Hand-in-Hand in the Rock Hill District

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1 October 2015 South Carolina United Methodist Conference Rev. Joe N. Long, Jr., District Superintendent Lollie Haselden, District Secretary 139 Elizabeth Lane, Rock Hill, SC fax Inside this issue: Important Dates and Local District News Conference Announcements Asbury Hills/ LJA Flyers 19 Grandfather Mountain is one of the most popular tourist spots in America. Boasting scenic views and interpretive history of the geography and wildlife of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this drive-through national treasure features a mile-high swinging bridge. Located in the high country of North Carolina, the park receives millions of visitors annually, whom the staff treat as guests. A good visit will be an investment of two to six hours, depending on how long you enjoy the wildlife areas and explore the multitude of hiking trails. The entry fee pays some salaries, and I (Jim) suppose someone is making a profit somewhere, but the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation (which owns and operates the experience and which provides an excellent self-guided interpretive tour CD to play as you drive along) has a purpose and mission: to educate the public and preserve the natural wonder of the area. Here s the teachable moment for the church. As you descend down the mountain, right at the exit is a big sign reading: WE HOPE YOU WILL TELL YOUR FRIENDS YOU ENJOYED GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN The good folks who run this mountain adventure have discovered the power of recommendation! And the church can do the same. Jim Ozier and Fiona Haworth Clip In: Risking Hospitality in Your Church There is power in a personal recommendation. Have you ever tried a certain restaurant because of someone s positive comment? Plenty of people who are not members of your church can be great advocates. Helped by a ministry you provided, touched by a service of worship, or impressed with a member s witness, persons can broadcast the word of what God is doing through your congregation. Encourage folks to recommend your ministry. By doing so their connection to the church is strengthened. Members may find recommending easier than inviting. Although personal invitation is the best way to grow, your congregation can reach many by recommendation. Have you experienced God s blessing through your church? Then tell others how you enjoyed United Methodist Church. Joe District Website rockhill.umcsc.org

2 October 2015 Page 2 Important Dates and Local District News October 1 York/Clover Cluster Campfire Chat King s Mountain Chapel, 6pm October 15 Chester Cluster Campfire Chat Pleasant Grove UMC, 6pm October 18 Creating New Places for New People Conference Woodland UMC, 3-6pm (see more at October 22 Rock Hill/Fort Mill Cluster Campfire Chat India Hook, 6pm November 8 District Youth Rally India Hook, 5-8pm November 12 SC Conference Clergy Orders Gathering Lexington UMC Bishop s BBQ Bash (Pastors & Key Leaders) November 21, 2015 St. John s UMC, Rock Hill Reaching New People February 26-27, 2016 Shandon UMC, Columbia Pathways to Mission is a good resource for encouraging giving through the United Methodist Church. It is available at the conference webpage, and copies are being distributed to local churches. Check it out. It can help you understand how your gifts are making a difference. We have now completed ¾ of the calendar year. The Rock Hill District churches have submitted 58.65% of our 2015 apportionments. Eight congregations have given 100% already. Twenty-two have submitted 75% or more. Let s all do our part. The Rock Hill District celebrates Lee Thornton for serving faithfully as Co-Director of Lay Servant Ministries from We appreciate all that he has done, and we wish him well in his retirement.

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5 October 2015 Page 5 Good Shepherd Fall Festival Corner of University & Hubbard Dr. Lancaster, SC October 31, :00 pm -4:30 pm Fortune Telling Face Painting Games Popcorn Cotton Candy Hot Dogs Drinks Bake Sale Donations accepted The Youth of Friendship UMC are sponsoring a Hot dog supper and Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 31 st. The Hot Dog supper will be from 5:00 6:00 pm (Donations will be accepted) and will be followed by Trunk or Treating from 6:00 7:00 PM. Everyone is invited to come and decorate their car, truck or van and provide treats, (Candy or small prizes, pencils, etc.) for the children in the neighborhood. Friendship is located at 1200 Neely Store Road, RHSC Telephone Number is You may contact the church or Joyce for further details.

6 October 2015 Page 6 Singing on the Porch Oct. 10 Philadelphia UMC 2260 Chester Hwy, York 2pm until with the Bullock Creek Cowboy Church Band (Bluegrass) & New Home AME Zion Gospel Choir & Impact Church Worship Leader Enjoy an afternoon of music. Bring a lawn chair. Bazaar Nov 14 at Philadelphia UMC 2260 Chester Hwy, York Breakfast will be available for purchase. Bethel Men s Warming Shelter 1232 Curtis St, Rock Hill We are actively seeking committee members for the shelter. If anyone is passionate and wants to get involved, bethelrockhill@gmail.com. October 29 - Volunteer Interest Meeting at 7pm *Learn about issues of homelessness and about all the agencies in York County November 15 - Shelter Opens Local Fall Happenings! Lynnwood UMC, 1753 Lynnwood Dr., Lancaster Fall Bazaar/soup sale/yard Sale on Nov 7 in the fellowship Hall. Beginning at 7 am till noon. ~~~ Canaan UMC, 4810 Canaan Church Rd., Smyrna Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat on Saturday, Oct 31st ~~~ Wesley Memorial UMC, 1217 J.A. Cochran Bypass, Chester Fall Harvest Festival on Friday, October 30th, 6pm-8:30pm Pumpkin Carving Contest- (Bring your best pumpkin carving and you could win a prize), fun games, and a FREE hotdog dinner.

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8 October 2015 Page 8 Imagine No Malaria Currently, a child dies every sixty seconds from malaria. 90% of the cases are children under 5, mostly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Imagine No Malaria is a comprehensive approach to eliminating malaria by focusing on prevention and treatment--distributing bed nets, increasing communication (via radio), building/maintaining health facilities, and educating the community through a trained group of local community health workers. This is a real and tangible way that the UMC is being the hands and feet of Jesus in our world. The SC Conference goal is to raise $1 million by June Text MALARIA SC to to donate $10 now. Churches or individuals can also send checks to the conference treasurer, made payable to UMCSC, with INM on the memo line. Mail checks to 4908 Colonial Dr, Columbia, SC

9 October 2015 Page 9 Join ERT and help people recover from disaster. Training is Oct. 10 from 9am-5pm Sharon UMC 3001 Shannon St. Sharon, SC $35 (Lunch Provided) Osceola United Methodist Church Annual Fall Festival, Saturday October 10 th, 3-7pm. We are located at 6575 Charlotte Hwy (Hwy 521) Lancaster, SC (Just south of Indian Land). The Hinson Girls will be performing, and we will have lots of fun games for all ages. Food will be available. For more information, Robin Hucks at rohu@comporium.net.

10 October 2015 Page 10 Conference Connectional Ministries will have available copies of the classic, spiral-bound, vertical version of the 2016 Program Calendars from the United Methodist Communications with South Carolina dates. Calendars are available to churches and individuals on a first come, first serve basis. CALENDARS WILL BE MAILED OUT IN NOVEMBER. Each local church pastor, the bishop, and district superintendents will receive one copy of the calendar at no charge upon request. (Retired pastors are not automatically sent one; they must be requested.) Order your calendar here 2016 MEN N MINISTRY WEEKEND SET Feb 19, 20 & 21, 2016 Christ UMC Myrtle Beach, SC Bishop s Challenge is to have 1,500 in attendance.

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16 October 2015 Page 16 Greetings, A number of years ago, each congregation in the SC Conference of the United Methodist Church was required to create and adopt a Safe Sanctuary Policy in order to create an environment designed to do all in our power to protect the innocence of children, youth, and vulnerable adults. One suggested policy that each church was encouraged to include as a part of the local church policy was periodic, hands on training for those persons in the congregation that volunteered or were on staff in positions that dealt with children, youth, and vulnerable adults. Many churches have faithfully continued to offer that training on a regular basis, but in order to be sure that the resources are in place for local churches to offer a training regularly, the SC Conference will be offering several Safe Sanctuary Train the Trainer events this fall (see schedule below). I am hoping to identify 4-8 persons in our district that would be willing and able to attend one of the trainings this fall and then be a part of the Safe Sanctuary training team in the Rock Hill District. Once you are a part of the team for our district, as churches contact the district or conference requesting leadership for a local church safe sanctuary training you may be contacted to lead such trainings. If you or someone you know is interested in being a vital part of such a team, or has more questions, contact me via or phone (contact info below) to get registered for one of the training events. Chris Lynch Congregational Specialist Rock Hill/Spartanburg Districts Ministries with Young People clynch@umcsc.org (Cell) scmyp.org Training Event Schedule Oct pm Boone Hill UMC, Summerville Nov pm Trinity, Blythewood, Columbia Dec pm Lyman UMC, Lyman

17 October 2015 Page 17 Mark your calendars! The annual Fall Festival at Asbury Hills will be Saturday, October 24 from 10:00am - 5:00pm. We are discussing about how to make this year's festival our best yet, so you definitely don't want to miss out.

18 October 2015 Page 18 Ski and stay at Lake Junaluska - December March 2016! Worship, ski, and fellowship at Ski Lake Junaluska! We offer incredible winter programming, while Cataloochee Ski Area and Wolf Ridge Ski Area provide excellent customer service, thrilling skiing, and convenience for our winter ski retreats. One, two, and three-night packages are available. Pricing depending on lodging nights, program, and days of skiing. SAVE $15 PER PERSON IF YOU BOOK BY OCTOBER 22* *Discount does not apply to ski only, pre/post/mid-week packages or program only registration. SKI PACKAGES INCLUDE: Lodging for number of nights selected, breakfast on your first full day here through breakfast on your day of check out, lift ticket, rental of skis and boots, and lesson and admission to the worship program. Ski only packages are also available. PROGRAM ONLY (no ski) PACKAGES INCLUDE: Lodging for number of nights selected, breakfast on your first full day here through breakfast on your day of check out, and admission to the worship program. LODGING: Groups will be assigned lodging based on availability within economy lodging (the Junaluska Apartments, the Lakeside Lodge, and other facilities as needed.) Upgraded lodging is available at the Lambuth Inn and The Terrace. Upgrade fees apply. See registration form for details.

19 October 2015 Page 19 Register now for SEJ Clergywomen's Consultation SEJ clergywomen are invited to Come To the Well, a clergywomen s consultation set for Oct at Epworth By the Sea. The Clergywomen's Consultation takes place every four years and is a special time of celebration and connection of clergywomen from all over the Southeast. Come and be inspired, encouraged and empowered. The featured speaker will be the Rev. Sarah Heath, an ordained elder in the California- Pacific Annual Conference of the UMC. Visitsejclergywomen.org for more information and to register online.