Building Possibilities:
Background Information
This is the first Unitarian article in an ongoing series about our Building Possibilities project. I hope that you will read it and become familiar with the planning that is underway to help preserve the structural integrity of our historic church building while making needed improvements to the facility to benefit all who worship, work and otherwise participate in the many ministries and programs of our church.
If you attended the Society's Annual Meeting in May 2005, you heard a presentation by Scott Randall, our current Standing Committee Chair, entitled Building Possibilities. Scott outlined a number of issues relating to our church building and grounds, reporting that the facilities are not what our membership wants and needs them to be. There are basic and essential infrastructure, safety, systems and maintenance issues that need attention. And there are numerous ways in which the spaces in the building, and how they are furnished and equipped, might better serve our congregation.
Many who attended that Annual Meeting responded immediately and positively to Scott's presentation. I sensed a "What are we waiting for?" and "Let's just do it!" reaction. But proper planning was what we needed, and our Standing Committee assembled a Building Possibilities Team that has been working diligently this past fall to gain a comprehensive understanding of our property and how it is being used. The goal is to create a Master Plan that will allow all of us to understand the evolving needs of our church and the options we have for satisfying them.
Informational Meetings The BP Team recently held two informational sessions after Sunday worship services, on February 5th and February 19th, at which their work and current view of the project was presented. Church members were invited to get involved with Planning Groups that are being established. Some of the Planning Groups will focus on infrastructure issues, (e.g., heating, cooling, electrical, plumbing and other mechanical systems as well as the windows, walls, roof, entrances and safety/security matters), while others will address how we use the space (e.g., worship, education, meetings, offices, events, storage, etc.).
This is not a simple process. It will take time, education, and the cooperation of our members with outside professionals who assist churches with this important work. Together we will create a Master Plan to ensure that we are responsible stewards of this beautiful property, both now and in the future. The Master Plan is but a first step to tell us what needs our attention it ultimately will be the congregation that determines what work it wants done.
How You Can Participate The two after-church meetings in February attracted approximately 50 individuals. We hope that more of you will attend future meetings and accept the invitation of the Building Possibilities Team to become active in one of the Planning Groups that will be working over these coming months. Please be on the lookout, in March and April, for notices that the groups are forming and meeting. You also will see an exhibit of boards showing the areas and issues identified so far.
One suggestion for all of us: read the WUS 2002 Visioning Document (copies are available at church or by calling the church office). Many aspects of ministry, programs and space use that are being considered by the Building Possibilities Team first were identified in the congregation's visioning statement of four years ago. We will want to update them, to be sure, but even in their present state they offer a strong foundation for our planning.
If you would like to speak with a member of the Building Possibilities Team, please contact Church Administrator Mary Ann Young at 781-729-0949. Thank you for your interest and involvement in this important work. (Written 2006)
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