Fifty Years Of Providing A Compassionate Hand Up To Those In Need

50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

On February 10, 2019, ECCCM celebrated its original founding churches with an intimate gathering at Grace UCC in Newton. This location was significant, as the inaugural founding event was held at Grace UCC on October 12, 1969.

83 persons were in attendance including Mrs. Eulene Shepherd, wife of the late Rev. Banks Shepherd who was instrumental in founding ECCCM, Mrs. Doris Fish, the first Secretary and Executive Director of ECCCM, Thelma Sherrill, ECCCM’s first Assistant Director and Nellie Barringer ECCCM’s first volunteer.

In addition, representatives from the founding churches attended to receive recognitions for their work 50 years earlier.

Current volunteers, Board members, staff and the current Executive Director rounded out those in attendance.

Click below for the photo gallery for images of the event.

ECCCM CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF MINISTRY!!!

On Saturday, October 12, 2019, ECCCM celebrated 50 years of ministry with a capstone event at the ministry center. This date is significant since the formational meeting of ECCCM was on October 12, 1969 when 15 local churches came together to form ECCCM.

Board of Directors president Dayne Miller welcomed our guests and made introductory comments with words of appreciation, acknowledging the significance of this 50th anniversary milestone.

Board of Directors member Denny Schell provided the invocation, noting we were here to honor God and not buildings, freezers or trucks.

Dignitaries in attendance, to make presentations included the following:

• Representative Mitchell Setzer presented a proclamation to ECCCM along with a boxed State of North Carolina flag that had been flown over the state capital in honor of ECCCM for this significant milestone.

• Representative Mitchell Setzer also presented a proclamation and boxed State of North Carolina flag that had been flown over the state capital in honor of ECCCM founder Rev. Banks Shepherd (deceased), and was presented to Mrs. Eulene Shepherd and her son Howard Shepherd.

• Representative Mitchell Setzer also presented a proclamation and boxed State of North Carolina flag that had been flown over the state capital in honor of Mrs. Doris Fish who was ECCCM’s first executive director. Doris served ECCCM for a total of 30 years. Doris’s daughter, Connie (Fish) Cilley and husband John Cilley received the recognition.

• Catawba County Commissioner Randy Isenhower presented a proclamation to ECCCM for 50 years of service to the community, recognizing the contributions ECCCM has made in the county over these many years. ECCCM Board of Directors member Karyn Yaussy, received the proclamation and reciprocated with a certificate of appreciation from ECCCM to Catawba County Government.

• City of Newton Mayor Anne Jordan presented a proclamation to ECCCM for 50 years of service to the residents of Newton, noting the supportive assistance provided to those in need. ECCCM Board of Directors member Sherelle Abernathy received the proclamation and reciprocated with a certificate of appreciation from ECCCM to the City of Newton.

• City of Conover Mayor Pro Tem Kyle Hayman presented a resolution, with a key to the city, to ECCCM for 50 years of service to the residents of Conover, noting the supportive assistance provided to those in need. ECCCM Board of Directors member Sherelle Abernathy received the proclamation and reciprocated with a certificate of appreciation from ECCCM to the City of Conover.

• ECCCM Board of Directors member Sherelle Abernathy also presented certificates of appreciation from ECCCM to the Cities of Maiden, Catawba and Claremont.

• ECCCM Board of Directors member and treasurer Corky Upchurch presented comments and certificates of appreciation to supportive agencies Catawba County United Way, Catawba County Department of Social Services, Catawba County Department of Public Health, and The Corner Table soup kitchen.

• ECCCM Board of Directors member and past president Donna Sharman presented certificates of appreciation to key ECCCM stakeholders Nellie Barringer and Peggy Kurt, first volunteers; Thelma Sherrill, first assistant director; Rev. Tony Bunton, second executive director; Coleen Howery, executive assistant; Guynell Sears, executive assistant.

• Executive Director Rev. Robert C. Silber provided words of thanks to the community for the incredible support provided over these many years, providing a glimpse of the future as education is provided to those in need to increase earning possibilities.

• Assistant Director Kristal Manning announced the winner of the flashback challenge on Facebook, orchestrated the 50th anniversary cake cutting by Mrs. Eulene Shepherd, then invited the guests in for refreshments, open house and tours.