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Union Baptist unites after fire Congregation gathers in the adjacent center BY KONSTANTIN VENGEROWSKY konstantin@theitem.com The building is gone, but the church still stands. That is what the Rev. Walter Robertson III of Union Baptist Church in Rembert told his congregation on June 4 after flames swallowed the 28-yearold structure. Sumter Fire Department estimated the total loss at $1 million, according to Battalion Chief Joey Duggan. Duggan said at the time of the fire, the department did not have any indication there was anything suspicious about it. The cause of the fire is being investigated by South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, which is protocol with church fires. Firefighters from four agencies battled the flames for about six hours on Saturday, Duggan said. A choir and a praise dance practice was held just hours before the fire started at the church. Trustee Clarence Rainey, who locked up the building two hours before said he was shocked to learn of the fire. Rainey and several other church members were the first to arrive on the scene of
KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM
The Rev. Walter Robertson stands near the cornerstone of Union Baptist Church and surveys the damage caused by a fire on June 4. This is the second time the church has been destroyed in such a manner. The first time was in 1987. after being alerted by another member about the blaze. “It was completely engulfed,” he said. Rainey then alerted Robinson, who arrived a short time later, he said.
As the structure burned, Robertson gathered his congregation into the Family Life Center, the church’s facility located adjacent to the building, that includes a gymnasium and a cafeteria.
It was not a somber atmosphere, however, but one that was filled with hope and energy. “My whole goal was to keep the congregation from being sad and down,” Robertson
said. “It was very important to call everyone together and to celebrate the fact that we had another building to go to.”
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Asthma camp helps teach kids to manage symptoms BY KONSTANTIN VENGEROWSKY konstantin@theitem.com
RICK CARPENTER / THE SUMTER ITEM
Youth from a four-county area learn a dance routine during the Lancaster District Church School Convention held Friday and today at Orangehill AME Church in Wedgefield.
AME convention builds on church’s foundation BY RICK CARPENTER rick@theitem.com Even with the advent of Facebook, members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church want other members to remember their roots, said leaders of the Lancaster District Church School Convention, which started Friday and runs through today at Orangehill AME in Wedgefield. Lancaster District includes AME churches in Richland, Sumter, Fairfield and Lancaster counties. Those roots were established in the late 1700s but expanded greatly after
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the Civil War, according to the AME Church website. The church’s history follows the plight of black people in that time period, offering a religious experience not encumbered by racism from traditional churches in their communities. John Wiley, who serves as church school superintendent for the Lancaster District, said AME churches formed the social equivalent to Facebook, except with much more actual face time with fellow parishoners weaving in the culture, history and camaraderie of
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Like trying to breathe through a straw. That is how Wells Gaymon, 18, described having an asthma attack. Gaymon, who has lived with asthma all of his life, served as one of the counselors for a free camp this week at Millwood Elementary GAYMON School for 94 children battling asthma in Sumter County. On Friday, participants, ages 5 to 12, presented in groups different topics they learned this week. Some students drew out what triggers their asthma while others sang about what happens during an asthma attack. Participants demonstrated how to use an inhaler properly and how to measure one’s ability to use a peak flow meter, a small, hand-held device used to monitor a person’s ability to breathe out air. The local Camp SCAMP, which stands for South Carolina Asthma Management Program, is funded by The Tuomey Foundation, according to Susan Gaymon, camp director and director of Palmetto Health Tuomey’s Women’s and Children’s Services division. The goal is to help children learn about asthma while participating in fun activities and ultimately to improve their health and reduce school absences because of their condition, Gaymon said. Gaymon, whose three children all have asthma, started the pro-
gram in Sumter in 1992. “We realize that many children rely on their parents when it comes to dealing with an asthma attack,” she SESSION said. “This program teaches them how to be better prepared to react to it on their own and to also know warning signs.” Each morning during the week began with an educational session focused on topics such as anatomy of the lungs, warning signs of wheezing, potential triggers and how to use an inhaler properly. Participants would then take field trips to places such as Skate Station, Palmetto Falls Water Park and Carowinds, an amusement park. During the field trips, children would apply what they learned in the classroom, such as when to make use of their inhaler, Gaymon said. There are two types of inhalers that participants talked about, a precautionary inhaler and a rescue inhaler. A precautionary inhaler is used frequently, even if there are no signs of an asthma attack. A rescue inhaler is used during an asthma attack. Each child attending the camp also received a peak flow meter. “A person’s peak flow can be measured several times a day,” Gaymon said. “It can hint whether an asthma attack is likely to occur in the near future.” Samoria Session, 18, also served
SEE ASTHMA, PAGE A3
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