SCCAC E-newsletter

Thank you for your commitment to the community of faith in our state and for your involvement in and support of the South Carolina Christian Action Council.

As 2008 ends with the unknowns of 2009 looming large upon the horizon, we solicit your prayers for our Council's Member Bodies (see list to left), its Officers, Board, and staff. We appreciate the opportunity to serve together and to build upon the Council's legacy of ecumenical cooperation as we continue to address what the late Bishop Ernest Unterkoeffler of the Diocese of Charleston called, "the issues that flow from the Gospel." Rest assured that we'll do our best to safeguard that legacy and to see that the Council meets the needs of the present day.
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In 2009, your Council will continue to promote and facilitate dialogue among diverse Christian traditions on matters of belief and practice.

Christian Unity is visible as our diverse, yet representative Board deliberates and determines Council direction; as the Workgroup will again compile, edit, and publish the Yearbook of Prayer for South Carolina 2010 (in hard-copy and on the web), and as volunteers and staff complete A Broken Church in a Hurting World (small group Bible study for use in inter-faith groups, to be published via the web).

Make it a priority in 2009 to experience worship with the Ecumenical Community at our Annual Meeting, May 21, 2009, at Morris Brown AME, Charleston. The theme for the day is The Least of These: Fair Taxes and the Moral Duty of Christians (also a book by keynoter Susan Hamill). Help promote this annual witness of unity as Christians from across the state, representing many different denominations join together for worship and discussion. More information and registration directions can be found in the following article.

In 2009, your Council will work in partnership to advocate justice, promote peace-making, and foster racial healing. We will focus our advocacy ministry in the following arenas:

Justice Issues to be monitored and addressed include racism, PayDay Lender regulation, nuclear weapons proliferation, public school funding, ethical and moral immigration reform, ending U.S. sponsored torture, and moral tax reform.
How to Do Justice in Local Congregations workshops will be offered around the state. Workshops specifically designed to teach "how to" rather than recruit toward a particular position. Contact us if you would like more information on hosting a workshop (1.5 hours). Target months: February and March 2009; available throughout the year.
Via e-newsletter, email Action Alerts, state-wide denominational meetings, and preaching/speaking engagements, your Council will inform and equip constituent denominations, congregations, and individuals with information and tools to make known their positions on vital issues facing our state and nation.

Finally, we encourage your financial support of the Council. A well-known spiritual celebrates the joyous reality that "salvation's free to all humankind." While that faithful truth is beyond dispute, the work of the Council takes money. The Council has been a longstanding and respected voice of faithful conscience because our major funding comes from our member denominations, supporting congregations, and individual advocates. Adding your contribution to others ensures a viable, well-reasoned voice from the faithful who in response to the one heart of our Lord--live and work together for the common good consistently addressing the issues of the present age.

To donate now CLICK HERE. Please make checks payable to: SCCAC, and mail to PO Box 3248, Columbia, SC 29230. Contributions received on or before December 31, 2008 will be credited for the 2008 tax year.

Thank you in advance for your assistance; and during the coming Advent and Christmas seasons, may God's Spirit continue to bless and keep you and your loved ones.