Winter is challenging houses of worship

BOSTON - Religious leaders in snowbound New England are beginning to ask themselves how on Earth their houses of worship will make ends meet after all these acts of God.

Churches, synagogues, and mosques report attendance is down, as poorly timed winter storms have hit on or close to days of worship. And getting the faithful to come out is challenging, with limited parking and treacherously icy sidewalks.

For many places of worship, that has meant donations are drying up just as costs for snow removal, heating and maintenances are soaring.

"You have this perfect storm of people not being able to go to worship and so not bringing in offerings, combined with much higher than usual costs," says Cindy Kohlmann, who works with Presbyterian churches in Greater Boston.

At the Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Boston, the Rev. Thomas Domurat says he will hold two collections at Sunday Masses in an effort to gather more donations for snow expenses.

Mazen Duwaji, executive director at the Islamic Council of New England, says the mosque he attends in Sharon, Mass., is hoping to make up shortfalls during its annual fund-raiser this month.

A number of religious leaders say donations are not down as drastically as they could be, given that attendance has dipped anywhere from 15 to 50 percent. Online donations increasingly are a reliable revenue source. But as the winter weather wears on, expenses are piling up.

Religious leaders say attendance declines aren't just affecting the bottom line. Many community programs and activities are suffering, from cultural events and lectures to addiction support groups, financial literacy classes, and free medical clinics.

"People are hunkering down at night and they're not coming back out," says Alan Teperow, executive director of the Synagogue Council of Massachusetts and a member of Temple Emanuel in Newton, a Boston suburb. "Once you're home, it's difficult to say you'll go back out and face the frigid temperatures."

One silver lining: Religious leaders have found ways to keep their congregations engaged, from hosting "prayer calls" by phone to e-mailing scripture studies and organizing activities for families when school is canceled.