January 24, 2007

Trial of Pastor Bradley Schmeling – day six epilogue

At the end of Day Four, writing to you, I used an image of Christ having flung the door on the path to God wide open, off its hinges. In my report from yesterday, I meant to tell you that in the morning when we went down to the location of the Hearing we found the doors to all the Five Nameless Rooms standing open, as if in formation, which they had not been any other day. It just lit my morning up to see that.

The Hearing Committee continued to meet in deliberation this morning. We understand that they had been told coming in not to schedule any flights out of Atlanta until the late afternoon of today – information, not that they would let the airline-schedule-tail wag the Hearing-decision-dog. They have behaved far too responsibly for that to be even remotely possible.

At 10:30 am, the Hearing Committee left their meeting room and did not return. They were later seen to be leaving the hotel on an individual basis. We do not draw any conclusion about whether they have completed their deliberations or not. We can only pass on the observable facts.

We will communicate with you again when we know the decision of the Hearing Committee. Please keep Pastor Bradley and Pastor Darin, their families, St John's and all of us in your prayers.

Phil Soucy
Director Communications LC/NA
communications@lcna.org