wfn.org | Massachusetts church leaves a lasting legacy

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

> Massachusetts church leaves a lasting legacy

> Written by Gregg Brekke
> December 29, 2009

When Old First UCC in Springfield, Mass., decided to close its doors
after 370 years in ministry, there were a few questions to be answered.

At the top of the list for long-time members was how the church would
honor its legacy and who would be the beneficiary of the sale of its
property and liquidation of its assets?

With a spirit of generosity, the congregation and those charged with
making these decisions have donated substantial financial resources to
many ministries, including over $250,000 to the UCC's New and Renewing
Churches Endowment Fund.

The church officially ceased worship at the end of 2007. Upon closing
they voted to give back to the community and help partner ministries.
An advisory council met monthly to wrap up the loose ends of church
business and traverse the difficult legal process of dissolving a
non-profit corporation. Their work culminated with the distribution of
church proceeds during the last half of 2009.

"The ministry of your church is not over," said the Rev. Stephen
Sterner, executive minister of Local Church Ministries, in an email to
the congregation expressing thanks for their gift. "Every church and
every person that receives the blessing that will come from your
generous gifts will be a continuation of the faithfulness and ministry
of your church and the whole church."

In addition to the gift to the UCC, Old First gave generously of its
nearly $1.8 million in proceeds to the Community Foundation of Western
Mass., the Northeast Farmworker's Council for Fuel Assistance, the
Community Music School of Springfield and other Springfield churches
and ministries. Congregation members hope these gifts will keep the
spirit of their church alive and provide for the upkeep of their
historic building.

A spirit of vitality permeates the conversation from those who loved,
and yet grieve the loss of, the congregation formed in 1636. "Many of
our members have found new church homes, and they are already actively
participating in their programs," said Bob Walker, chairman of Old
First's Board of Trustees.

From the height of the congregation's life in the mid-1950s where over
1,800 gathered to worship, in its final year only 85 were regular
participants. Changing demographics meant more people were worshiping
outside the city limits where this church - a city-center spiritual
and civic hub - had stood for nearly four centuries.

"As we are painfully aware, funding for church development and
assistance for struggling churches is greatly needed," said Susan
Saunders, moderator of Old First. "Indeed, our prayer is that other
congregations will be assisted in order to avoid closure."

The Rev. David Schoen, minister and team lead for Congregational
Vitality and Discipleship, noted that several church ? including two
Massachusetts congregations ? are already benefiting from these funds.
"I'm glad to share with you that two congregations in Massachusetts
are currently being funded as they seek to be renewed," he told Old
First's advisory group.

Information on the UCC's New and Renewing Churches Endowment Fund is
available at the Congregational Vitality website.