“The recent UMMinistry course held in Greenville District attracted a true statewide roster of attendees. Most of the registrants were taking the course wishing to receive credit for one of the requirements needed to become a Men’s Ministry Specialist (go to GCUMM.org for information on the MMS program). The course was a “compressed” schedule, Friday night and all day Saturday March 23 and 23, held as a Lay Speaking format course. It was held at Aldersgate UMC in Greenville and was included as a part of the Greenville District Lay Speaking Ministries Spring school. The course was led by Dick Strachan, former president of the WNC Conference and the principle author of the course. Dick is one of 4 GCUMM designated trainers who can conduct the course for MMS credit. Those attending included Dale Sherrin, president of the SCC UMM and Bill Smith, former president. Each have taught the course elsewhere. Dick, Dale, and Bill stressed their availability to conduct the course wherever needed, as a valuable stand alone course or a LS course designed to help churches, individual, or groups better understand how to identify and reach out to men to make disciples for Jesus Christ. The course is open to men and women, lay speakers or not.”

The Swansea Community UMM presented the second annual Billy Etheredge Scholarship to Brad Jeffcoat at Swansea High School.  The $500.00 scholarship was presented in honor of Billy Etheredge, a life-long member of Swansea United Methodist Church and a member of the Swansea Community UMM.  Pictured left to right Gregg Riley, Secretary/Treasurer of Swansea Community UMM, Mr. Etheredge, and Brad.

Three South Carolina men commissioned as men’s ministry specialists