 
Posted: May 27, 2010 - 11:02pm
By Rhonda Reese
"Thank you, Lord."
Those words were said many times Sunday when members of All Souls Anglican Church held their first worship service in their new sanctuary at 4042 Hartley Road. Once a home improvement store, the facility now houses the 32-year-old congregation.
All Souls met at Mandarin Middle School for the past 34 months, after the Episcopal Diocese claimed its St. Augustine Road property. Once an Episcopal congregation, All Souls felt called to the more conservative Anglican discipline after a gay priest was elected bishop of New Hampshire seven years ago.
"There are no hard feelings left," said Margie Allen, a long-time All Souls member. "I am glad our old building is now being used by another church [CrossView Church], and I'm thrilled we now have this beautiful place. We just want to reach out to the people around where God has now placed us."
While recognizing that it was hard work to haul equipment in and set up chairs each week for the past few years, many parishioners said they'd learned many things about God's love and faithfulness during their time without a home of their own. Several said they'd also learned how to be more creative.
"I don't think I'll ever say I'm going to church again," a young man said. "I now realize you go where you go to worship. That's what's important."
The Rev. Gene Strickland, rector at All Souls, reminded congregants that the Bible teaches believers to "be anxious for nothing," but instead to pray.
A lot of people were praying for All Souls. Crown Point Baptist members prayed and allowed All Souls to use their facilities, free of charge, for fellowships, weddings, funerals and even to park the trailers containing items hauled to the middle school each week for services.
"We formed an unbelievable bond with these very gracious people," Allen said. "They were so supportive and encouraging to us. Christian Family Chapel and St. Joseph's Catholic Church also helped us."
Many members of Crown Point Baptist walked from Mandarin Middle with members of All Souls to their new building on Sunday to help their friends celebrate.
The Rev. Steven Thompson, pastor of Crown Point, reminded members of both congregations that churches should not be in competition because there are plenty of people everywhere who need to hear about God's love for them.
If the celebrating and hugging and sharing that took place Sunday were any indication, it looks like that message was heard loud and clear.
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Several times a week I get a suggestion to read a book that will help me do a better job leading a congregation. I read a bunch of those books each year. I am fascinated with figuring things out. So it is intriguing to me that the last thing that Jesus says to His disciples before He ascends to the Father is "Wait." He has spent three years teaching, training, modeling - preparing His disciples for their mission. He has died on the cross to take away their sins. He has risen from the dead, leaving an empty tomb. So, the disciples have Jesus' teaching. They have Jesus' method. They have the empty tomb. But Jesus doesn't say "Go." He says "Wait." What more do they need? Aren't knowledge, experience and skill enough? Many of the books seem to think so.
