It wasn’t the minor damage to the church that hit the hearts of those at Williamsburg Independent Bible Baptist. It was the missing Christmas cards that were special to the church’s children.  

Pastor Joseph Weber says that while he feels violated by someone breaking into the church, the congregation’s spirits are high. He explained, “We’re just thankful that even though we were broken into and violated, things could have been a lot worse. But what we do  most times when bad happens, it brings the good out of people.”

They are one of 7 churches that have been broken into this past week during the overnight hours. Police says the churches have experienced damage and vandalism as well as missing money and in some instances, cash.

The congregation in Williamsburg had set up a collection at the church so that members wouldn’t have to worry about sending them to each other through the mail. Weber says the children that ride the church bus were excited about opening the cards — but were heartbroken to learn they were stolen.

Weber detailed, “They were looking forward to getting them and they even had a count for them. They would come back on a regular basis to count the cards and they were anxious to get them and when they found out that they were taken, they were heartbroken.”
 
The community has come together to replace the missing cards. Weber says that people have been remaking and buying new cards, as well as dropping them off.

Weber said, “It reminds us that even outside the four walls of the church and the church family. There are folks out there that see and understand what takes place and they care as well and that there are still good folks out there.”

 If you’re interested in sending cards to the church, the address is 1181 Lower Clover Creek Road, Williamsburg, PA, 16693.

The other 6 churches that were also victims span across Blair and Huntingdon Counties. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.