In a rarely seen editorial written on behalf of the embattled Bay Ridge Methodist congregation – Robert E. Adamski, an elder with the Methodist church, defends his congregation’s decision to redevelop their property in this week’s Brooklyn Eagle.

Adamski begins by emphatically rejecting the popular talking point that the affected religious institutions — such as the Green Church’s Lutheran and Jewish neighbors of 81st street — are ‘greedy.’

“First, these institutions are not greedy and trying to make a killing. They are religious organizations that have served the community for years (and provided services exceeding the taxes they were exempted from) trying to follow their callings in serving their God and downsizing to live in their means. Is the Bay Ridge community sympathetic to their plight? No these institutions are being treated as criminals who are robbing the bank. Demonstrations, letters to the editor and politicians looking to stop their plans and thus kill them as institutions are the response by some members of the community.”

Skeptics on the sidelines of the Green Church imbroglio have long had to take with a grain of salt claims made by either side.

Methodist congregation’s claims that the structure is failing, and how much it would cost to repair, have come under scrutiny by preservationists.

Conversely, preservationists’ claims of what must be done, how much, and how much in disrepair the failing structure is – has also come under question.

Whatever the case may be, the reticence of skeptics may have been allayed in the most unlikely of ways this past week.

According to this week’s Brooklyn Paper: Victoria Hofmo – armed with less signatures than a football team has players – presented State Senator Marty Golden’s office with a petition asking him to intercede to save the structure.

On that petition were a total of 16 signatures – hardly the overwhelming support (much less the dollars) necessary to save the ailing structure.

Perhaps it is as Mr. Adamski says:

“Instead of picketing or writing letters, the community should find the buyer that wants to make the “Green Church” into an arts center… Fill these churches and contribute to their work. Then we won’t have to worry about who’s next or what will replace the church.”