Happy New Year!!! Pastor Sotello Long

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1 THE SOUTH CAROLINA CHRISTIAN A Publication of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in South Carolina P O Box 80536, Charleston, South Carolina Orange Grove Road, Charleston, South Carolina T: FAX: Website: scdisciples.org roccsc@aol.com Volume 95 Number 1 January February 2017 MISSION FIRST GATHERING. Well Done South Carolina!!! A big part of our al Conference this year was the Mission First Gathering! Participants joined in the dialogical process in discovering a new shared focus in what God is doing in the world through Disciples of Christ. We are not setting aside pro-reconciliation/anti-racism, new and transforming churches or leadership development. We are enhancing them with Mission First. Mission First seeks to help Disciples identify the next mission priorities God has for us as we move toward the year 2020 and be-yond. This is awesome! South Carolina has already been ahead of the game when the Convention and Assembly churches merged, so who better to help the Disciples of Christ, to find answers for these questions. Our region was one of first selected to help our national office gather this information thru Mission Gatherings. In our session, we gave our input on what s important in our communities through these sessions. Mission Gatherings around the country were where all Disciples were invited to share their congregation s particular passion within God s larger mission. In settings, such as (but not limited to), regional and racial/ethnic assemblies, the stories of others inspired participants. Input from these gatherings informed the process of identifying a shared focus in mission for our whole Church. This information was important, as after the mission gatherings, the Mission Council, representing the diversity of the church, received the input, stories, and suggestions from the Mission Gatherings. The Council prayerfully sought to identify common areas of mission which are God s call to Disciples for the next period. The Mission Council met in December of We are among the voices that helped discern our new mission priority that is being presented to the General Board. We thank God for offering integral leadership in our time! This is the time for the DOC as. We have discerned the following Mission Priority: The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), called by Christ and following the powerful leading of the Spirit, participates in God s mission for wholeness. Together with global and ecumenical ministry partners, we seek to equip spiritual leaders, grounded in Scripture and centered on Christ, for the sake of the whole church and all God s world. For this moment in time, we encourage the church to focus on the lives of children, youth, and young adults, whose witness, gifts, and leadership we gratefully receive. With this priority, Disciples continue to call for intentional and collaborative efforts to: *Provide compassionate protection and care for the vulnerable; *Create inclusive, learning communities of healing and transformation; and *Resist racism and other forms of injustice, affirming fullness of life for all God s people. May God help us to seek creative ways to engage in this priority in the context of our congregations, communities and wherever we see the activity of God for this season! Happy New Year!!! Pastor Sotello Long

2 New Year s greetings from Sharon Watkins Dearest Friends in Christ Hope is a star that shines in the night, leading us on till the morning is bright. [1] From the Advent promise of Emmanuel: God with us; to the Epiphany revelation: God-with-us-now, we hope. And yet, I confess, as 2017 begins, my heart is bruised by the pain and division the United States and Canada have experienced which have filtered into our communities and congregations. Antagonistic elections in the United States have upended civil discourse. Repeated public incidents of both individual and institutional racism have fractured relationships in communities. And beyond our borders, civil wars in places like South Sudan and Syria, as well as natural disasters in long-suffering Haiti, only increase the need for healing of all kinds. Still, along with all of creation in Romans 8:18, we wait expectantly for the children of God to be revealed. In fact, we hope to be among them. We are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. We know God to be a God of abundance who provides enough for all and makes room enough for all. This is the time for Disciples to shine! We have long found ways to live together in unity for the sake of God s mission. Our ability to respect (and engage!) a diversity of faithful opinions is needed now more than ever. Our emphasis on healing the rifts of racism with pro-reconciling work is foundational to moving forward in our part of the world and globally. Our shared sense of service that came through loud and clear in our Mission Gatherings of 2016 gives us some of the connections we need to start living into the wholeness God so ardently wishes for us. Our deep hope in God s healing presence leads us to action. Mission First! Disciples are on the move toward new ways of being God s hands and feet in the world through our work on Mission First! The Mission Council met late last year to identify common themes arising from the mission gatherings. We found many Disciples are hearing a call to mission with and for children, youth and young adults through efforts at inclusion, speaking up for the vulnerable and addressing racism. The Council affirmed welcome and accompaniment as hallmarks of our participation in God s mission. At some of the gatherings in the Mid America, for example people found others who share their Missional passions and formed connections to work together immediately. The Administrative Committee is preparing a proposal on how we might implement what we learned from the governance portion of the Mission First! pilot effort. Pro-Reconciliation As called for in General Assembly resolution 1328, the Racist Language Audit Task Force presented their report in General ministries, regions and the General Board, have already started to address the issues surfaced. Governing documents are being translated, sometimes for the first time, into French, Spanish and Korean. The National Convocation, at the 2016 Biennial Session, committed to renewed support for Reconciliation Ministry and calls upon the rest of the church to do the same. New starts In 2017, we look forward to new beginnings with our next General Minister and President to be elected in July at the General Assembly, along with our new moderator team. We anticipate gathering once again at the Lord s Table to be united as ONE, celebrating Jesus prayer on our behalf that the world may believe. Called to Live in Hope After nearly 12 years, serving as your general minister and president, I still believe we are a church whose time has come. We are a gifted people, called for such a time as this. Refining our missional focus across the life of the Church, renewing our commitment to racial justice, catching the Spirit in new ways to further our part in God s work of healing and wholeness we enter 2017 ready to be and to share the good news of Jesus Christ, witnessing, loving, and serving, from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth. With hope in Christ undimmed, I greet you in this New Year. May we all resolve to live right now in the assurance of things hoped for! (Hebrews 11:1) Rev. Dr. Sharon E. Watkins General Minister and President

3 al PeRsonality PRofiles Rev. Mary Ann Carr Briner Christian Church Rev. Mary Ann Carr accepted her call into the ministry in February, 1997 and was licensed top preach the gospel of Jesus Christ at Union Missionary Baptist Church, Wilmington, NC under the leadership of Pastor James H. Nixon. Her former affiliation is with the Straight Life Tabernacle Church in Atlanta, GA. Mary Ann worked for St. Joseph s Hospital of Atlanta, GA, where she received state certification in health care cost reimbursement. Upon her return to SC she reconnected herself to the Briner Christian Church under the leadership of Gralin Nix Hampton. She enrolled and completed the requirement of the Commission on Ministry of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ in South Carolina to become a Disciples of Christ Minister and on February 17, 2013, she was ordained a Disciples of Christ Minister. Carr considers herself to be a spirit- filled and highly motivated individual with excellent ministerial and administrative skills. She enjoys sharing the Word with others. She considers her greatest accomplishment to be the day that she received Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. Mary Ann was installed on Sunday, December 11, 2016 as the pastor of Briner Christian Church making history in becoming the first female pastor of this congregation. She is the mother of one son, Jeffrey Car, Jr. One of her favorite scriptures is: Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will direct thy paths. Caroline Hale First Christian Church, Aiken I grew up in Arlington County, Virginia, the only child of a Baptist father and a Lutheran mother. My closest friend and I decided that we, at ages 11 and 12, would start attending a local church, which was in walking distance of our homes. Following a pastor s class, we both joined Wilson Boulevard Christian Church (DOC). It was a very momentous event for me which has served as an anchor for my life. I became a Registered Nurse after attending Alexandria Hospital School of Nursing in Alexandria, VA. I received a BS in Nursing from Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH. I have worked in several part-time nursing positions while assisting my self-employed husband, full time. My husband, Fred, and I have two sons. We retired to Aiken, Christmas Eve, 2004, having moved from Vienna, VA. While in Vienna, we were active at Fairfax Christian Church, serving as deacons, property caretakers and members of various committees. I also served as a trustee at Bethany House, Rockville, MD., which is a facility operating under the Christian Church Facilities for the Aging, Inc. Bethany House offers 250 apartment rentals for independent living for qualified seniors with limited incomes. It began operation in It was quite an honor for me and an excellent opportunity to meet and work with some outstanding people from other Disciples churches within the Capital Area. Once in Aiken, we began attending First Christian Church where we both were deacons, helped with property and I have held the office of financial secretary. I volunteered to become the church secretary in My primary goal as church secretary is to facilitate communication within the congregation and to assist others as needed. We have some wonderful congregants who I am very pleased to serve.

4 News from Around the : District Fellowship #1: Quar ter ly meeting will be held Friday, January 27th, 2017 Rice Patch Christian, Islandton SC. District Union #1: Quar ter ly Union will be held Saturday & Sunday, January 28th 29th, :00 am daily hosted by Pastor Edward Cushingberry Jr. and the Congregation at New Hope Christian Church District Union # 2: Quar ter ly Union will be held on Thursday January 26th 28th 2017, beginning Thursday with the Youth Program, Friday Disciples Women and Men Fellowship Ministry and Saturday with workshops, and business session. Hosted by Pastor Shaunette Lloyd and the Congregation of Zion Pilgrim CC, 2017 Disciples Women Ministry Calendar: February 11: President Meeting March 18: spring Workshop June 2 &3 Leadership Conference September 28: Pre Conference Event October 20 & 21: Fall Retreat (weather permit)/ alternative Date: November 18, COMMISSIOM ON MINISTRY SCHEDULE: February 25: Commission on Ministry Open 9:00 am -11: 00 am March 25: Commission on Ministry Sessions April 22: Commission on Ministry Sessions May 27: Commission on Ministry Session June 24: Commission on Ministry Sessions July 22: Commission on Ministry Sessions August 26: Commission on Ministry Session September 23: Commission on Ministry Sessions October 28: Commission on Ministry Sessions/Makeup al Council and Board Notice: al Church Office: - Christian Church in SC The next scheduled meeting of the al Council the executive leadership, And the al Board (the congregational delegates and ministry chairpersons) will be Saturday, February 4, :00 AM at Please plan to attend or have your appropriate representative present. Camp Christian B-B-Q :Preparations for this event will began on Saturday February 18th & 23st with cleaning of the Camp ground and inside the building and Friday the 24th We will be getting food items ready for Saturday February 25, 2017 from 4:00-6:00 Camp Christian tickets are $8.00 for Chicken or Pork plate. The committees are also asking all churches for a startup donation of $ and if you can t do that amount please send what you can. And we are asking the disciples women to donate homemade desserts. Black Ministers Retreat Update: The Black Minister Retreat location has changed please take note of the information on the save the date card. Director for Black Ministers Retreat 2017REGIONAL MEETING DATE & LOCATIONS: Feb. 4 : Cypress Creek, Walterboro May 13: First Christian Church, Aiken Aug. 13: First Christian Church, Charleston Sep.28-Oct 1: al Conference, First CC, Charleston Nov. 4 : Faithful Christian Church, Burton 2017 NEWSLETTER DUE DATES Newsletter Due Date March-April March 13 May-June May 15 July-August July 10 September-October September 11 November-December November 12 is in transition stage with new leadership. Many of you know him Rev. Dr. William Bill Lee, Roanoke VA. will serve as Black Ministers Retreat Director. However please note the following Information: Regular Registration: $ (Early Bird Rate of through Feb. 15, 2017) On-site registration will be available at the event for $225 or $175 for seminarians and retirees beginning on Monday evening (March 7th), 6-8pm, at Centennial Christian Church. HOTEL INFORMATION IS FORTH COMING:

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6 CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) IN SOUTH CAROLINA 2017 CALENDAR OF EVENTS Theme for 2017: Praise God and Do Good to Others! Hebrews 13:15-16 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. KJV Let s take our place outside with Jesus, no longer pouring out the sacrificial blood of animals but pouring out sacrificial praises from our lips to God in Jesus name. Make sure you don t take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship a different kind of sacrifice that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets. MSG January 1: New Year s Day January 6 February 28: Epiphany January 11: Human Trafficking Awareness Day January 13-14: S C Instate Clergy Sands club Myrtle Beach January 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day January 18-25: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity January 29- February4: Week of the Laity January 28-29: District Fellowships 5th Sunday February 5: Boy Scout Sunday February 1-28: African-American History Month February 4: al Cypress Creek, Walterboro February 5-12: Young Adult Week February 8: Race Relations Sunday February19: Week of Compassion Special Offering February 20: President Day February 26: Week of Compassion Special Offering February 25: Commission on Ministry Open 9:00 am -11: 00 am February 25: Camp Christian Barbeque March 1: Ash Wednesday March 3: World Day of Prayer March 7-9: Black Minister St. Louis, Missouri March 11: Convention Fellowship March 12: Daylight Saving Time Begins (Clocks Spring Forward) March 12: Girl Scout Sunday March 18: Disciples Women Spring Fellowship@ March 25: Commission on Ministry Sessions April 9: Palm Sunday April 9: Minister's Wives and Husbands Fellowship New Galilee Christian Church April 13: Maundy Thursday April 14: Good Friday April 16: Easter Sunday April 22: Earth Day April 22: Commission on Ministry Sessions April 23: Old Antioch Day Celebration April 29-30: District Fellowships 5th Sunday May 5: Friendship Day May 13: al Leadership/Board FCC Aiken May 7-14: Christian Family Week May 14: Mother s Day May 28: Pentecost Special Day Offering May 27: Commission on Ministry Session May 29: Memorial Day Observed June 4: Pentecost Special Day Offering June 2-3: Leadership Homewood Suites by 5048 International Blvd, North Charleston, June 14: Flag Day June 18: Father s Day& Juneteenth Celebration June 24: Commission on Ministry Sessions July 4: Independence Day July 8-12: General Assembly, Indianapolis Indiana July 29-30: District Fellowships 5th Sunday August 12: al Leadership/Board FCC, Charleston August 26: Commission on Ministry Session September 4: Labor Day September 10: Grandparents Day September 24: Reconciliation Special Mission Offering September 23: Commission on Ministry Sessions September 28- October 1: 14 th SC al FCC Charleston October 1: Reconciliation Special Mission Offering October 1: World Communion Sunday October 20&21: Disciples Women Fall TBA October 28: Commission on Ministry Sessions October 28-29: District Fellowships 5th Sunday November 4: al Leadership/Board Faithful CC, Burton November 4: Daylight Saving Time Ends (Clocks Fall Back to Standard Time) November 5: Thanksgiving Special Day Offering November 12: Thanksgiving Special Day Offering November 23: Thanksgiving Day December 3-24: Advent to Christmas December 10: Christmas Special Day Offering December 17: Christmas Special Day Offering December 25: Christmas Day December 26-Jan 1: Kwanzaa December 31: New Years Eve

7 The Christian Church in South Carolina (Disciples of Christ) Pray and be thankful constantly to Almighty God... for a strong and faithful church... for compassionate, excellent, submitted and visionary leadership in 2017! On Sunday...pray in Jesus authority for January 1: Our Gener al Minister and Pr esident Sharon Watkins, our al Minister & Pastor Sotello V. Long January 8: St. Stephen, St. Stephen, our Church Consultant Dee Long & Church Leaders in the US and Around the World January 15: Antioch, Varnville; Alabama/NW Florida / Government Leaders in the US and Around the World January 22: Lay Men, Women, Youth and Children s Ministries January29: Greater Cherry Grove, Brunson & Florida February 5: Cypress Creek, Walterboro; District Fellowships and Arizona February 12: Three Mile Creek, Ehrhardt; North Carolina and Week of Compassion Ministry February 19: First Christian, Aiken & Global Ministry February 26: Magdalene, Allendale; Office of the General Minister & President and Indiana March 5: Ashton Branch, Ashton; & New Church Ministry March 12: Holly Hill, Alvin; Disciples of Christ Historical Society and Pacific Southwest March 19: New Hope, Burton & Christmount Christian Assembly March 26: New Beginning Outreach Ministries, Walterboro April 2: St. Phillip, Reevesville & National Benevolent Association April 9: Rice Patch, Islandton; Communication Ministries and Mid-America April 16: First Christian, Charleston & Kansas April 23: Agape, Columbia & Pension Fund April 30: Varnville, Varnville; Camp & Conference May 7: Path of Life, Columbia, All Mothers and Northern California-Nevada May 14: First Christian, Columbia; & Montana May 21: Andrews, Andrews and Michigan May 28: First Christian, Belvedere & Disciples Affiliated Higher Education Institutions: Colleges, Universities & Seminaries June 4: Macedonia #1, Ehrhardt & Canada June 11: First Christian, Jackson June 18: United Love, Fairfax & Illinois-Wisconsin & All Fathers June 25: New Galilee, Holly Hill & Central Rocky Mountain On Sunday...pray in Jesus authority for July 2: Poplar Hill, Cross; Great River July 9: Zion Pilgrim, Ridgeville; National Convocation and Northwest July 16: Faithful, Burton, General Board; General Assembly and Georgia July 23: Briner, Holly Hill and Upper Midwest July 30: Central, Beaufort & World Convention August 6: Hispanic Ministries & North American Pacific Asian Disciples August 13: My Father s House Ministry, Moncks Corner and Ohio August 20: Luray, Luray and Greater Kansas City August 27: Canaan, Moncks Corner & Oklahoma September 3: First Christian, Greenville and Oregon and Southwest Idaho September 10: Liberty Hill, Ridgeville and Pennsylvania September 17: S C al Conference; Disciples Home Missions and Tennessee September 24: Reconciliation Ministry & Kentucky October 1: Rhett Avenue, North Charleston & Center for Faith and Giving October 8: All Clergy & Southwest October 15: Old Antioch & Hope Par tner ship for Missional Transformation October 22: Virginia & Christian Board of Publication October 29: Rock Hill, Sycamore and Northeastern November 5: Capital Area & West Virginia November 12: Sun Coast, Myrtle Beach & Council on Christian Unity November 19: Higher Education and Leadership Ministries and Nebraska November 26: Christian Church Foundation & Disciples Church Extension Fund December 3: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in US & Canada & especially the South Carolina December10: Blessings to Pastors & All Care Givers December 17: Blessings to all Parents, Guardians, Children and Families December 24: Blessed Christmas Joy and Peace to the World Thank God for Jesus! December 31: A Blessed & Fruitful New Year!

8 NOTE! NOTE! NOTE! For the March April Newsletter The due date for articles is March 13, 2017 Please submit any articles, church activities, church Anniversaries, etc. to the al Church Office at: We rejoice in sharing the news of God at work from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth and from the ends of the earth to our doorsteps. The South Carolina Christian P O Box Charleston, SC