The United Methodist Church is a global mainline denomination that is uniquely connectional. Our congregations are covenant partners with one another. We share leadership and structure, doctrine and accountability, service and missions. One of the ways we stay connected is that local churches are grouped geographically into regional offices called “Districts,” supervised by a District Superintendent (DS). Together, those districts form a larger area, the Annual Conference, that is led by a bishop. Learn more here about our Annual Conference. The Columbia District is formed by almost 70 different United Methodist congregations, and it represents a great diversity of people and communities from rural to inner-city, large membership to small, traditional to emergent contemporary, and new church starts to campus ministry. In recent years, our motto has been “Together we can do more!” because, through our connection, the district and this United Methodist movement can be a powerful disciple-forming community for Christ Jesus. Like a body with many unique parts, or a cord of many strands, we are at our best and at our strongest when we are together, in Christ. Learn more here about our District Superintendent.
District Secretary
Veronica Williams is the administrative extraordinaire for the Columbia District. Among her other many responsibilities, Veronica is also the point person in the district office for sharing communications across our many churches and communities. Want to share pastoral and family concerns, prayer requests, or event announcements, registrations and fliers? Contact Veronica to help spread the word. In addition to serving the Columbia District, Veronica also assists the Cabinet. She is the proud mother of two adult daughters, a world traveler, and the #1 loyal cheerleader for the Dallas Cowboys.
Congregational Specialist
Walter Strawther was appointed in June 2021 as the Congregational Specialist for the Columbia and Hartsville districts, as well as the specialist for African-American churches. He is available to assist pastors and churches in strengthening their ministry through tools and resources, such as Forward Focus. Previously he served as Associate Pastor at Hibben UMC, Mt. Pleasant, and Senior Pastor at Wesley UMC, Aiken. Walter is a firm believer in the theology of grace espoused by the Wesleyan tradition and this is reflected in his teaching and preaching. Walter is a graduate of Winthrop College (BA History, 1992), the University of South Carolina (MAT History, 1996), and Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (MDiv., 2015). Walter is married to the former Toni Morgan, and they have two daughters, Morgan and Maegan. When not reading and studying the Bible, Walter enjoys both fiction and non-fiction history, thrillers, mystery and science fiction. He stays active by walking and weightlifting. He is always ready to share the reason for his faith in Jesus Christ.
Reach Walter at westrawther@umcsc.org or 803-203-1648.
Contact Us
The Columbia District
The United Methodist Conference Center
4908 Colonial Drive, Suite 124
Columbia, SC 29203
803-726-6742 (o)
803-735-8799 (f)
codist@umcsc.org
The Columbia District 