Is The First Unitarian Church Of Portland Oregon Yet Another Unitarian*Univeralist Sign Of The Times Of *The* Tiny Declining Fringe Religion?
Just asking. . .
Many Americans are giving up something in this dire economy. But Sharon Dawson of Southeast Portland will go without something unusual: her church.
To save money, First Unitarian Church in downtown Portland has decided to close for the month of July. The Rev. Marilyn Sewell, senior pastor, said the 142-year-old church faces a projected $185,000 deficit for the fiscal year that ends June 30.
The closure, during a traditionally quiet month in the church calendar, will save a predicted $100,000 in staff pay and help the church avoid laying off employees. Employees also will take an additional two weeks of unpaid leave. Even so, the church will have to make additional cuts, said the Rev. Thomas Disrud, Sewell's associate.
Houses of worship across the country are closing or merging because of the economy, but furloughs are rare.
"The congregation needs to own the problems and understand the consequences," said Sewell, who announced the decision during services Jan. 25 and then sent a letter to the church's 1,500 members.
end quote
Needless to say the First Unitarian Church of Portland Oregon is far from being the only Unitarian*Universalist congregation needs to own its problems and understand the consequences. . . The same may be said about the corporate headquarters of Unitarian*Universalist Association of Congregations at 25 Beacon Street in Boston, Massachusetts.
Many Americans are giving up something in this dire economy. But Sharon Dawson of Southeast Portland will go without something unusual: her church.
To save money, First Unitarian Church in downtown Portland has decided to close for the month of July. The Rev. Marilyn Sewell, senior pastor, said the 142-year-old church faces a projected $185,000 deficit for the fiscal year that ends June 30.
The closure, during a traditionally quiet month in the church calendar, will save a predicted $100,000 in staff pay and help the church avoid laying off employees. Employees also will take an additional two weeks of unpaid leave. Even so, the church will have to make additional cuts, said the Rev. Thomas Disrud, Sewell's associate.
Houses of worship across the country are closing or merging because of the economy, but furloughs are rare.
"The congregation needs to own the problems and understand the consequences," said Sewell, who announced the decision during services Jan. 25 and then sent a letter to the church's 1,500 members.
end quote
Needless to say the First Unitarian Church of Portland Oregon is far from being the only Unitarian*Universalist congregation needs to own its problems and understand the consequences. . . The same may be said about the corporate headquarters of Unitarian*Universalist Association of Congregations at 25 Beacon Street in Boston, Massachusetts.
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