Church Defeats Arson With Joy, Faith -- Ebenezer A.M.E. Zion Rises From Firebombing

This time no Molotov cocktail could have penetrated the sanctuary of Ebenezer A.M.E. Zion Church.

There was too much joy inside. Too much singing. Too many people, young and old, from all over the region. And too much resolve against violence.

Twelve weeks after the Central Area church's inner sanctum was rocked by a firebombing in the early morning of Nov. 30, the sanctuary was rededicated yesterday afternoon amid "hallelujahs," "amens," "oh, yeahs" and a ringing declaration by Seattle Mayor Norm Rice:

"Violence and hatred have no place in Seattle, no matter what the circumstance, cause or who that hatred is directed against," Rice told more than 100 people gathered in the newly refurbished sanctuary.

Even as city fire investigators continued to search for suspects in the firebombing, church and community leaders talked of renewal, not retribution.

"God is not that kind of God," said the Rev. L.J. Thompson, pastor of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion church at 1716 23rd Ave. "Being his people, we wouldn't have any kind of bitterness."

Added Alton Sherman, chairman of the church's board of trustees, "I believe in God and what he can do. To have the people rally the way they did, it was amazing."

Contributions from as far away as Spokane and Ellensburg flowed into the church after news of the firebombing made headlines in the weeks before Christmas. All told, $18,000 in cash was raised and members of local churches and the community at large donated labor, said Thompson.

And at yesterday's gathering, as they had at a service in December, visitors from some of those churches showed up in the newly upholstered pews of Ebenezer in a show of unity and support.

"I think it's a wonderful thing they've done," said Ray Fergusson after the hour-and-a-half service. Fergusson is a member of Magnolia Presbyterian Church, which had raised $500 for the Central Area church through an auction.

Joanne Dufor, a member of the Eastside Friends Meeting, said she was delighted she could join in the celebration. Members of the Quaker group had donated labor over the past weeks, she said.

Barbara Jackson, a member of Ebenezer, said the service "showed how the community has come together and found the good in this situation."

The memory of the devastation that met Thompson and the congregation Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 is still fresh: the charred altar, the fire-damaged choir robes, the ruined sanctuary carpet, the broken stained-glass windows, the fire-scorched ceiling and east wall - $40,000 worth of damage caused by eight Molotov cocktails. The bottles containing a flammable liquid were hurled through windows on the south side of the building.

Fresher, though, is the new carpet laid on the sanctuary floor, the three new stained-glass windows, the altar repairs, the new lighting, new roof, repainted walls and the new robes that are on their way. Sherman, the board chairman, said the repairs were paid for from donations and insurance.

One thing that is not being beefed up, however, is the church's security system. Thompson said the church would fix its alarm system, which the fire knocked out, but for the most part leave its safety in "the hands of the Lord, who has an all-seeing eye." He added the church, with 148 members, has had no conflict with anyone that would provoke an attack. The church was founded in 1930.

Capt. Ray Risdon, head of the Seattle Fire Department's arson unit, said his investigators hadn't identified any suspects yet but think the arsonist is a local person.

"Somebody out there knows who was at that place at that time when the firebombing occurred," said Risdon.

Risdon said the firebombing could be gang-related, but whether it was an initiation ritual or a random act, he didn't know. He has ruled out vengeance or profit as a motive.

Whatever the cause, those who gathered at yesterday's service clearly worried that some form of hate was at the root of the crime.

Rice, who was accompanied by his wife, Constance, said Seattleites "reject the forces of hate and violence, and we stand together."

State Rep. Jesse Wineberry, D-Seattle, said he and other elected officials deplore all violence, whether it is black-on-black violence or hate crimes based on race, religion or other factors.

"Violence is violence," he said.

But he added God's power of healing, forgiveness and redemption would enable Ebenezer to move on.

And as the service ended yesterday, the congregation joined hands to sing, "We Shall Overcome."

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-- Anyone with information about the Nov. 30 firebombing of Ebenezer A.M.E. Zion Church is asked to call 1-800-55ARSON or the Seattle Fire Department's arson unit at 386-1350.