The United Methodist Church has told the 60+ age
members of the Grove United Methodist Church in Cottage Grove, Minnesota to
shove off. The church is closing in June and reopening in November – without them.
“The church wants to attract more young families. The present members, most of
them over 60 years old, will be invited to worship somewhere else. A memo
recommends that they stay away for two years, then consult the pastor about
reapplying.”
“‘Rev.’ Dan Wetterstrom...said that Methodists’
regional Annual Conference is paying $250,000 to restart the church. They have
hired a specialist in starting new churches — Jeremy Peters.
“Peters, 30, has moved to Cottage Grove with his
wife and two children. He is working with community groups, laying the
groundwork for the relaunch, probably in November.
“‘It’s a new thing with a new mission for a new
target,’ said Peters, ‘and a new culture.’”
Though the older members “will not be physically
barred from attending,” they are not wanted, and “the expectation is that they
will not” attend where they are not wanted.
“William Gackstetter said the aging membership has
been asked to continue maintaining the church until it reopens without them.
“‘They want us to mow the lawn and shovel the snow.’
he said.”
“Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as
a father; and the younger men as brethren; the elder
women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. Honour widows
that are widows indeed.” 1 Timothy 5:1-3
“…mine house shall be called an house of prayer
for all people.” Isaiah 56:7
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