United Church of Christ Congregation In Virginia Set On Fire; Vandals Leave Anti-Gay Hate Messages

The News Leader reports:

MIDDLEBROOK — A small fire was set in St. John’s Reformed United Church of Christ this morning and anti-gay graffiti was painted on the side of the building.

The outside of the church was vandalized with anti-gay messages and a declaration that United Church of Christ members were sinners. The graffiti’s message appeared to be a reference to the national church’s decision earlier this week to endorse gay and lesbian marriages.

The United Church of Christ’s General Synod voted Monday in Atlanta to approve a resolution that is accepting of gay and lesbian marriages but is not binding on local congregations.

A member of the congregation discovered the graffiti Saturday morning when he stopped by to mow the grass. He went into the church building, and when he opened the sanctuary there was still a small fire.

I have no idea whether or not the people of the congregation at St. John’s Reformed UCC were in favor of the resolution passed by the General Synod of the United Church of Christ supporting gay marriage or not. That is irrelevant.

It is tragic that whoever committed this hate crime did so because they were misled into believing that supporting legal equality for gays and lesbians is sinful. It simply is not.

The rhetoric of the religious right and their allies in the political right – who claim that homosexuality is a sin – must take some of the responsibility for the increase in hate crimes such as this one.

Albert Mohler, the prominent Southern Baptist leader, has even compared legal and legislative decisions in support of gay marriage to the attacks against the United States on September 11th. People hear that kind of hateful preaching and believe they are acting as faithful Christians as they torch churches or beat up gays.

United Church News is reporting tonight on the reaction of national UCC leaders:

The Rev. John H. Thomas, the UCC's general minister and president, said the entire 1.3-million-member denomination would be offering prayers of support for St. John's Reformed UCC and its pastor, the Rev. Dorcus J. Lohr.

"My heart goes out to the people of St. John's UCC in Middlebrook," Thomas said. "The violation of sacred space is traumatic for a congregation, particularly when a message of hate targets a church's efforts to reach out in the spirit of Christ's love to all people."

"I knew that the decision of our General Synod on July 4 to affirm marriage equality for same-gender couples would be controversial both within and beyond the church," he said. "It saddens me to realize that, for a few, disagreement has moved to acts of violence."

"The whole United Church of Christ will surround St. John's and its pastor in prayer as they gather for worship this weekend and as they seek healing from this assault," he said.

Earlier this year, (Rev. John ) Deckenback said, two other churches in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley were vandalized near the time the United Church of Christ's Stillspeaking Initiative began running television ads welcoming all people, including gays and lesbians.

Let us pray that the perpetrators of these acts find God, ask for forgiveness and are brought before our civil courts for justice.

Contributions to help the church can be sent to:

St. John’s Reformed United Church of Christ

1515 Arbor Hill Rd

Staunton, Va 24401