Southside Baptist Church, Gaffney, held groundbreaking Sept. 24 for a new family life center, with the church members using an old-fashioned plow to symbolize “pulling together.” Pictured behind the plow are (l to r) Louise Porter, oldest female church member; Geneva Kitchens, member for the longest number of years; Jordan Scoggins, youngest church member; and Wilburn Mullinax, oldest male church member who attended groundbreaking.
Betty McKee was honored Sept. 24 by Unity Baptist Church, Simpsonville, for 40 years as pianist. Pastor Danny Bridges presented to her a silver tray inscribed in appreciation for her service.
Mary Warren, seated, was honored by the Adult Ladies’ Sunday School Class of College Street Baptist Church, Newberry, during homecoming day worship Sept. 10. Warren, who taught the class for 50 years, was given a plaque renaming her former class “The Mary Warren Class.” With Warren are (l to r, front row) Frances Reed, Alice Frier, Edith Burton, Lindy Moore, Virginia Mathews, Corrie Brown, and Daphine Haltiwanger; (second row) Bonnie Burgess, Connie Teseniar, Mary Clark, Lydia Ferrell, Joan Smith, Marian Teseniar, and Mary Frances Connelly.
White Plains Baptist Church, Jefferson, celebrated its 175th anniversary Sept. 17. Robert Dickard, director of missions for Chesterfield Baptist Association, was guest speaker. Current pastor Alan Rushing has served the church for about six years.
During the annual church picnic at High Falls Park in Oconee County, Ken Reid, pastor of College Street Baptist Church, Walhalla, conducted an outdoor baptism service in Lake Jocassee. Assisted by Michael Oakley of the baptism committee, Reid baptized Elijah Leap, son of Ed and Jan Leap.
Brenda Sanders, left, and Sherry Smith were recently recognized by Eureka Baptist Church, Anderson, for a combined total of more than 70 years service to the church. Sanders has been pianist since 1969, and Smith has served as organist since 1971. Both have been members of Eureka since childhood. They have rarely missed a morning and evening service or Wednesday night practice, said Dave McKee, minister of music.
Mountain Missions was the theme of this year’s Missions Day Camp for Children, sponsored by the WMU of Waccamaw Baptist Association. Maple Baptist Church in Conway hosted the event, with 40 boys and girls from seven churches attending. MSC missionaries Terry and Angie Burkeen and their two daughters told the story of God’s mission work in Lynch, Ky. Debby Akerman is WMU, GA and CiA Consultant for the association.