What's next?

My mothers family moved from the Chelsea area to Manchester, Michigan to attend the German church over 80 years ago. I went to Sunday School, completed Catechism, received a God an Country scouting award, sang in the junior and adult choir and a attended collage associated with the church.

In the 70’s I brought a girl friend home and over the weekend we attended services at Emanuel. After the service a woman pulled my mother aside and said, “How could your son bring a jew into our church”. And later when I brought an African American woman home from college and we attended services something similar happened. Strike 1

Later a family moved into Manchester influencing change in the church where it resembled a catholic church more than a Lutheran church. My mother stayed active but I didn’t. She paid my dues because she wanted me to have a church membership in case I died.

Years later as mom came closer to the end, I called the church to request communion as she was struggling with spiritual issues. The response was, “we don’t have a pastor right now and don’t know when we can get someone to perform communion”. After several days passed without follow up, I called the synod and asked if they could help. They said they understood there were ongoing problems with Manchester’s Emanuel UCC but said they would help. The same day two ministers arrived and provided communion. A month later mom had passed.

I didn’t expect much from the church for me, but having been a contributing member for 70 + years, I expected more for her. I figured the church was going their own way, which didn’t align with my understanding of Lutheranism or Christianity. Strike 2

A few years later I received a letter from Emanuel stating, “due to your not contributing the the church you will be removed from the membership roles”. I understand there are active and inactive members but I didn’t know you had to pay to be any level of member of the Lutheran church. I’d expect that from from a social club or ironically membership in a synagogue. Strike 3

Most recently I reached out as they were attempting to petition the council to install a digital sign. The councils response seemed contrived and divisive. I didn’t expect much of a response and that is what happened, no response whatever. To me that reinforced that nothing had changed and Manchester’s Emanuel UCC was dong their own thing.

I take each person on their own integrity, not basing my opinion on group think or the idle gossip small communities like Manchester are notorious for. I’m sure there are good people in the church but considering the consistency of Emanuel’s leadership over the years… well… I wish them luck. The path they’re taking isn’t one I would take.