OUR TOWN: Graffiti yields object lesson

An unusual bit of graffiti became an object lesson for an East County church July 7.

A Star of David was spray painted on an outside wall of Faith United Church of Christ some time around July 4. The pastor discovered it on Friday, July 5, while walking to work from the bus stop.

“I was quite surprised and very curious as to why a Star of David,” said the Rev. Brian Bagley-Bonner. “We have had some paint vandalism in the past few months, but never with a religious symbol.”

Instead of scrubbing it off right away, the congregation used it as an opportunity to learn. During children’s time, the pastor shared with them about the painting and explained it’s significance as a symbol for a sister religion.

“This is the Star of David. Remember the story of David and Goliath?” he asked.

The children’s eyes lit up as they remembered the Bible story.

Bagley-Bonner continued: “Our faith comes out of Judaism. Jesus was Jewish.”

The congregation gathered around the Star of David after the service and remembered when the church building housed a Jewish congregation earlier in its history.

Bagley-Bonner says the graffiti turned out to be an opportunity for the congregation to reflect, learn and celebrate.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].