O.k. I don't usually post but here goes.

At the meeting of Presbytery last night, United Church, a letter was read that caused a bit of a stir.

In the letter, a clergyperson, provided regrets to the next scheduled meeting of the Presbytery, which would take place in September.  The reason given for not attending, was that the hosting church is a Covenanting Congregation within the United Church.  The letter writer objected  to the Presbytery meeting there because of the perception that those who are LGBTQ would not be welcome. 

Keith Howard, former executive director of Emerging Spirit, writes:

It is so sad to hear of a congregation closing.   Even when they amalgamate with another group, there is still a feeling of loss.

There are many congregations struggling with an aging, inaccessible building that has an obsolete sound system and a cranky furnace, along with a lack of free parking etc. etc.  Each year the congregation declines in numbers until the inevitable happens.

I hope you don't mind me sharing some good news here, but I am just feeling really hopeful right now.

Today, our church had a congregational meeting.

We voted overwhelmingly in favour of an  accessability project, which includes a LUA elevator.   The project would be done this summer.  It is conditional on a couple of items, though there is indicationthat those conditions will come forward...(well, as some of them were conditional on congregation approval).