Read the full issue of this week’s newsletter: The Weekly Liberal Sept. 26

Rev. Jen Crow writes:

This past year has been spent in deep discernment about the possibility of co-locating with Shir Tikvah at 3400 Dupont. It’s been a year of inspiration, as we considered a bold move toward deep interfaith partnership, mutual congregational support in a challenging time for spiritual progressives, and greater environmental stewardship. Dozens of lay leaders and staff offered their expertise and time to research examples of successful co-location efforts, develop legal and financial models, facilitate congregation-wide communication and feedback opportunities, collaborate with our architects on building plans, and explore parking options. 

This summer, we commissioned a co-location study from the architecture firm, Miller Dunwiddie, to establish our building’s capacity, condition, re-use and program possibilities. We also asked the architects to provide us with firmer, contractor-estimated costs. We split the cost of this contract with Shir Tikvah, each paying $33,250 toward the $66,500 total. 
At the end of the summer, it was clear that several challenges existed with co-location. Our congregation had expressed significant concern about co-location drawing us away from our mission, especially our racial justice efforts. Many were concerned about the complexity of two growing congregations sharing a building. We worried about the impact on the neighborhood and more difficulty with parking. Some worried that co-location was an idea being pushed through by our clergy without enough congregational input. A risk of congregational division was beginning to emerge.

When the architects completed their feasibility study at the end of the summer, another clear challenge emerged. The cost of creating the building we had dreamed about with Shir Tikvah came back much higher than either congregation anticipated. The design that did fall within our joint budget did not provide either congregation with enough of what they needed to proceed. With all of these challenges clearly laid out before us, the leadership of both congregations unanimously concluded that it was time to end the discernment period around co-location and proceed independently.

Throughout this process, we have learned a tremendous amount about our congregation, our leadership, and our building – all of which will be invaluable as we proceed with our own building project. Here are just a few of the things we learned:

• This congregation values a bold vision. Living into our vision of a racially just world matters to us and guides our decision-making. 
• It takes courage to pause, to explore, and to make clear decisions.
• We yearn for deep relationships, and want to be allies and accomplices of those who are experiencing persecution and oppression.
• There is only one really good solution to our parking issues – and that is ride sharing. 
• However rich our spiritual lives may be, we have real financial constraints. 

We have learned and continue to learn so much from this co-location exploration effort. Thank you for engaging thoughtfully in this discernment with us – for showing up at congregational meetings and information sessions, for sharing your time and expertise, for making your voices heard as we came to this decision, together. 

Going forward, we have great confidence in our ability to work with our architects, within our budget, to make changes to our building that fulfill the original promises of our capital campaign – Not for Ourselves Alone: Building an Inclusive Future  – focused on greater accessibility and hospitality, improved worship and religious education experiences, and tending to deferred maintenance. 

Yours in gratitude,
Rev. Jen