It has a facebook page with almost 1400 fans.  But not just one — the “Solidarity for Webster’s Cafe” facebook page has over 2500 members.  The online “Save Webster’s” petition is nearing 1000.  1000 more have signed the hardcopy.  The State College council  called an emergency session to brainstorm ways to support the community outcry against it’s closing.  Customers have held three meetings to explore options for keeping the doors open.  Most recently The Downtown State College Improvement District is coming to the rescue.

In letters and articles… it has been called…

— the foundation of our community and the heart of the downtown…

— part of the sinew and muscle of our community…

— the only place in town where everyone feels comfortable meeting anyone…

One person simply asked the question, “What other venue could possibly serve State College as well as Websters?”

If you haven’t been to State College — Websters is the anti-Starbucks combined with a used bookstore.  Locally owned.  Locally grown food.  A community gathering place for a diverse group of people.  As I read the editorials, the letters, and the comments, a number of thoughts float through my mind.  For example, if there are so many fans — which is even better than a plain old customer — why was it so hard to pay the rent?  (That’s why they are closing.)  I’m guessing that fewer people would complain if a Starbucks closed, but I wonder if more people sip their latte’s at Starbucks.

But here is the question that won’t leave my mind — thanks to an e-mail from Beckie Romig — what if it wasn’t Webster’s closing their doors, what if it was Calvary.  Would there be a “Calvary Solidarity” facebook page?  An emergency borough council meeting?  A “Save Calvary” online petition?  Would the Downtown Improvement District — or anyone else — step in to save us?  Would the city cry if we were leaving the community?

A second century Christian once wrote, “As the soul is to the body, so Christians are to the city.”  Is that true or have we transfered our souls to the Webster Cafes of the world?  Here is our vision at Calvary?  We want to be so connected to our communities — no walls between the church and the city — that they would feel the emptiness of our absence.  We want to be such a vital, valued part of our communities that people who don’t believe in Jesus, would not hesitate to sign a “Save Calvary” petition.

We’re not there yet…but we are closer now than we were 5 years ago.

One day, by God’s grace, we will hear people say, “The church is the foundation of our community and the heart of the downtown.  The church is part of the sinew and the muscle of our community.  The church is the only place in town where everyone feels comfortable meeting anyone.  What other venue could serve State College so well as the church??!!!