Affirming Church in Rural Oregon Suffers Vandals' Attacks, Broken Windows

The Gospel of Matthew tells us, "By their works shall ye know them" – a lesson in how actions speak louder, and more truthfully, than words. The destructive actions of vandals against an LGBTQ+-inclusive church in rural Oregon spoke loudly about those who wrought the property damage.

Three windows were broken in the nighttime attack of June 13 against Beavercreek United Church of Christ in Clackamas County, Oregon, including two antique stained-glass windows. Leaders at the church attributed the attack to their welcoming values of love and acceptance, local news station KPTV reported.

"We think it's because we are a progressive church," said a trustee of the church, Greg Hettman, a member of the congregation for seven decades.

"We are open to all our message is that Jesus is about community and love," Hettman went on to say. "We welcome everybody, we are open to LGBQ+, we are a non-racist church. Everybody is welcome here."

Such hospitality is not universally appreciated, particularly in a climate of rising anti-queer vitriol. The attackers hurled a brick through one window, showering the church's interior with broken shards, another station, NBC affiliate KGW8, detailed.

They did not, however, manage to destroy the antique stained-glass windows, which are shielded by a protective layer of glass – though the stained-glass windows did suffer some damage, reports said.

Hettman told the media that there's "A lot of history in these windows, and they're very personal to this church."

The deeper damage was to the church's sense of safety.

"Just to have someone come and do violence against your facilities are worrisome," Hettman told the media; "you don't know if they are coming back, how much damage it was, or you just feel vulnerable."

Church moderator Cynthia Andrews agreed, telling KGW8 that "this kind of damage because of our values... feels really personal."

Andrews went on to add, "The service on Sunday was very subdued as people came in and learned about the damage, and, like I said, it feels personal."

Reports took note of the church's sign, which makes no secret of its Christian stance toward marginalized members of the community. "Our sign here is the way we get our message across to the public," Hettman said. "It's very effective. A lot of people comment on it."

Local law enforcement says that "there's no indication that this was a bias crime," despite the Pride Month escalation of a pattern of vandalism against the church that has emerged over time.

"We have had some previous vandalism," Hettman explained; "our roadside sign has been vandalized a few times. We have had banners that have been destroyed or damaged."

News reports provided close-up images of the church's large, rainbow-emblazoned banner that proclaims, "Honoring Diversity." The banner has visible damage.

"There have been other indications that people don't agree with our philosophies here," Hettman said.

"I think the sheriff's office is misguided," Adams said, articulating her conviction that the attacks have been "about who we are, and what our values are as a church, and how we speak out into the community."

A security camera caught at least one suspect on video, and the church is "working with police" to bring the perpetrators to justice, KGW8 relayed.

But beyond civil justice, there's the matter of Christian tenets being attacked.

Speaking of "a sense of sorrow," Hettman told the media that "It's not so much the clean up or what we have to do to repair things. I just feel sorry that there are people in the world who have to do things like this."

Watch the KGW8 news report below.