Shavana Abruzzo has written a brilliant article about the fate of the Green Church. From the start she doesn't mince words
Any borough that would rid itself of a beautiful, 108-year-old church, on the premise that it is somehow beyond repair, is a short-sighted one, unmindful of its historical importance and deserves to OD on over-development for gluttony’s sake – plus be renamed ‘Dorian Gray.’And anyone who uses the word "codswallop" is a bobby-dazzler in my book.
One cannot traverse a mile in the United Kingdom without happening upon a centuries-old structure...For the congregation of United Methodist to prematurely doom its church to the dogs is a bunch of codswallop.
6 comments:
"The church sale, in itself, is a cloak and dagger affair. It took a court order from the Kings County Supreme Court to sell it."
- what incredible honesty!
How about, it's 'required' that the New York Supreme Court sign off on the sale as a matter of due process, not some sort of pitched legal battle as the author either ignorantly, or dishonestly, suggests.
"because United Methodist is among a coffee klatch of denominations exempt from having to publicize its property sales, the hearing was conducted ex parte – that’s legal jabberwocky for a trial-of-sorts to which the opposition is not invited.
- Yeah, this is getting more brilliant by the letter.
Again, this is not a 'trial.'
Ex-parte simply refers to a legal proceeding involving relevant parties, not every Johnny-come lately crack-pot who after decades of convenient neglect all of a sudden want to step in and save the day.
Do you go to 'trial' when you close on a house, execute a last will and testament? Most things are done, ex-parte, as much as the author of this article, Kathy Walker, Victoria and the Committee to Save The Green Church would insist on being involved in the intimate details of your personal business!
"It is a discredit to the cloth and community that Mr. Emerick and his cohorts do not have the best interests of their church at heart"
'Cohorts?' This isn't a bank heist. The church isn't 'taking the money and running,' anywhere. They are, much to my bewilderment, choosing to stay in this community and continue their work.
"It behooves Brooklyn to salvage its old church and other choice miscellanea, such as the Coney Island Boardwalk. Apparently, it is a sentiment echoed by the newly-formed Committee to Save the Bay Ridge United Methodist Church, whose foresighted members know the importance of rescuing a relic for future generations to enjoy and be inspired by.
The author is actually quite right, the church is a relic... unfortunately saving it, at the expense of the work that it's supposed to represent, teaches our children the valuable legacy of putting objects before people, and humanity.
To admire stones, while our aging population of Bay Ridge elders go uncared for without the companions provided for by pastor Emerick's congregation, or the valuable drug and alcohol counseling they provide, or homeless outreach throughout this community
But some limey Brit, who's country is renowned for huge wealth disparities among ethnic minorities, and is being slowly but surely consumed by a highly radicalized indigent population of Muslims, is going to tell us how to take care of our business?
I like the word codswollop too, and only heard it first a couple of years ago.
Another word/phrase that I like more than anything- "silly beggars". It may be the best phrase in the history of all the world's languages.
Codswallop is one of my favorites.
"Silly beggars" is brilliant in so many ways.
Silly beggars is more than a phrase. It makes me think of a group of three or so beggars cutting up at a roadside on a sunny day, when someone wants them to be serious.
Perhaps with red clown noses on.
very thoughtful analysis anonymous 6:43. i really enjoyed it. many don't see that it's not as simple as choosing not the sell the church. of course we would all like it to stay, but at what cost? those it's supposed to be helping? a church is comprised of its members not a building. i'd love to have it remain in the community. i loathe the overdevelopment not just in bay ridge but all over bklyn.
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