Immanuel Presbyterian

I have been a member of Immanuel Presbyterian Church for over 50 years, but I didn’t know we are “polarized” until I read it in the paper (Sept. 27). True, we do have strong differences of opinion in regard to Walker Railey, and some members are leaving the church on his account. But it is untrue that more than 200 congregants have left since he came. If this were so, we would no longer have a church. Our activities and attendance are strong.

The session and many of our members were aware that the arrest might happen, but in this country a person is presumed innocent unless proved guilty. This, I believe, is the majority position.

Immanuel Church is diverse, but is not made up of “mostly poor Latin American and Asian immigrants.” Most members are neither poor nor immigrant, but perhaps affluent and different. We are glad we can worship and sing together. Although we do have money problems, we are working on them, and they are not insurmountable.

As a church, our mission is “in the heart of Los Angeles for good.” We have an outstanding youth program, feed the hungry daily, and sew clothes for the children of Skid Row. We are not saints, but these are some of the ways Immanuel Presbyterian Church still stands tall.

BETTY H. KANOUSE, Los Angeles