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July 2013
23
On May 11, 2013, after Sabbath ser-
vices, the Columbia, South Carolina,
congregation gathered together to
congratulate and at the same time, say
farewell to one of our beloved sisters,
Kerianne Springer. We were joined in
our celebration by Kerianne’s father,
Mark Springer, from China Grove,
North Carolina.
Kerianne moved to Columbia in 2009
to attend the University of South Caro-
lina’s School of Medicine. After four
years of long intense study, she gradu-
ated with a doctor of medicine degree.
She has been accepted to the Wright
State University Residency Program in
Dayton, Ohio. Her residency will be for
three years, during which time she will
rotate between three different hospitals.
We celebrated her success with cake,
punch and many hugs. She has served
our congregation in many ways, and
she will truly be missed. We wish her
the best as she continues in her career
as Dr. Kerianne Springer.
Nancy Lochner
Columbia, South Carolina, Congratulates New Doctor
The Jefferson, Georgia, congregation met at its church hall on
the Sabbath of May 4, 2013, to celebrate its 40th anniversary.
On May 5, 1973, a new congregation of God’s Church began
in Athens, Georgia. This congregation was made up of breth-
ren who had attended the Greenville, South Carolina, and
Atlanta, Georgia, congregations.
Nineteen of the original members who were at the first service
were present for the anniversary.
Shirley England had her notes from that first Sabbath in 1973,
so we all enjoyed hearing a review of the messages given.
Jim Franks was working as a ministerial trainee at the time
and had not yet been ordained. He spoke about how impor-
tant the beginning of a new church is to God. He also offered
a key on how to keep the love in the Church from waxing
cold, and that key was not to neglect the little ones.
Mr. Franks was ordained a few weeks later on Pentecost. In
the fall of 1974, he was ordained a preaching elder and be-
came the first “resident” pastor of the Athens church. He was
only 24 years old at that time.
Ray Wooten’s sermon was on the purpose of a local church
and what its responsibilities are. He read Ephesians 5:25-27
to show how Jesus Christ is working to prepare a people to
present to Himself as a glorious Church. He also stressed the
importance of humility along with building and maintaining
a close relationship with God, the most important goal any
of us can have.
Our minister Bruce Gore was not able to be present on this
occasion, so he left us a very inspiring message. It reads,
“Forty years ago the Athens congregation began. The same
truths that were taught then are still being taught today. In-
spite of the many destructive things that Satan has thrown at
us, you are still faithfully living by those same truths as were
taught not only back then, but they are the same ones that
were taught by the apostles of Jesus Christ. You proved that
to yourself, before you committed to this way. They haven’t
changed and they won’t. Don’t let go of them, and you will be
assured of an entrance into that glorious Kingdom.”
Jim Franks sent us his thoughts and remembrances. He
shared with us many of his fond memories of time spent
with the brethren in their homes. “We loved all the members
and felt loved by them,” Mr. Franks wrote. The Franks were
with us for four years, and he concluded his message by say-
ing, “Thanks so much to all of you for getting us off to such a
great start in the ministry.”
After the greetings fromMr. Gore and Mr. Franks, everyone
enjoyed a special covered-dish lunch and anniversary cake. It
is hard to believe how the years pass so quickly, but it warms
our hearts and encourages everyone to know we can endure
on the way to God’s Kingdom.
Shirley England
and Donna Quintana
Jefferson, Georgia, Celebrates 40 Years in God’s Church
Dr. Kerianne Springer and
Don Waterhouse
Nineteen of the original members of the Jefferson,
Georgia, congregation gather for its 40th anniversary