Three Episcopal churches in Easton, Mansfield and Taunton will close this spring and be put up for sale while their congregations merge into the Bristol Trinity Episcopal Church.
A series of farewell services began Sunday at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Easton.
Others will be held in the coming weeks at St John’s in Taunton and St. John the Evangelist in Mansfield.
Rising costs to maintain and repair the church buildings led to the decision in March to merge, said Bristol Cluster Episcopal Ministry Council representative Sandy Rollo of Easton. The decision to close all three and find a new locale was made just two weeks ago.
Ah, yes, Cluster Ministry: Hospice Care for terminal congregations.
Sad to see dwindling congregations, but this caught my eye:
[blockquote]“This was where I learned so much, where I finally realized what everything meant,†Rollo said. “You just be the best you can be and treat other people how you would be want to be treated.
“This is where I find spirit,†Rollo said.[/blockquote]
This was the closest to anything “spiritual” mentioned in an article about three churches merging. Nothing about God the Father or Jesus, and a mention of spirit rather than the Holy Spirit. Rather more humanist than Christian.
I can honestly wish them well as they move into a period of ministry without the steep costs of operating a physical building. Potentially, this could be a time of renewal as they shift from maintenance to looking outward. It isn’t likely, but it is possible.