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By
NICK GOSNELL <a href="https://hutchpost.com/">Hutch
Post</a>
HUTCHINSON — The pastor of a Hutchinson church vandalized by two juveniles just before Christmas says cleanup continues."We
 had to rely on Phoenix Restoration for the bulk of the cleaning," First
 Congregational Church Pastor Matt Stafford said. "They are still in the
 process with a few things. I imagine it will be another month before 
we're back to normal."The process of getting an opportunity to teach the young men, ages 9 and 10, who committed the acts is underway."Both
 of the adults where the juveniles live have contacted us and have made 
an effort to meet with us and see what can be done as far as community 
service with these young men," Stafford said.It's important to go forward with grace, as well."We're
 concentrating on what God has done for us," Stafford said. "We try to 
behave in a way that would be honoring to Christ. Even when there are 
major mistakes made, we've got to pick ourselves up and dust ourselves 
off and go forward from here. God is a gracious God and Scripture says, 
by grace you have been saved. We feel like we should grant that same 
grace to those who offend us or who are in the situation where they need
 not only forgiveness, but reconciliation."Stafford notes that 
they don't equate forgiveness with approval. He said he heard once that 
to not forgive somebody is like drinking poison and waiting for the 
other person to die.

Cleanup of building and hearts continues at vandalized Hutch church