Trinity Church, Mitchell was deconsecrated on September 9th, St. Paul’s, Kirkton on September 16th, and St Mary’s, Brinsley on Tuesday September 25th.
In addition, St. Stephens, Christ Church and Holy Trinity will be “joined”. This, apparently, is not an “amalgamation” and there will be no closures. Really, there won’t. In fact, the words “amalgamation” and “closure” have never been mentioned.
Well, they were mentioned once in this article (page 3) by Rev. Keith Nethery, rector of one of the churches – and he only mentioned the words to remind us that they have never been mentioned. Except by him in the article; by accident. They haven’t even been thought about. Really.
Churches are buildings. They have a life cycle. A closure of a church is not necessarily a death. ANiC churches will close too. Get over it. Next story.
Church closures are like a death in the family. Yes one gets over it but the pain is real and compassion is called for.
It is the way they are being closed and the reasons for the closures that cause the greatest concerns.
Eph,
The “get over it” part of you post is frankly unkind, perhaps even hurtful. I certainly hope that you would never use such a phrase in front of the people of these parishes that are being closed.