Manito Pastor Thankful Sanctuary Protected
Manito United Methodist Church, 3220 S. Grand Blvd., is dealing with the aftermath of vandalism that took place last weekend.
The perpetrators, thought to be the two teenagers caught vandalizing Sacajawea Middle School next door early last Sunday, broke windows and dishes and damaged doors.
“They just went into the kitchen and started throwing things,” says Pastor John Shaffer.
Some petty cash was also taken, along with a VCR on loan from the Lions Club. The vandals also put metal in the church’s microwave, destroying the appliance.
Still, the damage could have been worse.
The vandals attempted to enter the sanctuary through two different doors but were unable to break in. Shaffer says he’s glad the doors held, as there’s no telling what the vandals would have done had they gained entrance.
Shaffer discovered the damage Sunday morning when he arrived to prepare for worship.
“It took me a while to realize that the dirt on the floor was fire extinguisher discharge,” says Shaffer. “My first reaction was I had to get a broom and clean this up.”
It was only when Shaffer arrived in his office and found a broken window that he realized something was wrong and phoned police.
The damage to the church is estimated at $1,500, and most will be covered by insurance.
The Samaritan Counseling Center, which leases space from the church, sustained an estimated $3,500 in damage when its computers were smashed. The center is covered by insurance, says Director Bob Stevenson.
Emmanuel to dedicate sanctuary
Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 314 S. Spruce, is celebrating the completion of its sanctuary-remodeling project with a rededication ceremony at its 10:30 a.m. worship service Sunday. Bishop Robert Keller will attend.
The remodeled sanctuary is sporting new paint and new floors, which enhance the church’s acoustics, says Pastor John Finstuen. The steps at the front of the church were restructured, and the railing brought down.
The altar, which was against the wall, was changed to a free-standing one and brought out into the room. A new pulpit was constructed using some of the marble from the old altar.
The entire project, which took only a month and $30,000 to complete, came in under budget and before the deadline.
“We have gotten a lot of bang for the buck,” says Finstuen.
The new sanctuary also features stained glass medallions, depicting the life of Christ, taken from the original German-designed Emmanuel Lutheran Church. That church was demolished in 1958 to make room for the freeway, prompting the congregation’s move to its current location.
“It’s a nice blend of the old and the new,” says Finstuen.
All are invited to attend the rededication service on Sunday. Refreshments will be served afterward.
Unitarians will host show, dinner
The Spokane Unitarian Universalist Church will host a talent show and spaghetti feed from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday. Activities for children are planned before and after dinner.
Tickets for the event are $4 for adults and $3 for children, with a maximum charge of $14 per family. Tickets for the children’s activities are 25 cents.
All tickets will be available at the door.
The money raised will be used to send church youths to camp over the Memorial Day weekend.
The church is located at 4340 W. Fort George Wright Drive.
For more information, call the church office at 325-6383.
, DataTimes MEMO: Church Notebook is a regular feature of the South Side Voice. If you have news about an interesting program or activity at a South Side church, or about the achievements of South Side worshipers, please let us know. Deadline is Monday. Write: Nina Culver, Church Notebook, South Side Voice, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. Call: 459-5487. Fax: 459-5098.