(RNS) — The way forward for a proposed homeless shelter at a New Jersey church — and the way forward for the church itself — stays unclear after a zoning board assembly ended with out a vote.
Since October, Christ Episcopal Church in Toms River, New Jersey, has sought permission from the city’s zoning board to open a 17-bed shelter in a constructing on the congregation’s property. However the venture has been met with resistance from each neighbors and the mayor, and it stays stalled after months of public remark.
On Thursday (Might 22), supporters and opponents packed a gathering of the Toms River zoning board that ran for 3 hours, in accordance with Information 12 in New Jersey. No vote was taken on the assembly, which means any determination on the zoning request must wait till the board’s June assembly.
The delay has left the church’s supporters upset however undaunted.
“I’m upset that Christ Church shouldn’t be but capable of transfer ahead with the plans for a shelter to assist these in want within the Toms River neighborhood,” stated Bishop Sally French of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey. “On the identical time, I’m delighted to see the overwhelming quantity of neighborhood assist for Christ Church and its ministries — from those that spoke up on the township council assembly final night time on behalf of the congregation and people going through homelessness, to the 1000’s of people that have made statements, signed petitions and extra.”
Christ Episcopal Church in Toms River, N.J. (Picture courtesy Google Maps)
The dispute over the shelter made nationwide headlines final month after the Toms River Township Council handed a primary vote on a movement to take the church’s property — and several other different properties — by eminent area. Township designs present plans to construct a park on the location, together with pickleball courts.
The township council was scheduled to take a second vote on the eminent area proposal subsequent week, however that vote was rescheduled till the tip of July. Mayor Daniel Rodrick advised Faith Information Service in April that he hopes to buy the church property, somewhat than taking the property by eminent area in court docket.
Greater than 6,600 individuals have signed a change.org petition opposing the eminent area movement. A GoFundMe marketing campaign for the church’s authorized charges has raised over $15,000 to this point.
“Individuals matter greater than pickleball,” the web site for the marketing campaign says.
An interfaith prayer service in assist of the church is ready for Might 27.
“If Toms River was to ultimately take our property, it might dramatically change Christ Church, our ministries and the neighborhood we serve,” an announcement for the prayer service reads.
Established in 1865, Christ Church attracts about 150 individuals to providers and hosts a wide range of neighborhood outreaches, together with a program run by the Inexpensive Housing Alliance nonprofit. The church and the alliance are working collectively on the proposed shelter.
