The church has always had land and houses, but when they start talking about "new exploitation", one immediately wonders if they will not go the same way as our neighbors with hotels and cafes. The main thing is that it does not interfere with the worship services and that people can come to the church in peace, and not look for it among the tourist trays.
Our church in Bucharest has been renting out several old apartments for many years to cover heating and repair costs. It is important not to turn everything into hotels and cafes, as Mrs. Galina says, so as not to drive people away from their jobs.
Our parish in Denver rents out the old hall behind the church for a couple of small meetings during the week, just enough to help with the heating bills like Simona mentioned. As long as they keep the services untouched and people can still walk in without tripping over tourists, it seems practical. Wonder what exactly the Greek bishops have in mind this time.
Our church in Poltava also rented out an old church house around the corner in order to collect at least firewood and repairs. The main thing, as Galina and Simona write, is that coffee shops and hotels do not start to be built there and that the doors of the church remain open for people, not for tourists.
Our little hall here in Wichita gets rented out for quilting circles twice a month and it just about covers the water bill. I like what you said about keeping services untouched. Do you know if the Denver parish ever had any trouble with the renters leaving the place messy?
