---

Dear Friedens family and friends....

Sometime during the late evening of Monday, June 8 a fire broke out in the northeast corner of the sanctuary. It is believed to have been caused by a power surge resulting from a lighting strike to or very near the church. It is the opinion of the state fire marshal that the fire slowly intensified in some electrical wiring in the small closet located at the back of the sanctuary before bursting into the more open space of the room. The most extensive damage is to the east half of the sanctuary and balcony but the entire sanctuary sustained moderate to severe damage, including the organ and a number of stained glass windows.

Today, Tuesday, has involved inspectors, insurance adjusters, and a hundred challenges that need to be addressed. It has also been filled with people coming by to share our shock and grief, to give hugs and cry with us, and to offer their help. It is encouraging to experience the outpouring of support from the church and community.

The leadership of Friedens met late this afternoon to chart strategy for the initial response. We have to be concerned with safety, clean up, accommodations for worship services and other ongoing ministries, communication with you, and the outlining of steps to be taken in the hours, days, weeks and months to come. By the grace of God and our cooperate spirits we will prove our faith to be genuine (1 Peter 1:7) and God will be glorified.

We are making arrangements to use the Port Washington High School Auditorium for worship each of the next three Sundays. Worship will be held at 10:00 am It is important that we gather together to call on the name of the Lord and to unite our hearts and hands in the pursuit of the mission and vision set before us.

We promise to communicate with you as best we can. We have been advised to restrict access to the church until the environment is safer. We know you care and we know you're curious. Please work with us and we will do our best to help you know what has happened through pictures we will show on Sunday morning.

You can pray and you can encourage one another. You can support the dedication of the church's leadership and keep yourselves informed. We also want your input and ideas. We will be providing opportunities for you to help. Please be praying about how God might use you.

In His Service,

Pastor Mark

---

Who We Are | Ministries | Location | Services | Resources Prayer | Archives | Contact Us | Site Map | Home

---

Copyright © 1999-2003 – Friedens Evangelical Church
454 N. Milwaukee Street, Port Washington, WI 53074
(262) 284-2471