Odds and Ends

Our church seems to be dying. The original families are aging and many no longer attend. I do not attend often because of looking after my mother. I have been able to attend vestry meetings on Sunday afternoons and record the minutes.

There has been a fairly steady decline of people to do the work of running the church and to provide money to pay the bills. Our fairly new bishop has been concerned with the ministry to our vulnerable refugee populations who were welcomed to our church. Our rector also became frustrated with the lack of help with this ministry because we have so few people available.

Conversations with other possible partner churches were begun and our two refugee memberships, the Sudanese and the Karen/Karenni people decided to move to other churches where there are more resources for them. Some of the few core people remaining are quite bitter and angry, grieving. They feel they have been sabotaged by our rector and our bishop.

In looking back it seems that perhaps our refugees were welcomed more to save our parish than to serve them. If their best interests were foremost in our hearts we would support them in their decision to move where they will have greater resources. Some are reluctant to give them the church vans which were purchased for them in the first place. They will need them in their new locations just as they need them with us. This mean spirited attitude turns me off and makes me think it is time for me to leave also.

A few years ago I considered leaving when it appeared that the rector was driven away by unkind treatment. I stayed because of the ministry to the refugees. Now that they are leaving, there is little reason to stay. The remaining members must come up with some reason to continue in existence, some simple ministry, but my ideas are not welcomed. They do not know how to get along with any rector apparently and they will operate without one now, unable to pay a rector.

It is enough to be and worship but I think my time to leave has come and I will probably go to the church where the Karen and Karenni have chosen to go. I rather dread this Sunday's meeting which may be rather tense and unpleasant.