As a Christian church, we support the right of workers to organize and receive just compensation and benefits. We also support the right of workers to choose not to unionize. We believe that all employers - whether union or non-union - should pay their workers a fair wage and comply with all legal standards.

We also support the right of protestors to protest.

I personally want to appeal to church members and residents of Tellico Village to treat the people attending the "Shame On" sign with respect and Christian love.

I also want to ask people in our community to be well informed about the facts and to know that neither I nor Tellico Village Community Church have a labor dispute with the union that is sponsoring the banner.

Let us "Love our neighbors as ourselves." So long as the protestors are among us, let us hold that thought in mind.

Martin C. Singley, III
Senior Pastor
Tellico Village Community Church