It was good to see the article by Kayla Berkey on Seattle’s Mennonite Voluntary Service house and its new life (June 16). It is a vital illustration of the transitions occurring within many of our urban congregations. I would like to offer further information on a few things mentioned in the article. The $24,000 loan to buy the house in 1976 was offered by the Mennonite Men’s organization, which functioned under the Commission on Home Ministries of the General Conference Mennonite Church. Robert Franz, an officer with the Mennonite Men, came to inspect the house and endorsed the purchase. The funds were sent to Seattle via Western Union. When I went to Pioneer Square Western Union in Seattle, I was handed 12 checks, each worth $2,000. Furthermore, the checks were written to me, personally. The next day I met with the sellers at a real estate office. The sellers had requested $35,000, but when they learned we had $24,000 in Western Union checks, they accepted our offer. The large house served the VS program very well over many years.

Lauren Friesen, North Newton, Kan.