Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time—February 24, 2019

Dear Friends in Christ:

UPDATE ON the Church of the Epiphany—as you know from the reading of the Canonical Statement a couple of weekends ago and from information in the local newspapers, we are in the process of selling the Church of the Epiphany. It was determined months ago by our Parish Finance Council and our Trustees, and with consultation from our Parish Pastoral Council, that we could see no long term need for a third campus in our parish family. I realize, I do, that this may be hard for our parishioners who used to worship there and who called that Church building their spiritual home. I realize that the grief you have already gone through may come to the forefront once again and I promise you my prayers.

While we do have a very interested buyer I was hesitant to address this matter prior. That being said, I am well aware that the potential buyer did an interview with the Meriden newspaper and that many of you saw that. I AM SORRY you heard this information from the newspaper and not from your Pastor. I was advised not to say anything publicly until we were ready for the closing. I am sure you know from selling your own home a potential buyer is not always the one who eventually sits at the table at the closing so we did not want to get ahead of ourselves.

I am pleased that this potential buyer is another congregation that shares our belief in Jesus Christ. The Coptic Orthodox Church traces its roots back to Saint Mark the Evangelist. They are an Ancient Christian Church who believe God revealed Himself to us in Three Distinct and yet United Persons, they too believe in Scripture and Tradition, and hold belief in the Sacraments. The head of their church is the Patriarch of Alexandria of the Holy See of Saint Mark. So they do not recognize the Holy Father, Pope Francis. They split from the rest of Christianity after the Council of Chalcedon in 451AD. The Coptic language is the universal language of Coptic churches in every country.

Again, I remind you, we are simply in contract with this particular church. No closing date is set yet. I also must acknowledge that there have been a lot of comments made about this potential sale on the Community Forum of Facebook. It is unfortunate that some would put information on this Forum that is wrong. It is also disappointing to see people use this Forum to instigate anger and hatred. PLEASE think before you type. This is sound advice for all of us! Some of the things I read on that Forum are so mean spirited. Regarding the information in relation to this sale of the Church of the Epiphany I promise you will hear it directly from me here in this article or from the pulpit. Do not think that just because someone posts something on the Facebook Community Forum that it is valid. As always, if you have a question about something please contact me directly.