To the Editor:

This letter is in response to in response to a Letter to the Editor in last week’s Citizen titled Steeple Jacking taking place in Lehigh.

Did you know or realize that the First Community Congregational Church was indeed the first church in Lehigh? Which means it hasn’t always been affiliated with the United Church of Christ. I’m not certain when that merger occurred, perhaps late seventies or early eighties.

I don’t believe that “steeple jacking” took place in this sanctuary. As Congregationalists we are in charge of all decisions made within our church. The member vote was 80 percent to leave UCC. I think members felt that “United Church of Christ” was no longer a good fit for our membership and voted to break that relationship.

Churches are rich in history but as Christians come and go in churches; changes are inevitable. Returning to original Christian values is important for the church and church family. Christ is the center of the church.

By the way, FCCC doesn’t have a steeple and we didn’t “steal” the church. Let’s just love one another as the Bible tells us to do.

Maude Coleman

Lehigh Acres