Information Regarding Clergy Transition

Dear friends,

Several weeks ago, it was announced that Rev. Dr. Ann Kovan would be appointed to serve Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church in Georgetown and that Central would receive Rev. Rusty Crimm as our new associate pastor. Since that time, events have transpired of which I need to make you aware.

Duncan Memorial UMC is experiencing some internal conflicts. As a result, a pastor will not be appointed to serve there for the coming conference year. This obviously affects Ann’s appointment to Duncan Memorial and Rusty’s appointment to Central. Let me be clear—this situation has nothing to do with Ann. She is a gifted pastor from whose ministry and friendship we all benefit. I judge pastors by whether I would attend their church after my retirement. I would gladly become part of any church that Ann serves as pastor.

For Central, this means that we will both keep Ann and receive Rusty. The conference will fund Ann’s compensation, so her remaining time with us will have no financial impact on Central. Central will fund Rusty’s compensation. This means that until Ann receives an appointment (which will likely not be until the normal appointment process in 2026), Central will have four full-time clergy. While we continue to work through how we will divide responsibilities, I intend for Rusty to serve alongside Ann, assuming or sharing her responsibilities. While Ann continues in ministry with us, she will be free to focus on special projects and ministry areas.

This unique blessing is a result of our being part of a connectional church. As United Methodists, we do not operate in a vacuum. We are blessed to share the church’s mission with our brothers and sisters in Christ. This is a great blessing for Central, which offers us exciting new opportunities for mission and ministry. I look forward to the days to come, continuing with Ann in ministry and joining Rusty in ministry. Please continue to pray for Ann and her family, for Rusty and his family, and for Central as we move together into a bright future.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Thomas W. Smith

843-662-3218

Happy Advent

Dear Friends, 

Happy Advent!  We are in this special season of preparation for Christmas.  This Advent, Central is trying a holy experiment to see if there is a felt need for an earlier Sunday morning worship opportunity.  Each Sunday in Advent, we will have a service in the Ingram Chapel at 8:30.  Rather than being a copy of worship in the Sanctuary or the Well, this is a new, special service with prayers and a sermon.  If there is interest in continuing this earlier service, we will determine whether to continue this as a new worship option on Sunday mornings. 

Speaking of the new worship option, I provided a bit of excitement in yesterday’s inaugural Chapel service.  I do not like to make things about myself, but I generated enough of a buzz that I feel led to share with you what happened.   During the prayer of confession before Communion, I passed out.  I felt fine all morning.  I felt dizzy for less than a second, and the next thing I remember was regaining consciousness on the floor.  EMS responded and I was taken to the hospital by ambulance.  The emergency room ruled out anything serious, but could not determine what happened.  I have a follow-up appointment with my primary care physician and will likely have additional medical tests.  I cannot thank you enough for your prayers and many expressions of concern.  I am truly blessed to be in ministry with you! 

Yours in Christ, 

Thomas 

New Bishop for South Carolina's United Methodists

Dear Friends,

South Carolina’s United Methodists are getting a new bishop.  The Jurisdictional Committee on the Episcopacy, the connectional body that decides where bishops will serve, announced last night that Bishop Leonard Fairley will become our bishop effective September 1st. 

 Bishop Fairley served as a pastor, district superintendent, and in many levels of conference leadership in the North Carolina Conference before his election.  Since his election in 2012, Bishop Fairley has served as bishop of the Kentucky Conference.  I am impressed by what I have learned about Bishop Fairley and am confident he will be a good leader for South Carolina.  I look forward to meeting and working with Bishop Fairley as we move forward together in mission and ministry.

South Carolina owes a debt of gratitude to our current bishop, Jonathan Holston.  Bishop Holston has served us faithfully through his many years as our bishop.  Bishop Holston will leave us to serve as bishop of both the North Alabama Conference and the Alabama-West Florida Conference. 

Please join me in praying for Bishop Fairley, his wife Dawn, and the leadership of the South Carolina Conference during this time of transition.  Let us pray also for Bishop Holston and Mrs. Holston in their time of transition to Alabama.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Thomas Smith

General Conference - May 24, 2024

Dear Friends, 

With General Conference behind us, I have received many questions about what the changes to the Book of Discipline mean for Central.  As I wrote in my last Tidings from Thomas, the people of Central will, with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, continue to decide what is best for Central.  If you have not already done so, please read my reflections on General Conference here: https://www.centralmethodist.net/tft.   

The two biggest concerns I have heard relate to same-sex weddings and the potential of a gay clergyperson being appointed to serve Central.  The Book of Discipline gives Central’s Board of Trustees the authority to make decisions regarding who can be married on our campus.  Central’s Board of Trustees has voted to affirm our existing wedding policy and practices.  In the coming weeks, the Board will gather input from the congregation on this issue, which will in turn inform the Board of Trustees’ future decisions.  Be assured that our Board of Trustees will proceed thoughtfully, prayerfully, and in a spirit of Christian discernment, seeking to preserve the unity of the church.  Unless the Board of Trustees makes decisions to the contrary, our wedding practices will remain as they currently are.   

Regarding the potential appointment of a gay clergyperson, pastoral appointments are made in consultation with Central’s Staff Parish Relations Committee.  I cannot foresee the bishop making any appointment that would be divisive for Central, one of South Carolina’s cornerstone churches.  I am confident that neither our current bishop and cabinet, nor any bishop and cabinet, would place a clergyperson in a church that would be divisive to the church. Such an action would not be in the interest of the church or the clergyperson and would be detrimental to the church’s effectiveness.  After all, the bishop and cabinet are tasked with the responsibility of strengthening churches. 

As your pastor, I commit to you that none of Central’s clergy or staff will undertake any action that would divide the people of Central against one another.  The people of Central hold a wide variety of opinions and beliefs.  In our diversity, God nevertheless calls us to unity.  Consider the words of Psalm 133:1, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”  Let us embody a spirit of Christian love and seek the unity to which God calls us. 

Yours in Christ, 

Thomas