Bill Text: SC H4500 | 2021-2022 | 124th General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Sara Juengst retirement
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2021-06-29 - Introduced and adopted [H4500 Detail]
Download: South_Carolina-2021-H4500-Introduced.html
A HOUSE RESOLUTION
TO CONGRATULATE REVEREND DR. SARA COVIN JUENGST, A RETIRED PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER FROM BELTON, FOR HER OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO RESTORE WILLINGTON.
Whereas, it is altogether fitting that the House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina should pause in deliberations to express gratitude to Reverend Dr. Sara Covin Juengst for her significant contributions to the Willington community; and
Whereas, born on January 15, 1930, in Greenwood while her family was living in Willington, Sara Alpha Covin earned a bachelor's degree from Erskine College in 1950 and was honored in 2006 with the school's Outstanding Female Alumna Award; and
Whereas, she received certification as a Christian educator in 1952 from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education, and in 1983, she earned a Master of Divinity Degree from Columbia Theological Seminary (CTS) in Atlanta and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Presbyterian College in 1994; and
Whereas, Reverend Juengst and her beloved husband, the late Daniel P. Juengst, were married in 1953, and together they reared four fine children, who blessed them with the affection of a number of loving grandchildren. The couple served as missionaries to the Congo in the former region of Zaire; and
Whereas, she served as director of CTS, leading student groups to sites of importance to the Christian Church, such as Beijing, China, in 1989. She has authored several Christian books and publications for the Presbyterian Church and served as a campus minister and denominational staff associate for missions; and
Whereas, Reverend Juengst served as a supply pastor at Lincolnton Presbyterian Church, and after retiring from teaching at CTS, she and her husband moved to Willington in 1994, where they spearheaded the nonprofit restoration project of Willington; and
Whereas, she served on the Historical Commission of McCormick County, and her efforts there secured two hundred fifty thousand dollars from the South Carolina Legislature, the first grant which created Willington on the Way as a nonprofit organization. Dr. Juengst served as its president from 2000 until December 2020; and
Whereas, working with local author and historian Bob Edmonds, Dr. Juengst spent hours researching and writing many historical grants, including several from the National Heritage Corridor and the USDA Rural Economic Development Program, which provided funds for renovating seven brick buildings and two wood-frame buildings in the village of Willington; and
Whereas, she secured grants to create a not-for-profit bookshop to provide ongoing support for the project and the Willington History Center, both of which she directed. The center consists of two buildings housing archival material and historical artifacts with three historical dioramas and provides materials on family genealogies, cemetery records, marriage certificates, deeds, and wills; and
Whereas, the opening of the Daniel P. Juengst Railroad and Post Office Center, along with the establishment of the African-American Cultural Center, were made possible by Dr. Juengst's continual efforts to secure funding and highlight the history of Willington. To preserve the impact of Willington on the Way, she organized volunteer docents for local tours of the area; and
Whereas, her devoted work in Willington was honored in 2018 by the McCormick Chamber of Commerce with The Shining and Brightest Award for Women in Business for her dedication to promote the county's vision, tourism, and education; and
Whereas, grateful for her many years of distinguished service, the South Carolina House of Representatives takes great pleasure in honoring Sara Juengst for her significant contributions to restore Willington and preserve its storied past. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate Reverend Dr. Sara Covin Juengst from Belton, for her outstanding service to restore Willington.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend Dr. Sara Covin Juengst.
