Case Study
Our current Ministry Support Team has been together since about 2005. At that time we had one locally ordained priest, and myself [Rev. Nancy Auer] in training, and one other team member. Currently we have one priest (myself), one person in process of ordination and two others. This church is known to have not been without a priest/clergy presence since it was built in 1893.
Currently our team consists of myself as priest, another in the process for ordination and a treasurer and another soul who aids in building projects and maintenance; all are or will be soon retired from full-time jobs. Two of us perform the priestly duties of holding services and taking care of the altar and set up. A missioner from the Diocese comes monthly for guidance and music assistance. Currently I do the Eucharistic services, Baptisms, and other needed services, i.e. funerals, as well as take communion to shut-ins. The other individual who is seeking ordination will be retiring from her professional position this year and leads morning prayer and assists at Eucharist. All of the team participate together in services in some fashion.
We discuss and handle formation and worship decisions together. When the missioner is with us we meet and discuss or hold vestry meetings to be as inclusive as possible. Some members who are able attend Diocesan programs and gatherings. Our treasurer, new this last December, keeps us informed of our budget on a regular basis. We inform the vestry of future projects and repairs and request their input and suggestions. We do not expect refunds for our travel to Diocesan activities, and we all tithe.
Our congregation is small (10-15/Sunday) and aging; our primary hope is to find ways to use our church building to help others in our community. Currently we host the Calumet-Laurium-Keweenaw (CLK) Community Food Pantry on our lower level, open three times/week. We also participate in the CLK Community Meal which is held the last Friday of each month at a Lutheran church. We do this by meeting with organizers, helping to serve meals, talking with those who come and staying to clean up. This ecumenical group serves 50-80 folks each month for our local community. At vestry meetings we have discussed removing pews to make a larger space for tables and chairs for coffee hour within the church and eventually for other community functions. Our lower level is also the home of weekly AA and NA meetings. In 2023 we received a grant from a foundation to reinforce the building’s foundation and we added more electrical outlets so we can have coffee upstairs in the church (where it is warmer in the wintertime).
We have at least one priest on the ministry support team and the team works together. If sickness or weather prevents services everyone is contacted as best we can. Because we are a very large Diocese, travel costs can be limiting for some educational gatherings. As with most churches it would be great to have more members and helpers, but that is not our focus.
One of our team members serves on Diocesan committees and connects and shares information. One of the Diocesan Missioners comes at least monthly to share news, opportunities for learning and expectations. We have a good working relationship with our Bishop and he has been very supportive and is easy to contact and speak with.
It is our hope to have our church be open and useful for more needs in our community. It is an historic church (132 years old) built during the Copper Boom days (1850-1950) and is one of the few original 30 faith structures still operating. It needs to be loved, and it needs to be used. Our congregation is growing old; however by opening our doors wider, and participating in more ecumenical and community opportunities we hope to share our goals and gifts with others. We hope to build a compost area on our property, expand our “Bee friendly” garden, and perhaps create a labyrinth for all to use. Our property contains a perfect south exposure for solar panels which would help reduce our expenses, yet requires a better furnace be installed.