WATERVILLE -- Lacking the numbers that Pastor Marc Pitman believes necessary to be effective, Vineyard Church of Waterville will close its doors following Sunday's 10 a.m. service, with hopes of reopening next Easter.

Pitman said Vineyard Church has found "tremendous favor with the community" with its simple acts of kindness. But half the membership of 25 is less than 10 years old, and the tasks of the church are burdening that membership, he said.

"I don't want to burn people out just because it's a good cause," Pitman said. "The people who we are really resonating with in the community are not the people who are showing up on Sunday."

Pitman described Vineyard Church as Bible-based, evangelical and "nonpolitical." The Pentecostal Church donated the building, once used as a Harris Bakery thrift store, in 2004.

Services are casual, said Pitman, who preaches in jeans. Coffee is served.

Pitman said Vineyard Church members are active in community outreach. They hold car washes and donate 25 cents toward a gallon of gas at Lucien's Mobil. They serve hot chocolate to people waiting in line outside Wal-Mart on "Black Sunday" and host the Cabin Fever Pool Party in March at Alfond Youth Center.

"That's the kind of church we want to be," said Pitman, who directs fundraising efforts at Inland Hospital. "It's not a money thing that we're closing as much as an effectiveness thing."

According to his communications with church members, Pitman wants to "rest for a few months" and gather e- mails of people interested in joining a regrouped church. He said he hopes church members continue tithing.

Once they have regrouped, Pitman will produce a draft version of the new church.

If all goes well, a new Vineyard Church of Waterville will hold Easter Services on April 12, 2009.

Larry Grard -- 861-9239

lgrard@centralmaine.com