ALL SAINTS LUTHERAN CHURCH - BLUE SPRINGS, MO
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Statement: All Saints Lutheran Church Announces its Program to Promote
Healing, Forgiveness and Thanksgiving and Work Day
On Tuesday, July 18, 2006 All Saints Lutheran Church was the victim of a horrible hate
crime. The church building and grounds suffered extensive damage by vandalism and
graffiti. The language spray-painted on the building and grounds had sexual overtones
and “hate speech” directed at organized religion. No arrests have been made.
All Saints Lutheran Church is committed to working vigorously with law enforcement to
make sure justice is served and to taking any steps necessary to insure that other places
of worship are not victimized. At the same time All Saints Lutheran Church prays that
the individuals involved find help in dealing with the hate that made them decide it was
necessary to desecrate a church and destroy its property. The outpouring of love and
support to our congregation from those in the community has been inspiring.
On Saturday, July 22, 2006 at 9:00 am, All Saints Lutheran Church will have a short
program to promote Healing, Forgiveness and Thanksgiving. All Saints Lutheran is
committed to living the commands of Jesus Christ that we should forgive the trespasses
of others as we ourselves ask to be forgiven. The short interdenominational program will
allow church members to begin healing, further its forgiveness and express their
gratitude to the broader community for the gracious and amazing support we have
received in the last 48 hours. The program is expected to take less than a half-hour.
Immediately following the program, the church members will work to make further
repairs and cleanup the vandalism and graffiti. The church Community Life Committee
will provide beverages and the Property Committee will provide tools, paint, brushes and
other items to assist. Members of the community and the press are welcome at both the
program and to assist in whatever manner they can with the cleanup.
It is uncertain whether insurance coverage will be available for all the damages.
Financial contributions can be made to All Saints Lutheran Church, 421 SW 19th St.,
Blue Springs, MO 64015 or deposited to the account of All Saints Lutheran Church at
Bank Midwest, N.A. 18301 E. 40 Hwy, Independence, MO 64055. All Saints Lutheran
Church is a Missouri chartered not-for-profit corporation and all donations qualify for
applicable charitable contribution tax deductions.
All Saints Lutheran is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and is
located in 421 SW 19th St., in Blue Springs, MO. The congregation has approximately
175 members and a regular Sunday morning attendance of approximately 75. Its
website is www.bluespringslutheran.com
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