NOM

Hello all

Antwerp had a Stakeconference a few weeks ago, and it seemed that the Vlissingen-branch would be kept open.
Through various canals I got maps of the new stake and wardboundaries.

Until yesterday, I ran into a counselor of my bishop and he said.
My mom will be attending here, and I don´t like it one bit.
So I asked him why, because Vlissingen is not closing, well........

Turned out Frankfurt pushed SP to also close this ward, so 2 weeks after all was announced, Frankfurt tells SP to push harder.

So the members of Vlissingen have been asked to strengthen my ward, in another Stake.
It´s a drive of 1.5 hrs one way, over what we call B-roads, not nice highways or interstates.
No, dual carriage-ways with max speed of 50.
Across the Veerse Dam, Oosterscheldedam, Brouwersdam, Haringvlietdam and Brielse Dam.
In heavy weather it´s hell and often closed for traffic, in summer it´s hell because of tourists.

Whoever thought up this plan must be floating with his heads in the clouds......
Idiots in Frankfurt and SLC.

That's insane. It's also a long way to drive for something that is boring and unrewarding to begin with. I hope people who have to travel so far have the courage to turn down callings.

Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven....

I was thinking, the other day how nice it would be if we started taking advantage of this blessing of technology and having meetings be remote, once in awhile. It would be really useful for just the situations you describe.

Brent wrote: ↑Sat Apr 29, 2017 7:25 am Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven....

Exactly what the stakepresident told the members......
Well, it isn´t working anymore.
People are already talking about leaving now, in many units.

Silver Girl wrote: ↑Sat Apr 29, 2017 7:12 am That's insane. It's also a long way to drive for something that is boring and unrewarding to begin with. I hope people who have to travel so far have the courage to turn down callings.

Bing Bong! I think Frankfurt is going to find out just how "faithful" the saints are.

Meilingkie wrote: ↑Sat Apr 29, 2017 9:22 am

Brent wrote: ↑Sat Apr 29, 2017 7:25 am Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven....

Exactly what the stakepresident told the members......
Well, it isn´t working anymore.
People are already talking about leaving now, in many units.

He's probably praying that the members be scourged with trials and brought to a remembrance of goodness, because that's how the Mormon God works.

Give It Time wrote: ↑Sat Apr 29, 2017 8:15 am I was thinking, the other day how nice it would be if we started taking advantage of this blessing of technology and having meetings be remote, once in awhile. It would be really useful for just the situations you describe.

I wonder if this has ever seriously occurred to the leaders. It might make things easier in some countries, but then they'd have the issue about the sacrament (unless they opted to have it only once a month, with no online/remote meetings in that week).

Random wrote: ↑Fri May 12, 2017 2:13 pm

Give It Time wrote: ↑Sat Apr 29, 2017 8:15 am I was thinking, the other day how nice it would be if we started taking advantage of this blessing of technology and having meetings be remote, once in awhile. It would be really useful for just the situations you describe.

I wonder if this has ever seriously occurred to the leaders. It might make things easier in some countries, but then they'd have the issue about the sacrament (unless they opted to have it only once a month, with no online/remote meetings in that week).

That could work. Or it could be a home teacher/HOH duty.

Give It Time wrote: ↑Fri May 12, 2017 2:16 pmOr it could be a home teacher/HOH duty.

I can see that. In Meilingkie's case, the few people who live fairly close to each other can bless and pass the sacrament. In spite of tradition, all it really takes is one male who is a priest or higher.

Random wrote: ↑Fri May 12, 2017 2:39 pm

Give It Time wrote: ↑Fri May 12, 2017 2:16 pmOr it could be a home teacher/HOH duty.

I can see that. In Meilingkie's case, the few people who live fairly close to each other can bless and pass the sacrament. In spite of tradition, all it really takes is one male who is a priest or higher.

It wouldn't be perfect, but it would work.

Meilingkie, why are they being pressured to close so many units in Europe? Are they feeling like Europe is a lost cause? Are they seeing the inevitable, that the church is dying there at a rapid rate? Is it financial?

Give It Time wrote: ↑Fri May 12, 2017 2:56 pm

Random wrote: ↑Fri May 12, 2017 2:39 pm

Give It Time wrote: ↑Fri May 12, 2017 2:16 pmOr it could be a home teacher/HOH duty.

I can see that. In Meilingkie's case, the few people who live fairly close to each other can bless and pass the sacrament. In spite of tradition, all it really takes is one male who is a priest or higher.

It wouldn't be perfect, but it would work.

Yep. And might retain a few who would otherwise say, "Forget it. I'm not traveling that far just to go to church."

Research has shown the optimum size of units is 150-200 active members.
It reduces burn-out of active members it seems.

So this is not revelation, it's research.
Even though the Leadership presents it as the revealed Will of the Lord. Off the record they quote the research.
That the Church can divest some meeringhouses is a Nice bonus. They are mostly closing converted homes and offices

Meilingkie wrote: ↑Sun May 14, 2017 10:11 pm Research has shown the optimum size of units is 150-200 active members.
It reduces burn-out of active members it seems.

So this is not revelation, it's research.
Even though the Leadership presents it as the revealed Will of the Lord. Off the record they quote the research.
That the Church can divest some meeringhouses is a Nice bonus. They are mostly closing converted homes and offices

Our ward in the midwest hasn't had 150 active members in several years. I don't think the other wards in the stake are doing much better. It's probably just a matter of time before they start consolidating wards in our neck of the woods.

blazerb wrote: ↑Mon May 15, 2017 3:25 am

Meilingkie wrote: ↑Sun May 14, 2017 10:11 pm Research has shown the optimum size of units is 150-200 active members.
It reduces burn-out of active members it seems.

So this is not revelation, it's research.
Even though the Leadership presents it as the revealed Will of the Lord. Off the record they quote the research.
That the Church can divest some meeringhouses is a Nice bonus. They are mostly closing converted homes and offices

Our ward in the midwest hasn't had 150 active members in several years. I don't think the other wards in the stake are doing much better. It's probably just a matter of time before they start consolidating wards in our neck of the woods.

My ward has under 100 in sac mtg. 600+ on the rolls.