About 25 people gathered to listen to Reverend Lou Oakes spell out the reasons for the closure of St John’s, before Sapphire Coast Anglican Parish members had their say.

Members were encouraged to “speak the truth in love and listen without interruption” before Rev Oakes opened the hour-long meeting.

“I acknowledge the sadness of the all the stakeholders and the strong emotion,” she said.

“Closing a church is the most difficult thing for a church leader.

“I know you are hurting.”

Rev Oakes explained the reasons to sell St John’s at Tantawangalo and invest all monies into nearby St Peter’s Church at Candelo.

“Young people are still searching for meaning in life,” Rev Oakes told gatherers.

“How do we meet a need they might have?”

She argued St Luke’s at Wolumla had revitalised itself since a renovation three years ago as a flexible space that connects with the community.

“For a church to grow it has to be where the people are and the population is in Candelo,” Rev Oakes said.

Kim Rauschenberg was the first to voice her opposition to the closure, arguing Tantawangalo had a growing population.

“People don’t know what’s happening and don’t agree with what’s happening,” a disappointed Ms Rauschenberg said.

“Tantawangalo can no longer call itself a village.”

Rev Oakes reiterated the Tantawangalo cemetery was not church property and not part of any proposed sale.

Speaking to the Bega District News, Rev Oakes said parts of the community understood the reasons for the sale, while others still saw a different future for St John’s.

“We are ready to offer the pastoral care people need through this process,” she said.

Parish council will meet in June before submitting a report to Bishop-in-Council, which will meet in August.