Grace United Methodist Church

“A Future with Hope: Seeking a More Excellent Way” was the theme for the 2019 S.C. Annual Conference held at the Greenville Convention Center June 2 – 6, 2019. Bishop Jonathan Holston preached the opening worship service on Sunday evening. He reminded us that “If we allow God to live in us that God will change the world”. The evening ended with communion.

Each day, Monday – Thursday, began at 7:30 AM with a communion worship service. Later in the morning, we enjoyed the Bible study taught by Drs. Gregory and Susan Jones.

Many reports were heard during the week from different divisions of the Methodist Church. A budget of $16.8 million was passed for the 2020 ministry budget. The body voted to sell The Methodist Oaks in Orangeburg because of a very large financial deficit. During the week, clergy and laity elected eight delegates each to attend both the General Conference 2020 and the Jurisdictional Conference 2020, along with two alternates.

There were thirty-six women and men licensed as local pastors in an impressive examination and licensing service. They were commissioned on Monday evening at the worship service. Rev. Sara White preached the service of Thanksgiving and Memory recognizing thirty-two pastors and eight spouses who passed away during the past year, and seventeen surviving spouses. Rev. Bobby Waddell, our pastor here at Grace from 1994 – 1998 was remembered. He was deceased on December 13, 2018.

Bishop Holston presided over the Recognition Service for Retiring Ministers. Thirty men and women retired from our conference.

The Annual Conference held two mission initiatives. One was to collect twenty-five boxes of nonperishable food for The Harvest Hope Food Bank in Greenville and the other was to prepare Elder Baskets to be given to Native American needy seniors.

The 2020 Annual Conference will be held at the newly renovated Florence Center in Florence, SC, beginning Sunday, June 7, 2020 and going through Wednesday, June 10, 2020. The Annual Conference 2019 ended on Thursday at about 2:00 PM after the fixing of ministerial appointments.

Respectfully Submitted by, Frances Adams Lay Member to Annual Conference

“Geronimo” Seventeen Grace members, along with Pastor Melvyn, are looking forward to attending the Narroway Dinner Show, “Geronimo”, on Saturday, July 13th. They will enjoy a delicious meal graciously served by the actors themselves, followed by top notch entertainment!

The Spartanburg District YAH-YAH Fun Day will be held at St. James UMC in Spartanburg on Wednesday, August 7, 2019. This is an interdenominational program for older adults who are young at heart, like to play, and enjoy Christian fellowship. It is sponsored by the Spartanburg District United Methodist Churches Older Adult Ministries. There will be a lunch catered by Mutt’s BBQ. The theme this year is, “The Young at Heart”. Registration begins at 9:00 am and at 9:30 am there will be a program with welcomes, a devotional, a song fest, senior awards and exercises, and entertainment by The Cap & The Collar which is comprised of Rabbi Yossi Liebowitz and Rev. Mark Harmon. They have been performing since 2003 at churches, synagogues, charity events, and service organizations. They bring together three decades of serving their respective congregations with devotion and enthusiasm; bringing their musical talents, charm, and humor to their pulpits. With a mix of traditional folk, country, and original songs, their inspiration serves as a bridge between faiths and peoples. So, prepare for a delightful morning of song when these two perform. Registration is limited to 300 persons who enroll by August 5th. Registration forms are available at the Welcome Center table.


 

 The Union Salkehatchie Camp came to a close on Saturday, June 22nd after an exciting week of being the hands and feet of Jesus. This year five homes were repaired: one in Jonesville and four in Union. Seventy adult leaders and youth worked in extremely hot temperatures to improve these five homes. Grace is so appreciative to host the annual Salkehatchie Summer Service in Union. We are thankful for the continued support of caring and hardworking volunteers from around the state in much needed ministry. A special thanks to the Upper Room Class, the Young Adult Class and the Clyburn/Whitener Class for feeding the campers a delicious Sunday lunch. Thank you to Sheryl and Rusty Price for being the photographers, to Fran and Bob Love for inviting the campers to the Young Adult Sunday School class, to Tommy Bishop for including them in our choir, to Karen Hibbard for coordinating all the lunches and suppers and to Pastor David for a wonderful worship service!! Much appreciation goes to all who helped in any capacity with meals, decorations, treats, set up, and clean up. Grace members make an amazing team!

Join us at Andy’s on Wednesday, July 10th, at 12 noon for good food, fun, and fellowship. We are grateful to Joanne Mason who so willingly monitors blood pressure for our members at each meeting.

We hope to see y'all there on July 10th. Please invite other Grace members to join us!

This year, to celebrate Graduate Recognition Day, Grace will honor five UCHS graduates: Will Balkum, son of Bill and Kim Balkum, nephew of Susan Balkum, and grandson of Frank and Ann Alexander; Grant Berry, son of Jeff and Donna Berry and Shane and Libby Sailors, and grandson of Tommy and Kathie Sinclair; and Will, Patrick, and Bailey Long, triplets of James and Donna Long. Grace also has one college graduate: Blake Berry, son of Jeff and Donna Berry and Shane and Libby Sailors, and grandson of Tommy and Kathie Sinclair, who will graduate from Presbyterian College with a BS Degree in Bio-Chemistry. These proud graduates will receive Bibles or devotional books during our worship service on May 19. Afterwards, they will enjoy lunch with their families. Grace is proud of each one of them and their accomplishments.

Our 2019 Vacation Bible School at Grace is Yee Haw, Celebrating God’s Greatest Gift which will be held June 9 - 11. Saddle up for a trailblazing 3 days of fun! Kids will kick up their heels at Yee-Haw VBS as they stampede through the wild frontier and celebrate God’s greatest gift of all—Jesus! Please be in prayer for many children in attendance, abundant volunteers, and the celebration of Jesus. Thank you to those who have already said “YES” to helping with VBS!! *There is a form included for signing up your children, family members, and friends. 

Once again, GUMC will be the host for the Community Lenten Service and lunch each Wednesday at noon from Ash Wednesday, March 6th, through Holy Week, Wednesday, April 17th. Pastors from different denominations and churches will deliver the message each week. Tommy Bishop, GUMC organist/choir director, has planned special Lenten Season music.

Each Lenten Service begins at 12 noon. Lunch will be served after the service at a cost of $7.00.

March 6      Pastor David Bauknight  Grace United Methodist Church 

Lunch: BBQ w/bun, baked beans, coleslaw, chips, dessert, tea and coffee
 

March 13      Rev. Lee Moseley Union Presbyterian Church    

  Lunch: Chicken casserole, green beans, fruit salad,  rolls, dessert, tea and coffee 
 

 March 20      Rev. Miriam Mick Buffalo United Methodist Church 

Lunch:  Pork Loin, sweet potatoes, Asian slaw, rolls, dessert, tea and coffee
 

March 27      Rev. Rebecca Wilkins Grace United Methodist Church (retired) 

Lunch: Baked ham, green beans, potato salad, sliced cucumbers and cherry tomatoes, rolls, dessert, tea and coffee
 

April 3      Rev. Merritt Wentz Duncan Acres and Bethel United Methodist Churches 

Lunch: Marinated chicken breast, potato casserole, broccoli salad, rolls, dessert, tea and  coffee
 

April 10     Rev. Robbie Stolger First Baptist Church 

Lunch:  Meatballs with sauce, copper pennies, brown rice, rolls, dessert, tea and coffee  
 

April 17      Rev. Dr. A. L. Brackett St. Paul Baptist Church 

Lunch:  Fried chicken, green beans, macaroni & cheese, tea biscuits, dessert, tea and cof

Please join fellow church and community members in attending these meaningful services in preparation for Easter.

BASED ON A TRUE FAMILY STORY...
Set in 1926, this fast-paced musical dinner show takes you to East Tennessee where the fun never ends. Sing along with fabulous old Southern classics and watch the gospel truths unfold through the eyes and imagination of Tennessee!
     Reservations have been made for the Narroway dinner show, “The Gospel According to Tennessee,” on June 23, 2018.  We plan to leave about 10:00 a.m. as the dinner begins at 12 noon. The tickets are $32.00 per person. If you signed up to attend, please give your money to Karen, Pat or Sheryl at the church office on or by June 6th. If you did not sign up, but wish to attend, we reserved extra tickets. Please call the church office if you would like to attend. We must confirm reservations by June 6th. We look forward to this fun day of good food, wonderful fellowship, and lots of entertainment!

 Join us on June 13th for our next YAH meeting with good food, fellowship, and delicious desserts baked by Brenda Childers!