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in South Carolina
Guest writer: Jo Read
Finding a way to help people half a world away is something that we struggle with on a daily basis: when we watch the news, or read in magazines, or listen to stories of those involved in missions work overseas. One of the greatest challenges to putting faith into action is unearthing a way to take that action. I am blessed to spend each day helping people to do just that here in South Carolina as I join with faith communities, schools, and local groups to help the people suffering in the genocide in Darfur.
When I began speaking with people at my church, Main Street Methodist in Columbia, as a visitor from England, I saw how strongly people felt about helping the people of Darfur and was inspired to do what I could to assist in their efforts.
The genocide in Darfur has been raging for more than 5 years now, since the Government of Sudan in Africa began a deadly campaign of ethnic violence against the people of Darfur (the Western region of Sudan). The Arab government, led by dictator Omar al-Bashir, has used Arab militias (Janjaweed) and Sudanese military forces to kill, rape, torture, and displace millions of people, with more than 4 million currently living in overcrowded and unsafe refugee camps reliant on international aid (a population roughly equal to that of South Carolina). By 2005, official figures estimated that as many as 400,000 people had been killed-but still the genocide has continued, with thousands more dying each month from violence, disease, and malnutrition. For more information, read the Darfur factsheet.
Helping the people of Darfur is something that has to happen on a community level, protecting the millions at risk from starvation and calling on our government for political and diplomatic action. I want to give congregations ways to help the people of Darfur. Through the work of the Darfur Action Group of South Carolina, educational materials, resources for worship, and faith action programs are provided. (See what's available: www.dagsc.org.) Groups across the state have welcomed me into their communities to speak about the situation in Darfur, and to talk about how we can help the innocent civilians suffering in this genocide by fundraising for the world food program, raising awareness, supporting international peacekeeping missions, and including the people of Darfur in our thoughts and prayers.
I ask all congregations to consider what your contribution could be towards our efforts to help the people of Darfur and to tell me how the Darfur Action Group can help you to do this. Whether by presenting to a Bible study group, providing scripture and sermon resources, meeting with your missions committee, or giving a workshop, I want to make it as easy as possible for you to learn about Darfur and take action.
Helping the people of Darfur is something that all members of your community can get involved in--even youth. This summer we are offering a youth program, "Tents of Hope," to help young people learn more about how the Darfurian refugees live and provide practical help for the World Food Program. I hope that you will join us for regional meetings about Darfur faith action this summer, and that you will begin your journey with the people of Darfur today knowing that together we will make a difference.
Contact Jo Read at darfuractionsc@aol.com or at (803) 269-1619 to organize an event in your community. Darfur Action resources can be found on the web at www.dagsc.org.
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Welcome Newly Elected
Judicatory Leadership
The Rev. Dr. Benjamin D. Snoddy, President,
Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of SC
1531 Hampton St.
Columbia, South Carolina 29201
Due to the sudden and untimely death the week before the annual convention of President Lewis P. Graham, Dr. Benjamin D. Snoddy, was elected President of the Convention the week of May 5 and stepped immediately into this vital leadership role. Rev. Snoddy is the Senior Pastor of the Mount Moriah Baptist Church of Spartanburg where he has served for the past 30 years. The family of Dr. Graham, his congregation, and the Convention remain in our thoughts and prayers at this time.
The Rev. Dr. Herman R. Yoos III, Bishop-Elect
SC Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
1003 Richland Street, PO Box 43
Columbia, SC 29202-0043
On May 18, the South Carolina Synod Assembly elected The Reverend Doctor Herman R. Yoos III to serve as its next bishop of the SC Synod. Pastor Yoos currently serves as Pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Columbia, SC. He will begin work in the Synod office on August 1 and be installed as Bishop of the Synod on October 11 at Newberry College.
Gracious God, our Father, our creator, and our source of strength and power, we pray for the stability...of each denomination in our state transitioning to new administration. We pray that you will speak to the hearts of those who will be a part of these administrations that their efforts will be in accord with your will for your Church. We ask these and other blessings that you deem necessary for the maintenance and growth of your whole Church in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
--Bishop Alphonza Gadsden, Reformed Episcopal Church,
Yearbook of Prayer for South Carolina 2008
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GoodbyeMinimallyAdequate!
Dear Friends of South Carolina's Public Schools:
Today you can sign the petition for a constitutional amendment to insert "high quality education" into our state constitution, replacing the current South Carolina standard of a "minimally adequate education."
Go to www.GoodbyeMinimallyAdequate.com. Sign the petition and then forward it to your network of friends and supporters of South Carolina's children. South Carolinians of school age and up are encouraged to sign. NO OUT OF STATE ADDRESSES, PLEASE !!!
We are shooting for 1,000,000 signatures of South Carolinians. Let's make history. Sign and forward now! |
Legislative Update
No go on Cigarette Tax Legislation--at least not this year
From: David F. Keely, M.D.: Maybe by this time next year, with state-cigarette-tax-increase dialogue continuing while the SC Legislature is out of session, ... we will be able to make it happen for SC to go right to a $1 state cigarette tax level in July 2009! The sudden "price-shock" impact of a 93-cent per-pack tax increase, plus the unprecedented high prices of gasoline and diesel fuel likely to be still wreaking havoc with our local (and national) economy, should together really make underage youth and young adults think hard about whether they can "afford" (short term and long term!) a cigarette smoking "habit."
Immigration -- New Law and No Time to Stop Advocating
With a new law on the books, those who accept the Biblical mandate to care for the stranger (alien) among us, should make ourselves aware of how local law enforcement and others are treating immigrants--both perpetrators and victims of crime. At no time does moral and ethical law permit the targetting of a population for mistreatment. As a recent Presidential candidate said in reference to another immigration issue, "We're better than that."
The new law includes protection against harboring charges for clergy and those providing humanitarian aid with no intent to harbor.
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SCCAC AWARDS 2008 
Left to right: SCCAC Board President Joe Darby, Howie Comen, Deborah Harnish, and Immediate Past President Debbie Dantzler
During our 2008 Annual Meeting, the SCCAC Board recognized the ecumenical life and work of both an individual and an organization both of which are located in the Low Country.
Mr. Howie Comen received the SCCAC Ecumenism Award for his ongoing work bringing clergy and individuals from Charleston's very diverse inter-religious community together for dialogue and action. Comen has recently begun to revitalize the Charleston Congress of Religions which was active in the mid to late 1990s.
Ms. Deborah Harnish accepted the Christian Action in Service Award on behalf of the volunteer doctors and dentists of the Wellness House of Our Lady of Mercy Outreach on Johns Island. Volunteer doctors, dentists, and others provide dental care, prenatal care, and women's health services for the economincally poor on James, Johns, and Wadmalaw Islands.
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
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Events to Note
June 6-8. National Religious Campaign Against Torture. Interfaith prayer during religious services to observe the first full weekend of Torture Awareness Month. For details: www.nrcat.org
June 12-13. Partnerships in Action: Tools for the Healing Journey. Carolina First Center, Greenville, SC. A conference for those working with the victims of sexual assault, child abuse, and family violence. Information: www.grccac.org
June 20. Greenville Mental Health Symposium: Threat Assessment to Prevent School and Community Violence. Greenville Technical College. For more information click here
July 20-25. SC School of Alcohol and Other Drug Studies. Furman University, Greenville, SC. Registration materials available at www.daodas.state.sc.us.
Nov. 6. The Faith Community is Next Best to Kin: Respite Solutions for Caregivers. Conference on Respite ministry for faith community members, Stephen ministers, Women's and Caring Committees, Missions leaders, Rabbis, Imams, youth leaders, and Pastors. Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church, Lexington, SC. For more info click here.
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E-newsletter Editor
South Carolina Christian Action Council | |
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