It is most unfortunate
@GardenGerty (169568)
United States
January 12, 2020 4:34pm CST
It is most unfortunate in this day and age that we have to be on our guard all of the time. We have lock down practices at school. Today we had a first of the year "society meeting" at church.
A portion of today's meeting was about security for our little isolated church. It is out in the country so in a way it is good. We do not have the hazards that are often common in the city. On the other hand it is isolated and may look vulnerable.
Especially since we have a lady pastor.
What people do not know is that our pastor has also worked in security, and criminal justice. When she is alone, she locks the doors. If she does not know you, she greets you with a baton her brother made her of hardwood. She comes to the door with it in hand.
Our church gets used by people who want to meet up and carpool, and that is fine. Especially if they ask if they can leave a car there. She will show them where to park. However, some people also come and park in back where they cannot be seen from the road. . . we have not seen what they plan,yet.
We have had some vandalism here. She also told of four suspicious incidents that have happened that the congregation did not know about.
It is most unfortunate to have to be on your guard against evil, but it is imperative that we should do that.
I have been in churches where people come in through side doors and try to find untended purses and other valuables.
I was visiting my dad's church in downtown Oklahoma City once and we heard a ruckus because there were some drunks trying to come in.
We are to be as gentle as lambs but as wise as serpents, and that is a hard line to walk.
I do not know if we have people who are concealed carry in our congregation, but I know we have a plan.
17 people like this
15 responses
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
13 Jan 20
'tis certainly most tryin' times'n such a shame these thingies 're necessary. glad y'all've a plan.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (169568)
• United States
13 Jan 20
Our pastor looks a bit like a nice older lady. People who mess with her would get a surprise. It is sad that there is evil everywhere.
2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
14 Jan 20
@GardenGerty those're the folks ya need to keep'n eye'n, lol. they're purty feisty'n self-sufficient. i hope such's ne'er put to the test.
i dunno where all this hate 'n violence comes from?
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67089)
• United States
13 Jan 20
It is sad, and scary. But I'm glad you have a plan.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (169568)
• United States
13 Jan 20
It is often recommended that even as individuals you have a plan for safety in public places.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169568)
• United States
15 Jan 20
@Courtlynn You just have to be aware of where you are, and that bad things can and do happen, even to good people.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67089)
• United States
13 Jan 20
@GardenGerty i dont have any besides to grab the people im with and run.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (121074)
• United States
13 Jan 20
Yes, after the Sutherland Church murders in Texas, our church board called a meeting. Two of the men in the church already had a concealed weapon permit (as does my dad although he doesn't ever carry it outside the house). Two more men, who used to carry, decided to get another permit so they could be part of the security team. So, at any church service there are two people at all times armed, and alert. The location of our church is off in that one one side of it is all country (we even have a roadrunner!), behind it is woods, and then on the other side is all city.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (169568)
• United States
13 Jan 20
Your church sounds pretty rural, just like ours. There are trees to the west of our building, and behind our building. A state highway is to the east, country road in front and a field. I think there has been a plan here for a while, but we are stepping it up and informing the congregation. As I told someone else, an outsider might see our pastor as a mild older lady, but she has a background that allows her to be effective and safe.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (121074)
• United States
13 Jan 20
@GardenGerty And that's definitely a good thing.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169568)
• United States
13 Jan 20
It is better to have a plan and not need it than to fail to plan.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169568)
• United States
13 Jan 20
When you are on your own you have to be watchful as well.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382440)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Jan 20
It is sad that these precautions need to be taken but good I guess that people are prepared as best they can be. We always feel quite safe as we're so far from any 'action' but of course, terrorists can strike anywhere and anytime.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (382440)
• Rockingham, Australia
13 Jan 20
@GardenGerty You're right. 'Terrorist' was a bad choice of word.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169568)
• United States
15 Jan 20
@JudyEv Oh, but there are places where terrorists should be feared. Oklahoma City, for instance. The Murrah Building was hit by a truck bomb driven by a home grown terrorist. That is only about three and a half hours drive from here. Wichita, Ks. is a half hour or so from our church and is the home of many aircraft manufacturing facilities and a military base. Terrorism is not that far fetched.
@RebeccasFarm (91297)
• United States
12 Jan 20
To say the least, there is no respect anymore for church Heather.
And now on top of that, it is deadly dangerous.
Glad to hear at least your lady pastor is aware.
Yes it is very very sad all this.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (169568)
• United States
13 Jan 20
She is aware, and she is trained and worked in the security business for quite a while. She said someone recently vandalized our garbage dumpsters, basically for fun or spite. There was a person who parked in front of the church at least once a week, who had obscenities all over their vehicle. She asked them not to park in front, but over to the side and that person has not come back at all.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169568)
• United States
13 Jan 20
Years ago I was visiting my dad's church in an urban setting and we could hear a commotion as the ushers had to remove a person who was drunk and belligerent.
2 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (54730)
• United States
13 Jan 20
It's so very sad that we are no longer safe anywhere 
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (169568)
• United States
13 Jan 20
Yes, it is. Schools, churches, stores, events are all possible targets.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169568)
• United States
15 Jan 20
Yes, she looks like some little old lady, but with God on her side she is a force to be reckoned with.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169568)
• United States
13 Jan 20
Yes, places of worship sometimes are targets now, either because of location, ideology, or perception of the availability of money or hostages.
2 people like this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
13 Jan 20
It's better to mindful and take all necessary precautions. It's sad that we have evils coming with their unholy plans in a holy place. But then these people are everywhere. 
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169568)
• United States
15 Jan 20
Life is sacred and holy and we have to defend against threats all of the time.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169568)
• United States
15 Jan 20
I think if we are known to be prepared that is an extra layer of safety for us.
1 person likes this
