Three other churches in Berks County had already been burglarized within the last two weeks by the time Pastor Josh Fittlerling of New Jerusalem Zion United Church of Christ arrived at the church March 12 for a consistory meeting.

Entering through the front door, Fitterling did not notice anything amiss but when he walked into his office, the pastor knew there was a problem.

"I saw a pile of papers on the floor and thought 'I didn't leave the desk drawers out,'" he told The Press last Friday. "I went to the sanctuary and saw the sacristy doors open on either side of the alter.

"I walked into one room and saw glass scattered on the floor."

To enter, the burglar broke the glass window on the side of the door at the back, side entrance to the church.

Fitterling first called Consistory President Donald Stofflet, then the police.

"Nothing like this has happened before," the pastor said. "It definitely comes as a shock."

On the lower level, the burglar kicked in a reinforced glass window on the door to gain entry to the church office where he rummaged through papers and damaged the computer.

"I want them [burglars] to know how they have made the church family feel," Fitterling said. "I am a strong believer love is the central message of the Gospel.

"Even though they did something hurtful to the church community, the community is there if they need a place to go.

"We extend a welcome to them, even though it is hard to do."

Fitterling said the church would learn from the experience and move forward.

"Forgiveness is important, not just for them, but for us to let go of some anger," he said. "We don't know what your circumstances were but we forgive you."

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Anyone with information on any of the church burglaries is asked to call Crime Alert Berks County at 877-373-9913.