Brookins Manor

As a pastor, it pains me greatly to see members of my congregation in despair. We are a family at First A.M.E. Church and in the larger community; and when one of us suffers, so do we all. Therefore, the situation concerning the residents of Brookins Manor (Nov. 3) is of greatest concern and priority to the congregation and to me.

We are pleased, therefore, that an agreement has been reached with the City of Los Angeles to enable residents at the Brookins Manor to remain in their dwellings, a solution that we have been seeking for months. This means no requirement exists for present tenants to vacate. This change brings us exceeding joy, for our role as a religious organization has always been first and foremost to serve the needs of our surrounding community. Of course, that community now faces many crises, and one of the most severe is the critical shortage of affordable housing for low-income families.

Thus, First A.M.E. continues to exert every effort to secure decent and affordable housing. To date we have developed five housing projects for low and moderate incomes--showcases, we believe, for what care can accomplish.

On our 120th anniversary as the oldest African-American church in Los Angeles, we reaffirm our determination to take the church “Beyond the Walls.”

CECIL L. MURRAY

Senior Minister, First A.M.E. Church

Los Angeles