4 Hand in Hand in the Rock Hill District July 2012 Winthrop Wesley s wish list for the fall includes: Toilet paper and paper towels Hand soap Postage stamps (rolls are awesome) White copy paper Individually wrapped snacks & candy Pasta night supplies: noodles, sauce, frozen garlic bread, sodas, Grocery gift cards for purchasing salad, etc. Adopt-a-Student for Mountain TOP Mission Trip in Appalachian Mountains, Fall Break in October $40.00 Adopt-a-Student for Charleston Mission Weekend $35 Items needed prior to August 2012 include: 3 twin beds 2 dressers 2 desks 2 shelves Thanks go out to everyone for the prayers for these students and this ministry. It would not be possible to provide for this ministry without the generous support of Winthrop Wesley s many partners. Fourth of July Worship & Celebration CHURCH HAPPENINGS Aldersgate UMC 2115 Celanese Road Rock Hill, SC aldersgate-umc.org On Sunday, July 1, Aldersgate will host a casual worship service at 10:30 a.m. followed by a church-wide cookout to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend. Everyone is encouraged to wear red, white and blue! (continued on next page)

5 Page 5 Hand in Hand in the Rock Hill District July 2012 The church will supply hotdogs, hamburgers and buns. Those attending the cookout are asked to bring one of the following items: dessert, side dish traditional picnic item soft drink or iced tea. Fifth Sunday Singing Service On Sunday, July 29, the fifth Sunday singing service, with snacks, will begin at 6:30 p.m. Clover First UMC 124 Bethel Street Clover, SC Family Picnic A church-wide family picnic will take place at Clover Community Park following worship on Sunday, July 29. Those attending should bring their own picnic meal and gather at the covered shelter for lunch. Activities are being planned some for the children include water!! Church Picnic Clover Salkehatchie The Clover Salkehatchie Camp will take place July This year, approximately 35 campers will be working on two homes. Evelyn Cameron, camp co-director, asks for prayers for the success of the camp and the safety of the campers. Food Project FUMC s food project has grown considerably since it began in January of this year. This program began as an outreach effort to assist an estimated 20 percent of American families who do not have enough to eat. The church collects specified food and household products and distributes them once a month to those in need. At the first distribution 20+ families sought assistance. Last month, that number grew to over 70 families. The individuals serving in this vital ministry continue to ask for donated items and prayers that those in need will be appropriately served by this ministry.

6 Page 6 Hand in Hand in the Rock Hill District July 2012 Friendship UMC Neely Store Road Rock Hill, SC

7 Page 7 Hand in Hand in the Rock Hill District July 2012 Good Samaritan 5220 Crowders Cove Lane Lake Wylie, SC Good Samaritan UMC, Lake Wylie is looking forward to another exciting Vacation Bible School. The dates are July 30 - August 3, 9:00 a.m. 12:00 noon. Those interested in more information or registration should check out the church s website goodsamumc.org. Osceola UMC 6575 Charlotte Highway Lancaster, SC Craft & Yard Sale Results Osceola recently held a craft & yard sale fundraiser. Fifteen families/vendors rented spaces to sell their items. The United Methodist Men cooked breakfast and lunch to sell to all in attendance. More than $ was raised and was given to the church s general fund. A really fun day was had by all and many thanks go to those who came and supported this great fundraiser. Scenes from the event are found below.

8 Page 8 Hand in Hand in the Rock Hill District July 2012 Farewell Dinner for Pastor Osceola hosted a farewell dinner for Pastor Angie Manly who left at the end of June. She was only with the church for one year, but certainly made an impact while present. Angie will be missed greatly as she moves on to Francis Marion Wesley Foundation and the Florence, SC, area. The Rev. Harry Gindhart has been appointed new pastor. The congregation gives thanks to God for the wonderful pastors who have graced their church in the past and looks forward to what He has in store for the future. Many thanks go out to Angie for the past year! WELCOME & CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations and blessings to all pastors beginning their new appointments and to the congregations welcoming them July 1: Rev. Beth Drennen - Catawba/El Bethel Charge Rev. Sheila Elliott - York/St. James Charge Rev. Harry Gindhart - Belair/Osceola Charge Rev. Ricky Howell - Winthrop Wesley Foundation Rev. Betty Kay Hudson - Lynnwood Rev. Brian Humphries - Grace, Lancaster Rev. Heather Humphries - Tabernacle Rev. Pat McCain - Trinity, Lancaster & Bethel, Lancaster Rev. Bill McCown - St. Luke/Salem Charge Rev. Joel McMakin - Pleasant Hill Rev. Charles Phillips - First, Lancaster Rev. Karen Richmond - Fort Lawn/Van Wyck Charge Rev. Emily Sutton - Bethel/Philadelphia Charge Rev. Eddie Usher - Woodland Rev. David Ussery - Mt. Dearborn/Heath Chapel Rev. Bryson Williams - Chester Circuit Rev. Allen Wolfe - Bethel/Armenia Charge Item Correction Item Correction: Capers Chapel UMC helped Chester First Baptist with Salkehatchie, not Bethel UMC as was reported last month. The camp was located at Bethel UMC. etter information: We want to know all there is to know about your church s activi-