Monk has seen the numbers taper off ever since. Other than at the holidays, the church now has just one choir. More than a quarter of First United Methodist's 600 members are elderly. And when the Rev. Larry George was hired three years ago, he did more burying than marrying the first few months, Monk said.
Regular participation is noticeably off.
Many families opt for soccer, skiing or other leisure-time activities, both during the week and on weekends. Senior citizens, with their golf, travel and other interests, aren't much better, said Monk, who's 93. People used to go to church every Sunday. Now if they go once a month they feel like they're regulars. I don't think churches are anywhere as important as they were.