A Message from BMCC President, Sara Burrows
May 15, 2020
Greetings friends of the Chapel,
When I last wrote on this site, the Coronavirus Pandemic was sweeping across our nation, bringing with it fear, uncertainty and unfortunate deaths in large numbers. We’ve all experienced and learned a great deal since then, but even as the pandemic wanes and our country begins to reopen, fear and uncertainty linger. While the Chapel’s primary purpose is to serve as a place of worship and outreach, we are also responsible to operate in the best interest of our community and those who visit. And so, with regret and much sadness, I announce the Chapel’s Board of Trustees unanimous decision to close the Big Moose Community Chapel for the 2020 summer season. This includes weddings, tours, lecture and music events, memorial services, the Balsam Bee and Bazaar. Memorial Woods Columbarium across from the Chapel will remain open for visitation.
The Trustees’ vote to close came after weeks of prayerful discernment and deliberation. In a rapidly changing landscape, the Board had to make some difficult decisions, and envision alternative ways to operate. As a result, our Webmaster, Worship Committee, and many others combined their ideas, talents and efforts to create a virtual worship service to post on this website beginning Sunday July 5th. Our long-time Pastor, Reverend Dick McCaughey, will officiate his ten-week sermon series from the Chapel pulpit, brought to you here, in a weekly video recording. Past services will be archived for continued viewing. The Worship Committee has carefully planned the services to include some of the most beloved features of our traditional services, with music, and surprise elements planned in the mix.
Unfortunately, closing the Chapel also imparts some financial strain and impacts our outreach mission. Our webpage now includes a secure method to accept donations to allocate to the Chapel, outreach, or both. We hope, with support from our friends and community, to reduce those monetary losses.
The coming summer looks different from any we’ve known. We will surely miss joining in fellowship at the Chapel with familiar services, events and activities. But I am reminded that the life of the Chapel resides not in the building, but in its community of members and participants. While the Chapel doors are closed this summer, and we are physically separated, our ability to worship and remain connected to each other and our community can, and will thrive.
With peace and blessings,
Sara Burrows,
President of the Big Moose Community Chapel