“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”( Matthew 6:19-21)

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”( Ephesians 5:15-16)

So.

Last week in church we did a little “wishing” about things that we wanted for Bethel five years from now.  It was lovely.  While a few of the wishes were costly – like major renovations and additions to our building (Yes, Paul, I’m still waiting for the hot tub!) most of them were not expenses so much as wishing that more people could be involved in our community.  During worship we talked about wishing for a younger generation to come, wishing for better health and energy for the people who are part of the community, and just in general, wishing for a sense of vitality and longevity for our little church. 

In the same worship service we prayed for other churches in the area that were facing significant financial strain and were expecting that they had less than three years of assets before they needed to close their doors.  When I was a Queen’s it was frequently discussed that the United Church of Canada closed about 5 churches a week, and some stats that I have seen have the closures bottoming out at zero by then end of this decade.  These are hard things to hear.  They’re hard to hear because we love our community and each other and we don’t want to see an end to this experience.  Even if there’s no hot tub!

And frankly; I believe we have something special at Bethel.

At the same time, this week we heard during Prayer and Share that our Treasurer had to ask the Trustees to release some money to the General Ledger so that our bills could be paid.  I have said repeatedly, that we have plenty of money cared for by the Trustees; and this is in fact, true.  We have a really solid ‘back-up’ plan.  This back-up plan is because of decades of careful stewardship of our resources, and the timely sale of the manse next door.  The Trustees have repeatedly assured me that the finances will see me to my retirement; just so long as I retire in a reasonable time frame and not hold on like a barnacle to this Call! 

But the finances held by the Trustees ARE finite.  They’re supposed to be.  And while we do have offerings coming in on the plate and through PAR, the givings have not increased since I was called to this community even though our attendance is stable, and our virtual ministry is really robust.  Our offerings are not covering our bills. 

And so I think that its time we, at Bethel, actually talked about our future and visioned what our life is going to be like beyond 2029.  It is true that we are older.  It is true that barring some sort of miracle, there will only be a ‘remnant’ to worship in the next generation.  Sue pointed out at Prayer and Share that our ‘givings’ base is all those who are on fixed incomes because they are retired. And yes, there are very few of us who are still ‘wage-earners’ in this community, and the cost of living has risen exponentially since Covid; since my entire ministry time at Bethel.  I’m not sure we can imagine more finances coming in on the plate. 

And I’m not sure what the answer to all of this is. So I’m just laying out what I heard and what I believe would be a faithful response to this dilemma. In a word, its

Prayer. 

Because honestly, we can choose to spend through our resources and close the doors when we’re done.  That is a good and faithful response.  But it needs to be a choice that we make collectively, and seeking God’s wisdom in how exactly we should do this. 

Or we can make the choice to collectively rethink ministry at Bethel so that its not just a ‘remnant’ in worship in the next five years.  But that’s also going to have to come with wise use of our resources; both human resources, as in volunteer time and energy, as well as financial resources.  Resources that we have been gifted by God for use in this world. 

Regardless of where we come down on this issue, we are called to a place of prayerfully seeking God’s wisdom.  We will begin discussing this collectively and the next Board Meeting; but this is just a beginning of the discussion, and so my request for all of you is that you spend some time in God’s presence, really reflecting on where you think we should be.  Because we have to do this together. 

And we also need to support each other as we make these decisions.  Several of you have downsized recently and moved into more supportive accommodation, and you know how hard it has been to come to this choice – even if it was the choice that makes most sense of you and your well-being.  I sort of envision this as a Community Downsizing.  We need to make the choice that is best for us; together.  But it comes with a huge sense of loss or grief.  Or we can make the choice to shore up our resources within the community; but that comes with needing the resources to shore it up!

Either way; it needs to be us together.  Praying and thoughtfully considering what God wants for all of us; and for our world.

Blessings today.  I hope you remember that you are Loved, and that we’re in this together.

~Rev. Lynne