From across my desk...

We've been given a New Year.  

And true to our on-going mission, your Council during this year will create opportunities for members of the Body of Christ to come together for prayer and worship; for dialogue to understand and celebrate our commonalities and differences; and to build relationships which provide the strength to forge forward together with one heart.  

We've been given a New Year.  

And with it many of last year's the challenges, among them:

- working for ethical and moral immigration reform;
- pursuing equitable public education funding;
- protecting consumers from unfair and predatory lending practices (see accompanying article). 

We've been given a New Year.  

And it is your Council's 75th. Seventy-five years of living its witness of  UNITY within the Body of Christ, of working out its passion for PEACE at home and around the world, and of advocating in congregations and at the State House for the COMMON GOOD.  

We've been given a New Year.  

And your Council will continue to pursue it's vision of South Carolina as a community where people of faith unite to glorify God through worship, social justice, peace, and mercy.  

 ...that's the view today.  

The Reverend Brenda Kneece,

Executive Minister

Call for Regulation of PayDay Lending Industry  

SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center, AARP-SC, SC Fair Share, and your SC Christian Action Council continue to call for the Legislature to protect our more vulnerable consumers from abusive payday lending practices. Our sister states of North Carolina and Georgia addressed the problem of payday lending by banning this industry. Although this is the best solution to ensure the problems stop, short of this there are modifications that should be made to SC's Payday Lending laws that will help consumers.

Why is this a problem in SC?

In the six years that the industry has been reporting data, 21.8 million payday loans were made in SC, paying out approximately $776 million in fees. Knowing that not all South Carolinians use this type of lending, we can assume that many consumers get caught in a web of numerous loans trying to keep themselves afloat. Although $45 does not sound like a huge charge for a loan, if you are paying (or trying to pay) this amount to three or four lenders twice a month, it becomes quite costly.

Ending the constant rewriting of contracts and limiting the total number of loans to any consumer at one time would limit or stop many of the financial problems these types of loans cause.

Legislative Action on Payday Lending.

Both Chambers have bills working their way through committees. There are several bills on this issue in the house, however the bills in the House are stuck in the House L.C.I. Committee. 

The strongest of the House Bills, H.3294, proposes a number of modifications to current law:

1) Limit the interest rate payday lenders can charge customers, by capping the interest rate that can be charged on a PayDay loan to 36% APR and allow a $5 administrative fee (similar to that enacted by Federal Government to protect military personnel and their dependents);

2) Ban Internet payday lending by lenders not licensed in SC, making it an unfair trade practice and the lender's contract unenforceable in SC;

3) Limit the number of payday loans a company can make to a consumer to one at any given time;

4) Ban one-sided mandatory arbitration clauses and allow for penalties when a lender violates the prohibitions of the law. 

-- from SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center, 4/07

To read H. 3294 click here.

Senate Bill 398 (as amended by the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee):

1) Limit the total number of loans a consumer can receive to 25% of her gross income for the term of the loan contract;

2) Mandate a two day cooling off period between the time a loan is paid in full and a new loan can be written;

3) State will contract for a single source, real time, protected database to ensure limits on number of loans;

4) Give the consumer a payment plan option if they cannot pay the loan in full;

5) Ban Internet lending if the lender is not licensed in SC;

6) Increase licensing fee and allocate a portion of the funds to the Attorney General's office for enforcement.

-- from SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center, 4/07

Senate Bill 398 (as amended by Senate Judiciary Committee):

1) Limit the total number of loans a consumer can receive to five in a 12 month period of time;

2) Mandate a seven day cooling off period between the time a loan is paid in full and a new loan can be written;

3) State will contract for a single source, real time, protected database to ensure limits on number of loans; 

4) Give the consumer a payment plan option if they cannot pay the loan in full;

5) Limit the number of loans a consumer can receive at the same time to one;

6) Increase the loan amount to $400 per loan.

-- from SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center, 4/07

To read S. 398 click here.

What YOU CAN do:

1) Learn more about Payday Lending practices in SC;

2) Contact your Representative and Senator and tell them how you want them to vote on Payday Lending bills. Visit in person, if you can. Make a phone call. Write a letter. Add your voice to those calling for stronger regulation and protection for vulnerable consumers.

3) Work within your community of faith to meet the critical financial needs of your neighbors.

To contact your legislators or to find out who they are click here.

Together we can make a difference. Join us and call for 

stronger regulation of this industry.

Introducing the
Yearbook of Prayer

for South Carolina 2008  

More than a decade ago under the leadership of then Executive Minister, Dr. L. Wayne Bryan, the South Carolina Christian Action Council published in successive years books of prayers with a prayer for each Sunday of the year. The following served as the introduction of the 1994 book:

"Jesus prayed that 'they may be one even as we are one' (John 17:22).

"This High Priestly Prayer reveals His dream of believers who care for each other. It reveals as well that caring is to be expressed in prayers of intercession where all those in the community of faith hold each other up before God.

"How very important it is, then, that Christians pray for each other! To that purpose, the SCCAC is glad to provide this Yearbook of Prayer for South Carolina.

"These prayers invite Christians to remember each other in prayer as part of their regular worship experiences, Sunday by Sunday, throughout the year."

With that same invitation, the SCCAC Christian Unity Workgroup has published the Yearbook of Prayer for South Carolina 2008. The prayers will be available monthly in this e-newsletter. Additionally, the prayers will be posted weekly at www.sccouncil.net with a link to an index which allows you to search for the prayer written for a particular Sunday or by theme. You are also able to download and print the entire yearbook.

As stated the Yearbook makes available a prayer focus for each Sunday of the year. Denominational executives and other proponents of Christian Unity have served as writers, compilers, and editors for this yearbook. The prayers focus on special events or requests of denominations; the ministries of the SCCAC; those in public life in our state; those with special needs; and other Christian ministries that serve the common good.  

These prayers may be used in a variety of ways. In worship the prayers could be used during the time for intercessory prayer (the Pastoral Prayer, Prayers of the People, the Great Prayer, etc.).

Permission is given to adapt the prayers as needed for your form of worship; to use the prayers as written, with or without introduction of the author. Prayers may be printed in an order of worship or your church newsletter.

Our prayer is that the full Christian Community and the lives of those in our state with whom we live and work will be enriched by our concert of prayer throughout the year.

 Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be your name,

Your kingdom come,

Your will be done,

On earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

As we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial

And deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

And the glory are yours

Now and for ever. Amen.

Ecumenical Version

English Language Liturgical Consultation 1988

January 6, 2008

Today's prayer for: the Opening of the SC Legislature

Gracious God, we pray for those who are the elected leaders in the South Carolina Senate and House of Representatives.  Guide and strengthen each Senator and Representative as they wrestle with significant issues and exercise their collective wisdom and concern for the citizens of this State.  May each of these officials follow the guiding of your Spirit, seeking the best results possible for all South Carolinians.  In your loving name we pray, O Lord.  Amen.   

(The Reverend Dr. James I. St. John,

Chaplain of the Senate of SC)

January 13, 2008

Today's prayer for: the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston

Administrator: Monsignor Martin Laughlin

Number of Congregations: 92 Parishes and 24 Missions

Gracious God, in the waters of the Jordan, your son was baptized by John and you declared your love for Him. 

May all your sons and daughters made new by the waters of baptism find in Christ their model and source of unity.  We ask this through the same Christ our Lord.  Amen.

(The Reverend C. Alexander McDonald,

Ecumenical Officer, Catholic Diocese of Charleston)

January 20, 2008

Today's prayer for: the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina

Bishop: The Reverend Mark Lawrence to be consecrated Saturday, January 26, 2008

Number of Congregations in SC: 76 

Most Gracious God, we thank you for raising another faithful Shepherd.  Grant that your servant, Mark, called to be the new Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of SC, may so live and teach the Gospel that many are brought to know and cherish the saving Good News of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

(The Reverend Dow Sanderson, 

Ecumenical Officer, the Diocese of SC)

January 27, 2008

Today's prayer for: the Marginalized and Disenfranchised

God of Compassion, help us do what needs to be done to bring people into communities of faith.  Help us to go where the marginalized and the disenfranchised live, to seek them out and to care for their needs, and to invite them into our lives and into Your Life.  For their sake, and for thy sake, we pray.  Amen.

(The Reverend Dr. Marion D. Aldridge, 

Coordinator, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of SC)

Weekend of Prayer for Darfur

January 11-13  

A South Carolina Weekend of Prayer for Darfur will take place

January 11-13 in observation of the ongoing suffering of the people of Darfur who continue to live in unsafe, squalid refugee camps forgotten by the world.  As we return from the Christmas season thinking of new life, hope, and the promise of a new beginning, we remember those who are hoping and praying only for peace, so that they can rebuild their lives, families, livelihoods, and communities.

A number of resources are available for communities wishing to take part in the Weekend of Prayer. We encourage those groups that are not able to take part between January 11th-13th to use the resources at another time. To participate you could hold a service, meeting, or informational event in your church. You may simply focus your pastoral prayer or observe a moment of silence for the people of Sudan. You can display a 'Call to Conscience' banner outside your church to mark your participation.

We can provide you with a Faith Action Packet, along with fact sheets, an educational dvd, banners, and other materials you need to learn more about the Darfur crisis. The packet  includes ideas for prayer, responsive reading, and sermons. These materials can be tailored to meet your specific desires including advocacy action. For more details, to request materials, or a speaker for an event, please contact Jo Read at 803.269.1619 or via e-mail: darfuractionsc@aol.com.  Jo is the Field Organizer for the Darfur Action Group of South Carolina.

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Opportunities to Note:

January 12: 1:30-5:30 PM, Public Forum, Physicians Auditorium College of Charleston, Charleston Congress of Religions. Contact Mr. Howie Comen for more information.

January 17: 5:00 PM, IMPACT 08: Building a Better, Safer World (dinner and foreign policy discussion), Russell House USC. Click here  for more information and to register (free).

January 26: 11 AM, The Very Rev. Mark Lawrence to be consecrated Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina, St. Paul and St. Luke Episcopal Church, Charleston, SC.

January 27: 4 PM, LARCUM Prayer Service, The Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 218 Ashley Ave., Charleston. The Rev. Virginia Ann Taylor, Bishop of the United Methodist Conference of South Carolina, preaching. [LARCUM: Lutheran, Anglican, Roman Catholic, and United Methodist]

Jan. 31-Feb. 2: "Finding the Church's Voice" 2008 SEJ Peace Conference, Lake Junaluska. Keynote speaker: Dr. Peter Storey; other speakers: Bishop James Swanson, Dr. Jan Love, Ms Celeste Zappala. Registration form. For more information click here. 

Listings in this space are done in conjunction with the Council's mission and as space allows.

E-newsletter Editor

South Carolina Christian Action Council