7/29/2019 Letter from religious leaders to Riverside

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January 19, 2013

Mayor Rusty BaileyCity CouncilCity of Riverside3900 Main StreetRiverside, Ca. 92522

Esteemed Mayor and City Council

We send this letter to express our sincere respect and support for our city officials

during this time of controversy over the historical Serra Cross on top of Mt. Rubidoux.

We would like to express our concord as leaders of the faith community of Riverside that

the City of Riverside seriously consider not responding to the unwarranted complaint ofAmericans United for the Separation of Church and State. We urge the Council to

consider not only what is the path of least resistance, but also what is the path of an

integrity and honor worthy of Riverside.

We note thatAUSCSs complaint against our Citys historical practice in preserving the

Serra Cross is part of a greater nation-wide attempt to keep faith communities from

participating in public spaces because of the content of their beliefs. These attempts are

out of accord with the sympathies of the citizens of Riverside. The decisions taken on the

Serra Cross will not only affect ourselves, but will be used as precedent by others in the

future.

We remind the City of the near unanimous support it has among its constituency to

preserve the cross, and would consider it a great sadness to lend further credibility to

the influence of AUSCSby conceding to its complaint. We note that AUSCS sent a form

letter complaint, and that it does not actually threaten to sue the City. Moreover the

letter was written without knowledge of the historical importance of Mt. Rubidoux and

Frank Miller.

If, in fact, the Council insists on selling a portion of Mt. Rubidoux including the Serra

Cross, we would ask that the City would not sell the portion of Mt. Rubidoux containing

the Cross through blind auction or sealed bid which cannot guarantee the preservation

of the Cross. Rather we request that the City execute a negotiated bid with clear and

specific covenants guaranteeing the preservation of the Serra Cross in perpetuity.

Sincerely,

Representatives of Riversides Faith Community(signatures below)

7/29/2019 Letter from religious leaders to Riverside

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Signatures

Most Reverend Rutilio J. del RiegoAuxiliary Bishop, Roman Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino

Father Saul Alonso Garcia Avila, M.S.P.Pastor, St. John the Evangelist Parish

Father Martin Rodriguez, C.O.R.C.Administrator, Sacred Heart Parish

Rev. Dan BishopRiverside Free Methodist

Rev. Dr. Bradley C. CopelandPastor, Magnolia Presbyterian Church

Pastor Gregory DeVoreGethsemane Lutheran Church

Pastor Raul DiazPath of Life Ministries

Pastor Dr. Joe LutzFirst Baptist Church

Rev. Jeff Wright

Pastor, Madison Street Church

Pastor Vivian StancilC.I.O.N.O.

Pastor Terry StarksRubidoux Missionary Baptist ChurchJurupa Valley, Ca

Pastor Deborah B. BushFaith Community Church

Mr. Dennis UlicnyRiverside Stake PresidentChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Father Josiah TrenhamPastor, St. Andrew Orthodox Church