Church auctions pews for Christmas Eve Service

[Elphaba]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 4:41pm

just saw a piece on CNN where a Catholic Church in Minnesota is auctioning off the best pews for Xmas Eve services for $1000 per pew.

Part of me questions this as it goes against the spirit of Xmas.......I mean how often are the less fortunate pushed-out by the fortunate.

But then since the money is going for their school budget, part of me thinks it's great.

What do you think?

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 4:45pm

I grew up in a church that is where all the "haves" went. The "have-nots" sat in the back or or only came to the Wednesday services where you didn't have to try to keep up with the Joneses. I think this idea of auctioning off the best pews is disgusting. It's kind of like a "back of the bus" thing.

[The Grovers Corners Yenta2]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 4:46pm

The Jews have been doing this for decades. Each year at the High Holidays in September or October, non-members of synagogues may purchase seats for the holidays. I am personally against this practice, There are more appropriate ways to raise money.

[kelly0ann]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 4:47pm

That's pretty awful, in my opinion! You shouldn't have to pay to go to church!

[Calvin]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 4:48pm

Tacky. If someone wants to donate to the school, they should donate just do it and not expect special priveleges in a church. What about the parable of the poor woman who gave her last piece of silver, and Jesus told her that she had given more than anyone, because that's all she had?
Updated On: 12/22/05 at 04:48 PM

[DG]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 4:49pm

This just doesn't seem right. I'm with Yenta - there's more appropriate ways to raise money.

I have heard, though, that some of these 'mega-churches' have actually set up different sections for people based on how much you contribute to the church. And the better the section, the more ammenities you get - going up to having things like easy chairs, end tables and the like.

[Pip]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 4:55pm

Yet another reason why Christians often get lumped together as moronic hypocrites... It's simplistic, but they really ought to ask themselves, "What Would Jesus Do?"...

[BT]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 4:59pm

but, as an auctioneer, I think I have a whole new business plan to explore!! ... though I do think it is rather tacky.

[Pip]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 5:00pm

I've always wanted to watch you bang your gavel, BT...

[BT]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 5:02pm

hey, hey, now. I don't sell stuff like that. Though maybe if I did I could raise more money ... BWW has brought me 2 new ideas for the new year!

[Mamie]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 5:04pm

I wanted to add my friend's name to the list for a novena of prayers up at the cathedral. They'd do it - for a 'nice' donation. ONLY for a donation.

Screw em. I'm doing my praying on my own.

[Calvin]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 5:05pm

Woo hoo! Bachelor auction! And probably some non-bachelors, too.

[DG]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 5:05pm

If you're not careful, BT, you could get many more ideas!

And to go back on topic, I'm still thinking this is a pretty lousy idea. I wonder how the congregation feels about it?

[BT]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 5:08pm

From a story in the St. Paul StarTribune:

Margevicius [The Rev. Thomas Margevicius, instructor of sacramental theology and liturgy at the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity] said the biblical story of the Three Wise Men who followed a star to the Bethlehem stable where Jesus was born could be interpreted as the first instance of paying for a front-row seat at Christmas.

"They brought gold, frankincense and myrrh," he said. "They had enough wealth to make the trip to see the Christ child."

Updated On: 12/22/05 at 05:08 PM

[mominator]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 5:42pm

This idea is just rotten to the core.
Oh, and if it had been 3 Wise Women...
1, They would have stopped and asked for directions, so they'd be on time.
2, They would have cleaned the stable. and
3, They would have brought practicle gifts!

[Calvin]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 5:51pm

Um, methinks Rev. Margevicius needs to take a second look at his theological history. The wise men (and nowhere in the Bible does it say there are three of them) came months after Jesus was born. The real "front row seats" went to the extremely poor shepherds.

Where did this guy get his theology degree? DeVry?