Pastor’s Weekly Message: 10/2/2025

Dear Westview,

On Sunday morning, something happened that I need to share with you honestly. As I left the sanctuary, there was a man standing at the doorway directly in front of me. I don’t know how long he had been inside the church—whether he had been in my office, or what he had been doing. He seemed to be looking for money, and I gave him a couple of gift cards. Thankfully, that was enough to send him on his way. But the reality is this: our church is not safe to worship in the way we are currently running it. We leave the doors open and we do not monitor who comes in once worship has begun. I have been with you all for over two years, and I have asked council to address this, but the truth is that we have not been able to take care of our front doors. So I am making a change. From now on, once worship begins, I will personally close and lock the doors. That means you need to arrive before 9:28 AM. If you come late, the doors may not be opened until after worship has ended.

I realize this is a shift. In years past, churches relied on ushers and greeters to manage the doors and welcome people in. But that is not something we have been able to maintain here. Too often, people arrive just minutes before the service begins—or even after it has started. Once we are in worship, our attention must be on the service, not on watching the front doors. That is why I will begin entering worship differently. Instead of sitting in the front during the prelude, I will remain near the doors until they are secured. Once again: please plan to arrive on time, or even early, so that you are not left outside.

Later that day, I learned about the tragic shooting at the Mormon church in Michigan. For those of us who have lived through gun violence, these are not hypothetical fears—they are real traumas. Walking out the back door on Sunday and finding a man waiting there was deeply unsettling. He was as big as I am, and I didn’t know if he was armed or what might happen next. Thankfully it ended peacefully, but I was shaken, and it reminded me how quickly the ordinary can become dangerous. For most, Sunday worship feels routine and safe. But as leaders, we are called to keep watch and to take responsibility for the safety of our people. I am making this decision as your pastor because I believe it is necessary to protect our community. This is not about fear. It is about vigilance, stewardship, and love for this church before it is too late.

Blessings,

Pastor Marty Lettow