Dear Editor,
On June 25, I was present at Shawville United Church when, with other papers, I was given, as were other persons present, a document, “Special Events Fees (revised)” prepared by the Finance Committee.
The fees suggested do serious disservice to the congregation’s witness to and responsibility for the community as well as calling in question the proper function of the minister. Fees are as follows: “For weddings in the sanctuary $550.” “For weddings outside the church building proper $250.” Exorbitant as these fees are, my concern is with regard to funeral fees.
“For funerals in the sanctuary the fee is $450.” Several comments:
1. Both weddings and funerals at the church are events of public worship. Has the church any right to lay on a fee for its rightful services of public worship in the community?
2. All fees are to be paid “at time of booking.” Does this mean that if a grieving family desires a funeral at the church, that if the fee is not paid in advance, the family will be turned away?
3. For a funeral in the sanctuary. “Administration and maintenance fees are $450.” What does this cover? Maintenance? Does the carpet have to be replaced after each funeral? Administration? It has been my honour and responsibility on numerous occasions to conduct funerals at Shawville United Church. The only administration that I can think of is to write one line in the burial register recording the name and dates of the deceased, the place of burial and to sign my name. $450! Please be open, transparent, honest with people and not slippery and hidden.
“If the Church Hall is needed for visitation purposes (there will be no visitation in the Sanctuary) $700.” Outrageous! For what purpose has this church building and its hall been built if not to serve people?
4. At the bottom of the page, “For funerals in the Funeral home … for the minister $200.” In laying on a fee the Finance Committee has (unwittingly) robbed both the minister and the congregation of their highest calling of caring for ‘the flock of God.’ Read carefully Ezekiel 34 where the ‘shepherds of Israel’ are called into question for putting their own interest before caring for the people entrusted to their care.
The conduct of a funeral is both a high calling and responsibility for a minister. It is a time when we come closest to our people. For people of faith it marks the transition from time to eternity. For the committee to lay on a fee for a funeral diminishes what a minister is supposed to be.
The United Church of Canada provides that its ministers are paid a salary to carry out the work of ministry. No extra fees are called for. Why lay on fees and drive people away when we should be trying to draw people in? Not good enough for Shawville United Church!
Rev. William E. McDowell
Shawville, Que
