- Nov 2, 2003
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I know a lot of you have mission parish experience, so I thought I would throw this situation out to TAW and solicit (actually beg for) advice:
A couple of years ago, a friend of ours who is a priest started a mission parish in a suburb of a nearby city. The city has multiple Orthodox churches, but they are all in the northern suburbs This mission is in the southern suburbs, where the population is growing rapidly. At first, the mission got several families from the area who had attended the other churches, but switched to the mission because it was convenient But over time, all of these families went back to their old parishes for various reasons (ethnic solidarity, more youth activities, etc).
Anyway, now the mission is down to no regular members and a few occasional drop-ins. We attend there when we can, but it is a 90-minute drive for us, plus we have commitments at our local parish. Recently, the mission priest has sent out e-mails indicating that the mission is on its last legs and may close if things don't turn around this year. We would hate to see this happen to a mission that started with a lot of potential in an area that could definitely use an Orthodox presence.
So, we are going up this weekend to meet with the priest and talk about possibilities. We may be moving to that area in the fall, and are willing to help in any way possible. The thing is, we don't know what to do, or what to propose to/discuss with the priest. I know an internet presence is sorely needed, but apparently the priest got burned by an ISP when he first opened the mission, and is now afraid to get a website. I think I can talk him into one, though.
The other big issue, and the reason I'm telling you all this and asking for suggestions, is the location. The mission has a free chapel (the landlord lets them stay in the building for free as long as he has no perspective tenants, because his insurance is cheaper if it's occupied) so that's great. But the problem is, it's in a hole. Even though it's right off a major highway, you can't see the building (or even the roof, really) from road level. So it's really easy to miss, even if you're looking for it.
So how do you missionizers get people in the door? Any ideas?
A couple of years ago, a friend of ours who is a priest started a mission parish in a suburb of a nearby city. The city has multiple Orthodox churches, but they are all in the northern suburbs This mission is in the southern suburbs, where the population is growing rapidly. At first, the mission got several families from the area who had attended the other churches, but switched to the mission because it was convenient But over time, all of these families went back to their old parishes for various reasons (ethnic solidarity, more youth activities, etc).
Anyway, now the mission is down to no regular members and a few occasional drop-ins. We attend there when we can, but it is a 90-minute drive for us, plus we have commitments at our local parish. Recently, the mission priest has sent out e-mails indicating that the mission is on its last legs and may close if things don't turn around this year. We would hate to see this happen to a mission that started with a lot of potential in an area that could definitely use an Orthodox presence.
So, we are going up this weekend to meet with the priest and talk about possibilities. We may be moving to that area in the fall, and are willing to help in any way possible. The thing is, we don't know what to do, or what to propose to/discuss with the priest. I know an internet presence is sorely needed, but apparently the priest got burned by an ISP when he first opened the mission, and is now afraid to get a website. I think I can talk him into one, though.
The other big issue, and the reason I'm telling you all this and asking for suggestions, is the location. The mission has a free chapel (the landlord lets them stay in the building for free as long as he has no perspective tenants, because his insurance is cheaper if it's occupied) so that's great. But the problem is, it's in a hole. Even though it's right off a major highway, you can't see the building (or even the roof, really) from road level. So it's really easy to miss, even if you're looking for it.
So how do you missionizers get people in the door? Any ideas?