Religion news
The Rev. Tucker elected S.C. Baptist Convention president
At its Nov. 11 annual meeting at Spartanburg First Baptist Church, the Rev. Tom Tucker, pastor of Sisk Memorial Baptist Church in Fort Mill, was elected president for the South Carolina Baptist Convention for 2016.
Tucker served as first vice president of the convention in 2015 and was president of the South Carolina Baptist Pastors’ Conference in 2005 and chairman of the South Carolina Baptist Executive Board in 2013. He is also a devotional speaker for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association offices in Charlotte.
“What a privilege to serve Sisk Memorial and South Carolina Baptists,” he said.
The South Carolina Baptist Convention was formed in 1821 and was the first state Baptist convention in the United States. The purpose of the South Carolina Baptist Convention is to help more than 2,100 churches to fulfill the Great Commission.
Sisk Memorial is at 115 Massey St. in Fort Mill. For more information, go to siskmbc.org or call 803-547-2537.
St. John’s hosting pre-parade breakfast
St. John’s United Methodist Church, 130 Tom Hall St., Fort Mill, invites everyone to breakfast prior to the Dec. 5 Fort Mill Christmas parade.
Come early to secure a parking spot at church, pick your spot for watching the parade, then come inside the fellowship center to enjoy a breakfast of pancakes, sausage, milk, juice, coffee and hot chocolate 8:30-11 a.m.
Suggested donation is $4 per person for this all-you-can-eat meal.
Temple Kol Ami hosts Chanukah Extravaganza
Temple Kol Ami is throwing a Chanukah Extravaganza 4-6 p.m. Dec. 12 at its meeting space inside Unity Presbyterian Church, 303 Tom Hall St., Fort Mill.
There will be kids crafts stations, face painting, a photo booth, an artists bazaar, games, latkes and more all free and open to the public.
Following the games and crafts, there will be a brisket dinner and menorah lighting which is free to temple members, $10/person for nonmembers. RSVP for the dinner to yorksynagogue@gmail.com. For more information, go to templekolamisc.org.
Prayer shawl ministry
Anyone who enjoys knitting or crocheting is welcome to join the prayer shawl ministry at Carolinas Cornerstone Church, 1790 Gardendale Road, Fort Mill, twice a month to pray over and knit/crochet shawls for the sick.
The group meets 10 a.m. Saturday mornings. This is open to anyone who knits or crochets and wants to help others. For more information, go to carolinascornerstone.org or email Susan Hargett at knit@carolinascornerstone.org.
Young adults invited to new group
Young adults ages 18-30 who want to meet other young adults to study God’s word are invited to join the J-Walkers at Carolinas Cornerstone Church, 1790 Gardendale Road.
The group will meet at 7 p.m. beginning Dec. 1. The first study will be “Fearless Conversation.” To RSVP or for more information, email Brittany Kunde or Tiffany McCord at jwalkers@carolinascornerstone.org.
Grief recovery group meets weekly
Carolinas Cornerstone Church, just off S.C. 160 West at the intersection of Gardendale and Dam roads near Tega Cay, hosts Grief Share, a recovery group for adults who have lost a loved one.
Each session includes a video and a discussion among those who have suffered a loss. Elaine Muffett, who has a master’s degree in counseling and nursing from Liberty University, leads the weekly meetings 6:30-8 p.m. Mondays. She can be reached at grief@CarolinasCornerstone.org.
Open to the public. Drop-ins are always welcome.
Higher Ground offers after-school program
The Higher Ground Church Child Development Center is enrolling students in its Christ-centered after-school program.
Kindergarteners to fifth-graders are welcome. The program is a spiritual alternative to traditional child care centers and offers professional homework tutoring with an on-site tutor, daily chapel services and low student-to-teacher ratios in separated classrooms.
Each day children will be offered healthy snacks, structured group play times and spiritual lessons. The program will also present seasonal drama and music productions.
Higher Ground Church is a nondenominational church at 8365 Possum Hollow Road in Indian Land. Call 803-802-3189 for information.
Community Cafes offer free lunch
The Community Cafe offers free weekly lunches at Lake Wylie Lutheran Church at the corner S.C. 160 West and Gold Hill Road in Fort Mill every Friday, and at Fort Mill Community Bible Church on East Elliott Street in Fort Mill every Wednesday.
Lunch is 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; donations accepted.
For information, call pastor Rammy Lybrand (LWLC) at 803-548-5489, pastor Kendall Walker (FMCBC) at 803-389-5970 or Donald Murfin at 330-289-1243.
Flint Hill has clothing closet
Flint Hill Baptist Church, 269 Flint Hill Road, Fort Mill, has a clothing closet open from 9:30 a.m. to noon on the second and fourth Mondays of each month.
The closet offers clothing, shoes and some small household items. All items have been donated by members of the community and are offered free of charge.
For details, call the church at 803-548-0672 or email flinthillbc@comporium.net.
Cookbook for sale
The United Methodist Women at Osceola United Methodist Church have published a cookbook titled “A Taste of Friendship.” The cookbook is in a three-ring binder and is for sale for $15. To purchase, call Floy Ervin at 803-548-5404 or Loree Wolfe at 803-285-3719.
Temple Kol Ami meets at Unity
Temple Kol Ami meets for services 7:30 p.m. the first and third Friday of each month at Unity Presbyterian Church, 303 Tom Hall St., Fort Mill.
Details: www.kolamitemple.com; email yorksynagogue@gmail.com; or call 803-701-0149.
Shabbat services held by Temple Solel
Temple Solel, a Reform Jewish Congregation in Fort Mill, holds Shabbat services at St. Phillip Neri Catholic Church, in the community room of the Ministry Building. The church is at 292 Munn Road in Fort Mill.
Services are held 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Fridays of each month.
Religious education is held on Sunday mornings at Blooming Einsteins, 2752 Pleasant Road, Suite 103, Fort Mill. For more information including directions, visit templesolelsc.org, Temple Solel SC on Facebook or call 803-619-9707.
MOPS is for moms
Mothers of Preschoolers, an international, nondenominational Christian organization, meets at First Baptist Church, 121 Monroe White St., Fort Mill.
According to the group, “MOPS strives to create an environment where every mom can realize her beauty and importance from within – enriching the lives of their families.” Women with children through kindergarten meet bimonthly to encourage personal, social and spiritual growth.
Details: 803-547-2051.
Forever Friends meets monthly
Forever Friends is a praise and worship program for adults with disabilities and special needs ages 18 years and older. It is sponsored by Grace Community United Methodist Church and meets 6:30-8 p.m. the third Thursday of every month.
Grace Community Church is at 1190 Gold Hill Road in Fort Mill. Adults with disabilities or special needs are welcome to gather and socialize, sing songs, participate in group activities and have fun. For details, call 803-548-4078.
Eat, study, sing on Abundant Wednesdays
Everyone is invited to eat and enjoy fellowship, Bible study and singing during Abundant Wednesdays at Riverview Presbyterian Church, 124 N. Sutton Road, Fort Mill. Meals are at 5:45 p.m. every Wednesday, followed by adult Bible study at 6:15 p.m.
Check out Wednesday Night Live
Crossroads Lutheran Church in Indian Land invites all to Wednesday Night Live at its partner congregation, Amazing Grace Lutheran, 416 W. North Main St., Waxhaw, N.C.
Gathering for fellowship and dinner begins at 5:15 p.m.; the study time is 6:15.-7:30 p.m.
AmazingGraceLutheranNC.org or Crossroads-Lutheran.org.
Crossroads men’s group meeting
Lutheran Men in Mission meets at Crossroads Lutheran Church, 8511 Shelley Mullis Road, Indian Land, the first Saturday of each month.
Go to www.Crossroads-Lutheran.org for details.
Bible study at Faith Fitness
Faith Fitness Studio, 2752 Pleasant Road, Suite 110, Fort Mill, will hold a free Bible study called Fit for Christ 7-7:45 p.m. Tuesdays.
Go to faithfitstudio.com for information.
Faith-based support for LGBT community available
Affirmation of York County is a support group for people in faith communities who seek support and understanding for themselves and others in working through the issues confronted by gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, their families and their friends.
affirmationofyc@gmail.com for information.
Community reading program
The United Churches of Fort Mill has organized “The Paradise Reading Center, Changing the lives of Families through Reading.” The objective is to improve literacy in the Fort Mill community.
The host site is Greater Bethlehem Baptist Church, 601 Joe Louis St., Fort Mill, and the hours are 5-6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Volunteers are welcome.
hicklino@fort-mill.k12.sc.us for information.
Adults needed for outreach
Young Life of York County is at work with teens in the community, providing leaders to help them make wise decisions.
Young Life is a Christian ministry committed to making an impact on kids’ lives and giving them hope for tomorrow. Founded in 1941, Young Life leaders build positive relationships with young people to model and communicate the truth about Jesus Christ. Young Life reaches suburban, urban and multicultural kids, as well as kids with disabilities and teenage mothers.
Call Nancy Manning at 803-547-4148 for details.
Oak Initiative meets Mondays
The Fort Mill chapter of The Oak Initiative meets 7:30 p.m. each Mondays night at Heritage International Ministries, 375 Star Light Drive, Fort Mill.
The Oak Initiative is a nondenominational organization committed to unite, mobilize, equip and activate residents to engage in issues of our time from a biblical worldview.
For information, call 803-487-0220.
Sisk sermon series Sunday nights
The Renew the Family sermon series is presented by pastor Tom Tucker at 6 p.m. Sundays at Sisk Memorial Baptist Church, 115 Massey St., Fort Mill at 6 p.m. Sunday evenings. Everyone is welcome. For more information, go to siskmbc.org.
ESL classes held
English as a second language classes meet 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Flint Hill Baptist Church, 269 Flint Hill Road, Fort Mill.
Students are assessed and placed in a class based on their knowledge of English, from beginner to advanced. All classes are free and are for anyone who needs to learn to speak English. Details: Barbara Garrison, 803-548-4611.
Help with grieving
Ultimate Life Church, 377 Carowinds Blvd., Fort Mill, offers support for people coping with losses in life such as divorce, death and unemployment.
Learn how to overcome the emotions that go with the loss and begin to function with joy in your life again. Groups meet 7 p.m. the first and fourth Fridays of each month.
For details, call Sandy Brazil at 803-329-1396.
AWANA meets
▪ An AWANA/Breakout at Lakeshore Christian Fellowship, 130 Shoreline Parkway, Tega Cay, for children ages 3 through fifth grade is held from 6:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Wednesdays. For details, call Kathy Baden, children’s pastor, at 803-548-2755, ext. 24.
▪ The AWANA program at GlenRock Baptist Church, 1815 Dobys Bridge Road in Fort Mill, is for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays. For details, call 803-547-6420.
▪ AWANA meets at Westerly Hills Baptist Church, 1730 Doves Road, Fort Mill, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Everyone is invited. Call 803-547-6150 for details.
▪ Higher Ground Church, 8365 Possum Hollow Road in Fort Mill, holds AWANA from 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Sundays. Details: 803-802-3189.
Kids program held on Sundays
GlenRock Baptist Church, 1915 Dobys Bridge Road in Fort Mill, offers a Children’s Ministry Fellowship and Bible Time program from 6 to 7 p.m. every Sunday. The program, for ages 5 through fifth-graders, includes games and snacks.
Outreach Center has music classes
World Outreach Center Community Church, 130 Heritage Blvd., Fort Mill, offers a series of classes for Christian artists and musicians.
Holy Creativity classes will meet 6:30 p.m. Mondays. Songwriting I and Tiffy’s Art classes will meet 8:05 p.m. Mondays. The classes cost $150 each or two for $250. Also, two free classes will be offered: Power of Prayer at 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Equipping I at 8:05 p.m. Tuesdays. For details, call 803-414-5171 or visit worldoutreachcommunity.org.
Church offers medical equipment
Unity Presbyterian Church in Fort Mill maintains a medical equipment supply closet with donated items such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, portable bedside commodes, toilet risers, shower chairs, walkers, crutches, canes and more. Call 803-547-5543.
Moms pray for students
Moms in Prayer (formerly Moms in Touch) meets 9 a.m. Thursdays to pray for local students. If you are interested in praying for your children in middle or high school, contact Marilyn Payton at 803-547-4520.
The Slipped Stitches
If you enjoy knitting or crocheting or are interested in learning these crafts, bring your project, yarn and needles to The Slipped Stitches at the Crossroads Lutheran Church, 8511 Shelley Mullis Road.
Send your faith news and photos (high-resolution JPEGs only, please) to news@fortmilltimes.com.
This story was originally published November 20, 2015 at 4:33 PM with the headline "Religion news."