Is the Church Just a Building?

I thoroughly enjoy your publication and usually read it “cover to cover.”

I was a member of Princeton Presbyterian Church (U.S. 1, April 4) for several years especially during the initial fundraising years. I attended many dinners, etc. and donated quite a bit relative to my financial ability. I pass the building frequently as I work in Carnegie Center. I have heard it is very beautiful, but I have not been inside. I don’t look at it as a church — I look at it as “Ken Smith’s building,” as was emphasized in the two articles.

I usually brought an older lady (in her 90s) with me. Also, several of my neighbors at Rossmoor, a senior community where I live, were members. During that time my daughter, Cindy, became gravely ill and the removal of her lower intestine was required, etc. She is doing very well now — 10 years later, Praise the Lord. I spent quite a bit of time in Pennsylvania with her and her family. Therefore, I could not attend Princeton Presbyterian Church as I had prior to that. I would drop notes into Pastor Smith’s mailbox from time to time asking for prayer, etc. I would run in the back door of the church (it was usually open) and just leave them after work.

The woman I brought with me also contributed greatly to the new building. She became ill and could no longer attend. I advised the secretary at that time. My neighbors at Rossmoor, Dorothy and Bob Thompson, also contributed to the building fund. When Bob became ill with congestive heart failure, they each expressed their disappointment that no one from the church contacted them. No one ever called me to ask what was going on or how my daughter was. I was so disappointed and sad, too.

I called several times after I started attending a new church and spoke to a few of the women I had known and shared good times with and I asked why it was that none of us were ever contacted by Pastor Smith or anyone else. I was told, “we don’t do that very well.”

I just want to go on record to say that the expression that a church is NOT a building was never more exemplified than in this instance.

God is very much alive and well in all his people and we are the Church — the Body of Christ!

Loretta Samet

Rossmoor

Church w/ a Mission

I enjoyed your article about God being alive and well in the Princeton area. Ken Smith at Princeton Presbyterian is a respected member of our community, and we admire his faithful service and creative ideas for opening up his church to the community. The cover design for the article caught my attention.

One church that has had a significant impact in our area but was not mentioned is Calvary Chapel Mercer County. We have two campuses, one in Ewing and one in Robbinsville, and we draw people from all over Mercer County. On Easter more than 300 people attended our service, which we held at Lawrence High School so we could accommodate that crowd and bring both our campuses together.

Our church sends out mission teams around the U.S. and overseas each year. We’ve sent teams to Kenya, India, Belize, New Orleans, and Coatesville, PA. We offer small group Bible studies and support groups for addiction recovery. We have teamed up with FEMA to create relief teams in emergencies like the hurricane last summer.

We are an active and vital group that welcomes anyone seeking to grow in their faith. Here’s our website with more information. www.welcometocalvary.org

Thanks for featuring faith groups in U.S. 1

Carrie Turansky

Autism’s Increase

The Center for Disease Control has published its latest statistics on the incidence of autism in the U.S. The incidence has increased to 1 in 88 children. While some of the increase may be attributed to improved awareness, better diagnoses, or diagnostic substitution, these new figures present a good case for a true increase in the number of children with autism.

Among the most pressing concerns is the lack of attention given to the needs of these children once they become adults and continue to require support and specialized services. While research on causes and cures will make for a better future, services for those with the disability are essential today.

Armed with more than 35 years experience in education, employment, residential, and outreach programs, Eden Autism Services encourages readers to learn more about organizations like Eden and the important role they play.

Anne S. Holmes,

Carol Markowitz

Eden Autism Services

www.edenautism.org d