Information Regarding the Possible Sale of the Chapel

The following is information regarding the possible sale of the St. Luke’s Chapel which you may find helpful in understanding the reasons for its possible sale and the process we are following in our decision-making. As new information comes in or is discovered, we will update this page accordingly.

CHRONOLOGY

1998 The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Utah identifies the Chapel, along with approximately 19 other properties throughout the Diocese, for potential sale as a source of revenue to aid in the support of the facilities of other congregations in need.

2005 February - Fr. Charles is told of the Diocese’s desire to sell the Chapel. In response Fr. Charles requested that, due to the trauma and fragmentation recently experienced by the congregation, the sale of the Chapel be delayed. The Diocese agreed.

2009 January - Fr. Charles is told of the Diocese’s continued desire to sell the Chapel. The rector met with the Rev. Canon Dave Bailey, Canon to the Ordinary and Steve Hutchinson, Chancellor of the Diocese to plan how and when to inform the St. Luke’s parish community.

2009 March 21st and 22nd - Canon Bailey and Chancellor Hutchinson come to St. Luke’s to meet with the congregation and inform them of the intention of the Standing Committee to implement the 1998 decision. They introduced the possibility that our congregation could avoid the sale of the Chapel if we are willing to meet certain ministry, mission and financial criteria.

2009 March 25th The Diocese offers the St. Luke’s Vestry 2 Options:

From Chancellor Hutchinson: After further reflection and consultation about what the Standing Committee needs to receive from St. Luke’s regarding the Chapel, I am pleased to share with you (Charles) and the Vestry the following elements for alternative proposals:

PLAN #1: THE CHAPEL IS RETAINED

1. The Parish will achieve financial “self sufficiency” in the form of no longer requiring a grant from the Diocese for core operating expenses as of January 1, 2013.

2. Regarding capital needs, the Parish will assume full future responsibility for the preservation and repairs to the Chapel, including for instance a new roof when that becomes necessary. The stucco repair/replacement project for the large church will be handled in partnership, with the Diocese and the Parish each respectively absorbing 50% of the costs of the project. In all other respects, the Parish will assume full responsibility for the repair and upkeep of both properties.

3. The increased financial burdens to the Parish undertaken by the above will be managed without undermining or diminishing the financial health and integrity of your missions and ministries budgets, i.e., this plan will not be accomplished at the cost of ministry, staffing and mission.

4. The Parish will donate to the Diocese its interest in the undeveloped property at the end of the parking lot for sale on behalf of the Diocese to assist in replenishing the Project Jubilee funds.

5. The Standing Committee will, in return and so long as the Parish continues to fulfill the above promises, pledge to the Parish that the Chapel will not be sold and will continue to serve the Parish indefinitely.

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PLAN #2: THE CHAPEL IS SOLD AFTER EASTER 2011

1. The Diocese will place the Chapel on the market for sale sometime after Easter 2011, the Parish having taken all preparations pastorally and physically to relinquish the Chapel to the Diocese following Easter 2011 services. The sale proceeds will go to the Diocese.

2. Between now and Easter 2011, the Parish continues to worship in and otherwise utilize the Chapel consistent with its mission and ministries.

3. The Diocese will fund the stucco repair/replacement project without cost to the Parish.

4. The Parish will donate to the Diocese its interest in the undeveloped property at the end of the parking lot for sale on behalf of the Diocese to assist in replenishing the Project Jubilee funds. From the proceeds of the sale of this property, the Diocese will give the Parish $100,000 to be placed in the capital reserve account of the Parish for future building repairs and replacement projects.

5. The Diocese will reduce the amount of the annual Operating Grant to the Parish by the amount of $10,000 each year until the Parish is self-sufficient.

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2009 March 27th and 28th - The Vestry had its annual retreat under the leadership of the Rev. Mike Mayor, Rector of All Saints Parish in Salt Lake City. The Vestry met on Friday evening alone. During the Saturday session (8:00 AM to 12:30 PM), the Vestry invited and welcomed the following designated Chapel Representatives: Ray Freer, Judy Hanley, Mary McEntire, and Ann Deyo, In addition, the following also attended the Saturday session: Nancy Conrow, Mike Dawson, and Denise Lind.

Decisions made at the Vestry retreat:

1.Ask the Diocese for more time to formulate a response.
2.Target June 1st as the deadline to submit the congregation’s proposal to the Standing Committee.
3.Set up a schedule of times for “Sacred Conversations” - to create a safe space for parishioners to be open and honest about their thoughts and feelings about the possible sale of the Chapel.
4.Organize a task force of six people - the wardens plus four people who represent church and chapel - who will labor to formulate a proposal for the Vestry which may be submitted to the Standing Committee.

2009 Monday, March 30th - Fr. Charles sent the following email to the Vestry

and Chapel Representatives:

Click here: Letter to Vestry Recommending Special Task Force 3-30-09.pdf

2009 Monday, March 30th - In a telephone conversation with the rector, the Chancellor of the Diocese, on behalf of the Standing Committee, agreed to give St. Luke’s until June 1st to conduct necessary study and reflection and submit a proposal.

Click here to read the Rector’s letter to the Chancellor & Standing Committee regarding June 1st: Request for June 1 Deadline.pdf

2009 Monday - March 30th - The parish community received an email inviting everyone to attend one of 4 sessions of “Sacred Conversations” during which they would be asked to express their feelings, concerns and hopes regarding the potential sale of the Chapel.

Sacred Conversations Attendance:

Tuesday, March 31st at 3:30 PM: 3 + support staff

Tuesday, March 31st at 7:00 PM: 1 + support staff

Thursday, April 2nd at 3:30 PM: 3 + support staff

Thursday, April 2nd at 7:00 PM: 0 + support staff

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Tuesday afternoon - April 7th

re: Vestry Meeting - Sunday, April 5th

Dear Vestry and Staff,

This past Sunday, the vestry approved the formation of a special task force. The purpose of the task force is to develop a response to the two plans given to St. Luke's by the Standing Committee of the Diocese.

The special task force is composed of:

Sandra Jones - Senior Warden

Dick Miner - Junior Warden

Janet Van Hartesvelt

Ray Freer

Gary Baily

Mac Cover

The task force will need to think both short and long term. They must weigh the benefits and costs of retaining the Chapel in the larger context of the short and long term financial, missional, and numeric growth of St. Luke's.

What are the things the people of St. Luke's need to do and can be reasonably expected to do in order for our parish community to grow and develop:

(1) our mission to & in the world,
(2) our financial strength and independence from the Diocese, and
(3) our ability to reach a greater percentage of the population of Summit and Wasatch counties with our progressive understanding of the Good News.

What do we need to do to grow this church??????

Does retaining the Chapel help us do those things?

Does it make it more difficult or impossible for us to do those things?

The task force will develop a proposal to be submitted to the vestry by the middle of May. The vestry will submit its official proposal to the Standing Committee on or before June 1st.

Thanks & Blessings,

Charles+

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Click Here for the Minutes of the Special Vestry Meeting with

the Rev. Canon Dave Bailey and Chancellor Hutchinson

Minutes of the April 21 2009 Meeting.pdf

Click Here for Minutes of the Vestry Special Task Force Meeting

and the Senior Warden’s Introductory Report - April 28, 2009

Minutes of the Special Task Force Meeting 4-28-09.pdf

Click Here for the Message Fr. Charles sent to the Vestry regarding

the Latest Negotiations with the Diocese and our Intention to

Enter into a Parish-Wide Visioning & Strategic Planning Process