Discerning our future at St. Peter's
Why are we in a time of discernment?
In 2024, the Vestry received a report from the Property Committee identifying numerous capital projects that needed to be completed.
About the same time the Finance Committee recommended that the Vestry review the operations of the Parish Annex building, looking at the resources needed to operate and maintain the building and to review how it was being used. The Vestry formed the Parish Annex Task Force to evaluate options for the building and the Task Force submitted its report to Vestry.
The first step in organizing a Capital Campaign is to enter into a time of discernment. The Vestry in 2025 hired Leslie Pendleton as our consultant for the discernment process and formed a Project Working Group to develop options for Church, Parish House and Parish Annex
The Vestry worked with the consultant to determine a strategic direction for building usage based on all input that the Vestry received. A report was presented by Senior Warden Karen Papke-Shields to the congregation at the Annual Parish Meeting on May 4, 2025 and a plan was distributed.
How has the congregation been involved in the discernment process?
There were a total of eight different cottage meetings held in May 2025 and attended by members of the congregation to discuss recommendations put forward by the Vestry and to engage in discussions discerning the future of the parish. Click below for a summary of the comments given at the cottage meetings.
Vestry makes decisions on parish buildings
In retreat on June 7, 2025 the Vestry determined that the Church and the Parish House have enough space for our ministries and as such the Vestry voted unanimously to:
- Sell the Parish Annex Building: The Vestry has asked the Rector to report back to them with options for selling the Annex;
- Capital resources are to be concentrated on the Church and Parish House; and
- The facilities are to be more accessible to all
What's next for Discernment?
The Vestry is in the process of compiling a list of capital projects for the Church and Parish House. This information will be used in the next stage of the process: a feasibility study, which will involve every member of the parish.