Local church shows SpongeBob solidarity
By: Stephanie Kiszczak
Issue date: 2/3/05 Section: News
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Evangelical United Church of Christ, 204 E Lockwood Ave., in Webster Groves, welcomed SpongeBob in its Jan. 30 service embracing diversity.
Some 200 people who attended the 8:30 or 11 a.m. services were reminded the importance of tolerance as they eagerly hung sponges on the church's Rainbow Fish Tree.
The tree began as a way for the parish to embrace diversity. During Epiphany, the six weeks between Christmas and Lent, the church hangs ribbons on the tree that represent groups often excluded in society. This week's ribbons were hung to symbolize the alienation of SpongeBob.
For this particular service, colorful sponges purchased from Schnucks and Target stores were cut into tiny pieces and strung with yarn to hang on the tree.
The Rev. Katy Hawker said the service wasn't really about SpongeBob, but the labeling that takes place in society.
"The only voices at the microphones are hate-filled voices," Hawker said.
Word spread nationwide of accusations that SpongeBob was homosexual.
Dr. James Dobson, founder of Christian group, Focus on the Family, expressed disapproval of an educational video promoting tolerance of diversity, which will be sent to schools in March. Paul Batura, Dobson's assistant, pointed out SpongeBob's appearance in the "We Are Family" video saying it "is manipulating and potentially brainwashing kids." Children's characters from The Muppets to Winnie the Pooh are also present.
Dot Bailey and her partner, Linda Agnew, have been church members for about three years. Bailey brought another children's character accused of being a homosexual to the service, the famed Telletuby Tinky-Winky.
"I brought Tinky today so he could meet SpongeBob, so they could commiserate today," Bailey said.
Many were angered at the remarks made against SpongeBob, specifically the United Church of Christ's national offices in Cleveland. Their Web site posts pictures of SpongeBob posing with church members and spending time in the chapel. The Webster Groves location decided to honor SpongeBob and tolerance at their church.
