Recently we have been worshipping in All Souls' Chapel instead of in St. Andrew's Church. The vestry made this decision based upon the financial realities that we must live with in this part of our parish. Last year (2007) we spent over $4000 on electricity for St. Andrew's the bulk of that money needed to heat the church. Last year (2007) the congregation of St. Andrew's lived beyond its means - we had to spend much more than was offered - and so we fell into a deficit situation.
As I stated in my sermon for Epiphany the Vestry, Wardens and I have been very worried about this situation and we have been trying to think of ways to help ourselves out of this hole. Using All Souls' Chapel is a good use of our resources. The 46 people who came on the 13th of January and the 26 people who came on the 20th of January were well housed in the chapel. Most of those who came thought that the worship had an intimate feel about it.
We are called to be good stewards of that which God has blessed us with and using our Chapel for regular Sunday worship lives up to that stewardship.
I would like to make one thing very clear:
WE ARE NOT IN THE PROCESS OF CLOSING St. ANDREW'S CHURCH.
Please do not think this for one moment! For the winter months when we do not have a special service we will be using the Chapel. When the warmer weather returns or for our Joint Services or for our Family Eucharists we will be using St. Andrew's.If you have any questions about how this decision was reached please do not hesitate to contact me, I will be all too happy to answer your questions.
Blessings,
Elliott+
