Here are the slides that were presented at the Four Churches Town Hall Meetings on March 7 and 8
As you probably know, Trinity has been in dialogue with 3 other downtown churches over the past several years, to develop a vision of the future that will allow us to continue to be a vital part of the spiritual and social fabric of our community. The 4 Churches Working Group has been working with architects, lawyers and accountants who are now ready to present a potentially viable vision that would allow Trinity to put into action, who we are, and what we aspire to be. We would like the members of Trinity to hear, see and discuss the vision and have further input about our possible participation.
The Four Churches Project Working Group invites you to attend one of two Town Hall Meetings.
Please feel free to attend either of the meetings below:
Saturday March 7 at Trinity United Church 10:00 am to 12:30 noon (coffee, tea, snack)
Sunday March 8 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church 12:30 noon to 2:30 pm ( lunch provided at 12 noon---free will offering to defray costs)
The concept to be discussed, would have the 4 churches each using their very prime real estate by redeveloping it into a socially responsible, delicately balanced arrangement of various types of housing and commercial space, office and program space for social service agencies and others, including a worship centre for us & others to use, all of which will meet the ongoing and future needs of the community.
What will you hear and see?
A question and answer session will follow
Trinity will hold a congregational retreat on April 4 (details to follow) at which we shall share our excitement, concerns, questions, etc.
Members of Trinity will not be asked to vote on any proposal in principle until after we have completed these steps in our evaluation of our own responses to the Town Hall meetings. This is an information session only.
Larkin Architect Ltd. has challenged members of the Four Churches Project Working Group to envision what our churches could /should look like in the year 2060, not in the next 10 years. At the Town Hall meeting(s) you will see what that vision could be.
If you are able to commit to one of the two Town Hall meetings, please let us know. We do wish to feed both your imagination and your body!
Trinity's Four Churches Project Steering Group (PSG) recently prepared a brochure that we hope will provide a good overview of the Four Churches Project,
the progress that we've made, and the
path that lies ahead. Its important to us that you feel well informed!
We encourage you to review
this brochure.
Please feel free to contact the Church Office if you have any
questions.
Ken Motts (Chair of the Four Churches Working Group) was recently interviewed by Desmond Jagger-Parsons.
The "Four Churches Project" is a collaborative formed in 2002 between four churches that serve downtown Kitchener:
St. Andrews Presbyterian Church
St. Peter's Lutheran Church
Trinity United Church
Zion United Church
The Four Churches Project arose as a result of the recognition among the churches that there were long-term challenges associated with remaining in Downtown Kitchener. Since these challenges were common to all churches, it made sense to join together collaboratively.
On Friday May 23, representatives from the four congregations attended a presentation that was held in the Council Chambers of Waterloo Region Headquarters. The purpose of this all-day presentation was to provide information on a variety of projects that had been successfully completed by a variety of other churches and housing initiatives. Speakers and presenters included:
As documents are made available from this May 23 meeting, we will add them to this web site. Please check here regularly
On Saturday May 24, representatives from the four congregations again met for the day, this time we were hosted by St. Andrews Presbyterian. Fourteen members from Trinity United attended this all-day meeting. The purpose of this meeting was to review (for the first time) the Land Use Planning Feasibility Study that had been created. This document is the culmination of an investigation that was undertaken by GSP Group and The Walter Fedy Partnership. This document is a thorough but high-level conclusion of how the land and building facilities owned by the Four Churches could be best used.
Please Click Here to View The Land Use Feasibility Study Document
Here is a document that outlines the Church's possible role in urban renewal
Where Do We Go From Here?
As mentioned above, fourteen members from Trinity United attended the May 24 meeting. To a person, everyone agreed that the outcome of the Land Use Feasibility Study can offer Trinity a possible means of resolving ongoing challenges that we face, while providing an exciting opportunity to remain stewards of The United Church in Downtown Kitchener. After a bit more discussion that we wish to have as a group, it is our desire to bring this opportunity forward to the entire congregation for reflection and prayerful consideration. Again, please check here regularly for updates and additional material.