From the Gettysburg Area Ministerium
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  May 23, 2005
Contact: The Rev. Dale Williams, Chair, Tel. (717) 642-5332 email: lmcpc@pa.net

Resolution in opposition to gambling in the Gettysburg Area

Grace and peace in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to all members of the Gettysburg area community.

We, the undersigned pastors of our community who are part of the Gettysburg Area Ministerium, want to express publicly our opposition to legalized gambling in our community. We believe that legalized gambling corrupts the health and well being of our community and its members. We oppose legalized gambling for moral reasons, for reasons of economic justice and for the special and symbolic role that Gettysburg plays in our national life.

From a standpoint of the moral health of our community, gambling encourages an addiction that can devastate families financially and create immense stress on marital and family life. Furthermore legalized gambling attracts and aggravates criminal activity in our community. As such it places increased demands on our law enforcement and our criminal justice system. It does not teach our children what is best and right and true for their life or life in our community.

From a standpoint of economic justice, legalized gambling preys upon the most vulnerable members of our community and encourages a “hit the jackpot” mentality against nearly impossible odds. As noted in the recent statement by the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg  in opposition to legalized gambling in our community, it is well documented that persons of lower income spend a higher percentage of their income than those of greater means in gambling facilities. As such it acts as a hidden regressive tax upon the family income of those least able to afford it.

Finally, we recognize and honor the symbolic role that Gettysburg plays in our national life. We worship, live and work and on ground hallowed by the sacrifice of those who bravely died in the cause of freedom. A gambling casino cheapens the memory and meaning of Gettysburg not just for our community, but for our nation.

This comes with our prayers for God’s wisdom and guidance for the leaders of our community and all members of our community, county and commonwealth.

The clergy and other church leaders signing the document were:

Michael Allwein (St. James Lutheran Church)
Louise Costello (Gettysburg Police Chaplain and Liberty Worship Center)
Bruce Dietrick (Adams Rescue Mission)
Roy Fouth (Trinity United Church of Christ)
Lisa Goforth (Prince of Peace Episcopal Church)
Daniel Hans (Gettysburg Presbyterian Church)
Stephen Herr (Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church)
Joel Nogle (Gettysburg Church of the Brethren)
Bernardo Pistone  (St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church)
Andrew Sherman (Prince of Peace Episcopal Church)
James Sneeringer (St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church)
Gerry Stoltzfoos (Freedom Valley Worship Center)
Dale Williams (Lower Marsh Creek Presbyterian Church)
Malcom Workman (Freedom Valley Worship Center)
Jay Zimmerman (Gettysburg United Methodist Church)
John VanMeerbeke (Living Hope Presbyterian Church)
Carl Harris (First Baptist Church)
Dan Hubbell (Freedom Valley Worship)
Bill Mummert (Gettysburg Baptist)
C.L. Acker and Rick Palmer (Faith Victory in Life)
Raymond McGee (New Life Outreach Ministries)
Faye Snyder, (Mt. Joy and St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Churches)
Bob Murr (Bethel Mennonite Church)
Will Olsen (Adams County Adult Correctional Facility)
Michael Cooper-White (Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg)
William Avery (Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg)
Maria Erling (Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg)
Nancy Gable (Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg)
Christine Reimers (Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg)
Robin Steinke (Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg)
John Spangler (Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg)
Kathy Vitalis Hoffman (Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg)
Mark Vitalis Hoffman (Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg)
Lou Nyiri (Gettysburg Presbyterian)
Steve Annis (The Church of the Nazarene)