Sacred Places Summer 2022 | Page 3

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SUMMER 2022

SACRED PLACES

The Magazine of Partners for Sacred Places
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Folk Art Projects by Nordic American Churches His Light Shines in Our House
FEATURE ARTICLE
The Halo Value of Rural Churches in North Carolina
The 2021 Faith & Form Religious Architecture & Art Awards
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Professional Alliance Directory
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PARTNERS FOR SACRED PLACES is the only
national , nonsectarian , nonprofit organization
dedicated to the sound stewardship and active community use of America ’ s older religious
properties .
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Partners builds the capability of
congregational leadership for building care ,
shared use , and capital fundraising through training programs , fundraising assistance , and
organizational and facility assessments . In the
process , Partners becomes a trusted resource
and guide as congregations examine and weigh
opportunities .
Partners engages with congregations to
focus on critical areas such as :
• Asset – mapping and community engagement — assisting congregations to develop new
relationships with neighbors and potential community partners .
• Strategic partnerships and space sharing — brokering agreements between sacred places
and arts , food justice , health , education , and
social service programs .
• Planning for capital campaigns to support repairs and renovations that preserve
significant historic features and make spaces
usable for new community programs .
A study by Partners and the University of North Carolina Charlotte found that rural United Methodist Churches in North Carolina , like Landers Chapel UMC in Lincolnton , contribute over $ 735,000 each year to their local communities . Here , volunteers gathered at the church for a walk during breast cancer awareness month . Story on page 14 . The Rev . Amy Lambert
• Collaborative initiatives among unrelated congregations in a neighborhood to encourage coordinated outreach , space usage , joint marketing and interpretive events , and coordinated work with public agencies for lighting , signage , and streetscape improvements .
COVER PHOTOGRAPH : Wesley ’ s Chapel United Methodist Church , Godwin , North Carolina . Emily Sajdak
SACRED PLACES SUMMER 2022 3