Shepherd's From page one
Story and photo by Warner M. Montgomery
Warner@TheColumbiaStar.com

The Shepherds Center of Columbia celebrated its 20th Anniversary Jan. 24, but efforts to establish this educational program for seniors began long before 1987. In 1975, such a program was suggested in World Outlook, a joint publication of the Presbyterian and United Methodist churches.

Two years later, the National Interfaith Coalition of Aging and the American Protestant hospital Association held a conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. Elbert Cole and Robert Havinghurst presented the Shepherds Center concept. In May, 1977, the Richland- Lexington Council on Aging and the Columbia Ministers Association held an organizational meeting at Ebenezer Lutheran Church. Only 13 people attended but the seed had been planted.

Ellen Stallworth chaired a task force of the S.C. Federation of Older Americans (SCFOA) to promote the establishment of Shepherds Centers in South Carolina. The task force presented its proposal to the SCFOA annual meeting in November 1985.

In March 1986, The Midlands Council on Aging closed its Senior Center at Ebenezer Lutheran Church and its meal program at Greenlawn Baptist Church. George Fulton was appointed chairman of a SCFOA task force to explore the establishment of a Shepherds Center to replace those programs being closed. Members of the Task Force were Herman Allen, Bessie Boykin, Rev. J.G. Cockrell, Ralph Derrick, George Dick, Susan Frothingham, D.J. Haigler, Geneva Hines, Francis Hipp, S.T. Kaetzel, Chaplain Happy Long, Chaplain William Major, Sandy Nivens, and Ellen Stallworth.

In April, 70 people attended an organizational meeting at Asbury United Methodist Church.

Thirty volunteers from 15 different churches met at Greenlawn Baptist Church in May and set up committees. In November 1986, Fulton's task force presented their proposal to the Columbia Ministerial Association at St. John's Episcopal Church. The decision was made to begin Adventures in Learning (Shepherds Center) at St. John's on Jan. 29, 1987. Bessie Boykin was selected as the first director.

Boykin worked with Caroline Judson to recruit a faculty for the program. Teachers during the early years included Bob Bailey (Growing Plants), Manora Gilmore (Arts & Crafts), Isabel Mauterer (Music), Rev. Bill Rogers (Religion), Dr. Ed Yaghjian (Painting), Georgia Hart (Bridge), Dr. Warner Montgomery (Creative Writing), Dr. Wade Batson (Wildflowers), Inga Spenser (Yoga), Dr. Dan Hollis (SC History), Irene Neuffer (SC Place Names), Margaret Beth Williamson (Choral Singing), and Caroline Judson (Movies).

Boykin served as director for 11 years. Carol Spivey then served for nine years until Dorcas Giles took over in 2006.

At the Anniversary Ceremony, Bill Major recalled the early years and introduced his granddaughter to the audience. Bessie Boykin (now Clarkson) spoke about the many teachers who gave their time to teach at the Shepherds Center every Wednesday. Carol Spivey thanked the past presidents who made the program work: Bill Major, Charlie Fetner, Francis Broom, Harold Yoder, Dr. Frank Hines, Jule Breland, Art West, and Dottie Boatwright. Warner Montgomery mentioned some of the early teachers and their contributions.

An anniversary cake was shared by all 200 in attendance at the luncheon.