It’s time for this fight to be over

As detailed in a Daily Herald editorial on Nov. 19, the leaders of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church announced they were shelving plans for an expansion of the Arlington Heights campus. This expansion would have included the demolition of a few homes adjacent to the property.

The neighbors in the general vicinity of the church organized a campaign to fight the expansion plans, which included erecting lawn signs that read, “Save Our Neighborhood”.

Due to the opposition of the neighbors and a change in strategic direction for the church, the issue was resolved.

I am not a member of The Orchard, but I regularly attend services. I understand and appreciate both sides in this emotional debate, and never faulted the neighbors for their concerns or their right to contest this expansion. What I don’t understand is why so many signs are still standing in the yards surrounding the church?

As we enter one of the Christian holy seasons, I am hoping the neighbors of The Orchard recognize that the real conflict is not with a church or with expanding pavement, but from within. We all have struggles and challenges, which are difficult to deal with on our own.

So, let’s take down the protest signs in our yards and in our hearts, and work with one another to prepare the Way for peace in our neighborhoods.

Paul Petricca

Arlington Heights