A house RESOLUTION

TO CELEBRATE THE JOYOUS OCCASION OF THE forTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE I. DeQuincey Newman United Methodist Church AND TO CONGRATULATE AND COMMEND Reverend Frank V. James AND THE CONGREGATION FOR THEIR YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE Meadowlake COMMUNITY.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to learn that the congregation of the I. DeQuincey Newman United Methodist Church will celebrate its fortieth anniversary on Sunday, April 21, 2024; and

Whereas, founded in the Meadowlake community by Methodist pastor and civil rights activist Isaiah DeQuincey Newman with eighty-one charter members, the church was initially named Middleton-Rosemond in honor of Reverend Abram Middleton and Reverend J. R. Rosemond, preachers who founded African American churches in the past. The church's first worship service was held on January 9, 1983, at the Carpenters and Millwright Hall, and five months later, the church was organized under the United Methodist denomination; and

Whereas, early in 1984, a 5.1-acre plot was purchased where the church is located today, followed that same year by the establishment of the United Methodist Women's Organization in June with Esther K. Witherspoon as the first president and the United Methodist Men's Organization in November with John Thomas as its first president. The first Vacation Bible School was inaugurated in June 1985; and

Whereas, Reverend Newman preached his final sermon on June 15, 1985, and he passed away in October of that year. In his honor, the church was officially renamed I. DeQuincey Newman United Methodist Church in November of 1986. In addition to his service to God, Reverend Newman was active in South Carolina social and political movements, helping to organize the Orangeburg NAACP branch in 1943, founding the Progressive Democratic Party, serving as the state's NAACP field director from 1960 to 1969, serving as executive assistant to the Director of the South Carolina Department of Social Services and as Director of the Governor's Rural Regional Coordination Demonstration Project; and, in 1983, being the first African American to serve in the South Carolina Senate since Reconstruction; and

Whereas, the ministers who followed in Reverend Newman's footsteps to lead the flock at I. DeQuincey Newman United Methodist Church included Reverend Luonne A. Rouse, Reverend Ernest C. Etheredge, Reverend Dr. Augustus Rodgers, Reverend Joseph A. Wilson II, Reverend Jack C. Washington, Reverend Dr. Walter H. McKelvey, Reverend Charles L. White, Reverend Jeremiah Page, and Reverend Frank V. James; and

Whereas, two notable lay leaders who served the church were Louise Williams who coordinated major fundraisers which helped to retire the debt on the Multipurpose Center, the first phase of a long-range building plan, and Samuel Boyd, under whose leadership a new wing was completed and dedicated in June 2011, which was named in honor of charter member Esther K. Witherspoon who dedicated her life to serving her church and the United Methodist Church as a whole; and

Whereas, the congregation has developed ministries to meet needs in the ever-changing society, including the Keenan High School enrichment program partnership to recognize and help prepare high school students for their futures, the children's Sabbath program that utilizes young, enthusiastic speakers and activities for the younger generation, and an annual Valentine Gala that brings together churches in the community to cohost the event; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives joins in celebrating the fortieth anniversary of I. DeQuincey Newman United Methodist Church, and the members wish the congregation many years of continued and significant service to the Meadowlake community. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, celebrate the joyous occasion of the fortieth anniversary of the I. DeQuincey Newman United Methodist Church and congratulate and commend Reverend Frank V. James and the congregation for their years of dedicated service to the Meadowlake community.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend Frank V. James.

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