THE SOUTH CAROLINA CHRISTIAN A Publication of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in South Carolina P O Box 80536, Charleston, South Carolina 29416-2064 1293 Orange Grove Road, Charleston, South Carolina 29407-3947 T: 843-852-4537 FAX: 843-852-4538 Website: scdisciples.org E-mail: roccsc@aol.com Volume 93 Number 2 March April 2015 The season of lent is a time of reflection on our Lord Jesus and his earthly journey towards Calvary and the Cross. Lent began on Ash Wednesday and lasts until the Saturday before Resurrection Sunday. It consists for a period of forty days, excluding Sundays. It is also a time of personal preparation in which we may observe clearly defined periods of fastingor other spiritual disciplines as we center on the greatest sacrifice offered for the sake of humanity and all creation. Our Lord s forerunner commonly known as John, the Baptist, aptly describes the mission of our Lord s first coming incarnated as a human being: John 1:24-31. Now those who were sent were from the Pharisees. And they asked him, saying, Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know. It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. These things were done in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me. I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water (John 1:24-31 NKJV). I am also reminded of the chorus in the song, Now Behold the Lamb, by gospel music artist and producer Kirk Franklin: Now behold the Lamb the Precious Lamb of God born into sin that I may live again the Precious Lamb of God He shocked the Jews of his day by not coming as many had hoped in all of His godly dominion and power. He came wrapped in flesh fully identifying with humanity and all of creation that the He had created as God, the Son. The divine Son of God divested Himself of His deity. He was born into humanity and the Son of man, precious Lamb of God born to live the life that glorified God, Almighty God and born to die as the perfect sacrifice the precious Lamb of God! I m so glad Jesus died and that the glory of God raised Him from the dead!!! God did it! God said yes to the precious Lamb and now we have access to new life in Christ! Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4).
Thank God for what God has done and is doing for humanity and all of creation! Have you said yes to Jesus? It s up to us to make a quality decision about Christ because in the refrain of the hymn, Jesus Paid It All, by Elvina M. Hall: Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow. God s love, Pastor Sotello Long Regarding Retirement After more than 40 years working full time and part time with the Disciples of Christ Church in SC it is time for me to step back. Retirement for those who are so involved in the daily workings of the church is a bittersweet moment. There is a frequent tugging of the heart that occurs whenever you walk by the church that you served. I have served as treasurer for the SC Region, was President of Disciples Women in SC, served on the board of Christmount Christian Assembly for SC for 12 years, was the administrative assistant to the Regional Ministers Arnold Nelson and Sotello Long, served on the committee to combine the administration of the Convention churches and the Assembly churches, served on the Committee of True Community for SC churches and on the committee that investigated bringing churches in SC, NC and GA together and was honored to be named 2002 Disciple of the Year for South Carolina. John Buchanan, Editor/Publisher of The Christian Century, so eloquently wrote about his own retirement and verbalized the same feelings that I am experiencing. There is something about leadership in the church that gets under your skin and into your blood. It captures not only your imagination but also your heart and intellect. It drives you upward and onward while at the same time downward and deep into the center of our soul. It drives you to stand in solidarity with the poor, the lame, the broken, the lost and the forgotten. It is integral to who you are, how you think and what you do. In the painful process of letting go I am learning to let the church continue to be the church, performing a ministry that began before it allowed me to serve and continuing after I leave. When it is all said and done, the church is God s church; God will take care of it; and, God will take care of me. I would like to thank everyone for their support these past years. May God s Blessing be upon you. God s love, Alma Pug Turner
Regional Personality Profiles My name is Janice Walker Rice, born March 7, 1958 to Elizabeth Mole Walker and the late Louis Walker, Sr. I am married to Marvin Rice of Denmark, SC. We, together, have four children and five grandchildren. I am a retired from Savannah River Site in Aiken SC after 32 years of dedicated service. And now I m working for the United States Postal Service in Effingham County, Clyo, Georgia as a mail Carrier. I have three sisters, one brother and one god brother. I am a dedicated member of the Greater Cherry Grove Christian Church. At my church, I wear many hats. Currently I serve as Financial Secretary, and a member of the Trustee board, Program and Pastor s Aide Committees. I also have begun my leadership training as a Deacon. I love the Lord and is fully committed to serving God and his people! John Payne Crawford, born 2-7-35 in Pineville, SC, 10 miles west of St. Stephen, has lived his lifetime in the St. Stephen area except for college and military service, has also been a lifetime member of the St. Stephen Christian Church (DOC). He and his wife, Anne, married 57 years, have three beautiful and successful children and three beautiful, smart and talented grandchildren. John served as deacon at an early adult age, later as church board chairman and later yet as trustee, elder and more recently as secretary/treasurer (15+ years), positions he still holds. He, on rare occasions, though feeling quite inadequate, has conducted services in the absence of the pastor. He also serves unofficially as building and grounds repair person and overseer. One of his and others proudest accomplishments has been the initiation of the church s monthly special offering for the Ministerial Fund in about 2006 which has provided thousands of dollars for local, regional and global contributions to those who have been impacted by fire, illness, death or other financial situations such as the Red Cross (Haiti, Katrina, India storms), Water Missions International and, locally, the Sumpter Chapel Free Health Clinic and the St. Stephen Sunset Memorial Cemetery.
News from Around the Region: District 1Fellowship News: District # 1: Quarterly meeting will be held April 24,7:00pm District Union # 1: Quartley Union will be held beginning @ 10:00 am daily hosted by Pastor Susie Cobb and the congregation @ Agape Christian Church 627 Dixie Avenue, Columbia, SC 29203 District Union# 2: Quarterly union will be held March 26-28, 2015 beginning on Thursday with Youth Ministry, Friday will Disciples Women and Men Fellowship Ministry @ 7:00pm and Saturday beginning @ 9:00am With workshops, and Business Session. hosted by Interim Pastor Melvin Brown and the Congregation @ Briner Christian Church 9717 Old State Rd (Hwy 176) Holly Hill SC. Disciples Women Ministry News: Dear Disciples Women s Ministries leaders and friends past and present ~ We celebrate the legacy of the rich memories, ministry and mission of the Quadrennial Assembly experience. After an additional time of prayerful discernment the Executive Committee of International Disciples Women's Ministries has determined, with sadness, that the Quadrennial Assembly of 2014 was our last. We grieve this loss. We are Disciples Women; let us reach out to each other in this time. God has shown us what is good and has required of us to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with our God. (Micah 6:8) While we grieve, we move forward in discernment as Disciples Women continues to be a conduit for diverse connections. In the words of one of those wise women in our history, Claudia Grant: "The legacy left by our foremothers is not the structure we celebrate. It is the commitment to the mission that always calls for the transformation and a willingness to risk doing what needs to be done in our times to do the mission." Together we will continue to answer God's call and celebrate our joint ministry to empower each woman to find her voice and live out her call. Peace and Blessings, Executive Committee 2014-2018 Old Antioch Day: Will be held on Sunday April 12,2015 at old Antioch Church Hwy #3 Allendale SC. Beginning @ 4:00-6:00pm With fellowship,food, and Fun! The Barbeque Committee : Wants to thank everyone for there support and especially to all that provided the dessert for sale at the barbeque it was a great success and final report will given at next Regional Meeting. Commission on Ministry: Preparation Sessions for person called into ministry and Lay leaders will begin April 25,2015 @ the Bethany youth Center 2100 Coach Rd. Holly Hill from 9:00am-3:00 PM. Commission on Ministry: will host their Annual in-state Clergy Retreat at First Christian Church and Agape Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Columbia SC May 15-16, 2015. The Retreat theme is PREACHING AS GOD S CHOSEN METHOD, REVEALING SPIRITUAL WISDOM IN PLACES THE WORLD WOULD NOT LOOK! The Scriptural Text is: 1 COR. 1:18-31. Facilitator for the retreat is Rev. Jose Morales please see enclosed retreat registration General Assembly News : Less than one month remains for early discounts! Register by April 1 to save! And go back later to purchase meal tickets and Chose the Learning track you desire to participate in. Easter Offering: The Easter Offering supports the General Ministries of the church. General Ministries serve across the U.S. and Canada and around the world. General Ministries are partners in ministry serving through far-reaching and unique organizations. This offering is receive in most congregation March 29 and April 5, 2015 Discovery Weekend for Women June 5-7, 2015 Speaker: Dr. Penny Zeimer Theme: Whole Selves: Finding What We've Lost and Celebrating What We've Found Discovery Weekend Women s Retreat is a time of spiritual renewal, relaxation, fellowship, worship and recreation. The weekend includes keynotes, discussion, lively music and meaningful worship. The theme will address how we live whole lives in the midst of breaking news and broken times, places, communities, and words. And how can we live our lives whole? So join us!
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in South Carolina Clergy & Mates Retreat * May 15-16-2015 Theme: PREACHING AS GOD S CHOSEN METHOD, REVEALING SPIRITUAL WISDOM IN A PLACES THE WORLD WOULD NOT LOOK! The Scriptural Text is:1 CORINTHIANS 1:18-31 Facilitator: Pastor Minister Jose Morales Director of Pastoral Formation Disciples Seminary Foundation, Claremont, CA Registration for Ministers: $75/Single and $125/Married Couple!!!! The registration fee includes Saturday Luncheon, and resource materials. Name(s): Note - List both names if your husband or wife will also attend. Telephone: Area code and number: Email: No. of persons attending: Address: City: State: Zip Congregation: Note: This event will begin at 1:00 pm with Registration /meet and greet and worship service @ 7:00 pm Friday, May 15,2015 at Agape Christian Church 627 Dixie Avenue, Columbia, SC 29203 and concludes Saturday, May 16,2015 @ First Christian Church, Columbia 2062 N. Beltline Boulevard Columbia, SC 29204 beginning @ 8:00 am with Registration and worship Service. Workshop sessions begin 9:00am. And will conclude @3:00pm Registration Amount $ Due by April 24, 2015 (Registration fees are non-refundable) Paid by: Check/Cash Online via Credit Card Online Confirmation # **Make all checks payable to and mail to: Christian Church in SC or CCSC Mail, phone, or fax registration to: The Christian Church in South Carolina, 1293 Orange Grove Rd. * Charleston * SC * 29407 Phone: 843-852-4537 Email: roccsc@aol.com *Fax: 843-852-4538 Note: You may also pay your registration online at scdisciples.org and click the Make a Contribution" link to pay as a contribution to the SC Designated Operating Fund and mail your registration with your online payment confirmation. Note: you will be responsible for make your lodging arrangements at Granary Hotel Event & Convention Center 1539 Horseshoe Drive, Columbia, SC 29223 P: (803)736-0809 (Note: When calling the hotel, ask for: Christian Church Ministers Retreat Room Rates are $74.00+12) %tax. Last day to get this rate is APRIL 15, 2015
NOTE! NOTE! NOTE! For the May - June Newsletter The due date for articles is May 15, 2015 Please submit any articles, church activities, church Anniversaries, etc. to the Regional Church Office at: roccsc@aol.com 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 80536 Charleston, SC 29416-2064