Alert!  Final Report to the Board

The Space Planning team presented a summary report to the board of trustees at the Nov 10 board meeting.  The board voted to establish a short-term space usage team as recommened in item 1 of the final report and asked Charlie Cook to head this team.  He can begin implementing low- or no-cost suggestions immediately.  Expensive items (> $500) need to be reviewed and approved.

Final Report to the Board

Our Best Shot at Space

Space is a recurring theme across Sunnyhill’s history. About forty years ago, the size of the fellowship made meeting in members’ homes unworkable; the local Y became a good alternative. In 1971 members purchased our current building as a place the fellowship could call home. But again, in 1992, the congregation outgrew the coziness of this private residence and undertook an expansion of it that was completed in 1994.

Arguably, we are at another pinch-point, and space has again become an issue. And yet we are, to quote Toni Murray, a congregation that “demands decisions that are innovative, informal, and effective.” It’s time to give space our best shot once more.

Lynn's Reflections

On July 9 Rev. Lynn Acquafondata presented a Sunday Service on Sunnyhill's space issues. You can read the text here: Toppling the Masterpiece

What we are doing

The Board recently commissioned a small group of us to lead an effort aimed at finding an acceptable approach to relieve our over-crowdedness. Our first step is to conduct one-and-a-half hour, small (10 people) dialogue groups between June and August. The questions will focus on where you are feeling space-stress at Sunnyhill, what you are doing about it, what our choices might be, what success will look like, and how we can fulfill our mission of providing an intimate environment even as we continue to grow.

Talk About Space

Many Sunnyhill members and friends participated in dialogues throughout the summer.  The next scheduled event will be a Space Issue Forum Friday, Sep 29 at 7PM at the church.

Committee Members

Margaret Hamstead, Chair

BK Kosmach

Charlie Cook

George Yeckel

Jay Pullen

Jeff Vipperman

Peg Hart