S*0966 Resolution, By Jackson
 A SENATE RESOLUTION TO COMMEND REHOBOTH UNITED CHURCH OF COLUMBIA FOR A HALF
 CENTURY OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY AND TO EXTEND WARMEST CONGRATULATIONS ON
 THE OCCASION OF THE CHURCH'S FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY.

   01/13/16  Senate Introduced and adopted (Senate Journal-page 47)

TO COMMEND REHOBOTH UNITED CHURCH OF COLUMBIA FOR A HALF CENTURY OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY AND TO EXTEND WARMEST CONGRATULATIONS ON THE OCCASION OF THE CHURCH'S FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY.

Whereas, having been founded in 1965, Rehoboth United Church of Columbia celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in 2015; and

Whereas, birthed in 1964 as a little mission, Rehoboth was located in a storefront building on Bluff Road and was officially organized and chartered in 1965. Other than its young pastor, Minister C.L. Lorick, Sr., and his wife, Elease, the mission had only two members, Mother Mamie Bell and Mother Florence Goodwin. It quickly grew to several dozen, primarily because of the pastor's eight children and evangelism efforts on Wheeler Hill. Today, membership is in the hundreds; and

Whereas, in 1967, the church purchased its first property, 1912 Cushman Drive, the congregation worshipping in an army barrack acquired for use as a temporary sanctuary. In 1969, planning began for constructing a permanent sanctuary, and in 1975 the Cushman Drive worship facility was dedicated; and

Whereas, in 1979, Pastor C.L. Lorick, Sr., was elevated to the office of bishop by his denomination's leaders. At the same time, his son, C.L. Lorick, Jr., was ordained to the ministry and later also achieved the office of bishop and served on the Board of Bishops of the United Church of Jesus Christ. Both father and son have served as diocesans for the 6th Episcopal Diocese (Florida) and the 5th Episcopal Diocese (South Carolina), where C.L. Lorick, Jr., currently serves; and

Whereas, after serving for thirty-six years, Bishop C.L. Lorick, Sr., retired in 2001 as pastor of Rehoboth, and his son, Bishop C.L. Lorick, Jr., was appointed as his successor. As with Solomon when he succeeded King David, it became the son's responsibility to continue the legacy his father had built; and

Whereas, on August 29, 2009, the church dedicated its newly built worship center on North Beltline Boulevard. In 1987, with the donation of five acres of land by his daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Marvin Bostic, Bishop Lorick, Sr., established the Beulah United Mission in Williston as an extension of the Rehoboth United Church ministry. Today, Beulah United Church is a fully functioning ministry in the Williston area. At Rehoboth, plans are currently underway to construct a church fellowship center, which also will be used for community meetings, training opportunities, and youth outreach; and

Whereas, Rehoboth United Church has been very active in training pastors and lay leaders for ministry. Many of them have realized great success through this training, with some establishing churches in other cities and states. A Christ-centered, family-focused church with over twenty-five focus ministries, Rehoboth's goals include spiritual growth, personal development, community involvement, family enrichment, and educational pursuits. Programs embrace scouting, youth mentoring, tutoring, community gardening, senior-citizen programs, financial planning, and other endeavors; and

Whereas, Rehoboth United Church has been a beacon of light in Columbia for fifty years, and, God willing, will continue its godly heritage in many more years of worship and service. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, commend Rehoboth United Church of Columbia for a half century of service to the community and extend warmest congratulations on the occasion of the church's fiftieth anniversary.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Rehoboth United Church.