contents SUMMER 2024
SACRED PLACES
The Magazine of Partners for Sacred Places
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Book Review : What Happens When Churches Close ?
Highlights from the National Fund for Sacred Places
Essential Graces : Artcinia Brings Music to Philadelphia ’ s Neighborhoods
FEATURE ARTICLE
Preserving Church and Community in Reading , Pennsylvania
Faith & Form : The 2023 Religious Architecture & Art Awards
Professional Alliance Directory
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 .
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 .
• 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 .
A singer from the Marian Anderson Society performs at Tindley Temple United Methodist Church as part of the Philadelphia Organ Festival , presented by Partners for Sacred Places in March 2024 . Daniel Kontz
Cover Photograph :
Vocalist and composer Ruth Naomi Floyd performs at one of Artcinia ’ s Music in Your Neighborhood concerts at First Presbyterian Germantown in Philadelphia . Lora Lula Photos
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