(Garden Grove, 11/3/11) There's been a lot for parishioners to be outraged about since California's landmark Crystal Cathedral megachurch filed for bankruptcy in October of last year. There have been revelations about profligate spending practices and sky-high benefit packages paid to founder Dr. Robert H. Schuller, his family and friends (Dr. Schuller, for example, received $257,000 in tax-free housing allowances in 2009 alone and court documents suggest that the Schullers took nearly $10 million from the church endowment funds), the anti-gay covenant choir members were asked to sign, and more, but who could foresee a controversy over a request for food-delivery to the ill? There's nothing unusual about churches asking parishioners to make meals for a member who's sick. It's one of the most positive things church congregations do.
In this case, the outrage stems from how the church wants the meals delivered... by limousine.
The sick person in question is Arvella, wife of Dr. Robert H. Schuller. She's in her 80s and is suffering from pneumonia. A Cathedral email sent to church members specifies the requirements for these home-made meals.
From the Orange County Register:
The email states that the Schullers do not want get-well cards sent because they would like to "keep her situation under the radar.""However, they would appreciate meals over the next three to four weeks," the email states. "They are to be sent to the church in order to be transported to Arvella. The limo drivers could pick up the dinners or meet in the Tower Lobby around 4:30 p.m."The message also requests that the meals be low in sodium and include items such as fruit, meats, soup and egg dishes such as quiches.
From the Los Angeles Times:
Some congregants took issue with the fact that a limo driver would deliver the meals.Bob Canfield, 73, of Yorba Linda said that the action is another example of wasteful spending by the church administration."We’re just tired of it," said Canfield, a congregant who was involved with an online petition to rid the church's board of Schuller family members. "We’re just tired of them taking advantage of us."
Crystal Cathedral spokesman John Charles said that the limousines were just being used to ensure the privacy of the Schullers.
"We didn't want people going to their home because they are very private people," said Charles. "That's why we asked that the food be dropped off at the tower so the limo drivers can pick them up and deliver them."
From the Orange County Register:
Shirley Zink, who served as a greeter at the Crystal Cathedral for 35 years, said she was saddened to receive the message about the meals for Arvella."You have to wonder if it is lonely at the top, if the Schullers don't have the support of the many family members who live in the area," she said.For as long as she has known them, the Schullers have been distant from the congregation, Zink said. After 35 years, she said she resigned from being a volunteer although she still continues to go to Bible study."I'm looking for another church," she said. "But like many others, I leave heartbroken, mourning the loss of what once was."
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