Congregational Vote

Dear Advent Family,

Most of you know that our congregation held a church-wide vote earlier this afternoon concerning our connection to the United Methodist Church. The vote came after we held two informational meetings for our congregation in January, numerous Lifegroup meetings, and after we had been providing materials through the eNews since September 2023. After much prayer, discussion, and discernment, our congregation voted 410 (49.8%) in favor of separating, and 414 (50.2%) against separating from the United Methodist Church. Since this was less than the 2/3 majority that was required under the conference process, the motion to separate was not approved.

Clearly there were members of Advent who held different opinions about this issue. And while those who voted to remain in the conference are surely pleased with the decision, we recognize that there are those who are deeply disappointed. Whether you voted for Advent to stay in the United Methodist Church or leave, our prayer is that you will stay at Advent and be a part of its future. It is the people of Advent, each seeking to make disciples, that has made Advent the wonderful church that it has been and is.

Advent will now remain a United Methodist congregation. Pastor Tim and Pastor Rachel will remain as pastors until the end of June. The cabinet will be projecting new appointments for clergy the last week of February. They will decide on a new senior pastor for Advent and will decide if Pastor Rachel will be re-appointed to Advent for another year.

It has felt like a long process. But the universal desire has been to keep Advent, Advent. That is our desire today. It is our intention to remain the church that we have been. There will be no major changes in our worship services, Lifegroups, mission effort, or our committee structure. Our mission will continue to be fishin’. We will still strive to be a church where disciples Gather for Worship, Grow in Groups, and Go to Serve and to Share. Please join us in our continued ministry.

Pastor Tim and Pastor Rachel

Grateful Initiative

“You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us.” – 2 Corinthians 9:11 (NRSV)

The primary goal of the GRATEFUL Initiative is to help all of us in our growth as disciples by reminding us of all that we have to be GRATEFUL for in Christ’s atoning sacrifice for us and the faithful response that that requires of us. Our hope is that everyone will take their next faith step in financial giving by placing trust in God through extravagant generosity. Sharing God’s gifts enables our great church to expand ministry impact and realize all we have to be GRATEFUL for.

Click the Grateful Image above to view the booklet for the Grateful Initiative!

FAQ’s

Ways to Pledge

  1. If you are currently attending Advent or are a member of Advent, you can make your online commitment to the GRATEFUL Initiative through your Realm account. You can make your pledge in Realm here. If you have not joined Realm yet and would like to request an invite, please click here.
  2. If you are new to Advent or do not have a Realm account, you can make your commitment online by clicking here.
  3. If you have a printed commitment card, you can turn in your commitment card on Commitment Sunday, November 19, 2023 at Five Forks for either worship service (9 am or 10:30 am) or at our Scuffletown campus at 10 am, you can mail it to Advent United Methodist Church, 2258 Woodruff Road, Simpsonville, SC 29681, or you can bring it by the church office.
  4. If you do not have a printed commitment card but would like to make your commitment in person, please join us on Sunday, November 19th at Five Forks for either worship service (9 am or 10:30 am) or at our Scuffletown campus at 10 am for Commitment Sunday. Printed Commitment Cards will be available at both campuses.

Questions?

For questions about the GRATEFUL Initiative, you can contact the church office at (864) 288-8217, email us at youbelong@advent-umc.org, or use our online contact form!

Advent Midweek

Join us for Midweek at Advent on Wednesday evenings!

Midweek’s weekly focus is to provide fellowship and LifeGroups for adults and kids! In order to make it more convenient to come straight from work/school, we offer an optional dinner on the first and third Wednesdays of the month (weekly registration required) for a minimal fee, provided before Adult LifeGroups and Kids programming begins each week.

If you’re interested in Midweek and have questions about joining a LifeGroup or Advent Kids programming, please use the link below so our staff can contact you!

  • Midweek Schedule

    • 5:30 – 6:15 pm – Optional Dinner in the Christian Life Center
    • 6:30 – 7:30 pm – Adult LifeGroups
    • 6:30 – 7:30 pm – Advent Kids in the Education Building (You will need to check-in your child in the Advent Kids Check-in area of the Education Building)
  • Register for Dinner

    • You can register here whenever Midweek offers a catered meal (typically the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month). Registration begins the prior Thursday, and closes at noon on Tuesday.
    • We want to encourage fellowship every week, even when we are not catering a meal! You are always welcome to bring your own food or eat at home before joining us for fellowship in the dining room.