At the 2022 South Carolina Synod Assembly, Deacon Mitzie Schafer was our keynote speaker.  Deacon Mitzie was the perfect follow-up to the stories of Pastor Mary Canniff-Kuhn.  At every session, Pastor Mary stood in front of a diverse group of folx and captivate every single one of us with a story that demonstrated God’s love and grace. 

The South Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America gave thanks to those who spent the last 15 years working on the three volumes of History Matters.

Mitzie Schafer is a Deacon in the ELCA called by the South Carolina Synod as a full-time consultant with GSB Fundraising helping nonprofits and churches tell their story in ways that increase engagement.

Voting members to the 2022 South Carolina Synod Assembly voted to elect or approve nominees for 22 different positions, including Synod Secretary and Treasurer. The general election session was opened in prayer by Pastor Andrea Rice, one of the chaplains for this year’s assembly. Pastor Rachel Hoffman presented the slate of nominees to the assembly, and delegates cast their votes using the LUMI voting system.

On Monday, June 13th, the South Carolina Synod Assembly received a resolution for a faithful approach to the death penalty in South Carolina from Pastors Beth and Don Costlow, from Lutheran Church of Our Saviour in Greenville, along with congregational member William Kendig.

Both evenings of the South Carolina Synod Assembly 2022 were marked with wonderfully inspirational worship services, both reflecting the assembly theme, “I Love to Tell the Story.” The Rev. Andrea Rice and the Rev. Nathan Rice served as co-chairs of the worship planning team.

The cruel hand of addiction, in some way, affects us all. Restoration Chapel of Greenwood has risen to meet the needs of our current addiction crisis. In this unique partnership between a ministry of the church and Lutheran Services Carolinas, 10 women in recovery have a safe space to live during a crucial point in their recovery journey.