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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 |
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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!
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| Community News and Events |
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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.
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| Joyfully Caring for those in Need |
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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.
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| End-of-Year Challenge Announced! |
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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.
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| TEAM ornaments available |
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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.
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Across My Desk... |
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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
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