PRESIDENT ’ S NOTE
Change vs . Continuity
C . S . Lewis wrote , “ Mere change is not growth . Growth is the synthesis of change and continuity , and where there is no continuity there is no growth .” We are living in a pivotal time for sacred places , and the articles in this issue remind me that congregations walk a fine line as they look toward sharing and reimagining their buildings while honoring their history , legacy , and mission . Complexity and contradiction permeate sacred places :
• Many congregations are shrinking — yet opportunities to use their assets and resources to further their missions in new ways are growing .
• Many sacred places are suffering disinvestment , making some spaces unusable — yet the core strengths of these buildings offer more opportunities to house outreach than ever before .
• Many congregation members no longer live near their places of worship — yet the potential of the immediate neighborhood to work with these institutions in common cause is enormous .
• Sacred places have a beauty and power that stem from their original construction — yet they often need reconfiguring and reimagining to meet their full potential .
• A congregation ’ s fears can immobilize it and prevent it from taking steps to enliven its building — but that same energy can shift to hope and move a congregation to do new things .
In sum , congregations should be ready for change while staying connected to their history and legacy . They must adapt but not lose sight of their story , their reason for being , the importance their buildings have had and still have for both members and neighbors .
In the context of this swirl of complexity and contradiction in the life of congregations today , there is much talk about how they can develop their “ real estate .” Much of that conversation is about grand projects , like building affordable housing on a parking lot or vacant land . These possibilities may be important to pursue and may offer new resources and bring new opportunities to some congregations . But it ’ s important to remember that many congregations do not have the land or the capacity to take on a project so large .
Partners for Sacred Places can assist with large projects and new buildings , and indeed we can help a congregation plan and carry out a major capital project . However , Partners is also very good at helping congregations make the most of what they already have , as we ’ re doing in our current project with churches in Central Appalachia ( see the story on p . 16 ). These congregations , as well as the Mennonite church in San Antonio , Texas , described on p . 9 , are tackling the fundamentals : Who are we ? What is our story ? What assets do we have , and who can we collaborate with to maximize and sustain what we have ?
The day-to-day decisions about thinking and acting in new ways to use existing space and current assets , while remaining true to the mission of their institution , can help many congregations be healthier and more effective in the years to come .
A . ROBERT JAEGER
STAFF
A . Robert Jaeger , President Joshua Castaño , Director of Special Initiatives Stephanie Cohen , Consulting Associate Dana Dabek , Director , Transition Services Karen DiLossi , Director of Strategic Partnerships Bridget Fidler , Senior Director of Consulting Angelia Gibbs , Finance Manager Gianfranco Grande , Executive Vice President Emilie Haertsch , Communications Manager Lily Hamilton , Grants Manager , National Fund for
Sacred Places Fred Hardyway , Senior Program Manager Derek Henson , Field Manager , National Fund for
Sacred Places Rachel Hildebrandt , Director , National Fund for
Sacred Places Blair Horton , Project Coordinator Sarah Lyn Jones , Associate Director of Community
Engagement Simon Kaufman , Director of Development Craig Nowlin , Chief Operating Officer Owen Robbins , Special Project and Design Associate Emily Sajdak , Senior Project Manager Rochelle Stackhouse , Senior Director of Programs Geraldine Wang , Senior Fellow , Strategic
Advancement Julie White , Office Manager
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Robin E . Whitehurst , FAIA , Chair
Ms . Barbara Abrajano Rabbi Michael Balinsky The Rt . Rev . Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows Mrs . David B . Butler Charles B . Casper , Esq . Mr . Mark Constantine Ms . Jennifer Correia The Rev . Peter D . D ’ Angio Mr . Marsh Davis Paul Edmondson , Esq . Mr . Marco Federico Lynn Hunt Gray , Esq ., Secretary Sheffield Hale , Esq . Jorge L . Hernandez , AIA Mr . G . Edward Hughes Mr . Dave Kirwan Ms . Rosa Lowinger The Rev . Katherine Glaze Lyle Most Rev . Denis J . Madden The Rev . David W . Watkins , III
1700 Sansom Street , 10th Floor Philadelphia , PA 19103 partners @ sacredplaces . org www . sacredplaces . org 215.567.3234
SACRED PLACES • SUMMER 2023 5