Cleveland church to close after remaining members take vote

In Cleveland, Ohio, the Broadway United Methodist Church, which was constituted as a Sunday school in 1872, is getting ready to close. A church building that once held hundreds of worshippers on Sunday mornings now draws only about 20 people for services.

On Nov. 17, only 17 church members were at worship and, after service was concluded, voted to close the debt-ridden church by a vote of 16-1. This was the final blow for a once-thriving church that, in recent years, had disbanded its choir, shutdown its preschool and exhausted its endowment.

The New York Theological Seminary is an institution dedicated to multiculturalism, diversity, social justice and religious tolerance. The mission of the seminary is to prepare men and women, from every background, for careers in ministry.

Community of St. Peter faces possible sanctions from diocese

In Cleveland, there is a newly-formed Catholic community, led by the Rev. Robert Marrone, which is at odds with Bishop Richard Lennon and its diocese.

The community is angered over Lennon closing its church, St. Peter in downtown Cleveland. Subsequently, the group conducted its first Mass at a storefront on Aug. 15, wherein about 350 congregants gathered. Since that time, each Sunday has been standing-room-only.

Meanwhile, Bishop Lennon said this is a matter of "grave concern." Bishop Lennon noted that leaders of the breakaway Catholic community face possible excommunication for not adhering to directions from the diocese. Bishop Lennon insists closure of the group's 151-year-old church was necessary and wants to meet with Rev. Marrone and the community's leaders. St. Peter leaders have, likewise, expressed interest in such a meeting. However, the sides have yet to agree on terms of a meeting.


The New York Theological Seminary is an institution dedicated to multiculturalism, diversity, social justice and religious tolerance. The mission of the seminary is to prepare men and women, from every background, for careers in ministry.

Forgiveness is about reconciliation and homecoming

Are you waiting for an apology that hasn't come? According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer's "Faith and You" columnist Terry Pluto, sometimes people refuses to accept apologies because they feel that being a victim gives them a sense of power.

In certain cases, this situation can give rise to deep family divides, which require healing. In his column, Mr. Pluto draws upon advice from the Rev. Gary Chmura, of the Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, in Cleveland. And, he focuses upon reconciliation, which comes after forgiveness. There are times when "feelings are hurt, confidences may be broken. Most of all, grudges are held onto as if they are gold bars."

Mayfield United Methodist Church's Pastor Scott Wilson believes that, while no one can be forced to accept an apology, they "can be treated kindly and with respect." Mr. Pluto urges us to do what is humanly possible to heal our relationships, and then leave the rest to God.

The New York Theological Seminary is an institution dedicated to religious tolerance, social justice, multiculturalism and diversity. The mission of the seminary is to prepare men and women, from every background, for careers in ministry.