St. John’s Episcopal Church, the historic Washington, D.C., congregation based near the White House, agreed to have security fencing erected in response to repeated vandalism on its property.
Recently, the church property has been at the center of vandalism and violent encounters between police and protesters following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
St. John’s Church Rector the Rev. Robert W. Fisher sent a message to the parish last week, the letter being cosigned by Senior Warden Paul Barkett and Junior Warden Jeff Hantson. Fisher explained that church leadership was contacted by city officials about building protective fencing around their property, in light of renewed violence.
“After a thorough discussion,” the church explained, and after discussing matters with Bishop Mariann Budde, head of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, “we reluctantly agreed to the fencing.”
“While we hate both the fencing and the boarded-up windows, one of our main responsibilities as rector and wardens is to protect the buildings. Our hope is to remove both the fencing and plywood as soon as practicable.”
The parish letter went on to note that, in the meantime, they have “much work to do” regarding various matters, including plans to eventually return to holding in-person worship services.
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SOURCE: Christian Post, Michael Gryboski
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