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 Methodists to Rebuild
Burned-down Church

Pastor: "We have to ask,
'Where is God in all this?'"

Deity's motive in igniting, destroying
own sanctuary remains unclear

Adrian Rodriguez
The Tribune, July 10, 2001

SAN LUIS OBISPO —— Nearly three months after a predawn fire destroyed the 40-year-old United Methodist Church on Easter morning, the church’s new pastor said one important question will need to be answered to begin the rebuilding process.

“We have to ask the question, ‘Where is God in all of this?” said the Rev. Ron Griffen. “Not why this would happen, but what God is doing that will be life-giving.”

Griffen became the church’s senior pastor on Sunday, inheriting a congregation undaunted by its misfortune.

The doctoral graduate from the Claremont School of Theology called San Luis Obispo a vibrant community that he loves already, even though he still is unpacking his things. Griffen had been the associate pastor in Laguna Woods at the Laguna Country United Methodist Church for two years before coming to San Luis Obispo.

The 64-foot-tall United Methodist sanctuary was leveled by a suspected arson fire.

No new leads have developed in the investigation of the fire, although the case still is suspected to be arson, said San Luis Obispo Capt. Bart Topham. A $20,000 reward for information about the unidentified suspects is available.

Nelson Stringer, pastor of the church at the time of the fire, had announced plans to retire last December.

Griffen will preach for the first time in San Luis Obispo on Sunday. The church will reassess its long-term plans, said congregation spokesman Tracy Wilder. A new church should be built in three years.

Locals Plan Fund-raiser to Replace Man's Front Teeth

Morro Bay coffee-house clerk left incisors in asphalt after accident

Adrian Rodriguez
The Tribune, July 10, 2001

Morro Bay -- It looks like Christmas is coming early for a guy in Morro Bay who just lost his two front teeth.

When regular customers at the 2 Dogs Coffee Co. on Main Street heard that Adrian Combs, a counter clerk there, had been thrown face-first into asphalt when riding a bicycle two weeks ago, they were concerned about the two incisors he’d lost.

When they found out he didn’t have the money to replace his teeth, frequent customer Lita Poppenberg said, they began to discuss, over a cup of coffee of course, ways to help Combs.

Poppenberg was one of the core four or five regular customers who initially came up with the idea that became the Tooth Fairy Fund, taking place Saturday at the Morro Bay City Park. The group wants to raise $3,500 for Combs.

Poppenberg said more than 50 businesses and organizations have volunteered and donated raffle prizes and supplies for the event.

“This is a community like I’ve never been privileged to be in before,” Poppenberg said. “That’s why people are flocking to live on the Central Coast, because people do care, because they do have generous hearts.”

Combs couldn’t be reached Thursday to talk about the dental work he needs or the benefit happening in his honor.

Combs’ top incisors were dislodged in the accident, which was caused by a loose box-string that wound up in the bicycle’s tire spokes and stopped the bike abruptly. The customers initially heard that Combs dental work would be covered by insurance, Poppenberg said.

“But we went and had coffee one morning a week later,” she said, “and Billy Clayton, who owns 2 Dogs, said he (Combs) got turned down.”

The grass-roots fund raiser will begin at noon in the Morro Bay City Park. The group also will hold a benefit garage sale at 985 Morro Bay Ave. beginning at about 6:30 a.m. Saturday.