Chapter 20. Church Business

Asking help for fire victims

Dear Members of the Church Community,

As most of you know, last week a sudden fire destroyed the home of the Cosgrove family. Matt and Pam and their four children have been members of our congregation for the past six years.

We are so happy that everyone was able to escape the fire safely. But they lost everything they owned, literally running out the door with just the clothes on their backs.

The Cosgroves are temporarily living at the Lakeside Motel, which is owned by Jim and Diane Fleming of our church; they have generously provided shelter for this family in their time of need.

I am writing to ask that you, too, come to their aid.

We are accepting donations of money as well as clothing, toys for the children, and other necessities.

Please contact the church office to see how you can help.

Sincerely,

Tom Anderson, Pastor

Thanking members of church for support

To Members of the Church Community,

As most of your know, a month ago this week Tom and I lived through one of the most horrific events of our lives.

A fire started in our basement and quickly spread to the upper floors in our house.

Fortunately it happened in the afternoon while we were all up and around, and our family (and the cat and the dog and the parakeet) was able to get out safely.

And though the Rolling Meadow Fire Department was on the scene very quickly, there was nothing that could be done; we watched the fire destroy everything we owned.

We feel blessed that everyone was safe and unhurt, and we draw strength from all of you who have been so kind and supportive of us. The outpouring of support has been incredible.

As we rebuild our lives, I cannot imagine how we could have done it without the generosity and love of our friends and neighbors.

We will be forever grateful.

Sincerely,

Pam Cosgrove

Changing churches

William Swain, Pastor

Rolling Meadow Community Church

Dear Rev. Swain,

My husband Jim and I have been parishioners at your church since we moved to Rolling Meadow five years ago.

It is our opinion that in recent years you have sought to ally the church with a number of human rights positions that are in conflict with our own beliefs about individual freedom of choice.

We have spoken to you in the past about our concerns. At this point we have decided that we have no other choice but to leave the congregation.

We wish you and our friends at the church all the best and hope that someday in the future we can worship together in harmony.

Sincerely,

Leigh Vaughan

Church not meeting fundraising goal

Dear Parishioners,

One year ago we embarked on what we knew was going to be a difficult mission: raising funds to build an addition to our community center to accommodate the many children of working parents who needed daycare.

We had hoped to begin construction this coming April. Though we never doubted the support and generosity of our members, we could not have predicted the difficult economic times that would arrive.

Today, as things begin to look better for our individual and national bank accounts, we’d like to begin the final push toward raising funds to complete the job.

As of this date we have raised just over half of what we need to achieve our goal. We would like to invite those of you who have yet to give to make a contribution now. To our already generous members, we’d like to ask for just a bit more.

The daycare facility will benefit us all, allowing for more parents to keep working and helping to fulfill our church’s mission in the community.

Thank you once more.

Harry Andrews, Building Committee Chair

Opposing new construction plan

Dear Fundraising Committee,

Eight months ago the congregation of Rolling Meadow Community Church approved plans for a major building project that would add a recreation hall and kitchen to our facilities.

Fundraising and pledge support is to begin in the next couple of weeks.

I’m sure all of you would agree that the economy we face today is very different from what it was just eight months ago.

At this time I think it would not be prudent to proceed with a project on the scale originally proposed. I believe we should make do with what we have—the building has served us well for eighty years—until financial times are better.

In my opinion, our church’s funds and the energies of our members would be much better used to provide assistance to those in need in the days ahead.

Clara Tuttle

Objecting to political content of sermon

Dear Reverend Wells,

As a relatively new member of your congregation, I congratulate you on your fine work and the respect you enjoy in the community.

I have always looked forward to your sermons. I have found them to be very thoughtful and inspiring; you write well and you speak with great passion.

However, I am afraid that I feel that this past Sunday’s address to the parishioners crossed the line from faith into politics.

I believe politics and religion are each noble causes and that neither should cross into the domain of the other. It would be my hope you would continue to motivate and provoke but stay clear of political matters.

Sincerely,

John Daly

Objecting to use of church hall for political rally

William Swain, Pastor

Rolling Meadow Community Church

Dear Rev. Swain,

I was very surprised, and more than a bit concerned, to learn about the rally and fundraiser held in the Community Church’s hall for a local candidate for Congress.

My personal feelings about this particular candidate are not relevant; I strongly believe that the church should stay out of politics. We all believe in free choice, and that must extend into the voting booth as well.

I am also concerned that any partisan political activity associated with the church could endanger our tax status with the state and federal governments.

I am hoping this event was a one-time error and not the beginning in a change in the focus of our church, which I know we all value so deeply.

Sincerely,

Beverly Owens