Doctrine develops, differing views of Scripture are valid

Sunday, August 27, 2006 Doctrine develops, differing views of Scripture are valid EDITOR: I read with interest last Sunday's letter concerning the Episcopal Church. I understand that the writer was at one time an active and faithful parishioner of St. James Episcopal Church in Boardman, where I serve as rector. I appreciate his perspectives on his former denomination and honor the journey which has led him to a new place of worship and service. I count myself fortunate to be a student of the Christian church's long history and of its multiple manifestations in differing times and places. I can observe the historic, predictable surprise and indignation expressed by Christians whenever the church changes its mind about this or that. I'm quite aware that this shock happens because of different views of the authority and place of Holy Scripture in any particular tradition. In my own spiritual journey, I've been instructed regularly by the learning of 19th century theologian John Henry Newman, that doctrine develops. Development entails change, growth and renewed insight. I'm proud to be a part of a church that allows and encourages differing views of the authority and place of Holy Scripture. I find myself in a church which isn't shy of the realities of change and which welcomes all people of goodwill. I believe we create settings in which thinking people can reason together and — despite deeply held differences — can pray together and share the sacramental life of God's people as friends. The Episcopal Church tolerates tension and does not require separation from each other merely because we disagree. My experience of this church has been one of journey, of friendship, of stretching wide the circle so that many can find a spiritual home, and of an abiding sense of God's loving presence. Of course, I regret deeply that some no longer find themselves at home in the Episcopal Church. At the moment, the rhetoric of the left and of the right is loud: much heat, little light. God bless us all, as we find our places in a changed and changing church. But I do wonder at the wisdom, charity or bottom-line rationale shown by standing in a new place and throwing stones back at the spiritual home which no longer feels like home. Father KELLY MARSHALL, rector New Song Episcopal Shared Ministry Boardman Deputies can provide best oversight of recycling work EDITOR: I'm truly amazed that The Vindicator would print articles concerning CCA and the litter and recycling contract without hearing the other side of the story. One article said we would assign six deputies to the recycling program. The truth is, one deputy will be assigned to the recycling program. We have one supervisor and three deputies assigned to the corrections division at this time. They are responsible for running the Day Reporting program. This program is responsible for reducing the overall number of days the furloughed inmates owe the courts. These furloughed inmates have worked all over the county ( but mostly in the city) to help clear lots, cut grass, clean up litter, paint, and wash government vehicles at the MSJ. This program was implemented prior to the recycling contract and would be in place with or without the contract. The cost for this is approximately $73,000, plus $8,000 for a vehicle specifically assigned to recycling, not the $300,000 reported in your article. Not the $156,000 Dr. Billak asked for and has received at the CCA for the last 12 years (not counting the first year of the contract which was $230,000.) As for Dr. Billak's claim that day reporting inmates are unreliable, maybe he has a hard time with his day reporting inmates but he doesn't have the power of arrest we do. As to the concern Dr. Billak has with the inmates not being drug tested or psychologically screened, we have dealt with most of these inmates over a long period of time. We know of their tendencies as well as their history of psychological problems through housing them in our jail. The citizens of the county deserve good common sense government. If we keep doing what we've always done, we'll keep getting what we've always gotten. We can no longer afford to subsidize private agencies when we have the ability to do the job ourselves. I am truly passionate about our ability to do the job and know that the deputies that are assigned to the day reporting are passionate about the program as well. Dr Billak's statement that he will be monitoring our progress and will be taking pictures of the overflowing bins sounds like sour grapes to me. Deputy GLENN KOUNTZ YoungstownThe writer is president of Mahoning County Deputies Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 141. Choose a civilized society EDITOR: In response to the cowardly act of murder perpetrated at old South High field on Aug. 19, a female fan at the game was quoted in The Vindicator as saying, "If this game would have been in Boardman, there would have been security, and there would have been protection." That may or may not be true, but security would not have prevented a diseased animal from preying on someone. In the aftermath, not one person out of approximately 600 witnesses came forward to help the police solve this killing. Why? Possibly for fear of retaliation, However, until all the civilized citizens of Youngstown start reporting every drug deal, litterers, chickens that carry guns (and there are many), you will, unfortunately continue to experience these cowardly acts of stupidity. Ironically, at 3:43 p.m. that same day, I made a 911 call reporting 6 to 8 black males exiting two vehicles each carrying a gun on E. Glenaven (three streets over from South High field), approximately 4 to 6 minutes before the murder occurred at South. These punks were looking to kill a 20-year-old female. The fact that these cowards believe they can get out of cars with guns in hand, in the middle of the day, walk onto private property, enter a house, hit the father in the head, go through the entire house and then leave after hearing gunshots at South, reflects more on the citizens of Youngstown than it does on these scum-bags. Citizens of Youngstown, you are either part of the solution or part of the problem. Your lives and futures depend on the decisions and choices you make today. RICK BERGER Boardman Where was the security? EDITOR: As a Youngstown resident who has nephews who yearly participate in youth football leagues in Youngstown, I believe the tragic event at South football stadium Aug. 19 during a Volney Rogers Youth Football League game is truly appalling. This event should not be an indictment of the city of Youngstown, Mayor Jay Williams, Police Chief Jimmy Hughes, the African-American community, the good and honest people of the South Side of Youngstown, the security of South stadium, the surrounding neighborhood, or the young men and young ladies who play football and cheerlead for the Volney Rogers Football League, as well as the mothers and fathers, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters, and grandparents who come as football fans to cheer and watch them. I believe the fact that the Volney Rogers Youth Football League, and its board of directors chose not to hire, could not hire, or did ask, for security at South Stadium is truly a question that the media and the concerned men, women, and parents of the community must ask of the Volney Rogers football league board of directors. The South Side of Youngstown and South stadium are as safe and secure as any other part of town in the city of Youngstown or the suburbs when security is present. For far too long the South Side of Youngstown has been long neglected by past mayors like Ungaro and McKelvey, with most tax dollars from the federal, state, and local level consistently being spent elsewhere. We must not continue to neglect the South Side and give lip service to the many economic, social, educational and political, and housing problems that exist. WILLIE JAMES RICHARDS Youngstown Tired of the 'tough guy' act EDITOR: Isn't every body getting tired of Dick Cheney treating us as if we are stupid? Doesn't his lame claims that anybody who opposes the president's foolish war in Iraq is supporting terrorism or are cowards getting old? This is the "tough guy" who never served in the last tragic war in which America was involved. My son is in the Army and I served for four years. I find it hard, very hard, to understand how anyone can support a guy who sends nearly 3,000 Americans to their deaths but was never in harm's way himself. FRANK WANAT Poland