GEORGETOWN, S.C. —  Following public outcry over banning student prayer, local school officials agreed a prayer club will be formed at Georgetown High with the district’s approval.

As reported in Monday’s Georgetown Times, students who have been meeting in the school’s auditorium each morning for a time of prayer were told they could no longer hold the sessions as they were.

That decision by the district was made after officials say they received a complaint from the national organization Americans United for the Separation of Church and State (AUSCS) about a woman, Violet Infinger, handing out religious literature in the school parking lot.

Rob Boston, a spokesman for AUSCS, said the organization never had to get involved because the district acted quickly after receiving a call from an AUSCS attorney.

The decision to say “no” to the prayer group to continue the gatherings that had been going on for more than a decade drew opinions from people on both sides of the issue.

District Superintendent Dr. Dozier said Monday the only way the prayer sessions could continue is if a student-led club, sanctioned by the district, were to form.

On Tuesday, Dozier announced a prayer club at Georgetown High is being established.

“A number of students have requested to form a student prayer club,” Dozier said in a written statement. “This club will be open to all GHS students who wish to participate.”

The club, as required by district policy, will be sponsored by and monitored by a staff member and will submit a statement to the administration noting its goals, purpose and activities.

The club will have permission to meet on school grounds from 7:25 - 7:38 a.m. each morning.

In the past, youth ministers from various churches have attended the prayer sessions.

Dozier said that tradition can continue if the ministers are invited by the students in the club.

The one big difference concerns the distribution of scriptures.

Since 1999, Infinger has spent mornings  before school handing out slips of paper containing Bible verses and an invitation to the prayer gatherings.

“The District does not permit the distribution of any unapproved materials on any school campus,” Dozier said.  “The prayer club will be subject to these same restrictions on the distribution of religious literature.”

Public responds

Once the news hit the street about the disbanding of the prayer group, the Georgetown Times  Web site and Facebook pages began filling  with comments from readers.

 Most were against the district’s decision, although some say it was the right move.

“I don't understand this kind of stuff. The whole purpose of the foundation of this country was based on freedom of religion,” Tim Gamble commented on the newspaper’s Facebook page.

Annie Baxley said she feels the prayer time gave students encouragement.

“We should be proud of this, not taking it away,” she said.

Reader Earl Reown said he feels prayer is for churches, not schools.

“Ninety-nine percent of students live closer to a church than a school,” he said.

Morgan Kelly agreed with Reown.

“What most people, including Christians, fail to realize is that prayer and the practice of religion aren't predicated on public displays of faith. People don't need a ‘forum’ to pray,” he said.

Benji Wham, youth minister at Georgetown Community Church and chaplain of the GHS Bulldogs, said he is not surprised the district found a way for the prayer sessions to continue.

 He said the staff at GHS has always been open to Christian activities at the school.

“Georgetown High School is the best school I have ever worked with. They have always been open to ministry. (Principal Mike) Cafaro has always been a pleasure to work with,” he said.

By Scott Harper

sharper@gtowntimes.com