Community shows support for Prince Edward Island church targeted by thieves

by | 10 Mar 2016

Edwin Rossiter, who leads the congregeation at Summerside Church of the Nazarene, shows two of the laptops donated after one, along with a projector, was stolen from the church in late February. (*Jornal Pioneer* photo)

Rev. Edwin Rossiter is humbled by the outpouring of support his church has received since news broke it was targeted by thieves.

Rossiter leads the congregation at the Summerside Church of the Nazarene.

Late in the day on February 27, someone entered the church, situated in the city’s downtown, stealing a laptop and projector.

The matter remains under investigation by Summerside Police Services.

After a story appeared in this newspaper, Rossiter was flooded with calls and donations, most anonymous, by people wishing to replace the stolen items.

One woman, days after the crime, dropped off “an almost new computer,” while a business that was upgrading their computer system donated its used equipment.

“We had a few more computers dropped off,” Rossiter said with a laugh. “We had a projector donated, as well, from another business that wants to remain anonymous.

“It has just been overwhelming. People cared and were touched by that story and gave us what they had to replace these things for us.”

The reverend called the experience “an opportunity to grow” for his congregation.

“We just want to be part of a loving community and reach out to people who are in need,” he added. “We look out for each other. It is a good thing. We even had a couple of senior citizens ... on fixed incomes say ‘we can’t give a whole lot’ but they donated some money for a new projector.”

Then, Rossiter, who has led the congregation at the church for little over two years, said something many might find surprising.

“That person who took the computer and projector, we have no animosity, we forgive him and wish them all the best.”

Now, thanks to the donations, there’s an excess of laptops for the church to use, one of which will replace the one stolen used by the youth program; the second, to be used by a staffer; and the third, a backup.

“Actually, it has been perfect timing because a lot of our computers were getting older and we needed to look at replacing them,” Rossiter said. “This has been a real blessing for us, as well.”