GOING IT ALONE

NEW GLASGOW - After the issue was put to a vote, St. George's Church in New Glasgow has pulled out of the Anglican Churches of Pictou County.
"We felt we'd be more successful being on our own," explains George Henaut, senior warden for the church.
"We appreciate the sharing that has been going on in the ACPC, but from a financial point of view it was advantageous for us to be on our own, to look after our own rectory, to have our own rector."
The Anglican Churches of Pictou County (ACPC) was formed to address the problem of a shortage of ministers. It was originally intended to be a three-year experiment, with the issue eventually being revisited. Those years have come and gone, and beginning this month, representatives of the churches began voting on whether they wished to remain with the group.
Two weeks ago, members of St. George's opted to pull out of the agreement. Members of St. Bee's Anglican Church in Westville, meanwhile, voted last Sunday to remain with the group.
The remaining churches, St. Alban's in Thorburn, St. James in Pictou and Christ Anglican Church in Stellarton, will vote in February.
Rev. Peter Armstrong, who has moved into the St. George's manse, is the rector for the ACPC.
Bishop Sue Moxley says she won't make any final decisions until all five churches have voted.
She does say, however, that "If all of the churches except for St. George's decide to be part of the ACPC, then (Armstrong) will still be the rector of that unit."
She adds: "That's my thinking at the moment."
Moxley also says St. George's will need to prove they're financially self-sufficient in order to leave the group. Henaut says money isn't a problem.
"The church is doing well enough that we know we can be on our own," he says.
At this time, the other churches aren't financially in the position to be self-sufficient, he adds.
Joyce Marcipont, a member of St. Bee's Church, says they voted to remain with the ACPC for that very reason.
"St. George's has the money to go it alone and we don't," she says simply.
But she says the fact that St. George's is leaving should have little affect on the ACPC should the remaining churches opt to stay with the group.
St. Augustine's Anglican Church on High Street in Trenton closed its doors last year and the building is currently for sale.

Days of Decision

St. Alban's Anglican Church in Thorburn will vote on Feb. 4

St. James Church in Pictou will vote on Feb. 10

Christ Anglican Church in Stellarton will vote Feb. 17