Thursday, June 13, 2024
Hello everyone, apologies for being late this week with these musings. But the good news is that it has been a busy week with some exciting developments. Negotiations with Nexus have gone into high gear. The Board at KW Redeemer will be visiting St. Andrew’s in the next couple of weeks and they say we can expect a proposal from them as well. This may mean that both Nexus and KW Redeemer will join us in our building in September.
I want to take a few moments to talk about how important this is. Initially of course, it helps with our finances. In each of the last two years we have had approximately $150,000 in deficits. Using our building as an asset to create an enhanced income stream is necessary. However, it is also an act of deep faith and proper stewardship. The building we have is a gift from God given through all those who have been part of this church over its 170 years of history. Using that building to its full potential is honoring that gift – it ensures the building can and will be cared for in the years ahead. It also helps to ensure financial viability for the congregation moving forward.
Furthermore, our downtown location means our building is desirable to a variety of different organizations other than churches – all of whom want to be part of serving the downtown community. Kids and Company Daycare is one such possible tenant. Another is Marillac Place who, just this past week, expressed interest in exploring what it might be like to work together. As we strive to be church – to be a force of love and care and kindness and compassion and justice in the community – we need partners. We cannot do it alone. There are partners willing to join with us. For a moment I ask you to imagine a very viable future – St. Andrew’s being a hub whereby people in the community can come for support in terms of food, clothing, a deep sense of belonging, a place to call home, a place where neighbours gather for a variety of different experiences, a place where conversations can occur and relationships can be built – a place that is integral to the downtown community. Nexus, KW Redeemer, Kids and Co and potentially Marillac Place may all be partners to make that dream a reality and in the centre of it all can be a strong mission and ministry to people with differing abilities through the Roy Street project.
Is such a vision possible? Yes it is. How is it possible? By continuing to make decisions to invite and welcome partners into our physical space. It is a vision that reflects our values of a church – a church on the crossroads of Weber and Queen – a church that promotes community, connection and compassion. Those values were the ones we celebrated at our 170th anniversary. Those are the values that will make this vision become real, not in the distant future – but beginning already this year.
Take good care and I ask for your prayers and support as we make this vision a reality.
Rev. Marty Molengraaf (he, him)
Minister, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church