Incorporating CBCP Into Ongoing Property Stewardship
CBCP provides a model for Indiana Episcopal congregations to increase vitality and serve mission by making the most of their buildings as assets and by developing new and stronger community partnerships. Church of the Nativity in Indianapolis created two internal teams that help the church incorporate the spirit of CBCP into its ongoing property stewardship.
Nativity’s Space Use Team was a temporary team with a mission to create a comprehensive plan for others using church space. Their work has been adopted by Vestry and includes space use policies and determining what spaces are available for space sharing, and under what circumstances. The plan takes into account accessibility challenges of the building and grounds, and Nativity’s experience with the needs of past and present space users. Nativity’s Communications Team also works on creative ways to market Nativity’s spaces to potential space use partners.
The Mission Sustainability Collaborative was created as a new Finance committee, refocusing more on new streams of income rather than trying to save money on essentials. The Collaborative considers Nativity’s assets for income-generation and explores “where do we go next?” The team also leads fundraising events for property improvements and networks with community groups to boost awareness about what Nativity has to offer.
The Rev. Ben Wyatt, Priest-in-Charge at Nativity, says there is a fair amount of energy around these space use topics:
“We are blessed with an abundance of planners. I think we’ve kept ourselves in order. For me, it’s making sure the Vestry is in tune with everything we’re doing. We want to people who can be planners and dreamers, and we want the Vestry to be informed so that we can use our resources effectively.”
Father Ben says these efforts are also making an impact on the congregation, building confidence that Nativity really does have some wonderful things to offer to the greater community.
Recent capital improvements, made in part through a CBCP Phase 1 capital grant, are supporting new uses of the building by the church as well as by space sharing partners.
The CBCP grant went toward a new exterior door in the Nativity’s Nature Room with electronic lock, keypad and sidewalk access to the parking lot. This has allowed the church to offer all its spaces independently from each other.
Nativity has entered into an agreement with Mujeres Conectadas to rent church spaces as their Indianapolis location for educational workshops, meetings and events, connecting Spanish speaking women with resources and tools for personal development. Nativity also recently welcomed Arrows Learning Academy, an independent co-learning institution, to rent its Nature Room as their new home. Students attend Arrows 3 days per week, and they plan to expand to 5 days a week in the fall of 2025. In the accompanying photo, Arrows Learning Academy students are enjoying a Valentine’s Day dance at the church.
“Additionally, Nativity’s pet food and veterinarian ministry, The Stable, has gained better use of the church building restrooms and water supply during Stable hours due to the new door, walk and electronic access. We have had multiple small groups and one day retreats that have utilized all rooms as either break out space or various speakers simultaneously. Our youth have been using the space for their meetings and Sunday School,” Father Ben explains.
The work of the Space Use Team and the Mission Sustainability Collaborative will help Church of the Nativity keep a strategic focus on space sharing readiness and financial stability into the future.
