From Western New York-It was a sad occasion, but one which also held some joy, the Rt. Rev. R. William Franklin told about three dozen worshipers who attended the final service Sunday at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church.
The Rt. Rev. Franklin, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York, was assisted in the deconsecration and secularization ceremony by the Very Rev. Colleen O’Connor, dean of the Genesee Deanery, and the Rev. Steven Metcalfe, vicar of St. James Episcopal Church in Batavia.
“St. Michael’s as it has existed is coming to an end,” the Rt. Rev. Franklin said.
Declining membership and difficulty in finding priests is becoming a problem in many churches. Regular worship at St. Michaels stopped in 2009.
“Faith is the answer how our diocese will keep going with hope,” the priest said. “Even though this is a sad moment, it is also a hopeful moment as these lives are integrated into the lives of those at St. James in Batavia.”
Members of St. Michael’s will be transferred to St. James Episcopal Church in Batavia, along with some of the furnishings from the Oakfield church.
http://thedailynewsonline.com/news/article_65122df2-ed05-11e2-9606-0019bb2963f4.html
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