Holly United Church Centre

Dear Friends, greetings to all.

Here I sit in the office of Holly United reflecting on the ministry that has happened in this place: the services, the suppers, the concerts, the weddings, baptisms and consultation sessions. We have laughed, cried, kibitzed and enjoyed the ministry of love here. Many lives have been touched and transformed by the Spirit.

I came here a little over two years ago. I became involved in the excitement of be-coming a community where new life would happen, where we could be open to a new paradigm of Christian community, where all would be welcome to stretch and grow in their spiritual journeys.

In many ways it happened but it has not created enough interest to build a solid community. Those who said they would welcome this kind of community have not stepped up with a solid commitment.

The reality is we cannot continue. The stakes are too high. I am at a loss for words. I waffle between ‘no regrets’ to ‘most regretful’. I still believe that people are searching for spiritual answers and a sense of community. Obviously, this is not the approach. Should we have relinquished in 2009 at the meeting in Midland when Simcoe Presbytery wanted to close us? We had a strong contingent of people from Holly who wanted to continue.

Does it help to analyse the reasons? Personally, I think we need to. We all need to take note. The United Church of Canada needs to listen. We must change our ways or die. What ways must we explore to offer an alternate to fear-based communities? That’s the question.

We have begun the process of disbanding. I challenge and invite us all to use this time to celebrate the ministry that has happened here.

The Process of Disbanding Holly United Church Mission and Integrating with another Faith community:

• We are closing as of December 31, 2010

• We will be continuing services,  

• Nov. 14th (baptism),

• Nov. 21 (open discussion, no power point),

• Nov. 28 @ 7:00 p.m. Celebration Service of the ministry that has taken place here at Holly. There will be no service in the morning.

• December 5, – open dialogue

• We are encouraging our people to attend Northwest Barrie United Church. Northwest UC, in our opinion, represents the progressive approach that Holly has aspired to. There is a very active Church School for little ones to the teen years and various other activities and studies.

• Bev is retiring on January 1, 2011.

We have run the race. We have kept the faith. We must move forward with courage and purpose.

Shalom, Bev Irwin