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A changing church: Why some congregations are closing while others are growing
A changing church: Why some congregations are closing while others are growing
A changing church: Why some congregations are closing while others are growing

Published on: 10/02/2026

This news was posted by Oregon Today News

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Members gather for worship as churches across the country face declining attendance and difficult decisions about their future. A new PBS documentary explores the challenges and opportunities ahead for American congregations. (AP Photo/Giovanna Dell’Orto)

Many Americans think of churches as places for worship. But for many communities, churches are also food pantries, gathering places and sources of support during difficult times.

News Source : https://www.oregonlive.com/nation/2026/10/what-happens-when-a-church-closes-the-answer-may-surprise-you.html

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MAYOR'S MESSAGE Sharing Knowledge, Strengthening Partnerships, and Advancing Wastewater Operations This past Monday evening, I had the pleasure of joining Councilors Kilmer and Niebergall, City Manager Nichole Rutherford, and members of our Public Works team for the dinner and vendor show held as part of the first Coos Bay Wastewater Operations & Management Conference at Ko-Kwel Casino Resort. This conference was spearheaded by our Water Quality Superintendent, Risha Latta, with the support of the City’s Public Works team. Risha recognized a need that many smaller and more rural communities know all too well: quality professional training is essential, but sending employees to conferences and training opportunities in larger metropolitan areas can be costly, particularly during challenging budgetary times. The idea was to bring that opportunity here—to the South Coast—where wastewater operators, maintenance workers, public works professionals, vendors, and others in the industry could come together to learn, exchange ideas, and build professional relationships without the added expense of traveling to a conference farther from home. This is especially important for wastewater operators, who are required to earn continuing education units (CEUs) to maintain their state certifications. By offering this training locally, operators from throughout the region had an opportunity to earn those CEUs much closer to home. Keeping the conference affordable for local communities was also a priority. With the support of vendor sponsorships, the City was able to offset facility and conference expenses and keep registration costs low for participating communities. More than 30 vendors from across the country also attended, giving local operators and municipalities an opportunity to connect directly with companies providing equipment, technology, and services relevant to their day-to-day operations. The conference program itself included two days of training on wastewater treatment processes, equipment maintenance, safety, regulatory compliance, and emerging technologies. What was especially impressive was the reach of this first conference. Attendees came from communities throughout our region and beyond, including cities along nearly the entire Oregon Coast as well as Roseburg and Medford. Seeing that kind of participation at an inaugural event speaks to the need for accessible, high-quality training opportunities here in southern Oregon. Events like this are also a good reminder of the expertise we have within our own organization. Our employees do important work every day that most of us rarely have reason to think about, and they are continually looking for ways to improve how we serve our community. In this case, that meant looking beyond Coos Bay and asking how we could help strengthen wastewater operations throughout the region. I want to congratulate Risha and the entire Public Works team for taking an idea and turning it into a successful first-year conference. I also want to thank the instructors, vendors, sponsors, and participating communities who helped make the event possible. The conference brochure summed up its purpose very well: sharing knowledge, strengthening partnerships, and advancing wastewater operations. I am proud that Coos Bay could play a role in bringing those opportunities a little closer to home. -Joe Benetti, Mayor of Coos BayPhotos from Coos Bay - City Government's post
MAYOR'S MESSAGE Sharing Knowledge, Strengthening Partnerships, and Advancing Wastewater Operations This past Monday evening, I had the pleasure of joining Councilors Kilmer and Niebergall, City Manager Nichole Rutherford, and members of our Public Works team for the dinner and vendor show held as part of the first Coos Bay Wastewater Operations & Management Conference at Ko-Kwel Casino Resort. This conference was spearheaded by our Water Quality Superintendent, Risha Latta, with the support of the City’s Public Works team. Risha recognized a need that many smaller and more rural communities know all too well: quality professional training is essential, but sending employees to conferences and training opportunities in larger metropolitan areas can be costly, particularly during challenging budgetary times. The idea was to bring that opportunity here—to the South Coast—where wastewater operators, maintenance workers, public works professionals, vendors, and others in the industry could come together to learn, exchange ideas, and build professional relationships without the added expense of traveling to a conference farther from home. This is especially important for wastewater operators, who are required to earn continuing education units (CEUs) to maintain their state certifications. By offering this training locally, operators from throughout the region had an opportunity to earn those CEUs much closer to home. Keeping the conference affordable for local communities was also a priority. With the support of vendor sponsorships, the City was able to offset facility and conference expenses and keep registration costs low for participating communities. More than 30 vendors from across the country also attended, giving local operators and municipalities an opportunity to connect directly with companies providing equipment, technology, and services relevant to their day-to-day operations. The conference program itself included two days of training on wastewater treatment processes, equipment maintenance, safety, regulatory compliance, and emerging technologies. What was especially impressive was the reach of this first conference. Attendees came from communities throughout our region and beyond, including cities along nearly the entire Oregon Coast as well as Roseburg and Medford. Seeing that kind of participation at an inaugural event speaks to the need for accessible, high-quality training opportunities here in southern Oregon. Events like this are also a good reminder of the expertise we have within our own organization. Our employees do important work every day that most of us rarely have reason to think about, and they are continually looking for ways to improve how we serve our community. In this case, that meant looking beyond Coos Bay and asking how we could help strengthen wastewater operations throughout the region. I want to congratulate Risha and the entire Public Works team for taking an idea and turning it into a successful first-year conference. I also want to thank the instructors, vendors, sponsors, and participating communities who helped make the event possible. The conference brochure summed up its purpose very well: sharing knowledge, strengthening partnerships, and advancing wastewater operations. I am proud that Coos Bay could play a role in bringing those opportunities a little closer to home. -Joe Benetti, Mayor of Coos BayPhotos from Coos Bay - City Government's post
MAYOR'S MESSAGE Sharing Knowledge, Strengthening Partnerships, and Advancing Wastewater Operations This past Monday evening, I had the pleasure of joining Councilors Kilmer and Niebergall, City Manager Nichole Rutherford, and members of our Public Works team for the dinner and vendor show held as part of the first Coos Bay Wastewater Operations & Management Conference at Ko-Kwel Casino Resort. This conference was spearheaded by our Water Quality Superintendent, Risha Latta, with the support of the City’s Public Works team. Risha recognized a need that many smaller and more rural communities know all too well: quality professional training is essential, but sending employees to conferences and training opportunities in larger metropolitan areas can be costly, particularly during challenging budgetary times. The idea was to bring that opportunity here—to the South Coast—where wastewater operators, maintenance workers, public works professionals, vendors, and others in the industry could come together to learn, exchange ideas, and build professional relationships without the added expense of traveling to a conference farther from home. This is especially important for wastewater operators, who are required to earn continuing education units (CEUs) to maintain their state certifications. By offering this training locally, operators from throughout the region had an opportunity to earn those CEUs much closer to home. Keeping the conference affordable for local communities was also a priority. With the support of vendor sponsorships, the City was able to offset facility and conference expenses and keep registration costs low for participating communities. More than 30 vendors from across the country also attended, giving local operators and municipalities an opportunity to connect directly with companies providing equipment, technology, and services relevant to their day-to-day operations. The conference program itself included two days of training on wastewater treatment processes, equipment maintenance, safety, regulatory compliance, and emerging technologies. What was especially impressive was the reach of this first conference. Attendees came from communities throughout our region and beyond, including cities along nearly the entire Oregon Coast as well as Roseburg and Medford. Seeing that kind of participation at an inaugural event speaks to the need for accessible, high-quality training opportunities here in southern Oregon. Events like this are also a good reminder of the expertise we have within our own organization. Our employees do important work every day that most of us rarely have reason to think about, and they are continually looking for ways to improve how we serve our community. In this case, that meant looking beyond Coos Bay and asking how we could help strengthen wastewater operations throughout the region. I want to congratulate Risha and the entire Public Works team for taking an idea and turning it into a successful first-year conference. I also want to thank the instructors, vendors, sponsors, and participating communities who helped make the event possible. The conference brochure summed up its purpose very well: sharing knowledge, strengthening partnerships, and advancing wastewater operations. I am proud that Coos Bay could play a role in bringing those opportunities a little closer to home. -Joe Benetti, Mayor of Coos BayPhotos from Coos Bay - City Government's post

10/02/2026

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THERE'S LOTS TO DO THIS WEEK AT THE COOS BAY PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES There’s lots to do this week at the Coos Bay Public Library for kids of all ages. On Saturday, October 3 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. school aged kids, tweens, and families are invited to Saturday Steam. Get ready to color, cut, fold, and flex! In this hands-on Saturday STEAM activity, you’ll make your own paper fidget called a flextangle (also known as a hexaflexagon or kaleidocycle). Choose from one of our fun templates or create your own design on a blank template. Then cut, fold, and assemble your creation into a fascinating fidget that twists and changes as you play with it! On Tuesday, October 6 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Teens are invited to make a Spooky Zine. Join us to create dark and spooky zines in this workshop for teens. Participants will learn how to make basic zines using a variety of materials. All supplies are provided and no experience is necessary! For ages 13-18 October 7 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. we are Calling all Comics Lovers! We're starting a monthly club for aspiring artists and comic book lovers. Every month we'll read a comic together and then spend some time drawing together. No experience necessary. Each session will feature a different early reader/beginning reader comic. No pre-registration necessary. For Children in grades 1-3. On Friday, October 9 there are two fun programs for kids. First up is a make your own monster class for kids ages 8-12. Sew your own adorable felt monster! During the class, participants will use a glue gun and learn a basic whip stitch. Limited space is available; sign-up early to reserve space. Then from 5:30 – 7 p.m. Tweens and teens Ages 12-18 are invited to a Masquerade & Murder: The Ghost of Our Past When a man dies mysteriously at a costume party, guests must solve the mystery. One complicating factor? The party is haunted by ghosts. Feel free to come in costume and be prepared to help solve the mystery. Pizza, intrigue and fun. Want to nab a part ahead of time to dress the role? Register online or contact Jennifer at jknight@coosbaylibrary.org. Registration not required to participate.
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THERE'S LOTS TO DO THIS WEEK AT THE COOS BAY PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES There’s lots to do this week at the Coos Bay Public Library for kids of all ages. On Saturday, October 3 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. school aged kids, tweens, and families are invited to Saturday Steam. Get ready to color, cut, fold, and flex! In this hands-on Saturday STEAM activity, you’ll make your own paper fidget called a flextangle (also known as a hexaflexagon or kaleidocycle). Choose from one of our fun templates or create your own design on a blank template. Then cut, fold, and assemble your creation into a fascinating fidget that twists and changes as you play with it! On Tuesday, October 6 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Teens are invited to make a Spooky Zine. Join us to create dark and spooky zines in this workshop for teens. Participants will learn how to make basic zines using a variety of materials. All supplies are provided and no experience is necessary! For ages 13-18 October 7 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. we are Calling all Comics Lovers! We're starting a monthly club for aspiring artists and comic book lovers. Every month we'll read a comic together and then spend some time drawing together. No experience necessary. Each session will feature a different early reader/beginning reader comic. No pre-registration necessary. For Children in grades 1-3. On Friday, October 9 there are two fun programs for kids. First up is a make your own monster class for kids ages 8-12. Sew your own adorable felt monster! During the class, participants will use a glue gun and learn a basic whip stitch. Limited space is available; sign-up early to reserve space. Then from 5:30 – 7 p.m. Tweens and teens Ages 12-18 are invited to a Masquerade & Murder: The Ghost of Our Past When a man dies mysteriously at a costume party, guests must solve the mystery. One complicating factor? The party is haunted by ghosts. Feel free to come in costume and be prepared to help solve the mystery. Pizza, intrigue and fun. Want to nab a part ahead of time to dress the role? Register online or contact Jennifer at [email protected]. Registration not required to participate.

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