A simple cross, blackened by an arsonists flames, has a new home atop a new church.Almost three years to the date after a zealot set fire to Christ Episcopal Church, Bishop William Howard Love, the leader of the Albany Episcopal Diocese, will consecrate the new church Saturday.
It is nothing less than remarkable that the small, elderly congregation persevered to see their church rebuilt, said Richie Henzler, a musician who plays the recorder at services. The dozen or so active members of the congregation never doubted it would happen, he said, even though at a time when new Episcopal churches are rarely built, there was no full-time priest to advocate for them because pastors rotate among the small North Country churches.
We couldn’t leave in ashes something burned in hate, Henzler said.
A heart-warming story, from my home diocese of Albany. I particularly like how the small congregation prays every Sunday for the arsonist who burned down their former church building. Quite a testimony to God’s healing grace.
David Handy+
God bless this group of good and faithful servants. Statmann