UPDATE: House of Deputies votes Yes – sell the building but does not give time frame.
Lauren Stanley reports for Center Aisle:
The Committee on Structure cut to the chase this morning, editing D016 down from eight resolutions to one:
Sell the Episcopal Church headquarters at 815 Second Avenue before the 78th General Convention.Structure was clear: No more talking about it. No more studies. Just do it.
The action came as a result of discussion about the open hearing Structure held Thursday night, where 40 people repeatedly called for massive and quick change in the Church.
The Rev. David Knight of Mississippi summed up the emotions and thoughts of many on Thursday night when he said, “I have seen what the Church can do when we are nimble. We were far better than FEMA or even the Red Cross [after Hurricane Katrina]. Resolutions from 45 dioceses support this idea. Thousands of Episcopalians agree. The people in the pews have spoken, and they are waiting for us. … I believe we can do this because I have seen it.”
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Hi Rob. Hoping you are finding happiness and peace within TEC!
Selling 815 is important because it’s a vast chunk of our national expenses. At a time when millions of Americans are losing their homes, we spend tens of millions of dollars a year on a sixties-style corporate headquarters in Manhattan–and yet we complain that money is tight. And we do this at a time when the sprawling campuses that were monuments to corporate pride are no longer in style, and companies focus instead on results. At the same time, we have all sorts of surplus real estate. So, I’d say, give up 815, plunk headquarters down somewhere close to those in need, and spend the money to serve others. Or go virtual–in some Fortune 500’s, as many as 40% of employees are virtual, and it’s a green solution. We don’t need oceans of paper and committees running in circles–we need to care for others.
At any rate, my rant du jour. 😉
Eric Bonetti
Perhaps I am too new of an Episcopalian (received into the church about 2 1/2 years ago) but for the life of me I cannot understand why this is important.
I guess my question is why is selling the church headquarters an important part of structural change for the Episcopal Church? Does it symbolize something about the Church? I just do not get it.
My question is not a backhanded way of disagreeing, it’s just something which I really do not understand why it is so important.
We should sell,absolutely. There will be people crying about it but hey, no money for it.
Too bad we didn’t sell 815 and move out to Roanridge 35 years ago. Oh well.
Good. I hope the resolution passes. I see the beginning of a plan. I am encouraged that the Committee on Structure did not pass the responsibility for the decision on to a special commission.
June Butler