We spent a year as a church exploring a third way over monthly brunch worship sessions. Maybe we could open a coffee shop? Maybe we become a community center? Maybe we could become a retreat center? After exploring many creative possibilities it became clear that none of them were the path that God was calling us to.

 In November the congregation made the difficult decision to close the church.  While this church is still a place of vibrant faith it was clear the time had come to move on. This decision was not without its grief and difficulty, however the people of this church embrace the end with dignity and grace. While this may be the end for this organization it is not the end of the faith lives of the people. It is not the end of what God is doing. 

This past weekend, after much planning and discussion, we held an estate sale at the church. It was fun to work with the church folks to set up and run the sale. We discovered lots of random treasures in the basement and held in the back of drawers. All the proceeds from the sale are going to the Upendo Orphanage in Moshi, Tanzania.  We made substantial headway towards the goal of $15,000 for a new solar powered well for the orphanage. It is beautiful to be a part of the ending of one thing making way for something else in the world. The people of this church are sad and yet the way they are living is proof of the hope of God.

Our last worship service will be June 26. There’s a lot of living and a lot of loving to do before then. I would ask your prayers for the people of Capitol Hill United Methodist Church and for the next steps forward for us all.

Eilidh

The Capitol Hill Choir on a recent Sunday.