ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, July 14, 1996 TAG: 9607150092
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: DUBLIN
SOURCE: LISA K. GARCIA STAFF WRITER
``WHERE THERE IS UNITY, THERE IS STRENGTH" was the message of churchgoers of all colors at an interfaith service in Dublin Saturday.
Arsonists' flames haven't scorched the bonds between black and white Christians in Pulaski County.
Unity existed before the national rash of church burnings, and the blazes are even forging new bonds in some cases, worshipers said.
Blacks and whites joined in song and prayer Saturday morning at the Dublin United Methodist Church to say the fires will be squelched by love - God's love.
The special service was one of several in Methodist churches of Southwest Virginia and East Tennessee that gathered people of all faiths to offer spiritual support to those affected by the burnings. The idea originated at a meeting of the United Methodists of the Holston Conference, who also are collecting money to help the church rebuilding effort.
More than 40 black churches have been damaged or destroyed by fire in the last 18 months. Authorities said arson was the source of many of the fires and racism the motive in at least some. Several white churches also have been burned in recent months, but the proportion is lower and racism never determined as a motive.
According to statistics from federal authorities, 73 black churches and 75 white churches have been damaged or destroyed by fire in the last 18 months.
There is evidence pointing to racism in 12 to 18 of the fires at black churches, and insurance officials have said there is an increase in fires at black churches. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms attributes most of the other fires to arson sprees, drunkenness, teen vandalism and copycat arsons based on publicity.SOME EXPLANATION ABOUT THE OTHER FIRES IS NEEDED BUT THESE GRAPHS MAY WEIGH THE STORY DOWN AND GET IT OFF TRACK:
Racism is unlikely in 15 fires at black churches. Black suspects were named in nine of those cases; another six churches were burned as part of arson sprees that
included both white and black property.
In the remaining dozen cases where there have been arrests, the question
of racism is more subtle. The gallery of suspects includes drunken teen-agers,
devil worshippers, burglars and three separate cases where firefighters are
accused of setting blazes they then helped put out.
Copycat arson is suspected in at least 18 fires at black and white churches in the weeks since the media first spotlighted the issue.
The Rev. Donald Swift, a black pastor for the Pulaski Parish of the Randolph Avenue United Methodist Church in Pulaski and Slaughter's Chapel United Methodist Church in Draper, participated in Saturday's service.
He said he does not believe racism is the only fuel in these tragedies.
"It could be hatred for a divine person ... it could be racial ... it could be something bigger than that," Swift said. "It is unfortunate they have to do this to churches; they are the only way a community has to visibly show God is in the community."
The Rev. Richard J. Patterson, a white pastor who heads the integrated Dublin church that was host of the service, stood at the lectern before the congregation of more than 50 people to give his sermon. Behind him was a stained-glass cross more than 20 feet tall and colored the yellow, orange and red of campfire flames.
Patterson's sermon mixed Scripture readings with quotes from various news reports about the fires.
"The church fires are oppressively familiar to the ATF, which has investigated 146 since late 1991 ... racism remains the root cause of many Southern fires," he said.
Citing an article in U.S. News and World Report, he said officials estimate between 10,000 and 40,000 hate crimes are committed each year, and more than 50 percent of the perpetrators are younger than 21.
"Oh, how scary that is," Patterson said.
Each statistic was another brand on the thick hide of faith.
"In times like these, often our faith is greatly tested," he said. "Lord, help us not to miss the challenge. ... We earnestly pray that the burning of churches will cease."
After the sermon, Bill Matthews of Dublin, a black man who attends the Tried-Stone Christian Center in Blacksburg, said unity is the key to overcoming the arson spree.
"Where there is unity, there is strength," he said.
Matthews compared the degree of racial tension in the country to the rising and descending of a roller coaster. We are on an upswing and coming together, he said.
Bill Nye, a white elder in Dublin Presbyterian Church, agreed with Matthews.
"Sometimes good things come out of adversity," he said. "I think there will be greater racial unity."
If given the chance, Patterson said, he would tell the arsonists that "there is a need for them to seek the Lord Jesus Christ which will transform them into persons of love for all humanity instead of hatred."
Bernice Matthews, a black woman who shared her spine-tingling voice in song during the service, greeted friends, neighbors, acquaintances and strangers - both black and white - equally at the service. She wrapped each in a hug.
Matthews said she attends a church with an integrated congregation and believes the black community is stronger because of the recent adversity. That strengthening is reminiscent of the community's ability to rebound repeatedly in the face of hardship, she said.
"No weapon forged against us shall conquer us," she said.
LENGTH: Long : 107 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: LORA GORDON. Parishioners Roger Wagner and Jean Settleby CNBsing``Great is Thy Faithfulness'' Saturday morning as part of the
Sabbath of Support Service at Dublin United Methodist Church. The
service was to show unity and support for
churches hit by a recent rash of arson. color.