Partnership
 

The South Carolina Christian Action Council is a partnership.  

The member bodies of the Council serve as partners to one another living out the Unity given to all Christians through our One Faith, One Lord, and One Baptism.  

The Council's member bodies represent 16 denominations: African Methodist Episcopal Church, Alliance of Baptists, Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Church of the Nazarene, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Reformed Episcopal Church, Religious Society of Friends, Roman Catholic Church, The Salvation Army, United Methodist Church, and United Church of Christ.  

Congregations serve in this partnership by providing volunteers for work groups and expertise on a variety issues. Congregations also provide additional financial support for the Council's work.  

Individuals join in the partnership by their sacrificial service and leadership. Individuals contribute prayer support, volunteer hours, and additional financial resources.  

Religious organizations such as Auxiliaries, Bible study classes, and women's groups join in this grand partnership by volunteering, praying, and giving additional resources.  

The wonderfully diverse and gifted partnership that is the Council, works in partnership for the common good.  

To maximize it's effectiveness, the Council works with organizations in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors on those issues that arise when the "daily news" meets the "Good News."  

As July is a more quiet time for the Council, this e-newsletter is dedicated to furthering the mission of many of its partners in the mission of serving the common good.  

This eve of Independence Day 2007, let us hear the truth in this quote: "There is nothing wrong with America that what is right with America can't fix." (William J. Clinton)

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Community Action Forum on Homelessness
The Columbia Interfaith Homeless Coalition invites you to join them Tuesday, July 17, 2007, 10 PM - 1:30 PM, at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3200 Trenholm Rd., Columbia, SC.  

Keynote speaker: The Rev. Michael Elliot, President and CEO of Union Mission, Savannah, GA  

For more information contact: Samuel Tenebaum

Call to Help Newly Arriving Refugees!

By the end of this year, over 100 persons living in refugee camps in Asia and Africa will be given clearance to come to South Carolina in order to start rebuilding their lives free from fear of persecution.  

These individuals who have already left so much will leave friends and family behind.  

In our effort to address their basic needs of housing, food, and language support, Lutheran Family Services in the Carolinas (LFS Carolinas) asks area congregations to again work together for the resettlement of these who will soon be our neighbors.  

Needs include: congregation co-sponsorship, employment opportunities, furniture, household items, transportation, volunteers as language partners, friendly visitors, etc.  

Contact: Bedrija Jazic, Area Manager for Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services: (803) 750-9917, ext. 137 or bedrija.jazic@lfscarolinas.org.

'Grace Matters'

Lutheran Radio Program Debuts in Columbia  

Sundays, 8-8:30 AM, WISW, 1230 AM  

"...a compelling and informative ministry, well-produced and polished" -- T.J. McKay, WISW program director  

Contact: Cristy Fossum or (803) 447-1072

Home Works of America

Volunteers Repair What Owners Can't 

Youth and Adults of all faiths and races working side-by-side to make better that which is broken down.  

For applications for homeowner assistance and information on volunteering, contact: Jennifer Stalford or (803) 781-4536. Check them out on the web: www.HomeWorksOfAmerica.org.

Congregations and ministries in South Carolina are coming together to provide a copy of Rick Warren's best-selling book, The Purpose Driven Life, to every prisoner in our state's correctional system.  

Purchasing the books is only the beginning, with books in hand, Changing the Way and Prison Fellowship volunteers will lead Bible studies based on the book.  

To join this effort, contact Greg Barr, St. Andrews Baptist Church, Columbia. Telephone number is (803) 798-7325.    

August 25, 2007

SC Health Ministry & Faith Community Nurses Conference: Celebrating a Decade of Progress, Passion, and Praise  

10 AM - 3 PM

Northeast Presbyterian Church, 601 Polo Rd., Columbia, SC

For nurses, clergy, congregational health promoters, health professionals, health agencies, and all interested in health ministry and Faith Community Nursing. 

For more information contact Joyce Winkler or (803) 898-7655

August 30, 2007

Statewide Hispanic/Latino Issues Conference, SC Commission for Minority Affairs, Raddison Hotel & Conference Center, Columbia, SC

Session topics include: health, education, immigration, public safety, employment, and more. Invited speakers include Janet Murguia, president, National Council of La Raza; Jane Delgado, National Alliance for Hispanic Health; and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham.

For more information contact: Lisa Lopez-Snyder

The mission of the South Carolina Christian Action Council is: to promote and facilitate dialogue among diverse Christian traditions on matters of belief and practice; and to work in partnership to: advocate for social justice, promote peace-making, and foster racial and cultural healing and reconciliation.

Partnerships are a vital avenue for fulfilling this mission.

The Reverend Ms Brenda Lynn Kneece

Executive Minister
SC Christian Action Council