To the editor:

Our thanks to the South Whidbey Record and reporter Jeff VanDerford for a superb article on construction progress at Unity of Whidbey’s new church, appearing in your Saturday, June 13 issue. We are very grateful to architect Matthew Swett and instructor Frank Mestemacher for enlisting construction- craft students of Seattle Central Community College to build our church. It is an incredibly wonderful experience to see how well these 20-plus students work together while sharing the issues and the fun a workday provides. Each has our heartfelt gratitude.

Missing your interview that day was fellow board member Karl Harris, a warm and faithful, hard-working Unity leader who we all love and greatly admire.

It was Karl whose energy helped to acquire the Unity site, and it was his persuasive nature that guided Unity to decide it was indeed time to build our church. From the tedious task of securing county building permits, to arranging our loan with Whidbey Island Bank and finding qualified subcontractors, Karl led the way.

Sad to say that Karl is presently in an ICU at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue, seriously ill with respiratory and major organ complications. Somehow, on some level, I feel Karl’s humor and his presence are still at work … still leading the way. Our prayers and blessings are with Karl, Rita and all family members.

Gerry Simpson

Vice President

Unity of Whidbey Board of Trustees