MITCHELL, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The Mitchell Congregational Church of Christ has been open and accepting to the LGBTQ community, but some in the community have taken issue with the church’s stance.
The church said the first incident happened in the summer of last year when the A/C was cut out. Back in May Revered Matthew Richards says that he and the congregation have not let this get them down.
In May, unidentified suspects spray-painted a verse from the Old Testament book of Leviticus which says “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.
Then, last week, another incident occurred on the other side of the church.
“We found two good-sized rocks in this room along with shattered glass,” Richards said.
In the same room where the Helping Hand Food Pantry serves, wood boards are posted on the windows after rocks were thrown through them last week in the most recent attack.
“People have felt violated, challenged, hurt,” Richards said.
Some of the damage has been a lasting reminder, the spray paint remaining because of concerns of what power washing will do to the caulk but Richards says the community has tried to help however they can.
“People started doing sidewalk chalk and covering the graffiti and that was just a beautiful display of solidarity and support.”
The United Church of Christ has had an open policy since the late 1960s, Richards says that the church is keeping to God’s word.
“God is still speaking into our modern day lives how do we recognize that in individuals of those who recognize themselves as gay, lesbian or trans.”
As the church bounces back from the recent attacks, it’s also finding ways to protect itself
“Increased our security footage around the building, there’s a lot more surveillance and people keeping eyes on what’s taking place”
The Mitchell Police Department told the church that they have no clear suspects for any of the attacks, all they have right now are eyewitness testimonies.
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