S*0763 Resolution, By Scott
 A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR REVEREND DR. JOHN C. WILLIAMS AND
 THE MEMBERS OF MACEDONIA BAPTIST CHURCH OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, AND TO
 CONGRATULATE THEM, UPON THE OCCASION OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
 CHURCH AND ITS MINISTRY IN THE COMMUNITY OF RIDGEWAY.

   04/05/11  Senate Introduced and adopted (Senate Journal-page 20)

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR REVEREND DR. JOHN C. WILLIAMS AND THE MEMBERS OF MACEDONIA BAPTIST CHURCH OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM, UPON THE OCCASION OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CHURCH AND ITS MINISTRY IN THE COMMUNITY OF RIDGEWAY.

Whereas, the members of the Senate of the State of South Carolina are pleased to learn that Macedonia Baptist Church will celebrate the milestone of its centennial anniversary during special services and a church banquet from April 27 through May 1, 2011; and

Whereas, in an old wooden house on the Reed Place southeast of Ridgeway in 1911, Macedonia Baptist Church was organized to serve as a Sunday church school only; and

Whereas, the five leaders at the time chose and ordained two men to serve as deacons for some fourteen original members under the leadership of Reverend Uriah Gooden, who served as pastor for two years; and

Whereas, a few years later, the church purchased an acre of land and built a new Macedonia Baptist Church on the same spot where the church still proudly stands although many changes and renovations have since produced the buildings that exist today; and

Whereas, in 1957, another new sanctuary was completed through the leadership of Reverend S. M. Hightower, and in 1971 the fellowship hall was completed with the direction of Reverend Raymond Carolina; and

Whereas, the congregation has enjoyed the ministry of seventeen pastors during the century since its founding and has been blessed with the longevity of those in leadership; and

Whereas, from this small but mighty congregation, twenty-two deacons have been ordained as the congregation has grown, and ten ministers of the Gospel have been launched into ministry; and

Whereas, among the many auxiliaries that serve within the church, the congregation is especially blessed by the musical ministry of the Jubilee Choir and the Musical Choir; and

Whereas, the congregation seeks to minister to the community in many ways, including a health and wellness ministry and a food bank for those in need; and

Whereas, at the anniversary banquet to be held at the Columbia Country Club in Blythewood on April 29, 2011, Reverend Nelson B. Rivers, pastor of Charity Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston, will be the speaker; and

Whereas, Reverend Dr. J. Albert Bush, pastor of Walker Memorial Baptist Church in Bronx, New York, will preach the Sunday morning worship service, culminating the anniversary activities on May 1, 2011; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are grateful for the century of ministry that the members of Macedonia Baptist Church have given to the community and wish them continued usefulness and blessing in the century to come. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the Senate of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, recognize and honor Reverend Dr. John C. Williams and the members of Macedonia Baptist Church of Fairfield County, and congratulate them, upon the occasion of the one hundredth anniversary of the church and its ministry in the community of Ridgeway.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend Dr. John C. Williams.