Two Attend 2011 SC School of Christian Mission, 21-24 July
By Polly Fehler, Resource Coordinator, St Mark UMW
I was so pleased I was chosen to receive the St. Mark United Methodist Women scholarship to the South Carolina School of Christian Mission for 2011. This four day conference, held at Spartanburg Methodist College every summer, was an awesome experience! Each day was full of worship, singing, interest groups, audiovisual presentations, and fellowship opportunities.
The history of the School of Christian Mission began in the 1930s by the Women's Home Missionary Society. It is now an important program within the United Methodist Women, although one need not be a member to attend. Every year more than 20,000 people participate in Schools of Christian Mission across the United States, organized by conference United Methodist Women leaders.
Living in the college dorms with other Christians gave the almost 300 attendees opportunities to get to know other Methodists throughout the state. Smiles and conversation abounded among us. Besides several dormitories, we utilized the College chapel, many classrooms, the auditorium, and the dining hall (lots of yummy food). Golf carts buzzed across campus for those desiring transportation aid.
Neither age nor sex was a factor, as there were women and a few men attendees under 40 and over 80, all eagerly working to grow in understanding of the mission of the church in the current world context. Special attention was given to the responsibilities of women in the fulfillment of the mission work of the church. Although only Joanna Donegan and I went from St. Mark this year, there were many Anderson District members attending with other districts across South Carolina.
The School of Christian Mission has 3 themes every year that deal with Spiritual Growth, Geographical Missions, and Social Issues. This year's topics of study were Joy, Haiti, and Grace. I attended mostly classes on Haiti, and became enmeshed in not only the culture and mission needs, but also the economic and political history. We had teachers and participants who had personally lived in Haiti, both before and after the recent devastation. The sharing of their experiences was awesome. A meaningful project of our class was to decorate a large wood-hewn cross out of odds and ends to depict some of the history we were touched by.
In coming years, I hope that many more church members will seize this opportunity to study current issues impacting society based on recent church mission topics. Some participants attend year after year, as the courses change. The UMW agenda of FAITH, HOPE, and LOVE IN ACTION guides the meaningful topical presentations