Dear Friends in Christ,
As we’ve recently completed our first full year with our current ministry team, there is much for which we are grateful. Throughout the past year, WPC has demonstrated a refreshing willingness to explore what it means to be people of faith in new and exciting ways— in worship, partnerships, service, fellowship, and more. As leaders, we are deeply excited and energized, and we have heard that you are experiencing much positive energy surrounding the future of our church community, too.
Surrounded and inspired by this positive, forward-looking enthusiasm, we write to you today to let you know about another exciting milestone in our journey of faith together. Earlier this spring, the WPC Session was approached by the Vestry of St. Matthew’s (their Session equivalent) with an opportunity. The Episcopal diocese had identified a consultant to help St. Matthew’s consider what options might be possible to expand and enhance their ministry, specifically with regards to the use of physical space. St. Matthew’s, after some initial conversations with the consultants, felt like some very exciting opportunities might be possible. However, they also felt very strongly that— before anything was explored further— WPC leadership needed to be involved in the conversation. Therefore, the consultants (Stewardship Realty), met with the WPC Session to introduce themselves, as well as to present a plan that would help both churches fully explore all of the potential and possible use cases for the joint St. Matthew’s/WPC campus.
The Session, after listening to this presentation, prayerfully voted to join with St. Matthew’s in an information-gathering phase with Stewardship Realty. The goal of this was, and is, to learn— more clearly and with more detail than we have ever had before— what ministry opportunities might be possible on our shared campus. Many ideas have floated about in various circles in the past—food pantries, options for rental/renovation, space for “artists-in-residence”— but oftentimes the conversation stops once any practical realities must be considered, as the energy to do things like comb through arcane building codes and take detailed/necessary measurements, has often seemed more trouble and expense than it’s worth. However, given the current positive energy in our community, our relatively strong financial position, and the fact that St. Matthew’s is also excited and will share the modest cost of hiring the consultants with us, this seemed like an ideal time to “jump in” and seize the moment, so that we might get clear, current, factual advice on what sort of space usage might be possible on our campus. To be clear, we are not currently envisioning or planning any particular project, but simply taking advantage of a serendipitous confluence of factors, which our leadership believes we can utilize to better learn in what ways we might continue to both sustain and propel forward our current, joyful life together.
So, what’s next? Once all the relevant contractual parameters (which have been thoroughly and thoughtfully considered by the Session) have been settled, the information-gathering with Stewardship Realty will begin. It is anticipated to take several months, and we will be sure to keep you informed of what we learn along the way. If you have any questions, please feel free to come to Mark, Chris, Jessica, or any member of Session— we would be happy and excited to speak with you! That’s all there is to share right now— there will be more to come later this year! Enjoy the beauty of this season!
Grace and Peace,
Your Pastors (Mark, Chris, and Jessica) on behalf of the WPC Session
