What’s Going On with the Space-Use Study?
Terry Eason
Junior Warden

Actually, a lot! Even though the Space Use Committee, ably chaired by Carolyn Goldfinch, has officially ended its work, the fruits of that effort are being carried out in two different components. The clearest conclusion of that study was that we have short-term needs for building space (the here and now) and that we have long-term space needs that would require further effort to articulate. The Chapel of the Cross continues to grow and has a much more fully developed staff than it had 16 years ago when planning for the last building program began. Any major renovation or expansion of the buildings on our crowded site to achieve certain very obvious needs, such as a larger dining room, would require a very careful long-term vision. Many of the other future space needs were less well defined and cannot be determined until the rector and vestry weigh in on the programs and ministries that we have or are likely to develop.
Therefore, the follow-through on this important space use work has been assigned to two bodies: the short-term improvements have been given to the Building and Grounds Committee and the long-term needs assessment will be given to a long-range planning committee currently being formulated.

Short-Term Needs: A major recommendation of the Space Use Committee is that we could make better use of the space that we presently have. Further, many of our rooms suffer from lack of suitable furnishings, equipment, storage, or lighting. The Buildings and Grounds Committee, chaired by Bert Liverance, in conjunction with the junior warden, is beginning to look at building improvements that are not major and don’t require huge funds, but that would make the day-to-day life of our parish more effective. Currently, a new office configuration for our larger staff is being implemented on the second floor of the Battle Building, and a newly defined meeting room/classroom will be developed from existing underused space, also on the second floor. Ten-year-old carpeting in many rooms is three years beyond average life expectancy and soiled beyond cleaning. Do we find funding to replace it now and risk replacing it again in a larger building renovation three or four years from now?

We continue to have concerns about the charming but quite unsafe main entrance near our front office. Replacing the small steps with a proper landing and gentle ramp with hand-railing (attractively designed, of course) will require funding and permission from the historic district commission, but is this in conflict with the likely location of a building expansion? Certain of these questions are not easy to answer when we all wish to use limited funds wisely, but some things just may have to proceed.

Long-Term Needs: In the last year or two, we have heard of many ideas to meet our evolving ministry together. A specific proposal for a full-time elder care position and program has been received. Many ideas are floating around about an expanded youth ministry. Our Episcopal Campus Ministry continues to be one of the largest such ministries in the country. Adult Christian Education in general is one of the most fast-growing and effective ‘growth centers’ in Episcopal churches nationally, and our superb offerings are frequently booted about our buildings from one inadequate space to another. Funeral receptions often overflow our dining room, and our last parish meeting included serving box lunches in our main worship space! We are starting a new mission in Chapel Hill; and many assume that some of these needs will go away, but our new missioner, the Rev. Lisa Fischbeck, will be in our midst over the next year to tell us why we must continue to grow at the same time.

Many of these space needs will require a determination about which of these programs and ministries should be accommodated in the future. The vestry had a very successful retreat this past May that identified this very thing. An ad hoc committee of the vestry led by senior warden Ted Vaden met throughout the summer and determined the need (with the endorsement of our rector on sabbatical) to have a further special work session this fall to discern our calling in these very issues. This session is planned for Holy Cross Day (appropriately enough!) September 14. A new long-term planning committee will be appointed this fall to carry out this work looking ahead to our parish in the year 2025. I expect that the entire congregation will be hearing a good bit more about all this in the year ahead. Stay tuned.