2018 South Carolina Annual Conference

Officiating bishop: Bishop L. Jonathan Holston, resident bishop, South Carolina Annual Conference Speakers: 

Resident Bishop L. Jonathan Holston opened the 2018 South Carolina Annual Conference with a rousing sermon calling on clergy and lay delegates to remember – against a backdrop of doubt from within and without – why the church was built.

"I say to those inside the church who might have given up on your church – maybe looking to find some kind of gracious exit? – and to those on the outside who have already written the church's obituary: Jesus still draws.

"God says all you've got to do is show up. Show up with grace, show up with love of God – just show up. There is nothing that will separate us from the love of God. Nothing will separate you … neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow … neither our addictions nor our narcissism, neither our appointments nor disappointments, neither schism nor rumors of schism.

"So, tonight we commemorate. Tonight we celebrate. Tonight we lift up holy hands to the one who tells us that the church was built for God's purpose – oh, yes it was – for God's purpose, for God's hope." Click here to watch a video of Bishop Holston's sermon.

The Right Rev. Mildred "Bonnie" Hines, bishop of the South Atlantic Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, made history June 4, as the first bishop of another Pan-Methodist denomination to assist in an ordination service in the South Carolina United Methodist Conference. Bishop Hines delivered a soaring sermon centered on Jeremiah 1:4-9 – "From God's Lips to Yours" – during the Service of Ordination of Elders, Commissioning of Provisional Members and Recognition of Orders.

"God says to Jeremiah, 'Don't be afraid of their faces,'" Bishop Hines told the ordinands. How frequently we allow expressions to keep us from saying what God really wants us to say. Just let someone look at us the wrong way, and what we were going to say, we don't say it out of fear – because of their faces. "

"Why? God says, 'I am with you. I am with you to deliver you from the ugly looks. There is not an ugly look that can overpower God. There is not an ugly look that has more power than our living God. There is not an ugly look that can do more than God can do."

Bishop Holston also welcomed other officials of the AME Zion Church, as well as representatives from the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. "As we celebrate 50 years of The United Methodist Church, we remember we were once separated on issues surrounding race," Bishop Holston said. "How wonderful to come together tonight and share in worship together as one body in Christ." Click here to watch a video of Bishop Hines' sermon.

The Rev. Herbert Robinson Marbury, associate professor of Hebrew Bible at Vanderbilt University, led the daily Bible Study for delegates. Rev. Marbury spoke on "A More Excellent Way In Our Love," drawing on Matthew 18:17, and Matthew 19:13-15.

"In 2019, our church will face a major question, maybe even be a crisis," Rev. Marbury said. "But it ought not be a crisis of love. We ought never disagree about love. Right now, look to the person on your left and say, 'Neighbor, the world may say you are the wrong person to love.' Now turn to the person on your right and say, 'But Jesus says that loving the wrong people is the right thing to do.'" Click here to watch videos of Rev. Marbury's lessons: June 4 | June 5 | June 6

The Rev. Mike Alexander, senior minister of Belin Memorial United Methodist Church in Murrells Inlet, delivered the sermon at the Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving. Rev. Alexander spoke directly to the family of those in the South Carolina United Methodist Connection who have lost loved ones in ministry over the past year. His message was inspired by the story of Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, in the 11th chapter of John's Gospel, in which Jesus promises life to all of those who believe in him, even after they die.

"I know some of you don't want to be here today," Rev. Alexander said. "You would prefer to be in some moment in the past; to have one more conversation; to say, 'I love you,' one more time. Maybe you need to say thanks, or maybe you need to say, 'I'm sorry.' Maybe you just need to share one more laugh, one more tear, one more sunset.

"Jesus holds your loved one at this moment. All really is well. At this moment, your loved one lives with Jesus, and Jesus lives with your loved one. Jesus does come to you. You don't have to lose your zest for life. You don't have to give up and throw in the towel. You just have to keep saying over and over during the difficult times, 'Give me Jesus, because Jesus is the resurrection and the life." Rev. Alexander closed his sermon by recalling the words of his "favorite philosopher," Dr. Seuss: "Don't cry because it ends. Smile because it happened." Click here to watch a video of Rev. Alexander's sermon.  

Delegates voted June 6 to support three resolutions:

• Resolution in Support of Just and Inclusive Policy for Lay Volunteers and Lay Staff in Local Church Ministry
• Resolution to Ensure that Every Child in State Care Receives the Best Possible Care
• Resolution Designating Old Bethel United Methodist Church, Charleston, a United Methodist Historic Site

 Number of people ordained: 16.

Number of people commissioned as provisional elders: 13.

Number of people received into associate membership: 0.

Did your conference elect new delegates for the special 2019 General Conference? No.

Number of people retired: 37.

Membership: 222,813 in 2017, down 3,457 from 2016; 1 percent change. 

Worship attendance: 83,143 in 2017, up 187 from 2016; 0.001 percent change. 

Church school attendance: 32,855 in 2017, up 734 from 2016; 2 percent change. 

Professions or reaffirmations of faith: 2,478 in 2017, down 201 from 2016; 8 percent change.

Adults and young adults in small groups: 86,017 in 2017, down 240 from 2016; 0.003 percent change.

Worshippers engaged in mission: 41,264 in 2017, up 1,288 from 2016; 3 percent change.

 2018 Mission Initiative "Improving Global Health" was the focus of the Mission Initiative of the 2018 South Carolina Annual Conference. That effort took a two-pronged approach that culminated on June 5.

Delegates and other volunteers from across the state came together to package about 10,000 UMCOR Health Kits to be shared with those in need around the world.

It took 584 South Carolina United Methodists, about 90 minutes – and one hula hoop to beat the Guinness World Record of 572.

Delegates joined youth volunteers in a line that snaked back and forth nine times across a huge exhibit hall at the TD Convention Center. Their objective: To hold hands nonstop while each person in the line slipped through a hula hoop – and (unofficially) beat the Guinness World Record of 572. Bishop L. Jonathan Holston and his wife, Felecia Holston, helped get the hula hoop moving near the front of the line, after which the hoop worked its way around and through members of the Bishop's Cabinet, pastors, lay leaders and what appeared to be kids as young as 4 and as old as, well, let's say they'd seen their share of annual conferences over the years. Throughout the effort, participants danced, sang hymns and got to know the people on their right and left a whole lot better. Congregational Specialist Chris Lynch and other organizers diligently followed Guinness World Record rules as they prepared for and carried out the attempt. Lynch also served as something of a lead cheerleader, encouraging and coaching participants, reminding them of the rules. Other volunteers also worked the line, helping keep spirits high and hands clasped.

In the end, a raucous cheer went up as the hula hoop made its way over the head of one of the youngest participants at the end of the line of 584 exhausted but ecstatic volunteers. Participants made their way out of the hall certainly relieved, but in high spirits – laughing, smiling and, yes, shaking the hands of new friends they had just spent quite a long time holding. Later that evening, delegates and others attending a worship service contributed more than $7,800 to an offering for the UMC's Abundant Health Initiative. Click here to watch a video wrapping up the 2018 Mission Initiative.

--Dan O'Mara, communications coordinator South Carolina Annual Conference