One more step along the world I go.
From the old things to the new
keep me traveling along with you.
So sang the congregation at the end of last Sunday’s Anniversary service. Since then, our next steps have become a bit clearer.
As Dennis informed us last week, the largest number of votes received at the meeting on November 6th opted for a merger between SouthWest and Summerlea United in Lachine. The second highest number were for SouthWest to remain independent but to meet in the Summerlea building at a different time (we have been offered 11:30). A number of people also expressed a preference for finding a space to rent closer to home (Verdun or Lasalle) but unfortunately, we have not found such a place, and at any rate, we cannot, as SouthWest United, choose multiple paths; we must settle on one.
Church Council met this past Monday, and some of the members of council attended a meeting at Summerlea on Tuesday where they were greeted with open arms. The path forward that emerged from these meetings is this: SouthWest will merge with Summerlea, but there will be a transition period of at least six months.
Those of you who have been in this place before know that amalgamation is not necessarily a quick and easy process. Just because we will leave our current building as of December 31st, doesn’t mean that SouthWest can be dissolved as of January 1st. We will still have to do financial and annual reports accounting for the past year. There is also the fact that SouthWest has a contract with Pastor Beryl until June 30th, 2023. Therefore, the ministry plan that will be presented to Regional Council will propose a merger with Summerlea, but allow for a transition period of 6 months or so.
Beginning in January, a SouthWest service, led by Pastor Beryl and Sarah, will take place at Summerlea at 11:30. As per her part-time contract, Beryl will lead worship three times a month. Where we have had lay leadership filling in once a month at SouthWest, we will instead suggest that on Pastor Beryl’s Sundays off, SouthWest people simply attend the Summerlea service at 10:00. This will allow us to get to know their minister and the congregation and should help smooth the way to eventual merger.
We know that some will not be willing to attend an 11:30 service, even temporarily. Some may make the jump to attending Summerlea’s service right away, or may opt for another church altogether. Of course we cannot force anyone to stay with SouthWest. At the same time, we do think of all of you as family and therefore want to make sure that the distance is not the thing keeping you away. It has not been formalized, but we will work on finding lifts for people who wish to attend the 11:30 service in Lachine.
SouthWest will continue to pay three employees for six months: Beryl, Sarah and me. Summerlea is offering us some storage space and even possible office space. The newsletter will continue to go out every Friday for the time being. Also it looks like our grand piano, and a few other treasures, will go with us!
We will keep you informed of any new developments. Meanwhile, the snow on the ground reminds us that in another week or so we will be in Advent. Let’s enjoy one last Christmas season in our beautiful church.
And it's from the old I travel to the new.
Keep me traveling along with you.
- Amy