2+ week, 16+ hour ago (261+ words) Many visitors don't know about the Quakers' faith. But in recent years, attendance has been surging. The Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust has used exhibits, technology and social media to help teach others about Quakers and the meeting house that was built in the early 19th century. It is still one of the world's largest and most important Quaker buildings. Here's a look at the faith's beliefs and history " and some common misconceptions about it. Quakers marry in a self-uniting ceremony without an officiant. Couples observe silence that is only broken when they exchange their vows. At the end, guests sign, as witnesses, a marriage certificate. Historically, Quakers have been involved in peaceful protests to end wars and slavery, and support women's voting rights in line with their commitment to justice and peace. Earlier this year, Quakers marched from New…...

2+ week, 10+ hour ago (315+ words) Volunteers are preparing to collect Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts during National Collection Week, Nov. 17-24. Nearly 5,000 drop-off locations will open across the country in November, and shoebox packers can find their local drop-off locations in South Carolina. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering gift-filled shoeboxes to children, including many who suffer from war, poverty, disease, and disaster. Operation Christmas Child aims to reach an additional 12 million children in 2025 with the message of hope in Jesus. Shoebox packing is fun for individuals, families and groups! Find a step-by-step guide on the How to Pack a Shoebox webpage. The project partners with local churches worldwide to deliver tangible expressions of God's love to children in need. Participants can donate $10 per shoebox gift online through "Follow Your Box" and receive a tracking label to discover its destination. "Samaritan's Purse works…...

2+ week, 9+ hour ago (627+ words) Beth Swearingen, left, and her mom, Olive Lowe, ponder'their possibilities for packing a "shoebox" for Operation Christmas Child Nov. 15 at Millbrook Baptist Church. How about some sunglasses?'Exploring the optoins for packing a "shoebox" for Operation Christmas Child are Mallory Metts, her husband, Jonathan, and their son, 16-month-old Clayton, during a Nov. 15 packing party at Millbrook Baptist Church. Karen Merchant and granddaughter Aemlia Vereen, 7, explore their options for packing a "shoebox" for Operation Christmas Child Nov. 15 at Millbrook Baptist Church. How about a hairbrush? Abigail Harvey and 13-month-old daughter Esmae explore the impromptu aisles for Operation Christmas Child Nov. 15 at Millbrook Baptist Church. Millbrook Baptist Church has dozens of Operation Christmas Child boosters gathered for a packing party Nov. 15. AIKEN " "Shoebox ministry" was in high gear this weekend in several churches around Aiken and Edgefield counties, with Millbrook Baptist among…...

1+ week, 5+ day ago (201+ words) For three December evenings, a Summerville parking lot will again become a place of lanterns, linen robes and ancient streets as Bethany United Methodist Church transforms its grounds into the city of Bethlehem for the church's annual Living Christmas Story. The drive-through re-enactment will take place 6:30-8 p.m. Dec. 4 and 5, and 5:30-8 p.m. Dec. 6. Vehicles must enter the traffic queue on West 5th South Street by 8 p.m. "This event has become a cherished holiday tradition for thousands of people over the years," said the Rev. Michael Ritter, pastor of Bethany United Methodist Church. "It's a powerful reminder of the true meaning of Christmas, and we are honored to share this story of hope and joy with our community each year." Open-air tram service is also available for those who prefer not to drive. Trams depart every few minutes from West 3rd South Street, directly across from the…...

12+ hour, 53+ min ago (560+ words) Glance into your astrological sign's horoscope and earn some much needed guidance and insight into your following week's tasks. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Indulge in activities that are conducive to meeting new people or developing a closer connection to someone you love. Positive change begins with you and how you conduct yourself physically, intellectually and emotionally. Refuse to let insecurities cost you due to an inability to tell it like it is. A change of heart requires action. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Participation and interaction will lead to opportunities for positive lifestyle changes. Think outside the box, use your imagination and be the one to make things happen. Utilize your skills to fit demands, and financial gains will follow. A networking event or reunion with past associates will result in unexpected offers that are worth checking out. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Mix business…...

3+ week, 4+ day ago (138+ words) Come shine our light. Join us for Charleston's annual Chanukah in the Square extravaganza on December 14 from 4 to 6 p.m. in Marion Square. Come shine our light. Join us for Charleston's annual Chanukah in the Square extravaganza on December 14 from 4 to 6 p.m. in Marion Square. Chabad of Charleston is thrilled to return to Marion Square for the 18th annual Chanukah in the Square celebration. Please plan on being there with your neighbors, friends and family. Bring an appetite and your Chanukah spirit. We will supply the hot food, the live music and the festive atmosphere! There will be no shortage of treats for everyone. The event is family-friendly and free. We will continue the tradition of lighting the menorah candles as a community. We can't wait to see you there....

5+ day, 12+ hour ago (788+ words) A rendering shows the 8,000-square-foot Spiritual Center as the anchor of the proposed Chabad of Myrtle Beach spiritual center development to be located from Oak Street to 29th Avenue North. The corner of 29th Avenue North and Oak Street is the site of what may be a commissary and welcome center for the proposed Chabad of Myrtle Beach spiritual center development. MYRTLE BEACH " An inclusive and immersive development for the Jewish community is being planned for'Myrtle Beach. Chabad of Myrtle Beach is asking for Myrtle Beach City Council's approval to build a complex between Oak Street and 29th Avenue North. The Chabad is also asking the city to annex a series of lots that are less than one acre in size. City leaders gave initial approval to the annexation requests on Nov. 12.' Called The Crown Heights Spiritual Retreat, the development will encompass the…...

3+ week, 2+ day ago (443+ words) St. Andrew's Church in Mount Pleasant. MOUNT PLEASANT " The Rev. Stephen Wood, who serves as archbishop of the Anglican Church of North America from a ministry in town, is facing a second sexual harassment complaint several weeks after reports surfaced of the first allegation. The new complaint, submitted anonymously to the church Nov. 6 by "Jane Doe 1," accuses Wood of misconduct and sexual harassment, alleging that he pressured her to drink alcohol alone with him despite her expressing discomfort, The Washington Post reported. The statement does not identify the location or time period when the alleged actions occurred, the newspaper reported. Wood is on voluntary paid leave of absence as archbishop and bishop of the Diocese of the Carolinas until proceedings against him reach a conclusion, the church announced Nov. 3. Bishop Ray Sutton will assume the archbishop responsibilities in the interim…...

3+ week, 6+ day ago (712+ words) The sanctuary of Second Presbyterian Church Greenville was built in the West End in 1907. Now the church plans to redevelop its 4-acre campus in an ambitious project. Second Presbyterian Church in Greenville plans to redevelop its 4-acre campus in the West End. Its historic 1907 sanctuary will remain. GREENVILLE " When it was founded in the 1890s, Second Presbyterian Church held services in a modest wooden church in the West End. It grew and prospered, and in 1907 moved into a new, scarlet-brick neo-Gothic structure. That sanctuary still stands at the corner of Rhett and River Streets, but apartments, condos and other multistory buildings continue to rise up around the historic building. In the last two decades, the congregation has nearly doubled, and the church has since embarked on an estimated $9.5 million ambitious plan to redevelop its 4-acre campus of prime land in the…...

1+ week, 1+ day ago (205+ words) The chapel of St. Rose of Lima in the Monastery of St. Dominic is pictured. The Basilica Cathedral of Lima is pictured. The reconstructed head of Francisco Pizarro and his bones are pictured. The reconstructed face of Saint Rose of Lima. A statue of St. Martin de Porres in Lima Cathedral is pictured. The Convent (Monastery) of St. Dominic is pictured. Both grew up across the street from one another, and they now rest in separate chapels connected to one of the cloisters that serve to enclose the domestic activities of the members of the Dominican order who still reside in the monastery. Their respective chapels are the highlight of any visit to the Convent of Santo Domingo, which is located just a few blocks from Lima's cathedral. The remains of St. Rose rest under an altar embellished with mosaics;…...