BETHLEHEM HAS A VISION BUT NEEDS YOUR HELP—
SYNOD HAS TAKEN OUR BUILDING AND WE WANT IT BACK!
We of Bethlehem Lutheran Church have a great vision in Christ for Brooklyn, but Synod has taken our building! We are determined to get it returned and accomplish our vision. To do this we need your generous contribution.

Located near the heart of this classic American city, Bethlehem is exceedingly well situated to meet the needs for Christian worship, education, child, youth and family services, daycare, health promotion and recreation. Our beloved church building presently hinders us from properly serving the community. A large neo-Romanesque structure built in the late 1800s, it is in need of much repair and renovation for the multiple ways we can serve the public here in the 21st Century. We intend to do this renewal. Once we have maximized the efficient use of space and are generating significant income through our own ministries and other groups using our building, we want to expand our services with new construction on our vacant lot.

The bishop and council of the Metropolitan New York Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America refuse to support our vision. Our work with architects and project developers over the past three years shows that what we intend is very doable, but Synod leaders want to liquidate our assets, worth several million dollars, for their coffers. They have been trying to close Bethlehem ever since our pastor of many years died in 2002.

Last January Synod made an outrageous move to seize our property and for the moment have succeeded. Their lawyer convinced the clerk of Kings County New York, in which Bethlehem is located, that Synod has the right to appropriate the possessions of a member congregation with no hearing or consultation of the congregation's officers. Amazingly, the clerk granted them a new deed to our property, superseding the deed our congregation has held since it purchased the land in 1892. Synod took over our building, kicked out us and other contracted users, seized our cash reserves of $27,000, thwarted our annual income of over $150,000, and shut up our church like a tomb!

We have sought dialogue to work out differences, as our Lord has commanded, but Synod leaders have adamantly refused. They treat us as though we don't exist. They have denied our rights of appeal. They leave us no choice but to go to court to seek return of our property and recompense for manifold damages. To bring this suit will be costly, but we have an excellent team in place and have prepared well to do so. We are very confident justice will be served.

Will you help us? Will you contribute generously to our cause? Together not only will we erect a great work to the glory of God in Christ Jesus, but also liberate a large number of congregations oppressed by the ELCA. Since the change to Episcopal hierarchy by our church body there has been much abuse of power. Our prayer is that fulfilling our vision will bless many, and both inspire and free others to pursue their dreams without fear.