The citizens of the town of Plainfield have an amazing opportunity to improve the future of their town, or allow one of the leading organizations to fall by the wayside. The question is, will they rise to the occasion, or will they fail from indifference?
I read in the Feb. 14 Gazette that the Plainfield Congregational Church plans to close in the fall. Why? Have they been bad, have they done something wrong, have they failed to honor their mission of promoting and delivering love, peace, and justice? No, this faith family has done that for generations! So again, why?
That is the question I would like to explore. With 650 people in town, they could fill the church building three times each Sunday. Is everyone welcome? Yes. Are there admission fees or qualification standards? No. Are there barriers such as race, sex, color, age, or health? No, all are welcome! Do you have to believe certain doctrines or creeds? No. Then why in the world would anyone feel reluctant to attend? You all go to the Fire Department chicken barbeque, you go to other town events, you fill this church for summer concerts that bring peace and joy to your ears. Why do you not set aside a time each week to bring peace and joy to your soul? What do you fear? What are you afraid of?
A small town like Plainfield has a special feel of community. I know, I enjoy that same feeling here in Westhampton. It is a rare blessing that only a few of us share. Why would you allow one of the main contributors of that feeling to disappear? Do you really care about Plainfield? Are you concerned about what your children and grandchildren will have around them? In this period of time when hate and discrimination flow out of the highest levels of our government, and hate groups are springing up all across the country; what we need are more faith communities, not fewer. This happens to be a Christian church. It doesn’t have to be — it could be a synagogue, or mosque, or temple — but it is a place that teaches and shares love, peace, and justice. What’s wrong with that? What’s right with that?
I encourage everyone in and around Plainfield: Look in your mirror, look carefully and ask that person, would it really do any harm if I became involved with this spiritual home? Might it actually do me some good? Where else can I go whose only purpose is to help me be happier, and the world be better? Am I a coward to try?
I dare each one of you to attend family worship four times, meet the Rev. Bert Marshall, then ask yourselves: is this good for Plainfield, or should we let it die? I double-dare you! Right now, you and only you, can determine the future of Plainfield. And, that is a big responsibility.
Richard W. Tracy lives in Westhampton.