A concurrent RESOLUTION

 

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY UPON THE PASSING OF BISHOP JAMES REDFERN II, PRESIDING BISHOP OF THE ECUMENICAL CHURCH OF CHRIST WORLDWIDE, AND TO EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS LOVING FAMILY AND HIS MANY FRIENDS.

 

Whereas, born on October 27, 1949, in the Town of Liberty nestled in New York's Catskill Mountains, Bishop James Redfern II was the eldest of four children of James Melvin Redfern Sr. and Gertrude W. Redfern. Shortly after his birth, he moved with his family to Columbia, and when he was six years old, his father died, leaving his mother to raise her children courageously; and

 

Whereas, his earliest education at Saint Martin de Porres Catholic School taught him the Gospel was not only to be preached, but also lived, structured, and multiplied, and he was part of the inaugural Upward Bound program and graduated with honors from Booker T. Washington High School in 1967. He entered the University of South Carolina's College of Engineering on a full scholarship and later attended Benedict College. As a student at USC in the late 1960s, he became acutely aware of systemic racism through personal experiences of discrimination and hostility, emerging as a fearless Civil Rights activist, founding and leading organizations devoted to civil rights and economic opportunity, including Blacks United for Action, Black-On Nation, and Black News/Black-On News; and

 

Whereas, known for his fiery oratory and strategic confrontation of injustice, Bishop Redfern led marches on Columbia City Hall and the South Carolina State House, organized selective buying campaigns, and repeatedly appeared before Columbia City Council advocating for fair housing, voter registration reform, educational equity, police accountability, and employment justice. In one of his most consequential acts of protest, he confronted discriminatory hiring practices in the banking industry by leading the occupation of the C&S Bank branch on Taylor Street in Columbia, forcing negotiations with senior bank leadership and statewide reform in hiring practices through the All-American City Employment Plan. He also was a leading voice in the movement to recognize Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday as a state holiday; and

 

Whereas, a community leader and public servant, he was the founding board chair of the National Association of Nonprofit Organizations and Executives, was a former board member and active volunteer of the United Way for over thirty years, holding several executive volunteer positions with the United Way campaign and setting the record for the most donor presentations (345) in a single year, and managed political campaigns from local to statewide and congressional offices, serving in operations of several presidential campaigns and, in 1980, as a member of President-elect Ronald Reagan's transitional team for the Department of Transportation. He also was the founder, president, and publisher of Juju Publishing Company, which produced a national literacy magazine and community newspapers in seven South Carolina metropolitan markets, was the publisher of the Carolina Tribune weekly newspaper and the South Carolinian News magazine, and most recently he served as the publisher of the Catalyst magazine, which preserves Black history, amplifies community voices, and promotes civic engagement; and

 

Whereas, ordained in 1995, Bishop Redfern founded the Ecumenical Church of Christ Worldwide as a mission-minded ministry and served as its presiding bishop. Under decades of his leadership, churches were planted and strengthened in twelve states in the United States and throughout India, East and Central Africa, South America, and the Caribbean, and missionaries were sent abroad and supported. Together with his beloved wife, Bishop Dr. Luella Redfern, he reared six fine children, Jasmine Jones, Shelton Blue, Cedric Blue, Justin Redfern, Brandon Redfern, and Bryan Redfern; and

 

Whereas, the General Assembly is grateful for the legacy of Bishop Redfern as he devoted his life to God's call to preach the Gospel, do justice, and love mercy. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

 

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of Bishop James Redfern II, Presiding Bishop of the Ecumenical Church of Christ Worldwide, and extend their deepest sympathy to his loving family and his many friends.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Bishop James Redfern II.

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