Vandal destroys carpet, not church

Torus Tammer

An act of vandalism at Huntington Beach Church of Christ several weeks

ago has brought a religious community closer to one another.

“If it was an act of persecution, it failed. Acts of persecution never

work against religious faith because all they do is rally people

together,” said Frank Macy, minister for the Church of Christ.

The 80-member church suffered minor losses late last month when a

vandal placed a hose through the window and turned on the tap. Macy said

the carpeting was damaged, but the church’s insurance will cover the

loss.

The Huntington Street church initially felt shock and disappointment

at the vandalism, Macy said, but the blow was softened by the compassion

of neighbors and friends.

“Several local churches have volunteered their buildings, and

Huntington Beach rabbi Steve Einstein offered us the use of the

synagogue,” he said. “I wouldn’t wish this on anyone else, but I can say

that I have never felt closer to my neighbors and community than I do

now.”

Einstein, rabbi of Congregation B’Nai Tzdek and co-president of the

Greater Huntington Interfaith Council, said he is still outraged by the

incident.

“I think this act is especially disturbing because it was in a house

of God,” Einstein said. “The impetus to the interfaith council was a

series of hate crimes that had occurred a couple of years ago. So any

time there is an attack against an individual or organizations, we need

to come together and realize that we are created in God’s image.”

The vandalism was discovered June 23, when church member Susan Dodd

stopped by the church at 4 p.m to pick up materials for a Sunday class

she teaches. Dodd found the place submerged under 2 inches of water.

“The hose was placed through the window, and our church was flooded.

It was bizarre,” Dodd said. “The Fire Department came and brought in

lumber to prop up the pews so they wouldn’t get damaged.”

Macy, who was helping his wife with their son’s birthday party,

received the news from Dodd and promptly left for the church. He said he

found several church patrons already helping in the cleanup effort when

he arrived.

“It was heartbreaking to see ruined all the work we had done to make

the building presentable ,” Macy said. “We were astounded that anyone

would single out our church and do such damage to it.”

Sgt. Janet Perez of the Huntington Beach Police Department said an

investigation is continuing, but it’s tough trying to develop leads

without a motive.

The church is still holding services, albeit on concrete. By

mid-August, everything should be back to normal, perhaps even stronger

because of the experience, Macy said.

As for the culprits, Macy said the church harbors no ill feelings.

“Although this was a terrible experience, it has reaffirmed our faith

in many ways,” he said. “Our only request is that we really encourage all

the people who read this story to pray for who did this.”