FROM THE PASTOR - JUNE 2005

The results are in! You have spoken! A big THANK YOU to all who took the time to complete our 50 Days of Easter Survey listing problems in our community. Not surprisingly, half of the surveys listed the high cost of housing as being a problem you felt our church should address. Both violence against women and hunger received 35% of the votes. (Yes, the numbers do add up to over 100%: many circled more than one answer). Others listed concerns such as reaching teens, racism/prejudice, communication, the elderly, being a part of community on a daily basis, “Latch key” kids (after school programs), anti gay prejudice, excessive credit interest charged to the poor, parenting, financial education, trash, and how to live the way God wants us to live.

By the time you read this, the members of your Church Council will have met to go over the results, and determine how best to proceed. Certainly all of the issues raised are important, but it is my hope that we will determine that one (or perhaps those 2) area(s) that we can begin to work on come the fall. The results of their deliberations will be in next month’s newsletter.

In the meantime, I hope that you will make every effort to attend our special Church Conference on June 5th after church. The topic for discussion will be what to do with the 53 Otis Street property. I have some suggestions which will, I believe help us not only answer the question of what to do with the property, but also help us address the one concern that half of us share.

Pastor Tony