Gerry Beltgens Special to the Chronicle
Pastor Darin Phillips of Ladysmith’s Oceanview Community Church hopes that the people who tagged its Nativity scene come back and share some apple cider and shortbread.
“All is forgiven. We understand that Christmas can bring up difficult feelings for some people and our doors are open to them,” said Phillips.
Late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning somebody climbed up on the roof of the church and tagged the Nativity scene, as well as a section of wall.
“It shocked me when I arrived and it hurt to think that someone would vandalize a representation of Baby Jesus,” he said. “We have a lot of good things going on and for a moment this was a bit of a set back.”
The damage is easily repaired however and will soon be fixed.
“It is ironic that we have been helping a homeless man who had been sleeping at the church last night when this happened.”
The church recently voted to sponsor an Islamic Syrian refugee family and had just spoken to them via Skype in Turkey.
“We are an inclusive Church and the work we do is not limited to our congregation. We are also working with a group of teenagers who are interested in learning more about Christianity.”
“Our doors are open to everyone, come for a glass of hot apple cider, some shortbread, or just to talk and share fellowship. That is the Christmas Spirit.”
