HMB church thanks community
To the Editor:
The appreciation and gratitude we members of the Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church feel for the many, many people who have stepped forward with assistance and encouragement since March 7 is almost beyond our ability to articulate.
Heading that list are the emergency personnel — firefighters, law enforcement, ambulance attendants and American Red Cross volunteers — who gave so generously of their time, energy and resources in the effort to save not only our church building, but also the homes surrounding it. Your heroic efforts will never be forgotten by those of us who witnessed them.
Close behind those community servants are the various churches and institutions who have offered so much to us in the initial stages of our recovery. To our knowledge, every congregation in the Hillsboro community, regardless of denominational affiliation, has offered to share "whatever we have" as our congregation takes its first tenuous steps toward a new beginning. We have experienced anew the power and witness of Christian unity.
Of special note is the incredible generosity expressed to us by Unified School District 410 and Tabor College, who have opened to us their doors and facilities to an extent that almost exceeds common sense, much less common practice. We want to be worthy of your magnanimous spirit.
We also want to affirm Hillsboro City Administrator Steve Garrett and his staff and crew. They worked hard on our behalf, providing expertise and doing the many routine but important things that enabled our leaders to meet their obligations to the various investigative agencies and area media. You embody the best definition of "civil servants."
And to the residents and businesses of Hillsboro and surrounding communities who provided food, equipment and various services during the fire — as well as those who have prayed for us and encouraged us with words and presence — we receive your expressions of assistance with profound humility. It is a great blessing to be part of this caring community.
Please know that it is our intent, as God enables us, to embrace and encourage you in the weeks and months ahead even as you have embraced and encouraged us in these days.
Bruce Porter, pastor
Don Ratzlaff, moderator for the HMBC congregation
