Connie Maxwell Fall 2022 Magazine

PRESIDENT

WILLIAM D. NICHOLSON II, Ph.D. President

MISSION

Connie Maxwell Children’s Ministries exists to restore the Faith, Family, and Future of vulnerable children and families through Christian services that emphasize ministry and healing.

VISION

To become a national leader in Christian ministries of healing for vulnerable children and families.

The Connie Maxwell Magazine is sent to alumni, donors and friends of the ministry. Send address changes or cancellation requests to: Attn: Jill Bryant, Connie Maxwell Children’s Ministries, P.O. Box 1178, Greenwood, SC 29648-1178

(864) 942-1400 or (800) 868-2624

Cover: At this year’s Maxwell Farms Corn Maze and Pumpkin Extravaganza, our kids got to pick out pumpkins to take home. Read more on page 11.

Celebrating 130 years: Connie Maxwell celebrates 130 years of ministry at annual picnic.

And

end of all our exploring will be... To arrive where we started... And know the place for the first time.”

T.S. Eliot

Scattered throughout a century of compassionate exploration are “holy moments” that define the essence of our beloved Connie Maxwell...

Dr. J.C. Maxwell gifted 470 acres of sacred land and all that he owned at his death...

A.T. Jamison inspired his colleagues near and far “to not get in a rut”, to dig deep, and to find everything children need to be healed and whole...

Sam Smith’s creation of a CASE Committee (Circle of Healing) that fo cused on the Individualized Care of each and every child... History does reveal the future....

Now, as we continue the unfolding of our “Decade of Dreams” and launch our Campaign to call on God’s saints to sacrificially give to fund the continued exploration of new and innovative ways to minister to our chil dren and families, we are pleased to report so many exciting developments towards our future dreams.

These developments include, leadership recruitment for our Campaign, unveiling of our Campus Master Plan, the appointment of an “Expert Group of Leaders” to envision the first steps and development of the Healing Center Concept, an update on our successful efforts (Corn Maze) to strengthen Maxwell Farms in ministering to our children while creat ing revenue that increases our capacities, progress reports on Family Care (Eason) renovations and creation of our new Charleston Campus. Most importantly, we watched two of our children get baptized and two more walk down the aisle to accept Christ.

The Hope of all our Dreams are wrapped in this one desire: To see our children come to Jesus!!

As always, thanks for all you do for our children and families!! I look forward to our continued “compassionate exploration” to love and heal children in Jesus name.

William D. Nicholson II, Ph.D. President Connie Maxwell Children’s Ministries

“We shall not cease from exploration...

the

FROM the PRESIDENT

YEARS

Connie Maxwell celebrates 130 years of ministry during annual picnic

Thursday, August 4, 2022, was a special day as elected officials from the Greenwood community, alums, Connie Maxwell Board of Trustee members, former and current staff, and other friends of Connie Maxwell gathered for the annual picnic. The occasion was a celebration to mark 130 years of ministry and service for the children’s home.

Connie Maxwell President Emeritus Dr. Ben Davis welcomed the guests and prayed the invocation. President William D. Nicholson II presented an anniversary cake to the crowd to kick off the celebration.

“We wanted to celebrate, and we wanted to look back and look forward as Connie Maxwell is at the threshold of all the beautiful history and memories and things that we have enjoyed and loved so much,” said Nicholson. “Many of you have stories and memories locked away in your heart—you’ve known children and people who have given their lives to this place.”

African American brothers came to Connie Maxwell.

“I had an opportunity to work with them, serve with them, play basketball with them, coach them, and had a wonderful time interacting with those brothers here,” Shiflet said. One of those brothers—Dr. Ernest E. Mackins was in the audience with his wife.

“Ernest has become a very successful young man,” Shiflet said. “He is a school administrator, and this past alumni reunion, he was named the first African American President of the Alumni Association.”

We wanted to celebrate, and we wanted to look back and look forward as Connie Maxwell is at the threshold of all the beautiful history and memories and things we have enjoyed and loved so much.

- William D. Nicholson II, Ph.D. Connie Maxwell President

Nicholson asked three vice presidents to speak about some of their favorite memories. Executive Vice President Steve Shiflet was the first to the podium.

Shiflet recalled how he came to work at Connie Maxwell in 1984 and met a ‘kind and caring man that seemed to smile all the time.’ His name was Reverend Ed Johnson. Johnson was hired as the first African American social worker at Connie Maxwell in 1972.

“He came to develop African American foster homes and administered Mother’s Aid,” Shiflet said. Then, in 1977, Connie Maxwell admitted the first African American child.

Shiflet spoke about how a few years later, a set of three

Vice President for Programs and Services, Tim Duncan, was next to the podium. “I want you all to know that you are sitting on hollowed ground right now because you are sitting in the gymnasium that holds most of the memories for me,” he said.

Duncan recalled how he came to Connie Maxwell in early 2003 as a social worker. Shortly after, Connie Maxwell alumni and former staff member John Sheriff approached him about coaching a basketball team.

“Seventeen years later, I have been coaching both boys and girls basketball teams,” said Duncan. “I can name the names of all the kids I have coached over the years. I have watched the relationships that they built during basketball season, both on and off the court. Those will be some of the most cherished memories I have in my heart.”

Tim invited the audience to walk down the halls afterward to see decades of children in basketball uniforms. He also appreciated support from family members, school teachers, and others that rallied around the children to watch their games.

“So enjoy the hollowed ground you sit on, and basketball

season starts in January,” he ended.

Vice President for Advancement and Campaign Director Eric Taylor was next. While Taylor has been an employee of Connie Maxwell for 25 years, he feels he has grown up in the ministry.

“August 18—49 years ago, when I was nine, my family loaded up our car,” Taylor said. “My mom and dad had accepted the call to become houseparents at Connie Maxwell Children’s Home.”

He recalled what it was like to suddenly go from being an only child to living in a cottage with 14 other girls and boys. Not long after he arrived at Connie Maxwell, his parents would leave on their weekends off to visit family. “You tell everybody I said ‘hello,’ he said. “I’m staying here. This place is great!”

Taylor credits his time at Connie Maxwell with developing his work ethic and faith in Christ. “I was baptized at Connie Maxwell Baptist Church by Dr. John Murdoch, Easter Sunday, 1974,” he said. “Subsequently, Rev. Doug Kauffmann had the privilege of baptizing my two daughters in the same baptismal pool. Everything I hold near and dear to my heart happened here at Connie Maxwell Children’s Ministries.”

Reverend Ed. Johnson was once her pastor. “He was a wonderful man, and we just thank the Lord for him and what he meant to Connie Maxwell and what Connie Maxwell meant to others,” she said. “My mother was also a cook at Connie Maxwell, so we share some history. Thank you for 130 years; I hope you have 130 more years. Thank you.”

Next, Greenwood City Mayor Brandon Smith presented Connie Maxwell President William D. Nicholson II, with a proclamation from the City. “I do hereby proclaim August 4 as Connie Maxwell Children’s Ministries day in recognition of 130 years worth of contributions to Greenwood and the world,” Smith said.

Nicholson wrapped up the luncheon by sharing his close relationship with his mother and father and how he was rescued as an adopted and loved child.

He recalled a particular day when his mother ran frantically after him as he left her home after a visit. He stopped his car and rolled down his window as she reached him, running out of breath. “Danny, this is really, really important,” she said. “You always remember, son, you never forget—you were chosen.”

County Council representatives Chuck Moates and Edith Childs came to the podium next with a proclamation from Greenwood County dated July 19, 2022. “On behalf of Greenwood County Council, our County Manager Toby Chappell, and all the staff at Greenwood County, we congratulate you on 130 years of service and ministry in this community,” said Moates.

Before leaving, Childs shared with the audience that

“I can’t explain what those three words meant to me, how they melted my heart as tears streamed down my face, but I felt the love of an adopted child. I felt chosen,” said Nicholson.

“Hopefully, this reminded you of what really runs the world. It’s love. It’s rescuing things. It’s finding what’s lost. That’s what we do,” he said. “If you want to feel what we do— if you want to know what Connie Maxwell does, that’s what we do.”

From left, William D. Nicholson II, Ph.D., Edith Childs, and Chuck Moates.

Greenwood City Mayor Brandon Smith.

Everyone Can Do Something:

Representatives from Connie Maxwell hit the road September 6-8 for the first Everyone Can Do Something Foster Care Tour. Together with author, pastor, and foster dad Jason Johnson, the Connie Maxwell Foster Care, and Advancement Teams traveled across South Carolina to organize three events to inspire and equip the local church to rally around the foster care community. Over 150 pastors, church leaders, and foster care advocates attended the events held at First Baptist Simpsonville, First Baptist Columbia, and Centerpoint Church at Remount in North Charleston.

Jason Johnson currently serves as the Church Mobilization and Engagement Director with Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO). In addition to that role, he is a sought-after speaker for churches, retreats, conferences, and events for foster and adoptive parents and those considering getting involved.

While Connie Maxwell trains, licenses, and equips foster parents, there is more work than any single organization can handle. Senior Vice President for Ministry Strategy and Engagement Jay Boyd said, “While Connie Maxwell provides lots of resources and training to our foster families, our reach is limited and will never replace the local church.”

from challenging situations? This, according to Johnson, is no barrier to stepping into the world of foster care. He began the second half of the event by posing the question, “How do we change the perception of foster care, which historically, for most people, is limited to ‘That’s the crazy people that bring children into their home?’” He continued by giving attendees the language and tools necessary to start reframing the foster care ministry in their congregations to more of an “everyone can do something” culture.

So what can church members do to step into foster care ministry without becoming foster parents? Johnson said, “Because of what we believe about the Body of Christ, we absolutely believe that the opportunities to get involved are as unique and diverse as each individual person.”

Because of what we believe about the Body of Christ, we absolutely believe that the opportunities to get involved are as unique and diverse as each individual person.

Targeting pastors and local church leaders, the Everyone Can Do Something Tour was an introduction to how local churches can partner with Connie Maxwell to help their church body make an impact in the foster care ministry.

- Jason Johnson Church Mobilization and Engagement Director with Christian Alliance for Orphans

He shared examples of restaurant owners providing meals for foster families and foster care ministry events. Many congregations prayed for and offered support for foster parents. But ultimately, “Everyone is called to recognize the unique graces that God has given them and ask themselves how they can use these graces to step into the ministry of foster care,” he said.

Johnson began by speaking on the “why” behind foster care ministry—rooting the motivation for stepping into this ministry in the Gospel. Sharing about how Jesus stepped off his throne and made a home in the midst of human suffering, Johnson said, “We seek out the places where suffering is most acute, and we build a home there.”

He spoke about how we, as Christians, follow Jesus well by moving toward, not away from, the most vulnerable in our society, including children in need of a loving home.

But what if everyone is not ready to become a foster parent and open their home to children, many of who come

He described tangible, relational, educational, and spiritual support that anyone could engage in to help foster families, as well as biological families where reunification has happened, adoptive families, or kinship care cases.

Boyd concluded the events by presenting an easy way for local churches to partner with Connie Maxwell to build a custom foster care engagement plan to implement in each unique congregation.

Connie Maxwell, and specifically the Foster Care Team, has spent many months researching and learning how to help churches begin and sustain these “wraparound ministries” targeted toward foster care and is ready to start these strategic partnerships with churches across the state. So whether a church is just now exploring foster care ministry and wants to know where to start or already has a thriving ministry that needs to go to the next level, Connie Maxwell is ready to step in and help.

If your church wants to be involved in this muchneeded and growing ministry, even if you did not attend any of the events, complete the form at conniemaxwell. com/next, and someone from the Foster Care Team will personally reach out to you to begin building your church’s custom plan.

Jason Johnson

Jay Boyd

Students take to the water as part of first-ever swim team

When Kassi Johnson came to Connie Maxwell as a summer missionary in 2004, she knew she would return one day. “I fell in love with the ministry,” Johnson said, “the community, being part of a big family, I always wanted to come back.”

Now, Johnson serves as the Children’s Ministry Assistant at Connie Maxwell Baptist Church and is the wife of Senior Pastor Stephen Johnson. Though these roles give her plenty to do, she sought to integrate one of her passions into her ministry work among our children - competitive swimming.

Johnson was a competitive swimmer in school, and since graduating, she has never fully stepped out of the pool. She has been providing swimming lessons to other students but said it was always something she dreamed of doing with Connie Maxwell’s kids if she ever made her way back to Greenwood. Now on staff with Connie Maxwell Baptist Church, she had the opportunity and has taken her years

of experience and formed Connie Maxwell’s first-ever swim team.

“We started at square one with the kids,” Johnson said, “everybody was brand new.” But since every person was new to the sport, it made it all the more exciting to work with them, and the kids began by focusing on a few basic strokes to lay a foundation to build on in the future. Some even took to it naturally, and in the early days of practice, Johnson recalled thinking, “Wow, there is some untapped talent here.”

But being in the pool and forming a team weren’t the only places Johnson focused her attention. She spoke of how developing a swim team has expanded her ministry reach beyond the church to helping children heal from past wounds and grow in their capacity to dream again in their everyday life. She described the swim team as “a way I could authentically connect with them,” even going so far

We are really proud of these kids for stepping outside their comfort zone.

- Kassi Johnson

Children’s Ministry Assistant, CMBC

as to say, “[Ministry] was sometimes easier at the pool than it was inside the church.” With the swim team, she had an opportunity to form relationships around a shared goal, making an authentic connection with the students easy.

As the practices progressed, many team members realized competitive swimming was much harder than it looked, and they had to break past their expectations of ease and put in hard work.

But in the end, all the team members made fantastic progress in their start to become competitive swimmers. “We are really proud of these kids for stepping outside their comfort zone,” Johnson said.

The season ended with a swim meet at the pool on Connie Maxwell’s Greenwood Campus, where the students competed against one another in several strokes and relay races. Johnson dreams of reaching out to the community and finding local teams to compete against in the coming years. Whether Connie Maxwell will expand into the larger world of competitive swimming remains to be seen, but this is certain- the children on the 2022 Connie Maxwell Swim Team have had an incredible experience that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

Changes come to the Executive Leadership Team

Three Connie Maxwell

Executive Leadership Team members recently had changes made to their roles and titles. These were formalized during the August 4, 2022, Board of Trustees meeting.

During the past five years, leadership at the ministry has been laying the foundation to move forward with a comprehensive campaign that seeks to fund the many initiatives featured in our strategic plan, A Decade of Dreams. However, as the campaign launch date gets closer, according to President William D. Nicholson II, it was essential to realign some people due to this focus shift.

“I want our people to know that we are anchored and strong in our leadership,” said Nicholson. “Even amid this new campaign, we are steady. Home needs to feel that way.”

Steve Shiflet was named Executive Vice President. He has been employed at Connie Maxwell for 38 years and has served in various roles, including houseparent and, most recently, the Vice President for Finance and Operations.

“Steve earned this,” Nicholson said. “He is an anchor on this campus. Everybody will feel good knowing Steve has been designated in this position and will hold the fort down.”

Jay Boyd was named Senior Vice President for Ministry Strategy and Engagement. He has been employed at Connie Maxwell for two years. Boyd will primarily lead the marketing and annual giving teams, including the new Vice President for Marketing and Communications. He is also working closely with Foster Care and church engagement.

“I needed a title for someone who could manage a vice president

and take care of things outside their current duties,” Nicholson said. “That person was Jay.”

Eric Taylor has been employed at Connie Maxwell for 25 years. He was named Vice President for Advancement and Campaign Director. Nicholson sees the relationships that Taylor has built over the years with donors and supporters as invaluable.

“Eric can do what many people can’t do because of those relationships, so I have asked him to accept an addition to his title,” said Nicholson.

On Monday, September 19, Sheila M. Price joined Connie Maxwell as Vice President for Marketing and Communications, reporting to Jay Boyd.

She replaced Julie Miner, who, along with her husband, Greg, has started a new role as houseparents in Knowles Cottage.

Price graduated from North Greenville University with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications and Liberty University with her Master of Arts in Strategic Communications.

Most recently, she was employed with Clemson University as the Public Information Director for their School of Architecture and brings nearly 15 years of Communications experience.

“It’s a blessing to be able to use my skills and talents to further the mission of Connie Maxwell,” Price said. “I can’t wait to meet the children and families we get to serve.”

From left, Jay Boyd, Eric Taylor, and Steve Shiflet.

Sheila M. Price

Connie Maxwell held the first-ever Corn Maze and Pumpkin Extravaganza on October 7 and 8, opening Maxwell Farms to the public for a time of fall-themed fun for the whole family. Attendees enjoyed getting lost in the corn maze as they made their way to an inflatable slide and bouncy house, buying pumpkins and BBQ, listening to live music, and taking a ride on the famous Connie Maxwell horse-drawn wagons.

But it wasn't all for fun and games; the Corn Maze marks a monumental milestone in community engagement and opens the door to alternative revenue sources to enlarge Connie Maxwell's budget and, as a result, help more children while utilizing Maxwell Farms to do so. President Danny Nicholson spoke about how instrumental this event was in moving forward with Connie Maxwell's Strategic Plan, A Decade of Dreams. In an interview, Nicholson spoke fondly of Maxwell Farms and how the land has served to heal and help children for 130 years. He talked of Maxwell Farms' history, beauty, and sacredness to Connie Maxwell's alums, staff, and current children. But he doesn't want the story of Maxwell Farms to stop now. "The sacred privilege of doing something with that farm that would help other children be healed, and to become whole, and to be loved and belong… it's an incredible proposition," Nicholson said.

That incredible proposition has now taken a huge step forward and shows no signs of slowing down. Along

with making the Corn Maze an annual event, the Decade of Dreams envisions the farm becoming a major South Carolina destination for events, concerts, and fun, as well as being a place of deeper healing and therapy for the children that Connie Maxwell serves.

In all, approximately 3,500 members of the public attended the Extravaganza, as well as hundreds more Connie Maxwell children and staff. After speaking of how the event propelled the Decade of Dreams forward and was created with community engagement as the goal, Nicholson highlighted how Connie Maxwell always seeks to make it a priority to serve its children and staff. Employees and children of Connie Maxwell enjoyed a reserved night only for them on October 6 and loved spending Thursday afternoon fellowshipping and having fun before the actual event began. Then, the rest of the weekend, they could be found parking cars, running registration, driving wagons, and coordinating volunteers to ensure the community had just as great of a time.

After it was all over, the burning question on everyone's mind was, "Will this be back next year?" Of course, we can't always say for sure what the future holds, but if all the fun and memories made at this event are any indication, the Corn Maze and Pumpkin Extravaganza is set to become an annual Connie Maxwell tradition.

At the August 4, Board of Trustees Meeting, Connie Maxwell welcomed new trustees (from left) David Cline, Dr. Ernest E. Mackins, Carol Whitfield, Janet Cofield, and Ladson Berry.

The human side of Dr. Atha Thomas Jamison:

This past July, Connie Maxwell President William D. Nicholson II, received a letter from a friend, Margaret Morrison Mertens. Her grandmother, Willie Agnes Morgan, and her younger sister, Emma Lee Morgan, were taken to Connie Maxwell on January 9, 1915. Shortly after, they were adopted by Dr. and Mrs. Jamison.

Mertens recently found this letter, “The Human Side of Dr. Atha Thomas Jamison as seen Through the Eyes of His Foster Daughter: Willie (Billie) Agnes Morgan Morrison, while going through some of her grandmother’s boxes. “My grandmother’s words written on these few pages offer a unique and wonderful glimpse of what Dr. Jamison was like as a person and father,” Mertens wrote to Nicholson. “It’s so precious and priceless!”

On the pages that follow is a copy of the letter for our readers. We hope you enjoy this intimate look at Dr. Jamison.

As seen through the eyes of his granddaughter

“And Whosoever shall compel thee to go one mile, go with him two.” (Matthew 5:41). How many times in sixty years have I quoted this verse to myself, always bringing to mind my happy childhood with Dr. and Mrs. Jamison? They taught me that if we are to live a Christian life and be happy and blessed, we must do a little bit more for our neighbors, friends, and our families because the happiness of life only comes in going the second mile.

This was another favorite quotation which has been one of the many facets of my life learned from the examples set by them. My sister, Emma Lee, and I, at the ages of four and six years in 1915, were sent to Connie Maxwell Orphanage because our mother knew of the outstanding work being done there for orphans. They were given loving care, a home, an education, and religious training in a Christian environment.

Why were these two little girls picked from two to three hundred children to live in the home of Dr. and Mrs. Jamison? Because they had lost a baby girl, Victoria, at the age of nine months sometime earlier. Dr. Jamison’s daughter, Sarah, by his first wife, had recently married and moved to her home in Greenwood. To fill this void in their lives, they began looking over the list of children not too old. They found two sisters who had not been at the orphanage very long. One was Emma Lee Morgan. Emma being the name of Dr. Jamison’s first wife, Emma Caldwell. The older one was named Willie. William Caldwell was the name of Mrs. Jamison’s first husband and Emma’s brother. This is the secular story, but I have always believed that it was God’s Hand that moved them to choose us, raise us as their own daughters, send us through college and to graduate school, and eventually marrying us from their home.

When we first went to live with them, the question arose as to what to call them, as they were not our birth parents. “Mr. Daddy” naturally came to mind because of his distinguished appearance. Then you noticed right away that twinkle in his brown eyes, which led you to know that he was a man easy to love, talk to on any and all subjects, being a delightful person to be with every day.

The name “Dearest” was a little harder to find for Mrs. Jamison. One evening before bedtime, she was reading to us the story of “Little Lord Fontleroy,” who called his mother “Dearest.” Mr. Daddy became alert, and we all looked at each other and knew that we had found our name for her. Many people have asked me why our name was not changed, as we were known as the Jamison daughters. Mr. Daddy was a great believer in a person’s identity and encouraged us to keep in touch with our relatives.

One of the ways that he did this for us was that when we went on our all-day trips to Ridgecrest, N.C., every summer, we always stopped at Tuxedo, N.C., to have lunch with our grandmother. We traveled down a narrow mountain dirt road, at the end of which was a two-story log cabin surrounded by corn cribs, barns, pigs, and chickens. At the foot of the pasture was a large spring house for dairy products with a stream running through the center, emptying into Green River. In my ignorance and false pride, I was ashamed of such, but he taught me to be proud of my inheritance and this pioneer family whose great grandfather, Solomon Jones, walked the mountain trails to lay out the Jones Gap Road.

My love of the sciences, birds, wildflowers, and all nature that I have tried to pass on to my children and grandchildren comes from our long walks in the woods with Dearest and Mr. Daddy. He taught me how to identify various trees and shrubs by shapes, leaves, and bark and the kind of places suitable for growth. He taught me to listen to a bird’s song and learn each bird’s various calls, as well as its plumage, habits, and its native environment.

I can hear him now in my memory after fifty-five years, telling me to look down on the ground for some of nature’s loveliest beauties — the trailing arbutus, pipsissewa, and the wild ginger with the little brown pitcher-like flowers hidden under the leaves. In the mountains, we found the trilliums and galax leaves under the mountain laurel and rhododendron bushes. Every summer, he cut for each of us a hiking stick, carving designs and initials in the brown and blond wood of the rhododendron.

At breakfast, everyone quoted a learned Bible verse, and he said the morning prayer. Then on to the rose garden, either before or after breakfast, to find the prettiest and freshest rosebud to pin on his lapel for the day. This became a tradition with him.

In my younger years and during my teens, I was greatly influenced by dear friends of his, of whom he was most proud.

The White family, brother, and two sisters who had been raised at the orphanage graduated and went as missionaries to Brazil. Mr. Daddy’s book, “The Institution For Children,” was dedicated to them: Maxcy Gregg White, missionary, Bahia, Brazil; Georgia Pauline White, Principal, Pernambuco, Brazil; Leta Josie White, M.D., Prospective Medical Missionary.

My particular idol was Dr. Leta White, the first lady doctor that I ever knew. I wanted to be a doctor, and Mr. Daddy encouraged me to take pre-med in college and graduate with a Biology major. But I outgrew the missionary wish. Then I met the right man and got married. I named my second son, Tommy Atha Thomas Jamison Morrison. I could not call him Atha because there was only one Atha in this world for me.

Mr. Daddy’s library of over two thousand volumes was a joy and pleasure to him and to us. We frequently had evenings of reading aloud the classics, the plays of Shakespeare, famous poets, and Greek and Roman translations. The lady folks usually had some hand work to finish, as we were taught all the basic arts of needlecraft.

On many weekends and evenings, we would gather around the Victrola and listen to records from his extensive collection of Classics and popular music. To this day, I can remember the names of Amelita Gallicurci and Madame Shuman Heinck and the songs of Enrico Caruso and John McCormack. His real love for music was expressed by the playing of his flute. Every morning before breakfast, after he had his exercises with barbells and deep breathing before an open window (he was quite a physical fitness buff), he was the first downstairs to practice on his flute. One of the highlights of his life was when his beloved wife, Margaret, gave him a beautiful silver flute for his birthday, which he played and enjoyed to the end of his days.

Dr. Jamison was the author of four books, and the first one “Your Boy and Girl” was dedicated to M. W. J. (Margaret Wallace Jamison) “and she’s all the world to me. “A parent stands to a child in God’s own place to be taught that only truthfulness, sincerity, honesty, and courtesy are the basis for character and achievement and for the knowledge of the love of God.” (Your Boy and Girl,” page 171).

From the Bible: “Training a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” This, I believe. Dr. Jamison believed it and quoted it constantly over the years as I was growing to maturity.

I have passed it on to my four children, and I am still passing it on to thirteen

grandchildren. This love of God and His wonderful world I gained by being a foster daughter of our beloved Mr. Daddy.

DreamMakers thank staff during ladies’ luncheon

On Monday, September 19, female staff gathered with members of the DreamMakers for a ladies’ appreciation brunch in the Sandifer dining room. The morning was full of laughter, games, and a personal testimony from Sue Sheriff, Connie Maxwell alumnae, retired staff member, and current Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees. Self Family Foundation President Mamie Nicholson served as the keynote speaker.

Connie Maxwell DreamMakers is a group of inspired women who seek to glorify God and further His kingdom by nurturing healing, enhancing beauty, and instilling hope within the ministry.

“Regardless of the position you have or the work you do, if you are around or see children in your life, you can make a difference just by the way you treat them,” Sheriff said.

She recalled when she was a student in high school and still lived at Connie Maxwell, that she would one day come back and work at the ministry. “That’s how sure I was already of the change this place had made in my life,” she said. “I wanted to give back and be a part of this life-changing ministry.”

She credits meeting Sandifer as a key moment that eventually led to her and her siblings being placed at Connie Maxwell. Once coming to the ministry, she doesn’t remember much support from her parents, who eventually divorced and went their separate ways. “However, I now know that God loved me then, He was protecting me, and He had a plan for my life, even before I knew who He was.”

She was placed at Connie Maxwell on Thursday, July 9, 1959, with her four remaining siblings. “My life changed drastically, and the change would affect my entire life,” Sheriff said.

She recalled how sad and lonely her first day was. She felt like she had been thrown into a different world. Sheriff began school on campus in the third grade as a ten-yearold. “After a while, I began to settle into my new life and even started to blossom,” she said.

Regardless of the position you have or the work you do, if you are around or see children in your life, you can make a difference just by the way you treat them.

- Sue Sheriff Chairwoman, Connie Maxwell Board of Trustees

She credits the love and nurture from the staff that helped her endure. “For the first time in my life, I had structure, guidance, and discipline. I had clean clothes to wear, good food to eat, my own bed to sleep in, and all my other needs were met.”

Sheriff gave a glimpse of her pre-Connie Maxwell life. Most of her relatives outside her immediate family had died by the time she was born, and her parents lived through the great depression. Her father served in World War II, and both of her parents were uneducated. “They did not value education,” she said. “We lived in poverty.”

Sheriff’s father was an alcoholic, and her family of eight were living in a small rented house. “We mostly walked the streets, picking up what we could, and played in some nearby woods,” Sheriff said.

Sheriff had a brother who had health issues and died when he was just 14 years old. She remembers this vividly because it was the first time she had seen the inside of a church or mortuary. “This was a two-fold blessing for us,” she said. “Not only was my brother no longer suffering, but we met the mortician, who was none other than Connie Maxwell alumnus Cecil Sandifer.”

In 1969, Sheriff was the first in her family to graduate high school. She graduated in the top 5% of her class and was awarded a full academic scholarship to college. She graduated from Lander University.

“I am eternally grateful that God gave me the wisdom and the insight to take advantage of my placement at Connie Maxwell,” said Sheriff.

Later in the program, Mamie Nicholson reflected on how special the time was for her that morning. “So often as women, we don’t have the opportunity to sit and get to know each other,” she said. “We are all beautiful in our own ways and our own spirits, and it’s just a wonderful thing.”

Nicholson shared a devotional about how Jesus valued children—even coming to mankind as a baby born in a humble manger.

“We can all learn from children,” she said. “Children are happy all the time; they can find joy in the smallest things.

As adults, having ‘grand things’ don’t always bring happiness, she reminded the audience.

She thanked the staff for the unnoticed sacrifice often made in their daily jobs. “Well, today was our day to take care of you,” she said.

“Every day, you care for children and families at Connie Maxwell—so who are you?” Nicholson asked the audience. “You are the lap a lost child climbs into when they are crying for mom or dad. You are the teacher who helps with homework and encourages them to do their very best. You are the one they know will be sure they have a good meal, a soft bed, and a roof over their head. You are the one who comforts them when they have nightmares. You are the one they know will be here when they come home from school. You are the one who takes them to church and teaches them to pray. You are the one who teaches them to love others and to treat others how they would like to be treated.”

Nicholson continued, “I want you to know that those children in your care can begin to live lives as children. You’re not just holding down a job; you are serving others as the Lord has commanded.”

If you want more information on becoming a part of the DreamMakers, please contact Debra Nicholson at (864) 942-1400 or dwnicholson@conniemaxwell.com.

We can buy all these expensive toys, and all the child wants to play with is the box.”

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Columbia, SC Permit No. 1183