Letters: A church is not a building
February 4, 2013 9:42PM
Updated: March 6, 2013 6:06AM
I read with interest a recent letter about our church written by Shirley Pergler, of Romeoville (Jan. 20). I want to clarify a few things.
In 2011, Good Shepherd Church, ELCA, celebrated its 50th anniversary. Like other institutions, our congregation has faced challenges over the years. But, because of faith, these challenges have been overcome and we are better than ever.
We are still a place where AA and NA find a safe haven to meet, as well as new groups like PFLAG. We still have people who come from different faith journeys. In fact, our church has become a place where all are welcome — no exceptions. We welcome those who have been in the church all their lives and those who are walking in the door for the first time, and offer a special welcome to those who felt rejected by the church in the past.
Mrs. Pergler mentioned there are five vibrant churches in our village; there are actually more than five and though we don’t all have a permanent building, we are all still “churches,” places that remind people of “love, hope, peace, and forgiveness.”
When you look for Good Shepherd, you won’t find a steeple or a cross out front or a pipe organ inside. What you will find is a welcoming community of believers who are learning to love God and love others with the heart of Jesus and living that love out in their daily lives; a community that is dedicated to God; a community that cares about the people of Romeoville and beyond; a community that has stood the test of time — with or without a building.
And that’s a dream I see becoming more and more of a reality as each new day passes.
The Rev. Suzanne Anderson-Hurdle
Romeoville
Action instead of words
Have you ever noticed how society’s leaders excel in doing a lot of talking? Small wonder society’s citizens are led to do the same — a lot of talking with little action.
Funny and also sad about all this talk, besides the inaction is, little do we listen to what we say. When we hear talk of gun violence in the U.S., and mythical talks of remedies for it, what you don’t hear is that there has always been, and always will be, gun violence.
As citizens of the United States, we have forever been led by our leaders to value gun violence. As time passes, this increasingly horrid act should not surprise anyone. How else do you think we founded this country? The true answer is, with gun violence.
We certainly couldn’t imagine forcing a gross number of Africans into slavery without gun violence.
Guns will never up and disappear, and writing laws to “control” guns borders on insanity. In the same vein, while laws are written to control drunken driving, patrons drive home from sports bars. Besides, it’s not how we use guns that matter. It is how we use our minds.
Society can easily do much better in providing a sane way to act upon the many promises our leaders have made through the decades. Ask yourself, are guns in control or are people in control? The answer is not to talk, but to act. So, get ready.
Steven Grossett
Bolingbrook
