Update from Pastor Sarah Dorrance at Taylorsvile United Methodist Church

Update from Pastor Sarah Dorrance on repairing the damage from vandals at Taylorsville United Methodist Church

September 15, 2008

Dear Congregation:

I wanted to give you an update on events of today. First of all, many thanks to Hearl Wright and Bill Harris who have been working very hard to get the proper things in place. They have done a great job. Kudos Hearl and Bill! Thanks to you, the congregation too, for your patience and prayers.

This morning the insurance adjusters met with Bill and took a look at the extent of the damage. They recommended a professional cleaning company to begin the clean up process. That company will begin first thing tomorrow morning.

They've asked that we not be there during the initial clean up, as that will hinder their work. They will clean every thing up, and then put it in bags so that we can figure out where it belonged. (That is where we might need to help out.)

Things that are damaged beyond repair will go into portable #3 for now, until we can replace them. Insurance is working very closely with us. The best news is that they are fairly sure that we will be in the sanctuary to worship on Sunday morning!

(The basement and other rooms will not be ready yet--so adult Sunday Schools will have to be in the Education Building. Don't worry, the sofas are really comfortable there!)

The police have also been working very hard to solve this case…

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The head police investigator offered to come talk to our congregation on Sunday morning, before worship begins to talk about what they are doing in terms of patrolling the area. They will be sending in cars frequently for the time being.

You should know that MANY churches and pastors of churches have called to offer their condolences and their prayers. MANY have offered hands on help to clean up. There is even one youth group that I have heard of that wants to help us clean up. God stands firm with us, even in the midst of trials.

Please continue to pray for our church, our community, our police force and the ones who caused it all. Oh, and maybe some sleep for Hearl and Bill, too ;)

Many blessings
Pastor Sarah Dorrance

20080915 Update from Pastor Sarah Dorrance