Covenant News

North Miami Church Suffers Damage, Van Theft

OVIEDO, FL (October 31, 2005) - Hurricane Wilma caused property damage to Bethany Covenant Church in North Miami that contributed to the theft of the church's van, Southeast Conference officials learned today.

No one had heard from the church since October 24 when the Category 3 storm wreaked devastation across southern Florida, says Kurt Miericke, conference superintendent. Power has yet to be restored as of today. The church was forced to cancel Sunday's services and all activities planned for the week have been canceled. Trees are down all over the property.

The church van was stolen during the hurricane because of damage to the fence that surrounds the church and school. Other Covenant churches in south Florida also suffered extensive damage.

Bethany was chartered in 1928 and is the oldest Covenant church in Florida. The congregation also is the second oldest church in the conference.

(Editor's note: to read an earlier account of the storm damage, please see Storm Damage.)

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