THIEVES TARGETING RELIGIOUS YARD SIGNS

A religious program designed to attract "unchurched" members of the community seems to be working. Half the blue and white "Alpha is coming" signs placed around Cape Girardeau to advertise the program have been stolen, said the Rev. Clayton Smith, pastor of Centenary Methodist Church.

He describes Alpha as "a short course in Christianity designed for those who either are nominally churched or unchurched and would like to learn more about Christianity in an informal, non-threatening environment."

Ten of the Alpha signs ended up in one person's yard, leading to the suspicion that the disappearances are more prank than hostile behavior, said Smith.

Cpl. Rick Schmidt of the Cape Girardeau Police Department said the thefts of yard sale signs and election signs are common and difficult to solve. "They could be anywhere."

Police usually find stolen signs in people's houses or cars while investigating something else, he said.

"I can't tell you the countless golf flags I've found in people's houses."

Someone who is found with a sign could be charged with receiving stolen property, Schmidt said.

"It's not a heinous crime, but what it boils down to is you're depriving the owner of their property."

Smith rejects someone's suggestion that the Alpha Chi Omega sorority may have an interest in the signs. "My daughter used to be the president," he said.

He describes candidates for Alpha as people who perhaps stopped attending church as a teen-ager or young adult and have not returned. "All churches have a large number of people in that category, people who really are more cultural Christians than church-oriented Christians," the pastor said.

"They may very well be Christian, but they're not building up the body of Christ through the church."

Roman Catholics, Presbyterians and a variety of independent congregations are participating in the program, which got its start in England, Smith said. The program lasts 10 to 12 weeks and will be presented in the home of one of his church members. At the end of the program, attendees may or may not feel comfortable coming back into the local church, Smith said. "We're trying to make Christians first and United Methodists second."

An informational meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Aug. 30 at the church's Family Life Center. Reservations can be made, and an information packet can be obtained by phone.

A survey found that a community such as Cape Girardeau should provide ample prospects for a program like Alpha, Smith said. "Twenty-five to 30 percent are unchurched people who would be open and receptive to a program like this."

Alpha welcomes everyone in the community who qualifies as unchurched, "even if they're not living a Christian lifestyle," he said.

People who steal signs would be an example.