Creating Space
A Meetinghouse is an idea as much as it is a physical space.
A place where all are welcome. Located in a natural setting. Filled with arts and culture, joyfully exchanged.
A space rooted in the inherent worth and dignity of every person.
Our space has been a work in progress for a few years now. (Aren't we all?!!)
These pictures tell some of the story.
Read up a bit more below to see where we are today... and where we are headed next!
In 2019, community members concluded a collaborative process of strategic planning. The result was a plan that focused on increasing capacity for our growing congregation. That plan was enacted in November 2019; four months later, everything changed.
Almost instantly, COVID changed everything... from how we gathered to how we communicated, from how we organized outrreach and care to staff roles and resonsiblities. Especially changed was our use of technology to bring people together in new ways.
Coming out of the pandemic, much of the spirit of the old plan remained, but the circumstances had changed. Folks were understandably slow to gather in-person again; programs needed to be relaunched, some with new leadership. An immediate need was for better connective technology in our sanctuary, and more flexible seating.
Some of the same folks who led us to create that visionary plan in 2019 jumped in to lead this new transformation process. We began by pulling up half of our pews in 2022, creating more flexiblity, access, and comfort in our sanctuary with the addition of padded chairs. In early 2023, we removed the rest of the pews and (carefully!) repositioned a historic stained glass window. We brought fiber optic internet to our building and increased connections within the building. Later that summer, we replaced the carpet and flooring in the sanctuary and began making improvements to sound, video, and lighting... as well as underlying electrical work to create capacity for the future.
All of these improvements were done with the same core values in place from the original 2019 plan -- values like access & inclusion -- only with new awareness of how those values needed to now be expressed in light of the pandemic and all that we had learned. These improvements also required initial fundraising from people who were closest to the projects. Gratefully, we raised over $200,000 to support this initial work, which we now call Phase 1... work that has enabled us to resume our growth trajectory while now planning for Phase 2.
Current plans for Phase 2 include bathrooms, access points & parking, air conditioning and more. New communication materials are being developed to ensure taht everyone who is sympathtic with our mission can have an opportunity to participate.
About
-
UUSGS Meetinghouse