MISSION & VISION
Mission and Vision of the Congregation Since 2005 our congregation has engaged in a number of visioning exercises aimed at discerning future directions in the ministry of Scarboro United Church. During this time we have also been influenced by the Emerging Spirit initiative of the United Church of Canada.
This initiative challenged us to identify key elements of the gospel we are called to live, to reassess how we are perceived in our local community, and to find ways to be more welcoming to those who are not currently part of a faith community.
We sense there are three ministerial directions towards which God is calling us to be: l
church that offers spiritual sustenance and A that others see as welcoming, diverse, and inclusive
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An Arts-based “Destination� church
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church that is committed to social justice A and is fully engaged in local outreach The primary focus of a church is to support the ministries of its members and to serve the needs of the community. Bricks and mortar are not important in themselves; rather, they are the visible expression of our values, our beliefs, our history, and our sense of mission. In order to fulfill the ministries we are called to do, we are moving ahead with our Renew, Repurpose and Refresh project.
NEEDS Our Needs What are our needs and how have they been determined? For some considerable time, it has been apparent that many of our programs and activities are limited or impaired by the physical constraints presented by our building. Considerable care and attention has been given to the assessment of needs. In 2006, the congregation was surveyed as well as the 21 external groups who were making regular use of the church’s facilities at that time. Then, in 2010, members of the congregation, ministers, staff, and representatives from user groups engaged in a series of meetings with Sturgess Architecture to discuss programming needs and explore ways in which current building deficiencies might be addressed. In July 2010, Sturgess Architecture published the results of these meetings in Scarboro United Church Programming Analysis. This document translated the stated opinions and needs of a wide spectrum of stakeholders into a series of interventions regarding the existing structure and new spaces that might be constructed. There are many additional practical considerations that can be added to the consideration of needs, not the least of which relates to finances.
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How can we afford to meet our needs and, just as importantly, how can we afford not to?
Building-Related • Address the most pressing structural deficiency (Gym wall). • Bring other outdated and/or unsafe elements into good repair and ensure conformity with the current building code. • Update heating, ventilation, electrical and plumbing systems to improve operating efficiencies, comfort and safety. • Provide sufficient washroom and cloakroom facilities.
Ministry-Related • Offer an attractive, comfortable, welcoming, contemporary, and barrier free environment in which to carry out our mission. • Create a large flexible rehearsal/performance space to support our arts destination ministry. • Create flexible meeting/learning/crafting spaces to accommodate a variety of users and church groups. • Provide a community gathering place for local outreach and an assembly space for community gatherings. • Ensure barrier free accessibility to all levels. • Create a welcoming entrance, efficient circulation and easily understood layout of the building. • Proclaim our presence and improve our connection to the street and surrounding community. • Increase the number of parking stalls available, especially for those with mobility issues. • Improve sound proofing and protect the Sanctuary and chapel area as quiet, reflective spaces. • Protect the safety, security, and comfort of ministry, staff, and building occupants. • Move the nursery location so that children are in closer proximity to their parents in the Sanctuary. • Provide adequate reception space and food preparation areas to accommodate a variety of fellowship and social events. • Increase the amount of available storage so as to better meet the needs of the congregation and our rental groups.
Finance-Related • Generate more rental income to reduce our reliance on fundraising. • Implement energy conservation measures so as to lessen our operating costs and our impact on the environment. • Attract new members so as to broaden the base of financial sustainers.
To meet these needs, Sturgess Architecture proposed an ambitious project that replaced the gym with a dramatic performance space, a new entry, expanded washrooms etc., but this project came at a very high cost of $7 million. In October, 2009, the Building in Faith Fund and Committee were established to begin to explore ways of financing the proposed development. In March, 2012, the Board approved the choice of Rob Waller of Rob Waller & Associates Ltd. to undertake a Resource Feasibility Study. The purpose of the Study was to ensure an accurate reading of the “pulse� of the congregation in relation to
ownership of the vision and to assess potential financial support for the redevelopment of our building. The study concluded that there was insufficient congregational support to undertake such an ambitious project; however, there was sufficient support to fix the gym and do some building upgrades. Accordingly, in the fall of 2014, the Board officially moved to abandon the Sturgess project in favour of a phased renovation project that met all of the identified needs, with the exception of expanded parking facilities and a large rehearsal space.
OUR JOURNEY
Sturgess Architecture Proposal
Property Reserve and Municipal Historic Resource Designation Our 90 year old church building has been suffering from deferred maintenance for several years. To begin to address these issues, in 2013 the Board established a policy of accumulating operating funds in a Property Reserve and developed a ten year maintenance plan. First on the list was restoring the exterior wood trim features of the church building, some of which had almost rotted away. This led to the investigation of the potential for a Municipal Historic Resource designation for the building and eligibility for heritage grants. In the fall of 2014, the church building and manse became a registered Municipal Historic Resource.
In 2015, the church received approval for a five year, $155,000 grant from The City of Calgary to upgrade and repair the designated portions of the church buildings. The grant requires 50% matching funds from the church. Two years ago, we launched a program of restoring the stained glass windows, many of which date back to 1929 and 1930. This work is eligible for the City grant and members of the congregation have contributed generously to the church’s portion. In the remaining four years of the grant program, we will complete other eligible renovations.
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THE PROJECT
Renew, Repurpose and Refresh At last year’s Annual General Meeting, the Board presented a phased program to Renew, Repurpose and Refresh Scarboro’s non-sanctuary spaces. PHASE 1 was completed this fall and included:
• moving the Minister’s office and the rest of the administrative offices to the hallway across from the Social room • converting the former Church Manager’s office to a working space that will eventually replace the Blue Room functions, once the washrooms are expanded as part of Phase 2 • converting the former Minister’s office to a library and meeting space • transforming the Social room to a “multi-purpose” space and storage area to accommodate the Nursery and Sunday school/youth programming and other activities
This brings us to the program for the future. The work is divided into phases to allow construction as finances permit, and to ensure that the building is not closed down completely while under renovation. Hallett Architects Ltd., who has completed several other similar church projects in the city, has been engaged and plans for Phase 2 of the project have been completed and are included in this package.
The planned phases are as follows: PHASE 2 — replace the gym roof trusses; take out the stage and renovate the gym; expand the mid-level washrooms to the former Blue room space; widen the entry corridor to the gym; relocate the basement stairs to allow access to the full basement level from the west entry.
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• relocating the Church Manager’s office to the west entry by the chapel to create an office and reception area
In recognition of the longstanding legacy of Marilyn Perkins, our beloved former choir director and long-time Church Administrator, the gym (Memorial Hall) will be renamed the Marilyn Perkins Memorial Hall.
PHASE 3 — upgrade the kitchen; renovate the caretaker’s suite; construct a new combined exterior staircase and ramp to the west door. PHASE 4 — renovate the rooms and washrooms in the basement and improve the access to the building from the lower parking area. PHASE 5 — renovate the ladies parlour and choir room; upgrade the elevator; add a lift up to the new library.
Of these undertakings, the gym project is the most ambitious. The goal is to start construction of Phase 2 in June of this year with completion by the end of August/early September; however, the scheduling may be adjusted as circumstances and finances dictate. It is also possible that more than one phase may be undertaken in any one year.
Mid Level
Social Room / Children & Youth Space
Washroom Future Marilyn Perkins Memorial Hall New ‘Blue’ Room
New Library/ Meeting Room
Remove Stage
New Windows
Provide new beam for partition support at ceiling level
Basement Level Existing Stairs
New Stairs
King Room
PLANS
Existing Stairs to be Removed
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What funds are available?
Capital Campaign
Several avenues have been explored with respect to sources of funding for the building project. Potential partnerships with arts groups were investigated when a more ambitious building project was considered and rejected as unworkable. Present political and economic realities have resulted in an almost total lack of government funding for church sponsored initiatives. We will; however, be exploring the potential for grants from foundations or other funding entities in support of our provision of affordable meeting and practicing spaces for non-profit groups. Temporary bank financing during the construction process is a possible option. United Churches have typically not availed themselves of the lottery funding favoured by many other organizations.
Scarboro’s Official Board is proposing that the congregation undertake a capital campaign in order to raise the necessary funds to carry out this Renew, Repurpose and Refresh project. Pledges to this campaign would be over and above the regular givings of members and adherents and will be designated for the Building in Faith Fund. Following contact with the congregation, donations will also be sought from a larger group of “Friends of Scarboro� and our rental groups. In embarking on this process, we should bear in mind that Scarboro United Church is a community of deep faith. Can we find the means to be the stewards of our treasured legacy and pass it on to future generations? Can we maintain our tradition of celebrating the arts and providing spiritual sustenance and a welcoming place for all? May it be so.
FUNDING
“ Where your treasure is, there will your heart be… seek first the Kingdom of God and these things will be given to you.” — Matthew 6
What Then Shall I Give? There will be many ways to give to this exciting project. All of them are important and necessary. Building projects, painting and lots of other “hands on” activities will occupy us as time unfolds. Right now, our focus must be on the financial aspects of the process. Having the necessary financial resources is critical to beginning this renovation project. During the months of February and March, you are invited to enter a process of spiritual discernment—to prayerfully reflect about your financial support for Scarboro’s Building in Faith Project. After thoughtfully
considering the ways God has provided for us in the past and counting the blessings we currently enjoy, we seek God’s direction in making a promise —a covenant—to share from our means and our abundance. People give for different reasons. As you consider your gift to Scarboro at this time please consider that the motivation for giving is one of gratitude. When you give anything, you receive far more than you give. God does not want us to give out of “obligation” but out of a sense of thanksgiving, blessing and responsibility for the gifts
we have received and a desire to share them with others. Joyful giving comes from our substance not our excess, and can lead us into a closer relationship with God and our community. How much do feel called to give will be between you and God no one else will tell you how much you can or should give. The Bible asks for equal sacrifice in our giving not equal giving. Prayerfully think about your contribution and as you do so, we ask that you also pray for other members of Scarboro as we join together in this journey of faith.
“The more generous we are, the more joyous we become.” — William A. Ward from the poem Truths for Living, found in It Takes Courage.
Prayer for the Scarboro United Congregation Loving and gracious God, you have guided us to this place. We have journeyed long and hard to get here—through consultations and plans, through years of planning and years of waiting. We have begun our building plans, and pause for a moment to consider our next steps. We are called to be your people. We know that all that we have comes from you, and belongs to you. Even so, we realize that our dreams and plans will require a lot of money, and we struggle at times with the wisdom of our undertaking in light of its cost. And yet, you call us to be the church. Guide us as we try to understand what that means for our congregation. Help us to trust in you, to dream with you and to commit ourselves to you. We pray that you give us wisdom to discern your call to each of us. Remind us that you do not pressure us to give, and that you gladly accept whatever gifts we freely give, whether large or small. Thank you, God of Love, for your constant presence with us. Amen.
Individual Prayer for Discernment Gracious God, be with me as I ponder my role in the life and work of Scarboro United Church. I know that you are calling me, and I earnestly desire to follow. Help me, Loving God, in my journey. Help me to understand the commitment that you want me to undertake. Be with me in my excitement and my fears. As I come to a deeper understanding of my faithful part in the vision of Scarboro United Church, help me to have clarity around my financial response. Holy One, help me to open my heart to your voice, and my soul to your presence, so that you and I together can come to a place where I’ll know what “givings” I am called to give. Amen.
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Building in Faith Committee Scarboro United Church February 2016