A Message from Our Leadership
There are a few ways to describe how congregations — and Partners — responded to the challenges posed by the pandemic in 2020 , but one stands out : with resilience .
Congregations showed institutional resilience , adapting to social distancing and the inability to gather in person . They also demonstrated their importance to the health and resilience of their communities , serving as drive-through food pantries , virtual learning centers , COVID testing centers , and vaccination distribution sites .
These same places were — and continue to be — centers of healing and community-building in the midst of a nationwide call for America to become more welcoming , inclusive , and — yes , resilient . Even in cases where a congregation has transitioned out of a sacred place , its building can and should remain a civic resource by becoming a home for another congregation or community-serving organization .
Partners , too , has shown resilience . Thanks to virtual workshops and new ways to deliver our services , we were able to serve even more congregations in 2020 than we did in 2019 , furthering our mission to support historic sacred places that are striving to build stronger , more vibrant communities . This annual report describes Partners ’ innovative approach to a challenging year , and we hope you are inspired by these stories . We look forward to sharing more news in the upcoming year about exciting , ongoing projects in Appalachia , the Midwest , North Carolina , New York , and Baltimore , as well as a host of new consulting projects from coast to coast .
While we are constantly confronted with historic sacred places at risk of closure , we are heartened by the examples of congregations that have learned new ways to connect with their larger communities . The following reflection comes from the leadership of Broad Bay Congregational United Church of Christ in Waldoboro , Maine , which completed a project to stabilize its steeple and renovate its narthex this past year with support from the National Fund for Sacred Places :
The biggest challenge was shifting our self-perception of who we are and who we are called to be . ... even with our small numbers , our presence as an open and affirming congregation that seeks to be “ A Place for All ” matters and enhances the wider community . As we began to tell our story and share our vision , others expressed interest and support , solidifying our commitment , both to the project and to our wider mission as a community of faith .
Thank you for supporting Partners ’ work with Broad Bay and hundreds of other sacred places in the past year . You played a critical role advancing their work — and our work — to create vibrant , resilient communities .
The Rev . Katherine Glaze Lyle Board Chair
Bob Jaeger President
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