The convening included learning, conversation, and deliberation, as well as site visits to congregations with historic buildings. Photo: Chris Kendig
National Convening
Philadelphia, PA
“
My overall reaction to the convening was‘ thank God this conversation is happening.”
Joshua Hearne, Danville Regional Foundation, VA
On Friday, April 5, 2024, Partners for Sacred Places organized the National Convening“ Activating Hidden Assets,” which assembled over 100 leaders from multiple sectors to focus on the future of at-risk sacred places and the communities they serve. This assembly of stakeholders— from religion, government, architecture and preservation, media, philanthropy, academia, the arts, and human service nonprofits— had not gathered together before.
THE SESSIONS WERE STRUCTURED TO:
• Brief participants on the religious landscape in America, including an overview of numbers and demographics by Dr. Nancy Ammerman.
• Lay out the challenges and opportunities presented by sacred places, and call for action. Keynote speakers included Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, John Bridgeland, and E. J. Dionne Jr.
• Encourage conversation and deliberation at two roundtable sessions on new ways to engage with and support sacred places.
• Suggest initiatives that could significantly impact the sustainability and impact of older religious buildings and their faith communities.
FOUR NEW INITIATIVES WERE IDENTIFIED THAT ARE GUIDING PARTNERS’ ONGOING EFFORTS:
1. Coordinate and encourage new research to fill in knowledge gaps.
2. Dramatically raise awareness of sacred places, their value, and their needs.
3. Encourage new funding vehicles and approaches.
4. Develop capacity and leadership among religious leaders.
A full report on the April 2024 Convening and its outcomes is available on Partners’ website.
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