[Mr. Lucky]

The congregations were "forced" to merge? By whom?

My orthodox LCMS congregation has been "forced" to expand its physical facilities.

[Honorary Serb]

I worship in two Orthodox parishes, one OCA and the other Serbian. My OCA parish was “forced” to expand its facilities several years before I became Orthodox. More recently, my Serbian parish was “forced” to move into a new facility about five times the size of the old one!!!!

There is an LCMS parish in a neighboring town that also was “forced” to expand its facilities.

Of course, “forced” is not the right word to use.

So it goes.