Yesterday was the big four ward and one branch sacrament meeting. We entered the building as B1, B2, P1, P4 and the Chester Branch and left the building as the Broomall Ward, P1, P4 and the Widener Branch. Broomall 1 was basically portioned off into the other four units. From B1 the Lower Merion school district joined P4, Haverford school district joined P1, Ridley school district including Prospect Park and areas all the way up to the airport joined the new Widener Branch, and Springfield and Marple Newtown scholl districts joined Broomall 2nd to create the new Broomall ward.
There were also a few boundry changes in the wards that remained. I don't have the paper that has all the zip codes of the specific changes- I'll have to ask John for that later. But basically Lansdowne was taken from P4 and put back in P1. There was a small city section of P1 that was put into P4. And Broomall lost Brookhaven and Aston to the Widener Branch.
Basically all of the old, odd boundry lines were wiped clean. The city wards were finally given the extra support from the suburbs that they have needed for so long and the Widener Branch gained enough people for them to function well.
It is going to be a difficult transition for some- especially the teenagers from B1 who are now part of the city wards. There were a lot of teary eyed young women yesterday. There were also quite a few teary adults. This kind of change is so hard, especially socially because a lot of our friendships are based on who is in our ward. When P4 was created out of P1 four years ago I was an absolute wreck because a lot of my friends were put in P4 and I was still in P1. I felt completely abandoned. I wasn't, but that was how it felt. I know some of the people who were moved into the branch and the city wards yesterday felt the same way.
Honestly, I feel that these boundry changes are inspired. Two wards and a branch that were struggling from lack of manpower now have what they need to really thrive. Bravo to our stake presidency for taking the steps necessary and chancing the murmurs from a few to do what is best for the stake as a whole.
10 comments:
Wow. Wow. Wow. Thanks for that update Erin. Very interesting. Oh, I really can understand how that would bring about some tears...what a hard transition for the youth from Haverford but hopefully they will all learn and grow from it, like we did. I hope it goes well and all the wards can grow and be stronger. I remember having only been in the ward for 2 months before it was split and I also felt devestated...we specifically moved in to a ward that now wasn't the same, BUT thank goodness we all (P1 and P4) still were friends and did lots together. I miss those days!
Completely incomprehensible -- and yet, I read it anyway.
Thanks for filling us in, Erin. I've been wondering what's going on! It was a tough transition years ago when part of B1 was moved into the city -- and there was a lot of resistance. But it turned into such an amazing experience. Besides, people are going to have to get used to going into the city because the temple will be there soon . . .
Thanks for the update! It's amazing to see how things have changed during the 4 years since we lived there! But hallelujah that the city wards are getting some more manpower. That is a must!
Wow those are some crazy huge changes. I wish I could be there. Oh how I wish I could be there.
Erin. I feel like I need to call you and get the full update and figure out the boundary changes. I'm glad Lansdowne was put in P1. That was always a mystery. That's pretty exciting. I wonder if all the Bishoprics stayed the same. Thanks for the Hunger Games tip.
Very interesting. So what ward are you in now. I have a friend from Tulsa that was in the Broomall 1st ward and is now in Philly 4th. They are out there doing their residency.
WOW. That is huge. I'm with you 100%, though, on the kudos to the stake presidency for doing what needed to be done. Oh how we miss Philly!!! (Sidenote: I was totally thinking of the Messiah yesterday and how much I'll miss it this year.)
Erin - You are the best for posting about this! Thank you! I had a feeling P1 would be struggling more and more for leadership. Yeah for boundary changes! What a blessing for more people to get to experience how wonderful the city wards are. What small part of P1 was taken out? Is Bishop Jensen still Bishop?
Oh My, WOW! I wish we could have seen this. I'm sure it was desperately needed by the p1 ward at least. I hope everyone will adjust okay. Are you guys in the Broomhall ward still?
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