|
As the
only statewide ecumenical agency in South Carolina, SC Christian Action
Council respresents a partnership of 16 denominations and 21 regional judicatories,
including 4,500 congregations.
The
Council serves as a catalyst for:
- Social justice through
public policy advocacy;
- Christian Unity and
inter-religious dialogue through relationships, collaborations and
events;
- Racial and cultural
healing by building bridges of trust and understanding.
|
2005 Solomon-Tenenbaum Lecture
|
|
|
|
The
Department of Religious Studies at the University of South Carolina
presents noted author and lecturer: Thomas Cahill.
Two
free presentations will be given in the Auditorium of the School of Law
at USC.
Nov.
15 8:00 PM: The Gifts of the Jews
Nov.
16 3:00 PM: Jews, Christians and God's Word: A Common Heritage of
Prayer and Action
Immediately
following each presentation you will have an opportunity to sing-up to
participate in self- directing dialogue groups will be formed after the
lectures. This is a unique and timely opportunity for our Jewish and
Christian communities to join in meaningful dialogue.
Join us
for a pre-event discussion of Cahill's book, Desire for the
Everlasting Hills, The World before and after Jesus, on Thursday,
November 10th at 7:30 p.m.
Our
hosts are Weezie McFarland ( 787-2420), Keller and Bill Barron. We will
meet at the Adult Reception Center at Eastminster Presbyterian Church,
Medway and Longleaf Streets, Columbia.
Dr.
Carl Evans, Chair of USC's Department of Religious Studies, will lead the
discussion. All are welcome!
2005
Solomon-Tenenbaum Lecture Series
|
|
Community News and Events
|
|
|
|
 November
3: 6:30 Prayer Vigil, St. Thomas Moore Chapel, USC. The vigil is for
Arthur Wise, who is scheduled to be executed on Friday, November 4th. His
will be the 34th execution in South Carolina since the death penalty was
reinstated in 1976. We will meet for a short prayer vigil, and then
re-convene at the Governor's mansion immediately following for a
candlelight procession.
November
4: 5:00 Peaceful demonstration against the death penalty. We will gather
at the prison (4444 Broad River Road) and at 6:00 we will hold our
prayerful gathering during the execution.
November
16: Mending the Circle. Native American Conference at the
Columbia Conference Center, 169 Laurelhurst Avenue. The conference will
address issues of poverty and deprivation specific to the State’s Native
American population. The conference will begin at 9:00 a.m. and will end
at 5:00 p.m. For more information and to register on-line, click
here.
Have
other South Carolina community news? Let us know at sccac@bellsouth.net.
|
|
Joyfully Caring for those in Need
|
|
|
|
SC
Christian Action Council is a member of The Advance Special Ministries
Network of the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church.
The Mission of the Network is to seek, cultivate, and share a wide range
of United Methodist resources to support and strengthen...ministries.
Advocating
for social justice and racial healing, SCCAC meets needs by working for
change in systems which victimize or put undue strain on the marginalized
in our society.
As with
other organizational members of this Network, the Council's ministries
are challenging and require faithful and sacrifical funding from a
variety of sources.
One
difference is that advocacy is focused on systems rather than on
individuals.
For
example: while others assist families who have fallen victim, we work to
change lending laws to prevent predatory practices which prey on the
vulnerable.
We
build guard-rails at the top of the cliff while others tend those who
have fallen off. Each ministry is important.
SCCAC
staff and representatives are available to speak/teach/preach for men's
and women's groups, Bible study classes, and congregations.
We want
to share ways that individuals, small groups, and congregations can
partner with us in working for the common good. Please contact us to
schedule a time to be with you.
|
|
End-of-Year Challenge Announced!
|
|
|
|
SC
Christian Action Council is pleased to announce that several generous Council
supporters have offered to match--dollar for dollar--all new and
increased gifts to SC Christian Action Council through December 31, 2005!
Watch
your mail for more details!
To make
a gift of stock or securities, or to discuss deferred giving options,
please contact Julia Sibley-Jones at 803.931.0105 or
jsibley@sccouncil.net.
Thank
you for supporting the work and ministry of South Carolina Chrisitan
Action Council. You help to proclaim Christian Unity in South Carolina.
|
|
TEAM ornaments available
|
|
|
|
 Here's
a way you can support The Ecumenical AIDS Ministry (TEAM) of SC Christian
Action Council and brighten your Christmas tree at the same time.
Purchase
TEAM ornaments for friends and family.
1-5
ornaments: $14.95 each; 6-10 ornaments: $12.95 each; 11+
ornaments: $10.95 each.
You can
pick up ornaments at our offices, or we can post them to you for a small
shipping cost. Call Doris for more information: 803.786.7115. Thank you
for supporting this vital ministry.
|
|
|
Across My
Desk...
|
|
|
|
As
Executive Minister of the South Carolina Christian Action Council, I have
the privilege of receiving the newsletters of our Member Bodies and of
many other Communities of Faith from across our state. Numerous local,
state, and national organizations working for the common good send reports
of their work. Some days the magnitude of information is daunting as the
“In” pile threatens to take over the entire office and the email box
stays full.
Yet,
when time allows and I work my way from top to bottom I am encouraged.
Again and again I read of people of faith and good will individually and
collectively sacrificing for the marginalized and hurting; consistently
sharing their time, talents, personalities, finances and faith.
This
year’s newsletters and emails report ongoing responses to earthquakes,
hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, train-wreaks, home fires, the homeless,
the hungry. Compassion and care extended next door and around the world.
In
recent weeks in the Midlands, I’ve had the opportunity to work with more
than a hundred local Clergy and many other Congregations. Christian,
Jewish, Muslim and other brothers and sisters in the grand Family of God
have together worked to meet the needs of Katrina/Rita Evacuees and our
own Homeless. Imams and Rabbis, Pastors and Elders, Ministers and the
Faithful -- ministering together because of our faith in Loving God.
Not
always are things so good “across my desk,” there are months when more is
written about disagreements in family circles or financial problems. But
these past weeks I’ve thought how wonderful it would be if more of us had
my opportunity to read and think about the good in all of us and worked
to find ways to stretch our hearts and hands out together in God’s name.
If
there is an Inter-religious Clergy group in your community, why don’t you
consider joining? If there is not one, why not start one? If you are
already involved locally, please let me know about your group and invite
me to a meeting so I can learn from you and carry your model to others.
If you want to become more involved in the work of the Christian Action
Council, just give us a holler and we’ll give you a call.
...and
that’s the view across my desk.
Brenda
Kneece Executive Minister
|
|
