As followers of Christ, our lives have the same cruciform pattern. We embrace the cross, confident of the new life that comes to us through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. We know that God’s love of us is shown forth most clearly in those situations where we are most needy; those situations where we are revealed to have no power of our own and are most reliant on God. So when we are weak, we are actually strong (2 Cor. 12:10), because we rely on God who gives the strength. In our poverty, we actually become rich (2 Cor. 5:9), because it is God who gives abundance. It’s paradoxical but also true.
What’s true in our lives is also true in the life of the Church. When things go well in the life of the community we begin to think that perhaps we are the source of the blessing; can begin to think that it’s our own cleverness or faithfulness or strength that has brought about the increase. So it’s precisely in times of deprivation that the power of God is shown forth; precisely in times of death that the triumph song of resurrection sounds forth: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
This final service at St. Bernard’s vividly illustrates the Church in deprivation, our weakness and our need. The life of the Church, however, runs far beyond the life of any single congregation. Because Jesus is the source of our life, the Church is stretched out in time and space, rooted in the past and growing into the future, in every place where the Gospel is preached. There is new life for God’s People, always and everywhere (as we say at the Eucharist). God’s praises are sung, not just in one place, but in all places and at all times. Our song of praise, the ceaseless “alleluia” that ever goes up, is never extinguished or obscured.
Sad, but not surprising. St. Bernard’s does not seem to be one of them, but there are some STEM (Southern Tennessee Episcopal Mission) churches in the area which have been kept afloat for years for various reasons, and compete for members. G-L is located in Grundy County, either the poorest or second poorest in TN, depending on where you look. It has a population of less than 2000.
I supplied at St. Bernard’s pretty regularly when I lived in Sewanee. Dedicated parishioners, but very small congregation. I would frequently drive in for mass and find seven, five, sometimes two people. I felt sorry to take their money, but needed it at the time … not least because the gas to get out there was expensive.
Rest in peace, St. Bernard’s.
A sad day for those valiant few but little need to cry for the diocese of Tennessee. It came through the 2002 through 2008 experience quite well with Members up by 5 percent, ASA down by 4 percent, and Plate & Pledge adjusted for inflation up an astounding 14 percent! Based on these data I ranked them 2 out of 95 dioceses considred. As for Money there were 27 of 48 churches with Plate & Pledge below $150K in 2008 which means that each “rich” church had only about one “poor” church to help. And for Aging, there were 259 Infant Baptisms and 142 Burials in 2008. Statmann
Statmann,
remind me, please, where you have your complete analyses stored.
Rob Eaton+: My data base is on about 100 (5 by 8) cards on my desk. As a retired old stat prof I have been reduced to one that must do his own “donkey work” for data. Makes analysis difficult but trustworthy. Statmann
Fond memories for me of St. Bernard’s from years gone
by when I was a seminarian at Sewanee and priest in the
Diocese of Tennessee. Many stories, many friends,
faithful Christians like Jake Suter.