By Mary O’KEEFE

Overnight someone stole the series of flags that lined the front lawn of St. Luke’s of the Mountains Episcopal Church.

The flags represented countries of Korea and Mexico as well as other flags including the Rainbow (gay) and an environmental flag were stolen last night. The Armenian flag was stolen a few weeks prior. The only flag that was left behind was the American flag.

The flags were a symbol of the church’s “open minds, open hearts” philosophy, letting everyone know that are were welcome to worship.

It appears the theft of all flags but the American was more like a message was being sent to the church on their open door policy.

A woman had contacted the church earlier to complain about the new St. Luke’s sign that is in the front of the church that has the worship service in both English and Spanish. Recently the Church of the Ascension Episcopal Church in Tujunga was closed and St. Luke’s open their doors to the congregation with a special service in Spanish at 11 a.m.  The transition has been smooth between the two congregations, with both groups excited about working with new people.

The theft has not deterred the congregation’s resolve to open their doors to all who wish to worship.

“We will continue to put [the flags] up, ” said Bryan Jones, St. Luke’s vicar.

And the flags will be flying again,. Today, during the service, members of the congregation donated funds to help replace the flags.