Subject: SJCA eNews - 12 April 2006 (L2) St. Johannes Cemetery Alliance (SJCA) eNews April 12, 2006 Many of you probably noted news reports a little over a week ago, indicating that St. John's Church had received an unsolicited offer from the City of Chicago seeking to acquire title to the Church's sacred St. Johannes Cemetery. Before panicking with respect to this latest move by the City of Chicago, a few important facts should be noted. (1) The City of Chicago in its own press release dated March 29, 2006, noted that "The (O'Hare Modernization Program) OMP cannot legally take title to St. Johannes Cemetery until the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals issues a ruling in a case challenging the City's lawful ability to acquire the cemetery." The oral arguments took place in January of this year, and the Court has not yet issued a decision in this very complicated case. Additionally, the City's use of the word "until" assumes that they will be the winners in the case. We continue to pray that the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals will rule in favor of the Church, and the continued free exercise of its religious beliefs. (2) The City of Chicago also noted that "the OMP agreed in affidavits to the District of Columbia Court of Appeals not to physically disturb St. Johannes until that Court reviews the FAA's decision approving the OMP. Oral argument in the D.C. Circuit Case is scheduled for May 5, 2006." If the ruling is in favor of the Church in that case, physical disturbance could be permanently prevented. In any event, it will probably take some time for the D.C. Court to issue its opinion. (3) Even if the City is the victor in both cases, there is always the possibility of appeal. Further, the City recognizes that the acquisition process is "lengthy and complicated", as would be the process of location of legal next of kin, the making of arrangements, etc. In other news, the City of Chicago has announced that completion of work on the proposed North Runway will be delayed by at least a year to the end of 2008. Construction of the proposed North Runway would have no impact on St. Johannes. However, the announced delay at the very beginning of this first phase of the project speaks volumes about how the overall O'Hare Modernization Program is going, and has raised a great deal of media speculation about the long term prospects of the plan and the willingness of the airline industry to fund it. We will do our best to provide updates when events warrant them. In the meantime, we encourage you to remain vigilant and continue to visit your loved ones, when you are able. Your continued prayers for St. John's United Church of Christ, Bensenville, the families involved, and the Church's legal representatives, will be greatly appreciated. In reference to the most recent news media reports that have been circulating these past couple of weeks: 1) St. John's United Church of Christ (UCC) did receive a financial offer from the City of Chicago, for the purchase of the St. Johannes Cemetery property. In response to the many media inquiries, the attorneys representing St. Johannes reported to the press that the congregation of St. John's did not intend to sell the cemetery. 2) This past Tuesday, the Church Council of St. John's formally reviewed the City's offer and unanimously affirmed that the sacred property, which this congregation has cared for and protected for over 156 years, was NOT FOR SALE, nor would it ever be for sale. We also reaffirmed at that meeting the trust that our ancestors passed down to us all, to be the perpetual guardians of this hallowed ground, as the well-earned resting place for those who toiled and struggled to build our local communities and provide a decent place in which to raise our families. That trust will not be broken by the congregation of St. John's UCC. 3) ... and so we wait - pray - hope - and toil through the lawful proceedings, in order that OUR descendants will themselves continue to honor the sacredness that is St. Johannes. A deep and sincere thank you is extended to all of you who have joined in the great effort to not only protect St. Johannes Cemetery, but also to help preserve the church's freedom to worship and practice its faith without the threat of eminent domain being forced upon it by outside political entities. Thank you for continuing on this faithful journey with us.