Embracing change: Stewardship, legacy, and our future

By Mary Jean Belrose, Mission Centre co-President

So much tender care has been poured into each congregational facility, and countless memories are embedded in these sacred spaces. These structures have faithfully supported our mission, allowing us to gather, worship, and invite others into our community. However, when the responsibility of maintaining these buildings becomes too heavy for a few, congregations face difficult decisions.

As stated in our Enduring Principle of Responsible Choices, “God gives humans the ability to make choices about whom or what they will serve… We are called to make responsible choices within the circumstances of our lives that contribute to the purposes of God.”

Over the past year, four properties have been sold, and four congregations have closed within the Canada East Mission Centre. These decisions were difficult and heartbreaking, representing a significant loss for our community. We acknowledge the stress and pain involved, and our thoughts are with those affected.

Thunder Bay congregation had only a few aging members remaining when Pastor Cecil Smith passed away, leading to the sale of their property and the closure of the congregation. For decades, this congregation was a beacon of faith and community, nurturing the spiritual growth of countless individuals and serving as a gathering place for worship and fellowship. Though the physical building has been sold, the legacy of Thunder Bay's ministry continues to live on in the lives of those touched by its presence.

Growing up, many of us were taught the importance of good stewardship—caring for our resources, using them wisely, and not overextending ourselves. These principles are just as vital to the life of the church as they are in our personal lives. Sometimes, making responsible choices means letting go of certain assets to ensure the future strength and sustainability of our ministry. Selling a property does not always signify the closure of a congregation. Instead, we should ask questions like, What would this make possible? What new opportunities might emerge if we were freed from the maintenance and financial burden of owning a building? What doors might open to expand our ministry and reach more people?

Guelph congregation made the decision to sell their aging facility, but the congregation is alive and well. As Marion Smith explains, “One of the main reasons for selling our building was in response to our enduring principles of the sacredness of creation and responsible choices. The building required major updates to become climate-efficient, and with a declining donor list, we decided our real desire was to impact the community, not invest in the building. We needed to make a responsible choice. We decided to keep our congregation together but to let our building go. We have not yet decided on a permanent location. We meet in homes or other places—parks, rented locations, borrowed spaces (e.g., Arbor Trails retirement home library and chapel). We visit other congregations and community events. We have become ‘nomads’ and have found many advantages to that status. It occurs to us that Jesus was a nomad before us.”

Sault Ste. Marie congregation faced accessibility challenges, an aging membership, and decreasing numbers without a pastor. They, too, chose to sell their property and close. Niagara Falls had sold their property a few years ago and had been meeting in a hotel, but the pandemic exacerbated difficulties, and they decided to disband. A portion of their funds was donated to the Ziontario campground. Similarly, Sarnia congregation struggled with too few members to maintain a large facility or sustain ministry, leading to the sale of the property and closure of the congregation.
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In each circumstance, the decision to close was not made lightly, but rather in the spirit of responsible stewardship, ensuring that their faithful contributions will continue to support the wider ministry and mission of the church. Let us hold one another in love and support as we navigate these changes.