In preparation for the Congregational meeting on Sunday, we invite you to remember with us the words of Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8:
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Barbara Crumley chose this passage for us to read at her graveside when we gave thanks for her life and celebrated the Resurrection of Christ. We will gather as church for her memorial service, when it is safe to do so. There is a time for everything.
As we prepare to vote on the Session's recommendation to ask the Presbytery to conclude the ministry of FPC Lincolnton and dissolve the Congregation, we come to a time of weeping for what might have been and laughing with thanksgiving for what is to be; of mourning our loss and dancing in celebration.
In the letter of May 20 the Session shared with the congregation that we made this difficult decision after months of prayer and discernment. We confronted declining resources for several years. Since 2011 we have been drawing from our reserves to continue to operate. Each year for nine years we have drawn from $12,000 to $22,000 per year. This year we have already drawn from our reserves. In the past year our mounting fiscal needs became overwhelming; following a sewage backup that crippled our education building, created a liability of $237,000 and for which we are still in negotiation with insurance. In addition to the resources needed to bring the education building back to full use, we would have to address ongoing maintenance and accessibility.
Due to cautions related to the COVID virus, it became clear that we simply did not know when we could meet in person for worship.
Though many people have said they knew this day was coming, it still comes as a shock. Here are the reflections from the members of Session who made the unanimous recommendation, with regret but with faithful conviction:
From Joe Morgan: A little more than seven months ago I did not dream our church would be facing the decision we have before us right now. It was not because I was unaware we have long-standing financial problems due to expenses exceeding income and that closure was a very real possibility in the future; however, somehow we continued to remain open. I took comfort in that and told myself that God had us here for a purpose so I did not have to deal with what amounts to a great death.
However, we can no longer avoid facing (1) debts of more than twice our annual budget and two potential lawsuits due to the sewage back-up, (2) an aging building that requires on-going maintenance and renovation, and (3) the lack of reserves that have balanced our budgets for many years. I hope and pray we can find thankful hearts for the what has been accomplished by our church over the past 200+ years. May God's will for each of us guide our hearts as we move into a new time.
From Kathy Robinson:
First Presbyterian Church has been a part of my life for 43 years, and I had hoped it would continue its wonderful ministries long after I was gone. That has not turned out to be the case. The numbers and needs just look too big to me for us to continue.
From Jim Ross:
My parents worshiped at our church, and when I was 12, I was baptized there. Later on, Evelyn and I married there in 2007. For many years, we, as a congregation, enjoyed a steady pattern of attendance and membership. Now that we are older, many of us have moved away, retired, and many of us have passed away. All these events have caused our membership to dwindle with no growth on the horizon. That, in conjunction with a damaging sewage backup, has saddled our church with an enormous financial burden that we cannot sustain.
Despite all our efforts to resolve this, our finances cannot recover. I feel most of us are tired and do not have the resources or energy to form a new church; therefore, I think it best to conclude our ministry at this time. So many of us have worked diligently to keep our doors open, share our time with the community, and take care of our fellow church members. This decision is one we have struggled with for many months.
I shall miss our hallowed sanctuary, our magnificent windows, our voluminous organ, our church meals, and all the fellowship. All the clergy that have passed through our doors have made memories that we shall never forget. It is now the time to conclude our existence. I believe that we have been and always will be remembered as a vibrant church with a long history in this historic city.
From Judy Roberts: This past Saturday I and my neighbor served food at the Christian Ministries which our church has supported for many years, both financially and with our service. Kathy Robinson, Rick and Myra Jane Ramseur joined us in serving our neighbors.
Our FPC team of volunteers continues to serve Meals on Wheels in our community. Even when our church is dissolved, we will not change the name of our Meals on Wheels team.
We will continue gathering to serve through Christian Ministries. Friends will order
These Days
together to get the "bulk" discount and we will continue our devotions. Women who have shared the PW Bible Study will order books and meet in each other's homes.
We came to the heart wrenching decision to ask the congregation to ask the Presbytery to dissolve our congregation. I felt the shock so much I could hardly speak, except to say yes, this is what God leads us to do.
And then, the feeding our neighbors and teaching with the women, and reaching out in love for one another became the way to move forward.
From Scott Smith:
Mary and I came to FPC Lincolnton as a result of a similar situation at our former church in Charlotte. What remains of that congregation is still meeting, although under a very different model. As it stands, the expenses we’ve incurred for repairs and maintenance are far greater than our reserves. The recommendation for the WNC Presbytery to dissolve the church body and conclude our ministry in the present building was a difficult decision. All is not lost, however. God may lead us to “re-form”, seek less costly facilities, and enter into new fields of mission.
From Pam Sipe:
I have been asked and honored several times to serve as elder of this church. During those times there were joyous and difficult decisions for which I had to cast my vote: to call a new Pastor, to help a new community ministry by opening our fellowship hall to the homeless people of Lincolnton for a safe place to rest until the new ministry could open; and to dissolve the ministry with pastors so they could serve another church.
But NO vote was as hard and agonizing as the vote to ask the Presbytery to conclude the ministry of First Presbyterian Church and dissolve the congregation.
What does the future hold?
A still small voice reminds us that to conclude our ministry and dissolve this congregation does not end our discipleship and our work as Christ's hands and feet in the world. Let's continue in our calling as disciples taught to: REACH, TEACH, FEED and LOVE.
From Rev. Dr. Kathryn J. Cameron, Bridge Supply Pastor:
If someone had told me in January as we celebrated communion together, that in less than a month I would feel taken into this church in a way that would sustain us through a pandemic and the conclusion of the church's ministry, I would have tilted my head in that questioning way I inherited from my mom. I don't know where the title Bridge Supply Pastor comes from, but I find it apt to describe the work among you to which God called me. I hope I have supplied a bridge to help you cross over this pandemic and find yourselves on the other of the decision to ask Presbytery to dissolve the congregation of FPC. The care and carefulness of your Session in this considered request is a witness to their faithfulness and yours, that God's steadfast love endures, that Christ sends us in his name, and the Holy Spirit guides us the next season.
Your continued gifts of tithes and offerings will see us through the upcoming months of June and July and help our church complete our mission and ministry. We want to leave a legacy of LOVE as we continue to REACH, TEACH, FEED.
