Posted on 02/27/2005 6:57:47 PM PST by xzins
BTK Suspect's Arrest Upsets Kan. Church
By ROXANA HEGEMAN, Associated Press Writer
Sunday, February 27, 2005
(02-27) 17:40 PST Wichita, Kan. (AP) --
They worshipped next to Dennis L. Rader for years, sharing the same pews and singing from the same hymnals. They knew him as a Cub Scout leader, a respected church official, a kind friend. Now, members of Christ Lutheran Church must confront the possibility that 59-year-old Rader is something else: The BTK serial killer, blamed for 10 deaths in the Wichita area from 1974 to 1991.
"We feel dismay, anger, devastation, utter shock and disbelief. The very foundation of our faith is shaken," Gerald Mansholt, bishop of the Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, said during Sunday's service.
Rader, a church member for 30 years, an usher and president of the church council, was arrested Friday in suburban Park City, where he worked as a city codes enforcement supervisor.
He remained jailed Sunday pending his first court appearance.
Just days before his arrest, Rader brought spaghetti sauce and salad to a church supper, even though he was unable to attend himself, church member Paul Carlstedt recalled. Carole Nelson called Rader "a very kind man," recounting his concern over her recent kidney operation.
Bob Smyser, a fellow usher at Christ Lutheran, said his 5-year-old son recognized Rader's photo when it was flashed on the television screen at home. The boy looked up at his father and asked, "Daddy, he tricked us — didn't he?"
"I am not sure what to tell him," Smyser said. "I am not sure what to tell myself."
Investigators searched the church property Friday, but the church's pastor, Michael Clark, declined to say what they were looking for. A crisis intervention team was called to talk on Sunday afternoon with church members.
The congregation had prayed for the capture of the BTK killer and the end of the nightmare that has gripped this city for decades.
"We prayed that it would come to a conclusion — (this is) not the conclusion we thought," Carlstedt said.
Well boo f'ing hoo.
BTK came to light again when he began sending notes to some media outlet. He had some code by which he id'd himself.
Had he committed any recent crime?
/diversity!
It appears to be ELCA.
The true psychopath is always shocking. The church was innocent.
I believe he is suspected of some in the 90's, but the last known one was in the mid-80's.
Why, for heaven's sake? What do the actions of ONE man have to do with your faith in God, in scripture, in your denomination? There are jerks, weasels, scumbags and perverts in EVERY denomination, in EVERY faith. It doesn't mean you no longer should believe.
That's a fairweather faith.
Looks like they've shut down their website except for the following:
"special news release from Christ Lutheran Church, Wichita, KS 2/26/2005
My name is Michael Clark. I am the pastor here at Christ Lutheran Church. I want to say that on my behalf and the behalf of the leaders of this congregation we will cooperate completely in the ongoing investigation of the matter regarding Dennis Rader. We first became aware of this investigation on Friday, February 25, 2005.
Dennis is a member of Christ Lutheran Church. He has held leadership positions here at Christ Lutheran over the course of approximately 30 years as a member.
We are all concerned for Dennis Rader and his family. We lift up our prayers in support of all of them. The members of Christ Lutheran Church are in a state of shock and bewilderment about the turn of events that have unfolded this week.
We lift up our prayers, support and compassion for the victims and family members involved with the BTK murders. We ask for care and compassion of the Wichita community as this congregation deals with this tragic and difficult situation.
Michael G. Clark, Pastor"
A Google cached view shows they are indeed ELCA, not Missouri Synod. ELCA is affiliated with ECUSA. Maybe the "Spirit is doing a new thing" there too.
I would agree with you for the most part.
The church is innocent.
It could be a parable, however, of what we allow in our church simply because they happen to be warm and fuzzy.
ELCA = Evangelical Lutheran Church of America
ECUSA = Episcopal Church USA
One is anglican and the other lutheran, if I remember correctly. I don't think they're affiliated except in some ecumenical organizations.
You can bet someone will be blaming God just about any minute. "How can a JUST God allow......yada, yada...."
....Biblical 'Doctrine' in a the N.T. church is about TRUTH and REAL FREEDOMS!
/philosophies of fallen mankind/diversity
The article said he'd been active in his church for 30 some years, which would place his suspected murders smack in the middle of those active church years.
ELCA and ECUSA announced they were in "joint communion" in 2003. Supposedly, they would recognize each other's liturgy, take communion together and recognize each other's clergy. Soon after that, the Vicky Robinson affair raised its head, and the Evangelical Lutherans, though liberal, suddenly became very quiet about the agreement. The whole thing seems to have become somewhat an embarrassment.
However, here, an ELCA and ECUSA congregation have actually physically merged, with a Lutheran pastor also serving as the ECUSA recognized priest. Consecutive Lutheran and Episcopalian services are held on Sundays.
I remember my sister's reaction when this "merger" was first announced. She said the church needed a new name. She suggested the "Lutherpiss" church.
Rader confesses to at least six of those murders.
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/11008935.htm?1c
Excuse me. Got the date wrong. The "joint communion" agreement occurred in 1999.
"...A source with direct knowledge of the investigation said Sunday the man suspected in a string of slayings in Wichita, Kansas, over three decades has confessed to at least six of those killings..."
http://www.thecarolinachannel.com/news/4237028/detail.html
The Central States Synod (and Christ Lutheran) are part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). In 2001 the ELCA approved an agreement "Called to Common Mission" with the Episocpal Church USA which will lead to the full interchange of clergy. The technical name of for this agreement is "full communion".
Appreciate the info.
So does this mean the Anglicans and Lutherans are uniting?
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