Cook County Sheriff Pat Eliasen said there are no new leads in the case involving threatening notes sent to the pastor at Zoar Lutheran Church in Tofte.
Three notes were posted on church property, the first on October 3. Two were typed, and one was handwritten. The handwritten letter was sent to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to be analyzed, said Eliasen.
According to the sheriff, the notes are similar in writing style. It is believed the same person wrote them.
Because the last letter was more threatening in nature, the church has taken some precautions for its services. Pastor Daren Blanck and the church congregation have decided to keep the doors locked during the church service. People that come late will be allowed in, but they are asked to ring a bell to have the doors opened.
“We want to make sure worshipers are safe,” said Blanck, adding that the doors would be locked for all types of services and events that happen at the church unless someone was there to watch the entrance.
Pastor Blanck said that while the notes are concerning, this incident has drawn the congregation closer together. Attendance at church services is up, he said.
“Rather than talking just about these notes we can talk about what we are doing as a congregation to try to fulfill our slogan of being the ‘beacon of hope on the North Shore,’” he said.
“When it first happened I shared this with the church leadership. We spent time in prayer and the leadership team decided to announce to the church what was taking place. They asked the congregation to keep an ear and eye open for possible danger.
“We have taken other precautions, placing cameras around the premises to see if someone is walking around who is not on the up and up. A sheriff ’s car might be in the parking lot during the service. We have also discussed placing film over the windows. When my wife and I taught in Macedonia, the school windows had bomb film over them to protect the children. Schools do this sort of thing routinely all over the world. I think it’s a good idea for all churches to consider ways to keep worshipers safe as well.
“While we are taking precautions for our parishioners, we are moving ahead with ministry. Along with Sunday service, we are continuing with our soup suppers on Wednesday nights. We are planning caroling at the Veterans Home in Silver Bay and the Care Center in Grand Marais, as well as in the Tofte-Schroeder area. We are keeping on keeping on,” mused Blanck.
“As for people coming to me with leads or tips about who might have sent the notes, I am encouraging them to contact the Sheriff ’s Department. My role as pastor is to conduct worship and lead people to Christ. We think the authorities have done a great job. Jesus says in John 16:33, ‘In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’ These notes are concerning of course, but we don’t want to stop being the body of Christ.”
If you have any leads or tips, contact the Cook County Sheriff ’s Office at (218) 387-3030.
“We are still in a holding pattern,” said Sheriff Eliasen. “No suspects and no further information has surfaced.”
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