This past weekend was the actual service of merger between Bangall UMC and Poughkeepsie UMC. We have actually been a merged congregation for a bit now, but the service deconsecrating the Bangall sanctuary and the service bringing us together was on Saturday.
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| The outside of Bangall UMC |
Both services were very nice, and in some cases it reminded me of our own services just over a year ago. Including the fact that it rained both days. I definitely wasn't as emotional as with our own service. And that makes sense. But it was important for me to be there for these new church family members and support them by praying throughout the services. This also included reading some scripture in both services.
Now having been on both sides of a merger, both the church that is merging into another and part of a church receiving another church, all within a year, is an experience. Maybe not the most ideal experience, but maybe it is too - just because the memories are fresh which I think helped me related to both sides a bit better.
It is just another example of how the merging journey continues on. Even after you've been merged. Even after you watched another congregation merge with you. The journey of merging continues on. Maybe not exactly the same way each time, but there are definitely strings of familiarity each time.
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