FEATURE STORY
As part of the SISP program,
Partners recently organized
a forum bringing together
professionals from community
development to talk to
church leadership about
potential partnerships, how
to identify commonalities,
and what works/doesn’t. The
three panelists, sitting at
the table, from left to right,
are Danielle DiLeo Kim,
coordinator of Philadelphia’s
Plan 2035; James Wright
from the People’s Emergency
Center Community
Development Corporation;
and Verna Tyner, chief of staff
for Philadelphia Councilman
Bill Greenlee. In the photo,
Reverend Robin Hynicka from
Arch Street UMC (far right) is
modeling a conversation with
Verna Tyner.
Strategic Investment
in Sacred Places
At the same moment that Partners for Sacred Places has conclusively
demonstrated the critical role that congregations play in our communities,
national trends of shrinking membership and limited finances have led to
increasing numbers of church closings. This growing challenge demands a
comprehensive solution, prompting Partners to work with judicatory leaders
in important new ways.
The result – Strategic Investment in Sacred Places (SISP)
– is a holistic approach by Partners, which generates a
comprehensive plan that leverages resources designed
to employ a congregation’s strengths. SISP helps the
congregation manage its older building and become a key
player in community and economic development initiatives.
The program starts with an intensive neighborhood
15 • Sacred Places • www.sacredplaces.org • Winter 2013
assessment and delivers a plan for a support system that
includes collaboration with public and private organizations.
This approach is based in \