St. Paul Church Unveils Controversial $1M Organ

[KyndCulture]

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/redir.php?jid=74719c195b44e4ae&cat=11caa946bf11fe44

(WCCO) West St. Paul, Minn. Augustana Lutheran Church used a generous donation in such an unusual way, it's receiving e-mails from curious people around the world.The West St. Paul church received nearly half a million dollars from an anonymous donor and put it toward a $1 million Glatter-Gotz/Rosales organ that was handcrafted in Germany.

"This organ is made of the absolute finest materials -- the best possible use of luxurious materials that an organ can be built from," voicer Manuel Rosales said.Yet the organ is controversial for its contemporary design. Its builder, Stefan Sturzer, has heard from critics.

"'Oh, you can't do that, you can't build an organ looking like that,'" Sturzer explained. "Kind of a negative response."The project had to overcome huge obstacles. At one point the builder wanted to be paid in euros, increasing the organ's cost.

Finally, after a year of assembly in the church, Augustana Lutheran is enjoying its maverick masterpiece. "They feel it on their insides -- it's just kind of shaking," organist Deeann Crossley said. "It is a very emotional experience. Of course, that's what we hope to do. We hope worshipers are inspired in some way."
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Ya know, somehow I just don't think that's what Jesus would have done with a $1 Million dollar donation when hundreds of thousands of our fellow Minnesotans have lost their heating subsidies this winter. I just wrote to this church and told them what a disgusting thing this was to do. I'm absolutely sickened by this. $1 Million dollars, put into helping the elderly and the poor get heat this winter seems a whole lot more christian to me than this despicable display of abuse of church funds....

If anyone wants to write to this church here's the info:
http://www.augustana.com/

[mzmolly]

1. OMG. Priorities are in order ey?

Sheesh!

[Deja Q]

2. It's an organ. $1 million or $1 thousand, they still sound similar enough:

And just like with all forms of art; it's not the quality of the piece. It's how marketable it is.

Euros too... hmmm, just what does the seller know?

[trotsky]

3. One million dollars.

My goodness, how many people that could have helped.

But then, throughout history, Christian churches have shown their willingness to spring for opulence rather than helping their fellow man. Why should we expect them to change?