¹⁸ “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
      for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.
   He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,
      that the blind will see,
   that the oppressed will be set free,
      ¹⁹ and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come”

                                                                              (Luke 14:18, 19 NLT)

PRAYER FOCUS

Church for this week: (3/16/09) Frontline – Jeff and Dana Mahaffey

Church for next week: (3/23/09) Glendale – Frank and Mary Faye Cantrell

Church for the next week: 3/30/09) Glenville – Ralph and Mavis Campbell

• DBA Meeting on March 21
• Wesleyan Women’s Retreat (March 27-29, Springmaid Resort, Myrtle Beach, SC)
• Rev. Wayne Tippey (Retired) had surgery on March 19 during which stents were inserted.  It is hoped that he can go home by the weekend.  Rev. Tippey is the father of Mrs. Dale Link (Cheryl).
• Rev. Michael Stepp (Carlisle) had major back surgery on March 11 and is recuperating at home.
• Mrs. Herbert Taylor (Carolyn) is continuing her chemo for cancer.
• Continue to pray for the physical needs of Rev. Darlene Teague, a situation worsened by a lapse in her insurance coverage.
• Continue to pray for Mrs. Chet Rowan (Kathy) whose treatment for MS continues.
• The families of Saul Rodriguez, Jimmy Williams, and Beulah Groves.
• Brian Hall, son of Richard and Sharon Hall (Eden) who is in Iraq.
• South Coastal DS Dan Berry and his wife, Shelley   http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/danshelleyberry. 

We extend our sympathy to the family of Mrs. Lynn Parker, a former pastor’s wife in the South Carolina District, especially remembering her only child, a daughter, Aimee.  The service was held on Wednesday at Rock Springs Baptist Church in Easley. 

What’s Been Happening

I am completing this with my 9-month-old granddaughter, Marlowe, eating some breakfast and “applauding” my efforts as I sit at the dining table.  It is such a delight to have children and grandchildren in the house this weekend.

The last two weeks have been filled with special events and more than the usual amount of travel.  The first of the month brings the ReFocus meetings with the pastors and congregations.  Those who are participating in this resource offered by the district are benefitting tremendously.  We are grateful that we can provide this opportunity for growth and development.

This was followed by a three-day visit in our district by the denomination’s Spiritual Formation team.  A trip to the Myrtle Beach area was very beneficial and well-received and gave opportunity for times of fellowship both there and during the trip coming and going.  Several pastors and some laypersons joined us for a dinner fellowship and sharing on Friday evening.  The SF team visit was capped by the rally at the Greenville, First Church on Saturday. There were 112 registered participants for this time of training, encouragement and inspiration.  Thanks to Steve Pickel for the attached pictures which include the children’s session with Coleen Derr and a general session in the sanctuary.

We used Sunday as a travel day to Indiana for a Tuesday meeting with The Gathering ’11 Advisory Council.  We traveled north of Indy to spend some time in Marion visiting our friends Aron and Cheryl Willis, Joan’s uncle John Harris, and taking a drive around the exploding IWU campus.  On Monday, we were able to spend the day with our daughter and her family who drove down from Michigan.

The meeting with the Council at International Center focused on the schedule, topics for seminars and how we can fulfill the purpose for this event that will bring all the pastors of The Wesleyan Church together in Jacksonville, Florida, in January 2011.  I am grateful to our SC pastors who, in response to my request, provided valuable input in preparation for the meeting.  Especially moving was a letter that I received from one of our youth pastors.  I posted both the letter and my response on my blog this week.  I would encourage you to check it out.

After our meeting in Indy we traveled to Lexington and enjoyed dinner with Dr. Joe Dongell and Asbury student, Elizabeth Bentley and her husband, Trey.  Trey is from the CenterPoint church in Laurens.  The next morning, I was privileged to meet with five more quality Asbury students, some of whom would be available for pastoral service this year.  We arrived home Wednesday night.  Thursday through Saturday included an LBA meeting, funeral home visitation, funeral and Wesleyan Women Nominating Committee meeting. 

My Sunday morning visit was to the Easley, First Church.  (Joan had been sick during the night and stayed home, with the hope that she would be recuperated and able to make the evening schedule.)  This church has become increasingly outward-focused toward their community.  The service was definitely upbeat with a noticeable emphasis on Scripture and God-focused worship, and I appreciated the lunch and the opportunity to meet and share with the leaders in a training and sharing time following.

A quick trip was made back to TR.  Centerpieces and other items were loaded into the car, and although I had assured Joan that the “show would go on without her”, she was feeling much better and so we headed to Greenville for the Growing Pastors’ Dinner that evening. The attendance at this event was excellent with almost 100 pastors and spouses present.  The program included a video presentation entitled, “Spur Leadership” by Mac Richard, a dinner catered by Mutt’s Barbecue, and Joan and I sharing in separate sessions with the pastor and spouses.  My thanks to Joan for her work in organizing this event and making the arrangements.  The “G1” church and pastor Steve Stanley and Kimi and their family were once again wonderful hosts for the second district event within two weeks.  Thanks also to so many of you who made the clean up go so well.  (Pictures from this event are on the district website.)

I want to again express appreciation to Tony for the recent updates on the website.  We are getting increased activity as a result of the new format.  The posting of Dr. Mitchell’s sermons, sessions from the Pastors’ Gathering and the news updates are adding so much to its usefulness.  Our research has revealed that the second highest link being used is the one for the PNN and since there has been some difficulty with its being accessible at times under the old format, it will now be posted on the front page of the website beginning this week.   By the way, the highest request is for the church listing site.  Just a reminder:  if you are not listed there you are missing out.  There is no cost for you to create your own page or to direct users to your church’s website.

It continues to be a blessing to be on the same team with you, our pastors and lay persons, as we live out our commitment to the “transformation of SC and the world through resourcing pastors and multiplying churches”.  Your continued prayers for us and our family are greatly appreciated.

Believing in each other,

Pastor Buddy       

News and Information

Womens’ Retreat                        March 27-29, 2009            Springmaid Resort, Myrtle Beach

Mens’ Retreat                              April 24-26, 2009                Springmaid Resort, Myrtle Beach

Summer Schedule:

            Jr. High Camp                         June 15-19

            Sr. High Camp                        June 22-26

            Kids’ Kamp #1                         July 5-9

            District Missions Rally             July 12

            District Conference                 July 13

            Family Camp                          July 14-19

            Kids Kamp #2                         July 26-30

Open Churches:

Golden Grove

Items Needed for Healing Waters Wesleyan Church (Beaufort)

The new church at Beaufort, Healing Waters, has moved into the new facility.  They are in need of the items listed below.  Please let the district office know of items you may have so that we can coordinate this project.  There are some items already on hand here at TR and we would like to be able to deliver these and other items you can provide within the next two weeks.  Let’s consider this a “church warming” from the district.  Items already donated have been removed from the list.  Of course, financial donations toward this effort would be welcome as well. We are also in need of a truck that could be used for this.  If you have one, or know of someone who could help with this, please let us know.  We will need to make this delivery no later than the first week in April.  

• Communion Table
• Communion Set
• Stacking Chairs (100)
• PA Sound System
• Bibles                                    
• Multi-media Projector and Screen 
• Hymnals
• 2 Flag poles and a Christian Flag
• Pre-School Furniture
• Furniture for Sunday School Classes
• Directory Board for outside

Martha Marie Smith is the state coordinator for the following ministry and we share the information with you:

Caroline’s Promise exists to reclaim hope for orphans by

• Meeting the physical and spiritual needs of children throughout the world with the hope of those children accepting Christ as their Savior.
• Providing guidance & assistance to Christian couples living in North Carolina and South Carolina during the adoption process by offering education, resources, financial assistance & prayer support.
• Educating the community about adoption and the needs of orphans.

There are plenty of opportunities for volunteers, prayer intercessors, and financial giving in this ministry. I invite you to join me in taking part in this grassroots movement and consider getting involved in the 1st Annual Seeds of Hope Banquet to be held April 14, 2009 at The University Dining Commons on the campus of Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC.  For more information go to www.carolinespromise4u.org or contact marthamariesmith@carolinespromise.net

Quote for the Week:

I was reading that “in most mainline denominations, the percentage of pastors above the age of 55 is 50% and the percentage of pastors between the ages of 25 and 35 is around 5%.”   

Humor for the Week: I never forget a face, but in your case I’ll be glad to make an exception.      – Hannah Jones (a Facebook post)