As the year came to an end, the Florida Bahamas Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, based in Chicago, assumed all responsibility for the Gloia Dei Lutheran Church building and property, according to church spokesperson, church council president Alice Longworth.
Longworth said in an email exchange with The Islander that “it will be up to every former member to find their own church of worship. A number of former members will attend service at Redeemer Lutheran and maybe Trinity. Our memberships do not transfer as, according to the Synod, there isn’t a Gloria Dei to transfer from.
“We don’t have a church or congregation.
Longworth said the Rev. Bill Friederich’s last service with Gloria Dei was Dec. 29. The closing service at 2 p.m. Jan 18 will be conducted by the Florida Bahamas Synod.
She also noted that the School for Constructive Play held classes at the church building before the Hurricane, but they relocated after the storm to the Center of Anna Maria Island, “and we wish them every blessing.”
The Gloria Dei congregation formed in February 1959. But, when the church was built in 1964, its roofline and design became an island landmark. It is a beautiful structure inside and out — an asset to the community.
In 2016, the church sought a rezone of a small area on the outside edge of the church parking lot that the church deemed suitable for two homes.
The church attorney told the city then, “We are here to save the church.”
Without knowing the financial ins and outs of a religious institution, it’s hard to know what brought the church to its point of need.
But the rezone was declined by the city.
Sometimes the future is unclear.
But conversations are ongoing among the church community and local visionaries that may lead to a path forward that preserves the building.
And, on Jan. 3, Mayor Judy Titsworth told The Islander she plans to do whatever she can to preserve the building
To bring you up to date on the other churches on AMI, we checked websites.
Roser Church is active and the sanctuary is open, but the fellowship hall and chapel suffered damages and the repairs are ongoing.
The same is true at St. Bernard Catholic Church with Mass continuing in the sanctuary and repairs ongoing due to flooding in the parish hall.
Crosspointe Fellowship in Anna Maria is still serving its congregation, and there was a minimum of damage at the church, according to the Rev. Ed Moss.
According to the Episcopal Church of Annunciation website, they are celebrating Sunday services at 9:15 a.m in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd at Christ Episcopal Church in Bradenton.
They thanked Rev. Michael Brady and the members of Christ Episcopal Church for allowing them to hold services there while repairs are ongoing.
Harvey Memorial Community Church’s pastor, the Rev. Steve King announced they would gather for their Christmas Eve Service at their own sanctuary — “There is something beautiful and right about being back in our own ‘spiritual home’ for Christmas Eve!
King thanked the members and donors for their gifts and donations for the renovations.
— Bonner Joy