Is the Cross Really Missing?

This past Tuesday a person who attends Monson Church about 3 times a year submitted a letter to the voice of the people in the South Bend Tribune. The article had to do with a Sunday in which several of us watched a person take home a cross that had been in the old basement window entrance of the church. We no longer use this door as a new handicapped double door entrance was added for our 125th year ministry celebration (MC103). The person stated she was taking it home to clean it. It would be brought back at a later date.

Later date:

Early one Sunday morning after Valentines Day Adult Dinner Dance had taken place, the person who took the cross home, stated it was not in Her Window and that it has been taking by someone in the church. Please understand I know of several who watched her take the cross home, or at least out to the car.  I offered to replace the cross; Not knowing what it looked like, as I had not noticed it in this window for the 6 years I have been serving at MCC.

That offer was not taken, we searched the church. It seemed funny to me that we were having this exercise, as we already knew what had happened. This gets us back the letter that was in the paper:

Cross
In regard to The Tribune’s June 12 article on Terri Chamberlain’s son’s grave and the vandalism at Mount Pleasant Cemetery: That is bad and what a heartbreak.
I, too, have gone through a theft, at Monson Chapel on Indiana 2. In February a dance was held there for children. Two weeks, later I went to a foyer to get a 16-inch cross from a window I purchased. I was to have it redone. A very pretty bronze cross was gone. No one knows where it is.
I’ve cried and prayed that the cross be would brought back. Whoever did this, God knows who they are and I hope they bring it back to the window.
Parents, look around. If you see a strange cross, it may be from Monson. (Name had been removed- The paper can print it, I will not)  June 30, 2009 SBT website

What to do?

As I pondered what to do, I received several phone calls from people, talked in person to someone who knew the cross was taken home.

So, I have decided to send the following VOP letter to the South Bend Tribune Newspaper. I am not sure they will print it, or acknowledge it, but I was more concerned about the fact that they allowed a false accusation to be made against the church community.  At best if I was the editor, I would have called the Pastor of the Church to verify. Maybe I think different than most.

The following was sent to the South Bend Tribune Voice of the People:

Free crosses – Sent July 2, 2009

As the Pastor of Monson Community UMC, formerly Monson Chapel (we changed our name over 3 years ago). I felt compelled to let the community know that as of this date Monson Community Church has given out over 10,000 free crosses through our Cross in My Pocket ministry. Through our website www.thecrossinmypocket.com we send out a cross to everyone who makes a request. This includes the four corners of the world. As part of outreach and witness we feel compelled to make sure all of God’s children have a cross to remember the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made. This is a ministry where the people serving pay all of the bills to produce and mail each cross.

In regards to the cross that was given to the church as a memorial and has now somehow disappeared, it might just be that someone else needs this cross in order to experience the Love of Christ in their life. [Then again, it might be that God thought the cross deserved a new setting where it can be an inspiration as it is viewed everyday of the week.]

With respect to the cross being taken during an adult Valentine’s Day Dinner Dance put on by the youth group, I for one cannot allow any claim (direct or indirect) like this to be made against anyone in the church. None of the community members here deserve to be accused.

In retrospect the letter to which my reply is addressing, did not need to be published by the South Bend Tribune, as it paints a terrible image and places accusations against people who did nothing wrong. 

With all my heart I will stand up for the 112 plus sinners who attend Monson looking for a better way to live. I remember the words of Jesus, and he tells me not to judge.  We are called to find forgiveness for those who have done wrong to us. The hope is that one day everyone will listen to the message of Jesus and apply it in their life. Please contact me if you would like your free cross.

Blessings,

Pastor Tim
Tim Aydelotte, Lead Pastor
Monson Community Church
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

Monson Focus for 2009:
C- Christ Centered
A- Accountable Discipleship
R- Relevant Worship
E- Engaging the World
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Cell: 574-850-7053
Web: www.monsonchurch.com  
Pastor’s Blog: http://sundayrewind.wordpress.com/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/aydabunch

Monson Community Church

24172 ST RD 2 South Bend, IN 46619

Church website: www.monsonchurch.com

www.thecrossinmypocket.com

Church Phone: 574-287-0201

Pastor Tim: 574-850-7053     e-mail: Pastor@monsonchurch.com