Location Transition Update | July 2020
July 19, 2020
We've been talking all summer about our Location Transition from our storefront space on Armitage Ave. to Grace United Methodist Church's building at Wrightwood and Kimball. Council remains excited about the possibilities for collaborative, engaging ministry in partnership with Grace. Over the last few weeks, a working group led by Peter Wilhelm and Sara Spoonheim Amit met to discern what financial arrangement with Grace would make the most sense for St. Luke's at this time. That working group reported to Council, and this week Council approved a proposal for partnership with Grace United Methodist Church.
Council's proposal to Grace suggested that we enter into a 44-month lease for $110,000, paid upfront to cover the cost of renovations to make the building accessible and do some basic upgrades. The proposal also communicated to Grace that we aren't looking to be just renters. We think our congregations will be strengthened by partnering together. We are excited about the potential of creating a center of community action. And we think that eventually our partnership may grow into joint ownership of Grace's building along with other partners.
We expect a response from Grace to our proposal by the first week in August. If Grace accepts, the next step will be to move from a proposal to an agreement. We'll need to work out the details of the financial arrangement and the building use. Council has delegated that work to a Relationship with Grace UMC Team, which will be chaired by Peter Wilhelm (peter.e.wilhelm@gmail.com). As soon as possible, we will invite everyone to see the building for yourselves, by visiting in a safe and socially distanced way.
Council has also asked the Generosity Network to help St. Luke's reengage our mission to be a Powerful Church, Transforming Lives and Changing the World amidst new realities. Everyone will be invited into the conversation before the move. Contact Katie Baxter (katie.b.baxter@gmail.com) if you'd like to be part of that work.
Meanwhile, a newly forming Moving Team and Housewarming Team will help make the move possible and make our new space feel like home. If you are interested in serving on the Moving Team, talk to Justin Perkins (jperkins16@gmail.com) and if you're interested in serving on the Housewarming Team talk to Pastor Erin (pastorerin@stlukesls.org).
This is a big new chapter in ministry for our congregation! We give thanks to God for doing a new thing.