Doing Things Differently — Parish of Waterford
St. John the Evangelist Church in the Parish of Waterford has a commanding view, having sat atop a hill for 160 years. The country church is sturdy and well kept, and large by some standards, with 20 spacious pews, plus space for a choir.
"When I was growing up, most Sundays it was full," said Marshall Fanjoy. "And there was a thriving Sunday school."
A few generations ago, the village of Waterford was a bustling place, with two or three mills, a hotel, stores, a tavern, a boarding house and a harness shop.
Now though, there are no stores, and much of the traffic doesn't quite come into the village, instead stopping at Poley Mountain ski resort.
And on a Sunday morning for nine months of the year, there are between eight and 12 people in those 20 pews.
DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY
As it has been with most parishes, the pandemic has left a lasting mark, and people have not returned to church. Some are housebound, some got out of the habit, and others have died. It hit the small parish hard.
But it wasn't financial pressures that prompted a serious look at how to navigate the future.The parish is financially stable, thanks to bequests, but the membership is elderly, and many can no longer serve on vestry.
How to find six vestry members and two wardens became the pressing issue, which led Marshall and then-rector Sean Davidson to brainstorm.
"Sean and I talked quite a bit, and I said, there's got to be some way," he said. "He passed my concerns on to the bishop."
Archbishop David Edwards and executive officer David Peer came for a visit in the fall of 2022.
"They had a look around," said Marshall. "They wanted to make sure the building was still viable."
The two came back with a plan that went to Diocesan Council for approval in December 2022. Under the Anglican Church Act, section 7.1, 2, Council requested that the Parish of Waterford's powers be transferred from vestry to an administrative board. That board is made up of Marshall as the administrator and three vestry members.
It's a pared down version of a parish vestry, and after two years, it's worked well.
"It solved the issue of getting officers, and it's allowed us to continue as a parish," said Marshall. "That's important to us now as we don't know what will happen in the future.
"If we were to close our doors two years ago, we'd have been a burden to the Parish of St. Mark's, so we're still in the planning stage for the future."
Waterford and St. Mark's, in Sussex Corner, have been in partnership for many decades.
FUTURE
Marshall has some cause for optimism. The tiny village has grown by 65 people in the past few years. That has prompted the parish to plan a "meet your neighbour" night this year.
He knows a warm welcome awaits everyone because he felt right at home when he started attending years ago.
“It was the way we were welcomed into the community that’s kept us here,” he said.
As well, the leadership and structure of the three Sussex-area parishes have changed. Waterford, St. Mark's and Sussex now operate in a ministry partnership with Canon Paul Ranson and rector Dan McMullen heading the team.
"We're really excited to have Dan and Paul," said Marshall. "They're enthusiastic, younger and they have good ideas about ministry."
Marshall has some advice for parishes facing an uncertain future.
"If you're meeting expenses and can contribute to ministry in your area, just because you are small, don't give up yet," he said.
"There may be ways forward. Maybe take a step back, take some time, and make some plans. And never forget, by the grace of God we are all here."
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
1. Longtime warden Marshall Fanjoy inside St. John the Evangelist Church in the Parish of Waterford.
2. St. John the Evangelist Church in the Parish of Waterford sits high on a hill in the community.
McKnight photos