A Vermont church that's down to its last $8,000 is selling a valuable stained-glass window to boost finances and keep open a homeless shelter it runs.

The multicolored image of St. John the Divine is a Tiffany original that has been in the First Baptist Church in Brattleboro for almost 100 years. Church leaders say they already have bids in the $70,000 range.

The church is strapped for cash because of declines in donations, attendance and collection-plate revenues. So church leaders voted recently to sell the 9-foot tall window and use the proceeds to sustain the church and its wintertime homeless shelter.

They say they hate having to sell the window, but are willing to if that's what it takes to keep the church and shelter open.