Today, the Diocese of Ottawa’s version of St. Alban’s in Ottawa had its first service in the building that used to be the home of an ANiC parish. It has an odd way of advertising the Communion service. Here it is from Twitter:
Grab some wine before brunch on your way to the Market. Eucharist @ 10am. Daly & King Eddy.
Is this a desperate attempt by the author to conceal with a veneer of trendiness his embarrassment at believing in antediluvian, recondite rituals? Have they actually opened a wine bar in the narthex? – some churches have a Tim Hortons, so it’s only natural that Anglicans would have a wine bar. Is the author of the tweet likening the Blood of Christ to an incidental diversion while en route to the important business of the day – brunch?
Or is the Diocese of Ottawa merely confirming to the ANiC parish that it made the right choice when it left the diocese?
It’s interesting to note that he has used the hashtag “churchplanting”. That’s admitting that he is starting a new congregation.
The pictures are deceiving – interesting to see what the congregation looks like a month from now when they won’t be importing from other congregations to look good.
Not our problem anymore. I wish my little hindbrain would get with the programme though, and believe that.
We made the right decision. The diocese is going to lose a ton of money; they have to pay a priest, they are going to renovate the place for Centre 454. Even with the rent money from the centre, they will be pouring money into that building – all for spite.
There can hardly be any more spiteful remarks than those made by Kate here or at the Essentials blog. Gloating over the apparent loss of money by the Diocese is a definition of spitefulness. She doesn’t mention that Centre 454 was originally located at St. Alban’s (hence its name-it’s the parish address) and they were ejected by the parish and forced to rent premises elsewhere. They may have to do some refurbishment, but they have been there before and it’s better than paying rent.
I suppose that goes to show that one man’s spite is another’s gracious restraint.
Centre 454 was paying rent to the parish of St. Alban’s when they were last there – we were growing and needed our space back, and terminated the lease. It’s not like they were getting free space and then bad old us “kicked them out” and they had to pay rent. They’ve always had to pay rent, and I’m betting that they will be paying rent to the parish when they move back, too.
And yes, I think it is all for spite. St. George’s building is worth much more money than ours is, but it is our building the diocese wanted. I believe it is because Father George was so prominent in the Essentials movement.
Further to your concern for Centre 454 and the homeless – I do street outreach every week with OIM. I spend a lot of time actually talking to homeless kids, addicted adults, and prostitutes. Other than take umbrage at the fact that Centre 454’s lease was terminated by us “bad guys” ten years ago, what do you do to help street engaged people in Ottawa?
I find your lack of response to my question telling. Maybe you should stop mouthing off about how hard done by Centre 454 is, eh?