PEOTONE, IL - Ninety-three pastors have come and gone since First Baptist Church of Peotone opened its doors 86 years ago, but one thing has remained unchanged - the flower arrangement on the pedestal next to the piano in the church's sanctuary. It has been a mainstay for the congregation since its inception; however, the church announced that this coming Sunday will be the final service for the floral display.

"It's one of the saddest losses we've gone through as a church, but we know it's the right thing to do," said Deacon Jacob Johnson. "The deaconesses have been suggesting a change for the last couple of decades, and I guess it's time to let her go."

The vote to accept the arrangement's resignation passed the trustee board by a narrow 5-4 margin. Harold Stevens was one of the holdouts.

"She's still got ten good years in her at least," said Stevens. "It's a doggone waste is what it is. What's next, a different picture on the front of the bulletin?"

The resignation does not include the arrangement's decorative vase which will remain in place until new flowers are chosen. The vote on which arrangement will replace the retiring display must be made by the congregation and is expected to take six to nine years.