Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Winter 2014 Issue | Page 9

A Bold Revisioning
Betsy Faga and Kat Turner
In January 2012, Church of the Resurrection, Alexandria, found itself
in a precarious position. Its rector had retired and, in considering
a search for a new rector, the congregation had to face some
hard facts. Average Sunday attendance and the number
of pledging members were declining; an operating
budget deficit had reached the high five figures; our
nearly 50-year-old building had major capital
expenses looming on the horizon. And, there
were 27 other Episcopal congregations
within five miles of the church.
Fortunately, generous bequests
Betsy Faga of
had provided reserve funds
Resurrection,
that allowed Resurrection
Alexandria.
to take a measured and
systematic approach to
considering its future.

With that consideration in mind, the vestry
appointed
a
Re-Visioning
Committee with the following
charge: By Dec. 31, 2013, Church of
the Resurrection would embark on a
course of action to preserve the values and
missions of the congregation as a transformed
and sustainable parish. The committee began with
a comprehensive list of more than 20 options, ranging
from shutting the doors of the church, to sharing clergy
with another congregation, to merging with another church,
to using the church property in new ways.

The Re-Visioning Committee presented the options to the
congregation at several brainstorming sessions. Many of the ideas that emerged
focused on increasing membership or generating new revenues. The congregation
formed separate working groups to explore new ideas for facilities and partnerships,
but none seemed likely to resolve all of Resurrection’s issues.

The Re-Visioning Committee found itself focusing on two very different
possibilities. The first was to ensure Resurrection’s short-term survival by a
Revisioning continued on page 8

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Winter 2014 / Virginia Episcopalian

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