A Vibrant and Active Parish

The parish of St John the Evangelist has served the Ottawa community well for more than 140 years. We have always had the spiritual and human resources for witness and service and we foresee having them for decades to come. The Holy Spirit has richly blessed St John's with an articulate and committed membership, which in turn demonstrates a remarkably high level of support for the parish's mission and priorities. As St John's is known in this city as "the church with the open door", we anticipate a continuing expansion of membership and ministry. Our spiritual richness now outstrips St John's physical plant, both in terms of the space needed and the quality of the existing space. We need a plant renewal and expansion program, which matches our vision of what we believe God wants us to do.

Dreams and Reality

Three years ago, we began to dream of what this renewal could look like. With the help of architect Cecilia Humphreys, we created an architectural vision - a vision that recognized the importance of our life as a church community, and our commitment to service and justice in the world. However, we quickly realized that the cost was unrealistic, and that there was no consensus on the proposals for the worship area. Using this and earlier work, ARC prepared a more modest proposal at a significantly lower cost. This proposal has been yet further refined, to the point that the vision is no longer an unaffordable dream.

The vision for architectural renewal is now fourfold:

• to upgrade the basic building infrastructure (plumbing, electrical, heating and ventilation) on all floors;



• to upgrade and increase the basement space leased to The Well;



• to make necessary repairs and improvements to the first and second floor space;



• to create additional space to respond to St John’s ministry needs.

This is a multi-year project. The timetable to achieve this vision depends on the availability of funds.

Funding

Our estimate of available funds is as follows:

• In July 2004, The Well learned that it had received a $505,400 grant from the City of Ottawa to upgrade the facilities it leases from St John's. To achieve the proposed upgrade, St John's, as landlord, needs to undertake certain building infrastructure upgrades and to provide additional space in the crypt. Both undertakings are in line with our new architectural vision, so the basement renovation was the focus of the fund raising feasibility study undertaken this fall.



• The results of the fund raising feasibility study indicate that, with the assistance of professional fund raisers, St John's should be able to raise $750,000 over the next five years, leaving $700,000 after the cost of professional fees are deducted.



• There is every likelihood that St John's will receive one million dollars from the sale of the parking lot within the next 18 months, if the congregation agrees to the sale.

Knowing how much money is available - approximately $2.2 million - has brought our vision for architectural renewal into focus. The money must cover both the renovation costs and any costs associated with borrowing funds to meet cash flow requirements.

Vestry Approval

On January 16, 2005, Vestry will be asked to approve:

• A five-year capital fund raising campaign, with the goal of raising $750,000. Costs of a professional fundraiser will be met from the proceeds of the campaign. Once these costs are paid, we will have $700,000.



• Essential renovations to the basement, which comprise: upgrading essential building services in the basement (electrical, plumbing, heating and ventilation); partial excavation of the Crypt for the use of The Well; and renovation of the space leased by The Well plus new ground floor washrooms. The maximum total cost to St John's is $600,000. The Well will spend $505,400, the value of the City grant. Construction would commence May 2005 and be completed October 2005.



• Revised conditions for the sale of the parking lot which will provide $1 million cash and 27 parking spaces.

Based on the results of the fund raising feasibility study, we can raise sufficient funds for the essential renovations to the basement and new ground floor washrooms ($600,000), for which we are seeking approval on January 16. This is the first step towards achieving our vision for architectural renewal. Our priority is to provide a solid physical foundation and to provide a hospitable, safe, clean environment for those whom we serve - the women of The Well. This work will also provide major benefits to St John's as we will continue to both use and rent the hall and the kitchen as well as other basement space.

Next Steps

Over the course of the next three months, we will consult with the congregation regarding the order of priority for allocating the balance of the money we expect to receive through fund raising ($100,000 less financing costs) and subsequently from the parking lot ($1 million).

For example, ARC's estimate of the cost of essential repairs and improvements on the first and second floors is well over $400,000. These repairs and improvements will need to be prioritized. Not included in the $400,000 is new space for ministry through the full excavation of the crypt (estimated to cost $274,000) or other desirable improvements on the first and second floors.

How Should We Approach These Important Decisions?

God has opened doors of opportunity for us with the grant for the renovation of The Well and the proposal for the development of the parking lot. In many ways we are faced with a situation similar to the story of the servants who received talents from their master. The question is: what are we going to do with what is most likely a once-in-a lifetime opportunity? Do we play it safe, and do nothing, leaving the next generation with more of a liability than an asset? Do we do the bare minimum? Or do we take this opportunity to put our house in order for God's work being done now, and for those who will follow us? Our response to the challenge will say a lot about our generation. Let us try to match the dedication and imagination of those who have gone before us, and who have left us this gathering place of beauty, refuge and spiritual inspiration.

Revised December 29, 2004