PRESIDENT ’ S NOTE
Sparking New Initiatives
“ I expect the primary achievement of this particular gathering is akin to laying another brick in an edifice of collaboration and a thoughtful strategy re : the power and potential of sacred spaces .”
— Joshua Hearne , Danville Regional Foundation , referring to Partners ’
“ Activating Hidden Assets ” National Convening in April
Given our love of religious buildings here at Partners , I appreciated Mr . Hearne ’ s allusion to architecture as he talked about our Convening and what it did to encourage partnerships and new strategies on behalf of America ’ s sacred places . He was one of about 100 civic leaders from an array of sectors who gathered , for the first time in American history , to discuss and plan new ways to support the community value of our older churches , synagogues , and other religious buildings . The article by Katie Day in this issue discusses the larger implications of this event , asking if it has laid the foundation for a new movement that will capture the energy and attention of leaders and everyday Americans in the years to come .
Any new movement will be propelled by several initiatives that are outlined in our Convening report :
• Equipping an array of leaders with the stories , data , and case examples needed to understand and adapt some of the innovations and creative approaches that have been undertaken to manage , share , and fund America ’ s sacred places in new ways ;
•
Undertaking new research delving into the dynamics at work when congregations reimagine and enliven their buildings or when they move toward closing and sale ;
• Building a communications infrastructure that tells the story of sacred places , their value and their vulnerability , to all key stakeholders — government , philanthropy , human services , the arts , architecture , and of course religion itself ; and
• Creating new funding mechanisms and philanthropic initiatives that facilitate investment in sacred places to sustain and build their capacity to serve congregations and their neighborhoods .
The Convening was the high point of my 40-plus years in this field . That was , in part , because of the substance of the panel discussions , case studies and videos , field trips , and a series of powerful deliberations . The Convening also moved and inspired me because , as Rev . Dick Hamm said so well , “ The broadness of the list of participants together with the sharpness of the focus was just amazing .” We were so appreciative of the caliber of leaders who agreed to take time to participate and who brought curiosity , energy , and a commitment to take on this issue in a serious , thoughtful way .
Partners is determined to sustain and continue the deliberations and new thinking that emerged at the Convening . We see it as the beginning of this conversation . And we hope it propels a movement that supports and reimagines the role that sacred places play in the lives of congregations and their communities .
A . ROBERT JAEGER
STAFF
A . Robert Jaeger , President
Kevin Block , Director of Special Initiatives Brittany Carter , Director of Finance and Operations Daniel Cruz , Technical Assistance Coordinator ,
National Fund for Sacred Places Dana Dabek , Director of Transition Services Karen DiLossi , Director of Strategic Partnerships Bridget Fidler , Senior Director of Consulting Tom Fike , Senior Consultant Kathryn Ford , Communications Coordinator Gianfranco Grande , Executive Vice President Emilie Haertsch , Senior Communications Manager Lily Hamilton , Associate Director , National Fund for Sacred Places Rachel Hildebrandt , Senior Director , National Fund for Sacred Places Victoria Hyman , Billing Coordinator Betsy Ivey , Director , Philadelphia Fund for
Black Sacred Places Sarah Lyn Jones , Director of Community
Engagement Simon Kaufman , Director of Development Caroline Lauber , Consulting Associate Owen Robbins , Special Project and Design Associate Emily Sajdak , Director of Rural Initiatives Tamara Littlejohn Small , Administrative Manager Rochelle Stackhouse , Senior Director of Programs Geraldine Wang , Senior Fellow , Strategic
Advancement Emilio Weber , Project Associate
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mr . G . Edward Hughes , Ph . D Chair
Ms . Barbara Abrajano The Rt . Rev . Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows Mr . Mark Constantine , Ph . D Ms . Jennifer Correia , Secretary Mr . Paul Edmondson , Esq . Ms . Elise Edwards , Ph . D Mr . Marco Federico , Treasurer Ms . Lynn Hunt Gray , Esq . Mr . Jorge L . Hernandez , AIA Mr . Dave Kirwan Ms . Rosa Lowinger The Most Rev . Denis J . Madden Mr . Mark McDonald Mr . Taylor Steele Mr . Robin E . Whitehurst , FAIA
1700 Sansom Street , 10th Floor Philadelphia , PA 19103 partners @ sacredplaces . org www . sacredplaces . org 215.567.3234
SACRED PLACES • WINTER 2025 5