
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, November 28, 1993                   TAG: 9311250080
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

MOUNT TABOR DECISION NOT INTENDED TO HURT

I am the pastor of Slusser's Chapel Church of God, the home and parent body of Mount Tabor Nursery School. In recent months there has been much ado about the church's decision to reintroduce Christian material into the program of the nursery school. I am not writing to defend or justify, nor am I condemning any actions or deeds on either side of this debate. My purpose in writing is to offer my most heart-felt personal apology to anyone who was hurt or offended in any way. This apology extends to the former director, staff, board members and any parents who feel they may have been wronged.

If you are one of those feeling hurt and beaten up, I know how you feel. I, too, feel that same way. However, from this day forward, I release those feelings and I will bear them no longer. It was never the church's intention, or my own, to cause anyone pain. If we have, again I ask your forgiveness just as I forgive those I feel have sought to hurt me. Whether you ask forgiveness or not . . . you stand forgiven.\ The Rev. Richard N. Gilbert Slusser's Chapel Church of God, Blacksburg

by CNB