Over the past few years, McGregor engaged in a series of thoughtful small group book studies and discussions to consider issues related to systemic racism. Out of those studies and conversations came a call to offer a Christian response to racism in our communities. This has been a time of heartfelt searching for and questioning of what it truly means to be members of the Kingdom, here and now. As members of the body of Christ, we are called to both:

• repent, acknowledging the sin of our country’s enslavement and continued oppression of black people, and
• repair, working to find tangible ways to eliminate the inequalities that exist between black and white communities

It is only after we work to repent and repair that we will find true reconciliation.

McGregor currently has three areas of focus in regards to this work: 

• A continued educational effort with resources and local events shared monthly in the e-messenger and here on this site (see below)
• A budgeted line-item dedicated to a scholarship for an underserved student at Irmo High School each year (additional generous donations have made multiple scholarships possible)
• A partnered project with Pine Grove AME Church creating the Irmo Oral History Project (scroll down for more information)

Congratulations, Graduates!

We are thrilled to offer three scholarships this year to deserving graduates at Irmo High School! These scholarships were presented to the students in late May and we enjoyed celebrating with them in worship on June 9th! Good luck to all graduates as you begin this next exciting chapter in your lives!

June Educational Resources 

In connection with the June opportunity, the June resource is a middle-grade children’s book called How High the Moon. It was written by Karyn Parsons (well-known to many as Hillary on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air!). This fiction book tells the story of a girl named Ella who spends her time in Alcolu, SC, with her family. After returning to SC from vacation away, she learns of the arrest of her friend, George. Her friend, George, is the real-life character of George Stinney, a Black 14-year-old who was falsely accused of a crime and sentenced to death in SC in 1944. He was the youngest person to be killed by the death penalty. His conviction was later vacated in 2014. The story explores this tragedy from the mind of a young girl and friend, determined to remain hopeful in a world dictated by racism and violence. If you purchase the book, consider buying from independent book stores here in Columbia - All Good Books or Liberation is Lit.

June Opportunities

The May book club co-sponsored by SCADP and the Christian Action Council was postponed to June 23 at 7 p.m. so that author Karyn Parsons could join the conversation. The Virtual Book Club selection for June is How High the Moon, a middle-grade children's book. You can learn more about the book club and registration here: Virtual Book Club: June 2024 | SCADP.

The Irmo Oral History Project

Members of McGregor Presbyterian Church and Pine Grove Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church, working together for nearly 3 years, have conducted 22 oral histories focused on gathering the Irmo area’s community history with an emphasis on African American history.

The group received a grant from the South Carolina Humanities Council to make it possible to have the interviews transcribed. The University of South Carolina’s Oral History Department provided the group with oral history training, loaned us recording machines, and then developing a website so others could hear about  Irmo’s history while also preserving this history for those in the future.

If you’d like to hear, or read, the interviews visit the Irmo Oral History Project online by clicking this link. https://digital.library.sc.edu/exhibits/irmoareaoralhistory/ OR by searching online for Irmo Oral History Project.