Today is a rarity in the Vicar household in that we have a Sunday off!
Children number one and two are away with the Air Cadets and three and four remain in bed. So what do we do on a day off? Easy answer - we go to church!
When on the narrowboat I always try to do a Sunday service and yet increasingly find church buildings that are locked and empty, a sign informing the would be worshipper that the place is only used every other week, or at eight, ten or eleven on various days (see rota in the [locked] porch!!!). Seems that the issue of sustainability, shrinking clergy resources, ageing congregations and other challenges all come together to make church-going for the casual attender up there with winning the lottery.
So today the question isn't 'where shall I go?' but more like 'where can I go '. Of course this could be addressed by increasing use of non stipendiary or ordained local ministers but then there is the question of managing and paying for the upkeep of the bricks and mortar.
Solve one problem and find another one lurking behind it!
Happy Sunday
1 comment:
With 5 churches in our benefice, we are just unable to provide a service at each church, every week.
But, but judicious use of visiting clergy, lay ministry, we try to ensure a service at each church, 3 weeks out of 4. Not ideal, but the best we can do with limited resources.
But the Churches without services do open, with perhaps a Church Warden present to explain the situation and allow people to enter and pray.
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